The Missionary Review of the World — June 1896
A VIEW OF LAGOS – WEST COAST OF
THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT KAMERUNS, AFRICA. This church is entirely independent and maintains twenty·seven outposts. The bricks were made and the building erected entirely by native Christians. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIX. No. 6.-0ld &riu.-JUNE.-VOL. IX. :lo. 6.-NetII &riu.
THE TWOFOLD RELATION OF THE WORLD KINGDOMS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.-II.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
Human kingdoms have, during the Gospel dispensation, a relation to its propagation. We do not for one moment maintain that any government is to become directly a propagandist of the Christian faith. There is a growing tendency to the separation of Church and State, because separate functions belong to each. If even in a Christian country it is not best to have an Established Church, upheld by the State, surely it is worse to have the Church established by the State in a heathen country. The work of the Church is to extend, promulgate, propagate Christianity, independent of alliances with the kingdoms' of this world and the help of carnal weapons in carrying on her work. Nevertheless, within definite lines and limits, coope1'ation, equally removed from opposition or neutrality on the one hand and from propagandism on the other, belongs to every government that claims in any sense to be Christian. The recognition of Chris_ tianity as a fact and a factor in a true civilization, and of Chrislian principles as the foundation of· common and statute law j the governmental protection extended to its citizens and especially its missionaries j regulative and administrative action such as affects the terms and the tone of treaties j the selection of fit repr,esentatives to stand for Christian peoples in foreign courts and civil service j and various other measures, both legislative and educative-in all these departments a Christian government may negatively avoid hindering, and· positively assist, the Church, in her work of evangelization. The history of the British East India Company and of British rule in India illustrate both the errors to be avoided and the principles of a true cooperation.
Government is not called to interfere in a heathen, pagan, Mohammedan, or papal territory, forcibly to convert the natives to the Christian faith. History inspires little confidence in national conversion. As with the Roman Empire. l~qef Constantine~ a noro.:ina,l 9~f~(;l~i~nity is often only
THE WORLD KINGDOMS AND THE KINGDOM: OF GOD
the exchange of one set of idols and superstitions for another. In a sublime sense Christ's kingdom is not of this world, and courts neither governmental patronage nor carnal weapons. We deprecate compulsory entranco for the Gospel, as when a gunship goes side by side with the peaceful Gospel ship. But it is not asking too much that a so-called Christian nation, such as England or the United States, shall everywhere be known as the protector of its own citizens, the friend of Christian institutions, and the upholder of sobriety, morality, and piety. The flag of a nation whose belt of empire girdles the globe need not bear the cross on its folds, but it .should be the signal and symbol of a true Christian civilization, an enlightened Christian morality. Around the humblest of its subjects it should wrap its folds in the hour of danger, protecting person and property, liberty and life. In the formation of treaties regard may be had to the security of the Christian missionary as well as of the merchant. In sending representatives to foreign courts, why should not men be chosen who will carry with them a high moral and Christian influence as well as the tact of the statesman and the skill of the diplomat! Our government need not go into Turkey to build churches, or colleges, or hospitals j but, when bnilt by consent of the ruling powers, she may insist that they be inviolate. England need not demand of foreign powers an edict of toleration j but when a Ratti Humayun or a Tieutsin treaty is issued, rights are acknowledged of which the British Government may properly demand that converts and their Christian teachers may avail themselves. To be a citizen of Rome ought not to have cast about Paul a protection with which citizenship in the American republic would not invest Dr. Jessup in Syria, or Dr. Lindley in South Africa, or Dr. Jonas King in Athens. Was there any good reason why England should permit Bishop Hannington, when on a peaceful errand, to be murdered in Mwangwa's dominions, without calling the despot of Uganda to account'
I. A Christian government should encourage everywhere a Christian morality. We have seen how, frClm the days of Assyrian supremacy, there had been an increasing tendency toward unity and fraternity, more compact organizal.ion, commercial intercourse, social development, and political alliance-in a word, civilization. But the salt of morality was lacking, and that is a fatal lack. The seven" golden ages" have been, curiously enough, profligate ages. Egypt under the Ptolemies, Athens under Pericles, Rome under Augustus, Italy under Leo X., Russia under Ivan III., England under Elizabeth, France under Louis XIV., were all conspicuous for a high civilization, but also for morai putrefaction and petrifaction.
All history shows that moral corruption and progressive liberty are incompatible. Political development and moral deterioration have never long stood side by side. Since our Lord's adveut, if there has been a coincidence of political and moral progress it has been owing to the fact that the salt has displaced the leaven. There is such a thing as a political con- 8cience. and only so long as it is dominant is even civilization secure of permanence, not to say progress. ,I Slavery has long been regarded as the open sore not only of Africa, but of Rome as well, where single families controlled fifty thousand chattels.
But slavery was and is only a boil that argues bad blood. The evil is deeper; slavery could prevaIl only where the political conscience is par- alyzed, where man either knows not or feels not his duty to his brother man. So of communism and its kindred evils. "The want of a bridge of duty between rich and poor will in time bring any nation to destruc- tion. "
The most startling revelations made in modern times of a decidedly unchristian and iniquitous influence exercised by nominally Christian nations have been those concerning the forcible introduction of opium into China, the licensing of prostitution in India, and the importation of rum into Africa. As to' the last, no greater outrage has ever been committed by an enlightened Christian nation. In 1884 a congress composed of fourteen great powers, Protestant, papal, Greek, and Moslem, met in Ber- lin to create the Congo Free State. And while the chiefs of Southern Africa, like Kahma, not only prohibit traffic in rum, but even forbid its car- riage through their territory, these enlightened powers connive at the in- famous trade in this new territory !
One distillery in Medford, Mass., contracted to furnish 3000 gallons a day for seven years to parties within the Free State, an aggregate amount of 7,665,000 gallons-enough to intoxicate every man, woman, and child in that fifty millions; and that is but one contract! Mr. Hornaday's "Free Rum on the Congo" shows the total shipments of intoxicating drinks to African natives in one year, from five countries, to be nearly ten and a half million gallons; and those five countries are all nominally Christian, and four of them Protestant! And such liquor ! the cheapest, vilest, most poisonous compounds that ever went down the human throat 1 If it had been manufactured in hell it would scarcely have been worse.
II. Christian governments may do much for foreign missions by not practicaIly ignoring Ohristianity. We .have met not a few in England who regard British rule in India as a perpetual warning to all other nations.
An ancient politician seems to have advised that Christ be put to death as a matter of expediency, to avoid a greater calamity to the nation at large.
In his view, it was policy to sacrifice an innocent victim to avoid collision with a stronger enemy that might destroy the Jewish State and Church alike. It is very remarkable that the very ruin his statecraft sought to avert came by the very means used to avert it. The innocent was surren- dered to death, and that death brought destruction at the hands of the.
very Roman power which Caiaphas had sought to appease.
England sought, by ignoring Christianity and upholding caste and Brahmanism, to conciliate the Sepoys. Missionaries had little' 01: no access to the native regiments, and Christians were seldom if ever allowed to remain in the ranks; Hindu and Mohammedan soldiers could not hear the Gospel. Christ was dishonored that the favor of Brahmans and Sepoys might be kept. The miracle-working Gospel suffered repression in India where a few thousands of Englishmen were at the mercy of hundreds of millions, who, if once aroused, could sweep them away in a day. Was another Caiaphas again the counsellor, advising that Christ be crucified afresh in India lest the whole English residency perish? Now mark! God takes those same Sepoys as His hammer to deal a destroying blow at the very parties who, to conciliate them, sacrificed the Christian rehgion! Again the maxim was fulfilled: "Do an evil to avert an evil, and the evil dreaded will become the evil endured." Thoso who look upon the mausoleum at Cawnpore may learn what tender mercies Nana Sahib will show to Christians after centuries of conciliating policy !
III. The British sway in India illustrates the evil of neutral policy in giving a godless education in government schools, from which, to avoid collision with the natives, the Bible was excluded. But a Christian nation cannot be neutral in education ; it is either for Christ or against Himthere is no middle ground. So unscientific is the basis of Hindu theology, that to reach modern science is to overturn it. Take the cosmogony, the geography, the astronomy, taught in the Shasters! The absurd philosophy by which creation is accounted for, by which an eclipse is explained, would not stand an hour under the light of accurate science. But Hindu science and faith are inseparable, both claiming one Divine origin and warrant. Hence, to teach natural philosophy is to undermine moral philosophy and religious faith as the Hindu had been taught it, and, so far as the British government does not permit teaching of the Christian faith, the effect must be to train up a generation of educated sceptics and infidels. It is a startling fact that the young men, thus schooled, have become the most dangerous element in East Indian society. They unlearned the superstitions of the Shasters, but they were taught none of the sublimities of Christian faith; loosed from errors, they were anchored to no certainties; their minds were informed, but their consciences unformed, and they became not only bitter foes of the Gospel, but of British rule, disloyal, disaffected beyond any other natives, and ready for any movement for the overthrow of the very power to which they owed their education. Years before the great mutiny, sagacious Englishmen foresaw that the very policy adopted by Britain to promote the tranquillity and safety of her empire in India, was imperiling it. Atheism and deism spread side by side with hatred to the British name and rule among the very men trained in government schools and employed in government service.
Even heathen men, if they do not recognize the superiority of the Christian religion, recognize consistency in those who represent it. A Persian lad who brought his Persian testament to the school-room, was bidden by his Christian master to take it away as a proscribed book. The father, a Parsee himself, forbade the boy to go longer to the sc1;J,ooll saying, " The man who cares nothing for his own religion will care nothing for ours either !"
Nor must it be forgotten that the government of England lent aid to a system of education which rather favored false religions. At great metro- politan centers, for the sake ot conciliating educated natives, colleges were established to promote the study of the Sanskrit, Arabic, and Persian tongues j and of Oriental letters, philosophies, and faiths. And so, under government patronage and at government expense, a learned Orientalism was taught to the privileged youth, with all the defects and follies and falsehoods embraced in those systems-the pantheism, materialism, and sensualism of the Vedas and the Koran were the food on which Hindu and Moslem young men were fed. Krishna, the god of lies, was held up by maulavis and pandits for imitation, while Christian teachers held him up for execration j Mohammed and his black-eyed houris were put before young men as a model of manhood and of heavenly society, while English missionaries were trying to present Christ and a heaven of holiness!
IV. What shall be said of the direct obstacles which Christian England placed in the way of India's evangelization in the impression produced upon the natives by the sordid, immoral, and sometimes cruel character of some of her representatives. The annals of rule, as carried on by Christian nations, largely deserve to be written in blood. Greed of gain and the lusts of the flesh, rapacity, and cruelty have too often been the dominant motives and methods, not of Portuguese only, but of British and American rulers also. Such conduct has so incensed the native mind and so maligned the Christian faith that, as the native chief, Hatuay, would shun even heaven if he had to meet there the Spanish invaders, so the Hindus and North American Indians would find no attraction in a paradise where their Christian oppressors were to have a home.
We see no reason why, in forming treaties, a Christian government should not take a position as such. In 1797 our own country, in its treaty with Tripoli, a nominal dependeucy of the Turkish Empire, actually inserted these audacious words : "The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion!" What an argument that, to put into the mouth of Moslems against all missionary efforts !
There is something magnificently grand in a great ruler of men taking the scepter in the name of God j not formally, as Constantine did in the fourth century, or Charlemagne, when at Christmastide, 800 A.D., he was crowned Christian emperor at Rome, but as Alfred, when he had won back England's liberties, opened his code of laws with the words: "And the Lord spake all these words : I am the Lord thy God," and then follows the Decalogue and the golden rule: "VVbatsoever ye would that men should do to you, that do ye also unto them. "
The English nation for two hundred and fifty years so little saw and felt what God meant by British occupation of India that her rulers long and vehemently fought against India's evangelization. In fact, up to the new charter of 1813, the opposition was open and systematic. Both tongues and pens were arrayed against aU efforts to permeate India with the Gospel, and virulence united with ignorance to carry the day against missions. So absurd lite ~he arguments then used that, as Dr. Duff said, they have become now "like curious fossil relics of antediluvian ages.
When in 1793 certain clauses were proposed in a bill then pending for the renewal of the company's charter, clauses designed to encourage Christian men in going to India to propagate the Christian faith, those clauses were promptly and peremptorily negatived; and a learned prelate in the House of Lords, a defender of 0rthodoxy too, actually argued against any interference " with the religion, the laws, the local customs of the people of India," alleging that there was no obligation resting on Englishmen to attempt the conversion of the natives, even were it possible, which he denied; and that the command to preach the Gospel to all nations did not in this case apply. As late as 1813 Charles Marsh, in the House of Commons, expressed mingled" surprise and horror" at the proposal to send out missionaries " to civilize or convert such a people at the hazard of disturbing or deforming institutions" which hitherto had proven the means designed by Providence to make them virtuous and happy!" Pamphleteers assailed missions as an attempt to overcome the" unconquerable abhorrence of the Christian religion" on the part of the Hindus, while twenty-five years previous the Rajah of Tanjore, for instance, had made a perpetual appropriation of land of the yearly value of $1000 for the support of Christian teachers.
During the early period of British empire in India, not only was Christianity repudiated and treated with contempt, but the government undertook the patronage of the native idolatries and superstitions, chiefly on the ground that it was policy to humor and conciliate the native population. And so we have the ignominious spectacle of a Christian and Protestant nation not only bearing with, but bearing up, the most dangerous and subtle of Oriental heathenisms. The Marquis of Wellesley wrote to the British resident at Lucknow advising a "liberal attention to the religious establishments and charitable foundations of the country," and asking him to furnish a statement of the public endowments of both the Hindu and Mohammedan religions as he might propose to confirm or extend f' Partly from motives of state policy and partly from regard to financial profits, the government allied itself with the temple of Juggernath in Orissa of Bydenath in Birhlim, of Gya in Behar, and the sacred shrine of pilgrims at the junction of the Ganges and the Jumna! Nay, Mr. Lionel Place actually sighs over the desolations of idolatry, the decline of the magnificence of the festivals and processions of the famous pagoda at Conjeveram, and the poverty of the idolatrous " church" which prevents the replacement of the rich ornaments of the idol and garniture of the fane, which the war had stripped from the pagan god and his temple, and urges the government to restore the lost splendor.
This representative of a government bearing, like himself, the name of os Christian, " urges the tImely outlay whIch wIll prevent such decline and even restore ruins. Probably no representative of a Protestant nation ever became so famous, or, rather, infamous, for hls services to idolatry. Mr. Place introduced a new nomenclature. The plgodas became the " estab. lished church;" the temple revenues, " church funds ;" the Brahman keepers of idol shrines, "churchwardens." A spacious garden near a great fane, and a gorgeous head-dress worth $5000 within the fane, were Mr. Place's gifts, and he actually used his position to increase the pomp of heathen festivals and supply furniture and garniture for the shrines of Brahma !
The worn-out wardrobes and cars of the idol god were replaced at government cost; the arsenals furnished ropes for pulling those cars ; temple repairs were sometimes superintended in person by European officers and their hirelings ; the great feasts were paid for out of the public treasury ; Brahmans were hired to pray for rain to idol gods, and servants, dancing girls, and prostitutes were appointed under Government sanction. So long as such things continued, missionary labors were offset by obstacles thus created by a Protestant nation more formidable than any presented by heathenism itself. England was building again as fast as the missionaries destroyed, and made herself doubly a transgressor. And altho now more than fifty years ago direct connection of the Government with Indian idols and idol temples has been severed, it was many years later before the severance was complete; and the sad story still blackens the annals of British rule in India to admonish us how seriously and impiously a Christian government may not only block the wheels of missions, but actually build up as well as prop up false fanes and faiths.
James Clement Ambrose, in Our Day, has recently arraigned Britain for manufacturing the idol, of India! The same ships from Liverpool that land missionaries at Madras, Calcutta; Rangoon, unload, he says, a crate of graven images of wood, stone, and metal, supposed to be of the most approved pattern and the most propitious power. Think of the missionary, toiling to break down idol fanes and banish idol gods on the one hand, and this foremost Protestant nation on the other supplying the images that may be bought for a rupee, and danced about in the full summer moons! Meanwhile Mr. Ambrose reads out another count in his indictInent : England, while she thus consecrates the idolatry of Buddha, desecrates the Christian Sabbath. Such public works as hewing paths through the country, or mending streets in the city, or building lines of railway and telegraph, the agents of the British crown push, without resting on the first day of the week, and native employees are taught that public work carried on by a Christian government calls no halt on God's rest day!
It seems incredible that in so many ways, both direct and indirect, the leading Protestant nation of Europe could have become not only implicated but identified with the East Indian idolatries. While a heathen regent at Travancore set the example of exempting her Christian subjects from compulsory attendance at the heathen temples or any public service of heathenism on the Lord's Day, the representatives of a Christian government were not only collecting revenues from idols shrines, but doing all in their power to nourish the superstition that increased those revenues. In several provinces public officera were retained whose sole duty it was to see that the idol shrines were kept in repair and the idol worship made attractive, and report to the official head of the province.
One of the directors of the East India Company, when, at the India House, he heard the tidings of the Sepoy Mutiny, threw up his hat and shouted" Hurrah 1 Now we shall get rid of the saints." He was reflecting the sentiments of another director before him, who would rather a band of devils landed in India than a band of missionaries. But, as has been aptly said, "Never was prediction more mistaken. Instead of the East India Company getting rid of the saints, the saints got rid of them I"
Both candor and charity, however, demand of us to add that the Government of England has, whether from external pressure or otherwise, in later times passed many measures favorable to the cause of evangelization in India. Not only is universal toleration now extended to all missionary agencies, but obstacles that seemed almost insuperable have been removed. Liberty of conscience has been established. To disinherit a Hindu, rob. bing him of his patrimony simply because of a change of creed, has become an offense punishable at law. The fires of the funeral pyre have been quenched, and the infamous suttee burning is no more. This custom, which may be traced to the fourteenth century B.C., was entrenched in the most radical superstitions of the country. It was believed that not only on the widow herself, but on her dead husband, the self-immolalion of the widow conferred the highest merit, and that .to her, who otherwise would vainly seek entrance into paradise, this flaming door opened the way to a bliss of thirty_five million years. In 1829 Lord William Bentinck, then governor-general, decreed that all aid, assistance, or participation in any act of suttee should be construed and punished as murder. When the excited Brahmans denounced his action as an unwarrantable interference with their religious conscience, and appealed to him whether Englishmen did not teach all men to obey conscience, Lord Bentinck quietly replied, "By all means obey your conscience; but I forewarn you that if your Hindu conscience- compels you to bum innocent widows on a funeral pyre, the Englishman's conscience compels him to hang everyone of you that aids or abets such murder I" This law, at first appHcable only to Bengal, soon extended over all the territories of the East India Company, and wherever possible was incorporated in treaties made with native princes. By similar governmental interference the horrors of infanticide are no more, and in 1863 the last link of connection with idolatrous temples and priests was broken, and State patronage and endowment of heathenism came to an end.
In 1875 Rev. John Wilson, D.D., of Bombay, cataloged and classi· .
fied the horrors and iniquities removed by Government. Let any man look at the catalog and then say that a Christian government can do nothing to remove obstructions to evangelization where it has control. Dr. Wil- son's classification covers ten particulars-viz., murder of parents, murder of children, human sacrifices, voluntary torment, involuntary torment, ex- tortions, legal support of caste, religious intolerance, slavery, and suicide; and each of these particulars includes several subdivisions, making in all thirty-four distinct forms of cruelty and outrage abolished by governmental action.
F?r the outmges committed on American missionaries and citizens and their property in China the United States has no one to blame so much as herself, for her own outrages on the resident Chinese, and her own political course in the violation and annulling of her own treaties with China.
No government can afford to follow that Machiavellian policy which assumes that there is no moral governor above us and no moral Provi- dence, and hence no moral retribution, and need be no moral obliga- tion or political conscience. Sir John Lawrence, when Governor of the Punjaub, grandly said, "Christian things done in a Christian way will never alienate the heathen." The whole history of British occupation in India, now covering nearly three hundred years, has written this lesson in blood and tears, that a Christian nation may carry out even among heathen subjects all really Christian measures, not only without risk, but with every advantage both to its own stability and the welfare and even loyalty of its foreign subjects.
V. A Christian nation may powerfully cooperate with the Church of Christ in facilitating the introduction and distribution oj the Scriptures.
The Mexican War was undertaken no doubt mainly from the greed of ter- ritorial acquisition. Yet it cannot be denied that the Bibles and Testaments carried into Mexico in the knapsacks of American soldiers-and sometimes stained with their blood-thus found their way into that land where papal domination still leaves millions to live and die without ever having seen a copy of the Word of God j and the Bibles, thus flung over the border aR from the point of the bayonet, actually became. not only the seed of in- dividual conversion, but the nucleii of little companies of believers- unconscious Protestants-and the germs of evangelical churches.
England prides herself on her cathedrals, which are also the superb catacombs of her illustrious dead. But no cathedral structure ever com- pared, in point either of massive majesty or glorious symmetry, with that British and Foreign Bible Society which reverses the miracle of Babel and perpetuates the miracle of Pentecost. It is a true missionary socie- ty, whose missionaries never die nor even grow old and decrepit, knowing no infirmity or disease; never embarrass the work by infelicitous mar- riages, fanatical new departures, heretical new theologies, by doing what must be undone or by undoing what has been done ; never apostatize from the faith or even falter in their fidelity. The Word of God calls them " gods" to whom the Word of God came ; and the Scripture cannot be broken. It lifts us to a Divine dignity to be the recipients and repositories of the Holy Scriptures. Why should not a Christian nation further and forward the rapid dissemination of this seed of the kingdom'
VI. Whatever else may be said, certain it is that for a Christian gov- ernment to oppose mi8siona and obstruct their progress is to provoke the just judgments of God.
Human history furnishes more than one ilIustration of the startling warning in Isaiah 60 : 12, " The nation and kingdom that will not serve Thee shall perish; yea, those ·nations shall be utterly wasted." The pre- diction originally applied to Israel is capable of a wider historic applica- tion. Many an emperor or sultan or petty chief has fallen under the judg- ment of God at a crisis in the affairs of the kingdom of God. In 1839 the darkest hour came to Turkish missions, and the tyrant Mahmftd ordered all Christian missionaries summarily expelled from the empire. Dr. Goodell quietly said, " The great Sultan of the Universe can change all this." And on July 1st the Sultan died. God blew, and His enemies were scattered. That order for expulsion was not only never enforced, it was never again referred to! In 1851 the King of Siam, the implacable foe of missions, had so prevented the missionaries from getting a foothold that they were awaiting only the arrival of a ship to bear them away. The work whose foundations had been laid thirty years before was about to be abandoned as hopeless when again God interposed, and on April 3d the king died and the choice of the nobles for his ,successor fell upon the one man in all the kingdom who owed his liberal culture and his tolerant temper to the private teaching of a missionary. From that hour Christian missions have found not only forbearance but favor and fostering care in the royal court of Siam.
He who made proud and cruel Babylon His hammer to smite and break other nations, afterward shivered the hammer itself on the awful anvil of His judgment. We may, as a political power, refuse to recogniz6 God in form, to embody in our Constitution or institutions any express recognition of our allegiance to the King of kings ; but there is one fact whose force we cannot escape: it is Christianity that has made us what we are, and given us our place among the nations of the earth. It has modeled all that is best in the basis of the republic, the eternal principles of constitutional liberty. It has laid the granite blocks of individual rights, political equality, and personal liberty. It has set in their place the pillars of common law and statute law upon which rest the very arches of government; it has surmounted them with the successive stories of our institutions, civil, benevolent, and philanthropic ; and it is Christianity which has made it possible to crown this structure with a dome so vast that within its scope there is room for every subject to follow his own conscience in his worship of God. There the structure stands. Whatever may be said by godless men, and to whatever purposes the building may be
RECENT PROGRESg IN CENTRAL AFRICA
perverted, the fact still remains the same that the corner-stone -is laid in the Bible, and but for Christiamty the structure had never been so reared. Our Government, if it openly denies and disowns the obligations we owe to the Christian religion, deserves and risks the removal of the very foundations it disowns. God has more than once taken a nation at its word, as when the Jews assumed the blood of His Son, which has been on them and on their children for fifty generations.
But we owe to Christianity more than a mere recognition-a debt that can be paid only by all proper and lawful endeavors to reconstruct aU other governments upon the basis of the Christian religion, to promote the recognition of God's Fatherhood and man's brotherhood-nay, more, of the Messianie Kingship of Christ. Without merging the State into the Church or leaving the political sphere for the ecclesiastical, a government like that of England or America may act as the handmaid of the Church in displacing the fetish of the pagan, the endless wheel of the Buddhist, the iron ring of the Brahman, the crescent of the Turk, and even the crucifix of the Romanist, by the cross.
RECENT PROGRESS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. * BY C. J. LAFFIN, M.D., F.R.G.S., BATANGA, WEST AFRICA.
The opening of the period under consideration (1870-1895) found a few mission stations scattered along the coast lines of the Dark Continent, planted there as " stepping-stones to the interior." These were manned by a small number of missionaries, the greater part of whose time was taken up trying to solve the problem of how to exist in Africa. These early missionaries accomplished very little that could be tabulated, but on their work the successes of to-day rest. Their work, their lives, their deaths have compelled the Boards, some of them at least, to recognize the fact that God does not hold His laws in abeyance because we are doing His work. They have clearly demonstrated that a missionary in that deadly climate, unless surrounded by suitable sanitary and hygienic conditions, and provided with skilled medical aid, will sicken and die as surely as anyone else will. They have also proven that a thorough knowledge of the country and people, of any given region, is necessary before permanent stations can be founded. This led to the sending out of missionaries versed in medicine, geography, mechanics, languages, ethnology, to.· • .. Recent" dnrlng the past twenty-five years. Practically no progress W88 made before 18'70• .. Central Africa."-Between a line drawn from lS" N. lat. on the W. C088t N. on the E.
C088t, and another line drawn across the continent at 22" S. lat.
Africa outside of these lines is 80 essentially dUfercnt from Central Africa 88 to require, If dis· cussed. a separate paper. etc. The proportion of such workers to theologians is rapidly increasing. It cost much in time, money, and lives to get these 'facts recogpized j but it has been worth all it has cost-yes, worth many times more. Those missions which have recognized these facts are to-day preaching the Gospel to the millions of the far interior, while the others still painfully struggle for existence on the coast.
Political.-Next to the question of health, probably the greatest ob- stacle to be overcome was the political condition. (It must be borne in mind that the Central African, on the whole, did not object to the introduction of Christianity.) Almost the entire country was split up into petty clans and villages. There were a few tribes under one government, and two or three organized nations j but generally a chieftain's or headman's (often improperly called" king's") authority did not extend over more than five to ten square miles, often not more than half a square mile. There were no established laws-for the stranger, and petty wars were constant. Under such conditions travel and often residence were impossible for the missionary.
The different European governments exercised authority on the coast "within reach of the guns of the warships." For the most part this state of affairs has changed. Almost the whole area has been brought under European control. The net result has been very good, especially in the English territories. A missionary with tact, discretion, and a knowl- edge of the people, can, if unarmed, travel almost anywhere he chooses, preaching the Gospel as he goes. Such of the law machinery of civilized countries as is applicable to so new a country has been set in motion, and generally exercises its power to control and protect all. In a few years life, liberty, and property will be as safe in all, as now in reany parts of Central Africa as in America. The degree of protection will vary in different localities, as it does in the United States.
Education.-With the exception of the Mohammedans in the extreme north and northeast of this area, the people were without any literature. The necessity of giving the people the Bible in their own language was recog- nized from the first j but to learn the many unwritten languages and dia- lects, and reduce them to writing, was no small task. The words had to be "picked from between the teeth" of the natives, then by laborious effort a grammar would be worked out, and the work of translating taken up. To-day the Bible, or portions of it have been translated into about one hundred and thirty-five languages and dialects. For sonie years the belief was widespread in America that education was necessary to prepare men to "comprehend the abstract principles of Christianity," . and that raising up schools would draw all men to Christ. So schools of all grades, from the most elementary to colleges, were founded throughout the inission fields. Over two hundred and fifty thousand people have been taught to read God's Word in their own tongue. Not a few have been given a collegiate education, and will compare favorably in this respect with the average missionary. Some twenty-seven periodicals in the native
SERVICE IN A NATIVE AFRICAN CHURCH
RECENT PROGRESS IN CENTRAL AFRICA
tongues have been started. Complete grammars and very good dictionaries have been printed, and no inconsiderable literature has beWl provided in the prinQipallanguages. At the present rate of progress another twentyfive years will see as large a proportion of the people reading and writing as in Spain to-day.
Much attention has been given to the solution of the problem, "What is the best system of education for the Central African as we find him to-day~" While the problem has not yet been solved, much has been learned.. This much has been conclusively shown, that the system which has been developed to meet the needs of the Anglo-Saxon in his present stage of civilization cannot develop the latent powers of the Central African. The tendency now is to give them the Gospel, let that create needs in them as it did in us, then place within their reach the means to meet those needs.
Social.- Whether or not we admit that social progress has kept pace with the advance in other Jines, depends on the standpoint from which we view the question. Certainly they have shown comparatively little desire to " ape the European." But that a great social evolution along natural lines is in progress, is admitted by most, if not all students of Africa, who have had opportunity to m~ke extensive studies of the question on the field.
The homes of the married missionaries, showing forth fruits of the Gospel, have' never failed to compel recognition, and have, next to the preaching the Gospel, been, in God's hands, the greatest uplifting power in Central Africa. Single men on a station where there are no families are invariably the object of suspicion. The present cry for" single men for Africa" is confined almost entirely to " arm-chair missionaries" who have never even visited Africa.
Oommercial prof/ress has kept pace with, if not outrun, all other forms of advance. The volume of trade has increased 4300 per cent, and prom- Ises to keep on increasing. This led to the building of railroads, highways, bridges, steamboats for the inland rivers and lakes, the establishing of telegraph and mail routes, the great increase in the number of coast steamers, their size and speed, and the number of ports of call. Thus one of the great problems, the difficulty of travel and communication, is being rapidly met. In many places one missionary can, on account of the above advances, do as much itinerating as ten could a few years ago, with no increase in expense. Commerce and the Gospel go hand in hand. This may seem a strange statement if we consider the details of commerce, yet the net result proves it to be true.
Medical.-The early missionaries, whose training had been principally theological, naturally were not prepared to deal with the health problems which met them as soon as they arrived on the coast. The result was that they had'to be invalided home or died off in such numbers as to give rise to the question, "Is the evangelization of Africa a possibility?" Later a few medical men were sent out ; the result was so satisfactory that the number was soon increaseil, so that most missions now have at least one physician, and some of the missions endeavor to have a medi. cally train1!d worker at each station. This has led to a decrease in the death-rate-where medical aid is available-of over 100 per cent, and vastly increased the health and efficiency of those workers who remain. The knowledge gained in tropical hygiene and sanitation, and in the prevention and trea~ment of diseases peculiar to Central Africa, has, when applied, very much decreased the expenses of the missions, removing the necessity for such frequent and prolonged visits to ~his country.
I believe that the effects of the climate have done more to prevent the spread of the Gospel in Africa than rum, slavery, polygamy, and all other forces combined. This problem cannot be satisfactorily solved until we have medical men, the best, attached to our boards in this country. It is not reasonable to expect theologians, however learned they may be in their own calling, can satisfactorily deal with this, one of the deepest and most complicated questions before the medical profession to-day.
But, tho the difficulties have been tremendous, the comparatively few physicians on the field, generally with the most scant assistance from their board (one doctor during his first seven years received no supplies other than quinine and a hypodermic needle), have during the past few years more than doubled the efficiency of the workers and very materially lessened the expenses, besides founding hospitals, training native youths in the elements of medicine, surgery, etc., and teaching the people the laws governing contagious and some other diseases with most satisfactory results. Gospel.- When we come to consider the progress of the Gospel we find ourselves unable to tabulate it. While it is comparatively easy to get the figures of church-members and estimate the number of adherents, this does not state a tithe of the actual progress of the spirit of the Gospel. For instance, up to three years ago in the Bule tribe there was constant war between the different villages, no stranger was allowed to pass through or live in their country. To-day missionaries live among them-even the ladies of the mission can travel anywhere there without escort. Strangers pass through the country with impunity. In some districts wars have entirely ceased j in all it has greatly diminished, and will soon be but a memory. The only agencies used to produce this change were preaching the Gospel and healing the sick; yet all that is shown in statistics is, "Inquirers, 11." This is a fair sample of what is going on in hundreds of districts throughout this vast area.
Yet much has been done which can be tabnlated. Churches dot the entire coast lines, extend far up the navigable rivers-over one thousand up the Congo-and around the shores of the great lakes. The kingdom of Uganda is now Christian. Many districts (like Banza Manteke, Lukungu, Blantyre) are now as truly Christian as, say, Delaware or Rhode Island. which are about the same size. A more or less-generally less-perfect knowledge of God's plan of salvation has reached ~bout twenty millions, and will, at the present rate of progress, reach the other one hundred and sixty millions during the next twenty-five years. As the missionaries generally have not insisted on the natives adopting our VIlestern ecclesiastical machinery and church architecture, a large part of the native churches have become self-sustaining and self-governing, giving rise to healthy, vigorous, self-propaga.ting churches. A comparison between them and the home churches would often (not always) be discomforting to the latter. . Hundreds of the Christian men, women, and children have, by their life's blood, testified to the power of Christ to save, often after enduring cruel scourging and mocking. A vigorous native ministry has sprung up. In some places, as on the Niger, they have the entire control of the work. In other places they work with or under the missionaries. As the result of experience, there is a rapidly increasing disposition on the part of the missionaries to turn the entire responsibility over to the natives at the earliest possible date. Several thousand young men are now being trained to more effectively carry the Gospel to their countrymen. Probably no part of the world has yielded such a rich spiritual harvest for the amount of work actually done as Bantu Africa (all south of 2° north).
If we go to Bonny we see a cathedral, seating 1700, taking the place of the temple decked with 10,000 human skulls, which stood there a few years ago. In Rubaga we see the place where thousands yielded up their lives to a despotic king until five years ago taken up by a church seating 4000. In Equatorville, Irebu, and many other places, the shrieks of the dying who were being killed for sacrifice or to be eaten has now given place to the songs of peace and joy. Scores of such illustrations might be quoted. A great transformation is taking place in Africa. If the Church at home will take hold now this generation will not have passed away before the cry of" enough" is heard. There is no time to lose. Africa has awakened from her sleep of centuries. She is looking for guidance.
She will take either Mohammed or Christ, whichever is first presented. Mohammedanism has already got practical control' over the whole of the northern part of this area, and is rapidly advancing south. In the very near future a great and bloody conflict for political and spiritual supremacy will be waged between Islam and Christianity. If this present British expedition up the Nile succeeds in breaking the power of the Mahdi-well, if not, it will mean many dark and cruel years to the Central African Christians.
Tho the various lines of progress have been considered separately, and other important lines have not been mentioned, they are not independent; each helps the other. For instance, the Gospel stops wars and opens the way for commerce, commerce builds roads, etc., and lessens the expense of carrying the Gospel.
The natural order is generally as follows : Geographers * go ahead and find out about the people, the country, and its resources; medical science goes and makes it possible for the white man to live there; the Gospel follows and inaugurates an era of peace; commerce follows; law, first military, then civil, steps in and takes control; education, social reform, etc., come in about the same time. Nearly all the educators, about half the geographers, a large proportion of the statesmen, with a small proportion of the physicians, and other scientists, are also missionaries.
Recent progress in Central Africa has been marvelous. History re- , cords no parallel. Her friends are filled with hope. Much has been done at a great cost in lives and money. Much remains to be done, much money will be spent, and many lives be laid down before the work is done; but let us not unnecessarily sacrifice any more workers by continuing to commit their health and lives to mission secretaries who have had no medical training. Africa's redemption is at hand. Where sin did abound grace does much more abound; and to-day as formerly " the Cross of Christ is the power of God unto everyone that believeth."
.. I UBe the word geographer in place of explorer, as the latter, nnle88 he be also a geographer, con~ tributes very little valuable Information liS the result of his" trips."
NINE CENTURIES OF .BUDDHI8X
NINE CENTURIES OF BUDDHISM.-m.
BY F. B. SHAWB, LADAX, TIBBT.
In the second part of the Buddhist catechism, concerning the doctrine of the Buddha, Subhadra continues: II. 3. Cannot the Buddha redeem us from the consequences of our guilt by his own merit?
Answer. No man can be redeemed by another.
But the Dalai Lama in Lhasa is called " savior," and the people univer- sally ascribe some indefinite redeeming power to him.
II. 182. Is it wrong to commit suicide? Answer. No ; so long as no wrong is done anyone thereby.
Who can determine this? Life is so complicated that a would-be SUicide cannot possibly foresee the ultimate consequences of his action. The Ladaki are here better than their religion, and suicide is universally condemned. A suicide is believed to spend the time between his actual death and the date when he would have died in ordinary course of nature in "Bar~o," a state in which he is exposed to the attacks of terrific demons.
In II. 140 the "ten fetters"-i.e., obstacles to enlightenment, are enumerated. Many are more or less identical with the fundamental rules for conduct, and can therefore be passed over here. But as the third " fetter" is mentioned : The superstition that salvation can be gained by outward religious practices, rites, prayers, sacrifices, worship of relics, pilgrimages, and various other forms and ceremonies.
This is undoubtedly Buddhist theory, and measured by this rule, no Tibetan is unfettered. Prayers and sacrifices will be adverted to shortly i hut quite apart from these, Tibetan Buddhism is nothing else but a mass of outward religious practices. Annually thousands of Tibetans wander weary distances to sacred shrines, which are cll-cumambulated times innu- merable, often on hands and knees, while the most debased use of relics made by ignorant Roman Catholics is paralleled in Tibet. The ex-king .of Ladak was last year engaged with his whole family in a four months'
pilgrimage to the KaUas Mountains. Annually the whole Buddhist popu- lation of Leh circumambulates all the shrines, prayer-walls, etc., in the valley, a march of about ten miles; and an old ~n used to pass my house daily in execution of this task, twirling his prayer-wheel the while.
Scores of people go every summer to the Pangkong Lake in order to 'obtain the blessing of seeing the image of Lhasa, which is hundreds of miles t.distant, pictured in the hlue waters of the lake. Others go to Triloknath _ . • . " .l,';' in Lahaul, which is in some mysterious way connected with Lhasa, and a journey to which is· almost equivalent to a pilgrimage to that holy city. Another favorite place is a lake in Kulu with a floating island. A man in Leh solemnly assured me that when on a visit there a strange bird bespattered his new dress with dirt. In anger he wiped it off, and since then nothing but misfortune has dogged his course. He had inadvertently deprived himself of a special blessing.
This is evidently all pure superstition, and a comparatively mild form of superstition. There are lower depths than this. It is Tibetan practice to creniate corpses; wood, however, being scarce, the cremation is often very incomplete. The ashes and unconsumed bones are therefore gathered together, pounded in mortars and mixed with clay, which is then stamped into little medallions and figures. I have one of these medallions, which purports to contain part of the ashes of the fifth Dalai Lama, and bearing the official gold seal attesting its genuineness on the reverse side. On my asking the man from whom I obtained it why it was damaged at the sides, he explained that many little bits had been consumed by sick people as medicine 1* II. 148. Does Buddhism teach its followers to hate, despise, or persecute nonbelievers ?
Anawe'1'. Quite the reverse. . . . Even where dominant it has never oppressed or persecuted non·believers, and its success has never been attended with bloodshed. In a note we read further: By Christians this is called apathetic indifference j by Buddhists tolerance.
True, as far as I am aware, Buddhism has never been propagated by the sword, as has Islam. But the statement that " it has never oppressed or persecuted non-believers" does not agree with the facts. The attitude of Tibetan Buddhism is that of "apathetic indifference," until the priests find their power imperilled, then fanaticism immediately breaks out. In the early days of the Christian mission at Kyelang a priest showing himself interested in Christian doctrine was promptly made away with by his colleagues. The Tibetan expression "red offering" has not been quite cleared up, and the priests are very reticent on the subject; but this much is certain, it includes the slaughter of notorious non·believers in order to propitiate the deity. The former Roman Catholic mission in *Ladaki Buddhism, however, descends lower still. It is only with grave hesitation that I ven- ture to mention the following practice, and I do so only from the feeling that it will illustrate better than anything else, what awful depths Buddhist superstition can reach. It is an old story that the Dalai Lama's excrements are made up into pills, which are sold as " hlessings" to the laity. I have enquired into this marvellous assertion, and have found many people who had heard of these pills, mauy more who wished to have them and regretted that Ladak is so far away from Lhasa that only a few of these precious objects reach the country, aud I have met with one man, who IlSSured me that his father had not only seen, but actually obtained and eaten one of these pills I Altho I am inclined to believe that the story Is true as to its main facts, I am not prepared to assert It unequiv·· ocally ; but I do assert that Ladak! Buddhists believe it and welcome such things. Can any snperstition be more disgusting, grovelling, and debasing than this? If Buddhism considers relic-worship to be superititious, what are we to think of this? And why has not Buddhism put a stop to it ? Bonga can point to more than one martyrdom. In 1893 a young man in Leh was baptized, whereupon all priests were interdicted from performing any service in the houses of his friends and rslatives, who had in vain opposed the young man's decision. Buddhism in Tibet is tolerant only so long as it can afford to be apathetically indifferent.
II. 144. Are prayers, sacrifices, rites, and other religious ceremonies requisite to reach Nirvana 1 .A1'IItMI'. The Buddhist religion does not prescribe prayers and sacrifices in the literal sense of the word ; but the repetition of pa888ges from the sacred books, the reading and devout listening to sermons and discourses are considered to be of great help.
As for sermons and discourses, they are absolutely unknown in Ladak. The reading of sacred books is of daily occurrence; but how are they read! The lamas are called, and the whole day long they gabble away at breakneck speed to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals, the people of the house meanwhile ploughing or reaping or shopping in the bazar. Nor could they understand if they wished it, for they are unable to follow the classical dialect, even if read slowly and intelligently. According to Tibetan ideas, however, the sense is of no value whatsoever; the mere reading is sufficient. The usual Tibetan style of writing and printing on loose leaves greatly facilitates the performance. The leaves of a book are simply distributed among the readers, and each man rattles down his particular leaf, probably beginning and ending in the middle of a sentence. If, as sometimes happens, several hundred readers are assembled, two or three books are thus read simultaneously.
Prayer properly so-called-i.e., a petition for a benefit desired or a thanksgiving for benefits received-is absolutely unknown. Tibetans have several Dharanis or prayer-formuloo consisting of a few Sanscrit syllables, usually without any meaning. Of these formullll, one stands so far preeminent that it has practically ousted the rest-the celebrated "Six Syllables," "Om mani padme hum," the invention of which is ascribed to Janrezig, the patron saint of Tibet. The holiness and meritoriousness of this prayer are beyond description great. According to the lamas, its frequent repetition is alone sufficient to ensure salvation or at the very least rebirth in Devachan ; and repeated it accordingly is, from early morn till lato at night. Ploughing, reaping, and threshing, walking and riding, sewing and cooking, spinning and weaving-in short, every occupation not requiring the use of the mouth is accompanied by the ceaseless murmur of the Six Syllables, sometimes aided by the use of the rosary. Even in conversation, often of the foulest sort, the prayer-wheel with its hundreds of impressions of the Six Syllables is twirled round, each revolution counting as if the prayers had been spoken. The same Six Syllables are contained by thousands in huge cylinders, turned by water, wind, and hand-power. Printed on pieces of calico, they flutter in every breeze blowing over the valley, while the traveler passes them by hundreds, engraved on rocks by the roadside, or on stones placed on specia1l1 built walls, or inlaid in huge letters iu white stones on the dark hillsides, so as to be visible miles away. Countless millions of times are the holy Six Syllables prayed by mouth, water, wind, and hand in the course of a year. All Tibetan Buddhism is bound up in them.
And what do they mean Y They are originally Sanscrit, and have the apparently harmless signification : "Oh the jewel in the lotus. Amen. "
But to the student, these words cover a reference to Shivaism. * They are simply a remnant of the old phallic worship, of which many other remnants still exist, and which Buddhism has proved powerless to extirpate completely. It is a relief to find that the meaning is entirely lost to the people, both cleric and lay. Go over all Tibet, and you will not find a single man who can explain their signification; and the people use a prayer of which they do not even pretend that it contains any sense at all. The great northern "Church" of Buddhism occupies itself with " praying to nobody for nothing" in what is to them a senseless jingle, and ascribes to this truly intellectual occupation the value of religious merit.
II. 145. Does the doctrine prescribe the worship of images, statues, relics of the Buddha and his disciples ?
AnBt06r. No; according to the Buddha's teaching, these practices are of no help to the furtherance of true knowledge, and may easily lead to error and superstition.
None the less, however, is it a fact that Buddhist temples are crowded with images. The image of the Buddha is less frequent than one might imagine. The statue, often colossal, of the next Buddha to appear is more often seen. Still more usual are images of the great saints, Bodhisattvas and lamas. But there is also in every temple an incredible number of figures, great and small, of some of the innumerable deities and demons of the Buddhist pantheon. The walls are covered with pictorial representations, among which is usually a " Wheel of Life." The others are more past, present, and future Buddhas, saints and deities. As if this were not enough, numerous paintings on paper or calico are suspended all around. It must be specially remarked that almost all are perfectly decent in clothing and posture, but there are in every temple of any pretensions eight figures of deities bordered from Hinduism, than which anything more obscene can hardly be imagined. In one or two cases I have even seen plastic representations of these deities, in which case the utter and intentional obscenity is put forward with a shamelessness that is in itself sufficient proof of a total want of mora} consciousness. They were first pointed out to me by a lama, who expected me to join him in his undisguised pleasnre at the exhibition. If you inquire about them, you are told that they are " protectors" or "servants" of ihe doctrine. A * The precise meaning of these words those who list can read in Monier·Williams' "Buddhism,"
p. 372, or in Koeppen's" RelIgion dl'l' Buddha," Ii., p. 61. religion which can tolerate such obscenities as protectors or servants clearly abdicat.es any pretensions to inculcate morality and pureness of hfe in its adherents.
The tendency of Buddhism to idolatry is so notorious that even Subhadra is obliged to attempt to explain it away. He therefore continues: II. 146. Why, then, are the Buddhists in the habit of offering flowers and of burning incense before the Buddha's statues?
.A1I8UJC'r. The lay adherents are wont to do 80 in order to give expression, by an outward act, to their veneration and gratitude. Europeans in the same way place flowers and wreaths on the monuments of their great men. . .. Such a custom has therefore nothing objectionable In it, but It were a great mistake to attach any special merit to it.
This answer is absolutely untrue as regards Tibetan Buddhism. In every temple it is part of the duty of the priest in charge to see that offerings are presented. They consist of butter, grain, tea, flowers, water, etc. Of these flowers and water are the greatest favorites, "because they cost nothing," as a priest once explained. Nor is it true that '~no special merit" attaches to such gifts i on the contrary, the Ladaki are taught that all offerings, especially of butter and tea, are very valuable. Naturally so, for they help to swell the larder of the monks.
It is also incorrect to say that the images, before which offerings are placed, are merely emblems. That images, which are believed to have fallen from heaven, receive divine adoration, goes without saying i but the manner of treating images made to order is clear proof that the image is in itself conRidered as divine. When an image or picture has received the consecration, it is a heinous offense to place it on the floor, much more to touch it accidentally with a stick. It is equally heinous to cross the roof or the floor of a room above the spot where the image stands, and special architectural arrangements are often made to prevent this. Nor is the punishment which follows such deeds considered as being caused by the general want of respect shown ; it is ascribed directly to the wrath of the particular divinity represented, and to no other. In all monasteries there is at least one image or pictnre, usually that of Kali, which is rigorously kept veiled all the year round, except on one certain day, when special services are performed. To unveil the deity at any other time would cause untold misery to the wretched man committing the deed. In one of the temples of Pyang monastery I noticed a dirtylooking box. On approaching to open it I was stopped by a horrified exclamation of the attendant lamas, who proceeded to explain that inside the box was an image of peculiar holiness. It had been sealed up in the box at Lhasa, transported to Ladak on a pony which had never since been used, and the seal had never been broken. If the seal were ever broken and the image exposed, the angry divinity would immediately destroy the monastery. The lamas, however, entirely disagreed as to what image was in the box. In Leh there is a temple which may only be entered by lamas. Any other person entering is immediately struck dead. The people assert that about one hundred years ago a woman who rashly entered met with instantaneous death at the hands of the wrathful deity, Facts like these utterly knock the bottom out of any" emblem" theory. The divinity itself resides in the image. Tibetan Buddhists are Idolaters in the full sense of the word.
Images are in themselves good and a cause of luck. With every additional image placed in the family chapel the chances of good fortune are perceptibly increased. It does not matter in the least whose image it is; one is as good as another. In one house I saw five hundred niches ready for images, of which upward of three hundred were occupied by absolutely identical clay figurcs of Janvezig. The householder informed me that he was saving every pice he had to fill up the remaining niches. I suggested that some variety might be desirable, both from an esthetic and practical point of view, but he replied that quantity only was really necessary. He would, he said, certainly like a change, but he had only one mold and could not afford to buy another.
Books are almost equally holy. It does not signify whether they treat of religion, or astrology, or fairy tales (of which Tibetans are very fond), or of medicine. It is of no consequence whether the book be complete or have half the leaves missing or consist of the leaves of several incomplete books on different subjects jumbled up together. It does not matter whether anyone in the house can read a syllable or not. The book is itself an indescribable blessing. To place a book on the floor would cause ruin. The sacred light must be lit before it every evening, just as before idols. I have often seen a lama walking along the road, aceompamed by a man carrying a book, which is often over two feet long. A layman approaches, doffs his cap, and at a sign from the lama the attendant touches the man's head with the book, whereupon he walks away in the comforting assurance that he is appreciably nearer salvation. The leaves of books are sewn into charms and eaten as medicine. Indeed, so far do the Ladaki go in their adoration of the book as such, that they occasion· ally place copies of the Christian Gospels in Tibetan on the altar with the idols and offer water, incense, and lights as to their own books. It IS even on record that a sick man, having swallowed several leaves of Buddhist books without finding relief, eat a few pages out of the Bible. He was bitterly disappointed at finding that the new religion eased his stomach troubles as little as the old had done.
(To 06 concluded.)
THE RECENT WAR IN MADAGASCAR AND SOME OF ITS CONSEQUENCES
THE RECENT WAR IN MADAGASCAR AND SOME OF ITS CONSEQUENCES.
BY THE REV. WILLIAM E. COUSIN!!, M.A., ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR.
The seventeenth century in one respect closely resembled the nineteenth, inasmuch as it was a time of great activity in colonial expansion.' The nations of Europe seemed all eager to found" establishments"or " plantations" among uncivilized or semi-civilized peoples. The large island of Madagascar naturally attracted their attention, and in both France and England ambitious schemes of colonization were engaging the thoughts of leading men. In 1642 Cardinal Richelieu granted a patent to Captain Rigault for the exclusive right of sending ships and forces to Madagascar, and a company was formed under the name of the French East India Company. Even at an earlier date (about 1638) similar plans were being' discussed by the merchants of England, and Richard Boothby states that it was decided that Prince Rupert should go as Viceroy to Madagascar. These English schemes bore little fruit, and we know that in the troubled times that followed Prince Rupert found work 10 do much nearer home j but the French sent out various expeditions, and established themselves at Fort Dauphine (still called by the natives Faradofay, after the French name), at Foule Point, and at other places on the east coast. The history of these early establishments is little else than a story of continual struggles with the natives, and with that even more dangerous enemy, the prevailing malarial fever.
When the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon were taken from France by the English in 1810, Governor Farquhar at once sent a detachment to Foule Point and Tamatave to take possession of the forts formerly occupied by the French, and issued a proclamation taking possession of Madagascar as one of the dependencies of Mauritius. When peace was reestablished in 1815, the Governor of Bourbon, M. Bouvet de Lozier, loudly protested against such an act j and according to Captain Oliver's account, " the English Government admitted that the claim was not well founded, and ordered Governor Farquhar to restore to the French all the posts which had been occupied by them before the war." The French, however, seem to have done little to vindicate their claims, nor could the British Government have regarded them as having any solid foundation, for in making a treaty with Radama 1. on October 23d, 1817, it not only restored to the king one hundred square miles of land obtained by the British from the natives near Port Loquez, but unreservedly acknowledged him to be king of Madagascar, and not merely, as he had formerly been called, " Chief, or King of the Bovahs."
The course of events since 1817 can only be sketched in barest outline. England did much to further Radama's policy of subduing the different tribes, and thus forming a united kingdom. But with the acceBBion of Queen Ranavalona I., after his death in 1828 there came a change of policy, and one of the first acts of the new sovereign was to annul Radama's treaty with the British Government.
France had not up to this time entered into any close relation with the Hova Government; but by treaties with local chiefs she had, in 1821, obtained possession of the island of St. Mary, off the eastern coast; and in 1841 she obtained in the same manner the island of Nosibe, off the northwest coast. About the same time she also made treaties with certain chiefs, smarting under the oppression of their Hova conquerors, which gave her some shadowy claims to portions of the mainland.
In 1845, when French and English traders in Tamatave were being treated with great harshness by the native authorities, a combined attack upon the fort was made by English and French war vessels. This attack was not successful, and the Rovas have often boasted that they won 8 victory over both the French and the English. As 8 matter of fact, however, tho the fort was not taken, their losses were much heavier than those of the attacking forces.
On the death of Queen Ranavalona l., in 1861, both France and England sent embassies to be present at the coronation of her son and successor, Radama II., and subsequently both governments made treaties acknowledging the king or queen reigning in Antananarivo to be sovereign of the whole island.
Difficulties between France and Madagascar were not, however, brought to an end by this treaty. Complaints of the conduct of the Hova officials were frequent, and the relations between the two governments were often seriously strained. At length, in 1883, matters came to such a pass, that because the Malagasy would not yield to certain demands made by the French Government, the posts of Mojanga and Tamatave were bombarded. The war thus commenced (if war is a fitting name for what was little more than a series of bombardments and blockades of the ports) lasted till early in 1886, when a treaty of peace was concluded. This treaty gave the French a firmer foothold in the island than they had ever had before, and, above all, it secured the placing of a Resident-General, with a small body of French soldiers as a guard of honor, in the capital. This in due time not unnaturally led to fresh difficulties. The late Prime Minister used every possible device to minimize the operation of the treaty, while the French Residents-General, on the contrary, were ever seeking to render it more effective. The French never gained from this treaty all the influence and authority they had expected; and it was clearly foreseen that new difficulties could not long be warded off. In October, 1894, M. Le Myre de Vilers was sent out on a special mission to present an ultimatum, which was virtually a claim to exercise a full protectorate over the island. This ultimatum is well described as having been" intended to define the uncompromising nature of the French suzerainty, affirming categorically that the Queen's government should deal with foreign powers ouly through the French Resident, that an concessions should be subject to the Resident's veto, that a sufficient French garrison should be permanently installed, and that the French Government should be free to execute public works and to collect taxes to defray the expense thereof." The native government replied to the French demands by making some counter suggestions, but absolutely refused to grant what M. Le Myre de Vilers required. After a few days' stay in Antananarivo the envoy hauled down his flag and returned to the coast.
As soon as the refusal of the Hova Government to accede to the French demands was known in Paris, M. Hanotaux, Minister for Foreign Affairs, made a statement with regard to the intentions of the government, and said they would ask for the despatch of 15,000 men and a grant of 65,000,000 francs. After a debate lasting three days a vote to this effect was agreed to on November 25th by 377 votes to 143. General Duchesne was appointed leader of the expedition.
The first steps taken hy t.he French to carry out their plans were the seizure of Tamatave on December 12th (the Hovas simply retiring to their intrenched camp at Manjakandrianombana), and of Mojanga on January 16th, 1895.
In March the main body of the French expedition left France, many, alas! never to see it agaiu. Immense enthusiasm was shown by the populace, and these brave men left amid the strains of martial music, the applause of tlle assembled crowds, and showers of bouquets from the hands of their countrywomen. Prayers for the success of their enterprise were offered in the churches.
The expedition was to start from Mojanga and to march by this route to Antananarivo, a distance of little less than 300 miles. The general landed at Mojanga early in May, but before his arrival General Metzinger had already taken Marovoay, an important Hova garrison town about 40 miles distant from Mojanga, on a small tributary of the Betsiboka. On June 9th Mevatanana, another important town near the junction of the Ikopa and the Betsiboka, was also captured. Near this place is Suberbieville, a town that has sprung up within the last few years in connection with a gold concession granted to a Frenchman named Suberbie. Up to this point the river had been utilized to some extent, tho not so fully as the French had hoped, and much confusion appears to have existed. But now began the most trying part of the campaign-viz., a difficult land journey through a roadless country, and ten weeks were taken up with the construction of a military road from Mevafanana to Andriba, a Hova garrison town about midway between Mevatanana and Antananarivo. It has been estimated that the construction of a hundred miles of road cost 1500 lives, 15 for every mile; and a correspondent, writing from Andriba, pathetically named it " that long Calvary."
The losses of the French were chiefly in the lower parts of the country. The numbers in the hospitals were very large, and medical attendance was altogether inadequate. At one time, when quinine was sorely needed, cases of it were lying unrecognized on the beach at Mojanga, having by some error been labeled "nails." Many of the soldiers sent out were quite young, and it was among these that the death-rate was so terribly high. The official estimate gives 3500 as the total number of deaths in the island. Many more (probably another 500) died on their way home j and hundreds of the survivors will long have reason to remember Madagascar, the malarial fever having such a strange unwillingness to leave those whom it has once attacked.
Comparatively few men were killed by the Hovas, as very little serious fighting took place. It should be remembered that the English officers had been dismissed some months before, and those who know Madagascar are not much surprised that the native officers showed little resource or courage, and that troops did not care to face French soldiers. Altho positions of great natural strength-as, for instance, at Andriba-were selected and great labor was expended in the construction of earthworks, as soon as the French attack was commenced these positions were at once abandoned. General Rainianjalaky, in command of the troops at Andriba, sent the following, message to the Prime Minister: "I can do nothing. My men will not stand. They run awa.y as soon as they perceive that two or three of their friends have been killed."
In spite of some facts which might seem to point to a different conclusion, the Hovas are not to be considered a warlike people. Military service is hated and dreaded by them. Nothing pleases them more than to be allowed quietly to attend to their agriculture and their trading.
Then it has been evident for months past that serious divisions existed among the nati'e rulers. There have been among them not a few who have been in sympathy with the aims of the French. It must not be forgotten that French officials have been living in Antananarivo for ten years, and that they have made many friends among the people. They have diligently sought to prepare for events they saw would not be long delayed, and we may without any serious breach of charity assume that French gold had already to some extent paved the way for General Duchesne's army.
Some disappointment has been expressed at the utter collapse of the Hovas. Mr. Stead, in the Review of Reviews, says they "had not a pennyworth of fight in them." The missionaries ought, he says, to have infused into the minds of their converts more of the Puritan spirit, the spirit, for example, that animated Cromwell's Ironsides. Missionaries are not drill sergeants, aud they need not wince under Mr. Stead's censure. But there is no doubt some cause for disappointment, especially when we remember the noisy and extravagant speech indulged in by many of the natives. Their patriotism has proved to be of a very shallow and ineffective description. Cowardice, however, is not the only explanation of the course of events. Had the Hova troops been well fed and well led, and, above all, had there been a general feeling of contentment with the exist- ing government, General Duchesne and his little band of toil-worn troops might have met with a very different reccption when they reached the neighborhood of Antananarivo in the closing days of last September.
The utter collapse of the Hovas was not, however, without its compen- sations. When we remember how they were mown down by the French guns, and especially what havoc was caused by the melinite shells, we may acknowledge that their so-called cowardice had at least this advan- tage, that it saved thousands of lives. The greatest friends of the Hovas never believed they could successfully contend with the well-trained and well-armed soldiers France could send against them; and a stouter re- sistance would only have prolonged a useless struggle, and would not have altered the final result.
The last stage of the war was the brilliant dash made by General Duchesne and a flying column of 3000 picked men (about half of whom were Frenchmen), which left Andriba for the capital (a distance of about 100 miles) on Sunday, September 15th. It is quite clear that by the time General Duchesne had reached Andriba he had formed such an estimate of the Hova troops as led him to conclude that he need fear no serious resistance, and that altho the Hovas might be able to outnumber him in the proportion of from 10, or even 20 to 1, his small but well-seasoned and well-disciplined body of troops might be trusted to hold their own and to gain possession of Antananarivo.
During this last part of the campaign the Hovas seem to have shown more energy and courage than in the earlier stages, and for the three days immediately preceding the capture of Antananarivo they made a steady attempt to check the French, and disputed the ground with them mile by mile; but even at this stage the fighting cannot have been very severe, as the French losses were only about 50 wounded and '1 killed.
Antananarivo was taken after a brief bombardment on the afternoon -of Monday, September 30th. The French guns were placed in position at Andrainarivo and on the Observatory Hill due east of the capital, and a few shells were fired at the palace, a little more than a mile away the other side of the valley. These, falling as they did among the crowds assembled in the courtyard for the defence of their queen, were terribly destructive. A French writer says, " Mangled bodies of Hovas were tossed into the air on the very terrace of the Queen's palace by dozens at a time." Another correspondent, describing the same event, says, "35 were killed by the first shell and 18 by the second."
Melinite shells, specially reserved for this purpose, were about to be fired, after which the place was to be taken by assault. Happily the Queen at this moment (about 3.30 P.M.) ordered the flag to be hauled down, and officers bearing a flag of truce were sent to the French general. The firing at once ceased, and the French troops quietly took possession of the town. On the following day (October 1st) the treaty brought by General Duchesne was signed by the Queen, and the final act in a long series of events took place. The dream of more than two centuries was realized, and Madagascar came under the power of her long-dreaded enemy. It now remains to be seen what steps will be taken to make this great African island what French writers have so often wished it to become, "Gallia orientalis," or Oriental France.
The dread of French invasion has been hanging over the Malagasy people like a threatening cloud for many years past, and now that the cloud has burst and the war is over, we may try to look calmly at accomplished facts, and to forecast as best we may the probable results of the French victory.
That Madagascar will gain much from it may be freely admitted. In all that pertains to the development of her rich material resources we may expect to see rapid advance. Roads, railroads, telegraphic and postal communication, the use of the smaller French coins instead of the miserable " cut money" or " chopped dollars" hitherto used, a well-organized system of mining licenses, and more liberal arrangements as to the forming of plantations of various kinds, are some of the results likely to follow the establishment of French rule. We may also look for a larger measure of justice and efficiency in the administration of the government. The Malagasy code of laws is fairly good, and suited to the condition of the people, but the weak point in native rule has always been in the administration. Government officials have had no regular pay, and great oppression and injustice have existed. The poorer classes have been the helpless prey of their superiors. At the root of many of the evils of the past has been the system of fanompoana or the corvee, under which anyone might be required to render unrequited service to the government. This has led to an amount of petty cheating and oppression almost incredible. It appears likely that the French victory will give the death-blow to this system, and already measures are being taken for the introduction of sonie equitable plan of taxation. Let the people be placed in a position which enables them freely and uninterruptedly to attend to their own business, and in which they will know exactly what demands will be made on them by the government, and a new era may be looked for. Domestic slavery, which has long existed, and against which not even the conscience of the native churches is, much exercised, will no doubt be gradually brought to au end. Then the bands of marauders that have infested many parts of the country and have terrorized the poor people in sparsely populated districts will be put down with a strong hand, and peace and security will be restored to the disturbed districts.
Already the fruits of French rule are making themselves manifest. A writer in the Standard, under date of "Antananarivo, November 15th," says: "It is now not quite seven weeks since Antananarivo was taken and the conclusion of the war, and yet it might be as many years, so unconcernedly have the Hovas settled down to French rule, and there is not the remotest chance of their rising against it. The remark is being continually made here that probably there never was a nation who took so kindly to their conquerors as do the Hovas. A garrison of some 3000 men is being talked for Antananarivo; whereas 50 men would be more than suffi- cient to prevent any outbreak against the French. This may be accounted for in two ways: 1. The Hovas as a nation are accustomed to accept any- thing their sovereign agrees to; 2. The tact and wisdom displayed by General Duchesne in all his actions. Whoever was responsible for his appointment as head of the expeditionary force is very much to be com- , mended. "
All recent communications agree with the above commendation of General Duchesne. His firmness in maintaining discipline among his troops, and his kind and generous treatment of the natives, have won for him golden opinions from all classes.
It was strange and amusing to read of the way in which, from the very day on which the treaty was signed (October 1st), the most friendly relations began at once to exist between the natives of Antananarivo and their French conquerors. The latter, weary and worn out by theIr long march, proved very welcome customers to the petty traders that abound in the capital. The trading instinct seemed stronger than any sentiment about the independence of the fatherland, and a brisk traffic at once sprang up. In the pockets of the soldiers was a plentiful supply of French coins, and the many stall-keepers on the roadside and in all open spaces were able to supply coffee, cakes, rice, fowls, beef, manioc, and fruit in abundance. The French soldiers knew little of current market prices, and the Hova traders looked with unbounded satisfaction upon customers who gladly paid two or three times the usual price. Their only regret would be that General Duchesne had not brought 6000 of such ready and welcome customers instead of only 3000.
Mission work has suffered far less from the war than was feared, and as we look back upon the events of the past year we see great reason for cherishing a spirit of gratitude and hope.
First of all we may express our deep thankfulness that those missionaries who remained in and near the capital were kept in perfect safety. The directors of the London Missionary Society, believing that those on the spot would see more clearly from day to day what was wisest for them to do, granted to all their agents complete liberty of action. Some left the interior, and even the island for a time. Others remained at their posts. Those who remained were sharply criticised by some newspaper correspondents, notably by the special correspondent of the Times. It may be granted that, judged by ordinary standards of prudence, it seemed unwise for ladies and children to remain at such a time. What was most to be feared was that before the French could reach the capital an interregnum of lawlessness and confusion would be caused, and that an excited mob might even turn upon their English friends and helpers. The sad events at Arivonimamo, when Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and their little daughter were savagely murdered a few weeks after the taking of the capital, show that such fears were not groundless. But in judging our friends who so bravely remained at their posts, we must think chiefly of their motive and of the spirit in which they acted. Their wish was to prevent the breaking up of the general work of the mission, to keep the people as quiet and hopeful as possible, and to give them a practical proof of sympathy with them in their trials. And so the natives interpreted their action, and many who were personally unknown to them thanked them for thus remaining. And their faith had its reward. No harm befell anyone of them. Bullets fell around them, but no one was injured. A tile or two on the roof of Miss Byam's house, broken by a bullet from a shrapnel shell, was the only damage done to mission property. It proved to be a great advantage that missionaries were on the spot to take up the work as soon as possible after the bombardment, and to help and encour- age their native friends in the strange circumstances in which they sud- denly found themselves.
It is also pleasant to think that on the very afternoon when the conflict ceased missionaries were busily employed in receiving into the missionary hospital at Isoavinandriana all the French wounded. A kind and friendly feeling was at once created by this action that produced very happy results.
Again, there is the fact that so little interruption of the regular work of the mission occurred. While we at home were from day to day made aware through telegraphic messages of the progress of the French expedi- tion, news traveled less rapidly in Madagascar, and the people generally seemed almost to the last still to cherish the belief that the difficulties to be encountered, and, above all, the virulence of the fever, would prevent . the French army from reaching the capital. It was pathetic to receive the letters written in the interior just before the final crash came, there seemed to be such a strange unconsciousness of the nearness of the invading army. School and church work were going on as usual up to the very last, for only one Sunday (September 29th), when fighting had almost reached Antananarivo, were the churches closed; and even on that eventful day the Palace Church was opened, and the Queen attended the service. At the close she spoke to the people present about the threatening aspect of affairs, and expressed her determination to accept the will of God, what- ever the event might be. Thus up to the very eve of the capture of the capital there was no serious break in the continuity of the work of the missionaries.
And to this we may add the equally cheering statement, that in a very few days after this event work was resumed. Churches were reopened on October 6th, and school work was recommenced within a few days. Some of the leading schools were opened about a week after the bombard- ment. The most recent newspapers from the island give reports of various meetings, school examinations, and other similar events, and, above all, of the well-attended meetings of the Congregational Union of Imerina, when we usually have 1300 or 1400 delegates present. The holding of this meeting so soon after the advent of the French did much to quiet the minds of the people, and such a large number of country pastors and others coming up to' the capital, and seeing for themselves the order and quiet reigning around them, would be the best possible agents to allay the fears of many ignorant and excitable people in remote country places. That such liberty of carrying on the work of Protestant missions still exists, and that confidence is being so rapidly restored, is to be attributed to the conciliatory attitude of General Duchesne. A deputation of missionaries waited on him a few days after his arrival, and explained to him the character of the work' they were carrying on, and also the strict rules of the missionary societies which prohibit their agents from interfering with local polities. "Go on with your work in the usual way," said the general, "the French Government has no intention to interfere with you." Soon after a deputation of native pastors had an interview with him, and received a similar a.nswer.
And then, strange to say, a deputation of native Christian women went to call upon this terrible man, the leader of the conquering army that had destroyed their' independence, the representation of the enemy they had so long been taught to fear, and from whom many had fled in panic just before the bombardment; and the object of their visit was not to sue for mercy from their terrible and powerful conqueror, but, as representatives of the Madagascar branch of the World's Women's Christian Temperance Union, to thank him for some stringent regulations he had made to lessen the sale of intoxicating drinks.
General Duchesne's work is probably almost done, and the new Resident-General, M. Laroche, is now the representative of the French Republic in Madagascar. He is a Protestant, and has the reputation of being a reasonable and honorable man. We shall be glad to hear that he confirms the wise policy of his popular predecessor.
The Protestant missionaries in Madagascar have no wish to obtain State patronage or assistance, but they do hope still to enjoy the priceless boon of religious freedom. Since the accession of King Radama II., in 1861, both Protestants and Roman Catholics have had the fullest liberty to carry on their work. The 'fTI4gna charta of religious freedom is contained in the words of Queen Rasoherina, spoken in 1863, and repeated many times since, "And as to the praying (the common name in Madagascar for the Christian religion) there is no compulsion, for God made you. " This has been for more than thirty years part and parcel of the law of the land, and under it French and English missionaries have worked side by side, not altogether without rivalry, but certainly without any great bitterness; and there seems no reason why in future years the same freedom should not continue to be the heritage of the Malagasy people and their missionary helpers. The Zanzibar Convention of 1890 is a formal pledge on the part of the Republic that such shall be the case; and the wise conduct of General Dnchense seems to show that French admin- istrators intend to act in harmony with its provisions, and to treat with fairness all sections of the religious community.
Knowing well, as I do, the missionaries now working in Madagascar, I here state my strong conviction that they will not be found opponents of French rule, but will do their best to lead the people quietly to pursue their ordinary occupations, to accept the logic of facts, and to make the best of their changed circumstances. .
An able French writer a few months ago, M. La Myre de Viters, who was the first to occupy the position of Resident-General in Antananarivo after the signing of the Treaty of 1886, wrote in the Revue de Paris, that French rule had two irreconcilable enemies in Madagascar, the Hova Gov- ernment and the London Missionary Society. I can see no need for such a judgment. Granted a continuance of the religious liberty at present enjoyed, I think our work will tend to create a spirit of quietness and respect for law, that can only be a help and not a hindrance to the French officials.
In this same article the writer adds a phrase that to all friends of the London Missionary Society will, I venture to think, sound like a very high complimentr-a compliment all the more valuable as coming from one 'who can speak so strongly against us. "The able men," he says, " who carry on the work of this society are insensible to discouragement, and notwith- standing the capture of Antananarivo they are still carrying on their work as before." May they, and indeed all missionaries in the island, ever show this " insensibility to discouragement;" and with quiet, peace-loving heart!! still persevere in their great work, and by patient continuance in well-doing stop the mouths of certain noisy critics, who, writing in pro- found ignorance of the men and their work, speak of them contemptuously as those " English Methodists," who are simply using their religious work as a blind to cover their political designs. The London Missionary Society is no political organization, but has been in every land true to its one grand object of seeking to instruct heathen and unenlightened nations in the truths of the Christian religion.
THE MARTYRDOM OF ARMENIA.
BY REV. CYRUS HAMLIN, D.D.
The first great massacre was at Sassoun about the last of August, 1894. The first reports were discredited. They were denounced by the Sultan as absolutely false. They were generally believed to be greatly exaggerated. But one year and nine months have passed, and the world now
THE MARTYRDOM OF' ARMENIA
knows that instead of exaggeration the half was not told. It could not be believed that there were such fiends in human shape, or that any monarch, heathen or Mohammedan, could ever sanction such atrocities as Abdul Hamid decorated.
The world desires to know who are the guilty parties and how it has come about.
The reigning Sultan, Abdul Hamid, is the sole originator of this era of bloody torture. He ascended the throne in 1876. From the beginning he manifested a special hostility to the Armenians. His mother was a beautiful Armenian girl who sold herself for the pleasures and jewels of the palace. Usually such renegades hate their own race, and she prob. ably inspired him with her own spirit. He found a surprising number of Armenians occupying posts of usefulness in his government. They were clerks, dragomen agents of every kind, consuls, commissaries, ambassa. dors. Seven had risen to the rank of pasha, and two to the higher rank of vizier. All this began to be changed, but not suddenly or violently. Some were degraded to lower positions, and they at once resigned. Hamid from the beginning assumed the right to look into every department and change whatever did not suit him. Even his cabinet ministers found their trusted secretaries changed without notice and without consultation. If they remonstrated he changed them.
Another line of enmity to the Armenian and to all our missionary work was shown in the department of education. No school.house could be built, no old one could be repaired. Occasionally a local officer would for a bribe allow a leaky roof to be remedied without attracting anybody's notice. He endangered his official head in so doing.
He also established a censorship of the press which has been ruinous in its influence. Many good school-books have been destroyed for having such words as courage, fortitude, freedom, liberty in them.
Another line of hostile administration has been shown in arresting and throwing into prison the colporteurs employed by the Bible Society and by missionary and tract societies. In many scores of instances it has been done when they had no books but those printed by imperial authority, bearing the government stamp, and when the colporteur had his teskereh, or government permit as a bookseller. These innocent men have spent months in the most loathsome prisons, and their lives have been wasted away by disease. Everyone of them could escape his sufferings any day by professing Islam. It was all religious persecution, as contrary to Mohammedan law as to justice and equity.
After all, his most offensive course has been in the line of taxation. This has been nothing less than legalized robbery. Russia has defended the Greeks and France has defended the Catholics. Their consuls are scattered all over Asia Minor. It is well known that they have not been unwilling to see the Protestant and Gregorian Armenians ground to the dust. The United States have not been allowed to have consuls because Russia did not want their intermeddling. Our Government commands no respect. For many years the property of American citizens has bec;n capriciously destroyed, and nothing beyond a promise, never intended to mea. anything, has been obtained. Our Government takes it all meekly.
It should be freely acknowledged that while Abdul Hamid has been using every possible means to degrade and impoverish the Armenians, he has been the most liberal patron of education among the Moslems. No Sultan of this century has built so many school-houses and established so many school~, and printed so many school-books, but they have all been for Moslems. The whole Moslem population has been inspired by him with a spirit of jealousy and hatred to the Armenians which they never had before. They, the Turks, are led by their Sultan. If he is friendly to the rayahs, they are. If se is known t6 be hostile, they easily catch his spirit and become ruthless murderers in the name of the prophet. Probably no people on earth are so much controlled by the character of their ruler as the Turks. He is called "The Commander of the Faithful," the Distributor of Crowns, the Arbiter of Life and Death, etc.
But this process, tho sufficiently bad to be called infernal, was too slow for Hamid. He was determined to have his whole Eastern border unified. He would have no " giaours" there. They must become Moslemi or be killed. Here he stepped out of all Mohammedan law. They were all patient, obedient taxpayers. It was a time of peace, not of war, and by every law of humanity and of Islam, they were entitled to his protection. This massacre of peaceable, unarmed, and faithful subjects in time of peace has no parallel in the history of Islam. It is this which. constitutes the supreme infamy of the " Commander of the Faithful."
To accomplish his purpose with more rapidity he employed the Kurds, old hereditary robbers. He formed the Kurdish tribes into cavalry armed with rifles and named after himself Hamidieh cavalry. The work of slaughter was begun by them at Sassoun. The large village and all the smaller villages of the district of Sassoun were involved in one bloody massacre ; and the chief perpetrators, instead of being regarded by the Sultan as miscreants, unworthy to live, were decorated by him and held in special honor. It is evident also that he delights to have the poor, defenseless victims tortured, else he would stop it. He professes to the ambassadors the most noble sentiments, and at the same time sends secret orders to have the good work go on. His governors, whether Vali, Mutessariff, or Caimacam, have all solemnly and repeatedly declared that they act from ordel'S coming from the highest authority.
The torture, violation, and slaughter of so many women and children at Sassoun caused the Sultan some alarm. He thereupon commenced the system of absolutely denying the truth of the reports. There had been no massacre. Some turbulent Armenians had been reduced to order. That was all. Armenians under torture were compelled to sign these Sultanic declarations. Many who would not sign died in prison.
But so soon as he perceived that he was safe and that Russia, France, and Germany (shame on the land of Luther !) would protect him from any interference, he expanded his original design and made it embrace all the Armenians. France will not allow him to touch the Catholic Armenians. Two and a half millions of Gregorians and Protestants occupy him for the present. He excuses his agents from killing old men, women, and children. Enough to destroy their habitations and strip them of beds, bedding, clothing, and food, if they will not profess Islam. He felt sure they would all finally yield and come into the glorious fold of the prophet. His hope has been poorly realized. Many thousands have chosen death by protracted sufferings, and are still dying.
The number of innocent persons massacred cannot be known with pre- CISIOn. It will be between seventy-five and one hundred thousand. The number of homeless refugees cannot be less than five hundred thousand. This ill! the work of Abdul Hamid, and it will be his monument in history.
Next to him stands Russia in the order of responsibili1y. The astute and watchful Czar saw the opportunity which the insane course of the Sultan opened to him. He had only to exasperate him to such deeds as would open the way for his own interference. Russia had played that game too successfully in the " Bulgarian horrors" to forget the lesson.
A revolutionary party of Russian Armenians, under the name of Hunchagists, was formed in Russia, and its agents came into Turkey. As to the possibility of doing anything, the absurdity is such as to expoRe it to contempt. The Armenians are two and a half millions of people, unarmed,. never allowed to have arms, a quiet, submissive, loyal people, scattered among twenty millions of Moslems, well armed and skilful and terrible fighters. These Russo-Armenian revolutionists claim to have secret revolutionary bands all over the empire, and they levy contributions at the point of the dagger from all Armenians, Protestant or Gregorian. They fearlessly assassinate a man who refuses. Many innocent Armenians have been put to death by these patriots. They are perfectly safe, for if apprehended they are tried before a Russian consul, who sets them free as having acted on self-def~nse.
These " revolutionists" exist in large numbers in Greece, England, and America. They also arc safe, and they make a very good thing of it. They compel all the poor workmen to pay them liberally " for the cause."
Their writings and plottings are hailed with joy by the Sultan. They teach rebellion most madly. Their teachings are translated into the Turkish newspapers and spread all over the empire. By means of these Abdul Hamid is able to excite the Turks and Kurds everywhere to slaughter the rebellious Armenians. He has been able to give still greater savagery to the bloody and inhuman work by giving over to " loot" all the prop- ~rt! of those who refused to confess the prophet al}d who remained true to their Christian faith. The comfortable houses of tens of thousands have been stripped of everything of value, and the houses have been made un- inhabitable. Many houses of the Moslems are filled to overflowing, so that if the plundered people had any property left they could buy back many lost articles at a very reasonable price.
Russia and France survey with satisfaction the destruction of the Protestant and Gregorian Armenians. They will not interfere; for justice, mercy, compassion have no place in Oriental diplomacy. In their policy of reducing the Armenians to a forced change of faith or extermination, Germany is with them, and her "blood and iron" policy is deaf io the woe and wail of Armenia. Doubtless God will requite her.
All these powers will unite in the policy of removing the missionaries. They are accused of being the origin of the whole bloody movement. It is a most malicious and· base fabrication. It is true that the enlightenment and education of the Armenian people have aroused the jealousy and hatred of the Turks. It is a change equally distasteful to Russia and Turkey. To suppress these elevating forces puts them out of the pale of civilized nations, and Russia will put forth Turkey to do the work and bear the odium. There are two that can play at this game of using Turkey. Our Government can hold Turkey to her treaties, and they are sufficient for the defense of the mIssionaries.
" The most favored nation" gives them the right to remain. Adet, or custom, is stronger than written law in Turkey, and this protects the missions. What has been known and permitted by both government and people gains thereby its strongest right to be. It is a common saymg among the people that adet is stronger than the Sultan's firman.
A good naval vessel at Smyrna, another at MItylene, the ancient Lesbos, and another at Alexandretta, with some positive words from our Secretary of State, would stop at once the Turk in his mad and foolish career.
Unquestionably Russia is determined to get rid of all the Protestant mISSIOnaries. England having basely retired from the conflict, to the amazement of the world, and having stultified her diplomacy of sixty years, the field seems to be left to Russia, but even Russia is subject to the plans of an Almighty Providence, now our only trust. Europe apathetic! The murder of Christian men for their faith, the outrage and tol:iure unto death of Christian women by defiant Moslems, are nothing to the crowned heads of Europe and to their titled ministers. " Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord," and the heaviest vengeance must fall upon them as traitors to the cause of freedom, humanity, and Christianity.
THE ABYSSINIANS AND THEIR CHURCH
THE ABYSSINIANS AND THEIR CHURCH.
BY PROFESSOR GEORGE H. SCHODDE, PH.D., COLUMBUS, O.
The stirring events on the Red Sea, and especially the surprising experience of the Italians in their attempts during the past decade to subdue the Abyssinians, have naturally drawn attention anew to this historic people and Church, really the oldest national Christian Church in the world. Of all the remnants and remains of the once so powerful Christianity of the East, as represented by the Armenians, the Copts, the Syrians and others, the Abyssinians, the modern representatives of the Ethiopians of history, are the only peoples that have maintained intact their national ecclesiastical organization and development. All the others have been crushed by the heel of the Moslem conqueror, and their history tells the sad tale that the Armenians of onr own day and date testify. The preservation of the Abyssinian Church in comparative integrity is an historical phenomenon. Against fearful odds the sturdy mountaineers of historic Ethiopia have for more than a thousand years defended their national existence against the Moslem aggressor, and have snccessfully maintained a life-and-death struggle with the fanatical hordes of Islam that carried fire and torch through Western Europe to the heart of France and throngh Eastern Europe into Austria, but who have not been able to overpower the small kindred people, numbering only a few millions, just across the Red Sea from the sacred Mohammedan shrines of Mecca and Medina. It has been the boast of the Abyssinians that they have never been conquered in war, and this is true in a sense of which it cannot be claimed for other peoples.
This singular historical prominence of the Abyssinians naturally leads to the conclusion that they must be a gifted people. And such they surely are. They belong to the Semitic family of nations, and thus are kith and kindred to the Jews, the Arabs, the Babylonians, the Syrians, and other leading races of the world. Their descent is the very best. Although the Ethiopians of antiquity, they are really, with the exception of the Egyptians, probably the only people of Africa who are not Ethiopians-i.e., they are not blacks. They are as purely Caucasian as are the Teutons or the Anglo-Saxons, their present brownish complexion being due to climatic influences. But language, physiology, mental traits and moral tendencies, together with the entire body of their traditions and history, declare with absolute unanimity that the Abyssinians do not belong to the negro family, but to the Semitic. By a singular anomaly their old name, "Ethiopians," was gradually assigned to all of the peoples of Africa, as the Ethiopians were originally, next to the Egyptians, the best known of the African peoples. It is another glaring instance of l'Ucu8 a non l'Ucendo. Again, among the Semitic peoples the Abyssinians are the only ones who as a nation adopted Christianity. The Syrians were Semitics, but Christianity was never really tbeir national religion. In Abyssinia, however, Christianity has from the very beginning been the chief historic factor in the development of national life, to which all other factors, such as literature, politics, and the like, have been subordinated, and this is largely the case yet. It is doubtful whether there has ever been a more thoroughly Christianized race, at least externally, than have been the Abyssinians. Its history is really only a chapter in church history, and that, too, a very interesting chapter. How thoroughly Christianity has pervaded the ideas and ideals of the ancient ,Abyssinians can be seen from their literature. While in possession of rich and abundant literature, altho largely a literature of translations, Abyssinia has really no secular literature at all. It is either theological or ecclesiastical, or under the spell of theological and Christian thought. Even its writings in the medical and law departments are controlled by Christian teachings. Thus, e.g., the great legal code of the Abyssinians, the Fetcha Negest, or Law of the Kings, is based substantially on the Book of Deuteronomy. In fact, the civil administration and civil laws of Abyssinia resemble in its main characteristics the Israel of the Theocracy of the Old Testament.
The Christianity of Abyssinia came from Greece in the fourth and fifth centuries. Christianity, originating in a Semitic people and expressed in a Semitic type, came again to a Semitic people after its form had been modified by its Ildoption on the part of Aryan races. The Abyssinians, then, have the singular fate of being a Semitic people whose mental, moral, and spiritual development has been directed almost entirely by an Aryan race. The making of Abyssinia has been entirely the work of Greek Christendom. Before the advent of the Christian missionaries in the fourth century very little is known of the Abyssinians. The traditions go back to Southern Arabia, and the German traveler, Edward Glaser, has in recent yearlil discovered in those districts undoubted evidences of the existence of this people there in pre-Christian centuries, yet the entire literature of the Abyssinians, with the excoption of some inscriptions on the famous obelisks at Axum, the original capital of the country, is Christian and does not antedate the conversion of the country. However, it is quite evident that before the adoption of Christianity the Abyssinians had been largely under the influence of Judaism, and may even have been converts to Judaism. Abyssinian Christianity contains a large percentage of Jewish elements. Thus, in addition to baptism, the Abyssinians still practise circumcision; besides the first day of the week, they still keep holy also the seventh day; they have an abundance of fast days, after the manner of the Jews, and the presence m Abyssinia of a communion of some 600,000 "black Jews," caned Falashas, living in a state of semi-serfdom, gives probability to the tradition that at one time a Jewish dynasty ruled Abyssinia for nearly a century before it could be overpowered by the Christians of the country. Possibly the best explanation is this, that the Abyssinians were at one time really converts to a kind of JudaIsm, the rehgIOn of their kmdred, and that the Falashas represent that portion of the people who would not exchange their Jewish faith for Christianity. It should be remembered that the Abyssinians themselves trace their royal home back to Solomon. The Queen of Sheba, they claim, was an Ethiopian princess, and that she had a son, Menelek' by name, from Solomon, and that his descendants still occupy the throne of Abyssinia. In the great work on Abyssinia, by Ludolf, the "Historia .iEthiopica," together with the accompanying commentary, to this day yet the great thesaurus for the student of " iEthiopica," altho written nearly two hundred years ago, the line of descent from Solomon to the present reigning family in Abyssinia is given without break or interruption.
It was not Greek culture or Greek philosophy that made Ethiopia a people of history, but distinctly Greek Christianity, together with its concomitants and handmaidens of culture and civilization. Altho geographically nearest Egypt, the land of Pharaohs, with its pyramids, temples, and famous seats of learning, never exercised a molding influence on Abys- SlllIa. At present, indeed, the Church of Abyssinia is subordinated to the Coptic Church of Egypt, and always receives its spiritual head, its archbishop or Abuna from the Copts; but this is solely caused by the fact that the Coptic Church of Egypt is the headquarters of the Monophysitic section of the old Greek Church, and that both Abyssinians and Copts adhere to the Monophysitic tenets.
The exact period of the Christianization of Abyssinia has exercised a decisive influence on this people, church, and their history. The first centuries after Christianity had become the religion of the empire were the age of controversies on theological and Christological matters. It was not yet the period when a highly developed culture and civiliza1ion went hand in hand with the new religion, when grand churches and basilicas were built, and when literature, the sciences, and the arts had fully adjusted themselves to the new state of affairs, and had thrown off their allegiance to the classical ideals of Greece and Rome. Before this formative period was over Abyssinia had already severed its connection with the Greek Church and the Greek world of thought. The Synod of Chalcedon, in 451, condemned the Monophysitic doctrines of the Egyptian churches, and with this act the Abyssinian Church too withdrew from the Church at large. About two centuries later Mahommedanism conquered Egypt, and the voluntary separation of the Abyssinian Church became an enforced isolation. It became and remained for nearly a thousand years isolated from the church universal.
These facts have had a decisive influence in determining the character of Abyssinian Christianity to the present day. Naturally after their separation they became all the more zealous in the observance of those doctrines and worship on account of which the separation had taken place. Then the conservatism, naturally so deeply implanted in the Semitic peoples, proved a most effective assistant agent in the process of spiritual petrifaction. Accordingly we have in the Abyssinian of to-day virtually a petrified Greek Christianity of the fourth and fifth centuries, ecclesiastical ruins on a grand scale. The outward forms, liturgies, dogmas, and ceremonies have been handed down from century to century uninfluenced by the developments that were going on in the Christian nations elsewhere. But at the same time the spiritual element in Abyssinian Christianity was lost, and nothing remained but a sterile formalism, a strange admixtnre of barbarism and loud profession of orthodox faith. In reality the Abyssinian is a typical representative of the Orthodox Church of the East, left alone to work out its principles consistently and to the bitter end. Singular phenomena result from this condition of affairs. The famous Emperor Theodore, whose cruel treatment of the Protestant missionaries in 1868 led to the English expedition, under Lord Napier, into the heart of Abyssinia and to the burning of the capital city Gondar, was perfectly willing to discuss by the hour the fine points in regard to the doctrine of the two natures of Christ, and on the same day order the hands and feet of several hundred political opponents or suspects to be cut off. He saw no inconsistency between his professions and his practices. The most brutal of Oriental despotism, such as is characteristic of the untamed Semitic heart and is yet seen in the Arab Bedouin, is found allied with a fervency of prayer, fasts, and religious observances in general that would be enigmatical, were it not known that centuries and centuries of isolation and stagnation of spiritual life had changed into dead forms what were originally living principles. In many of the ruder virtues the Abyssinians excel; but the higher qualities of mind and soul that spring from a regeneration through the Gospel, and the possession and appreciation of spiritual gifts-these are absent.
And this it is that makes the mission problem in Abyssinia so vexing and perplexing. Again and again has the attempt been made to revive the Christianity of Abyssinia, but with only meagre snccess. In general, the Catholics have been most successful among the Abyssinians themselves, while the Protestants have done the most effective work among the Falashas. But repeatedly have the missionaries of both churches been expelled from Abyssinia, and there is really such a prohibitative edict in existence at present, altho on account of French influences, it is not enforced over against the Roman Catholic emissaries. How grand it would be if the oldest Christian nation of the world, the Abyssinian, could be made the basis for a crusade to evangelize the whole Dark Continent; yet such a scheme, in the light of history, would be visionary. The corrupt Christianity of Abyssinia is seemingly a greater hindrance to the Gospel cause than the darkness and ignorance of the blacks. May the present prominence of Abyssinia and its contact with the civilized world of the West teach that gifted and historic people that the glory of Western civilization are not cannons and guns, but a living and evangelical Christianity I
FURTHER OVERTHROWS OF AFRIOAN SLAVE·TRADEBB
FURTHER OVERTHROWS OF AFRICAN SLAVE-TRADERS.
BY REV. JAMES JOHNSTON, DARWEN, LANOASHIRE, ENGLAND.
Unprecedented successes have been achieved by the British Central African Protectorate since December last under the command of Commissioner SIr H. H. Johnston and his efficient and heroic staff, supported by the httle force of Sikhs and trained natives. The defeats inflicted on the powerful slave-raiding chiefs occupying the western and southern shores of Lake Nyassa have been of the most shattering character, and may be regarded as having broken once for all the power of the slave trade in those regions. One immediate result of the operations- is that the traderoute mto the far interior westward and northwestward of the lake is' now open, and the slave route to the Zambesi closed.
Ever since the pioneers of the Universities Mission, guided by Livingstone, reached the Upper Shire in 1861, some thirty-five years ago, there has been an incessant struggle between the settlers and the slave-holders. From 188'7 to 1889 the Arabs constantly attacked the British traders and mission posts, and had not men of the type of Captain Lugard and Consul O'Neill defended them, entire destruction would have followed. With the appointment of Commissioner Johnston to administer British Central Africa in 1891, the tide has happily and unceasingly turned against the slave-raiders, and thus the claims of Africa's humanity in many localities redressed. During the month of March, 1894, the great chief Makanjira was crushed, and in the spring of 1895, when Sir H. H. Johnston was absent in India, the still more powerful chief, Kawinga, who had been & terror to his neighbors since the days of Livingstone, was defe8ted, pursued, and driven from his capital, on attacking one of the Blantyre mission stations, by that gallant aide-de-camp, Acting Commissioner Sharpe, with a few Sikhs and native levies. ,By the aid of the Sikhs, which Commissioner Johnston brought with him on his return to Nyassaland, he has been able to follow up the action of Mr. Sharpe, through the splendid services of several British officers, and rid the country, for good, of three powerful slave-raiders and the capture of fourteen chiefs, and some 63~ prisoners.
The commissioner himself dealt a heavy blow at the slave-traders who infest the southern shores of Lake Nyassa by defeating Zarafi, the strongest of their chiefs, and liberating the slaves found in his possession. More remarkable and auspicious has been the overtlIrow of the notorious chief Mwasigungu, a man of Zulu origin, living in the country west of Lake Nyassa. Declining to come to peaceable terms with the British, he eventually declared war against them, and ultimately challenged them by forming a confederacy with the Angoni and Yaos. His career latterly had jeopardized the entire outlook for missions and civilization, by his closing the important trade route from the lake to Luapula River and the Congo, and raiding for slaves far into the Morimba District, which is under the direct administration of the British Protectorate station at Kota Kota, the lake port, aggravated by his infamous cruelties upon the slaves in his compounds. To effect the capture of this tyrant and his stronghold an intrepid officer, Lieutenant Edward Alston, was dispatched, accompanied by Sergeant-Major Devoy and a British force of 150, composed of Sikhs and negroes, with which marched some 5000 natives, contingents from allied chiefs. Against these Mwasi placed some 20, 000 fighting men in differ-
A M188IONARY HlilROlNE-MADAMllI COILLARD
ent positions on the field or within his fortifications. In spite of these tremendous odds opposed to them the comparatively miniature attacking force, during engagements covering several days, took every settlement of the enemy. Under circumstances of the most trying nature, and ex- posed to Arab marksmen equipped with Remington rifles, Lieutenant Alston's volunteers fought with the utmost gallantry. The capture included more than 600 of Mwasi's men, 14 chiefs, and the redoubtable Mwasi- gungu, a former lieutenant of the .slave-raider Makanjira, who in 1891 treacherously enticed Mr. Boyce and Mr. M'Ewan into his village under a flag of truce, and there basely murdered them. Lieutenant Alston also took possession of one large Arab standard, 250 cattle, 564 guns, and a quantity of gunpowder. Every precaution was taken to protect the women and children cooped up in the various stockades, and no less than 569 wretched, shrivelled slaves were also successfully convoyed to the British camp. It is computed that in the successive engagements and subsequent rout upward of 200 of Mwasi's followers must have been slain, many of them falling into the hands of the long-oppressed and infuriated Wakonde. Kopa Kopa, a well-known chief, was found dead near the stockade, while his ruling chief, Mwasigungu, was taken to Kota Kota, , on Lake Nyassa, aud after' an impartial trial for his diabolical crimes was condemned to death and executed. Subsequently Lieutenant Alston and Captain H. T. Stewart led another expedition against the last two remain- ing slave-traders in the British Protectorate, the Chiefs Ombala and M'Pemba, who were completely defeated and their strongholds seized. During the past autumn campaigu the following slaves have been released: At Kindambos, 49 j Mpondas, 379 j Makanjira's 160 j Mlozi's 596: total, 1184 j to all of whom Commissioner Johnston has given freedom, and in each case has made provision for their independent living in future.
Great as these victories have been on behalf of suffering humanity and the terminating of centuries of oppression, it is not at present possible to effect a complete emancipation in the adjacent territory. It is the custom of the Yaos who live round the southeastern corner of the lake and their Arab allies to retire precipitately to. Portuguese soil, where they are at liberty to work their own pleasure. Even this immunity, however, will be checked. Every fresh triumph over this slave ring makes the raids of these man-hunters into the British Protectorate a more hazardous enterprise. As may be expected, the flourishing Scotch colony in the Shire highlands will now venture to extend northward to the shores of Nyassa, and with each foot of ground colonized, the marauders must inevitably fall back. Long ago the slave dhows on the lake were destroyed, and providing that Sir H. H. Johnston has resources enough to prevent the Arabs from coming round by the north end of Nyassa via German East Mrica, the inhuman occupation of the old-time slave-traders in Portuguese East Africa will be gone. In that day, which is very near, a glorious answer will have been vouchsafed to Livingstone's oft-repeated prayer, " Thy kingdom come."
A MISSIONARY HEROINE-MADAME COILLARD.
BY MISS ALICE BERTRAND, PARIS, FRANCE.
On January loth, 1887, unusual excitement reigned in the rich and beautiful valley of the Sefoula, near the Zambezi River. Men, wrapped in long strips of calico tied round the waist by belts of serpent-skins, and white and downy rabbit-tails in their hair; women, in still larger numbers, with their short petticoats of antelopes' hides, and copper or ivory brace- lets dangling on their wrists and knees, all were hastening to see that extraordmary phenomenon-a white lady! The air resounded with a clapping of hands and shouts of " Shangwe 1 Khosi 1 Lumela ma rona I"
(" Hail, hail, 100'd ; good day, 0 ! our mother.") The" lord" thus loudly cheered was no other than Monsieur Coil- lard, the dauntless French missionary, and the "mother" was his wife, Christina Coillard, a sweet, middle-aged lady. .
If, according to the olden-time poet, the heart of the hero who first ventured on the ocean of tempests was shielded with a threefold breast- plate, what must have been the armor of the first European lady who set her foot in those African wilds ~ Fortunately that armor had been forged by long years of silent preparation.
Madame Coillard* lived one of those harmonious lives whose mature age is the realization of their youthful dreams. She already loved mis- sions when a little girl, in her quiet Scotch parsonage of Greenock. She had subscribed, out of her own pocket-money, to a missionary paper for children, and her heart had beaten with indignation at the sight of little Sarah Roby, a poor child who had been buried alive by her heathen parents, but fortunately rescued by a missionary, and who was taken all over England and Scotland as a living proof of the horrors of paganism.
But when Christina's interest in evangelization developed into a decided missionary vocation it caused great surprise among her friends, for mis- sions were far from being popular forty years ago. Christina Mackintosh was not, however, a girl to be thwarted in her resolution by vain object tions, and she could but pity those who were unable to understand the grandeur of her calling. .
In 1855 we find Miss Mackintosh giving French lessons in Paris with her sister. She had a natural gift for teaching, and seems to have been very fond of her little French pupils. There lived then in Paris a rich and pious lady, Madame Andre Walther, whose drawing-room was the rendez- vous of all Protestants of note. There it was Miss Mackintosh made the acquaintance of a young theological student, Frangois Coillard.
We have but a few dry dates to satisfy our sympathetic curiosity as to the early growth of love in these two hearts. Monsienr Coillard had already been for three years in Basutoland when his betrothed joined him at the Cape. They were married there on November 23d, 1861. " Never,"
said Madame Coillard to her husband on her wedding-day-" never will you find me between you and your duty; wherever you have to go, be it to the end of the world, I shall follow you." This was more than a beautiful saying, it was the ruling principle of all her life.
Immediately after the wedding the young couple settled at Leribe, a secluded spot of Basutoland, where French Protestants have a large mis- sion. In spite of many difficulties and even of a cruel war, which obliged them to leave the country for a while, they spent there a few happy and comparatively peaceful years. They built a cottage, and had a beautiful garden with flowers. Madame Coillard hoped never to leave it, but the churches of Basutoland had decided to found a mission-field where native evangelists might find some scope for their activity, and for that purpose Monsieur Coillard was requested to explore the land of the Banays. When the Coillards heard of the proposal they were just about to start on a long- * Madame Coillard (Christina Mackintosh) was bOlll at Greenock, Scotland, on November 29th, 1829, and died at Sefoula, Zambezi, on October 28th, 1891. wished-for journey to Europe, which they had not seen for sixteen years; but after ten days' thought and prayer they accepted, unhesitatingly sacri- ~ficing all their cherished plans.
Now began for Madame Coillard a new life of adventures, perils, and 'sufferings of all kinds. No other reward crowned her endeavors but that which she found in her growing power of making ever greater sacrific~s.
After an unsuccessful expedition to the land of the Banays, Monsieur and Madame Coillard visited the regions of the Zambezi, where the language I()f the Basutos was still spoken. This fact would greatly facilitate Chris- tian work in that country, many missionaries being already acquainted with the Basuto language. After a trip to Europe, Monsieur Coillard returned with his wife to the Zambezl, this time to settle there.
We will not follow Madame Coillard in all those wearisome journeys, but rather would show the important part the lady missionary has to play, for, as Monsieur Coillard says, " The missionary is only a missionary inas- much as his wife is one and helps him." She is not merely a housewife, but a lady, a nurse, a teacher, a mother, and often, alas! a martyr.
The strange scenery in which Madame Coillard now found herself might seem at first most fascinating. Untrodden forests; vast plains, as white .as snow; mighty rivers, like that beautiful blue Zambezi, flowing slowly between tall and prickly rushes, or darting suddenly into an abyss, roaring ;and sending up clou~s of smoke into the air. But this fair picture has a ·dark, very dark side to it. Famine may at every turn knock at your -door j in the most intense heat you may have to walk forty miles to get a -cup of water; troops of armed savages may attack your peaceful wagon, ioaming with rage and yelling menaces. There are some people who, very ,generously and a little disdainfully, object to women sharing such dangers.
Monsieur Coillard did not hold that opinion. "We cannot but congratu- llate ourselves," he writes, " upon having my wife and niece with us. The wmplications which their presence involves are nothing compared to the comfort they are to us. My wife has taken her place of mother and sister of mercy. She is often a providence to us." But in Gideon's chosen host not the willing, only the worthy were accepted. To be a soldier in ,the missionaries' valiant army it is not enough to be ready, one must be ;prepared. .
The missionary's life, far from being a contemplative one, is too I()ften made up of very humble duties, which consume all his time and patience. Fortunately Madame Coillard was a superior housewife. She lmew how to cut out dresses, knead bread, and even make her own soap :and candles. Besides the ability shown in such little details, which can hardly be called little when we remember that the lady missionary is the chief agent of civilization among women, she had remarkable aptitudes for superintending. Last, but not least, she possessed a sweet and calm dis- position. If temper is, as has been said, the nine tenths of Christianity, a woman must be a true Christian indeed when she can see her most pre- cious boxes trampled upon, and her husband's clothes adorning some im- pudent black, without once losing patience.
The missionary woman is something like the "chatelaine" of old, almost a queen. Strange as it may seem, the native chief, iilstinctively feeling the superiority of a Christian and of a civihzed man, treats him as his equal and invites himself to his house. The missionary's wife is there- fore bound to know the laws of A.frican etiquette, and receive her royal guests with the courteous dignity which becomes the representative of a .higher civilization and morality. There is also the European traveller, who has imperative claims on your kindness, for he may not have eaten a piece of bread nor seen a white face for many a month. Madame CoIl. lard's duties were not always so easy and pleasant as the receiving of a poor explorer. Notwithstanding her delicate health, she was the sister of mercy to all, whites and natives. Many a time she had to appeal to her ardent charity in order to nurse patiently those rough Zambezians, affiicted with loathsome diseases. She once fell a victim to her zeal. " I have nursed so m'any sufferers from ophthalmia, 1 have poured so much sulphate of zinc into their eyes," she writes, "that I have caught an ophthalmia myself. "
Madame Coillard's favorite work was teaching. She had unconsciously prepared herself for it as a girl, when giving French lessons in Paris, and she taught to the very last. A few days before her death she was sitting among the prattling wives of the king, cutting out dresses for them, and telling them, in her own sweet way, the parable of the prodigal son. But the education of those coarse women proved a most arduous task, and Madame Coillard far preferred the children's school-that captivating school, as she called it-which was founded as soon as they had definitely settled at Sefoula. They hoped it to be a means of drawing the natives to the Gospel through their children. The school-room was formed by the shadows of the trees, and, instead of using slates and copy-books, the children wrote upon the sand. Children came in large numbers. King Lewanika held instruction in high reverence, and he had little huts built for his sons near the mission station, so that they should lose no opportunity in learning. What seems more wonderful still, the girls themselves would join their brothers. Fond of her home as she was, Madame Coillard decided to sacrifice it in some measure, in order to admit the daughters of the king and the little slaves into her family.
" This numerous household," writes she, "has been a cause of much occupation to me, but also of deep interest. I cannot but thank God with a grateful heart for the privilege of having all those dear boys and girls under our roof. Our four little princesses are very obedient, clever, and industrious. I am so pleased to see them happy and contented. The two daughters of the king read quite fluently now, and the two other girls, already engaged, though so young, to the King's son and to his nephew, are also improving. This is a wide field open to us, and if we had more help and means, the number of children who would come to be taught would be almost unlimited."
Intellect is more easily developed than conscience, and the little Barotsis were soon learned enough to pass a public examination in reading, singing, and reciting. That school festival must have been no common spectacle, honored, as it was, by the presence of the black king himself, who alternately encouraged or blamed the candidates, following the reading with a book in his hand.
But, alas! she who had given to her black daughters all that a woman's heart contains of unspent motherly love, was only repaid by ingratitude. Moral corruption is something dreadful in the regions of the Zambezi. Two of those girls scaled the palisades at night and fled into the forest for most shameful purposes and had to be sent away at once.
This was a terrible blow for Madame Coillard. She tried to master her sorrow, adopted other little girls, but she had lost the mainspring of energy, faith in her work. Surely, this bitter grief was one of the causes which hastened her end. Madame Coillard had been sickly for years, and she and her husband often allude to fatigues, to fever, ophthalmia, or other illnesses from which she suffered; but a vigorous mind dwelt in that frail body and ruled it unmercifully, as a strong-willed pilot governs a disabled ship. The ship was bound for the port; she might be wrecked, but she must not wander from her route. Christina Coillard had consecrated her life to African missions, and nothing, not even the threats of death itself, could have deterred her from her vocation.
Once Monsieur Coillard proposed to her to travel for her health. , , No," she replied; "life is too short and our work here too extensive. Let us remain faithfully at our post. The Master knows that I want my health, and, should it be His wish, He might give it to me here without my going to find it elsewhere."
One day, when returning from a missionary journey with her husband and Mademoiselle Kiener, a devoted Swiss young lady whom she considered as her own daughter, fever laid her low. After a day of great mental agony she became calm and serene, "talking of invisible things as one who is already on the threshold of heaven." The day before her death she said to her husband, "Dying is not so difficult all I feared. It is not painful, and then the passage is so very short. Underneath are the everlasting arms." A few hours later she went quietly to sleep in the peace of the Lord.
Madame Coillard's husband is one of the most energetic and faithful missionaries of the Paris Missionary Society. He is not so widely known as some, but he deserves a large place among the "heroes of African history." When young he was sent to Basutuland, where he toiled zealously and successfully for nearly twenty years. The Basutu Christians learning that a large tribe on a bend of the Zambesi River, in Central Africa, speaking their language, were destitute of the Gospel, decided to send it to them. M. Coillard offered to pioneer the little band of African evangelists, accompanied by his wife and niece. They had to encounter giant obstacleR at the outset, one of which was the refusal of Lobengula, the chief of the Matabele tribe, to allow them to pass through his territory, and holding them captives for several months. On their arrival in the Barotsi kingdom, the place of their destination, the chief, Lewanika, tho he did not drive them away, treated them in the unkindest manner. One has well observed that M. Coillard and his party were appointed to undergo" the reality without the name of martyrdom" at the hands of Lewanika, who was as odious as Mwanga, the king of the Baganda, tho not so bloodthirsty. "What have I to do," said the savage potentate, in a fit of anger, " with a Gospel that gives me neither guns nor powder nor sugar nor artisans to work for me~" Threats were thrown out to strangle those who served the missionaries. In the midst of their trials Mrs. Coillard was called away by death, but without a regret that she had gone to that distant field. M. Coillard was urged by his relatives in France to return home, but labored on with a faith and.courage truly sublime. The state of affairs has greatly changed. Reinforcements have been sent to the field. The king has become a stanch friend of the missionaries. His son, the heir to the throne, has become a Christian, and a great and good work is now being accomplished. Sirpo Pinto, the noted African explorer, in his book, " How I Crossed Africa," speaks in the highest terms of praise and gratitude of the Coillard family, and he has reason to do so, for he is indebted to their kind care for the preservation of his life. It would be interesting to us all should the life of this servant of God be written for us to profit thereby.-(Josiah Tyler, D.D.)
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GBACEY, D.D.
Oonditions and Results in Korea. tume as well as in a tight-fitting suit and a derby hat. BY REV. GEORGE HEBER JONES, SEOUL, KOREA. These Koreans live in mud huts;. straw-thatched, with rooms about eight; Geographically, Korea extends from feet square and five to six feet in height..
32· to 42° north latitude, and has about It is a peculiar thing to say, but, never..
the same number of degrees expansion theless, it is a fact, that the Korean· in longitude. The climate is equable, sleeps over the fire. The rooms are Cliln- and the country lies between two warm structed so that an intricate system of ocean currents. Korea consists of 100,- tlues runs over the floor. 0 ver the fluea 000 square miles, and is as mountain- are laid flags of stone, on top of which.
ous as Switzerla.nd. The origin of the mud is plastered, and over the whole a.
people is wrapped in obscurity, but they heavy thick oiled paper is pasted. The: probably came from India. The people fire by which the meal is cooked is con- are about five feet five inches in height, ducted into these flues, and on top. of'
and manifest less of the Mongolian fea- this the Korean sleeps. There are no turas than the Chinese or Japanese. chairs and no tables worthy the name.
They dress in garments built upon a The houses are grouped along narrow plan evidently intended to consume and crooked lanes, and present a very large quantities of cloth. Once there unattractive appearance. Globe-trot- was It request made to ascertain, the ters who visit Korea find little to rouse amount of goods used in one of these their enthusiasm or elicit their admira- costumes. The United States resident- tion. The people are agricultural, the minister made the measurements, and great mass of them being occupied im found that one full costume of a Korean rice culture.
noble in office would require 375 yards The position of woman is far from a:.
of native goods about 16 or 18 inches desirable one. The heel of heathenism wide. Their hats are made of woven rests heavily indeed on the neck of man,.
hair, and that of the poorest coolie costs but it rests infinitely more heavily om $5. This hat has just been done away the neck of woman. In Korea she is; with by law. The universal color is held to be completely inferior to man in white, but black is gradually coming every respect. She is secluded withim into style. The cut of the Korean gar- the inner apartments of the house and ments struck me at first as being very kept a virtual prisoner there, never'
ridiculous, but I very soon learned that lea.ving it except for a rare visit to her I myself looked quite as ridiculous to pa.rents, when she goes in a chair the Koreans as tbey did to me. A short heavily curtained and generally in the time afterward a Korean noble of very night-time. She is taught in childhood high family, the governor of a prov- that she must hold herself subservient ince, told me that when foreigners first to her father's will, in wifehood to her came to the .pountry with their shorn husband's will, in widowhood to that of heads, yellow hair, tight-fitting gar- the eldest son. Christianity comes with ments, and strange jargon of speech, a welcome and delightful emancipation the nobles thought them the most ridicu- lor her.
lous specimens of mankind they had It W88 God, not man, who held out ever seen, and that nothing worthy of any promise of success in Korea to the consideration could come from such Church when she entered upon her peculiar people. That taught me that work there in 1885. To human vision a JIlan can be a man in 1m !'~W:~ ~~" ~he difficulties appeared SQ enormQWl and the conditions and views of the peo- successful in stamping out Christianity, ple so completely petrified, it was not and the memory of what had happened only folly to attempt work there ; it hung like a dreadful nightmare over the was a waste of energy greatly needed people, so that the very announcement elsewhere. The results in the peninsula of another and open propaganda of to·day prove how unfounded was such Christianity in the country was such as an assumption. There, as everywhere, almost to terrify the people. During it is true that man's distress and help- this persecution reports of the most lessness was God's opportunity. scandalous and libelous nature had been The advance guard of the army of circulated concerning Christianity and Christ in Korea was but a handful of the objects of those who propagated it.
men-Dr. Maclay, Dr. Allen, Rev. Dr. These reports were accepted to a degree Underwood, Dr. Heron, Rev. H. G. among the people, for all effort to dis· Appenzeller, and Dr, Scranton. These prove or controvert them had been men, with the exception of Dr. Maclay effectually Buppressed, and it remained and Dr. Underwood (who was single), for Christianity to find some vindica· were accompanied by their wives-no- tion by future events. What the peo- ble women, who stood by the side of ple knew of Christianity was calculated their husbands, sharing their hardships to do anything but impress them favor- and perils, and cheering and encourag- ably with it. But not only was Chris- ing them in hours of trial and disap- tianity an ill odor, but all foreigners were pointment. Dr. Scranton had the add- regarded with suspicion. The ill·ad· ed blessing of the presence and wise vised and unsuccessful attempts to open counsel of his mother, often alluded to the country by force by the French dur- lovingly as the Barbara Heck of Meth- ing the sixties, by the American expedi.
odism in Korea, whose mature judg- tion in 1875, and by those nondescript ment and saintly presence have been of expeditions of a German Jew adven- untold good to the younger members turer, had caused the Koreans to regard of the mi8Sionary community. Dr. the advances of foreigners as anything Heron has been called to the presence but deserving of a hospitable reception.
of the Master he loved and served so To a certain degree this feeling had been well. The others remain to enjoy the allayed by the conduct of Admiral Schu· fruits of victory and win still greater felt when the American treaty was conquests for Jesus. The labors of negotiated and by the negotiation of Dr. Maclay were those of prospecting treaties with Korea by the various for.
for all Protestant missions, proTiding eign powers.
for and subsequently temporarily super· In 1885, when the first missionaries intending, from Japan, the initiation of went there, however. so little was the Methodist Episcopal mission. known about foreigners that the old A word as to the conditions which views largely hllld sway. The Korean existed in Korea when Protestant Chris· saw the ridiculous garb-garments the tianity first began its work: cut of which struck them as anything 1. Christianity was in a very ill odor but decent, the shorn heads, the eyes.
with the Koreans at that time. Within oil' color, the jargon of speech, and the memory of most of those living a they saw but little else. They voted mighty persecution had taken place, by unanimously that" Verily these are the which over 10,000 Koreans, converts to barbarians of which we have heard so the Roman Catholic Church, were cruel· often." Still another element which en- ly massacred. The priests and leaders tered into the situation to encumber it had been driven into hiding; the rest with obstacles was an ill·advised at- of the converts had disappeared al- tempt to overturn the old government most altogether from the public vision. and set up one dominated by the pro- To the Korean eye it seemed that the gressive party. In December, 1884, xp.easures of the ~overI).ment had been this attempted revoluti.QJ,tb~~~e.o~t, h~t, was quickly suppressed, and the ene· peculiarities noted, and plans laid for mies of progress managed to load with the inauguration of a worl: which the odium of the rebels all progressive should be commensurate with the ex- and foreign ideas which the so·called tent of the people. The field was truly rebels had espoused. Under Divine a virgin one.
Providence, however, Dr. Allen, the I make no attempt to exhaust the tirst missionary of the Presbyterian catalogue of difficulties and obstacles or Church to Korea, who had arrived in to magnify them. It is simply to indi- the latter part of 1884, was present in cate something of what had to be done Seoul. He was called to attend profes· ten years ago.
sionally one of the most representative What have these ten years brought men of the conservative party, and by forth?
his healing of this man's wounds, re- 1. The tirst result, which is certainly ceived in the emeute the story of which entitled to be enshrined as the chief after has been told so often, he was able to ten ye~rs of work in Korea, is the con.
neutralize to some extent the odium in quest of the prejudice of the people.
which foreigners were held. The ser- This has been accomplished to an extent vices of Dr. Allen to the cause of Chris- which transcends the wildest expecta- tianity and the advancement of Korea tions of the first missionaries when they can never be fully estimated. began their work in the field. Uncon- This was the condition of the country sciously, most of the time almost like politically when the tirst missionaries the melting of the snow under the rays went there. Great as were the difficul- of the sun, at other times like the strip- ties which grew out of this condition of ping of the trees of their leaves by No- affairs, they formed but a part of the vember blasts, this prejudice has disap- obstacles which the first miBSionaries peared. POBBibly that is too strong a had to encounter. This succession of way to put it. This prejudice still historic events to which I have been al- exists in isolated cases; but as far as luding had become petrified in the Ko- the people are concerned as a whole, rean mind in an unreasonable prejudice the Koreans have overcome their suspi- against foreigners in general and Chris- cion of foreigners, and Christianity has tianity in particular. been vindicated from 'the pdium with 2. The second great obstacle was the wWch it was regarded ten years ago.
utter lack of any familiarity with the Much of this work may be said to have field to which the first missionaries were been done within the last three years.
appointed. Korea was truly an un- About that time the writer was called known land and its people strangers. to a village on a populous island to bap- There is little doubt that of equal im- tize an old woman. When he arrived portance with a knowledge of the lan- at the shore he was met with the mes- guage is a knowledge of the people to sage that the villagers would destroy which the missionary is sent, and the the home of the Christian residing there if missionaries in Korea had to acquire he introduced a foreign missionary into this knowledge by slow and often dis· that hamlet. So the baptism took place appointing and grievous experiences. in a boat at the seashore at midnight.
The customs of the people had to be In less than three years from that time studied and weighed. The systems of a thriving church grew up in that very religious belief which the people held hamlet. It was the privilege of the had to be examined and determined, missionary who had been excluded from and the intellectual bias of the mind that town to receive a number of people and the trend of thought watched and into the church, to baptize no less than studied. The country itself was geo- nineteen men, women and children, graphically unknown to them. It had and to behold the valley lit up at night to be traversed, the great centers of by the fires of burning shrines and population discovered, tlleir provincial fetiches, w~i911 the vUlagers themselves were destroying to break their connec- enhanced thereby. HOIIPitals have been tion wi1lh heathenism. This is illustra- opened for the relief of the distressed tiye to a considerable degree of the great and the gratitude of thou!lands won by change in sentiment which has taken the cures effected. Permanent work in place in many centers in Korea. Wher' preaching and evangelizing the people ever Christianity has entered and begun has been opened at aboutforty different work it has easily conquered any vestige places throughout the nine provinces, of prejudice or opposition, and while and the number of people Identified as the people do not necessarily flock into members and probationers with the the church in multitudes to become Church reaches over 1100. During Christians, their views concerning Chris- 1895 these native Christians gave on an tianity, eivi1lzation and foreigners have average about $1 apiece to the work of changed vastly for the better. the Church in Korea. The beginnings .. 2. The second great result has been of a native ministry now gladden our the mutering of the language, To the hearts. Young Koreans are following knowledge of the writer there is no mis- the divine call to preach the Gospel to sionary in Korea but has some knowl- their people. Some are in our educa- edge of the Janguage, while, when the tional institutions preparing for that gavernment was recently in need of purpose. Others are employed as help- competent interpreters there were no ers and colporteurs, while a few, with- less than eight men among the missiona- out any payor emolument of any kind, ries in Seoul who were competent to act are preaching the Gospel to their people as the medium between the king and and doing a good work for their Ml.lster.
the foreign representatives. The Ko- rean tongue has been studied, gram- mars written, dictionaries compiled, and An Afrioan Pioneer.
treatises published, which greatly sim- BY DR. W. A. P. MARTIN, PRESIDENT plify the task of future missionaries in EMERITUS OF THE IMPERIAL TUNGlearning the language; but, above all, WEN COLLEGE, PEKIN, CillNA. the people have been given in their own tongue the blessed Word of God and In 1834 the American Board lIent taught to sing His praise in their own their first mission to South Africa. It language. consisted of Messrs. Adams, Champion, 3. There is no class Qf men In Korea Grout, Lindley, Venable, Wilson, and more familiar with the geography of the their wives. The last survivor of that.
country, with the customs, habits, and band was Mrs. Venable, who closed peculiarities of the people and with their her pilgrimage in Erie, Kan., on March provincial differences thaN the missiona- 28th, 1896, at the ripe age of eighty- ries. There may be said to be had by three.
the body of workers here, 8. knowledge Up to the last she followed with keen of the people, which adds to their im- interest the fortunes of the Zulu people portance in the eyes of the populace and of the mission of which she had themselves, qualifies them for etHcient formed a part. Tho her connection and forceful work among them, and with the work was brief-not over five givu them 8. ready entrance to the years-she rejoiced to see its expanding hearts and the hearing of"the people. seale and maturing fruits. It now has 4. The work itself has been organized 28 stations and 30 missionariell, with a along wide, far·reaching and permanent church-membership of near 2000 and a lines. Schools have been founded for following of five times that number.
the enlightenment of the people. Edu- Nor did she view with less interest the cational work carried on by the mis· growth of Great Britain's South African sionaries is regarded with respect by the empire, which she lived to see extended people, and their importance greatly from the Cape to the Zambesf. Often in my childhood I was privi- . was not half that distance. At night leged to hear from her lips the thrilling the wagons were formed in a circle, thus narrative of perils and deliverances ex- providing a pretty secure camp against perienced by those pioneer missionaries. the attacks of savage beasts or still The British colony was limited to a nar- more savage men. Their oxen were row strip around the Cape of Good sometimes killed by lions, and hyenas Hope. Less than thirty years prior to were constantly prowling about their that date England had taken possession camping grounds.
of it as part of the empire of Napoleon Six months only had Ihey been settled at the time when his brother Louis was in their new home when, just as they King of Holland, and its strategic im- felt ready to begin effective work, they portance was such that she never were waked one morning by volleys thought of restoring it to its original of musketry. Looking out of their owners as she did the isle of Java. windows, they saw a body of mounted The Dutch constituted the bulk of Boers in possession of the village, while the population, and naturally enough the people were flying in every direc- they were dissatisfied with British rule tion. In a few minutes the leader en- in a land where they had been masters. tered their house and explained the In 1833 a grand exodus of Boers set situation. The Zulus had been stealing toward the far interior with a view to cattle from the Dutch colonists, and the planting a new Dutch republic beyond latter had now come on them by way the sphere of British inflitence. The re- of repri.sals. It was the beginning of a sult-tho many years were to elapse be- war that might not end soon. If the fore its accomplishment-was the crea- missionaries remained at their post they tion of the Orange Free State and the would be exposed to the blind vengeance Transvaal, of which we have recently of a savage race. He therefore advised seen so much in our journals. them to quit the place, and kindly The diamonds of Kimberley and the offered them all possible assistance and gold of Johannesburg lay hidden in the protection in doing so; but he gave sands of the desert at the time our mis- them only six hours to make their sionaries penetrated those regions in preparations.
quest of something more precious. No It did not take the missionaries long railroad was there to whirl them across to decide. The decision was, in fact, the plains with the rapidity of an eagle's taken out of their hands by the fact of flight, nor was there any telegraph to war, which would leave them no peo- flash intelligence from station to sta- ple to preach to; so, with heavy hearts, tion, as it now does daily from Bulu- they bade farewell to that first station, wayo to London and New York. and escorted by the Dutch to a point Livingstone had not yet come on the beyond the sphere of hostilities, they stage. Moffat was the great explorer looked about for another field in which of that day; and after consultation with to prosecute their mission.
him, they decided to fix themselves at a They found it in another section of point not far from the banks of the the Zulu race, whose chief, named Din- Tugela among a tribe ruled by a warlike gaan, was looked on as a sort of king, chief named Moselekatze. The journey and always spoke of :&Ioselekatze as thither was long and toilsome-its dura- " my dog." Not long, however, were tion measured by months instead of they at their new station when the ris- weeks. Their conveyances were wagons, ing tide of Dutch immigration again each a dwelling-house and a fort, and swept over them. On this occasion the each drawn, without a road, over grass, outbreak was almost as Budden as be- brushwood, or barren sand by twelve fore, and much more tra~ic. The firllt yoke of oxen. Their ordinary march intimation of the coming trouble was was twelve mile. a day; and often it brought them by a royal messenger, who brought a special command for States and engaged in educational work Mr. Venable to come to the king and at Paris, Ill. .. not to eat or sleep on the road. " Setting off without delay, and making the Tho unwearied in doing good at home, whole distance of fifty miles on foot in Mrs. Venable appeared to have left her a very short time (tho perhaps not with- heart in Africa, and her devotion to the out.food or sleep), Mr. Venable arrived cause of foreign missions was conat Dingaan's kraal. At the door of the tagious. Through her influence her council house he saw the arms of Dutch two young brothers (one of them the soldiers stacked in military fashion; writer of these lines) and others whom but on going inside. what was his sur- I could name had their faces turned prise not to find a Dutchman! They toward the foreign field. were carrying on negotiations for the Who can measure the results of a purchase of land, and he had been sum- consecrated life like hers ?
moned to assist in a grand palaver. Discriminations Against Protestants in .. Where are the Dutch ?" he asked. Turkey . .. They have gone hunting," replied In the March number of this REVIEW the king. we treated the topic" The Attitude of H That is not very likely, or they the Turkish Government toward Chris- tians." The administration of the laws, would have taken their guns," suggest- edicts, or regulations is, however, by ed the missionary. no means equal toward all Christians, discriminations in favor of the Greek .. Then they have gone fishing," said Church and against Protestants and the king with a grim smile, but without Roman Catholics having been the rule a blush. for some years.
Perceiving that Mr. Venable suspect- At the risk of restating some things ed something, be added: .. The truth is, said in that article, we adopt, making I have killed the Dutch; but I don't our own the following communication. intend to kill you." It was not written for publication, and we are not at liberty to announce the That morning had witnessed in that author-at least at pIesent. Our in. very room one of those tragedies which formant says about the edict of Januprove how impossible it is for the sav- ary, 1892: age and civilized to live together in harmony. Encroachments provoktl re- " By imperial decrees and by treaties prisals, and reprisals lead to the exter- liberty to worship and to educate their mination or subjugation of the weaker. children long before llad been con- Dingaan, by making a show of concilia- ferred upon and enjoyed by the Christion, had decoyed into his capital a tiansof Turkey. Freedom of education party of fifty Boers. Oxen were slain, had been regulated by a special law in and a feast spread for their entertain- 1889, which made a government inspecment. Then while they were eating tion of the methods of instruction the and drinking, at a secret signal the sole limitation of the liberty to establish young men of the king's bodyguard schools. As to the liberty of worship, rushed on them, and each buried his atJ- it was limited by no special law. For lJefJai in the back of a guest. at least half II century the uniform and official interpretation of the proclama- Not long did the sable tyrant enjoy tion of religious liberty has been that the fruits of his treachery. The aveng- they confer upon all classes the right of ers of blood were on him almost as assembly for worship in any place that soon as the intelligence could reach belongs to them, and only landed propthem. His town was laid in ashes. he erty diverted to permanent religious uses was slain, and his people took refuge in what is now known as Mashonaland.
After this second catastrophe Mr. and Mrs. Venable returned to the United by the erection thereon of church edi- ments of long standing. It Is enly in fices, remained untaxed, subject to the the case where officials are fanatical or special authorization of the Sultan in influenced by special considerations of each case. a personal nature, as in the case men. tioned above, that a lon~·established .. It is said that the edict of January right is incurred, the edict made retro- 2d, 1892, applied to all Christian schools active, and the school or place of worand places of wOr3hip. It should be re- ship prohibited. Respecting the openmarked that no such phrase occurs in ing of new schools or places of worship, the edict. But the edict none the less however, the case is quite different. affects Christians chiefly, and, perhaps, Whereas, under the Ratti Rumayoun entirely. In the matter of education the and the usages of the past, the question needs of the Mohammedans are provid- of the expediency of opening a sooool is ed for by the government, which with left entirely to the community interestadmirable energy is pressing on the ed, submission to government control multiplication of schools of all grades being the only limitation upon the most for Mohammedans. In the matter of perfect liberty. Under the edict of Janworship the edict is executed in respect uary, 1892, the question of expediency to Christians only. Jews are, as ever, is the principal one submitted to the allowed the most perfect liberty in meet· official, who is, in fact, the sole judge aa ing habitually in any private houie to whether any given school is • needwhich is convenient to the community. ed.' The change introduced by the .Ai!. to the case of Mohammedans the edict is patent. In practice no new Government could be overthrown by a school for Christian children can be general uprising. if it were to suggest opened without the Sultan's personal that Mohammedans may not meet for consent. Respecting the meeting for worship unless they first take out a per· worship in a new place, also, the edict mit to do so, or a firman setting apart a is commonly applied in a prohibitive place where they wish to meet. The sense, the parties wishing to assemble discrimination here applied to all Chris- being commonly told that they cannot tians bears very heavily upon the Prot· do so without an imperial firman. • estants, because they have not, like the older Christian sects, a full equipment .. Since the Issue of imperial firmans of ancient churches. for schools and places of wOr3hip is.a matter relating solely to and inseparable " The discrimination becomes further from the dedication of land for religious evident in the order privately sent ont uses, which thereby removes it from the shortly after the issue of the edict reo category of taxable private property, it ferred to, under which no Christian, na- follows that persons temporarily residtive or alien, can own or hire lands or ing in a place where there is no Prothouses in Turkey unless he will sign a estant church, or persons who have not bond to the effect that the house or land the money to build a church, or persons will never be used for the education of whose only landed property is of the children or for the purpose of religious category of that which cannot be exmeetings. This curious • regulation' empt from the class of taxal!lle private is rigidly enforced whenever Christians property, may not meet for worship at purchase lands, but inquiry at the land all because they cannot obtain a firman registration office shows that it is not for a 'church edifice. This limitation enforced and cannot lawfully be en- as to obtaining firmal!.s applies also to forced in the case of Mohammedans. schools. Thus the liberty of education and of worship has been narrowed down .. So far as Protestant schools or by this edict. For the future the enplaces of worship are concerned, the joyment of this liberty is made te deexecution of the edict of January, 1892, pend upon a property qualification has not been attended in general by the hardships of the closure of establish· witWn the reach of those only who can greater enemies, the Protestants as a have access to the ear of the sovereign recompense to their wickedness are himself. standing in our presence covered with shame . .. Another curious result of the edict of 1892 is that it is uniformly said to "Oh, ye orthodox I stand manfully prevent the repair or alteration of any and gather up your strength. Fear private building in which a school or not, for while God is with you no one an assembly for worship has been au· can stand against you. While God is thorized to be held. The authorities our shepherd what wolf shall we fear 2 now hold that the effect of the edict is Thus miserable sinners are destroyed to prohibit such property from being and the faithful are rejoiced. repaired or altered except by special imperial firman, because ,the issue of " This work has been carried on and the permit for the school or the worship brought to a successful issue by the is held to have assimilated the' property energy of our priest Paes Christo alone." to that of permanent church or school buildings. But the permit by which Our correspondent adds: this assimilation is held to have taken " It should be recorded that the Konplace has not changed the category in BtantinoupoliB newspaper is the organ of which the building stands. It is still the Greek patriarchate. WWle Protes· taxable private property. therefore an tants are not partisans of a censorsWp of imperial firman may not issue respect· the press, this is no reason for failing to ing the repair. therefore it cannot be remark that in a country where any pubrepaired or altered at all. The only reo lication of articles of a nature to mold source for a man who has allowed his religious susceptibilities is forbidden by property to be used by an establishment law, and where censors must approve of this class, altho the school or the beforehand all articles published in the worship be formally authorized, if he papers, the authorization for publication wishes to save his buildings from falling of an article like the above quoted, is t8 pieces, is to oust the school or the as- another example of the discrimination sembly worshiping in his house." against Protestants habitually practised by some officials in Turkey." The following translation of part of an article from the KonBtantinoupolis of Among Our Letters. January 27th, O. S., 1893, is given as an illulitration of the spirit of the Greek -Rev. David W. Carter, writing from Christians toward Protestants: Antonio, Tex., says: "An unusual in- terest in the Gospel is being shown by .. Oh, ye miserable Protestants, who those Mexicans now living in Texas. know not what ye do I Your house is From many localities comes the news left unto you desolate like that of the of an awakening interest. I have just enemies of God who slew the Lord held a week's special services in which Jesus Christ. Oh, ye nations, under- forty persons were won to Christ." stand and be overthrown, for God is with us I The orthodox church at Fatsu, -Rev. Thomas Christie, D.D., of having heard of the plan adopted by us Tarsus College, Turkey, writes: "This at Ordu, also made petition to the gov- has been a year of painful trial to us and ernment for the closing of the schools our people in Turkey. But we look to and the services of worship which have see our Father'shand init all. No misceen peacefully conducted there by the 510n1lry has even thought of leaving his Protestants, and they easily succeeded. or her post. In such days as these our Thus under this new victory of our poor people are doubly dear to us. The church, which in five centuries has van- Lord is with us through all. It is for quished and brought to shame, without the good of His kingdom that we lay gUCl and without knife, such and many down our lives here; we feel sure He will give dying peaee as He has given sions in the recent reports of some of to so many precious martyrs this win· our Lodiana missionaries indicating a ter." reaching up for a fuller spiritual bless- -A friend resident in PhiIippopolis, ing in their own souls, nay, more, con. South Bulgaria, writes: "The present fessing to a consciousness of a new ex· is a time of vital importance for the perience of blessed fellowship with Christianization of Bulgaria. The de- Christ. termination of Prince Ferdinand of that " One writes; 'It has been the happrincipality, to be recognized by the piest year of my life as a missionary, European powers, at whatever cost, led and the reason why it has been so is, I him, tho a rigid Roman Catholic, his think, that I have learned to know wife and mother being the same, to sae· what a blessed life and work this is to rifice his first·born son and heir to his which we have been called.' throue, to be rebaptized in the Greek " Another writes: • I should like to Catholic or Bulgarian Church. This mention with profound gratitude that I was done February .14th, and waS sig. believe I have experienced during the naled by the issue of special stamps and past year a quickening and uplifting in postal cards. The Russian Czar sent a my spiritual life, a deeper sense of respecial representative to Sophia to par· sponsibility, a greater joy in service.' ticipate in the ceremonies, and he also " Another says: 'The past year has sent a congratulatory telegram to Prince been the brightest and best spiritually Ferdinand. Since then the prince has of all the years I have spent in India. been recognized by the Suzerain power, Christ has been more to me of a reality, Turkey, which implies recognition by and tasks have been more easy and all the European powers. A conse- hopeful because I knew they were His quence of this strengthening of Russian tasks. ' influence, and of zeal for the national " And still another, dwelling on the church is, more resolute opposition to encouragements in the work the past the evangelical work and some cases of year, adds the following words: 'And determined persecution of Protestant last but not least, we believe that we missionaries are awaking to the possi- Christians. " bility of living nearer our },laster. Call -Rev. '£homas B. WOQd, D.D., writ- it the Spirit·filled life if you will, we ing from Callao, Peru, says: "Perse- are with invincible zeal determined to cutions, involving imprisonments, ban- have more of it. Yea, we are willing ishments, stoning of houses and persons, to be content with nothing else than the incendia'rism, denial of natural and "mind of Christ~' itself. When that legal rights, are suffered constantly by day comes, as come it will, the future the converts, and they endure it with of India is assured.' meekness and cheerfulness. The con- "Commenting on these extracts in verts are improved spirituaUy and ma- another connection, I have said: ' Such terially by their newness of life to such testimonies from men who are not a degree that their neighbors notice young in the service witness unmistaktheir bettered condition, and attribute ably to the refreshing presence of the it to a money stipend distributed by Holy Spirit, and are a bright revelation . the missionaries, and can hardly be of a growth in spiritual life and power made to believe that, instead of receiv- in answer to prayer, such as all our ing money, the converts all give money missionaries abroad, yea, and all our constantly for the Gospel work." churches at home may hopefully strive -Rev. Benjamin Labaree, widely for and expect for themselves.' "
known as a missionary of rare qualities -Mr. F. D. Phinney, Superintendent and success, in a personal note says: of the Baptist mission press, Rangoon, " I have been much moved by expres- Burma, writes . .. Since the arrival in-Burma, in the quickening into new life cold and dead early part of 1892, of the first shipment members, and putting a great longing of the photo-engraved edition of the hunger into the hearts of our Chinese Burmese Bible. about 2500 copies have pr~achers for more spiritual power. been issued-that is, in about four years At a little conference three of them had the number of copies issued of this with Mr_ Smith about the baptism of small and cheap (one rupee) Burmese the Holy Spirit. they were full of joy Bible has equalled the present number to hear there was a way to get power, of Burman Baptist church-members. and wished they could build taber- During these lears the demand for the nacles and stay there, as one of them large type Blble. the Reference New said, where they had learned this good Testament, and for the photo-engraved news." New Testament has been steady, and the important fact may be stated that The volume" A Cycle in Far Cathay," during these four years more Copie8 of by Rev. Dr. W. A. P. Martin, men- Dr. JudBon'8 Burmese Bible have been tioned editorially in our May number, issued than in tM twenty years preceding. will. we learn, not be out till September. We hope to present an early and care- " Since August, 1895, 3000 copies of ful review of this work, which is the photo-engraved edition of. the Bible anticipated with great pleasure. It in Sgaw Karen have been received at would not be easy to name another authe mission press in Rangoon, and very thor so intellectually furnished for the nearly the whole number is now in the task, who has had such rare opportunihands of the people. A further ship- ties to acquaint himself with the matement of 1000 copies is to arrive this rial for an able summary and analytical month. and the balance of the edition review of affairs in the Chinese Empire of 5000 copies is due by the following in the last quarter of a century. steamers. The sales of this edition, uniform in size and price with the Bur- International Missionary Union. mese edition, is simply unprecedented. There is nothing in the history of Bible The thirteenth annual meeting of the distribution in Burma with which to International Missionary Union will be compare it. The demand still con- held at Clifton Springs, New York, tinues all over the field. and it is be- June 10th-17th, 1896. The opening lieved that a second edition of 5000 session begins at 7.80 P.M., of Wednescopies is now being printed, and will day the 10th. Missionaries will be be ready for issue about as soon as gratuitously entertained, chiefly by Dr. wanted." Henry Foster in his noble sanitarium, which for the greater l?art of a halt -Rev. Mr. McNair, writing from century has been a religiOUS Mecca, as Japan on the subject of the revival of well as a health resort. A large numidolatry by the State, says: ber of missionaries have already signi- fied their purpose to attend the meeting .. In one of my late letters I quoted in June. from a Japanese paper on the subject of parliamentary recommendations to All missionaries are urgently requestthe government to build a temple to ed to send the secretary theIr names, and establish the worship of the late 'societies. fields, years of appointment, Prince Kitashirakawa, in Formosa; and (if not now not connected with the and I stated that both houses of parlia- work abroad) date of retirement. The ment had acted in the matter. The union is constantly seeking the address quotation dealt only with the upper of all foreign missionaries who may be house, and when sending it I was told residing (as well as those only visiting) that the lower house had acted simi- in the United States and Canada. The larly. I didn't wait to verify the infor- secretary earnestly invites correspondmation, writing as the mail was leav- ence with any such persons. ing. The truth is, I since find that only the upper house took definite ac- Missionaries are requested to mentlon tion. This correction does not mate- any subjects which they desire disrially alter the fact that many repre- cussed in the meeting, or upon which sentative men in Japan-nObles, educa- they are prepared to speak or read tors, capitalists, I,ltc.-who make up papers, and to suggest suitable speakers the • Lords' decided unanimously to or essayists. Any inquiries will be anrecommend this idolatry business." swered by the secretary of the union.
-Mrs. Arthur H. Smith writes: .. The J. T. GRACEY, President, Holy Spirit seems to be moving on our Rochester, N. Y. Shantung Church (North China) as never before, in a quiet, powerful way, W. H. BELDEN. ,&cretOlf"lJ. Clifton Springs, N. Y.
4:56 lI'mLD Oll' :MONTHLY SUBVBY. –
I1I.-FIELD OF MONTHLV SURVEY.
BY DEL.l.VAN L. PIERSON.
Afrioa,* Madagasoar,t American Freedmen.* NOTES ON AlI'RICA. of the world put together, II We would.
Africa has been given many names: suggest one other name as most approthe " Expiring Continent;" the " Dark priate for faithful Christians who love Continent;" the" Last of the ContI- the Lord's work, and who belleve in His nents;" the "Hopeless Continent." promises, and that is the "inBpiring Mr. Keltie, author of "The Parti- (Jontinent. " This contment has an area tion of Africa," says that "whatever equal to all of Europe and NorthAmerelse it may be, it certainly is, take it all ica combined, and contains at least one in all, the most interesting of all the con- eighth of the human race, oo.d one half tinents. .. He says that Africa now" at- of these men and women have never yet tracts more attention than all the rest heard of Christ 88 their Savior. Five hundred of Africa's languages and dia- * North Africa and Egypt are to be touched lects have yet to be reduced to writing, on In our October issue, which deals especially and hundred" of thousands of miles with Mohammedan lauds. The most complete have never been trodden by the foot of list of mission stations and societies in Africa is a white man. to be found In .. Africa Rediviva," by Dr. R. N. Cust. A new book is In press which will prob- From Senegambia across to Abysably be the most accurate and complete yet pub- sinia is a distance of 4500 miles; this IIshed; it Is by Mr. Frederic Perry Noble, Secre- region, peopled with nearly 90,000,000 tary of the World's Fair Congress In Africa, and people speaking over 100 dilIerent lanis to be entitled .. The Missionary Occupation guages, into which the Bible has not yet of Africa." For articles on this subject already been translated. In all this area there published In this volume of the RIIIVIEW, see labors not a single missionary, only the also p. 106 (February); 411, 418, 442, 443, 449 (present issue). borders of the great territory of the New Books: .. Europe in Africa in the Nine- Soudan having as yet been touched, teenth Century," Elizabeth W. Latimer; Nearly all of Africa is controlled or "Glimpses of Africa," C. S. Smith; .. Chroni- .. influenced" by European governcles of Uganda," R. P. Ashe; .. The Congo for Christ," J. B. Myers; "Illustrated Africa," by ments, the only independent portions Bishop William Taylor; .. Actual Africa," being Morocco, Liberia, Bornu, Wadai, Frank Vincent. Kanem, Baghirim, Dahomey, the South African Republic, and Orange Free Recent Art~: "West African Pioneers" (Sunday Magazine, December, 181l5); "Boer, Britain and Africaner in the Transvaal" (Fort- State. A state of almost constant petty nighUy Review, January, 1896) ; "Slavery under the British Flag, (Nineteenth Century, February, warfare exists in most parts of Central 1896); .. Story of the Development of Africa" «(Jentury, February, 1896); "Missionaries in Africa, and many chiefs and kings are Africa" (National Review, March, 1896); now seeking to throw 01I European pro- "The Helpers of Africa" (Treasury, March, tectorates, etc. Madagascar haS recent- 1896); "Stray Thoughts on South Africa" (FortnighUy Review, April, 1896 ); .. Africa's Claims" ly been conquered by France, and Ash- (Student Volunteer, April, 1896); Ohurck at antee has submitted to England's'de- Home and Aln'Oad, and Go8pel in AU Land8 mands, but Abyssinia stlll fights fiercely against Italy, and England is sending (June, 1896). an army to subdue the dervishes of thll Eastern Soudan. In South A.frica the t See also p.:300 (April); 380 (May) ; 424 (pres- troubles between the Bocrs (or Dutch settlers) and Uitlanders (or foreigners) ent issue). New .Book: "Madagascar of To- Day," W. E. Cousins. Recent Article: "Catholicism in Madagascar"
(Catholic World, January, 1896). in the South African RepubliQ have not :t: See al80 p. 51 (Jannary). yet been settled, and the Matabeles are Recent Articles: "Education of the Negro" in rebellion, causing England to semi troops for their subjugation. (American Magazine Qf Civics, February,'1896); Go8pel in All Land8 (April, 1896).
DARK CONTINENT-A SILENT
Africa has been waiting 1900 years for the Llgbt of Life. There are here at least one hundred millions of people who have never yet heard of Christ and His Gospel; there are nearly as many more who may have heard but who have nnt heeded. Christ died for the Africans, and commissioned HiB followers to tell them so, yet every hour sixteen thonsand are dying without Christ. A thousand missionaries scattered over this vast continent– their stations indicated by the white spots on the map -" but what are they amongst so many I" H Give ye them to eat."
lI'IELD OF MONTHLY
The religious condition of Africa is effort must be made to train them for pitiable in the extreme. If European that high and holy service to which we hope they may in God's time be called." nations were as anxious about extending A German missionary magazine puts their sphere of (Jhri8tian influence as on record this inspiring story: they are to wield political sway, the con- "In June, 1869, the missionary Ram- seyer, of the Basle Missionary Society, quest of Africa for Chrisfwould, human- was dragged as a prisoner into Abetift, then a city of Ashantee, with his wife ly speaking, be speedily accomplished. and child. Ther. spent three daY's in a The difficulties encountered by her- miserable hut WIth their feet in chains. Human sacrifices were then common in alds of the cross are many and great. Abetift, which was under the tyranni- cal rule of the Ashantee chieftain. To- The climate is most trying in many day, in the same streets, under the same shady'trees, instead of the bloodyexecuparts of Ihe continent; the people, sunk tioner going his rounds a Christian con- gregation gathers together every Sunin degradation and steeped in supersti- day, followed b'y a troop of Sunday scholars. Christlan hymns, such I¥I tion, are for the most part satisfied to • Who will be Christ's soldier?' ring remain in their ·present condition. The Joyfully through the streets of Abetlfi. The people come out of their houses, diBlculties of evangelization are always tbe chieftain is invited; he comes with his suite and listens to the joyful tidings more spiritual than num,erical and finan- of salvation. And it is not in vain; many have become disciples of Jesus. cial, but it still remains true that there Many even dare to tell their fellow- countrymen in the streets what joY' and is a shameful lack of men and means to peace they have found in Him. Who would have dreamed of this twenty-five carry on the Lord's work in Africa. years ago?"
Christians at home should be as ready Dr. Elmslie, of Nyassaland, gives the to deny themselves as those who go. If following summary of the three rueth- ods of work in his mission field : such a spirit were only manifest, what a " 1. Evangeliatie.-Every one, whethspiritual quickening it would mean for er in school or employed in outdoor work, is hrought daily into contact with the home churches, and what an in- the Divine message of salvation. The dally worship, Bible classes, Scripture crease of facilities for carrying on the lessons in school, evangelistic services on the station and in the villages, are work abroad. our evangelistic agencies. The catechu- In spite of all shortcomings, hin- mens' class had an attendance of 14, while 37 and 65 attended the men's and drances and other difficulties, however, women's Bible classes respectively. Eleven male adults and three children the outlook in many places is very en- have been bapti?Jed; and there is a number of men whose lives are concouraging. sistent, but who, being polygamists, are denied admission to the church. Bishop Tucker writes from Uganda.: .. 2. Educational. -Three new schools " I do not know that anything cheered me more on my way from the Nile to were opened durinll: the season, and the Mengo than to have pointed out to me attendance has reached the highest point church after church crowning this or yet attained. The average daily attendthat hill, on the right hand and on the ance in our seven schools during the left. There are now, I believe, more four months February to May was 431. than 200 of these churches scattered We have 31 teachers and monitors, and throughout the countrl' The decent during the school session 79 scholars and orderly way in WhICh the services have advanced as far as to read the are conducted is another token of the Gospel. Not included in that number advance in spiritual things..•. there are not a few adults who have learn- ed to read at home. Over 200 gospels, " One of the most pressing problems hymn-books, readers, and catechisms before us for solution is how to provide have been sold during the session. pastoral oversight for these congregations which are being so rapidly formed .. 3. Medical work shows 1274 attendall over the country-not, be it remembered, the oversight of Europeans, but ances at the dispensary. of native pastors. I do not know that anything has encouraged me more since my arrival in the country than the assurance which I have received on every hand that the young men who are coming forward as teachers are in their spiritual life far in advance of the standard which for some years has prevailed. It is from this body of workers that we must look for our pastors, and every " The past calls for gratitude to God, times as great as that of the 13 colonies . and the future is full of promise." at the Revolution. We regard it as important to give the Gospel to the Altogether Africa has been the scene 2(i0,OOO Indians within our boundaof marvelous development in the past ries. yet for every Indian there are 32 negroes among us-enough to populate two years. Colonization and civiliza- a territory as large as Ohio, Indiana, tion have made steady progress. The and a large part of Illinois as thickly great powers of Europe are rapidly as- as these States are now settled. They suming control of large districts of the would populate Maine, New Hamp- shire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode country. Great Britain now holds al- Island, Delaware, North Dakota, South most continuous possession from north Dakota, Nebraska, Indian Territory, to south. Telegraphic communication New Mexico. Arizona, Utah, Colorado, has been established througbout the Idaho. Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Calicountry in many places. The slave fornia as densely as thseetsteledS.t*ateTs haensde trade has been compelled to betake itself Territories are now to greater secrecy and be less aggres- millions are not scattered over the whole sive. The war that has been prosecuted of this vast country, as is our foreign population, in every-day contact-with has resulted in opening large districts our American life and institutions. of the country to the Gospel. It is There are 7,000,000 of them huddled hoped that European control will not together in our Southern States, 10ca11;r introduce the vices of civilization, but and socially isolated. Nor is theIr present number only to be taken into what is better, the saving agencies of account, but their rate of increase, too- the Church of Christ. one generation ago 4,000.000, now In South Africa we find many com- 8,000,000; a generation hence, 16,000,- 000; two generations hence, 32.000,- munities in a fair state of civilization. 000. What hinders their present rate The masses of the pcople have received of increase? Surely the growing num- the Gospel, and many of them are able bers of colored population call for seri- to read the Bible in their own tongue. ous consideration, and emphasize the importance of their evangelization; for Missionaries are penetrating the Soudan they are here to stay-a permanent part from various directions, some going to of the great Christian nation.
Sierra Leone, in the vicil!ity of our own 2. But look upon the moral and spirmissionaries. Bishop William Taylor itual destitution of this growing mass. Generations ago they were brought here has been establishing outposts of Gos- out of the heart of barbarous, savage pel activity in the heart of the Congo. life. Of course they brought their Igno- According to good authority, 40 mis- rance, their superstitions, their vices, sionary societies, 700 foreign missiona- with them. Nor was there anything in the institution of slavery under which ries, and 7000 native preachers are put- they were held for over a century to ting forth their efforts to give the Gos- make them better. but rather worse.
pel to Africa. Thousands of missiona- For, under the Southern system of ries are now needed to carryon the slave laws they were not looked on as persons with personal or propertY' rights, work of evangelization. but as chattels, as so many ammals to be bought and sold at the option of the slave holder. A PLEA FOR TIlE FREEDMEN.
Under this system no regard was paid Every part of the great world-wide to the family relationship. Nosanctity mission field has its own peculiar inter- was attached to the marriage tie among est. This is specially true of missions the slaves. As a rule, they were not among the freedmen. under influences calculated to make 1. We stand face to face with their them upright, honest, and chaste. I growing numbers. One generation ago, say as a rule, for there were honorable at their emancipation, there were 4,000.- exceptions. The large proportion of 000. To·day there are 8,000,000. Try Southern white blood that ran into colby comparison to realize what 8,000,000 of negro popUlation means. If they alone occupied the Southern States, they would give it a population almost three * "Facta Abont the Freedmen" (Presbyte- rian Board for Freedmen). ored v:eins is proof of the kind of moral- dence without just claims. There are ity that, as a rule, was taught and prac- dependent people in the world who have tised among them. It is not necessary made themsel ves so by their vices and that one should have lived among them follies. Such dependence has no just to know their moral and spiritual degra- claims on the help of others. But the dation. It is but necessary to call to colored man's dependence has just mind the kind of life they were com- claims on us as a Christian nation. He pelled to live to judge what was their is not among us, poor by his own state at their emancipation. Doubtless choice. We brought him here; we during the generation of freedom that made him poor ; we kept him ignorant. they have enjoyed some progress up- For generations we consented to his en· ward and forward has been made. The slavement. We took the products of Gospel in the hands of the Church his hard toil to enrich his masters. North and South has done something to Suppose we paid over to him his just lift the negroes out of their degrada- and rightful share of the product of his tion; but as yet only in spots. The hard toil during the generations gone favored localities where colored schools by. It is safe to say there would be and churches have been planted are few enough to furnish every negro family in comparison with the vast territory of with a comfortable home and every colored population. Our missionaries community with a prosperous church testiCy that, after thirty years of effort, and school. When we help him now only a b6ginning has been made; that we are simply paying old debts without the intellectual, the moral, the spiritual interest. darkness and degradation among the Besides, at his emancipation we took negroes of the South is appalling. him as ward. When we enacted the Think of 1,000,000 colored children fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth growing up, outside of school and amendments we took on us as a Chrischurch, in ignorance and vice I Think tian nation the obligation of furnishing of 8,000,000, probably, of men and the negro with the qualifications of women who can neither read nor write I Christian citizenship. Nor is the help What must be the prospect, the social, we now give him to be regarded as disthe political outlook of that section of interested benevolence. If I have on our country where such ignorance and my foot a gangrened spot, it would not vice nests! be disinterested benevolence for the We spend millions 01 dollars ditching head and hand to say we will come to swamps, letting out the deadly malaria, the help of the foot, but self-preservaso as to make room for pure air and for tion. So it is in the case of negro evanprosperous and happy homes. Ought gelization. These Southern States, not thil:1 great Christian nation to be gangrened with negro ignorance and willing to spend something to drain out vice, are sister States, members of the these Southern swamps of negro igno- commonwealth. For Maine, New York, rance and vice and make room for Ohio, Illinois, and the other States to clean, happy, Christian colored homes? say that they will come to the help 8. Not only their moral and spiritual of the South in this matter is simply destitution, but their dependence on us is self- preservation. a strong element in the appeal. Lan- 5. Lastly, the response which tho guage cannot describe fully the depths freedmen make to our help is another of poverty in which the slave population important and encouraging count in the of the South stood at its emandpation. appeal. They realize their need, are They counted themselves freedmen, but anxious for our help to C)nable them to what wretched freedmen! freedmen in rise out of their degradation, and very rags I no lands, no implements of their grateful for it. They have proven own, no money I What could such pov- themselves capable of a Christian eduerty and ignorance be expected to do cation, and are easily molded by the for itself? Nor was there any disposi· influences of the Gospel. There are no tion in the South to help them as freed- hoary sYBtems of false religion or phimen; nor, indeed, any ability. South- losophy, as among the Hindus or Chi· ern industry had been paralyzed by the nese, to break down before a way can war. From this industrial paralysis it be made for Gospel truth and ChrIstian required a whole generation to recover. –institutions. The way is clear. A wide Even to-day the South is not much dis- door is open for immediate results. It posed nor able to shoulder the burden is safe to say that no missionary enter· of the black man's evangelization. He prise at home or abroad can show larger depends largely on the good people of fruits in proportion to the means invest· ed than the work among the freedmen. the North for help. 4. Hi8 C'lai17l8.-Nor is this a depen· -A. Lehmann, Moorefield, O.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTlVlENT.
Most encouraging reports reach us and at the end of the decade there were from time to time in personal letters 225 in all on the field.
and through the columns of the British The third decade (1885-95) was press as to the blessing attending the marked by more thorough visitation meetings conducted by Dr. Pierson in and evangelization, with consolidation.
the British Isles. The prayers of God's In 1887, in direct answer to prayer for people avail much, and the Holy Spirit 100 more workers, more than this num- daily draws many into a closer life with ber willingly offered, and £10,000 pro- God, inspiring them to more earnest vided for outfit and passage money. It study of the Word, more active interest is noticeable that when this new addi- in His kingdom, and more unselfish giv· tion was first asked of God praise was ing of self and substance to the Lord's at once offered in advance for blessings work at home and abroad.-D. L. P. to be given.
In 1886 the American branch was formed in Toronto, and seven years Sunday, June 25th, 1865, on the beach later 39 missionaries had sailed from at Brighton, England, J. Hudson Tay- America. At close of 1895 over 620 lor, unable to bear the sight of a large missionaries were on the field, and in congregation of 'over one thousand this third decade women'8 work had Christian people rejoicing in their own come to the front in a marvelous way.
blessings, privileges, and securities, " What ha,h God wrought" through while three hundred and eighty millions one man in answer to prayer I-A. T. P.
of people in Chins alone were perishing in their sins and for lack of knowl- edge, poured out his soul to God, aban- " The King of Korea and the Crown doning unbelief and all apathy, and sur- Prince (with the help of the Russian rendering himself to God for service to Legation) have formed a new govern- a perishing world. Wandering along ment. Kim-Hong-Tau, the Premier, those sands at the midnighth, hour he and seven other Japanese ministers were boldly asked God for twenty-four fel- beheaded, and their corpses dragged low-workers, two for each of the eleven through the streets. A decree is alleged unoccupied provinces of China and two to have been signed by the king at the for Mongolia. Both laborers and the Legation ordering that the heads of five funds were provided in answer to pray- ministers should be exposed on poles.
er without appeal to man, and one year All the telegraph wires were cut. On later this band set sail for the Middle receipt of the news on board the Ameri- Kingdom. can, British, and French men-of-war at At the end of the first decade (1875) Jin-Sen, marines were landed and left 37 workers were in the field. i=ediately for Seoul. The king is re- At the end of the 8econd decade (1885) ported to have been actuated by a de- all unoccupied provinces but two, sire to avenge the queen's murder. All Kwangsi and Hunan, were held by resi- the new ministers are said to be mem- dent missionaries. During this period, bers of the Min family. The Tokyo at the very hour of darkest midnight, papers allege that owing to the influence the Chefoo Convention was unexpect- of the Russian Minister the king re- edly signed and China thrown open mains at the Russian Legation, which throughout, and itineration and ex- is guarded by 200 marines.» ploration followed. Within three years The new ministry is favorable to (1882-85) 116 new missionaries, includ- Russia and is under Russia's protection.
ing the Cambridge band of 7, offered, It is too early to say whether or not Korea will become a .Russian province, have remained within the limits of but it will probably not be done with- Spanish authority. Bnt he could not. out a forcible protest from Japan. He no doubt felt it to be his duty to see the others safely off the island before he Diaz in Jail. should go. Their departure was delayed by some unknown cause. O'Halloran, Dr. J. T. Tichenor writes that on the the last to leave, sailed from Havana Wednesday the 15th. That night or afternoon of April 16th a telegram from the next day Diaz was arrested, In the Havana was brought to the home mis- last letter received from him he said he sionrooms of the Southern Baptist Con- was perfecting arrangements for the vention containing these words: ".Diaz care of our property in his absence. in jail. .. Dr. Tichenor says: The evidence before us points to the conclusion that it was his desire for the ., This startling intelligence brings the safety of others and his fidelity to the Board face to face with the gravest trust committed to him by the Board difficulty of its history. Dlaz has been that induced the delay that :resulted in in 3ail before, but then the charges his arrest. against him were trivial. If he had been found guilty the penalty would "For months communication with our not have involved life or liberty. Then missionaries has been difficult and hazthere was peace upon the island, and ardous. They were objects of suspicion partisanship did not torture into crimes because of their religious faith and practhe careless words of familiar conversa- tice. It is understood that all letters tion or base a charge of treason upon were subject to inspection at the Havana the loose expressions found in a letter post-office. Under the prevailing conto a friend. ditions the most innocent expression relating to our mission work In the "Widely different are the conditions excited minds of the Spanish authorprevailing now. The Spanish author- ities might be transformed into words Ity in Cuba is shaken to its foundation. indicating rebellion and treason. Every Cuban men and women are fighting letter we sent to Havana might engenagainst a tyranny more dreadful to der snspiclons that would result in the them than death, and for liberty dearer imprisonment of our missionaIies, and to them than life. every letter they sent to us might be fraught w,ith similar consequences. " The Spaniards have repudiated their Hence we do not know why Diaz deablest commander because of his justice layed so long in Havana. We only and his moderation, and have supplied know our brother is in prison, and we his place by the most bloodthirsty and must help him. cruel of all the Spanish leaders. Suspicion is tantamount to conviction of " Arrangements must be made to care crime. The horrors of Spanish prisons for him while in prison. He will not are augmented a hundredfold by the dare to eat or drink anything furnished multitudes of their diseased, vermin-in- by the prison authorities. He must fested, half-starved inmates. Justice, have such comforts as the common jails always delayed in Spanish courts, has of Havana do not contain. His health tIed the land, and nothing but the strong suffered greatly from his last imprisonarm of foreign power can preserve even ment, tho it was brief. Protracted imcitizens of other countries from the pas- prisonment now will endanger his life. sion-prompted sentences of its partisan tribunals. We cannot shut our eyes to "It was the horror of a Burman prison the fact that the life of our Brother Diaz that broke down the health of Judson is in great jeopardy. Not simply from and brought him so near the grave. It the danger of conviction for the alleged was the dungeon in which Herod conoffense, but from the greater danger of fined John the Baptist that staggered the protracted and torturing imprison- the faith of the forerunner and led. him ment he may be called to endure. who in triumphant tones cried, ' Be- " ,The Board will not stop to vindicate hold the Lamb of God l' to inquire in its actions in regard to their missiona- timid and doubting accent, • Art thou ries in Cuba further than to say that it He that should come, or look we for has taken every possible precaution for another ?' And Diaz is flesh and blood their safety. Assured that Diaz was in as were they. He will need expressions more danger than any of the others, the of sympathy from all his brethren who Board has been especially solicitous for have assigned him to that post of duty him, and could he have acted upon the and of danger. He has honored them suggestions made him, he would not by 8 life of devotion to their cause sur- passed by none among the living or the dead. " Let every Baptist of the South, man, woman, or child, be among those of whom hands are upon the plow; we cannot Diaz can say, • I was sick and in prison look back. Diaz may perish in prison and ye ministered unto me.' Let there or die by the hands of the executioner, not be oue who shall fail to honor him- but Cuba must be spiritually free. The self by some token of sympathy and mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
love to him with whom God has hon- ored our denomination. .. We are tempted to ask ifany will not respond to the needs of such a man; The need in Armenia is almost as what suffering, what distress can move his heart, or what calamity smiting the great as ever. Relief work did not stop soul of a child of God would draw forth in April, as was intimated in our last from one 80 callous evidence that the issue, but continues in order to make of love of God dwells in him? some avail what has already been done. .. The imprisonment of Brother Diaz will impose unlooked-for expenses on Without crops or means of obtaining the Board. Not only must he be cared them the Armenians must starve, and for, but so must his family. The ex- the past efforts to help them 'prove of penses of a trial, which Spanish courts no permanent valne. Their poverty well know how to make exceeding burdensome. Attorney's services-and he can scarcely be overstated. But they must have the best-will not be small. are beginning to hope and realize that, Nothing must be spared that will miti- they have Christian friends who are gate the suffering or spare the life of ready to help. Funds come in all too our brother. Money is valueless when counted against the life of such a man. slowly, and thus keep the missionaries We ask that every church connected'with and agents of the Red Cross Society the Southern Baptist Convention take from extending the relief so sorely need- immediately a special collection for this ed. Miss Clara Barton telegraphs that purpose. In thIS general movement of our people .there is a strong element of there is no obstacle to the work save safety to our brother. It will strengthen lack of fnnds. It is not yet time for him. It will cheer his prison days. It Christians to close their purses. Tywill enable him to resist disease and phus fever, small-pox, and dysentery maintain his vital power. "If Havana could know that ten thou- are raging in the stricken districts, and much of the relief work is now being sand Baptist churches by one concerted movement swelled a fund for Diaz's directed to ameliorate the condition of protection and freedom, how that would those suffering from these diseases. hold back the threatened blow and change the purpose to destroy! How We acknowledge the following con- it would affect our authorities at home tributions to the REVIEW relief fund to know that a. million and a half of since those mentioned in our previous Baptists were in earnest in their efforts issue: to save a man so honored of God, a. star of the first magnitude among the mis- Woman's Missionary Society of the Union sionary heroes of the world I Presbyterian Church, Tarkio, Mo……. $20.00 Mrs. Cordelia F. Waterbury, Jordanville, .. What influence and power it would N. Y …………………………….10.00 give them for all coming time to protect and promote the missionaries of Friend's Christian Endeavor Society, Fall their faith in every land and on every River, Mass ………………………. 7.25 shore. Diaz's imprisonment is ,God's Wm. T. Barry, Castorville, Cal. ….•.•….. 1.00 call to the churches of the South to arise Two Friends, Athens, Ga ………•……•. 2.00 Mr. R. C. Douds, Meadville, Pa…•……. 1.00 Benie Visscher, Holland, Mich…………. 1.00 Mrs. Roberts, Brooklyn, N. Y …………. 5.00 and shake off the dust of sloth and act " A Lady," Superior, Wis ……………… %.00 for his deliverance, for God's cause and James L. Kit.g. New york …………….. 5.00 for their own honor, in a manner worthy James Hoag, Jr., Allegheny, Pa……….. 2.00 Moravian Congregation, Lake Mills, Wis… 21.88 of themselves, worthy of the King they "A Friend of the Armenians," Manchester, adore, and of the Gospel which they must gi ve to all the nations. N. H "" ……………….. " ……….10.00 Rev. R. E. Brown, Iowa City, Iowa ……. 1.25 "What tho ten times that which is Bhickley(Nebraska)Union Y. P. S. C. E … 7.00 needed for these purposes should be contributed by our churches? It would We also acknowledge $12 from Miss be but a garnered supply from which to equip other soldiers of the cross who Florence G. Coulson, of Paterson, N. J., will reinforce God's conquering host on to be applied to carrying the Gospel that island. into Tibet. It has been forwarded to •, We are committed to this work. Qur the Tibetan Mission Band. The Congregational Home Mission- ant note, for all symphonized with the ary Society, whose headquarters are in mind of the Spirit. While much that New York City, will observe its seven· was helpful in the conference must be tieth anniversary here June 2d-4th, in looked for only in its effect upon the the Center Church, of which Rev. New· lives of those who were privileged to be 1p.llIl Smyth, D.D., is pastor. present, there was much of permanent value in the addresses, which will make The great missionary convention of the volume of printed reports most weI· 1888 was not in Liverpool, as stated in come to all students of missions. This the April REVIEW (p. 242), but in Lon· volume, which appears under the title don; the Liverpool convention took place in 1860. "Make Jesus King," * contains ad· dresses by Eugene Stock, Egerton Young, F. B. Meyer, Dr. George Smith, The Shah of Persia, Nasir·ed-Din, and Arthur T. Pierson, and is supple· who for nearly fifty years has occupied mented with fifteen valuable charts repthe throne of Persia, was assassinated . resenting the religions of the WOl'ld, the by a fanatic on May 1st. The heir pre· progress of evangelization, and the sumptive to the throne is ssid to be forces available for the work at home ignorant, bigoted, and intemperate; but and abroad. Every volunteer should at this date (May 2d) it is not certain possess this report; it is inspiring and that he will be the ruler of " The Land educating.
of the Sun." May God direct this The story of the Congo Mission, which tragedy to the estabishment of His kingdom in Persia.-D. L. P. is one of unique interest and sug- It is SI1id that the Czar of Russia con· gestiveness, is recorded by Mr. J. B.
Myer t in a small book profusely illus· trated and containing much valuable templates proclaiming religious freedom information. This acconnt has to do throughout the empire on the occasion especially with the Baptist Congo Mis· of his coronation (May 26th). The char- sion, but also deals in general with tho acter of the Russian priests is indicated country, people, language, and climate by the fact that they are not only mak- of the Congo Free State, and discusses ing strong protests against such a step, to some extent the work of other socie· but that they desire a renewal of the per· ties engaged in work of the kingdom secutions of the Stundists on the ground there.
that the Protestant faith is growing too rapidly.-D. L. P. The map of Africa which appears in this issue is reproduced by the Christ's Mission (142 West Twe~ty courtesy of the Young People's Mis· first Street, New York City) has accom- sionary Society, from one in use by plished a great work among Roman them in the Young People's Missionary Catholics. Several eminent priests Journal.
have recently been converted. Rev. " Africa Illustrated," t a volume of James O'Connor is a faithful steward, b~t the mission is $10,000 in debt. views showing daily life on the Dark Continent, will add much interest to the Books Notioed. study of missions among the people of Africa. Few conferences, if any, have been more manifestly under the guidance of *" Make Jesus Kiug." Student Volunteer the Spirit than that which met in Liver- Missionary Union, London, England. 4 shillings. pool in January last at the invitation of the British Student Volunteer Union. t "The Congo for Christ." By J. B. Myer. No one of the speakers struck adiscord- *Fleming H. Revell Co., 75 cents. Published by Illustrated A/rica, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, $1.00.
GENERAL MIBSIOliARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY BEV. D. L. LEONARD.
Extracts a.nd Translations from Foreign masters and servants, good and bad, as Periodicals. among us; that you are only men as BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, we are, only that your skin Is of an· other color. Now, if a white man MASS. comes to us, we shall know better how AFRICA. to deal with him. We will tirst ascer- -Our Anglo-Saxon habit of spoiling tain whether he is a great lord. A ser· the natives of barbarous countries that vant must not put on airs. If he does, visit ours, or where we cannot do that, he shows out for a liar. But a free of spoiling ourselves over them, by man, who has a will and knows how to making them out to be what they are use it, will now and ever have honor not, it appears is not confined to us_ among us. ' "
Superintendent Merensky, speaking of -" The bishopric of Zanzibar, va· some natives of the slopes of Kilimanjaro, cant by the death of Bishop Smythles, brought to Berlin by the traveller, has been tilled up by_ the appointment Otto Ehlers, remarks: "Our news- of the Rev. W. M. Richardson, Vicar papers, which in colonial matterl are of Ponteland, near Newcastle. He hal not very Apt to be of sound head, pom- been chiefly engaged in parochial work, pously described the three strangers as but has some experience of teaching. 'princes. envoys, and ministers pleni- He is, of course, a very High Church· potentiary.' In reality these were sim- man. We trust that the new bishop, ple cowboys. It was again seen how un- . who took his degree in 1869, and Is, reasonable it was in Europe to make such therefore, presumably not less than Africans a mere object of curiosity and forty·six, has not passed the age at gaping wonder. They were loaded with which one may safely enter upon work presents of toys, which disgusted them. in Central Africa." • What is all this stuff for?' said they; 'this ia only for fools and chil- _" Miss Josephine Bartlett, who had dren.' They did indeed value one pres- labored for twenty years in conne€tion ent-some locksmiths' tiles. A circus with the Universities Mission at Kiunperformance displeasod them. 'Such gani, has died. 'When we who had a dance is bad, is evil magic. A wom- been scattered far and wide in the dif· an who dances so is a sorceress, she is ferent parts of our wide field of labor returned to Zanzibar, it was to Miss bad,' said they. "Their spokesman, at taking leave Bartlett that we all naturally turned, as to the one who would be the most interof Berlin, spoke as follows: " , We have seen many things in Ber- ested to hear all we had to tell of the lin, but have already forgotten many of work and workers far away, and who them. But one thing we have seen would evince the deepest sJmpBthy.' very plainly, which we shall not for- So writes Archdeacon Chauncey Maples, get, but shall tell to everybody at home. the bishop-designate of Nyasaland."- When a white man came to us we used Ohurcl& Mi8sionary InteUigencer • always to take him for a great, influen- -The working together in any toler- tial man. We said, " The whites are all able terms of peace of English Protest· rich; they stand in God's neighbor- ants and French Catholics having been hood." Now, since we have seen Ger· found impossible in Uganda, Rome many, we know better. We have seen Jla.s wisely determined to remove at least that here too there are rich and poor, the removable cause of friction, and to
EXTBACTS AND TBAl'fSLATIONS
sUbstitute English missionaries for brief activity, while sickness has great- French. Bishop Hanlon, of Manches- ly diminished the forces of the others, ter, takes BiS}lOp Hirth's place, and some of whom are compelled to leave takes with him a body of English priests for their health's sake for a longer or to replace the French. On the other shorter time. " – AtmindeUg Kirkeeid6nde hand, the new bishop avows his inten- (Provost VAHL).
tion to disregard the territorial division between the two religions. The root of . -Of the several Barotsi chiefs that trouble was planted when Cardinal have become Christians, one, Semonja Lavigerie, going back from his own or Sabeho-all the Barotsls have sev- word, sent Roman Catholics into a coun- eral names-is a son-in-law of the king.
try where Protestants had already been " He unites to a rare mildness a great laboring for some two years. force of character," says M. Coillard.
The Barotsis, men and women, are -" Far more compactly than various very free of speech, natural orators.
other Congo societies does the Swediah The movement which, after several Missionary League labor on the northern years of disconsolate waiting, very bank: of the Lower Congo. The three much like that of the first Moravian stations first established, Mukimbungu, missionaries in Greenland, has now Kibunzl, and Diadia, are now augment. broken out throughout the country, ed by two more, Uganda and Londe, manifests itself in free conferences at besides some out-stations. The stations which all have liberty to speak, men, have been provided with buildings, in women, children, chiefs and common- part of stone; transportation has been ers, free and bond. Of one, attended regulated, the training of the natives, by some seventy, M. Coillard says: old and young, to work, has been taken "There were beautiful things said in up; schools have been established for this simple gathering, where everybody adult men and for children, and others spoke so unrestrainedly, and whose gen- for women. There are 178 school chil- eral theme was Lot's Wife. One poor dren and 78 members. About a dozen woman told us that she had come from native evangelists are at work, for the bottom of the valley of Sefula. On whose training an evangelists' school her way she had found people working has been set up in Diadia. God's word in their fields. She accosted them, and is zealously proclaimed at the stations invited them to come to hear the word and by-stations, as well as in the neigh- of God_ They replied with contempt: boring villages. Diligent labor is laid • It is no longer the m01'11ti (missiona.ry) out on translations, and Missionary who comes to remind us that it is the Westlind is drawing up a grammar of Lord's day; now it is these fag-ends of the Fioti language. The New Testa- women folks I Begone 1 Be off to ment, biblical narratives, and a hymn- play the believer, if you imagine tha t book are printed on the hand-press in the missionaries are going to give you Kibunzi, and a beginning of a native cloths and beads·,' • Oh, my masters,'
literature has been made by the publica- answered the poor thing, • I am noth- tion of a missionary sheet and a little ing but a poor slave, to be sure. I am almanac. In Mukimbungu there has nothing, but I feel the need of learning been established a medical mission; but the things of God. Oh, no, it is not unhappily the physician, Dr. Walftrd- cloth or beads that I am looking for.
son, after laboring barely two years, What could I do with them? I have fell a victim to the climate just as an never worn anything but this bodice of apothecary was about to be sent out to skin. But I am a great sinner. and his assistance. Besides the physician, what I seek is the pardon of my sins I"
the mission since 1889 has lost 10 labor- " Everything is caprice and surprise ers of both sexes bl li(lll,t4, After only lAo il Mri<;~-9~e day fallille j the next,
GlilNERA.L MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
abundance, nay, even superabundance. as I said to him only yesterday-speak- Drought desolates us, and then it does ing of his personal habits-" he aban- not rain but that it pours. The post, dons all that made his life, piece by while we hope for better things, is the piece; but he cannot decide to give plaything of the same caprice. We himseU. Pray continually for him."
have more than once been nine long St. Augustine, about 420, remarks months without a single letter. We are that many Christians of his day thought now only at the end of April, and here that the coming of Christ was at hand, already are four mails from Europe because, said they, the Gospel had now since New Year's. One really believes been preached in all the world. He re- he is dreaming when he receives at Lea- minds them how very far the Roman luyi, in mid-April, letters coming from world is from being the whole actual Europe, and dated toward the middle world. There are, he remarks, many of January. Is this going to last? races, and even unknown races, to Does this announce to us the approach which the Gospel had not yet been of railways, of telegraphs, of tele- preached, and to which God had not yet phones? • •. .As to the telegraph, we made it possible to preach it. .. Even have long since known it as being in in the heart of our own Africa," says Mashonaland on its march to Alexan- he, " how many tribes there are of which dria by way of Nyasa, Tanganyika, we have no knowledge, and to which we Victoria Nyanza, and the Nile I A few have no access I" How different the years more and the iron horse will have case now, as to the world at large, and reached Palapye. It is far from the as to Africa in particular I time when I quitted the Cape and trav- " The answer of a woman patient at ersed the melancholy wilderness of the Tangier shows that in the land most Karroo in ox-wagons I" cursed by Mohammedanism the testi- The king, Lewanika, still maintains monyof God's Word has its answering close friendship with the missionaries, echo in the human heart. 'I asked to- but shows very faint signs of a heart day,' writes Miss ViJ].ing, 'who has sin?
touched by the Gospel. On the con- And one woman at the back of the . trary, his royal pride becomes more ex- room, whose clear brown eyes had been aggerated every day. This African always attentively fixed on me, said, grand monarque seems as deeply en- "Everyone but God," and when I gaged over questions of footstools and said nothing we could do would cleanse glass necklaces as that great pattern of away our sin, " Alms won't do it, fast- false greatness, Louis Quatorze, used to ing won't do it, and men going to Mecca be over questions of tabourets and arm- won't do it, they go with sin and they chairs, who had the right to sit on come back with sin," one woman said, which. .As M. Coillard remarks, this half under her breath, "Yes, and some is no road to the sense of sin and the of them with a good deal more."'''- humility of a converted man. The Medical. MiBBion,.
missionary reasons with him against JAPAN. such antiquated arrogance, and he pro- fesses to be convinced; but meanwhile -Dr. DALTON, quoted in the Zeit- the royal ceremonial becomes more com- 3chriftfiilrMi&ionakunde,remarksonthe plicated every day. At this rate, says rapid growth of the Sunday-school in M. Coillard, the SUbjects and the slaves Japan, and its great value in diffusing will soon have no place left for them on the Gospel. He deseribes a session, the earth. .. The progress in civiliza- opening with a hymn, sung to our tion, all is for the king and his family, Anglo-Saxon tunes. .. You see easily nothing for the people. " The heir-ap- that the children delight in the hymn ; parent, Litia, seems to show a more occasionally also, no doubt, the spirit- Ohristian I!linq. "Poor Lewanika /" ual song of the little Sundar schola~1I
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
resounds in many II heathen house, so cherry branch, on which little singing that the parents take up the words and birds rock themselves, accompanying melody. Then the leader offers a the Savior's words, "Behold the fowls prayer, often, it seems to me, too long of the air." On another, around a for the children, followed by the read- nosegay of lilies, runs the inscription, ing of the Scripture lesson, which is " Consider the lilies of the field."
then explained by the teachers, both The Zez'tschrift happily remarks that male, and often still more largely fe- the Buddhist imitation of the Sunday- male. These are mostly maidens of school is just such a sign of the impend- the people, who have themselves only ing collapse of Buddhism in Japan, as lately been baptized, and who cannot Julian the Apostate's futile attempts to forbear speaking to the little ones of introduce Christian usages and institu- Him who has so wonderfully touched tions into his decaying paganism was a their own heart and brought it to a sign of his despair. Conscious imitation glow. I have often found confirmed only succeeds where the principles are the remark of one who knows the land, the same; otherwise it only hastens that ' one can recognize in the features ruin.
of the young female Christians the " Wherever we would gain entrance gracious, transfiguring refulgence of for our faith among adherents of other the day that has risen lipon them.' " religions we are certainly bound, both In one Sunday-school Dr. Dalton was in justice and prudence, to acknowledge especially struck with two female help- all the truth and good we find already ers : here a young girl in somewhat in- prevailing among them. For instance, ferior attire, somewhat distorted in the Japanese can unquestionably give form, but her features reflected unmis- us lessons in filial reverence, obedience, takably her devoted care for the child- control over anger, moderation in our ish group entrusted to her, and her judgments of others. We are therefore warm affection for the Word of Life, bound to acknowledge this unreservedly which she was setting forth; and it to them."- Dr. Buss, in Zeitschrift fiM'
was plain to see by the attentively lis- Mi86ionskunde.
tening children that she understood how to touch the spot in the children's MISCELLANEOUS.
heart" where her word of the Holy -A small number of students in Den- Friend of the children finds a good mark having, as we see by the Blad, lodgment." Yonder ten or twelve been induced by Mr. Wilder to enter children around an old mother, by into the Students' Movement, exception years, toils and cares bowed sheer to has been taken to the solemn promise to the earth, and the little ones clustered go abroad. The students have there- around her as around a grandmother fore modified it into a profession of a who is disclosing to her grandchildren present intention to go abroad, not to a strange and wondrous story-world•. be lightly given up, but, in view of The pictures distributed, Dr. Dalton possible developments of duty, not bind- remarks, are wisely adapted to that ing with so much of the stringency of love of nature which so eminently dis- a vow. It is worthy of note that even tinguishes the Japanese. Here the ris- in the Catholic Church some of the later ing sun, on his edge It birdling trilling orders, especially the Oratorians and the his morning lay; the words are, " The Paulists, SUbstitute such a profession of kingdom of heaven is at hand, repent present intention for a vow, 80 that if therefore." There the snow·crowned strong reasons should appear for leav- Fujiyonama, and on the azure heaven ing the order, the conscience may not the words, " And tho I had all faith, so be entangled by an irrevocable engage- that I could remove mountains," etc. ment. As an eminent Roman Catholic Around another CArd twines a flowering c1ergyml'.ll hM sa,id to the present writ.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
er: .. Vows hardly agree with a free -" In Buddhism at once it may be age and a free land." Tho present dis- affirmed without qualification there is position to reintroduce them among no such conception as that of sin. Tak- Protestants is of dubious import. " Be ing sin in its primary sense, as trans- not entangled again with the yoke of gression against a personal Creator, sin bondage. ., there cannot be in a system which knows no such being. Sin, as it offers -" Millions at this moment are ready itself to the view of the Christian con· to die for Christ. A dead Socrates, a sciousness, in all its complex antago- dead Marcus Aurelius, a dead Francis nism to duty and love to God, in all its of ABsisi can do nothing for the world ; varied opposition to our service and but tho Christ died-yea. X'ather, He rose obedience to Him. in all its manifold again, and He has proclaimed His uni- ramifications of relationship to our fel· versal dominion~ Confucius owns many low-man, is not a possible conception followers over a vast space of the to the Buddhist mind. The creative world's surface, but he appeals to the and the fatherly idea lies at the root of Chinese alone; Mohammed has many all such manifestations and exercises of adherents, but he appeals only to Turks moral goodness. Buddhism has sup- and Arabians and certain Eastern peo- pressed the witness of the conscl~nce in pIes; but Christ appeals to every man man to God. It has denied His exist· who is born into the world. The old ence. Buddhism has thus far tended to man dies in the peace of Christ, and the delete from the tablets of the souls the little Christian child, on its death-bed, fundamental conception of sin. The whispers the same holy name. If we contrast, then, between sin in Christian take the very foremost men in genius and Buddhist theology breaks down whom this world has ever produced-a through its incompleteness. The other Dante, a Milton, a Newton-we find limb, in fact, of the comparison is want· them weeping over the records of that ing. Sin is everything in the Christian life which was given for man. But breed ; in the Buddhist fabric of belief none the less, when that story of Christ's it is not found." -Rev. G. ENSOR, in.
love is told to the very humblest and Ohurch MiBBionary Intdlig6nct11'.
meanest of mankind it comes home to their hearts; and I was told by the late saintly Bishop of Moosonee, who was English Notes. my friend and my guest, that if at this day you were to go down the bleak BY JAMES DOUGLAS. shores of Hudson's Bay, there-among those poor, I had almost said degraded Ohina Inland Mi88ion.-The account -at any rate, those poor, once savage supplied by Mr. F. A. Redfern of Indians and Eskimo-you would find .. Fruit Gathered" in Lan-chau, Kan- the Bible in almost every wigwam, and suh, is interesting, not only on account you would find in many of those poor, of the cases cited, but for the light cast converted savages, a humble student of on the difficulties in the way of the open the life of Christ in the Word of God. confession of Christ. Months and some- Therefore our commission is plain and times years transpire before faith is suffi- our duty is positive-to obey that last ciently reinforced by courage for the divine command by extending the area step of avowal to be taken. Mr. Red· of Christianity, by carrying further the fern gives details in respect of a number victories of Christianity, and by pro- of such cases, and magnifies the grace claiming to the remotest nations of the whereby several families have come out world the name of their Savior Christ_" boldly for the Lord. Nine persons -Archdeacon (now Dean) FARRAR, in have thus recently crossed" the rubi- Ohuroh MiB8ionarv Intelligenw. con, " and hope is elltertailled that Qthellj
ENGLISH NOTES
will speedily gather courage for testi· worship, and a large number on Sun· mony. days.
Sought and Found.-Under thic head, Work among t7te Ainus, Japan.-This Mrs. Simpson gives a graphic account work is full of promise. At the service of how a Chinese woman found the held at Pimtori, the capital, on the oc- Lord. A.bout a year previous Mr. Simp· casion of Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor'S visit, son had preached in the village of 200 Ainus were present. "We began," Ohih·li, where the woman and her hus· says Mr. Niven, who is now staying at band lived. Within six months the Piratori for the study of the language, husband fell ill and died, but as his end .. with the hymn' Je@uB loves me,' and drew near he said to his wife, •• When if the readers of the lntelligencer could I am gone you must go and visit them only have heard it sung they would [the missionaries], and inquire more fully have had a very definite turn given to about this doctrine. It is too late for their praises that day." The Ainu me; I cannot go, and I cannot find the Christians now number 449, among way, altho I want to do so ; but per· whom there are some bright and shinhaps God will take me after all." As ing lights. time went on the woman became might· ily convinced of sin. Eventually, after T'ai-chow, Ohina.-In December last nearly a year had passed from the time the Rev. J. C. Hoare made a three of the missionary's visit, she made her weeks' tour in the above district and way to the station, voicing her need in baptized several converts at each station the words: .. Yes, if you want to know v!sited-38 in all, of whom 27 were the biggest sinner iu the hall, here she adults. Mr. Hoare notes that a forward is." She wanted the Gospel, she want· movement was manifesting itself at the ed the Savior, and the Savior wanted close of the year, and that the people her. The result was that she speedily were recovering from the restraining found the pearl of great price. Simple effects of the war and war's alarms. and childlike in her faith, she sought to know Jesus' own words, and when she EngZislt Presbyterian Mi8sion.-The got them she stuck to them, and made Rev. C. Campbell Brown writes hope· them her pillow on which to rest. Her joy in the Lord continues to be very fully of his work in aMnc1ww. Along great. •• People think me crazy," she says; "but they do not know the pre· with a native preacher and his wife he cious Mediator I have got." has been evangelizing in the villages, sometimes walking many miles and The Story of Ohu·ping·Zan.- We have preaching wherever people could be not space to tell the graphic story of gathered to listen. .. Again and again, " this Chinaman's conversion, or what per· he says, .. we came upon men who secutions he endured. Suffice it to say seemed to drink in the Gospel. The that, constrained by the love of Jesus, wiiling hearers make any amount of he now superintends, in the busy cit.y labor worth while." In Chinchew itof 0 hao·ch'eng, an opium refuge. Since self the work grows visibly. the opening of this refuge, four and a half years ago, nearly 500 persons have Un·Sio.-In Un·Sio, which is near broken off opium. Not a few of these Ohangpoo, Formosa, there are the faint opium patients have. turned from idols beginnings of a Gospel work. Hopes to serve the living God, and to wait for are entertained that a preacher will be His Son from heaven. There is now a appointed to this sphere. The town is growing church in the city. About 50 one of some commerce, and faces the persons meet together every evening for sea. At present Un-Sio wails, practi. cally virgin soil, for its apostle.
The S. P. G. Mission.-The total in· come of the Society for the Propagation oj the Gospel amounted, in 1895, to
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
£118,258 lOs. 9d. The Bishop of Cape ern Berbers to listen to the Gospel. At Town warmly acknowledges the help the Harley House Training Institute, rendered by this mission to the church Bow, London, a young German of de- in his diocese for now nearly half a cen· cided talent and grace is preparing with tury. or The Church's outward growth a view to mission work among the Ber- and ever.increasing strength," he says, bers. His ling~al talent is most marked.
.. would have been utterly impossible London Missionary Society.-The edu· but for that help." In Osaka, Japan, a new bishopric has cational work in Travancore has greatly been constituted; while in Mahanoro, grown, tho there is still urgent need for Madagascar, the progress of the work a great enlargement of the means requi. is exemplified by the recent presentation site in providing for an adequate :sup. of over 50 candidates for confirmation. ply of trained native preachers. At .present there are 16 students, but three Baptist Missionary Society. -Writing times.that number are called for to meet from Watlteu Station, Lower Congo, the needs of 328 congregations, as well Miss de Hailes reports encouraging as evangelistic work among the Hindu progress. .. The school," she says, .. is community. greatly increased since I was here last The vernacular boys' schools of the year. There are 'now 135 boys and 15 mission number 329, with nearly 13,000 girls. . .. The ruling principle of the scholars; while the development of the station is love. All the work seems so real and solid. It is the life lived which zenana branch of the work has been nothing short of marvelous, there being sheds such a spiritual influence on those now 88 female native workers, 3000 around, and is leading many to the Sav- Hindu women under instruction in-their ior ; quite as much, I b!llieve, as the homes, and nearly 5000 girls of all words spoken. Last year, when I went classes in the schools. home, there were 17 church·members, 3 of whom were being supported by the King-Shan.-The success of the work others as evangelists. Now there are in King·Shan has been such a surprise 46 church·members, 4 of the number to Dr. Griffith John that, tho he has being evangelists supported by the had forty years' experience in China, members." he confesses, " I rejoice over it greatly, Italy.-A new hall has been opened but I rejoice with trembling." He in Florence, and after a month's ex· adds, "on this visit we have had 91 perience the prospects are encouraging. baptisms in King·Shan, of whom 60 are' 1<lr. Nathaniel A. Shaw, who is charged adult converts from heathenism." The with the work, is now giving a series of work in this district is not quite two historical lectures on the great reform· years old; and already it is difficult to ers, .. and these," he says, "are being see to what it is going to grow. " The listened to with the most rapt attention kindness of the King·Shan Christians," by large audiences." The entire ex· says this veteran, missionary, "I shall pense of fitting up this hall has been never forget, neither can I forget their met by a friend whose name Mr. Shaw earnel:!tness and zeal."
is not at liberty to publish, but for THE KINGDOM. whose generosity he thanks God and the donor. -In the largest and truest sense there South Morocco Mission.-This mission is no" negro problem" any more than has now been at work for seven or eight there is an .. Anglo·Saxon problem."
years. The founder is Mr. John Ander. The only problem which faces any pas- son, Glasgow. Mr. Nairn, ,the superin- tor or patriot or parish is the " human tendent, confirms the tidings of the problem. " And it is all capable of comparative willingness of the South- being resolved into simple terms which apply equally to every race and condi- which He is preparing us by shutting tion.-.Re1>. O. M. BheTiWn. us up to Himself. "-Mi8sionary Herald.
~The Rev. R. S. Storrs says: "The -God moves in a mysterious way, foreign missionary work tends to pre- His wonders to perform. Dr. Jacob sent on a wider and a cosmical scale the Chamberlain, of India, several years power of the Gospel for renovating the since wrote a little tract entitled •• Wind· world. We get the idea that the Gos- ing up a Horse," whose influence has pel is admirable for the nursery, excel- been so great as to be the means of turnlent for the sick, beautiful for Sunday- Ing $80,000 into the missionary fund of schools ; but we should also believe that the Reformed (Dutch) Church.
it is equal to great cosmical effects. -A letter from Mexico in the Mia· Such have been witnessed in Patagonia, Bionary Herald says: .. Various circum· in the Fiji Islands, in New Zealand, in stances had operated to prepare the way Madagascar, and elsewhere. They re- in an unusual manner for the reception inforce our faith in the potency of the of the Gospel. The just and Christian croSB." conduct of an American mining com· -For the present I believe the call of pany located here has been an Indirect Mazzini to Italy to be the real summons but powerful influence in favor of Protof the Christian minister to the indi- estant Christianity." This is, indeed, vidual: "Say to men, • Come, suffer; .. an unusual manner" of preparation, you will perhaps be deceivt:d, be be– and the fact seems to be established that trayed ; but you have a great duty to 801M corporations do have souls, and accomplish.' They will be deaf, per- consciences too.
haps for a long time, to the severe voice -A touching incident is related of of virtue, but on the day that they do two Mohammedans in Asia .Minor, decome to you, they will come as heroes, siring the Word of God, but hiding it and will be invincible."-Rev. B. F. for fear of persecution. One bought Mills. the Scriptures in Spanish, and learned -Mr. Peet, of Constantinople, writes: the language, that he might read it in " It seems to me that we have an un- safety_ Another walked 100 miles and usual opportunity before us; the dif- paid $1.50 for a copy-all he could ferences between the Protestant com- spare from a year's work.
munity and the Gregorians are fast -A hundred years ago the Scottish malting away. The position taken by Church, through some of its ministers, the American missionaries in this time pronounced this missionary idea 1;0 be of sorrow to the Armenian people is .. highly preposterous," and one of the giving them a place in the hearts of the praised, .. the happy ignorance of the Armenians which they never held be- untutored savage." A bishop of the fore. It is probable that we have be- Church of England publicly and pow- fore us opportunities without a parallel erfully argued against the idea of mis- in the history of these missions, and if sionary enterprise. Parliament declared we are able and have courage and grace against it. The servants of England in given us to hold on through the present the East treated OUI first missionaries as visitation, our position in this land breakers of the law. But for the char- will be such as never could have been ityof a Hindu usurer, the first mission· gained in any other way." And an- ary family in Bengal would at one time other missionary at the same capital: have had no roof t.o cover their heads.
" The best feature of the whole case is But for the courage of the gO'fernor of the clear acceptance by all the mis· a little Danish settlement, the next mis- sionaries of the faith that God has some sionary family who went to Bengal great blessing in store for us all for would have been seized by the English consul in Calcutta and shipped back to Missionary liIociety have rented a house .Europe. in Newton Center, which they placed in charge of Mrs. O. L. George, former- A hundred years ago the sense of the lya missionary in Burma, and here such churches, the policy of Parliament, the of their candidates for missionary serinstinct of self· preservation among Eng- vice as were not more advantageously lishmen who were working for Eng- pursuing their studies elsewhere have land in distant lands, were all arrayed found a home. and completed their against the missionary idea.-8ir Wil- preparation for missionary service by liam W. Hunter. taking advantage of the f~ci1ities afford- ed in Newton Theological Institution. -The Presbyterian ReDiew quotes the This enterprise, which was first begun following extract from the Catholic as something of an experiment, has com- New8, of Trinidad, which must be pub- mended itself so strongly to the Womlished in an exceedingly bilious climate, an's Board that they have now erected, or else, let the Bible Society be abated: by means of special contribUtions, a •• That most pernicious of all pernicious home for their missionary candidates. It sects-the Protestant Bible Society-is is located in the immediate vicinity of again at its murderous work. Its false the Theological Institution. Up to the prophets are galvanized into temporary present time the house has cost $17,140. activity, and this time it is the' benighted ' Catholics of Spanish America who -It was during the visit of Adoniare to have the peace of their homes ram Judson to this country in 1845 that invaded and the sanctity of their relig- the story of his own sufferings, as well ion vilified by psalm-singing twaddlers. as his account of the Karen people, led Gospel tramps, and ignorant hirelings, the women of the Gloversville, N. Y., who are a'Jout as competent to explain Baptist Church to organize the Karen the Word of God as a Hottentot is to Association, with their pastor's wife as lecture on bimetalism. These paid leader. The primary object Was to supemissaries of a society which gathers port a native missionary among the into Its coffers the savings of dyspeptic Karens. The sum needed was $35. old maids, these self-constituted apos- This band of 15 women set about earntles. laymen clothed in clerical garb, ing the money by sewing on gloves. carryon an infamous traffic in a Bible At the end of the year the needed sum which they cannot understand, and yet was secu~ed and forwarded to the Misprofess to explain to the addle-pated sionary Union. A few years later the dupes who are weak enough to listen to sum was increased to $50, and still later them. All honor, then, to the Catholics to $100. Twenty-five years before the of South America who have expelled organization of the Woman's Baptist the evangelical carpet-baggers. The Foreign Missionary Society the women priests and people of Spanish America of the Karen Association pledged themwill not remain passive while the slimy selves to pay three pennies per week serpent of heresy endeavors to imprint into the treasury. This is believed to its poisonous fangs in the souls of their be the first society on record whose little ones. If the Venezuelans are members were pledged to a certain ignorant of anything, it is of the use of number of pennies per week for mistar and feathers, a judicious application sionary purposes. of which would be sufficient to keep the brawling ranters of the Bible So· -Helping Hand has these words reciety at a safe distance from their garding the inspiration of missionary shores." studies: ' Our mission circles open to women an inexhaustible and inspiring WOMAN'S WORK. field of study. We have an investment in India, and India has a new interest -For several years the Board of Directors of the Woman's Baptist Foreign for us. We are caring for some gifted Jews. We are not surprised, and only woman while she teaches those black, wonder that they did not take their barbarous children of ours in Africs- course sooner; and we are much surand we want to know Africa itself. prised that Dr. John Hall and Dr. D. J. Our missionary contributions are giving Burrill are so courageous as to continue us an ownership in old Earth that makes to stand as its sponsors. Nearly a year her most distant lands dearer than the ago we gave a list of Jewish missions homestead of our childhood. What a in this city, and took conspicuous pains literature is open to our study I Facts not to indorse Mr. Warszawiak's soci· before which fiction pales; truths be- ety. We do not pretend to have made hind which romance must hide herself. as thorough an investigation of the Read faithfully the best of our mission- charges against him as has Dr. Schaufary periodicals, with their heroic history fier, who publicly charges him with of our day, and you will feel that you being a persistent liar, and with specuhave trod the borderland of heaven and lation in trust funds, and we do not listened to angel choirs. " therefore indorse this indictment; but we do know that Mr. Warszawiak's -The annual report of the Church of attempt to raise $60,000 for a big Scotland's Women's Association for 'Christ's Synagog,' where bis Chris- Jewish Missions states that there are tian Jews shall herd by themselves to 958 girls in the mission schools, 819 of his great honor and glory, is uttetly them being Jewesses. There are now foolish and needless, and is enough to 2 medical nurses at Smyrna under the throw suspicion on the wisdom, if not association, and a lady evangelist at Al- good faith, of this persuasive preacher exandria who does excellent work in to Christians." visiting the homes of the Jewish girls in attendance at the school. The in- -Indian schools have been carried on come is steadily rising. It appears that for a long time, but almost without obthe total amount of subscriptions and servation so far as the general public donations is £1001, as compared with are concerned. But if satisfactory ar- £698 for 1894, or an increase of £302. rangements can be made for transporta- tion and entertainment W. N. Hail- AMERICA. mann, National Superintendent of Ind- ian Schools, proposes to hold summer United States.-There is a town on institutes for Indian school employees at the Upper Snake River, in Idaho, called St. Paul, San Francisco, and Lawrence, New Sweden. Hans Hansen is mayor Kan., next season. The tentative date of the tOWD, Peter Petersen is clerk, for St. Paul is July 20th-25th. and the common council is composed of Pete Hansen, Hans Petersen, Peter -There are 4961 Indian members of Hans Petersen, Hans Peter Hansen, the churches under the care of the Presand Peter Hansen Hans Petersen. No byterian B:Jard of Home Missions. Last relationship exists among these men. year these people contributed toward But where, pray, is the Anp:lo-Saxon all the support of their own work $3459, this time? and for foreign missions, $2652.
-The Independent gives this severe -The Baptist Publication Society has arraignment of a much-advertised move- 4 church cars in constant use for misment: "Seven leading clergymen of sionary tours. One of the~e recently this city, Drs. Josiah Strong, C. H. reached San Francisco from a southern Parkhurst, H. A. Stimson, S. H. Vir- trip. It is 85 feet long, with the living gin, W. H. P. Faunce, J. R. Davies, apartments of the pastor at one end and F. F. Ellinwood, have issued a and a completely appointed church occard withdrawing from the Board of cupying the rest of the space. It con- Hermann Warszawiak's mission to the tains an organ, lectern and pulpit. The car carries Bibles in 12 languages, and West Indians, and East Indians. Of large stocks of religious publications. the ministerial members whose names The railroads haul the cars free' of are on the roll to·day, 1, the father of charge, and the telephone companies the Presbytery, is a West Indian, 1 is furnish "franks" to the pastors in an East Indian, 2 are Scotsmen, and charge. No collections are made at 6 are Canadians: while of the mem- any of the services. Whenever a like- bers who are ruling elders, 2 are of ly place for work is found the car is West Indian origin, 2 are East Indians, sidetracked. and 2' are of Portuguese extraction.
-In Alaska the Presbyterians have 8 The membership of the church has been mission stations: Chilcat, Fort Wran. and is even more varied in origin. We gle, Hoonah, Juneau, Point Barrow, St. have Scotsmen, Englishmen, Portu- Lawrence Island. Hydah, and Sitka. guese, Danes, Canadians, Chinese, Afri- Swedish Lutheran, 4 stations: Golvin cans, Trinidadians, and natives of al- Bay, Unalaklik, Kangekosork, and most every island in the West Indies, Yakatat. Moravian,4 stations: Bethel, while perhaps quite half of the whole Ougavig, Quinhaha. and Carmel. Epis- number are East Indians.
copal. 8 stations: Point Hope, Anvik, -Thirty years ago there was no or- and Fort Adams. Methodist. 1 station, ganized evangelical church or school Unalaska. Baptist. 1 station, Wood house in Mexico; the statistical results Island. Congregational. 1 station, Cape of twenty-five years' systematic work is Prince of Wales. Roman Catholic: as follows: Centers of operation, 90; Juneau, and 5 stations on the Yukon. congregations, 615; ordained missiona- The Russo·Greek Church has missions ries, 60; assistant missionaries and wives scattered through southeastern Alaska, of ordained and assistant missionaries, besides a few farther north. 60; lady teachers, 6"1 ; native preachers, -Father Chiniquy wrote lately to the ordained, 111 ; native preachers, unor· Ohriatian, of London, in the following dained, 164; native teachers, 177 ; other cheerful strain: .. I am happy to tell native helpers, 94; grand total of foryou that the number of converts from eign and native workers, 732; churches Rome now is much more than 45,000, organized, 444; communicants, 17,000 ; and it is rapidly increasing every day. probable adherents, 50,000.
We do not count less than 100 young -'-During the third quarter of the ministers of the Gospel, all converts, present century the word Mexico stood with whom it is my privilege to work. as the synonym for anarchy, misgovern- We have helped 37 priests to give up ment, despotism, and all other weaktheir errors to accept the Gospel." nesses and vices possible to a popular -These statements concerning the government. But since then so great Trinidad Mission of the Canadian Pres- have been the changes that Zion'a Her- byterian Church are full of interest. ald can write: .. President Diaz enjoys The work is mainly among the East the almost universal confidence and es- Indians, was begun in 1868, and there teem of his people. The country has are now 6 churches, with 635 commu- developed along many lines to a surpris- nicants, 3 native ministers, and 53 cate· ing degree under his discreet and effi- chists. Last year there were 359 bap- cient leadership. There was a touch of tisms. In the 54 East Indian schools egotism in his recent message to Con- there is an average daily attendance of gress in which he reviewed the progress 2168. The first ministers were Scots- made under his administration; the men, and there have been Scotch memo peaceful relations maintained with for- bers of the Presbytery ever since; but eign powers, the sanitary regulations there have been associated with them adopted, the charitable institutions aid- Portuguese, Americans, Canadians, ed, the expansion of mining industries, railroad, telegraph, and postal exten- had a very successful year, the efforts sion, the hopeful condition of the na- of 9 agents and 121 native colporteurs tional finances, etc.-but he has solid having been crowned with much bless- ground for complacency; he richly ing. The Hankow Press printed 13,000 deserves the honors heaped upon him." New Testaments, and 350,000 portions, EUROPE. with nearly 1,000,000 tracts. A second annotated Gospel, that of St. Matthew, Great Britain.-The British and For- is about" to be issued from the same eign Bible Society distributes on an press. To various parts of Africa, to average over 13,000 copies of the Bible South America, and to the Colonies, daily, nearly 4,000,000 a year. Its in- Scriptures have been sent for circulafluence is continually extending more tion through various agencies. Among widely over the whole world; the Bible other versions published or issuing from being now translated into the languages the press, is the Mang'anja version by of nine tenths of the human race. At Rev. David Clement Scott, of the Blanthe beginning of the century it had only tyre mission.
been translated into the languages of -The Universities' Mission of the one fifth. Church of England has sent into the -One of the vice-presidents of the African field no less than 7 bishops, of British Bible Society has issued a pam- whom 3 still survive. Of the other 4, phlet which shows that the Bible is now 1 is buried without memorial in his printed in 381 languages, no less than cathedral in a lone grave by the Zam- 52 versions having been added in the besi; another, the builder of the cathe· last five years. Forty-two of these ver- dral, rests alongside of its altar ; a third sions are credited to the English and sleeps also without a memorial in his Scotch translators and societies, and to cathedral, beneath the waves of the Ind· American societies, 5. What toil this ian Ocean, and now the fourth has sunk meant to the translators is easily seen to rest in the waters of the Nyassa, hard from the fact that in the list 23 languages by Cape Maclear.
and dialects belong to the African Bantu ,~ -The foreign mission work of the family, 4 belong to each of the follow- Irish Presbyterian Church is carried on ing : Malayan, Chinese, and Melanesian; in the province of JUjarat and Kathia- 3 are Indian languages; 2 each belong war (Bombay Presidency, India), and in to the negro, Turki, Druidian and Manchuria (North China). It has 23 Hamitic groups, and 1 each to the missionaries at work, 3 of them medical Tibeto-Barman, Aryan and Micronesian missionaries, imd there are 3 native pasfamilies. Such a description is strik- tors and 194 native Christian workers ingly significant. (evangelists, teachers, etc.). There is -The National Bible Society of Scot- an annual collection taken up in all the land had an income of £25,976 in 1895, congregations of the church-561 in which exceeded that of 1894 by £3338, number-for the foreign mission. The but the expenditure was £30,642, being collection taken Za8t Janua'l'1J was the larger than that of the previous year by large8t in the history of the mimon, £1666. The issues of Scriptures were amounting to somewhere about £6600.
814,408, the largest circulation yet re- This is all the more satisfactory as a ported. The total issues since 1861 sum of above £1400 has been recently amount to 15,654,307 Scriptures. On raised by a special effort to send out a the Continent 198 colporteurs circulated number of our student volunteers, who, the Scriptures in 12 countries, from Nor- on the completion of their course, offered way to Macedonia. In India, Korea, themselves to the Church to go to the and Japan, Bible work has been vigor- foreign field on any terms that the funds ously prosecuted. In China the society of the mission would permit. Three of the tJ who thus offered are already in but 62,000 Protestants in Italy out of a the field. population of some 30,000,000. Nor is – Thirteen missionaries are about to that all. A large proportion of the 29,- sail for Manchuria, sent by the United 000,000 odd have forsaken the Catholi- Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which cism of their youth, having found it has a very promising mission field there. honeycombed with superstition, and now The work was interrupted by the late are blatant skeptics of all religion.
war between China and Japan, and one -The Norwegian Missionary Society, young missionary fell a martyr to Chi- which works mainly in Natal, Zululand, nese bigotry, but it is being resumed and Madagascar, has in Africa 14 main under most hopeful conditions. Six stations and. nearly 150 out-stations; in missionaries are also expected to leave Madagascar some 20 main stations, and shortly for Old Calabar, the oldest mis- upward of 500 out-stations. In Mada- sion field of the United Presbyterian gascar last year there were nearly 39,000 Church, which has suffered sadly of late communicants, and about 60 native mis- years through loss of life on account of sionaries.
the dangerous climate. -The mission work of the Russian -The complaining cry is, "Let us Church is generally overlooked or un- not rob Christendom of the Gospel in dervalued, and we may fail to note how our sentimental zeal for the redemption its missionaries work among the Buriat of heathendom." But a writer in the tribes of Eastern Siberia. They have April Ohureh MU8ionary InteUigeneer just accomplished an interesting and affirms: "Deducting, as seems fair, the difficult piece of work, the translation total of church collections and Easter of the liturgy of the Greek Church offerings, and also the endowment of into the dialect of the Yakuts. That schools, we have, as the amount con- language is so poor that it can only tributed parochially for home work, boast of 200 root words. For example, £5,369,232, and for foreign work, there is no word in the language for £251,102, which shows that for £1 bread, cereals being unknown in that which goes abroad there is £20 spent at inhospitable region. All words of high- . home. But since there are 33 times er religious significance–e.g., righteous- as many Mohammedans and heathen ness, faith, mercy, even justice, have abroad as there are people in England been imported bodily from the Russian. and Wales, we find that of the money contributed, 660 times as much is spent ASIA.
parocWally over Christian work for each India.-A generation ago Indill was nominal Christian at home as there is only beginning its career under the for each professing heathen or Moham- Queen's rule. Railroads were laying medan abroad. Of course this is not a their first rails, and schools were startfinal nor exact conclusion. The con- ing. Now there are 20,000 miles of tributions to purely Church of England railroads, and 15,000,000 of people who missionary societies in 1894 was over speak English fluently. Caste was £572,000; but then, on the other hand, rigid. Pilgrims swarmed all roads. there are the endowments of livings Now they are few. Then they swung which would have to be taken into ac- by their naked flesh from hooks, walked count in any close comparison." on iron spikes, threw themselves under The Continent.-Italy is a country Juggernaut's car and burned them- which many are apt to think does not selves. Now apologists are beginning offer a promising field for missionary to deny that such things happened.
effort. That, however, is not the opin- The monastic endowments are coming ion of the promoters of the Spezia mis- to be a stench in the nostrils of some sion, for the report states that there are good Hindus. One of their orthodox Buddhist papers, the Rei8 and Rayyat, also is often carried on in knee-deep of Calcutta, scores Mrs. Besant, the the- water. They glean the fallen ears with osophist, saying: "It behooves every their toes and fingers out of the muddy well-wisher of the country to tell her waters and catch fish in creels, wading plainly that sensible men do not want up to their waists in the same waters her eloquence for gilding what is rot- frequented by the alligator and buffalo.
ten. " .. The men's work Is as dirty and de· -For some time there has been a re- grading as that of the women; followmarkable movement of Dherd families ing the plough up to their waists in in and around Anand toward Christian- muddy water is not so hard or filthy as ity in connection with the Irish Presby- that of mending the banks of the fields terian mission. At the end of last year when the fioods go down. They bring there were 64 families on the roll of boat-loads of boughs from the jungles; new adherents, after some doubtful these are laid on the banks, and a thick cases had been deducted. At a more layer of mud is thrown on the top. recent date 34 adults and 22 children The mud has to be taken out of the were baptized, coming from 11 villages. bottom of the canals and rivers; the It is especially difficult, however, for men dive down and bring it to the surthe women to break off heathen cus- face in their arms, resting it against toms. .. Indeed, the winning of the their naked bodies; it is black and women to Christ is the solution of the semi-liquid, being the decayed vegetaproblem before us. Last Sabbath our ble mold brought down by the rivers, church here was crowded on the men's and has a peculiar, disgusting smell. side, while the women's side, contain· They have also to dive under water to ing only a third of the space of the find the holes made in the banks by other, was far from full. The great the alligators in which they lay their desideratum here just now is trust- eggs. Their tools for this work are worthy native women workers, under made from the iron-like wood of the the control and guidance of European palm, shaped somewhat ike the oar of lady missionaries." an outrigger; with this they slice down to the holes and build up the bank -The TravancoreDioce8an Record again in layers of brushwood and mud.
has the following graphic description As the black mud dries on their bodies of the condition of the PuJayans, one the men look like their scaly brothers of the depressed classes in Travancore : the alligators. To have to pass a boat- " The women become prematurely old load of men returning from work is an from working in the water under a infliction to anyone possessed of an tropical sun; the weeding and trans- ordinary nose for smelling, for they planting of paddy in low-lying fields is seldom if ever wash, and even if they their work, besides the harrowing of did, the water has the same disagree- the fields after ploughing. They may able odor. The pores of their skins be- be called, literally, human harrows, for come permanently impregnated with under a burning sun they may be seen this same smell of mud in which they sitting in rows, up to their necks in the work and on which their hovels, made muddy water,· which has been stirred of mud, leaves, and sticks, are put up."
up by the plough and the feet of the buffaloes. pulling out with their fingers -So far as known, the American and toes the weeds, particularly a Mission High School in Bombay is the troublesome, massy-looking weed, which only high school ill India where co- breaks into pieces under the plough, education exists. By taking so many and heaping them into little islands in of the pupils while very young, Mr.
the water or dragging the long, shiny and Mrs. Hume have succeeded in ere- things into the blW~. The reaping I1tin~ a public sentiment which, with unceasing vigilance on their part, has Abroad, Rev. Mr. Bergen, of Chefoo, done away with supposed eVils in mixed says that the terrible poverty prevailing schools. "These are day schools com- can only be known by those who spend posed entirely of children from heathen days and nights among the Chinese, see- families- I have had two most interest- ing them in their common life, and he ing mornings visiting two of them and adds: .. This is a bran-eating, not a the homes from which they come, with 11our-eating, people with which we have Mrs. Hume and the Bible women, to do-a grass-eating and root-eating Balubai and Kash'bai. We found the people. They live practically without children in a little room up a narrow meat. Should there be a happy demise 11ight of stairs, sitting on the 1100r of cow or mule, dog or donkey, througb against the walls with their slates on accident or tuberculosis or general de- the 1100r in front of them_ Such dear crepitude, there is a neighborhood feast.
little things as they are, all sizes, and They eat occasionally of wheat bread, in all Borts of costumes ; here a small buy a bit of pork, have a bowl of vege- boy, resplendent in pink and white silk tables, a few ounces of salt fish, but trousers, yellow satin jacket, and a cap just about as often as the ordinary with high white feather, and there a A.merican citizen indulges in terrapin bit of humanity entirely in nature's cos- or canvas-back ducks."
tume, a little living bronze statue who has dropped in for a few moments to -H. N. Lachlan, of Gan-King, writes see what is going on ; there little atoms that in China, especially in the south, of girls loaded with jewelry, whose " the bamboo is a.lmost as useful as the black beads show that they are already reindeer in Lapland, or the palm tree in married; and here is one with great Southern India. In furnishing your baunting black eyes with the red paint house it will supply you with tables, on her forehead, which may show that chairs, beds, sofas, stools, stands, she is doomed to life in an idol tem- screens, brooms, mats, mattresses, food, ple. "-Miss Abbie (Jhild. fuel, paper, pencil handles, cups, buck- China.-Mr. Denby, our Minister to ets, bird-cages, pipes, whether for smok- China, has sent forth the following cir- ing or bringing down rain from the cular to all our consuls in China under roof, not to mention its uses for carrydate of February 6th: "To the Consuls ing, building and boating."
of the United States,-Gentlemen: I ]apan.-It is reported that the Japhave the honor to inform you that his anese Governor-General of Formosa has excellency, M. A. Gerard, Minister of prohibited the use of opium in the island, France, has recently procured from the under heavy penalties. This edict may Tsung-L-Yamen, by virtue of the cause an exodus of the Chinese inhab- French treaty of 1858, an order direct- itants; but the authorities say that it ing the local authorities in all provinces would be easy to supply their places of the empire to expunge from the vari- by immigrants from Japan. There is ous editions and compilations of the no law in Japan more rigidly enforced Chinese Code all claims placing restric- than that which forbids the use of tions upon the propagation of the Chris- opium. The Ohristian Instructor says tian religion. You are directed to bring that last summer 4 men, natives, who this circular to the attention of the were detected smoking it were sent to A.merican missions in your consular dis- the penitentiary for two years, and the tricts. It gives me pleasure to add that Chinaman who sold them the drng got the Minister of France is entitled to the seven years. gratitude of the Christian world for his action in this important matter. -The Presbyterian Church of Japan -In an article in Oht&rch at llQmfl awl ~8 soon to begin mf,ssi9Ilary work in Formosa. President Ibuka, of Tokyo, byterian Church, South, has this from and President Ogimi, of Steele College, the Upper Congo; "Mission work was Nagasaki, have been appointed to visit begun in China in 1807. In 1842 the the field and report· to the Mission visible results were 6 converts. Lapsley Board. Three thousand dollars are to and Sheppard went to Africa in 1890. be raised from the Japanese churches One year was consumed in exploration. to inaugurate and push forward this Our work at Luebo will be five years new work. old this fall. On the one hand mission- ary experience elsewhere would have -Japan is seeking commercial con· led us to expect long and patient waitquests on the sea. A purpose to share ing while the unseen foundations were the carrying trade of the world with being laid, before the structure of our Great Britain is clearly shown. A line African church would appear above the to Bombay has been arranged, and a surface. But the Lord has seen good line to Australia is planned. Six new to give special tokens of His favor on 5000-ton steamers have been ordered in this work. Since early in the spring all England, and .when finished these are the services held have been attended to be placed on the European line with with constant and manifest tokens of the Tosa-Maru now running. The en- the Spirit's presence; and Dr. Snyder's terprise shown in the land of the Mikado report just received announces the oris astonishing. ganization of a church of 48 hopefully converted natives. AFRICA.
-Fever continues to mow down the -Bishop Tucker, who is still in workmen of God in the fatal climate of Uganda, writes in the warmest praise of the West Coast. Last October the mis· the material improvement in the coun· sionary Roess died on the Gold Coast, try since it has been a British protecwhere he had been working for six torate. Order reigns in the place, and years. It is the seventh death in the there has been a great increase in cultiranks of the Basle Society, on the West vation. But it is the spiritual progress Coast, since the month of May last. in the place which naturally claims But the work goes on. There has never most of the bishop'S attention. The been such a number of baptisms as on new church in the capital has been the last missionary tour. In the district built to hold 4000 people, and in the of Akem especially, among the Chi surrounding neighborhood there are 23 population, converts are very numer- smaller churches, which are all served ous. The fortress of heathendom does from the capital, and attract large not yet fall down in large masses; it is and attentive congregations. Scattered only separate stones which are being de- throughout the country there are tached; but the frequency of the fact is now some 200 churches, where service remarkable, and begins to disintegrate is reverently and orderly conducted, the mass of heathendom. To prove and a church has been lately erected this, it is enough to remember that in within the king's compound. Mwanga 1864, after thirty ·seven years of work, himself is not yet a Christian, altho his the BasIe Mission counted 961 Chris- attitude toward Christianity has much tians on the Gold Coast. In the course improved. The native church has of the last inspection, the missionaries caught the missionary spirit, and large registered 962 adult baptisms, and the numbers of the native Christians go into number of Christians had risen to 13,- all the country round as evangelistic 036 of whom 5442 are communicants, agents. During one week nearly 350 besIdes 479 catechumens.-Bvangeliaehe were confirmed. HdderWote.
-'!'he jJ(i,ssiona'l"lI, organ of the Pres- -News has ~Qw:e b~ th,e ~eQ6l,ltlr opened telegraph that a powerful slave- wife are Protestants, they are being dealing chief, Mwasigungu, to the west cursed by the Catholics both here and of Lake Nyassa, has been crushed. in France. The Catholic bishops blessed Mwasigungu had been conducting his the expedition, sung • Te Deums ' over raids in the district in charge of Mr. the fall of the capital, and now they A. J. Swann, whose station is Kota have taken to cursing the French Gov- Kota. Mr. Swann, who was for some ernment for sending out a Protestant years in the service of the London Mis- Resident-General ; but it is of little consionary Society on Lake Tanganyika, sequence, only that curses are said to had assembled some 5000 nati ves to put have a knack of coming home to roost I . a stop to his depredations, and he was The French are making changes here, joined by a force of 150 regular troops, for they have already set the Malagasy the whole being under the command of to repair their wa~ s and make the Lieutenant Alston of the Coldstream break-neck roads we had here in the Guards. They attacked the forces of capital into something like decent the slave-raiders, numbering 20,000 streets… fighting men, and completely routed them. Now that the Arab Mlozi at the -Once when Mr. John Williams was north end, and Mwasigungu on the explaining to the people of Haiatea west side of Lake Nyassa have been how English Christians raised money disposed of, the slave route to the Zam- to send the Gospel to the heathen, the bezi is closed, and the trade route into natives expressed regret at not having the far interior westward and north- money to use in the same good work. westward of the lake is open. These He replied: .. If you have no money, victories are most important, and they you have something that takes the are likely to prove the death·blow of place of money. something to buy money the slave trade in those parts of Africa. with ,'" he then referred to the pigs that he had brought to the island on -The evangelization of Abyssinia his first visit, which now every family was undertaken by the Swedish Mis- possessed; and suggested that every sionary Society as early as 1866, but family should Bet apart a pig f01' caU8until the Italian occupation the mis- ing the W01'd of God to grow; and when sionaries were unable to get any far- the ships came, sell the pigs for money. ther than the island of Massowah Ilnd The natives eagerly followed the sug- Monkullu on the adjacent mainland. gestion, and the next morning the Afterward they were able to go forth squeaking of the pigs which were reinto the interior, and now in the dis- ceiving the "mark 01 the Lord" in trict of Hamasen they have 93 converts, their ears was everywhere heard. On They have made many endeavors, hith- Mr. Williams' return to the island, the erto unsuccessful, to reach the Gallas. native treasurer put into his bands £103, the product of these sales. It was the ISLANDS OF THE SEA.. first money they had ever possessed, but every farthing was given to the lI/Iadagascar.-A special correspondent of the Aberdeen F1u Prea8 writes : cause of Christ. .. The new French Resident-General, ]1.1. Lauroche, has arrived, bringing a -Only a few years since in New staff of 40 officials with him. He seems Guinea, on one occasion the friends of a very superior man, and one that is a woman, whose husband had just died, most anxious to do the right thing by came to condole with her. Having no all, and the very best he can for this pig to feast them with, she dug up the country and people; but as he and his dead body of her husband, and they re- galea themselves on e7w,t,
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1893
THIJ! DIVINE PATTERN OF MISSIONS
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL-XVI. No.6.-0ld&rie8. JUNE. —VOL. VI. No. 6.-New &ri&.
THE DIVINE PATTERN OF MISSIONS.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
" Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name." Herein is God's pattern for all true work for Him.
Human life and the history of the race is a problem without a solution until we find the key to its mystery in the Word of God. Bengel's motto is the law of all success in service: "A pply thyself wholly to the Scriptures, and apply the Scriptures wholly to thyself;" and Arthur Hallam gives in one sentence an epitome of Christian experience: "I believe the Bible to be God's book because it is man's book, fitting every turn and curve of man's heart." The more it is stlldied the more its worth is seen and its charm felt. Michael Angelo's devotion to the famous Torso of Belvidere Hercules in the Vatican, sketching it from every point of view, and in the blindness of old age seeking to enjoy, through his touch, the delight no longer possible through his sight, but feebly expresses the joy of the believer in his contact with the blessed Word, in which he sees and feels the marks of a Divine Artist. Even to Ollr Lord, His Father's "Vord was in temptation His sword, in trial His solace, in teaching His guide; His credential as Messiah, His directory as Servant; it was the balm in Gethsemane's anguish, His legacy in death, His theme from His resurrection to His ascension.
No problem presents greater perplexity than that of world-wide missions; and in the attempt to solve that problem well may we reverently approach this Word, perslladed that here again we shall find written, as over the pillars of Hercules on the old Spanish dollar, " Ne pIllS ultra."
A kind of " introductory chapter" to all missionary history is found in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, which is the Gospel of Christ, as set forth by the evangelists, applied actually and historically by the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Luke, in the gospel which he wrote, told what" Jesus began," and in the Acts tells what He " continued, both to do and teach," by the Spirit, through disciples, in building up the kingdom of God. The door of faith is here opened successively to Hebrew, Roman, and Greek believers as in the order of the Gospel narratives. Pentecost links Old Testament prophecy to New Testament history. This book is the book of witness, first of man to God and secondly of God to man. It is the sequel to the Gospels, the basis of the Epistles j the Acts, not so much of the apostles as of the Holy Spirit and of the risen Redeemer in the person of the promised Paraclete. The Holy Spirit first applies the truth and the blood to penitent believers, then anoints those believers for service, and sends them forth as messengers and witnesses to preach the kingdom, to make disciples and organize disciples into churches. And the fact is full of meaning that the period of time covered by this book is about thirty-four years, about the length of our Lord's human life, or the average lifetime of one generation j as though to teach us what can be done and ought to be done in every successive generation until the end of the age. This fact, often referred to in these pages, we once more emphasize by repetition, as it deserves to be written in letters of .gold on the very banners of all true missionary enterprise.
The introduction to this book refers to that forty days of communion between the Risen Lord and His disciples whose object and result was fourfold: 1. To put beyond doubt the fact of His resurrection. 2. To give them instruction as to the kingdom of God. 3. To prepare them for His unseen guidance in their work. 4. To inspire them with the true spirit of missions.
Then follow the outlines of early church history: 1. The witnessing Church in Jerusalem (1 : I3-vii.), including the ten days of prayer, Pentecost, and the enduement for service, persecution by Pharisees and Sadducees, and the dispersion of disciples, voluntary community of goods, division of labor and the institution of the diaconate, and the first marty~dom. All missions must begin at home, as a stream at its spring; but, like the stream, is not to stay at the source and fountain, but flow forth. 2. The witnessing Church in Judea and Samaria (viii.-ix.). A new PentecoRt in Samaria under Philip the Evangelist, the sin of simony, the conversion of the eunuch, representing Ethiopia, and of Saul of Tarsus, the chosen apostle to the Gentiles. 3. The witnessing Church moving toward the Regions Beyond (x.- xxviii.). A new Pentecost among Roman Gentiles at Cresarea and among Greeks all well at Antioch, the first centre of the Gentile Church, and the starting-point of foreign missions; and Paul's three missionary tours, the book closing with Paul at Rome, the third great centre of Christianity. In the latter part of the Acts Paul is more conspicuous than Peter,because Peter went to the dispersion or scattered tribes of Israel, and the main object of the book is to trace the beginnings of missions to the Gentiles (compare Gal. 2 : 9). The Acts of the Apostles thus constitutes the one great inspired book of missions, God's own commentary and encyclopredia for all the ages as to every question pertaining to a world's evangelization. In the main it is the account of the apostolic ministry of Peter and Paul. To the former it was given to hold the mystic key which unlocked, first to Jews and then to Gentiles, the door of faith. That door being opened, Peter naturally disappears from the record, while Paul, as the specially commissioned and typical missionary to the nations, comes to the front. This is no displace- ment of Peter, whose life mission was to Jews, not Gentiles.
We must bear in mind that Luke, the declared author both of the gos- pel bearing his name and of this book, treats the two books as parts of one continuous and complete narrative. What the author thus links together we must consider as a unit. The purpose of the inspired writer is to give, in these two brief sketches, a complete outline of Gospel history from its infancy in its humble Judean cradle to its mature development as a worldwide power, tracing the seed of the kingdom from its sowing in Syrian soil to its wider scattering beside all waters, borne by the various streams of civilization to the heart of the heathen world.
From first to last the combined narrative is the story of missions. In the Gospel according to Luke we have our Lord offering the good news to the Jews, and foreseeing their continued rejection of Him, commanding and commissioning His disciples to bear the message to all nations and to every creature. Then in the Acts we trace the actual carrying out of this commission, the preaching of the Gospel to the Jews by both Peter and Paul, and its repeated rejection by them, with its subsequent and consequent proclamation to mankind at large at great centres of popUlation.
The Gospel opens with the incarnation and closes with the resurrection and ascension, linking on to the after-narrative by the promise of the en· duement of power from on high" not many days hence." Just at this point the Acts of the Apostles forges its new links, and connects with the Gospel its chain of events, beginning with the birth of the Church of Christ on the natal day of Pentecost, and abruptly closing with Paul's unfinished career as a prisoner at Rome.
We have said Cl03inrl rather than ending, for the story is plainly inconiplete, reaching no proper conclusion. The two narratives, reckoning from Christ's entrance upon His public ministry to the very close of the Acts, cover only about the average history of a generation-and no generation ever reaches completeness; it is linked on to the next-nay, interwoven with the next by many threads; and its history passes gradually and insensibly into that of its successor, as to-day into to-morrow. And so above all is it the true work of missions. It is one work, and no man can tell where the mission of one witness for God ends and that of his successor begins. Paul's preaching and teaching has not yet ceased, nor will it while the ages continue.
But in a sublimer sense the Acts of the Apostles reaches no conclusion.
THE GOSPEL IN NORTH AFRICA
When the late Bishop of Ripon had read the story of that" Apostle of the South Seas," he said, "That is the twenty-ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles." He was partly right and partly wrong. To that oft-quoted and striking remark History herself suggests one criticism and correction. That was not the ftr8t new chapter added in post-apostolic days, for before the time of John Williams and his apostolic mission many such additions had been made to that unfinished book, and of not a few of those new chapters there is no human memorial. They are written only by God's recording angel in Ilis own Book of Remembrance, to be opened and read in the flaming splendor of the great white throne. But it was sublimely and divinely true that the triumphant advance of that Tottenham lad, who became the great witness to Christ in the Pacific Polynesia, added another new and glorious chapter to the annals of apostolic missions.
To this leading thought we shall from time to time return in these pages, and give it further amplification. Suffice it for the present to repeat that an inspired book which supplies the key to all the intricate, complicated problems of missions should be carefully, constantly, prayerfully studied by those who would find the secrets of success. And in such study, which has occupied the writer for some two years past, he has already discovered principles so fundamental that they furnish a solid basis for the prosecution of world·wide missions. More than this, the devout student of the Acts will find here not only the history of primitive and initial missionary work, but the philosophy of missions outlined as in a text-book, and the indirect prophecy of the progress of missionary triumphs until the consummation of the age. With earnest emphasis would we commend such study to all who love the coming of Christ's kingdom.
THE GOSPEL IN NORTH AFRICA.
BY REV. JOHN RUTHERFURD, B.D., ROTHE SAY, SCOTLAND.
North Africa is mentioned in several· places in the New Testament. Christian hearts can never forget that it was Simon,· a man of Cyrene, a well-known city in North Mrica, who was honored to assist the Lord Jesus Christ when His strength was so exhausted that He could not carry the cross to Calvary; "him they compelled to bear His cross."
In the Acts of the Apostles we read that Philip, the deacon and evangelist, was the instrument of guiding to the knowledge of the truth " a man of Ethiopia, a man of great authority under Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians. " This African nobleman had come from a kingdom situated near to the modern Khartoum, where the gallant, Bible-loving General Gordon only a few years ago fell at the post of duty.
That preacher in the apostolic Church who is described as an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, was a North African, Apollos of Alexandria. North Africa is mentioned again more than once in connection with st.
Paul's voyage to Rome. Such are some of the New Testament references to the Dark Continent.
The first translations of the New Testament were the Syriac and early Latin; both of them date from the second century. The early Latin version was made, not in Italy, as we would have expected, but by the Latinspeaking Christians in North Africa. Latin was their native tongue j and, taught by the Spirit, they instinctively felt that they must have the New Testament in their own lauguage. They felt as John Wycliffe did when he said that the ploughboy following the plough should have the Word of God in his own tongue. In these modern days of Bible societies and Bible distribution let it not be forgotten that the early Christians of North Africa took so noble a place among those who love and who read the Word of God.
North Africa is rich in names of great historical prominence in the early Christian Church. There is Origen, the famous preacher and writer of Alexandria j Tel'tullian, the Christian apologist and defender of the faith j Athanasius, whose life and work will be had in everlasting remembrance for the magnificent stand he was enabled to make against Arianism and in behalf of the glorious truth on which human salvation depends, of the true and eternal deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Athanasius, it is believed, was a Copt, a native of Egypt. Cyprian, who died a martyr, was Bishop of Carthage. And there is Augustine, Bishop of Hippo-now the town of Bone, in Algeria-the defender of the doctrines of grace against Pelagianism.
The early Christian Church in North Africa furnished many a name to the roll-call of the noble army of martyrs. Take as an example the wellknown story of the two female martyrs of Carthage, Perpetua and Felicitas. These martyrs were put to death in the year 202 A.D., during a violent persecution under the Emperor Septimius Severus. Perpetua was only two-andtwenty years old. Her aged father was a heathen, and he tenderly entreated her to renounce Christianity in order to save her life. When she was about to be tried before the magistrate her father hurried to the prison and said, "Dear daughter, have pity on my gray hairs. • .• Look at thy brothers, thy mother, and thy aunt j thy son, too"-an infant at the breast, whom to nourish in prison was her greatest solace-" who when thou diest cannot long survive. Lay aside that high spirit, and do not plunge us all in ruin." With these word$ the old man threw himself weeping at his daughter's feet. When she was brought before the judge, suddenly her father entered, carrying the infant in his arms, and looking at her imploringly, said, "Have pity on the child." The' judge, too, urged her in a similar manner, but in vain. Perpetua and her companions -three youths and Felicitas-were condemned to be thrown to the wild beaRts. Shortly before the public spectacle her father came again and made a last appeal to his daughter, threw himself on the ground and uttered " words which must move any creature. " Deeply affected and filled with pain, she nevertheless remained true to Christ. The sentence was accordingly carried out, and the martyrs were thrown to the wild beasts. When Perpetua had been wounded she called to her brother and to a Christian catechumen and said to them, "Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, and indulge in no feelings of animosity on account of our sufferings." Such i~ a sample of Christian martyrdom in North Africa.
In the time of the Valerian persecution there were again martyrs in Numidia. During a severe imprisonment, in which they endured much suffering from hunger and thirst, they wrote as follows: "The dark prison soon shone with the illumination of the Holy Spirit j we ascend to the place of punishment as if we were ascending to heaven. We cannot describe what days and nights we have spent there. Weare not afraid to describe the horrors of that place, for the greater the trial, much greater must be He who has overcome it in us. And, indeed, it is not our conflict, for by the help of the Lord we have gained the victory j for to be put to death is easy for the servants of God, and death is nothing, because the Lord has taken away its sting and power. He triumphed over it on the cross. " Such is the heroism of the North African Christians in those early days.
How, then, did it come about that North Africa, a series of countries in which the Gospel light shone so long and so brightly, presents now the spectacle that it does ~ How was Christianity banished from those shores on which it had taken so firm a hold ~ Two causes brought it about: (1) The love of the churches waxed cold j (2) God punished those churches by removing their candlestick out of its place by means of the Mohammedan invasions in the seventh century.
The churches forgot their early devotion to Christ, as well as the mutual love and good feeling which they had once so signally shown. Their attention became occupied with questions of ritual and of rivalry, and of the rights of episcopal ordination. And to such a length did this spirit of divi. sion and hatred proceed that there were actually to be seen Christians opposing one another on the field of battle-Christians with carnal weapons adjusting their theological differences at the point of the sword. When churches sink so low as this, we need not wonder that God sends judgment.
Divine retribution came-came in the shape of the scourge of Mohammedanism. In the year 622 A.D. there took place Mohammed's He~ira or flight from Mecca, the era from which Mohammedans date their years as the Christian era runs from the birth of Christ. Almost immediately after the death of Mohammed the conquering armies led by his successors ex· tended their conquests from Arabia through Egypt along the entire coast of the African continent as far as the modern kingdom of Morocco. Rome, republican and Imperial, had scarcely effected the conquest of those king. doms in some centuries j but Sidi Okba, the famous Mohammedan con· queror, in 679 A.D. and a few years following overthrew all the Christian kingdoms lying between Egypt and Tangiers. Arrived at the Atlantic Ocean, he spurred his horse into the sea, and declared that it was only the barrier of the ocean that prevented him from compelling every nation be- yond it that knew not God to worship Him or die. The Berber tribesfrom whom these North African countries afterward received the common designation of the Barbary States-made some brave but ineffectual at. tempts to resist the Mohammedan invaders; they were forced to submit, and their enfeebled Christianity was not proof against the stern compulsion with which the Arab warriors forced all whom they defeated to adopt the Mohammedan religion.
It is a most interesting fact, and one which forms a very loud eall to the Church of Christ to send the Gospel onee more to North Africa, that there exist to the present day among those Berber or Kabyle tribes various customs which have come down to them through twelve long centuries of Mohammedanism, and which speak of the time when they were a Christian people. For exam pIe, the Kabyle women refuse to wear the veil over. the face, a custom which is universal among the Arab women. It is also said that certain of these Kabyle tribes, although they are Mohammedans, never· theless observe their weekly Sabbath not on the Mohammedan Sabbath, on Friday, but on the Christian Sunday or Lord's Day. The mark of a cross is tattooed on the forehead of many of the boys and men at Biskra, as well as in other places. One such Mohammedan in the town of Setif, who spoke a little English, being asked what was the meaning of the cross on his forehead, answered in the one word" Jesus." Miss Seguin, in her most interesting book, " Walks in Algiers," asserts that the Kabyle women are in the habit of tattooing the form of the Christian cross on their fore. head. Sir Lambert Playfair, consul in Algiers for England, writes regarding the Kabyles of the Aures Mountains, which lie immediately to the n.orth of the Sahara : "Their language is full of Latin words, and in their daily life they retain customs undoubtedly derived from their Christian ancestors. They observe December 25th as a feast under the name of Moolid (the birth), and keep three days festival both at springtime and harvest. They use the solar instpad of the Mohammedan lunar year, and the names of the months are the same as our own."
These customs are relics of a time when the Christian religion permeated the life of the North African peoples. Surely a brighter day has at length begun to dawn, when the croSEl of Christ will not be written in ritualistic fashion on their foreheads, but shall become the inspiration of their hearts. How great will be the change from the miseries of Mohammedanism to the freedom and joy of Christ's salvation!
The history of the centuries which lie between the era of the Mohammedan conquest and the present time is one of stagnation so far as any advancement is concerned, and of continual cruelty and oppression exercised by the Turks upon all the unhappy people over whom they domineered. While the countries of Europe, on the northern shores of the Meditermnean, were advancing in liberty, in civilization, in education, in the knowl~ edge of science, and in the application of Christianity to life in all its phases, so that the Christian religion has virtually created our modern Protestant kingdoms with their world-wide influence during all those twelve hundred years from the seventh century to the present time, the countries lying to the south of the Mediterranean, though more favored by nature than the others, began and continued that downward and retrograde course which Islam invariably brings. Those who have seen the social working of Mohammedanism are compelled to testify that everywhere it has degraded woman and blighted the home. The testimony of Stanley Lane Poole, who often writes favorably of Mohammedanism, is: "As a social system Islam is a complete failure. By degrading woman it has degraded each successive generation of their children down an increasing scale of infamy and corruption, until it seems almost impossible to reach a lower level of vice." When this indictment can be brought and proved against any system, the sooner that system is swept out of existence the better for the world.
The state of religion in Algeria is quite unique. There are no fewer than four established or State-paid forms of worship-namely, the Roman Catholic, the Protestant, the Jewish, and the Mohammedan. Surely such a state of things stands self-condemned. The Gospel is not advanced by such methods-non tali auxilio, nee defensoribus isti8. The religion of the Lord Jesus Christ needs no such props. Its own inherent strength is the strength of God; and in that divine strength it pulls down all the strongholds of sin and ignorance, of wicked social customs and vice. It is mighty in itself, and needs no such State alliance as is found in Algiers.
In the museum in Algiers there is the plaster cast of an Arab named Geronimo, and his history is a very interesting one. In the year 1569 Geronimo, who had become a professing Christian, was taken prisoner along with some Spaniards; the whole party were carried to Algiers. Strong efforts were made to induce Geronimo to return to Mohammedanism, but in vain. He was accordingly condemned to death, and sentenced to be thrown alive into a mould in which a block of concrete was about to be made. After they had tied his feet and hands with cords they laid him, face downward, into the concrete, and covered up the living man with more of that material. The block was built into the wall of a fort then in course of erection. After the French took possession of Algiers, in 1830, many of the houses were pulled down, and among other buildings this fort was demolished. In course of the process of demolition the skeleton of Geronimo was found in one of the blocks of concrete. The bones were carefully removed and re-interred. Liquid plaster of Paris was run into the mould left by his body. In this way a perfect model of it was obtained, showing not only the general shape of the ,body, but even his features. His hands are seen tied behind his back; the cord which binds the hands is there too, and even the texture of his clothing may be made out. Popery in Algiers may be seen in many of its peculiar forms. For example, over a doorway in one of the public streets there is a sign-board with the following inscription in French: "0 Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." One of the churches is called N6tre Dame d' Afrique. It is situated on one of the spurs of the hill of Bourzarea, overlooking the sea. Above the altar is a statue of the Virgin Mary represented as a black woman, and there is this inscription, also in French: "Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for the Mussulmans." At Biskra, in the Sahara Desert, there is a large new establishment erected by Cardinal Lavigerie for his soldier monks, lea freres du delert. On the whitewashed walls there is the inscription that the building has been erected in honor of the immaculate Virgin. But it is not by these Romish pretensions that the weary and heavy-laden tribes of Africa will be won for Christ.
How strange is the way in which North Africa has been overlooked by the churches! So recently as 1880 there were only three missionaries at work between Egypt and the Atlantic. Why is it that North Africa has been thus overlooked by the churches of Britain and North America ~ No satisfactory reason can be given. Steamships carrying the commerce of the world sail in sight of those African shores en route for India and China and Australia. Missionaries going to and returning from their spheres of labor have passed along that coast for half a century, yet almost nothing was done, almost nothing was even attempted until some twelve years ago. There is not even the excuse that can be alleged in regard to Central Africa, that we did not know of the existence either of the country or of its inhabitants, for we possessed very accurate knowledge indeed regarding the Barbary States. The different countries of Europe and even the United States of America had made political treaties with the Deys of Algiers long before the coming of the French. In 1816 the British fleet under Lord Exmouth bombarded Algiers, and the Dey was forced to sign a treaty by which Christian slavery-i.e., the enslaving of the subjects of Christian countrieswas brought to an end. Even the thirty-two gun frigate George Washington, of the United States of America, was requisitioned by the Dey to carry his tribute to the Sultan at Constantinople! It was not because nothing was known of North Africa that it has been so strangely overlooked.
Even for many years after .the coming of the French in 1830 no attempt was made to bring the Gospel to the Arabs j but those times of great and culpable neglect are passing away. A beginning of gospel missions has been made. The providence of God has given a wide door of entrance. The country is everywhere open. Communication is cheap and easy. There are railways running both east and west from Algiers, as far west as the large city of Oran, in which there is no missionary to the natives, or as far east as Constantine and Tunis, and reaching even the Sahara Desert on the south. The railway system is being still further extended. The Atlas Mountains are being pierced with tunnels for the locomotive. A railway in the Sahara makes one think of Isaiah's words, and or a fulfilment of them that the prophet little thought of: "Make straight in the desert a highway for our God"-a highway along which no slave traffic shall be carried, a highway to bring salvation ana joy to the unhappy homes of the Moslems.
There is far more openness and readiness among the Arabs and Kabyles to receive the Gospel than is commonly supposed. There is not that hermetical sealing of the mind which may have existed once. The homes of the Arab women are freely opened to the visits of their English-speaking sisters; and the loving touch of a Christian woman and the kindly presentation of the Gospel are made welcome. Though the ignorance is great and the adversaries are many, yet God has set before us an open door, and not all the power of the adversaries of the truth is able to shut it. It is the duty and the privilege of Christians to enter in and to win Africa for Christ.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, and the great unexplored Sahara, stretching from Egypt to the Atlantic, from the Mediterranean to the Niger and the Congo-these countries, with their many millions now under the sway of the false prophet, are gasping for the Gospel, and the promise of God is sure; for it is written, " All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee" (Isa. 60 : 7). The Scripture cannot be broken, and those wandering tribes, the descendants of Ishmael, shall certainly yield themselves unto Christ. Well may Christian hearts use Abraham's prayer as we cry to God for the salvation of the Arabs, " Oh, that Ishmael might live before Thee!" Prayer an'd effort wiII win the day. The sore need of the sons and daughters of the Dark Continent, neglected as they have been for the last twelve hundred years and more, makes us think of the famous sermon by William Carey, with its two divisions: "Expect grcat things from God; Attempt great things for God."
Protestant mission work in Algiers is carried on by various agencies, and with them all it is still the day of small things, but not to be spoken of lightly. The British and Foreign Bible Society have had a depot in Algiers for eleven years, and in that period have sold over fifty thousand copies of the Bible in whole or in portions. The North Africa Mission has a receiving home at No. 72 Rue Rovigo, presided over by a devoted Christian lady, Mrs. Lambert, who acts a mother's part to the young ladies of the mission, who live with her during the one or two years of their residence in Algiers. They occupy their time chiefly in learning French and Arabic, and when they attain some proficiency in speaking these languages they are drafted off to the towns in the interior in which they are to be located.
Much good is heing done by the Algerian branch of the McAll Mission in its various departments. During the winter of 1891-92 a new salle was opened in which to conduct meetings for the French soldiers; it is situated in the Place de la PrMecture. The soldiers come willingly to the meetings, which are very enthusiastic. There are four Sunday-schools held in connection with the McAIl mission, and in these schools some two hundred Algerian children are under biblical instruction. Some of the Sunday-schools are held not on Sunday, but on Thursday, the afternoon on which the children attending the ordinary week-daJT schools have a half holiday. These Sunday-schools are held, one in the Rue Tanger, attended by Jewish children; one in Rue Michelet, attended by Protestants and Roman Catholics; one in the Bab-el.oued, attended by Spaniards and Jews; and the fourth in the Place de la Prefecture, in which the children are a strange medley-Arabs, Spaniards, Maltese, and Jews.
M. Gonzalez carries on mission work among the Spaniards, of whom there is quite a considerable number in Algiers. This work among the Algerian Spaniards is entirely supported by a lady in England, an example worthy to be imitated surely. Dr. Nystrom is a devotQd missionary from Sweden, and works among the Arabs and Kabyles in Algiers. Miss Trotter and the missionary ladies who live in her house carryon much interesting work among the Arab women, whom they visit in their own homes, thus doing work which can be accomplished in no other way, for no man is allowed to enter the houses of the Arab women.
It is said that not even one Arab woman in Algiers is able to read. Hence the Gospel must be spoken to them. Books and even Bibles are of no use at all. But the doors of those Arab houses are wide open for the entrance of Christian ladies, who thus find an unlimited field of usefulness. The leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations, and there~ fore for the healing of the sad lives of the Arab women.
In June of last year, 1892, an attempt was made by the French Government to expel the missionaries of the North African mission from Algeria. M. Waddington's letter to Lord Salisbury ends in these terms: "We hope that the English missionary societies will themselves take the initiative in recalling their missionaries, and save us from the painful necessity in which we should otherwise be placed of having to order them to take their departure from our territory." It is believed that this was intended as a set-off or counter-movement to the position which the French Roman Catholic missionaries were then occupying in Uganda. The political troubles in which those missionaries had involved themselves in that part of Central Africa, and the opposition which they had uniformly shown to the work of Mackay and the other missionaries of the Church Missionary Society at Uganda, had so discredited them in England that the French Government seemed to think that, as the champions of the Roman Catholic mission, they would institute a policy of expelling all Protestant missionaries from French territory in North Africa. The absurd charges of supplying the natives with guns and ammunition and of teaching them to be disloyal to the French were fabricated against the missionaries of the Norlh Africa Mission, most of whom are ladies. There was not a word of trnth in these charges; but any stick is good enough to thrash a dog, and any charge, however untrue, would do to raise odium against those brave men and women who are doing Christ's work among the Arabs. The secretary of that mission wrote, in the end of June, " We do not yet know how things will go, but the outlook is dark. Still God is above all, and kings and governments are subservient to His mighty will." And the cloud passed away; after a month or two the French Government decided that it would permit the missionaries to remain if they would submit to the French laws, which of course they had always done.
During all that summer of perplexity the missionaries were greatly upheld and cheered by the manifest signs and tokens of God's presence and approval of their work-conversions and baptisms taking place just at the time when it was not known if they would be allowed to remain in Algeria for another day.
North Africa is not far from England. Morocco is only four or five days distant by sea. The journey from London through France occupies less than three days.
Many parts of North Africa are very beautiful. Much of the mountain scenery is exceedingly grand. Across the Bay of Algiers, but at the distance of some fifty miles, there rises the Djurdjura range of the Atlas. While Algiers is basking in the sunshine, and while orange and lemon trees are loaded with their ripe golden fruit, and the almond tree is strewing the paths with its pure white blo;;som, the peaks of Djurdjura, 7500 feet above the sea level, are gleaming white with the deep snow. Grand Kabylia lies around those rugged mountains.
Algeria, including the slopes of the "Atlas, has a fertile soil. It produces freely abundance of corn, while the vine, the orange, the fig, the olive, and the date palm flourish and afford a constant supply of wholesome food.
Morocco is still an independent State under a sultan of its own. The population is estimated at five to eight millions.
Algeria and Tunis belong to France. There are very good roads-the French really excel in road-making. The railways have already been mentioned. The population is perhaps six millions.
Tripoli is a province of the Turkish Empire. The people number, it is thought, about a million and a quarter.
The vast Sahara is practically unexplored; no herald of the cross has yet penetrated its recesses to tell the children of Ishmael, those wandering dwellers in tents, of God's great love to the world.
" Arabia's desert ranger To Him shall bow the knee ; The Ethiopian stranger His glory come to see."
Even so is it written in the Scriptures of truth. We can therefore come to the Throne of Grace in prayer for the Arabs; we can give the needful money-support to those who have entered on this most difficult work among the Mohammedans; we can pray the Lord of the harvest that He will thrust forth more laborers into His harvest.
RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF THE NEGRO IN THE UNITED STATES
THE PRESENT RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF THE NEGRO IN THE UNITED STATES.
BY REV. A. F. BEARD, D.D., CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE AMERICA}T MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
The present condition of the negro people is a part of their past nis· tory. To-day is the child of yesterday. The heirs of two hundred years of slavery, following uncounted centuries of African heathenism, were four millions in number twenty-seven years ago.
At the close of a desolating civil war they were suddenly freed from bondage. Unable to read, they were ignorant of the world in which they lived. As a class they had no intelligent knowledge of the Scriptures.. A few of the more highly favored in Christian families had by t.heir contact come into the possession of certain truths of Christianity, which nevertheless they held in darkened minds. For the most part, the truths which had been told them, ·and which in some degree they had received, were mingled with the grossest superstitions and held without regard to the verities of the Ten Commandments. The overwhelming majority' of the negro population, however, had no such privileges as these, They were in the rural districts as now. The few negroes who lived in cities and who could hope to get some worthy ideas of Christian truth were too few to be counted in the general condition.
The negro preachers-so called-were parrots. They repeated after a fashion what they thought they had heard as they had remembered it. Integrity and purity were not considered. Stealing, lying, and licentiousness were no hindrances to good and regular standing in their religious fellowship. Of chastity they did not know the meaning.
There was not enough of true Christianity to expel the African heathenism which those who were stolen from the jungle had brought with them. Transplanting did not change the tree, nor the mere succession of years its bitter fruit. Their whole life was pervaded by the belief in, and embittered by the terror of, sorcery. Voodooism and fetichism were common. Their intellectual faculties were obtuse and circumscribed beyond a few local associations ; their childish ideas werp rich soil for every variety of superstition.
Among the negroes it is true in towns and cities, and especially among house servants, there were exceptions, and of the more highly favored many were earnest and sincere, as well as fervent Christians. At the same time, speaking of the many and not of the few, practical heathenism was" on every plantation, in every hamlet, among the sands of the Atlantic coast, in the forests of the Carolinas; all through the black belt of Alabama and Mississippi, in swamps of Louisiana, and the bottoms of Arkansas and Tennessee." Slavery gave the African heathen a nominal Christianity, but it did not expel paganism. It did not add to faith, virtue, and to virtue, knowledge.
In the providence of God, twenty-seven years ago this lawful degradation of man came to an end. This is a short time in the history of a race. I have known people under most advantageous conditions to live twentyseven years without having accomplished much in life. Twenty-seven years are both swift and short for a people to emerge from the bogs of servitude, in low-down life, in absolute poverty of estate of body, mind,. and soul, to acquire true ideas of what Christianity really is, to get away from the inheritances of heathenism, to overcome habits of thought and conduct which had entrenched themselves so as to be ingrained and a part of their natures.
The four millions of people have now become more than seven millions. What has been accomplished?
It may be right first of all to observe what has not been accomplished. There is a great residuum of the race which has accomplished nothing. Millions still remain in darkness, whose common lot is poverty, whose intellectual and moral condition is but little if any better than it was in slavery. When left to himseI£ and his old-time surroundings the negro is not improving. The degradation and misery among those as yet unsaved are appalling. 'I'his is so evident that the superficial observer who forgets that the present is deeply rooted in history, and who speaks from a present impression made by seeing the multitudes of ragged, shiftless, thriftless, ' idJe negroes who crowd into towns and cities, will not hesitate to say that the former times were better than these, and that the negro of to-day has in many ways degenerated from the negro of slavery. In some part it is true that his progress is retrogression, and that his last state is worse than his first. In towns and cities saloons prosper through negro patronage. The evil is incalculable. In slavery days there was a law and a lash for black drinkers. Now a thousand dollars are spent by them in drinking and drunkenness where one was before emancipation. In the rural communities, also, in many places the degradation could scarcely have been worse in slavery days, and idleness, which was not then possible, is now so common as to become destructive to the negro and a public peril. Slavery never taught self-care nor promoted forethought, and a more thoughtless and improvident creature than the negro who has been left to himself lives nowhere short of absolute heathenism. The blacks who cannot read to-day are in excess of the original four millions when they were set free. Their churches-so called-which existed before the war can be but little better than they then were. The old-time negro religion, which one could hold without virtue or morality, has not ceased to be. That which so easily fitted in with the generations of slave life continues with the untaught generations. There are millions to-day in density of ignorance, in depths of superstition, poor, thoughtless, mentally and morally weak. It was immediately realized by those who felt called to tnis missionary work, that a Christian faith could make no real gain among this people by merely proclaiming to them that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, and that now God commanded them to repent. It is not possible to save a vacuum. People with vacant minds cannot honor Christ. Curses brood in the darkness. In ignorance virtue withers. Righteousness needs knowledge. Hence, first of all, missionary schools were established by Northern Christian churches of different communions. From these have gone teachers into elementary schools, until now two and a quarter millions of ignorant people have already learned to read and to write. Many thousands have taken a generous education. A few have risen, and are leaders to higher and larger life. There are now one hundred and fifty schools for the training of colored teachers. Sixteen thousand negro teachers are uplifting their people. Twenty-five thousand five hundred and thirty schools are to-day teaching a million and a quarter of pupils, and a large proportion of these are Christian schools. They are Christianizing agencies.
It has been missionary work from the beginning until now, and as necessarily educational in its forms as if it were in Africa. One illustra. tion may stand for many. A church was organized and a school by the side of it in Georgia, in an isolated rural community composed almost wholly of black people. The old-time negroes, untaught and untrained, were ready to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and in large numbers were received into the church. In the course of time the church was left for some months pastorless. During this period a wandering and crazed man, who imagined himself to be the Messiah in His second coming, came that way. Ready with the Scriptures and fluent in speech, his earnestness and assertion soon won to himself great numbers of these professing Christians among the negroes, whose emotions became inflamed and whose imaginations ran away with what sense they had. The most frantic performances took the plaee of their former worship. They acknowledged this crazy wanderer to be their Lord, and rendered him the most absolute worship and servile obedience. Their fields went to weeds and they to starvation until the county authorities arrested this state of things by arresting their supposed Messiah. None of those who had been in the schools fell into this great folly. It was again an evidence that those who will hear the Gospel truly must be able to think and understand.
Most of what has been accomplished has been chiefly organized and sustained by the Christianity of the North. The black churches number at the present time not less than fifteen thousand. The Baptist and Methodist communicants together are two and a third millions. Perhaps there are a thousand ministers who by training and character may be fitted for these fifteen thousand churches. What shall we say to the fourteen thousand churches which remain? A friend testifies, " I have witnessed scenes in the black churches of Baltimore that ought to have been possible only in the heart of Africa." Those who arc acquainted with the South know that this experience is rather the rule than the exception.
At the same time the influence of these Christian schools upon the religious condition of the negro people is immeasurable. The children are being taught what Christianity is. Purer churches are organized. Old. time churches are being leavened. Intelligent preachers are displacing the ignorant and boisterous and superstitious caricatures of ministers. The Gospel is being increasingly proclaimed by ministers whose minds have been somewhat enlarged by the discipline of the schools, expanded by a knowledge of the world's life and thought, and made capable of an intelli- gent apprehension of the significance of the ministry of Christ. Theologi- cal seminaries and Bible schools for the negro have been planted. The churches which refuse to tolerate a preaching that insiRts on purity and integrity as vital tests of piety are gradually but surely growing less in number. The churches which demand morality and will not accommodate themselves either to pagan practices or pagan superstitions are increasing yearly both in numbers and in strength. Their religious papers and maga- zines are worthy of great respect. Christian teachers and preachers are filling positi~ns of great responsibility.
It has been a hard battle in unsympathetic surroundings with long entrenched ignorance and evil inheritances j but after we have taken account of the forces of sin we may magnify our hopes.
The race as a race, above its heredity and hindrances, has been and is growing in self-hood, and there is a steady and an appreciable gain that is full of encouragement.
Twenty-seven years ago, for example, this people had no homes. There is all the difference in the world between a negro cabin in which the slaves herded without legal marriage, without any family name or family permanence, and a true Christian home.' Christianity has not many surer evidences of its divinity nor many better products of its power than the refined Christian home, with its saving and ennobling Christian influences.
The progress of a true Christian faith among the negroes may be seen in the wonderful evolution of worthy and refined Christian homes. They are not abodes of wealth, though some are j but it is simply wonderful to see what new homes with new meanings have been made in a quarter of a century by those who have been brought into the light.
In this consideration one thing is to be remembered. This degradation. and evil is not a question of race. Blindness and sin are not peculiar to the negro. All peoples who remain in darkness do the deeds of darkness. Under the shadows of the cathedrals of ancient Italy there cluster thousands of miserable people without hope in the world. Brilliant Paris has its city of low-down people within its city, and Paris was founded two thousand years ago. England has her " bitter cry" of tens of thousands who cannot read, and who live in degradation equal to that of the negro in the United States. The foremost peoples of the earth have with them great multitudes in pitiable life. The great residuum of negro ignorance, sin, and misery is but another illustration that unsaved souls everywhere need to be saved, and that only the Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. The religious progress of the negro in twenty-seven years shows what can be done. The religious condition of millions shows what ought to be done.
THE RELATION OF MISSIONARIES TO THEtR GOVERNMENTS
THE RELATION OF MISSIONARIES, TEACHERS, AND COL- LEGE PROFESSORS IN FOREIGN LANDS TO THEIR GOV- ERNMENTS.
BY REV. CYRUS HAMLIN, D.D., LEXINGTON, MASS.
It has been a principle of action rather than of statute that the foreign missionary must take his chance, and must expect little aid when in diffi- cultyand danger from his government. This, however, is peculiarly an American view. No one of the great governments of Europe, Catholic or Protestant, ever asserts it or acts upon it.
It is an unsafe principle, and should be made un-American. Mis- sionaries are scattered all over the heathen and Mohammedan world, and whatever treatment from our Government is accorded to them will be reo garded as the measure of its protection to others. If the house of a mis- sionary is assaulted, his windows broken, or if he is personally assaulted, and no penalty.follows and no reparation is made, the safety and honor of other Americans, whether merchants or travellers, will not be promoted by it. The peoples of half-civilized lands are very quick to make inferences, ' and one act of injustice unrebuked will lead to many more of increasing gravity. , The writoc would urge the following reasons why government should protect missionaries and teachers against all violence, injustice, and abuse, as it would other citizens.
as All other civilized nations do it. France protects her Catholic mis- sionaries with jealous care throughout the world. Italy does the same, does Austria. Germany is more indifferent, but her missionaries, whether Catholic or Protestant, have never appealed to her in vain. Russia has sent out but few missionaries. Those in Japan and 'in Palestine enjoy all the power of her diplomacy and navy for their protection. Her jealousy in this regard was one of the causes that led on to the Crimean War.
But the course of England is more worthy of our approbation. Her principle is to protect every man who is an Englishman, high or low, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile. She has no special regard for Jews, but singu- larly enough, two cases, the most distinguished in the half century in which England has been concerned, have been Jews.
The first, Don Pacifico, was a Jew, but an English subject residing and having business in Athens. The Greek Government took possession of his little store and plot of ground and offered him so small a compensa- tion that ho3 appealed tv the English ambassador, who took up his case with Eome spirit, and demanded a very much larger compensation.
The Greek minister treated the claim with so little respect that the ambassador appealed to his Government at home. In consequence, a part of the Mediterranean squadron took possession of the Pirreus until the Greek Government paid Don Pacifico about five times his original demand and made an apology to the English ambassador. The English demand may have been excessive and unjust, but the object was not to reward Pacifico, but to let the world know that St. Paul's appeal, " I am a Roman citizen," put forth in the form" I am a British subject, " shall secure safety and respect in any part of the world.
The more remarkablc case is that of Rev. Mr. Stein, for some years an English missionary to the Jews in Constantinople. He went to Abyssinia while the Emperor Theodore was already at loggerheads with the British Government. He was seized, thrown into prison, tried, and condemned to death, but not executed. His two servants, or n~tive associates, were so cruelly beaten that they died. The Christian public of Great Britain were intensely excited about him and other prisoners. Theodore scouted all the measures of the English Government for their release, and at length an army of ten or twelve thousand men was sent from Bombay to secure their release. The army accomplished this, and also killed Theodore and destroyed his capit~l, Magdala.
Let it be remembered, this was not done to save Mr. Stein as a missionary. The British Government cared precious little for that; but £9,000,000, equal to '$45,000,000, were expended to protect the Englishman, whoever and wherever he might be.
England has another principle of action that is wise. When an indemnity has been decided upon, it has to be paid without delay. Governments of a cer-tain class are ready enough to promise compensations which they never intend to pay. Spain and Turkey have done this repeatedly to our Government, because they have learned they can do it with impunity. A promise is readily and cheerfully made, and is announced as a satisfactory settlement. The offending power is even complimented and praised, and is thus encouraged to gre~ter boldness in future outrages.
Treaties secure to missionaries rights which in many cases our Government will not enforce. All Roman Catholic nations, as well as England, protect their missionaries with jealous care. Our treaties secure to us all the privileges of the most favored nation. Nations have a certain solidarity of interests in half-civilized and anti-Christian nations. They are morally bound to support each other when Christianity is assailed. When the English ambassador, after the execution of two so-called "apostates," demanded of the Sultan the formal renunciation of the inhuman law, all the other embassies except Russia supported him in it. This principle should be acted upon in every case. No. government so unwise as to disregard legitim'ate claims for redress will persevere in it agaiitst a positive and deter!.llined pressure which will secure the approval, and, it may be, the co-operation, of other powers. Any power that refuses to acknowledge treaty obligations puts itself outside of the protection of international law.
But there is a higher principle of action. Christian nations are responsiblto f6r the Christian influence which they may exert upon the non- Christian nations. Christi::lllity lies at the foundation of their greatness and pre-eminence. They can confer no benefit upon the pagan and Mos- lem nations like that which has made them great. They cannot allow it to be treated with gross and cruel insults without loss of character and without the most serious injury to both parties. There is no occasion for the exercise of warlike force.' It is enough if the preparation for enforc- ing a just claim is made visible. Recently the Sultan sent in great haste to our minister to come directly to the palace. His majesty would settle satisfactorily the Marsovan affair, and there was no need to telegraph for war steamers. Our minister, with great simplicity, denied all intentions of that nature, and refused to go. He might at least have gone and ap- pealed to the Sultan's honor and sense of justice; but the poor man was new in his place, and afraid to move either to the right or left.
A great nation cannot afford to place itself or be placed in such positions. If the mere report of an ironclad can agitate the palace, the presence of one in Turkish waters would be a powerful protection. Such cases demana no v4>lence, but a preparation to enforce respect and secure justice is absolutely necessary in the present condition of the world. If the magistrate bears the sword in vain, or if he have no sword to bear, the rude, the barbarous, and the lawless will be without restraint. American missionaries have a right to expect in every land the protection and the immunities accorded to the missionaries from other lands. The Catholic missionaries from France and Italy are always treated with respect. No indignities are offered to them. Their schools are never interfered with. They are never mobbed or imprisoned. Their books are never destroyed or interdicted or absurdly defaced by the censor. So long as this treatment is accorded to other nations, we have a right to expect the same. Our treaties secure to us the treatment accorded to the most favored nations, and if our Government will not enfor~e its treaties it becomes a proper object of contempt. Its prestige, if it has any, departs, and its subjects will often be subjected to the caprice of bigots. American missionaries have never asked for special favors. They know their rights as citizens of the United States. All they claim is that protection which is secured by treaty and which belongs to them as Americans. It is a violation of all the principles upon which treaties are based that any power should confer special favors upon citizens of one nation and treat with manife'lt disfavor the citizens of another, when common treaty relations bind them all. The Christian public of the United States hopes and expects to see its government take those measures that will place its citizens in foreign lands on an equality with the citizens of any other nation of whatever race or religion. At present throughout the Turkish Empire American missionaries are insulted, mobbed, imprisoned, their dwellings and schools burned, their property seized, confiscated, and no reparation is made with the exception of Mr. Bartlett's house, and that was caused by the mere report that a steamer would be sent to protect American citizens,
CATHERIl"IE PENNEFATHER
CATHERINE PENNEFATHER.
BY JAMES E. MATHIESON, ESQ., LONDON, ENGLAND.
Three links have recently been severed which connected this generation with some remarkable movements of the present century. With the expiring year there passed away, in Glasgow (on December 30th, 1892), the venerable Andrew A. Bonar, in his eighty-third year, best known ontside of Scotland by his memoir of the saintly Murray MacCheyne, a new edition of which has just come from the press. One of three noble brothers, all of whom ha:d attained to fourscore years-John Bonar, minister of Greenock j Horatius Bonar, the Scottish psalmist. Andrew was the last survivor, and of his four hundred and fifty contemporaries who left the Established Church of Scotland in 1843, no one now remains so original as a thinker, so devout in life, or so universally beloved as he. I have before me a letter, written in clearest handwriting and in charming style, dated December 6th, concerning our Lord's premillennial return, which he closes thus: "Keep prayiug, and believe me your ' brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.'" .We look back pensively to that revival time in Scotland fifty years ago, when quickened spiritual life in the Church led the Bonars and so many more to give up their manses and stipends for the truth's sake and for the honor of Christ, the one Head of the Church j and we look around us to-day and we hear of two clergymen of the Church of England only who have resigned their positions because in faithfulness to our Lord they cannot remain in a communion where, by the recent Lincoln judgment, the fuJlblown symbolism of Roman ceremonies opens wide the door to Mariolatry and other abominations which were rejected at the Reformation.
On January 10th there was buricd at Beckenham, in Kent, a sweet old saint, Mrs. Soltau, aged eighty, who has given her three sons to the mission field -one in Tasmania, one in the Neilgherry Hills, in India, one in the McCall Mission, in Paris, and a daughter who ably superintends and trains the female candidates for the China Inland Mission. A happy mother was she with such children, walking in the truth. Her husband, whose books, "The Tabernacle and its Teachings" and" The Soul and its Difficulties," are much valued, was one of the band of devoted and intelligent men-chiefly gentlemen of Devonshire and the "Vcst of England-who originated that quest for more spiritual worship, more scriptural following of Christ, and greater recognition of all the varied gifts in. the Church, popularly known as the Plymouth Brethren, though they themselves disclaimed that appellation. Holding firmly as two of their tenets believers' baptism and the hope of Christ's premillennial appearing. they introduced an era of Bible reading among English-speaking people which probably has kept the Church from a more rapid corruption than that which has actnally sct in, and has 1,y its love of Scripture imparted to a multitude of Christians (many of them unconsciously influenced) a habit of habitual and reverent examination of the truth of God, and this in people throughout all the denominations. No true lover of his Bible will undervalue, and none ought to ignore, the blessing which has come to the Church in these days through the ofttimes despised and misunderstood Plymouth Brethren.
On January 12th, at Mildmay, in the north of. London, there entered into rest, in her seventy-fifth year, the beloved lady whose name I have placed at the head of this notice. 'Tis twenty years since her revered and honored and saint~y husband, William Pennefather, went in to see the King after a life of singular beauty and devotion unreservedly given to Christ, to His Church below, and to the poor and needy of this earth. His father was one of Her Majesty's judges in Ireland, and in that coun· try he commenced his ministry as a clergyman of the Established Church, but transferred his labors to three other spheres on English soil. What stands out prominently in his life as an originator was his conception, when at Barnet, in 1855, to gather together in a conference for worship and mutual edification brethren and sisters from various branches of the Church of Christ. With us to-day, when the idea has long been a fait accompli, it is difficult to conceive of the dissuasions and alarm with which the proposal was 'first entertained even among godly and earnest men. But the invited guests came j "the'number of names together were about one hundred and twenty" (as at the commencement of the Church, Acts 1 : 15) j a sweet Christian harmony pervaded all the meetings, and their repetition was eagerly hailed. Since then, first at Barnet and subsequently in the iron room transferred to London, and since 1870 in the noble Mildmay Conference Hall there have been held meetings full of interest, oftentimes full of power, wherein believers have been edified and multiplied, new' methods of Christian enterprise have been planned, many wearied workers and foreign missionaries have been refreshed and sent forth again to labor more assiduously among Jews and Gentiles.
Fit companion and true helper in all this labor of love was Catherine Pennefather, one of the noble women of our time, who sought no earthly fame or prominence, but could not be hid. On her mother's side she was granddaughter of a former archbishop of Dublin (Cleaver) j her father was the Hon. James King, son of the Earl of Kingston. He was an admiral in the English Navy and an intimate of William IV., who also was an English admiral j they were used to address each other familiarly as " King." The monarch sometimes gave it as his opinion that his successor, the Princess Victoria, would be the last sovereign of England. It was he too who, driving through the streets of London about the year 1830, and noticing placards headed "Reform Bill !" (probably the announcement of a public meeting), soliloquized thus: "Reform Bill, reform Bill; ah ! that means me, I suppose." Mrs. Pennefather was gifted with J. noble presence and with a clear and penetrating mind. A London specialist, called in by her usual medical attendant for consultation the week preceding her death, remarked on coming out of the sick-room, "What a head! Why, it's the head of a judge!" And so it was. Calmness and accuracy of judgment were probably her distinguishing characteristics j but there was none of that usual accompaniment of calmness, there was no coldness, there was deep warmth of love to her Saviour and to all who belonged to Him, and a very special love to those who came nearest to Him in holy living and blessed service ; and the attachment to her person which marked all those who were in any way associated with the varied labors of love in which she was an acknowledged leader and a trusted counsellor was probably unique. As President of the Association of Female Workers, numbering 1700 ladies in all parts of the world engaged in various forms of Christian work, I think I may say she stood pre-eminent, not only in their esteem but in their affections; and to one and all how readily and gladly she gave counsel and help and comfort as often as her ministrations were sought for in these directions! To the immediate circle of Mildmay workers-120 Protestant deaconesses and nearly 100 Christian nurses-she was felt to be a " mother in Israel" in her bestowal of sweet spiritual counsel, but to many of them she was as a mother indeed in her affectionate oversight and thoughtfulness for their needs. The love which radiated from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pennefather was the love which " beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." An early incident illustrated this trend of mind and heart even in Mrs. Pennefather's childhood. A bee had stung her badly j she ran to her mother and exclaimed, "The bee has kissed me too hard!" She never thought of the bee as angry and hurtful j and this feeling pervaded her conceptions of men and women acting or speaking injuriously, while at the same time she maintained clear and decided views of truth and deplored error. Though hers was a maste'r mind, she sought not mastery, and had no sympathy with that headship of woman which not a few are seeking after in the preselilt day; and when busily occupied in devising and directing work for the redressing of the wrongs of woman by putting their happier sisters upon right lines of ministry on their behalf, she meddled not with any political nostrum for enforcing woman's rights. In truth, she seemed always to be guided into the more excellent way when a choice of paths was presented for selection, and this because she waited upon God and rested not in her own wisdom, For many of her later years her eyesight had failed, and she enjoyed, without the distraction which hinders many others, ample opportunity for frequent secret, silent prayer, and the great day alone'shall declare how much her intercessions, ascending to and through the Great Intercessor, have availed in ealling down more abundant blessings upon the Mildmay Deacones~ Missions, the medical missions and hospitals, the Jewish mission, the Gospel services, the conferences, as well as upon the individual workers in squalid London districts; upon the nurses watching by sick-beds, that
A VOICE FROM SOUTH AFRICA
they might use the precious opportunity of speaking a wonl in season for the Master j upon scattered workers on far distant mission fields j such intercessory help constituting the uniting bond of the whole association of female workers who are now bereaved of their honored and trusted president, whose place it seems so hard and impossible to fill. vVe way claim, without presumption and without disparagement of others, that Mrs. Pennefather was the choicest embodiment of high-toned spiritual life in combination with that culture which distinguishes delicately nurtured English women, while the woman's work under her guidance and fostering care, in an age remarkable for its development of woman's work in so many directions, has given to thc Church many examples of " daughters as corner-stones fashioned after the similitude of a palace," who had been st.imulated and sustained by the copy which her life set before them. Let a sympathetic cry ascend, dear reader, from your inmost soul that God would comfort with His own strong consolations the many weeping ones who are now realizing a great personal bereavement, and that He in tender mercy will raise up some one to fill the vacant place and maintain in the unity of the Spirit all represented in the Mildmay institutions-that is, reflecting Christ's image. Its motto is, " Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity j" and when we sec around us such falling away from gospel simplicity, those who ha'e loved and labored for Him in connection with Mildmay do very truly beseech Him to keep this centre as a stronghold for evangelical teaching, seeing He has permitted it to display for so many years past a banner for the trnth.
Amid many tokens of reverence and love Mrs. Pennefather's remains were borne away after the funeral service in St. Jude's, Mildmay Park, on Monday, January 16th, to their earthly resting-place, twelve miles off, at Ridge, a quiet resting-place indeed, in a typical English churchyard, where rests the dust of her like-minded husband until the glad day when the trump of God shall sound, "and the dead in Christ shall rise first, . . . and so shall we ever be with the Lord." "Even so, come, Lord Jesus !"
And we " comfort one another with these words."
* A VOICE FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
. BY MISS ABBY P. FERGUSON, WELLINGTON, SOUTH AFRICA.
In the June number of the MISSIONARY REVIEW for 1891, under" The Miracles of Missions," was given the story of the Huguenot Seminary at • For the appeal in behalf of the Lord's work in the diamond fields of South Africa, and for the response of Christian friends to that appeal, we retllrn thanks. The aid has come in our time of need, 8IIIl bas been most precious. Miss Anna E. Bliss. who came with me to Africa nineteen years ago, will be in America until November. Her ..ddre.s is West New Bri~hton,8tatenI"18nd. N.Y. Mi.s Bliss has had an important part in the work of the Huguenot !'emioary from it. beginning, and I. prepared to advance its interests in any way that she can riuring tbe y~..r thllt .be is in America. either by corre8pondence, by receiving contributions or by "peaking in its behalf.-A. P. F. Wellington. I will add somewhat as to what the Lord h,.s done for us since that article was written.
The branch seminary at the Paarl haf> grown, until now there are seventy boarders and over one hundred day scholars. Toward the close of 1891 there came requests for two more branch Reminaries : one at Bethlehem, in the Orange Free State, and one at Greytown, Natal. About the last of"
December it was decided to go forward, and our prayer was that the little seminary born at Bethlehem at Christmas time might indeed be the child of the Most High, and that the one at Greytown might also be owned of Him. The Bethlehem Reminary was opened February, 1892, under the care of Miss Catherine Murray, the daughter of Rev. Andrew Murray. The branch at Greytown was opened in July, 1892, under Miss Gates, one of our American teachers. Miss Gates writes of a precious work of grace among her girls, and that she has had the joy of seeing all but one con- verted. Thus God has set His seal upon the precious work. .J Our own work at the mother Huguenot Seminary at Wellington is growing, and we are feeling with the increased opportunities that it assumes new importance. Most of the teachers at our branch seminaries are our own graduates. We have sent out over, four hundred teachers during the nineteen years since our seminary was established. And now lihat Africa is opening so wonderfully, we cry unto God that we may be ready to enter every open door in the name of the Lord, and that these dear daughters of ours may be fully equipped in body, soul, and spirit for the service of the Lord. We number on our own staff of teachers gradu- ates of Mount Holyoke, of 'Wellesley, of Oberlin, besides other vahable teachers from America, Holland, and Germany. The number of our pupils has increased, and for these we are needing increased acco~modation.
With the help of the colonial Government we have been able to purchase a valuable property adjoining ours, and now we are anxious to put up a large building, giving us more room for pupils, and also a library and class- rooms. ,Ye are very anxious also to have a fund to help many girls who are eager for an education and would make good use of it, but have not the means to meet the expense. Our four Huguenot seminaries are for the white girls of South Africa, daughters of European settlers; and closely connected with this work of Christian education, a great mission work is opening. You have an account of the work at the diamond fields in the MISSIONARY RE'IIEW for July, 1892. The work here is not only for the thousands of heathen who come to work in the mines from all parts of South Africa, but a helping hand is stretched out also to the Cape natives, who are civilized in part, and the interest of our workers has been deeply stirred for the whole population gathered here from all parts of the world seeking wealth, and yet so many finding only sin and sorrow. There are eight lady workers here. Two mission houses have been bought; both are nearly paid for; but we are anxious to put up a small hall in connection with one of them for meetings and evening classes. This work is under the Woman s Missionary Union of South Africa. Most of the workers have been at the Huguenot Seminary, ·Wellington, where there is a special class for those desiring training for mission work.
Our Woman's Missionary Society has lady missionaries among the heathen in the Transvaal, and at one station in Bechuanaland. And now the call has come for us to enter new fields. At Johannesburg, the great centre of the gold-mining industries, tliey are asking us to open a work similar to that at the diamond fields, and the need is much the same. There are the thousands of whites who have gone down through poverty, drink, and sin; there are many Cape colored people, and there are tens of thousands of heathen from all parts of Sonth Africa, coming to work in the mines a few months and then returning to their own people. And for these we are confronted by the same question, Shall these men carry back to their tribes the vices of civilization or the Gospel of Christ ~ Another door that is open for us to enter is at Mvera, thirty miles to the southeast of Lake Nyassa, a station under the care of a nephew of Rev. Andrew Murray, and bearing the same name. We are asked to send two ladies to this station to begin work among the heathen women and children, and we are asking the Lord, who has opened this door, to show us whom He has called and prepared to enter upon this important service.
It has been for years my prayer that the Lord would make our work all that it is possible for it to become to His glory, and the advancement of His cause. He is answering wonderfully in ways beyond what we had asked or thought. lIe is showing us more and more that He has planted' us here to do a work for Him that shall be far-reaching in this great dark Africa, with its millions of precious souls waiting to. be told of the great redemption. The work is not ours, it is the Lord's, and it is in His name we lay it before you in all its departments.
I. We need your prayers and Christian sympathy. II. We need Christian teachers having a good collegiate education, who will be able to prepare our girls for the positions of responsibility waiting ":or them. For these we can offer passage-money and a fair salary. III. We should be glad of workers who could be wholly or partly selfsupporting for the various departments of mission work. IV. vVe need help in putting up suitable buildings for our Christian educational work. The Government of Cape Colony has given us to understand that it would help us to the extent of £5000 if we could raise the same amount from other sources. V. We need aid for our buildings at the different mission stations or centres of work. VI. We need help in the education of girls without means who are anxions to enter upon and would be useful in Christian work, and would be glad to receive the training necessary. YII. 'Ye need help in the support of our mission work. Our Woman's Missionary Union is accomplishing much, but without aid from other lands we cannot enter upon the work opening before us.
SAMUEL METHABATHE
SAMUEL METHABATHE, AN AFRICAN EVANGELIST.
BY REV. JOSIAH 'fYLER, NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA.
Sixty years ago a society of Wesleyan Methodists sent Rev. James Alli- son and his wife as pioneer missionaries to the Amaswazi tribe, living on the southeastern coast of Africa, about eighty miles from Delagoa Bay. Not disheartened by hundreds of miles of rough travel in ox wagons, they settled among the wild heathen, and soon a large number came to them for instruction. Then an intertribal war disturbed' their labors. The Zulus, ancestral enemies of the Amaswazi, came and killed many of their people, and threatened them also. They were driven to Natal, accompanied by hundreds of the poor, homeless natives, and the station "Edendale" was founded, which 'is now the largest mission station in that part of Africa, numbering nearly one thousand members and adlterents.
Mr. and Mrs. Allison, unfitted by their age to superintend so large a station, went to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of Natal, to end their days in rest and quiet. But such true missionaries, seeing the Zulu servants loitering about the streets, especially on the Sabbath, invited them to their house for religious instruction, and established an evening school. Having thus won the natives by kind words and loving desire for their good, they soon had another large station to care for. Christian friends among the English colonists aided them, and a commodious chapel was erected which was well filled each Sabbath.
In 1869, while visiting Mr. Allison, I addressed his congregation, and was much attracted by a young man in the congregation who was smaller than the average Zulu, but had an earnest, expressive face and manner. I learned that his name was Methabathe, and he had come seven hundred miles, from the region of the Limpopo River, to earn money to buy a gun and ammunition, but, having found the Saviour, was soon to return to his people to preach Jesus Christ. "Will he hold out, so far away from Christian teachers and religious training~" I inquired of Mr. Allison. " He is a thorough Christian, inflamed with a passion to save souls," replied he. "I have known him for six years. After parting with him I sh~l probably never see him or hear from him again, but am sure he will prove a blessing to his countrymen."
A few months later Mr. Allison set apart this native Christian, and with tears prayed that God would go with him, keeping him humble, prayerful, and steadfast in the faith. Both Mr. Allison and his wife were called to their reward without hearing further of the man whom they had brought to Christ.
Nine years later Rev. Owen 'Watkins, Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist missions in the Transvaal, hearing of Samuel Mcthabathe, sent for him to come and tell his story. With three of his converts the evangelist travelled four hundred miles, and in his simple, g-raphic way gave his testimony. He had labored" unknown, unpaid, unvisited, unrecognized by any church, yet remaining steadfast and patiently witnessing for Christ in the midst of persecution and distress as bravely as any of the early Christians."
After leaving Mr. Allison, he had gone back to his country, reported himself to his chief, and asked permission to preach Jesus Christ to his people. This the chief would not allow, fearing that his subjects would rebel against him if told of the great" King of kings," and he threatened Samuel with death or banishment should he be found holding meetings to teach the new doctrine.
In sadness of heart Samuel left the chief, but after much thought and prayer resoh'ed to do what he could. For four years he went about from hut to hut, telling his relatives and friends about the great salvation, praying with them and urging them to believe in Christ. A chapel was built in which the people gathered on the Sabbath for worship, but the chief ordered it to be burned. After his death his wife assumed the reins of government, and proved more tolerant than he had been. Another church was huilt, a school established, and many natives professed Christianity.
As the work grew, educated men· were needed to take charge of the work upon the out-stations. The church selected two men to go to a training school kept by the French missionaries in Basutoland. After two years' study they returned, and the work of the Lord was greatly prospered.
The trial of their faith was not yet ended, however. Aroused by enemies of the Christian religion, this female chief caused the church to be burned, and ordered all Christians to leave the country with their families. With Samuel at their head, two hundred went into exile for Christ's sake. A portion of them settled on a farm which has since been bought by the Methodist Society for them, and which is named" Good Hope."
Soon after hearing Samuel's story, Mr. Watkins visited the tribe and. wrote as follows : " When I got to the foot of the hill on the top of which Samuel's village is now built, some of the people saw me, and at once set up a cry, 'It is ! it is ! the missionary ! our own missionary ! come at last!' There was a great commotion. Then a lot of guns were fired off by way of salute, and then the people rushed down the hill-side to greet me. I stood still at the spot where the first party met me, and waited until all the rest came down. Samuel was away in the bush cutting wood for a schoolhouse, but they sent runners to tell him the glad tidings and bid him hasten.
"I had to shake hands with every man, woman and child until my arms ached again. After that came words of welcome. Tears rolled down many faces as the teacher, Johannes (one who had beel! to Basutuland), told me how for a long time their prayers and cries had gone up to heaven for my eoming, and he concluded, ' Now at last, that we see your face, all the days of our mourning are ended.' I spoke to them very
4'&1 FINAL FACTS RESPECTING UGANDA
gently, for I knew their sorrows for Christ's sake had been very great, and told them God's people in England of the Wesleyan Church would not for- sake them. .
" The teacher thereupon in an ecstasy of joy raised the hymn' Jesus sought me when a stranger,' and we moved forward. In a little while Samnel arrived, and as it was an occasion to be spoken of in coming gen- .erations, he was saluted with three gnns. To see that man's face beami~g with joy as he saw me in the midst of his people, and to feel the grip of his hand in welcome, amply repaid me for all the hardships passed in com- ing to visit him. I cannot tell of the long meeting we held and the many matters we talked of, bnt it was a t.ime never to be forgotten. "
Thus through Divine blessing on the labors of Samuel Methabathe an African wilderness has become a fruitful garden. I still seem to see his intelligent countenance as I first saw him in the native chapel in Pieter- maritzburg, and recall with admiration the faith of the devoted missiona- ries who consecrated him so tenderly to the Lord's service. Eternity alone will reveal the good done in heathen lands of which Christian missionaries have been the unconscious instruments.
FINAL FACTS RESPECTING UGANDA BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK.
The Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrift for January has an article touching these, on the basis of which it appears worth while to make some statements. We do not reproduce the paper or even condense it, but note some things which may now be accepted as certain.
1. The Protestant missionaries were in Uganda maay months before the Roman Catholic, so that if there has been any intrusion, it has n,ot been on the Protestant side.
2. The Anglican missionaries, though Evangelicals, have been of no malevolent or calumnious schools, but have steadily referred to the Catholics in terms of respect and friendliness. Exceptions to this rule are so slight as to be microscopic.
3. The thorough ventilation of all the facts of the late catastrophe shows Bishop Tucker and the other English missionaries to have had, neither proximately nor remotely, the slightest share in bringing it on. The passionate and exceedingly unhamlsome imputations of Bishop Hirth have dissolved into absolute emptiness.
4. There are more chiefs in the kingdom than places of honor. The religious differences have simply served as a bond of cohesion to the latent, parties. The chiefs on both side!? have fused intense personal ambition with a fiery religious zeal. The masses on both sides, a small percentage apart, have been moved simply bv a spirit of blinu feudal loyalty. The Protestant missionaries have brought this out into full light ; the French priests have thrown a religious halo over the whole of their side, although, being so much the more numerous, it is probably, if there is any difference, even less moved by religion than the other.
5. Bishop Hirth's report, written in the first heat of the collision, is passionate and exaggerated almost to insanity. For instance, he declarea that 50,000 Catholics have been sold as slaves. As the later Catholic accounts do not even allow that there are 25,000 Catholics in all, and as there are many thousands left, the bishop's arithmetic is somewhat delirious.
6. Bishop Hirth and his party-the royal party, moreover-were so far from being straitened or oppressed that the bishop, just before the outbreak of the conflict, expresses the belief that Uganda is about to become " Ii Catholic kingdom." The immediate prelude to the collision was that after the two parties had marched out jointly against the Mohammedans, the Catholics returned without cause. The spark that set the fire was the murder of a Protestant by Catholics, and the refusal of the king to deliver the murderers up.
7. The French missionaries have listened credulously and passionately to accusations of Protestant cruelty which are partly altogether false, partly enormously exaggerated. They have, moreover, thrown imputations of complicity in the actual cruelties on Protestantism because the English missionaries, no more than themselves, have been able to restrain a mass of heathen fighters, most of whom knew little more of Christianity than the name, from showing themselves the barbarians that they were. The Protestants patiently 'awaited Captain Lugard's orders before firing, and he withheld these until the Catholic assault became general. He distributed about one hundred and fifty muskets and rifles on that very morn: ing, but not earlier. He gave no Maxim gun to the Baganda. He urged the priests, as well as the clergymen, to come into the fort, and when there showed them all possible attention.
8. For the fierceness of a civil war, induced, moreover, by their own adherents, the losses of the White Fathers-not, as is often blunderingly written, the Jesuits-have been practically nothing. Most of their goods were in the fort or had been sent south. Most of the buildings had lost only their grass roofs. The" cathedral" was merely of reeds and grass. Had they remained and placed themselves under Captain Lugard's protection, he declares that they would have bcen spared even their partial losses.
Our Roman Catholic friends complain-and some of them optima fide -that the portion of land finally assigned them is out of all proportion smaller than their numbers require. Not knowing how large it is, I cannot undertake to deny that there may be some ground for the complaint. The wortliless Mwanga, having been altcrnately, after some sort of fashion, a heathen, a Catholic, a heathen Ilgain, a Mohammedan, a heathen
PROTESTANT MISSIONS IN nURMA
yet again, a Catholic once more, and for the present a Protestant, would not be his pdious self if he could not contrive to impart some element of injustice into any compact which he favored. Yet when a religious party or a political party under the name of religion stirs up a revolt against a superior authority under religious pretenses, and is defeated, it should not think it unreasonable that it suffers some inconvenient consequences from the attempt. The French priests know very well that England, as Dr. Warneck well says, is the most tolerant nation under the sun. Whether they were moved by national or by ecclesiastical dislike, or more probably by a curious mixture of the two, they must not think it strange if the new order of things sets them somewhat in the background. They are in no manner of danger of being persecuted if they do not foment another commotion; but it would not be strange if, in the distribution of honors and territories, they were a little "discouraged." When a Protestant missionary in French territory expresses dislike of France and regret that England could not have the country-and we know only one such case-we assume, as of course, that he expects his French denizenship to be brief, and is making ready to hand over his work to French Protestants. If our French friends cannot be contented under the English flag, doubtless Cardinal Vaughan or Archbishop Walsh could find them a relief.
PROTESTANT MISSIONS IN BURMA.
BY REV. L. W. CRONKHITE, BASSEIN, BURMA..
These were opened by the Baptists of America, who have been actively engaged in them for the past eighty years. Though they were preceded by a son of William Carey, who after a brief period of labor had retired from the country, permanent work began with the arrival of Rev. Adoniram Judson and wife at Rangoon in July, 1813. They had been led to this field by a series of providences as marked as were the sacrifices by which they subsequently sealed the country for Christ. In 1819 their hearts were gladdened by the baptism of the first convert, Moung Naw. This, however, was speedily followed by persecution. It is noteworthy that a part.icularly bitter persecution followed almost immediately upon the arrival of a reinforcement of fifteen missionaries in 1834. From the first all progress in the work for the BurmanlJ has been in the face of the most serious obstacles; but the determined hostility of the Burmese authorities to the Gospel has been met in the Divine plan by the transfer to the English, first of Southern Burma in 1826, then of Middle Burma in 1852, and of the remainder of the country in 1885. Judson's great translation of the Bible was finished in 1834. To this he subsequently added a dictionary and a grammar, which have never been superseded. The Burmese theological school begun by Rev. E. A. Stevens in 18~8 is Rtill continued at Hangoon, under the care of Rev. A. T. Rose, and important changes are proposed with a view to its enlarged usefulness. In so brief an outline as this one can only note the names of such heroes of the Burman mission as Hough, Comstock, Wade, Kincaid, Hennett, and Haswell, the latter of whom gave some attention also to the Talign race. Cephas Bennett and wifs were connected respectively fifty-six and sixty-one years with the mission. Though Buddhism and the native rulers have done so much to make the Burmese a people peculiarly hard to reach, some real progress has been made. Inplace of the single convert in 1819, there were, in 1847, 200; in 1869, 1000 ; in 1884, 1600 j while to-day the net number,of living Burman Christians is about 2100. The outlook is good for greatly accelerated progress in the near future.
Far more accessible than the Burmese have been the various Karen tribes of Burma, the society's work among whom forms one of the noblest chapters of missionary history. For this the way was prepared by their simpler forms of worship, and by the striking likeness between some of their traditions and the early chapters of Genesis. They had it, moreover, on ancient tradition, that some day their younger brother, a white man, would come by water from the West, bringing with him the lost word of their God. The work for the Karens was begun by George Dana Boardman, and the year 1828 saw the first Karen convert, Ko-tha-byu, afterward famous as the Karen apostle. The Ko-thabyu Memorial Hall at Bassein, given wholly 'by Karens, and the finest building in the Karen mission, was dedicated upon the fiftieth anniversary of his baptism. Francis Mason and others travelled widely through the Tenasserim provinces, and in 1833 Jonathan Wade reduced the Sgau Karen dialect to written form. The Pwo and other Karen dialects followed later. In 1836 the elder Vinton opened work in Rangoon, and was eagerly received everywhere, as was also Mr. Abbott a little later at Bassein. There, among others, a young chief of fine character received the Gospel. Prospective war with England compelled the missionaries to retire from Burmese territory, whereupon Mr. Abbott removed, in 1840, to Arracan. Thither such numbers of the Karens followed him, running the gauntlet of the Burmese, that the latter were compelled to promulgate an order permitting the Karens the worship of" their God." In five years more than three thousand were baptized in the Bassein district by Mr. Abbott and his Karen co-workers. It was in 1848 that the Sgau Karen pastors of the Bassein district decided at their annual meeting to undertake henceforth the entire support of the work in their own field, a promise which they have grandly fulfilled. Their ninety churches now number over nine thousand members. In addition to thcir central school, with its four hundred pupils, nearly one hundred lesser schools are scattered among their villages. During the past three years the contributions of the Bassein Pwo Karen Christians have equalled annually one tenth their incomes for the entire membership. The Rangoon Karen field passed from the hands of the elder Vinton to those of his son, Brainerd, and when both had gone to their reward a son-in-~aw and daughter of the latter were found ready to assist his widow in ministering to the people for whom the family had already done so much. The field is now prospering in their care, with about eighty churches and four thousand members, supporting fifty schools.
The close of the second Burmese war with England in 1853 witnessed the opening of several new stations among the Karens, among which were those at Henthada, Toungoo, and Shwegyin. At Shwegyin 577 were baptized in the first year, while in the first two years of the Toungoo mission 2000 converts were baptized by the earnest evangelist Sau Quala. Through much peril and schism in the native churches, the work at the latter sta.: tion has now extended to several Karen tribes, notably to the Bghais, the Pakus, and the Red Karens, the churches having a total membership of over 5000. Newer Karen stations are those at Maubin (Pwo), at Tharrawaddy (Sgau), and at Thatone, where also work is done among the Toungthoos. The total church-membership of the Baptist mission to the Karens was, in 1833, 292 ; in 1847, 6093 ; in 1869, 20,007 ; and in 1892, about 28,000. These have now the entire Bible in Sgau-since 1853-and in Pwo-siace 1883-together with portions in some other dialects. Dictionaries and grammars have been prepared in the Sgau, in which dialect also are published three papers. At Rangoon is located the Karen Baptist college. The flourishing theological seminary ~t Insein numbers over 100 students.
Work among the Shan tribes was opened at Toungoo by Rev. M. H. Bixby ill. 1860. The Shans are a trading people, industrious and intelligent. In religion they are bigoted Buddhists, and as l?uch have thus far proved largely inaccessible to the Gospel. It has, moreover, been necessary until recently to confine the society's work to the immigrant Shans in Burma proper, with stations at Toungoo, Rangoon, Moulmein, and Bhamo. Much pioneer work in the exploration of the Shan States had, however, been done by Rev. J. N. Cushing and others prior to the recent war between the Burmese and English; and when by this war thc Shan States were opened to foreign influence, the society at once took steps to enter. Rev. M. B. Kirkpatrick, M.D., began labor in the remote city of Thibau in· 1888, and is being greatly prospered in his work. The Saubwa, or native chief, has been strongly attracted by the Gospel, proving his sincerity both by his treatment of enemies and by his large contributions to the work among his people. A station has also been established at Mone, the head of another division of the Shan States. Mr. Cushing has translated the entire Bible into Shan, and has also prepared a Shan and English dictionary and a grammar.
The Ka Ohins occupy the mountains to the north and northeast of Burma, and are supposed to number 5,000,000 souls, grouped into numerous tribes and dialects. They are wicked and lawless in the extreme, while yet possessing a basis for noble and sturdy character when wrought upon by grace. Work was begun at Bhamo in 1877, and has been carried on largely by Sgau evangelists sent out and supported by the Bassein Karens of that tribe. In 1882 the writer had the privilege of witnessing the first Ka Chin baptism, and of assisting in the celebration of the Lord's Supper which followed. The work has been greatly hindered by sickness arnona!' the missionaries and by war, but the present outlook is excellent.
Among the Ohins regular work has been in progress for the past seven years. These people inhabit the western Yomas, being most numerous in Upper Burma. They are nominally Buddhists, but cling strongly to the practices of their ancient demon-worship. Some four hundred have already been baptized, chiefly in Arracan, and the future seems very full of promise.
At Rangoon, Moulmein, and Bassein work is being done among Eurasians and among the Chinese, Tamils, and Telugus, who are flocking to Burma in large numbers. Karen evangelists from Burma are laboring among the Karens of Northern Siam. Meantime, the mission presses at Rangoon, Bassein, and Toungoo are doing much to supply the peoples of Burma with a Christian literature.
To sum up, the American Baptist Mission has in Burma, by its last report, .22 central stations, to which will soon be added Mo-gaung in the extreme north. The work is committed to 139 missionaries and 610 native preachers. The 550 churches, nearly all of which are self-supporting, have a total membership of 30,000, while into the 500 schools are gathered 11,000 boys and girls, bright and teachable.
In 1859 the Society for the Propagation of the. Gospel (Church of England) sent out to Moulmein Rev. Augustus Shears to open missionary operations in Burma. One year later he was joined by J. E. Marks, who has since accomplished so much for the education of Burmese youth, and who has for many years been at the head of St. John's College in Rangoon. In 1869 he established work at Mandalay, then the capital of what was left of the kingdom of Burma. Two sons of the king were among his pupils. The troubles which followed the death of the king rendering the . continuance of the mission impossible, work at Mandalay was dropped in 1879, but was again taken up in 1886, upon the fall of King Thibau and the acquisition of Upper Burma by the English. In 1877 the Rt. Rev. John H. Titcomb was consecrated the first bishop of the Church of England in Burma. Including Port Blair, in the Andaman Islands, the society has now nine stations, chief among which are Rangoon and Toungoo. A schism in the Karen Baptist churches at the latter station resulted in the accession of many to the English society. At several stations work is being done among the Telugu and Tamil immigrants, notably at Rangoon, where 291 communicants of these races are reported. The latest returns of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for Burma give 12 European missionaries, 8 native pastors, and 83 readers and teachers. Of the 2214 communicants, about 1500 are Karens. The various schools afford instrnction to 2900 pupils, of whom 479 are girls.
AMONG THE LEPERS
American Methodists have recently established a mlSSlon in Burma under the supervision of Bishop Thoburn, with an excellent school for girls and an orphanage at Rangoon. The latest report gives 5 missionaries with 2 assistant missionaries, and in addition to the work among the English, 40 native church-members and 169 pupils in the schools. A Wesleyan mission has lately been opened in Mandalay, one feature of which is a home for lepers.
In con(llusion, there is every reason for an energetic forward movement for the evangelization of Burma. Lying as it does on the great highway between India and China, the country is destined to be of commanding importance as a commercial centre. Already railway projects, connecting it with both empires, are in the air. The country itself is rapidly being knitted together by a system of railways, telegraphs, and river steamers. As an example, it may be mentioned that whereas ten years ago Toungoo was reached from Rangoon by a boat journey consuming from two to three weeks, twelve hours by rail are now sufficient, the trains running both day and night. Even remote Thibau has just been connected with the world by telegraph. Preparatory work in the way of missionary exploration, translations of the Scriptures, and the making of dictionaries, grammars and school-books lies largely behind us. A great plant has been acquired in land and buildings scattered widely over the country. And lastly the complete overthrow of the Burmese civil power, accomplished by the recent war with England, while assuring to the entire country a quiet, enlightened, and humane rule, has also opened to the labors of Christians not only the multitudes of the Burmese, but also fields new and vast among the Ka Chins, Shans, Chins, and several lesser races.
WORK AMONG THE LEPERS.
THE LEPER HOME .AT JERUSALEM.
The woeful appearance of a leper touches every heart. Leprosy embitters the life of its victim j it incapacitates him for business and excludes him from the society of his nearest friends, and indeed of all persons, except lepers like himself. With all the triumphs of human science, leprosy is admittedly as incurable as it was in Old Testament times and in the days of our Lord's ministry upon earth.
At the end of the year 1892 there were 24 patients in the Home- 11 men and 13 women. In general the lepers are contented, cheerful, and affectionate, notwithstanding their sufferings and trials. Their attention is frequently engaged with simple games, and they have entered into these with childlike zest and grateful appreciation. With most, however, the dreadful disease has spread considerably, and at present the majority are suffering severely with open sores. Two have almost lost their eyesight, and a third has for a long time been lying very ill. One of the greatest trials of these poor creatures is their banishment from home. 'Who can know the dreary lot of a father who has been deprived of all connection with his family, or the grief and anxiety of a poor mother at the thought that she is estranged from her beloved ones, never to clasp them in her arms again? Yet these are some of the trials which our poor lepers experience every day. Budrus, one of the patients, says, "Were it not for the comfort that we derive from God's Holy Word, we should have died in despair long ago."
God's abundant blessing has rested on the efforts to minister these comforts to the afHicted inmates of our Home. They have daily practical proofs of the love of Jesus. They are constantly fed, cared for, and made as happy as possible in their physical condition. But there is a further and a higher aim. "Our grand object," says the evangelist, ,. is to win them to the Saviour, to bring them the strong comfort of the Gospel of Divine grace, and to give them in all their misery the message of present peace and an assured future of bliss and glory. In this respect the success has been very marked. Our patients have been wonderfully ready to hail and heed the message of mercy, and the Gospel of Christ has won its way and shed its radiancy into their hearts. Almost all the lepers profess Christ as their Saviour and lead godly and consistent fives. The Word of God is loved and respected by both Moslems and Christians."
Daily worship is conducted at the Home. The Arabic language is very full and rich, and the Arabic Bible uses many terms unknown to the ignorant and untaught Moslems, who are the majority of our patients. The Arab catechist comes on Sundays and Vednesdays to conduct worship in the little chapel of the Home, amI to visit the bedridden in their dormitories. The services in the chapel have been the means of soothing the suffering of the lepers, and of turning their sighs and sorrows into joy and gladness. After the service the lepers are allowed to ask or say anything, and their questions and remarks are sometimes touching and instructive. What hope haye these poor sufferers in this life? Ah! they know that they are the yictims of the most terrible disease incident to humanity, that they are outcasts and have lost everything, that they are dragging on through agony and distress to a weary and inevitable end. But they are fully assured that there can be none too miserable, too degraded, too repulsive for the Master. They will tell you that notwithstanding their terrible disease, they have found their all in Jesus. Some of them even praise God for their misery; they say it has led them to the Fountain open for all sin and uncleanness. "Leprosy is nothing to me," says Hussein, "as long as the Lord is on my side." "Surely," says Smikna, "it is better to be a leper, and have fellowship with Christ, than to be in good health and far away from God."
Three of the best inmates have been called away to their eternal rest during the past year. Their dying testimonies were all to the fulness of joy which they experienced. As one of them, Salieh, was dying, he was asked if there was peace. " Yes," he whispered, "there is peace, there is light, there is joy." Another, a young Greek priest, on whom were dependent for support a widowed mother and her children, said, as his spirit was leaving his wasted body, "Whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."
There is a Bible woman whose special duty it is to work among the poor lepers outside the asylum, and invite them to share its privileges. Strange to say, neither this invitation nor the Gospel itself has found much acceptance with these outcasts. Beggin~ by the roadside has become a second nature to them, and they cannot give it up, even for daily food or nursing and care. Lepers who are unable to walk any more will be carried out to the roadside on a donkey and lie there displaying their sores to attract the ,pitying gifts of passers-by. In summer they often remain ontof-doors all night with the ground for a bed, a stone for a pillow, and a cloak for a covering. Recently an old man met with a singular accident. He had lain down under a wall to sleep, and put his food on the wall. During the night a dog jumped up to get it and knocked down a large stone on the old man's head. He was terribly injnred, nevertheless he would not consent to be removed to our asylum.
Poor sufferers who are past begging are found in the government house for lepers at Siloam. These accept medicine and food, and permit their visitors to bind up their wounds. They also listen to the tidings of Jesus, the Good Physician. Sometimes those who have been absent begging, come in. Some of these are willing to have their wounds dressed, while others ask for the bandages, etc., saying that they will do it for themselves. But they would probably sell what was given them, and that is certainly not the purpose of those who visit them. Spiritual fruit of this good endeavor has not yet been apparent, but these true friends of the outcast lepers persevere in it, and ask for the support of intercession on their behalf.-Report/or 1892.
THE LEPERS OF JAPAN.
The Committee of the Mission to Lepers has just had an application from two ladies of the Church Missionary Society, at Kumamoto, Japan, asking them to aid in establishing a hospital there for the lepers. The following are a few extracts from the letter of one of these ladies : " I venture to entreat your aid for Japan. It is computed that there are over 200,000 known cases of leprosy. Among respectable people it is regarded as such a disgrace that the person affected is at once shut up in a little room which they never leave until death. Leprosy is more prevalent in this prefecture than in any other in Japan; but the principal garrison doctor here (who has offered his services gratuitously as a consulting physician if we can establish a hospital or aid of any kind) says that from 60 to 70 per cent could be relieved if they bad good medical advice at first. About two and a half miles from this city is a Buddhist temple, to which lepers from all parts of the country come when they have. spent their all, and there they drag out their miserable lives, existing Oil promiscuous charity of the most meagre kind, having no shelter at night, and scarcely any food by day. This island of Kiushiu is semi-tropical, but the winters are severe j a few mornings ago the thermometer registered 28° out-of-doors, and two days ago 26°. The sufferings of these heat-loving creatures must be intense, for in summer we have from 90° to 98° of heat. Very little pity is bestowed upon them, because the Japanese say they-the leperscannot be human beings ; that no human creature could have. such a mysterious and incurable disease-it is not a human ailment, etc. The name for them is Hinin, which means outside of humanity.
"My friend and I wrote home to our society-the Church Missionary Society-offering ourselves as workers among the lepers. Our letter has been very favorably considered, and meets with the heartiest approbation of our bishop here. Our idea is, if possible, to build a hospital by special subscription. Several hundreds would be necessary to build and furnish it. The few Japanese who know of our desire are full of approbation. One of our Christians said to me, ' It will do more for Christianity in Japan than anything that has been done; my people can argue as cleverly as your people about religion, but they know nothing of such love as this. ' The garrison doctor of whom I spoke, said, ' Only Christians would think of such a thing.' He showed us over one of the city hospitals and asked the surgeon-general of the garrison to meet us ; we afterward met others of the doctors j they all offer every encouragement."
RANGOON LEPERS.
Henry Charles Moore (late of Rangoon) writes as follows of the need in Burma: " Forty years of beneficent English rule have changed Rangoon from a collection of bamboo and mat huts, built over a malarial swamp, into a large and wealthy city. Pilgrims, as of yore, flock from all parts of the country, to kneel on the platform of the golden pagoda, and repeat the Pali sentences which they committed to memory while children in the Buddhist schools. They gaze in admiration at the wonders of the famous building-the tall gilded and jewelled spire glittering in the fierce sun with a brilliancy that is perfectly dazzling; the huge images of Gautaina Buddha ; the hideous dragons ; the horrible frescoes, and enormous bells. Truly the place is magnificent in its barbaric splendor; but there is one sight which fills. every visitor, be he pilgrim, tourist, or European exile, with pity. On the steps of the main staircase which leads to the pagoda platform sit, from morning till night, a number of poo( Burmese lepers, who hold up their maimed hands and beg with husky voices from the passers-by. The condition of the lepers there and in other parts of Rangoon is something terrible. Most of them have their faces disfigured by the fearful disease, many are blind, and some that I saw were so muti· lated about the hands and feet that they were compelled to crawl about on their elbows and knees. Unfortunately the number of lepers in Rangoon increases yearly and will continue to do so, for as the railways open up the country, the lepers will quit their native villages, where they are burdens to their friends, and go down to Rangoon to beg at the golden pagoda. The pilgrims as they hurry by respond generously to their affiicted country_ men's appeals; but, nevertheless, leprosy is a subject which a Burman will not readily discuss with anyone, for he dislikes the very mention of it, preferring to forget, if possible, that the fearful disease exists. If by chance he should talk about it, he declares that lepers are being punished for their sins in a previous existence, and that if they lead meritorious lives they will be born again and live free from the terrible taiut. It is quite certain, therefore, that while the Burmese remain Buddhists there is little probability of their ever establishing leper homes j but cannot we at home do something for the poor Rangoon lepers ~ The Mission to Lepers in India would gladly start a home in Rangoon j but their rapidly extending work and the increasing demands made upon them render it impossible for them to do so, unlesR they receive the· necessary funds. If they do open a home, it will do incalculable good, and once started, it wiII receive liberal support from the wealthy merchants, European and Asiatic, who reside in Rangoon. A proof of this has been already received, an English resident hearing of the proposed home having generously offered to give twenty acres of ground as a site for it. This offer, coming from a gentleman who resides in Rangoon, proves unmistakably that the great need which exists for such an institution is recognized in that city, and it will be a great pity if through want of funds no advantage can be taken of it. The home would be conducted on the same lines as the one which the Mission to Lepers in India support in Mandalay. That home was started by Rev. W. R. Winston, of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, who collected funds, and had the place built previous to his departure from the country on furlough. Upon his successor fell the duty of gathering in the first inmates, and this he did by going himself to their haunts and persuading them to enter the home. Now, knowing and thoroughly appreciating its advantages, they come in willingly, and at present there are over fifty inmates. A home at Rangoon would undoubtedly be as successful as the one at Mandalay. "
(Contributions for the above objects may be sent to Wellesley C. Bailey, Secretary and Superintendent of the Mission to Lepers in India, 17 Glengyle Terrace, Edinburgh, who will gladly give any information in his power.)
ANSWERED PRAYERS
ANSWERED PRAYERS.
BY MRS. MARIA J. BULLEN.
Rev. George Dana Boardman, who a year later became the first mission· ary to the Karens, in 1827 established himself among the Burmans of Moulmein, which had just previously come under English control. The Martaban River separated it from the province of Martaban, which was still Burman territory, and the resort of thieves and cnt-throats, from the opportunity it afforded of plying their infamous occupations. Armed companies of twenty or thirty would frequently go over to Moulmein and commit the most daring depredations, and even taking life when resisted, and destroying entire villages when found defenceless and unarmed. They had but to recross the river to be out of reach of the English.
Moulmein had been made the capital of British Burma, and Mr. and Mrs. Boardman were invited to make their home at headquarters, but they declined from a desire to have the freest intercourse with the Burmans. Mr. Boardman therefore built a frail dwelling on a spot which, however lovely, was very lonely, and to Jehovah he committed .himself and family for safe.keeping. In about a month they were visited at night by the dreaded robbers; but the Lord kept watch, and husband, wi£e ahd infant child were held in profound slumber. Not a hair of their head was touched, and no alarm of danger disturbed them, and so the danger passed.
George Dana Boardman, Jr., son of the missionary, at the age of six years was in a native rowboat on his way to the ship which was to bear him to the United States. He was in care of the missionaries Jones and Dcan; but the little company was attacked by brutal pirates bent on securing a box of letters stan.ding in the middle of the boat, which they supposed to contain treasures such as they were seeking. One of the boy's protectors was thrown overboard and the other, not so easily disposed of, received wounds with spear and cutlass. The poor child, hidden from sight behind a-bench, saw Mr. Dean reeling and bleeding on the bottom of the boat. Another blow from a fishing spear with barbed points penetrated the wrist, from which the heavy wooden handle was left hanging! A pale face appeared at the side of the boat, and Jones is dragged in, saved from the waves, but saved for what?
Was it a mother's prayers that made these fierce men stop their attack and by gestures explain their desires ~ The box was gladly given up to them, and the pirates left as suddenly as they came.
Great was the peril of Dr. Jacob Chamberlain, of the Arcot Mission, ,India, in a walled town in Hyderabad. The natives, in a rage at his telling of a different God from theirs, bade him leave at once. He replied that he had a message which he must first give; but they declared that if he should say another word he would be instantly killed. He saw them standing with a'rms filled with paving stones, and heard them say one to another, "You throw the first stone, and I will throw the next j" but he lifted his heart to Him who can subdue man's angry passions, and asked leave to "tell them a story," with the understanding that then, if they pleased, they might stone him.
It was the" old, old story" that he told them, beginning with the birth of Jesus. When he spoke of the cross, and explamed that the agony there suffered was for each one of them, they listened with wonder. Surely God was speaking through the words of the missionary. Their anger ceased j their hearts were touched j they threw down their paving stones. After telling of Jesus Christ's cry, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me~" of His resurrection and ascension to heaven, and of the glorious offer of ialvation for all, Dr. Chamberlain said he was done-now they might stone him. ~~ut he had nothing to fear, for those men, lately so infuriated, were weeping. They gathered around to buy his books, that they might read for themselves of these wonderful things.
Eugenio Kincaid, while descending the Irrawaddy, after an exploring tour in the northern part of Burma, found himself beset with dangers. Civil war prevailed, and bands of banditti were prowling about, robbing, burning villages, taking prisoners, and committing the most appalling deeds of violence. Kincaid, accompanied by four Burman boys who had been under h~s instruction, was in an open boat. At a certain village near the river he was told that his course would take him through a deep ravine where many robbers had their headquarters. He soon s~w a boat of armed men approaching, but the displaying of a musket which he carried, according to the order of the governor, sent the robbers back toward the ehore, and a second boatful was similarly repulsed. Soon, however, the ruffians returned, largely re-enforced j five or six boats came toward him at full speed, their armed occupants looking like fiends and uttering terrible yells. Mr. Kincaid's little crew was in abject terror, and surrender seemed his only course. When his assailants were within hailing distance, he spread out his hands, saying in Burmese, " Come and take all we have." "Sit down! sit down !" was shouted back, and thirty muskets were pointed at him. He answered that" he was a foreigner, and if they harmed him they would suffer for it, for he had been promised protection by the governor." His. words had no effect, and a shower of bullets fell about him. In a few moments these desperate fellows surrounded his boat. He was completely surrounded by steel points, and could not move without feeling the points of their spears. "But," he says, " God was with me. .• In these trying circumstances I lifted up my heart for protection."
Afterward his captors held a council to decide whether they would release him or take his life. At the close of the conference the youngest of the Burman boys came to him and told him the decision, that he was to be beheaded at sundown. As the hour approached the men fell into a dispute, and by their loud, excited talk Mr. Kincaid saw that they were not agreed as to his fate, to which he had resigned himself as the will of God. He took courage, however, and implored protection. The' robbers were on the point of fighting one another in their passion, but quieted down, and all of them, even to a man, departed to make a depredation on a neighboring village, and under the friendly cover of the night their prisoners, though weak and worn, escaped.
During Dr. Eugenio Kincaid's passage down the Irrawaddy he was again captured, and from the very outset treated in a brutal manner. He barely escaped being choked to death. His clothing was torn from him j but when his assailants began to tie his arms as he had seen Burman criminals tied, his brave spirit asserted itself, and he declared he would never be tied j he would resist it till death. The wretches grinned fiendishly, but let his arms remain free. Dragged to a certain spot upon the shore, he was told, if he valued his life, not to step outside a line which they drew around him in the sand. There for six days and nights he was left with no shelter from the hot sun or the night chill. One of his boys divided with him his waist-cloth, and occasionally Burman women passing to and from the river gave him a little food. His boatmen and three of his Burman boys contrived to escape, and the fourth was taken as a servant to a certain chief. Dr. Kincaid's distresses were heightened by the sight of the agonies borne by unoffending Burman women brought from plundered villages. During the sixth day he resolved to attempt an escape to the mountains, although the risk was very great, and discovery would bring instant death. He prevailed on one of the more humane robbers to restore to him his pair of breeches. Night came. His tormentors, after the excitement of the day, slept soundly. Their leader lay but twelve feet from him. Scarcely daring to breathe, Kincaid crept cautiously beyond the guards, and then made his way as fast as his enfeebled state would allow to the entrance of the jungle, and by noon had reached the mountains. He was two hundred miles from Ava. Stiff and weak, often burning with thirst and suffering the pangs of hunger, he was tempted to cease his efforts j but with a prayer to the Lord, he urged himself onward. On the fifth day he came across a man whom he had met before, and induced him to take him in his boat to Ava, where within a few weeks his Burman boys joined him, all feeling that their preservation was almost miraculous.
Bishop Culeridge Patteson was delivered many times from the h!mds of those who sought to take his life before he finally received his martyrcrown. For example, while on a tour, he landed on an island, and inquiring where the chief lived, the natives offered to conduct him thither. From their excited words, some of which he caught, and especially from their expressive gestures, he became convinced that they meant to take his life. He could do nothing in defence. God alone could protect him. Wishing to escape for a little from the burning sun, he entered a small hut. There, on bended knees, he pleaded for his life, adding, " Thy will be done." Knowing that his own soul was safe, he besought the Lord for the souls of these darkened ones. Then, rising, he calmly told the natives that he was ready.
God heard his prayer, granting him such peace and serenity of counte- nance as disarmed his foes. He heard them say, "He does not look like a murderer; he cannot have been a party tt') our brother's death, therefore we will not hurt him." And he received only kindness at their hands.
Nowhere has the offering of human sacrifices and the practice of can- nibalism been carried to such an extent as in Fiji, and consequently the attempt to evangelize its miserable natives was at great risk of life.
In 1839 Messrs. Hunt and Lyth, with their families, stationed them- selves on the island of Somosomo, one of the darkest spots in Fiji. It is hardly conceivable that a refined person could endure the horrid sights and sounds to which they were subjected. They soon passed through a terri- ble experience. During a time of great excitement, when many victims were slaughtered and prepared for their cannibal feasts in near proximity to t.heir abode, they were told that their turn would come. The savages became more and more insulting and defiant, and there seemed to be little reason to hope for escape from this dreadful fate. On a certain night it was felt that the end was near. How helpless they were unless the Al- mighty should interpose !
Mosquito curtains were hung around the room to hide the little band from brutal eyes that might peep through the reed walls, and they gave themselves up to prayer, determined that their enemies should find them on their knees. In continuous audible prayer hour after hour was passed, until wild cries from outside were heard, and " each voice was hushed and each head bowed lower. " But their prayers had been heard. These cries were a call to the savage women to join a dance. God's children again were spared by the interposition of Him who holds the hearts of all men in His hand.
In laboring among the Bechuanas of South Africa, Hobert Moffat at one time had nearly been the victim of their gross superstition. A terri- ble drought had continued so long that many cattle died, and human beings were forced to live on roots and reptiles. A renowned rain-maker was sent for, but his remedies had no effect. Then all, sorcerer and peo- ple alike, charged their troubles upon Moffat and his associate, Hamilton.
They said of these servants of God: "They bowed down their heads and talked to something bad in the ground. The clouds were afraid of their chapel bell, and when they did show themselves the missionaries looked at them and frightened them back."
At last a native council was held, and a chief and twelve of his men were sent to them. He met Moffat with his spear in his right hand, and declared that the missionaries should be tolerated no longer. "They might leave if they would, but if not, they should be put to death." .
Moffat, looking into the eyes of the savage, calmly said, " We are re- solved to abide by our post. . .. You may shed our blood or burn us out. . . . Then shall they who sent us know that we are persecuted in- deed." Mrs. Moffat stood by with her babe in her arms. Moffat threw open his waistcoat, and said, " Now, then, if you will, drive your spears to my heart." The Lord again heard prayer. The chief was confound- ed. He shook his head significantly, and said to his followers, "These men must have ten lives when they are so fearless of death. There must be something in immortality."
How many similar proofs of a Divine interposition might be gathered from the experiences of missionaries! Many and amazing as are the .re- corded answers to prayer, the unwritten history is far more wonderful.
IN'I'EItNA'I'IONAL DEPAR'I'MEN'I'
1I.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Status of our Anti-Ohinese Legis- commission to arrange II new treaty. . lation. This the United States did not agree to. The only existing treaty, it would seem, [J. T. G.] then, was that of 1880, shutting out the Chinese till 1890, as no other treaty had We have lived long enough to hear been made. No other was ever made, openly challenged the declaration that hence it would appear that in 1890 we "all men are born free and equal." relapsed to the conditions of the Bur- The Burlingame Treaty with China lingame Treaty. recognizes the "inherent and inalienable rights of man to change his home But further, the treaty of 1880 proand allegiance, and also the mutual ad. vided that the Chinese then resident in vantage of free migration and emigra- the United States should" be allowed tion/of their (the United States and to go and come of their own free will China) citizens and subj ects respecti ve- and accord." In the face of this then ly from one country to the other for the existing treaty Congress passed the purpose of curiosity, of trade, or as per- well-known Scott Bill, excluding all manent residents." Charles Sumner, Chinese who were at that hour tem- William H. Seward, Edward Everett, porarily out of this country, thus wrong- Caleb Cushing, and other great states- fully and cruelly without any warning men of the times accepted, that as the cutting off from their business, propfundamental principle of reciprocity be- erty, or other rights, 20,000 Chinesecititween these two countries. That, too, zens under the treaty. we have seen relegated to the limbo of impracticable politics. In 1892 the infamous Geary Bill was passed, imposing humiliating condi- In 1880 a new treaty was made to the tions on such Chinese as ha.d right of effect that while Americans might come residence after all previous crooked and go ad libitum, no Chinese could legislation. They must after May 5th, eome here for ten years thereafter. 1892, be tagged, ticketed, branded. This treaty was honorably enough se- Fifty thousand, or three times that cured, albeit, as we formulated the number, as the case may be, must com- "eternal fitness" of the first treaty, it ply with what must often prove imposmust have amused the older statesmen sible conditions or be imprisoned and of China to observe that the" inalien- deported. able rights" rule would work both ways only for thirteen years. In 1882 an- It appears that, so far as the internal other restriction bill was passed, shut- regulations of our country go, a law is ting the gates of the country against all of equal authority with a treaty, and Chinese laborers who were unable to whichever bears the later date must be prove a residence in this land dating recognized as controlling; the later prior to the passage of that act. In abrogates the earlier the same as if they 1888 Secretary Bayard and the Chinese were of the same kind. But the law is Minister then at Washington agreed on not unconditional. The Supreme Court another treaty by which the immigra- has decided that the law, in order to tion of Chinese to this country was to abrogate a treaty, must not be arbitrary be prohibited for twenty years there- and unjust. " Arbitrary power, enforcafter. That agreement between the two ing its edicts to the injury of the perministers, the Chinese authorities re- sons and property of its subjects, is not fused to ratify, but instead asked for a law, whether manifested as the decree of a personal monarch or an imperial multitude," is the language of our high. ing with the Chinese, nor even the mis..
est tribunal. The law that substitutes sionary interests involved that concerns a treaty must be within limits set for the usjustatthis moment. It is rather that law-making power; it must not contra- the eternal principles of equity mayob- vene the supreme law of the land; it tain, and specially at an hour when we must be " constitutional." have the nations as our guests. For This is just the quality of our Chinese this let all good men pray.
legislation which is now called in ques- tion. It is said that the" six Chinese companies" have subscribed a large sum The Ohinese Question and International of money to test this-that is, to let this country say for itself what its law is Law.* which they are expected to obey. They say, "Our attention has not been called RY REV. GILBERT REID, CHINAN-FU, CRINA. to. any law which makes it a crime for us to advise our fellow-subjects that The three treatises on international they have a right to disregard a law law by Wheaton, Woolsey, and Sliintwhich is in violation of the constitu- schle have all been translated into Chitions and treaties. " And yet, stl'angely nese for the Chinese Government by a enough, there are people who talk of learned American (Dr. W. A. P. Martin), this action as rebellious because the who is the President of the Imperial Uni- Chinese do not first comply with the- versity in Peking and Professor of Interlaw, the authority of which they wish national Law. The Burlingame Treaty to test. That must look to a Chinese is also especially conspicuous for its laundryman like" flat irony." clear enunciation of the foundation principles of true international rela- But the situation is too grave for tionship. Our modern legislation, at satire. The time for registration of least on the Chinese question, falls far Chinese laborers under the act is May short of what we have taught in other 5th~ Very few have complied with it days. Let us specify a few points. at the time of this writing. The reqoirement that each should be photo- 1. Woolsey, in his "International graphed has been waived by Secretary Law," says, ,. No nation through its Carlisle as necessary before registry. public documents or. by its official per- By request of the State Department, Bons can with right reflect on the instithe Department of Justice will, on May tutions or social characteristics of an- 5th, cause a Chinaman to be arrested other, or make invidious comparison to under the provision of the law and taken its disadvantage, orset forth in any way before the Federal Court. The case will an opinion of its inferiority." This be advanced to the Supreme Court with- principle, it seems to me, has been glarout delay, and a decision is expected ingly violated by this Bill of Chinese before the summer recess. No less a Exclusion and Registration, making cerlawyer than Joseph H. Choate, of New tain uncomplimentary regulations for York, will argue the case for the Chi- certain foreigners, (1) because they are nese Government. The principllilegal Chinese, and (2) because they are labor. ers. That venerable and distinguished statesman of Massachusetts, Senator contention, it is said, will be over the aHernati ve of registry or deportation. • For a fuller presentation of this subject, in The denial of habeas corpus to Chinese its legal, commerCial, national, and missionary bearings, we refer to a pamphlet about to be isattempting to land in this country, and sued by Rev. Gilbert Reid (Warsaw, N. Y.). Mr. the penalty of imprisonment at hard R has been ten years resident in China. He is labor for unlawfully remaining here, the anthor of 8 small volume, "Peeps into will also be challenged. China," which contains fresh and desirable in- formation and sprightly diBcussion concerning It is not 80 much the injury to oor things in that country. Fleming H. Revell Comcommercial interests and national stand- pany, New York, will furni8h It.-J. T. G. Hoar, has said: " These measures not sence of international law and the mak.
only violate our treaty engagement with ing of treaties. Hence it is that China a friendly nation, but they violate the was induced during the Burlingame era principles upon which the American reo of friendliness to begin the policy of public rests, striking not at crime, not sending ministers and consuls to for· even at pauperism, but striking at hu· eign governments, as well as receive man beings because of their race nnd at those from other countries. Hence it laboring men because they 'are labor. was that earlier in its history, but by ers." The Act as passed again and advice of foreigners, China formed a I again refers to " any Chinese person or new office to deal with and consult about persons of Chinese descent," making no foreign affairs. The right of conference distinction between those Chinese who on matters pertaining to more than one are Chinese subjects and those who by country is too axiomatic to meet any de· birth are the subjects of some other fence. And yet in 1888, when the For.
country, as of Great Britain on the eign Office at Peking asked for further island of Hong Kong, or even those discussion of the treaty made that year who by birth are now the citizens of the between the two countries, but not yet United States. That. man is a marked ratified, President Cleveland deemed it man who hilS Chinese blood in his best to refuse that request, but signed veins, no matter to what government he the Act of Congress which placed greater may now be subject. As an English restrictions on the Chinese than even journalist in China bas said: "It is ob. the new treaty under discussion had de..
vious that no European country would fined. It was independent action rather learn with equanimity of the passage of than the conference of two contracting a law singling out its nationals for penal parties. As to the Act of 1892, Wool· legislation. " sey's words may apply: "No State can 2. Sir Robert Fillimore has deduced exclude the properly documented sub- from the principle of equality the right jects of another friendly State, or send of a government to protect its subjects them away after they have been once ad· resident in o~her countries, and it may mitted without definite reasons, which be laid down that a State has cause of must be submitted to the foreign govern- complaint if its subjects in foreign ment concerned."
countries are denied ordinary justice. 5. It is a principle of international The large portion of the Chinese in the law that treaties are a part of the su- United States are still the subjects of preme law of the land, subject only to China, and China, therefore, has a right the provisions of the constitution, and to complain at the partiality of treat. that they are binding on the contracting ment meted out to her people. parties from the day of their date.
3. International comity is another Woolsey. in his "International Law,"
duty of nations. "It embraces," says says : " National contracts are even more Woolsey," not only that kindness which solemn and sacred than private ones, emanates from friendly feeling, but also on account of the great interests in· those tokens of respect which are due volved, of the deliberateness with which between nations on the ground of right. .. the obligations are assumed, of the per- This principle of comity has been in. manence and generality of the obliga- fringed by the insult not only to the tions, and of each nation's calling, Chinese laborers, but the greater inter. under God, to be a teacher of right to national question of insult to the Chi. aU within and without its borders."
nese Government, passing a law against The opinion of a former attorney.gen.
certain subjects of China without regard eral is cited by the State Department as to the national feelings of China. follows: "Not to observe a treaty is to 4. International intercourse by means violate a deliberate and express engage· of international conference is the es· ment, and afford good cause of war. When Congress takes upon itself to dis- things should be notAd if a subsequent regard the provisions of any foreign act of Congress is to prevail over a prior treaty, it of course infringes the same in treaty, and what I here say is also based the exercise of sovereign right, and vol- on the Supreme Court: First, according untarily accepts the causus belli_" Such to another decision of the Supreme is the state, then, in which we find our- Court, if Congress may nullify a treaty selves placed as a nation by Congress, with a foreign power, the nullification in the exercise of its sovereign right, must be express, and not by implication. passing the two bills of 1888 and 1892_ But thus far neither Congress nor the Our treaties with China are broken, and executive has either expressly or impliedthereby one principle at least of inter- 1y abrogated the treaty with China. national law is trampled UpOll_ And hence the treaty is still in force, and not the suhsequent act of Congress. In my younger days of studying in. Secondly, an act of Congress cannot ternational law I learned all this, but pass as law and abrogate a prior treaty, only of late and as a result of studying if it is arbitrary and unjust, as the Suthis Chinese question have I learned of preme Court has also adjudged. 'Thirda modifying principle. Though it makes ly, as according to the Constitution, law rather too complex for an unpro- Article YI., Clause 2, all treaties, as fessional mind, it is still our duty to well as the constitution and laws of the state it as it is. The Supreme Court, United States, are the supreme law of in rendering its decision in 1889 on the the land, so any law which may be Scott Bill of 1888, said: "Although it proved unconstitutional cannot prevail must be conceded that the Act is in over a prior treaty. As the clause encontravention of express stipulationE of joins, the laws must he " in pursuance" the Treaty of 1868 and of the Supple- of the constitution to ,. be the supreme mentary Treaty of 1880, it is not on that law of the land." And this is what the account invalid or to be restricted in its Chinese, under advice of competent atenforcement. By the Constitution, la"s torneys, are wishing to test-viz., made in pursuance thereof and treaties whether the Act of 1892 is constitumade under the authority of the United tional and binding or not. For this States are both declared to be the su- reason the mass of the Chinese in the preme law of the land, and no para. United States are ignoring the regulamount authority is given to one over tions of that act. the other. In either case the last ex· pression of the sovereign will must con- Bnt whatever the outcome, this much trot" So Attorney-General Crittenden, is clear, that it is a lamentable caricain an opinion on certain legislation con- ture on our American civilization that flicting with the Treaty of 1819 with our national government shall even de- Spain, held that" An Act of Congress sire, to pass a law which may break the is as much a supreme law of the land as treaties and the principles of internaa treaty. They are placed on the same tional intercourse. Would it not be betfooting, and no superiority is to be ter, would it not be a sounder and more given to the one over the other. The honorable policy to seek the path of last expression of the law-giving power harmony, either by changing the law or must prevail; and a subsequent act revising the treaty, so that the law shall must prevail and have effect, though be in harmony with the treaty in accord inconsistent with a prior act ; so must with international law, and in pursuan act of Congress have effect, though ance of the constitution? inconsistent with a prior treaty.." What is the bearing of all this on It is not for one like me to argue the missionary work in China? The nummeaning of the law. I merely take it her of American citizens in China are for granted as the right and supreme de- second on the list, those from Great cision. But it seems to me that three Britain being the first- The numher, however, is a small one, being a little ing and estrangement, lind the suspicion over one thousand, both men and worn· of our bad intentions rather than a be· en. Of this number nearly one half are lief that we Americans are all 80 good.
mISSIonaries. Small though the num· Furthermore, there may well be a ber may be, it should not be forgotten ground of shame, to think that it reo that they are all representative men and quired a band of plain Chinese laborers women, delegated to their work by com· and laundrymen to bring our law·mak· petent religious bodies at home. The ers to terms, and that the Chine,se in work they are doing is also a represent. New York should have to raise $30,000 ative work, representing not only the to engage competent attorneys, and five hundred or more who are in China, prove· before the national Supreme but representing the Christian senti· Court that the bill passed by both ment of the people in America. This Houses of Congress and signed by the work thus organized likewise occupied, President is null and void.
as we have mentioned above, places of Suppose, however, that the law will influence, and in some cases strategic be carried into effect next May by or- points of China. Of the twenty.two ders of the Executive, and we shall be capitsls in China, and everyone a very called upon to witness a scene similar centre of influence, half of them are to the expUlsion of the Jews from Rus.
showing to.day the beneficent work of sia or their ancestors from Egypt, or our American missionaries. Already suppose, in a. milder way, the law will obstacles, persecution and riots, all only gradually be applied for the next much as anyone should desire, beset six months, all through the world·wide the work of the American missionaries, Exposition at Chicago, on till the Suo as well as those from other lands, and preme Court shall meet in October- need no additional impetus from the reo what then? We will find ourselves in action in China of our legislation at this position: the United States Con· home. gress can pas!! a bill abrogating a treaty; Whether th'l bill of Chinese Exclusion the Chinese Government will then de· will impair the lives and work of our cide that her treaties with the United missionaries in China, I regard only as States are invalid, and that she, too, a minor matter. The main question is has a right to make la.ws and issue or· one of justice and right. Still the ques. ders contrary to the treaties.
tion of security or peril is interesting Already something of this kind has to those here, as well as slightly so to occurred. According tl! the American our fellow.countrymen in China, I will Treaty of 1880, the same tonnage dues not attempt to prophesy wars, blood. or duties shall be granted to goods car· shed, or martyrdom, but content my. ried by American vessels as by the Chi.
self with plain facts. nese. Well, last autumn the Chinese Let us first suppose that the Chinese began to ship grain to Peking on the laborers, the Six Companies and their China merchants' steamers free of duty.
American attorneys, succeed in carrying under special permits from the Chinese a case to the Supreme Court in the authorities, while duty was still charged United States, and obtain the decision to the grain carried on English steam.
that the bill of May, 1892, is unconsti. ers. By the" favored nation" clause, tutional. This, it seems to me, will be the same favors accrue to England a.s to the probable result, if there can only be America or any other country. Lord the chance to have the case tried. Un. Rosebery, therefore, made a complaint der such circumstances the effect in to Peking on basis of our treaty of 1880.
China. will be nothing da.ngerous or The Chinese Government replied that startling, but none the less there will ex· for the present that treaty was broken ist in ma.nya Chinaman's breast ill·feel· and the right had lapsed. The Oritioisms on the Deoennial Oonfer- A small minority asked the privilege to withdraw the resolution for harmony, ence. lIS it WIIS not unanimously adopted. By We saw it alleged in an India paper a very narrow majority the Conference- some years since, that the India army many members not voting-finally al- was so decimated by disellSe superin- lowed the committee to withdraw it.
duced by vice that it was a serious ques- This action has subjected the Confer- tion whether it could be mobilized to ence to a great deal of grave criticism meet a great emergency. The remedy for lack of moral courage, and even as was sought in a legalized patronage and sympathizing with legalization of vice.
supervision of this vice in military can- By others it is blamed for vacillation, tonments. A great protest of the Chris- and by still others for merely stupidly tian sentiment in India and Great Brit- blundering in procedure. It has been ain resulted in an Act of Parliament asserted that it shows a decadence in dissolving this official connection with ancient missionary enthusiasm under sin. The India authorities have very the domination of "Brahmanized edu.
tardily, if to any important extent, car- cationalists who have ceased to be mis- ried out this decree of the nation. The sionaries." One British editor, who missionaries have in sections where the writes with warmth or does not write at military were quartered protested that aH, says the apology given for the with- great hindrance came to their work by drawal of the resolutions in the light of the presence of this legalization of vice. the Word of God" shrivels into some- All have felt the disgrace of a great thing worse than insignificance."
Christian government sustaining such The criticisms have been so sharp relation to impurity. and so widespread that the missionaries The Government of India carries on have lost no time in making clear their officially the culture of opium for ex- position in relation to the State regula- port, largely to China; and it is claimed tion of impurity. The first meeting of that the revenue from this opium cul- the Calcutta Missionary Conference, the ture is absolutely necessary to balance largest body of missionaries in the world the financial budget of the empire. The meeting regularly at short intervals, India Government has also a license passed a resolution setting forth that system of intoxicants which has many they bad always unanimously con- peculiarly obnoxious features. It fos- demned all State regulation of vice as ters instead of restrains ; forces instead carried on under the now abolished of represses their sale. Contagious Disease Acts, and protest- Itwas anticipated by many. that when ed against any continuance of the sys- the Decennial Conference convened it tem under the Cantonment Act, and re- would express its condemnation of these affirmed their view that the resolution offensive public acts of the Govern- of the British Parliament abolishing it, ment. But the Conference appears to in India ought to be carried out. The have decided not to pass any resolutions two conferences of the American Meth- on any subject Whatever, as it had no odists meeting in Bombay the week pre- power lIS a deliberative body. This vious had declared most positively caused great dissatisfaction, and an- against all three of these vices, and that other adjustment was had that all reso- is quoted as showing the missionary lutions be sent to the business commit- sentiment.
tee, who should present such as com- A great meeting outside the Decen.
mended themselves to their judgment. nial Conference to protest against A very strong resolution was presented opium culture, and traffic is pleaded to against State regulation of vice, which show the real sentiment of the mission- was passed amid loud applause-many aries personally on that subject. It is witnesses say by a vote of " silC to one." shown, too, that a great portion of the agitation against the three forms of vice largest, and in many respects, the fore.
in question has been fostered and led most missionary force of Protestant his.
by missionaries. It is said as an excuse tory.
for non·action by the Conference that It will be more profitable that we de.
the licensed impurity is confined to the vote our attention to their great thoughts military stations, and many missionaries, and ac'tion on the overwhelming oppor· as a consequence, know nothing of it as tunities and responsibilities of the hour an obstruction to their local work; the in India, where there is a condition of practice of opium.smoking is confined things which will not last. It is only within certain areas, too, and its evil is now that the chance of directing Whole not known to many missionary fields. masses and great movements is ours.
These and numerous other statements The lower classes in India will slough and apologies are found filtering through off from Hinduism whether we reach the Anglo.Indian and British press to them or not. They will go to Islam or offset the criticisms. It has even been something else, if not to Christianity.
also said that there was no consistency The upper and educated claflses cannot in the Conference condemning the Gov. remain Brahmans. What will they be ?
ernment while missions continued to reo That is of vital consequence. There is ceive money from the same in support of no reason to believe that the missionary their schools and colleges; the missions force on the field is incapable nor dere.
might better first quit themselves of the lict to duty. They are the best men we charge of being partic,eps criminis. can find. They must be criticised, if We have thus tried to state briefly needs be, but they must l;e trusted. '
lIome of the main features of this case, They deserve our confidence, and will because it is likely to be a subject of honor it. J. T. G.
controversy for SODle while to come, whether and to what extent the Confer- ence shirked its responsibility or mere· The Afro-Mala.gasy Sla.ve TrafBo.
ly blundered for lack of competent lead· BY J. BlIITISH BESIDENT IN MJ.DJ.G.llIC~.
ership under the pressure of its closing hours. There can surely be no neces· Lord Rosebery, at the request of the sity to defend missionaries from suspi. French Government, has issued instruc.
cions of lagging behind the moral sen· tions to the officers of the British navy timent of the age in the matter of social and the British consular agents in this impurity; we will not brook so much as country to in no way concern themselves the suggestion. But the missionaries with exercising a police control over the of India will realize afresh that they dhows of the various nationalities in the have to reckon with a public opinion waters of Madagascar ; in fact, notwith.
among their constituency at home. standing the right of search and seizure That the Conference ought either to of all vessels suspected of slaving in the have stuck to its original decision to waters of this eountry being specifically adopt no resolutions at all-which we stipulated for by Articles 16 and 17 of do not concede to be wise-or having the Anglo-Malagasy Treaty of 1865, his grappled with any form of evil should lordship, according to telegram to hand have gone straight to its mark, will, we here, .. has directed English ships and have no doubt, be the opinion of the the consuls not to search vessels of any Christian world. As it is difficult to flag in Madagascar waters. "
judge of motives and some personal This, in many ways, political as well prejudices at this distance, the proba· as philanthropio, is a very grievoUll bilities are that no more serious damage abandonment of those rights and privi.
will result than grief that an altogether leges the British Government were at regrettable affair marred the harmony pains, in the Anglo.French Convention of so important and noble a body, the of 1890 regarding Zanzibar and Mada· guoar, to reserve to England in their flying flags of different nations, and no entirety; and to avert the censure vessel would be allowed to fly the flag which, I haTe reason to know, is in cer- of any of the great powers without reg- tain qnarterll contemplated being pub- istration and a proper license. They lioly pronounced, at no distant date, on might thank the Government of France England's abandonment of her interest for having conceded what, for some in the suppression of the Afro.Malagasy time, appeared to a certain extent against slave·traffic, the attention of the Gov- their will-the right of search to all other ernment should be called to the spirit nations."
in which the Zanzibar.Madagascar Con- This being the spirit in which Eng- vention was ooncluded. land and France came to an agreement When placing the Anglo.French Con- upon Zanzibar and Madagascar, and this vention before the House of Lords, Lord being the spirit in which both Houses Salisbury stated: "We have taken the of the British Parliament regarded that opportunity on both sides not only to agreement, Lord Rosebery should recon- reserve all rights and privileges which sider his instructions for Her British all subjects of either country (England Majesty's representatives not to take and France) might have in either coun- part in the reduction of the slave traffic try (Zanzibar and Madagascar), but also in Madagascar waters. Under the lax to give the most explicit guarantee to surveillance of France the slave trade missionaries and missions, "nd of free· will assuredly increase with great rapid- dom of religious practice and religious ity, and then attention will be influen- teaching." And Sir J. Fergusson, then tially drawn to the matter, and when it Under-Secretary of State for Foreign is generally known that the increase is Affairs, said during the discussion Mr. due to England having for no purpose S. Smith raised on the convention in abandoned her treaty rights, Lord Rose.
the House of Commons, he thought that bery will be censured for not pursuing all might rejoice with them in what he that "continuity of Great Britain's considered to be the greatest step taken moral policy" which he has recently laid in the last half century toward the ex- such emphasis upon.
tinetion of that accu1"sed traffic (the slave·traffic). Following up the Act of Brussels, a blow had been struck at the The Opium Habit. slave trade in its developments and in its sources. BY BEV. "WILLIAM M. UPCRAFT, SUI-n, CHINA. The statement of Lord Salisbury makes olear that it was not his lord- The opium trade has been called Eng- ship's intention to abandon any British land's sin and China's curse. Both sin right or privilege. And the utterance and eurse it may prove itself to be to of Sir J. Fergusson makes evident that both nations yet, ere their hands are the facility which Anglo.French co- free from it.
operation would give for the extinction The present extent of the curse in of the slave traffic was one of the main China is alarming. but still increasing.
reasons Lord Salisbury had in signing The western province:! produce enough the convention regarding Zanzibar and for home consumption, enormous as Madagascar. Indeed, so strongly did that is, and yet leave a margin for ex· the anti-slavery reasons influence the port to other provinces.
House of Commons that, among other The vice has fastened itself upon all speakers expressing similar approval, classes and all ages. Recently the Mr. S. Buxton said, in the course of the writer was gnest with a responsible same discussion : "It was satisfactory mandarin, and through him was brought to find that careful supervision was into friendly acquaintance with several going to be uudertaken with regard to other officials and students, all of whom smoked the drug. and most of them The Rev. D. C. Gilmore, writing from quite heavily. the Baptist College a.t Rangoon, Burma, The earliest memories of many chilo says: dren, both at home among friends and "The Rnmw for September, 1892, at school, are of opium in its moat sedllc. under the caption' Prayer 1I6rBIU Pray- tive forms. er,' called our attention to the appoint- One of the moat alarming features ment by the Hindus of October 30th as now is the loss of conscience on the sub. a day of special prayer' to the Supreme ject. It is no longer a shame to smoke; Power, that the Hindu religion may be indeed, it is considered a ah·ame not to saved from its present degenerate posi.
smoke when all others are doing so, tion.'
much the same as it used to be consid· " In this connection the REVIEW sug· ered a want of tone in anyone who gested that' It would be a very fitting could not drink his share with the rest thing for the Christian churches of all when drinking was more common in the world . . . to set apart October Westem lands than is now happily the 30th as a day of special prayer for these case. Not to smoke is to be strange. religionists, that God would, in a way In the city of Sui·fu there are said to be they little intend or suspect, hear their over two thousand opium dens, and in cry and answer them.'
the smaller city of Luchow, thirteen "The Burma Bo.ptist Convention as· hundred such places are reported. sembled at Rangoon in October, 1892, To the question, "Do you smoke endorsed this suggestion, and the day opium?" one often gets the reply, .. Who was-to what extent I cannot say-ob- doesn't smok(l1" 0. counter.question tho.t served by the Christians of Burma. It is both reply and comment. was very fervently observed by the Why do they smoke? may be asked Christian students of the Rangoon Bap- o.nd may be answered in 0. sentence-the tist College. It was a beautiful sight to moral deterioration of the people com- see Karen, Burman, and Shan disciples bined with the seductive cho.racter of the (some of whom were themselves converts habit. It begins in play, it ends in grim from heathenism) uniting in prayer on earnest. There is a growing fascina- behalf of the heathen on the other side tion in the way it is taken-this subtle of the !lay of Bengal.
drug. The smoker lies down to it- " But what I particularly want to say bliss in itself to an Oriental. Such a is that one of our heathen young men, position o.ffords an opportunity for the the subject of much prayer, who is now gossip the Oriental lo,es. The opium applying for baptism, says that he was becomes 0. pet to him, he fondles it with led to seek the Lord by the exercises of his fingers, heats it over the tiny lamp, that day of prayer for the Hindus. Our its fumes enwrap him, and finally send prayer for the Hindus of India has been him off to slumber and dreams. answered by the conversion of a Bud.
And who shall measure thll damage dhist in Burma. The hoy ascribes his wrought by this facile agent for suicide change mainly to the long.continued in.
-they can commit suicide and yet die fiuence of Christian schools, but says decently and po.inlessly ! that that day of prayer was the tuming To the lack of adequate medical at· point,"
tendance and accurate medical skill may be traced the large use of opium. Opium THE GAlIOS IN ASILUI.-The Bev.
also is a panacea to a people whose E. G. Phillips writes a note, saying: medical faculty is in the barbarous con· " The state of spiritual life in the na- dition of that of Europe in the dark tive Church in our field is very encour.
ages. The destruction by opium is an aging. The first two of the Garo tribe added plea for the quick evangelization were converted thirty years ago. They of Chiua. begall work among their people, !!oud four years later 40 converts were bap- schools, 240 scholars. The heathen at· tized and a missionary located among tendanta on public worship number them. Since then the growth has been 5790.
steady, until now there. are about 2500 "The Rev. J. W. Mackenzie and wife, communicants, and there have been of the New Hebrides Mission, &fter a probably 4000 baptisms on profession sojourn of several months in New South of personal faith. The work is moving Wales, left in improved health on Feb- on with increasing momentum, and ruary 15th for their work in the illiands.
promises in the near future to bring in They have been for 20 years among the the whole tribe. More than 700 were natives of Ef&te, and have a Christian baptized during the past year. The people around them. Mr. Mackenzie great part of the churches are self.sup- has carried a new school primer and portiJlg in the matter of finances, church hymn.book through the press in Syd.
discipline. and to an encouraging de. ney. There are 80 hymns in the collec- gree in aggressive church work. The tion. He has also reprinted a first cate.
standard of church life is maintained at chism, after the one prepared by the a higher point than in many parts of Rev. John Geddie. There is a cate· Christian lands. chism on geography also in the volume.
.. The Garos are demon.wcrshippers- "The Rev. Joseph Annand, M.A., and one of the many animistic races in wife have been in Tasmania for their Northeast India. Their universal and health before returning to the New constant practice of animal sacrifice Hebrides."
makes them, I believe, specially sus.
ceptible to the teaching of the Atone- Our editorial correspondent, Rev. Al. ment." bert L. Long, D.D., of Robert College, has received from Prince Ferdinand of NEW GUINEA..-Rev. Dr. Steel writes Bulgaria the cross of Commander in the from Sydney: Bulgarian National Order of Civil Merit. An exchange says: " The Rev. James Chalmers has got a steam launch for the Fly River Mission. " It is a much·coveted mark of distinc. It haa cost £1220, raised in Australia. tion. This is the second Bulgarian The Rev. W. G. Lawes, of the London decoration he has received. In both Missionary Society, is soon to return to cases they were conferred without no· New Guinea with the printed New Tes· tice. The first waa from Prince Alexan. tament .in the Motu language. There der, the cross of a commander in the are now 5 European stations of this so· Order of Saint Alexander, an order in. ciety under 6 missionaries. There are stituted by him as a mark of apprecia- tion of special services rendered the national cause. The second is the new order instituted by Prince Ferdinand."
80 other stations. The native teachers from Christian Islands of Polynesia are The Free Churoh of Scotland Monthly 50, and no less than 30 native Christians says: "Dr. Pierson haa been delivering of New Guinea are now teachers. There to large audiences in Edinburgh and are 500 church.members-baptized on Glasgow the Duff Missionary Lectures. profession of faith in Christ. There are The subjects chosen were those with 3000 in attendance at the various which the lecturer had already a special schools. Besides the New Testament acquaintance, and his handling of them printed in the Motu language, gospels was eloquent in a high degree. They or portions of Scripture have been print. will read well, and his book when it is published will certainly prove to be the most popular of the series. ", ed in five other dialects.
"The Wesleyan Mission in New Unoccupied mission territory: to the Guinea has 4 ordained missionaries, 1 extent of 4,000,000 square miles still ex· lay missionary 2 lady missionaries, 26 ists in Central Africll-an area larger teachers, and 1 local preacher. There life ~ Cbllrches, 44 cqmmqnicants, 8 than the whole of Europe. So says Rev. George Grenfell, of the Baptist Congo Mislljon,
DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN El!IDKAVOl. 453
III.-DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
CONDUCTED BY PBOFES80R AKOS R. wmJ.B.
The "First Young People's Memorial ahout six weeks. The course is to be Churoh," whioh Lutheran young peo- obtained, free, and without collections ple are endeavoring to build at San at the meetings, on condition that all Diego, Cal., has obtained from them churches with Christian Endeavor soci- nearly half of the $5000 desired. Only eties in the town petition for the oourse ; 166 Lutheran young people's sooieties, that local missionary societies co-oper- however, have yet oontributed, and 140 ate ; that the Sunday when the address of these are Chril!tian Endeavor soci- is given be made a misaionary field. day, eties. As there are about four hundred pastors preaching missionary sermons Christian Endeavor sooieties in the in the morning, miBBionary workers General Synod branoh of the Lutheran holding a conference and prsyer semee Churoh, it would seem that the SU0088S in the afternoon, and 8 union m……. of the undertaking is essily assured. meeting being held to listen to the ad- The Presbyterian Board of Foreign dress in the evening; that full preBB Missions sends out a ~onthly state- notices be given before and after; and ment. For Maroh this statement that travelling expenses and entertain- showed oontributions from Presbyterian ment be furnished the speakers. This Christian Endeavor societies to the seems to be one of the most praotical amount of $3582.67. For Maroh, 1892, and valuable of the many devioes fOr the Bum received from the BaID.e souroe the popularization of missionary.intelwas $1639.22. This is a gain of $2043.- ligenoe that the Christian Endeavor 45, or 132 per oent! From May 1st, movement has brought into use. 1891, to Maroh 31st, 1892, Christian Dr. Clark fell in with forty Christian Endeavor oontributions to this board Endeavor ~ooieties in India, only about were$6628.25; during the same months ten of which had ever been-reported to of 1892-93 they were $12,710.06 ; a gain the Boston seoretary. This is certainly of $6081.81, or 91 per oent. The board indicative of a general condition of made gains in receipts from Sunday- affairs, and there are undoubtedly schools, legacies, ohurches, and wom- many more Endeavor societies in the en's boards, bnt no gain was anything world than ever appear in the annual like the gain shown by these figures. report of Secretary Baer.
The nlinois State Christian Endeavor The Methodist Christian Endeavor Union, through the efforts of that ar· Society at Allahabad, India, is quite dent missionary worker, Mr. S. L. Mer- suooessful in enlisting in its ranks the shon, of Evanston, has set on foot a British redcoats. Of course this soldier plan which will be adopted, we hope, element is a fluctuating quantity, 8JI the by every Christian Endeavor union in troops are moved he.re and there, but it the world. It is a" missionary exten. is a noble work that this society is thus sion course," and has been prepared in doing. Every aotive member in this connection with the various denomina- sooiety may be depended upon to offer tional boards. Eight or nine promi- public prayer. nent and entertaining speakers have The Christian Endeavor society in been secured. Mr. Torrey is among Bombay, India, is so large that it is dithem. Their subjects will all be mis- vided into four divisions, each of which sionary. Twenty·five places will be is really a separate sooiety. carefully chosen as strategetioal points The Christian Endeavor society of throughout the State, and these leo- the Blockley Baptist Church of Phil,,- tures will be given there at intervals of delphia has established what is called a "propagation committee," which is The president of the New South Wales planning to hold evangelistic services Union writes as follows about the prog.
Sunday afternoons during the sum- ress of the Christian Endeavor move- mer. ment in Australia: "There has been The pastOr of the Christian Church steady progress-more especially among of Lawrence, Ran., was absent for a the Wesleyan denomination-from a month leading a missionary revival in dozen to twenty new .societies being re- another town. During this month his ported each month. The spirit of en- pulpit was occupied Sunday evenings thusiasm is ever on the increase, and by young men from his Endeavor so- devotion to ollr movement becomes ac· ciety, and their ministrations met with centuated every day."
much suooess. Here is an idea.that many a Christian The extensive arrangements for the Endeavor society might carry out for International Christian Endeavor Con- the benefit of some missionary worker vention, to be held in Montreal, July and the cause in general. Rev. E. P.
5th-8th, are well under way. Among Holten, of the Madura Mission in the speakers already secured are Dr. southern India, has a camera, which Cuyler, Dr. Chapman, the Canadian was given him by an Endeavor society Minister of Finance, Dr. Henson, Dr. in Hanover, Mass. This camera he Hoyt, Dr. Burrell, Bishop Arnett, Hon. uses in making pictures of natives and W. C. P. Breckinridge, and many an· of Indian scenery, which he sends back other famous Christian preacher and to the home churches to arouse interest scholar. Two great meetings will be in missions.
held simultaneously, in a hall that will . The Endeavor society in the girls'
seat nine thousand and a great tent boarding school of Madura petitioned that will seat eight thousand. their teacher to allow them to go with.
An excellent Christian Endeavor so- out cocoanut meat in their curry, in or· ciety exists in the Methodist Church in der that they might have something to the historic city of Lucknow. India. give to missions. When it is remem- Two strong Christian Endeavor soci- bered that the girls live on rice and eties are also found in the great Dhur- curry, and that cocoanut is the most amtallah Street Methodist Church of delicious and highly prized ingredient Caloutta. of their curry, the extent of their self- Christian Endeavorers everywhere denial can be understood.
have met a severe loss in the death of a The weekly reports of the workers noble and beautiful man, Rev. A. C. and committes of the Endeavor society Hathaway. Mr. Hathaway was the of Madanapalle, India, are very inter.
ohief promoter of the Christian En- esting. At a recent meeting that Dr.
deavor movement among the Friends, Clark attended, John Yesuratnam re- and was the president of the Friends' ported that, with four others, he had Christian Endeavor Union. preached the Gospel, within two weeks, A Christian Endeavor society has to six huudred people in seventy differ· been formed in the American Church ent villages. Lazarus Marian had start- of Paris, France, whose pastor is Rev. ed a Sunday-school with one hundred Edward G. Thurber, D.D. and twenty members. J. P. Timothy Here is one good result of the Chris- and others had preached the Gospel on tian Endeavor self·denial week of this the railway trains, going from one com- year. The president of a certain Dli- partment to another, as the trains nois society was a confirmed user of stopped at different stations. The cars tobacco. For that week, as hili self- on the Indian railways are built on the denial, he neither smoked nor chewed English compartment plan, and the the weed, and as a result has deter. Hindoos ride. for the most part, in the mined never again to touch it. third·class cars, which are usually crowded. Twenty.five workers from 'Glad are we to Bee you, the society, on the previous Sunday Glad are we to sea you, evening, with a magic lantern, musical Glad are we to see you, instruments, singing, etc., had proclaimed the Gospel to three hundred Glad are we.' people in Madanapalle. The total for the week showed that eleven hundred In front of them was another whitepeople had been reached by about forty robed procession from the girls' school ; members of the society. and they, too, took up the strain- Rev. W. I. Chamberlain, of the Arcot 'Glad are we to see you, (Dutch Reformed) Mission in India, Glad are we to see you,' etc. told Dr. Clark that on one occasion, being asked to show his magic-lantern Thus all the way to the bungalow pictures, he threw them on the white marched these singing youths and wall of a new Hindoo temple which was maidens. Was ever a welcome more being dedicated. So interested were cordial or more unique? Our full the auditors that the dedication services hearts responded, though we conld not were deserted, the· interior of the tem. sing it so well as they, ' Glad ar& we to pIe was emptied, and the priests them- lIee you, dear Endeavorers of Madana. selves, with a throng of hundreds of palle.' For this was the famous sooiety Hindoos, stood for an hour, with won- of the Arcot Mission, a pioneer of Chrisder and interest, while he explained tian Endeavor in India." the story of the crOBS. Perhaps many missionaries in India and other lands, At the decennial missionary confer. if provided with so attractive a sermon ence held in Bombay, India, last De. adjunct, could be as much helped there- cember, the Christian Endeavor Society by. Here is a hint to our societies at received many Warm commendations home. from the speakers, who had tried it, and found it admirably adapted to the Here is Dr. Clark's account of the needs of the young converts. way the native Christian Endeavorers of Madanapalle; India, received him, In four denominations Christian Enas his party approached the mission deavorers are now engaged in raising about nine o'clock in the evening: money to build "Christian Endeavor "When we were within a quarter of a mission churches" under the direction mile of the gate three white figures sud· of their denominational boards. The denly started up from the roadside, fifth denomination to set its Christian peered eagerly into the carriage, and Endeavorers to doing this work is the then started off at a 2.40 pace for the Congregation·al. They wish to raise, mission compound. A little further, from the Congregational Christian En. three other little ghosts suddenly ap- deavor societies of the country, $7000 peared, gazed into the carriage, and for the Philips Church, in Salt Lake were off like the wind. ' They are City. This was the first church (now looking to see whether we have all existing) founded by the New West come,' says our missionary friend, 'so Education Commission. as to give the signal.' Another two minutes, and we hear the mission bell Here is the Sunday programme of one ring out, and when the bullocks turn Christian Endeavor society in France: in at the gate of the mission compound, Church in the morning ; an afternoon a few minutes later, two score of white- service; Sunday-school; Chrstian robed figures, Telugu boys from the Endeavor meeting; then in the even. school. are arranged on each side, sing- ing half of the society holds a service ing melodiously, in good English and in the McAIl Mission braneh, while the with all their hearts and lungs- other half, under the leadership of a young lady, a converted Catholic, con_ ducts the evening service in the church.
The Christian Endeavor society in Monastir, Macedonia, gave its seU-de- nial week collection tQ a struggling church in Bulgaria.
EDITORUL DEPARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
The following letter is one out of many whom the Lord has blessed both many which cause the editors no little perplexity. From the outset we have with the means and with the heart to been seeking to furnish the REVIEW at a give who will gladly joi,n in this goOd nominal rate, or entirely free, to all stu- work. A. T. P. dent volunteers for mission fields who were unable to payfor it, and for a time Death of Dr. Mitohell. our friends have helped us by donations given for this special purpose. For The death of Dr. Arthur Mitchell, t!le every dollar sent us we have, at one.half able and honored Secretary of the Presprice, sent the REVIEW to such students. byterian Board of Foreign Missions, The demand, however, has been so great which occurred in Saratoga, N. Y., on and the fund for this purpose so ex- April 24th, is felt as a great personal bausted that we can no longer cope with loss to the editors of the REVIEW. In the claims of these young men. One of Dr. Mitchell the cause of missions 108.,s the editors has paid for a large number a warm friend and able advocate. The of the REVIEWS thus sent to students. news of his death will be the occasion But unless some benevolent friends of great sorrow. shall give help, this important part of the missionary sernce of the REVIEW Ths Finding of Bishop Hannington's cannot be maintained. And it is our Remains. persuasion that the fact needs only to be known that such applications from Important letters were received from students far outrun all the means at our disposal to elicit both sympathy and Bishop Tucker up to December 18th aid. Any contributions, large or small, sent for this purpose to the editors or last. The most interesting part of them publillhers will be acknowledged on the cover of the REVIEW. refers to the discovery of Bishop Han.
The letter referred to reads as fol- nington's remains: lows: Mumiya's, December 9th,1892.-To. .. DEAR DB. PmBsoN : There are 110 day we came on to a still larger and more populous town, Mumiya's. Our student volunteers who are scattered arrival was expected, and so there were great crowds of people with heavy bur· over the English and Scotch universi- dens of food standing ready to greet ns. I went at once to Bee the chief Mumiya ties, and who are willing to take the -a young man of great intelligence. After talking some time with him, it MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD at struck me that he must know something about Bishop Hannington. Accordingfour shillings (one dollar) and postage ly, I introduced the subject. He knew in a moment to whom I referred, and extra. The names were sent to Messrs. spoke of his· having lost a thumb. He told me that he begged the bishop not Funk & Wagnalls, but they reply that to go through Busoga, but that he said it would be all right, and he would the fund for this purpose is entirely ex- reach Uganda safely. I asked if he knew where the bishop'S remains were hausted, and the REVIEW' cannot be fur- buried. He told me in reply that he knew nothing about it; that Mr. Jack. nished at that price without positive son had brought them, but that they had been carried on to the coast. Of loss to tbe publishers. May I ask your course I knew that this was not so, and being convinced .that I was somewhere ~dvice? near the spot, I pressed my question further, but without avail. While.I was [Signed] "L. B." talking to the chief. a young man came np who had been with the bishop on his The editor replied, assuming ihe re- fatal journey through Busoga. This sponsibility for whatever is lacking in man said the chief was with him when the price, that these 110 young men might have the REVIEW. But, as already intimated, he feels confident there are he was killed. I then entered into con- was at s considerable angle. The lid also had been broken. The people had versation with him, and tried to get evidently suspected that something had been buried under the 1l00rof the house, some information out of him. with refer- and my idea is that, believing it to be ence to the place of burial. The re- ivory, they had made an attempt to get mains, Mr. Jackson told me, had been at it. There was no doubt whatever as to identification. We sent for a ooverplaced by himself in an iron box. The ing from the camp, in which the box containing the remains was wrapped. young man told me very much the same Dr. Baxter and I then quietly and rev- erently carried it between us. We took 8S the ohief. Now comes the strange it to my tent, and there left it for a time, closing up the tent so as to stop.my part of the story. I had bidden the idle ouriosity. Mr. Fisher kindly gave me a long tin.lined box, as it was quite chief good-by and had nearly reaohed impossible to remove the remains in the old one. Dr. Baxter assisted me in the oamp when this young man of whom the solemn duty, and then. with a lin. ing of some sweetly scented grass that I have spoken came up to me very quiet- reminded us of the dear home land, we two alone in my tent laid all that WilS ly, and wh·ispered that he knew where left of the dear bishop in the new case.
the remains were-that they were actu. Sunday, December 11th. -We had a very solemn service of oommunion this mornally in Mumiya's village, having been ing, and in prayer for the Church mili- tant specially thanked and praised God buried by Mr. Jackson under a lloor of for His servant, Bishop Hannington, whose earthly remains were with us in a house. He declined, however, to show camp. All in the party were deeply touched, and, I feel sure, have been me the house himself, but said, "There drawn nearer to God by the affecting events of the last day or two. I hope is a man here who was with Mr. Jack- to carry the bishop's remains to Mengo, and with the Churoh's service to bury son, and he will show you the place." them there-the fittest place, it seems to me, for them to await the resurrec- On reaching my tent, I sent for this man tion morning.
at once, and he told me quite freely that Our sympathies are extended to the he knew the spot, and would take me to American Baptist Missionary Union in it. I set off immediately with him, in its losses by the late fire which oon- company of Dr. Baxter, and he took sumed Tremont Temple. We under- us without hesitation to the place. stand that the Missionary Union's .. Here " said he "abisouttheeigshptoe~tn" point- Museum, collected through forty years, ing to'; little bush inches was totally destroyed. That is an irrep. high. I looked around and could see arable loss. Another museum may be traces of the house, which had fallen oolleoted, but there were articles in that, into ruins, and had been taken away. such as Felix Carey's First Burmese It was a solemn moment to us, standing Grammar, a perfect copy. Although as we were by the grave of Hanning- the permanent records were preserved ton, murdered seven years ago. There by the fire-proof vault, yet the loss of is no doubt that in a very little while all the temporarily exposed correspondall trace of the actual spot would have imoe and doouments is more than an been lost, as the people had begun to inconvenience. The offices are at 2 A cultivate the ground about it. As you Beacon Street. Boston.-J. T. G. know, this was not the place of the Pocussing Our Missions, bishop's death, for he fell in Busoga, A suggestiou has been made by Mr. seventy or eighty miles away. The most Hunter, of Liverpool, for awakening appropriate spot for the resting.place of greater interest in the foreign mission the remains seems to be either in Buso- ga, where he died, or in Uganda, which he longed and tried so bravely to reach.
I think the difficulty of laying them in BUioga will be very great. Even if they were buried there, it would be scarcely possible to raise any permanent monu- ment to mark the spot. After consider- ing the whole matter most carefully, I think the proper resting-place will be in Ugimda. At 6.30 this morning, with six men, I commenced the search. The men dug very industriously for an hour and a half, but the deeper they dog the harder the ground seemed to get. We then de- termined to try a few feet further away.
Soon it became quite clear that there had recently been a disturbance of the earth, and we became very hopeful. In half an hour more our efforts were suc- eessful. and the top of the box was dis- covered. But it had evidently been disturbed since it was plaoed there hy Mr. Jackson. Instead. of lying list, it field, and one which, if not original, Mission Board sees fit to do this, in has at least the merit of going into de· order to aid the movement, and, I hope, tails. Recognizing the fact that the gen. give an impulse to others, I propose to erality of people think in the concrete bear the cost of the salary of an addi- tional evangelistic missionary. While rathet: than in the abstract, it is pointed I do not bind myself formally, it is my out that there is very little to take hold intention, if the Board accepts my offer, to continue this contribution yearly of them in the vague expression, "our during my lifetime.
missions in China." It would be other- I also venture to suggest whether the wise, however, if they were personally Board should not either directly, or through the Synod, make an appeal to acquainted in some fashion with one or' our congregations and to our wealthier other of the missionaries out there. As members to become responsible for the we have about fifty missionaries and salaries of missionaries in any of our about three hundred churches here, the fields they choose to select, so that the number of our staff may be greatly inproposal is that each missionary should creased. be allocated to the care of a group of six I am, yours very truly, churches. By a diary and correspond- DUNCAN MoLAREN.
ence from time to time he could keep the home churches posted up in his Rev. Dr. Townsend, of Birmingham, work, and they, on the other hand, would England, in his article on .. Comity and be more likely to take a personal interest Co-operati~n in Missions," in the May in the man and his labors than they do number of the REVIEW, says that" one now. crying want of our mission enterprise ill an organ somewhat resembling the MIS- The suggestion is one which has long SIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, issued been in practical operation in Scotland, in New York, or on the plan of the Rewhere Church or Sunday-schools have view of Reviews, which shall be pan-mis. taken some little dusky child for their sionary in its scope, catholic in its protege – even at times to the nam- spirit, wherein news of all missions can ing of it. A scheme of this kind can al- be reported, plans of extension disways rely on finding a good basis in cussed, candid criticism indulged in, human nature; let us imbibe or stand and fresh enthusiasm kindled in the for what principle we may, the personal heart of the Church. It should become element will always command the great- the most popular magazine of the day ; est interest.
An Exa.mple to be Followed. certainly none would be able to com- pete with it for freshness, romance, or We publish a letter from one who has inspiring power." himself visited many of the mission fields of the East, and knows from ex· Just what our brother here recomperience that foreign missions are not mends the editors have sought to ac- "a failure." We earnestly wish that complish in the REvrEW. We design it his noble example might be far more to be pan-missionary in scope, catholic widely followed. in spirit, and a magazine wherein news of all missions may be reported, plans ST. OSWALD'S, EDINBUllGH, February 27, 1893. of extension discussed, and problems considered. Dr. Townsend could not Secretary of U. P. Mission Board: DEAB MB. BUCHANAN: .The cheering have better outlined our plan from the tidings received from Manchuria as to beginning, and all we need is hearty cothe large number of persons who have applied for baptism, showing the mar· _operation to make this magazine supply vellous progress of the Gospel in that the very place which this programme land;must convince all that the number proposes. We shall welcome any con- of converts is limited only by the num- triblltions under any of'the departments ber of missionaries in the field. It seems to me, therefore, the hounden he mentions, and any requests or sugduty of our Church to increase the staff gestions we will give attention to as far of our agents year by year, and if the ali lieil ill. our power. A. T. P. The Afrioa·Malagasy Slave Traffic. motion of alarm. .' The Malagasy Church," he says, .. has passed through L. M. S. COLLEGE, ANTANANARIVO, two seasons of great trial; out of both of these it has come both stronger and MADAGASCAR, January 17, 189a. better. I do not desire further troubles for it-very far from this; but if they To the J!)Jitor of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW: come again I do not fear them; if only the Malagasy Christians remain firm in SIB : May I, as II. Madagascar mission. their faith in Christ, then all will be well. I believe, not as part of a lifeless aaryl~tctaelrl*thoef attention of your readers to creed. but as the expression of a living a British resident in this truth in the words: ' Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the country, which appears in yo~r pres.ent Lord of Hosts.''' Mr. Clarke writes like one who knows his God and knowllHim oisfsuthe~ referring to the certam reVival too well to fear diplomatic intrigue or slave trade from Africa into this the menacing power of the oppressor. Faith's stillness, or, as some may call island if the extraordinary instructions it, weakness, is greater strength than the might of kings, or, as we should of Lord Rosebery on this subject are al. here say, repUblics.
lowed to go unchallenged by I'arliament "An AmeDican missionary, writing from Arcot, in India, says that the and the country. Church has two missionaries, of which it takes little account namely, the bicy· Is it really the fact that a Liberal Gov. cle and the magic lantern. The former, 'over the admirable roads so largely ernment is going, not only to give up found in India, makes short tonrs, and even long ones, rapid and easy, and is all British interests in this island to the much used by the younger missionaries. Of the other agency, large use is made tender mercies of a French protectorate, in many places.' " -Pree Church Monthly.
but also to abandon the long.continued The Church of England London Mis. sion is now under an eclipse, being at honor England has had of protecting present without a single representative. The" Appeal for Men," issued in April the Rlave? last, has not met with a response. Since then Dr. Battersby has been I am, yours faithfully, obliged to relinquish the work for the third time and has no hope of being JA)'IES SIBBEE, able to return; and Mr. Eric Lewis, amid general regret, has felt obliged to Missionary of the L. M. 8. sever his connection with the society.- British Notes. The Church Intelligencer for February contains several interesting items from BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS. Archdeacon Wolfo's journal. Tho ex· tracts relate to visits made in connection 'From copies of the Madagascar News with the Fuh-Kien Mission. The follow. which have come to hand. we find ing case of conversion, one of many cit· that the missionaries are being raked ed, we give iIi condensed form. A shop. by two fires. Mr. Henry E. Clarke, missionary in Antananarivo, in a let. ter thml de~cribes the case: "The Par. is papers blame us for not being neu· tral. The Madagascar News, on the other hand, has for months been writ· ing at us for being neutral and for reo fusing to leave our neutrality. Poormis· sionaries I How hard to please every. body-nay, we please neither side I"
In reply the Madagascar News says, in effect: " What the missionaries now feel we foresaw and forewarned them of. We knew that their Christian·like resig. nation to what the future has in store will not save the Protestant Church of Madagascar if France enforces her pre. tensions on the Malagasy."
A strong case may apparently be made out for both sides of this question. Faith's power is often more seen in quiescence than in agitation or in what may even look like heroic measures. Mr. Clarke evidently believes in the repose of faith and in stilling the storm by believingly stifling the first • Page 449. keeper of the age of fifty who had made As noted in the columns of the Daily some money and retired was robbed Telegraph, reports have reached London one night of nearly all that he had. It from Mr. Hill, the archbishop'S com- was then, in the providence of God, he missary to the Niger missions, and heard for the first time of the riches 'bishop.designate of that district in suc- that never fail, and he was led by God's cession to Dr. Samuel Crowther, stating infinite mercy and grace to fix his heart that the native Church demands a sec- on these treasures, and at once became ond negro bishop, but will compromise a regular attendant at the church. upon a division of the see with one Eu- Wondering at the fact, now to him ropean and one African prelate. The strange, that he had not heard of these archbishop'S decision is not yet given, things hefore, seeing that Christian and the equally vexing problem con- teachers had been at work in those cerning the bishoprics of Maritzburg parts for many years, he began to go and Natal is still unsolved.
ahout among his neighbors and seek out the ears that were willing to hear the Mr. Eugene Stock, in the Church Mis- precious news of the unsearchable. sianary Gleaner for February, in a paper riches. As a result, several families, entitled" A Month in New Zealand,"
both inside and outside the city, have gives the following summary concerning been won over and are now in attend· the natives of that island: .. Less than ance on the means of grace, their faces forty thousand Maoris remain in New set Zionward. Zealana. Of these the great majority are quiet, professing Christians. About Archdeacon Wolfe, commenting on half belong to the Church of England, St. James's description of the little memo and about llalf the rest are Wesleyans ber, says: "No one who has not lived or Roman Catholics. The remaining in a heathen, country and mixed freely fourth represent the semi-heathen sec- with heatht"n and understanding what tion that either fell away or had never this tongue utters, can have any concep. been brought in."
tion of the vile, filthy, and atrociously abominable language which this little, The Rev. T. Harding, a Church of vile member can give expression to, es- England missionary, has supplied a pecially when brought into play by most interesting account of a preaching heathen women; and it is one of the tour in the Yoruba country, Western surest signs of conversion when the Africa, a stronghold of th'e most degrad- tongue has been' tamed' and its vile ed heathenism. He has evidently taken habits cleansed and purified. It is up the work of missiolllzing these peo- often the case," he observes, "that ples with. both hands and an ellrnest Christians suffer great losses because heart, and has done something, as it they cannot give license to the tongue; seems to us, considerable in breaking and the heathen knowing this, take ad- up the fallow ground. He has utilized vantage of it to harass and defraud them the magic lantern with great effect and of their property." A case is instanced taught gospel truth by eye and ear to of a man who justified his heathenism large multitudes. He says, "Without on this ground. All the members of exaggeration, I have taught thousands the family were Christians but himself ; of people to pray, •Jesus, Son of God but he frankly told the missionary it and Saviour of the world, save me ; for- would never do for no one in the family give me my sins, and show me TI1y to be able to swear and use bad Ian. way.' Who can tell how many of these guage; and aF! Christians could not do will find entrance into the eternal home? this vile business, he remained a hea- Jesus knows, and we can often com- then in self·defence and to protect the mend them to Him in prayer, and His general interests of the household. Holy Spirit can teach them… The Rev. C. W. A. Clarke, M.A., small, I beliQve there is not such a sad principal of the Robert Noble College, sight throughout the eighteen provinces Masnlipatam, contends that the educa. of China as that of which I write.
tional missions of India are fully justi. Here are Whole tribes, whole peoples, fied by the results. Giant trees have without even a chance of knowing about been cut down, the names of some of the Saviour's love. "
the largest heing Caste, Idolatry, Lying, Lust. "From the Noble College," he says, A mail from Uganda was received on "God has brought out men who have December 23d bringing news up to Sepdone great things for Him. One convert tember 26th. The eagerness of the was a district missionary in charge of the Waganda to purchase Scripture portions Masulipatam district; another an evan· was marked. So tremendous was the gelist to the Telugu people, mighty in crush to obtain copies that Mr. Basker. deed and in word; some have taught in ville was obliged to barricade his house our college and our high school in the and sell from the window. In ten min. Telugu country; some are preaohers, utes all the copies of St. Matthew's gos· some laymen, influential and highly re· pel were sold. Mr. Baskerville says, spected by their non·Christian brethren, "We could sell fifty loads, when we striving to bring home the power of only have three to sell." Christ to those who know Him not, by their life and conversation in that sta- tion in life to which God has oalled Miss Holme gives a graphic account them. In everyone of these cases the in Ohina's Millions of the assault on the convert has had to pass through the fiery home of Mr. and Mrs. Huntley, she furnace of persecution and atRiction be· being at the time their guest. Her tesfore he could openly serve Christ or be· timony is eminently God-honoring. .. I come a witness for Him before his caste praise God for giving me the honor of brethren." Mr. Clarke is satisfied with suffering for righteousness' sake. I the theory and the principles and is shall never fear what man can do unto also enamored with the machinery. me ; nor the evil day ; for I know grace " The one thing we, like all other work. will be given, as it has been in this ers for Christ, really do want is more of case. I know the Lord is a very present the power of the Holy Spirit to give life help in time of trouble. Oh, how much and effect to our efforts." I would like to tell you how the Lord showed His goodness! I do praise Him An appeal is made by Mr. John A. for allowing me to prove His sustain. Anderson, in G'hina's Millions, in behalf ing grace."
of the unevangelized aboriginal tribes.
Three are mentioned-the Ming kia, the The tidings to hand in China's Nul- Mo'soh, and the Lo·los. In the Ta·Ii ions from Rih-chan, Shansi, and Hiao·I, valley there are three hundred Ming-kia Shansi, are of more than ordinary in- villages, numbering many tens of thou. terest. 'Many conversions and baptisms sands of souls. Mr. Anderson says, are recorded; and also one or two in· .. So far as I know, nothing has been stances of much heroism under suffer.
done to give them the Gospel in their ing. Mr. Lutley tells of a convert own tongue. They are very aocessible. named Roh who, because he would not Both men and women come freely to pray to the idols, was accused of being me for medicine, although often unable the cause of a drought then prevailing.
to talk Chinese…. Although my " They first beat and kicked him, and knowledge of the oomparative needs of then tied his hands together, and carried other provinces is necessarily very him to a village three Ii distant, where he became insensible, and they had to mation, as to what has been actually acdrench him with water to relltore him; complished, than they can get either but it was not until evening that, bruised from missionaries or from their wouldand stiff, they let him go free. They be critics. So the English Baptist Misalso made him pay a thousand cash to sionary Society sent out two clergymen give a feast to the men who had beaten to visit the Baptist stations in North and carried him. It was good," con· China. Mr. Morris records his imprestinues Mr. Lutley, "to hear the poor sions of what he saw and heard, vividly I fellow relating how, when they were and clearly, showing himself to be a carrying him, he remembered that Ste. careful and shrewd observer, giving us phen, while being stoned, prayed for valuable information as to the country his enemies ; and he began to pray for and the people. He discusses the rehis, asking the Lord to forgive them," ligions of China and the various phases a proceeding on his part which but in- of missionary work, and says that, for creased their rage and brought upon extent, character and work, missions in him worse blows. China far exceed hi~ largest expecta- tions. It is a valuable addition to our Another notable case of sovereign knowledge of the country and the pracchange is that of Mrs. Kia, who was for- tical value and actual accomplishment merly possessed by an evil spirit. ., She of missionary effort. was," says Mr. George McConnell, "a terror to all, even to us. We feared to -Madagascar, its .Missionaries and its see her come into our yard ; but now Martyrs, by W. J. Townsend, D.D. she is so changed, fully saved, out and (F. H. Revell Co., New York and Chiout for Jesus." cago). Dr. Townsend gives the marvel- lous story of Christianity in the island The Moravian Quarterly is marked by of Madagascar in a most vivid and intones of mingled gladness, Aadness, and teresting way. It is a story with which determination. The pioneers in North all Christians, young and old, should Queensland have acquired speedily a be familiar, for it is unique in the hispowerful influence over the natives. tory of missionary enterpriRe. More at- Confidence is won in the highest degree, tention is given at present to the newer some acquaintance with the language and larger mission fields, but the story has been made, and since the natives of the planting and training of the understand a few English words, the Christian Church in Madagascar is one pioneers are able to testify to them ., of which will never los(l its interest and God who is love and of the redemption power. for sin through the blood of His Son. "
Difficulties impede progress in Nica· -Lives and Work of Rev. and Mrs. ragua, ., but the earnest appeal of the Cephas Bennett, by Ruth Ranney (Silver, poor Indians for missionaries will Burdett & Co., New York, Boston, and quicken sympathy and prayer, before Chioago). Sixty years of missionary life which all obstacles must vanish." in Burma are here described graphically and tersely. Miss Ranney has succeed_ Publioations Noticea, ed in narrating the lives of her grand- parents in such a manner as to transfer . -A Winter in North China, by Rev. to the reader the interest which she T. M. Morris (Revell Co., New York and herself feels in their work. Dr. Bunker Chicago, $1.50). It is natural that the says in his introduction: .. The aroma people at home who contribute gener. of these lives will pass upon others; ously for missions shOUld desire occa- and no one can study them without sionally some more unprejudiced infor- being better." The proceeds from the book will be devoted to mission work in Bul'IP!.
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
Africa,* Madagascar,t The Freedmen,* AFRICA. § Bechuanaland and Mashonaland along the way of the lakes to Uganda and BY J. T. GRACEY, D.D. down the valley of the Nile to AIexan- dria. Only 35 years have elapsed since Africa has been described as .. one the mighty prize of the source of the universal den of desolation, misery, and Nile was wrested from oblivion j and crime." It is a vast country to come more has been done, so far as any susunder such characterization. It is 1500 picions of history reveal, to reclaim the miles long and 4600 miles wide. The .. Lost Continent" within 30 years than equator cuts it, and both tropics cross in the previous 3300 years. it. Lay its western edge at San Fran. cisco, and it would cover land and sea The population of the continent is to the coast of Ireland. Its rivers are roughly estimated at 200,000,000, or its most marked geographical feature. nearly one-seventh part of the people of The Nile sweeps through 37° of lati- the globe. The beat authorities haTe tude; the Kongo has greater volume agreed that the ethnological classificaand basin. Of its great inland seas, tion must, for the present at least, follow Victoria Nyanza and Albert Nyahza be- language lines. The general conclusion long to the Nile, Tanganyika to the is that the cradle of the genuine negro Kongo, Nyassa to the Zambesi. Possi- race is Africa; that of the Bantu. Asia j blythe entire continent was circumnavi- the one living for ages without the tropio gated in B.C. 600; but in the Middle of the East, the other pushing on to its Aries it had already become the" Dark sunny home in the great peninsula. Continent," its coast line being un· There is known to be a wide difference known beyond Morocco. By the close between the negro and the Bantu races. of the fifteenth century the Portuguese The Bushmen and Hottentot are relathad got far round the Cape of Good ed linguistically with Egypt, and have Hope_ For the next century Africa been sundered from the northern eleseems destined to be the wonder of the ment by some great dividing wedge. world. The rapid opening up of its They differ in appearance, manners, and enormous stretches and the marvellous customs from the Bantu. They were way in which Christianity and civiliza- wont to worship the moon, following tion are bringing light and hope and the sidereal worship of North Africa, liberty to the races of the interior are and their gods are beneath, never above. adding fascinating chapters to the his- The Bantu are lighter colored than the tory of the world. Already the whole negro, nor is their hair so woolly. The country is known from Cape Town to indications are that the Bantus originat- Cairo, and soon the telegraphic com- ed in Western Asia, perhaps in Armemunication will be continuous from nia, possibly in the Euphrates. Their mutual relation is traced in language- * See also pp. 48, 64 (Jan.), 136 (Feb.), 196, 226 structure and roots, as close as those of the Aryan family. The Zulu is spoken (Mar.), 370{May), 404, 423, 426,428 (present issne). in Zululand and by half a" million in t Sec also pp. 66 (Jan.), 4t9, 459 (present Issne). Natal. Dr. Bleek makes 13 classes of t See p. 413 (present issne). Zulu dialects. Sigwamba is spoken ~ We draw largely on the following sonrces aa from Zululand to the Sofala, inland 300 miles j the Yao in the region east and lIumorities in this study: "Report of Commer- south of Lake Nyassa ; the Nyamwezi cial Agent Chatelain on the Province of Angola," east of Tanganyika ; the Swahali by half with original map, .. Reports of the Consuls of a million of people in Eastern Africa; the United States, No. 147, December, 1892;" the Umbundu in Bihe and Bailunda; "The Church Missionary Atlas: Part 1,Africa ;" " Africa Rediviva," by Robert N. Cust, LL.D.; "The IaiZlllu," by Lewis Grout; ~~ Missionary L8ndscap~ in the Dark Continent," by Rev. James Johnston, A. T" S.; "Forty Years among the Zulus," by Josiah Tyler. the Kimbundu, Xongo, and Umbundu Marshman's" History of Roman Catho- in Angola; the Xongo in Xongo region ; lic Missions" layll large claim to success the Mpongwe on the Gaboon River; under the Portuguese in Xongo and the the Dikele by 100,000 at the sources of Zambesi. It is scarcely too IItrong to the Gabun (see Grout's Grammar). The say these utterly relapsed into heathen_ .. Atlas" recognizes six groups for the ism. .. Quick baptisms" by wholesale continent: Hamitic, Nuba-Fulah, Semit- brought their natural result. ic, Negro, Bantu, Hottentot-Bushmen. MODEBN PROTESTANT MISSIONS date The religiO'll8 are (1) African pagan, from Moravian beginnings in West with witchcraft. human sacrifices, ahd Africa in 1736, and in South Africa in fetichism; and (2) Muhammadanism. 1792. The Church of England began Chatelain lIByS, and all experienced work in Egypt in 1826. The United witnesses agree with him, that the Presbyterians of America have had the pagans all believe in one God, who made m08t marked 8ucce88 of modem times and maintains all things, inTisible yet in Egypt proper for a dilltance of 400 eTer seeing the thoughts of man, the miles up the Nile. They have 90 staauthor of all the good and much of the tions with schools, or congregations and suffering, who is angry with men and in- schools united, taught by native pasdifferent to the details of their liTes. tors and teachers; 1000 Mos11!m bOYII They do not worship him nor represent and girls are in these schools. The him by image, nor do they believe that North African Mission ill in Tunis, he is contained in any fetich. What Tripoli, Algeria, and Morocco. So are tranllera generally call gods are inferior some others in localities, and numerous spirits, to whom God has intrusted the organizations of Roman Catholics are in administration of the natural forces. all this region and in the Sahara. They fear these and the shades of de- In 1875 Nyassa, "the Lake of the parted spirits. The images are simply Stars," was circumnavigated, and the amulets and talismans. Dying, one goes Scotch Free Church, Established to hades; dying in hades, he goes to an Scotoh, the United and the Reformed utterly unknown region. Muhamma- Presbyterians soon thereafter began danism swept with fire and sword OTer work in this part of Africa. North Africa in the seventh century, In November, 1&75, Mr. Stanley'. and in the lallt two centurills has spread challenge to Christendom to enter over the Soudan, West Africa proper, Uganda appeared in a London paper. and on the eastern coast. It has Beven months later the first mission brought some externals of civilization; party arrived at Zanzibar. The first but the tribes are in little but name Mos- converts, five in number, were baptized lem ; thllY have changed the fetich from March, 1882. Uganda lies northwest of .ticks and stones to Arabic texts from Victoria Nyanza, and is one of the most the Quran. The whole of the vast inland powerful kingdoms in East Central slave trade is in the hands of these Mos- Africa. It is a four months' journey lems. Mr. Cust says that Islam is " in from the coast. To carry 250 tons, possession of the majority of the popu- $250,000 must be paid to 1000 slaTes lation of Africa, with a tendency to in- hired Ollt by slave owners. But by the crease by its own momentum and adapta- prooeeds of the hire of the British East bility to the environment of the pagan Africa Company, 4000 slaves have effect- African." (3) Christianity came to Africa ed their freedom. The railway system through Hellenist Jews. In the fifth cen- of 600 miles building from the coast tury there were 560 bishoprics in North will cover a coast line of 400 miles and Africa. The North African Church was 1000 miles inland, levering the IIlaveswept out of existence by Islam; the caravan-routes. The reverses of the Coptic- and Abyssinian churches have Church of England Mission have been been Christian in little more than name. connected with the political situation ; lItesa's professed aoceptance of Chrill- besi, a strip. of 800 milesin length. The tiatiity; his return to heathenism, his mis!lion history. thougll I!.ot ita wOl;k, death, the succession of Mwanga, his dates from 1877 ; the la~ter begins with hostility and overthrow, his reinstate- 1885. The mission is international, mentunder the influence of the Roman- though under the di:tection of the Paris ist missionaries, his unprincipled con- Evangeliclll Missionary 8ooiet1. The duct-all combined to make a fiery fur- Primitive Methodis~s have recently en. nae,s for the martyr church of Uganda. tered this :tegion. The sacrifice of missionary life has already been enormous. The saintly The missions of Kajaria bave bef'n 80 band of graduat.,s from the English Uni- long familiar to the Christian churches versities who founded a unique mission that we make no further mention of with four bases, on the eastern side of them than, that of 650,000 Kafirs in Cape Lake Nyassa cover a radius of 25,000 Colony, about one fourth have bl'len bapsquare miles in their estimated reach of tized ; and in Zululand. of 50,000 up_ influ~nce. Thirty-six of these young ward of 2000 are Christians; and in men and maidens, the Hower of English Pondoland, of 150,000, 3000 are Chris-, birth, culture, and piety, have found rest tianized. in African graves. The mission h~s nevertheless made marked progress. In Katanga Arnot began work in 1881 by journeying from Natal to Shoehong, Lake Tanganyika was discoverlld less and on to Benguela on the West Coast, than 40 years ago. Until lately thE! and then peaceably forced his way into route thither was 830 miles from Zanzi- the Garanganze country to initiate bar, and took 100 days. Now it is up Christian civilization. The book by the Shire, thence by the missionary Mr. Arnot," Go.renganze: Seven Years' . highway, .. the Stephenson road," unit. Pioneer Mission Work," published by ing the north end of Nyassa and the the Revell Company, belongs, as Dr. A. southern point of Tanganyika. The T. Pierson says, "in the department, London Missionary Society began work not of Apologetics, but of Energetics." here in 1874, inspired by the telegram to London: "Livingstone is really The &uthern missionary region-De.- dead, and his body is coming home in maraland, Namaqualand,. Good Hope one of the queen's ships." Living. Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, etc.- stone's trumpet call, ., Go forward, and needs not detailed reference here. with the Divine blessing you will suc· These missions do not cling to the ceed. Do you carry on the work which coast, but occupy interior positiona. I have begun. I leave it with you," The climate is suited for Europeans, roused England as well as Scotland. A and large colonies have been settled. noble, heroic work, with increasingly en- Islam has never been in the ascendant. couraging result, has been done by Our reference to Mr. Cust's" Redivive." .. running the gauntlet of fiery ordeals, must in nowise be accepted as comenduring the hardship of perilous travel, mendatory of the idiosyncrasies in his surmounting obstacles of transit and opinions and criticisms. They must malarious climates, pelletrating regions stand on their merits. and some of them untrodden by Europeans," but with an have decided merits; others wear an ez ever-widening confidence amollg the cathedra air, as on page 38, aboutmiBsionmotley population of this territory. arr interference with public morals as impertinence, which it mayor may The Upper Zambesi missions in the not be ; but any allusion to their" ex- Barotsi kingdom were inaugurated by pulsion" on this account is ludicrous. M. Coillard. This kingdom stretches If anybody has gone to South Africa to from the Rafu River to 20° east long., stay, it is the missionary_ and from the Quando and Zambesi to the watersheds of the Rongo and Zam- Angolaland is 80 interestingly treated in Mr. Chatelain's" Report," that we would like to transfer it to these columnl!!. It can probably be had on ap- the English Wesleyan!! Penetrated to plieation to the proper authoritie.IJ. The Quarra, a branch of the Niger. The history of Roman Catholic missions Soudan, stretching from 8° of lat. to under the Portuguese is of use for the the borders of the Sahara, and 3500 warnings of their mistakes and the re- miles from east to west, has a popula- sults. They are now stimulated by the tion nearly equal to that df North Amer- presence of the "Bishop Taylor" 80- ica ; but missionary pioneering has be- styled " Self – supporting missions,' , gun. The name of Crowther, "the which extend to many interior stations only colored non-European bishop con- and have cost lives and money. secrated in England since apostolic Kongoland, with its good waterway days," will ever stand connected with throngh all its great basin, is so promi- the Niger region and missions; and nently in the eye of the Christian pub- Wilmot Brooke's memory will be per- lio tliat, vastly important as it is, we petuated in the Soudan Mission.
need bestow only a paragraph on it in The Gold Ooast from St. Paul to Cape this skeleton reference. At Boma are Palmas has much independent territory, 800 more or less resident Europeans, where the English Wesleyan, the Basle 80 of whom are missionaries. The Eng- and Bremen have done noble work at lish Baptists entered the Kongo valley large cost of life and yet with gratify- in 1878. Through 15 years of struggle, ing results. Liberia is patronized only, soldiers and heroines of faith have !l0 far as foreign subsidy of men and sened, suffered, and perished, till " no money goes, from the United States.
Christian church has supplied a nobler Mr. Cust is too emphatic in saying that contingent to the army of martyrs"- Liberia, as well as Sierra Leone, has the Combers alone would make this failed to make any impression on the record resplendent. Various societies surrounding colored men of the same or are at work-the American Baptists, the cognate African race. It is a marked slip Bishop Taylor, the Kongo-balolo; and in ethnological reference, for the Afro- the French Evangelical of Paris pro- Americans represent trihes in most cases poses, if it has not already begun. to from which they are remotely separated, enter French territory. Through 12,000 and to our personal knowledge they miles of coast or river.line villages and have done something, and under their towns are approachable by the mission- oonditions a good deal, to "impress"
ary. the native races adjoining them. Bishop On the Gabun, the coast island of Taylor's line of self·supporting work in Corisco and the Ogowe, the Ani.ericun the Cavallo. River country has been Presbyterians, after years of successful vigorously pushed, and though ham- work, are hampered by the French Co- pered, deserves great commendation.
lonial policy requiring the use of the Bie-.-ra Leone has an English Episcopal French language in educational work. Ohurch, self-supporting. The English In the Kameruns the English Baptists Wesleyans, the United Brethren (at had a good work, but were substituted Mendi), an American mission from Kan- by a German mission solely because it sas behind Freetown, as 1 base for a had be00me a German colony-a narrow Soudan mission, represent the work of policy out of joint with the times, and Protestants. In the Gpmbia region, at :' a I!hameful breach of the recognized Bathurstand other places, the Wesley- law of missions. " ans and English Episcopals have long The Niger basin presents a population sustained work.
•' untainted" by the evil of contact of We have made a very incomplete and European commerce. The Church of not a balanced sketch of the missions England Missionary Society has impor- of the continent of Africa. They are tant station!! in the Delta, conducted till too vast already for an outline of even very r~cently by African missionaries; a dozen pages. We have been obliged to suppress even the names of the Roman to·morrow if there were funds and men Oatholic societies and orders, many of to do it. The Tembu people have whom have shown illustrious heroism pleaded for a long time that a mission.
in self·denial and endurance worthy of ary be sent to them. The headman has high admiration. All of them will be given ground for the missionary to live found named in Mr. Oust's" Rediviva," upon. At a time when rood was soorce which if not complete is the nearest and the people nearly starving because complete reference volume that we can of what befell their harvest last year, he name, and which is invaluable except has supported in his own hut a native where the author makes excursions to evangelist who was sent there during express his notions instead of judgment; the last six months. . . .
but even these are spicy and suggestive, " People at home should know these and of vaJue. facts. In Western Pondoland there are MADAGASOAl AND ZANZmAl belong to probably not fewer than 40,000 people the African system, and should be con· with no one to tell them the Gospel.
sidered in this group of missions, They are a fine stalwart race of men, though the Malagassy belong ethnologi- but they are living in the grollsellt heacaJly rather with Malaysia. Madagas- thenism. Such a fact should surely apcar is the Great Britain of Africa, but peal to those who may know little of three times her size. Ellis's" Martyr the details of foreign mission work, and Ohurch" of Madagascar well-nigh ranks may in consequence have but a languid as 110 Christian classic. The London Mis- interest in its needs. sionary Society, the Society for the Prop. agation of the Gospel, and the Friends, ,. The TembuB have been aSKing tbat as well as the Norwegians, have operated in Madagascar, the pre-eminence a missionary should be sent to them for belonging to the first-named. All of the ten years. In the thanksgivings of this islanders are not yet evangelized. jubilee year the Tembus and Pondos will surely not be forgotten." (The A late number of the London Chronicle money is now provided, and a missionsays: "We have received a printed table ary will be sent to Tembuland. The Glasgow Oollege students are to pro- vide the mission hOllse, and Stockbridge congregation have given the communion plate.)-Rev. John Lennoz.
of statistics, showing that in our Mad- agascar Mission (not including, however, In a recent letter from Uganda, the the Betsileo district) there are 980 Rev. G. K. Baskerville, of the Ohurch schools; that of the 46.501 scholars Missionary Society, gives a striking inpresenting themselves for examination, stance of the eagerness of the Waganda 21,721 brought slates, 19,480 brought to purchase Scripture portions. Some Bibles or Testaments; and that 16,206 boxes of books arrived, and, during the passed in reading, 12,739 in writing, sale, so tremendolls was the cmsh of and 9,334 in arithmetic." those anxiolls to purchase that Mr. Baskerville was obliged to barricade his " There is a chain of missions stretch- house and sell from the window. All ing like a great strong backbone through the copies of St. Matthew's Gospel the country from Lovedale to Somer- were sold in ten minutes. Prayerville, a distance of two hundred and books, reading-books, etc., were aJl dis- posed of, and more than a thousand people were waiting about, "mad to buy a book."
fifty miles. There are two places at which this backbone just now needs The Derlhi Missionary Society is en strengthening badly. It is at that big gaged in six sections in South and Eaflt gap of ninety miles. On the left-hand Mrica, and at the various stations.has side of the direct line there is a large gathered 11,456 communicants. A misunworked part of Tembu1and. On the sionary stationed at Konigsberg writes: right hand there is the vaRt Pondo na- •• Twenty-five years ago the number of tion in wild untouched heathenism. baptized heathen in Natal was 2000 and Both of these places could be occupied now it is 8000. And the Boers, who formerly looked coldly on, now regard the mission with favor."
GENERA!. lIlSSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
, ED~ BY lU!lV. D. L. LBONAllD.
Extraots .iid TiaD8~tion8 from Foreign to an 'African boy to sit still. It is no trouble' to an Afriean to show an ap. Periodioals.
pearanoe of reverence. Africanboys BY 'UT. C. 0. S'UlIllucx. ,ANPOVEB, ;MASS. have not ,the fidgets like English boys AnroA. have, and they have not so strong a -" Our Lessouto field is whitening will to be oontrolled, What we want is to tne harvest. There are 7689 pupils to teach them a religion which will lead in our sohools, ,and 12,460 Christians them· to disoipline their li"es. Somein,our ohurohes. While, formerly, the times when I have heard warmth of ex- Bassuto Christians doubled their num- pression on the part of those natives bers in fourteen years, it has of late who have been brought up differently; I only. taken six years for the aggregate have felt a little sad, as if there was to double itself again. During the past something wanting among us; but my ten years, tbe scholars have quadrupled, oommon sense and my experience have and 'the Christians tripled. Our Zam- alwsys .brought me baok· to this-that besi mission occupies in the missionary we must teaoh them a religion whioh army working for the oonquest of Cen- will lead them to .disoipline themselves tral A~icaa position of inoaloulable in the midst of 'this vast mass of imimportance; what surprise, then, that purity-in the midst of this terrible at- the.prince of this world should defend mosphere of evil in whioh their battle with special fury the poiD.t menaced by lies. Yes, I do not suppose that anyonr work? God has, moreover, per- body here in this protected country mitted that this mission should be a knows what a battle it is to anyone powerful means of edification for onr there in Africa to live a really holy and churohes, stimulating the faith and noble life. We hear of the virtues of courage of many." -Journal des Mis- the 'Doble savage.' Let anybody who sions, quoted in The Ohristian. talks about the virtues of the noble sav- age come and stay in oup country, and -" In the Soudan, stretching from I think then that he will have to correct the Atlantic to the Red Sea, between those theoretical impressions of his. I theeigMh and sixteenth parallels of think that he would soon have to Benorth 'latitude, there is a population of knowledge that for anyone to lead a 60;000,000 to 80,000,000, mostly Mos- really Christian life in t~t oountry lem, and almost untouched bv oission- means a much greater battle than most illY effort."-The Reaper. people have to fight amid that Chris- -" I, am oertain that the people of tianized social opinion and those sur- Africa need not so muoh to be taught roundings of protected life which most an emotionnl as a di~ciplining religion. of us have here. Therefore we ha?eto It is not difficult to work uppn the emo- koep people a long time waiting.before tions of the inhabitants of a tropical we admit tht>m to Christianity. It has oountry~ We may produce, I dare say, generally been supposed that Roman a ..great.appearanoe of outward devo- Catholics are verY easy in baptizing tion., I think that some people in Eng- people, but a Frenoh miBllionBIY told land would be surprised if they came me the other day that Cardinal Lavi- to our, large school at Zanzibar and saw gene, the great head of African mis- the devotion of the boys at the time of sions, had sont out a message that no sei'vioe; but the fact is that it does native was to be baptized under two not D1ean nearly, so much, as it would years' preparation as a catechumen.'
mean in this country. It is no trouble Well, I have tried something of that kind, and I acknowledge that it is too pa.rily in order to guard the yet weak long; but still there must be·a long Ch:ristian.·from the temptations ofe·the preparation first to test their· earnest. great city. In the course. of the year ness and sincerity, and then there must twenty houses were thus ftlledwith be the deepest dealing with individual Christian families, so that now Christ sculs. Call it conf6B8ion or what y{)U Church has a Christian· cOllgregation of like-we must deal'with each individ. about one hundred souls belongiDg,to ualsoul. The spiritual pastMmUstput it. These are partly derived from; the his arm around each individualAfrica.n, Univeraities' Mission itself, partly from and he must fight side. byside with him the stations of the Church Missionary the battle of life. Society in Mombasa and Freretown.
" The Church must not be depressed With these twenty modest Christian to a lower level to meet half.way the abodes the Mkunazini property of the heathenism of .Africa. The Church Universities' Mission forms a gennine must embrace the African, and raise Christian colony in the midst of the him up by her sacraments and means Mohammedan capital. Around the of grace, and spread a network around former slave market are situated, to the him and raise him up to her high lev. north, Christ Church; to the sOuth, the el, not abating one jot in morality or mission house with the missionaries'
spirituality of what she' requires of her dwellings; to the east the Apprentices'
children here at home. Only so, I be· Bome ; to the west the hospital, and lieve, will there be a truly healthy, liv. around these stately buildings the com· ing Church in Africa. Only then will pact array of the Christian homes.
she dare, as we are daring, to try to The whole is a worthy representation, form a native ministry, and to,put be- a mighty sermon in stone, setting forth fore each boy who has intellectual ca· English Christianity in the face of Mos· paeity, and is leading a high moral life, lem bigotry and moral corruption."- that that is the life he is to look for· Pastor RICHTlI:B, in Allgemeine M"tasions· ward to out of gratitude to God; that Zeitschrift.
as our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen him out of the millions of heathen who -The blessing of God, remarks Dr.
are still in darkness to be Bisson" and WABlflI:cX, continues to rest on the little has poured down so many blessings mission of· the Free Church of Canton upon him, so it should be the highest Vaud, at Delagoa Bay. It has three ambition of his life to take the message stations: Lorenzo-Marques, Rikatla, of the boly Gospel to his. brethren, and and Antioka. In six year!!, for the to spend his life in sharing those great three, about nine hundred· convBl'ts blessings which he has received with have been gather.ed. At Lorenzo~Mar· hiB brethren, who will remain in heathen ques a missionary physician has Hen darkness if he dQes not go to teach stationed, with very. happy results of. his them. That is what many of our young activity. To the north of Rikatla, ·in men have in their hearts ; and one day the territory of the ehief'Mahazule, a I am quite sure that ,we shall Bee an en· little Christian community has consti· thusiastic and able ministry extend· tuted itself &sa result of the courageous ing the w{)rk of· the Church far and wide testimony of a converted woman; who in Africa. " -BIBK{)p SKYTEIES, in Central has won anuruber of other women to Africa. the Gospel. .In North Transvaal" where there are also three stations-Valdelia, -In Zanzibar "it was an original Elim, and Shiluwane-there is much to idea of Bishop Steere to gather around -l'etard the work; the gold fever, the the beautiful edifice· of Christ Church ,law forbidding. more than fi'Ve'oolored all the native Christian elements, partly families to reside on one estate' (and the in {)rder to form a parish for the church, estates are large), and. continuous·.warlike commotions. Discontent, insub- delivered Himself up for us and has left ordination, and looseness of living are us His example. A missionary without sadly fostered by these conditions, and enthusiasm would be a oontradiction ; occasion the missionaries much solici- but the solid and consoientious prepara_ tude. tion of a missionary, the clear-sighted and firm direction of his work, may The Berlin Mission also suffers great- multiply tenfold the activity of a man ly from the same causes, especially from who reckons above all things on God, the oppressive Plakkerswet, the restric- and who, before submitting himself to tive law mentioned above. This mis- the direction of men, and before hum. sion, whose field of labor is very exten- bly preparing himself for his sacred mise sive, divides it into six synods, or super- sion, has surrendered himself BOul and intendencies : North Transvaal, hence- body to his God and knows that he is forth divided into ten Dioceses ; South but a torch-bearer of the eternal light. " Transvaal; Orange Free State; Natal; –Professor F. H. KRUGER, in Journal Caffraria; Cape Colony. These six dis- des Missions. tricts comprise 23,841 baptized peraons ; 1489 cateohumens; 11,456 oommuni- THE WORLD AT LARGE. cants ; 4179 scholars_ -The Zeitschrift states that the Eng- " I am only one, but 1 am one; lish oensus of Basutoland shows the I cannot do everything, bnt I can do somepopulation to be 218,324. The number of Christians of the Paris Society was thing; 9662. Adding children and adherents, What I can do, I onght to do ; these form about 11t per cent of the And what I onght to do, by the grace of God I popnlation. Scholars: 1887. 3754; 1891, 7031 ; 1892, 7869. The mission- will do." aries testify to a decided growth among the Basuto Christians of their spiritual -How little we appreciate the might life, their sense of duty. and their spirit of mites when suffiCiently multiplied. of self-denial. For example, if a church of 30 members were to contribute regularly each one – " Mr. Arnot finds himself obliged at cent a day, with an extra cent each as last to do what all missionary societies a birthday gift, and then half a cent do. He has an agency iJl. Europe to each at the end as a thank offering, look after the transport of baggage; he the amount for a year would be the has an agent on the ooast to receive handsome sum of $110, or enough to them in transit. He has seen himself keep 11 girls or boys in a boarding-school obliged to found two intermediate sta- in India. A club of 3 would thus edutions between the coast and Bunkeya. cate 1 heathen child. What a chance This mission, lately ext~lled as repro- for Sunday-school classes! duoing the apostolic type, in contrast with organized societies, assume., more -The Boston Saturday Evening Gazette and more, the habits of these. It oould recently bestowed upon its readers this not be otherwise. Every personal effort eminently sensible and Christian counwhich prolongs itself must needs organ- sel: .. If you are getting lazy, v.-atch ize itself or disappear; but a regular James. If your faith is below par, read and faithful organization does not ex- Paul. If you are impatient, sit down clude the apostolic spirit, self-denial, quietly and have a talk with Job. If self-renunciation, the sacrifice of life, your are just a little strong-headed, go if needful, the ardent love of souls, the and see Moses. If you are getting holy desire of glorifying, by an obscure weak-kneed, take a look at Elijah. If and hidden work of perhaps all the there is no song in your heart, listen to days of our life, our Saviour, who has David. If you are getting sordid, spend a while with Isaiah. If you feel chilly, get the beloved disciple to put his arms around you. If you are losing sight of the future, climb up to Revelation and split in two for me, let me get under get a glimpse of the promised land." one corner.) 't Yes, and also let us add, if you do not -Somebody defines Buddhism to be believe much in missions, and so do not a system which teaches men to pray to give much, sit down for an hour now nobody to be made nothing of. and then and commune with the Son of God and the apostle to the Gentiles, -A glance at some missionary statis- to read, mark, and inwardly digest tics carefully prepared and published their teachings on the subject. in tbe American Q;u,arterly Register for -The first appropriation to send a 1830 is very suggestive, and clearly indi- Methodist missionary to India was made cates what marvels of progress have in 1852. The amount was $7500. The come to the kingdom during a few bishops were requested to select a decades. For the Sandwich Islands proper man for superintendent. Four only 90 communicants are reported, and years passed, however, before anyone for the Wesleyans in the South Seas, with the proper qualifications could be Fiji included, 60 communicants and 165 found willing to assume the task of in the schools. In New Zealand and founding a great mission in India. New Holland (for as yet there was no Bishop Thoburn says that it would sur- Australia) are 7 missionaries and 199 in prise people at the present day if the the schools. Africa has 91 missionaries, whol.! truth were told about the search representing 9 societies, 10 native asfor a superintendent, and expresses the sistants, and 2603 communicants. In opinion that" no other prominent post Ceylon, Hindustan, and India beyond in all the history of the Methodist the Ganges 10 societies are at work, Church was ever declined by so many with 135 missionaries, 424 native assist. nominees." At last, in 1856, Rev. ants, 2864 communicants, and 39,219 in William Butler accepted the post. the schools. Dr. Morrison had been in China since 1807 ; 2 others had just ar· -A missionary to New Zealand who rived from America; Messrs. Bridgman was in the habit of dispensing blankets and Abeel, two natives, have been bapamong the Maoris who attended his tized, and one of them, Leangafa, is meetings, noticed that one native came zealously engaged in spreading the too frequently for these comfortable ar- Christian truth in the interior. At the ticles. He mentioned the fact. "No close 30 benevolent societies in the more blankets ?" responded the Maori. United States are named, including all "Well, then, no more hallelujah 1" And the missionary societies, both home and he departed. foreign, also all the Bible, tract, educa.
-Evidently the Occidental mind and tion, temperance, colonization, sea- the Oriental were not cast in the same men's, peace, and prison societies, and mould; and therefore it behooves trans- asylums for the deaf and dumb; and lators in particular to be careful in their the total receipts for the year preceding choice of language. Dr. Chamberlain is given as $584.084.02. Those days of tells this story in illustration. He one exceedingly small things are not so ve~ day SUbmitted a somewhat close Telugu far distant, either.
translation of the hymn, "Rock of Coming down 30 years nearer to the Ages," to an able Telugu pundit, and present, in the New Englander of Au- asked him to say frankly what meaning gust, 1860, Leonard Bacon said : "There it conveyed to him. After long ponder- are at least 40 societies with an expendi.
ing and much hesitation, he replied: ture of $3,000,000, with 5000 native "Every religion has its mysteries, and helpers, and 200,000 communicants."
this, I suppose, is one of yours. I can- Glancing backward, he added: "In not understand it at all, but this is what 1820, at the end of the first decade of it seems to say, 'Oh very old stone, the American Board, there were not more than 50 oonverts," though he could Boldier who (in Lawrence's last words) not find half so many-oould discover died 'trying to do his duty' has d~ but 1 in Bombay, a Mohammedan, 2 in served better of his country and of man- Ceylon, and 20 Indians and negroes kind than have these brave ~en and among the Chootaws and Chickasaws of women of the Madura Mission, who Georgia. And in 1825 there were but 5 face daily the fever of the jungle and native helpers, 4 in Ceylon, and the cholera, whioh is always present in fifth among the Cherokees. ., Now they India, and are, with heroio self·sacri. are grown to 497, of whom 243 are pas- fice, wearing out their lives silently for tors." the good of others."
-The Ohristian Observer (Presbyte- -In Thibet almost every crime is rian, Louisville, Ky.) heads an editorsl punished by the imposition of a fine, relating to the acceptance of three men and murder is by no means an expen- as miBSionaries " More Foreign Mission sive luxury. The fine varies according Appointments, .. and says: "The secu- to the social standing of the victim-120 lar papers are full of the names of men bricks of tea (worth about 35 cents a appointed to represent the United brick) for one of the "upper c1aBS," 80 States in foreign lands, and we have bricks for a person of the middle class, felt that these men are honored in being 40 bricks for a woman, and so on down appointed ambassadors of this Govern- to 2 or' 3 for a pauper or a wandering ment. .. And then, after naming the foreigner. Almost every grown-up man young oandidates and the countries to in the country has a murder or two to which they are to be sent, asks: ,. Shall his credit. we not feel that they have an honor greater than that of any earthly ambas- -In Afrioa a Masai woman has a sador ?" market ,value equal to 5 large glass beads, while a oow is worth 10 of the -The Kingdom (Baptist Missionary same. Union) declares that since there are thirty times as many heathen as there "It was a girl, you know," was the are evangelioal Christians, it follows reallon given by a man and his wife on that eaoh Christian is responsible for Epi, one of the New Hebrides, who had thirty heathen, and they are his share. unblushingly confessed to having buried one of their children alive. -Charles S. Smith, a New York merchant of eminent standing in the busi- Dr. William Ashmore, of Swatow, on ness world, has been visiting India, and visiting a neighboring village, asked the writing to the Tribune, speaks in the population, and was told, .. about three highest terms of the missionaries he or four thousand." "Does this inolude met, and espeoially of those in the Ma- women?" he asked. .. Oh, no," was dura field, whose work he carefully in. the reply; "we follow the Chinese cusvestigated. Thil!l is the closing passage tom and do not count the women." of his letter: "I have since visited the stirring scenes of the Indian Mutiny at -The Spirit of Missions has been told Lucmo,.., Cawnpore, and Delhi. I have " that when that marvel of business enstood reverently and with uncovered terprise, the Standard Oil Company, head beside the graves of Havelock and would find a market for its products it Lawrence. I have read the tablet of is not content merely to wait on the or- Lord Napier, upon which he inscribed dinary demand, but it proceeds to create the name. of the gallant men who car- a market. Its agents went into Menco, ried the Kashmit gate by storm, and but found the people so averse to ohange gave their lives to save the honor and that they would still hold on to their the empire of the English raoe in India. tallow dips in spite of all that was told I solemnly believe, however, that no them of the excellence of kerosene. What then? Did the company give that up as II hopeless market? Not at all. Their agents went about to con· 'Was no ordinary calamity to us as Bapquer the prejuuice and to overcome the tists, for it was, as' has been said, • the stolid indifference, and they did it at a home of Baptist traditions and treaprodigious outlay. They took into sures,' as well as a c&ntre of our misevery house a lamp, all trimmed and sionary operations, home and foreign. filled with oil, and gave it to the people, Every day brings some fresh experience and immediately the market was made." of loss and hindrance oonsequent uPOn it to the workers of the Woman's Society -An interesting illustration of t,he of the East. " indebtedness of science to Christianity is given in 8 little book descriptive of " We can never recall this calamity " Work for the Blind in China." From without thankfulness that no lives were this it appears that a system of Isised imperilled, that it has called forth such characters representing the Chinese lan- kind expressions of sympathy, ihat guage has recently been perfected, a strength equal to the day has beengiven language which has no alphabet proper, to those whose work was so seriCHlSly but 4000 symbols representing syllables, interrupted. The experienoe has taaght and which takes a lifetime to learn. us new confidence in God asa very The system employed is by an ingenious present help in trouble." reduction of the sounds-as distinct from the syllables-to 408. The inventor is -The women of the Lutheran Church, a self-taught genius, Rev. W. H. Mur- General Synod, have four representa. ray, BOn of a Scotch mechanic, who was tives in the foreign field, all at Guntur, prevented from following his father's India, and one of them is a physician. trade by an accident in which he lost They publish mission studies for each an arm. Becoming an agent of the month, and' the General Literature Bible society, he was sent to carry Committee keeps on hand a varied supon its work ill China. Here the mis- ply of tracts, photographs, etc., to dif.' erable condition of the blind, of fuse information and excite interest. whom there is an unusual number in the empire, attracted his attention, and -The women of the Scottish Free led him to devote himself to the discov- Church publish the Helpmeet and the ery of a method by which they might be ahildren's Record. enabled to read. -The English Baptists have their WOMAN'S WORK. Ladies' Association for the Sllpport of zenana work and Bible women in India -The Woman's Missionary Society and China, and a monthly paper, the of the Methodist Church, Canada, has Zenana Missionary Herald. 501 auxiliaries with 11,557 members, and 221 circles and bands with 6590 -The London Sooiety sends out 60 members. The income last year was women, 31 to India, 20 to China, 5. to $35,790. The number of missionaries Madagascar, and 4 to the South Seas. is 26, of whom 16 are in Japan, and 8 in Mrs. Robert Whyte edits the Quarterly British Columbia at work for the In- News of Woman's Work, and the Juvedians and Chinese, with 2 in China. nile also is published, a neat mouthly full of good things. The April number -Helping Ha:niJ. for May has an im- contains an amusing illustrated poem pressive page, which gives in parallel entitled "The Lament of a Missionary columns first the ., shade" and then Box," whioh had seen better days, but the ., light" of the current missionary is now empty and forgotten, an excelsituation. The first item in each col- lent piece for· recitation. umn will serve as a specimen : -In the 'Home JC'lSsiooary for April "The burning of Tremont Temple Ellen W. Curtis tells of what she calls .. a novel climb in Miehigan," but which is equally good for any State, or territory, or kingdom on earth, and no mat- Bible women of our own country and ter how level the surface may be. After England must number approximately premising that" too many of us are sur- 2000..- Oongregationalist.
rounded by the Mountains of Ignorance UNITED STATES. (ignorance of the missionary work); and closing down. overthese mountains, -Christians in Great Britain or upon and shutting us in from the busy out· the Continent have little conception of side world, is the leaden sky of indif- the peculiar and very heavy burdens ference, and we do not know that Le- borne by their American brethren. For, yond these mountains lies a vast field in addition to the calls to aid in the re- ready to be cultivated by us ;" she goes demption of the heathen world is the on to allege that "in flOnt of every imperative and almost appalling de- church in our land stands a mountain, mand for home mission work in almost which we will call the' Mount of Priv- every community between the Atlantic ilege: and we may all climb it if we aitd the Pacific, in the new,settlements, will." And the sentence which follows and among the Indians, and the Freed· will give an insight into the meaning men, and the Chinese, and the foreign.
of the parable: "First let me ask your ers from every clime. Take a single forbearance if I should not go straight denomination as a fair specimen, which, up the old beaten path that leads to the aftlJr an annual expenditure of $6,790,.
home missionary work, for you know 000 for ordinary church work, gives in on mountain trips Bome of the most addition some $2,500,000 for home mis.
beautiful mosses and ferns are often sions on the frontier, etc., and after found in the little side paths; and if I that $840,000 for foreign missions.
take you into these paths, it will only -It is announced in the Roman be that I may show you some of the Catholic journals that the Rev. WaIter peculiar blessings with which our Elliot is to try" an interesting experi· Heavenly Father has endowed thill ment." He is to give himself to the State. " work of converting AmericaIl "non.
-In the early days of missions the Catholics" into good subjects of the Bible woman was not. She is the prod. Papacy. He is to do this by public ad. uct of years of patient toil. It was dresses, by lectures, by sermons, by necessary first to win her from allegi- wayside talks, by the distribution of ance to heathen gods, then to teach her leaflets, etc. He is of Irish-Catholic to read the Bible, to understand its descent, and is described as " American in all his ideas and aspirations;" an truths, to imbibe its spirit and to shape " eloquent speaker;" and that we may know the Paulist father more perfectly, her life by its laws. Then came years he is further described as a "most enof spiritual growth and of increase in gaging personality, a six-footer, broadnumbers, until now the Bible woman is shouldered, manly, and with a voice recognized an an important factor in deep and resonant, in the prime of life, missionary work. A Japanese pastor about fifty, with a full, reddish.brown said of them, .' I would rather have one beard, slightly flecked with gray." of these Bible readers for a helper than With this Mr. Elliot on the one hand, a man if I could have but one. " Count· and Mr. Webb essaying to win us to ing those supported by Christians in Islam on the other, great will be our foreign lands, the Congregationalists opportunities. have over 200 Bible women, the English Zenana Society has 171, the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society of the Unit. -A church in New York, Methodist ed States over 150, the Methodist For· Episcopal, has among its members the eign Missionary Society in the United following nationalities: English, Irish, States 300, It is safe to state that the Scotch, Welsh, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, French, German, Spanish, beyond Behring Straits, and where the Italian, Greek, Roumanian, Chinese, Presbyterians have a mission, and stu- African, and Hebrew. And these, all dent life must be peculiar: .. The winborn of the same Spirit, having experi- ter term is one long night. The conence of the same pardoning grace, and stant need of lamps in the school·room rejoicing in the same blessed hope, may is a matter of course. But II greater sing together, "All hail the power of difficulty is experienced in the confu- Jesus' name." No other name can I!IO sion of time which arises from the abunite. sence of the sun to mark day and night. Without a marked difference in the light -A Dakota paper gives an interview between noon and midnight, all knowlwith an Indian whose son is in the school edge of time among a barbal'ous people at Carlisle, Pa. In broken English he becomes lost. They know no difference said : "It makes him good boy ; he read between nine o'clock A.M. and nine Bible; he help me chop wood; he cure o'clock P.M. Consequently, when the my leg; he build fence; he make scbool bell rings out into the Arctic house; he make coat; he mend shoes." darkness at nine o'clock A.M., some of This is quite a list of accomplishments, the pupils have just gone to bed, and !tnd shows the young man had not been are in their first sound sleep. Roused among the white people in vain. Fur- up and brought to the school-room, they ther on he said: "He no dance any fall asleep in their seats. Many of the more; he say that foolish." pupils have come to school without their breakfasts; with sleepy bodies -Probably there are from 10,50(l to and empty stomachs, they are not in 11,000 Indian adherents of the Protes- the best condition to make progress in tant Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Con- their studies. " gregational churches in the Dakotas. Last year three large assemblages were -The American Colonization Society held of the Christian Sioux. On July was organized seventy.six years ago, be- 4th a Catholic congress gathered at gan to send colonists to Liberia four Standing Rock Agency, with 2 bishops years later, aided 50 to emigrate thither in attendance, 8 missionaries, and 800 last year, and from the beginning 22,- Indians. Of these 224 were confirmed. 135. Just now one important part of Then the last of August the Episcopal its work is found in agitating for more Convention met on the Rosebud Reser- direct, IDore frequent, and cheaper vation, attended by more than 2000 communication, in order that the Freed- Sioux, all in citizen's dress. They men may more easily exchange the formed their tepees, 470 in number, in United States for Africa. a circle half a mile in diameter, with wagons in the rear, and 2000 to 3000 -These few figures are most eloquent horses feeding on the plains beyond. About $1000 were brought in-offerings in setting forth the marvellous developby the women. The Presbyterian Indians and their missionaries held what ment of the Young Men's Christian Asthe Indians call the Paya Owohdakeunited talk-at Yankton Agency, South sociation: Dakota, September 17th to 20th. As many as 1000 were gathered at one 1866. 1892. time. During the year this Indian board of missions received $1386 from Associations reporting…. . 68 1,372 the Indian churches and kept 4 Indian missionaries in the field. Total membership …….. . 15,498 217,090 -Rev. Sheldon Jackson has this to Secretaries and other emtell of Point Barrow, Alaska, lying far ployed officera… . . . . . . . . 12 1,192 BuildiD~s …… ……….. 1 268 Value of buildings……… $10,000 $11,002,520 Total value pro)crty.. …. 90,000 12,878,595 Annual expenses of local work ………………. 50,000 1,992,328 Associations in college. . .. 1 400 Railroad secretaries em- ployed ……………. .. o 111. These figures, however, tell but part -The Board of Managers of the For. of the story. "Instead of being scat- eign Missionary Society of the Protestered bands, the associations are all or- tant Episcopal Church has sent an inganized into a great army and are work. vitation to Bishop Ferguson, of Liberia, ing together as no other religious or- at Cape Palmas, to visit the United ganization except the Roman Catholic States during the coming summer. Church, and even that is eclipsed in Bishop Ferguson is the only negro many ways." member of the American House of Bishops. He was born in Charleston, -The International Medical Mission. S. C., a little more than forty years ary Society has a charter in sight, under ago, but went to Liberia with his parwhich it can open in New York City a ents when he was five years old. He medical missionary training school, if has been educated wholly in the schools, only its friends will rally and raise $50,- college, and theological seminary which 000, to put with a like sum already the Episcopal Church maintains in that pledged, for a building and endowment. country. A preliminary circular has been sent out to all who may desire to enter such -The African Methodist Episcopal an institution. Church has a. mission in Sierra Leone with several stations, 355 church-mem. -The dedication on April 6th of the bers, 325 in Sunday-school, and lIome great granite Mormon temple in Salt 700 adherents. The mission was opened Lake has received abundant notice in in 1886. the public press; but the statement that this structurc cost $5,000,000 is to -Who says that science is not the be taken cum grano magno. One third handmaid of religion? Read this : of that sum is probably nearer the amount of money actually expended, .. The health of Rev. F. C. Klein, the since the bulk of the work was donated Methodist Protestant missionary at by· the saints. As far back as 1853 Nagoya, Japan, and president of the Brigham Young began to send pitiful Anglo-American College at that place, appeals to the faithful in Great Britain baving become impaired to such an exto contribute liberally for the purchase tent as to threaten his recall, it occurred of .. glass and shingles." Thill is the to one of his friends that his labors might eighth temple built, or founded, by the be lightened and his strength and eye- Mormons for the practice of their secret sight (which was also failing) husbanded rites-one in Ohio, two in Missouri, by the use of an Edison phonograph. one in Illinois, and four in Utah; and An appeal was made through one of the their amazing scheme contemplates the church papers for an offering for that erection of something like two dozen purpose. The next week a check came more-that is, one for each ., stake of from the president of one of the Chris- Zion." tian Endeavor societies for $150, and the instrument has been forwarded." -Our Baptist brethren of the Missionary Union sorrow, and also greatly -The Mennonite Mission Board has rejoice, for when Tremont Temple, charge of an Indian contract school at Boston, was burned March 19th the so- Halstead, Kan., with upward of 30 puciety suffered serious embarrassment pils, is doing work among the Cheyennes and loss; but then, as an offset, though and Arapahoes of Oklahoma, and bethe centennial million was not obtained, sides has in contemplation a mission yet when the books were closed the among the Moquis of Arizona. The sum total of gifts and pledges had amount expended last year was $9901, reached $851,375, with good hope of of which $3913 was received from the large additions later. government.
-In a recent issue of the Central Pres- byterian (Richmond, Va.) a mission arti· cle sets out with a Te Deum and closes ulation oi the district are now nomiwith a Miserere, and because : nally Christian. It is believed that he had just completed the revision of his ,. Never in the history of our church translation of the whole Bible into has the call to put forth every effort in Cree, into which language he had also our foreign mission work been so loud. translated the Prayer Book and> a hymnso inspiring as at this time. The op- book. portunities set before us are unparalleled in our experience, The tokens -The London Society has ordered a of God's favor have never been so steamer, to cost $80,000, for use in the rich. Twenty-seven missionaries are South Seas, and calls upon the young before our E:Kecutive Committee to be people to undertake the serious task of sent out as a new force-the largest providing the funds required. number ever offered in one year. Among them are 4 accomplished medi- -The Propagation Society (S. P. G.) cal men-l for the Congo, 1 for Korea, reports a total income for last year of 2 for China," $635,745.
And the inviting openings are named -The United Presbyterians report in and described through a half column; a single month 95 baptisms in their but over against all this is the report of mission fields: in Manchuria 63, in a " heavy falling off in contributions." Kaffraria 18, and in Old Calabar 14; and a most earnest call has been issued -The United Brethren are passing for 11 additional missionaries, 6 men through a time of sore trial, for not and 5 women, to strengthen and enlarge only has their African mission been the work. sadly weakened again and again by death, but also, on March 9th, Rev. ASIA. B. F. Booth, D.D., the faithful and efficient secretary of the Missionary So- Turkey.-The Hebrews who during ciety, was called from earth. recent years have returned to the Prom- ised Land have not found it flowing EUROPE. with milk and honey, but, on the con- trary, rags and pinching hunger are the -The English Baptists set out to raise lot of thousands, so that their benevoa $500,000 centennial thank-offering. lent brethren elsewhere are compelled which March 20th had reached $555,- to raise large sums for their relief. 000, and later intelligence is to the effect that $625,000 have been pledged. -It is pleasant to know that, after Verily, the zeal and good works of Carey long delay, our Government has taken have not been forgotten. the Sultan sternly to task for the out- rages and destruction of property in -The China Inland Mission sent out Marsovan, and that the costly seminary 57 missionaries between August, 1892, is likely to be rebuilt erelong with and February of this year. Of these Turkish gold. 25 are from Great Britain, 6 from America, and 5 from Australia. For -Rev. H. N. Barnum, of the Amerithree months 113 baptisms are re- can Board, writes to the New York Obported. server of the crushing calamity which has befallen Malatia in Eastern Asia -The Church Missionary Society has Minor. Three years ago the city, of received intelligence of the death of 50,000, was desolated by fire, a year the Rev. John Horden, D.D., Bishop of later a second time, and now an earth- MoosonGe. Dr. Horden went out to quake has killed or wounded some 600 Moose Fort on Hudson's Bay in 1851, and left the bulk of the population desand was consecrated in 1872. Through titute of homes, while the church, the his efforts the whole of the Indian pop- parsonage, and the 4, school buildings are in ruins. The people are heroic, 1890. Taking all the societies together, but desperately poor, and large help is the foreign and Eurasian missionaries required. increased from 479 to 711 ; the native helpers from 1643 to 3278; pupils in India.-It appears that evangelistic schools from 40,897 to 62,414 ; and pu. work, after the American pattern, is to pils in zenanas from 9132 to 32,659. be pursued in heatheI!- lands. The Rev. Dennis Osborne, who became well -A sign of the reviving activity of known in this country while in attend- the Buddhist religion is seen in the ance some years ago in the Methodist work of the Buddha Gaya Maha Bodhi General Conference, "has been ap- Society, the objects of which are the es· pointed by Bishop Thoburn general tablishment of a Buddhist monastery evangelist for all India. During the and a Buddhist college, the publication past year he has given much of his time of Buddhist literature in Indian verto Hindustani evangelistic work, for naculars, and the support of Buddhist which he is well prepared. " missionaries at Buddha Gay a, or Bud Gya, in Behar, India, the spot where –At a meeting of the North India Gautama, sitting under the great ban- Conference of the Methodist Episcopal yan tree, B.C. 588, is said to have re- Church, held at Bareli, 48 men were or- ceived his call. From this place it is dained to the office of the Christian intended to start a gigantic mission for ministry. All save 3 of these were na- the propagation of the faith throughout tives of India. This is in the district the world. It is intended to unite the where, in 1892, 18,000 baptisms were Buddhist countries-China, Japan, Siam, made. These men have been: in train- Cambodia, Nepaul, Burmah, Ceylon, ing for many years, and are believed to Chlttagong, Thibet. and Asakan-in this be thoroughly fitted for ordination. movement; and tho secretary of the so· ciety represents that it has been cor· -The Lodiana Mission of the Ameri- dially welcomed hy the educated Hindus can Presbyterian Church reports a total of India. Our Colonel Olcott is director of 266 additions on confession of faith and chief adviser, and Sir Edwin Ar. during the last year, making the roll of nold is said to have expressed sympacommunicants 948. The per cent of thy with it. increase is far beyond anything hitherto reported. Many of the additions were China.-Dr. Morrison died in 1834, in the districts connected with the sev- after 27 yeari! of incessant toil, and dureral stations. ing all that time had not heen allowed to hold a public service; but yet every -In this vast peninsula only 1 man Sunday, behind locked doors, with a in 10 can read and write, and 1 woman few natives, he had read and expounded in 190, while among the Christians the gospels. With that fact in mind one third of the men cau read and scan these figures, relating to the inwrite and one seventh of the women crease of church-members: and girls. Of the Hindoos 1 man in 10 is possessed of scholarship to this ex- In 1842 there were …………. 6 tent and 1 woman in 267 ; of the Mo- .. , ……… 350 hammedans 1 in 15 of the men and 1 in '. " 1852 … ……… 320 of the women. 1865 ~ 2,000 ……. ~ …… 13,035 -An industrial school for Moham- " 1876 " " ………….. 28,000 medan women, the only one of the " 1886 " kind in Southern India, has been estab- " ……… … 37,287 lished by the American Lutheran Mis- " 1889 sion. " 1892 …………. 50,000 -Woman's work in India had a wonderful development between 1881 and -A gentleman once saw in an out-of.
the.way place about 20 Chinese babies tied to stakes on a patch of green grass.
The length of each rope was about ten feet, and the stakes were far enough it. Latterly the German Government apart so that the babies wouldn't get has been reduuing Arab slave dealers to all tangled up. They seemed very subjection within its sphere of influence happy, and while he stood watching in Southwest Africa, anrl have succeeded them he did not hear one of them cry. in limiting their operations to the The mothers were at work in a rice-field country lying between Stanley Falls and a little way off. Lake Tanganyika. The only outlet left for the IIIave drivers is eastward. Henry -Dr. Legge, the eminent Chinese M. Stanley says in a late Harper that a scholar, now connected with Oxford railway from Victoria Lake to the Ind. Uni,ersity in England, says: " I have ian Ocean would extinguish the traffic, been reading Chinese books for more and would command an area of 150,000 than forty years, and any general re- square miles.of British territory. If he quirement to love God, or the mention can belt the Dark Continent from east of anyone as loving Him, has yet to to west and Cecil Rhodes project a line come for the first time under my eye." north and south, it will ensure its ulti. mate civilization. -The Ohinese Recorde:r hears with deep solicitude that the International -The Protestants in Uganda have Missionary Alliance is to send 200 two thirds of the oountry allotted to Swedish missionaries to China, at the them, the other third being divided berate of 20 each month, and with only tween the Roman Catholics and the $250 a year for salary and expenses. Mohammedans, as they are less numer. ous. The mission work is going on -One of the ablest. native preachers most prosperously, the greatest danger in the Foochow conference, though beiug that the political supremacy of offered $50 a month to enter the con- the Protestants will lead many to prosular service refused, preferring to con. fess themselves Christians from oorrupt tinue preaching with but $3 a month. motives. Within a period of about eighteen months, ending in September, -Thibet continues to be inaccessible. 1892, the Bible Society delivered to the No missionary is allowed to cross its Church MissionAry Society about 25,000 frontier. But its needs are not lost copies of Scriptures for use in Uganda. sight of. In our last, mention was This shows in a striking way the inter. made of a Roman Catholic who had est of the people in the Bible, but is hung about its borders for years, and very far from indicating its full extent. had prepared a dictionary and a trans· lation of St. John. The Methodists -In the report of Lovedale for 1892, have long had a mission immediately it is stated that the church, which was outside the country, and a flank move- organized in 1886, has now a member. ment from the northeast is now being ship of 150. During the year 40 new undertaken by the agents of the China communicants were received, 33 young Inland Society. The Moravians, too, men and 7 young women. Besides have been long watching and waiting, these, 19 Gallas were admitted by bapbusy meantime with a translation of tism, 14 boys and 5 girls, on profession the Scriptures. Those barred gates will of their faith. erelong be seen standing wide open.
AFRICA. -The East African Mission of the American Board is to be moved from -In 1885 the leading powers of the the malarious and unsympathetic neighworld gave their recognition to the borhood of the Portuguese coast town Congo Free State, one of its duties Inhambane to the healthier interior of being the suppression of the slave trade. Gazaland. In its new location it will Zanzibar has done something in this be under English protection, and will direction. Morocco and Tripoli foster start with a grant of a traot of land as earth and straw giving plaoe to edifioes large as an ordinary farm. of stone and briok. One of the first -The Hermannsbnrg missionaries substantial buildings was intended to among the Zulus, after holding a con- hold the fine library of the Universities ferenoe, decided to abolish the prevail- Missions. But before the building was ing oustom- among the natives of ex- oompleted a fire destroyed the 1500 vol· ohanging girls and women for oattle I umes which the missionaries had aoou· Strange to say, the Christian oonverts mulated. Now they are hungry for oy- .are not willing to submit to this inno- olopmdias, works of soienoe, grammars vation, and have dllmanded of the mis- and dictionaries of vario1!" foreign lansionaries to prove to them from the guages, books of travel, poetry, history, Scriptures that it would be unlawful and standard fiotion.
for them to sell their daughters for oat- -Miinzenberger in his" Abyssinien" tle. If the above statement is true, it holds that the regeneration of Abyssinia looks as though some second conver· is the first step toward gaining Afrioa sions were in order. for modem civilization and the Gospel; that in these old seats and oentres of -The promoters of the Zambesi In. Christian culture, literature and learn. dustrial Missions have a plan for mak. ing, the best base of operations can be iDg missions self-supporting after the found, from which the work oould exfirst outlay in establishing them. It is tend in all direotions. proposed to raise $7500 to purchase land-which can be bought in some dis- tricts at the rate of 1000 acres for $250 -In a letter written by Dr. Living- -and by native labor to raise crops, stone in 1870, just brought to light in which when realized would pay the oost England, the explorer oonfesses that if of missionary wO'rk in the district. It he had known all the hunger, toil, and is believed that by means of the project hardship in his exploration, he " might there would be planted in the heart of have preferred a straight waistooat, the Africa; a self-supporting, colonizing and head shaved and a blister on it to under- Christianizing element which would be taking Sir Roderiok's task. My ohilof great value to the people, and which dren, however, will Bee that I have been would help to develop the vast re- a stout-hearted servant of Him who en· sources of the continent. dowed me with the wisdom, taot and -'Siokening accounts oome of deso- pluck of an explorer, as He did the lating slave·raiding in the region lying workmen of the Mosaio tabernaole and to the north of Lake Nyassa. Arabs others in all ages."
are the acoursed aotors, and their plan -A letter received in London from is to surround a village by night, place Sierre Leone says that the vigilant sup. a warrior at each door, order the in- pression of the slave trade along the mates out, spear the men and boys and coast, and the consequent inability of oapture the women. Of the latter 300 the warlike races to dillpose of their oapwere thus taken in a single village. tives at a profit, has oaused a revival in -A pathetio appeal for books comes the most terrible form of the scenes of from Central Africa. In Lake Nyassa slaughter and bloodshed which formerly is Lukoma Island, oontaining only made every chief town of the interior & twelve square mUes, but more densely Golgotha.
populated than many places in Europe. It is universally admitted in the settle.
Missionaries have lived there for years, ments that the approaching extinotion and many of the natives arB able to read of the slave trade in Western Afrioa is and write. The island has recently making warfare more meroiless than it .b~n comple.t.el'y transformed, huts of used to be.
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1891
8t2 FOREIGN MISSION DAY AT NORTHFIELD CONVENTION
THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. 12.-0ld8erie8.–DEOEMBER.–VoL. IV. No.12.-New8erie8.
THE FOREIGN MISSION DAY AT NORTHFIELD CONVENTION.
REPORTED BY MISSES LOUISE B. AND ANNA W. PIERSON.
There are some feasts of fat things, even the fragments of which are of priceless value, and should be carefully gathered that they be not lost. And such a feast was kept at Northfield. Mass., on Tuesday, August 4th.
Mr. Moody uses every means to make the Annual Conferences, at this now famous gathering place, impart a mighty momentum to all true work for the Master. Accordingly a whole day was this year given up to foreign missions, and some who were present have said that no more memorable and impressive day has ever bAen known in the whole history of these yearly meetings of believers. The day was a sort of field-day, and certainly a very full day. From morning to evening up to ten o'clock at night the interest never flagged, but rather grew. By Mr. Moody's request the editor-in-chief of this REVIEW took the chair, but not until the close of the evening session did he speak himself, save very briefly to guide the proceedings and introduce the speakers. The time was given up principally to veteran missionaries from the field, though Dr. Mabill, who has recently returned from his Eastern tour, and Dr. Gordon, who is a special student of missionary questions, very profitably added their testimony and appeals.
No brief resume can do any justice to the addresses. The interest awakened, for instance, by Dr. Clough's story of the new Pentecost in Southern India, which sounded like apostolic days, was at times painfully intense. But our desire is to give our readers some conception of the day's doings and present to them the outline at le:;tst of what was done.
In opening the morning meeting the chairman suggested as a key-note for the day, four passages of Scripture: Isa. 53: 11 ; 1 Cor. 4: 15 ; Gal. 4 : 19 ; Col. 1 : 24. These Scriptures teach us that Christ is yet to see of the travail of His soul, and that in that travail the believer is to share, and that until the Church partakes of Christ's vicarious sorrow and atoning work that travail cannot be accomplished. The one overwhelming thought that should occupy us to-day is not joy and self·gratulation at what a century of modern missions has wrought, but rather shame and humiliation that our Lord has waited for eighteen long centuries to see of His soul's travail and has never yet seen it, because His Church has been so apathetic, selfish, and worldly. Even yet the great body of believers is half asleep, if not practically dead to a lost world's ruin and wreck.
" Were I asked," said the chairman, " what above all else the Church needs for the new century of missions now before us, I would say, not men or money or zeal, but an outpouring of the spirit of believing PRAYER !"
A few most impressive and remarkable instances of answers to prayer in connection with the work of missions were then briefly cited, most of which have been already spread before the readers of the REVIEW-such, for instance, as the special calls to prayer in the history of the Church Missionary Society in 1872, 1880, and 1884, referred_to by Mr. Edwards in his article in the October issue, pages 734-40. And then Dr. J. E.
Clough, of the Telugu Mission in India, was introduced and received by the vast audience with a rising, as well as rousing, welcome. The charm of his story was its simplicity, not an attempt to clothe the facts with any drapery of imagination or embellishments of rhetoric, but a plain, modest, unpretending statement of what he called" the LQrd's work, which he had been permitted to stand by and witness. ,.
He said, in substance: " India has a wonderful history in the past, and, I fully believe, in the future. It contains about 1,600,000 square miles, being about 1800 miles from north to south, and about 1600 in the n01,th, from east to west. The peninsula of Hindostan is peopled by about 286,000,000 people, who are divided into 137 nationalities, speaking entirely different languages, which are subdivided into 100 or more dialects. The~e are an interesting, progressive people. They have the intellect, the push, and the physical strength of a dominant rac~, They have done wonderful things in the past, and will do wonderful things in the future. They gave Buddhism to almost two thirds of the human race, and what they have done for Buddha they will do for Christ, if we but give them a chance to know Him. The 'Lone Star' Mission is situated on the western shore of the Bay of Bengal, about 600 miles from Colombo on the south, and about 1000 miles from Calcutta on the north. It was established in 1836 by men of prayer, but was almost a forlorn hope for thirty years. God's time had not yet come for saving the Telugus. The American Baptist Missionary Union was discouraged and talked of abandoning the mission, but Dr. Jewett determined to go back. The Board said that if he would go he ought to have some one to give him a Christian burial, and sent me back with him. I have never had that duty to perform, and when I last saw him he did not look as if he would need it for some time. When I went out in 1865, the converts connected with that mission numbered twenty, and the scholars were just about that number. Just at this time heathenism there was rampant.· Cholera had broken out, and people were dying by hundreds, and the heathen were taking different idols, carrying them into one place, feasting them, and then taking them to another place, and so on. I took tracts and gave to the heathp,n, who would receive them from ue when they would not from their own people. Hundreds of thousands were distributed. A teacher helped me to commit texts to memory in the language, and especially John 3 : 16, and I would go out and by singing draw a crowd and then deliver my texts. Then I would move on to another place and preach the same sermon. I added a few texts each day, and soon had a purely textual sermon half an hour long. After a while I noticed that the people who saw me would put their fingers in their ears and run away. My escort said, 'They believe you are sent fro~ God, and fear that if they hear you and do not obey, some calamity worse than the cholera will come upon them, and so they are determined not to hear you.' A Hindoo priest, of much influence at one place, for m"any days closed his door in anger against me. Finally this man came to my house and said he had read the Gospel of Luke which I had given him, and had corne to the conclusion there was nothing in idolatry and gave up his idols, which he brought with him, and asked for the whole Bible. A few weeks later he was haptized, and till his death was an efficient colporteur. During a year and three months at that place, perhaps twenty were converted and receiv.ed hy the Church.
" Then I went to another station, one mass of solid heathenism for 73 miles around. With me I had three or four Christians, and the catechist, eight of us in all. We went out two by two and every hamlet was visited, and after a while we extended the circuit till we reached around some 4,0 miles from the station. After two or three months we heard· there was a good deal of interest out about 40 miles. I went out and sent word to surrounding villages. The first morning about forty came, each with a bundle of grain to eat, to stay till they heard all about the religion. We continued in alternate seasons of talk and prayer till about the third day when about all the company were praying. In four days 28 of them gave such evidence that they were baptized. After 25 years every one of these converts has remained faithful, and six of them are working to-day as catechists, preachers, or colporteurs. Some are dead, but all faithful to the end.
" I wanted to get hold of the high-caste people, many of whom were wealthy, finely edueated, and as keen and shrewd as God ever created men. I had a plan of establishing a school in Madras, getting the high class into it, and getting them into the mission. The house was built, teachers were engaged, and everything was ready, when these 28 men were baptized. Secretly I wished low-caste people would keep away on aceount of the high caste, but the latter heard of my intercourse with the lower caste, and refused to have anything to do with the school if I allowed those to come. The school was established, and one day five of the low-caste people carne to me and asked to be baptized. I commissioned some of my fellow-workers to see and catechise them, and if they really believed, we must,' of course, baptize them. After a thorough examination there was no doubt but that they were really Christians. I. could not help feeling sad when I went to baptize them. The high-caste people went where the baptism took place and criticised me, claiming my religion was false, inasmuch as I taught it to the low caste people. By accident I carne across a passage in the Bible which led me to believe that God wanted us to do our work principally among the poor people. I went horne and when alone I opened my Bible at random to 1 Cor. 1 : 18-31 : 'For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,' etc. As I sat thinking over what I had read, my wife carne in and said, ' I believe the Lord would have us seek to save these low-caste people.' Then she told me how in her ilisappointment at the coming of the low caste she had gone to her Bible, and opening at random began also to read at the same eighteenth verse of the first chapter of First Corinthians, and read to the end ! We concluded God had used that passage to guide us. Our missionary brethren throughout the country regretted the course we took, and it looked as though I had tbrown myself away. But twenty-four years after that time I received a letter from the editor of the Indian Witness, perhaps the most influential religious newspaper published in India, saying: , You by the blessing of God have changed the missionary policy of Ill! India. You are right, stick to it, give us some articles for our paper, telling us what you have done.' A year after, when I left the station, those who had scorned me at first vied with each other to do me honor. From that time on, the converts came into this Lone Star Mission, from 25 to 100 every year for the first year or two, then 200 or 300 a year for the next few years, then 400 or 500 a year, tiIl1872, when I got the jungle fever and came home. We asked for and secured four more workers, and some money for schools. Tbe converts were then coming at the rate of 500 to 1000 a year, and then the great famine of 1876 began.
" As soon as tbe southwest monsoon fails we know there is going to be a great scarcity, but if followed by the failure of tbe northeast monsoon, we know tbere will be a famine. Both these had failed, and I knew there would be a famine, and I wrote to a friend (eXplaining the condition. He sent me back 500 rupees, telling me to send for more. I gave that money out, and the people worked on for three or four months, when it began to be grievous. The government had undertaken relief work, digging a canal for 200 miles. I took a large contract of three miles. The government officials said: 'Y ou can have all the money and assistance you want from us. Just use your influence to get the people to come in.' They diLl this, because the people would not leave their homes to go to famine relief work. That is mainly because they are fatalists, and say: 'If it is fated for us to die, we shall die and it is of no use for us to go away to die.' Others say: 'Some god is angry with us, and if we undertake to fiee from his wrath something worse will come, and what is the good ~' The government officials stuck to their promise most faithfully, and we built huts on the canal, police were furnished, a medical man was sent there, watchers were given to me, money was placed in my hands, and I sent my assistants over the country, crying out to the starving to come from famine to this place and live. The people clime in, and those who were sick were put on litters and brought. In my camp, one division unahle to do work were given subsistence allowances, and everything was done for them till they were able to go to work. The others went to work under 40 assistants, and each preacher, with his hundred or two men, would be a sapper and so they commenced After they were tired out, they would read to them out of the Bible. Thus they read and worked for a few days and the Lord gave us one of. the- most desirable tracts to dig on the canal, though it was thought to be a hard place by the engineer. It was a filled up backwater, and, instead of water coming in as he expected. the soil was light and they could earn more wages than ever before. After I had been at work a few weeks, speculators came and wanted to give me 10 per cent to hand it over to them. Nay, verily!
"When Sunday came this company would come up before my tent and seat themselves, and I would preach to them. This we continued for about five months; then my three miles were done, and the assistants took two miles more on their own account, and I went up to another place. After eight months of this work, the time had come when they must go to their homes to sow their fields, for rain had come. When they got back, they found their houses were without roofs, and many of their cattle had died, and so frequently they had to plough and harrow the fields themselves. After the first crop was up two or three inches there came a cold rain aud the whole was ruined. They sowed again and then locusts spread over the country and took every spear above ground. ' The people were discouraged, and hadn't anything to buy seed-grain with. I was in correspondence with the editor of the Madras Times, and tele- graphed him and to England and wherever I had a fr~end, the condition. Money began to come in and the Mansion House Fund was established in London, one of the noblest charities ever undertaken and executed by men. Within a week I was inf.:>rmed to draw on them for all I wanted. Twenty-five hundred rupees were immediately telegraphed for, and they telegraphed that they were on the way, tut that I had noL asked for half enough. So I sent for 2500 more.
" We formed committees of all the trustworthy men and government officials all over the country, and the people were supplied with money to buy grain. But it was too late to sow any grain that would be long in maturing, so they sowed a small kind of millet, which would mature in six weeks. They got enough grain, which, added with the weeds they could gather, they could use from day to day, while waiting for the next crop, which would come in about six months. The relief work continued to about June 1st, 1878, when the famine had lasted a year and a half. We then notified the people that we could not do anything more for them, and they must go to their homes and take care of themselves till the crop just sown could ripen. For a year and a half we had not done what is ordinarily called mission work at all. Not a single person had been received into the Church, although, the Christmas before, 2200 were inmy compound asking to be received ,n baptism. We had not held a regular meeting. I sent word to my assistants to meet me and organize for work again. On the evening before the meeting. I went up to the place of service, in a traveller's bungalow, and although I had sent word for nobody to come, except assistants and a few of the older members of the church, I saw great swarms of people. I told them I didn't want to baptize them, because we had not instructed them long enough, and the famine was not over, and asked them to wait till the crop came. But they began to cry to me : • What YOll say is all true. We know you are not going to give us any more money and we are not coming for money, but, when we were down on the canal you told us about Jesus. We have ,believed in Him and discarded all our idols. We have two months before we can have anything from our fields. The cholera and small-pox are prevalent, and many of us must die, and if we die we want to die with everybody knowing that we are Christians. We don't want to die with this old stigma on our heads. We want to be baptized and numbered among the people of God.' To every effort I made the same answer came. After a short time of retirement, I decided to do as they wished. We commenced work the next mornin•. and by evening the assistants had examined the most of the company. The first day 500 were baptized, the second 2222, the third day enough to make the whole number about 3500. Delegations began to come in from villages here and there, saying: 'You have baptized that great company, but there are many people U1iable to come in. Come out to our villages and baptize us.' I telegraphed to the principal of the seminary to come to my help, and we went out and before the close of December nearly 10,000 had been baptized.
"Converts came, perhaps a thousand a year, for the next five years. In 1885 I came home again, to ask for men and money. Our one station had grown to be 13 in number, and the converts had increased to 25,000, and our assistants were numbered by the hundred. We had a high school established, a theological seminary, and station schools in all the 13 stations, besides boarding schools in most of them and some 200 or 300 village schools scattered in as many different villages. In all we had perhaps 4000 children in our different schools. Just here sad tidings came. Ten missionary families either died or came home on account of their health. Many were sick, of the last who had gone out, and I had to write for more men to take care of the converts. Word would corne back: 'We are doing the best we can for you, but men don't seem to be wil:ing to go to the Telugus.' We waited three or four years and none came, so we decided that we must do the work ourseh"es. The natives becamG enthusiastic over the matter, and said: 'Yes, we will take care of this work on the field, if you will take care of yourself and not get sick.' I said: 'I will not leave you. I am willing to show you that, if American citizens don't love you and think too much of themselves to come out here, there is one American who loves you enough to stand by you till you take him ovcr the hill to the cemetery and bury him.' I don't think much of missionary dust. One live missionary is worth one thousand dead ones, and remember that missionaries don't ask for your pity. We don't ask for your tears. Good missionaries are not run by water. But we want your prayers, sympathy and help, and we want you to remember that this commission which yon and we are under is all the same. It is, 'Go ye,' every mother's son of you who are men, and every mother's daughter of you who are women, or else get an excuse acceptable to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you cannot go personally, send a substitute. Send your sons, send your daughters, your money, and your prayers. God will never be in debt to American Christians for what they do, you need not be afraid of that. And when you go, burn your bridges behind you till your term of service is over, till God shows you that you have no business to stay any longer.
" While we were feeling so despondent about missionaries, we began to feel there was more of a revival spirit going on than for a long time. Some of the converts came in and told about it. We had meetings, and the first day we baptized 240, and when the time came for them to go away, their request was for me to come to their villages. I told them to go to those villages, to tell the Christians how the matter stood, and to corne to the station December 28th, and we would have a grand time. They had doubts, because these Hindoos like to be baptized in their own villages. With some reluctance they started off. At the time 4000 came and we divided them into companies and the leaders examined them. We baptized from one o'clock till 6.30, 1671 persons. There was not a single request made by anyone for anything except Christian t·eachers to come to their villages.
, 'Then Dr. Mabie came. I showed him the Hindoos in their homes, and he and his travelling companion baptized 600. We gave him a reception, when the 800 children in the schools met him. After they had left, I continued the tour till between lfiOO and 1700 had been baptized. Dr. Mabie convinced me that by coming home to get men and money I might do a better thing for the Telugus than by dying for them. I told him jf I could get twenty-five men and $50,000, so that I could be back to India within a year, I would go."
The speaker then gave a vivid description of his parting with the people on returning to this country last March. He made three attempts to get away and could not on account of the crowds of people that came.
to bid him farewell. He finally stationed guards before his house to send the people away and tell them he could see no one. At about midnight he attempted to slip quietly away, and when he opened his door, what was his snrprise to see hundreds of people gathered to see him off; some of whom had been waiting since early in the morning. Dr. Clough closed his thrilling address with the following story told of a deacon who had been complained of by his wife for giving away all that he had. She asked the pastor to remonstrate with him. When the pastor asked the deacon why he did so, he said he had had a curious dream: he dreamed he had a basket of crackers, and standing near the water threw one out on it, and it skipped along out of sight so nicely that he threw another in the same way, and so on, till they were all gone. But just at that time he noticed something large, coming back to him on the water, which proved to be a loaf of bread, and he waited till every cracker he had thrown out came back such a loaf. "If you want your money to increase, send it out. If you want God to bless the great republic, send out the men and your daughters, and after they go, instead of crying after them, follow them up by prayer and words of cheer. He will take care of your sons and daughters who go, and those who remain, and will be glorified, and our great republic will go on just as well. "
Dr. H. C. Mabie, Home Secretary of the American Baptist Missionary Union, then added a few words as to his experiences in India: " I was never at rest until I could go and see the work among the heathen. The first Sabbath in India, what did I see? A congregation of 666 persons. Eighteen hundred texts were recited by the children. At 11 o'clock the preaching service began. I did not need to be told that I was in the midst of Christians, for I could see the image of Christ on the faces before me. In the audience were foreigners, natives, out-castes, and Brahmans. By first working for the out-castes, Dr. Clough had won them all. I felt during the entire service great spiritual response to the preaching. At 3 o'clock there was a meeting for the examination of candidates which lasted the .remainder of the afternoon. It was no special occasion, but 97 came to be examined.
" The service in the evening to my surprise· was conducted in English. Before the service a delegation of Brahmans came to give me a welcome. They read a document signed by many of the leading men in the vicinity, in which they commended most highly the work of Dr. Clough and the good he had been enabled to accomplish among them. The following day I visited a boys' school of over 200, and later a school for Brahman girls. I was very much impressed by the treatment which I received from these high-caste children. . One of the little girls came up to me, and without any warning threw over my head a large wreath of flowers, another one followed with one for Dr. Clough. Several other children brought me little trinkets and jewelry, and after I had been home I received from some of them little gifts for my daughters."
The chairman opened the afternoon meeting by reading a telegram, conveying the greetings of Rev. Dr. J. T. Gracey. of Rochester, the President of the International Missionary Union. He then gave several striking examples of the power of prayer in missions, such as the remark- able experiences of David Brainerd, Dr. Neesima in his great school in Japan, in which at one time 150 students were found inquiring, after a special season of prayer. A third instance was cited from the story of Tahiti, where-just as the London Missionary Society was about to abandon the work, but under Dr. Haweis's and Mr. Wilks's entreaty determined to go forward with new prayer-the idol systems fell and the idol gods were surrendered, at the very time that the prayer covenant was being formed in London, and the ships bearing intelligence from the society in London and from the missionaries in Tahiti passed each other in mid.ocean.
At the afternoon meeting Dr. W. W. Eddy, the veteran missionary of Syrin, spoke: " Spiritual Christianity is an exile from the home of its birth. Spiritual desolation reigns in Syria. The spiritual temple in that laud should be rebuilt. Corruption has come into the Church. When the American Board fifty years ago sent its missionaries to TUlkey and Syria, it instructed them not to deal with the Mohammedans, but to work with the native Christians. We found, though, that our points of attack were Mohammedanism and orthodox Christianity represented by the Greek Church. The speaker then contrasted the Greek Churc!J with the Roman Catholics, stating that the Reformation had never crossed the Bosphorus. Oriental Christianity is a worship of symbolism. The Bible is not as sacred with them or as much studied as by Roman Catholics. The Greek Church is the Russian Church and there are 85,000,000 members. There are 150,000,000 Mohammedans. The Oriental Church and Mohammedanism cannot be attacked in Rus;lia, as the government will not allow Protestant missionaries in that country. It is against the law to change one's religion in Russia, except to that of the Greek Church.
"One of our greatest weapons for putting down heathenism is the continued and direct contact of the missionaries with the people, who love to converse and argue. Another great weapon used against Mohammedanism is the schools. The people are impressed with the importance of education, and are willing to send their children to our I>chools, though the Bible is used in all of them. We teach the pupils Scripture verses and the catechism, and to those who commit the latter we give presents of Bibles, which they carry into their homes. We also have high schools for boys and female seminaries for girls and a college with 200 pupils. In all there are 7000 pupils under the reach of our missionaries. Another great weapon is the work of our printing-press. We have four steam presses at Beirut and we print from 25,000,000 to 27,000,000 pages of Arabic literature a year. If Mr. Moody should come to Syria he would see his own sermons in Arabic, of which he would not be able to read a word, and Mr. Sankey might see his own hymns, and I fancy would find some difficulty in reading them, as they are printed backwards. Weare sin.qing the children into the Christian religion. The Moslem boys and girls sing our hymns in the street. The cholera reached the city of Hums last year. One woman when dying asked to have a Christian hymn sung. She and her husband began to sing, but before the song was finished she was 8inging in the heavenly choir.
"Our books go to Northern Africa, throughout the Turkish Empire, to India, and China, and even back here to the United States. Person after person is converted by the silent testimony of God's Word. Our press is a mighty lever. People who dare not come to us openly buy our Bibles.
" We rea~h them again through medicine. We have a hospital at Beirut, and we are welcomed as bringing gifts of healing. 'Those who have sought healing for their bodies have found healing for their souls as well. One who has a knowledge of medicine can go from tribe to tribe with perfect safety, and is warmly welcomed. A great problem is how to reach the Bedouins, that wild class. We cannot go among them, it would not be safe. But we send our native helpers, and as the Bedouins are greatly afflicted with small-pox we provide our helpers with vaccine virus. Then we have a theological seminary where we are raising up preachers of the Gospel. I have for several years edited a religious paper and have also bee·.1 engaged on an Arabic commentary (on the New Testament). We do not dare to tell the success with which we have met, only in general terms. If we were to point out cases the persons would be marked men. Any ope who is found to have received Christianity has his property confiscated, and even his life is in danger. Most of them either disguise themselves or leave the country.
" We have a self-supporting church in Beirut with a native pastor with a membership of 400. Our Sunday-school is attended by 1000 children. 'There are 92 places where the Gospel is preached every Sabbath. 'Therp. have been great results in the past 40 years. There arp. 15,000 pupils in the schools of Beirut, all seeking a pl:ome of higher education. I have heard Moody and Spurgeon preached by Greek priests.
" What are the obstacles to the work 1 First, opposition from the 'Turkish Government. At first it paid no attention to the work, considering that it was a case of infidel dogs quarrelling with each other. Now they have become afraid, and a censorship of the press has been established. They keep out all that is against their religion, and put all the obstacles in their power in the way of the pllblishing and distribution of the Bible. We are undermining Mohammedanism. The government has closed up many of our schools. No Mohammedan convert is openly put to death, but he is arrested on some pretext and then disappears, never to be heard (!.f again. A second obstacle is the power of the Jesuits. They come in scores. They open schools where we do, they follow our missionaries and they establish hospitals and. colleges opposed to us. The Greek Church is upheld by Russia and it is hard for Protestantism to get a foothold, but , they that be with us are more than they that be with them.' A third obstacle is a want of means to carryon our work. Ye have to minimize our work to be within our appropriation. You ask, why doesn't our Board look out for us. I'll tell you. In Syria there are many families where all its members sleep under one covering. During the night this covering gradually gets off those on the edges, and then first one pulls it and then another. So with us. On the north we have Tripoli pulling on the Board ; then Sidon wants a share j then Mt. Lebanon complains that too much is given the plain, and the plain complains that Mt. Lebanon's share is too large. It isn't the fault of the Board j rather it isn't a fault. On the contrary, it means that the work is a living, growing work. That it is a growing work is shown by its constantly increasing needs. Missionary work always needs four things: open doors, men, means, and the outpouring of the Spirit.
" Since my return to this country I have visited considerably. I have seen a $180,000 church going up in Detroit, I 'have seen the plan of a projected Young Men's Christian Association building in Chicago. Five huudred dollars will build a church in Syria. It would be but one lump from your store. W'e need money. You must either stop praying or give more. The growing child has constantly increasing claims, and the parent does not complain; neither should the Church complain that her children are growing, and need more means to support them. You build magnificent churches here, while we cannot raise enough money to buy doors and windows for our churches in Syria. Schools have had to be closed so as not to get into debt. I know of a missionary who has sent to a friend in this country and borrowed money in order to carryon his mission work. We have had to shut up three seminary buildings and have had to cripple our presswork. I sail for Syria next week, and I ask your prayers for our work."
THE NEEDS OF CHINA.
Dr. J. R. Hykes, of China: " China to-day is the great mission field of the world. It is one of the largest domains ever swayed by a single power. China is one half larger than the United States with Alaska added. It comprises one third of entire Asia and is one tenth of the habitable globe. Next to Russia it is the largest empire. It has one fourth of the human race. It has 350,- 000,000 souls, six times that of the United States. China has vast stores of mineral wealth. There is coal enough stored to last the entire universe 2000 years. It has stores of copper, gold, and silver which are practically untouched. It is a unique nation. It dates back 4000 years. The end of the ninth chapter of Genesis would be the beginning of the first chapter of Chinese history. It is hoary with antiquity. The greatest problem of the age is the conversion of China. Convert China and you've converted the world. What is the moral condition of China to-day ~ The first chapter of Romans is an accurate description. It is no libel, and is not overdrawn. The heathen character is growing steadily worse. There is no such thing as a standstill in vice. They are vile and polluted in a shocking degree. An excessive statement can't be made. Confucianism is the State religion of China, but it is not a religion. There is no gene!ic word for it in the Chinese language as we mean religion. Confucius was a transmitter of the wisdom of sages; he was an editor, not an author. He is silent on the origin and destiny of the human race. He would not speak about the future life. The basis of Confucianism is ancestral wor- ship, which is more potent than all the idol worship. In China to-day there are 70,000,000 of ancestral tablets. Confucianism after forty years of trial has proved a failure as a religion of elevation. The Chinaman "'who sins once has no one to whom he can pray. Buddhism, introduced to supply a felt want, after eighteen centuries has proved a failure. Taouism is a native faith,. it is an abstruse system of metaphysics that has degen,erated to a mere traffic in charms. China needs the religion of Christ, it is her only hope. Some people 'think that Christianity is not adapted to the Chinese mind.
"The impression has gone about that the conversion of China is an impossible task. The Chinese can't be converted, we are told. It is a hopeless warfare. Now, what are the sources of this information ~ They are twofold. First, they come from globe trotters who never visit the mission fields, but go into some large city and then come home and give their opinions with flippant fluency. One of these romancers was tripped and brought to a humiliating confession. He had never been inside a mission, and yet reported that the missionaries preached to empty benches, and further drew oil. his imagination. A second source of information is that of naval officers and sea captains, who help to circnlate these reports. They have yet to see the inside of a Christian chapel in China. The captain of a steamer which recently arrived at San Francisco made the statement, which was published broadcast, that he saw no native Christians in China. He did not go where they were. He brought home on his vessel the body of a murdered missionary whose Christian servant stuck by him to the death, and whose body was covered with the blood of his master. When the Wesleyan mission was burned, native Christians went into that building when there was no possible prospect of escape, and rescued the children of Christians. I have yet to see the captain of a merchant ship in one of the missions. An Englishman who had spent several years in India, remarked to a missionary there that he had never yet seen a native Christian; and went on to tell of the pleasure he had experienced in tiger hunting. The missionary replied, 'I have lived twenty years in India and have never yet seen a tiger. ' The trouble in both cases was that each had not gone to the right place to look. Can a Chinaman be converted ~ Bishop Newman went among them and personally satisfied himself on that question. He said to one Chinaman, 'I want you to tell me your experience : how you felt when convicted and converted.' He replied, 'I felt as if I were sewed up in a sack filled with snakes and scorpions, with no hope of escape, when Jesus Christ came and opened the sack and lifted me out. ' The conversion of the Chinese is the most important work of the Church in this age. It is important on account of the fnture of the Mongolian race. The Chinese question is to become a difficult one for the world to solve. The Chinese are all over the world, have emigrated into nearly every country on the globe. By their temperate habits and economY' they have outdone almost every other nation. You should not judge the Chinese from those that emigrate to this country, for they are poor specimens.
" There is a general feeling of uneasiness about them. The Australians would give a larger reward to get rid of them than they offered to be rid of rabbits. The Americans are ·also III agony over the Chinaman. It is not so much from his bad qualities as his good qualities. He is becoming a formidable competitor. No iniquitous exclusion act will keep him out. Such an act is a blot and disgrace. We can assimilate the scum of Europe, but we can't digest the Chinaman! That act of exclusion is destined to be classed with the burning of witches. It is a relic of barbarism. But John, like Banquo's ghost, will not down.
" There is some great destiny in store for the Chinese race. I feel this first because I believe that God has not preserved this race 4000 years for nothing. Again, all that mineral wealth isn't stored away for nothing. God doesn't work in that way. He wastes nothing. Third, the Chinese are capable of great things. They are slow, solid, aggressive, patient, industrious, economical, filial, and, above all, determined. The Chinese people are a brainy race. It is not too much to say they are the brainiest of the Asiatic race. There was no sentiment about General Grant, and he said that pre-eminently the three greatest men he h~d ever met were Gladstone, Bismarck, and Li Hung Chang, the· greatest diplomat of his day.
" The Chinese are a nation of students. What other country would have a yearly gathering of 25,000 students to compete for a literary prize, such as takes place at Nanking ~ " Ii a Chinaman determined to acquire an education, and was too poor to afford a light, he'd steal the light which streamed through the knot-hole of a more fortunate neighbor's room, and if there were no knot.-hole he would make one.
" China is rousing herself. She has been generally supposed to be dead, but she's a pretty lively corpse. She isn't even sleeping. She has a fine fleet of merchant steamers, a better navy than that of the United States. China is to be one of the great factors in the development of the world. The Christianizing of China is the only solution of the Chinese problem. Exclusion won't do it. But there are reasons for being hopeful about China. First, its doors have been opened, and there is free access to the country; second. there is a better feeling toward us despite the recent . attacks on missions which occurred in the most turbulent districts; were it not so there would have been fifty massacres instead of two people killed. There is more willingness to hear and a greater measure of success, considering obstacles. Twenty-five years ago there were less than 500 Christians. To-day there are 40,000, who have raised $40,000 for the support of Christianity. In 1877, 41,000 patients were treated in hospitals. In 1889, 347,000 patients were treated. But you can't count heads in the Chinese problem. There is too large an unknown quantity. You must solve the problem by algebra, not arithmetic, to find the unknown quantity. Again, the dominant class is open to you.
"It is not correct that we only touch the scum. If you go fishing for shrimps, you catch shrimps; and if you go fishing for whales, you catch whales. In fishing for souls, you are apt to catch just what you fish for. I believe we are on the verge of a mighty upheaval, a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The truth of God, eternal, unconquerable, invincible, will go forward in these latter days with increasing force and momentum. I see no reason why China should not be converted in fifty years if the Church of God will do her duty. If the work has seemed a failure, it is because the Church has not upheld our arms in prayer. Weare not prayed for as we ….ught to be, nor do you give as you ought. Give until you feel it.
Evening meeting: Dr. H. C. Mabie, on China.
"I too read that unfortunate article by one of our captains, who frequently goes to China, in which he says, 'I have yet to discover one Chinese Christian.' Some men are born blind. He would probably have as great difficulty in discovering one here.
" The first Sunday after my arrival I went to a service in a mission conducted by a Christian rice merchant. He related to me his experience. He said that as soon as he was converted he determined to close his shop on the Sabbath, though he was warned that he would lose all his trade. For a time he was ridiculed, and his shop was almost deserted; but little by little the people found that nowhere could they be so fairly and honestly dealt with; they became willing to wait over the Sabbath for the sake of dealing with a man on whom they could depend. His trade increased far beyond what it had ever been before. Now he has become a minister of Christ.
" During the service I was called upon to speak, which I did. My text was John 1 : 12. 'As many afl received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.' I dwelt on the change in Peter when restored to Christ's favor; of the power which came not only to Peter, but can come into our hearts. I was very well satisfied with my interpretation; but a water-carrier in the rear of the hall did not agree with me, and, rising, he gave another interpretation of it, bringing it down to the minds of his simple companions. ""recognized in that water-carrier the enthronement of the power of God. I arrived at another station on Sabbath morning in a pouring rain, and what did I see? A large number of people gathered for the morning service, singing • All hail the power of Jesus' name!' Dr. John West addressed them on the text, 'Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.' Perfect quiet reigned; not a muscle in their faces moved. They seemed hungry for the Bread of Life. One native, who had not been to the mission for some time, came, bringing a fan which he had made, and on which he had put the hymn' Ashamed of Jesus' and these three texts of Scripture: 'Therefore if any wan be in Christ, he is a new 'creature ; , 'If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me; , 'He that loseth his life for Mv sake shall find it.' -He told us how he had been a great opium eater; imd hearing in our mission of Christ and His saving power, he determined to become a Christian if it could save him from the power of opium. He told how he had been giving himself a six months' test, which was now over; of how Christ had taken away even the taste for opium. Now he wanted to make a profession of Christianity.
" The work of missions is no trifling one. There have been 1,500,000 copies of the Word of God, besides thousands of copies of ' Pilgrim's Progress,' sold or given away in one place.
" One day Dr. Ashmore and I went into the market-place, where we knew we would find a crowd. We were soon surrounded by people who treated us with perfect courtesy. We spoke a few words to them, and one of the natives also addressed them. The audience listened with attention. The old salute had been a shower of gravel stones.
" Medical missionaries in China are doing a great work. I visited a hospital where 100 patients daily listened to the preaching of the Gospel. In connection with this institution 350,000 people had been treated during the past year. One missionary in Canton performed 25,000 operations, treated 1,000,000 patients, and published 30 works besides. These men, who come for healing for their bodies, are deeply impressed by what they see, and go home to tell of it. These heathen are deeply moved by a little kindness; the tucking in of the covers, the smoothing of the brow, move some of those strong mlin to tears.
" The problem of to-day is: The re-incarnation of the Son of God among these poor nations until all the world shall join in the strain, ' Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.' "
Dr. A.' J. Gordon, of Boston, spoke, in the evening, on "The Chris- tian's Ambition for Heavenly Honor."
" A few evenings since I was reading the Greek Testament, when my son asked whether any word in the Greek encouraged the exercise of ambition and the seeking of honor. I have found such a word, its meaning being ambition, the love of honor, the love of distinction. It is three times used.
" I believe we have come so much to regard humility the cardinal virtue of Christianity that we may have forgotten the Christian should be ambitious. I think he should be the most ambitious person on the earth. To whom is the promise of eternal life spoken but to those who in patient endurance in well doing seek for glory, honor, and immortality, than which there cannot be a much higher ambition ~ We sometimes fall into the perIl of being proud of our humility. Humility is sometimes only pride turned wrong side out, just as you turn a garment and dye it and refit it. A person says, ' If I can get into heaven at last, I am willing to occupy II back seat.' But Scripture very certainly indicates that you are to seek not only barely to get into heaven, but' and so an abundant entrance shall be given you into the kingdom of God.' The back seats are all spoken for, and God wants us to get as near the throne as possible.
" , One star differeth from another star in glory.' Who will be stars of the first magnitude ~ 'They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.'
"Let us be ' ambitious to preach the Gospel where Christ has not been named' (Rom. 15 : 20, R. V.) is a most extraordinary statement.
" You might think a man who wanted to build a house would prefer to have a lot where the foundation had already been laid for him. But the apostle wants a lot to build II house where the sod has not been broken. That is not our idea, ordinarily, for when I was choosing my field of labor I thought the opposite. 'If I am to win the most souls, let me get where there is a good foundation of hereditary piety and orthodox faith.' I made that mistake because I apprehended preaching the Gospel for success, but not preaching it for a witness. I don't say we should not preach the Gospel for success; but our first duty is to preach it for a witness. Our first business is, not to build a house, but to build a highway. It is not to perfect the kingdom of God in some favored spot under the heavens, but to prepare the way for the kingdom of God when it shall yet come. Therefore put the emphasis on the words' Go ye into all the world.' We make this mistake. Supposing a new Pacific railway should be chartered, and a man should take a contract to build a thousand miles. He reports at the end of the year that, as the State of Dakota furnished the best rock bottom, therefore he put his thousand miles all in Dakota. But the engineer in charge tells him that the very object of the railroad is to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific, and yet he has built his section zigzag back and forth through a single State.
" That is exactly what we have been doing with the Gospel. It is to be carried into all the world, because by and by the Lord will return j and when He comes we want a highway from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth, and stations everywhere where He can have distributing centres.
"When we do God's way and preach the Gospel for a witness, we are sure to get the best success. In 1810 Adoniram .Tudson was just graduating from the seminary, and his father brought home the news that he was appointed associate pastor of Park Street church, the largest in Boston. He astounded his family by saying, 'My field won't be in Boston; it will be far across the sea. I have an ambition to preach the Gospel where no one else has, lest I "build upon another man's foundation.'" Eighty years have passed. Park Street church has 800 to 1000 members, but Adoniram Judson's church beyond the sea has a membership of 30,000, and thousands have fallen asleep in Jesus blessing his name. How God is honored in building a church out of unpromising materials, calling out songs from those hitherto dumb! That is the reason why the apostle wanted to build where a foundation had not been laid, for where a foundation has been laid anybody can build, but only God can build on nothing. "Next year we shall celebrate the anniversary of Carey's inauguration of missions. He thought, 'I stirred up the people to form a missionary society in England. I am the first missionary, but I believe God will take care of me. Put me out there and give me my tools, and I will not ask another cent.' So he went and supported himself in India, preaching the Word of God. After forty years of labor he had not only marvellously preached the Gospel and laid the foundations of the Church, bnt had sup. ported himself and paid into the missionary treasury $233,000, a fact utterly unparalleled in the history of missions or the ministry. God will sometimes take the widow's mite and not the worldling's million, that He may show what He is able to do. It is a marvellous fact that the greatest gifts bestowed in the work of foreign and home missions have been given to men who have wrought by prayer.
"Mr. George Muller's Home in Bristol is a marvellous example of the power of prayer.
" When men really trust God for success and money, He is ready to show them that He is not only Chief Shepherd of souls, but Chief Treasurer. When we get off of a human foundation we get upon the divine, and the apostle built on the divine foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ, the foundation-stone..
"In 1 Thessalonians 4 : 11 you have another ambition-service conjoined with silence. doing the best you can and saying nothing about it. Some cloeks strike, and some tell the time of day with their hands. So some Christians advertise their business, and others do it and say nothing about it, which is the kind we want. Two texts we ought to read together: 'Do not sound a trumpet before you,' and 'Let your light so shine.' He wants you to be ambitious, to have good works that somebody can see; and light travels faster than sound, and so with Christians, you see the flash before you hear the report if they are the right sort. The ambition is, not that they may praise you, but that they may glorify your Father which is in heaven. You thus have an opportunity to be ambitious, and yet to be sublimely humble.
" The work of the hands and of the head is subordinate to that of the heart. If you have been redeemed by Christ, renewed by the Holy Ghost, and your citizenship is in heaven, what is your principal business ~ It is to tell others about Jesus Christ and bring them to the knowledge of His love and of His grace. Whatever else yon do must be subordinated to that; and it is a shame and scandal in our nineteenth century Christianity that so many business men get, and live, and labor, and save, M if they understood that getting riches was the end of their existence instead of getting riches in order to glorify God. I care not what your occupation is ; you may be a carpenter at the bench, a blacksmith at the forge. a merchant behind the counter, your first business is to give the Gospel to those that have not heard it. Does it look as though we regarded it as our principal business ~ "First, we put our capital in our business. There are eight billions in the hands of Christians in tbis country. That is invested for the most part in bonds, mortgages, diamonds, silks, horses, carriages, houses, furniture, pictures, aud a thousand other things, vastly more than in that which ought to be the principal business of the ChriRtian, giving the Gospel to the world. And somebody says, 'I believe the world is getting better and better every day,' although he has millions laid up, and yet you caunot get twenty cents out of him for missions. He had no conception that he ought to put his eapital into the LQrd's business instead of into his own comfort and the ultimate ruin of his posterity. 'Was there ever a time the Christian Church gave so much for religious purposes l' Well, it gives a good deal; but by the best estimate the amount given to missions is only three cents on a dollar ! We put our best Ulen into business. The command is to give the Gospel to every creature.
" A few months since an order went out from the British Government to take the census of India, and it was done inside of twenty-four hours. Although at the beginning of this dispensation the Church understood it was sent to take the census of the world, and we have been at it nearly 1900 years, what have we done ~ There are 1,000,000,000 out of 1,400,000.000 unreached by the Gospel. When they took the census in a single night they put more than 1,000,000 enumerators in the field. We have in the field 7000 missionaries, but we have 127,000 at home representing the same constituency. Does that look as if foreign missions was this world's principal business ~ " I am hoping that, in this great movement which has now touched us, the Church of God may be lifted to such a position that it will put an army into the field and not simply station a picket line thrcugh the heathen world; that it will put its capital and not the iuterest on its interest into the work; that it will call out the reserves and put the privates in all occupations to work.
"The last subject of ambition is in 2 Corinthians 5 : 9, where the apostle sums up thus: 'Wherefore we strive,' are ambitious, 'that, whether present or ahsent, we may be well pleasing unto HiUl.' Have you ever noticed that Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount, utters a sharp contrast between the two kinds of ambition? If you want to get a reputation for piety, make long prayers and eloquent ones. ~o that you can be popu· lar; and, if you deMire to be popular as a benevolent man, sound a trumpet and let everyone know. And He says: 'Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. ' It has been said: If you want to make people think well of you, make them think well of themseh·es. But our business, as long as men are sinners, is to make them think meanly of themselves, so that they may think well of Jesus Christ. Then Christ turns to us, to any faithful disciple: 'But you, go into your own closet to pray, and when you give, do Dot let your right know what your left hand doeth, and your Father who seeth in secret '-I want you to pause on that word. A great sculptor had a contract to put a statue in a niche in a great temple. They told him he could make it cheaply by filling up the back side, as that didn't show. ' But,' said he, 'the gods will see it, and therefore it must be finished up.' The world looks at the front side-God looks on the back. Your Father who seeth in secret shall reward you openly.
" We praise the successful missionaries for the sacrifices and services they have wrought in the name of Christ. But I sometimes think, what about the unsuccessful missionarie", those who have done their best, but in circumstances where they have reaped but little, and perhaps cut off in an untimely way, and thrust out of their field with never an opportunity to do what they had an ambition to do. What about them? 'I have an ambition that, whether absent or preRent, I may be well pleasing unto the Lord. ' Think of George Schmidt, with his heart burning to preach in Africa, who went there and was driven off by the settlers and not allowed to return, and who ulted to pray day after day, ' Lord, perUlit me to go to Africa,' until he was found dead on his knees, without going back. I think of that noble bishop, Coleridge Patterson, so splendidly endowed that they said, "Why waste your talents on the heathen ~ , and yet he went to the Pacific islands, and they took him as an enemy, and as he :was saying' Peace be unto you' they slew him, and, like his Lord, he was sent back from the very people that he came to bless, with five bleeding wounds upon his person. And I think of Melville Cox, that noble Mdhodist who went out from this country, who had a consuming passion to preach the Gospel on the western coast of Africa. He had hardly reached the shore when he was stricken down with fever, and all there is left of him is a grave with the words. ' Though a thousand fall, let not Africa be given up.' Then I think of Adam McCall, one of Livingstone's companions on the Congo, who, stricken down with fever and dying, said, • Lord Jesus, thou knowest that I consecrated my life to Africa. If Thou dost choose to take me instead of the work which I purposed to do for Thee, what is that to me ~ Thy will be done.' Where was their success ~ If they could speak they would say, 'I have but one ambiiion; that, whether I be dead or alive, whether I be absent from the body or present with the Lord, I may be well pleasing unto Him.'
" I end with urging that we may have a heroic and consecrated ambition. The highest encomium I ever heard of a single man was that of John Vassar, after he had talked about Christianity with a fashionable woman in a hotel. Her husband had come in and said that if he had known of it he would have sent him about his business. The woman replied, ' If you had seen him you would have thought that was his business.' Christ set an example of a man being ab'out his business. When His mother said to Him, ' Son, thy father and I have sought thee sOIrowing,' He replied, , Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business.'
" It is a business that meant the loss of His life, that involved the cro~s, and the crown of thorns, and the 'Father, forgive them,' and 'Why hast Thou forsaken Me ~ , and the sepulchre. But, though He saw the end from the beginning, He was about His Father's business till He could say, ' I ha,'e finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.' Be ambitious to be quiet and to be about your Father's business, and may you receive at the end of your life that welcome plaudit, ' Well done, good and faithful servant!' But remember that there can be no ' Well done' unless there has been first well doing; for, if anybody can conjugate' ill doing , into ' well done,' I cannot. Therefore, let us be up and doing, and make God's business our business."
Rev. Dr. Pierson summed up the addresses of the day in the closing speech of the evening. He began by referring to the fact that one of the most remarkable anniversary services that Great Britain has ever witnessed in England will begin May 31st next, and continue to October 2d. It will be the celebration of the one hundredth anni'ersary of the beginning of foreign missionary work under William Carey. After sketching the origin of the movement, he spoke of the four great characteristics by which the com- ing age of mission work would be marked : First, by enterprise ; second, by sacrifice; third, by individual service; fourth, by individual supplication.
These points were enlarged upon, and a fervent appeal was made for the Christian Church to rouse itself in the matter of mission wo~k. And so closed this most memorable of days at Northfield.
THE SACRED LAND OF PALESTINE
THE SACRED LAND OF PALESTINE.
BY MRS. DAVID BARON.
It is strange to be in a land so ancient and to find it in the rear of all known lands; its ancient civilization swept away, as if it had not been; without roads, except a few quite recently made; its cities gone, its forests and groves gone, and its landscapes bare, the hedges of prickly pear being no relief to the eye. You may travel many miles and only see occasional encampments of Arabs on the hill-sides, their flocks of cattle, goats, anu sheep browsing near; or now and again a fellahin village. It is possible to ride over some of these without knowing it, for the flat roofs are turf-rovered, and I have seen palm-trees growing singly, and cattle grazing on them. The larger of their villages look at first sight like a heap of grass-grown ruins, but nearer they resemble more rabbit burrows. The walls are ·of earth or sometimes of stone, with earth floors and earth COVer- 'ng the flat roofs; they have one low door, no window, no chimney.
The fellahin are probably descendants of the ancient Canaanites. They are not nomadic, like the Arabs, but settle in such villages as I have described. They till the ground, using a camel or an ox and ass yoked together to draw the very simple instrument used as a plough. The fellahin women are of a very low type. They work very hard from morning to night, carrying heavy loads great distances, often with their swaddled babies poised in baskets on their heads in addition to their burdens. These women are tattooed about the mouth and chin, and wear silver coins fringing their faces and nose bags. These are their duwry; they are, '10wever, much discolored, and look more like pewter than silver. From early morning, even so early as fiye o'clock, the beggar sits by the wayside begging; often several beggars sit in a row. In the course of one day some things will be painfully apparent to a fresh comer, and possibly the foremost of these will be the frightful prevalence of ophthalmia, the terrible cruelty practised on animals, and the filthy, unsanitary condition of the towns. Ophthalmia is likely to remain the curse of the land so long as no proper escape is made for the smoke in the dwellings of the people. Their want of cleanliness, too, favors this trouble, and the unsanitary conditions of their life. Flies and mosquitoes coming from refuse matter inoculate the eyes with poison. Again, another cause of blindness is the intense glare of the sun where there is no relief of grass or trees to meet the eye. It is a grievous sight to see on every hand, among all ages, from the infant to the aged, this terrible affliction; and pitiable indeed it is to see, as you may any day, a company of a dozen or more blind men passing through the crowded sbk (market-place), each with his hand on the shoulder of the one before him-a forcible illustration of our Saviour's words, "The blind leading the blind." Less common than blindness, and yet all too frequent, is the disease of leprosy. Surely, in any other country care would be taken to prevent the increase and spread of so appalling an evil! Here, however, the lepers are at large, and beset a trayeller on all hands, showing their disfigurements and forcing their maimed members into notice. It is too horrible! At the ascent of the Mount of Olives they lined the narro", way, standing or sitting right in the midst of the stony roads. To the peculiarly painful cry of their appealing voice-a result of the disease attacking the throat-they added the rattle of their tin pots for receiving money; and scarcely could we get free of them, though mounted on asses. These poor creatures marry among themselves, and pass on their disease as a frightful inheritance to their children, who in early life often appear to be healthy. With their growth, however, the evil never fails to develop. The Moravians have long had a hospital in Jerusalem for the shelter and care of lepers, but very few avail themselves of it, being unwilling to separate from their families.
In this land, where the law given by God Himself enjoined merciful treatment of animals, a brutal, inhuman treatment is the practice. The outcome of the 'Moslem creed of the sacredness of life among these unreasoning people is that they kill by inches instead of killing outright. The treatment of the poor asses and camels is simply revolting. Perpetually weighted with burdens beyond their strength to bear, their fur is completely worn off their backs and sides, which look like rusty black leather, and are covered with open wonnds. Their pack-saddles are rarely if ever lifted from off their sore backs, and they are kept in a half-starved condition. To make them increase their speed their drivers dig a knife or any sharp instrument into their flesh, making wounds which they take care shall not heal. In one of the noisome alleys which serve as streets in the actual town of J afia, my husband found, one day. a poor ass tethered, suffering extreme torture. One of its legs was cut away and gangrene had set in, yet no one had pity upon it to end its misery. He tried to induce them to kill it, but all in vain; they were only amused by the sug· gestion. At last he sent a man whom he could trust to buy the animal and see it killed. Even then the owner could not understand so disinterested an action, and professing to believe that the poor animal's skin must be worth something, wished to charge the more. Some time later I learned that the week following another miserable ass in bad plight had been fastened up in the same alley, doubtless with the hope of a purchaser. The unsanitary condition of towns built on the ruins of former towns, and without any system of drainage, is something indescribable. The narrow, filthy, uneven alleys, crowded with refuse from the houses, and constantly receiving more from windows and doors, are no places where to linger and admire the quaint, picturesque scenes sure to meet the eye which would otherwise be of great interest. The scavenger dogs and jackals which roam the towns at night are truly blessings where such a state of thing exists.
There is no encouragement to industry or protection of property in this land. The more diligent and sllccessful a man is in trade or agriclll· ture the more heavily is he taxed by the government, which harasses its subjects in every imaginable way. As every government official pays a sum of money to obtain his post, and is quite uncertain how long he will retain it, he makes the best of his possibly brief opportunity to extort all he can. The law may be, and often is, good, I am told; but it is not known j and the government officials work things their own way. Shortly after we arrived in Jaffa an incident occurred at Gaza which is a good example of this. A quarrel arose among some Arab tribes. The Pasha of Jernsalem came down to make inquiry, but receiving a sufficient backshish from both the offending parties, he made fair promises to each, and' returned. No benefit resulted from his visit, and soon the strife renewed. Again the pasha came down and returned as before with his purse com- fortably lined. The more powerful tribes then succeeded in spoiling and casting out a poorer tribe, and the country became unsafe as far as Jaffa; for this tribe, deprived of all their goods, attacked the property and cruelly injured some of the peaceful German colonists. In one instance the kavasse of the German consul, with two Turkish police, traced the mur- tlerers to a tent, where they found them still red-handed, with the weapon only hidden under a mat. They were taken prisoners and the k3vasse of the German consul took one man on with him to the Turkish prison in Jaffa, leaving the two police to bring along the other men. Having per- formed his own errand, he presently met them returning empty-handed, having allowed their men to escape. Backshish was no doubt the secret of this too, but no inquiry was made j they were not held responsible for their prisoners, and I believe the man in prison was later released, there being no eyewitness of his crime. Another pasha was appointed in place of him who had been twice to Gaza, and who had so profitably to himself investigated the. cause of the troubles there. By order of the new pasha all the men of the tribes at Gaza were taken prisoners and consigned to . prison' in Jerusalem. My husband met the Whole party on the road near Abu Gosh, the ancient Kirjath-.Tearim, and saw them joined by their escort of Turkish soldiers. Whether they are still held prisoners, or how the matter is settled, I do not know j it may probably again be a matter of backshish. In the court of justice, so called, this word" backshish" is rendered more politely by the expression " witnesses." According as gain may be hoped for from the social position of the victim, he is told that unless he can produce five, or a hundred, or yet more witnesses in court, his case cannot be settled. The heads on sovereigns or napoleons are the witnesses in question.
Many primitive customs are still in practice, exactly as they were in the days of our Lord on earth. It is easy tQ see why a curse was pronounced by the law on the man who moved his neighbor's landmarks j it i3 a mat- ter all too easy of accomplishment. It took.me a little time to realize, in going across country, that three or four large irregular.shaped stones, apparently picked from tqe soil around and laid one on another, could have any special meaning. Presently, however, I noticed that they stood in certain relation to other such piles, and guessed that they wert> landmarks. On inquiry I found that I was right in my surmise.
A lady known to us inherited four hundred dunnem of land from her father, but now less than two hundred remain to her, for the Arabs have been constantly at work moving her landmarks. We have heard of an Arab whose property was bounded on one side by a ditch. This ditch had to be renewed after the winter rains, and here the Arab saw his opportunity. Year by year he cleared earth away from the opposite bank, putting it always on his own bank. The ditch moved unobservedly farther and farther away from its original position. Under a fostering government, which encouraged industry in the people of the land, ~his country might soon again be flourishing. The soil is exceedingly productive, and were the terraces rebui:t and carefully watered and tended, the mountains about Jerusalem might soon again drop oil and wine. The water supply should now be sufficient if the aqueducts and cisterns were kept in good repair. For many centuries the rainfall of ·Palestine was very insufficient, and the latter rains, which should fall in the first month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding to March-April, were withheld j but the last thirty years has seen a great change, and during the last ten years the latter rains have fallen more copiously and seasonably. The rains of these past seasons havA been quite exceptional. Twenty-six inches has been the average for the last eight years, but this year it has reached forty-seven and fifty inches in the plain, and from sixty to seventy-two inches at different elevations on the Lebanon. One orange garden outside of Jaffa was standing in water during several months, and a good part of the plain of Sharon was flooded during the same time. Simultaneous with the return of the latter rain in its season we see the return of the population. Both the rain and the people are necessary to the land, and now that God opens the heavens to bless, He opens also the graves of His people. It is difficult to obtai~ accurate statistics of the numbers returning, but in Jerusalem alone the estimates vary from thirty-five to fifty-five thousand Jews now resident there. The former number is probably reckoned from the Halucha, the charity sent by Jews throughout the world to be distributed among the poor Jews in Jerus'alem. This is mostly given to the Ashkenazi, or German-speaking Jews. According to Consul Moore, who recently left Jerusalem, the Jewish population in the Holy City increased by twenty thousand in the period of three years. 'Vhile the numbers of Jews increase, the Moslem population is diminishing j it is now reckoned to be but seven thousand, and all the Christian sects taken together may be stated as about twelve thousand.
There are also large Jewish communities in the other sacred cities, Hebron, Safed, and Tiberias, as also in Gaza, Jaffa, Haifa, and other places, while numerous colonies exclnsively Jewish are springing up throughout the land. These colonies, it is true, arc not yet self-sup-
rOecember
porting, and have to struggle against great difficulties, but they exist; and it is an encouraging sight to see this people returning to their ancient patriarchal occupations of husbandry and cattle tending, frolli which they have been so long debarred in most countries of their exile. Their rudely constructed carts may daily be seen coming into Jaffa with loads of healthy Jewish peasants who have no longer the subserVIent, cringing air of the poor Jews we meet with in the West, but a free and independent bearing which it does one good to see. Their villages are homely looking j no one is better off than his neighbor, while all lead a simple peasant life, having sufficient, if barely sufficient,. of this world's goods. They own much cattle, and have many acres of land about their colonies under cultivation and yielding well, which but a few years ago was waste ground. In some cases they are troubled by the Arabs, who either have or fabricate a claim upon the land. These people, when they own land, only encamp upon it at such times as their harvest approaches to guard it and secure the grain. Nothing later remains as sign of their occupation.
It has been reported that these Jewish colonists are unwilling to work themselves, and leave the toil of agriculture to the fellahin. This may be true in some places, but we have seen with our own eyes numbers of Jews at work ploughing and sowing. And still the stream of immigration is not likely to cease, hut rather to increase, considering the unsettled state of the Jews in all parts of the world. It is true that until quite lately we have not had such a large contingent from Russia as we looked for this season, but within the last fortnight the expected exodus for the promised land has commenced. In one week 800 Jews have arrived in Jaffa-500 by one vessel and 300 by another. It is noteworthy that those who now comc pouring into Palestine are not all poor and miserable, such as those who formerly came only to die in the Holy Land, but number among them wealthy Jews, speculators in land, who are buying up large tracts for settlement, and forming building societies. Quite recently a large tract of land has been bought up by them at Haifa for the sum of £17,000, for which, a week later, they were offered £25,000, but refused to give up their purchase. One Jewish building society lately proposed building 1000 }lOuses for Jewish occupation between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The shares being immediately taken up, the number was repeatedly raised until it finally attained 3500. I was quite unprepared to find Jerusalem so much built about. The city within the walls will soon be smaller than the new Jerusalem without. The city itself is very unhealthy, being built on the heaps of ruins of past cities. It abounds in narrow, filthy, noisome covered ways and alleys, where fevers are at home. Inside the city it is impossible to drive, but outside there are fine buildings, roads-rough but wide-good shops, a public garden (in preparation), and building operations extending in all directions. In the colony outside the Jaffa gate there are from 9000 to 10,000 Jews. The artist Holman Hunt has a house in this part, and there are three hotels. Good houses and shops aN
TlIE SACRED LAND OF l'ALESTntfIl
continually building. This neighborhood has grown rapidly since a year ago. A small colony of Jewish artisans just outside of Jaffa are helped, on the building society principles, to become owners of their houses; and so great is the demand for these well-built little dwellings that they cannot be built quickly enough. A yet more important service is being rendered by the Alliance Israelite in providing training schools where Jewish youth are taught some useful trade or a scientific knowledge of agriculture. The Jews coming from Europe are divided into two classes, the Ashkenazi, or German-speaking Jews, and the Sephardi, or Spanish-speaking. The latter are the descendants of those Jews banished from Spain in the year 1492, and are found in all countries bounding the Mediterranean Sea. There are also colonies now coming from Arabia of Jews settled there before the commencement of the Christian era, if their own tradition may be received. They bear traces of having been many ages in the South, their physique being quite different from that of the Jews of Europe. Their build is slight and tall, and their skin a very dark brown. It was ten years ago, in the year 1881, that the first party of German Jews arrived in Jerusalem. Their reason for coming has a prophetic interest j it was none other than a dream or vision of their revered rabbi. He related that it was revealed to him that he and his people should return to their own land, and that there God would make known to them the Messiah for whom they had so long been waiting. Numbers of them did not hesitate to obey a vision so full of comfort. But alas! they had to endure many perils by the way. They were robbed; they suffered shipwreck; many died, and they arrived at their destillation greatly reduced in numbers.. The Jews in Palestine would not recognize them as Jews at all, or render them any help; but General Gordon and some lately arrived American Christians secured them a site where to found a colony on the Mount of Olives. Since that time their numbers are constantly increasing, fresh companies arriving now and again from Yemen. Last year they numbered some eight hundred. In the month of March this year another hundred arrived miserably destitute, having suffered much by the way. Forty of these poor wanderers were sheltered and fed in our mission house during the few days they remained in Jaffa. They are a naturally pious people, as is evidenced by the conduct of these poor immigrants. The first thing they did after entering the house, having but just endured the miseries of disembarkation at Jaffa, and the trials of the custom house, was to seek for a suitable c'orner or recess where to stand their scroll of the law, richly encased and silver-mounted. This important matter settled, they repeated Hehrew prayers and then commenced to instruct the young from the Talmud. So earnest are they for the reli~ious instruction of their families that a father will elaborately copy with his own hand the valued commentaries of some rabbi, a work occupying all his time for some year8, in order to leave it a sacred legacy to his children. These Yemen Jews are a simple, industrious, hard. working race, skilled in small handicrafts, with minds less prejudiced against the truth thn are those of their European co-religionists. Last year my husband visited them in their village on Olivet. I will quote a paragraph from his" Mission Tour in Egypt and Palestine," descriptive of his visit: "One rainy day, going through the gate of David, we crossed the valley of Kedron and climbed up to this lit- tle colony. We found them in a terrible state of destitution and sickness, which Dr. Dixon was able to relieve somewhat. They were delighted to see us. We went from hut to hut-one cannot call them houses-and asked them to assemble in their little synagogue to hear us speak to them collectively of tho Messiah The little place was quite full. I spoke to them about Jesus, the true Messiah of Israel, the Saviour of the world. I spoke perhaps too sharply about the unbelief and sin of the Jewish peo- ple in rejecting Him. They listened very quietly, and when I had done speaking the aged rabbi said, in words that went to my heart, for they sounded like the old Scripture writings, ' We are from Yemen, in the land of the South, where our fathers have lived since before the days of Ezra the scribe. We, all our lives, and all our fathers in their Ii ves, never heard that the Messiah- had come. If we had heard we might have believed on Him, but we did not hear.''' Now, however, these Yemen Jews, like all others arriving at the port of Jaffa, are met by Jews from the town immediately on arriving, and warned against any missionaries who may attempt conversation with them.
It is of exceeding interest to note that while the rightful inheritors of the soil are compelled to return to it for the most part by the tyranny of their oppressors, the land itself is being opened up for them by the enterprise of strangers, who are often much hindered by the government. A French company is constructing the railway from Jaffa to .Terusalem. The work was for some months at a standstill, there being some difficulty about the compensation to be made the orange grove proprietors through whose property it had to pass. Now, however, the work progresses rapidly. The engin~s sent from Philadelphia, respectively the "Jerusalem," " Ramleh," and" Jaffa," are employed on the line already made, bringing up materials. For this purpose they run even now as far as Ramleh j hut it is a misstatement which has been published to the effect that the line so far is already open to the public.. It will be many months yet ere this can be the case. Possibly the frequent shrill screams of the engine, warning natives off the line on its transit to and fro with trucks of materials, have been mistaken by some tourist passing through. Many most erroneous statements about events said to be occurring in this land find their way into English and other papers, and are very misleading. The railway between Jaffa and Jerusalem should be completed next year. An English company holds a firman for a railway to run from Haifa to Damascus j and we learn that a line, to be called a steam tramway, is also to be constructed between Beyrout and Damascus. It seems that in the firman granted for the Haifa-Damascus line, there was a clause to the effect that there should be no railway between Beyrout and Damascus. This being so, the difficulty in granting permission for the latter was easily got over by giving it another name. It is, therefore, a " steam tramway." It is a very mountainouil district through which this must pass, and will require skilful engineering. A matter much discussed, but in which I believe no steps have yet been taken, is the proposition of a line to connect the prin~ cipal cities on the sea-coast from Port Said to Beyrout. A good carriage road from Jaffa to Jerusalem has existed already some years. From Jeru- salem to Bethlehem and to Hebron there are also good roads. The late pasha commenced roads to Nablous and Jericho, but these have been left unfinished. Harbor works are now in progress at Beyrout, and such must follow at Jaffa on the completion of the railway. The diligence and suc- cess of the thrifty German colonists near Jaffa and Haifa are practical les- sons, proving the capabilities of the soil when properly worked.
Many influences are at work here to hinder the good which might be done among the Jews themselves.
The Ashkenazi are the principal recipients of the Halucha, the charity yearly sent from Jews in all parts of the world for the poor Jews in this land.. It has a very baneful effeot on those who receive it, who are supported in idleness. Some of them even raise mon.ey on the income assured to them by the Halucha alone. The recipients of this charity must of course remain zealous Jews or they would not retain it. The Sephardi do not receive 'so large a share of the Halucha, but benefit, as all Jews may, by the benevolent schemes set on foot hy Jewish national societies to help on their people, and all alike are held under a strict supervision as to their attendance at synagogue and religious zeal by the agents of these societies. The result is that their pride of race and fanaticism is greatly ihCreased, and they are exceedingly bitter with any who venture to speak to them of Jesus. There are many missions at work in the land-American, Scotch, and English-which are doing a good work among the different nationalities represented here. Among the Jews not much is being done, and this work in this land becomes increasingly difficult. The most difficult place, perhaps, in all the world to work among them is the city of Jerusalem itself. Here the idolatries of the Greek and Latin churches are evcr before them, while on every hand gain is held out to them as inducement to join one or other Christian sect-even the Protestant churches, alas! not being free from reproach in this matter. While many Jews are not unwilling to go from one to another, making what they ean from this false charity, it is easy to see into what contempt and ill repute this brings so-called mission work, and that it is not in this way men are convertedrather are they so made hypocrites.
It may be of interest if I add a little about our work in Jaffa during the few months we have been there. As soon as possible we secured a mission house in the town itself, and in the same street as the house called Simon the Tanner's, on the roof of Which Peter had the vision which prepared him to go to Cornelius and proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Our mission house had formerly been used as a hospice for the better class of Russian pilgrims. Our fellow-worker, Mr. Barnett, elected to live there in the first story, and was soon joined by an earnest Christian Jew from Smyrna, who came to assist with the Spanish-speaking Jews. To understand and influence the people it is necessary to know their homes, occupations, and circumstances. Of necessity a great deal of time was spent by our missionaries in visiting the loathsome neighborhoods and dwellings where the Jews live. It was attempted to meet Jewish refugees on their arrival, but this was found quite impracticable, as anyone who has disembarked at the port of Jaffa will realize. The confusion on board ship and in the custom house, added to the fact before mentioned, that agents from the Chovevi Zion Society are on the spot to hinder any mis- sion work, prevents any good being done. Later, however, in groups of twos and threes the new-comers have been met about the town, and such opportunities have been made good use of. Visits have also been made to Jewish colonies in the neighborhood of Jaffa, but the winter was excep- tionally severe and the roads were for long impassable.
The mission house, besides being a centre where Jews could gather for conversation, discussing their difficulties and receiving instru~tion without fear of being watched, was also a home and shelter at different times to homeless Jews. Some of these have come in opposing the truth, but being present at prayer, conducted by Mr. Barnett, in which others have joined, have, of their own accord, not only prayed, but done so in the name of Jcsus. One Jew in particular asked God that if what he had heard of Jesus were true He would not let him die without receiving it. If only the chains of formalism were broken, and true, spontaneous, heart- felt confession of sin and prayer for pardon took the place of the 'Continual repetition of lifeless forms of prayer, God would hear and answer, for it is this He waits for.
On Saturday afternoons, being Sabbath, and to the Jews everywhere a . day of lcisure, many would come and read and converse with my husband and Mr. Barnett. On Wednesday afternoons during two hours one room used to be crowded with J ewesses, all sitting, Eastern fashion, cross-legged on the ground and working. A stranger coming in might have been aston- ished to see the array of shoes in the open court-yard to the number of some sixty-eight pairs. Within the interest would have been sustained. Here were Spanish Jewesses for the most part, some few German, one Italian, and two or three very dark-skinned Yemen Jewesses. Some with their forehE,iads bound and their faces bandaged, others simply wearing a pretty kerchief on their heads and having their finger nails dyed scarlet or yellow. Their methods of work are the exact reverse of our European ways j some of these women could work very quickly and well. On leav- ing, many of them resumed their white enveloping sheet, which they had laid aside on entering. We had the va!lA."bk help of some Arabic-speaking
'rltE SA.CR~D LAND Oli' P A.L~S'1'lN1!l
Christian missionary ladies from the English hospital, who interpreted for us, and who entered whole-heartedly into all that was attempted to be done. The poor Jewish women are very ignorant, as it is considered unnecessary and wrong to teach a woman. As.they know so little of their own national history and Scriptures we found it a good plan to question them and arouse their interest, and then to give them Scripture teaching. We also commenced' reading Matthew's Gospel with them. At last, however, the Jewish feasts, followed by my husband's severe prolonged illness, obliging my absence with him, put a stop to these interesting meetings. Although we may not again return to Jaffa, we hope the work will be continued by others, and that God will bless it more and more. The time we have spent in the Holy Land has forced upon us the conviction that the work to be done among the Jews need be done ere they set foot here. Although missions in Palestine may be of great use as a present testimony in the midst of the returning people, it is undoubtedly true that in the lands of their dispersion the best opportunities offer. When the hand of God presses upon them and they are willing to confess that it is on account of sin that they and their fathers suffer, they may be induced to accept and study the Word which tells of the atonement and Sin-bearer. It is hardly credible how soon they forget, and deny having suffered when once within the promised land, and maintain that they need no deliverer, for that God is favoring them. Even now the women in the colonies incite the men to stone any missionary who reasons with them. I firmly believe that the days approach when they will persecut.e and kill their Lord's messengers again, as formerly they did. There are many discouragements attending Jewish mission work. For those who are in haste to see results and num. ber up converts it is indeed very unsatisfactory and trying work, but in every field of mission work we see the same thing; the few receive the Word of God and are changed by it j the many reject and remain indifferent to it. All that the Word of God bids us do, whether among Jews or throughout the wide world, is to sow the Word, the " Gospel of the kingdom in all the world, for a witness unto all nations." When this is done harvest-time will come, and the harvesting is to be the work of angels, not of men.
We know there is and always has been, from the days of Paul to our own, " a remnant according to the election of grace among Israel," but the Word of God tells us plainly that as a nation Israel, like Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor and blasphemer, will only be converted by the vision of Jesus returning in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory. Then they will look upon Him whom they have pierced, and mourn with bitter lamentation as for a first-born son.
EUROPEAN LITERATURE IN THE MISSION FIELDS
EUROPEAN LITERATURE .IN THE MISSION FIELDS.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D. D.
It has become a serious question whether the missionaries or the ene- mies of Christianity are making the greater use of the English tongue as a medium of communication with the people of Oriental lands.
In the early days of the modern missionary movement therc were sup- posed to be many motives not only for education, but for instruction in the English tongue. It was thought that by this means the masses of India, for example, might be brought into closer contact with that Christian civilization which afforded the chief hope of their regeneration. There was an additional reason in India and Ceylon in the political relationship of those countries to Great Britain. While missionary institutions gave much attention to the English language and made it the vehicle of instruction in history, science, etc., the schools and colleges established by the Anglo- Indian Government employed the same agency still more widely. There was a great demand for a knowledge of English as a qualification for commercial positions, and the demand was by no means limited to India and Ceylon. The same aspiration for this kind of education filled the youth of Beirut. Cairo, and Constantinople. It appeared in the schools of China and Japan. There was a like demand on the coast of Africa, and wherever the civilization and commerce of the Anglo-Saxon came in contact with heathen races. In all British colonies, like Australia, New Zealand, and Natal, the English tongue very naturally became dominant. Within the last decade the governments holding protectorates over newly acquired territory in Africa and elsewhere have taken special pains to extend the use of their respective languages as a means of establishing thei~ power. The French at the Gaboon place such emphasis upon this requirement as to forbid missionary instruction even in the verna~ular. It must be French and only French, all of which means the future prevalence of French literature.
But the generic thought suggested by this incidental survey is this: that the whole world is coming rapidly under the influence of European Janguages and literatures, the English holding a larger place than any other, and they are opening the way for the propagation of either truth or error on a boundless scale. In higher education, whether in science, history, and general literature, or in special departments, as medicine or theology, it has been claimed that a knowledge of English would open the door at once to a much wider technical literature than could be found as yet in Oriental languages; that in medicine, for example, it would be far easier to give young men a knowledge of the English which would introduce them at once to a wide range of medical science than to undertake the translation of a large number of medical books into the Arabic, the Chinese, or the Hindi; and these reasons have .seemed valid. But possibly the Christian Church in its missionary operations has not been sufficiently mindful of the fact that wherever the husbandman has sown the good seed, an enemy soon follows with tares, and that the result is a strong flank movement again ..t the truth. The apostles of infidelity would never have endured the toil anu hardship necessary to prepare the ground; they would not have undertaken to rAduce languages to a written form, and in some cases even establish a grammatical construction; but when the grubbing and the ploughing and harrowing are all accomplished they are at hand with the seeds of error. They watch for the thousands of youth who have learned the English tongue. They make use of all the agencies of publication which have been established. They are not scrupulous about the kind of intellectual pabulum that they furnish, for it is no part of their purpose to regenerate and uplift the heathen races. It is all one to them if moral poison and destruction are the result. As to the intellectual demand and their methods of meeting it, they have the same amount of scruple and misgiving as those who are deluging heathen lands with adulterated and poisoned liquors, gunpowder and firearms; their work is on the same moral level, neither higher nor lower.
The reports of the Christian Vernacular Education Society of India, while giving many interesting facts in regard to vernacular literature and the great demand for it in India, throw an occasional side light upon the spread of English literature. This society, under the presidency of the Right Honorable, the Earl of Northbrook, has struck a keynote which all friends of missions and of humanity ought to heed. It emphasizes the fact that the circulation of Christian literature in heathen lands is one of the foremost demands of the age. It reminds us that we live in a period when the printing, publication, and circulation of reading matter of all kinds h~ve reached enormous dimensions, and that thought in every variety, good, bad, and indifferent, is being quickened among all races.
A recent communication from an agent of the above-named society says: "The place of tbe English language and literature in India is one of the most marvellous phenomena of this nineteenth century.
"On arriving in Calcutta I set to work under the most competent of all guides, Sir Alfred Croft, Director of Public Instruction for Bengal. In the English shops I was not surprised to find a good supply of books in all departments of literature, and especially in that of fiction. As these were chiefly for our own countrymen, I soon found my way to the native bazaars and shops, where I discovered what astonished me. Our English merchants have no chance with these native shopkeepers in the economy of their management and consequent cheapness. In a comparatively small shop you find the head of the establishment sitting at his desk or counter with a piece of cotton around his waist and loins, in happy freedom from all the restraints of coat, waistcoat, trousers, and stockings, his whole attire worth no more than a shilling or two. The few rings of high value which adorn his ears or fingers are an investment on which the only Joss is 1nterest on the sunk capital. A few active roun~ men, who cost little/ complete the estabiishment. in which an amount of business is done which would astonish his ostentatious neighbors in the European quarter.
" In these native shops I found large piles of our cheap literature, and in stores at hand I was shown large rooms filled from floor to ceiling with the cheap serial literature of the London market, good, bad, and indifferent, but chiefly bad. Not only are the great proportion of these volumes works of fiction, but a great many of them are the very worst of the class; and these, I regret to say, are the most popular, and have by far the largest sale. Many of the most fleshly of the French realistic school in English translations were the most largely sold."
The same writer adds that amid the depressing influences of this appalling exhibit of a vicious appetite for the garbage of our English literature, he was cheered by some hopeful signs. There had been in the more respectable native shops a growing demand for the better class of cheap books; but he was painfully impressed by the fact that the movement of Christian men had been late in the field. One of these native booksellerssaid to him, "If a better class of books had been sent out from England at the first, the low and vicious ones would not have gotten the hold they have on the reading public. The first books which came to this country in cheap and attractive form were these low and vicious novels, and it will be difficult now to supplant them."
If the worst French novels are translated into English for countries in which the English tongue prevails, one can well imagine their still readier access to all lands which are under French protectorates, and in which the French language is assiduously taught. All that French Catholic and French Protestant missions can do for the elevation of the people of such land,. will scarcely equal the disastrous influence of those French novels which represent, as the late Emperor Napoleon IlL put it, " not the civilization of Jerusalem, but that of Corinth."
But only one side of this great evil is seen when we contemplate this 1lood.tide of cheap and corrupting European literature. Another equally formIdable is seen in the widespread use now made of the English language for the spread of Hinduism. Under the movement which is known in India as " Revived Aryanism," embracing various organizations, the leaders have hit upon the happy expedient of utilizing the Euglish tongue as a means of corrupting the very classes of men upon whom most labor has been bestowed by government or by missions, in higher education. There are now many thousands of graduates from the Indian universities and colleges, and the same is true of the graduates of Japanese universities and colleges, who speak the English language fluently, but are not Christian converts. On the contrary, they have been stimulated by their education to a greater pride of nationality, and coming into !lympathy with the various apologies which Western writers, have made for Oriental systems, they are more than ever resolved to stanrl by the ancient literature and cultus of their fatherland, expurgating such corruptions as the better taste and higher ethics of modern times are supposed to condemn. Meanwhile the agents of Western societies, Buddhistic, Theosophic, or Agnostic, by adroitly appealing to the national pride of wealthy rajahs and others, have secured contributions for the purpose of reproducing in cheap form the products of Wester!]. ~cepti cism, so that selections from Thomas Paine, Robert J. Ingersoll, Herbert Spencer, and the late Mr. Bradlaugh are scattered like the leaves of autumn through all English-speaking communities in India. But it would not quite suit the pride of the true Aryans, soi-disant, to be wholly dependent on foreign leaders, and therefore aspiring Hindus have taken the field, are issuing tracts, publishing periodicals and weekly papers whose staple product all bears upon this counter crusade against Christianity, British influence, Anglo-Saxon civilization, and what not.
According to the report above-named, pes~imistic productions find the readiest market j plays and fiction, whether in prose or verse, whether in foreign languages or in the vernacular, are framed on the almost universal assumption of the villainous character of men and the frailties of women. They show also the tendency to advocate a retrograde in social intercourse and even in political life. "The past is praised as the golden age, and all the misfortunes of modern life are attributed to the English Government, the progress of English education and foreign custom. The reason of this is obvious. The only hope of remuneration lies in pandering to popular taste j and, unfortunately, the discontented and unfortunate form a large proportion of the educated masses at present j and it is so pleasant to be able to throw the blame for their failure in life upon the foreigner."
As a specimen of the current Hindu literatur,e which is now being circulated in the English language there lies before me a tract entitled " Hinduism, a Retrospect and Prospect," by Sukumar Haldar. He is the son of Rakhal Das Haldar, who became a follower of the Unitarian missionary Rev. W. R. Dall, and who, with Mr. Dall, came to America.
This young man has had all the advantages of higher education, and he evidently has spent much time in gleaning freely in all the fields of literature for what he regards as concessions on the part of the Christi~n theists; Mosheim, Neander, Sir W. W. Hunter, Bishop Heber, Monier Williams, and others are quoted. He also presents a wide variety of apologies for the Aryan faith, gathered from the writings of Max Miiller, Count Bjornstjerna, Pocock, Heeren, Colonel Todd, Elphinstone, Colebrook, Cunningham, etc. A still wider range of thrusts gathered from infidel writers from the days of Celsus down to the present time are presented in bristling array. This book, published in Calcutta and sold for a dime, has had a very wide circulation. It is not to be supposed that the author has depended upon his own researches merely; rather he has presented the selected facts, arguments, and travesties which the combined research of many writers has produced. There is now an extensive literature of Hindu apologetics which a comparatively moderate labor on the part of any enthusiastic Aryan may throw upon the market at brief notice. In our own country a mere tyro may gather together the results of infidel attacks upon Christianity for the last fifty years, and lay them before the public in a leaflet or in a five-cent Sunday newspaper, issued to the numher of a quarter of a million of copies.
And something approaching this same marvellous facility is coming to be realized on heathen soil, and at the hands of a race who fifty years ago were slumbering on in the old torpor of past centuries. DoubtlesF> the very same cheap issues of Bradlangh are sold in India.
The design of the above-named pamphlet of nearly seventy pages is to show that everything in the West has been borrowed from the East; that Christianity has added nothing to the wisdom of the Indo-Aryans; that corruption rather than advancement has been the law of progress, and that the true wisdom of the world is to turn back and drink at the old fountains. This tractate is published in good English, and it is not confining itself to the Asiatic continent, but already the overflow is setting toward Christian lands, and affiliated anti-Christian associations are everywhere aiding in its dissemination.
As another example, there is published at Lahore, both in English and in the vernacular, what is known as the Vedic Magazine, edited by Pandit Guru Vidyarthi. This university graduate is a man of ability, and his motto seems to be, to " Carry the war into Africa. " Among other striking articles is one entitled " Pecunia Mania." This vice or craze is ascribed with telling effect to the whole Anglo-Saxon race. "It is," says the writer in an editorial, "a disease of the type of insanity, very contagious, transmissible by hereditation, incurable or hardly curable, and of the most virulent type. It is an unsatiable thirst, an always hungry stomach, an extreme sensitiveness and irritability, restless anxiety and sleeplessness, paralysis of moral and spiritual faculties, extreme proneness to overfeeding and overclothing, indolence, luxury, and comfort; it has an air of superficial independence, personal weakness, and infirmities." All these are presented as marked characteristics of the so-called Christian nations, and are in strange contrast with the "quiet thoughtfulness, the spiritual aspiration of the Indo-Aryan races." "This disease," says the author, " sneers at all metaphysics, looks down upon all thoughtful reflection and philosophy, an-d discards theology as speculative, unpractical, and absurd. It stigmatizes all efforts to ennoble mankind, whether moral or philosophic, as theoretical. – It brings morality down to the level of expediency. Instead of the worship of the God of nature, it sets up a wretched and worse form of idolatry-the worship of copper, of silver, and of gold. It denies to man any nature other than one capable of eating, drinking, and m()rrymaking, and we ask whether snch a diseaRe should not be at once uprooted and destroyed, never to spread again. For so long as this influence is dominant in the world there will be no morality, no truth, no philosophy. If there is to be such a thing as disinterestedness or truthfulness in the world, if mankind is not to be given over to restless anxietY"' turbulence, and the overweening bias of sordid interest, something must be done to resist this fearful tide."
It is not to be denied that the writer of such articles has a keen insight into many of the worst phases of character shown by the.beef-eating, beerdrinking, plethoric, discontented and yet self-consequential Englishmen and Germans, whom the lank and spiritual Hindu of the higher classes encounters on the soil of India. " This plethoric travesty of humanity, instead of walking forth to breathe the pure air of heaven and enjoy the scenery of nature and delight in pure and elevating thought, seeks convey.- ance in luxurious carriages rather than by muscular action, and plethoric fulness borrowed from the activity of drugs and the administrations of physicians, instead of inborn healthy glow. . .. Dead photographs and lewd portraits hang upon the walls of his room instead of the scenery of nature. He is entirely dependent on the cooling power of pankas and the warming properties of fire, the refreshing power of beverages, and stirring influence of wines for want of natural endurance. Is this the itidp,pendence that a rational being should feel ?"
We have referred to the writings of Vidyarthi only as illustrating the fact that we have come upon times when the old systems of the East, reinforced by the new impulse which Western education has given them, and possessed of all the weapons of hostility which Western infidelity has produced, are now assuming the aggressive. There is also what is called the Aryan Tract Society, published at Lahore, whose issues are scattered widely through India. The ,revived Aryans are virtually in sympathy with theosophists and esoteric Buddhists in our own country and in Great Britain, and by prearrangement and thorough organization, the issues which are sent forth in India are also circulated among us. The writer above referred to was late Professor of Science in the Government College at Lahore. He is perfectly familiar with the theories of Darwin, Heckel, Spencer, etc., and has made it a study to trace the supposed intimate relations between the theories of these noted theorists and those of the ancient Upanishad philosophy of India. The familiarity shown with Western literature, and even with the early history of the Christian Church, gives in the outset a strong advantage in the implication of authoritativeness as well as breadth of judgment and candid, thorough preparation.
As an evidence that this writer is not ignorant of what transpires III Western lands, he quotes from an address of ex-President White, of Cornell University, in what he construes as a confession of the weakness of our position. The following passage is given: "We are greatly stirred at t~mes as this fraud or that scoundrel is dragged to light, and there rise cries and moans over the corruptions of the times ; but, my friends, these frauds and these scoundrels are not the corruptions of the times. They are the mere pustules which the body politic throws to the surface. Thank God, that there is vitality enough left to throw them to the surface. The disease is, below all, infinitely more widespread. What is that dis-
THE EVANGELIZATION OF ISRAEl
ease? I believe that it is, first of all, indifference-indifference to truth ; next, scepticism; by which I do not mean inability to believe this or that dogma, but the scepticism which refuses to believe that there is any power in the universe strong enough, large enough, good enough, to make the thorough search for truth safe in every line of investigation; next, infidelity, by which I do not mean want of fidelity to this or that creed, but want of fidelity to that which underlies all creeds, the idea that the true and the good are one; and, finally, materialism, by which I do not mean this or that scient,ific theory of the universe, but that devotion to the mere husks and rinds of good, races that struggle for place and pelf, that faith in mere material comfort and wealth which eats out of human hearts all patriotism and which is the very opposite of the spirit that gives 6nergy to scientific achievement."
There is not space to dwell longer upon this new activity on the part of heathen error or its increasing interchange with all types of thought in our own land. It only remains to gather up the lessons which are thus presented to the friends of missions and the advocates of Christian truth. The practical questions which come home to us with great force are, Are we utilizing in proper degree the facilities which have been furnished us by the missionary labors of our fathers, who trained up these Hindu youth and gave them the use of the English tongue and the varif'us facilities for publication 1 With the surfeit of books which we possess here at home, are we sufficiently aggressive in extending our literature abroad 1 Is there an activity commensurate with opportunity, or are we folding our arms in quiet security in the thought that our sole duty is here on our own shores? It should be remembered that the battle-field of truth and error is now one. The terms home and foreign are obsolete; the literatures of the world are blended; and so all the light the Christian Church has to give' should be made to shine.
THE EVANGELIZATION OF ISRAEL.
BY PROFESSOR GEORGE H. SCHODDE, PH.D., COLUMBUS, O.
The first missionary work done by primitive Christianity was among the Jews. Christ confined His labors almost exclusively to the chosen people, declaring that He had been sent first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The policy of the earliest apostles of restricting their gospel activity during its first stages to their own race and nation was only in part the result of a misconception of the universality of the redemption secured through the life and death of the Messiah. Paul himself did not become the great apostle of the Gentiles until his labors among the Israelites had convinced him that they did not deserve or appreciate the glorious Gospel he had come to offer them. It is a fundamental error of the Baur-Tiibingen school, and their reconstruction of the inner development of primitive Christianity, to maintain that Paul originally and ex profes8o taught in his doctrine that Christianity was intended for all, also for the Gentiles, a doctrine contradictory to the standpoint of Peter and his friends, who maintained that Christianity was essentially a Jewish sect, and intended only for this peo- ple. The hypothesis that the Christianity of the second and the ihird centuries was a result of a compromise between the Judaism of Peter and the universality of Paul does great violence to the facts in the case. But, as is generally the case, the error is all the more plausible and dangerous because it is at least seemingly based upon a fact, which fact is that the first Gospel messengers one and all recognized the first and historic right of Israel to the blessings of the Gospel, and when rejected by them these were offered to the Gentiles. Between Peter and Paul there was no differ- ence of principle, at most only of degree. On mission methods they agreed to adhere to the example and command of the Lord. While all nations were to be made disciples of Christ, the Jews were first called to this high privilege.
This historic right to priority was not based upon any undue partiality of Christ for the people out of whose midst He had arisen. Indeed, their treatment of Him would have induced another who was not divine to cast them from him. This right was based upon the calling of this nation as the chosen people to bring forth and to establish from the human side the kingdom of God on earth. Christ came in the fulness of time, and this fulness was the result and outcome of a development which had been progressing through centuries and centuries. In this calling Israel lived and had its being j and while the coming of Christ has been the centre of history for the whole world, it, has been such for Israel in an especial sense.
That Israel, when this hour had come, did not recognize the signs of the times, but threw aside its own peace, does not in any way call into doubt the wisdom of God's plans. While the rejection of Christ by His con- temporaries in Israel is one of the saddest facts of history, it is, neverthe- less, not an enigma or a riddle. The attitude of the Pharisees of that day, the orthodox and recognized theological school of the times, was by no means the mushroom growth of a night as little as it was a system based upon Old Testament premises. In fact, in Christ's polemics against them He makes it a prominent matter to show that they had deserted the old landmarks, and that their refusal to accept Him who was the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets was based upon their subversion and misinter- pretation of the cardinal truths of their own religion. Factors and forces had been at work which had, during the centuries of the silence of the prophets between the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New, inculcated principles diametrically opposed to those taughj; by the sages and seers of God. Had the teachers of Israel in the days of Christ still stood upon the basis of the revealed Word, they could and 'would not have done otherwise than have accepted Him as the promised Messiah. Paul's antagonism, so pronounced and decided, against the doctrine of justification by the works of the law, and in favor of justifica- tion by faith alone, is not based upon the theory that the former is the legitimate outcome of Old Testament teachings, hut that it is a perversion of tJ!ese teachings by the leaders of thought in Israel. He therefore resorts to the same method which Christ had employed-namely, to quote the Old Testament itself against those who claimed to be the only correct interpreters of Old Testament truths. It is substantially the same mission method which is adopted by all the New Testament writers over against the Israelites, particularly by those who make this matter especially promi- nent-namely, Matthew and the; uth Jr of the Epistle to the Hehrews. A recognition of these facts in the great problem of Jewish mission work, as also of the method and manner pursued in the New Testament of conduct.- ing the work, is a matter of the greatest possible importance for us and our day too. Notwithstanding the eighteen hundred years which have elapsed, the problem itself has not changed materially, and the experience of the friends of the work has been such as to convince them that the New Testament method of dealing with the problem, of course adapted to our times, is the only one that promises success. In the entirely unique and peculiar character of the problem lies also the justification of making Jewish missions a distinct branch and separate department of Gospel work among non-Christians. In the nature of the case mission methods must adapt themselves to the exigencies of the case-the history, character, and condition of the people to whom it is proposed to bring the message of grace. In this sense of the word the mission work in no two countries can be carried on in exactly the same manner. But yet the problems and perplexities of Jewish mission work over against those met with in the case of other nations are so entirely sui lIeneris that the work of a laborer in Israel is radically different from that among the Gentiles. This is the case not because the seed is of a different kind, but because the soil is. The Jew meets the Christian missionary in an altogether different spirit from that which a heathen must show toward a Gospel messenger. The Gentile . instinctively sees in him a superior, intellectually and otherwise, and the missionary finds no difficulty in making the impression of this superiority, except perhaps in the cases of Brahmans and adherents of other highly cul- tivated heathen religions. On the other hand, the Jew sees in the Chris- tian a renegade and a pervert from the principles of the Old Testament revelation. While regarding himself as a superior, because he is the repre- sentative and exponent of the pure monotheism of the prophets, he is as such historically entitled to pre-eminence above the Christian, who has changed and distorted these teachings by adding a polytheistic faith, and by recognizing the claims of Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah. Instead of being himself a proper subject for instruction and conversion, he considers the Christian as such a subject. It is the idea and the ideal of Judaism, both rationalistic and orthodox, that the religion and the ethics of mankind will eventually find their happy consummation and development in the adoption of a monotheism of the Jewish faith.
However much we may wonder at thiR psychological attitude of the Israelites, it is a fact that such is their standpoint; and mission work, like all other enterprises, must deal with actual facts. This being the case, there is really only one correct mission method for the evangelization of Israel-namely, that already adopted by the New Testament writers and preachers. This method is to produce the conviction in the hearts and minds of the Jews that their interpretation of the Old Testament, which through centuries of teaching has entered into their very marrow and bones, is false; that Israel, in breaking with Christ and His teachings, broke with its own history and with its own religion; that the new departure inaugurated by the Pharasaic school in the New Testament era was a false and unfounded movement; and that Israel's fate and history can only be brought back again to its true and divinely destined course by a return and a rejection of the false positions of the fathers; in other words, by an acceptance of Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfilment of the law and the prophets.
Hence it is that argument and proof have a place in Jewish mission work which they occupy nowhere else. The preparation needed by the Jewish Gospel worker is quite distinct from that which the other missionaries should receive, and, therefore, fully justifies the establishment of Rpecial seminaries for such young men of the kind that the late and lamented Professor Delitzsch founded in Leipzig five or six years before his death, and in which he taught down to his last illness. Not the least difficult is the negative work of showing, from the history and the literature of the Israel of the post-biblical era, that the Judaism of to-day can by a misnomer only be called the outgrowth and development of the Old Testament religion. This presupposes a thorough acquaintance with the Mishna, the Talmuds and the Midrashim, the great official compilations of later Jewish faith and tenets. It is an Herculean task to find the Ariadne thread out of the labyrinth of Talmudism. The number of Christian scholars who have in their possession the key, to this literature are few and far between. In former generations this was otherwise. The Buxtorfs, Capellus, and their contemporaries were masters in this field. In our day Delitzsch easily was the greatest scholar in this field; otherwise it would have been impossible for him to prepare his classical Hebrew translation of the New Testament, which has proved to be the most efficient Gospel agency in this arduous and thankless mission department. But others have been apt pupils, and the names of Strack, Siegfried, Dalman, Faber, Wllnsche deserve honorable mention. Post-biblical Hebrew is no longer a lost art or a hidden treasury. How important a matter it is for Gospel work in Israel can be recognized from the fact that its study is the chief occupation of the Instituta Judaica, or Jewish mission associations which have been revived at the German and Scandinavian universities within recent years, and which have a membership of over three hundred. These societies deserve special praise for having published a series of tracts and brochures, in which Christians receive authentic information concerning the Jews, and the Jews authentic information concerning Christianity. No more solid and substantial foundation for efficient work in this line could be established than has been done in this manner.
The problem becomes all the more perplexed and perplexing by the dissensions among the Jews themselves. There are two classes of these, the radicals and the conservatives or orthodox. The Jews of Western Europe and America are almost to a man adherents of the radical wing. Upon their shoulders the ways of the fathers sit but lightly. They have compromised with modern thought and life, and as a result have given up what distinguished them as Jews, except certain formal features. Substantially this type of Jews are either unbelievers or are adherents of a vapid and vague deism. With them the Gospel messenger has double labor, because he must meet them as Jews and as rationalists. It is often doubted whether a W estern Jew can become a consistent Christian, and among the Jews themselves it is practically an axiom that a convert from Judaism is a fraud and a deceiver. How incorrect such extreme views are is seen from the examples of such noble men as Neander, Philippi, Caspari, Kalkar, and others who have become Christians of rare power and success. Western Judaism is not hopeless, but it is probably as difficult a field as the Gospel messenger can select.
Strange to say, the East is more promising. And yet the 9riental Jew is the personification of Talmudism. He has, however, the virtue of being deeply religious, and is hence not closed to religious argument and persuasion. It is among these that Delitzsch's and Salkinson's Hebrew New Testaments are eagerly read and studied, and it is among these Jews that the independent Christward movements of Rabinowitz and others have originated, and the project has been formed of organizing a National Jewish-Christian Church on the basis of the New Testament as the fulfilment of the Old. The Leipzig Society, the most aggressive and progressive of the Jewish mission societies, has recently inaugurated a new departure by confining its labors to the Eastern Jews. It proceeds from the standpoint that Jewish diaspora in Christian communities should be left to the eongregations there, and that systematic efforts toward their eonversion as a nation should be centralized there, where they are most densely settled.
It is to be regretted that there is no general interest among Christians in Gospel work among the Israelites aeeording to the flesh. It is always a limited few, whose love for the people of God enthuse them for this difficult work. However much the Jews may have proved themselves unworthy and unthankful objects for Christian mission activity, this does not excuse us in our negligence. We Christians have in our possession as our greatest blessing the spiritual inheritance of Israel. Gratitude and duty alike should urge us to offer them in return a share of this inheritance.
SOME POLEMICAL WRITINGS AGAINST THE JEWS
The nineteenth. is the greatest missionary century since the apostolic era. But not all Gospel work has been done, nor are the churches everywhere putting forth their best efforts. Israel has a historic claim on the attention, prayers, and work of the Christian churches. Let this claim not be neglected or rejected.
SOME POLEMICAL WRITINGS AGAINST THE JEWS IN THE .FIRST SEVEN CENTURIES.
BY REV. B. PICK, PH.D., ALLEGHENY, PA.
The friendly relation which existed at first between the Church and the synagogue could not always last, and a separation became a matter of necessity. The result was that the non-identification of Christianity with Judaism gave rise to bitterness and enmity, and by and by all friendly relations between the two parties entirely ceased. The best proof for this is the unfeeling but exulting manner in which Jerome writes when speaking of the annual visit the Jews made to Jerusalem on the anniversary of that city's destruction: "Those who once bought the blood of Christ must now buy His tears j and even to weep is not freely conceded them. On the anniversary of the capture,and destruction of Jerusalem you may descry a mourning crowd approaching. Behold here delicate women and aged men weighed down with grief and years, hastening to bewail the destruction of their sanctuary. Their very bearing betokens that the wrath of God is upon them. But while tears are streaming down their cheeks, while in their bitterness of spirit they stand with arms outstretched and hair dishevelled, 10 ! the Roman soldier rudely accosts them, to demand money that they may longer enjoy the liberty and the privilege of weeping" (Com. on Zeph~n., c. iL).
The Church had received the Old Testament from the synagogue, but the attitude of the Church to the Old Testament writings was different from that of the synagogue. The Old Testament writings were read in the light of Christianity, and Christ was found everywhere. The purely Jewish elements appeared as episodical, the truth of the new covenant as the real purport. With the Church the messiahship of Jesus was a conditio sine qua non. Was Jesus the promised Messiah ~ Then the Church was right and the synagogue wrong. From the Old Testament the former adduced her proofs, and pronounced, at the same time, that the synagogue, because rejecting the claims of Jesus as the Messiah, was wrong. The earliest polemical writing is the so-called" Epistle of Barnabas." In this epistle the writer insists especially on two points: first, that Judaism, in its outward and fleshly form, had never been commended by the Almighty to man j bad never been the expression of God's covenant j secondly, that that covenant never belonged to the Jews at all-in other words, that there was a Christianity before Christ. From an exegetical point of view this epistle is also highly interesting, as it exhibits the exegesis of that time.
A lost work ill the" Dialogue of Jason and Papiscus," which is com- monly ascribed to Aristo of Pella. It is quoted by Jerome and Origen.
" In it," says Origen, "is described a Christian arguing with a Jew from the Jewish Scriptures, and showing that the prophecies concerning the Christ are applicable to Jesus; the other replying to the argument vigor- ously and in a way suitable to the character of a Jew."
In his" Dialogue with Trypho." Justin Martyr tries to show that the God of the Jews was the God of the Christians likewise, and that the authority of the Old Testament was recognized by Christians. He labored further to prove that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah, sent by the God of Abraham for the salvation of the world, and that His followers were the true Israel. It ha~ been suggested that Rabbi Tarphon, a bitter enemy of Christianity, who declared that, although the Gospels and the other writ- ings of the "Minim" or Christians contained the sacred name of the Deity, they ought to be burned, is the same Trypho who is the interlocutor in Justin Martyr's" Dialogue." But this is mere suggestion.
Hippolytus's " Demonstration against the Jews" is lost, and the frag- ment which is extant shows that the Jews have no 'reason to glory in the sufferings which they inflicted on Jesus of Nazareth, for that it had been foretold that the Messiah should so suffer, and that these sufferings had been the cause of the misery afterward endured by the Jewish nation.
Diodorus of Tarsus wrote a special treatise, " Contra Judreos," which is lost; and Hieronymus Grrecus vehemently abuses the Jew in his " Dia- logue of a Christian with a Jew on the Trinity."
Chrysostom(died 407) wrote, in proof of Christ's divinity, a "De- monstratio adversus J udreos et Gentiles," and seven" Homilies against the Jews," in great measure against the J udaizers within the Church.
Basil of Seleucia tries to demonstrate to the Jews the time of Messiah's advent and the destruction of Jerusalem, which" Demonstratio" results in the proof that Jesus is the Messiah.
Of Philippus of Side remains a narrative of a " Disputation concerning Christ," held in Persia between Christians, Jews, and heathens.
Gregentius of Taphar holds a dialogue with Herbanus the Jew, in which he convinces his opponent by a vision of Christ which appears in the heavens, the result being the conversion and baptism of five millions of Jews.
A certain Timotheu~ holds a dialogue with a Jew, one Aquila, whom he converts, and brings him to Cyril for baptism. Cyril, however, wished Timotheus to perform that office, and so ordained him priest and deacon at once.
A certain Stephanus, Bishop of Bostrs, is mentioned as the author of a treatise, "Contra J udreos," quoted by John of Damascus. • Anastasius, abbot of the monastery of St. Euthymius, in Palestine, is
THE TOUR OF THE LANTERN
said to have written against the Jews and Judaism j and Leontius, Bishop of Neapolis, in Cyprus, wrote an apology against the Jews.
Passing from the Greek to the Latin writers, we mention a work " Against the Jews," by Tertullian, composed on the occasion of a dispute between a Christian and a Jewish proselyte. Cyprian and Augustin also wrote against the Jews j and Evagrius's "Altercatio Simonis Judrei et Theophili Christi ani" is said to be a free reproduction of the lost dialogue of Papiscus and Jason.
The" Tractatus adversus Judreos," by Maximus of Turin, is of doubtful authorship.
Isidore of Seville's" De Fide Catholica ex Veteri et Novo Testamento contra J udreos" is addressed to his sister Florentina, and consists of two books. The first, which contains sixty-two chapters, treats of the person of Christ j the second, containing twenty-eight chapters, speaks of the consequences of the Incarnation j that is to say, of the unbelief of the Jews and the ingathering of the Gentiles, of the eonversion of the Jews at the end of the world, and the cessation of the Sabbath.
Agobard, Archbishop of Lyons, writes on the Jews in general and their superstitions. The" Divine Institutes" of Lactantius contain also attacks upon Judaism. It is to be regretted that many of these works are lost.
THE TOUR OF THE LANTERN.
A LETTER TO THE YOUNG FOLKS.
BY F. E. HOSKINS, OF SYRIA.
A kind friend in America sent the lantern as a gift to help in reaching the boys and girls of Syria. Then a Sunday-school class of boys at Elwyn, Pa., sent twenty-five views, and later on'a class in the Sixth Presbyterian Church of Albany made a similar gift. The lantern and the views reached Beir11t in safety j but the people in the custom house opened them and then put them back into the box without any straw. The box was then hustled out of the custom house on the back of a porter, and a day or two later carried thirty-three miles over Lebanon on the back ' of a mule. When the man put it down in our court very doleful sounds were heard issuing from the box, and I opened the package with trembling hands j but only one view was smashed and another cracked!
It was more than six weeks before I invited Mr. Magic Lantern to go with me on a tour. I had to have a strong wooden overcoat made for him, and some boxes' for the views. Then I had a folding frame made, and a large white sheet seven feet square to fit it. All this work was done by a Moslem carpenter in, Sidon, and then it came over the mountain in the same way as did the other boxes. In May I invited Mr. Magic to get ready for the journey. I hired a mule for Mr. Magic to ride; but when we went down to the front door the mule objected to the arrangement, and we had great difficulty in persuading him that the matter was all right. You know that it is a very difficult matter to reason with a mule. We first tied him securely to a tree and passed the chain of his halter through his mouth by way of emphasis. Three of us then stood round and assisted Mr. Magic to mount; but the mule kicked and moved round in such a lively way as to prevent Mr. Magic from getting anything like a firm seat. When I thought we had succeed- ed, t turned to go upstairs, but a moment later I heard a great noise, and 10 ! poor Mr. Magic and all his traps were on the ground again. Fortunately he came down right side up and suffered no harm. We remonstrated with the mule, drew the chain tighter, and then wrapped his hcad up in the big coat belonging to his owner. He was not able to see what we were doing, and we did not uncover his eyes until Mr. Magic was all safe and snug. So off they went, and some eight hours later had made the long journey southward without any accident. Once on the way home, a week later, the mule became frisky, and tried to run; but the load began to turn, and two minutes later Mr. Magic and his traps were lying in a wheat field with Mr. Mule on top, his feet sticking up into the air. We all dismounted and had a great time in getting him loose and on his feet again. We had the same trouble in loading up, and, strange to say, Mr. Magic still lives without any broken bones. On other and shorter trips I have hired a man to carry Mr. Magic on his back, as men sometimes carry travellers in other lands.
During the month of May Mr. Magic made seven public appearances, and created the greatest excitement-his coming to a village was like the coming of Barnum's circus. The first threll appearances were in" our school-rooms; but I soon gave that up and took to the threshing-floors. No building could possibly hold all that came, and the crush made anything like a lecture impossible. At one village we tried it in the schoolroom-a place that will hold nearly three hundred people; but everybody wanted to come and everybody came-boys, girls, men, women and babies. We tried to shut the doors and keep the audience quiet, but the crowd outside kept on increasing until they pressed upon the doors and windows, carrying both doors and windows off their hinges inward. Some of the chief men of the village went out and beat the people over the heads with clubs, but a minute or two later it was as bad as ever. I tried to quiet them, but soon became hoarse, so I pushed the views through rapidly, and as each picture fell upon the screen I pounded upon the table, or put the cap on the lantern, and so got quiet long 4ilnough to announce the name of the view. They were all mightily pleased, and thought nothing of the noise and confusion, being accustomed to that in their churches, and always at weddings.
After that I went to the threshing-floors-great open spaces round the villages-set up the screen, and soaked the canvas with water, and then people saw from both sides the same. At Qaroim there were from seven to eight hundred people present, and some of them sat directly beneath the screen, where they could not see anything at all. The sights at each place go beyond description j in no place had anything like a lantern ever been seen. Fully a thousand boys and girls in our schools clapped their hands over the pictures, and perhaps twice as many men and women. Mr. Magic behaved very well j and even if he should never appear again he would be distinguished all his life, for these people will never forget his coming.
The people insisted on making a feast at nearly every place. At one village the teacher made a dinner. Four of us sat on the floor round a low wooden table. On this was placed a large brass waiter more than two feet in diameter j on it were four plates of pounded rice, four bowls of milk, four small plates of sugar, and in the ceutre one large plate of bn..tter without any salt in it. Beside each one on the floor were five or six thin flat loaves of bread. We had neither knife, fork, nor spoon. After a blessing we tore pieces from our loaves of bread, and with them dipped up the cooked rice, and drank from our bowls of milk. But the great dish was the butter. There must have been three pounds of it. The way we di~ posed of this was to take a small piece of bread, hold it between thumb and fingers, pinch off a piece of butter, dip it into the fine pounded sugar, and then eat it. At Qaroun we had a feast of another kind. We had neither knife nor fork, nor had we waiter or stool. Everything was placed on the floor in front of us. They had killed a small kid, stuffed it with rice and pine nuts, and had cooked it whole. It was served on the dish in which it had beeu cooke'd, and I separated the parts by main strength, using my pocket-knife when things did not come apart easily. It was well done, and was as tender as anyone could have asked for. With it we ate rice and bread and some strawberry jam from a tin I had carried from Zahleh.
But the most striking experience that I have had on account of Mr. Magic was not of a pleasing character, and might have ended very seriously had not God kept me from harm. I treated the people of a village named Gedeitha to an exhibition, and haying to make a journey to Damascus the next day, I resolved to ride home that night after the entertainment was over. I left the village at 9.30 P.M., and a few minutes later was attacked by three robbers, who had followed me from the village for that purpose. They were armed with clubs and knives. One seized my bridle-rein, and the word was given to rob me. Of course I objected, but had nothing other than my rawhide whip with which to defend myself. With this I beat them right and left, and managed to keep two of them off, and to retain my own seat in the saddle. For five minutes we struggled j they cut my rein, lifted up their clubs again and again j but I answered only with blows. One worked constantly at my saddle-bags, and, failing to loosen them, they'
JERUSALEM'S CRYING WANTS
whipped out knives and began to slash. Blows of the knives reached and cut my Bible, and in the struggle came within a few inches of my person. At the same time they grabbed for my pockets and my watch. One seized the chain j I put one hand on the watch, and with the other struck: the man j the chain parted and went with the man, but I kept the watch, as also my purse. Tiring of the struggle, they at last tore the saddle-bags asunder and fled away. I marked two of them and the direction they took. I rode back to the village, told my story, organized a search party, and then rode on home, rousing the soldiers and the governor on my way. By prompt action we soon caught the men j later on they confessed, the chain was delivered up, the torn saddle-bags recovered, and the men placed in prison. The trial followed rapidly, and two days ago the men were sent prisoners to Damascus, where they will receive a heavy sentence. They were taken from the local prison here, their hands securely fastened between two pieces of wood, and this wood in turn fastened to the halter rope of the soldier's horse. They were then compelled to go walking beside the armed soldiers forty miles away to Damascus. Truly" the way of the transgressor is hard."
And now Mr. Magic Lantern has come to Baalbec, and if all goes well, this evening he will delight some more children, and go on doing good, I hope, for many years. We always close with a picture of the Bible House in New York, and a talk about spreading the Bible.
How simple and yet how beautiful it is to do good! May God lead each one of you to give your hearts to Christ and your lives to His service j and may you all be ready to suffer hardships as good soldiers of the cross.
JERUSALEM'S CRYING WANTS.
BY A. BEN-OLIEL, JERUSALEM, PALESTINE.
[From Rabbi Ben-Oliel's circular letter we give space to the following extracts.-EDITOR. ] 1. There is no one among the missionaries in Jerusalem, nor has there been anyone for long years, that can preach the Gospel of the grace of God to the Sephardim-Spanish Jews-in their vernacular-Judeo-Spanish j or that can converse freely and intelligently with them in that dialect. But yet the Sephardim are the oldest Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem, the most learned and religious, the most civil, the most accessible to the Gospel messenger and his message of glad tidings, and are less bigoted and bitter toward Christianity than the Ashkenazim-Russian Jews, Polish Jews, etc.
Now, Judeo-Spanish I know from childhood, and in 184£-50 I translated St. Luke's Gospel and a variety of tracts into that dialect, as also others in Hebrew, Spanish, and English. Two native helpers can converse in Judeo-Spanish, one of whom attributes his conversion to the Lord Jesus to attending my Judeo.Spanish services in Smyrna Ilhortly after the Crimean war j but his special duties occupy his time and attention fully.
2. There is no missionary in Jerusalem that can converse in Hebrew with the rabbis, who are so numerous j or that can even quote the Old Testament Scriptures fluently in the original, excepting some native help- ers j and much less anyone acquainted with rabbinic literature and dogmas. Yet thh! is a very essential-an indispensable-qualification for a preacher of the Gospel to the Jews j and it is well known that learned Jews prefer the sacred tongue in religious conversation or discussion. Still, the Liturgy is read in Hebrew every morning in Christ Church.
The London (Episcopal) Society for Jews has a strong mission in Jeru- salem, at an expenditure of some £7000 per annum, but there is no fully qualified missionary to the Jews in Jerusalem. …
Many Christian travellers have carried away very strong impressions on this subject after visiting Jerusalem. One of them, Mr. W. Mortimer Clark, Q.C., of Toronto, wrote to me from Jerusalem: " My impressions here lead me to believe that anything like active evangelistic work among the Jews does not exist in Jerusalem, and that there is ample room for more· effort. The various manifestations of Chris. tianity are more likely to repel than attract the Jew."
" Ample room" there is unquestionably. The British consul estimated the Jewish populatIOn of Jerusalem at 40,000 j but the Rev. C. T. Wilson, of the C. M. S., who has resided here the last seven years, has been .assured by enlightened local authorities that the number of Jews actu1111y in Jerusalem cannot be much und~r 60,000 j and they keep coming constantly, and about one half are Sephardim.
Jerusalem is a Babel of diverse tongues. From 20 to 30, it is said, are spoken within its precincts. Among the Jews the following are in requisition, for there are Jews from all lands here ; and I name them in the order of their relative importance, marking with an asterIsk those in which I can preach or converse more or less :-* Judeo-Spanish, Judeo- Polish and German, * Hebrew, * Aramaic, * Arabic (colloquial), * Eng- * * lish, * French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Modern Greek, etc. Considering the friendly way in which the Sephardi Jews have received me in other mission fields-Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey in Europe, and Asia Minor. Gibraltar, Spain, Rome, etc.-and more recently in Jaffa -which has 3000 to 4000 Jews, I may hope to meet with an equally friendly reception from the far larger number in Jerus:;tlem; and I trust from the Ashkenazim also. There is evidence already that it will be so, for before I could go to them, they are calling on me, and among them has been a leading rabbi, who, after conversation, accepted a Hebrew New Testament, promising to study it, and has called frequently since. They are so pleased to find one with whom they can converse freely in the language of their homes, as well as in Hebrew. It is but natural it should be so, for I am more at home with their characteristics·-their disposition, modes of thought, customs, history, literature, and religious idiosyncrasies; and, therefore, in more thorough sympathy with them.
With sincere gratitude to God, I acknowledge the friendly welcome given to me and my family by all the laborers of the London Society, whom I have assured that my most earnest desire is to fill up deficiencies, and to co-operate in every good work for the advancement of the adorable Master's kingdom and glory.
3. There is no place where non-Episcopalian travellers and visitors, whose numbers increase every year-the United States, and even Canada and Australia, contributing a fair proportion-can worship God in the Holy City according to the simpler forms they prefer and are acc<lstomed to; and, consequently, no place where ministers of other de1).ominations can have the unspeakable privilege of witnessing for the Lord Jesus in the city where He expiated the sins of the whole world, and rose again for our justification: here, where the Son of God bled and died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God: here, where the Lord of glory burst asunder the chains of death, and opened the gates of heaven to all believers.
The Episcopal Mission to the Jews has a handsome church. in which liturgical services are conducted morning and evening every Lord's day. The Church Missionary Society has a beautiful chapel for similar services in Arabic for native converts. The Lutherans have separate services in German, and are now constructing a large church. That the Latins, Russians, Greeks, Armenians, Copts, Moslems, Jews, etc., have superb ecclesiastical buildings-churches, convents, chapels, mosques, synagogues, hospitals, schools, etc.-is well known to all travellers in Palestine and readers of their works.
But Presbyterians, Independents, Wesleyans, Baptists, etc., are nowhere in .Terusalem ! They have not even a hired upper room! But yet a considerable number of the annual visitors are ministers of all denominations. Talmage, William Arthur, Spurgeon, Dale, Radstock, etc., may come and weep over Jerusalem and take pleasure in her stones; but they must hold their tongues! They may not celebrate the Lord's Supper in its scriptural commemorative significance, and" show" the grandest historical event the world ever witnessed, "till He come!" They may not testify to the corrupt, degenerate churches of the East, that there is a purer and truer spiritual mode of worship than is exhibited even by some Protestant churches!
In June, 1887, I wrote: "There are certain localities in which all Christians reel a deep interest, of which they cannot divest th~mselves, and Jerusalem is pre-eminently such a spot. It is sacred ground common to all the Christian world. All honor to the Church of Engiand for the noble work which the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, and the Church Missionary Society have been doing for years past in Palestine. But the Holy Land, and Jerusalem in particular, cannot be relegated by the Christian world to anyone church exclusively; aud those Episcopal societies should welcome the co-operation and holy rivalry of other churches and societies, in a sphere which claims and enlists the sympathy and lively interest ot all. "
The Lord has called me to Jerusalem to supply those three crying wants. There is now in Jerusalem AN UPPER ROOM, to hold from 80 to 100 persons, near the Jaffa Gate, and within five minutes' walk of the three principal hotels, where all evangelical Christians may worship God in the city of the Great King, and where their ministers may witness to Divine truth and unalloyed Scripture doctrine; and where the Gospel shall be preached in Judeo-Spanish to the Sephardim, and men of all classes-" to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" –will be welcome to hear the message of red~eming love.
In a few days an inscription-PRESBYTERIAN MISSION-will mark the house to travellers and residents. Some definite designation mu.~t be adopted, and as a Presbyterian, I naturally prefer my true colors, cheerfully extending the hand of fellowship to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. As an illustration of my catholicity, I may mention that, at my earnest desire, TWELVE MINISTERS, representing the Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Independent, Baptist, and Lutheran churches, took part in my ordination in 1852.
This mission and work is at present dependent wholly on the Lord and on the free-will offerings of His people of whatever section or branch of the one Church universal. It is a work of faith and of entire reliance on the gracious promises of our God, who has already raised up some supporters in England and the United States. I solicit, above all, the prayers of God's people. " Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee."
The famous" Siloam Inscription," which ranks near the Moabite Stone in the list of hoary Semitic rolkb, has been stolen. This inscription, which was in the purest bihlical Hebrew, told how the tunnel was excavated which conveyed the water from the so-called" Spring of the Virgin" -the only natural spring in Jerusalem-to the pool of Siloam. This work and the inscription, according to Professor Sayee, date from the reign of Hezekiah, or perhaps from that of Solomon. The inscription was accidentally discovered ten years ago by a young man who fell into the ,water. It was in a dark place on the side of the tunnel, about nineteen feet in from the pool, and was only deciphered after an incrustation of lime deposited by the water had been removed by acid. The inscription has now been cut bodily out of the rock, being broken in the process, and the fragments are said to have been sold to a Greek in Jerusalem.
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. O. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
To the Editor of the New York Times: SIR: I see that your London correspondent speaks very disdainfully of Bishop Tucker's application to the Marquis of Salisbury for protection to the Protestant Christians in Uganda, especially as this is likely to be accorded. I confess this puzzles me. What ground of complaint has your correspondent against the bishop 1 It is usually supposed that any missionary has a moral right to solicit the protection of his own government for his own converts, in a territory under its suzerainty, as Uganda is under that, of England. Of course your correspondent does not imagine that Tucker has come to ask for repressive measures against the French priests. If he were capable of it, he would understand its futility. But it is news that, under English sovereignty, an English bishop ought to allow the French priests to use repressive measures against him.
I am aware that there are more Catholics than Protestants in Uganda. But the Protestants are numbered by hundreds. Twenty-five hundred came to meet Stanley, and I suppose they .have increased since then. But, more or fewer, have they not as good a right to be as the Catholics 1 Besides, the Protestants came to Uganda a good many months before the French priests, BO that they have the right of priority, which among all honorable missionaries counts for much. It is the Catholics, not they, who are intruders. Cardinal Lavigerie expressly admitted beforehand to the secretary of the Church Missionary Society his obligation to withhold the White Fathers from encroachments on a field already occupied by Protestants. He has publicly signified his agreement with General Gordon that Protestants and Catholics are two divisions of the one army of Christ, who ought not to fire into one another's ranh. If he has now violated his plighted faith, and turned his own words into mockery, his breach of honor has certainly not evacuated any of the rights of the Uganda Protestants.
Your correspondent seems to stand for the position that wherever the Catholics can come in, and by their showy ceremonies tickle the people's fancy faster than the Protestants can touch their hearts, they have a right to driye the latter out. The noble work doing along Lake Nyassa by the Scotch Presbyterians, and eastward of there by the Universities' Mission, is, according to that, entirely at the mercy of Rome. And if the Protestants venture to appeal to a Protestant government against Catholic fistlaw, they are to be reproached with shabbiness and superfluous zeal.
I do not know what religion your correspondent has, beyond a dislike of French atheism. But even if he should be a sort of a kind of a species of a Catholic (which is not probable), most Catholic laymen in our day profess to believe (and in Catholic countries nobly show their creed by their works) that every man who holds a creed agreeable to good morals has an indefeasible right to propagate it. Is not that his position ~ I know that Rome has an organization which makes her a formidable enemy and a profitable friend. As things go, it is no great matter of displeasure if her operations (which are really wide and admirable in the heathen world) are idealized and loudly lauded by the press, which expects to trim its sails to the wind. But surely the matter is pnshed a little beyond bounds whena Protestant bishop is held up to contempt for asking for fundamental rights of religious freedom and English citizenship.
The Catholics and Protestants in Uganda have repeatedly and solemnly pledged themselves not to wrong or oppress one another. All that anybody can imagine Bishop Tucker as asking, or his government as granting, .is that Lord Salisbury shall signify that he will view with displeasure any breach of this compact. Both. Christian parties have shown heroic attachment, even unto the death of fire, to the common faith. The Protestant missionaries are plotting nothing against the rights of the Catholics. The head and front of their offending appears to be that they, first in the field, presume to claim some rights of their own.
If this is not the meaning of your correspondent, pray what is it 1 He expressly holds it up as an indecency for Bishop ,Tucker to claim the right of offering to the natives of Africa" an alternative ritual." Seeing that the alternative ritual, in Uganda, happens to be the Roman Catholic, his own principle recoils on himself. But on whichever side it may operate, it is a strange principle for a man who speaks English to uphold.
CHARLES C. STARBUCK, Associate Editor Missionary Review of the World. ANDOVER, MASS.
EAST INDIES.
-The work of the Rhenish Missionary Society in Sumatra the last year has been more largely blessed than ever before. Five new stations and fifteen or sixteen new out-stations have been founded. The Battas have been so grateful to the Dutch Government for having at length 'yielded to their importunate prayers and allowed the missionaries to come among them, that they have been building fiue roads to facilitate the access, and havE' voluntarily declared themselves Netherlands subjects. Two thousand five hundred heathen have been baptized within the year, and over 5000 more are under instruction. The women and girls are beginning in unwonted measure to desire instruction. Miss Needham, an English volunteer assistant, has been very helpful in this, and the society hopes soon to see her supported by several coadjutrices. Silindury has become a Chrstian country j and this fact, hitherto unknown in Sumatra, is making a deep impression on all the surrounding regions, and occasioning numerous petitions for teachers of Christianity. Several hundred (nearly 700) of the new converts are Mohammedans.
– " In tlie Deccan, though actual conversions"-of fetich worshippers – " have not been numerous, the effect upon the whole community of outcasts has been marked and general. Scattered as they are, a few in every village in the country, there is no part of the province which has not more or less felt the influence of Christian teaching, and the result is not only a general inclination to turn from the gods of terror and uncleanness to the God of love, purity, and truth, but a remarkable social change, which may hereafter bear political fruit, of which time does not now permit me to speak more in detail."-SIR BARTLE FRERE, in Missionary Intelligencer.
-Sir Bartle remarks that, as the results are essentially the same in measure under the labors of Catholics and Protestants, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, an.d Nonconformists, they must be attributed to " the great simple doctrines of Christianity, which all believe-the plain broad precepts of Christian morality which all teach."
– " The following lines from a recent Madras journal show what some of the best Hindu minds are thinking at the present time: " , Wea.ry we are of empty creeds, Of deafening calls to fmitless deeds; Weary of priests who cannot pra.y, Of guides who show no man the way; Weary of rites wise men condemn, Of worship linked with lust and shame; Weary of custom, blind, enthroned, Of conscience trampled, God disowned; Weary of men in sections cleft. Hindu life of love bereft. Woman debased, no more a queen, Nor knowing what she once hath been; Weary of babbling about birth, And of the mockery men call mirth; Weary ~f life not understood. A battle, nut a brotherhood; Weary of Kali yuga years, Freighted with chaos, darkness, fears; Life is an ill, the sea of births is wide, And we are weary; who shall be our guide?' ..
– Oanadiax, Mtssto>lll7"f1 :f.J:nf".
– W e have at hand several copies of The News, a neat little mont,hl;,.- paper representing the American Baptist Missions in Burma and Assam.
It is published at Rangoon. One copy will be mailed to any address in the United States at 60 cents per annum, five copies at $1.25. Subscriptions may be sent to E. P. Coleman, Esq., Tremont Temple, Boston. This lit. tIe paper would bring our Baptist friends into living communication with the land of the Judsons, the Boardmans, the Beechers, the Karens. Even the glorious results among the Telugus cannot deprive Burma of its classic pre.eminence.
Here is an extract: "It was Thursday evening. We sat around the camp fire and talked about a sermon that had just been read. It was pro· posed that we close the day by thanking God for His goodness, and that we also present the especial request that the two women who were held as captives in a heathen village be set free, and that they be delivered without the presence of the missionaries, so that the native teachers may the more fully give the glory to God. Two days later Th'rah Hemmay Klaipo, who was travelling in that region. received a message that if he would come to the village the captives would be delivered up at once. He did so, and the captives were delivered. This was a great astonishment to all the sur· rounding villages, and as a consequence they have decided to call in Chris· tian teachers. It seems as though the whole Bree tribe was coming in. The fear of the Lord has taken hold upon the people. It was in this region that two captive children were. set free last year in answer to prayer."- JOANNA ANnERsoN.
-Periodical Accounts of the Moravians for June says of Kashmir: "Kashmir is no longer isolated. After centuries of oppression and degradation of its people, a change has come for this land of brooks of water, and of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills, a land so beautiful that it seems a garden of the Lord.
"What the Rev. R. Clark, of the Church Missionary Society, says of their mission at Srinagar is relatively true of our own in the tributary province of Ladak : 'Kashmir, by its geographical position, is thrust forward into Central Asia, and is now our outpost of Christianity on this frontier of India. It is the starting-point for travellers to Ladak and Iskardo, Kafiristan, and Tashkend and Lhassa. Kashmir is a great centre, leading to many countries, a highway for the gospel of Christ. We remember that Kashmir once sent forth 500 Buddhists to convert Tibet, and that from Kashmir Buddhism spread to Candahar and Cabul. Our opportunities here are very great. The Kashmir MistJion 8hQuld alway' be maintained by our society in 8trenflth.' "
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Relative Standing of Native Chris- This report shows an increase of na- tians in the Future. tive Christians at school, from over [EDITORIAL, J. T. G.] 40,000 to over 44,000. But that is not all. The ratio of the native Christians God's ways are often very unlike our in school is vastly greater than that of ways. The involutions of His provi- the Hindus and Moslems. This is so all dences are as marvellous as the evolu- over India. For this province the figtions. We plan, but God reaches the ures are very encouraging, Few perend we seek by a way we knew not. sons out of India will measure correctly This finds striking illustration on the such a striking fact as that the percentforeign mission fields. We consider age of Christian girls attending school now the working of God in His own is greater than the percentage of nonway for the uplifting of the Christian Christian boys. In the presidency, as communities brought but recently out a whole, twenty-three per cent of the of the bosom of heathen communities. boys and three per cent of the girls of THE FUTURE HIGH CASTE OF INDIA.. school age are in schooL Taking the native Christian part of the popUlation The Brahmans of India haTe held un- of school age, sixty-one pel' cent of the interrupted sway as the social and re- boys and twenty-eight per cent of the ligious leaders of India. It has some- girls are in school. Of the pupils re- times been the subject of remark that ceiving higher grade education, as rep- the advance of Christianity has not resented by the high-school depart- been among this class in India, and we ments, approaching one fourth (47 out have, perhaps all of us, at times, felt a of 178) are native Christians, only five little as if there were something a shade being European or Eurasian.
discouraging in the fact, and perhaps a To get the force of this, it must be little suspicion has come over ns that remembered that thus nearly one-fourth Christianity mieht, after all, not be able of the higher grade students come from to reach the brain of the heathen races, one-fortieth of the total population.
and thus exhibit a lower vitality than Turning to the colleges, this same one- we could fondly wi.h. fortieth part of the community furnishes It is well to observe, however, that eight per cent of the graduates of the God's ways are not as our ways. "We University. It is easy to see, if this con- must brain Hinduism," said that great tinues, who are to be the learned class man Duff, when he established his great of India in the near -future. The old college in Calcutta. He aimed at its Brahmanic classics are of little practi- head. He accomplished much, but cal value, and if the Brahmans keep the died, not having reached the result he lead in the old indigenous literature desired. He meant to educate the of the land, even then they must take a high-caste people, and conque" India back seat, together with that effete lit- through its head and headship. It is erature. The practical modern scien- marvellous, now, to Bee God's way, and tific and literary courses of study repre- not ours, to reach the end. The Mad- sent the advance guard of the native ras Native Christian Association has re- community itself: that which must cently sent forth a little paper on edu- lead, must direct and control in the cational progress among native Chris- whole public affairs of the country. If tians, which is a summary of the Report anything like the present relative pro- on Public Instruction for the Presi- portion of that kind of knowledge re- dency of Madras, so far as it bears on mains with the native Christian com- ~e JJat~v!l Chpstiall communit!. munity~ it is easy to see who m'llst bll the directors of the civil and political through the native literature in the forces of the land. The native Chris- schools which the Government has sub- tian community must move up into the sidized among the Hindus. The Gov- place occupied by the Brahman class ernment of India has put itHelf in com- through a thousand years. We are munication with all the local Govern- pleased to see this pointed out by the ments in regard to purer text·books.
director of public instruction in his ref- It proposes, as a measure for uplifting erence to the university examinations. the moral teaching of the land, that at He says (the italics are ours) : least one half of every "Reader" in ., I have frequently drawn attention to English or the vernacular used in the the educational progress of the native schools shall be devoted to lessons hav- Christian community. There can be ing a direct bearing on conduct as pre- no question, if this community pursues cept or example. This is something of with steadiness the present policy of immense and radical importance. Few its teachers, that, with the immense will appreciate what it means to India.
advantages it possesses in the way of One familiar with the situation says it educational institutions, in the course is becoming more patent to missionaries of a generation it will have secured a that sensitiveness of conscience as to preponderating position in all the great pro- conduct is essential to the progress of jessio'YIS, and possibly, too, in the indus- Christianity. No native literature is trial enterprise oj the country-in the lat- likely to foster that. The Hindus are ter because no section of the community indifferent as to whether actions are has entered on the new departure in good or bad. The Hindu philosophy education with greater earnestness than does not emphasi7.e blameworthiness.
the native Christians." Pantheism does not and cannot, any- To go back, then, we remark again, where. Hence, there can be little Dr that God has had a way of taking pos- no sense of conviction of sin. This session of the brains of India quite proposition of the Government, there- other than that proposed by Dr. Duff fore, is radically in the teeth of Hindu- and others. It is not so much by ism. It is plain that the standard of bringing the upper classes into the what is right and wrong will he that of Christian college, though that has been the Christian religion. This will mark, done to some extent, but by reaching therefore, a moral revolution of the and elevating the lower and middle conscience force of India. The native classes in the scale till they shall dis- Christian force being, as we have seen, place what was the top of society, and in such preponderance relatively in the themselves take their place, and that in schools, must therefore come to be de- a stronger and progressive civilization. veloped as the strong and leading moral These forces, like so many of the great force of the community of India, as forces of nature and Providence, have well as its leading intellectual and po- operated, and are operating, so silently litical power. Thus the future high that the kingdom cometh" without ob- caste-the native Christian community servation. " -will be strongly impregnated with a But something besides this is being high moral quality, and will be strong done. Dr. Duff laid great stress on the accordingly.
compiling of good, pure text·books for A native paper of Iqdia called The the entire educational operations of the Hindu has seen this tendency of things country, from the lowest school to the concerning the female portion of the highest college class. A good deal of community in India. The editor says: this work has been done, but a good " The progress of education among deal remains to be done. There is still the girls of the native Christian comneed of the displacement of the im. munity, and the absence of caste remOTal :rubbiSh which. has filtered strictions among them will eventually give them an advantage which no amount of intellectual precocity can families in Jerusalem who a few years. compensate the Brahmans for. We re- ago were well off, who are now on the cently approved of the statement of a verge of starvation from this cause. All Bombay writer that the social eminence these things are working together to that the Parsis so deservedly enjoy at equalize the relative positions of Mosthe present moment was due to these lems and Ohristians. The large numtwo causes-namely, their women are bers of travellers and pilgrims, and the well educated and they are bound by ever-increasing interest shown by Eurono restrictions of caste. These two ad- peans and Americans in the Holy Land, vantages slowly make themselves felt are not without inftuence." among our native Ohristian brethren, and it is probable they will soon be the Truly God's ways are not as our Parsis of Southern India; they will ways, but we discover in them very disfurnish the most distinguished public tinct and decided plan. servants, barristers. merchants, and citizens amopg the various classes of The Influence of the Pariah Ohristians the nati ve community." of Southern India on the Ohristianiza- tion of the Country. NA.TIVE OHRISTIANS IN TURKEY. BY BEV. JOHN MOLA.URIN (WOODSTOCK, CAN. A striking illustration of the same ADA), SEC. BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSIONS.
indirect working of the all. directing The remarkable movements toward Ohristianity among these people during Providence, which supernaturally su- the last few years is my apology for the subject of this paper; and fourteen perintends the affairs of the world in years of closest contact with them, first as itinerant missionary and afterward the interests of Ohristianity, is furnished as principal of a theological Reminary, are my credentials for undertaking thi. by the Rev. O. T. Wilson, of Turkey. task.
The work of missions in that empire is By the pariahs I mean that large and important class of people lying socially cErtainly hampered, but a vAry silent between the caste classes proper and the aborigines of the hill districts. It sub.soiling is going on, and Ohristians is evident enough that the pariah bears no relatbn to the aborigines. In phyare gradually assuming a very changed sique, in language,in habits and customs they are wholly distinct. I think it is relation to the Moslems of the land. easily demonstrable that they are not the offspring of individuals ostracized We cannot forbear making a lengthy from the castes of the later Aryans. Before the introduction of Mohammequotation from Mr. Wilson. He says: danism I)r Christianity there was lit- tle temptation to break' caste, and little .. Islam, it is true, still holds the occasion for cutting anyone adrift. sword, but in the declining condition No one is cast off for moral, but only of the country this is a source of weak- for ceremonial defilement, and that was ness, and not of power. Military ser- easily atoned for. vice is compulsory on the Moslem population, while Ohristians are prohibited Besides, the pariahs are far too nufrom bearing arms. This causes a con- merous and were too defined in phystant drain on the M02lems, which is sique, language, and general characterfelt increasingly year by year. In the istics to be the result of a series of villages also (where the bulk of the lapses from caste, 1 ut at the same time population live), a much larger propor- they are too much like the Aryans in tion of the Moslems remain unmarried all these particulars to be other than than of the Ohristians. This is owing to their greater poverty. For, poor as the country is, and bitterly as all classes feel the oppression of the Government, the Moslems are worse off than the Ohristians. Russia has assumed the guardianship of the Greeks, and France of the Latins, and this fact acts as somewhat of a check on the Government. But in the case of the Moslems, there is no one to help them or speak a word for them. The immense inftux: of Jews into Jerusalem and other towns, causing the diversion of much of the trade and busines8 of the natives into their hands. has been severely felt by all classes, but especially by the Moslems. I have heen told, on good authority, that there are many Mohammedall sprung from the same original stock. derful dreams began stirring his sluggish I believe them to be a long previous ir- brain. It took long to move him. He ruption from the home of the Aryan was half deaf because unused to hear, race. They had left their ancestral lind half blind because unaccustomed home before the later civilization had to see; but at length the oft·told tale moulded the people and language with begins to tell upon the dull ear, the their later forms, and had come down wearied eyeballs respond to a glimmer and driven the aborigines to the hills, of light, the rusty intellect begins slowly and were in turn conquered by a later to revolve, the frozen heart to thaw, and wave of their own race. the soul resumes its proper functions- in fact, begins to pulsate with the new In the Telugu country especially they life. are divided into two distinct classesthe mala and the madiga. The latter First these people .came by twos and are the leather·workers ; the former are threes, slowly, timidly and at long in. small farmers, coarse·cloth.weavers, tervals. Then they came in hundreds, coolies, and household servants. The afterward by thousands, and now they madiga is negatively wicked, the mala are taking the kingdom by violence, positively so; the madiga is docile, rushing in by the tens of thousands. easily governed, and inclined to be religious ; the mala is self assertive, diffi- II. The Attitude of the Missionary focult to manage, but has more brain wards this Movement.-At first the mis· power. Both classes are very ignorant, sionary was sorely puzzled. This was very superstitious, and exceedingly im- so utterly opposed to his ideal methods. moral. It was the intellectual Brahman, the shrewd merchant, or the docile but It is from among these people that wealthy Sudras he wanted. It was tens of thousands are now flocking into dreams of keen intellectual contests the kingdom. What influence are they with these sons of an ancient philoso. going to have upon the final collapse of phy which disturbed his rest, but in. Brahmanism and the Christianization stead here is this clamoring throng of of India? unclothed, unwashed pariahs. These degraded, ignorant, immoral hordes, I. There was a Period of P'I'eparaiion. what shall. he do with them? Open -The stage was being fitted for the the doors of the kingdom and let them man and the man fitted for the stage. in! How could he ? If he allows these God sent the British nation to set the in, farewell to his dreams of conquest pariah free, theoretically free at least, among the higher classes ; but accus· from a species of serfdom to the higher tomed to consult the Oracle, he went to classes. Few nations dare give as much the Book and read, ., Go out into tho freedom to their civilized subjects as the highways and hedges and constrain British do to their semi·civilized hea- them to come in, that my house may be then subjects; not that many English full." There was nothing to do but officials look upon the Hindu in any open wide the doors and let them in. other light than as a " nigger." But the conservatism of the mission. Then the missionary came upon the ary was a blessing in disguise. It made scene, and not only told the pariah a him ready to divine the dangers con· wonderful story of a wonderful God and nected with the influx of such multi. more wonderful Saviour, but also told tudes, and to take measures to provide him and showed him how to become a against them-the danger of a whole· free man in deed hnd in truth. He sale relapse into idolatry, the danger of went into the courts and set in motion liberty running into license, and the the mighty machinery of the empire on danger of these people falling a prey to his behalf, and got justice for him. It designing leaders of evil. To avoid this began to dawn upon him that he was a the missionary requirE!6 to be careful ; – man-new hopes, new fears, and won. (a) That, as far as can be Ascertained, learns to do is to wash his face and each Case is one qf Genuine Conversion.- comb his hair. His wife does the same.
There must be a oredible evidenoe of Then he clothes himself and family.
suoh a ohange. This must be insisted Still further, under the advice of and .on. To aocept a person who gives no maybe pressure from the missionary evidence of a radioal ohange of heart is he repairs his house and keeps the ap.
a fatal mistake. Not only is he not a proaches to it clean, especially when source of strength, but he is a sJ)uroe of expecting an episcopal call. A little positive danger. Faith in Christ is the education and a great deal of advice only anohor whioh oan hold a heathen make him a more provident farmer, a to Christianity. I believe that history better husband and father, a better ser- demonstrates the misohievousness of vant, a more trustworthy coolie, and village or tribal oonversions. We oan his heathen neighbors see and feel this.
polish a dead organism, but only a liv. (b) Their Manliness or Independence is ing one oan be made to grow. Telling.-This is not pleasant at first to (b) To Train a Native Ministry,-This the high-caste man. The Ohristian is essential. No other ministry will will not work on Sunday for him, will do. We oannot graft an alien ministry not lie nor swear falsely in court for upon these churohes without destroying his benefit, will not eat his diseased them. Then, also, this is an outlet for cattle, neither to please him will he the developing life. It must be a trained burn his neighbor's house nor beat ministry; not merely an eduoated min- him with a stick for a few pieces of istry, trained in pastoral work, in evan. money. In his rage the caste man per- gelistio work, and in general Christian secutes him, boycotts him, and swears work. These ohurches and their pas. false cases on him in court, but finally tors and teachers should have all the gives up in despair and begins to won· liberty possible, oompatible with a firm der why. When he finds out the rea· but unfelt hand in shaping their Chris. son why, he is impressed with it.
tian life and views of divine truth. (c) Their General Intelligence has a (c) To Train and Help the Peaple to Strong infiuence.-These men and women Self support.-SelI-relianoe must be a cannot come in contact with the mis- cardinal principle with the. missionary. sionary for years without their knowl.
I believe that just here was made the edge of the world and passing events vital mistake of our century in foreign being vastly increased. And especially missions. They ought to remain in those points of interrogation –the their own villages. They ought to school.boys-cannot sit at the feet of a build their own churches and school. live missionary for five or six years and houses, support their own pasiors and not know more than anyone in their teaohers, educate their own children, native village, high or low.
and assist largely in every Ohristian Many a time the preacher or teacher enterprise. There is no comparison is called aside by a group of caste idlers between the robustness of Christian char- and asked the news of the day. These acter developed under this system and things are telling more powerfully upon that under the subsidized Ohristian these people than if the Christian were village system. Now with tens of thou. a caste man. The pariah Christian is sands of these people undergoing these insensibly rising in their estimation, processes, while living in daily contact and his religion rises with him.
with millions of their high-caste fellow- (d) Their Christian Character Acts creatures, what is this influence likely to be ? Powerfully.-But, after all, it is the 1. It is having a Profound Present Christian character of these people influence. which is telling upon their neighbors.
(a) Their Material Prosperity Tells.- The change is neither seen nor appre- The first thing the Christian pariah ciated at first. They do not seem to expect a change, but when a man stops cohesion, and in wealth. Thesll drinking cullu (liquor), stops rolling churches, these schools, these colleges, vile words from his tongue, stops beat- these debating clubs and literary soci- ing his wife, burning his neighbor's eties are all repositories of power and house or poisoning his cattle, no longer rapidly increasing power, too. Those cheats nor swears falsely in court, pays thousands of primary schools, dotted his debts and becomes honest and trust- all over the land, may seem very insig- worthy-then the people begin to think. nificant indeed when taken singly, as When he meekly bears insult and re- indeed they are; but as the nuclei turns good for evil, when he speaks around which this ever-increasing force kindly to the poor and helps the outcast is gathering they are exceedingly for- and beggar, when he reads God'B Word midable.
and praYB regularly with hiB family, and . As starting-points they are small, when some of them give one-tenth of but they lead on to the boarding- their income to the Lord, to Bupport school, the college, the university, and the religion he professes, and when on by and by into the professor'Bchair, the every proper occasion he testifies to the judge'B bench, the editor's sanctum, or love of God to him, then tho people feel the legislator'B seat. They are the lit- that a new element has entered into tle springs which feed the tiny rivulet, their life. When they see such an one which fills the little streams which in calmness and confidence and often- make the mighty river which refills the times with joy pass away to what he boundless ocean.
fully believes to be a home of bliss with Those little boys sitting on that earth- his God, they are profoundly impressed en floor, writing seemingly meaningless with the conviction that here is some- hieroglyphics, may seem powerless thing beyond their experience. The enough, but some day they will be caste people often acknowledge the pres- stUdying history, sacred and profane, ence of thiB change in the people. Some will be puzzling their brains over the are deeply and favorably impressed philosophies of the past and the pres- with it, while others bitterly resent it. ent, will be the leaders, the trusted Some years ago in India some caste Christian leaders, of Hindu Christian people, after having expelled one of the thought, and some day further on their native preachers from their village, sent sons will be the rulers of an emanci- me the following message: "Tell the pated Christian Indian Empire.
Dhora," said they, "that if he comes I do not overlook the fact that otber to our village to preach this Gospel we elements are at work. The so-called will make a foot-ball of his head." Soon godless education of Government col- after, having occasion to visit that vil- leges and universities, the Bemi godly lage, I called these people and asked education of Christian educational in- them what they meant by such a mes- stitutions, the Brahmo-Somaj, the Eng- sage. Apologizing for their rudeness, lish and vernacular press, the Bible, they said: "You have come here to book and tract societies, the English put these pariahs upon our shoulders" official and unofficial classes, godly and -that is, to educate the pariahs above ungodly, the railways, telegraphs and them. They knew what the result post-offices-all these are preparing would be. I told them, Yes, that is my India for the great revolution which is purpose if you do not believe the Gos- to be ; but some of these elements are pel and get elevated too. antichristian, many of them are color- 2. It is Going to Have a Greater Il1flu- less, and but few of them positively ence in the Future. Christian in their tendency. In that These Christians are not only grow- day we shall need more than religious ing in numbers daily, but they are leanings-Christian tendencies or influ- growing in intelligence, in power, in ences •• which make for righteousness." VIe shall need Christ in men and wom- with skill, Then, let the conflict come en, divine truth incarnate in regenerate when and how it may, we shall be pre- Bouls, living epistles known and read pared for it, and under our Leader, the of all men, men and women whose lives Lord Jesus Himself, India shall become are the best testimony to the principles His possession. they profess. In the midst of the turmoil and anarchy which are sure to God will hasten it in His time. come, there will be need of cool heads and brave hearts, need of men who The Jews and Jerusalem, [J. T. G.] have faith in God and the Gospel. An unusual interest obtains just now The Ohristian converts of India will in regard to the Jews. Mr, William E. again prove to be the salt of the earth. Blackstone, of Chicago, kindly furnishes The missionary will be there in ever- us with a large budget of fresh items increasing numbers. The Christian concerning them, from which we select official, military as well as civil, as well some statements. The diagram of Jeruas the Christian trader will be on hand salem needs only the explanation that and will do valiant service for the Mas- the solid line represents the wall of the ter, but what are they among BO many? city, which is about two and a half Only generals for the army of the Lord. miles around. For centuries no one Whence are we to look for the rank and dared live outside of this territory from file? To the converted HinduB them- fear of robbers. The dotted line is selves. Comparatively few of the higher Jeremiah's" measuring line." classes have become obedient to the faith. Noble specimens many of them Up to 1841, only three hundred are, but they are so few. For either Jews were permitted to live in Jerusaaggressive attack upon heathenism or lem. Then that restriction was refor resistanc~ they are comparatively moved, but they "were still confined insignificant. My conviction is that to a narrow, filthy district of the city, the shock of battle must be met by the next to the leper quarters." regenerated hosts from Madura, Tinnevelli, ,Ongole, Burma, Assam, the late In 1867. by a .. firman" or edict of ingatherings along the Gangetic Valley, the Sultan, this restriction was reand other places, all these multiplied a moved, and the Jews, in common with thousand-fold. The Hindu propaganda other foreigners, were allowed to puris already flinging itself across the path chase and own land in Palestine withof this advancing tide, but in vain, out becoming subjects of the Sultan. Like the ancient warrior opposing the From this time the number of Jewish ocean's tide with dirk and targe and settlers has rapidly increased, When broad claymore, it is either retreat or the late anti. Semitic agitation broke death, out in Europe, especially in Russia, the Turkish authorities feal'ed that the Are these people ready for the fray Jaws would coUe to Palestine in such now? No; neither is the fray ready overwhelming numbers as to cause for them; but whatever the character of famine, etc., and issued a firman that the conflict, whether semi·political or no Jew coming to Palestine could rewholly spiritual, we must be prepared. main more than thirty days, To this The forces must be largely increased, the United States consul took exceptiont thoroughly organized and disciplined. on the ground that his Governmens The churches in Christian lands must made no distinction in the nationality SAnd their best men and women to the of its citizens. He was soon joined by front, the native preachers and evan- the French and English consuls, and gelists and workers of all kinds mnst be the Turkish Government modified the thoroughly furnished in God's Word, firman by first extending the time to trained to wield the sword of the Spirit three months, and finally, in 1888, by removing it altogether. Since then the Jews are literally flocking into the country, Nine agricultural colonies have been established, and all are pros- pering and well protected.
At the present time, as will be seen by the buildings represented in the dia- gram, Jerusalem is covering this entire area. Great hospices, hotels, churches, stores, etc" have been erected, but most notable of all a multitude of dwellings for Jews, The number of Jews now residing in the inner and outer city is estimated at 30,000, fully one half the entire population, and adding those at JERUSALEM .
.. They shall prosper that love Thee, "-Psalm 122: 6.
Showing wall of the city and the measnring line of J eremiah.-31 : 38-40.
Tiberias, Safed and throughout the Episcopal Church has seven missionwhole land of Palestine, it can hardly aries to Jews, and is also working be less than 50,000, and so, probably, through a portion of their clergy and 42,000 have returned since the year some schools; the Lutherans have two missionaries; the independent Hebrew 1867. This is equal to the number that Christian Mission in New York has one returned from the Babylonian captivity. missionary, and that in Chicago has three missionaries. Surely this is very A railroad is being constructed from little Christian effort for such a people. Joppa to Jerusalem, with projected lines to Hebron, Jericho, Acre, Tiberias The Hebrew Ohristian Mission in and Damascus. And this is being done principally by Jews. Chicago was begun in 1887, under an in- terdenominational cOlnmittee, and was There are said to be 500,000 Jews in llermanently organized in December, the United States, and 4U,OOO in the 1889. It is availing itself of the widecity of Chicago, spread phenomenal willingness of the Jews to read the New Testament in He- In Great Britain, where the Jewish brew, and asks for corresponding mempopulation is little over one·tenth that bers to co·operate in tract and Bible in the United States, there are nine work among Jews in all the larger cities. prominent societies, with several hun- Mr, William E. Blackstone, of Oak dl'ed missionaries and agents working for Israel. In this country we have Park, Ill" is the superintendent.
only the following: the Protestant
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
IlI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Rev. Dr. George W. Chamberlain, of Dr. Chamberlain asks, "Is that an ab- Brazil, tells the following story: solute doctrine ? As you ride through the roads of Brazil and pass by any cemetery " I met an old Brazilian at the mouth you will see little catacombs outside of of the Amazon ninety years of age, who the walls of the cemeteries, and you will knew much of the Indians. I said, ' Oan inquire what they are. They are the you tell whether there has ever been tombs of children who could not go into any portion of the Gospel translated holy ground because their souls had into the general tongue of the Indians? ' gone to limbo. They died without bap. • No,' he replied; • I am interested in the tism, and they cannot go to heaven. Indians, but I have never known of any They are buried in stone, like the stony part of the Gospel being translated into heart of the holy mother Church that their language. I have a catechism over tells this to the mothers to whom Christ two hundred years old, translated into said, • Let the little children come unto their tongue hy the Jesuits.' He says, Me.'" • Take the book and use it. I am too old to do anything more; take it and A circular letter has recently been do something for the Indians.' As I sent out to pastors and elders of the opened it on the high seas between Para United Presbyterian Church, calling atand New York I came upon a page with tention to the fact that tbe General Asthese questions: 'How many places are sembly of 1891 has voted a total of ap. there to which the soul at death can propriations to the various boards of go?' 'There are four.' • What are $312,000, or an average of $3.23 per they? ' 'Hell, purgatory, limbo of the member-a little over one cent per fathers, limbo of the children.' • What working day-and suggesting the fol· is hell? ' • Hell is a fire in the centre lowing means as helpful to the raising of the earth, to which the wicked go at of this amount: death.' • What is purgatory?' • Pur. gatory is a fire above that of hell, to FIVE SUGGESTIONS. which the souls of the holy go that they may get satisfaction for sin for which First. Let the pastor or " Stated Supthey did not get satisfaction in this ply" call together the members of his life. ' • What is the limbo of the fa. Session for prayer and consultation. thers?' • It is a cavern above purga· Speak to them of Christ's" Great Comtory, to which the souls of the holy mission" and of their obligations to fathers went formerly, before that Jesus help carry it out, and that the Boards Christ was manifested in the flesh to of our Church are the chief agencies take them out.' On the margin of this through which this Commission is carcatechism some one had written op- ried into effect by the Church. posite the definition of the limbo of the fathers words in Portuguese which, Second. At this same meeting speak translated, read, •It is now for rent.' I of and discuss the New Testament rule read that to a friend in New York, and of gi,ing, 1 Cor. 16: 2. Pray over it. he said, • It will do for the brethren of Then, if not already done, let each the new theology.' The catechism con- member of Session, knowing his privitinued, "What is the limbo of the chilo leges and feeling his obligations, redren? ' Oh, ye mothers, hear! It is solve to devote at least the one tenth of a cavern above the limbo of the fathers, his income to the Lord, or to give" as into which the souls of little children God hath prospered him." If time is who died without baptism go ; a land asked by any of the members of Sesof darkness and of the shadow of death, sion for further consideration of the to wander forever," subject, grant it, and call another meet· ing in one or two weeks, Third. When this is done, present it were yet continued. A missionary the whole subject of " missions" and of writes that of late it has greatly increased to New Caledonia, and is continued to "Christian giving" to the members of Fiji, causing much suffering and opthe congregation. Let them know of pression to our poor islanders, greatly the resolve taken by the members of hindering our work and rapidly depopu- Session, and then earnestly ask them to lating the islands. The traffic grieves join you in devoting at least the one us exceedingly, and we have done all we tenth of their income to the Lord, or to can by exposing its evils-its curses, both to the islanders and collectors and give" as God hath prospered them." all engaged in it-to get it suppressed; Present the subject of giving not only but by man's selfish greed it goes on. as a duty, but as a high privilege. Let Yet Heaven will reckon with us and all giving be regarded as an act of worship. engaged in it for all the oppression and bloodshed caused by it. We missiona- Fourth. Commence the raising of mis- ries and our Victorian church have pro- sion money early in the year. Do not tested against it, exposed its cruel atrociunder any circumstances postpone the ties in every way possible, petitioned matter until the middle or close of the the British Government again and again to suppress it ; but self interested sugar- year. planters and employers of cheap labor Fifth. We desire to emphasize the get it carried on. fact that it is the regular, stated, Bys- As Britain now forbids her traders to tematic giving of the many that is of spe- use as trade with the natives of those islands fire-arms, ammunition, intoxi- cial benefit to the Church and to the in- cating drinks, and opium, and the inter- dividual. Every member should be island labor traffic; and as the traders encouraged to give something. Some of all other nations use these and the interesteil Kanaka labor traffic, which is may not be able to give the full " gen- one of its most cruel, oppressive branch- eral average," $3.23, in addition to what es, there has been and is now in our colothey give to support the ordinances in nies a cOD!'!iderable agitation to get our their home congregations. A large ma- British prohibitions applied to all traders of all nationalities, or rescinded by Great jority, however, can. Very many can Britain. On the platform and in the give a much larger amount. But all press I have strongly opposed the reshould have a part in carrying forward scinding of any of them, and pleaded for the mi98ion work of our Church. them to be applied to all traders, in the interests of humanity and the honor of We commend this as a move in the Britain. In this I have been supported right direction, which all might imitate. by Bishop Selwyn and His Excellency It emphasizes prayer, Bible teaching, Sir John Thurston, H. M. High Comprivilege as well as duty of giving, missioner for the Southern Pacific. But if we shall succeed in getting all the promptness of effort. and regular, nations interested to agree to such re- habitual, systematic, and individual co- strictions with their traders is very doubtful. If America would agree, nearoperation. We look for large results. ly all the others have signified their willingness to agree to such prohibi- From a letter from Rev. J. G. Paton, tions in trade.. A missionary now writE'S to me : "In one large district of late we the author of one of the greatest of mis- have made very little progress, owing to sionary biographies, a friend sends us the sad drink curse. The traders the following: around there have been busy pushing this trade, and a few of our church· MORELAND GROVE, COBURG, members have been implicated in the VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, July 2, 1891. drinking bouts and .mspended in con- The shocking Kanaka labor question sequence. This has forced us tempo- gives us missionaries great concern. It rarily to suspend some of our itinerat- was to have been closed to Queensland ing services for lack of preachers; but by Act of Parliament in the beginning there seems to be a reaction, and I hope of this year; but a few days ago, on God will strengthen our Christian na- June 27th, R. dismasted Kanaka labor tives to follow after holiness; but my vessel entered the capital, Brisbane, heart bleeds for the hret1)ren who, with- with seventy-three islanders, for their out Christian influences or anyone to suger plantations, which appears as if guide them, are easy victims to traders' greed and their own evil passions. during the last May meetings, and heard Drinking our intoxicating drink is now with what applause the proposition to being added to tpeir every heathen associate the women with the men in ceremonial, with what sad results I their great missionary societies (boards) need not tell you. This is decidedly was welcomed. the greatest curse that so-called civiliza tion is bringing to these shores; and "The ladies have shown their effi. both in the islands and the colonies we ciency, their ability, their power, and need to do all we can to resist it. The zeal in their own independent societies, sale of arms, dynamite, etc., to the but they lack the presence and support natives is nothing to it, and on quite a of their fathers, their brothers, and different footing. I know of much in_ their sons. Indeed, in some of the justice, and cruelty, and bullying hav- churches the whole cause of foreign ing been carried on by worthless men missions is relegated to the ladies. against the poor natives, who had meekly to submit to such injustice because "How shall we remedy this grave any vagabond foreigner, as a trader, mistake? may have magazine rifles, etc., and the oppressed popUlation of the soil is de- ,. God's triple command, 'Go ye into prived of and unable to defend his just all the world,' 'Pray ye the Lord of rights to land, to his home, and to all the harvest,' and • Bring all your tithes that is dear and sacred to him." into the storehouse,' was spoken to the whole church. God needs His sons aE Bible Translation in Japan. well as His daughters to help evangelize the world A correspondent writes as to the arti. "If more closely associated in this cle in the September issue, on the Bible glorious work, would it not go forward with accelerated speed, and the pro. and its introduction iuto Japan, that voking of one another to good works fulfil the prophecy of universal mis- Dr. I. C. Hepburn is justly put at the sions ?" head of the list of those who have the honor of doing this work of Bible trans. Missionary Maps. lation. I enjoyed the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with this pioneer Information is always in place; but missionary and dictionary maker for the people are won quite as much Japan, and his colleagues, S. R. Brown through Eye.gate as through Ear.gate. and the Gulick family, and some others, We cannot reproduce pictures of mis. among whom was Nath9.n Brown, who sion buildings and scenery; we canre· made a version of the New Testament produce maps. in the two languages of Assam and Japan, and performed honorable mis· Almost all churches where there is sionary work in both. The omission of any missionary life observe the Month. his name among the translators in ly Concert for Prayer. If you could Japan, together with the allusion to Dr. give us occasionally in the REVIEW a Bettleheim and the sentence .. con- correct map, showing the principal mis. temptible criticisms spoken in Tremont sion stations in the field, we could use Temple," may give to the reader the it to good advantage. impression that the MISSIONARY REVIEW is not for the world, but for a sect. which Perhaps others who read the REVIEW I am sure the editor would not endorse. have suffered as I did for a map. If they will only make up their minds to Yours in the service, have one they can have as good a one WILLIAM DEAN. as they could buy, and that at a merely nominal cost. I found directions in an NATIONAL CITY, CAL., August 15, 1891. old number of the REVIEW, but they were from an Englishman, referring to Assooiate Mission Boards, English colors, and not within my pos· A correspondent urges the formation of some new foreign mission boards composed of both men and women.
.. They are working that way in Eng.
land now, and shall America lag behind in any scheme for the advancement of the kingdom?
"We were ill EJl:eter Hall, London, sibility. So here is what I did, with size. It would be safe to say that where the cost thereof. one makes a set of maps for use during the year they will not cost more than a Three yards of unbleached sheeting, dollar apiece. nine quarters wide, at 22 cents; that gave me a piece of cloth six feet by nine This is only a voice from a country on which to work. Tack it lightly to the parish. I believe good maps will be floor, having laid newspapers under. appreciated and used by all who are neath. Prepare a sizing of one·quarter interested in missions. Will you help pound of white glue to a gallon of boil. us if you can? ing water, and when dissolved apply smoothly and thoroughly to the cloth. AUSTIN D. WOLFE. Raise the wet sheet, remove the papers STATE CENTRE, IA., July, 1891. (or they would be glued fast), and reo tack the sheet. Five hours will dry it. -A letter received from Miss Romig, With lead-pencil and ruler rule straight of Berthelsdorf, near Herrnhut, Gerlines over the map which is to be en· many, corrects a few misstatements in larged, dividing the whole surface into regard to the Moravian Church, and squares; I ruled mine at intervals of which appeared in the July number of one degree, so as to have geographi~al the REVIEW. measurements handy. With a stick of drawing charcoal, a carpenter's square, " 1. The Unity's Elders' Conference is and a long straight stick for ruling, comprised of twelve members and three square off the sheet just like the small secretaries-fifteen persons in all. map. Then trace the outline carefully Four of the elders form the educational and lightly with charcoal. Use ultra. department, four the financial, and marine blue ground in oil for the coast four thA missionary. The secretariesline and thin it with turpentine, so one for each department-have no voice that it will work; it dries instantly. in the affairs of the boards and no re- Raw Sienna will make the mountains; sponsibility, their duties being purely add silver white to the blue, and make local. a light blue for the rivers; vermilion will do for boundary lines, and black " 2. The first missionaries to the West for lettering. It took me about two Indies were sent, not to .Jamaica, but days to make the map of Siam from the to St. Thomas. The mission in Jamaica small map in the 1Iay issue of the was not begun till 1754. Church at Home and Abroad, and I could not have bought it if I had wished to " 3. The number of Moravian mission do so. Here is what it cost, without stations is at present one hundred and reckoning the time and labor expended: thirteen, and out-stations twenty.one, and not forty.two as stated." Cts. Three yards sheeting, at 22 cts. . . . . .. . … . . . .66 -The article on missions to Iberian One pound ultramarine blue (enough for peoples, which we published last month, was by Rev. J. M. Allis, D.D., so well fifty maps). .. . . . .. . . . . . .. . . … . . . . . . . . .. . .20 and widely known in connection with One three-inch varnish brush, for the sizing. .25 the Presbyterian missionary work in One quarter pound white glue………….. .10 I::lantiago, Chili. By what trick of the Oue tube each silver white, raw Sienna, machine the author's name got trans_ formed into" Challis." and then escap- ivory black, vermilion….. …………•• .50 ed three or four proof-l'eadings, is inex- Turpentine. . . . . . . . . . .. …. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .05 plicable. We hope Dr. Challis will not, CharcoaL……. ..•………… …•.•…… .05 like the Celt, allow his "feelings to overcome his emotions," when he sees Total ..•._…••.•.•…•••••………. $1.81 the aggravating transmigration his name Not all of this is to be charged up to G.J underwent. rJ. T. this one map, for I have enough paint left to ma}re a !lo~en more of similar
1891.1 THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
Syria, Etc. the death, the rising again of our Lord. It was here, that His Churoh was con- BY WILLLUI BRENTON GREENE, JR., D.D. stituted by the desoent of His Spirit; that His disoiples were first oalled Chris- .. Syria is that Asiatio oountry at the tians ; that Peter made the astounding eastern end of the Mediterranean." Its discovery that on the Gentiles also was length from north to south is some 400 poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost, miles. Its area is about 60,000 square and that Barnabas and Saul were sent miles, or nearly one and a quarter times forth as the first missionaries to the that of Pennsylvania or of England. Gentile world. Of what other land is Though it has endured oenturies of mis~ the evangelization so imperative, so inrule and negleot, it is still a goodly land. teresting?
The estimates of its population vary The religion of Syria is called by the widely. The lowest is 1,0UO,000, the government Moslem and non-Moslem. highest e,ooo,OOO. The explanation is The former includes orthodox and Perthat there is a large unoertain and ever- sian Mohammedans, Druzes, Nusaireechanging element, the wandering desert yehs, Ismailiyehs, and all Bedouin tribes, who, to-day in Syria, to-morrow Arabs. The Persian Mohammedans are are far down in Arabia. The fixed popu- the followers of Ali, the son-in-law of lation is in the cities and villages. Mohammed. The Druzes hold to a Damascus has 150,000; Aleppo, some- superstition which sprang in the thing less than 100,000 ; Hums, 20,000 ; eleventh century from Islam, but has Tripoli, 16,000; Beirut, 90,000; Jeru- so far departed from it as not properly salem, 70,000 ; Sidon,7000. As to races, to be ranked with it. They profess one there are considerably over 40,000 Jews. God indefinable, incomprehensible, and There are a few Turks, and from 50,000 passionless. He became incarnate in a to 60,000 Armenians. The great bulk succession of ten men, the last of whom of the population, however, is Arab; was Hakim, Caliph of Egypt, assassinatthe prevalent language is Arabic ; and ed 1044 A.D. With that incarnation the the whole country is under Turkish rule. door of mercy was closed, and no con- verts are now to be made. Hakim, how- Syria has figured prominently in ever, will reappear and conquer the history, both profane and sacred. world. They believe in the transmigra- .. Through it lies the great highway tion of souls. They have seven great between Asia and Africa, whioh has commandments, one of whioh enjoins been so often thronged by caravans of truth, but only among themselves. trade, so often trodden by hosts of They have no faith in prayer. Among war. Pharaohs that flourished before them is a speoiiLl class, the Ockals, who the days of Moses, Assyrian oonquerors, alone are initiated into their deeper mysthe great Alexander, Pompey, Moslem teries. The Nusaireeyehs are a strange hosts, Crusaders, the Frenoh under wildraoe numbering about 200,000, and Napoleon and again in our own time, living to the north of Mt. Lebanon. conflicting Egyptian and Turkish armies They keep their doctrines seoret, and -are all in the procession that has have signs of reoognition, like a seoret moved over or tarried upon the Syrian order. The Ismailiyehs oooupy the soil." More still, here was unrolled the mountains west of Hamah, are few, are anoient revelation of the true God. allied to the Persian Mohammedans in Patriarohs wandered here ; this was in belief, and are desoendants of the peopart the ancient territory of the" Chosen ple known in the time of the Crusades· People." Prophet and apostle lived and as Ass~ssills. The Bedollill Arabs ar~ labored here. Highest of all, here 00curred the life, the toils, the sorrows, less devout and more inclined to scep- found in the perverted doctrines and ticism than other Moslems. spiritual deadness of even the best of the nominally Christian sects. Most The non-Moslems are J eWB, nominal serious of all is the dominant religion. Christians, orthodox Greeks, Papal The Moslem who leaves the faith of his Greeks, Maronites, Jacobites, Syrian fathers does it at his peril. Were this and Armenian and Latin Papists, and not so, his pride and bigotry would tend Evangelical Christians. The orthodox to make him impregnable to another re- Greeks are so called, though Arabs, be- ligion. The very truth to which he cause orthodox members of the Greek holds, the doctrine of the spirituality of Church. The Papal Greeks are converts God, prejudices him against Christianfrom the Greek Church to Romanism. ity; for he identifies it alw'ays with They have, however, made a few those idolatrous corruptions of it with changes. Their worship is in Arabic, which alone he is familiar, Added to and their priests are allowed to marry. all this is the oppression of the Turkish The Maronites represent the ancient Government. Because of it the mission Syrian Church. They get their name has constantly to guard itself against from John Maro, monk, priest, and the violation of contracts. The poverty patriarch, who died A.D. 707. Since the of the people, too, is "their destructwelfth century they have been in close tion." They are kept so poor by taxacommunion with the Romish Church, tion that they have no time to think of though adhering to the Oriental rite. their souls on week-days; and while the The Jacobites are a small body of dis- Moslems have no Sabbath, the members senters from the Greek Church. They of the Oriental churches are encouraged get their name from Jacobus, Bishop of to labor on theirs. This grinding pov- Edessa, who died A.D. 578. Notwith- erty both causes and is much aggravatstanding the various sects, however, of ed by the" emigration fever." So hard which the non-Moslems number, per- are the times that it is estimated that haps, 400,000, the mass of the popula- upward of 12,000 leave Syria yearly. tion are orthodox Moslems or Sunnites, This, of course, increases just so much and look, of course, to the Sultan. not the burdens of those who remain, and only as their political, but also their re- renders them just so much the less susligious head. ceptible to missionary influences.
Of the morals of the people the less In spite of these difficulties, however, said the better. The Druzes, though Syria has for seventy years been the polite, are cruel, fanatical, and, to scene of most faithful missionary effort. strangers, deceitful. The Nusaireeyehs The history of the mission presents are bloodthirsty. Polygamy is common. alternations of success and discourage- Divorce occurs at the will of the man. ment. If there were times of quiet, there Swearing and lying are universal. The were also times of persecution. More Bedouins, though hospitable and often than once has the land seen massacres, magnanimous, are fierce, revengeful, and the mission has produced more than and depraved. The non-Moslems, ex- a few martyrs. Political commotions cept the Jews and Evangelical Chris- have been particularly numerous and tians, are bigoted, idolatroul, and de- peculiarly trying. Of late years the based. 'In general, the population is Russo-Turkish War of 1877, the rebelignorant, narrow-minded, corrupt, su- lion of Araby Pasha in Egypt in 1882, perstitious ; and, as in all Mohammedan and the rebellion of the Mahdi in 1883 countries, woman is held in low esteem. have been most prejudicial, by introduc- ing into the mission fields II new, disor- , The difficulties of missionary effort in derIy, corrupting and hostile element. such a field are great and numerous. So many rival and jealous sects, all call- The instrumentalities employed in ing themselves Christian, constitute a the mission work are the following: serious hindrance. A greater one is 1. Preaching. The way for thifl has pages printed since the beginning, in not been as open as in many countries. 1826, amounts to over 400,000,000. The The Moslems have been specially inac- issues have been of all kinds, religious cessible to it. Nevertheless. it has at and educational. The list of publica- no time been neglected. It is now re- tions includes more than 400 titles. ceiving regular and considerable atten- Among them may be mentioned" Scrip- tion. In Beirut services are held in fi ve ture Interpretation and Systematic places, and there are three evening Theology," by Dr. Dennis; a transla- meetings during the week. A recent tion of the Westminster Confession of visitor to Syria, speaking of the Sabbath Faith, by Dr. Van Dyck; and a "Com- service at Baalbek, says that 27 men, 9 mentalJ' on the New Testament," by women, and 15 boys (all natives) were Dr. W. W. Eddy. The great glory, how- present. 'I'here are in the whole coun- ever, of the press, as of the mission, is try upward of 30 church buildings and the Arabic Bible. Begun by Dr. Eli 100 preaching places, and no fewer than Smith, in 1849, and prosecuted by him 5000 regular hearers, of whom nearly with the aid of Mr. Bistany, a nati¥e 2000 are church-members. How marked scholar, until 1857, it was then taken an advance this is appears in the fact np by Dr. Van Dyck, assisted by the that in 1848 there were only one church, highest native scholarship, and com- three or four preaching stations, and 18 pleted in 1864. A modal of accuracy church-members. and elegance, it has made the Word of Life intelligible, and, from the literary 2. Medical Work. This has lately be- standpoint, attractive to the 180,000,- come a specially prominent feature. 000 whose sacred language is the Arabic. Native physicians are being educated. Meanwhile, Dr. Post, Dr. Van Dyck. and Unti! lately no political restriction others of the medical missionaries have interfered with the mission press. Now, gained great influence by their skill lind however, the Government has waked kindness. The hospital of the Prussian up to the danger in the free circulation Knights of St. John at Beirut, under the of Christian literature, and a strict care of the deaconesses of Kaiserwerth, censorship has been instituted. Most is served by them. In the last year of of the books, including the Scriptures, which we have any report, nearly 10,000 have been officially sanctioned; but the' cases were treated. Patients come from weekly paper has received severe criti- all parts, and carry back with them im- cism, and was temporarily suppressed. pressions of Christian love as well as It is now licensed, but on condition that direct Gospel teaching. The tours of "no adverse criticism be made upon the late Dr. Calhoun and his services at any of the religious beliefs of any of the Tripoli, followed by thosA of Dr. Har- sects of the empire." ri~, have also opened the way for Gos- pel work. Many of the large number 4. The Schools. Though persistently called together by the dispensary at and bitterly opposed by the Jesuits, Tripoli are Moslems, and all hear the these ha¥e proved the most effective of Gospel read and explained before re- the missionary agencies. They have ceiving treatment. Mention should be done more than all others combined to made in this connection of the Leper elevate woman; they have given II Chris- Home at Jerusalem, under the charge of tian education to many thousands of the Moravians. ,. Most of the dear pa- persons; and they have called into being tients here," we read, 'rejoice in being numerous schools supported by the peo- Christians. under the protection of the ple themselves. In all the mission . Saviour, and enjoying the advantages of schools biblical instruction is made His Church." prominent, and the amount of Scripture that can be recited whenever called for 3. The Press. Its work has been great is surprising. The crown of the whole and influential. The total number of educational system is the Syrian Protestant College at Beirut. This is an 5. They hate idols and idolatry with institution of the highest order, and perfect hatred. 6. They reverence law. has academical, theological, medical, 7. They practise total abstinence from pharmaceutical, and preparatory depart- intoxicating drinks. 8. They have no ments. The graduates number more respect for a man who has no religion. than 200, and the attendance of students 9. They have implicit confidence in the is now large. Strictly independent word of an Englishman. 10. They beof the mission, it is thoroughly evan- lieve that Protestantism is the form of gelical and evangelistic in its. aim and faith nearest their own. 11. They aro effect. In addition to the college, there beginning to repose confidence in the are connected with the Presbyterian integrity of the American missionaries. Mission the seminaries for girls at Bei- 12. It is the common belief of the Mosrut, and Sidon, and Tripoli; the board- lems that in the latter days there will be ing-schools for boys in Sidon and Suk- an universal apostasy from Islam, when el-Ghurb, and a hundred or more com- the true faith, as they account it, will mon schools. In these gather 5200 cease to exist. pupils, of whom 1800 are girls. Did we include all the Protestant schools of The following facts also are signifi- Syria !t1J.d Palestine, the number of cant: scholars would exceed 15,000. A system of home study is being established 1. Of the 132 girls attending the Protas a branch of the Chautauqua organiza- estant female school at Sidon lately, 90 tion. and will be a stimulus to the whole were Mohammedans. 2. Of the 4780 intellectual life Of Syria. girls who were scholars not long ago in the Protestant schools of Syria, 1000 The development of this educational were Mohammedans. .. If all other work is remarkable. In 1824 it was means fail to draw them to Christ, it summed up in a class of six Arab chil- may be that the words of Isaiah shall dren taught by one of the missionary yet be verified in their experience, ladies. In 1834 ten young men were • And a little child shall lead them.' " under instruction. Not until 1866 was the college opened. Now more than 200 'THE JEWS. students crowd its buildings. For several reasons they are impor- The question arises, What will be tant and interesting enough to demand the outcome of all this effort? Will this separate treatment. 1. They were God's stronghold of Islam ever be under- .. chosen nation." 2. They have had mined? Aside from the sure word of the most wonderful history. 3. They prophecy that such will be the case, in are rapidly assuming a prominence Mohammedanism itself are elements which is as significant as unique. This which. if fairly considered, bring its is specially marked in their influence in overthrow by Christianity clearly within education, the press, and general literathe sphere of probability. Among ture. So strong has this come to be others, these are mentioned by Dr. H. that such men as the late Professor H. Jesup, of Beirut, whose residence Delitzsch, the late Professor Christlieb, for thirty-five years in Syria entitles him and Professor Godet Ree in it a source to speak authoritatively on this ques- of serious danger to the Christian faith. tion : 1. The Mohammedans believe in In Italy, for example, there are 50 Jewthe unity of God. 2. They reverence ish professors in the universities in a the Old and New Testaments. 3. They land where Jews number only about revere Christ as the greatest of all the 40,000 in 28,000,000. In France the prophets before Mohammed. 4. While highest education is to a remarkable exregarding all but themselves as infidels, tent in the hands of the Jews. In the they have some respect for Christians universities of Germany Jewish profes- sors have increased forty per cent in five and Jews as .. the people Df a book." years. The number of Jewish students has multiplied yet more rapidly. At he is by that fact divorced from the the University of Brtda Pesth, Hungary, other who remains a Jew; and the conof 3100 students, 1072 are Jews, and vert may marry again, but the Jew must that in a country where they form only remain single. Private or family prayer four per cent of the population. As the is fo.bidden except by a license, and natural result of this, according to a synagogue worship is permitted only in leader in the London Times: "A per- towns containing eighty or more Jewish manent epidemic of alarm at iewish dwellings. This outrageous oppression encroachments prevails, to which Vien- has already affected commerce, and has na is as subject as Berlin. . .. The issued in untold suffering. Not a little enlire circle of the liberal professions, is being done to mitigate thil' by Baron as well as finance, is almost in the ex- Hirsch, the Hebrew philanthropist. clusive possession of Jewish practition- Worth from $100,000,000 to $150,000,- ers. Jews are eloquent at the bar and 000, made largely in a railway contract in Parliament. 'l'hey heal the diseases with Turkey, he is pouring out his of Christians and guide their views wealth in providing for those of his race through the press." The late Professor in Russia who are heing expelled from Christlieb is only one of many witnesses their homes. The Russian Minister of to the fact that almost the entire liberal Finance also has lately ohtained a suspress of the German Empire is in the pension of further repressive measures hands of the Jews. It has been stated by pointing out to the Czar the vexatious on good authority that in Paris there is financial results which they might inonly one paper of any note not under volve. Christians throughout the world, JewiRh control. Could more be said to too, have begun to protest. Nor are show how imperative is the evangeliza. the Jewish bankers and brokers inactive. tion of this" peculiar people" ? 2. The return of the Jews to their The interest of this work now clus· own land. This has been much stimuters about three points: lated by the persecution just mentioned. Within three or four years 20,000 have 1. The persecution of the Jews by come to Jerusalem. while the influx into Russia. Since 1881. when Jgnatieff pro· other parts of Palestine has been withmulgated the terrible Jewish laws, the out precedent. There are more than lives of the 5,000,000 of Russian He- 80,000 in the country in all. An era of brews, miserable enough before, have improvement has also begun. Jerusa· been spent in unbroken war against the lem is a new city. The streets have frightful abuse and persecution of the been paved, five hotels have been authorities. The taxes of the Jews are opened, water is about to be introduced, douhle those of other subjects. Numer. large factories have been erected, a ous restrictions and disabilities fetter railroad is almost completecl from Jaffa their activity. They are not suffered to to Jerusalem. With this enlargement enter the civil service, to practise law of population and revival of trade there or medicine, to hold municipal office, or has been a marked increase in the rain. to take part in an election. The num· fall. The factors seem to have been supber of them drafted into the army large- plied to make Palestine, as of old, " the ly exceeds that of the Gentiles, but no garden of the Lord." Jew can hire a substitute or become an officer. They can reside only within 3. The conversion of the Jews. More certain limits, and are not allowed to interest has been taken in this than is own land. Jewish pupils can form no generally supposed. The Protestant more than ten per cent of the number churches have 377 missionaries among in any school, though in many towns them. If, as estimated, there are 6,400,- they are more than fifty per cent of the 000 Jews-this gives one missionnry to population. If a·wife or a husband is every 16,976 Israelites-a larger numconverted to the Russian Church, she or ber in· proportion than among the heathen. The results of this effort lan, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, supportare becoming apparent. Professor De- ed by a society of English ladies. litzsch's Hebrew New Testament has exerted a mighty influence. Jewish- 7. At Brummana, in Lebanon and at Christian congregations are not un- Ram Alia, near Bethel, industrial schools known in the larger cities of Christen- belonging to the Quakers. dom. Notwithstanding sectarian strife and the bitter opposition of Romanism, 8. The Lebanon Schools Committee's there are more than 200 believing Jews Mission, in Lebanon-a. training school in Jerusalem. Most significant is the for boys and one for girls, and several Jewish-Christian movement at Kishch- village schools. ineff, in Southern Russia. Its leader, Rabinowitz, a learned lawyer, who has 9. The Irish Presbyterian Mission at come to the knowledge of the truth Damascus-several churches, and very through the independent study of the vigorous. Scriptures, and who is in substantial accord with evangelical teachers, ad- 10. The Reformed Presbyterian Misheres to his original plan of organizing sion, at Latakia, Antioch. and elsewhere a National Christian Church for Israel, -chiefly among the NUflaireeyeh. in which such characteristics of Judaism as circumcision. observance of Saturday 11. At Tiberias a very successful as the Sabbath, and the like. are to be Scotch mission to the Jews, retained, though not as essentials. He seems to be imbued with the Spirit of 12. The Church Missionary Society Christ, and numbers among his support- (London)-stations at Jaffa, Gaza, Ramers thousands of the Jews of southeast- leh, Jerusalem, Nablous, Es SaIt, Nazaern Europe. Is there not much to war- reth, Haifa. rant the hope that the redemption of Israel is drawing nigh? 13. The London Jews' Society, in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Damasclls, Aleppo, The following statistics of the mis- and elsewherA. sionary agencies in Syria may be useful: 14. The American Bible Society's 1. Preshyterian Board of Foreign Mis- Agency at Beirut. sions, North. See MISSIONARY REVIEW for June, 1891, p. 476. For the sum- 15. The British Foreign Bible Somary below we are indebted to the ciety's Agency at Beirut. Church at Home and Abroad. 16. The Evangelical Mission to Israel 2. Mission of the Established Church at Hebron. of Scotland in Beirut to the Jews, under the care of Rev. G. M. Mackie. 17. A Presbyterian Mission in Jerusa- He has large schools for both sexes. lem, just establish.ed by Rev. A. Ben Oliel. 3. The British Syrian Schools and Bible Mission, established in 1860 by -Dr. Cornelius Van Dyck, of the Mrs. Bowen Thompson and since her Presbyterian Mission at Beirut, has death conducted l;y her sister, Mrs. just finished his Hfty years in that field. Mott -30 schools and about 3000 pu- The occasion of his golden anniversary pils. was taken note of in a most pleasant way by his friends and neighbors. An 4. Miss Taylor'S (Scotch) school in address was presented and gifts were Beirut for Druze and Moslem girls- sent. Delegations came from the Hosvery successful, pital, from the Orphanage, from the native Protestant Church. The Greek 5. The Kaiserwerth Prussian Deacon- Patriarch of Damascus and the Turkish ess' Orphanage for Girls at Beirut and Governor sent messages-the latter anat Jerusalem. nouncing that a decoration would come from the Sultan. All day a stream of 6. Training schools for girls at Shim- visitors of all nationalities and sects poured through Dr. Van Dyck's rooms, greeting him. There is surely some- thing very wonderful in this honor paid to a missionary whO' has wrought fifty years for Christ.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Organized Missionary Work and Statistios' Edited by Rev. D, L, Leonard, Bellevue, O.
-In the tables summing up in fignres -Of course, no summing up of misthe work done by the various mission- sionary work would be at all complete ary societies of America and Europe, a which did not include the doings of the large number were, for various reasons, Propaganda at Rome. As to the amount necessarily omitted, but not at all be- of money expended, Cardinal Lavigerie cause the sphere they fill is nnimportant estimates that Protestants contribute or ungermane. In the aggregate their annually about twenty times as much as income is very great, and the effect of Roman Catholics. Five years ago, actheir operations is broad and far reach- cording to an authority quoted in the ing. Such as the Salvation Army, "Concise Dictionary of Religious which is said to raise annually $2,250,- Knowledge," Rome had 2,745,000 ad- 000 j the Mildmay Home and Foreign herents in mission fields proper, with and Medical Mission, whose income is 3634 priests and 4502 schools, And, ac- $115,000; the McAll Mission, almost cording to the report of the Propaganda $90,000 ; the East London Institute for for 1890, and omitting British North Home and Foreign Missions of H. Grat- America and the United States, the adtan Guinness, $60,000 j the Edinburgh herents on missionary ground number Medical Society, $30,000 ; the Christian 3,314,000, the priests 3848, and the Vernacular Society, $20,000; for the schools 7593. And of this Catholic Blind in China, $12,000 ; the Lepers in population, 1,077,500 are found in India India, $11,000, etc. If all such were and Ceylon. 694,000 in Indo-China, in.cluded, the aggregate income would 568,000 in the Chinese Empire, and 398,- be not much less than $3,000,000. 900 in Africa, including Madagascar.
-The twenty.sixth anniversary of the -Nothing is more certain than that Salvation Army was held in London, the spread of the kingdom of God in July 7th. General Booth said, in his heathen lands is dependent upon the address, that the Army now comprised maintenance and prosperity of the 4289 societies (of which 1200 were out- churches within the present pale of posts), with 10,449 commanding officers. Christendom; and, therefore, that giv- Of these, 1383 corps and 152 outposts, ing for the local church, for the frontier, or 1535 religious societies, with 4649 the foreign. born population, and the deofficers, were in Great Britain, and 1705 graded in the cities is really helping to corps and 1049 outposts, or 2754 socie- carry the Gospel to every creature. Only ties in all, with 5800 officers, were out- it is a great matter to make a proper side the United Kingdom. During the division of the funds received, to beyear there had been an increase of 252 stow upon the foreign work its fuJI procorps and 1281 officers. Of the War- portion. The total giving of the Estab- Ory, 312,525 copies had been circulated, lished Church of Scotland reaches and 129,350 copies of the weekly Ohil- $2,142,790, and is divided among 6 dren's War- Ory. Monthly publications schemes. But $224,855, or about one were sold to the number of 94,000. tenth, fall to foreign missions. The Twenty-seven editions of the War-Cry Southern Baptist Convention reports were published abroad, in 15 languages. $115,445 for work abroad and $238,893 The operations called in tbe Army" tak- for mission work at home. The mising prisoners," or the arousing of anx- sionary appropriations of the Methodist ious inquirers, had resulted in the con- Episcopal Church aggregate $1,200,000, version of 100,000 .persons at home and and of this sum, $566,347 are bestowed 131,000 abroad. upon toil outside of the United States. The Congregationalists sustain 7 socie- eign affairs, army and navy, internal, ties. Of these, the American Home educational and ecclesiastical affairs, Missionary Society receives $635,150, and in providing interest on the Swed- (the American Missionary Association ish debt." The London City Mission freedmen, Indians, etc.) $429,420, and alone had an income in 1887-8 o()f about the total of Ohristian beneficence reaches $435,000. The receipts of the Brooklyn $2,270,161. Add home expenditures, Society were $25,000 in 1889, and of the and the sum is $8,361,382-an average Boston Society $43,698 in 1890. Acof $16.50 for each church-member. The cording to the same authority,45 benevo- Presbyterian Church reports for home lent societies in New York received a missions $9:15,625, and for freedmen, total of $1,810,675 in 1889. Of this sum, Bunday-schools, education, etc., $411,- 17 Roman Catholic societies received 247 more, and for congregational or local from municipal allowance and excise purposes, $9,764,379. Including all re- appropriation $1,000,521, and 28 other ligious objects, the total is $14,062,356, societies $802, 086. or an average of over $17 per member. -Says Dr. A. H. Clapp, of the Ameri- -The various publication societies of can Home Missionary Society, and Great ·Britain and America are indis- speaking of New York: ., Few who do pensable adjuncts to the work of the not live here can have any idea of the missionary societies. Among the chief voluntary work carried on throughout of these may be named the British and the year by the benevolent men and Foreign Bible Society, with annual re- women of our churches. The rapid ceipts aggregating $1,125,000; the running over of a list of the various or- American Bible Society, $512,388 ; the ganized methods of help for men, wom- National Bible Society of Scotland, en, and children needing aid by reason $165,000 ; the London Society for the of age, sickness, misfortune, orphanage, Promotion of Christian Knowledge, etc., methods originated and carried on $215,000; and the London Religious entirely by the churche.~ of this city, shows Tract Society, whose missionary ex- that there are very nearly 900 of them. penditure reached $197,560 last year. Adding to these the more public or: The sum of the receipts of these five ganizations outside of church circles, of societies is $2,214,948. which people hear more, the number will be found somewhat startling. -According to a recent estimate, which seems to be moderate, the 49 so- -The value of the investments in cieties organized for Christian effort iL. church property in Brooklyn is estimatbehalf of the Jews expend annually ed by the Standard- Union at nearly $20,- $490,000. Almost all of the leading 000,000. Of this sum the Protestant churches in Great Britain and upon the churches represent about $13,000,000, continent are engaged in this form of and the Roman Catholic about $7,000,- evangelization; and of the Bums expend- 000. The former number 290 and the ed, these are specimens: the London latter 58. The sum of the debts resting Society, $189,220; the British Society, upon the Protestant churches is about $H,625; the Free Church, $44,945 ; the $3,000,000, and upon the Roman Catho- Church of Scotland, $28,760 ; the Irish lic churches $1,150,000. Presbyterian Church, $18,435. –In reckoning up the beneficences -According to the" Encycloprodia of of Christendom, hospital work must not Missions," it was written several years be omitted. London alone has almost ago that" the annual revenue of the 30 general and special hospitals, with Metropolitan Charities of London is 6000 beds, and which receive net less greater than the whole of the expendi- than 50,000 patients annually. In eneh ture in Sweden on maintaining royalty, of the large cities of the United States the administration of justice and formillions are expended upon such insti- dred Indias, with a hundred different tutions. As among those best endowed languages, and representing every stage with choicest facilities may be named of civilization, from the most primitive the Johns Hopkins Hospital of Balti- to the most advanced. Smlh differences more, and the Presbyterian Hospital of formed a great part of the prQblem of New York, whose" plant" is valued at mission work. Hinduism included only $2,500,000. about a third of the 260,000,000 inhab- itants of India; there were about 50,- -One of the most powerful private 000,000 Moslems, 6,000,000 Sikhs, Parassociations to which the recent anti- sees, and Christians, and about 20,000,- slavery movement has given birth is the 000 of aboriginal tribes. The number African Association of German Catho- of Pariahs – outside caste – was, he lics. L' Afrique reports that this asso- thought, from 40,OOO,COO to 60,000,000, ciation holds many public meetings in and these were practically, for mission different cities, publishes a journal- purposes, outside the great realm of Gott will es-and has 10 Diocesan Com- Hinduism. mittees, comprising 1500 circles and about 200,000 members. The Central -The Mission to Lepers in India, an Council at Cologne has received more organization baving its headquarters in than $130,000 in money. This is to be Edinburgh. Scotland, reports for 1890 spent in African expeditions, in found- an increase of $2180 in its receipts. ing safe retreats for threatened negroes, This society aims to reach the great in missions, orphan houses, eto., all number of lepers in India (estimated at over the German African possessions, 500,000) by establishing leper asylums, and $6000 have been given to aid in the sending special missionaries and preachtransport of the first German steamer ers, and doing what is practicable to for the Victoria Nyanza. alleviate their condition. Then it as- sists the Presbyterian Board of this ..:.-The American Baptist missionary country at Allahabad, the Church Mis- Union gives the following statistics for sionary Society at Alleppi, etc. Its atits African missions, which are confined tention having been recently especially to Congo, for the year ending March called to China., it is starting a work 31st, 1891 : Missionaries, 47; stations, there. Under its plan of work a con- 10; unordained native preachers, 10; tribution of $25 will support a leper for self-supporting churches, 1; not self. a year, and $100 will supply a Christian supporting churches, 5; church-mem- teacher to a village for the same period. bers, 454 ; Sunday-school scholars, 261 ; day schools, 20; native teachers, 14; -The first of October brought a most day school pupils, 770; value of mis- radical innovation in the educational sion property, $47,490; total expendi- policy of France, namely, the complete tures, $62,536. secularization of the boys' schools. The law of 1885 decrees that within five -The census of 1881 showed that years from October, 1886, this must be there were in India 124,000,000 women, accomplished. Steady efforts have been of whom 21,000,000 were returned as made in this direction all along, and in widows, of whom there were under 19 1890 of 52,000 teachers in these schools years of age, 669,000 ; under 15 years of only 1213 were of the clerical orders. age, 286,000 ;' under 9 years of age, 79,- The law of 1886 decrees that a similar 000. All these figures were undoubted- change must be made in the girls' ly within the appalling t}'uth. schools as soon as a sufficient number of secular lady teachers can be secured – Professor Lindsay, D.D., speaking to take the place of the sisters. As yet at the meeting of the London Missionary of the 44,000 lady teachers in France Society, thus defined the problem pre- 11 ,000 are sisters. sented by India: "There were a hun- Statistics of Missionary Societies in Gre&t FROM these tables are of necessity omitr.ed quite a large number of societies which are trulY whose aims and methods are broader and more general.
Home Missionary Income. .; Constituency.
NAlIfE OF SOCIETY. 'H O ~ "~:i B "'"0" "0-,',;;,: ·S ~.~ 0.9 j '0'""''"'"""" ~" a'~ r~1j A~ 0 0" 5 ;;:: ~ 0 ———– —————~ Society for Propagation of Gospel …… 1701 8,800 246,700 $625,_95 $100,000 1,238,685 46,300 Church Missionary Society…. ……… 1799 1,877 452,302 112,165 29,508 401,944 24,3D5 Baptist Society .. ……. ……….. 1792 1,610 7,105 571,465 London Society .. ……………….. 1795 449 464,515 22,283 Wesleyan Methodist ……………….. 1814 2,018 Methodist New Connection ……….. 1859 196 United Methodist Free Churches ……•. 1858 345 1,333 67,510 49,953 58,147 Welsh Calvinistic …………………. 1841 673 1,200 134,239 37,768 2,000 Presbyterian Church of England ……. 1847 95,140 2,750 Friends' Association …………….. ,. 1867 290 289 65,941 62,835 Universities Miss. to Central Africa….. 1860 85,875 2,175 350 200 15,836 South American …….•……..•.•…. 1844 51,736 10,015 North Africa Mission … '" ………..•. 1881 23,250 China Inland Mission ………………. 1865 190,605 Presbyterian Church of Ireland……… 1840 637 558 102,735 83,155 10,335 1,515 1,358 593,393 224,855 45,907 Church of Scotland ….•……………. 1829 1,235 1,045 340,000 377,455 94,470 184,854 202,960 68,025 Free Church of Scotland ……..• …… 1843 615 567 United Presbyterian …. ………….. 1847 40 45 5,552 3,750 233,650 337 132 21,350 116,825 9,000 Reformed Presbyterian …•. .. …….. 1842 230,273 2,000 2,000 79,483 16,320 United Brethren (Moravian) ..•………. 1732 79,539 579 9 51 98,897 Basle Evangelical … …………. 1815 19,400 529 22,945 Leipsic Evangelical Lntheran ……….. 1819 48,630 Berlin Evangelical. ………………… 1824 15,523 Rhenish Missionary Society………… 1829 North German . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1836 ………. Gossner's ~Ii88ion ….. : ….• 1836 Hermannsburg ….. …. …… ……. 1849 Dutch Missionary Society…………… 1818 Dutch Reformed Church……………. 1859 180 280 5,500 Ermelo Missionary Society ………••.. 1846 5,00G Paris Evangelical. ………………. .. 1822 48,315 13,846 Danish Missionary Society..•…•……. 1721 430 19,626 …… Danish Mission to Santals ……. … Norwegian Missionary Society .. … 1869 54,958 67 Swedish Missionary Association …•.•.. 1842 122,000 Swedish Evangelical National……•..•. 1835 550 650 80,000 34,852 Totals for Europe. ……………. 1856 – -245 – – – – – – – – – 48,959 – – – – Totals for America ……………… — Grand Totals…………… 12,845 27,839 2,339,420 5,852,549 796,315 1– 285 104,888 10,936,317 4,180'~1 507,883 73, 1 86,134 132,737 13,275,737 10,033,151 1 1,304,198
Brita.in and on the Continent for 1891.
missionary, but whose sphere, or mode of work, is so peculiar as not to tabulate with that of those Missionaries. Native Helpers.
·1 ~ o -.-. ~ ~ I~ ~ 2,300 ~,87~ ~ ~~ -;687 -1-,827' 1,800-~0,600 318 72 219 76 ~78 3,792 4,755 327…. 50,005 3,250 1,719 70,311 131.. 1051 6 602 2,624 3,467 515…. 48,509 2,924 .•. 17,144 159 18 121 39 1,202 4,195 5,684 1,9~ … 67,797 …. 1,643 63,873 264 97 86 91 144 6,445 7,036 363 1,572 40,078 1,934 805 65,803 71 5 1 3 36 53 60 42 1,301 33 16 240 66 295 ••. •• 9…. 370 275 145 10,335 227 152 11,367 93 5 1 . . . . 564 582 163 72 1,869 285 143 4,143 20 13 22 17 8 108 188 134 43 3,746 103 4 41 •.. 17 •.. 24… 350 391 265 150 2,796 . ••. 140 2,945 24 26 1 29 3 85 168 22 12 850 …. 27 2,500 1212 ..• 6 2 …. 32 25 . . . . . . • . • • • • • . . . . . .
17 9 28 54 17 1 20 171 70 142 13 174 570 172 94 3,038 424 30 423 12 3 11 10 2 124 162 24 18 590 252 52 3,533 22 10 H 23 7 89 165 37 33 951 285 89 5,287 52 45 331 35 15 640 800 224 42 6,895 696 313 27,951 .. ·1 57 15 25 20 538 655 251 15,799 900 1 1 9 12 3 1 37 3 3 100 127 24 135 6 19 1,691 2,002 133 137 31,591 2,757 235 20,629 106 29 90 4 39 672 936 352 11,584 1,279 282 "0,500 25 1 14 491 531 117 141 13.559 228 177 4,492 60 11 59 5 5 471 611 145 10,892 2,011 55 4,158 75 3 61 1 11 490 641 158 134 10,735 360 121, 5,536 94 7 4 1 26 51 14 442 34 'Ii 358 17 167 30,027 69 332 401 59 12,371 1,770 2,567 8 8 24 40 20' … 1,013 3 4. 112 120 '" 65 6,500 1,000 12 6 10 16 6 30 700 30 3 27 6 19 206 391 261 19 9,122 131 7,928 52 5 1 3 24 35 4- 4 208 62 5 5 5 142 165 14 14 6,070 707 2 284 40 5 37 12 16 916 1,026 • 379 17,055 3,246 372 30,580 23 10 6 6 45 12 6 200 4 160 – -11 7 – -9 – -5 – -3 – -26 – 61 – 10 – 5 – 108 50 – 10 – 453 — — – – — —- – — – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 2,283 772 1,149 688 1,570 27,704 35,037 6,948 2,946 447,041 22,382 8,235 403,664 — — — 966 736111,341 7,218 11,946 4,649 8,6251 285,276 29,806 4,867 169,451 – – – – – – 1,066 145 — —- — —— 3,349 917 2,115 1,424 2,911 34,922 46,983 11,597 11,571 682,317 52,188 13,102 573,115
GENERAL 1lISSIONARY INTELLIGENC1il
Statistics of Woman's Missionary Societies in America and Europe.
THE names by which the societies are designated are those of the denominations or of the larger societies with which they are connected. In cases where more than one Woman's Board exists in a ehurch the work of all is included in a single statement.
. j . SOCIETIES.~~o.~'~~II·]~~j~~ a) ~ ~~ ~ ~ f~ 'Q1 a:I ~~H § 1__ i I I ________________ .
Baptist (Four Societies)….. '" 1871 4,060 132,460 70 17 4 130 273 5,675 Baptist, South …………….. _ 1888 Free.Baptist…. ……….. 1873 1,469 21,398 18 5 .. Seventh-Day Baptist.. .. …. …. 1884 1 Congregational (Four Societies). 1868 307 7,G94 20 13 8 305 Methodist Episcopal …• _. . . . .. . 1869 70 675 95 5 Methodist Episcopal, South…. 1878 3,849 4 11 11 1 12 Methodist Protestant… . . . . . . . . . 1879 157,364 20 2 Presb. (Seven Societies) .•….. _ 1870 104 4 .. 245 397 11,217 Cumberlaud Presbyterian……. 1880 53 15 United Presbyterian………… 1884 5,557 220,330 100 4 .. 626 852 10,896 Reformed Dutch…… …….. 1875 Protestant Episcopal…. …. …. 1872 3,272 85,969 31 1 37 34 1,248 Reformed Episcopal .. __ . . . . •. . 1889 11 .. Evangelical Lutheran Synod…. 1879 435 5,059 4 5 2 50 Christian Disciples.. _………. _ 1875 1 United Brethren ………….. 1875 5,865 336,244 251 209 356 Fri.ends' Society………… .. .. 1889 1 Union Missionary Society…… , 1860 524 11,216 5 22 2 4 169 Canada Baptist (Three Societies) 1870 Canada Presby. (Three Socs.)… 1876 782 16,704 19 5 268 2,793 Canada Methodist…….. ….. 1881 15 1 Propagation Society… …….. 1865 834 19,413 28 2 .. 57 14 895 Church Missionary Society…… 1880 Baptist Zenana ……… _……. 1867 59 36,838 39 112 1 30 95 3,163 Wesleyan Methodist………. .. 1858 2 London Missionary Society. . . . . 1875 4,077 2 I> Presbyterian Church….. , ….. 1879 Presbyterian ChurCh, Ireland… 1874 584 9,000 52 27 1 2 20 939 Female Education in East. . . . . . 1834 20 3 Syrian Schools.. .. .. .. .. •…. .. 1860 1,329 10,000 4 13 2 2 52 Church of Scotland………… 1838 Free Church of Scotland .. _. . . . 1843 44 14,567 10 2 18 United Fresbyterian …….. __ .. 1880 431 66 226 23,164 18 8 7 304 Total" 60,027 60 109 158 3,929 315 12,109 11 66 21 103 760 39,072 16 511 25,560 13 11 13 419 35,417 61 104 18 4,250 961 129,085 7 650 192 7,811 38,650 48 161 144 1,800 432 42,880 32 08 281 12,000 32,355 36 139 10,000 160 16,665 19 19 14 273 19,115 8 56 19 1,100 275 35,000 40 275 19,978 76 17,435 103 31 29 2,996 546 52,685 22 98 39 2,590 89,125 29 232 70 7,354 259 18,990 21 75 32,9!l4 1,785.001 1,305 ~,052 3,295 112,269 British Foreign Missions. By Rev. James requesting Government aid on behalf Johnston, Bolton, England. of the East Africa Company.
" Farewell" to C. M. S. Missiona- Furlough of the Rev. E. C. Gordon ries.-On September 29th a crowded from Uganda.-A hearty welcome is gathering assembled in Exeter Rail, being accorded to this splendid mis- London, under the presidency of Sir sionary-the latest arrival from a peril- John Kennaway, to bid farewell to some ous sphere of operations. He is a sixty-seven missionaries-clergy, laity, nephew of the late Bishop Hannington, and ladies-thirty-nine of whom were through whose devotion Cyril Gordon fresh recruits. Bishop Tucker was pres- was incited to leave wife and friends . ent, and spoke of the whiteness, vast- behind in entering on the hazardous ness, and inestimable worth of the har- " call" to the Dark Continent. In 1882 vest. A party of nine join him for the uncle and nephew sailed together.
Eastern Equatorial Africa. The Pales- The following year Hannington was tine work had a vigorous reinforcement driven back by fever, but again re.- represented. With Archdeacon ]l.10ule, turned in 1884 to the land he bad learned who has S13en thirty-one years of service to love, as first bishop in Eastern Equa- in China, a strong band were leaving for torial Africa. His tragical murder soon mid-China. Among the Punjab mis- afterward stirred the whole civilized sionaries was the Rev. E. F. E. Wigram, world. Gordon was spared, and through son of the society's honorary secretary, nine long years has heroically labored.
who is sacrificing a bright and lucrative The climate and trials 4ave told deeply career at home for the "good cause" on a vigorous constitution. Rest and abroad. In addition to the above-named care will be needed if, as it is antici- contingent were a number of missiona- pated, he is to return in 1892.
ries' wives. At a subsequent meeting, The Congo Free State and its Misorganized by the Church of England sions.-There is ground for the state- Zenana Missionary Society, to wish ment in the English press that the King " God-speed" to some twenty-five ladies of the Belgians had informed the Pope about to depart for India and China, the that the Roman Catholic form of Chris· chairman, Sir Charles U. Aitchison, tianity is to be the recognized religion spoke of the Gospel in these two great of the Free State, and that His Majesty empires as the most effective means has placed his African dominions under of glorifying God and of solving many the direct protection of the Virgin Mary, perplexing social and political ques- as the patron saint of the Free State. tions. Gratifying as this will be to His Holi- Africa-Uganda.-The Church Mis- ness, it is not supposed that it causes sionary Society'S General Committee any anxiety to the English Protestant was summoned the last week in Sep- missionaries who have for many years tember to consider the situation in had flourishing missions on the Congo.
Uganda, in view of the proposed with- King Leopold is well disposed to these drawal of the Imperial British East Af- worthy men, a proof of which has been rica Companyfrom that country. Bishop shown in asking one of the leaders in Tucker and the Hev. E. C. Gordon, the that region-Rev. George Grenfell-to latter fresh from East Africa, stated become a member of the Belgian Com- that the abandonment of the country by mission for the delimitation of the the company" will plaile the Protestant boundary between the Free State and Christians there in a position of immi- Portuguese territory in the Lunda coun- nent peril." The gravity of the posi- try. Mr. Grenfell has accepted the in- tion is realized by the pioneers of the vitation, and shortly leaves England for mission and its friends. It was decided the Congo. The landmarks between to memorialize Lord S:1lisbury at once, the respective territories will doubtless be soon arranged. It is not intended outcome of unceasing prayer, marked that Mr. Grenfell should take the now the whole proceedings.
missionary steamer, the Goodwill. This Dr. Glover on Missions in China.- will follow the missionary in seotions, Speaking of the" Needs and Claims of and will be put together on the Congo, China" before the Baptist Union in where it must become a valuable addi- Manchester; the doctor gave some of tion in assisting missionaries and car- the impressions which he had received rying cargoes. from a recent visit to that great Eastern empire. ·He l'emarked that the creed Though slavery is passing away for a of the Chinaman was in brief, "I beconsiderable distance up the Congo, lieve in man," meaning by that the ex- Mr. Grenfell speaks in sorrowflll terms istence and worship of man and in the of the ravages of the" infamous drink claims of man on man. The success of traffic" caused by the white man. In missions in that country was real. It reducing the natives to a wreck men- was greatest in the country districts, tally, physically, and morally, Mr. Gren. where family life was purest; less sucfell said it was an open question whether cessful in the cities; still less in the the horrors of slavery were not less dis- ports; least of all in the treaty ports. astrous than the terrible consequences In the north and south among every of the drinking habits. They now knew class it was visible, and its dimensions 6000 miles of river, or a coast line of were very striking. There were nearly about 12,000 miles in Central Africa, 40,000 converts in China, who have been which gave them access. to scores of vil- gathered together in forty years, in spite lages and towns on the banks and their of contempt, hatred, and miRccJllcep_ vicinity. In combating the darkest tions at once awful, heart· breaking and mass of heathendom that the world heart· wearing. More men and more knew, Mr. Grenfell believes the burden women were urgently required to spread of it will hav" to be done by the native the work. converts, of whom so many were bravely responding to the need. This was one of the most encouraging features of the The Anti-Foreign Riots in China.- work. To help dispel the native misapprehen- sions regarding what is done in mission China Inland Mission.-Still lead- schools and hospitals, it is now stated ing the crusade in China in the modern that British and other missionary bodies revival of missions, this enterprising are being urged to adopt rules for the society bade farewell to a party of guidance of their members in China. It twenty – six outgoing missionaries in is a common native belief that the eyes London on September 21st. Some of and other organs of the dead are taken these devoted servants formed a re- by Europeans for the purpose of mak- sponse to the appeal from the Shanghai ing certain medicines. For the same Conference for a thousand missionaries use children are supposed to be stolen to China during the next five years. and killed. The kernel of this rumor The stations of the mission have been proceeds from the fact that missionary mercifully preserved from the recent bodies, especially the French sister· outbreaks. Among the lady missiona- hoods, take in the little waifs and strays ries were Miss Mina Sundstrom, from of Chinese cities and give them shelter Finland; Miss Sekina Storhang, from and education. In order to overcome, if Norway; and Miss Eugenie C. Hilbold, possible, the ignorance and prejudice from Strasburg. Four of the departing of the Chinese mobs, there is a proposal missionaries had been members of the on foot that all missionaries-princi- Rev. Archibald G. Brown's church, in- pally those superintending hospitals, cluding his own daughter, Miss Eleanor schools, and foundling institutions- M. Brown. Intense enthusiasm, the should, on a death occurring, communicate with a local officer to make an in- interesting figures respecting a country quiry, and likewise allow the institu- where suffering in a terrible form exists tions to be open at any time to the in- in many districts. The Government of spection of Chinese officials. When the Irkutsk, the capital of Siberia, which is scheme is submitted to the missionary divided into five districts, contains only societies there is no doubt that they will 868,552 persons, of whom three fourths readily adopt it. Certain representative are of the orthodox religion. There are missionary committees have suggested 487 schools of different kinds in Irku tsk, the plan and discusded it with the con- where Christian children are taught Buls. When it is put into practical form alongside of Pagans, Mohammedans, it will tend to remove the fanatical no· Buddhists, and the worshippers of tions that there is "nything to screen in stones and talismans. In this extensive connection with the institutions which region are 60,000 of the last-nlmed class. have rendered invaluable aid to thou- 12,000 Buddhists, 6000 Jews, and 2500 sands of dying Chinese orphans and Mohammedans. In the Transba'ikal, homeless little ones. where political convicts are chiefly to be found, there are 110,000 women who A " Polynesian Society."-Akin to do not belong to the orthodox religion, the plan and objects of the Asiatic So- and in the same district 13 schools, the ciety, it is urged, in New Zealand, that teachers of which are exiles or deported a society might be established to cover criminals. Australia, New Zealand, Chatham Islands, Polynesia proper, Melanesia, Monthly Bulletin, Micronesia, Malaysia, and Papua. Contributions of a most helpful character -Dr. Shedd, writing of the" Work would be presented and circulated relat- among the Nestorians,.. in the Indeing to Polynesian Inthropology, ethnol- pendent, says, .. We have not an easy ogy, philology, and history. Everything mission field in Persia." But he sees that has a bearing on the manners, cus- also the bright side of things. He says, toms, practices, and kindred questions .. There is this encouragement among affecting oceanic races would be pre- the Nestorians of Persia, that from year served. Mr. Percy Smith, of Welling- to year there is a wider interest, more ton, the originator of the movement, spiritual thirst, more Christian activity will be content if the society at the out- in education and work for souls, and esset is not of large dimensions, inasmuch pecially more volunteer work by laymen. as he believes that good work, by its There is a stronger' momentum toward agency, will eventually attract scientific the evangelical cause." The most pressmen in every part of the world, Every ing need which he sees in this field is day opportunities are slipping away of for more houses of worship. As at procuring information from the natives home, so in distant Persia, a church themselves, or from European and building, with manse and school, tends American missionaries, respecting the to make all Christian work permanent. customs of former times-a permanent repository for this is urgently needed. -At a missionary meeting in New What valuable facts are happily pre- Guinea, held recently, one of the speakserved in the literature by missionaries ers picked up a spear and said, "This may be judged from the works of Dr. used to be our constant companion; we Turner, Dr. Inglis, and others, so high- dared not go to our gardens without it ; ly praised by Professor Max Miiller, Sir we took it in our canoes; we carried it H. Tylor, and a number of scientific on our journeys; we slept with it by scholars. 011r side; and we took our meals with it close at hand; but," said he, holding Siberia.-A St. Petersburg journal, up a copy of the Gospel, .. we can now quoted by the London Times, giTes some sleep safely because of this; this book has brought to us peace ancI protection, Christian Associations opened in AmancI we no longer require the spear." sterdam, August 12th. The total num- ber of delegates was about 500, of whom 8yria.-Mrs. Eddy, of the Presbyte. 100 carne from America and 100 from rian Syrian Mission, who has spent England. There were also large deleforty years in that fielcI, describes very gations from Holland, Germany, Switvividly the changes wrought in that zerland, and France. Sweden, Italy, time. She h~s kept house in Syria in Russia, India, and many other countries twenty.seven different houses. Some were also represented. '[he officers think the missionaries have good times. elacted were President, Count Von Hog- So they do, if they can; but not such endorp, of The Hague; Vice-Presidents, as they have in this country. When George A. Williams, of London, Wilshe reachf'cI Beirut there was no rich liam E. Dodge, of New York, and Count church building; but even then she A. Bernstorff, of Berlin. The annual could "sing the songs of Zion in a report showed 4151 associations affiliatstrange laud." Now they have a large ing with the central committee, of which church edifice, a choir, a hymn-book- there were, in the United States, 1305 ; some of our tunes set to the hymns-a in Canada, 80 ; in Great Britain, 614 ; Sabbath-school room built as a memorial in Germany, 800; in Holland, 387 ; in offering. There are five other churches. Switzerland, 379 ; in Norway, Sweden, There is a large Beirut seminary. and Denmark, 223 ; in France, 66 ; in Houses and homes have been greatly Russia, 9 ; in Asia, 92 ; and in Africa, improved. In times of sickness, instead 13. of finding pictures of the Virgin, we see the Bible laid upon the pillow of the Samoa.-Th(,l Samoan group have a sick. Great changes are noted in the Christian population of 30,000. In the speech of the women. Cursing, for- largest of the islands there are not fifty merly so common, has in a great meas. families that fail to observe family worure passed away. There is a prayer in ship. Last year, besides supporting the home. Then hardly a woman could the Gospel at home, they sent a thank read; now many read in their homes. offering, as their custom is, of $9000 The women are learning to pray in their to the parent Missionary Society of meetings, which are much blessed. London to help to carry the good news farther on. When a church-member -The number of blind seen in the dies, they still keep his name on the East is very distressing. There are books, and put a mark after it, denotblind schools at Beirut, Damascus, and ing a word picture which means, .. We Tyree. Blind Scdpture readers have the cannot think of him as dead either to entree of Moslem homes, a privilege us or to the work. We shall give a which blindness confers. contribution in his name, that the cause may not suffer by his removal hence." Thibet. – A Moravian mISSIonary named Letzen, with his wife, certainly General.-The Scarritt Bible Training is to be written with those who love School for Missionary Workers in Kantheir fellow. men. For thirty years he sas Oity is a new institution projected has been preaching and working at a by the late Dr. Scarritt, who bequeath Ad station in the Thibetan mountains, a tract of ground and $25,000 in money, without the sight of a European face, on condition that $25,000 more be raised and with the post-office fourteen days by the Methodist Episcopal Church, distant, separated from them by the South. This sum has been promptly high passes of the Himalayas and dan- raised, and the corner-stone has been gerous streams. laid for the building. The design is to train young men and women for home Y. M. O. A.-The Twelfth Interna- and foreign mission work. It is expecttional Convention of Young Men's ed that the school will be opened in had aided them. They speak of the 1892. people in a place called Tankay, who -Dr. John E. Clough, an American had never received instructions in Christian things. They had simply Baptist missionary, is now in the Unit· heard the word .. praying," and' they ed States, having spent twenty-six years knew that people who did that met toamong the Telugus in India. When he gether in one place. Noone of their went there such was the force of preju- number was able to read or to tell them dice that the Hindus, meeting the mis- anything about the Gospel. They had sionary on the street, would make a a New Testament, bought in Imerina, long detour, lest his shadow falling on but that lay unopened, since no one them, or the odors of his person being could read it. On a Sunday they met in waftad toward them by the wind, should a house; they placed the Testament in cause defilement. When hi'! came away their midst, no one could read, no one such was the char.ge that the Hindu could sing or pray, and so they sat for a citizens of the highest position gave time in silence. When ell were assemhim a farewell meeti.ng, inviting Chris- bled, one of the chief men stood up and tians, MohammedanR, and Brahmins to asked, .. Have all come from the north ?" join in a public expression of gratitude "Ay," answered they all. .. Have all for the great blessing his labors had come from the south?"' .. Ay. " And brought t. their country. Dr. Clough so on from the east and west. .. Then now asks for 25 extra millsionaries and let us break up, for we have done our $~O,OOO for the support of. his work. duty," said the chief; .. but be sure He tells of a meeting appointed at his and come early next Sunday." Is it not own house for a certain day. Two days pitiful to think of these men groping in before the date of the meeting the peo- the dark when they seem so ready to ple began to gather from distant parts, walt in the light? and on the morning of the day over 3000 had assembled. Of the congregation at New IIebrides.-Twelve years ago Rev. the close of the service, which lasted Oscar Mi()helson landed on the island several days, 1671 persons came forward, of Tonga, in the New Hebrides, alone desiring baptism and membership in among cannibals. At first he had the church. In 1866 there were only many perilous adventures, and again 38 conversions on the work, but in 1877 and again fled into hiding to save his the membership had grown to 4517, life. Once a savage, now one of his while in 1878 10,000 were baptized, and best teachers, levelled a rifle to kill in 1890 the membership had risen to him, but was stopped by Ii. look. He 33,838. Dr. Clough gives the chief persevered amid many threatenings and credit in this wonderful work to the dangers. His house became known as native preachers and the Bible women. "The Sunday House," and Christian Madagascar.-The London Missionary hymns were often heard mingling with Society has published a review of ten heathen songs. From heart to heart, years' work in Madagascar. The figures from home to home the Gospel won its are encouraging, but still more impor. way, until now 30 Christian teachers tant is the impression that is given of are laboring in as many different viI.
both progress and permanence. There lages. Mr. Michelson's field now in- is a growth of piety, vf intelligence, dudes, he writes, four whole islands.
and of the power of religion among the The people speak three ianguages. At people. Christianity is asserting its one meeting 300 rose for prayer. Ten reformatory and transforming power. years ago they proposed to eat him.
-A touching story comes from Mada- Now he lives in perfect safety.
gascar, in a letter written by native Palestine.-The medical mission at missionaries to friends in England who Gaza, in the Holy Land, has been very effectively carried on by Dr. Elliott. In Balolos, on the Upper Congo, report the 1878 Rev. A. W. Shapira opened this region to be healthy. A missionary at the mlSSlon. He has lately been appointed Lolongo station writes: .. Only one lady by Bishop Blyth to the ohapel at Haifa. here has suffered from fever since our 'l'his mission has 400 boys and girls in arrival, fourteen months ago; three of the schools. The children's hospital at us have enjoyed wonderful good health. Jerusalem is superintended by Dr. M. The combined fevers of all three of us Sandreczki. The medical mission at may perhaps have lasted twenty·four Nazareth is under Dr. Vartan, at Tibe. hours." rias under Dr. Torrance. -The London Missionary Society's Persia.-Missionary Horberg (Luthe- mission at Lake Tanganyika is rejoicing ran), writes that the pupils of his Bible in the first gathering of fruit. Kalulu class on Saturday afternoons and on was ransomed as a poor hoy Borne few Sundays visit the neighboring villages years ago, and ever since has been more and speak to the people about religious or less in contact with the missionaries. matters. About twenty villages have Only recently did he show any desire to been visited. The missionary recently become a Christian. The service when visited the leper village near Tabriz, and he was baptized and received the compreached to the unfortunate people, who munion was an occasion of great joy, begged him to come again. and made a deep impression on the natives. -One of. the most cheering signs reported is interest among laymen in vol- -The translftion of the Scriptures, unteer effort. Two from Persia are begun by Mr. Mackay, missionary to physician~, good men, full of the Holy Uganda, is being diligently completed Ghost and of faith. They support their by three of his most intelligent converts families by their profession, but find and pupils. The memoir of Mackay by time to make tours and to do the work his sister, of which eight thousand of evangelists for whole weeks at their copies have been sold, has led several own charges. Four others own prop- young men to consecrate themselves to erty in vineyards, and spend all their the evangelization of Africa. time beyond what is necessary to attend to their property in direct work Alaska.-The sixth annual report of for souls. the Moravian Mission at Bethel, Alaska, shows a year of quiet, faithful work. -A young Mussulman girl was brough t Religious services have been better atinto a missionary home in Ramadan, tended and there has been betterobserv· Persia, as a seamstress, and, becoming ance of the Lord's day. There has also interested in seeing other girls read, ap- been an effort to improve the tone of plied for admission to the school. Her family life by instructing husbands and family and friends hearing of it, forced wives as to their relations to each other, her to leave, but not until the Bible had and by helping them to provide more become familiar to her. A young man, comfortable homes. who had remained unmarried because he could not find a Christian wife, Egypt.-A clergyman travelling in the heard of her, and through friends, ac- East writes in the highest terms of the cording to Persian custom, a marriage American United Presbyterian Mission was arranged. The ceremony was first in Egypt and Syria. He says they are performed in Persian style, but after· gathering the young boys about them in ward the couple came to the mission- their mission schools, alld in ten years ary's home and were married in Chris- the tourist will find the villages· along tian form. the Nile filled with hundreds of young men who not only speak English well, Africa.-Missionaries who have gone but who are washed and .. clothed and to labor among the ten millions of the in their right mind."
The Missionary Review of the World — April 1891
A JESUIT MISSION IN INDIA
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. 4.-Old &ries.–APRIL. –VOL. IV. No. 4.-New Series.
A JESUIT MISSION IN INDIA.
BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.
The Portuguese found their way to India before aLY other European nation, in ] 497. From the beginning they were zealous, after their fashion, in the spread of the Roman Catholic faith, but their zeal, being neutralized by great moral laxity, commercial greed, and political ambition, the" European idolaters," as they were called, made but few and mostly doubtful converts. But it was seen that India presented a' splendid field f~r the propagation of the faith, so Xavier was selected as " the apostle to the Indies. " He went with every human advantage. Ignatius Loyola sent, him forth with the inspiring words, " Go, my brother. Rejoice that you have not here a narrow Pale8tine or a province of Asia in prospect, but innumerable kingdoms; an entire world is reserved for your endeavors.' , The pope conferred on him the authority and dignity of Apostolic Nuncio throughout the East, and commended him to the respect and protection of all princes and governors. The King of Portugal sent him with every demonstration of interest and authOt'ity, and aided him all through his splendid but erratic career with whatever royal zeal and power could command.
Xavier landed at Goa in May, 1542. For three years he was ceaselessly active, passing from one part of Southern India to another; then, in 1545, he left for Malacca, and after visiting several other islands returned to India in January, 1548. Here he remained for fifteen months, busily occupied in the affairs of the college he had founded at Goa, visiting some of his former scenes of labor, and arranging for the prosecution of the mission, and then, in April, 1549, he sailed for Japan.
It is difficult to ascertain with any degree of precision the results of his " wild but splendid" career. Roman Catholic biographers and historians, having now Protestant eyes on them, are guarded in their statements, but in the past, when not so liable to criticism, gave almost as much rein to fancy as a Hindu panegyrist writing a Purana; By them Xavier is credited with all manner of gifts, natural, supernatural, and spiritual, and with an extraoldinary amount of success, his converts being said to amount to 500,000-" all fervent, and desiring nothing more than to become martyrs for their faith;" while, on the other hand, the Abbe Dubois affirms that Xavier left India in disgust, disheartened at the difficulty of making any real converts.
The latter opinion is the true one. He made many Christians, according to the Jesuit theory, though far fewer than is reported, but the vast majority were Christians only in name. Most were infants, baptized craftily and surreptitiously by the agents of Xavier.* A large number of adults submitted to baptism through fear and greed, and almost all the converts baptized had but a formal and most inadequate acquaintance with the doctrines and requirements of Christianity. That Xavier was himself dissatisfied and discouraged at the inadequate results is proved, first, by the fact that after so brief a span of labor he should have abandoned an enterprise 80 extensive, so splendid, and to which he had been specially appointed; and, secondly, on his owno testimony. In a letter to a missionary in Travancore he writes, in December, 1548 : "If you will, in imagination, search through India, you will find that few will reach heaven either of whites 01' blacks, except those who depart this life nnder fourteen years of age, with their baptismal innocence still upon them." In the following month he wrote to Loyola: "The natives, on account of the enormity of their wickedness, are as little as possible fitted to embrace the Christian religion. They so abhor it that they have no patience to listen to us. To ask them to become Christians is like asking them to submit to death. Hence, all our labor is at present to guard those who now are Christians. Hence, since there is not the least need of my labors in these parts, and as I have also learned of Japan, I have determined to start for that country as soon as possible."t In these letters Xavier obviously refers to the Roman Catholic missions generally, his own and those which had been conducted for the previous fifty years, at least, with the concurrence and aid of the Portuguese Government.
But the most condemnatory proofs of the want of success on the part of Xavier and all preceding missionaries, and of the genius of Jesuitism to adopt" ways that are dark and tricks that are vain," are seen in the methods adopted by the Jesuit missionaries in Madura, and persistently prose- * " When these children," says Father de Bourges, "are in danger of death, our practice is to baptize them without asking the permission of their parent_, which would certainly be refused. The catechists and the private Christians are well acquainted with the formula of baptism; and they confer it on these dying children, under the pretence of giving them medicines."-Lettl'es' Edijlantes, tome xiL, po 107.
t" The Missionary Life of Xavier," po 156, by the Rev. Henry Venn. Some Roman Catholic authorities state the number of converts, soon after .the death of Xavier, at 300,000 iu the western portion of India. In the beginning of the eighteenth century the native converts in the Madura district are reckoned by Father Martin to amouut to 150,000, and each missionary is said to have baptized at least 1000 each yearo Bnt the Abbe Dubois, who labored in India from 1790 to 1815, states the number of Roman Catholic Christians in all India, inclnding half·castes and Portnguese, at 635,000. Now, no one will claim that the Roman Catholic native Christians nnmber more than a million and a quarter; or for the whole Roman Catliolic popnlation more than a million and a halfo Where, then, are the boasted resuits of Roman Catholic missions, of which we hear eo often, and whose methods we are advised to follow l" cuted for one hundred and fifty years, which, as an instance of ,religious imposition, has been declared " to be without a paralleL"
The various steps by which this was done were kept secret, as Jesuit methods usually are, but of the fact there i" abundant evidence, as the following account will show.
Early in the seventeenth century, about fifty years after the departure of Xavier, Robert de Nobilibus, a nephew of Cardinal Bellarmine and grandnephew of Pope Marcellus II., and other Jesuit fathers in Madura, perceiving the strong prejudices of the Hindus against Europeans and the Christian religion, devised a plan, as subtle as it was criminal, whereby they hoped to overcome native prejudices by pretending that they were substantially one with the Brahmans themselves, and that Christianity and Brahmanism were essentially one, only that the former, being older and purer than the latter, should be accepted in its place. Studying the native language carefully; attaining a minute acquaintance with the usages and customs of the priesthood; preparing themselves, by a long course of austere training, for the part they were to act, and armed with writings made to resemble certain portions of the Vedas, and declared to be of equal authority, they entered Madura, not as Christian missionaries, but as Brahmans of a superior order, who had come to restore the most ancient form of the native religion. Their success, at first, was not great, but when charged in a large assembly, specially convened, with being an impostor, who sought to deceive the people, in order to introduce a new religion into the country, Malihilus produced his manuscripts, affirmed that the Romaca Brahmans were of much older date than those with whom he was contending, and in the presence of all declared and made oath that he was really descended from the god Brahma. On this, three Brahmans, impressed by his specious evidence and earnestness, advised that they should not persecute a man who declared that he was one of themselves, and gave such evidence of the truth of his assertions. Thus audacity and speciousness gained a certain amount of credence.
To sustain these pretensions spurious documents were produced,* and the fathers adopted names and usages which gave them a close resemblance to Suniassis, men devoted to the most ascetic forms of Hinduism, and greatly reverenced and feared by the more ignorant and superstitious of the people.
As Father Tachard wrote: "The missionaries have resolved to assume the dre!s and manner of living of Brahmanical Suniassis. This was a very difficult undertaking, and nothing less than apostolic zeal and love cOlild have enabled them to sllstain its hardships and austerities. For, besides * The most important of these was a work pnblished in Paris in 1778, nnder the title, .. L'Ezour Vedam, ou Ancien Commeutaire du Vedam, contenant I'exposition des opinions religieuse. et philosophiques des Indiens, Traduit du Sauscritam paiun Brami." An elaborate and scholarly analysis of this remarkable production is given in the fourteenth volume of the" Asiatic Researches" by Francis Ellis, Esq. He declares it to be "an instance of religious lmposition without a parallel." The author is unknown. abstinence from everything that has life-that is to say, flesh, fish, and eggs, the Suniassis must bathe every morning in a public tank in all weathers, and do the same before every meal. ,,* The Father did not think it expe- dient to add that Suniassis, among others t.hings, must wear an orangecolored dress j rub cow's dung on their foreheads and breasts j have a tiger's skin across the shoulders j have a club or staff on which are seven natural knots, and go daily through numerous .ceremonies, and that all these have a close association with heathenism. Thus armed and equipped did these "Brahmans from the north, " these "Roman Suniassis"
(" Lettres Edifiantes," tome x., pp. 15, 46), go forth to teach idolaters how to worship and serve the true God ! All the missionaries did not resort to these methods. They were adopted by a class, certainly with the assent of some others, for the purpose of winning over, if poss?ble, to the Catholic faith the social and intellectual leaders of the Hindus. It was seen that the Brahmans were excessively hard to wiu, and that between them and the lower castes and out-castes marked distinctions existed, but that if the former were gained over the conversion of the latter would be comparatively easy, if not inevitable. But this method involved the recognition of caste and of much beside utterly subversive of Christian doctrine, and even truth and honesty. "The catechist of a low caste," writes Father Maduit, "can never be employed to teach Hindus of a caste more elevated. The Brahmans and the Sudras have great contempt for the Pariahs. . • . We must, therefore, have Pariah catechists and Brahmanical catechists for the Brahmans, which causes us a great deal of difficulty." And then he illustrates the difficulty thus: A catechist came to beg him to baptize some Pariah catechumens and.to confess certain neophytes. But" the fear that the Brahmans and Surlras might come to learn the steps I had taken, and hence look upon me as infamous and unworthy ever after of holding any intercourse with them, hindered me from going." Subsequently he went, and writes: "I made these poor people go to a retired place about three leagues from hence, where I myself joined them in the night, and with the most careful precautiolls, and there I baptized them"!t Not only had the Pariahs separate catechists, but separate churches j nor ~<luld a Christiau Suniassi enter one of their dwellings to administer the 1allt rites of the Church, though he would do this if the dying were removed out of their own d welling-contamina.ted by low caste or no caRte-into the open air, or a proper caste church. The results of such a policy were such as might have been anticipated. As the Roman Brahmans had their poitas, cow * See "Lettres Edifiantes et Curienses," tome x., p. 324. Paris, 1780.
Also" Systema Brahmanican Fra Paolicio Bartolomeo," pp. 47, 56, 57. Romal, 1791. The leading features of Nobilibu8'8 or Nobilis's course are stated by the Jesuit Jouvincy in his history of the order, and in vindication of the policy pursued when it was subsequently called in question, the Secretary to the Congregation de Propaganda Fide wrote in 1676 to Pope InnQC('nt that Nobilis, although he called himself a Brahman, was not guilty of falsehood I t " Lettres Edi1lantes," tome x., pp. lJ43…!.:.5. dung ashes, and strict ritual, their converts, really few in number, ill- instructed and beguiled into Christianity, rather than intellectually ac- cepting it on conviction, retained with but slight modification the superstitious manners, customs, and beliefs of Hinduism, a residuum or virus of heathenism which has kept the Roman Catholic community of Southern India ignorant, poor, weak, uninfluential, up to the present time.
The boasted unity of the Church of Rome has always been more of an Rssumption than II reality, and these proceedings were too scandalous, es- pecially in the eyes of the Dominicans and Capuchins, to be alJowed un- challenged. An appeal was made to Rome, and Pope Paul V. appointed the Archbishop of Goa to investigate the charges. His report confirmed the charges, and condemned the policy of Nobilis and his party: To this the Jesuits replied with their usual speciousness that the rites and practices now challenged and condemned were merely civil .observances, having in them nothing of a religious nature; that they were neither opposed to the faith nor morality, but were absolutely essential to the spread of Christianity in India, and nothing more than prudent and innocent concessions to native distrust, superstition, and ignorance! On these conflicting reports a Papal declaration was issned, in 1623, condemning some of the practices, and counselling great care on all points in dispute, and to avoid scandal and. exposure, it was sent privately to the Jesuits only. The worthy fathers received it in silence and went on doing as before, so th'lt it was not until fifty-seven years afterward that the Capuchins so much as knew of the existence of such a document!
The Jesuits about ,this time were at the zenith of their power, and so for a long time were able to defy their enemies. And so, like other mortals, they abused their power and acted with more audacity and less caution, so that public attention was again called to their proceedings. So numerous and flagrant were their alleged compromises with Hindu rites and practices, that Pope Clement XI. was moved, in 1702, to send out C. T. Maillard de Toumon, a man of high rank and great repute, as Legate, with power to investigate the charges and report. The decree he issued condemned, among otlier things, the marriage of children six or seven years of age; the hanging of the talz about their necks–the usual Hindn symbol used in such cases; the abolition of certain nuptial ceremonies–" for they overflow with the pollutions of heathenism ;" the disuse of the twig of a certain tree which was emblematic of the Hindu Triad-Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva; of the circlets used for averting misfortune; the use of seven vessels filled with growing rice, emblematic of the seven planetary gods. The Christians were condemned for taking a part in idolatrous festivals; bathing at set times, and in tlie manner of the heathen; passing themselves off as Suniassis; using the ashes of cow's dung, with marks on the forehead, chest, and elsewhere, practices common among the" most superstitious Hindus;" and among other things condemned was a feminine ceremonial the decree characterizes as " the festival of immodesty and wanton- ness. ,.
A great outcry was raised against the decree. Father Tachard sent to all the missionaries under his charge a set of inquiries in detail asking if the ceremonies thus condemned were necessary, or could be dispensed with. The answers declared it was necessary to continue the methods in use. And this was affirmed in the following solemn document: "I, John Venaut Bouchet, priest of the Society of Jesus, and Superior of the Carnatic Mission, do testify and swear on my faith as a priest th.at the observance of the rites, as set forth in the preceding answers, is of the greatest necessity to these missions, as well for their preservation as for the conversion of the heathens. Further, it appears to me that the introduction of any otller usage contrary to these would be attended with evident danger to the salvation of the souls of the neophytes. Thus I answer the Reverend Father Superior General, who orders me to send him my opinion as to these rites, and to confirm it by my oath, for assurance and faith of which I here sign my name." Signed, November 3d, 1704, in t.he Mission of the Carnatic, Jean Venaut Bouchet.
" Fathers Peter Manduit, Philip de la Fontaine, Peter de la Lane, and Gilbert Ie Petit took the same oath, and attested it by their signatures; and after like fashion, swore all the Portuguese Jesuits in Madura and Mysore" .<" Memoires Historiques," Luques, 1745, tome iii., pp. 8-10).
Thus the reverend fathers publicly, solemnly, and deliberately make oath that, in these missions, the religion of Christ must necessarily be joined to the idolatry of the heathen, and that the introduction of Christianity alone, and in its purity, would be fatal to the salvation of souls!
This document was carried to the Pope at Rome by Bouchet and Lainez, who did their utmost to have the report of Cardinal de Tournon set aside. In this they were unsuccessful, but with wonderful audacity, on their return to India they affirmed the opposite! Norbert states that on a day when a large congregation of French and native Christians were assembled at Pondicherry, Bouchet "came forward in his sacramental robes, and calling to witness the body and blood of J esns Christ, protested before God that of a truth he had obtained from the lips of the Pope himself that the decree of Cardinal de Tonrnon was in nowise binding, and that the missionaries might permit the practice of ceremonies which the Legate had condemned, because so doing they might the more easily convert the heathen to the faith. ,,* Lainez, now Bishop of St. Thomas, made to the Superior of the Capuchins a similar declaration. These statements were denied by the Pope in a brief addressed to !:.ainez himself, dated September 17, 1712 ; in a letter addressed to the Bishop of Claudiopolis, Cardinal Sacrissanti, Prefect of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, encloses a copy of ,. .. Lettres Edifiantes," tome iii., p. 320. the original acts of the Congregation of the Holy Office. "They will show you," he writes, "that the report you have heardin your co'un- tries announcing the suspension or annulling Of the decrees of the Cardinal de Tournon, Visitor Apostolic of happy memory, is false and without the slightest foundation." * The fathers, though hard pressed, were not yet vanquished. They reo ported that the Pope had been misinformed as to facts on which his de- cision had been founded, and prepared a document which was signed by many of their converts and three eminent Hindu Pundits affirming that the rites in question were all mere civil observances. But the contrary was affirmed by other Brahmans, yet with little effect; for the wily Brother- hood held on their way. Again Clement XI., in 1714 and 1719; Benedict XIII., in 1727, issued briefs, insisting on obedience to the decree of De Tournon, to which no attention was paid. But· a yet more ~x traordinary instance of disregard of moral obligation followed. Pope Clement XII., in 1739, issued a brief insisting on instant and absolute submission. Every Jesuit bishop and missionary in India was required to subscribe on oath to a most binding document, part only of which can here be given: "I, – – , of tha Society of Jesus, . . . obeying the precept of . . . Pope Clement' XII., . . . issued in 1739, enjoining all the missionaries • • . to take an oath that they will faithfully observe the Apostolic determination concerning the Malabar rites, . . . promise that I will obey fully and faithfully, that I will observe it exactly, entirely, absolutely and inviolably, and that I will fulfil. it without any tergiversation; moreover, that I will instruct the Christians committed to my charge according to the tenor of the said brief, . . . and especially the catechumens, before they shall be baptized, and unless they promise that they will observe the said brief . • . that I will not baptize them; further, that I shall take care, with all possible zeal and diligence, that the ceremonies of the heathen be abolished. . . . Thus, touching the Holy Gospels, I promise now and swear.
• • . Signed with mine own hand, –." t This evidently was designed to be a net from whose meshes no fish should escape; nevertheless, though it was signed by every Jesuit father, the Madura Brotherhood went on their way, systematically doing what~ according to the common understanding of mankind, they had taken an oath not to do !
The fathers yet continuing their methods, another Pope, Benedict XIV., issued a brief, so precise that it was difficult for even Jesuit ingenuity to evade it, and to make it public, commanded that it should be read every Sunday in their congregation, and that all converts should be made to promise obedience to its requisitions. Thus for a century and a half was this deliberate and systematic lying and imposture persevered in, and even then was but reluctantly, sullenly, and partially abandoned, not because it * "MemoireB Historiques," par Ie R. P. Norbert, Lucca edition, tome L, pp. 319-61.
t The original of the brief at full length is found in " MemoireB HiBtoriques," tome ii., p. 465,.' was evil and unchristian, but under the extremest pressure. Jesuitism remained true to its principles of concealment, evasion, and double meaning, if an end is to be gained, and submitted, but did not recant.
And the evil wrought remained. As a Roman Ca~holic historian writes: " In order to take away every pretext for tergiversation, Benedict XIV. issued the bull Omnium Sollicitudium, in which he recited all that had passed on the matter, . . . and left nothing undone in order to put an end to the disputes in regard to the Malabar rites. N6,"ertheless, a leaven of discord always remained between the Jesuits and the other missionaries, aud the latter reproached the formerfor not observing the bull honestly."* What have been the issues of this most shameful and systematic deception, this doing of evil that good might come ~ Ignominious failure, since Christianity has been slandered, the success of missions been hin- dered, and native Christian life and character permanently degraded and weakened! The natives discovered that the Roman Suniassis were, after all, only Feringhees, Europeans in disguise. This enraged and disgusted them. It stopped conversions. It aspersed the Christian name, and men of Western race. It lowered the standard of native Christian life and character almost iJ.leradicably. About twenty-five years after the bull of Benedict was issued, Fra Bartolomeo describes the :Madura Christians as "living in the lowest state of degradation and ignorance." The Abbe Dubois, who was a Roman Catholic missionary in Southern India from 1790 to 1815, gives in his remarkable volume of " Letters on the State of Christianity in India," a most humiliating account of the weakness, ignorance, and superstition of the Roman Catholic converts. Hereis one of his statements: "During a period of twenty-five years tbat I have familiarly conversed with them, lived among them as their religious teacher and spiritual guide, I would hardly dare to affirm that I have anywhere met a sincere and undisguised Christian."
Nor has the evil leaven yet been purged away. In the Harvest Field of this year, p. 329, an experienced and intelligent Protestant missionary in Southern India, the Rev. S. V. Thomas, M.A., thus writes: "Their converts are now to be found in certain districts of South India, in Madura, Trichinopoly. Tangore, and other places. These Catholic Christians, as they call themselves, are living monuments to attest the Jesuit policy louder thatl Pascal's letters or European proverbs. They wear marks on their foreheads as their heathen neighbors do, go to Hindu temples on festival occasions, and bow down before the images of pagan gods, while perhaps they inwardly repeat Paters and Aves. Part of their marriage ceremony is performed in the Christian chapel, and the oouple is blessed by the Catholic priest. When this is done they go home, kindle a fire and walk round it, tie the wedding knot in the presence of Agni, and call upon that fire god to witness the solemn contract. Their church is divided into compart- * " A Continuation of the Church History of Bersult Bercsstei," by Comte de Robiano, tome 1., p. 197. ments, so that the high-class Christians may worship the image of Him who was the friend of outcasts, without being contaminated by the touch of the low-caste worshippers. Christians and the descendants of Christians for several generations, they are sunk in such gross ignorance that, like the good lady in the" Monastery," they are often puzzled to know why Eve forgot to ask the advice of St. Peter or St. Paul before eating the forbidden fruit. Three hundred years of Christianity has left them only where it found themthe slaves of Brahman superstition and of Brahman fraud. Their condition is worse than that of the Samaritans described in the Second Book of Kings, ' Who feared the Lord and worshipped their own strange gods.' "
Such is Jesuitism and its fruits. The leading statements in this paper rclative to the Madura Mission are taken from a remarkable article in the second volume of the. Oalcutta Review, called" The Jesuit Missions in India," by the Rev. Dr. Mackey. The following are the Roman Catholic authorities on which it is principally based: 1. "Lettres Edifiantes et curieuses, ecrites des Missions etrangers, par quelques Missionaires de la Compagnie de Jesus." The original consists of 25 volumes, printed in Paris. The first volume was published in 1717, the last in 1741. The letters they contain were written at various times between 1699 and 1740. 2. "Annales de la Propagation de la Foi." The publication of this was commenced at Lyons, in 1823. . 3. "Memoires Historiques presentes (en 1744) au Souverain Pontife, Benoit XIV. Par Ie R. P. Norbert. Besangon, 1747 j et Luques, 1745. Avec la permissiou des superieurs." Norbert went out as a missionary from Rome to Southern India in 1737. He subsequently held the office of " Procureur General en Cour de Rome des Missions aux lndes Orientales." His work is most condemnatory of the proceedings of the Jesuits, not only in India, but China, and gives ample documentary evidence in proof of his statements. Like the Papal Legate, Cardinal de Tournon, of whose mission he gives a full account, he suffered much from the implacable hostility of the Jesuits.
From the Congo Balolo Mission, Lolongo Station, Lulanga River, Upper Congo, F. Theodora McKittrick writes, correcting a statement in the June number of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD regarding the Mission at Lolongo : "Only one lady here has suffered from fever since our arrival fourteen months ago j three of us have enjoyed wonderfully good health. We are living in what appears to be a healthy neighborhood; the combined fevers of all three of us may perhaps have lasted twenty-four hours. "
MI~SIONARY METHODS OFFICIALLY REVIEWED
MISSIONARY METHODS OFFICIALLY REVIEWED.
BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Partially owing to adverse criticisms and partly to increased general intelligence in the Church concerning missionaries and their work in heathen lands, large sections of the Church in Great Britain and some in America, have been led to make a patient and thorough investigation into existing methods of missionary work and their results.
The Wesleyan Missionary Society was precipitated into an investigation of mission economics and mission resnlts in India, by the hasty and extremely indiscreet criticisms of a young missionary, only one year in the country, finding access to the home public through an influential journal, and fostered and fended by its popular and vigorous editor. The result was, the society was obliged to make investigations into the charges against it for allowing extravagant living of its missionaries, and for general expenditure to which results were not commensurate, whether judged of in themselves or by comparison with results achieved by others at less outlay. The ill-feeling and general critical attitude of parties, equally eager to ascertain what was right, but working from wholly divergent points, did not place the society in tile best attitude, to ascertain the calmest judgment, of those whose testimony was essential to a thorongh judicial investigation; but it did result in the severest testing of ,all evidence rendered in the case, and the discarding of everything that did not stand the fiery ordeal of a stiff controversy. We think very good results were obtained, but we cannot discern that anything was elicited under this burning.glass that might not have been better reached by other processes. Be that as it may, this was one of the forms in which answers" were wrought out to clitieism of a dam-· aging nature to missions in general and to those of this society in particular.
The London Missionary Society was favored with a more peaceful method of examining its work and of considering all suggestions that were made commonly public, by the agitation of the missionary critics. They appointed a special committee of investigation on all these subjects of metb(~ds, polio cies, and fields of labor. They secured able men to discuss these questions in formal memoranda. They also invited missionaries of recognized standing of the most prominent and widely separated fields, as China, India, and Madagascar, to lengthened interviews with the ::::pecial Committee.
The Free Church of Scotland sent an able delegation to India to examine all these questions of policy and methods on the field. The Church of Scotland Missionary Society instituted inquiries by correspondence with eminent laymen as well as missionaries, especially concerIling educational methods compared with evangelistic methods of work.
We caunot follow these various investigations in detail. They should convince the Church that missionary societies are careful to keep their whole work on the most approved plans, and are ready to make any advance movement that circumstances and experience demand and justify. We select from the topics specially considered a few, and give the result of the iuquiries, not, however, strictly confining ourselves to these official reports.
CELIBATE MISSIONARIES.
The London Society's committee represents the general concensus of opinion in the matter of sending out unmarried missionaries on the ground of economy and efficiency. The conclusion reached was that the system of celibate missionaries was bad. The results in the case of both native and Roman Catholic missions were unsatisfactory and often worse. China testimony was unqualificdly against celibate missionaries, as presenting insumountable obstacles to the work. In every field it was recognized that the Christian home and Christian family were absolutely necessary for exhibition of Christian life. The committee, therefore, made a minute in accordance with the testimony, and condemned the practice of sending celibate missionaries, exccpt in special cases and for a limited time.
LAY EVANGELISTIC MISSIONARIES.
The general drift of thought among those who have given largest attention to the subject in all fields and all societies is undoubtedly more and more favorable to the employment of If much larger number of Jay missionaries. The openings for their labor are increasing constantly along the avenues of commerce, colonization, and geographical extension; and coincident with this condition is a sort of general movement, which it is judged may be divi~ely originated, among great numbers of young men as well as young women, to engage in some form of work among heathen abroad, as mechanics, teachers, professional persons, engineers, clerks, and other secular offices.
The directors of the London Society have decided to accept offers of service from men who have not passed a course of theological collegiate training, and to send them out for a term of years as lay evangelists; the object being to open the door to foreign service, to men of good education and of proved experience as Christian workers, having missionary enthusiasm. They have to admit, besides, that the theological schools are not at present able to supply the increasing demand for workers. They, however, deem i~ desirable that the study of Christian missions, of the history of philosophy and comparison of religions, should form part of the course of preparatory study for all missionaries, especially for those appointed to India or China. The committee after thorough investigation approved of this action of the directors.
NATIVE AGENCY.
It is often urged that native agents should be relied on to meet the great demand, now unsupplied, for workers. But as yet it is plainly acknowledged that such agency is deficient in quality and quantity, and this, in fact, only points out the necessity as yet but partially cared for, of more institutions for the training of a native ministry, and more trained men to develop them j but as yet these trained men are not forthcoming, and the native ministry is not forthcoming as needed, hence the emergency must be met by accepting others whom God has raised up and thrust on the notice of the societies-laymen eager to be evangelists and teachers abroad.
EDUCATION.
The relation of Christian missions to education, and of educational work to results in conversions, was the gravest question that these societies were called upon to investigate. The Church of Scotland invited one hundred persons to give their opinions on the desirability of maintaining their col- leges in India. Of the eighty-five replies received, sixty-eight were favor- able to their continuance and sixteen unfavorable. Of the seventy Pres- byterians to whom the testimony was submitted, sixty voted favorably to the continuance of the schools. The symposium, composed of the sixty- 'eight opinions received in answer to tho crircular letter of inquiry, is in- structive reading, though mnch of it is quite too general and too long to admit of our making such extracts as would do justice to the authors.
Sir William Muir, formerly Secretary of the Government of India, said: " I have no hesitation whatever in saying that it would be a calamity for . India if missionary schools were withdrawn. Apart from immediate con- version to the faith, their influence on the mind of the people has been of. inestimable value. It was the t!cotch schools and colleges which first called forth the sympathies of Hindus toward Christianity. The country has by them been inoculated with Christian sentiment.
•, I take the Brahmo community as the exponent of this new phase of Indian life. The two sheets enclosed are random specimens of the hold which Christian truths and ideas have gotten of the minds even of those who ostensibly reject them. The Brahmo faith, no doubt, is but a poor travesty of Christianity j but it takes the life and teaching of our Saviour for its real basis, and through it vast numbers have access to the Bible and do study it. The process will go on if our missionary schools are maintained i and they are the only means at present available for leavening the minds of the young."
Sir Richard Temple, Bart., G. C. S. I., argues at length to show that the Educational Commission of 1881-83 felt itself obliged to recommend that the IJducation supported by the Indian Government should be religiously neutral, and though the foremost Hindus of the land deprecated that coarse, circumstances had justified the decision. He says: " If, therefore, the Scottish Missions were to withdraw from educational work in India, the state system of public instruction would be deprived of one of the most important class of institutions which have hitherto tem- pered the exclusively secular teaching of the Government schools. Further, as the native religious leaders have been encouraged to give spiritual in- struction in aided schools of their own, the Indian races would be left to the influence of a constantly increasing propaganda of Hinduism and Islam, while the Christian teaching hitherto given by t1>e Scottish Mission schools and colleges would be curtailed. " In short, just as Hinduism and Mohammedanism are entering more largely into the field of religious instruction in the schoob, Scottish mis- sionaries would be withdrawing from it. So far as regards the welfare of the people of India, therefore, I should deprecate any relaxation of the educlltional efforts of the Missions of the Scottish Church."
Sir Charles E. Bernard, Chief Commissioner of Burmah and Home Secretary of the Indian Government, at the close of .an able paper, says: " In so far as the existing educational system leads men to reject Hindu- ism, it prepares the way for Christianity. But if no effort is made to teach Christianity, and if Ohristian Rchools and colleges were closed, atheism would be unchecked until some extension of Brahmoism or some new sect like the Brahmos arose. If Protestant colleges and schools were abolished or greatly diminished Roman Catholics would probably extend their educa- tional work, and would occupy much of the .ground vacated by Protestant missions. "
Hon. George Edward Knox, formerly Sessions Judge, now Legal-Remem- brancer, Northwest Provinces, say~ : " I feel assured of this fact, that educational missions have, under God's blessing, conferred a boon upon India, and have been permitted by Him to be the means of bringing many souls to Christ. Of the extent of the boon, and of the number of souls, we shall not and cannot hope to have a com- plete record, at any rate until the day when we attain perfect knowledge. I have long entertained a belief that His Word is working secretly to an ex- tent which we cannot perceive, and that the day is not far off when the number of those who are added to the Church will be as unexpected as was the draught of fishes after our Lord's resurrection. May we be prepared to me~t it! The practice of employing heathen teachers should, I say unhesitatingly, be abandoned."
Sir William W. Hunter, an unquestioned authority on all things per- taining to India, as preface to a most interesting paper, says: "With reference to the welfare of the peoples of India, I should regard any withdrawal of the Scottish Missions from the work of education as disastrous. The weak point in our system of Indian public instruction is our inability to give any form of religious teaching in our state schools. We cannot teach Christianity, for the great proportion of the tax-payers are Hindus and Mohammedans. We cannot teach Hinduism or Islam, for we are a Christian Government. The result is an absence of religious teaching of ar:y sort, which the natives of India deeply deplore."
Rev. J. Murdoch, LL. D., of the Christian Vernacular Education Society, says: " It would be a great calamity if the higher education in India fell exclusively into the hands of Government, the Jesuits, and Hindus."
We cannot pursue this repertoire of very thoughtful expression of judgment and of most expert testimonv. It is fair to say, however, that the whole question is not covered in the above extracts.
SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES.
But the troublesome kernel of this whole question still remains. Are these schools giving Christian education and reaching definite results in conversion 1 One of the recognized difficulties is the scarcity of Christians competent to do the teaching, and 1ence the employment of non-Christian teachers. The London Society's Committe(; thus conclude on the whole subject: " Ad things stand at present, such a course of instruction as will pre- pare for University degrees and Government service, necessitates the em- ployment of non-Christian teachers. An adequate supply of Christian teachers is not forthcoming. Difference of language forbids the trans- ference of teachers from one part of India to another. The non-Christian teachers are, of course, confined to secular subjects, and work under the eye and control of the missionary. Still, it is evident that their presence and influence detract from the Christian character of the school ; and may even, in some cases, seriously hinder the work and influence of the mis- sionary. By some devoted friends of missions, in India and at home, this danger is deemed so serious that they are ready to abandon our edu- cational work sooner than tolerate the presence of non-Christian teachers in mission schools. The grave responsibility and inevitable results of fluch a course must be fairly faced. It would mean the reduction of our schools to the level of elementary vernacular schools-the surrender of our hold on the young mind of India, in this crisis of its intellectual and moral history, when the first stirrings of ~ national mind are beginning to be felt, and old faiths are tottering to their fall. It would mean the handing over of the cultured youth' of India, the hope of the future, either to schools from which religion is systematically excluded, where morality has therefore no firm footing, and where there may be Agnostic and Positivist teachers as bitterly hostile to Christianity as the heathen; or clse to Rome and the Jesuits, eagerly watching the opportunity to step in and fill our empty place. "
THE EXPLANATION.
A really much more penetrating view of the whole subject is found in the conclusions reached by the Free Church Delegation. vVe do not know how far this has been made public, nor how far we are at liberty to make public what was committed to us witb the implication that it was official matter, for exclusively official uses. But surely the following most impor- tant general points are of too great value, and quite too general to make our use of them obtrusive or too enterprising. They admit that the Mission Colleges do not now produce the number of converts they once did. In fact, they produce hardly any, and they are not to be looked for. This was not the case in the old days. Dr. Duff and his colleagues had a noble band of converts from the college in Cal- 'cutta. So was it in Bombay and Madras. Why should this have been, and yet not even be anticipated now 1 We wish we could give much space to the reasons so ably assigned. 1. In the earlier days of mission colleges and lligh schools there was no balf-way house between Hinduism and all its abominations, and Christianity. Educated young men had to remain Hin- dus and accept what they came to loathe, or become Christians. There is now no such limitation. Oriental scholars have recovered the earlier Hindu faith, which has fewer disgusting elements, and even some elements of morality. There has, besides, been a decided attempt to read the spirit of Christianity into Hinduism. All this makes new conditions ; the then and now are not alike.
2. There is also the position which the higher schools are obliged to take in the Government system of education. The colleges are affiliated to the universities, and must satisfy Government educational requirements. This results in a pressure on the missionary for an amount of teaching which precludes the quiet personal talks on religious matters, and the private companies gather.ed formerly for instruction in Christian truth. The school is in the toils of competitive work and its secular results are essential to its Government revenue, and the teaching force is, at the minimum to reach this secular standard alone. The preparation former1y wont.to be made for conversion in the class is well-nigh out of the question.
3. In the old days baptisms sometimes suddenly emptied the school for a time, but the support of the 8chool being drawn from the missionary treasury, it was financially unaffected; but now these colleges and high schools are dependent on Government because its grants are conditioned on the fees raised in the school, and Ii stampede from the school means a finan· cial collapse in that portion of mission work; aud neither the local mission nor the home treasury is prepared to meet such emergency.
Professor Miller, in the Contemporary Review, October, 1889, cautions the public what to expect of mission high schools. " Education," he says, " is not fitted to bring men of immature minds, whose characters are only in process of being formed, into the organized Christian Church upon any extensive scale. . . . But it is fitted to plant thoughts and awaken impulses which may make the work of the missionary tell more powerfully.
It is in rare cases more than preparatory." There is no doubt that the general opinion is that educational work absolutely mnst be supported by evangelistic work. But there is still another side to this entire question, which has not been touched in any of the quotations or references we have made. What about the schools, the higher schools, as essential to the existing native Christian community V They cannot be educated in Hindu or Moslem schools, and the Government schools are positively negative or worse in religion. What then V We will let R,lV E. W; Parker, D.D., and Rev. E. H. Badley, D.D., of North India, state this case. This is their utterance about the work in the North India Methodist Mission: " Our evangelistic work is bringing in converts at the rate of 6000 per year, with a rapidly increasing ratio, and our s«hools have had and are haying a very important share in this work. We never could have had this work without our schools, and we dare not continue it without them. If we go forward-and go forward we must-we must educate or we will have a heathen Christian Church. "
But the Free Church Commission boldly puts the question also of the relation of higher education to the higher class of the Indian population. It is, they say, the only way of reaching them. They deliberately assert that, " Unless the Christian Church is prepared to abandon its efforts to get a hearing for Christianity among caste Hindus, unless it is prepared to confine its missionary enterprise to the sixty or eighty II ilIions outside Hinduism proper, this higher education must be included among missionary agencies and given an important place."
The Rev. Archibald Turnbull, B.D., of the Church of Scotland Mission in Darjeeling, with its 1200 converts, remarks that the discipline exercised by the monthly Panchayat (church-court) would seriously decimate the home churches. Our Scottish brethren have a high standard, and apply it strenuously.
Our readers already know that another of the "Soudan Pioneer Band," Mr. Helmick, who received the best medical treatment, has, like others before him, fallen a prey to the African fever. His letters show that even his short career in Africa has left the seed of a blessing in that dark soil. Mr. Brooke was also very sick with typhoid, and had to go away for a rest. We fear that too much blame has needlessly attached to other members of the Soudan Pioneer Company, because they refused medical treatment. One of the principal physicians of New York City has recently stated to the editor that if he were going to explore Africa, he would rather trust to the vigor of his constitution, with care as to his habits, than to risk a greater injury to his system by the daily use of quinine. He says the quinine habit is sometimes as dangerous and enslaving as the opium habit.-EDIToR.] Mr. A. R. Miles, referring to Treasurer Dulles's note in November REVIEW, writes from Bogota, that while the silver law has caused exchange to depreciate, the loss this year will not fall on the Boards-at least not on the Presbyterian Board. The appropriations being made on a gold basis, the loss is borne by the stations in the countries where silver is the monetary basis. The salaries of the missionaries of the Presbyterian Board North are fixed on a gold basis, and do not fluctuate from year to year.
Reginald Radcliffe, Esq., writes from Liverpool urgently appealing for greatly increased prayer in behalf of world-wide missions. He says it is time to " call a halt!" that we may consider whether the greatest need of the mission work to-gay be not that believers unite with each other in believing appeals at the Throne of Grace. We believe Mr. Radcliffe is right, and have often urged this as the grand and imperative demand of our missionary work. The laborers, the money, the energy, the enterprise will all be abundant when we get on our faces in penitence, in faith, in obedience, independence; and when our confidence is only in God. Then every door now shut will open. and every door now open wilL.be entered, and every field be sown with the good seed of the kingdom.
LING CHING TING, THE CONVERTED OPIUM-SMOKER
LING CHING TING, THE CONVERTED OPIUM-SMOKER.
BY REV. S. L. BALDWIN, D.D.
In 1863, as the Rev. S. L. Binkley was preaching one day in the Mission Chapel at Ato, in the southern suburbs of the great city of Foochow, China, a mim about forty years of age, seeing the chapel doors open, strayed in out of curiosity, and took a seat with the congregation. He listened with great attention to the preaching; and, at the close of the service, when all the rest of the audience had gone out, he made his way up to the altar, and said to the missionary, "Did you say that Jesus (I never heard of Him bcfore : 1 don't know who He is); but did you say that He can save me from all my sins ?" "Yes," replied, Mr. Binkley, "that is"just what 1 said." " But, ,. the Chinaman responded, "you didn't know me when you said that; you didn't know that 1 have been a gambler and a sorcerer for many years; you didn't know that I have been a licentious man; you didn't know that I have been an opium-smoker for twenty years, and every " one knows that any man who has smoked opium for that length of time can never be cured of the habit. If you had known all this, you wouldn't have said t.hat Jeflus can save me from all my sins-would you 1" " Yes," r-eplied the missionary, " I would havc said just what I did; and I tell you now that Jesus can save you from all your sins."
The poor, sinful Chinaman was bewildered. It seemed to him impossible of belief. Yet there was a charm about the very idea of a Saviour, who could deliver him from all his sins. He went away in deep thought. The next day he sought Mr. Binldey at his residence, to talk with him about this wonderful Saviour j and day after day for many days he came, examining the proofs of Christianity, and bringing his objection~ to be solved by the missionary. But one day he came to the missionary's study with a radiant countenance, exclaiming as he entered: "I know it! I know it ! I know that J csus can save me from my sins; for He has done it !"
He had a gteat battle to overcome his habit of opium-smoking, but seeking help from his new.found Saviour, he soon conquered, and said, " I don't want to smoke opium any more; I don't want to do any of the evil things I have been doing; but I want to go and tell the people of Hok-chiang that Jesus can save them from their sins." When his friends heard of his purpose, they tried to dissuade him, saying, " Don't go down, there j the people are fighting there all the time j they will soon take your head off, and that will stop your 'Preaching. If you will preach the , foreign doctrine,' stay here at Foochow and preach it where you will be safe." But he replied, "No j I must go to flok-chiang. The people there need the Gospel, and they are my people. I came from there, and I must go and tell them about Jesus. "
There was no time for a college course or for theological training. He went out with the Word of God in his hand, and the experience of his Saviour'8 love in his heart. His lSimple message to the people everywhere was, "Jesus can save you from all your sins; I know it, for He has saved me from mine!" He suffered much persecution-stoned in one place, pelted with mud in another, beaten in another, he pressed on with ill.domitable energy, proclaiming everywhere his simple message of salvation. Many listened to his earnest words anrl became followers of Christ.
After a time he was caught by his enemies in the city of Hok-chiang, and brought before the district magistrate, with false charges against him, and false witn~sses to testify to them j and the too-willing heathen magistrate sentenced him to be beaten with two thousand stripes. This cruel sentence was executed with the bamboo upon the bare back of the victim. I well remember the day when he was brought to our Mission premises, apparently almost dead. I well remember the sorrowful countenance of our good Scotch physician, as he came out of the room, after examining his patient, and said, " I don't think we can save him. I never saw such terrible injuries from beating. The flesh on his back is like quivering jeUy. But we will do our best to save him." I remember how I thought over some of the comforting words of Jesus, as I made my way toward the room, that I might try to comfort my brother in his great distress; and I remember, too, the smile with which he greeted me, and how he, speaking first, before I had a chance to say anything, said: "Teacher, this poor body is in great pain just now; but my inside heart has great peace. Jesus is with me ; and I think perhaps He will take m!> to heaven, and I will be glad to go. " And then I could see the old fire flashing again in his eyes, as with effort he raised himself a little from his bed, and said, " But if I get up from this, you'll let me go back to Hok-chiang, won't you ~"
He was in a precarious condition for some time, but soon began to mend; and before the missionaries thought he ought to leave the premises, he was off again to Hok-chiang, preaching to the very men who had persecuted him, and with such effect that some of them were converted, and became members of our church in that city.
He continued to preach with much energy and success for a period of fourteen years. He was ordained by Bishop Kingsley, in 1869. Soon after he was appointed to Teng-tiong in 1876, finding himself very ill, he went to his native island of Lam-yit, hoping to improve in the sea breezes, and under the care of physicians there. But when, after some weeks, they told him that his case was hopeless, and that he could not live many weeks, hc said: "Then I must go back to my station. I only came here in hope of getting well, so as to do Jonger service; but if I cannot, then I want to go where my work is, and die at my post. " So, in his feebleness, he made his way back to Teng-tiong ; and when he could no longer stand to preach, he sat down, gathered the Christians close around him, and talked to them of the love of Jesus, and His power to save from sin.
On Saturday – evening, May 19th, 1877, he sang two verses of the " Saturday Evening Hymn," beginning, " To.night all worldly things we clear away; To.morrow, keep holy the Sabbath day."
Finding himself unable in his weakness to sing more, he slowly repeated the last lines : " Resting on Jesus, my heart has no fear ; I shall reach heaven, my evidence is clear."
Casting a look of tender affection upon his family and the Christian brethren who were present, he gave them his parting blessing, and in a few moments, peacefully breathed his life away, leaving hundreds of converts to Christ, and among them a score of native preachers, brought into the Church through his labors.
Mr. Binkley was obliged to return to the United States, by the illness of his wife, before he had been two years in China. I remember how the tears flowed down his face, as I stood with him on the deck of the steamer which was to bear him away, and he said, " I can't bear to go home, when I haven't yet been able to do anything for Jesus here." But in leading this one man to Christ, our dear brother was honored of God in doing a work which will go on in increasing power while the world lasts.
Our last reports show over seven hundred members, over five hundred probationers, and over fifteen hundred adherents in the Hok-chiang district. Does it not pay to preach the Gospel to the Chinese ~ [The above article has already been published in tract form j it has; however, awakened such deep interest that the editor has asked permission of- Dr. Bald win to reprint it in the pages of this REVIEW. Among all the narratives of the mighty power of God in the conversion of a human soul, we believe that not even the Acts I of the Apostles give a more convincing example. We commend the reading of this tract to those who have charge of missionary meetings and monthly concerts. It is of itself a sufficient vindication of missions. -EDITOR.] Word comes from Figueras, Spain, of thi opening of the new hall and schools, in October last. Over 1000 persons were present, and most decorons was the assembly. Copies of the New Testament and religions tracts were distributed as the crowd dispersed. About $3000 are needed to pay for the new accommodations. The Town Council of Figueras has actually granted £5 sterling to the Protestant hospital or dispensary in acknowledgment of charity exteuded to patients, and there was only one dissenting vote! Here is an act unparalleled in th~ religious history of Spain. The work seems reaching all classes of people. Children from high Catholics are being transferred from the convents to these Protestant schools. We regard this work of Signor Rodriguez as very remarkable and promising.
WHY MISSIONS ARE SO ,MODERN
WHY MISSIONS ARE SO MODERN.
BY REV. DELAVAN L. LEONARD, D.D.
How happened it that the work of evangelizing the world, after centuries of such vigorous prosecution, attended with such marvellous success, was afterward well nigh suspended, and for well nigh fifteen hundred years? This most serious question we answer correctly Dy alleging that Europe became semi-barbarized and half-heathen, that the Church became secularized and religion formal, that Gospel faith, and love, and zeal went into long and almost total eclipse.
But this only leads to another question equally pertinent, and corriing much nearer home: Why, when through the Reformation ensued an astonishing spiritual quickening, a widespread revival of New Testament fervor and force, was not the sublime task at once resumed and pushed as at the beginning? Or, how happened it that for nearly three hundred years longer next to nothing was even attempted, so that the nineteenth century ·of grace was well on its way before the ears of the Christian Church began to be opened to hear the agonizing wail of a dying world? To this latter question let us seek a reply more at length; and also together with it, to the further and pleasanter query, How came it about at length that His disciples began to reperuse their Lord's Great Commission, and, though slowly, began to obey his last command? It is my purpose to set briefly forth some of the principal and more patent causes which hindered the beginning of modern missions and postponed them to a day so painfully and so culpably late, and also other conspiring forces which in the fulness of time made a beginning easily possible, and communicated the heavenly impulse, and then carried the majestic movement onward from strength to strength, from grace to glory.
And, first of all, be it remembered that in God's strange providence Protestantism was compelled at once to engage in a most terrible life-anddeath struggle with Rome, one whose fury did not in the least abate for five or six generations, and which has continued to the present time. The new doctrine must establish a right to existence, must conquer standing ground for itself, define and then enlarge to the utmost its bounds in Christian countries. So that as yet there was neither much time nor energy left to expend upon the vast and even far more benighted regions beyond. In Babylon, out of which they in horror had lately fied, the reformers found a foe ever present. wily, unscrupulous, and most determined to crush them, and commonly with the ruthless civil power in close league and co-operation. The horrid enginery of the Inquisition was steadily at work, and the Jesuits were. plotting destruction night and day. All Germany was in perpetual chaos, social, political, and religious. Recall the unspeakable desolations attending the almost constant "religious" wars of those dark days; the hapless and most tragic lot of the W alUenses and Albigenses; how the Huguenots found no rest from persecution, and finally were slaughtered by the wholesale, imprisoned, impoverished, and driven from France. For the better part of a century little Holland bent the utmost of her almost miraculous energies to save herself from utter destruction by the diabolical schemes of Philip II. and his Duke of Alva. And as for England, in the persons first of the Lollards and later of the Puritans, those who would have none of Rome suffered manifold afflictions from Henry VIII., Bloody Mary, Elizabeth, and the four Stu'arts, for a hundred and fifty continuous years in all j nor was the fearful stress finally over until happy 1688. Therefore, it is not at all to be counted strange that the dreary and bloody sixteenth and seventeenth centuries witnessed no evangelistic crusades to speak of aimed at remote Africa, Asia, America, and the islands of the sea.
But besides the theological and ecclesiastical strifes which began from the Reformation, esteemed one and all by the frenzied combatants " wars of the Lord," were almost as bitter, as exhausting, and even more interminable thau the clash of arms. And, indeed, the task was tremendous, full of difficulty, demanding the .utmost of wisdom and skill, to separate Bible truth from Romish error, with which for more than a millennium it had become worse and worse intermingled. The trouble extended to all matters of both belief and practice. The reformers of necessity resorted to the Scriptures anew and investigated for themselves. The human mind and conscience now jllilt set free from age-long and galling tyranny, of course were altogether unused to untrammelled exercise, and so not strangely they ran riot sometimes, and went to the other extreme of license, lawlessness, anarchy. Sects sprang up by the score, all manner of hobbies got upon their feet and performed their antics before high heaven. While some would bring the least change possible to religious beliefs and customs, others would reject to the utmost, and thus be as unlike as possible to the harlot of the Reven Hills! But the most temperate and conservative were compelled to fashion fresh creeds and church forms. And, should ecclesiastical rule be monarchic or aristocratic, as aforetime, or democratic rather ~ And the confession, should it be of the Augsburg pattern, or of the Helvetic, or the Gallic, or the Belgic ~ Which was verily nearest to God's Word, the Heidelberg, the Westminster, the Thirty-nine Articles, or the Savoy 1 The spirit of war filled the air, fighting was the chief business in all realms, and hence Luther was hot against Zwingli, and both against Calvin, and all three could by no means in the least tolerate the heresies of Servetus, Arminius, and the rest. In England for long it was not only Protestant always against Catholic, but also war to the knife between the Established Church and Presbyterians, and Puritans, and Independent~ and Baptists, and Quakers, etc. Nor, indeed, in the nature of things, could it be any light matter, a short and simple process, to escape altogether from the intellectual and moral night of the Dark Ages, to return fully to the , truth as it is in Jesus, or for Protestantism to come thoroughly to itself, to a knowledge of its sublime mission, and as well to fashion the needed instrumentalities for its accomplishment.
A further difficulty as good as insuperable was found in the fact that everywhertl Church and State, the spiritual therefore and the material, were closely united, and so long had the relation existed that now it seemed to most to be not only eminently proper, but also necessary. This was another portiQn of the evil inheritance received from Rome; but as a result religion had come to be largely a political affair, to be managed in cabinets by kings and statesmen and generals, by them to be fostered and guided, to be defended by the secular arm. Force was in common use to punish opinions and convictions which by theologians, or philosophers, or politicians were adjudged pestilential. And such a wretched caricature of the teachings and example of Christ as resulted was not at all fit to be carried to the ends of the earth. Better wait for generations until this unnatural and unchristian alliance is ended, and a sharp distinction is made between the things of Cresar and the things of God.
And then, in addition, as yet nothing of importance in any realm of activity was undertaken and prosecuted by the individual of his own motion, from an impulse abounding~ within, but every movement was by prescription, authority of pope or king, and under the lead of orders, and companies, and guilds. The day of voluntary associations was not yet, and far in the future. The benighted people were nobodies, but cattle to be driven or clay to be moulded, instruments to be played upon by the few enjoying the divine right to originate, and shape, and manage. As we shall see, what little was done to carry the Gospel abroad was devised wholly and engineered in every case by royalty and privileged corporations. As far lUI possible all this from the glorious days of the apostles and of their successors, when missionary effort was mainly individual, when the entire body of Christ was instinct and overflowing with celestial aggressive force. No world-wide progress could be made uutil such ignoble and enfeebling bonds were in some way broken, and if need be through violent civil .and ecclesiastical overturning, and the rude shock of war. The English revolution, with the sublime outburst of the Puritan spirit, must precede, and the American, yes, and also the French, with the terrible throes and destructions included 'of the Napoleonic campaigns, to end a great host of old abuses, to teach p·riests and nobles an unpalatable lesson in humility and modesty, to exalt the rights and privileges of the many. Above all, the religious world was waiting for the rise of a great people beyond the sea, untrammelled by tradition, God-fearing, intelligent, each one trained to think and act for himself, with democracy in the State reacting upon the Church, a people loving liberty of thought and conviction better than life. Then, at fellgth, the Gospel, free as at the first, left to itself to do its appointed work under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and the guidance of the Word, an<l with reliance only upon spiritual forces, couId enlarge itself indefinitely on every side, and spread around the whole earth.
• There was yet another obstacle to the origin and growth of mIssiOns, well nigh prohibitory, and resident in the fact that for nearly a hundred years after the rise of the Reformation Protestant peoples possessed no point of contact with the heathen world. Hence the existence of any widely extended and deplorable moral darkness was a mere matter of hear- say and untested theory. All navigation to distant paris of the world, all commerce, all colonization were exclusively in the handt! of such z!lalous servitors of Rome as Portugal and Spain. Because Catholics saw with their own eyes they also felt, and sent out missionaries in abundance. It •was not until after the destruction of the Spanish Armada and the rapid decline of those powers behind the Pyrenees that Prot~stant England, Holland, and Denmark stepped forward to the first rank as rulers of the ocean. But a few years more elapsed before colonies were planted at Jamestown, at Plymouth, and on Manhattan Island, while factories were opened in South Africa, Asia, and the Indies, both East and West. And when thus finally the supreme naval and commercial hegemony passed into Protestant hands, it was the Lord's sure token that the pure Gospel was about to fly abroad.
Then, in due season, followed yet other and even more astounding victories for the rising faith of Luther, and these chiefly through British valor and aggressive enterprise. It was nothing less than one of the greatest epochs in human history, especially in relation to the career of all English-speaking people, and the publishing of the message of salvation to all mankind, when almost in the same year Clive conquered at Plassey and Wolfe at Quebec, and thus 200,000,000 Hindus were brought into closest intercourse with English Christians, and the French were driven from this continent to make room for the speedy rise of a " Greater Britain," which should fairly rival the mother country as an ardent evangelizer, and continually provoke her to Gospel good works.
One more step of a similar character remained to be taken, nor was it long delayed. Since the generation which followed Columbus. and Magellan, and the Cabots there had been a litrange and long-continued apathy with regard to carrying forward to completion the discovery of unknown regions. Little progress was made in that direction save by a few like Barentz, and Tasman, and Behring, until Captain Cook's three famous voyages (1769-79). In· particular he turned the attention of the civilized world to such continental land spaces as Australia and New Zealand and New Guinea, and brought to light in the vast and hitherto untraversed expanse of the Pacilic, the South Seas of a century since, islands innumerable, such as the Society, the Friendly, an<f the Sandwich groups. We can little understand. the great stir that was made, the boun·dless en- thusiasm that was kindled by his achievements. The deeds of our Living- stone and Stanley were received coldly by comparison; and the impulse . directly given to the cause of missions was immediate and very great. Two facts in evidence of this must suffice. It was the reading of Cook's narrative that first set Carey's soul on fire with holy zeal, and his original purpose was to proclaim Christ to the heathen in Tahiti. And, moreover, the London Missionary Society, at whose organization such a remarkable wave of religious zeal arose and spread all over Britain, was formed expressly to carry the cross to the South Seas, and in Tahiti its earliest representatives first touched land and opened their work.
A final step remainp,d in preparing the way for successful attempts to turn the heathen from their idols to worflhip the living God. A mighty and widespread outpouring of the Spirit of the Most High had long been the chief desideratum. From various causes in conjunction during the.' latter part of the seventeenth and extending far into the eighteenth, a sad and dark eclipse of faith had befallen the reformed churches throughout both Europe and America, a serious decline of vital piety, a lapse into frigid formalism and rank rationalism. The only zeal left was for an orthodoxy which was stone dead. After the Restoration in England had ensued a woful reaction, a descent into infidelity and immorality. "Never has there been a century in England so void of faith as that which began with Queen Anne and ended with George II., when the Puritans were buried and the Methodists wp,re not born." In 1732, when the Moravian Church came into being, cheering evidence began to appear that the Lord's grace and mercy were not clean gone forever from his apostate people. And a little later began to descend those refreshing showers of divine blessing through the fervid and tireless labors of the "'IVesleys, Whitp,field, and our own Edwards, whereby were supplied to hundreds and thousands a spirit truly apostolic, a zeal fiery and vehement, a faith hardy and venturesome, . like that which inspired the church in the pentecostal age. Without this almost unparalleled anointing from on high modern missions could never have begun to be, but now it was possible for the kingdoms of this world to become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.
Closely akin to what has just been mentioned, and in great part as a result of the operation of the same spiritual forces, the heart of Christendom began to be strangely touched, and melted, and filled with compassion for the millions who were perishing-that is, the spirit of humanity, of philanthropy, of the Good Samaritan, which is inherent in the 'Gospel, was everywhere active in the early days, but had long since been almost quenched, was wondrously revived. Even Christian souls were in an unfeeling, an inhuman frame, reflecting thus the old pagan and barbarous times. Sorrow and woe found slight sympathy. When the general case was so forlorn little heed was given to the misery of others, especially if .of a different nation, out of sight, !It a distance. But a marked change in this regard was at the door. Howard had started upon his painful journeys to mitigate the grievous wrongs inflictcd upon prisoners; the voice of Wilberforce was lifted up in denunciation of the sin of African slavery, and Raikcs had opened his first ragged school. And all this was but the feeble beginning of an era of reforms which constitute one of the most striking characteristics of the passing century, as well as one of its best claims to be remembered with gratitude in centuries to come. And of this pity and compassion the heathen world presently began to receive at least a portion of its share. '
This brief glance at the Protestant Christian world, extending from near the beginning of the sixteenth century to near the end of the eighteenth, is sufficient abundantly to show that the long failure of the Lord's host to go up and possess the earth for Christ, though in no inconsiderable degree their sin and shame, and because of their indifference and unbelief, was also in yet greater part their misfortune, the result of their evil environments, for which they were not responsible, and which they were compelled to endure. Moreover, those tempestuous years were not by any means wholly wasted, but, on the contrary, were an all-important and indispensable period of extensive seed-sowing in preparation for the magnificent missionary harvest to follow. At length the time was fully ripe. Rome was now so badly battered that no longer need any live in mortal fear lest either by guile or by open assault she should recapture lost territory, and therefore Protestant Christianity could well afford to face some other way than toward the Tiber. Freedom, both ecclesiastical and civil, had extensively become the inheritance of the masses, and to them the printing press and the public school were fast bringing intelligence. There were no more lands to be discovered, and the steamship and the rail car were soon to make easily accessible the very ends of the earth. And, finally, in the nick of time a few, at least, in loving obedience to the command of their risen and ascended Lord, were ready to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
The news from the Micronesian missionaries, received January 6th, by way of Japan, Was brought there by the steamship Alliance, Commander H. C. Taylor. It is briefly summarized as follows: The shelling of Ouas Ponape and the burning of the mission premises by the Spaniards took place September 20th. The missionaries, Mr. Rand, Misi Fletcher, and'Miss Palmer, were then at Kiti, on the other side of the island. On October 16th, the United States man-of-war Alliance arrived at Kiti, and after some effort, Commander Taylor was permitted to take Mr. Rand, the ladies, and seventeen girls from their school to Kuraie. There are now, therefore, no American missionaries on Ponape. It was useless for them to remain, for the governor had strictly forbidden the holding of any meetings or the opening of schools. It is a sad day for Ponape ; and it is neither to the honor nor to the advantage of Spain, as it breaks stipulations with the United States.-Missionary Herald.
England, Germany, Italy, and Portugal have signed an agreement for the reCiprocal protection of missionaries of these four nationalities who settle in Africa, in regions accorded to their respective States by the recent treaties. For liberty to exercise their ministry the missionaries must have a passport from the government to which they belong. -Missionary Herald.
THE LONDON PAPERS AND INDIA'S WOMEN
THE LONDON PAPERS AND INDIA'S WOMEN.
BY MRS. J. T. GRACEY.
An impression prevails that many of the stories concerning the evils of child-marriage and enforced widowhood in India are somewhat exaggerated.
Upon opening a recent India paper, I read the following: "In one of the largest cities of Southern India a marriage was recently arranged between a young man of twenty-three years, suffering from white leprosy all over his body, and a bright young girl of only twelve. The girl was bargained for, and rupees five hundred were paid down in hard cash. She of course knew nothing of the arrangements made until told by her father, ~hen she quietly submitted to her fate with a resignation characteristic of a Hindu maid."
Turning over the page, another item fell under my notice : "On Sat- urday last a young girl-wife, aged eight years, was admitted into the hos- pital suffering from burns all over her body, caused by her husband having branded her with a hot iron because she was absent from the house rather longer than usual." Still another: "A marriage has been celebrated within the week in which the bridegroom (name given) is aged 35 years, to an infant nine months old!" A marriage was recently performed be- tween a Brahman and fourteen girls belonging to one family. The corre- spondent of a native paper says : " We learned that fourteen Misses Ban- nerji were to be given away; I went to the spot out of curiosity. I saw the bridegroom older than a grandfather, seated on a painted wooden scat, and fourteen girls, varying in age from three to twenty-six years, seated about him in the form of a crescent. The ladies were veiled, and faces east down, as if they were cursing their parents for shambling them in this fashion." This was not done a century ago. It was done in the latter half of this year of grace, 1890.
Instance after instance could be given, but these facts, a few of many occurring within the last few months of ] 890, will surely prove that the statements have not been exaggerated. Then another item attracts our attention: "The number of persons who died by violence or accident in the Bengal Province alone this past year was between thirty and forty thousand; more than ten per cent of these deaths were from suicide, and the greater number of suicides were among women. " Poor women, with life so intolerable it cannot be borne ! .
For several years past the London Times has most ably discussed these evils in its columns. At one time a series of articles appeared gi.ving most startling facts in regard to existing customs, and demanding a reform in the interests of humanity, and when it became known that these articles were written by a Hindu woman, who knew from bitter experience whereof she wrote, a most profound 8ensation was created.
In a recent issue of the paper a very able editorial appeared, headed, " The Fundamental Problem," in which it explains the origin of the social condition of caste women in India, and deals with the general subject of legisla- tion. This is followed by a letter from a Mr. Malabari of Bombay, an Indian reformer and a Parsee, who has for many years been indefatigable in his efforts in India to stir up the natives to' the physical, social, and moral evils of these customs. He has been recently in England, nsing vig- orously both pen and voice in the hope of arousing public opinion, where legislation onght to begin. He sayR: "The system of infant marriages in India has spread under the regis of British-made laws." He has writ- ten a pamphlet entitled, "An Appeal from the Daughters of India." He urges English women to use their influence, and the Government its authority, to help banish these terrible evils.
Rukhmabai, the young and accomplished Hindu lady, whose sentence of six months' imprisonment for refu'sing to marry the husband to whom she had been betrothed in infancy, awakened such sympathy a few years ago, comes out in a very excellent article on the subject ia the September num- ber of the New Review.
And now Punch takes up the subject, having for its text the following extracts from the T!mes editorial : " It is our national boast that odious and cruel institutions cannot long breathe the atmosphere in which the Queen rules. But in India we have long connived at cruelties-cruelties none the less odious because practised in the name of religion, and upon victims that mutely acquiesce in their fate-which need only to be understood to excite profound repugnance and compassion. The time has arrived for the rulers of India to ask them- selves whether they can any longer throw the shield of British law over the tortures perpetrated upon the Hindu child-wife and the Hindu child-widow."
Again: " Before the' silent millions' who make up the rank and file of Hindus, discard the cruelties of their marriage system, their opinions, preju- dices, and habit of thought must change. Nothing is more certain than that they will change slowly j but we hold to the belief that judicious leg- islation will hasten the process more powerfully than anything else."
A full-page cartoon is given to the subject under a legend, " The Shield and the Shadow": "At the feet and clasping the skirts of the armed Island Queen-the Shield, kneels in agony the child-wife or child-widow, behind whom, closely pursuing, is a dark menacing shadow, ' Caste,' " and in a dozen or more ringing stanzas Punch states some very plain truths, and closes with these lines: – " Poor child ! the dark shadow that closely pursues her Means menacing Terror, she sues for a shield, And how shall the strong lEgis-bearer refuse her? '.rhe bondage of caste to calm justice must yield.
" We dare not be deaf to the voice of the pleader For freedom and purity, nature and right, Let Wisdom, high-throned as controller and leader, Meet cruelty's steel with the shield of calm might!"
WOMAN'S WORK
Docs anything practical come out of this agitation? Yes, but it comes ·slowly. In England !J, very influential' committee has been formed including the names of three ex-viceroys of India, as well as several ex-governors and lieutenant-governors, who are familiar with the facts, and such a committee will have influence.
Then the Christian women of England are being stirred as never before, and as a result, a society has been formed called" The Indian Widows' Union." It is an organization of the Christian women of England for the purposeof improving the condition of Hindu and Mohammedan widows in India. The members are" widows only," but any Christian woman may become an " associate member." They pledge themselves to prayer that God will break the yoke and set the captive free. They raise money to be expended in training widows to useful industries, and they gather and diffuse information with regard to the condition of the widows. At the head of this institution is the Dowager Lady Dynevor, and a depot for the work done by the widows has beep. established at West Kensington.
The agitation in India by the native press, and by liberal and advanced natives on the platform, and this agitation in England should, and surely must lead the Government soon to act j but the evil lies too deep for the Government to remove. Nothing but the teachings of the Gospel of Christ will reach the root of the evil, or cure the disease.
WOMAN'S WORK.
The Woman's Board of Missions of Boston (Congregational) held its twenty-third annual meeting in Hartford, January 13th-15th.
Over two hundred delegates represented its constituency in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania.
At the delegates' special meeting on Tuesday, the subject of first importance was the pressing, imperative need of money. This was ably emphasized in a paper on "Aggressive Work" at home, presented by Miss A. B. Child, Home Secretary.
It marshalled such an array of startling facts that it ought to take every woman's auxiliary by storm, and make "aggressive work" for the treasury of each a success, so that the advan,ce called for this year, $25,000, may be secured without fail. This leaflet, "Aggressive Work," is already in print for circulation.
This Board is invited to meet in Brooklyn, N. Y., III 1892.
One result of General Booth's scheme will be found, we hope, in renewed attention to the rescue work done by the clergy. Looking into an appeal sent out by the Rev. J. H. Scott, rector of Spital fields, we find that in this one parish "during the past year 230 cases [women and girls] have been dealt with, llO of whom were below the age of twenty years j 104 hav~ been sent to rescue homes, 13 returned to their parents, 21 sent to hospitals, 11 to service, and the remainder dealt with in a variety of ways." This is, of course, b,ut one side of the work carried on from year to year in such parishes fiS Spitalfields and WhitechapeI.
THE LIGHT IN DARKEST ENGLAND
THE LIGHT IN DARKEST ENGLAND.
BY FRANCIS EDWARD SMILEY, EVANGELIST.
The.!' Bitter Cry of Outcast London," ., In Darkest England," and other startling announcements of the social and spiritual destitution of our cousins across the sea have conveyed to those, unfamiliar with the numerous agencies struggling to deliver the" submerged tenth," the erroneous im- pression that the misery has resulted from the Laodicean apathy of the churches themselves. We hear so much about the lapsed classes and so little of the saved masses, that the pessimistic world regards England, and especially London, as synonymous with heathendom. So many clouds and so few sunbeams, so much darkness and so little light have furnished 'th~ material for the sketches of rhetorical writers, that one is not s~rprised to hear the question seriously asked, Has the Kingdom of Light in Chris· tian England been overshadowed and blotted out by the Kingdom of Dark~ ness ~ While it is our duty to penetrate the darkn~ss, we can do so more safely and speedily even with tapers to encourage us. Let us hold up a few lights, then, that light even "darkest England" for the encouragement of those at home and abroad who seek to penetrate the darkness and bring the perishing out from the regions of the shadow of death into the light and liberty of a Christian life.
In the city of London, where are to be fomid the darkest spots in darkest England, the herculean efforts of the churches to rescue the perishing are as astounding as the gigantic evils to be grappled with. There are literally hundreds of organizations employing thousands of missionaries, colporteurs, Bible women, nurses, Scripture readers, deaconesses, and teachers, who are striving night and day, on the streets and in the tenements, to raise from the mire the souls and bodies of the "submerged tenth." In no city in the world is there exhibited a more aggressive Christianity, or are more evangelistic agencies effectively organized, or more money spent for philanthropic purposes, than in so-called " heathen London."
If the malignant forces that seek to destroy the moral life of the world's metropolis are legion, so also are the benign influences that oppose with irrepressible energy every evil tendency that manifests itself. If the devil is active, so also is the church or the true diRciples in it.
Among the numerous agencies that hasten to answer the" bitter cry" is the London City Mission. "Lux in tenebris" should be its motto. This single society sends out daily five hundred agents, who occupy as many districts in the poorest neighborhoods of the city. Three hundred halls have been provided in these parishes, wherein the missionary gathers his motley congregation for religious services. The missionary is practically the pastor of the outcasts. He lives among them, is their counsellor and friend. The London Female Preventive and Reform Institute, with its mission- aries, matrons, and seven homes adapted for the classification of all ages and conditions of unfortunates, may be taken as an example of the twenty- five societies engaged in similar work. The girls are induced to forsake the streets for a comfortable home, where Christian influences, motherly sympathy, food, shelter, and employment are furnished as stepping-stones to a virtuous life.
The St. Giles' Christian Mission for men and the Elizabeth Fry Refuge for women are prominent among the numerous agencies laboring among discharged prisoners. Their agents are at the prison gates every morning to invite the discharged men and women to partake of a warm breakfast, and to offer them a friendly shelter and secure for them situations, away from the evil influence of former companions.
Such institutions as the MiJdmay Mission and the Bible and Domestic Mission send out daily hundreds of deaconnesses, nurses and Bible women, who, with food and medicines for soul and body, labor among the inmates of hospitals and asylums, among the toilers in factories and dwellers in the tenements. They visit among the poorest of the poor, nursing the sick, relieving distress, teaching the helpless mothers by simple economic and , sanitary rules the valuable lessons of health and thrift, and proclaiming by precept and example the joyful messages of Christ.
It is idle to attempt in this article even the enumeration of the numerous enterprises sustained by the Christian people for the evangelization of this great metropolis. There are at least one thousand agencies, recorded in the Oharities' R~gi8ter and .Digest, at work relieving distress, both physical and spiritual.
There are two thousand places of worship with all the evangelistic agen- cies for aggressive work. There are, moreover, a number of churches ex- clusively for foreigners.
In addition to their usual services, many of thc London churches carry on mission enterprises among the poor. They send out evangelistic bands to conduct meetings in the open air and call the attention of the thoughtless pedestrian to eternal things. They support colporteurs, Scripture readers, and missionaries, who devote their entire time, visiting among the people of the parish.
To reach those who will not attend the churches, special religious ser- vices are held in concert halls, theatres, and other popular resorts through- out the city, where attractive music, .spirited singing, and brief Gospel addresses interest, instruct, and influence many to a better life. There are special agencies that look after the spiritual welfare of the soldiers j others that care for the sailors. The policemen, firemen, and post-office em- ployes have their special services. There are missionaries that visit the cab-stands, market-places, and railroad stations. There are missions to the Jews, Catholics, and foreigners, w.hile the thousands of toilers along the riV<lr are not neglected. The ~riminal is met as he ('ornes from the prison gate in the early morning j the prostitute is accosted as she plies her trade in the streets at midnight, and urged to forsake her life of sin j and the homeless urchin is aroused from his hard couch, with literally a stone for his pillow, on the bridges and in the parks, and provided with comfortable bed and board, and brought under the influences of a Christian home.
The messsge of salvation is proclaimed through tens of thousands of Bibles, tons of tracts, and numerous volumes of Christian literature, which are scattered broadcast through the agencies of the religious publication societies.
Nor does this charity remain at home. Evangelists are sent out to neigh- boring towns and cities; mission boats cruise about the coasts, visiting the coastguards and lightships in their isolation j hospital ships are dispatched to the fishing fleets in the North Sea, to administer both temporal and spiritual nourishment to the toilers of the deep. Nor does this expensive service diminish the magnificent sum annually contributed to send the Gospel to heathen lands.
In addition to these united efforts there are many individuals engaged in evangelistic work. England's Christian queen becomes an evangelist to the families of the poor crofters in their Highland cabins, and other mem- -bers of the royal family count it a privilege to visit the poor and dis- tressed in hospitals and asylums. Members of the nobility lay aside the cares of State to preach the Gospel to the outcasts. The Christian banker, merchant, and editor supplements his daily labor by mission work after business hours. He erects a building or rents a hall wherein to gather the lost sheep. while he himself. often becomes the pastor of the flock. Sons and daughters of the aristocracy, students of the universities, repre- sentatives of learned professions, have given up their homes to live among the people, and have consecrated their time, talents, and means for thtl, " help of the Lord against the mighty."
Back of all this personal and combined effort for extending the king- dom of Christ, are the sympathy and encouragement of the English Govern- ment, whose sovereign bears the title, "Defender of the Faith." Every- whtlre one sees amid the surrounding wickedness traces of the nation's trust in Almighty God, and professions of Christianity. It is inscribed upon her chief commercial establishment in the humble declaration, "The earth is the Lord's and th~ fulness thereof." Upon her public buildings, her monuments and fountains scriptural quotations are carved in stone.
These evangelistic agencies, stationed like a mighty army throughout the metropolis-contesting every foot of territory against the encroachments of the kingdom of darkness, and winning glorious conquests for the King- dom of Light-have weakened the power of the destroyer and defended London from his complete mastery.
. There have been marked improvements during the last thirty years in the moral and social condition of the people. London is wicked, but Lon- don is growing better. Official statistics testify to a healthier atmosphere, and the Christian visitors notice It decided improvement. The prisons have fewer occupants, the poorhouses fewer boarders, and the public houses fewer customer!!, than three decades ago. The wage-workers live better and dress more neatly. They have discarded corduroy for tweeds, and fustian for more substantial cloth. The wife and mother keeps herself and children more tidy, and her home more inviting. A few pictures or chromos, in rough frame8 or no frames at all, adorn the walls; a flower-pot or box, witb a bright geranium or an aspiring fern, decorates the windows. The people show more respect for the clergy, and welcome the Christian visitor to their humble homes. The minister is invited to the workingmen's crubs, and his address is cordially received.. The deepening interest in spiritual things is manifest in the increased attendance at the churches and other places where religious services are held.
Through open-air preaching, colportage work, and mission services, the people have been brought more into contact with the Gospel. and through the visits and instruction of devoted missionaries, the poor fI~cognize the church as their friend.
We do not mean to imply that this improvement is noticeable uniformly among all the lower classes. It is noted principally among the working people, who a few decades ago were very indifferent to the claims of religion. • Such is the testimony of many of the clergymen laboring in the East End.
All the Christian world is anxiously watching the contest that is being waged in London between sin and righteousness, between the followers of Christ and the followers of Belial. This anxiety arises from the intimate relationship existing between this noble city and the cities of other lands.
The throb of London life is felt throughout the world. If her moral pulse is weak, the effect is visible on people that live afar. Moreover, every city must witness the same struggle within its walls as is now being waged in the British metropolis. It is only a question of time when the fair cities of our own land will house a population as !arge as London. Places that are designated upon our maps to-day as villages will, in a few years, be metamorphosed into citics with teeming populations. The Rame enemies mllst be faced ; the same evils must be resisted that threaten our most sacred institutions. The same social problems will arise. The" bitter cry" will be heard. A" way out" of the darkness will have to be devised. Tbose of us who are laboring in the cities are already in the midst of these burning questions.
We will do well, therefore to turn to the mother country, which has given us so much instruction in art, science, literature, and law, and learn from its Christian activity the methods adopted and the success attained in evangelistic work among the millions dwelling in "the greatest city of ancient or modern times." vye will thereby be better able to grapple with these same evils before they reach the same threatening proportions, and thereby stay the destructive onslaught of the enemy by weakening and scattering his gathering forces. And while we face the" dark forest," let us generously acknowledge the work of the pioneers, who have blazed the trees for our guidance in leading its helpless inhabitants out from their bondage into the light of the glorious liberty of Christ.
Harriett Warner Ellis, No. 64 Mildmay Park, London, North, writlll, with regard to women's work for women: "As one of the oldest survivors of the littld company called together in 1834 by the saintly Abeel, Baptist Noel, and others, and having continued to be a member of that first committee up to the present day, you will, I feel sure, pardon my intrusion. When the first twenty ladies were selected from members of all Christian denominations holding the great vital truths of Christianity, it was suggested by Dr. Abeel, or one of his eo-workers, that four young ladies, who were themselves Christians, should be added to the number, to learn about the work, and so be trained to take the place of others when removed by death or other causes. I was the youngest of those so chosen, not being nineteen. My dear father, John Sherman Elliott, was an active member of the Britil:!h and Foreign Bible Society and other similar work, and missionaries of all names were frequent visitors at our house. The first ladies sent out found, as a missionary's wife wrote, ' our efforts as yet are all among the very dregs; in time all may get access to the higher or more respectable native females.' Miss Wakefield was the first lady sent out to India by the new society. Miss Thornton went, in response to an earnest request from Mr. and Mrs. Medhurst, to Batavia.
" On the 29th of March, 1836, Miss Wakefield wrote: 'All attempts to get at femaleI'! of the higher classes appear to be utterly useless.' In that year, Lady Bryant, who had just returned from India, and who joined the committee, wrote: 'By cautious and persevering efforts it may be done,' and in June, 1837, four native gentlemen in Calcutta gave Miss Wakefield permission quietly to visit their wives to teach them Bengali, from Christian school books, and needlework. But nothing was to be said on the subject in public, and the word Zenana was not to be used, as it might stop the work altogether. In March, 1838, Miss Holliday, afterward Mrs. Leider, obtained the same permission from Mahomet Ali in Cairo.
"Prior to this a ladies' association had been formed in Calcutta to maintain the Central School, established by Mrs. Wilcox, and it had a branch in London. That branch had become extinct before the Female Education Society was formed. While rejoicing that now there are twenty-two ladies' societies, we ask for help, not only as being the first in the field, but because it comprises in its sphere China, Japan, Persia, the Straits, the Levant, and West and South Africa. We have no expense of offices, but still meet at each 'other's houses."
THE CREATION ACCORDING TO KRASI TRADITIONS
THE CREATION ACCORDING TO KHASI TRADITIONS.
BY REV. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, ASSAM, INDIA.
First of all God created the heavens, the earth, the sun, the moon and the stars. He created also the beasts of the field.
Heaven and earth were connected by a very high mountain, which is called" Heaven's Navel."
The beasts of the field, at the beginning, could talk like men, and the tiger was their king. They had a market also of their own, which is called the Lurilura-market. As far as I can gather, the word Lurilura carries the idea of "confusion" or " hurriedness."
After that God made man out of red earth, and He put him out in the sun that he might become hard.
The tiger saw this" son of humanity" and said to himself, "This one will be the king j" and being filled with the spirit of rivalry, he asked his subjects, the beasts of the field, "Who among you will go and tread under foot that son of humanity ~" No one responded. After that a creature which goes under the name of "Horse-divine" came forward and offered his services, saying, " I will go and tread him under foot." He went and bruised in pieces the son of humanity.
This" Horse-divine" was a red creature, and the descriptions of him remind me of the pictnres I have seen of the " Welsh red-dragon."
Early the following morning God came to see the" lion of humanity," but to his great sorrow he found out that he had been destroyed.
Now God called together all the beasts of the field and asked them who did it,but no one answered a word-there was a great silence !
At last the dog came forward and said that it had been done by the " Horse-divine."
God made man the second time in the same way as before, and commanded the dog to watcJ:!. him lest he should be trodden under foot and destroyed again by the enemy. The dog obeyed and watched. The "Horse·divine" made his appearance again, but the dog barked at him and threatened him, and being afraid of the dog, he went away.
After that God breathed spirit or soul into that " model of man," and it became a living creature and it spoke.
God said to man, " Come to me to-morrow morning." When the morning came, the tiger got to God's presence before man, and God gave him twelve bodily powers j and the tiger went his way. After that man came, and God gave him twelve inventive or mental powers.
Having received these mental powers, the son of humanity wended his way to the market of confusion, and to his great consternation he found the tiger waylaying him on the road that he might kill and eat him. Man went back and told God of it, and God presented him with a bow and arrow in addition to the twelve inventive powers.
Thus equipped, man went back and followed the path in the direction of the above market, and he found the tiger still waiting for him. He proceeded this time, and when the tiger came forward with an open mouth to eat him man drew the bow, and the arrow, to his great joy, went straight into the tiger's mouth, and he died.
God saw that man was very lonely in the world, being without a companion ; and He caused a deep sleep to fall upon man, and when he awoke he found the woman standing by him.
God married them; and two genii, one representing" an oath" and the other" a curse," acted as witnesses, who also received power from God to destroy, or, as they express it, " to eat them," if either would be guilty of bigamy.
The Khasis were most strict on this question and other questions relating to the sexes previous to the coming of the English to the Hills. And it was an attempt among the Sepoys to violate their rules and customs in this respect that was at the root of the massacre which took place on the Hills in the year 1829, when two European officers and several Sepoys were killed.
The next thing in the tradition is the existence of sixteen families in the world; but a separation took place; nine houses or families ascended into heaven by that" H!)aven's Navel" referred to at the beginning, and seven families remained on earth. And for a long time there was a continual intercourse between the two parties, and God used to talk with men.
The Khasis very often call themselves" the children of the seven families," or" the children of the seven nests."
Now God commanded His servants to prepare a throne on earth, that He might- hold a durbar to judge and to administer justice. When the throne was ready, and before God made His appearance, man ascended the throne and sat on it, saying to hims~lf, " I also will judge together with God." God came and saw man sitting on the throne prepared for Himself, and He went away in great indignation.
The communication between heaven and earth was ended. God and man were separated. The pride of man's heart drove away the divine favor and fellowship- aspiring To set himself in glory above his peers, He trusted to have equalled the most High."
God determined to punish man for his pride in aspiring to equal his Creator and Judge, and He caused a great tree, which is called" The Tree of Shame," to grow in the middle of the earth, the branches of which filled the heavens, and the world became quite .dark; it kept away the rays of the sun, the light of the moon and stars, and the dew fell incessantly night and day.
The children of men were in a very great trouble indeed. With such darkness and dampness life became almost unbearable.
A great durbar was held to consider their trying situation, and the best way to get out of it; They could see no better way than by trying to cut down the tree. They all agreed to this, and went in a body with their billhooks and axes and worked hard all day. When the evening came they returned to their homes to rest for the night. The following morning they all went again to their work and found, to their great astonishment, that there were no marks whatever of their work the previous day. The tiger, their great rival and enemy, went there in the night and licked the cut they had made, hence the filling up. This aggravated their situation.
When thus overwhelmed in their calamities, God showed mercy to them by sending a .little bird whioh is called in Khasi I Phreid, something like the wren in size, to teach them wisdom. The little bird asked them, " What will you give me if I teach you wisdom g" The children of men said, ' , We shall give yon grain and Indian corn." The terms were accepted, and the little bird 8aid, "When you go home in the evening do not take your billhooks and axes with you, but leave them at the foot of the tree with their edges pointing outwards, and when the tiger comes in the night to lick the cut he will cut his own tongue." Man believed the little bird, and acted according to its instructions. The plan proved snccessful, and the" Tree of Shame" was felled at last, to the great joy of humanity. The branches thereof fell into the land of the foreigners (the Bengalese and the Assamese), and this accounts for their lands being plains; the enormous trunk remained where it fell, and this accounts for the land of the Khasis being hills !
The tradition we see does not improve as it goes on. It begins well, and in several point~ it agrees with Divine Revelation- (1) The order of creation, man being the last and the best-the" roof and crown" of the whole fabric of the world. (2) Man made of ., red-earth." (3) And God breathed ~pirit or sonl into that model of man, and it became a living creature, and it spoke. (4) A deep sleep falling npon the first man, and the woman standing by him when he awoke. (5) The fall of man, cllUsed by the enemy and the pride of his own heart. (6) The" sixteen families" and the" seven families" (see Gen. 10 : 2, 6, 22).
NOAH I JAPHETH. SREY. HAM. ' 13. Cush, 1. Gomer, 8. EIam, 14. Mizraim 2. Magog, 9. Asshur, 15. Phut, 10. Arpbaxad 16. Canaan. 3. Madai, 4. Javan, 11. Lud, 5. Tubal, 6. Meshech 12. Aram, 7. Tiras, The Khasis also have a tradition of a nniversal flood, and their religions ceremonies are full of the atoning and the mediatorial elements.
Mr. J. B. Braddon, an officer of the Indian Government, wrote: "It would be well if those persons who speak and write 80 earnestly respectin/!: mission work should spend some time among the Khasees, and look without prejudice at the work that is going on there. I feel very certain that they would no longet think that the missionaries labored in vain."
LETTERS FROM EUROPE
LETTERS FROM EUROPE.-I.
MISSION WORK IN THE SCOTCH ATHENS.
BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
Scotland is generally known as a religious country. One can readily understand this after walking the streets of Edinburgh on a Sabbath morning, and seeing the numerous and magnificent church edifices lifting their lofty spires on all sides, and the populace thronging the thoroughfares in every direction on tll e way to their places of worshi? Not a street car is to be seen on the Lord's day; and, as a natura] consequence, the vast majority of the people walk, if they go to church at all. Yet the congregations seem to gain rather than lose from this cause, for it may be doubted whether in any city in or out of Britain the average audiences exceed those of this modern Athens.
It would be strange, however, if, as in other cases, there should not be found a darker side to the religions life of the city. One needs only to take a stroll through the Lowgate or Canongate on a Saturday night to be convinced of the truth of that fact. It seems as though the higher the spiritual life of one factor of the citizens, the lower would be the degr~da tion of the other. But however that may be, there is at least plenty of opportunity for earnest missionary effort to be expended in behalf of the lower classes of Edinburgh.
In the former residences of the nobles in the High Street and Canongate, some of the lowest classes now have their dwelling places. It seems oddly out of place to see fine panelled ceilings and carved oak woodwork in the homes of the paupers, and it is a peculiar fact that the mansion once occupied by the Duke of Queensbury is now used as a House of Refuge for the Destitute. There three hundred paupers and inebriates find their homes; forty destitute men and women nightly find shelter, and hundreds of the poor buy there daily their twopenny dinner of soup and bread for a penny. Great improvements are being made in the homes of the poor. Dark and dirty closes and narrow winding stairs are being replaced by light and airy courts lined with glazed brick and stairways of iron, so that it is next to impossible for the dirt to find a sticking place. In the lodging houses, too, there is noticeable a vast improvement. Instead of the close, dingy, crowded" metropolitan lodging houses," fit only to breed and foster poverty and vice, " model lodging houses" have been erected that are provided with all necessary sanitary arrangements. Here, at the small price of from four to sixpence per night, so much better accommodations may be had than most of the, poor men enjoy in their own homes, that many leave their wives and families to take advantage of them. A reading-room, with newspapers and Sunday services, is connected with them, and a kitchen with a huge range, where each man may eook his own food. In the washhouse, with its drying room, reminding one of the fiery furnace, a man may wash, rinse, and dry his whole wardrobe in the space of fifteen minutes. Everything is clean, comfortable, and well ventilated. No profanity or vulgarity is allowed, and fines or expulsion are the penalty for every offence. S~arate lodging houses are provided for the women, and each has accommodations for some three hundred and eighty.
But while all this is being done for the moral aud physical improvement of these men and women, their spiritual natures are not neglected. There are missions of every description scattered throughout the city, some of them peculiar to Edinburgh, and all apparently accomplishing a noble work.
The Territorial 'Mission was instituted by Thomas Chalmers, and has continued in a flourishing condition ever since his time. After the disruption he first held his meetings in an old tan loft in the West Port, and in the surrounding district carried out his ideal plan of city evangelization. The church which was afterward erected for him there, and where he preached for several years, is now used as a mission hall in connection with the Chalmers' Territorial Church. In this old church meetings of various sorts; carried on by the members of the church, are held nightly. These meetings include temperance, evangelistic, song, children's, and other services. But the principal emphasis is put upon the" from·house-to-house" visitation, which is carried out most systematically and regularly. Over this mission department of the church work is a missionary, and under the missionary some seventy or eighty workers, each ten having its own superintendent. Each worker visits from five to six families on e,very Sabbath afternoon, so that all of the four or five hundred families in the district are visited at least once a week. Spiritual effects are those sought, and each worker endeavors to become intimately acquainted with the family history and cares of those with whom he comes in contact. Tracts of educational, temperance, and religious character are distributed regularly, and differ in character from Sunday to Sunday. The temporal wants of those who prove worthy are also looked after to some extent. The missionary and workers have lodging house and bakeshop tickets, marked with symbols to denote their worth, so that they cannot be exchanged for drink; these they distribute to the needy, and clothes and food and other assistance are often given when the nature of the case seems to warrant it. Many ladies of the church are interested in the work of reclaiming the fallen women, many of whom are from high familics of the city and neighborhood, and are weary of their wretched life and long for better, nobler things. If Christ is the one whom they seek, some home is usually speedily found for them, and their old life buried as much as possible in oblivion. If, on the other hand, respectability only is their aim, they must agree to spend eighteen months in a reformatory or "home," where they are clothed and fed 2nd are obliged to do a little work. After this a situation is usually obtained for· them, and they may begin life practically anew, apart from all their old surroundings and companions. Open-air services play an important part in the evangelisti,c wo!.k of the church, and every Sabbath f evening they are held in various parts of the city, by which means people are gathered and are led singing down the street to the door of the church, where an evangelistic service is held at eight o'clock. The singers remain without for a time, to endeavor to attract more wanderers, fer music seems to have especial powers over the Scotch nature, and then all are invited in, and the pure Gospel is preacbed to them there.
There are many difficulties and disappointments connected with the work, but one soul saved would put ten thousand misgivings and fears to flight. The scene of the work was, in the early part of the century, the scene of the ghastly tragedy of the" Burke and Hare murders," wheril unsuspecting strangers were decoyed into a so-called lodging house only to come out corpses, sold to the medical students. The body of Burke himself was afterward delivered as that of a criminal to undergo the same treatment that his victims had undergone before him. The most difficult people to) reach are those who have lived in t,hese low circumstances from their childhood. As a rule, they marry early and live a drunken, brawling life. It is those who have falien in some degree at least who appear most susceptible to earnest entreaty. Many are the dangers and inconveniences which the workers are obliged to undergo in carrying on their work, often being called upon to stand between the knives of knavish brawlers or remain up until daylight with those whom they are seeking to reclaim.
Newton's great law of motion seems to apply as truly to religion as to matter, and for every energetic evangelistic action there appears to be an equal reaction in the religious lives of the workers. Never was a church more thriving than the Territorial Church of the West Port. It is noticeable even in the very walk of the members up the church aisle j it is energetic, and not as if the congregation only came to the church to attend a funeral service.
Another excellent example of the Edinburgh mission work is that of the " close" missions. The Carrubber's Close Mission is the most interesting and influential. It was founded in 1858, and for over twenty years carried on its work in small, insufficient, and dingy quarters at the foot of one of the old closes in the High Street. Finally, through the energetic efforts of Mr. D. L. Moody, a fine seventy-five thousand dollar building was erected for their use, with all necessary class-rooms and an audience room with a seating capacity of about twelve hundred. Here meetings are held nightly in connection with the various departments of the work. There are over six hundred workers identified with this mission who, under superintendents, work in connection with one or more of the thirty-two sections. These sections carryon work very varied in character in co-operation with open· air meetings, temperance and evangelistic, together with societies foJ." women, girls, young men and boys, and special work among the J."ailroad men, coalmen, and policemen. During the last year there were 4500 meetings in connection with the Carrubber's Close, including prayer-meetings, open-air services, temperance meetings, Bible classes, and meetings for the young in country and city. There are ten open-air meetings in various parts of the city every Sabbath. A prominent feature of the work is the temperance movement, in conjunction with which a monthly periodical is published, the Gospel Temperance Appeal. Every Saturday evening a temperance meeting is held, at which everything is done to provide an attractive programme of temperance addresses and sacred music. Although m.'lny of the meetings are considerably disturbed by those under the influence of liquor, still often these very men are led to Christ and become earnest and enthusiastic workers. Pledges are to be had at the close of the meeting for those to sign who will, and always a number remain to take the pledge or, at least, be spoken to on the subject. The names of those who take the pledge are written down with the address, and thus they are put into communication with the workers, several of. whom follow up each one and endeavor to help them on in their new stand for the right.
The Girls' Sewing and Bible Class is also very helpful for reclaiming those who have fallen, and for saving many another from a downward course. At a meeting recently of the girls who had been reclaimed through the efforts of the lady in charge of this department, there were present over one hundred and sixty, all in good situations, and leading respectable lives. Need it be said that they have a great affection for their benefactress, and most of them for Christ as well ~ Many tracts are distributed throughout the streets also in connection with the mission work, and have the naHle of the mission upon them· as a guide to those seeking further light.
As an instance of how much influence thc mission exerts for good in the city, we need only cite a letter from the governor of the Edinburgh prison to the Superintendent of the Gospel Temperance Section. It reads : 30 Waterloo Place, Dec. 8, 1890.
DEAR MR. BARCLAY: Will you kindly do me the favor to express to the Directors of Carrubber's Close Mission my thanks for the interest manifested by themselves and their workers in the reformation of the criminal classes. I think you are aware that for many years I have given you the credit of keeping down the daily average number of criminals by about one hundred, and I do trust that you will not diminsh your exertions, as this is 8 very important time for action.
****** ** * Unfortunately, I have not been able to attend so many of your meetings as I could have wished, but when I have been present it has often been a matter of wonder to me, on seeing so many familiar faces, to imagine where they might have been and what trouble they might have got into had it not been for such meetings j although I am aware many of your people have dond much in the way of individual help. With many thanks, Yours very truly, J. E. CHRISTIE.
The Edinburgh City Mission, like those of like character in other cities, takes a large part in the evangelistic work of the city. Its efforts are confined to the poor of no one portion or district, and, unlike other forms of missionary societies here found, employs a number of salaried men to devote their whole time to the visitation and care of the lower classes. For this purpose the city is divided into nine sections of about four hundred families each, and over each section is a missionary who holds services in the mission hall of the district, and whose business it is to visit as often as possible the families in his section, and to care for the general spiritual welfare. There are besides five special departments of the·work for specified classes, having missionaries for each department; these include the cabmen, policemen, lodging houses, prisons, inebriates, and public houses and fallen women. In the division of the city care has been taken not to interfere with any well-organized work of a church or other mission, but there are many churches which work in connection with the city mis- sionaries, thus supplying a large body of workers to assist them in their vis- itation.
The City Mission is entirely undenominational, but is thoroughly evangelical, and in consequence its workers do not as frequently meet with a cold reception at the hands of the Roman Catholic portion of the city. The methods used are very similar to those of the other societies, first and foremost being that of personal contact with the men and women on the streets and in their homes, thus seeking to raise them morally and spiritually, and in raising the individuals from the degradation into which they have fallen to raise the whole community. As a rule, the city missionary is the only pastor and adviser that they have; but the men are well chosen, and keep their hands to the plough faithfully, endeavoring, by becoming all things to all men, to try if by any means they may save some. The results are tangible and encouraging, though the work is one fraught with trials and discouragements.
A fourth form of mission work, and one peculiar to Edinburgh, is that of the" Students' Settlements." These are conducted by the students of the university or theological colleges, and are found to be of the greatest benefit both to the students and to those among whom they labor. The Ponton Street Mission, in connection with the university, originated about four years ago, largely through the efforts of Professor Henry Drummond. Its object is .nominally secular, but much religious work is done by the students who are engaged in the work. A large hall has been erected in one of the poorest districts of the city, and here the students live and endeavor by personal contact, especially with the young men, to raise them intellectually, morally, and spiritually. Classes in wood-carving, drawing, history, and other departments are conducted during the week and, together with the reading·room, furnish an opportunity for the personal contact sought. Sabbath-school and Bible classes, with an occasional evangelistic address, and now and then a meeting for social intercourse, also form an important part of the scheme by which the work is carried on. About five or six students usually live in thE' mission and devote much time to the work, often at great inconvenience to themselves.
The other settlement is in connection with the Free Church College Missionary Society, and has only recently been organized. Its object is solely religious, and avowedly so; other benefits are expected to follow the spiritual uplifting of the community. The" settlers," six in num- – ber, comc into contact with the men, chiefly in the Young Men's Club, where they have an opportunity to converse with them as they at the same ·time endeavor to entertain them at games of dominoes, check- ers, and in other ways. The men's club forms' the chief feature of the work. There is a fee of one shilling a year to entitle one to membership, and the men make their own rules, elect their own officers, and have entire charge of it, subject to the approval of the" settlers. ,. Of their own free will they prohibit gambling and profanity, and are, as a rule, orderly and appreciative. The club is intended to take the place of the public house in the leisure hours of the men, and to afford an opportunity for the students to come into direct contact with the individuals whom they seek to benefit. Other departments of the work are the Sabbath-school,- chil- dren's church, Band of Hope, library, savings bank, Boy's Brigade, Bible classes, prayer and temperance meetings, and meetings for women, chiefly under the charge of ladies from St. Andrew's Church, which works in connection with the students.
The subscribers to each of the various departments of mission work form the society from which managcrs, directors, and the variolls officers are elected, and who guarantee the financial support of the mission.
There are many other, and private, missionary enterprises carried on by individuals and churches, besides many charitable societies for the relief of the poor and distressed. • Few cities of the size seem to be so thoroughly and energetically cared for as this home of Knox and Chalmers, and the results of the labor ex- pended may be seen as much in the spiritual life of the churches as in bet- tered condition of the poorer classes. But there is no l.ack of room for workers, and in spite of all that has been done or is being done, the con- dition of the poor in many districts seems as wretched as can well be im- agined. The workers, however, continue faithful, taking to themselves the consolation and promise given in the word.s. " Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. "
. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, January 17, 1891.
Few things impress one more in all Scotland than the old gate in Dundee, where the martyr, George Wishart, preached to the plaguestricken people gathered outside the gate, while the inhabitants of the city were gathered just inside. What a type of the true missionary, standing between a living church and a dying world, and preadhing the gospel of spiritual healing!
THE TELUGU MISSION
THE TELUGU MISSION.
BY C. B. WARD.
This Telugu Mission was born in a prayer-meeting, February 22d, 1879, in Goolburga, Ii railway station about three hundred miles from Bombay, in the dominion of H. H., the Nizam. Two persons were present, a padri and an engineer: the padri, a member of South India Conference, pastor at Ballory, and thc engineer a district officer in the Public Works Depart- ment of the Nizam's Government.
This event took place at the close of the great famine of 1876-71'1, in which five millions perished.
The Bombay Guardian, editor, George Bowen, missionary, first announced the" new arrival" in its last issue of February, 1879, and commended the" little one" to the confidence of the good. March 12th, 1879, we took over from a famine poorhouse, kept up a yenr on private charity, five boys and girls. Here began the actual work.
In the order of Providence, Rev. T. S. Burnell, over thirty years an A. B. C. F. M. missionary at Melun, Madura district, South India, had the honor of taking the firiit financial share in the new concern. His] 0 rnpees were received by us March 20th, almost one month from the prayer-meeting. March 29th on this Rs. 10 we took 14 more waifs from an overcrowded famine camp at Adoni. These, with 2 more taken at Goolburga by Mr. Davis, gave us 21 in all-Telugu; Canerese, and Mohammedan, both sexes.
. The Bombay Guardian of April 5th published progress, and declared rising faith and intensifying purposes.
April 1st the padri got married, and received for the orphan work Rs. 50 from an unknown friend, who continued to do the same thing monthly for a long time. We have since learned he was the great-hearted Henry Conder, Esq., General Traffic Manager of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway.
And so the work went on. At a later date we took up ;30 new ones, at a later, 50, and a later, 13, and the la"t large accession, September 30th, 52 boys and girls from Adoni. A few more scattering ones came in, till about October 1st we found we had actually collected over 180 orphans at Mr. Davis's place in Goolburga. Death did so quick work, however, that we never reached above 122 on hand at anyone time.
The Bombay Guardian, the India Methodist Watchman published our testimony and helped us much.
Thus began the work. God's Word supplied the base for the faith the Holy Spirit inspired in our hearts. We boldly avowed our purpose to trust God and never solicit, except in prayer. The Holy Ghost was chancellor of the exchequer, and in the first six months He called in from whom He would about Rs. 2000.. And in this time the bulk of the care of all these little ones feU upon Mr. Davis. He wrought not by proxy. His own hands fed, dressed, washed, assisted, and he spent hours a day trying to impress these precious souls for God; and surely we shall meet some of those little ones who passed away with Jesus' name upon their lips and His truth in their newly opened hearts.
I saw now the providence of God in the last ten years of my life-from the plough to four years of student life, one and a half years of work in Chicago among the street Arabs of Halsted Street, till William Taylor (now Bishop) found me in December, 1875, and sent me to India.
God's Holy Word, Finney's" Autobiography," and ~Hiller's " Life of Trust" were the pabulum our souls thrived on in those days. How won- derfully the great God led us! Starting as we did without bank or missionary treasury, from the very beginning we b'"gan to cast about us for a productive footing somewhere. We dreamed and prayed over factories, farms, industries, etc. But the Lord had us in hand, and first gave "r the orphans some public road-making on which they realized something like Rs. 100 in a short time. e had no idea of greasing our wheelsforever with charity, but rather designed to repay to the Lord the charity money lent us, and send workers to the " regions beyond" and support them there.
We cannot follow in detail the wonderful history of these ten eventful years. But what have we now ~ 1. C. B. and E. M. Ward and their children, Wesley Asbury, William Taylor, George Fletcher, Susanna Ruth, and Nellie Marion, in all 7 souls.
2. Eurasian orphans, boys, 8, and girls, 5. 3. Native families, 19, blessed with 24 living little ones. Unmarried boys, 4 j girls, 2. One widow with her son-in all, 67 souls. Grand total of 90 -adults 50 and children 40. So we cannot, as of old, say" orphan children," for we are become a colony of families. 4. Of the whole number, 40 are full members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and another dozen we rank probationers. In most of these honesty, diligence, observance of the Lord'tI day, prayer, testimony, and general upright character give us much ground for believing a work of grace is wrought. We have no tobacco, or liquor, or jewelry Christians in our" little church in the wilderness." 5. When we gathered up famine waifs we found them from five to twelve years of age. All our native people except one, my assistant, Nunsoya Naidu, have been a full ten years with us. Our Eurasian orphans have not been with us so long, but most of them during eight years. 6. For years stern necessity has made us two houses: one in Secunderabad, where Mrs. Ward, our children, and the unmarried girls stay with one or two pairs of the married ones as servants j and one in the district, wherever I may have work for all the field force of our colony, migrating as work leads us on railway construction and mining. The bulk of the family have been in camp with me for about four years now. We find much to encourage us in the Christian character of those we have spent ten years with, for Jesus' sake. They are our" seals." '1. The entire work which we have had upon our hands has cost about Rs. 10,000 per year (ovcr $3000). This includes not only our own mission work, but doing something to help other work. We have spent outside of our own work in this time several thousand rupees-contributions to other missions and support of other missionaries, distribution of religious literature, the publication of tracts, and our own India Watchman, etc.
Of this Rs. 100,000 passing through our hands in ten years more than half are our own earnings. Formerly contributions exceeded, but for four years our earnings have by far exceeded the gifts made to us. In the whole ten years our receipts from places outside of India fall below R8. 5000. Our contrihutions have always come unsolicited, except in prayer. Weare not concerned about money, and never beg. But we do believe and plead God's promises, as they are neither lies nor out of date.
8. Weare not in debt. In an honest and rather daring endeavor to realize the capital needed for a Chr~stian colony, on a large railway contract we lost Rs. 20,000. But God enabled us to make it up and pay the loan with liberal interest.
9. God started us in orphan work in 1879, and kept us closely to it and learning the language up to 1883. In these years God cheered us with the genuine conversion of half a hundred of our orphans.
Then came three years (1883-86) of very steady and vigorous evangelistic work, in which we were much blessed, but the only abidirtg, visible fmit was the conversion of two natives, who are both preachers now.
Insurmountable difficulties in the way of acquiring any land under the Mohammedan Government made dropping into the present" two house" arrangement a necessity-No. 1 at Secunderabad, No. 2 at Beersheba or Dothan, as good grazing leads us. Wonders hath God wrought for us during these years. We can only bless and praise Him.
10. We hope to publish soon a report for the ten years, in which we shall try to rccord something of the goodness of our prayer-hearing God.
11. In the years of our history God has been good, but it has been hard to understand all His ways. Three of his handmaidens, than whom we expect no more spiritual and successful workers in India-Cecilia O'Leary Moore, Hapley Freer, and Hester Ann Hillis-God took from us, each one suddenly. They did work that lasts, and now enjoy reward everlasting. One lady after leaving us became the wife of a Baptist missionary in Bengal. One from iII health was compelled to return to America. Our brethren, Ernsberger and Blewitt are now both honored members of India Methodist Conferences. The latter took away from us Ruth Freer, a good worker with us, a good wife with him. One young man apostatized fearfully. One found the work uncongenial. Miss Bell went to study inedicine in Hyderabad Medical College. One native preacher and wife, lent to us, stayed but a little time. One of our converts left us, and is now promoted to the post of head native preacher in Conference work.
12. Eight little ones hath God taken. Our firstborn first; after him seven other children in our native families. Six of our native orphans have died, ~ giving us their testimony to Jesus' saving power. They surely await us. Three Eurasian orphan boys have died, of whom we have hope, one a poor, ,suffering epileptic all his life. Several have fallen back into the world. Some Eurasian orphans, after two or three years with us, were taken by friends or relatives. A few have died, leaving us no certain word. Our total death-roll in ten years reaches a little over 20.
13. But the best of all is, God has at last answered our earnest prayer in giving us a large piece of land (over' 2000 acres) on an annual rental of Rs. 800. This is what we have besought of Him for years. Our utter extremity has become God's gracious opportunity. And now what! Our migrations may cease, our two homes become one, and our colony be the base of supply for dozens of workers. We may again get into shape for vigorous evangelizing. Our 20 families of native Christians have of their own efforts acquired cattle and caris, and cash to the amount of about Ra. 2000. They are not paupers, and are ready to go to work at once in our village. The rental we can as easily pay as the rent of Secunderabad house. And we believe God has arrangements on foot for the small capital required for the immediate restoration of the entire village, thereby making it worth at an early day several thousand rupees per annum.
We have no complaints, but we can clearly see it has taken ten years to f;ubdue the missionary aristocracy in us, and teach us truly humble, economic, and New Testament lines of life and labor. We have also learned that physical labor is conducive to health in the tropics by these years in India, and are just ready for many more, if it please God.
Trusting God, we have begun work upon our village, and with a home and a promise that" we shall be fed j" with a fine field of souls about us, with our years of experience among the people, and naturalized in India, we look forth after this ten years' journey-not forty, as the Israelites hadto a grand future in this goodly land God has glven us.
Bishop Thoburn recently recognized us fully as a part of the great Methodist Church, and henceforth our members shall have a place in Methodist totals, as they have not had for a few years lately, though we have prided ourselves upon the fact we belonged there. Our only contention has been to be le;ft alone as non-subsidy workers. This is now granted us, and God is with us.
The hard work is not done. Years yet must be spent teaching native Christians confidence in their own ability, and teaching them how better to utilize and develop the resources of the country, making foreign aid unnecessary either for their support or such work as they should do for tIle salvation of the heathen. We have some fine specimens of natives who, under God, will make good business men and women for Him, and some who will make good Christian workers and preachers.
We believe God is with us j we need no other aid to live upon or learn by. God has given us, as capital, strong bodies, common sense, rich soil, aU tributary to our faith. Our prayer has been for a piece of land, that
A. B. C. F. M•
with this productive base we might maintain a whole force of Gospel workers in the surrounding country, whose lifework, and exchequer and methods of filling it, might all be open to the gaze and study of the surrounding heathen. God has schooled us for ten years to ·fit us for the work before us, and now given u!' the land, and here we are a happy family, a monument of God's care in the midst of a heathen land, subjects of His continued love-a little church of Jesus Christ of His own planting. To God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be all the praise and glory, world wit-hou-t e-nd-I – – – – On January 20th last, a party of five sailed for Secunderabad, India, to join the self-supporting work of Rev. C. B. Ward. One of the party-' Rev. M. F. Smootz-who already spent several years iu this work. bas now married and gone back to the Deccan, India, for life. Rev. R. H. Madden, wife, and son, who accompanied him, have been doing successful mission work in New York City.
There sailed the same day for South America, Mr. T. W. La Fetra and an experienced teacher, Mrs. Anna Dodd. Mr. La Fetra has already spent seven years in mission work in Santiago as auxiliary and helper to his brother, Rev. I. H. La Fetra, in the large college in Santiago. He visited the United Stateil to purchase a complete outfit for printing-costing about $5000-a religious paper and books for educational work in South America.
A. B. C. F. M.
A despatch from Nagasaki, Japan, published recently in the daily press, stated that the United States steamer Alliance, in its visit to Ponape, found that the war between the natives and the Spaniards had been instigated by the American missionaries, who on that account were forced to retire from Ponape to Kusaie. "The story," says the Missionary Herald, "is so absurd as to be comical. The only Americans at the point of conflict on Ponape were two women, who at the time of the difficulty between the Spaniards and the natives sought to their utmost to preserve peace, but failed. And when the revolt occurred, these two women, aided by a native teacher, risked their lives to save from destruction two Spanish priests and some soldiers. And they succeeded in their efforts, only to be accused by the Spaniards of having incited the natives to their deeds of violence. "
The following item is found in the report of the Hiroshima circuit (Methodist), given by Rev. B. W. Waters in the Missionary Reporter: " Hiroshima has been well chosen as the centre for our work in that part of . Japan. But the city itself, a strong Buddhist centre, is not as open to Christianity as some of the smaller neighboring towns. Neither the city nor the country work ought to be neglected. But owing to school-work and passport regulations, it is difficult for one man to carryon both. We really need two additional men for Hiroshima and for the work that proper- ly can be connected with it. "
THE MISSIONARY'S SHOES
THE MISSIONARY'S SHOES.
BY A. J. GORDON, D. D., BOSTON, MASS.
The homely and the sublime were never more closely conjoined, we venture to say, than in the following from the history of Herrnhut : Zinzendorf sent one day for a Moravian brother and said to him : "Will you go to Greenland to.morrow as a missionary F' The man had had no previous intimation of his call, but after only a moment's hesitation he replied: "If the shoemaker can finish the boots which I have ordered of him by to-morrow, I will go."
Need we say that if such a spirit of prompt obedience were universal in the Church, there would be no highways unoccupied or byways untravel1ed in all the regions beyond now waiting for the Gospel. But we have not to tarry even for a day for our shoes to be done. What saith the Scripture, and how much it saith in a single comprehensive sentence ~ "Having '!lour feet shod with th,e preparation of the gospel of peace." The law said to Moses: " Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Grace says: " Put on thy shoes upon thy feet, for the place where thou standest is missionary ground. " "All roads lead to Rome," says the proverb j but since the day of Pentecost all roads lead from Jerusalem j "that remission of sins should be preached among alnations, beginning at Jerusalem." Therefore Christ's witnesses were sandalled at the outset for their journey j and of this we desire briefly to speak.
The Gospel is its own preparation. For our shoes are not the preparation for, but the preparation of, the Gospel. The tendency is inveterate and constantly recurring to introduce some forerunner of grace into the missionary field in order to make ready for its coming. Even those who firmly believe that" Christ is become the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth," have not infrequently thought that they must take their starting-point from Sinai, again employing the law as a school, master to lead men to Christ. The story of Henry Richards's experience on the Congo-which has made such a profound impression of late wherever recited-has its chief interest in this idea. Brutal and bloody savages, among whom the murder of innocents was a sacred rite indispensable for the solemnizing of the funeral of their chiefs, and man·slaying a medical prescription to be adopted as a matter of course on the order of the witch. doctors, what impression could the Gospel of the grace of God make upon such sonls if immediately applied ~ No wonder that the thunders and lightnings of Sinai should be invoked as a necessary prelude to the sweet strains of redeeming love. "Grace, of course," said an old Scotch preacher, "but did you ever know a woman to sew without a needle? So I say unto you, thrust in the needle of the law till the sinner is pricked to the heart and cries out, and then you may draw as long a thread of Gospel consolation as you choose." But these degraded sons of the C;ongo did not wince in the least under the needle of the law. "Thou shalt not kill," "Thou shalt not steal"-instead of" kicking against these pricks," or being in the least wounded thereby, they were absolutely insensible to them. As for being sinners, when this charge was made against them they blandly conceded that while the missionary and his countrymen might be such, they certainly were not.
But now, after the seven years' fruitless ministry, comes the great change. In translating the Gospel of Luke, and reading therefrom the story of the sufferings and death of Christ, and pressing home upon the people the message, " And all this for you," tears began to fall, exclama- tions of astonishment began to be heard, and then conversions began to occur, till within a few weeks more than a thousand were added to the Lord of such as should be saved. As this story has been repeated of late before churches and theological students, the missionary has rarely been allowed to stop at the expiration of an hour; cries of " Go on !" break- ing out at every attempt to pause. "So astonishing; so well-nigh incredible !" people say.
And yet it is but the repetition of an old stQry, though on a larger scale. What student of missionary history does not know of the work of Hans Egede in Greenland, with its long, weary years of moral teaching, ending with the farewell sermon, " I said I have labored in vain and spent my strength for naught g" And then the translation from the gospels of the story of the Saviour's passion, by John Beck, the Moravian missionary, and the astonished exclamation of the listening savage, Karjamack, " How was that ~ Tell me that again, for I would be saved ;" and through this Word the savage changed into a Christian and a faithful preacher of the Gospel to his countrymen? So it was when Mr. Nott opened the third chapter of John to the hit~erto stolid and unconcerned South Sea Islanders. When reading the golden text of redemption, " God so loved the world," a man rose and demanded, "Is that true ~ Can that be so? God love the world when the world does not love Him ~ God so loved the world as to give His Son to die! Can that be true f' And as the verse was read once more he burst into tears, and the long-delayed blessing began.
It is a lesson which we have constantly to relearn, that" the preaching of the cross is the power of God." Not that evangelical Christians are likely to doubt the efficacy of such preaching tor accomplishing the one thing of bringing peace to distressed and penitent souls; but that it can also effect the opposite result of bringing contrition to hardened and indifferent souls, it is difficult to credit. Yet this is one of the paradoxes of Christianity, that the cross, which is the highest exhibition of divine compassion, should also serve as the most powerful instrument for human conviction. It has proved true a thousand times over that by His wounds we are wounded, as well as that " by His stripes we are healed." As the same sunlight can warm and comfort when falling gently on our persons, or scorch and blister when focussed by a burning glass, so the same love of God revealed on Calvary- can be Ilsed by the Spirit to bring the most tender consolation or the most poignant contrition. 'l'herefore, the Gospel in first, and its fulness, to the most degraded heathen!
Then let us refer to the sandals of education which have so often been bound upon the feet of the Christian herald.
One may well wonder why the temptation has been so constant for the missionary to turn schoolmaster. "No greater than for the pastor to turn pedagogue," it may be truly replied. Yes, and here is the most serious defect of our present-day Christianity, that it is leaning on crutches when it ought to walk by faith, undertaking to accomplish by culture what God has ordained to be effected" by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. " Art, architecture, music and ritual, how prominent the place which these are coming to occupy in our modern churches! Ask their promoters why 1heyattach snch importance to them, and they reply, " For their educational influence. " But we make bold to say that their tendency has generally been to educate away from Christ rather than toward Him, prepossessing men with forms, sensible impressions, and so disinclining them to the things of the Spirit 1 We have more faith a thousand times over in the regenerating power of the simple Gospel than in the educating power of all these elaborate accessories of Christian worship.
But we are speaking of education in the strict sense of the wordgrammar, arithmetic, and·· the arts, as introductory to the Gospel. Has 8uch a dispensation of teaching ever proved really helpful in preparing the heathen ,mind to receive the Word of life ? No more probably than a gymnasium in the basement of an American church, with its curriculum of dumb-bells and vaulting-bars, has conduced to a change of heart in the young men who have entered therein. The tendency is inevitable for these preparatives to become substitutes so prcoccupying the interest and attention with themselves as to render thc heart less accessible to the Gospel than before they came in. Education by all means! But in the school of grace the law seems to be not" know, in order that you may believe," but " believe, in order that you may know." Culture, when set forward as a forerunner of Christ, has constantly failed to become such, because it Ja~ks the humility to say: "He it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe latchet I am not worthy to unloose." It being true, according to our Lord's own words, that the Father hath" hid these things from the w'ise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes," it cannot be the missionary's business to make men wise lind prudent in order that they may receive the Gospel, but rather to tell the wise and prudent, that except they repent and become as little children, they shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
A wide observer of missionary operations in Japan has recently expressed the opinion that the chief occasion of solicitude.for the country is found in the excess of education over evangelism, and that the wisest missionary policy would be a bold immediate movement among the lower classes, who are as yet untouched by Western 'culture. Let this call be heard, then, all over our country-not for more teachers merely, but for more evangelists.
Concerning industrial and mechanical forerunners of the Gospel we may speak with equal emphasis. So ingrained is the notion that what has been called" a propredeutic dispensation of civilization" must prepare the way for Christianity, that colonization has not infrequently been proposed as a John the Baptist to evangelization. Ninety years ago Wilberforce lent his influence to a great scheme for ameliorating the condition of Africa by this plan. Artisans with saw and hammer and anvil were despatched to- her western coast, with the understanding that after a considerable progress had been made in civilization, missionaries should follow up tho ~ssault with Bible and catechism. But the onterprise had not momentum enough to reach its destination, and proceeded no farther than Sierra Leone.
Even had it entered the field, its work would have been a gratuitous one.
For the trce does not bear the root, but the root the tree. As certainly as the planted acorn produces the oak, so surely will the incorruptible seed of the Word yield the fruits of righteousness and social order when believingly re~eived into the human heart.
David Brainerd gives a remarkable testimony to this fact, when sum- ming up the results of his labors among the American Indians at Cross- weekslllJg. Indeed, his witness supports all that we have been saying in this paper. Lest any should accuse his work of being the outcome of excitement and fear inspired by the preaching of the terrors of the law, or charge that his converts were only such as had been" frightened by a fearful noise of hell and damnation," he says: "God left no room for this objection in the present case, this work of grace having been begun and carried on" by almost one continued strain of -Gospel invitation to perish- ing sinners." Not the law of Sinai, but the cross of Calvary must have the credit for this remarkable work. Amid the multitude of inquirers and the urgency of the claims of perishing so~ls, he had little time, he tells us, to inculcate moral reforms or social llnd domestic improvements.
He could only sound out the message of salvation 1>y the blood of Christ, "and eternal life through faith in His name, and pass on. But note the result, as he records it : .
" When these truths were felt at heart, there was now no vice unreformed, no external duty neglected. Drunkenness," the darling vice, was broken off from, and scarce an instance of it known among my hearers for months together.
The,abusive practice of husbands and wives in putting away each other and tak- ing others in their stead was quickly reformed, so that there are three or foul' "
couples who have voluntarily dismissed those whom they had wrongfully taken, an(l now live together in love and peaco. The same mignt be said of all other"
vicious practices. The reformation was general; and all springing from the internal influence of divine truths upon their hearts, and not from any external restraints, or because they had heard the~e vices particularly exposed and repeat- edly spoken agaim.t. Some of them I never so much as mentioned-particularly that of the parting of men aud their wives-till some, having their conscience awakened by God's Word, came, and of their own accord, confessed themselves guilty in that respect.
" The happy effects of these peculiar doctrines of grace, upon which I have so much insisted, upon this people, plainly discover, even to demonstration, that instead of their opening a door to licentiousness-as many vainly imagine and slanderously insinuate-they have a directly contrary tendency; 80 that II close application, a Bense and feeling of them will have a most powerful influence toward the renovation and effectual reformation both of heart and life."
By as little pains as Brainerd labored to introduce" Christian Civilization," by so much are many modern missionaries anxious to exclnde if -from their fields. Its avant-coureurs in these days are the whiskey bottle and the powcer-flask. " If only we can keep out European and American civilization," says an earnest missionary in Africa, " there is hope for our work in the Dark Continent." On the whole, what a mockery there is in this much-vaunted word! And how little apprehension of the subject does an eminent writer on the evidences of Christianity exhibit in saying that" The wisest modern missionaries admit that they mnst civilize heathen nations in order to make Christian institutions permanent. " No! ~ot the sandals of law, of education, or of social science for the missionary of the Apostolic school j but" feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace." The first take but tardy steps, and rarely those condescending steps that reach the sinner where he is j but the latter: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace j that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation. "
THE BURMAN BIDLE.-The first edition of Dr. Judson's translation of the Bible into the Burman language was in three large quarto volumes, twelve by nine inches. The second edition was printed from the same type but upon thinner paper, and was bound in one volume. It bears this imprimatur: "Maulmain: Printed at the American Baptist Mission Press for the American and Foreign Bible Society and the American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions; 1840. " Now after the space of fifty years a third edition is published by the American Baptist Missionary Union at its Mission Press in Rangoon, copies of which have just been received in America. It is a royal octavo, much smaller and more convenient than the earlier editions, having been newly set up and stereotyped, with many corrections noted by Dr. Judson himself inserted in the text by the careful hand of Dr. E. A. Stevens. This translation of the Bible into Burman was made amid great difficulties, Dr. Judson being obliged to make ~is own grammars and dictionaries as he went on, but it is remarkable as being one of the most accurate and idiomatic versions of the Bible in any language. It is an imperishable monument to the great ability of America's first missionary to the heathen, Adoniram Jlldio1on.-Baptist Missionary Magazine.
EXTRACTS ANlJ TRANSLATIONS FROM: FOltElGN PERIOlnCALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
llY REV. C. C. STARllUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The Church of Scotland, Home and Foreign Mission Record for January 1st, 1891, has the following statement: "A collection on behalf of the Committee of Correspondence with Foreign Churches is appointed to be made in all our churches and chapels on Sabbath, the 18th inst., provided always that wherever this day may be unsuitable the collection shall be made on another Sabbath.
" The great object of this committee is to foster friendly relations with the Reformed Churches of the Continent, ani to give aid to those who require it. We are especially brought into contact with the Reformed churches of France, Italy, Bohemia, Switzerland, and Belgium. With these churches the Church of Scotland in former days maintained constant correspondence, and it would be a loss both to them and to us should· such communications cease. Since the last appeal was made in 1888, deputies from the Church of Scotland have been present at one or two memorable meetings (If Continental churches. The celebration of the Bicentenary of the glorious return of the Waldenses took place in August and September, 1889, when the Rev. Dr. Mitchell, of South Leith, represented the Church of Scotland. At the jubilee of the formation of the Missionary Church of Belgium, which was celebrated in June, 1890, the Rev. Duncan Campbell, of Rosemount, Aberdeen, represented our Church, and received a cordial welcome. To enable the Church worthily to maintain these relations, and to bestow assistance in accordance with the needs of the struggling communions on the Continent, the present collection is made. "
-Says the Record: "A correspondent in Aberdeen reports a much appreciated visit of our Foreign Mission Convener to that city. Dr. M'Murtrie preached an impressive and an appropriate sermon to the students ill the university chapel 011 the 7th ult., and addressed a crowded congregation in Rosemount Church at night. On the Monday morning he addressed a full meeting of divinity professors and students, to whom he stated that the Mission cause was now attracting to its service a portion of the flower of our divinity halls, and that no less than twenty-four of our present missionaries (including missionaries' wives) in the foreign and Jewish mission fields came from Aberdeen and its neighborhood. At noon, on the same day, Dr. M'Murtrie addressed the South Church Ladies' Work Party ; in the afternoon he took part in the monthly meeting of the Ladies' Association Committee, and in the evening he addressed successively the Rosemount Young Men's Guild, and an Old Muchar congregational social meeting. Verily our Convener does not spare himself !"
-We give two of the collects of the Church of Scotland for the Week of Prayer. For Tuesday: " 'Ve beseech Thee, 0 Lord, on behalf of Thy Church Universal, in all lands and places, under whatever name or form, worshipping Thee in various tongues, and approaching Thy presence in the name of Jesus. We pray for union, for unity of spirit, for love; that Christian life and teaching may be increasingly subject to the Holy Ghost; that Christian people may witness unto Christ by living in godly love; that we no longer be opponents or rivals, but all one in Christ Jesus; and that for His sake, Amen." For Thursday: "For Thine ancient people, o God of Abraham, we earnestly pray that the veil may fall from their eyes, and that they may be turned tu the Lord; and for our Home Missions in the darkness still found in our land, we beseech Thee that the labor of Thy servants may be blessed in bringing many to the cross: through Jesus Christ, thy Son, Amen."
-In the Conferences Fraternelles, held in Paris, last October, various judgments were expressed of Roman Catholicism; but Pastor R. Hollard seemed to strike the centre when he gave as its damning sin, " It destroys the conscience." J esuitized Catholicism values blind obedience above everything else. It will be a sad thing for France to recur to this as her best conception of Christianity. But the leaders of intelligence seem to be awaiting the issue. Professor Atlier said: "The University is deliberating whither it shall go. It has made the round of all the systems, and now is eager to reach a goal. One of its professors said to me, ' My ffiend, count us as belonging to whosoever shall know how to conquer us.' "
Pastor Hollard thinks that Protestantism is not qualified to take the place of Catholicism in France until it understands better than now to respond, in evangelical simplicity, to those spiritual wants which Catholicismconsults the instinct of adoratiou and the craving for unity. Why should Pere Hyacinthe and the Protestants with the same aims be so little inclined to friendship ¥ The sentiment appeared to be very decided, that evangelizin~ work and charitable work ought to be carried on by distinct agencies. At Geneva, M. Ernest Favre attests, evangelization has been much more effective since this separation was made.
-The indian Standard, speaking of a recent Church Congress, allows that sanitation is important, but very reasonably insists thaI; the Kingdom of God and the Cross of Christ have not lost their prime importance. Speaking likewise of Brotherhoods (whose result!! in India do not thus far appear very marked), it wishes to know why the absence of God's unit of human society, the family, should be so highly esteemed. And asks why Archdeacon Farrar contends for vows where a celibate life appears a call of duty. Semi· monastic Sisterhoods and Brotherhoods, as Count Gasparin long ago pointed out, are apt to be of dubious results on Protestant soil. Every plant has its native and congenial habitat.
-The Rev. C. A. Schonberger, through the Jewish Herald, reports " that notwithstanding the sad fact that all open preaching to the Jews is prohibited in Vienna, yet they are constantly flocking, as inquirers, to the missionary's house, where Bible and other classes are regularly held. The Bible-class is largely attended, and this branch of the work is most encouraging. "
– " Regions Beyond," quotes Mr. Stanley's description of the proud Wahuma race, which he discovered, "being clearly of Indo-African origin, possessing exceedingly fino features, aquiline noses, slender necks, small heads, with a grand and proud carriage; an old, old race, possessing splendid traditions, and ruled by inflexible customs which would admit of no deviation." Stanley pronounces the features of the great KafEr race to be ., a subtle amalgamation of the Hindu and West African types." Although the foraying W ahuma have abundance of heathen vices, yet their higher type, mild and courteous manners, and salubrious country, render them hopeful for missions. To Stanley they brought up thoughts of "those blameless people with whom the gods deigned to banquet once a year upon the heights of Ethiopia. "
~ ".'. -The Universities' Mission in Central Africa, which now has 2000 adherents, is rejoicing in the ordination of its first native priest.
– " The Paris correspondent of Evangelical Ohristendom," says the Indian Standard, writes: 'There is a fearful increase of crime, conwadicting strikingly those who hoped that 'schooling' and 'good behavior would go together.' Increased schooling and increased crime proceed pari passu. Youthful literates, fifteen years ago, were 68 per cent, now 78 per cent. "The evident failure, in a moral point of view, of education without religion, is throwing weight into the Roman Catholic scale; children are crowding their private schools."
-Mrs. Dods, of the McAll Mission, says: "The old hall at the corner of the Rue de Rivoli, where the dirtiest of people used to crowd in night after night-some said to get warmed-has disappeared; its successor- Boulevard Sebastopol.-has come and gone, and now in its place are not one, but two or three large halls in densely crowded streets-St. Denis, Temple, and Salle Rivoli-the last redeemed from its evil uses as a rendezvous of atheists, anarchists, and lovers of guilty pleasures j wafihed and purified materially and morally, and consecrated, with its 600 seats, to the service of the Lord."
-Charlie, a convert of the Universities' Mission, having fallen into the handt,; of the heathen Gwangwara, was asked by them, " Why do not these white men and you fear us, seeing that we can kill you all~" He answered: "Because you can only kill our bodies with your spears; it is our souls we care about, and you can't touch them, and so we don't fear you." I heard from others at the time that Charlie had made this answer, and that the Gwangwara were not only awed but actually made afraid by these words. Doubtless it was the first intimation they had ever received that there was anything about a man they could not kill. Yet they believed it when Charlie told them, and, cowards at bottom-like all bullies-they trembled at the news."
-It has been decided in India, says the Bombay Guardian of January lOth, that if a full. grown minor appears capable of caring for himself he may lawfully be baptized against the will of his guardian. But a violent persecution against the Wesleyan Mission at Banknra, Bengal, has been excited by such a case, resulting in the burning of a school.
-A Christian New Year's Mela (or fair) has been held on the banks of the Jnrnna (as lately recommended by the S. F. G.) attended by Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, meeting " in oneness of spirit, as sheep of one fold." It was held in the Presbyterian grounds.
– " Several thousand representatives of the eight chief Indian languages," says the Indian Witness, "lately met and transacted all their business in English. And no one seems astonished."
-The Ohinese Times, as quoted in the London and Ohina Telegraph, says, of Chinese appropriation of Western science, that it has as yet had very little effect on the national life. "Her dalliance with the skill and science of the Vest is rather a species of coquetry than honest wooino-. The truth is that powers less tangible and material, yet far more pote~t than railways, telegraphs, balloons, or phonographs, must be evoked before any deep or lasting impression upon this slnmbering mass of stagnant life can be expected. Spiritual forces cannot be conquered with material weapons."
tNTERNATtONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Religious Attitude of the Ohinese which he is entering, is somewhat like Mind. a scientific farmer who studies and BYREV.W. A. P. MARTIN, D.D., PRESIDENT OF analyzes the soil into which he intends to cast the precious seed. He may find THE IlIIPEBIAL TUNGWEN COLLEGE, that that soil was produced by the disin- PEKING, CHINA. tegration of many kinds of. rocks, some deposited from water, others thrown up Religion consists of two elements by the action of internal fires, others thought and feeling. Its thought i~ yet affected by atmospheric influences. directed toward the mysterious prob- We find, in a similar manner, the lems of existence. In this aspect mental soil of China composed of three every religion that emanates from hu- leading elements which have been comman thought is, to a certain extent, to mingled and brought into interaction be regarded as a philosophy, hence in such a way as to present to the superworthy of careful study, not as throwing ficial observer a homogeneous aspect. light which to us would be valuable on These are known as the three religions the question of human destiny, bdt as -Confucian,Tauist, and Buddhist. throwing light on human character on national character, and the relation's of Before attempting to point out their nations to each other. The religious interaction, which, after all, is the objecexperience of the Chinese people, the tive point, allow me briefly to sketch the elements forming their religious beliefs, leading characteristics of each, as they constitute the subject which I have to rise successively before our eyes. I discuss. No field could perhaps be of shall not be able to go into detail in greater interest, partly on account of the our allotted time, nor would it be demultitude of people who are affected by sirable, inasmuch as I have in mind the these views, partly on account of the distinct object of pointing out only a vast antiquity, presenting records reach- few salient features by which these reing back, without a break in the chain for ligions have acted upon each other. many thousands of years, and also because that great people have been seg- The Confucian system did not origregated by mountain chains and ocean inate with Confucius. He said: "I am breadths, from intercourse with the rest an editor, not an author." He took the of mankind, to a very large extent for records of remote antiquity and sifted the greater part of their national exist- them, in such wise, however, as to exert ence. In order that our lessons may be in a most effective manner the influence of value, it will be important that we of an editor, giving to the readers of all should take them out of the stream we succeeding ages only that which he may say, at a point prior to the in'flux wished to have produce its effect on the of the living waters of Christianity; national mind. We consequently date for Christianity has to some extent Confucianism from the beginning of his affected the modes of thought of that people beyond the pale of Christian com- twenty~ records, from the time of Yao and Shun munities which, for the last three hundred years, have been growing up in his favorite models of virtue, that land. But the systems of which I have to speak date back far beyond that tw~ two centuries before the Christian era time. The missionary, thoughtful, and accustomed to study the field upon Viewed as a religion, it' presents leading features: the first is the worship *Addrc•• before the American Society of Com- of Shang-ti; the second is the worship of the spirits of men under the title of anparative Religion. cestors. Shang-ti signifies the Supreme Ruler. Coming before us in some of the most ancient books extant in any language, that august being suggests at once the Jehovah of the Clll:istian Scrip- show, by the influence of other religions, tures-the Lord, the Most High, who more or less corrupting even the com- was worshipped not only by those who parative purity of the primitive ideas. are recognized in the canon of Scripture as' possessing the guidance of inspira- Confucius was himself strongly in- tion, but by such men as Melchizedek, clined to agnosticism. In his intimate the King of Salem, who was both king conversations with his disciples he re- and priest. We find the earliest sov. fuses to give them any positive state- ereigns of China combining this double ment in regard to the things beyond the function of king and priest, signalizing reach of hnman sight. He said: " We their accession, especially in the case of know not life. How can we know founders of dynasties, by going to death, or what lies beyond the grave? mountain tops, the highest points ap- We are unable properly to render service proaching to heaven, and there offering to onr living parents; how should we up burnt sacrifices to the king of know how to render fitting service to heaven, by whom kings reign and those who have passed into the other princes decree justice. If there were any world ?" Yet he enjoined service to doubt as to the lofty spiritual conc~p those who have passed into the other tion connected with this grand object world as the cardinal dnty in his reo of worship of the one alone to whom all ligious system, and it is that, more than kings and princes were recognized as anything else, which makes it a religion accountable, we may find it in a single potent and living to this day. The worpassage among many scores that I might ship of Shangti, the Supreme Ruler, cite to you if I only had time. The grand as it is, is nevertheless like a ray founder of the dynasty of Chow, eleven of the sun falling upon an iceberg, so hundred years before the Christian era, far as its influence on the publio mind is leading a small army to attack the in concerned. It is limited to the empowerful host which upheld the thron-e peror and to a few remarkable and au· of a tyrant. On the battle-field, before gust manifestations of public ritual, but the critical engagement, he addresses an you do not find it in the household. eloquent harangue to his soldiers, and You do not find it on the lips of the the most eloquent passage is that in people. You do not find that God in which he points upward and says: " The that form has taken up his abode with Most High God, the Supreme Ruler, is ' men. He is still far remote, on the sum· looking down upon you. Let not your mit of an icy Olympus, as it were, hearts waver." The worship of Skang- although to a certain extent dimly per. ti, the Most High (for that is almost a ceived by the mind of the Chinese naliteral translation of the name), contin- tion. ues to the present day, the sovereign now on the throne acting, as did his Tauism rose next. The founder of predecessors of four thouand years ago, Tauism preceded Confucius, but by a as high priest for the empire. On an kind of paradox his religion is of later altar within the walls of Peking he offers date. The founder of Tauism goes by up burnt sacrifices to the Supreme the name of Lautse, which signifies the Being. In the earliest days, however, .. old philosopher," probably because this worship was impure. We find no he was old when Confucius was young. point in Chinese history where it was They were contemporaries. The Tauist not mingled with the worship of sub- system is not found clearly developed in ordinate deities, nature.gods-gods of the only book which bas been transmit. the hills and rivers-and that intermix ted to us from the hand of Lautse, and ture not only continues to the present the authenticity of which has been to a day, but it has b!)en very largely in. large extent questioned. His followers, creased, as I shall have occasion to however, deduced from the obscure hints contained in that book two ideas, or rather one idea, which afterward sub. divided itself into two. The one idea genii. The term genii we usually em· was that by persistent effort we may ac- ploy as a translation for shensien or quire a mastery over matter in such a sien)in, both forms being used, which is way as to command all its potencies, and the word the Tauists apply to their employ them in accomplishing objects adepts, those who obtain the precious which would seem far beyond the reach gift, the elixir of immortality. This of human power, unless it were elevated view may be illustrated by the following by this process of discipline. The mat- lines from a Chinese poem : ter thus spoken of is subjectively that of our own bodies, the discipline of " A prince the &ought Immortal went to seek, which would result in a possible immor- And finding it he soared above the spheres; tality, and objectively the material objects surrounding us, but chiefly the In monntain caverns he had dwelt a weekelemental forms, the careful study of Of human time It was a thousand years." which would enable man finally to transmute the baser metals into gold, and to The Tauist system, deifying, as it were, accomplish many things which have the matter, being essentially materialistic, air of miracle. You perceive at once laid hold upon that august and sublime how naturally from this root conception conception of the ruler of the universe, springs the two fundamental ideas of and incorporated it into the material alchemy-the transmutation of metals world. Not only so, having arrived at into gold and the attainment of immor- , the idea of the five elements, it subditality. These came forward under the vided the idea of the supreme ruler, influence of perhaps the two leading de- and made five gods, each a god of a 'sires which characterize human exist- special element. Thus it corrupted the ence-the first to be rich, the second to idea of God, and it has been one of the live long, or to Iive forever, in order most fmitful sources of corruption in to enjoy wealth. This system has, how. the history of the Chinese mind, introever, a close relation to what preceded ducin" a multitude of favorite idols, it as a cause and explanation of the nature·gods of material origin, which power with which it took hold of the continue to be worshipped to the preshuman mind. I have just l18id that ent day. Confucius was something of an agnostic. He dealt largely in negations-refused The Buddhist system came in, as you to give any light beyond the grave, or are aware, early in the Christian era, the to hold out any hope of immortality, Emperor Ming Ti having sent a mission although that is to some extent implied to India to bring Buddhist priests and in the formal worship of ancestors. books from that country in the year 66 The longing of the human mind for a of the Christian era. The occasion for future life sought satisfaction in the the introduction of Buddhism was, on Tauist conception of a possible immor- the one hand, the eclipse of Confuciantality which was to be conquered by a ism, and, on the other, the religious long and laborious discipline, and which thought, or phases of thought, stimucould not be the heritage of the many, lated and introduced by Tauism. The but Which might become the possession defects of both were supposed to be of a very few. supplied by the stronger, more intel- lectual, and more spiritual creed of In- This system, at the same time, im. dia. The eclipse of Confucianism was parted a kind of life to all nature; every not caused by the ascendancy of a rival form of matter is instinct with an in- creed. It was caused by a political revextinguishable, divine essence, which is olution. The buililer of the great wall capable of assuming personality. In rose up in his might and conquered the this way it peopled the whole world with rival kings,-and resolved that he would a new Pantheon of gods, fairies, and extirpate the feudal system. He was made to believe that without extirpating the books of Confucius he never could eradicate that system, and that though he might overthrow one king after an- a very powerful attraction in contrast other, yet after he should pass away the to the meagre promises of Tauism and system would again spring from the the cold negations of Confucianism, pages of the Confucian books. He re- which preceded. This was connected solved to burn the books, and then, lest with the doctrine of the transmigration these books should be reproduced from of souls, which "Was common to almost the memory of able scholars, he put all Indian creeds. The Indian philosthem to death, and thus flattered him- ophy on that subject regarded transmiself that he had swept away Confucian- gration as something amounting to a ism from the face of the earth, and with physical necessity, that it is absolutely it the whole of the feudal system. It impossible for a man to extinguish his was during this eclipse of Confucianism, being-that he has, as it has been exwhich lasted for about two centuries, pressed, come into this world without that the Emperor Ming Ti sent his em- his own choice and will go into the next bassy to India. without his own choice, and thence go on in a succession of changes forever. The Chinese people, having got the This succession of changes is described, idea of immortality from Tauism, were under the figure of a wheel, the turn of at first fired with it, but disappointed destiny, or wheel of fate, which is repthat through that system there was no resented as revolving rapidly and drophope for any but a very few; they were ping out human souls to be born again fascinated with a report they had heard in the form of man or of some higher or of a blessed religion in India, which lower being, there being six categories offered salvation to all. Hence the em- in all, according to the Buddhist diviperor sept his embassy to India and in- sion. The religious view of the founder troduced this new religion, which had of the faith was pessimistic. To escape perhaps to some extent already found from this series of changes constitutes its way into China, and begun to exert happiness, and he devised a method for some influence, but which from that day that purpose. In the Northern School became a potent factor in the develop- of Buddhism, especially in its popular ment of the Chinese mind, and contin- phase, we seldom meet with this idea_ ues to the present day to be the leading We meet more frequently with the idea religious influence in that country. I that to rise in the scale of being is hapmay say, as an illustration of the posi- piness. Sakyamuni had in his system tion which Buddhism acquired and no heaven. The Northern Buddhism, holds in China, that I hold in my hand which has prevailed in China, has a a document never given to the world in heaven, borrowed, it may be, from the the English language, nor, perhaps, so Christian's Paradise. It has, presiding far as I know, in any other Western over that heaven, a goddess of mercy, language, showing that if in the year 66 borrowed, perhaps, from the Catholic an emperor was so impressed with conception of the mother of Jesus Christ. Buddhism as to send an embassy to the Many other ic!eas present a transforma- West to introduce it into China, four- tion-Iwill not say a travesty-of Christeen centuries later another emperor tianity. was so much influenced by it as to send an embassy to introduce the Buddhist Weare asked particularly the relation classics from Thibet. (The paper, which and the interaction of these three syswas an edict of the Emperor Yungloh, tems which we have thus briefly 1412, was here read.) Various doctrines sketched. You have noted that they are alluded to in that paper, only one rose one after the other, each of them or two of which I will touch upon. I introduced by a felt want, and that each have already referred to the full and 'was preceded by a yearning of the hnbounteous offer of salvation and immor- man soul for something better; consetality made by Buddhism as furnishing quently, in a religions point of view, each one may be considered as an ad. to the doctrine of immortality, in the vance upon that by which it was pre- duty of worshipping departed spirits. ceded. They were a long time antago- But this is faint, very faint, in compari. nistic, sometimes even inciting bloody son with the religious teaching of the persecutions, but in this day they have other two sects. Buddhism has been become comparatively quiescent, like especially potent in instilling ideas active chemicals, which, being brought which are so nearly akin to those prop· into juxtaposition, exert for a time their agated by Christianity as again to pre. various qualities, but which soon be. pare the way for the introduction of ancome quiescent and inert, until they are other system. Buddhism, no doubt, brought into contact with some more en· vastly enlarged the area of Chinese con. ergetic agent. We shall find that in ceptions, To borrow a mathematical Christianity. A remarkable illustration illustration, the religious ideas of the of the quiescence of these long, active, Chinese were limited, before the intro. and conflicting systems is found in the duction of Buddhism, to two dimenfact that there are in some parts of sions, something th!t may be described China little shrines or temples where as a "flat-land," with length and the three religions are seen represented breadth, but no height. Buddhism by their founders-Confucius, Buddha, gives it height, soaring up to the heav_ and Lautse-all sitting sid" by side and ens and developing the conqeption of a receiving at one and the same time the universe, the grandeur of which perhaps homage of worshippers who acknowl. nothing can exceed. Is it possible that edge all three. You might object that after this universe of three dimensions it would be a strange mind that would we shall have one of four dimensions? acknowledge and swallow all these Mathematicians tell us that with space creeds, yet there are many who assert of four dimensions it is possible to 'do that the three creeds are identical, if you many things which cannot be done could only get down to the bottom. In without it. There is, in my view, room fact, nothing is more contradictory. The for the fourth dimension, or, to drop the Confucian system is essentially ethical; figure, there is room for a fourth stage the Buddhist system is pure idealism, in the progression, one which Ohina is as pure as that of Berkeley or Hegel; waiting for-that is, the introduction the Tauist system is materialistic, be- of Christianity. Each of the previous ginning with gross materialism. How religions was ushered in by a felt want. is it possible that three systems so Christianity alone can supply the de· utterly divergent should ever be recon· fects of all the systems and present one ciled? The fact is, they are irreconcil· harmonious unity. If I were to express able. Each one presents some one thing in one word what Christianity is to con· which meets a human want, Qut recon· fer upon China, it would be this: Not ciliation there is none; peace, union, a God seated far away, upon some reo harmony, there cannot be, though 0. mote Olympus, as in the Confucian systruce, a permanent truce, seems at pres· tem ; not a God inherent in matter, as ent to exist between them. They are in the Tauist system; not a God, as in' no longer belligerent. The question the Buddhist system, who has risen from may be raised, What benefit has each the ranks of the disciples of virtue, a one of these conferred upon the Chinese mere deified man, but God, the Spirit people? Each one has enlarged and of the universe, in Christ Jesus, coming widened the speculative thought and reo into the human Boul, taking up his abode ligious conceptions of the peop] e. Con. there and working by his Holy Spirit a fucianism gave them, or, at least, pre· regenerating influence such as none of served for them, and preserves to the these creeds has ever possessed, and of present day, the grand idea of the Suo which they have presented only a faint preme Ruler, and it bears witness, too, and dim frophecy. This I believe to be the mission of Christianity, and I be- tombs. Here these mounds are, howlieve the Chinese, though it may be un- ever, the great hieroglyph of Americaconsciously, are waiting. for it and up in the mining regions of Michigan, reaching out after it. a thousand miles up the Missouri River, all over the Ohio and Mississippi basins In reply to a question as to what re- five hundred of them, if our memory ligion preceded Confucianism, Dr. Mar- serves us correctly, in one county of the tin said: State of Ohio alone; and all over the Southern tier of our States. How old "Confucius edited the canonical they are is an antiquarian's conun_ books 'of China, the earliest of which, drum. Trees have been found growing or rather the records contained in it, go .upon them with upward of four hunback twenty·two hundred. years before dred rings, recording their annual Christ. These two religious elements growth; and these, the" primeval forof the Confucian system, worship of est" of our forefathers, were a second Shangti (conjoined with that of the growth on the .. primeval forests" of hills and rivers) and that of deceased the civilized races, on whose graves ancestors, were in full flower at that they have grown, and who, some think, time. These mUl!lt have taken some retreated from the Ohio valley two time to attain the form in which they thousand years ago ! appeared. As to the idea of the Supreme Ruler, which, so far as it goes, But monuments they are of a people is very analogous to the Christian's idea of settled life, who had organized inof God, whether that is from a pa- dustries, habits of intelligent work-as triarchal tradition, as I am inclined to skill in masonry and pottery, and in think, I will not affirm." weaving and spinning cloth; and who could mine and move blocks of copper The Mound·Builders of America. ore weighing sixty tons.
We are paying large attention in these Who they were and whence they days to 'he antiquities of Oriental coun- came will be a scientist's riddle for tries. But the more one pursues the many a year to come. .Had half the atstudy of the antiquities of the pagan tention been bestowed on the dead lanpeoples of our own continent, the more guage of these sun·dried or burned interesting does it become. brick books which has been bestowed on the brick books of Babylon, and had The study of the mounds of North the arrow-headed alphabet of these our and South America is equal in interest own prehistoric peoples received the to those of Egypt or Assyria, and no one attention that has been given to Asc.an now say how important their study syrian research, it might not now be 1<0 may become. mortifying a failure to try to answer this question. They are the .. lost All the pre.historic mounds of North tribes of Israel," say some; Malays, and South America are of one type from say others, whose empire, maritime and Peru and Yucatan to Mexico and the commercial, and whose fleets of great Mississippi and Ohio valleys, in being ships reached all over the Pacific island a terraced elevation. Some, possibly, and to Peru; Phcenicians, cry others, once furnished the foundation of a the great colonizing navigators of anbuilding, as did those of Guatemala tiquity. Not so, say others still; they and Southern Mexico, where ruined are" Atlantics," from the lost" islands stone edifices still remain on the sum- of Atlantis," a portion of the American mits of similar earthworks. It is high- Continent now below the waters of the ly probable they were constructed for Atlantic Ocean, which once stretched in religioUI!I uses, some say, giving indica- neighboring groups from the West Intions of sun.worship and other sacred dies to the Allorefl. But, leaving all symbol, while othel"S think theIr} only these external theorizings out of view, arrested at the instigation of the eccle- we have two most adverse theories of siastical authorities on a charge of pub- scientists to amuse U8, if they do not licly performing religiolls services not satisfy us. sanctioned by the Rcman Catholic Church. On a hearing before the Crim- First, the civilized life of the ancient inal Court in November, it was proven Mexicans and Central Americans origi- that his religious services had been nally began and reached its climax in conducted privately within closed doors, South and Central America, and extend- and entirely within the' limitations of ed itself with gradually lessening com- the law, and he was acquitted; but in- pletcness over large portions of Ameri- asmuch as the parties urging the prose- ca, the civilization being less perfect as cution appealed the case to the Superior the colonies were remote. Second, the Court he was remanded to prison. The theory of the modern passionate evolu- Superior Court, after visiting the site of tionist, who would show that the begin- the chapel, affirmed the decision of the nings were everywhere, the gradual de- lower court and directed his release ; velopment reaching highest in Mexico, when his enemies again interposed, and Yucatan, and Peru. by appealing to the Supreme Court, suc- ceeded in having his imprisonment pro- These diyergent schools teach-the longed. Mr. Hicks, of the United States one that this is a great prehistoric race, Legation, telegraphed on the 16th of with arts of civilized life, reading, writ- January, that he bad watched the case ing, and aJ:chitectural decorations, and closely, and had had almost daily prom- skill not to be excelled by the best of ises of Mr. Penzotti's release, which tlie our constructors and decorators. These Foreign Office deemed certain; but al- ( find in the mounds of the United States though his imprisonment has con· evidence of a civilization such as the tinued for more than six months, a race of Indians known to history could decision dops not seem to haTe been never have produced. The other school rendered as yet. thinks there is nothing about these earthworks that may not be accounted Penzotti is an Italian subjeet. He has for after the most ordinary manner as been twenty-five years in South AIDer- belonging to the modern Indian. More ica. He was converted in Buenos Ayres entertaining literature is not easy to and became a colporteur of the Ameri- find, though it be only a babble of can Bible Society. He was some while books. ago placed in charge of Bible distribu- tion on the west coast of South Amer- -A brother kindly sends us a note ica. For threE years, amid a great deal stating that we inadvertently used the of persecution, he has been selling wrong title when we alluded to the Bibles in Peru. The priests had him "Church of England Missionary So- arrested and thrown into prison, where ciety," in Persia, in the February num- he has remained till now, among the low- ber. He says the missionaries whose in- est and vilest criminals in a dark filthy trusion in the Persian Presbyterian mis- cell. The charges cannot be sustained; sion field is complained of are an .. in- but, under Peruvian law, he must prove dependent mission under the special himself innocent. The Italian minister direction and patronage of the Arch- at Callao has sought his release as an Ital- bishop of Canterbury, and receive part ian flubject, and the American Bible So- of their funds from the Society for the ciety has appealed to Mr. Blaine for pro- Propagation of the Gospel." tection of certain property and other rIghts of Americans involved in the At the meeting of the American Bible case. But meanwhile Mr. Penzotti is Society in February, letters were pre- behind those barH, the representative and sented from the society's agent in Peru, champion of religious freedom. who has been in prison at Callao since the 25th of July last. Mr. Penzotti was
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
III.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
COMPARATIVE RELIGIONs.-The New which Dr. Martin himself was good York University has shown commend. enough to reyise and place at our dis- able appreciation of the thought.need posal. We present it now, with the im- of the age, in establishing a Lectureship pression that it is one of the very best on Comparative Religions, and is to be and most suggestive papers we have congratulated that it has secured Rev. published. We are also pleased to an- F. F. Ellinwood, D.D., as Lecturer. nounce that we hope to present, in an We understand that two courses of lec- .early issue hereafter, a paper from Dr.
tures are given. In the first, Dr. Ellin- Martin on "American Influence in wood considers Hinduism, Buddhism, China." G.
Mohammedanism, Zoroastrianism, and Confucianism, giving a large proportion A NEW MISSIONARY CYCLOPlIllDIA.-We of attention to Hinduism, as embracing soliciteil from Messrs. Funk & WagnaIIs all phases of the religion of the Hindus for temporary use, some advanced sheets from the first Aryan faith through Brah- of the new "Missionary Cyclopredia"
manism, Buddhism, Philosophic Ra-· they are about to issue. We were so tionalism of the schools, etc.-in a delighted with the excellence of the word, all that belongs to the> composite work, that we venture to violate a rule which may be called Hinduism. In of the house, admirahle though it be.
the second course he subsoils these It is, we believe, understood that their same fields with a more thorough study, own books are not to he presented in taking also the ancient religions of the this way in their periodicals. It is our world, studying them with a view to the pleasure to establish that rule by an ex- light which they throw on the question of ception. It is not too much to say that a primitive Monotheism, the testimony for more than a dozen years a missionary which they give by their traditions to the cyclopredia has been a desideratum.
general truths of Christianity. He con- We do not know of an edition of New- siders also Tauism and Shintooism, comb later than 1860. Aikman's Cyclo- and the religion of the Druses. He predia appe'ared in 1859, and reached a takes up particularly the relations of the second edition in 1861. Hassell's" From Dhammapada and the Bhagavad Gita to Pole to Pole" and Elliot Stock's Christianity. . He gives a full written "Handbook of Christian Missions"
lecture. He also furnishes lists of books were issued in 1872, as was also Boyce's to be read in connection with the lec- invaluable" Statistics of Protestant Mis- tures. His classes, as a rule, are enthu· sionary Societies, " which was published siastic in this study. Out of these only for private circulation, but worth courses of lectures has grown the organ- its weight in precious metal. Grunde- ization of "The American Society of man's "Allgemeiner Missions-Atlas,"
Comparative Religion," which though Vahl's" Missions-Atlas," and Werner's young is enterprising. On February 6th "Atlas der Evangelischen Missions,"
last it secured Rev. Dr. A. P. Martin, are of high value within their sphere, President of the Imperial University at but are not in English dress. There Peking, China, to deliver before it a lec- are smaller works, as Badley's" Indian ture on " The Religious Attitude of the Missionary Directory" and Dobbin's Chinese Mind." As the lecture was not " Foreign Missionary Manual," and the a written one we solicited the kind admirable "Missionary Year Book."
offices of the Corresponding Secretary But the great gap is unfilled. We of the Society, Rev. C R. Blauvelt, want a comprehensive, well-digested, Nyack, N. Y., in securing for publica- historical, geographical, and statistical tion in our columns a report of the lec- Bummary-a vast dictionary of mis- ture, and he 'furnished a full synopsiS, sions, And at great cost and pain!! that desidemtum is, we are confident, China is a greater scourge than war or now to be met. We base our judgment pestilence." These China Christians on some two hundred pages which we are taunted with having adopted the re- have examined and tested, by working ligion of "the foreign devils, who are with them for a month. Those who making China into a hell by their opi- know the nature of such a production um." Worse still, the poor, weak lit- will not expect a faultless volume. It tle Christian church in the Celestial Em- will not be free from some inaccuracies. pire is being well nigh decimated by Biographically, it will be like heaven: the use of the drug. G.
one will find persons there he did not expect to see, and miss persons whose -" Maokay of Uganda" has been is· sued by the Armstrongs. Alexander names he thought certainly would be Mackay was styled by the Pall Mall Ga- ·zette the ., St. Paul of Uganda." Stanthere. That is inevitable. But, after ley, Grant, Jephson, and scores of the great Afrioan "lights" have poured all such natural and necessary exception their vials of odors on Mackay's grave. We doubt if he is not to stand out the is taken, this promises to be a mission- foremost missionary layman of the cen· tury. This book is one to " read, mark, ary cycloprodia on a scale and of a char- learn, and inwardly digest." It is a religious tonic. acter such as we have not had. It will be hailed heartily and studied dili- gently. Missions represent more than anything but the Bible the nnity of Protestant Christendom. Manyare eager to get a glance at the whole field down to date. We believe from what we have seen of these sheets they are not to be disappoin ted. Our readers may observe that, for unity's sake and convenience of refer- The leading articles which we have ence, we have assigned to each month a general field, as follows : examined, snch as "Buddhism" and January: The general outlook of the "Bantu," must have been written by world field.
persons speoially competent to furnish February: China, Thibet, and Con- fucianism. them. We understand that.llpeoial care Maroh: Mexioo, Central America, has been exeroised in the assignment of West Indies, Cuba, and Evangelization of Cities. the several classes of work, by which the April; India, Ceylon, Java. Brahmanablest talent has been brought to bear ism.
upon the whole wvrk, which is editorially May: Burmah, Malaysia, Siam, Laos. Buddhism. in the oharge of Rev. E. M. Bliss. June: Africa. Freedmen in North The publioation of such a book or America.
books, for it is in two large volumes, July: Islands of Sea-Polynesia, Me- lanesia. Utah and Mormonism. North requires the investment of a large sum Amerioan Indians. Chinese and Japan- ese in Amerioa. of money, and deserves the encourage- August: Italy, France, Spain. Papal ment of the Christian publio, as furnish- Europe. Bulgaria.
ing a thesaurus of missionary informa- September: Japan, Korea. Medioal Missions. tion. Dr. Rufus Anderson's axiom Ootober: Scandinavia, Germany, ought not to be lost sight of-" The Switzerland, etc. Turkey, Persia, Arabia. Mohammedanism. Greek interest which truly Christian people Oh~roh, Nomu.al Christianity take in missions is equal to their correct knowledge of them." G.
-There is a traot entitled" Christian Woman of North China to the Christian Women of England upon the Opium In-· iquity." In' this these Chinese Christian women deolare to all Europe and to all nmnkind that" forei6n opium in November: South America. Y. M. Bulgaria to the Bulgarians and Servia C. A. Home Missions. Papacy. to the Servians now give Palestine back to the Jews? These provinces as well as December: Syria and Jews. Green- Roumania, Montenegro, and Greece, land. Educational Missions. were wrested from the Turks and given to their natural owners. Does not Pal- A remarkable movement, headed by estine as rightfully belong to the Jews? It is said that rains are increasing, and MT. W. E. Blackstone, of Oak Park, Ill., there are many evidences that the land is recovering its ancient fertility. If is on foot to present an overture to the they could have autonomy in govern- ment, the Jews of the world would rally leading nations of the world, to buy Pal- to transport and establish their suffering brethren in their time-honored habita. estine and put it at the control of the tion. For over seventeen centuries they have patiently waited for such a Russian Jews, for occupation. The list privileged opportunity. They have not become agriculturists elsewhere, because of signatures to this document, already they believed they were mere sojourners in the various nations, and were yet to obtained, include editors, lawyers, mer- return to Palestine and till their own land. Whatever vested rights, by poschants, and men in every secular call- session, may have accrued to Turkey can be easily compensated, possibly by ing, as well as clergymen of every de. the Jews assuming an equitable portion of the national debt. nomination, inclusive even of Roman We believe that this is an appropriate Catholics. We have seen no document time for all nations, and especially the Christian nations of Europe, to show for twenty years that so impressed us kindness to Israel. A million of exiles, by their terrible sufferings, are piteously with its five hundred signatures. appealing to our sympathy, justice, and humanity. Let us now restore to them The following is the text of this me- the land of which they were so cruelly despoiled by our Roman ancestors. morial: . To this end we respectfully petition " What shall be done for "the Russian His Excellency Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States, and the Jews? It is both unwise and useless Honorable James G. Blaine, Secretary of State, to use their good offices and into undertake to dictate to Russia con- fluences with the Governments of their Imperial Majestiescerning her internal affairs. The Jews Alexander III., Czar of Russia. have lived as foreigners in her domin- Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Empress of India. ions for centuries, and she fully be. William II., Emperor of Germany. Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austrolieves that they are a burden upon her Hungary. Abdul Hamid II., Sultan of Turkey. resources and prejudicial to the welfare His Royal Majesty Humbert, King.of Italy. of her peasant population, and will not Her Royal Majesty Marie Christina, Queen Regent of Spain, and, with the allow them to remain. She is deter- mined that they must go. Hence, like the Sephardim of Spain, these Ashkena- zim must emigrate. But where shall 2,000,000 of such poor people go?
Europe is crowded and has no room for more peasant population. Shall they come to America? This will be a tre- mendous expense and require years.
Why not give Palestine back to them?
According to God's distribution of na- tions it is their home-an inalienable possession from which they were ex· pelled by force" Under their cultiva- tion it was a remarkably fruitful land, sustaining millions of Israelites, who in- dustriously tUled its hillsides and val- leys. They were agriculturists and pro.
ducers, as well as a nation of great com- mercial importance-the centre of civil- ization and religion.
Why shall not the powers which un- der the treaty of Berlin, in 1878, gave Government of the Republic of France, and hopeful that our Government should and with the Governments of Belgium, initiate this friendly movement, to give Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, these wandering millions of Israel a set- Roumania, Servia, Bulgaria, and Greece, tled and permanent home. to secure the holding, at an early date, of an International Conference to con- " The President listened attentively to sider the condition of the Israelites and Mr. Blackstone's remarks, and promised their claims to Palestine as their ancient to give the subject serious considerahome, and to promote, in all other just tion." and proper ways, the alleviation of their suffering condition." The editorial staff of this REVIEW is now unusually complete. It embraces, Several petitioners wish it stated that besides the editor-in-chief, Rev. Drs. the lews have not become agriCUlturists, Gracey and Gordon, leading Methodist because for centuries they were almost and Baptist divines, Rev. C. C. Staruniversally prohibited from owning or buck, an Episcopalian, Rev. D. L. Leontilling land in the countries of their dis- ard, a Congregationalist, besides a leadpersion. ing Presbyterian clergyman whose name does not appear. Neither effort nor ex- On March 5th, Mr. William E. Black- pense is spared by the publishers and stone, of Chicago, presented this remark- editorial staff to make this the leading able paper, with its signatures of the review of world-wide missions. Mr. most prominent men of the country, to Starbuck, who has charge of the foreign the President of the United States; and exchanges, is seeking to make his dethe following is the report of the inter- partment the American review of review, as found in the daily press: views.
"Mr. Blackstone explained to the The greatest embarrassment which President and Secretary Blaine that the attends our work is perhaps the lack of memorial was the result of a conference trustworthy statistics, or rather, conof Christians and Jews, recently held in sistent and uniform statistics. One of Chicago, and called especial attention to our correspondents complains of the the fact that it did not antagonize Rus- statement on page 232 March issue, of sia, but only sought, in a peaceful way, the work in Africa. He compares this to give the Jews control of their oIa with the figures of Mr. Liggins in his homes in Palestine. He pointed out ., Value and Success of Foreign Mismany evidences of the possibility of sions," page 31, who reports 175,000 great development of ihat country, both communicants and 300,000 baptized agriculturally and commercially, under members of churches, etc. Now we ask an energetic government, and said that our friend to bear in mind, first, that the railroad now building from Joppa Mr. Liggins's estimates, published in to Jerusalem, if extended to Damascus, 1888, were probably taken from reports Tadmore and down the Euphrates, can- made in 1887, and covering the year not fail to become an international high- from 1876-77. These estimates in the way. He said that the poverty of the REVIEW are from the most recent reports Turkish Government gives emphasis to available. But most of all must it be the proposed indemnity by funding a borne in mind that scarce any two portion of the Turkish national debt statisticians proceed on the same printhrough Jewish capitalists, and that only ciple of estimate. A Baptist connts only peaceable diplomatic negotiations are baptized adult believers; an Episcoasked for, to the end that all private palian or Catholic would reckon every ownership of land and property be care. baptized infant; and some high churchfully respected and protected. In clos- men have been Jmown to reckon all the ing, he said that, being on such friendly household of a baptized communicant. terms with Russia, and having no com· plications in the Orient, it is most fitting For years we have been seeking to get not detect the fact that on page 149, some uniform basis for such tables line 17, immorality would read better adopted, but in vain. If we could have for another" t". If any reader thinks uniform forms for such tables, no errors that proof.reading is a sinecure he or contradictions would seriously occur. should try it. For example, if we could have a column for baptized adults, one for baptized in- By some strange oversight in the brief fants. etc., one for adherents, etc., we article on "Missionary Training might prevent confusion. As it is now, Schools," page 300, Vol. III. of thid our only way is either to discard figures REVIEW, no mention is made of the Interentirely, or else publish such as we can national Medical Missionary Society and get, and ask our readers to take them Training Institute, at No. 118 East fortyfor what they are worth as approxi. fifth Street, New York. This institu· mates. We say this once for aU. tion was founded in 1881 and incor- porated in 1886, its objects being, "to Another esteemed correspondent heal the sick and preach the Gospel in thinks the word" boasts," on page 205, New York and other cities, and train March issue, a "venomous word to young men and women to go abroad as thrust at a bishop." The editor will medical missionaries." The medical only say no such indignity was intend· director and founder of the institute is ed. The word was used in a mild sense, Dr. George D. Dowkontt, a devoted misof a perfectly lawful exultation at a very sionary and able manager. creditable increase. This word has a legitimate use. Camp. Psalm xliv., 8. Seven dispensaries have been estab- lished-6 in New York and 1 in Brook. In his annual report of the Congrega. lyn, and upward of 25,000 cases of distional Union's work, Secretary Cobb ease have been treated. suggested, and Dr. Taylor advocated. for promoting the progress of mission. In 1889, 59 students, 12 of whom were ary enterprise: (1) a clear presentation, ladies, were received; and missionaries at least once a year, in every pulpit, of from this training I>chool are working in the work of the various departments India, China, and Africa. of Christian service in the light of the latest facts; (2) the adoption by every At the time of writing the artiC'le, we church of a plan by which offerings of had in mind general training schools, money shall be made, precisely the same and not medical. Hence the inadvert· as offerings of prayer and praise, to ence. carryon the work of the on.coming kingdom of God; (3) a greatly awakened A writer in the Christian suggests that apprehension of the fact that evangeliz. a good service could be rendered by ing work is rapidly growing, so that mllny Christians if they would write let· funds which sufficed twenty.five, or ters to missionaries in foreign lands. even ten, years ago can by no PORS;- There are many who can write a few bility do the work demanded to.day. simple sympathizing lines that would cheer lonely hearts, but perhaps could Our correction in the February num· not otherwise do much for the Master. ber, page 142, needS correcting. The There are also many earnest believers line misplaced on page 51 of the Janu· whose interests would be widened if ary number belongs on page 50. And they were to write to missionaries in in the February number, page 83, line different fields, for wherever their let- 12, Siberia, should, of course, read Libe· ters go their hearts would go thereafter. ria; and even Dr. Gracey's eagle eye did In most cases such letters will be an· swered, and thus new and holy bonds would bind together the hearts of the writer and the lonely workers in far· away fields.
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
-Asia is the most populous of con- ism, in the strict SQnse of the word, they tinents. But its population is un- say is, what may be called a cellular sysequally distributed. Taking the whole tem of society, where the cells are built area of Europe, it has a denser popula- up separately, and kept from all possition proportionately than Asia has. It bility of coalescing by an elaborate sysaverages 90 to the square mile, while tem of boycotting in food and in mar- Asia averages only 46. riage. And this has given rise to a hab- it of thought which is the deadliest foe But four countries of Asia-India, to Christian aggressive work. The one Java, China, and Japan-with five- sin which the caste Hindu regards as sixths of the total area have double the unpardonable is to think and act for population of Europe. himself. Individual responsibility, one of the most important elements in Chris- INDIA- BRAHMANISM. tian morality, is the one great sin to the caste Hindu. The individual is noth- The population of India is roughly ing, the caste is everything. If the classified as : (1) Hindus, (2) Aboriginal caste Hindu is to accept a new faith, tribes, (3) Mohammedans, (4) Miscella- then the probability is that he will come neous sects-Buddhists or Jains, Parsis, to it by a movement of masses and not Sikhs. The first two are estimated of individuals_ at 206,000,000, the Mohammedans at ronndly 50,000,000, and the miscellane- This finds at this moment an emphatous at 6,000,000. In counting the Hin- ic illustration in North India, among dus and Aboriginal tIibes together, we the Methodist missions. A great movedo not mean to say that Gonds, Rhonds, ment among certain low-caste peoples Santals, and the Hill tribes are Hindus. has taken place by which the communi- Many of them are so counted, but per- ty, as such, is turning to Christianity; haps 20,000,000 of them, at a low esti- and 5000 were baptized last year, and mate, are not even Hinduized, and pos- perhaps as many more were ready to be sibly 50,000,000 of them must not be baptized, but the missionaries preferred counted as Hindus. they should wait for further inRtruction and testing; yet they will, notwithstand- Of the 186,OOO,000-if we reckon it so ing this repression, baptize at least 5000 high-of the Hindu community, a large more this year, and have at least 10,000 number are out.castes by the system, eagerly awaiting baptism. It is a moveor are very low·caste people. These, ment much like that in Ongole among strictly speaking, are religiously with- the Baptists, and in NellorEl also. out privileges and socially without standing, separated necessarily and In the Deccan, this Scotch delegation eternally from the body politic of the thinks, the family feeling is stronger four castes which constitute the Hindu than the caste feeling in the depressed community. classes, and they think that there, the aggression will be along the family line. Professor Lindsay and Rev. J. F. Dr. Sheshadri's success is based on the Daly, deputized last year to visit the family as an indirect agency in the prop. Free Church missions in India, report- agation of the Gospel. It is confessed ed that caste Hinduism includes all man- that the mission does not show the sa~ne ner of religions in our Western sense of proportion of results in conversion the word, varying from a refined theos- among the strictly caste Hindus, but it ophy down to what is little better than is certain that, through mission and govrude fetich worship, and has no com- ernment schools, and other contact with mon creed, although beneath all there Western civilization-in society, letters, lies. a curious pantheism which is the one common religious basis. Hinducommerce, and laws-caste Hinduism is community, . which challenges fresh being seriously undermined and greatly effort on the part of the Christian modified.* Church; for it shows that, after all the European scholarship has disclosed to advance of the Christian community in these Hindus their own original scrip. India, there were more heathen in India tures, now overlaid with the debris of at the end of the decade than at its be- Iustful and foolish idolatry and fetich- ginning. Itmustnot be a source of dis.
ism; anu. whole segments of this commu.i couragement, however, for the Christian nityare breaking from the strict social community in India was shown to have order and organizing at a sort of half.way increased at nearly double the ratio of house between Hinduism and Chris- the non-Christian population. Then we tianity, while individuals in large num- must not overlook t.he fact that Brah- bers have swung to a stage of infidelity manism has been deteriorating for a in all religion. India to·day is not thousand years. It has died at the top.
the India of even fifty years ago. The It has been struck in the head; as a re- British Government steadily urges a ligious sYRtem it has been brained. It European standard of morals on the has added nothing to its philosophy for community. The pressure brought to centuries, nor to its aggregate of re- bear on them just now on the family and ligious force. If because of its exten- marriage life is in illustration, by which sion among depressed masses it has the" age of consent" has been raised found geographical or communal ex- to ten years. Gross abuses forced the tension, it has yet seriously declined in government to this action; but what us its purity. If there are more Brahmans, feel more hopeful is that the public there is less Brahmanism. It has even sentiment of the native community has been compelled to take a back seat on been elevated so far as to fortify the gov- the school forms, while European schol- ernment in this action. This gives en- ars should teach it what its sacred books couragement to hope that the govern- say it is. It is a learner and not a ment may be induced to press the mar- teacher of its own literature.
riage laws of India in the near future A preacher of the Brahmo Somaj is yet nearer to a standard becoming a reported as saying in a sermon : Christian nation. But in considering the " Men's minds have become restless. contact of Christianity with Brahman- Their minds now are filled with doubts ism, high caste or low caste, it is always regarding those things which formerly well to bear in mind that it is an absolutely local religion. It is confined to commanded respect. . . . A great flood the soil; crossing certain geographical has come and swept over the face of the boundaries, a caste Hindu loses his caste. Caste HindJlism, therefore, can have coun'try, carrying away the roofs of the no geographical extension. It is also edifices of past creeds and customs. confined within blood boundaries. It Drowning men, in their despair, are catching at whatever they find nearest their hands. They are finding it diffi- cult to obtain peace of mind."
can only be propagated along race lines. The New Light, an organ of the Brahmo The only possible increase, therefore, of Somaj, has the following: the Brahman community is as the " Christ Jesus … is as much necessary birth.rate exceeds the death.rate. If in this age and in India as He was 1800 the census can be relied on, Hinduism years ago in Judrea. As sinful children (not Brahmanism) increased in the re- of men, we, the people of India, are as cent decade six per cent. This marks a much in need of the Living Son of the great aggregate increase if a heathen Living God as the people of Judrea were in days gone by."
• The part of this official report of the Free But let us not overestimate the utter- Church of Scotland delegates to India, which an~es of the more intelligent classes. we have followed, would make a very excellent Below them is still the vast horde who tract. eat. drink, and are given in marriage, The extensive influence of the San- caring only how to plough, and reap, and skrit language on the Javanese is in evi- trade, and keep from starvation, not able dence of long intercourse. Every to read, not caring what the brains of language of the Eastern Archipelago will India are occupied about at all. Only be found to have engrafted upon it a 11,000,000 out of a total of 250,000,000 quantity of Sanskrit proportionate to the can read. extent of its own cultivation. The Kavi, / Mission work was never more neces- a language of Java, is chiefly SanskTit. sary, never so vast, so intelligent, so co- One sixth of the Malay language is San- operative, so compacted, so jealous of the skrit. The Mohammedans came in 1478, efficiency of its own methods, so intro- and Arabs and MaJays drove out every spective as now. The ratio of conver- description of Hindus, even a sect of sions steadily advances as weil as the Sivaites, who attempted to propagate ratio of the Christian community rela- their peculiar worship. tive to other portions of the population. Bishop Thoburn is authority for the Islam, so modified as to form almost statement that the largest missionary a distinct religion known as Javanism, conference in the world meets monthly remains the religion of the Javanese in Calcutta. race, and is reported to have rapidly ex· tended. The Sundas, who occupy the The next Decennial Conference of the west end, are less civilized than the Jav. ruissionaries will be held in 1892, and anese, who occupy the rest of the island. we have no doubt the summary of re- Politically the country is divided into sults will be greatly uplifting. 24 governorships. It has the electrio telegraph and two railroads. JA.VA.. Missionary work on this island as Java is about equal in size to one a:c.d nearly records a failure as in any part one-third of Great Britain, and count- of the globe. The Christianity of the ing little Madura, in its bosom, with Netherlands has had this eighteen or less than one·fifteenth of the area of the twenty millions of people within touch whole Eastern Archipelago, it has more for two centuries and a half, and enrolls than half the population of the group; not perhaps more than 4000 Christians. and its population is rapidly increasing. The Netherlands Missionary Society has It is the third in size, but first in trade labored here. The Dutch Missionary of the group. It is the granary of the Society commenced work among the archipelago. It is the most noted, too, 4,000,000 of Sundanese in Western Java for its ruins. Brambaban abounds with in 1863. It has schools and perhaps stupendous relics of Indian origin, the nearly 1000 in its congregations. It hilS remains of an extensi ve and splendid translated the entire Scriptures into city, while prodigious monuments of an- Sundanese. The Dutch Reformed Mis- cient Hindus appear in every direction. sionary Society labors in Central Java. The finest Sii ecimens of Buddhist stat- It reports a remarkable movement in ues in the world are in Java. Boro the last two or three years among the Buddha is the most magnificent relic of populations ruled by Moslem Sultans, Buddhism remaining in any country. notwithstanding that no missionary can Three hundred Buddhist images are preach without a government license, here. Buddhism was the prevailing re- and that license restricts him to one po· lision of the ancient Javanese. Civili- litical division. Over one thousand zation spread from West to East in the souls were reported converted in one Indian Archipelago. district where permission to preach hIlS beE'n persistently refused, and no min. The Javanese trace their origin to In- ister allowed to administer the sacra· dia. Probably commercial intercourse ments. The Mennonite Society, or- existed between the Coromandel coast g,an"iz._ed–in. 1849, made Java its first neld and Java from time immemorial. but it reported not more than 133 adhe- tered the field in 1813, by the ap- rents in 1889. pointment of four missionaries. This Board has given great attention to the (lEYLON. establishment of a well-ordered educa- tional system. They have had encour- Ceylon, the natives say, is the" Seat aging results in the way of self-support. of Paradise." Its 3,000,000 of people They now enroll 1477 communicants, are crowded about 118 to a square mile. and number 3116 adherents and 328 na- It is about two_sevenths the size of Great tive workers. The contributions of the Britain. It is called the "adopted native church last year amounted to country of the persecuted Buddhists." $4878. Singhalese and Tamils are the two principal races of the island. These are The Wesleyan Missionary Society endifferent from each other not only in tered Ceylon in 1814. The story of Dr. language and religion, but in vigor, in- Coke dying on the way to found this telligence, and personal characteristics. mission is a familiar one. The Church of England Missionary Society entered The Tamil is industrious and enter- in 1818, and the S. P. G. in 1838. prising, while the Singhalese is just the opposite. The HindUIsm of the Tamils In a large public square in the northdiffers but little from Hinduism in South ern part of Calcutta missionaries preach India. They are mostly devil-worship- every Sunday afternoon to large and repers, and devil trees and temples are spectful audiences. Recently a man common. The Buddhist Singhalese, like appeared in the audience interrupting their Tamil neighbors, have retained the preacher. He was remonstrated many of the lower forms of superstition. with, but continued his impertinent questions. Suddenly a native police- Ceylon has been mission ground for man arrested him, though he called nearly four hundred years, and has been loudly on the Hindus to rescue him; made the victim of some of the most re- and he was taken to the police station markable experiments in Christianiza- where, before the magistrates, he con- Hon that the world can anywhere show. fessed that he was a paid agent of the Its missionary history may be divided Madras Hindu Propagation Society, sent into three epochs, corresponding to the to Calcutta to put a stop to street governments which held it : the Portu- preaching! This illustrates the tactics guese, the .f)utch, and the English. now being pursued in India. When the Portuguese held most of the island, the Roman Catholics, in the be- Dr. W. A. P. Martin, in the librum, ginning of the sixteenth century, sought contradicts the impression that China to introduce Christianity, but it was lit- will menace the world's peace. Chinese tle less than paganism itself. The traditions are opposed to war. Defence, Dutch, in 1556, made the great blunder not conquest, is the aim of her military of seeking to turn the natives from Ro- organization. Internal improvements manism to L)ltheranism, by offering are progressing. To meet the needs of government offices only to such as were commerce, the rich coal-fields of the baptized in the national church. They Empire are being developed. These banished the priests, Catholic rites were mines are connected with the sea by a forbidden on pain of death, and the railway. Soon other railroads will be people were commanded to become built. China, Dr. Martin says, will Protestants. The 30,000 Christians soon mine her own iron and produce which they soon reckoned were of little her own steel rails. She is mining for worth, and there is only a feeble rem-. silvel.' and gold, and is prospecting for nant of them to be found. petroleum.
The English Baptists came in 1812. They number now about 1000 communicants. The American Board en-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
-The North Afrjca Mission has in lem are in protracted unhappy friction.
all 58 missionaries engaged in its field Complaint is made by the Society that of operations, embracing Morocco, Al- the bishop'S late charge, instead of geria, Tunis, Tripoli, and North Arabia. being primarily addressed to his clergy, -·Last year the Foreign Mission Fund was evidently intended for English of the English ;Presbyterian Church High Church friends. More deplorclosed with a debt of £3100. able, it magnifies "points of external service and ceremony," to the exclu- Italy-Evangelical Alliance.- The sion of the truths of the Gospel of president of the Roman branch of the Christ. Other charges ar~ made which Alliance had the honor of a private audi- mark strained relations. As the Society ence with King Humbert, before whom provides a large proportion of the bish- were laid the arrangements for the ap- op's salary, some change is inevitable. proaching international conference at Bishop Blyth decla.res that he will not Florence. He expressed his cordial in- resign. terest in the meeting, and hoped that the Alliance would ~e warmly greeted Archdeacon Maples. – Rev. James by the Italians. The subjects for dis- Johnston has recently, in Manchester, cussion comprise" Religious Thought listened to this nobly devoted worker, in Italy," "Florence and the Reforma- identified with the Lake Nyassa branch tion," "The True Unity of the Chris- of the Universities' Mission, over which tian Church," "The Divine Authority Bishop Smythies presides. The archof Holy Scripture," "The Relation of deacon belongs to a family of eminent the Church to Modern Society," "In- solicitors in London, and was educated ternational Christian Co-operation," at the Charterhouse and University Col- "Christianity and Social Questions," lege, Oxford. Upon taking holy orders, and " Foreign Missions." in 1876, he left for East Central Africa, where he has bravely remained, an inde- India-Salvation Army.-By the fatigable missionary pioneer. He gives toilers continued advance is reported a cheery account of the conquests and throughout Ceylon and the Indian Em- prospects of the Universities' Mission. pire. In 1886 the Army had 15 corps, One of the chief trials which the Uniwith 39 European and 41 native officers, versities' missionaries have to face is the while in 1888 some 56 corps had been irritating effect produced on the nerves established, represented by 166 Euro- by the malarial climate, and the consepean and 102 native officers. The re- quent difficulty of dealing justly and turns for 1890 show 96 corps, 171 Euro- gently with the natives. ~'his may pean and 273 native officers. Out of a partially account for, though not excuse total of 4673 conversions there had been the cruelties practised by secular ex- 263 Europeans, 317 Roman Catholics, plorers in many parts of Africa.
592 native "Christians," and· 3501 East Africa.-A Berlin correspond- "raw heathens saved." In December ent of the London Times telegraphs that last 55 new officers embarked for India, the Central Board of the African Society where some of the Army's social work of German Catholics has granted 25,000 is being attempted. As regards the marks toward the fund for placing a.
position of the Salvation Army in the Wissmann steamer on Lake Victoria, United States, the figures are 86,662 on condition of the success of the enter- members, 40 church buildings, and 287 • prise being otherwise assured, and fur- halls, with sitting accommodation for ther sums, amounting to 75,000 marks, 102,261 persons. for the promotion of missionary enter- -The English Church Missionar,}" prise in various districts of German East Societs and the Bishop of Jerusa- Africa. Although Major VOIl Wissmann, on his return to Berlin, last summer, in and Christian manner," and continues, comparing the work of Catholic and " I shall never forget ODe time, when Protestant missionaries in East Africa, speaking on this subject with his late awarded to the former the palm of much Highness the Maharajah of i Travancore. greater success, his statements were His Highness said the day of rest was stoutly challenged and, in some cases, observed by his Government in the certainly disproved. jails, public offices, etc., but he asked, Would it not be a strange thing if he, English Wesleyan Missionary So· a Hindu prince, had to interfere to ciety.":-The discouraging statements make Christians keep the Sabbath? ' " made in the January issue of the REVIEW The missionary concludes by observing relative to English Wesleyan finances that the question is one which, so far may now be considerably modified. as the obse"ance of the day of rest is With the disappearance of the contro- concerned, "very closely affects Chrisversy on the Society's Indian policy, tian missions." which led to a serious decline in receipts in Great Britain, there is reported at Hindu Child Marriage-" Age of the opening of 1891 a "marked improve· Consent" Bill.-Moderate as the Inment." Fresh sympathy has been awa· dian Government measure is to raise kened. From Tonga good news still ar· the minimum age of a girl capable of conrives. With the return of religious sent,ing from ten to twelve years, it is liberty the native Wesleyan chapel is some advance toward the removal' of a regaining the ground which it lost by shameful abuse in relation to Hindu the recent persecution. child marriages. By the majority of representative subjects in India the bill India.-The eminent Baptist minis· will be deemed inadequate. It was ter, Rev. E. G. Grange, of Bristol, who only a few months ago two thousand has just returned from India, says that Indian women asked that the consenting the style of life in which missionaries age should be fourteen yearli. This live does strike a visitor as being luxu· memorial to the Viceroy was supported rious, but it is inevitable. His general by fifty.five ladies practising medicine impression is that the life is a trying in India. For this step in legislation one, and nothing save the love of God great praise is due to Mr. lblabari, or the love of money would keep a man whose efforts have been of the most in India. self·denying character. He thought that fourteen years might be adopted, Indian Factory Commission.- an opinion similarly held by the medi- Although this commission, at the con. cal profession, and likewise long recogelusion of its sittings in 1890, recom· nized by the Parsee and Brahman commended important amendments touch. munities. The Rajpoots have lately fol· ing the excessive working hours of lowed this examp1e. Fortunately, the women and children, there is a further l'rincipal Hindu reformers are press. call for humane -legislation in such na· ing amendments by which to strengthen tive States as Travancore, where the the rights of parents in withholding Factory Acts have no operation. A their daughters from cohabitation with friend of the writer, the Rev. J. Knowles the husbands they have married as mere (L. M. S.), Travancore, South India, re- children, till they have reached a proper marks that" professedly Christian men age. It is admitted that the Viceroy may and do work women and children has escaped being charged with violating from dawn to dark, with only a short outrageously social custom and ecclesipause of about twenty minutes in the astical tradition. The ultimate developmiddle of the day." Referring to the ment of this measure is scarcely less imneed of intervention, Mr. Knowles says, portant than the virtual abolition of " The only thing I am pleading for is the legal status of Indian slavery in 1843. that things shall be done in a humane Monthly Bulletin. year of 42,124. All the Methodist de- nominations in the United States nUll!- -The Christian Alliance has some ber 54,711 churches, 31,765 Dnnisters, suggestive words on taking secondary and 4,980,240 communicants. places in service for Christ. We must learn to help as well as lead, if we would -The Deaconess movement is spread- be used of God. It is a great thing to ing. In connection with the Baptist be wiIIing to be second, or third, or Forward Movement, a new Deaconesses' fourth, or hundredth, if need be. Paul Home was recently opened in London. went out second, but God soon reversed Ladies will be trained in nursing and the order, and so it reads now, " Paul other work among the poor, and will be and Barnabas," not" Barnabas and placed under the direction of such Saul." Andrew Milne was refused as churches as may desire t.heir aid. missionary, and then offered to go as a servant. Be blacked Robert Morrison's -The Rev. G. W. Morrison, of the shoes, and did a servant's work for a American U. P. India. mission, may be time, bnt became at length one of the compelled to return to this country this greatest missionaries of the world. spring to bring his motherless babe.
-There are in the United States, -The Rev. J. Kruidenier, of the Canada, England and Scotland, 34 American U. P. Egyptian Mission, who women's missionary societies, and they has been laid aside for :five months with have 1397 missionaries in the field. critical illness, has recovered, and has resumed his work at Assiout. -The work of telegraph building in South Africa has pushed far ahead of -The Rev. Dr. Lansing, of the railroad enterprise. A line now reaches American U. P. Egyptian Mission, is the new capital of King Khama, 1700 slowly recovering his health, and is bemiles in an air line northeast of Cape ginning to take some part in public ser- Town. Savage Africa will thus be vices. Be is at La Grange, Mo. joined with civilization by electric wires. Two hundred and sixty wagons, -Dr. Pentecost reports the outlook each drawn by from ten to twelve yoke for India most hopeful. The older misof oxen, have taken their way northward sionaries are .full of expectation. Imloaded with nothing but telegraph wires. portant conversions are occuring at all No recent enterprises of the sort surpass the stations. Be emphasizes the fact, in magnitude, or in the energy with however, that the mission field is sadly which they are being pressed forward, undermanned. Be appeals to all Christhese railroad and telegraph projects, tians in America for special prayer for now far advanced in South Africa. India, for the outpouring of the Spirit upon the workers and on the people. -It is said there are about thirty Be pleads also for increased gifts to the thousand children of school age in Chi- mission boards. "Let our men of cago who are not in school, and not at wealth double their SUbscriptions, work. This means that, in most cases, and let one hundred of our very best they are on the street. Verily, there is young men offer themselves. It is need of Gospel work very near home. absolutely of no use to send second- class men· to India. _ . .. Do not -The Methodist Year BooTe for 1891 believe the report of the unbelieving gives many interesting facts. The spies. God is able to give us the land." Methodist Episcopal Church in this Dr. Pentecost presided lately, at the country has a membership of 2,283,154, Town Hall of Calcutta, at the annnal a net gain of 46.691 over last year. The prize distribution of the boys' and the den()mination is serv~d by 14,792 min- girls' schools of that city, and Mrs. isters. It has 2,264,832 Sabbath·school Pentecost gave away the prizes. Dr. scholars, an increase over the previous Pentecost's work among the Englisheducated Bengalis is declared by the home with ruined habits. The Rev. Indian Witness to have been attended Eugene Dunlap, for many years con- with much blessing. One address, at nected with the American Presbyterian Duff College, made a profound impres- Mission at Siam, is making the arrange- sion. Young Bengalis present have ments, Up to the present time only since signed a solemn covenant to take four young men from Siam have been Christ as their Saviour, declaring they educated here. One. is now in the will make a public profession soon. Auburn Theological Seminary. " 'rhe feeling prevails among all classes who know the facts," says the Witness, -October 2d, 1792, the Baptist Mis- " that we are on the eve of a mighty sionary Society waa organized, the first work among this class, who have so long society in the world organized exclusivestood at the very threshold of a Chris· ly for sending the Gospel to the heath- tian life." It is a notable fact that thA en. The first offerings amounted to Englishman, the leading daily paper of about $66. Now there are 223 evangel- Calcutta, gave a sympathetic as w,ell as ical missionary societies, 5594 foreign elaborate account of Dr. Pentecost at missionaries (over 3000 of whom are orthe outset of his mission. It ascribes dained ministers), 33,543 native helpers, much of his success to his striking per- 681,503 native communicants, and in sonality and manner. 1890 the contributions reached $11,42::1,- 58.8. -From Tahiti and the adjacent islands a band of not less than 160 -There are several excellent training evangelists have gone forth, carrying the schools for nnrses in Japan. One of message of salvation to other benighted these is under the direction of a lajy tribes, and yet less than a century ago who left the superintendency of a Bosthe ancestors of these evangelists were ton hospital for her laborious post in lying in the grossest darkness and su- Kyoto. Another school in Tokyo is perstition. raising money for a building. Its man- agers consist of both American and Jap- -A Young Men's Christian Associa- anese ladies. tion has been established in Jerusalem, and modern methods of reaching the -Recent reports from the Presbytemasses are to be instituted in that his- rian mission in Shantung, China., are of toric city. a most encouraging character. The meeting of Presbytery at Wei Hien -The Rev. Dr. R. Hamill Nassau, a brought together about forty mission_ Presbyterian missionary on the Ogove aries full of enthusiasm, besides a goodly River, West Africa, is preparing to re- number of native preachers_ This Presturn to this country with his motherlells bytery has twenty organized churches on little daughter. Mrs. Nassau died in the its roll, with applications forfour or five wilds of Africa, with no white person new organizations. Four hundred and near except her husband. Dr. Nassau fifty-eight additions to t)le churches expects to reach Philadelphia about the were reported for last year. It is estifirst of May. mated that there are fifteen thousand in- quirers in the different districts. -Arrangements aTe making by the King of Siam to send six young men to -The Young Men's Christian Assothis country to be educated. They are ciation work in India is most encouragto enter Westminster College, at New ing. The number of members on the Wilmington, Pa., an excellent United roll of the Madras Association increased Presbyterian institution. The reason in three months from 85 to 165, 50 of given for bringing them here is that whom are active members. The influsimilar experiments in England have ence of the work is great, first in failed, the young men having returned strengthening and enconraging those I who are Christians, but who are exposed the Britons. They were too lazy and to many temptations, and then also in illiterate, he said, for any good. The reaching those who are not yet Chris- darkeys saw the point. It is a good tians. thing to look at the hole of the pit whence we were dug, especially when -British papers announce the death we are impatient enough to say that the at Newchang, China, of the Rev. J. H. lower races about us cannot be civilized. Fitz Simon8, missionary of the Irish Presbyterian Church. He had been -Leading Hebrews in San Francisco, only three weeks in his chosen field it is said, have dt!cided to raise a fund when called home. of a quarter million dollars for the re- lief of their persecuted brethren in Rus- -It is said that not more than one sia. The plan includes the purchase of eighth of the people of Japan live in a million acres in Mexico on the Pacific cities having more than 10,000 inhabi- coast, which will cost only one dollar tants ; the vast majority are farmers or an acre. This tract will be divided into fishermen. small farms, on which large numbers of these Hebrew exiles, who are mostly -The Evangel, the American Baptist farmers, will live. Colonists are to be mission steamer on the lower Congo, is sent out through the English Society of the first vessel to make the passage from Israelites. All the rabbis and rich the mouth of the river to Matedi in a Hebrews of San Francisco ar(}active supday. porters of the projE!ct.
-There are said to be 11 provinces in -The Shah of Persia, it is said, re- China, with 982 walled cities, in 913 of cently paid a personal visit to the Amerwhich there is no missionary. ican mission home and school in Te- heran. This is the first visit ever paid -The American Baptist Mission on by the Shah to a private foreign resithe Congo has founded a new station on dent, and it is not surprising that it the upper river at Irebo, 375 miles made quite a sensation. His Majesty above Stanley Pool and 750 from the was greatly pleased. sea. -From the report of the Japanese -Two new editions of the Burman Minister of Education it appears that Bible are being printed by the Baptist there are nearly three million pupils in Missionary Union, one in Rangoon and the public schools of the Empire of Jaanother, from reduced plates, in Boston. pan. The cause of education is rapidly advancing. -The American Baptist missionaries on the Upp!'r Congo have made discov- -The Rev. A. W. Thompson, the eries which show that Lakes Mantumba new Presbyterian missionary to Triniand Leopold are connected and form a dad, was recently designated at Dursecondary course for the waters of the ham, Nova Scotia.. Mr. Thompson Congo. The Upper Congo Valley is one leaves with the full confidence and the vast network of lakes and rivers. earnest good wishes of his church.
-There are three mission steamers on -The Rev. John M: Greene, D.D. the waters of the Upper Congo. They now for some years at the head of the convey preachers and teachers to the Presbyterian Missions in Mexico, was various stations on the great river and obliged, some six months since, to decarry supplies when needed. sist from his manifold labors and cares, and return home to recruit his health. -A missionary in South Afriea was We are gl ad to learn that he is now reading Cicero's Orations with his negro again in nearly fnll strength, and expects students. He came upon the passage to return to Mexico at once. where Cicero advised the general to make slaves of all the prisoners except -On November 29th last Dr. Henry ing the high passes of the Himalayas H. Jessup, so long of the Presbyterian and fording dangerous streams. They Syria Mission, had the pleasure of wel- have not seen a European for ten years. coming a son as a recruit to that mis- sion. The Rev. William Jessup and -The Presbyterian Mission in Chili wife arrived that day in Beirut. Mr. has five organized churches as well as Jessup left Syria when a little child in preaching halls in the principal towns 1864, and now returns for the first time. in the country, Evangelists make long Educated in Princeton, he was ordained tours, sowing the Bread of Life. There by the Presbytery of New Brunswick are two schools: an elementary one at last April, married to Miss Faith Jad- Valparaiso, attended by 200 scholars, win, October 15th, and sailed for Syria and a superior institution at Santiago early the following month. He is now with 80 scholars, some of whom have stationed at Zahleh, on the eastern side come from homes in Peru and Bolivia. of Lebanon. A young Spanish pastor, M. Francesco Diez, who studied at Lausanne, has re- -The Rev. Hunter Corbett writ~s to cently settled at Santiago in connection the Presbyterian Banner from China: with the mission. " During a journey of two months in the interior visiting churches, stations -McCormick Seminary has at present and schools, forty persons were redMved 40 young men who expect to enter the into the church on confession of faith, foreign field. They appeared before making ninety-two this year. Three Presbytery lately, and asked permission church.buildings were dedicated. Two to visit the churches to present the work of them are built of stone and the other so dear to their hearts. They hope by of brick. These buildings cost the these meetings to stimulate large lib- ChriRtians no small amount of self- erality, so that when the time comes denial." During this year about five the Board will be able to accept them. hundred members were added to the They received the hearty endorsement churches in the Presbytery and five of the Presbytery. men were ordained to the ministry. -As showing the vitality of the sim- -Cardinal Lavigerie proposes to re- ple old Gospel, a missionary from China claim large regions of the A.frican Sahara says: ., If there is anything which lays by monkish settlements. He is organ- hold of the poor people in that country izing a French Sahara Brotherhood, who it is the simple story of the crucifixion will live as engineering monks, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not the after five years' trial devote themselves morality, or the miracles of the Gosfor life. They will be posted near old pel, or even the wonderful sayings or wells in the Sahara, and will reopen teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, those wells and start new ones and but the old story of the cross, of the plant fruit far~s to form a series of blood, of the sacrifice, of the satisfacoases in the desert. They will make it tion of Christ in dying for sinners on their special work to gather the scat- the tree, that is the power for good in tered nomads, suppress their slave trade, touching the heart and awakening the and convert them if possible. The conscience … system is to extend itself until vast tracts are fertilized, as was the case in -The anti-rum congress at Khartoum the time of ancient Carthage, seems to have been a vigorous one. It was held at the same time with the anti- -AMoravian missionary and his wife slavery congress in Brussels. Bishop have been laboring for thirty years at a Taylor's magazine says: "While the station in the mountains of Thibet, Christians in Brussels were resolving to with the nearest post-office fourteen • search all vessels and dhows suspected days distant and reached only by cross- of having slaves on board, and to con- fiscate the vessels and return the slaves,' the Arabs were adopting a resolution are also 27 80cieties on the continent of • to surround the entire coast of Africa Europe. As to results, it is said that with a cordon of armed dhows and con- within the past seventy-five years 100,- fiscate every European vessel contain- 000 Jews have been baptized, and that ing liquors, and sell .the crewS into sla- the number of Hebrew Christians with very.' " their children reaches a quarter million. Many of the converts are men of influ- -It is said that for what it costs to ence. fire one shot from one of our largest cannon, a missionary and his family can -The work among the Chinese in be supported over two years in Japan. America has a very important bearing Would we not better spike the cannon on the evangelization of China. The and send the Gospel abroad? number of Chinamen converted in thi's country who go back to extend Gospel -The Woman' B Executive Committee influences in their native land is surpris- of Home Missions of the Presbyterian ingly large. They are valued helpers in Church has for several years prosecuted the stations of both the Presbyterian educational and industrial work for Ind- and AmericllnBoardmissions, and some ian children and youth in schools in of the strongest churches have been New Mexico, Indian Territory, Arizona, founded by Chinamen who have been Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with converted while living in California. In gratifying results. There are now un- four or five cities natives who are either der the care of this band of Christian now residents of the United States, or women thirty-two schools, where chil- who have sojourned there, are provid- dren are thoroughly instructed in gos- ing the funds for evangelistic enter- pel truth, and through the influence of prises. There is said to be less opposi- which many savage homes have been tion to the Gospel in those sections from transformed. Chapels have also been which there has been emigration to built, and the precious seed of living America. These facts should urge us to truth scattered broadcast. greater activity in behalf of the Ori- entals now among us. -A Methodist medical missionary in India makes a strong plea for a prelim_ -Here is a pleasant item from Glas- inary service in the home field for those gow, Scotland': "Mr. Quarrier was vis- who go abroad, Such experience would ited the other day by friends from the not only be a test of their qualification, West Coast, who laid on his table £2000 but would also be educational, prepar- in bank-notes, saying they wished to ing them for wiser and more efficient build a house for the orphans in mem- service when they enter the foreign field. ory of a beloved husband and father. They were most anxious that no name, -Dr. Tucker, who succeeds the heroic not even initials, should be published. Bishop Hannington in Equatorial They refused to take a receipt, saying Africa, under the appointment of the to Mr. Quarrier, "You have got the Church Missionary Society, found his money, and that is enough." journey to his post at Uganda one of great peril. But for the opportune help -It is not pleasant to read in the of German soldiers the missionary would Christian World that ., Black Mass" was , have shared Bishop Hannington's sad celebrated in 250 Anglican churches on fate. All Souls' Day. Prayers for the dead were offered, and the altars were drapeu -It is usually supposed that mission in black. Straws show which way the work among the Jews does not yield wind blows, and when 250 of them blow sufficient results to encourage its con· in the same direction it is not difficult tinuance. But our friends in Europe to decide the tendency of the prevailing do not appear to share this feeling. breeze. Other indications of 8 Bomish Great Britain has 14 missionary soci- eties. which employ 312 agents. There tendency are furnished by English Epis. the Roman Catholic, and the Anglican copal clergymen in abundance. Church have missions in Alaska.
-The London City Mission has 300 -Yes, even our aborigines can be Gospel halls in which religious services touched and renewed by divine grace. are held during the week, in many cases To the wildest and worst of them, a livevery night in the year. ing Indian can be a good Indian. For Bishop Hare, who knows whereof he -The American Bible Society has reo writes, exclaims: "Nine Sioux Indians ceived from the National Bible Society nobly working in the sacred ministry! of Scotland a copy of the New Testa. About 40 Sioux Indians helping them as ment translated into Tannese by the licensed catechists. Forty branches of Rev. William Watt. the Woman's Auxiliary among the Sioux Indian women. Seventeen hundred -One consecrated man may set in Sioux Indian communicants! Sioux motion great influences for good. Sir Indians contributing nearly $3000 an- Keith Falconer founded a mission at nually for religious purposes! But Aden, in Arabia, and with his last what impression have all these solemn breath begged that it be not given up. but cheering facts made upon the pub. The Free Church of Scotland has ac. lie mind as compared with the wild cepted it as a legacy, and Professor Lan- antics of the heathen Sioux Indians, sing, of New Brunswick, is preparing which excited the attention and stirred some young men for the mission. Mean- the feelings of the country, and daily while a German, reading the life of occupIed column after column of the leith Falconer, was moved to give newspapers for weeks ?" himself as a missiopary, and proposes to enter upon the work of evangelizing -Woman's work for woman in forthe Bedaween Arabs who dwell around eign lands, which had its beginning Mt. Sinai. So the torch is passed from only about 20 years ago, has been atthe dying to the living, and new con- tended by a marvellous development. secrated men are never wanting to take In all 70 societies are in existence, supthe place of those who fall in the field. porting a force of 1468 missionaries, and gathering and expending last year the Organized Mi.~ona.ry W"ork and Statis- snug sum of $1,692,963. Of these so- tics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard, cieties 34 are found in the United States, Bellevue, O. 10 in Canada, 24 in Great Britain, and one each on the Continent and in South -England has 8 Jewish missionaries; Africa. The American societies alone Scotland: has 5 ; Ireland 1 ; and these sustai~ 926 missionaries, and raised organizations in all employ 312 agents. $1,087,568 last year, or almost three- There are 27 societies upon the Conti. fifths ~f the entire amount. nent, and in the United States 7, with 34 in their employ. The total of organ_ -In connection with the Day of izations designed especially to carry the Prayer for Colleges, statistics appeared Gospel to the Jews is 48, and their mis- of an interesting and important charsionaries number 377. acter from 24 colleges having" substaJ;l. tial relations with the Presbyterian -According to Dr. Sheldon Jackson, Church." These figures throw welthe Presbyterian Church now has 7 mis- come light upon one or two weighty sions and 4 churches, with from 70 to questions. Omitting the colleges for 80 communicants each in Alaska. The women only, and including only the church in Sitka has 360 communicants. students in institutions for men, or Besides the Presbyterian Church, the those where co-education exists, it ap- Moravian, the Protestant Episcopal, the pears that 82 per cent of the attendants Methodist Episcopal, Congregationalist are church members in the college classes proper, or 61 per cent if pre- the women 28. The visits made aggre_ paratory students are included. And of gated 22,766. They conducted 2946 the 1509 students, 361 are reported as church, cottage, and mission meetings, "meaning to be ministers." Making 549 children's meetings, 235 tent meetall due allowance for women found in ings, and taught 2163 Sunday-school the mixed colleges, the conclusion is that classes. The number of visits made to not less than one in three has the minis- saloons was 1932, and the number of try in view. inquirers professing conversion was 2729. It is evident from these figures -The educatiox{al work of the vari- that while a large proportion of time is ous societies is always to be borne in zealously devoted to Bible study and mind as only second in importance to attendance upon lectures, attention to the direct preaching of the Gospel in " applied Christianity" is by no means pagan lands. And the aggregate of neglected. In vocal classes 448 were schools of all grades, and of pupils as taught, while 74 received private inwell, is cheeringly large. Thus the strnction for the voice, and 91 received London society alone supports no less private instrumental lessons. than 1615, with 105,980 in attendance_ The Church Missionary Society has -No friend of missions can watch 1796 schools with 75,581 scholars, and that unparalleled movement known as the American Board 1025, with 47,319. the Partition of Africa, without wonder- The Methodist Church, North, is edu- ing what is to be the effect upon the cating 30,049 in foreign lands; the Pres- well-being of the 200,00,0,000 that inbyterian Board, North, 23,935, and the habit the vast spaces of the Dark Con- Baptist Missionary Union, 20,615. The tinent, or without hoping that it will be schools sU'ltained by the various Ameri- blessed in almost. every particular. can societies contain almost 175,000 Eight European nations ~re concerned pupils, and the 12,000 Protestant mis- in the colossal affair, if we count the sion schools are training to Christian Congo Free State with its 1,000,000 intelligence an aggregate of not much square miles, as Belgium'S share in the less than 600,000 children and youth. " deal." France easily leads in the ex- tent of her acquisitions, having her hand -The first annual report is out of upon Algeria, the Sahara country, and Mr. Moody's Bible Institute for Home other regions farther south, or a total and Foreign Missions (and Chicago of 2,300,000 square miles. Though, if Evangelization Society), and will be a to Great Britain's 1,910,000 in South surprise to many. Three departments and Central Africa we add her most exhave been in operation during the year, cellent prospects in Egypt and the Souone for men, one for women, and one dan, and the superior soil and climate for instruction in music; and the num- of her possessions, then her share is ber of persons enrolled in them is most valuable by far. Germany, just at 173, 80, and 578 respectively-in the present, is content with 1,035,00,0 square two first named 253, or a total of 831 miles, Portugal with 775,000" Italy with students. Upward of 20 denominations 360,,000, and great expectations as touchwere represented in the attendance, ing Tripoli, while Spain brings up the and more than 3.1> States of the Union. rear with the trifle of 210,000. Upon Sixteen came from England, 15 from the entire continent-some 50,0,0, by 50,00 Canada,· 9 from Sweden, 4 from Ire- miles in extent-are found some 12,00,0,- land, 4 from Germany, 3 from Norway, 000 square miles, of which only 2,500,- 2 from Turkey, and 1 each from Russia, 000 remai!l unassigned. It can scarcely Bohemia, and Finland. They came be but that roads, the locomotive, and from 51 secular occupations, and 41 stable government will Boon follow; and were ministers or evangelists. The so let the Lord's people make haste to average age of the men was 30, and of go up to possess the land for Him.
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1891
THE REGIONS BEYOND. .[March
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. S.-OldSeries.–MARCH.–VoL. IV. No. S.-New Seria.
THE REGIONS BEYOND.-PART II.
[EDITORIAL. ] Beside the literal ground unoccupied for Christ, there is the unclaimed, untrodden, territory of Divine promises. What did God say to Joshua in chap. i., v. 3 1 "Every place that t~e sole of your foot shall tread upon, . that have I given unto you," and then "He draws the outlines of the Land of Promise-'-all theirs, on one condition: that they shall march through the length and breadth of it, and measure it off by their own feet. They never did that to more .than one third of the property, an'd consequently they never had more than one third; they had just what they measured off, and no more. Now, if we turn to the New Testament, in the Second Epistle of Peter we read about that other" Land of Promise" that is opened up to us, " Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be "partakers of the Divine nature, having es- caped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Mark the close analogy between those two passages. Here is God's true Land of Promise, "exceeding great," " exceeding precious j" and it is God's will that we should, as it were, mtlasure off that territory by the feet of obedient faith and believing obedience, thus claiming and appropriating it for our own, becoming partakers of the Divine nature, and escaping the corruption which is in the world through lust and which was typified by the Canaanites that had to be expelled before the Land of Promise could be possessed.
Now, let us look at these promises. They are marvellous I How many of us have ever imagined the wealth and the extent of that land 1 And how many of us have ever taken possession of the promises of God in the Name of Jesus Christ? It is a territory for faith to lay hold on and march through the length and breadth of, and faith has never yet done it. The faith of the Church has, thus far, taken possession only of a very small portion of this exceeding great and precious land, and the rest lies in " the regions beyond." .
We are limited by sight; sight makes a great deal of the visible and temporal, and unbelieving disciples prefer that which iil tangiblQ tQ that which is unseen and eternal. Sight emphasizes numbers. Hear what God says: "One of you shall chase a thousand, ~nd two put ten thoueand to flight." That is God's arithmetic. Twice one thousand is two thousand, but in God's arithmetic twice one thousand is ten thousand. God is sublimely indifferent to numbers. It is not quantity but quality for which God cares; He would rather have one consecrated Ulan or woman than a thousand who are halfhearted in His service; so He keeps sifting down, and down. and down, just as He did Gideon's great multitude, till He gets the choice "three hundred" with whom He can do mighty works.
Sight emphasizes power. See how'sublimely indifferent God is to power. While we are seeking the patr(mage of great, or rich, or mighty men, God is taking up the poor and the weak, and the despised and the base, and the things that are nothing, and with them bringing to nought the things that are something.
Fellow-believers, we have to take possession of this region of unclaimed promises; and, inasmuch as we are applying this truth especially in the interest of missions, let us give onrattention to a most important distinction. Christ says, in Matthew: "Go, . • . make disciples of all nations. All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age." That is His promise. Then, in Luke, He says: "Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you, but tarry yc in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high."
THE PROMISE OF CHRIST AND THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER are not the same thing. Christ's promis~ is the promise of His personal presence, and the exercise of His omnipotent power in behalf of His missionary band. The promise of the Father is 'the promise of a descending Holy Spirit to break down internal barriers in the minds and the hearts of men, and to endue His own disciples with the wondrous unction from above. Now, these are two promises–not to speak of any others. Think of them in their bearing on Christian missions.
When Joshua saw a man standing in the neighborhood of the city of Jericho, he said, challenging him, " Art thou for us or against us~" This strange personage said, " Nay, but as Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come;" and Joshua perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord, and took off his own shoes in reverence, and waited for His commands; and, in accordance with the precise directions that He gave, Joshua moved round that city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day; and then, without a blow being struck, the walls fell, and they went into Jericho and took captive all that were within it. What is that but an historic allegory in the Old Testament illustrating the facts of the New 1 When. the Acts of the Apostles opens, which corresponds, in the New- Testament, to the book of Joshua in the Old, we have there the hosts of God on the Day of Pentecost simply surrounding the fortress of Jewish prejudice, superstition, and alienation from God, with the trumpet· blast, the preaching of the Gospel, and on that day also without a carnal blow being struck, without any human philosophy to account for it, three thousand were pricked in their hearts, and said, " What shall we do 1" and were taken captive for God. What is all this bnt. the Captain of the Lord's host going before the missionary band, and repeating the miracle of Jericho ¥ Walls fall at once that might have stood for a thousand years but for His presence. All human calculation is disappointed when the Captain of the Lord's host appears on the scene.
The promise of the Holy Ghost is one of special grace from above on teachers and preachers; and then also on those that hear the vVord j as, in the house of Cornelius, it becomes converting grace to the hearers as it has been anointing grace to those that speak.
Look at this territory of promise. Suppose that the Church should pass all that has been attained, overleap all barriers, disregard the measure· of past human attainment, and simply march over the length and breadth of these promises, claim the presence of the Captain of the Lord's host, claim His intervention, the fulfilment of His word, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age," claim the prostration of barriers that no man could prostrate without the power of His presence and influence! Suppose that the Christian Church should get down on her face before God to-day, and pray the Captain of the Lord's host to remove the obstacles that prevent our going into Thibet, that has stood there on her heights, walled about by her mountains, and thus far defied even the Moravians to obtain access to the shrine of the grand Lama worship,-what might we not see in the year 1891, if we believed that this Jericho that could not be taken by the power of man could be taken by the simple fiat of the Captain of the Lord's host I And suppose that there was this believing appropriation of the Promised Spirit in anointing power on teachers and preachers, and in converting power on audiences that hear the Word in the communities in the midst of which these men are laboring, vhat new things we might see! It is vety noticeable that Peter did not say, on the Day of Pentecost, that this was the fulfilment of what had been spoken by the prophet Joel. TiLe more minutely we study the Scriptures the more we shall believe in the inspiration of the very words of Holy Scripture. Thore is no mistaking the words Peter uses here. He does not say, "This is the fulfilment of what Joel said." He simply says, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. This is not spirituous intoxication, but spiritual exhilaration. It is not new wine, but it is the new wine of the kingdom, even as Joel foretold." This wa~ a foretaste; the fulfilment of Joel's word is yet to come. There is to be a greater Pentecost, to which that was only like the first few drops that indicate the mighty rain that is to come down on the mown grass and refresh the earth j and we ought to pray to-day for, and claim from God, a Pentecost so much greater than the first Pentecost, that it should at last begin to fill up to the full the language that Joel uses in that remarkable prophecy. III.-REGIONS BEYOND OF PRAYER.
is This suggests regions beyond even the promises that faith has not taken possession of,-namely, those regions beyond that prayer yet to tread. Faith and prayer are so intimately associated that we cannot speak of one without at least implying the other. But let us mark that there are different levels of pmyer. As we follow our blessed Lord, as He teaches His disciples, He goes from one rung in the ladder to [mother, and lifts them with Him, higher and higher, to a sublimer level of prayer.
Our Lord's first lesson on prayer was, " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." But then, as we go on in Matthew and come to chaps. xvii. and xxi., a new element is empltasized: "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shan receive." Now, it is not simply asking, but asking in faith and receiving according to faith. But when we come to the Gospel of John, we read, in chap. xvi., the most marv:ellous words our Lord ever spoke on prayer, in the New Testament: «Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name He will give it you." Now, this is beyond simple asking; beyond even asking in faith. This is asking by virtue of, and because of, our identification with the Lord Jesus Ghrist. His Name is His person. To ask in His Name is to ask by virtue of our identity with Him, our individuality being merged into His personality in the sight of God, so that God does not look on us as we are, in ourselves, but looks on us as we are in Ghrist Jesus. Here is a " region beyond," in the matter of prayer, that one man or woman in a thousand has scarce dreamt of. When I go to the Father in Jesus' Name-reverently let me say it-Ghrist is the suppliant rather than myself; and because th·e Father can deny the Son nothing that He wants, it is certain that what I ask in His Name I shall receive-nay, I have already received it; and it is my privilege to believe that I have received that which I ask.
Now, suppose the Christian Church should get hold of this power of prayer, and get above the level of simply asking, or even of asking in faith, and realize her identity with her Lord and the privilege of praying in the Name of Jesus; then, keeping in fellowship with Christ, nourishing and cherishing this daily walk with Him, and therefore having, within, the motions that His Spirit creates, the groanings unutterable awakened by the Holy Ghost-.these, presented in the golden censer of Christ before the throne, shall certainly be heard and heeded by the Father. And so I believe that the greatest need of missions to-day is NEW PRAYER-prayer on the highest level of prayer.
IV.-REGIONS BEYOND OF GIVING.
There is yet another" region beyond" that has not been taken possession of, and that is the region of sanctified giving. We are coming now to a very practical matter. There is a whole world of promise and of power to be 'taken possession of in the matter of consecrated means. The Church of God is doing nothing to-day in comparison to what she might do and ought to do. We feel ashamed, however, to speak of giving as a duty, because it grows on our convictions more and more that we ought to lose sight of it as a duty, and only think of it as a transcendent privilege. There is something in love that takes off the asperities of duty. "I delight to do thy will, 0 my God." That is the atmosphere of service-not the law atmosphere-" I ought to do this thing," but the love atmosphere, " My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work." Now, in this unclaimed and untroddcn region with regard to giving, there are three or four things to which we want to call especial attention.
In the first place, individual giving is a region beyond, yet to be reached by the Church of God. "Let everyone of you lay by him in store." God's principle is not that the rich should give, nor that the poor should give, but that rich and poor should alike give j and every man, woman, and child thus have part in this consecration of substance.
Then we need systematic giving. ".Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by in store j" at stated times, with regularity, as a matter of habit, so that, just as regularly as the week comes round, there should be an account with God that is audited, corrected, adjusted, to see that there be no failure in this part of our duty. Just as we are to bring a certain portion of our time and set it entirely apart to God, so we are to bring a certain portion of our substance, statedly and habitually offering it to the Lord.
Then there must be proportionate giving. We must give, first, according to our ability, and, secondly, " as God hath prospered us." And this law of proportion must never be overlooked. The difficulty with the Church to-day is that, too often, we are calculating how little we can give to satisfy the claims of conscience, whereas we ought to ask, " How much can I give to God ¥ and how little can I reserve for myself, and yet satisfy the absolute necessities of my own reasonable wants ~" Vv'e ought to turn the rule of our giving entirely round. Give to the Lord the first portion, not the last. Give to the Lord the largest portion, not the least.
Then there ought to be self-denying giving, which lies still further beyond in this untrodden territory. A woman went round in a church to get offerings from the women of the congregation for foreign missions, and her uniform plea was, "You can give this, and you will not feel it a bl:t." That was the damaging recommendation. Here is the trouble in the Church of Christ: we give and we do not feel it j neither does the world feel it very much! 'We cannot conceive how God can take much pleasure in a gift that costs us nothing j and let us pray God never to let us use such an argument as that. Rather give until you do feel it.
Much is said from time to time about the generous giving of disciples. There are thirty millions of Protestant Church-members to-day, and twelve millions of dollars is the aggregate sum that is given to foreign missions by these Christians; whereas, if everyone of them gave one cent a day, it would amount to over one hundred millions, and if everyone of them gave three cents a day, it would give us over three hundred and twenty-fh'e millions a year! There is something wrong when, in the coffers of American and British Christians, there lie twenty-live thousand millions of dollars, and God cannot get for the whole work of foreign evangelization more than twelve millions of that immense sum!
At the same time, individual examples show us what giving is possible. There was Sarah Hosmer, of Lowell, Mass., a poor woman living in an attic, and working with her needle. She saved, on six different occasions, fifty dollars, and sent it to educate a native preacher in Oriental countries j and, when she was borne to her rest, six men were preaching in foreign lands whom she had helped into the ministry.
Travellers pass by, in Scotland, the estates formerly owned by Robert Haldane, in the neighborhood of the Bridge of Allan, and one feels a degree of reverence that inclines him to take off his shoes, for it seems that he is standing on holy ground. The fragrance of the act of that godly man who sold those estates, and offered the $175,000 that they yielded to establish in Benares, the centre of Hindu idolatry, a mission for the Lord Jesus Christ, is still shed abroad all through that country, and people pass those estates not without a reverent thought of Robert Haldane, and a grateful recognition of the power of a consecrated life.
Then, in Alloa, when the writer of these lines was delivering the closing words of one of his addresses, he saw an old man there, leaning on his staff. He was nearly ninety years of age, and the chairman whispered, " That is David Paton. He has given his entire fortune-$l,OOO,OOO-to missions, and he is living now on a little annuity which has been reserved that he may not come to absolute want." And yet, when that man heard my plea for missions, he managed to get out of the little that was left him $1250 more, which he gave the next day, and subsequently sent yet another $2000.
There was Mr. Hamilton, a mere clerk in a surveyor's office in Glasgow, and all the income that he had was perhaps $350 a year-yet he annually gave to the U. P. Church $100, nearly one third of his entire income. And when, in 1887, there was a special call made by the Synod for $100,- 000 for missions, that man furnished one-hundredth part of the amount. He sent $1000, one hal£ of the savings that he had made all through his lifetime. And after his death his cash account was found, with the Lord's offering indicated there, and it was discovered that he spent only one shilling a day on his own needs, besides the three shillings a week for lodging -ten shillings sterling a week in all-that he might give the more to the cause of the Lord J csus Christ.
Well may we feel that we have never denied ourselves anything for our Master when we read the story of such a man as that, living seventy-one years with slender income, and in that frugal fashion, that he might be one of the noblest givers in all Scotland, giving~unobtrusively and quietly" as to the Lord, and not unto men. "
God showed the church in that annus mirabilis, 1878, to which we have referred, what could be done by a few consecrated givers. In that one year there was given to the Lord, on the altar of missions, by less than twenty individuals in the United States and in Great Britain, nearly one million pounds sterling, or $5,000,000! Thus God first showed ns, in 1858, what wonders He can do in opening the way before His Church. And then, in 1878, lie showed both what wonders He can do in giving la1'ge harvests from the seed sown, and what other wonders He can do in moving His people to come forward, like Barnabas at Cyprus, to lay the proceeds of their estates on the altars of Christian missions.
V.-THE REGION BEYOND OF HOLY LIVING.
We notice one more region that lies beyond-namely, the region of holy living. That is the most important region of all. We must not measure onrselves by ourselves, or compare ourselves among ourselves, or stop where others have stopped, or where we have now attained; but we must go on, if this world is to be evangelized, to a life of which very few know much. We compress all that we would say on this point in one maxim: ".A holy life is a life in a supernatural realm-a walle with God." That is strong language, but the New Testament is stronger: "He that dwelleth in love d welleth in God, and God in him. " Notice the expression that Jude uses – " praying in the Holy Ghost"-as though the Holy Ghost were a divine atmosphere in which the praying disciple moves, which he breathes, which exhilarates him, which nerves him to duty, which vitalizes him, which strengthens him 1 And that is exactly the truth. A man that is a truly holy man is breathing the Holy Ghost as a sacred atmosphere. And that is the atmosphere of missions.
The thing that, more than anything else, has led the writer to devote hims.elf to the advocacy of missions has been that he has recognized in the working of missions the nearest approach to the repetition of all the supernatural occurrences of the Old Testament and of the period of the Acts of the Apostles. There is the Pillar of cloud and fire, going before God's people,' causing Red Seas to present a passage on dry ground, causing fortress walls to fall instantaneously without a blow being struck, causing the enemy, like Amalek, to be defeated as long as the arm of faith and prayer is extended. When Christ says, "I am with you," He means omnipotent power; He means guidance, guardianship, government. Jesus Christ is with us in even sense that is most precious, when we seek to proclaim the Gospel to a dying world.
We must learn to look for DIVINE INTERPOSITION. In Psalm ii. the kings of the earth are represented as conspiring together to break the bands of Jehovah, and cast away the cords of His dear Son. Wh~t does Godeay,to them 1 "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion j" and He says to His King, •• Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. " That text has been preached from a great many times asa missionary text, as though it meant that the whole world is to be converted. But the next verse addR: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron: thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." This Psalm is the encouragement of the Church of God, but not in the direction of the harvests that are to come from the sowing. There are abundant such encouragements elsewhere; but here the encouragement given is that, although the kings of the earth conspire and rulers take counsel to obstruct the work of missions, to defeat the plans of the great King Himself, He who has even His enemies as His inheritance, and the hostile territories of conspiring kings with which to do as He wills, shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel, and break them with the iron rod of His just rnle.
Missionaries of the Cross have seen many such interpositions of God. We refer again to two as examples of many.
In Turkey, in 1839, at the crisis of missions, the Sultan Mahmoud said, "There shall not a representative of the Christian religion remain in the empire. " And Dr. Hamlin came into the house to Dr. Goodell, and said, " Doctor, it is all over with us-we have to leave; the American Consul and the British Ambassador both say that 1t is no use to meet, with antagonism, this violent and vindictive monarch.!' Dr. Goodell, sitting in his chair, rocked to and fro with undisturbed serenity. Dr. Hamlin said, " Well, you do not seem to give yourself much anxiety." That devout and godly man looked up to heaven and said, " Dr. Hamlin, the Sultan of the Universe, in answer to prayer, can change that decree." And they, gave themselves to prayer, and the next day the Sultan Mahmoud died, and the decree has never since been mentioned, save as a matter of history. There a ruler conspired against the King of Zion to defeat the plan of evangelizing His empire, and to expel His missionaries; but He stretched forth His rod of iron and instantly " dashed him in pieces, like a potter's vessel. "
And in Siam, in the crisis of missions, in 1851, when another hostile king would not even allow the missionaries to get premises in which to live, or ground upon which to build, and would scarcely lIuffer them to obtain a lodging; and when they were only waiting for a vessel to bear them away from the harbor of Bangkok, believing that their work was all in vain ; meanwhile they called upon Almighty God to interpose, and again the King of Zion stretched forth His rod and smote that monarch, and broke him likewise in pieces, "like a potter's vessel." And when his corpse was borne to burial, the question came up, " Who is to be his successor 1" and again God was besought to interpose. The man that was selected was the only man in the empire that had ever been trained by a Christian missionary. Though not himself a Christian, in studying language and philosophy and history and political economy with the missionaries, he had imbibed tolerant and catholic principles and impulses, and he inaugurated in the Empire of Siam the n;l.Ost aggressive and the most liberal policy in all Asia j and his successor, Chulalangkorn, is to-day the most enlightened sovereign on that continent. He and his wife are nursing father and nursing mother of Christian missions. Only two years ago they made munificent presents to our American missionaries to enlarge the borders of their hospital and dispensary work, as they have again done more recently.
Verily, A NEW STANDARD OF HOLY LIVING IS NEEDED. These" regions beyond" must be entere,d. Faith must enter the unclaimed territory of promise. Prayer must enter the unclaimed territory of divine power in the diviue presence. We must get a new standard of giving, that shall be individual, that shall be systematic, that shall be proportionate, that shall be cheerful, and that shall be self-denying. And we must get a new standard of living, that shall dare to invade the supernatural, that shall walk with God, and dwell in God, and pray in the Holy Ghost, and shall recognize the word of our Master, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," and the word of the Father that the Holy Ghost shall come down to anoint disciples, and bring the unconverted to the knowledge of Christ. Oh! we must enter this nnclaimed and untrodden territory, and then it may be permitted to some of us to see the glorious day come, when the Gospel, having been preached as a witness among all nations, the King himself shall come in His beauty, and those that have looked long for Him, with fainting desire, shall be permitted to share in the glory of His enthronement and coronation !
A very dear friend of the Editor, Miss Agnes E. Henderson, M.D., daughter of ex-Provost Henderson, of Aberdeen (for many years a director of this society), goes out to. India as a medical missionary in connection with the Free Church of Scotland. At a large and deeply interesting farewell meeting held in Aberdeen, Professor Salmond, who was in the chair, stated that Miss Henderson had with high distinction completed her curriculum as a tnedical student, obtained her degree, and dedicated herself to the service of Christ. She was about to go first to Bombay, there to stay for a year, to learn the language, and acquire a knowledge of the peculiar character of Indian diseases. After that she would proceed to Nagpore to labor as a medical missionary. Her services would cost the Church nothing, as provision had been made by the liberality of her father for carrying on the whole work of this post of which she was to be the first occupant without any charge to the Church.
That was not the only instance of It missionary going out at her own cost, because,. as Professor Salmond said, another missionary was present who occupied precisely the same position. How is it that there is not far more of this kind of thing? Many a Christian family might with ease support one of its number in foreign service, and thereby show allegiance to the Master, take a noble share in evangelizing the heathen, and bring a rich blessing upon themselves.
THE MISSION' OUTLOOK
THE MISSION OUTLOOK.-III.
BY REV. J. MURRAY MITCHELL, M.A., LL.D., NICE, FRANCE.
Let us now glance at the Asiatic countries in which Mohammedanism is the ruling religion. There has been, in varIOUS quarters, a disposition to think well of Mohammedanism. Its one merit is its discouragement of intemperance. It may raise savage races up to the Arabian civilization of the seventh century, but it fixes them there; and further progIess is attainable only by rejecti ng it. But how difficult to make it relax its grasp! Mackay of Uganda speaks of the" strange venom" in Islam which makes it almost impossible to Christianize any race that has accepted it, however imperfectly. Still, when Mackay speaks of "the universal failure of missions to Moslems," his language is much too strong. In fact, he admits so himself when, at a later date, he writes of " the work already accomplished among Mohammedans in Persia and India" as having proved "a decided success" (Memoir, p. 419).
Throughout the Turkish Empire work among Mohammedans is exceedingly difficult. After the Crimean War it seemed as if the door was opened for work among the Turks; and good Dr. Schauffier said to us in Constantinople, in October, 1859, that the prospects were most cheering. But from about 1864 Islam has wakened up as from deep lethargic sleep; and the command has evidently gone forth from high quarters that mission work among Mohammedans must be suppressed if possible, and in all cases opposed. This is what is called" the new departure of Islam." Theconcessions of the Hatti Humayoon of 1856 are ignored. Mission schools are closed, and when representatives of foreign powers are able to compel their reopening, Moslem children are forbidden to attend. Mohammedan schools and mosques are provided with a zeal formerly unknown.
In Persia the repression is not so strong. The missionaries believe that the Shah's three visits to Europe have considerably liberalized his views; and although the persecution of the Babis shows that fanaticism is not dead, yet the Bible can be circulated to some extent among Mohammedans, and religious inquiry goes on in private.
In Arabia, so far a~ it is under Turkish dominion, the public preaching of the Gospel would be at present impossible. But a majority of the Arabs do not acknowledge Turkish sway; and a definite effort ought to be made, on their behalf. Medical'missionaries at least would be safe, perhaps, even where the blighting shadow of the Turk has faUen. The Scriptures can be circulated-from Aden especially. On the whole, Arahia has been unreasonably overlooked in the distribution of the missionary force.
We come now to speak of Africa. Every portion of the field at which we have glanced has interested us deeply; but as he names Africa one feels his heart swell in his breast. The Dark Continent! Dark as Erebus it has been for generations without number. One of the latest testimonies regarding its religion is that of Mackay. He tells us that the Africans aCknowledge God, but worship only devils. They are "guilty of every form of uncleanness, and robbery, and tyranny, and murder." Yet we must not despond. The possessing demon can be cast out. Mackay de- clares it indisputable that" the African is capable of Christianization, and of rising to take his place among the foremost races of men.' , We ask anxiously, as the prophet did of old, 'What of th'e night 1 that is, how much of it is past ¥ Thank God, the midnight is gone j yes, there are streaks of light on the eastern sky.
Let us glance first at North Africa. Time was when all North Africa, from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, was Christian j and not a few of the men who stand high in the records of the Church were born and flour- ished there. But the sword of the Moslem swept the professors of the faith away, all except a small, oppressed remnant in Egypt. It is a Rolemn question why this was permitted by Him who has the hearts of all men in I1is hand j and the answer is equally solemn which good men have given- namely, that the civilized people of North Africa took little or no interest in the extension of the Gospel among the aboriginal inhabitants, and that the lamp-stand was removed because the lamp gave little or no light. Steadily Islam has advanced in all North Africa to within six or perhaps * four degrees of the equator, almost exclusively by war and conquest j and the Arabs have ruined many fair provinces to the south of the line. But we believe that the wave of devastation ,has stopped in its onward march, and in the goodness of God will henceforth steadily recede. Stanley has spoken of an early date, when he hopes that Islam will no longer be seen to the south of the equator.
But let us begin with Egypt. Much toleration prevails j conversions from Islam take place from time to time; the circulation of the Holy Scrip- tures is considerable; and more than 800 Mohammedans attend the mission schools.
Then, as to the rest of North Africa, under which designation we include Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, and the Sahara, more than forty agents are at work exclusive of those connected with the Bible societies.t The people generally are not hostile j but the priestly and 'political authorities are strong in their opposition. Yet conversions take place. Travelling south, we come to the Soudan-a region more than three thousand miles by fifteen hundred, and containing perhaps fifty millions of people. Here reigns the Mahdi with his fixed belief in his commission to conquer the world. The Moslem in this region have set up schools for the blacks-schools which succeed in proseletyzing. Protestants are doing next to nothing. A young Englishman, Wilmot Brooke, is working his .. So said Mr. Joseph Thomson some years ago. But now that Emin Pasha's power in the equatorial parts has fallen, we must say the sway of I.lam reaches the Equator.
t Mr. C, F. Baldwin mentions that there are more than thirty in Morocco and Mogador. See MISSIONARY lbrvlBw, Oct., 1890, p. 776. way to the Soudan by the Niger. Several young men from America bad chosen this sphere of labor, but alas! they all perished on the way.
Then comes Central Africa-between the Soudan and the Zambesicontaining the mighty Congo, with its innumerable tributaries, and the region of the Tanganika, Victoria, and Nyassa lakes. The churches have not been regardless of the claims of. Central Africa; in the Congo Free Statc alone eight missionary bodies are laboring, the London Missionary Society on Tanganika among them; the C. M. S. has done admirable work at Lake Victoria; the Universities Mission and the two Scottish Missions are diligent in Nyassa land. Here, then, is an excellent beginning.
To the south of the Zambesi there are older missions, all of them doing admirable service. How eagerly the great European Powers have partitioned nearly all Africa among themselves! We trust it is well; for at least the hideous slave-trade will be retarded and gradually extinguished; but while we rejoice that Divine Providence will overrule for good the earth-hung.er that infects the European races, and while we acquiesce in this part being for Germany, and that for France, and this other for Britain, and so on, let the desire and determination of the Church be-all, God helping us, for Christ !
Our remarks are lengthening out too much ; yet we dare not' conclude without a reference to the work among Eastern Christians. Under this name we include the Nestorians, the Armenians, the Jacobite Syrians and the Syrians in South India, the Copts and Abyssinians, and the members belonging to various nationalities of the Greek or " Orthodox" Church. The work among these venerable communities is carried on-chiefly, though not solely-by the American Congregationalists and Presbyterians. It is of immense consequence for the Eastern churches themselves. It is hardly less so for the Mohammedans among whom the Christians live, inasmuch as the spiritual life of the churches has been low and languid, and their ritualistic worship appears, to the followers of the Koran, to be absolutely idolatrous. Unhappily it is believed, in many influential quarters in England, that the Americans desire to break up the constitution of the ancient churches among which they labor. This the missionaries very earnestly deny. In faet, they began by endeavoring to spread light among the clergy, and turned, only when the attempt was unsuccessful. to the ordinary members of the churches. And new communities have been formed only when those who receive scriptural truth and seek to walk in accordance with it are persecuted and excommunicated. One of the most statesman-like acts of the" great Elchee" (" the great ambassador," as the Turks called Sir Stratford Canning, afterward Lord Stratford de Redcliffe) was the securing of the recognition of the Protestant Armenians as an independent community with guaranteed rights. This was in 1846. Since then the Protestant Christians in the Turkish Empire, including Egypt, have increased to fully 70,000. Their teachings among the Nestorians in Persia and the Bulgarians in Europe have also been greatly blessed. Bulgaria has wonderfully sprung all at once into national life j but had it not been for Robert College on the Bosphorus, such an.,awaken- ing would have been impossi?le.
The influence exerted on the old churches of the East by these new communities is by no means small. In some cases the missionaries, or the pastors of the reformed churches, are invited to preach in the pulpits of the older. The priests, as a rule, oppose the reformation j but the people are often friendly to it, or at least not unfriendly.
. We dwell on these things all the more earnestly because of the scant justice that is done in certain quarters in England to these important missions.
We must now hasten to conclude. We do so, as we promised, with a few remarks suggested by the survey we have taken.
We have expressed our·admiration of the feeling which prompts the Shanghai Conference to make the demand for a thousand missionaries. Mr. Hudson Taylor asks as many for the" China Inland Mission." But these things unavoidably suggest the question, What are the claims of China as compared with those of other mission fields ~ Missionaries in India will be slow to admit that the necessities of that great continent are inferior to those of China j they .will probably maintain that, in its present sorrowful unrest, the claims of India are paramount. Then, not to speak of Japan, Korea, and Siam-each, it may be urged, in a condition that may rightly be called critical-what are we to say of Africa? As now so won- derfully revealed, its demands are overwhelming. Its hideous superstitions, its fetich-worship, its demon-worship, its human sacrifices, its cannibalism, its inter-tribal wars, its slave-trade-yes, we now see the heart of Africa, and we see that it is bleeding at every pore. Then, let us remem- 'ber what fearful mischief the Christian nations of the West have done to unhappy Africa by the drink traffic. Oh, that it were possible to be as great a blessing as we have been a curse I The population, perhaps, ex- ceeds three hundred millions. What is to be done for the vast Dark Continent' It seems to us that, when God Himself has opened a dooraye, doors-which were closed from the beginning of the world, He is distinctly calling on His people to enter. But further, there are the Mohammedan kingdoms, both in Asia and Africa, and the battle with Islam is barely begun.
The question then occurs, Is it not needful that a survey be taken of the entire heathen world, and an estimate formed of the relative claims of each portion ~ It is a difficult task, and would require the co-operation of many men to do this with any approach to accuracy. Yet the Romish Propaganda attempts a solution of the problem j and the comprehensive mind of Cromwell contemplated the formation of a similar institution.
It might, perhaps, be possible to form an international commmittee, representing all Protestant missions, to map out the great battle.field and suggest a plan Qf campaign i at present, each mission, each regiment chooses its own field and fights its own battle, with little or no reference to others.
But, in the mean time, the topic should be taken up in such magazines as the MISSIONARY REVIEw,and suggestio~s offered, out of which some orderly scheme might erelong be evolved. Unless something of this kind is done,. there will be increasing collision, however unintentional, in the foreign field. Connected with this is the question of what is called mission comity, which is of vast importance and no small complexity.
In the earnest call for European missionaries, in which we heartily rejoice, let not the Church forget that the evangelization of each land must be conducted mainly through its own believing children. When conversions take place churches must be formed and, after the example of Paul and Barnabas, elders" ordained in every church" (Acts. xiv. 23). Next, the raising up of native preachers and teachers is a matter of primary im- * portance. We say teachers-i.e., schoolmasters, as well as preachers.
At the present time a large body of Christian teachers would be of unspeakable value in India and Japan. This matter has been far too much overlooked. In recent discussions we have heard much about the necessity of self-denial. But we have not heard enough. The principle is both deeper and wider than many think. We have been told that it is binding on all missionaries-" Missions arc 80 expensive j" but is there any reason for saying that it is more binding on missionaries than on other Christians? Ministers at home j all office.bearers in the Church j all members of the Church; every man that professes himself a Christian-is not self-denial the imperative duty of all such? Yet how much luxury among multitudes who, in the judgment of charity, mnst be held to be real Christians!, Has any Christian a right to try to be a millionaire? If he has become so, has he a right to remain so? For meanwhile the outlay of the Church by no means keeps pace with the increase of the wealth of the nation or, as we believe, of the Christian portion of it j and all our missions languish for lack of funds. A trumpet-blast is needed to rouse the slumbering Church. Fields are white to the harvest j the laborers are ready to go forth; but means to send them are a-wanting. "Well," says a ~elf-complacent church, " let us have cheap or even self-supporting missionaries. " Self-support, in many places, would be easy j for example, in India a well-educated man could readily find Government employment, and have three or four times the salary of an ordinary missionary. Is that desirable, seeing that very little time would remain for evangelistic work 1 Many seem to think it is. Yes; these are enlightened days j many have got far beyond the standpoint of St. Paul, and they think it well to muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.
As we have glanced over the recent history of missions, we have been greatly saddened by the many deaths that have met our eye; and the .. In a paper read before the Decennial Conference at Calcutta in 1882, the writer had occasion to dwell on this snbject at considerable length. question has repeatedly arisen, Was this a necessary sacrifice 1 We gaze with tearful admiration on the men who go forth in entire devotedness to meet, in Christ's name, almost certain death j but how awfully accountable are they that send them forth if they do not, with much prayer and forethought, take every possible precaution against danger! It is certain that, in the ardor of their souls, the young warriors, eager to. be in the high places of the field, will themselves seldom do so j it must be done for them. And we must give a word of waUling to the young warriors too. Is there no danger that sometimes they may take the suggestions, of their own fallible minds for an impulse from on high 1 do they prayerfully seek to distinguish between these things 1 We have been led into this train of thought espccially by what has happened in the case of the young American missionaries whom we referred to as having lately sought to reach the Soudan. All have perished. * Their precious lives were simply thrown away. So has it been in other cases. 0' est magnifique; mais ce n'est pas la guerre. Of old the enthusiasm of martyrdom became in many cases the fanaticism of martyrdom j and the Church had to put forth her most strenuous efforts to repress the evil. Something of the same kind may rise up in modern days. Weare aware that these remarks may be thought to savor of cold, worldly prudence. "Ve are willing to bear the imputation, if we can only help to save very precious lives which ought to be dedicated to the Master's cause on earth. Heaven, we believe, can afford to wait for these men. Earth cannot afford to lose them.
Already there are cheering examples, not a fcw, of men and women possessed of means who have dedicated themselves and their possessions to the work of God abroad. Such cases will multiply as the pulse of the Church beats higher. Let rich parents encourage their children to go forth, and supply them with sufficient means to do so. We must not rest satisfied till the noblest of the land shall count it their highest distinction to become missionaries of the Cross. So was it in former days. Columba and many of the Celtic missionaries were of noble jf not princely descent. Raymond Lull was a nobleman of Majorca. Xavier was a Portuguese of position. And in our own day Keith Falconer, so early snatched away, was an earl's son. If such examples awaken any snrprise, it only shows how deplorably defective is the conception which the modern church has formed of the" grace" of being called to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. "
There are not quite three hundred medical Il!issionaries, men and women, in the foreign field at present. Why should there not be as many medical missionaries, whether ordained or unoruained, as there are ordinary missionaries 1 Why not more 1 Such Mohammedan countries * See the MU8Wnary Herald, Oct., 1890, p. 394. They were three young men and the wile of one of them. They arrived at Sierra Leone at the beginning oC the rains. They were implored to wait till the dry seasou before penetrating into the interior. But they refused. .. It was the Lord's work, and He would surely protect them I" Here was beautiful zeal, but not according to knowledge. ' are Turkey and Arabia, which will hardly tolerate preaching missionaries, will pay high respect to medical men. We believe that medical ladies also 'Vould be welcome. Assuredly there is much need of them! What a glorious sphere of usefulness would be opened up to lady doctors among the inmates of the Harems, accessible only to women, throughout all Mohammedan lands! But now we really must conclude. May God grant that the heart of the Church may glow with a warmer and warmer mis- sionary spirit-not mainly the excitement aroused by passionate appeals from pulpit or platform or press, but with the deep and holy zeal which springs from a clear perception, imparted by the spirit of truth, of the supreme glory of the enterprise; yea, may we all drink more and more deeply of the missionary spirit of the great Master Himself-a spirit that combined the most perfect devotedness, the most perfect calm, and the most perfect assurance of full and final and eternal victory I [P.S.-Since the above was in type, Dr. Mitchell sends the following additional notes.-ED.] I.-MOHAMMEDANISM IN CRINA.
There is great diversity among the estimates that have been given of the number of Mohammedans in China. In the last issue of the Nordi8k Missionstidsskrijt they are reckoned as 20,000,000. In the reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society they are said to be 30,000,000. Some years ago inWestern China-especially in Yunnan and Kashgar- the Mohammedans were active in proselytizing. In these provinces, however, they were entirely crushed; the cruelty they had shown being far exceeded by the retaliations of the Chinese.
From 'the beginning of Islam efforts were made to win over the Chinese. An uncle of Mohammed visited the Chinese Emperor Tai Tsong in the year 628. In 755 about 4000 Arabs were sent to the assistance of the Emperor Song Tsong, and for centuries thereafter there was a close con- nection between the Chinese and the Arabs. * H.-SCANDINAVIAN MISSIONS.
As the readers of the MISSIONARY REVIEW are probably not so well lOformed about these missions as about many others, we may give one or two notices in addition to what we have mentioned above.
In Zululand the Norwegian missions have 9 stations. In Natal they have 3, and the Swedish Mission, 4.
In Madagascar the Norwegian missionaries, in 1888, baptized 4393 persons. The attendance at church was 49,069, being about 10,000 more than in 1887. Among the Sakalavas, on the west coast of Madagascar, they have in Morondava (which is under the Hova Government) a church of 140 souls. On the south coast there are 2 Norwegian missionaries and 7 native teachers.
In the Congo Free State there are about 20 Swedish missionaries. ~<bout two years ago Dean Vahl, writing in the Allgemeine Missions Zeitscnrijt, said : "Including teachers in Lapland, there are 57 Swedish missionaries' of these 16 are ordained, 18 are women, and 31 are native helpers.
ANSWERED PRAYERS
ANSWERED PRAYERS.
BY MISS LAURA M. LATIMER.
The 16th of September is the great day when the Mexicans celebrate their independence. I was living in the city of Guanajuato–a strange, quaint city, where the streets are veritable stairways, and the houses are so built into the rocks and the rocks so encroach into the houses that onp. can hardly tell where rocks end and dwellings begin. Because of its rich silver-mines, it is one of the first cities taken in revolutions. Its towering crags that. surround the city afford a safe hiding-place for the attacking army. This national festival was my holiday, and for a little rest I went to Silao, a city thirteen miles away. When I reached the mission house I found the portera and his wife alone, and greatly alarmed. He told me that a thousand robbers had entered the city of Guanajuato to commence a revolution, in order to sack the city. The Governor of the State had telegraphed to the President of Mexico for fresh troops, and they were just beginning to arrive. The mob was already gathering in the streets of Silao. To quiet their fears, I reminded them of the Sabbath-school lesson that week. I opened the Bible and read to them-" And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the. Lord opened the eyes of the young man i and he saw: and, behold, the moulltain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." All that day I could hear him reading aloud to his wife from the book of Kings; Sev- eral members of our little church came and stood with them all night by a little grated window, watching the street. With an earnest prayer for protection I went to bed and slept soundly all night, although the streets were filled with a mob, who broke every window in the great hotel, with yells of, "Death to the Americans." The next day the stones began to come into the mission house, but I securely locked the great street door, and the crowd passed by, and we were not molested. When I returned to Guanajuato the portera oiold me that at the time of greatest danger the surgeon of the hospital called at my house. He said that he was very tired, for he had been dressing wounds all day, but he could not rest until he knew that I was safe. He stood by the door, on the street, until all danger was passed, and his presence there was a protection. He was a Catholic, and a stranger. But I always felt that a kind Providence had in this way, in answer to prayer, protected my home. The mayor of the city sent two policemen to guard the street door. The daughter of my cook heard one policeman say to the other, " Why were we sent here ~" " To protect a lady," was the reply. " But who is the lady 1" he still questioned. "She is a Protestant i" and that satisfied him. The soldiers quelled all disturbances, and the robbers fied.
In this same city, several years before, the missionary heard the mob coming down the street with yells of " Huerte a los Protestantes /"-death , to the Protestants. He ran in haste to the street door to close it, but it was too late. He could see the flash of the knives with which they were to kill him and his family, and with an agonized prayer to God for help, he turned to face death, when suddenly peal after peal of thunder shook the house; the rain began to fall in torrents; and the terrible lightning so terrified the mob, just as they had reached the threshold, that everyone of them fled affrighted to their homes. And thus the lives of the missionaries were saved, and the mission church was not destroyed.
At the time of the last revolution in Mexico, the army marched upon Pachnea, and from the hills that overlook the city they threw their bombshells upon the defenceless inhabitants. The mission church had just been completed, and the congregation had assembled for the first time in this new chapel to worship God.· Mr. Ludlow, the pastor, knelt down to pray, and he commenced by thanking God that now they were able to worship under their own vine and fig-tree, with none to molest or make them afraid, when suddenly, without any warning, the bomb-shells came crashing into the city. He opened his eyes and discovered that everyone had left the church in haste, and he was alone. The bomb-shells fell thick and fast. First one part of t.he mission house went crashing in, then another. The pastor and,his family took refuge in a little passage-way be~ tween the school-room and house. He opened his Bible and read to them the promises of God, promises of protection in hours of peril, and they sang" Jesus, I rest in Thee," and then they knelt in prayer. When they rose from their knees the danger was over and they were safe, but their beautiful church was in ruins. There were cannon-balls everywhere in the school-rooms, fresh and hot. The doors and chairs and benches were riddled with bullets. The streets were filled with the moans of the wounded. Death and ruin was everywhere, except in the little passage-way where they prayed.
One of the most unmistakable interpositions of God in answer to prayer was the way that Mexico was opened for the Gospel. It took an army of soldiers to carry the Bible into Mexico. The Americans won every battle. They were in a strange country unknown to them. They had only a few thousand men to battle with the vast hosts of the enemy. It was not nqmbers that won the victory. It was God. Our invading army changed the future of Mexico. The Bible agents and chaplains who accompanied the United States Army scattered Bibles everywhere along their route, and the Word of God broke the power of papal Rome in that oppressed country. Those who have carefully studied the marvellous results of the Mexican War have been amazed at what God has wrought.
AFRICA.
In the depths of a dark African forest, Henry M. Stanley was obliged to wait for a company of his men who were missing. It was midnight. He was hemmed in by hostile savllges on all sides. The terrible shadowhaunted, pathless wilderness lay dark and dismal before him. All his plans had been brought to naught by une~pected obstacles. He was sick with fever. " Death and disaster, disaster and death," encompassed him. He feared that his brave followers had been massacred, and he prayed earnestly to God to protect those brave men who were in peril. Alone with God in his tent at that midnight hour, reaHzing his utter helplessness to accomplish what he had 80 bra~'ely undertaken, conscious that the issues of every effort were in other hands, he made a vow that if the lives of his heroic men were spared, and his own efforts crowned with success, he would acknowledge to the world that all the way through that perilous journey it was God who had led him and brought him safely, iu answer to prayer, when all his own plans had failed. The following day the missing ones arrived, and they soon emerged upon the plains, and the deadly, gloomy forest was behind them. The marvellous success of that expedition has given to the world one of the most inspiring examples of the power of prayer. One day Dr. Livingstone, in the heart of that Dark Continent, became disheartened. He was surrounded by the cannibals, sick with fever, and his men were about to desert him to return to their homes. He says : " The prospect of being obliged to return distressed me exceedingly, and I went into my little tent with the mind directed to Him who hears the sighing of the soul j but soon the men entered, and with the most artless simplicity of manner told me to be comforted, they would not forsake me, thcy were all my children and would die for me." Dr. Livingstone was 'greatly oppressed with the vastness of the " Dark Continent," and his constant question was, ""Vho will penetrate Africa~" The weeks that Stanley remained at Ujiji with Dr. Livingstone were a time of preparation and inspiration for future work. Was it chance, or was it God in answer to prayer, that led the most successful of all explorers of Africa through so many dangers to find Livingstone 1 During the recent cruel persecutions of the Christians in the kingdom of Uganda, the missionaries, driven from their homes, found refuge near the lake, and there they waited, praying to God to interpose and put an end to the cruelties of the brutal king l'Iwanga, for their mission was broken up, the native Christians were clubbed to death, burned alive, and torn to pieces. Their prayers were soon answered, for just as Mwanga was meditating a general massacre of all the Christians, he was dethroned, pursued, and hunted by his enemies. ,This bloodthirsty, savage king fied to the Christians for safety. One of the French missionaries took him into his house, fed him, clothed him, and King Mwanga became a Chris- tian. And he wrote this letter to Mr. Mackay : June 25, 1889.
I, Mwanga, beg of you to help me. Do not remember bygone matters. We _are now in a miserable plight; but if you, my fathers, are willing to come and help to restore me to my kingdom, you will be at liberty to do whatever you like. Formerly I did not know God, but now I know the religion of Jesus Christ. Consider how Ka1ema has killed all my brothers and sisters; he has killed my children too. Mr. Mackay, do help me; I have no strength, but if you are with me I shall be strong.
I am your friend, MWANGA.
The scattered, persecuted native Christians placed the penitent king again upon his throne, and restored to him his kingdom.
Every year the river Nile overflows its banks and floods the country. The natives go out in little boats and sow their seed by casting it upon the waters. The rice sinks down into the mud, takes root, and when the flood is over they gather a rich harvest. For many years the brave missionaries in Africa have been sowing the seed of the kingdom upon the water in floods of persecution, and now the harvest has commenced.
At Banzameteke a missionary had labored six years with no success, when suddenly he was astonished at the pentecostal answer to his prayers j for one Sabbath morning the people collected all their fetiches and gin bottles and burned them in the public square, and nine hundred men, women, and children were baptized that day.
The saddest of all stories is the story of the graves in Africa. The heroic Bishop Taylor, on foot, going from station to station, and at each mission finding new graves of his missionaries j passing on his weary way, leaving the silent dead in their lonely graves, to " wait till Jesus comes j" passing missions where the carefully built houses are vacant, the churches deserted, the school-rooms silent, and only a missionary's grave to tell the sad story.
Slavery and rum have so desolated Africa that a cry, piteous and awful, ascends from that country, " How long, 0 Lord, how long~" "Home after home is made desolate, region after region is ravished, State after State is demolished, nation after nation is mowed down like grass."
I attended the Women's National Temperance Convention which met in Chicago. I sat in Battery D, and watched the ladies as they came pouring in at the door by hundreds. There were ladies from, California, from Oregon, and from every State all the way across this continent to Maine-earnest Christian women, who had come from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South, to plan together how they could put down intemperance. They were reaching out their hands to help remove this evil from every country on the globe. .
That same month across the sea there was a remarkable conference in session at Brussels, a congress unique in history. The representatives of seve~teen great nations-Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Congo Free State, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Persia, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, and the United States-the nations that rule the world, had come together to put down slavery in Africa, to save a land that had no claim upon them but its utter helplessness.
While the great Christian powers were convened in Europe to devise means to ,overthrow the horrible slave-trade in Africa, the slave-dealers were having a remarkable congress on the Nile-200 delegates, Moham- medan Arabs, met to suppress the traffic in liquors; for the rum-trade, which destroys so many lives, diminishes the number of their victims. The action taken by them is " to surround the entire coast of Africa with a cordon of armed dhows, and confiscate every European vessel containing liquors, and sell the crew into slavery." It seemed to me that God had rallied all the great religious forces of the world, Christian and Mohamme- dan, to help those patient, suffering, praying missionaries in Africa.
The whole history of missions is made up of remarkable answers to prayer. The beginning of the great work in Japan was traced to a little room where the missionaries met every day to pray.
In the State of New York is a little village nestling among the hills. , Near by is a river, where the high ruggeq rocks and rainbow falls have a wildness of beauty unsurpassed. In this little village a minister once lived in a parsonage which was much too small for his increasing family. His salary was hardly sufficient to feed and clothe the six little children. He had been for several years principal of one of the public schools in Brooklyn, and his oldest son, who was sixteen years of age, was ready for college. He was eager and impatient to continue his studies, and the father found it hard to control the impetuous boy, who would not brook delay. He was at work in a store, but complaints came constantly fro.m the merchant that he was more interested in his books, which he concealed behind the counter, than in selling goods; and finally the boy declared that he would run away to sea if he could not go to college. It was a time of great anxiety to the father and mother. They could never expect to feed and clothe and educate six children on a preacher's salary in those days. After much worry and planning and anxious thought they could see no way out of the perplexity, and so they dropped the burden that , they could not carry, and gave their children to the Lord for special work in His service, with earnest prayer and as careful training as the mother of Moses gave her little one, though she knew that he was no longer hers, but the king's. The children grew to realize more and more that the prayers of their par3nts followed them constantly.
In those days people knew but little about misi>ions. -A few years be- fore Lee, with one of the flat-headed Indians from Oregon, had visited them, and after t.hat there was a new interest in the cause of the heathen in the minister's family. The pastor carefully scattered the Missionary Advocate among the children Of the Sabbath-school. There was one little girl in his congregation into whose heart the preacher's words sank deeply. She eagerly listened, and stndied with intense interest the missionary paper, with its strange pictures of lands and people be- yond the sea, and always as she gazed upon those dark pictures of heathen cruelty a feeling came to her, a dim foreshadowing of the future, that sometime she herself would sit under those palm-trees in India. As the years passed by, and there seemed no way to realize the dreams of her childhood, she forgot her early resolve to. be a missionary. But one day, years afterward, just a few weeks before she graduated in the medical college, suddenly the forgotten VOWI3 of her childhood came to her. The rush of recollections came like a revelation, and in a flash she realized what all the training of years had been for, and she was so overcome that she burst into tears. She was the first lady physician sent to heathen lands from America as a medical missionary. The daughter of her early pastor said to her, "How were you led to become a missionary 1" She replied, " It was your father who did it j the result of his labor and prayers."
The faithful minister lived to see his prayers answered also in a remarkable way in his own family. His sons became ministers of the Gospel, and his youngest daughter a missionary. His eldest son was the late Dean of the Theological Seminary of the Boston University, a school which has sent scores of missionaries to foreign lands-to China, India, Japan, Mexico, South America, and to the islands of the sea.
Captain Hore, F.R.C.S., is returning to England via United States, after a successful mission tour in A~stralia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. To the regret of his co·workers and admirers, he is forbidden to return to the region of Lake Tanganyika, where he has for thirteen years done such ser- vice to missions. The doctors prohibit such return. He built a steamer there, made valuable explorations, surveyed Tanganyika, for which he re- ceived the Royal Geographical Society's Award, and for two years lived at the famous slave and ivory mart of Ujiji, where he was much in contact with Tippoo Tib. American friends who know of his journey through the States will doubtless avail themselves of his presence to get him engaged in lectures describing the Central African missions, native tribes, and customs, and the development of civilization. Mr. S. E. Bridgman, College Rook Store in Northampton, Mass., will act as his medium of communication. . Here is a rare chance for those who wish missionary lectures.
Dr. G. F. Pentecost seems to have met a cordial reception in India. He held his first meeting with the educated natives of Calcutta on December 24th, and the Albert Hall was full to overflowing. The Opera House was then engaged for a fortnight miEsion to the higher classes of residents, and 'great expectations are indulged. We hope they may not be disappointed. Nevertheless, we believe that our brother has taken on his hands what Lincoln would call a " big job," and nothing will make thiR mission a true success but the power of prayer. We know personally that many, both here and on the other side of the sea, are engaged in earnest supplication to God that this errand may prove to be guided by God's good Spirit. The Engtish residents of India are very difficult to reach. They are mostly of two classes, either very High ChurchAnglicans-mere formalists and rituaIistsor else absolutely indifferent and often infidel. Such walls are of adamant, and only the power of God can break them down.
1891·1 THE GREAT COMMISSION
THE GREAT COMMISSION [EDITORIAL. ] The four Go~pel narratives, at the close of each, and the Acts of the Apostles, which has been well called the "Fifth Gospel," has at its beginning words which are intended to instruct and guide disciples as to the great mission and commission entrusted to the Church. Each differs from the other, yet each presents something essential to the full and complete knowledge of the Lord's will and our duty. And as in a composite photograph we get various facial forms and features blended in one portrait which combines individual peculiarities in a collective result, so, if we carefully project these five forms of the commission upon one sensitive plate and get a composite picture, we shall see at a glance the mutual relations of each special word of instruction, and the completeness of the grand total. While we reverently seek to combine these five fragments, we do not mean to imply that they were all thus blended in our Lord's own teaching, nor to assume to settle either their logical or chronological order; our aim is simply to present a summary from which nothing shall be omitted which belongs to anyone narrative, and to group together words of instruction or promise which seem to belong together by closer affinity. The attempt so to arrange and combine has been attended with such profit to the writer that he hopes it may prove no less a blessing to the reader. The obvious parallelism of the thought we seek also to represent.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying: •• Peace be unto you!"
And, when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again: "Peace be unto you !"
All power is given unto Me In heaven and in earth.
As My Father hath sent Me Even so send I you."
Then opened He their understanding That they might understand the Scriptures; And said unto them, " Thus it is written, And thus it behooved Christ to suffer, And to rise from the dead the third day; And that repentance and remission of sins Should be preached in His name Among all nations, Beginning at Jerusalem: And ye are witnesses of these things.
Go ye, therefore, into all the world, Make disciples of all nations, And preach the Gospel to every creature : Baptizing them in the name of the Father And of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things Whatsoever I have commanded you: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; But he that believeth not shall be damned.
And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you. Depart not from Jerusalem But wait for the promise of the Father, Which ye have heard of Me.
For John truly baptized with water, But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, Not many days hence. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem Until ye be endued with power from on high. Ye shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost Coming upon you; And ye shall be witnesses unto Me, Both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, And in Samaria And unto the uttermost parts of the earth." And when He had said this, He brElathed on them And saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost !"
., And 10 I am with you alway Even unto the end of the age.
And these signs shall follow them that believe : In My name shall they cast out demons ; They shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; And if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them ; They shall lay hands on the sick And they shall recover. "
So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, He led them out as far as to Bethany; And He lifted up His hands and blessed them, And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them ; And while they beheld, He was taken up And a cloud received Him out of their sight And He was carried up and received up into heaven, And they worshipped him And returned to Jerusalem with great joy And were continually in the temple Praising and blessing God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, The Lord working with them And confirming the word With signs following, Amen.
1891.J JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH, AS DEVELOPED BY BUDDHISM IN JAPAN.
BY HENRY C. MABIE, D.D.
Among the objects of most striking interest which the traveller sees in the ancient city of Kioto, Japan, are the temples of Hon-gwan-ji- " Eastern" and "Western," so called. One of these temples is quite new, in fact it is yet building. To those sanguine souls who are inclined to think that the force of idolatry in Japan is spent, that idolatrous shrines generally are in the last stages of decay, and that no more will be built, we commend a few facts concerning the present building of this new Hongwan-ji structure. It is built entirely from the free-will offerings of the people of the Buddhist sect which it represents, from all parts of the empire. These contributions are of costly jewels, metals, woods for the building, human hair, and money without stint.
On one of the platforms of the temple are twenty-four coils of rope from three to four inches in diameter made of this human hair. Attached to one of the coils is a placard with this inscription: " Since the thirteenth year of Meiji (1880), when the rebuilding of the two halls of the Eastern Hon-gwan-ji was 'begun, the faithful laymen and laywomen of every place have been unanimous in presenting to the principal temple, Hon-gwan-ji, strong ropes made of their own hair, to be used for the work of erection. The number of these ropes reached fiftythree. Twenty-nine of them became worthless from use. The total length of the remaining twenty-four is 4528 feet, and the total weight 11,567 pounds. "
Besides these ropes were several large coils of hair, several of them gray, the gifts of the aged, which came in too late to admit of being used. The total cost of this temple is to reach the enormous sum of $11,000,000. The offerings of devotees in Kioto, apart from gifts for erecting the temple, ' to these two shrines, during the year 1889 amounted to the sum of $367,000, Mexican. And yet most of the contributions were from people who are extremely poor. Out of Kioto's population of nearly half a million less than five hundred people pay a tax amounting to $15, so poor are they.
Magnificent, however, as the temple is, and regal as the offerings were, the peculiarities of the sect whose primal shrine is here are of far more interest to me. Specially so, on account of the characteristic worship and belief of the sect.
These people are a sect of the Buddhists, but they represent a departure from pure ancient Buddhism of rare significance. They worship Buddha, indeed, but him only in the character of Amita, or Amit,abha, whom they conceive to be the idealization and glorification of highest discipleship to the primitive Buddha; they eschew all works of merit; they depend on the absolute unconditioned mercy of Amita j they have a doctrine of justification by faith only, apart from meritorious deeds; their priests are not celibates nor ascetics; they carryon active and aggressive missionary operations, and to this end they highly educate their young priests,send- ing some of them to the Doshisha Congregational College in· Kioto, and even to Oxford, England. Three hundred of these neophytes are gathered in one school near their chief Kioto temples.
They base their doctrine on that portion of the Buddhist Scripture known as the" Sam-bu-Kio," in which is recorded the peculiar vow made by Amitabha that he would ., accept Buddhaship, but under the condition that salvation was made attainable by all who should sincerely desire to be born into Buddha's kingdom, and should signify their desire by invoking his name ten times." This vow is called the "Former, or Real V ow," and hence the name given to the two great temples in Kioto, " Hon-gwan-ji," meaning" Temple of the Real Vow," referring to their basal doctrine.
This sect is now divided really into two, the one known asthe "Jodo" sect and the other as the " Shin Shin."
Originally they were one, taking their rise in the beginning of the· twelfth century under a great teacher, known as Honen Shonin. This man was enough in earnest to break with earlier Buddhists, and to outline a doctrine far in advance of Buddha's in some respects. He taught the worship of Amita, and also the doctrine of justification by faith in Amita's boundless mercy; but he also urged the value of meritorious deeds, and insisted on the cardinal idea of Buddhism, that no help can be expected in the conquest of passions outside of one's self. It was at this point that there sprang up early in the thirteenth century a departure from the teaching of the Jodo sect. The man to inaugurate the departure was Shinran Shonin, a disciple of Honen.
This Shinran is described as a sort of Luther of his time, and presenting a striking parallel in his teachings and in his martyr-like devotion to their maintenance. He was determined enough to submit unflinchingly to banishment for conscience' sake, and to bravely maintain his school in a monastery among the mountains at Takate in Shimo-tsuke. He is buried at Otani, on the mountain-side above Kioto. To his grave myriads of his disciples make annual pilgrimages from all parts of Japan. The Shin Shin sect is the outgrowth of his influence, and the new Hon.gwan-ji temple is specially to his honor. The Shin Shin sect differs from the J odo sect in its teaching at the following points: first, it holds that salvation is due to faith only in the power and willingness of Amita to save mankind, and that the invocation implied in the Real Vow is to be used only as an act 'oj thanksgiving, and not .as an act of merit, for mercy received; secondly, that this Elalvation is received at once, and not at death, and that the believer is taken thenceforth under Amita' s merciful protection; thirdly, that morality is of equal importance with faith; fourthly, that while Nirvana, or eternal happiness, is to be attained (as all Buddhists teach) by the extinction of the passions through many deaths and re- births, yet this extinction of passions (contrary to the usual Buddhist teaching) may be reached through help from another-that is, from Amitabha, he being the chi~f of the Buddhas. The name Amitabha signifies "boundless life" or "im- measurable light."
The Shin Shins maintain that their rival sect, the Jodos, have departcd from the former and true teaching at these several points. The Shin Shins have undertaken to restore the true teaching respecting the" Former Vow." Hence they are sometimes called the Protestants of Japanese Buddhism. The proportions to which this sect of reformers has grown is remarkable. They have in all Japan 18,000 temples and shrines, and are accounted the wealthiest and most powerful of all the sects. They possess no fixed properties which might be considered endowments, but depend entirely on the offerings of the people for support and for purposes of propagandism. They actively undertake missions abroad, especially in Corea and China.
In support of these general statements respecting their belief, I quote a short creed prepared by one of their later apostles, Rennio Shonin, and given by Murray in his " Handbook of Japan. " The creed runs as follows: " Rejecting all religious austerities and other action, givi~g up all idea of self-power, we rely npon Amita Buddha with the whole heart for our salvation in the future life, which is the most important thing, believing that at the moment of putting our faith in Amita Buddha our salvation is settled. From that moment invocation of his name is observed as an expression of gratitude and thankfulness for Buddha's mercy. Moreover, being thankful for the reception of this doctrine from the founder and succeeding chief priests, whose teachings were so benevolent, and as welcome as light in a dark night, we must also keep the laws which are fixed for our duty during our whole life." A most extraordinary statement this to proceed from men presumably destitute of revelation. Substitute for Amita Buddha, here conceived of as the chief of the Buddhas, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and you have substantially the New Testament doctrine of justification by faith as amplified by Paul in the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians.
A still more modern statement of the belief of this remarkable sect is given by Mr. Akamatsu, a distinguished member of the sect in Kioto, and published in the April number, for 1881, of the Ohrysanthemum, now discontinued.
Says Mr. Akamatsu: " Amita Buddha always exercises his boundless mercy upon all creatures, and shows a great desire to help and influence all people who rely upon him to complete all merits, and to be re-born into Paradise. Our sect pays no attention to other Buddhas, but putting faith only in the great desire of Amita Buddha, expect to escape from the miserable world, and to enter into Paradise in the next life. From the time of putting faith in the saving power of Buddha we do not need any power of self·help, but need only to keep his mercy in heart, and invoke his name in order to remember him. These doings we call I thanksgiving for salvation.' "
I Is this an uninstructed groping for" the grace of God which bringeth salvation," which is accurately and specifically met in Paul's great exposi· tions ~ Is this an ignorant worshIp of the essential Christ under the phrase of Amita Buddha r We would not dare say that these doctrinal conceptions, purely considered, are generally entertained by the adherents of the sect, much less that they have popular power to bring spiritual rest and the sense of salvation to the mass of q,evotees! But who shall say that, where so explicit ideas of mercy, grace of some sort, justification through belief of some sort, and hence salvation, however inadequately conceived, are formulated and taught, that they have redeeming power over none ~ How shall we account for the existence of the conceptions at all in any measure, by even a single mind, except on the ground that " He hath not left himself without a witness among any nation" 1 Be all this as it may, what a prepared soil is here, in the providence of God, for such missionary endeavor as shall be able. to go in among such a people and explain to them the real way of God more perfectly! What an evangelizing oracle the Epistle of Paul to the Romans would prove in meeting this unique state of heathen mind! May God raise up and bring some man to the Kingdom of the Sunrise for such a time as this !
KIOTO, JAPAN, Oct. 15, 1890.
How MISSIONARIES ARE MADE.-Dr. Cyrus Hamlin has told in a fiveminute speech how it was he came to be a missionary. He said: "In the vast majority of cases missionaries are made by the influence of the family. My widowed mother made me a missionary. She had me read every Sunday out of the Panoplist, and then later out of the Missionary Herald. We had in those days in our town a missionary contribution box, a cent box, and we were enoouraged to earn some special cents for that box. I remember well one occasion which was, I think, a turning-point in my experience. When the fall muster came every boy had a pocketful of cents to spend. My mother gave me seven cents, saying, as she gave them, I Perhaps you will put a cent or two in the contribution box in Mrs. Farrar's porch on the common.' So I began to think as I went along, Shall I put in one or shall it be two ~ Then I thought two cents was pretty small, and I came up to three-three cents for the heathen and four cents for gingerbread ; but that did not sound right, did not satisfy me, so I turned it the other way, and said four cents shall go for the heathen. Then I thought the boys will ask me how much I have to spend, and three cents is rather too small a sum to talk about. I Hang it all,' I said, I I'll put the whole in.' So in it all went. When I told my mother some years after that I was going to be a missiollllry, she broke down and said, I I have always expected it.' "
lIIISSIONARY GEOGRAPHY
MISSIONARY GEOGRAPHY-COMPARATIVE OPENINGS FOR THE GOSPEL IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.
BY REV. DR. J. H. SHEDD, OROOMIAH, PERSIA.
In glancing at the fi~ld which our Lord says" is the worIel," one thing is clear now which was not so clear one hundred or even fifty years agonamely, the actual condition of the inhabitants of our world. The maps and globes have changed. Vast tracts of Asia, Africa, America, 2nd the islands of the sea, that were a terra incognita or laid down as unknown deserts, have been explored and now are delineated j and the names of lakes and riverll and nations, and their populations and resources, and their political and religious condition are known. The missionaries have usually been the pioneer explorers. In crossing China, in describing the tribes and haunts of the Himalayas and all Western Asia j in first setting foot on the cannibal islands of the sea j in penetrating the thousandll of miles of interior Africa, the constraining motive has been the same which led the great Apostle to preach the Gospel not where Ohrist was named, but carried him from Jerusalem to Philippi and Athens, to Rome and to Spain. This exploring work has been done, and few places upon the surface of our globe -from Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral strand or to Africa's sunny fountains-remain unrevealed. We know the actual state of the unevangelized world in all its terrible depravity, suffering, and need.
This vast increase of knowledge is acting and reacting on the Christian Church and Christian nations. The parable of the Good Samaritan is better understood. The question, Who is my neighbor ~ is answered from the seven hundred millions of Asia, and the two hundred millions of Africa, who are our fellow-men, fallen among thieves, wounded by sin, and robbed of their birthright by the vices and superstitions and errors of their false religions. Certainly there is a growing interest and sympathy. The dense mist of passive neglect that hung over the Protestant world has lifted. A great and happy change has taken place since Carey, the shoemaker, in England, began to plead for the heathen a century ago, and was told by the wise old fathers, "Young man, mind your own business. When God wishes to convert the heathen He will do it without your help j" or since the young men by the hay-stack at Williams College began to pray eighty years ago, and only. two or three of them dared to offer themselves to the cause lest the Church would take alarm, and refuse to have any part in so fanatical a movement. Now the volunteer missionary students in this country number nearly 5000 since the Northfield meeting in 1886., and some 200 of these have already sailed for the foreign work.
This increase of knowledge also awakens a deeper sense of responsibility for those with whom we are brought into relation and contact. The world is brought together by commerce and easy and rapid travel. The prophetic words are fulfilled, "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. " Every day the telegraphic wires flash the news from distant lands-so often the echo of the woes and miseries of mankind without the Gospel. To the ear that is open, what sounds of sorrow and cruelty and suffering come from the dark places of the earth! Now it is the .horrors of Siberian prisons; next, famine, with several millions of famished and dying in.en in China; then the cholera, starting up from the hot-bed of Hindu or Mohammedan shrines, and the sacred festival and holy pilgrimage carrying the seeds of death to myriads of victims; or it is the open sore of the world in the awful slave-trade of Africa. Surely the dark places of the earth are filled with the habitations of cruelty even to the bodies and earthly life of our fellow-men, such as we, in the comfort and ease and security of this happy land, little understand. Yet here is the responsibility, not only for the temporal welfare, but for the immortal souls of onr fellowmen. Here is the fact that the world is daily growing smaller, that a young lady in seventy-three days can travel around the globe.- In no time in all the Christian centuries has the providence of God been so plainly p'ointing to momentous events and changes. The present century has cleared the way for rapid movement.
Another fact stares us in the face, that whithersoever we turn the people are fast awakening from the mental and moral apathy of centuries. The Bible and the missionary have set the world to thinkmg. The crisis is confronting us of a world awake and alert for action. The current of intellectual activity is very sluggish in Oriental and tropical lands; but there is not a nation, nor tribe, nor island but has been touched by the awakening from afar; and every year the breeze is fresher and stronger. The calico and sheeting, the sewing-machine, the telegraph or other wonders of science, :ind the missionary tract and testament are everywhere; and men are wondering what will come next. As in the host of Midian, when Gideon and his little band were encamped against them, men are telling their dreams to their fellows, and expecting conflict and change.
Another very significant fact is that in the van of this ceaseless and onward impulse of progress is the English-speaking race. Says a recent writer: " 'We stand at the dawn of a new epoch, which from the point of view of universal history is quite as momentous as that in which the Northern tribes broke in upon and destroyed the fabric of the moribund Empire of Rome. It is a revolution vaster and more rapid than that which founded the modern European world on the wreck and ruin of the Roman Empire. The world is passing into the hands of the English-speaking races. Already the English tongue is becoming the lingua franca of the planet. Already the territories over which the laws are made and justice administered, in the language of Shakespeare and Bacon, exceed in wealth, in extent, in the number of their populations and in the limitless latent possibilities of their development, all other lands ruled by all other nations of the earth. In a hundred years, unless the progress be checked, Englishspe3king people will outnumber all the men of other tongues in the world. English, ideas, English laws, English civilization are becoming as universal as English speech. The future of the world is English."
The young Greek who marched with Alexander across Asia to the waters of the Ganges and back saw a most wonderful expansion of human knowl- edge, and was filled with expanded views of human destiny. The man who could say Romanus sum considered the world his tributary, and his heart dilated at the extent and power of his empire. The young Christian soldier. who marched with Constantine under the luminous symbol of the cross to the overthrow of Paganism saw a brighter vision-Christianity ruling the world in equity and love. The young reformer who was thrilled by the religious fervor of Luther's age was lifted to a higher elevation still. The heroes of the Elizabethan era, with their legend, "Westward ho I" and the new world and new seas to be explored and delivered from the Spaniard, were inspired with a still nobler purpose and wider vision. What shall the young man to-day diseern? Have the romanee and adventure and high purpose of life all faded out? Or is there an inspiring vision} The Christian young man to-day leads the progress of a raee of exhaustless resourees and energies that is re-making the whole world. How great must be the responsibilities of living at sueh a time, at the threshold of such momentous changes I Reverently we may say: .. We are living, we are dwelling, In a grand and awful time, In an' age on ages telling- To be living is sublime."
Add one more fact : it is the rapid and great increase in the resources of the Church in connection .with the openings and changes in the world. In the century past Christian population has more than doubled, and the Protestant population has quadrupled. It is not now a little company of despised Galileans who hear the command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," but it is the mighty Christian Church of the foremost nations of the earth, with means and men and women in exhaustless abundance. It is especially to the generation noW' coming forward to whom God intrusts the great commission to take possession of all nations not for worldly gain or honor, but for Christ's kingdom and glory.
It were pertinent..to ask the question here, How far our so-called Christian nations shall yield to the spirit and law of Christ in their dealing with ignorant and heathen people ~ Vice is more easily planted than virtue. Shall drink and opium and fire-arms and social immorality go to the ends of the earth in every ship? Shall purely selfish and mereenary counsels rule in our intereourse with China ~ What profit if Africa is saved from Arab slave-traders to be ruined by European rumsellers ~ How far the nations of the earth are open to Christian influenee depends largely on the treatment they reeeive from Christians. But this broad subjeet I pass, calling attention simply to the great work yet to be done before Christian nations and rulers shall love their neighbors as themselves, doing justly and loving mercy toward the weaker and inferior races.
We turn now to the outlook in unevangelized lands. To what extent can true Christians work in faith that all other religions and systems shall yield and fall before the religion of Christ F We can see that the influence of steam, electricity, science, education, commerce, and civilization-the mingled good and evil-is permeating all lands. Row far can the true religion conquer?
Let us not overlook the difficulties. The cry, " On to Richmond," in the great Civil War was a sad illusion. There is no mistake worse than to under-estimate the stubborn resistance and mighty power of evil in the world. When we review the forces of Christianity, go about Zion and count her towers and weapons, think of Providence and truth and enlighten- ment and the Divine Spirit and grace, all on the Christian's side, it may seem easy to many missionary volunteers to go out into the heathen world, or to gather in the ignorant souls and teach them and see their conversion.
But in reality the spies who have gone and examined can truly say, "The cities are walled and very gteat, and we saw the children of Anak there. "
Let us notice some of these strongbolds that are walled and thoroughly entrenched in opposition to true Christianity. Geographically we fiud : , 1. Buddhism, and the allied systems connected with it, holds sway over a full third of the human race in Eastern and Southeastern Asia. Thibet, China, Japan, Siam, and Burmah contain nearly 500,000,000 souls.
2. Hinduism, in Southern Asia, in India with nearly 200,000,000 votaries.
3. Mohammedanism, from India westward over Asia and Northern Africa, with nearly 200,000,000 adherents.
4. The corrupt forms of the true religion, Judaism and the Russian and Roman power in so many parts of Christendom, might be mentioned.
These are the Religions of the Books, entrenched by ages of dominion and tradition, and defended by organized systems of worship, education, and priesthood. Then beyond the Religions of the Books are the outlying regions of barbaric heathenism-all Africa to the west and south, the islands of the sea, the primitive tribes of Asia and America, a mighty host of nearly 200,000,000 of lost and dying men. – A fact of great significance is that in all phases of this great conflict there are, with special difficulties, also special features of encouragement.
Let us turn our faces to the two hundred millions of heathen without sacred books. They are the lowest in the scale and the most repulsive, requiring for their redemption that the messengers of Christ follow them in patient sacrifice of comfort and of life to the habitations of cruelty and the abodes of cannibalism in the jungles of Asia, the islands of the sea, the forests of America, and the recesses of the Dark Continent. These, it might be thought, are the most hopeless and the last to be elevated; certainly they are not the races that human wisdom would select for mission work. Let us remember that our ancestors were such barbarous heathen till Christian missionaries planted their schools and stations of beneficence in the forests of Europe and Britain. The colored population of this country is but one hundred or two hundred years removed from savage ancestors. The Indians of our country and of Mexico and South America are not yet fully Christianized.
But we should notice that in the last eighty years wonderful changes have taken place through missions for these lowest heathen. We see the Hawaiian, Fijian, Samoan, and other groups of islands as truly Christian- ized as any of the higher races. Thirty years ago cannibals in Fiji were eating missionaries and their converts j now 100,000 out of a population of 110,000 are found in places of Christian worship. We see Madagascar turning from the bloody work of martyring Christians only thirty years ago, now to ask admi.ssion into the family of Christian nations. Heathen- ism is virtually ended in the islands of the Southern Ocean. The greatest island in the world, New Gui.nea, is waiting for God's law. A greater Bririn is rising in Australia and New Zealand and South Africa, and the Southern cross is fast becoming the brightest constellation in the Southern Hemisphere. .
In Africa we see changes quite as wonderful. April 29th, 1873, Liv- ingstone died. Alone, upon his knees, in the heart of Africa he died. He thought himself a defeated man, a failure! But he had travelled 29,000 miles on foot to explore that continent j and instead of .failure his life thrilled the world and converted Stanley, and his death opened the very heart j)f the Dark Continent. There is that heart of Africa to-day, throb- bing with savage humanity, and waiting for the touch of divine compassion and sympathy. Shall the disciples of Christ go and teach the savages by the slow and sure ministries and the loving words of the Gospel, or shall the cruel trade in rum and fire-arms destroy them q The King of Uganda is a case in point. He is seeking a religion-at least a change j a year or two ago accepting the Arabs and murdering native Christians and such men as Bishop Hannington j this year turning from the Arabs and begging Stanley to come and help him Christianize his whole nation.
Here is certainly in Africa an immense missionary field, among millions of men too degraded and ignorant to have any learned systems to set against the Gospel. Their very ignorance and barbarism is an encourage- . ment not for one Bishop Taylor only and his mission to strive for self- support j but a field so ripe and perishing that it will be strange indeed if the next half century does not witness laborers by the thousand, foreign and native, braving all the difficulties, and gathering in the souls by the million.
In Asia, too, this class of heathen is the most hopeful of all mission fields. The Karens are such. Among them the Baptists have hundreds of churches, and thirty thousand strong are marching on to conquest. The lnlooloos, of whom thousands were baptized in a few j1j.01).tps, ~re of the same class. In fact, according to Sir William Hunter there are fifty millions of indigenous races in the confines of India that in the near future must succumb to one or another of the stronger religions. The query is, Shall it be the holy religion of Christ ~ It is well to distinguish this most inviting and open field in all parts of the world. It is well to know that among our Indians and Africans, and among all this class in Asia aud Australasia, there is no organized obstacle to the pure and loving faith of Christ. The only obstacle is the wicked heart, full of sin and superstition, on the one hand, and the lukewarmness of the disciples of Christ on the other. It is well to know that thus far the greatest successes of missions have been gained among these ignorant and barbarous races.
But do you say that these are only the outworks, and, if captured completely, beyond them are the mightier systems rearing their walls in defiance and scorn at the soldiers of the cross?
What of Buddhism in China and the East? The answer comes back again of special difficulties and special encouragements. The difficulties certainly are great. The conquest of China will be a greater event in the Christian annals than when the religion of the Nazarene ascended the throne of the Cresars ; yet though so far off I can remember when Neander, the historian, wrote words like these: "It will be a great epoch in the history of the Church when the Gospel enters China, and Chinese converts truly accept of Christ." At that time Japan was entirely closed. There is still one isolated land from which Christian teachers are entirely "excluded. This is Thibet, the home of the high-priest of Buddhism.
But look on the other side. The barriers have given way. The Christian religion is well established to-day in China and Japan. The native brethren and the missionaries also consider that the thirty years before us will suffice to plant the Church in Japan, and to cast the mould for all future time of a natIOn of forty millions to be on the east of Asia a Christian power, as the British Isles are such a power on the west of Europe. It is not impossible, for now is the hour of opportunity for Japan. Later will follow Siam, where the prime-minister says, "My country was not opened to the West by cannon nor by fleets, but by the American missionaries."
Then also comes China, where the way is open to Christian missions on a scale never before seen. The China Inland Mission sent out over one hundred men and women in a year. The advance is clear, and America, with Christian influence and intelligence, is in the van. Every town in our land. could as well as not send a missionary to China, and support him or her in that land. It is nothing chimerical nor improper, with the cheap means of travel and the love of Christ constraining us, and the awful condition of China's millions, that we make the same efforts we would to rescue men and women from famine and death or from fire and earthquake ill our own land, Let us tum to Hindustan. The same might be said of Hinduism ih India that I have just said of Buddhism and China; except that Brahmanism is more firmly entrenched, is the very citadel of heathenism; and the key of the citadel is Ca8te. The encouragement to mis~ionary labor in India is constantly increasing. The field is completely open surely, and the' opinion of Sir John Lawrence, the wise statesman and thoughtful observer, may be taken as correct: " It seems to me that year by year and cycle by cycle the influence of these missionaries must increase, and that in God's good will the time may be expected to come when large masses of the people, having lost all faith in their own, and feeling the want of a religion which is pure and true and holy, will be converted and profess the Christian religion, and having professed it, live in accordance with its precepts."
The contest must be more difficult and longer against such a system than among the savage heathen, but the results are just as certain. Already a church of more than 150,000 members is gathered, and this church is doubled every ten years.
But what of the still more difficult system of Islam 1 I can only allude to this field and to our work in Western Asia, the Bible Lands, the lands where our Saviour lived and the Apostles preached. The centre of the enemy's camp is stm there.
There meets the missionary in those lands first a false or corrupt Christianity that blunts the conscience and hardens the heart by its selfrighteousness and formalism. Back of this confronts us the religion of the false Prophet, aspiring to rule the world, and hence the bitter supplanter and enemy of the cross of Christ. How is this stronghold of specious error and half-truth, of blind fanaticism and pride, to be pulled down 1 Where is the weak place that invites assault and promises victory? Let me answer in a word: Fifty years ago Islam would allow no Christian missionaries to labor for Mohammedans, and by its organic law will allow none to-day. Every apostate is an outlaw, and is exposed to the death penalty. But in India under the British Government this penalty cannot be executed. In Persia the government is weak and the system is divided against itself, and the rulers are not disposed to aid the ecclesiastics in religious matters. In Turkey the pressure of Christian powers is also felt, and Christian missions cannot be entirely destroyed. In Egypt the revolutions of the past few years give practical toleration to Christian work. In all North Africa there is as much toleration as existed in the Roman Empire in the days of the Apostles and early Church. This may be said of all Moslem lands, even of the Soudan and Afghanistan. Consider, also, that over against this mighty system of intolerance is another advancing power, the Englishspeaking races, pouring into every Moslem land an increasing volume of capital and commerce and influence. This is true of Egypt and the Upper Nile, Arabia, India and Afghanistan, Turkey and Persia; and we can see that the chances of Islam making head as a rival power are indeed small.
Then we should reckon another factor still more important. The old churches of the East, by their unfaithfulness, were the occasion of the great heresy or apostasy of Islam. Their revival is the pledge of its downfall. There is now an evangelical church of 2500 members in Persia, a similar church in Egypt, a similar church in Syria, and another of over 12,000 active members in other parts of Turke,y. These are bodies of living Christians in the midst of Moslem conquerors; the scattered leaven to leaven the whole lump, inwardly; the materials for the spiritual assault, outwardly. They and the missionaries are at work with the Bible, the press, the power of prayer and of the daily life. The Moslem is now on the defensive, with no hope of converting the Ohristian to this faith, while the Ohristian is on the aggressive, full of faith in the ultimate triumphs of the truth. The converted Moslems all along the line, from the Ganges to the Straits of Gibraltar, are the pledge of many more. Great events may transpire suddenly to change the face of the East, and when such events come we know they wiIl be guided by the pierced Hand that rules the world. Thus the very difficulties of the problem invite to greater achievements. There is no more inspiring work in the world than to labor for the overthrow of Islam. The conflict may. be a long one before the last Moslem yields to Jesus, but the irresistible influences are at work, the motives of the cross are sufficient, and the end is as sure as the promises of God.
I cannot pursue the subject further, and will only add: Happy is that young man of education and "Ohristian experience and consecration who shall enlist for his life work in some one or other of the divisions of the great conquest of the world for Christ!
"ON Sabbath, January lIth, 100 ministers in Edinburgh and Leith preached, by common consent, on the divine authority and permanent obligation of the Sabbath Day. The preachers included ministers of all evangelical denominations, mauy of them prominent men in the three great Presbyterian churches, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Baptists, and Wesleyans. The evidence of unanimity in conviction and feeling in defence of a divin(> institution which is at prtlsent the object of continual assault, it cannot be doubted made a good impression on all the churches, as well as on the general community.') So writes that prince among men, Dr. Andrew Thomson. May we not suggest that if, on the same Sabbath, at a future day, all pastors conld similarly agree to present the great facts of modern missions with especial reference to the increased obligations resting upon God's people both to occupy the whole world field and to multiply very largely their gifts, the effect would be like a thunderstorm all around the sky.
FAITH HALL, LERADO, MEXICAN BORDER MISSION
FAITH HALL, LERADO, MEXICAN BORDER MISSION.
BY MISS JENNIE BROWN, TUSCALOOSA, ALA.
Faith Hall, of Lerado, stands as a proof of Miss Holding's descent from Israel, "who as a prince had power with God, and prevailed"-a witness to the world of God's power and willingness, in answer to believing prayer, not only to open the windows of heaven in spiritual blessings, but when the material interests of His kingdom must have pecuniary aid; in proof that the gold and the silver are His, and that His stewards, solillited only by the influence of the Holy Spirit, will respond to the prayer of faith, and send their gold from afar to build the" waste places of Zion.", When the recipients of God's bounties will not give even the crumbs that fall from their children's tables for the Master's use, the disbursers of the impoverished treasuries of the house of the Lord are obliged to protest many drafts written in love, and signed by the blood of perishing souls. When this Christian heroine's petition was refused on earth, with inspiration high as heaven she turned from the limited treasuries of earth to the limitless pledges of heaven, and made request, "The heathen, thino inheritance," are in want, and "man shutteth his bowels of compassion against them. " The fixed and eternal laws of the kingdom were fulfilledknock, ask, receive.
In the year 1887 Miss Holding attended the Woman's Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which met at Catlettsburg, Ky., to requestthe society to grant her $7000 with which to build a house containing a hall that could be used as a school-room and chur~h. None who heard her will ever forget her earnest pleadings. Such words could only come from a heart where human love had touched the Divine, and gone forth reflecting the Christ-like compassion for the multitudes" in • error's chains." She drew a strong contrast between Mexican darkness, defilement, alld falsehood, and Christian light, purity, and truth. The mission buildings were so small they could not receive those who were longing to learn to read the message of life. They had no room to accommodate those who would see Jesus.
"For months they had not been able to take those who crowd their doors. None but a missionary who stands in the midst of a down-trodden and poverty-stricken people can comprehend the anguish of spirit when compelled to turn away from their pleading 100K;S and words, and leave them in their helpless misery."
"Can't you, won't you, my dear sisters, give us $7000 for this building? God's work demands it; we must have it this year. " As that saintly woman resumed her seat, she must have felt, Surely my petition will be given me.
When the Executive Committee had made the appropriations for the obligations of the society, it was found impossible to give a grant of $7000 to the Lerado Mission. None but those who have assisted in distributing missionary funds know how the heart aches as they look at the discrepancy between the demand and the supply j how the soul cries out, " 0 Lord! how long shall those who are clothed at the expense of Thy love, and called by Thy name, shut their ears to the cry of a perishing world ~"
The president sorrowfully told Miss Holding of the inability of the society to grant her request, assured her of their continued sympathy and prayers, commending her to the care of the God of Jacob; who would de- fend and" send her help out of Zion."
What seemed disappointmeut proved to be love most true. Christ would lead His chosen one into a richer experience, a broader faith j into extremity, that she might prove the exceeding greatness of His promises.
Miss Holding rose to bid the society farewell, preparatory to leaving for her mission at Lerado. With a voice full of tears, she said, "My dear sisters, we must have that building this year." With inspiration she said, " I have asked for that building j God's work demands it j we shall have it." Every heart present, touched by sympathetic faith, repeated the as- surance-" shall have it." Heaven echoed back to earth-" shall have it." A triune Deity ratified the promise of incarnate God, " according to thy faith be it unto thee."
On Miss Holding's return to Lerado she was greeted by many anxious and expectant faces j because of the tumult of hope and fear, all hesitated to ask the question so near to their hearts.
As soon as possible, Miss Holding assembled the whole household. She did not wish to give them disappointment without sharing with them her hope and expectation that" deliverance should arise from another place."
After explaining to them that it was impossible for the Woman's Mis- sionary Society to give them the building that year, she asked them if they would all join her in a day of fasting and prayer, asking the Lord to supply the means for building. All heartily joined their beloved teacher in. calling upon the Lord, who had promised to deliver in the day of trouble.
Three public prayer-meetings were appointed for the fast day. As Miss Rolding was stepping out of the door at the close of the evening prayermeeting, a little girl-the youngest pupil in the school-took her by the hand and said: " Will we commence to build to-morrow 1" Miss Holding said, " The child's faith had gone beyond mine. " I hesitated just a moment, and replied, ., No, dear, we will not commence to build to-morrow, but we will get the lot ready.' " Miss Holding requested that the pupils, and all that could help. be in the orchard at six o'clock in the morning to transplant the trees and prepare the lot for the building of the house. . Promptly at six o'clock they were on the ground to show their faith .by their works. Accounting Him faithful who had promised, they made ready the ground. As soon as the orchard was cleared the first pledge of a covenantrkeeping God arrived-a letter containing money for the buildings.
Miss Holding, surely gathering that God intended that she should com- mence to build, without gainsaying began the work, knowing that He who had begun the work would also finish it.
Miss Holding said, " I knew God had heard our prayers, and would give us the building; but I thought in my heart, surely our Heavenly Father will move on the heart of some rich man or woman to send us the $7000 ; but it came in small sums, just as it was needed. I had to pray and believe all year." .
The bountiful Giver of all kept the dire~tor of His building, the con- servator of His funds, asking at the door of mercy, tarrying at heaven'i!
gates with thanksgiving; not that he would weary His beloved, but that in the audience chamber of heaven, beholding His glory, she might" be changed into the same image from glory to glory," and become to this people a living expression of the graces of thc Holy Spirit.
This sanctuary, which is of the Lord's own right hand planting, is an inspiration to the faith of the donors from almost every State in the Union, and those which hear of it will rejoice to know that justification by faith alone will be preached to a people" where superstition usurps the place of the Gospel, and priestly absolution supplants a divine forgiveness; where baptism is synonymous wit~ regeneration, lying wonders of relics are put in the place of the work of the Holy Spirit."
At the next meeting of the Woman's Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1888, at Nashville, Tenn., Miss Holding presented the fOllowing report : " , This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.' As I come to my fourth annual report, I find in my heart only a feeling of praise and thanksgiving. So manifestly hath the Lord been with us our cup runneth over; prosperity in every part of the work, health and happiness maketh the soul glad. We would not rejoice so much in these outward things if we did not look upon them as the manifestation of , the good hand of our God upon us.'
"Last year we realized the necessity of enlarging our buildings. We asked for an appropriation for that p,urpose. / You did not have it in your power to grant our request j we remember how sorrowfully you refused us j we turned to Him 'who holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands,' and whose spirit' moveth upon the hearts of men,' and He gave us the thing which we asked.
" The new building or, as we call it, the house we prayed for, and which you have christened' Hall of Faith,' is completed and occupied, and free of debt. It is a large two-story building, containing nine rooms. How eagerly we have watched it grow into its present fair proportions, becom- ing, indeed, ' a thing of beauty!! There it stands, a blessed reality- a tangible evidence of direct answer to the prayer of faith. "
" So great has been the increase in numbers that we have found it necessary to become an organized church. To meet the exigencies of the case, by my request Brother Sutherland preaches twice a month at the seminary, both in English and Spanish. We have a membership of twenty-four. The Sunday-school numbers seventy-nine.
" Our missionary society-Lerado Band-has a membership of seventytwo. The year's contributions, $59.60. The baby of the school-Maria Villareal, six years of age-is supported by the Band. All things stand out as beautiful tints. upon the dark background. When we take into consideration the sloth and utter carelessness of the Mexican character, we can more perfectly approximate the advancement of our pupils. Our souls are encouraged by drawing comparative lines, present and past. From one flashes rays of light which give promise of the full life ; the other, only a dark line of simple existence, into which no glimmer of light had ever entered. The three natures of the household have in a measure kept pacephysical, intellectual, and spiritual. This one school upon the border can no more meet the demand of this people tban one drop of water can quench the thirst of famishing millions. We have pleaded, 'and we plead again, and will continue to plead as long as strength and life remain, for the establishment of Christian schools in every city of Mexico. The rapid growth and unrivalled prosperity of this border mission lead us to hope that th-e Board, and through the Board the women of the Southern Methodist Church, will be encouraged to enter the numerous doors now standing invitingly open."
Weare told of an Irishman who, when his opinion was asked as to the comparative merits of the sun and the moon, replied that he preferred the moon, because the moon shone by night and the suu shone by day when there was no need of shining. He reminds us of some Christians, who, in their comparative estimates of Christianity and morality, give morality the preference, on the ground of the Irishman, that Christianity is an unnecessary luminary in the presence of nineteenth-century ascetics, forgetting that nineteenth-century ascetics are the reflection and product of Christianity.
The Presbyterian churches of Great Britain and Ireland held their annual season of prayer for foreign missions during the week beginning November 30th. The Presbyterian churches in the United States, in accordance with the direction of the General Assembly, held" simultaneous meetings" for the same purpose during the week following December 6th to 13th.
A native Japanese, in Bethany Church, Philadelphia, gave a fine definition of prayer and its answer. He said: "They remind me of two buckets in an old-fashioned well, while one was going up the other was coming down."
'tHE WALDEN'SIAN' CHURCH
THE WALDENSIAN CHURCH AND ITS EVANGELICAL MIS- SION IN ITALY.
BY PASTOR J. P. PONS, TORRE PELLICE, ITALY.
[Last April I had the pleasure and honor of a visit to the Vaudois Valleys, as the guest of that rare man of God, Rev. J. P. Pons, President of the Synod. and author of the paper which follows. I spent the whole day- Saturday-in" walking over the hills and valleys of Angrognia, and visiting the beautiful and historic scenes connected with the Waldensian history. I went to the Rock Simon, where one saint, bound about with cords, was" hurled one hundred and fifty feet on to the rock below. I went to the Church of the Cavern, where for centuries the little body of believers escaped persecution, hiding from their implacable foes in the merciful shelter of a cave. I had to get down on hands and knees, crawl through a narrow opening, and then I found myself in an apartment cut out of solid rock by some convulsion of nature, and where hundreds of people could be comfortably accommodated; and I went also to the neat little chapel of Pra de Tour, and saw the very pool that the persecutors threatened to make flow red with the blood of the martyrs. On Sunday I preached four times at successive services in the valley, from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M., to attentive and decorous audiences, Rev. M. Peyrot, Bonnet, Meille, and Pons being my courteous hosts and attendants. The impression left on my mind by these experiences was that God has a great work to do for these descendants of His precious witnesses who counted not their lives dear for His sake. The young men studying in the college at Torre Pellice on a few francs a week, that they may get into the sacred calling; the self-sacrificing pastors, accomplished men as they are, who are living on a pittance that they may serve these poor saints; the whole aspect of affairs in these valleys, where a baptism of blood made every spot a Golgotha, impressed me with a peculiar solemnity, and seemed to say that before this martyr people a great future lies, in the evangelization of Free Italy. Think of a people, poor and few, who since Apostolic days have steadily and steadfastly kept the flag of the cross at masthead even in the stormiest seas, and when the little ship of their ecclesiastical organization seemed to be sinking, and would have sunk had not Christ been in it-think of all the marvels and miracles of deliverance God wrought for them, of which the siege of La Basille is only the most prominent and historic-and then say, whether a people so preserved and so persevering for Christ must not, like the Saviour, have been made perfect through suffering, in order to become Captains of Salvation to the poor, down-trodden, priest-ridden people of Italy. Let us help the Waldenses by prayers and by money, and make up for their poverty by our liberality.
The Waldenses in Piedmont, Italy, have recently held festivals in various places, celebrating "the remembrance of the return of their forefathers to the paternal firesides, where they learned to pray to God, where their fathers fell asleep in peace, where they struggled and suffered for liberty." Although the persecution of the Waldenses did not wholly cease until about the middle of the eighteenth century, an event of much importance in their history occurred in 1689-the permission then granted them to return to their mountain homes from the various parts of Europe to which they had been driven. Here they have since remained. In 1848 the Sardinian Government granted them full religious and c~vil liberty. They are now also permitted to establish congregations elsewhere in Sardinia besides the three retired valleys of the Cottian Alps to which they had before been obliged to confine themselves.-EDlToR.] The Waldenses both are and always have been" a peculiar people," not only of Italy, but of Europe j and the place where they live and have lived for more than seven centuries is also totally different from the country which surrounds them j and the valleys of the Cottian Alps, near Pinerolo, seem to have been especially provided by God for their preservation. If they had not been hidden from their enemies behind a rampart of mountains, they would have perished as a nation long ago.
I.
As to the origin of the Waldensians, my confined limits do not allow me to speak about such a controverted question. There certainly is a great interest in knowing whether they werQ a pure, primitive church, which never went wrong nor needed reformation, or whether their religious principles were due to Peter Valdo, the merchant of Lyons. After all, we would better leave this question to the historians as a matter of no consequence in the present state and to the present duties of our people.
For ages every man's hand has been against them, though their own has been against nobody except in self-defence. Nor can we wonder at this, because they have ever been, since the twelfth century, a thorn in the side of the Church of Rome, a perpetual witness against the errors of the papacy, a light, greater or smaller, shining in darkness, as the Waldenses' motto says, " Lux lucet in tenebris. •, But though thus preserved from destruction, the Church of the Valleys was not shielded from great and numerous persecutions, nor guarded from cruelties such as have been seldom equalled, and never surpassed j and all that during not less than five centuries. That such things should have been allowed may seem mysterious, but we know that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church, and that seed is even now bearing fruit, and will, we trust, do so henceforth.
When God prepares a suitable instrument for His will and purpose, before everything He breaks it! The last of this series of persecutions has been the most atrocious and dangerous for the existence itself of the little flock. It took place in the year 1686, the year in which all the people were imprisoned-viz., 14,000. The following year about 3000 emaciated
1S91.J TlrE WALl>ENSlAN Cnu1WJt
beings crossed the Alps and took refuge in Switzerland; but alas! about 10,000 had perished in loathsome dungeons! The remnant of the exiled were hospitably received, housed, and fed by the generous inhabitants of Geneva and other cities of that generous country, or in Germany.
But after living some time in foreign countries, the poor Vaudois were seized with an unconquerable home-sickness, and resolved to return to their native land, to kindle again their lamp. After much prayer and consultation a party of 800 men, led by the heroic Henri Arnaud, succeeded in entering their valleys, on Sunday, August 27th, 1689.
That glorious return was solemnly celebrated by the Waldenses in the year 1889, and we had the honor of seeing our king partake of our joy, who was there represented by Count Lovera, Prefect of Turin.
The worst days were over, but still the Waldenses had troubles from the Church of Rome, till the beginning of this century living in constant dread of bad edicts. They received moral and temporal aid from their brethren from England and Holland, which enabled them to keep up their schools and their worship.
In the early part of this century three noble men of England-Dr. W. S. Gilly, General Beckwith, and the Rev. Dr. Stewart-were providentially sent into the valleys to help us in the foundation of the College of La Tour and in the improvement of the instruction of youth, as in the foundation of a theological seminary. We said, providentially, because the 17th of February, 1848, the King of Piedmont, Charles Albert, emancipated the Waldensian Church from the oppressive disabilities and restraints under which she had so long suffered and labored, and that event found us ready to occupy the field open to the truth of the Gospel.
The barriers were removed, and the Waldenses, under the impulse of their newly acquired freedom and revived spiritual life, were prompt to undertake the great work for which God had certainly preserved and prepared them. If their " Barbes" had not feared, in the past centuries, to go through all Italy preaching the Gospel, despite the danger their life ran, their descendants were quite decided to continue the interrupted mission-" Woe is unto Me, if I preaoh not the Gospel !"
II.
The first mission to the Italians was' begun by the W aldEmsian Church in Turin, and after some years it had congregations in that city, in Genoa, Alexandria, and many other places in Piedmont.
When, in 1859 and 1860, all the Dukes of Tuscany, Parma, Modena, and the King of Naples were driven from their thrones, and their States annexed to the kingdom of Sardinia, the largest part of Italy was so opened to the Gospel, that the ancient Church of the Valleys sent its evangelists, teachers, and colporteurs everywhere, including the distant island of Sicily.
To prepare fit men for that great work of evangelization, the Theolog- . ieal Seminary of La Tour was removed from there to Florenae, as hetter adapted, that city being the Athens of Italy. In the same year,. 1860, the Synod appointed a special Committee of Evangelization, as the Table could not provide for the wants of the native churches in the valleys, and the new congregations spread throughout Italy, which were increasing every day.
Some years later the provinces of Lombardo-Venitia were liberated from Austrian power, and immediately the principal cities, as Venice, Mantua, Verona, were visited by one or more of our evangelists. At last Rome was opened, and our Church, availing itself of this liberty, sent the first pastor who has preached the Gospel to the Romans in modern times, after the fall of its walls. He was the actual president of our committee, the Rev. Dr. Matteo Prochet.
The mission has been gradually extended, and its progress will appear, looking at the following statement: Forty years ago the Waldenses had 15 native churches in the valleys and 18 ministers (15 pastors and 3 professors). Now the ministers are 81, and the settled churches more than 60.
I give here the statistics of the Waldensian missionary field : Settled congregations.. • • •. . . . . . . . . • . . • • •. . .• 44 Missionary stations…••.••….•..••……… 53 Ordained ministers……………………. . I41 ) . . Lay evangelists …•…•••……•…, …….. . 9 Teacher evangelists……………………. . 588 ( II Teachers or schoolmasters……………… . 8I I all 132 workers Colporteurs ……….•••••. , ………….. . Bible-readers and Bible-women………….. . 8J The regular attendants at the church amount to …..•. " …… . 6,536 The occasional hearers of the Gospel to ………………….. . 49,929 The number of communicants (members) ……. _…………. . 4,428 Members admitted last year ……•……… , .•…••…. , .••.. 586 Catechumens last year…..•••••••..•…….•………••• " •.• 618 The day-schools last year…………………………….. .. 67 The attendance of pupils last year………………• " ..•….. 2,560 The Sabbath schools last year. . . .. . . .. . . .. . … …… .. …. .. 57 Attendance of pupils last year………………………….. . 2,866 There are also 17 evening schools, with 582 young people or adults. The present expense of the mission is about $60,000 per annum, of which about $16,000 are contributed by the Waldensian churches, the offspring of the mission. For the remnant we seek the help of other churches. As our missionary congregations in Italy "four times exceed in number the native congregations in the valleys, our agents in the field of evangelization are 132, and they are doing a great work j some of them having many places to visit in a week, we need aid. We say to all our brethren in faith, in the words of Carey to Pierce and Fuller, " We will go down into the pit, if you will hold the rope !" The progress made by the evangelical movement is not completely indicated if we look only at the figures. As they stand they represent, no doubt, a gain; but it is quite impossible to show by them the general impression produced by the preaching on the many thousands of occasional hearers.
We have ascertained that a general improvement of the public opinion has been the happy result of our labors.
It was evident last year, when the prefects, senators, and many members of Italian Parliament assured their sympathy to our church, coming to La Tour to assist at the Second Centenary of the Glorious Return of our forefathers. They spoke cordially to the descendants of the martyrs, and we felt how imp?rtant is the change of the opinion and attitude of our countrymen toward us. The daily press also gave to us many precious tokens of this great and real improvement.
All this awakens rejoicing, but it is not yet the conversion of the multitudes, which we long for so much. Our evangelists have done their best to attract and retain the hearers, bq.t we know that all the country is under the spirit of indifference, unbelief, and the deepest superstitions. The more we approach Rome the greater the darkness and errors are. Your Catholicism in America is a great deal less intolerant and superstitious, because the influence of Protestantism forces the Papacy to adapt its practices to the milieu in which it lives and works.
When I read, in this REVIEW, an account of the Roman Catholic Lay Congress of 1889, held in Baltimore, I felt more than ever the necessity of evangelizing Italy. Here is the head of that universal army, here is the " man of sin who exalteth himself against all that is called God, . . . setting himself forth as God." England and the United States mnst keep their ground, but all evangelical Christians share the duty to unite their efforts to hasten that day when we shall hear the mighty voice saying, " Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great."
Now, in that hope, " we beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with us in your prayers to God for us."
A Methodist Episcopal bishop of this country boasts that in the last ten years the gifts of the churches for missions had increased steadily by the sum of $50,000 a year. For the coming year the missionary committee has appropriated the following sums: Foreign Missions, $566,352 ; Home Missions, $459, t348. This seems a small sum for so large a body. The United Societies of Methodism, under J ohn Wesley, now !ncludes about six and a third millions of ministers and members, and a domestic and personal affiliation of about thirty millions of adherents. The Methodist Episcopal branch alone has 2,252,621 ministers and members, 26,200 Sunday-schools, and 2,554,000 teachers and pupils.
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-M. Saillens, in a pleasant little tract entitled L'.Age d' 01' (" The Age of Gold"), occasioned by a discourse of the noted female anarchist, Louise Michel, whom a good nun has well described as une sainte egaree, " a saint that has lost her way," remarks, after speaking of the many points which anarchists and Christians have in common, that nevertheless they are exactly opposed as to two points. the cause and the cure of present ills. "The revolutionists say, Change societYI and men will be good. Christians say, Change man, and society will be good." "Anarchism," he remarks further, "is merely Jesuitism reversed. The same fanaticism, the same blindness, the same implicit obedience to secret chiefs, the same contempt of morality, of justice, of the rights of others."
-The report rendered to the Synod of the W aldensian Church, September 1st, 1890, by the Table, or Executive Commission, which is chosen annually to govern the Church ad interim, is interesting. in view of the recent celebration, so interesting to .the whole Protestant world, of the Glorious Return, when, two centuries ago, the expatriated Waldenses forced their way back to their native valleys, in which they have since maintained themselves. It was hoped that this great celebration might issue in a great spiritual reawakening. But patriotic celebrations, with all their benefits, do not always give much room to the" still, small voice" of the Divine Spirit. It is the general testimony of the parishes that no fruits of revival have been seen. In some the crust of religious indifference seems to be growing thicker and thicker. The catechumens, once confirmed, partake of the Holy Supper once or twice, and then remain absolutely indifferent to it. But in most of the parishes attendance is good, great interest is manifested in the services, even to tears, but there is a noted unwillingness to do. The pastor, elders, and deacons seem to be regarded as charged with the sole responsibility of all the administration of the means of salvation. To overcome this paralyzing misconception of a private Christian's duty seems to be the point toward which all the endeavors of the leading brethren are bent. And it is plain, notwithstanding the dead weight of old habit, aggravated by that of modern unbelief, good progress is making in the right direction. In many pariAhes a large number of the brethren are becoming active in prayer, in Bible study, visitation of the sick, and other offices of piety and charity. The old confusion between "the Vaudois people and the Vaudois Church" is giving way to a more spiritual discrimination. There, as. elsewhere in Europe, the national or quasinational crust may break away altogether; for" all are not Israel which are of Israel." But the living nucleus, the true inheritrix of the traditions and the· promises, will be set free for unencumbered energy in the works of conversion.
-In a very interesting essay by the Rev. Arthur H. Smith, of the North China Mission of the American Board, on "The Natural History of the Chinese Boy and of the Chinese Girl," the author quotes a description which, he says, sums up the whole system of Chinese education- "gnawing a wooden pear. " A very small proportion of boys and next to no girls enjoy this dismal privilege. "The great majority of pupils, when they leave school, cast aside all their little store of learning as a wornout pair of shoes." There seems to be the same difference between the Chinese and us as that which some French journal declares to exist between Catholic and Protestant countries. In the former countries, parents are as fond of their children as in the latter, but have but a glimmering conception that childhood has a world of its own, which must be divined, entered into, and provided for. In Protestant countries alone, says this journal, is there (fairy stories apart) a children's literature. The full significance of the Saviour's blessing on the little ones seems to have been reserved for the lands of the Reformation.
In China, Mr. Smith remarks, a youth learns two excellent lessons which do much to make amends for the dreariness of his biting on the " wooden pear"-if he has done so. He learns obedience and he learns industry. " But of intellectual independence he has not the faintest conception or eVlln a capacity of comprehension." An uneducated Chinese youth " knows that he knows nothing, that he never did, never shall, never can know anything, and also that it makes very little difference what he knows. He has a blind respect for learning, but no idea of gathering any crumbs thereof for himself. The long, broad, black, and hopeless shadow of Confucianism is over him. It means a high degree of intellectual cultivation for the few, who are necessarily narrow and often bigoted, and for the many it means a lifetime of intellectual stagnation. Measured by what it has totally failed to do, when it might and should have done it. we charge Confucianism with being intellectually one of the most elaborate, compendious, and far-reaching failures which has ever wrought out its ultimate results upon this distracted earth !"
As to daughters, the Chinese say, "A daughter with the virtues of the eighteen Lo-hans"-whatever they may be-" is not equal to a splayfooted son." Why ~ Because a daughter cannot offer the ancestral sacrifices, without which a family is given over to ignominy and, as is supposed, to every conceivable evil. The reason also why girls are as good as never educated is, that after marriage they are (not socially, -but legally) no longer the children of their parents. To educate them " is like putting a gold chain around the neck of some one else's puppy." If the puppy is whistled away, what becomes of the chain ~ Neither man nor woman being recognized by Confucianism as having any eternal and therefore individual value, the selfishness of mere Socialism has full sway.
" One of the weakest parts of the Chinese social fabric is the insecurity of the life and happiness of woman. But no structure is stronger than its weakest part, and Chinese society is no exception to this law. Every year thousands upon thousands of Chinese wives commit suicide, tens of thousands of other persons are thereby involved in serious trouble, hundreds of thousands of yet others are dragged in as co-partners in the difficulty, and millions of dollars are expended in extravagant funerals and ruinous lawsuits. And all this is the outcome of the Confucian theory that a wife has no rights which a husband is bound to respect."
-The Rev. George Ensor, in the Church Missionary Intelligencer for November, 1890, makes an important remark respecting heathen systemsnamely, that usually in them the moral and the religious elements are in inverse proportion to each other. Thus the highest morality· is perhaps found in Confucianism. Yet Confucianism is very nearly atheistic. On the other hand, an extraordinary depth of religious feeling appears in Hinduism; yet morally it is worse than worthless, it is foul and cruel. This may well remind us of what Dr. Dorner so justly says of our Lord, that in Him we cannot separate ethics from religion. There is no saying of His of which we can declare that it respects man without equally respecting God, or God without equally respecting man. . But, says Mr. Ensor, the much-lauded Islam, in its Paradise of lust, • displays a moral corruption of which the foulest Tantras of Hinduism, the most immoral votaries of Krishna, are simply incapable. They cannot even comprehend it. Our own Mormonism alone approaches it.
-The Rev. Henry Rice, writing in the Harvest Field for November, 1890, on " British Influence in India," remarks: "We may point with just satisfaction to the improved state of the country, to communication by land and water, to railways, electric telegraphs, etc. This is unde- niable. But all the while religion has been largely shuffled off or almost entirely left to missionaries. Little or nothing has been done as a com- munity to let our light shine before the heathen. We have feared that we might acknowledge Christ too openly, and that the natives of the country would imagine that we wished to enrol them forcibly among the number of His disciples. We have, perhaps, feared their numbers. and practised a cautious timidity, until it has come to pass that goodness has been left to itself, and greatness made the foundation and support of our authority. There has been an endeavor to rule by power, and make a display of what may be called great works, tacitly trusting that the Hindus would be awed by wonder, and render the obedience due to superior knowledge and energy. The most subtle and the most formidable forces of heat and electricity have appeared alike obedient to our will and subservient to our convenience. The effect has been very great upon a people who believe in sorcery, whose jugglers and snake-charmers perform feats which at first sight can hardly be accounted .for by anything short of Satanic agency. But we may. say without hesitation that the higher means of spreading the true religion in this country have been largely wanting. Living example in ordinary men has been the exception, not the rule. All has been too much confined to externals. The influence held by the British is an in- fluence derived from wonder at the visible greatness of their power and energy. It excites awe, perhaps, but it does not create the feeling of reverence which internal goodness of principle alone can call into being. Where there is no reverence there can be no love."
The Harvest Field remarks, speaking especially of female agency, and of India as " weirdly fascinating" to cultivated women, " In the divine enterprises to which India invites the V{est, America· is aiready doing an almost equal share with Britain. Could anything be more admirabJe? Divided there, and disposed sometimes to emphasize division, the two nations join here."
The same article speaks at length of the broad and fruitful efforts mak- ing by our countrywoman, Mrs. Brainerd·Ryder, M.D., to advance general and also technical education among the women of Bombay.. These efforts are not specifically religious, but they allow full discussion of religion, and are of course underlaid by Christian motives. The Society for Technical Education of Women has, as its president, the Hon. Justice K. T. Telang, C.LE. The Vice-Presidents are Khan Bahadur, M.C., Murzbun, a Parsi, and Pundita Ramabai j on the Advisory Board are the Bishop of Bom- bay, Bishop Thoburn, of our M. E. Church, and the Vicar-General of the Jesuits.
-The Rev. W. J. Chamberlain, of Mandanapelle, says: "We baptized here a young Brahmin of twenty-five years. He came to us a year ago, entered into full and earnest converse with us, and left with a promise to return in eight days. He did not appear, nor, after the most diligent inquiries, could we find him, He came to town a month ago, and walked directly to the mission compound, as he said, 'driven by God.' He was baptized on the following day, and soon after accompanied me on a tour into the region of his home. "
-The Rev. F. Hahn, of Gossner's Mission among the Kols, quoted in the Harvest Field, says: " How is it that Roman Catholic/! are permitted to break the marriage law with impunity, .•• while Protestant minillters are liable to punishment for doing so?" Protestant Christians should com· bine, not to persecute the Roman Catholics, but to insist that there shall be one manner of law for all Christians in India. Otherwise, without any intention of the Government, of which Mr. Hahn acquits it, it may be throwing the mighty weight of " Cresar in India" (as the empress is officially called) into the scale of the sacerdotal Cresar of the Tiber.
-A non-Christian graduate of a Christian college in India remarks, in a Christian magazine, quoted in the Missions-Blad for October, 1890, that one hostile European of high place can counteract the work of ten. missionaries. He refers to one who used to tell the people that if any applicant for an appointment was recommended by missionaries, he would reject him without any further inquiry. The writer, however, remarks that so desperate a hostility to missions as this on the part of Europeans is very rare. But," before the missionaries rises a strong and gigantic fortification, whose garrison are by no means despicable soldiers in intellectual wars. Behind they are assailed by a Bradlaugh and an Ingersoll. And to render the situation yet more perplexing, there sometimes come flank attacks from hostile local officials of their own nationality."
"The missionaries are not likely in the near future," continues this non-Christian adviser, "to advance the banners of victory very widely in any direction. But they may and ought to accustom the Hindus to look upon them as assailants worthy of their steel. And this is what educational missions are in a fair way to accomplish." '" A patriotic feeling,' many say, 'is awakening among the people of India, and their resistance is about to become more energetic.' This is the exact truth ; and let me say to the educational missionary, You have no occasion to be ashamed when you are declared to be largely responsible for this state of things. Hitherto the lion has been couching in serene disdain of you. Now he feels that, after all, you are not so much to ·be despised, and he is rousing himself for defence and for a counter attack."
" There was a time, " says this Christian]y educated but not Christian theist, "when the inner world was almost the exclusive object of human study, while men looked down upon the physical world with contempt. We are now veering to the opposite extreme. Weare so completely taken up with the visible and palpable, that we act as if everything invisible was chimerical." Tillthe tide changes, he thinks that conversions in India will be few.
" True it is," he remarks, "that often, when by a Christian education one devil has been driven out of the young Hindus, seven devils worse than he come in his stead. But he who believes that Christ is mighty to drive out every devil must believe that sooner or later his power and lordship will be acknowledged by all."
He says in conclusion, in reference to the contemptuous criticisms of the missionary work, " As the Chinese say, a tower is measured by its shadow, and greatness by its slanderers."
Mr. Herman Jensen, who comments on this article, remarks that we lllust. not exaggerate the present position of the Brahmins in India. A poor Brahmin will feel honored to stand side by side with a wealthy and educated Sudra.
He remarks also that missionaries formerly were too much in the way of recommending their converts, simply as such, to the Government, which has given a handle to those who wished to discredit their recommendations altogether.
"This writer also," says Mr. Jensen, " has learned that missionaries are too willing to exaggerate. Till the severity of absolute truth is exacted of all missionary reports, every missionary society will end its days with sorrow, if not with shame."
There are as yet many more "free-livers" than" free-thinkers" in India. The latter tendency is as yet a mere rootless result of the former. -It is known that the English Universities' Mission in Central Mrica ill very distinctly of the Anglo-Catholic type. But happily it is absolutely free from that arrogant and encroaching temper which sometimes renders the missionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel hardly less uncomfortable neighbors than the most encroaching Roman Catholi~ orders. In particular, remarks the Church of Scotland Home and Foreign Record, the relations between the Universities' Mission and the Scottish Mission in Nyassaland have always been of the friendliest. Archdeacon Maples, of the former mission, writes of the latter: "The hospitality and friendliness of the Blantyre Mission to ourselves are so well known that I will not dilate on them here, but will content myself with remarking that if there is a place on the face of the globe where the Church in occupation of the field extends the entente cordiale to missionary visitors from another, that place is Blantyre. The mission buildings, with the beautifully laid out' square,' with its home-like looking lawn, its deodoras, and the noble church seen at the end through a vista of greenery, form a coup d'a!il which surpasses anything I have ever seen at any missionary station in Africa. " The Record quotes the following from Vaughan's standard work, "The Trident, the Crescent, and the Cross:" "Thousands with slender faith and scanty knowledge have embraced the name of Christ. Among these were many hundreds of Mohammedans. One of the Mohammedan converts, with a simple and ingenuous candor, said' he hoped God would be more favorable to him when he worshipped Jesus Christ than when ho worshipped Mohammed, for then they had nothing but trouble, but with the Christians they found pity, as also money and rice [largely bestowed also on those outside] which they did not obtain from the Zemindars' [Mohammedan landlords]_ He might have been the spokesman of the majority [of these , famine' or 'rico ' Christians] thus gathered within the Christian fold.
, We find pity and help' was really the voice of converted thousands. It was a voice which fell far short of the agonizing cry, , Men and brethren, what shall we do ~' (Acts ii. 37.) And yet it was a natural voice, and it was true. They began, no doubt, at a very low level; yet, commingled with the selfish aim was a certain vague impression that Chdstianity rested upon a basis of truth and justice. Many a pleasing story might be told of those who, star~ing on such a defective principle, have rapidly advanced in light and knowledge and faith, until at length they have become burning and shining lights. . . . But there is another picture, and one which charms the eye with its glowing and beauteous tints. Numbered among the Christians of India are multitudes of persons, the narrative of whose conversion would grace the fairest page in the history of the Church of Christ. • • , If deep repentance, earnest faith, and burning love, if complete self-sacrifice, if a fearless confession of Christ at any cost, be marks of genuine conversion, then has the Church of India multitudes within her pale distinguished by these marks. . . . Try them by whatever test we may, we find them approved as the regenerated children of the Most High. It has been our privilege to mix with many such, and we have uo hesita_ tion in saying that among them are Christians so advanced in the life of grace that we have, as it were, sat at their feet and learned the deep things of God."
Much is made by many of the fact that by far the most of the converts in India are from the lower classes. As to this, the Indian Witness, Calcutta (as quoted in the Record), says: "It is very true that four fifths of the converts are from the lower castes-many of them, indeed, from the lowest; but those who reject the idea of such people becoming the successors to the Brahmins have not probably given much attention to the rapidity with which many of them rise in the social scale. A youth of eighteen, perhaps the son of a sweeper, becomes a Christian, and begins to study. Three years later he is a student in a high school, and at twentyfive he is the most intelligent and cultured man in the village where he lives. His wife is so superior to all the other women in the village, and is able to help them all in so many ways, that the young couple are everywhere received with honor. Already their sweeper origin is nearly forgotten." How much more in two or three generations !
-The Rev. George Cockburn, M.A., writing in the Record from Ichang, China, says that the Mandarins, who are apt to have a smattering of Western culture, show a disheartening readiness to truckle to the JUost puerile superstitions of the people, and that since the young Kwang-su has come to the throne, the hands of the clock have gone backward. It is rumored, we may remark, that the young emperor seems sullenly resolved not to appear too much under the influence of his father, who has become a decided advocate of Vvestern progress.
-Whatever may be thought of the West African, or Negro proper, the East African Bantu (of which race the Caffres and Zulus are a branch) is, says the Record, "sharp and clever, and although a spirit of levity does seem to rule the African, it does not make him, as Major Wissmann contends, impervious to spiritual truth." Of two East African boys at school' in Edinburgh, one took the highest place in his class, " and both showed themselves not in the least degree inferior."
-Mr. Frederiek WellsWiIliams, a native of Macao, China, and the son of the author of " The Middle Kingdom," says of the Chinese civilization "that, with such a cast-iron system, any change must come from outside. • • • Almost inevitably the great tonic of new life and aims must be from Europe and America. Chinese statesmen recognize the radieal nature of the change to come, one of whom declares it a greater change for China to find herself face to face with the nations of the far West than anything that has occurred in her history. How to adapt herself to this imminent transformation is the problem for years to come. The next two or three generations will be best employed in observing and applying the institutions of other lands. As a cat watches a mouse, China watches Japan, whose rapid progress irritates the Celestial and shocks his pride. Japan may be to China the hyphen, the copula, between the old life and the new. But we shall see no more than the beginning, for Asiatic civilization moves slowly, by centuries j yet some day a great destiny wiIl be realized."
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GBACEY, D.D.
Korea.'s Political Relation with Ohina. be 80 gracious as to give me to take back to my master. For, if the Throne It is a matter of no small interest to sends envoys, we will not be able to ac· the missionary world to know the exact commodate them properly. Then measure of the independence of Korea would we be sinners evermore. '" e as a kingdom. A late occurrence throws beg your Celestial Graciousness, our a good deal of light upon the subject. most affectionate parents, to treat us Being strictly official, it shows China's like a red child (i.e., a new-born babe), claim to sovereignty over Chosen, and and not inflict any penalty upon us for Chosen's evident disposition to secure expressing this desire. If your Heavthe recognition of at least a little larger enly Majesty bestows the letters of conautonomy, possibly as testing the tem· dolence upon me to take back, so as to per of the Court at Peking as to Chosen's save the trouble of the envoys, my tendency to secure acknowledgment of Prince and my country will ever bathe her independence. in thankfulness."
The immeditate occasion of this reo To this, however, the Government of assertion by China of her Imperial con· China declined to accede; but seizing trol of the little peninSUla was as fol. the only argmuent in the petition based lows: The Queen Dowager of Korea on Korea's poverty, adapted the former died. It has been the custom hitherto custom merely to a more economical for the Government at Peking on such base, but reaffirming the sovereignty occasions to send an embassy of con. of China over Korea. The reply was: as dolence to Korea, as to a vassal. Korea follows: sought to reduce this to an ordinary let. ter of official sympathy as between "RESCBl:PT FBOM THE THBONE-MEfriendly and equal sovereigns. Accord. MOBIAL NOTED.-That Kingdom for ceningly, the Korean First Envoy at Peking turies past having been the Eastern was instructed to solicit a modification vassal and reaped Our Graciousness of ullage, and addressed to the " Board always, on occasions of any death of of Rites" at Peking the following com. that Kingdom's household, We have munication : always sent Envoys to convey Our Sym- pathies. Such Missions have hitherto II This small kingdom, a vassal to the gone overland, making many halts on Throne which has from time immemo. the way. But this time, not having the rial reaped the benefits of Imperial slightest doubt but what that Kingdom favor, even as late as 1882 and 188!;< is in poverty, We will depart from the notably during the two rebellions when old rule and make slight changes. the Throne raised us from the earth and Therefore the Mission shall proceed by saved our ancestors' ashes, we thank water [sea] with the Pei-Yang squadron again and again for having given us new to land at that Kingdom's port of life. But this small kingdom has Jeuchuan [Chemulpol. When the cersuffered grievously from these two reo emonial shall have been performed. the bellions, and the people being in pov. Mission shall return by the same route. erty d1j.ring the past six or seven years, By such a temporary change that Kingthe condition has been getting worse dom will incur no heavy expenses. and worse. This unfortunate year the When the Prince of that Kingdom premother of my Prince died, and the sents you both with presents, you are funeral expenses are such that we must not allowed to accept anything. That economize. Most humbly prostrating Prince, hearing this Heavenly Declaraourselves, we beg the Great Emperor to tion, will forever be grateful. But you give us the instructions and the letter will see that all rites are strictly obof condolence which the Throne would
2:13
served. Let this Decree of Mine be at not take in the Gospel. All atonce obeyed by the Superintendent of Pei-Yang (of the Northern Seas, Li-Hung tempts to bring them to a knowledge Chang, the Viceroy of Chihli). Let the Board of Rites at once instruct that of the true God have as yet failed ut- King to obey." terly… ' Poor brutes in human shape, We ha7e no room to recount the exact manner in which this edict was executed . . . they must perish off the face of on the one part, and accepted on the other. These were, of course, religious the earth like brute beasts." (" Serproceedings, and might appear as if the relation was similar to that of some mons on National Subjects," p. 234.) Europeansovereign recognizing the Pope as religious emperor in his dominions. The article we now present on this But there can be no mistaking the recognition of the political relatiQl1s involved people has been translated and conin Korea saying" This small Kingdom" is a "vassal to the Throne," and the densed for our columns at our request by authoritative utterance of China that " that Kingdom for centuries past Rev A. Hartmann, from the German having been the Eastern vassal, ..• let the Board of Rites instruct that King of Rev. H. G. Schneider, a missionary to obey." This indirectly and directly involves serious political questions. among these aborigines. Mr. Hart- Korea has existing treaties with European nations, and receives minis- mann was himself a missionary of the ters from the same, such as are accredited only to sovereign States. But if she Moravian Church among these Black recognizes and China asserts her vassalage, what then? Fellows of Australia from 1864 to 1873, , This is diplomatic correspondence incidental to religious rites, but Korea and is now a missionary to North Amermay not alone have the decision of her fate. Japan may have something to say ican IndiansatMoraviantown, Bothwell, when the issue is pushed into practical politics, and 80 may western powers; Ontario, Canada. It strikes us that nevertheless it must be said in the face of Korea's confessed vassalage to China. Mr. Kingsley would have found a bet- J. T. G. ter specimen to put in evidence of the The :Black Pellows of Australia. bottomless pit of original depravity, on FmsT PAPER-PBs-MORAVIAN MISSIONS. the other side of the court room. The PREPARED llY REV. A. HARTMANN. " Settler" and the Colonist might toss It is a no less brilliant and benevolent dice with the poor Papuan for front rank, author than the Rev. Charles Kingsley who, taking the position that man might in the lowest depth of submerged actually fall by original sin too low to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and humanity. Read and judge. be recovered again, points his proposition by the illustration worn threadbare J. T.G. by saints, sinners and scientists, of the poor Papuan of Australia. He says: The continent of Australia was taken " The black people of Australia, exactly possession of by Captain Cook in the the same race as the African negro, can- name of the English Crown. It was taken, not bought, from the original pos- I sessors of the country. The first settlers were convicts. They, and alas! too many of the emigrants who followed, treated the aborigines as they thought fit, robbing them and abusing their wives, and killing them if resistance was offered. Colonial history gives no rec- ord of an organized war with the na- tives; the latter must have been few and weak, and the severities and cruelties practised upon them were therefore unwarrantable. Their thefts and attacks were in many cases incited by want, or by revenge for wrongs suffered by them. By the introduction of intoxicants, the low became the lowest of the low. A disgusting sickness, of which many of the blacks suffered and perished, as a consequence of vice, was also introduced among them. Of the cruelties inflicted on some of them in individual cases we would rather not speak. Just think of a cowboy glorying before his master that with his own hand he had killed six or seven blacks, and that for the mere sport the chase of human beings afforded him! Dismissal from service piled up the dead bodies and kindled was the only punishment for this mur. over them a large fire to destroy every derer. It is not too much to say that trace of their awful murder. Through the majority of European inhabitants a combination of peculiar circumstances looked with contempt on the blacks, the crime was discovered, and the murconsidering them little if any better derers condemned to suffer the extreme than dangerous animals, for whose ex- penalty of the law. During the trial tirpation any measures were justifiable. the whole population of the colony was in a great excitement. Many, and even So matters went on for fifty years. But men of influence, were full of sympathy in 1838 II society was formed for the pro. for the murderers. All possible means tection of the aborigines. In 1839 a law were employed to have the murderers was passed appointing land commission. acquitted. Large Bums of money were ers with full power to put a stop to the raised to employ the most skilful lawcruelties perpetrated on the natives by yers in their defence, and witnesses reo the settlers beyond the colonial boun. ceived terrible threatenings, and even daries. At the same time, the following the chief witness, one of the most honnoble proclamation was made by the orable men of the district, hardly ven- Governor: ., As human beings, who tured to return to his home. The govpartake of the same nature as ourselves; ernor himself, a brave man, occupying as the original possessors of this terri- the most difficult position in this catastory, from which we derive much of our trophe, nevertheless signed the deathwealth and prosperity; and as subjects warrant of these murderers. Although of the Queen, whose power extends over the blacks now enjoyed the protection every part of New Holland, the abodg. of the law, yet slow progress was made ines of this country have the same right in the improvement of their condition. as Europeans to the protection and as- Still, during the last thirty years the sistance of the law. His Excellency be. moral obligations toward the natives lieves it his duty to inform every inhab- have been fully acknowledged. Efforts itant of this colony that each new de. have been made by the government and spatch from the Secretary of State in by private individuals to better thei~ England speaks of the increasing stress condition by supplying them with food, laid by Her Majesty's Government, the clothing, schools, churches, and mission- Parliament, and the whole people, on aries. But alas! much that was well the proper and humane treatment of the meant came too late to save them as a natives of this land. His Excellency race. Too long these unhappy beings also most urgently and solemnly de- had been treated as animals; too long clares that it is their conviction that had there been no place on earth where nothing whatsoever is so essential to they were suffered, cared for, or loved. the honor and welfare (or interests) of Only at the throne of God, the Just and the colony as humane care and consid- the Merciful, was compassion shown eration of the aborigines. " for them; but the poor blacks did not know Him, and it was long before As one result of this Proclamation, those whites who did know it showed and the laws put in force with it, mur· them the way to Him. derers were punished. Seven convicts who, by the Government, had been ap. EFFORTS TO IMPIOVE THE NATIVES. pointed shepherds to some of the squatters, went out on horseback to hunt There is no rule without exception, blacks. They discovered a small tribe and in this case the rule was bad and of about thirty, men, women, and chil- the exception good. Among the many dren. They surrounded them, tied who looked down and trampled on the them together with a long rope, and natives of Australia there were found then butchered them in cold blood in some noble souls, whose hearts were full the dell th of the wilderness. They then
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
of love and sympathy for them. For in. poor parsonage at Paramatta, a few stance, since the beginning of this cen· miles from Sydney. Mr. Marsden tury there have been noble, humane gov· preached to the convicts and to all the ernors, who did everything in their colonists" Jesus Christ and Him cruci. power to ameliorate and improve their fied" with undaunted courage and un· condition. These efforts sometimes met tiring love. With the blacks, however, with resistance and ingratitude on the he pursued another plan. With the help part of those whom they sought to ben- of Governor Macquarie he established a efit. The blacks would stay for a week model farm, in which several families or two in the paradise prepared for of natives were placed under the guidthem, and then suddenly disappear and ance of a qualified overseer to be trained return to their wandering life. Too to farm work. much was expected of them; the most beautiful palace would have been a pris- Besides this, a boarding-school was on for them. Instead of being grad. commenced for native children, in which ually accustomed to order and a civilized they should be taught reading, writing, life, a degree of liberty being allowed arithmetic, and the elements of the them, they were expected to settle down Christian religion. The whole undertakat once. Many such efforts· were made ing was a failure, and after a few years' and proved failures. The hearts of the trial had to be given up. The children natives were difficult to reach, and the were not to be confined within walls, love of a wandering life was not to be nor were the minds of these ignorant eradicated in a hurry. Even the friends heathen to be prepared by the disci. and benefactors of the race were dis_ pline of civilization for Christianity. couraged, and came again and again to The idea was to teach them first to be the conclusion that for this race there men, then Christians. People forgot .was no hope of deliverance. As, on the that though a missionary is a civilizing one hand, too much was expected from agent, yet that civilization must be the them, so, on the other, too little was giv. fruit, not the root of Christianity. Mr. en them, causing again failure. Marsden in his old age acknowledged this mistake, and spoke thus concern. We are reminded here of the noble ing it : "The Bible," said he, "pro- Governor Macquarie and the chaplain claims free sovereign grace for poor sin- Rev. Samuel Marsden. Thelatter, born ners. No self.righteous person can enat Leeds in 1764, was the son of a poor ter heaven; he would rather hunger and artisan. He attended first the parish perish than accept this free gift. Civschool and then the grammar school at ilization is not necessary before Chris- Hull. His father, being unable to sup· tianity. Let both go hand in hand, if port him any longer, and needing his you will ; but you will find that civilizahelp at home, desired his return. But tion rather follows than precedes Chris· Joseph Milner, the author of a well. tianity. Speak to the heathen of the known Church History, desired that the living God and the Saviour who died talented boy might remain, and procured for them. That will come home to for him the assistance of a company of their hearts !" pious and wealthy men, who made it a point to support poor and talented the· Further efforts were made by pious ological students. After completing his and zealous Methodists. The first, studies preparatory to the ministry, who was sent exclusively for work Marsden, after repeated requests, at among the natives, was Walker, of whose length accepted the position as chaplain work, however, nothing is known. Tho to the convict colony at Sydney, Aus- missionaries Leigh, who commenced tralia, and started thither with his ex- work in 1815, and Cartwright, who folcellent wife in August, 1793. On March lowed in 1820, began at once to speak 2d, 1794, they arrived and entered the of the main point, but the natives did not then understand English, and their teachers did not learn Papuan, forgetting of the work to the pouring in of unprinthat the Word of God reaches the heart cipled colonists and the absence of of the heathen only when translated into such law protection as would have prehis native tongue, and that the first and vented desolating wars between the most important work of a missionary is native tribes and guarded the latter to make the language of the heathen against the outrages of the whites. tribe among whom he labors his own. Herein he touches indisputably the sore point in the condition of New Holland; In the year 1828 they relinquished and sad as his conclusion is, it in notheir work for the time, justifying their wise represents the natives as beyond step by the unsteadiness of the abo- improvement. rigines and the great expense of the mission caused by journeys and repeated Another recorded failure in the hisattempts at founding stations. tory of Australian missions is that of the Church Missionary Society of London, Meanwhile, Missionary Threlkeld, of England. Marsden, who died in 1838, the London Missionary Society (prop- had already prevailed upon this society erly intended for the mission in the to send out missionaries. Watson and South Sea Islands), came to New South Handt were appointed to Wellingtondale, Wales, and was desired by the governor north of Sydney,and were joined later on to remain and devote himself to the in the station they had formed by Gun. work among the natives. The society ther. But after eleven years of faithful approved of the plan, and Threlkeld re- and self-sacrificing labor they were ceived from the Government 10,000 obliged to leave, for the shepherds and acres of land at Lake Macquarie for a workingmen of the district (it was the settlement of natives. With firm faith, old story of liberated convicts) exercised unwearied perseverance, and holy love the most baneful influence on the na· he set to work. After laboring for six tives; and to this came drought and years without visible results, the Lon- grasshoppers, which drove the natives don Society, which had spent £3000 on from the district. The missionaries, the work, thought it right to use their therefore, devoteq their energies to work funds in more promising fields. Threl- among the colonists. keld, however, could not leave his Papuans. He carried on the work, The Methodists had again established partly from his own means and partly mission stations in different places in by the assistance of friends and the 1838 and 1840, and met with some de. government. He learned the native gree of success. In the saIDe year mis. language, prepared a grammar, trans- sionaries were sent out by the Lutheran lated parts of the Bible, as well as a Missionary Society at Dresden (now number of hymns. Leipzig), and a number also by Gossner, at the request of a Scottish Presbyterian Generally three or four tribes lived on minister in New South Wales. The the reserve, but their stay was never of a Lutherans, after a few years of fruitless long duration. The news of a corroboree labor, left the natives and became pas. (er dance) or oftener the information that tors to various congregations of Euroa hostile tribe was approaching was suffi- peans. A few years Jater the Gossner cient to scatter them,in spite of all Threl- missionaries followed their example. keld's efforts to keep them. All the ef- The natives had, indeed, begun to dis. forts,sacrifices,and pains of this excellent tinguish between these whites and those man remained fruttless, and as the con- whom they had known hilherto. They tributions of friends flowed more scan- put confidence in the missionaries and tily, and the support of the Government showed at times a desire to work, but was stopped, this champion of the Gos- soon tired of it, and rewarded the kind· pel found himself compelled to leave the ness and patience of the messengers of station. That was a bitter pill! Yet peace by continual thefts. At length still the noble man attributes the failure all the tribes of the district formed tive, is it to be expected that he will themselves into robber-bands, who at- make a distinction in favor of those few tacked and robbed the neighboring sta- who giT8 themselves out as his friends; tions in broad daylight wherever the that he will put full confidence in them, objects of their plunder were not pro- and accept their word, their advice, their tected by revolver and gun. But, in the message? Will he not rather take admean time, the missionaries had the joy vantage of their kindness and, by stealof seeing two of the natives converted. ing their goods, recompense himself for Still the results were, on the whole, so what has been taken from him? Sad sad and unsatisfactory that some of the to say, that in Australia it is not the obmissionaries left the place, with a view duracy of the aborigines but the hardto Illbor among the settlers. Those who heartedness of professing Christians remained directed their efforts to the which has been the greatest stumbling- Bame object, without losing sight of the block in the way of the Gospel. poor natives; and Missionary Gerler wrote, in 1855, "I llm convinced that The Glad Tidings in Morocco. the time is not far distant when the blacks will cry out, ' What must I do to BY JAMES EDWARD BUDGETT MEAKIN. be saved?'" Further efforts made by the English Church, under the direction (For some years editor of the Times of Moroc()/).) of the energetic Archdellcon Hale, of Adelaide, were put an end to by the It is only of late years that any sysdying out of the natives. Of later trials tematic attempt has been made to bring and successes experienced in connection the Gospel before the people of Morocwith different churches and societies we co, though they live, as it were, at the will not now speak, but notice them as very doors of Europe. A small body cotemporary with the missions of the of missionaries are laboring among the Renewed Brethren's Church (Mora- Moors. So far, however, only' a very vians), of which it is our intention to small number have sufficiently surspeak in the next paper. mounted the initial difficulty of the language-Arabic-to be able to do T,he enumeration of aU these failures much in the way of direct teaching or is very discouraging, yet it shows the controversy. But there are other ways difficulties attending the work of evan- in which the people may be reached, gelizing this spoiled and degrllded race. such as by medical treatment of the sick. Let us weigh these well, not forgetting that by the grace of God they may be The benighted condition of Morocco surmounted, and we have a strong proof is such that the aims and objects of misof 'the necessity and duty of carrying sionary laborers are not yet realized, and on mission work. The faith and love the Mohammedans cannot imagine that of Christendom and of its messengers anyone of their number could prove can llnd should overcome, in spite of all himself, weak enough in their faith to the opposition of the servants of sin seriously entertain any other. Once and Satan. Still, in considering what they become fully alive to the,facts of has been and may still be said regard- the case trouble and fierce opposition ing the work in Australia, we must take may be expected. into account not only the sad state of the natives, but also the bllneful influ- The initial difficulty in dealing with ence which has been exercised upon the Moors is their utter self-satisfiedthem by thousands of ungodly whites ness and indifference to outside influduring the last century. If contempt, ences. What was good for their fathers bad treatment, robbery. violence, and is good for them ; and they are brought murder are connected with the idea of up so sure of a heaven of material bliss, the white man in the mind of the na- even after a life of sin, provided that they comply with certain forms, that they see no reason even to listen to the emissaries of Christianity. But, thank God! there are many who have listened, with certain religious duties which are and some among them who have obeyed carefully defined in the' Book to be Read' and been baptized, but these are few (the Quran), we are sure of eternal bliss I"~ and weak, needing much instruction. We who have lived in Morocco can The next ob,stacle to the work is the testify with one accord that this empire utterly erroneous ideas possessed by the is too steeped in sin to allow us to lay Moors concerning Christianity and bare the truth. Crime and misery Christians. They believe, to begin abound, and justice is all but unknown. with, and often tell us so, that we wor- Possessed of a beautiful country, the ship a woman as equal with God-a Moors drag out an almost torpid existmost awful idea to such strict Unita- ence without enjoying one tithe of the rians as Muslims are. They say then blessings within their grasp. Such is that we worship bread and wine as Morocco to-day, and I do not hesitate God; that we have introduced the to give as the reason that it is a victim greater part of the history of Christ into to the spell of Islam. the Gospel, and that we have eradicated every prophecy about Mohammed ex- The difficulties to be met with are not cept John 14 : 26, which they declare small nor few. The fear of the" powrefers to that teacher. It is easy to see ers that be," and the feeling that the whence these ideas come, but still more acknowledged convert must become an Bad to note what they judge from the outcast, cut off from his dearest friends; specimens of nominal Christians with and subject to bitter persecution in whom they have had to deal, to be proportion to his boldness in his new equally tenets of our religion. They faith, is a very serious matter, and s have no doubt that every good Chris- man's change of heart must be real and tian gets drunk once a week or more thorough before he can be expected to often if he can, and that it is their in- make an open profession with such revariable rule to make up for only being_ sults. Even when he has the example allowed one wife by supplies from the before him of others who have stood streets. The wearing of a hat and the and suffered it is easier for him. Neveating of pork are looked upon as ertheless, thousands of Moors have equally essential to the Ohristian life, learned the difference between nominal and it ill generally considel."ed that dis- and real Christians, so much so, that honesty, venalism, and every abuse of while the name Nazarene is still applied power are matters of course with the fol- to all, the names MaseeaM and Kitab~ lowers of the Messiah. (Christian and Biblical) are now given by them to the missionaries and their "The difference between your way few sympathizers to distinguish them and my way," said an intelligent Moor from the others. Medical work among one day to a lady missionary, "is that them and the kindness shown to them yours is hemmea in on either side by re- in many ways are steadily taking effect; strictions which must make your life and although few have come forward miserable, and you have nothing to from among them, and after careful hope for, after all, for your heaven has teaching and examination have been no earthly joys. My way, on the other baptized, there is a pleasurable certainty hand, leaves me room to do much as that a far greater number have the truth I like in this world, and in the next the planted in their hearts, that they know pleasantest sins of this will be our law- the way of salvation, and that but for ful and continual pleasures. Think of fear of man they would acknowledge it. that! Then, too, our lord l'rlohammed, We must not think hardly of these weak the messenger of God-the prayers of ones. God be on him, and peace I-is so good and powerful that, however we may sin BISHOP HANNINGTON'S BONES.-It was against God now, so long as we comply a remarkable Providence that enabled the Church of England Missionary So- ed that he would get rid of the bones by ciety to recover the body of their mar- taking them to the white man. He tyr-Bishop Hannington, who was mur- passed the place twice, and I fancy it dered in Oentral Africa, under circum- was on the second journey that he took stances that would have seemed to the bones to Mr. Jackson. forever preclude the possibility of his receiving Christian burial at all, much "The above is in substance what less the return of the remains to Chris- Marko says. Some of the details may tian England. The story has been most be incorrect." vividly told, but now we have the de- tails of the way in which God's provi- -The American Board has rightfully dence kept ., all his bones." applied to Mr. Blaine for the protection of American property interests in con- It was with peculiar interest that we nection with the newest outrages of the read the communication made by Rev. Spanish authorities on the American R. H. Walker to the Church of England missions in the Caroline Islands. We Missionary Society, in explanation of the trust our Government will speak with manner of the recovery of Bishop Han- some vigor to that anachronism in modnington's body. A strange interest will ern civilization known as the Governhang around this story for a long time to ment of Spain. It is little worth while come. Little wonder that it has recalled allowing this representative of an effete the story of the Ark of the Lord turned civilization to be strutting with misused loose under divine supervision alone. authority in a remote corner of the Mr_ Walker wrote: .. When Bishop globe. At best, Spain is out of joint Hannington was murdered, the same with the times. She feeds on memories day his body was carried to another and mumbles beads; her battles are place, because the people feared that the bull-fights and her victories autos-daje, dead body of a white man might bring and she might as well be relegated to evil on them. But the people of the some museum of political antiquities. next place refused to have it ; and so it Has Mr. Blaine ever secured any indemwas carried from place to place, each nity for Mr. Doane, and will he now refusing to alJow it to remain in their call Spain into court for protection not country. A coast man, who we under- of missicnary, but of American interstand was one of Bishop Hannington's ests? porters, accompanied the corpse. At last it reached a place on the boundary -There is a tract entitled" Christian of Busoga, or in the country of the Women of North China to the Christian Bakeddi. Here they agreed to build a Women of England upon the Opium Inhouse for it, and on a framework or bed- iquity." In this these Chinese Christian stead, such as they make for smoking women declare to all Europe, and to all meat and fish on, the body was laid, and mankind, that" foreign opium in Chinais left to decay. An agreement was made a greater scourge than war or pestilence." with the coast man to live at this house These China Christians are taunted with and to take care of it, and in return the having adopted the l'eIigion of "the people would give him food. foreign devils, who are making China into a hell by their opium ;" and what " To this place Marko, the messenger is worse, the poor weak little Christian from Mwanga to Mr. Jackson of the Church in the Celestial Empire is well- Imperial British East Africa Company, nigh decimated by the use of the drug. came on his way with letters. He seems to have heard that the people -A collector of Bombay has among there had experienced bad harvests and his curiosities a Chinese god marked drought of late years, and that they at- "Heathen Idol," and next to it is a tributed this to the fact of their having gold piece marked " Christian Idol." the white man'~ bones; and he suggest-
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
III.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
RUSSIA is exciting no little criticism special attention to the instruction of and animadversion by her course toward mISSIonaries. Miss Swain, M.D., was the Jews and the exiles' in Siberia. the first woman medical miSSionary to Lately the details have been published Asia. of a horrible outrage upon a Jewish lad named Rutenberg, at Bialystok, about The EpOCH OF ORGANIZATION seems to one hundred miles from Warsaw, by a have come. Certainly in Christian work Russian medical man, Dr. Gravonsky. the organizations are both multiplying The boy, with some schoolmates, had and extending their bounds. Some of plucked some apples off a tree and, being them have overleaped the limits of caught in the act, was carried into a stable States, denominatIOns and even conti- where he was brutally branded with nents. For instance, "The Young lunar caustic on the forehead, chin, and Men's Christian Association," "The both cheeks with the words" Jew" and Young Women's Christian Temperance "thief" in Russian, Polish, and Hebrew. Union," "The Society of Christian A photograph has been circulated show- Endeavor," now enrolling one hundred ing the horrible branding of this lad's thousand members, "The White Rib- countenance, and has awakened snch in- bon Army," "The Boys' Brigade," dignation that the authorities have " The King's Daughters," "The Shut· prohibited its sale or circulation. in Society," "Kitchen Gardens," "Guilds," "Christian Workers' Train- THE HONOR ROLL of Wesleyan Meth- ing Classes," "Bible Corresponding odist and Methodist Episcopal mission- Schools, .. "Parochial Associations," ~ aries is a very long and illustrious one. "Chautauqua Classes," "Working- Among Wesleyan Methodists the name men's Clubs," and others. of Thomas Coke stands pre-eminent. He had a hold upon both continents, being Our only apprehension is that these the first bishop of the Methodist Epis- forms of Christian effort and organiza- copal Church under Wesley's commis- tion may wean away from the churches sion. He died on the way to India. those whom they should attract to them, He poured his private fortune into the may fail to acknowledge the supervision cause of missions. The Rev. John of pastors and church officers, and es- Hunt will always have front rank for pecially may, in the pride of numbers, work among the Fiji people. The Rev. commit that fatal mistake of overlook- Elijah Hoole was fifty years in India. ing quality in quantity Samuel Leigh won undying fame in New Zealand, and John Thomas in the There are many Christian parents, Friendly Islands. says the Ohurch Missionary InteUigencer, who are leading people in the Christian From the Methodist Episcopal world, who claim reserved seats at Church, Melville Cox died in Africa. crowded missionary meetings, and join George Bowen, of Bombay, was known in congratulations over the increasing as " Good George Bowen." Among the number of candidates for missionary ser- living missionaries, William •Butler, vice, but who will not bear of their own founder of twenty missions of this sons and daughters offering for that ser- church in India and Mexico, Bishop vice. What a rare jewel is consistency! Thobum, of India, and Bishop William Taylor, of Africa, are perhaps the best Among missionary books we feel con· known generally. Dr. Maclay, who strained especially to recommend " Mis- spent forty years in China and Japan, sionary Enterprises in the South Sea now in his old age is professor in a the- Islands," by John Williams, an edition ological seminary in California, giving of which is published by the Presbyte. rian Board, 1334 Chestnut Street, Phil- dially to every reader who is interested adelphia. It was this remarkable bopk in missions. which led the Bishop of Ripon to ex- claim, when he laid it down, "This is We have received from the publish. the 29th chapter in the Book of the Acts ers, James Nesbit & Co., London, a copy of the Apostles." It is the story of a of a little work known as " Once Hindu triumphal progress. John Williams -Now Christian," edited by Dr. J. Mur- moved in every direction, 2000 miles ray MHchell, our esteemed correspond. from the shores of Tahiti, and within 22 ent. It is the autobiography of a very years, from 1817 to 1839, carried the admirable man, one of the ablest and Gospel to all the islands within that inost devoted Christians in India, Baba radius, and saw not only some of those Padmanji. It is intensely interesting, islands, but whole groups of them, turn- and gives us a remarkable insight into ing from idolatry to the living God. the difficulties of a native convert in India, and it shows how remarkably Perhaps the most compendious ency- useful a man may be who is brought clopredia of missions which has yet ap. out of East India society into a thorough peared is that entitled" Conquestsof the espousal of the Gospel. Mr. Padmanji Cross," by Edwin Hodder. It is pub. has been the author of about seventy. lished by subscription, Cassell & Co. five books and tracts published by the being the publishers. Only two vol- Book and Tract Society of Bombay, umes have as yet reached my table, but Christian Vernacular Education Society, those two volumes far surpass anything and others. If there be any profits from else in the line of comprehensive mis- the book they are to go to Mr. Padmanji sionary biography and history which I himself. We wish the book might be have seen. thoroughly circulated.
The Editor would again call attention In March, 1887, certain papers ap. to "Alden's Manifold Cyclopredia," peared in the Ohristian (London) on which has now reached volume No. 25. the subject of "Unemployed Native Though not a distinctly missionary Agencies in Heathen Lands." They book, we have found the articles in it were by Hudson Taylor, Reginald Rad. which pertain to missions to be exceed- cliffe, and James E. Mathieson, some of ingly helpful and excellent in every re- the most devoted students of missions spect, and we are coming to regard this to be found in the world. These cheap and handy cyc10predia as an brethren regard the raising up of a vast authority. host of native converts, who shall take up this 'Gospel mission for their fellow· Dr. S. A. Mutchmore, editor of the countrymen, as the only practical way Presbyterian, has already published a of reaching the nearly four hundred volume describing his travels in Eastern millions of native Chinese. They con· Europe and Asia Minor. The second tend that a few hundred European mis· volume has now been issued, "The 110. sionaries, not exceeding six hundred, gul, the Mongol, the Mikado and the do very little toward the evangelization Missionary." These letters have of this great empire, and they quote Dr. already appeared to a large extent in Nevius, who has been very successful the Presbyterian, and for raciness, read. in the employment of such unpaid ability, originality, and power to grasp, agents. Rev. Donald MacIver, of South. and present the most interesting mat· ern China, says that the rapid increase ters of foreign travel, we know of noth. of converts has been accomplished, 110t , ing published in modem times that sur· by Dr. Nevius's sermons, or those of , passes them. We commend them cor- his assistants, but by the simple wit· ness of the converts. Eight agencies are at work in China to accomplish its was presiding officer. It was a fit choice. Mr. Field's" Draft Outlines of evangelization. (1) Bible distribution; an International Code" is regarded as an (2) tract distribut,ion ; (3) chapel preach- authority. In it he favors arbitration 'ing; (4) translation and literary work; as to the dispntes between nations by a (5) schools; (6) itinerations; (7) med- reference to disinterested parties. If ical missions ; (8) work among women. we may judge from appearances, the Dr. Nevius says, "I am disposed to time of Universal Peace is not very think that the number of conversions near. All Europe seems rather prepardue to each of them would be found to ing for war. increase about in the order in which they are mentioned above; arid that An Anti-Slave·Trade Conference sat the number traceable to them all to- at Brussels from November 18th, 1889, gether would be but a small fraction of to July 2d, 1890. The beneficial results the whole, and that by far the greater seemed liable to be frustrated by the reproportion is to be referred to private fusalof the Netherlands for a time to social intercourse. That is (lertainly sign the stipulations. The Congo Free our experience in the South of China. State must have a revenue if it is to re- Probably seven eighths of our member- press the slave-trade, and this revenue ship have been brought in, not directly must come from a tariff on imports. All as the result of the preaching, either of the other powers and now also the the European missionary or of the ap- Netherlands have consented to this. pointed Chinese evangelist, but simply The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce at from private Christians telling to their first protested to the Government of friends and neighbors about the Baviour Great Britain against the signing of the they have found. This state of matters stipulations, but the Government nobly is, on the one hand, cause for thankful- replied that these duties were levied ness, for the evidence it gives of the only in the interest of human rights. reality of the religion of these Chinese Every year it is said that four hundred Christians ; and it also is full of hope thousand human beings are carried into as to the future of Christ's kingdom in abject slavery from the Congo region. China. If every individual member of 'he 30,000 Christians in China were a A Hebrew-Christian Conference was true missionary, then the Middle King- held in Chicago on November 24th and dom would soon be evangelized. 25th last. This gathering has excited a lively and extensive interest, as well it •• But it seems to me that this state of might. The Conference seems to have matters is full of important lessons for been called mainly through the efforts all interested in the progress of the Gos. of William E. Blackstone, Esq., whose pel in that land. We are to give most interest in the Jews is known everyattention to the method God's Spirit uses where. We have heard of no other conmost. We are not to give up our preach- ference in modern times where Chrising tours, nor our distribution of Scrip- tianA and Jews have met together for tures and tracts ; we are not to close the friendly discussion of points of hIour hospitals and schools; but we, as terest and matters of difference. The foreign missionaries,should give most audiences were very large, and some of attention to the work of training our the Jewish rabbi were present and took converts in the knowledge of Scripture, part. It is very noticeable that in the developing their gifts and graces, and present time the attention of all Chrissuperintending and guiding their efforts tendom seems to be drawn to God's anto bring to the truth their friends and cient people. Our attention has been kindred." called to the fact that a somewhat sim- ilar gathering was held two hundred and At the Universal Peace Congress, held in London, David Dudley Field forty yeBl'S ago in the Plain of Ageda, in upon the part of persons not accustomed Hungary. Some three hundred rabbis to such surroundings. We think that met in this Council in a large tent, and this}s the only charitable if not the the discussion lasted seven days. We only possible explanation, and we pre- anticipate only good results from a gath- fer to dismiss this horrible story with- ering of this character. In all our ap_ out further comment. proaches to the Jew, we have this great advantage, that he is familiar with the It seems now to be generally admitted prophesies of the Old Testament con- that the position taken by Dr. Lunn and cerning Christ, the Messiah, which have Rev. Hugh Price Hughes as to Wesleyan been so remarkably fulfilled in Chris- missions in India was a mistake. Dr. tian history. Lunn had been less than two years in India, and wrote impulsively and indis- We have purposely abstained hereto- creetly. As to Mr. Hughes, he did not fore from any reference to the startling know of the facts, except as obtained stories concerning Stanley's rear gnard. through Dr. Lunn ; but as it was in his pa- The terrible revelation with regard to per that Dr. Lunn's strictures were pub- the brutality of Barttelot and the cruelty lished, Mr. Hughes acted as his sDcond. of Jameson have caused to be applied A competent committee has examined to this history the appropriate title of the whole matter, and thrown consider "The African Chamber of Horrors." able discredit upon Dr. Lunn's testi- The scheme for poisoning the nephew mony. This is another example of the of Tippoo Tib, the statement that Ma- fact that foreign missionary work will jor Barttelot actually fastened his teeth bear even the severe and searching crit· into the :flesh of a woman, and even icisms to which :it ~has been lately exinto her face, his fatal kick upon the posed. boy Soudi, his fatal flogging of the lad John Henry, whose ears he threatened We regret to learn that M. Saillens, to cut off, and to whom he administered who has been one of Dr. McAll's printhree hundred lashes, his stabbing of cipal helpers in his French work, has the chief Ungunga, etc., might easily resigned connection with the McAll account for the shooting of such a missions, with which he has been conhuman fiend as he showed himself. nected for seventeen years. This will be a great loss to the mission, but the The story of Jameson's cruelty, buy- separation has been made in an entirely ing. a little girl with six cotton handker- friendly spirit on both sides, though it chiefs, causing her to be murdered, was caused by some little differences of cooked and eaten, that he might have a opllllOn. From personal acquaintance practical illustration of cannibalism, with M. Saillens we can testify that a and calmly taking six sketches with his more accomplished and perfect gentle- Kodak to represent the stages of the pro- man we have not met, even among the ceedings-all these things defy descrip- polite French people. Although he will tion and almost credence. It is our no longer be a director or agent of the judgment that all these were acts of per- mission, he will speak in the Salles from sons virtually insane __ that there is no time to time. possibility of otherwise accounting for such atrocious cruelty and barbarity on Dr. McAll writes, .. Our work gives the part of the representatives of a us much encouragement, both as to Christian nation; we cannot believe numbers and evident seriousness. We they were in their right mind; and it cannot enlarge; our resources do not is a well·known fact that climatical in- allow that, to our great regret. No an- :fluenge, together with prolonged expo- swer has yet been received from Dr. sure and privation. som etimes brings on Loba, of Kalamazoo,-Mich., who was ina peculiar type of insanity or monomania vited to join the, work, and who seems especially adapted to it from the fact congregation, but all this served as grathat he is a native of France." tuitous advertisement, and saved us all outlay on this head. One paper, La We perhaps owe it to Dr. McAll to Rappel, suggested that as soon as the say, with reference to an article which ship would be towed away from Paris, appeared in this REVIlIlw in July last, in we should hire a balloon, and so have which the Editor indulged in some our hearers part way to heaven to begin friendly strictures on the mission, that with." Dr. McAll remarks that he is" not prepared to express an absolute agree- The announcement has been made at ment with what is there said respecting the Wesleyan Mission House, in Lonthe overtaxing of the workers. With a don, that the Rev. Alexander McAulay few exceptions of voluntary painstaking, has suddenly died at Sumerset East, the requirements laid upon our mission- Cape Colony. He was an ex-President aries are not at all extreme. In the of the Wesleyan Conference, on an evancase of some of them, they undertake gelistic tour among the Wesleyan other and collateral engagements, good churches in South Africa. He was in in themselves, but not favorable to full his seventy-third year. More than activity in the mission, and liable, to- thirty years ago he began work in the gether with its duties, to bring on over- East End of London, where he spent fatigue. Mr. Greig is a tremendously fourteen years, beginning with a congre-· hard worker, but does his work with gation of eighteen persons; in ten years peculiar facility, and in a way quite vol- he built four large chapels, each seating untary." Dr. McAll confesses the over- 1000 persons, besides organizing other taxing of himself, especially since losing enterprises. He had also during the two of his most valued helpers, but past ten years visited the West Indies, hopes for relief when an assistant is where he exercised a most helpful reobtained. Dr. McAll says that David vival influence. Such a man cannot be Paton, .Esq., to whom we have already other than missed in the great mission referred, had given more than any other work of the world. contributor to the McAll work, probably nearly if not quite six thousand pounds, In the Ghristian (London) for Decemand that he left no money behind him, ber, Mrs. Grattan Guinness gives a long but gave it all away during his lifetime. and critical examination of General Booth's book, "In Darkest England." Dr. McAllfurther says, " The' Bateau She especially calls attention to many Missionaire '-' Le Bon Messager,' we existing agencies which in his book brought to Paris for about seven weeks, ending in July. Certainly it was a great a are entirely overlooked, and the hrissuccess-moored at the Pont de la Concorde. On Bome Sundays we had four tian adds that Mrs. Meredith, with her meetings on board, the people waiting Prison Mission to Women, aud Mr. anxiously to be admitted. It would George Hatton, with his coadjutor, Mr. hold 160 or 180 in the cabin. I think William Wheatley, long before led the that about eight hundred were there in way into this philanthropy, and that the one day. To the close we kep t up four Salvation Army is indebted for its methmeetings daily in all. I think the at- ods to the plans which they have been tendance was about twenty-five thou- following. The Ohristian mentions sand. Never did I have or see greater George Holland, of Georgeyard, whose attention and respect-very many were work is like the waters of Siloah, that intelligent,and many young Frenchmen. flow softly; then there comes to mind Almost all never heard the Gospel be- a multitude of names, each of which fore. The infidel and worldly news- awakens memories of orphans housed papers tried to write the affair down, and homed, or girls rescued, or, still beteven inserted pictures of the ship and ter, prevented ; of work of every conceivable kind for the glory of God and Mr. Silas Farmer, of Detroit, Mich., for the good of men. Miss Macpherson, gives the following reasons why we Archibald Brown, F. N. Charrington, should be specially interested in mis. Henry Hill, William Cuff, Dr. Stephen- sions to the Chinese. First, the an· son, Peter Thompson, Miss Steer, Miss tiquity of the nation and the interesting Child, Evans Hurndall, J. W. Atkinson, peculiarities of the people and the coun. Christian Community, Strangers' Rest, try. Secondly, the peculiar and friend- Seamen's Missions, Mrs. Birt in Liver- ly feeling toward America and Ameri. pool, William Quarrier in Scotland, and cans. Third, the debt which America innumerable others all through the owes to Chinamen for labor in this coun· land. Positively one's heart aches to try, notwithstanding the persecution to think of the noble army of God's ser- which they have been subjected. vants who serve Him and slle His face in Fourth, women especially should be in· the squalid parts of our great cities, who terested because of what the Chinese are, for the moment at least, forgotten women are, and because of what we obby lllany of the churches, and by indi- tain from China. Fifth, the unusually vidual donors accustomed to contribute favorable conditions for missionary to their funds. effort. Sixth, the unusually large field which China presents for missionary Notwithstanding these statements, it labor. seems to us that General Booth's scheme ought to have a full and fair trial. We Lord Wolseley believes that the believe that if it be not entirely success- Chinese are the coming nation, that the ful, it may at least lead the way to a great battle of Armageddon will take larger and more prominent work for the place between the Chinese and the Eng. poor not only of London, but of all our lish.speaking people; that a general is great cities. to arise among them who will train them in the science of arms and prepare them A young man's guild has been formed for a great assault upon the Russian in connection ~ith the Church of Scot- Empire. The Chinese are capable :of land, and the ninth annual convention wonderful endurance, have a stolid in. of delegates met in Hamilton, Scot. difference to death, and he prophesies land, from the 5th to the 7th of October that before them Russia will fall; that last. Delegates were present from all then they will overrun India, sweeping parts of the country, even from the Ork. the British into the sea, and at last Eng. neys. The membership of the Guild lish, Americans, etc., will rally for a desembraces about twenty thousand, with perate conflict. Lord Wolseley is an over five hundred branches, extending authority on military matters in Britain. from Montreal to Ceylon. This Guild Whether or not he is a prophet remains is marked with peculiar missionary zeal; to be seen. no less than eleven of the Church's mis. sionaries have gone through this Guild. The compression of ladies' feet in We have seldom read with greater in· China is merely a mark of gentility. terest the account of any similar meet- Various accounts are given of the origin ing. The Town Hall on October 7th of this custom. One is that an emperor was crowded to overflowing. Mr. Camp- was jealous of his wife, and to prevent bell, M.P., presided, and among the her from gadding abroad put her feet speakers were Professor Charteris, Dr. into iron stocks. Another is that a cer- Marshall Lang, Mr. Hoxier, M.P., Mr. tain empress, Tan-ke (B.C. 100), was Parker Smith, M.P., Mr. Somerville, born with club feet, and that she caused M.P., and Rev. Archibald Turnbull, the emperor to issue an edict adopting . B.D., Darjeeling. Five Guildsmen her foot as the model of beauty, and rehave, during the past year, gone into quiring the compressing of female inthe mission field. fants' feet so as to conform to the imperio untarily chosen as a permanent order of al standard; while a third account is that things implies either a very imperative the Emperor Leyuh (A.D. 961) was amus- call of duty or a great lack of prudence. ing himself one day in his palace, when The duty may and very often does exhe thought he might improve the ap- ist, and then the course adopted canpearance of the .feet of a favorite concu- not be too highly commended. But bine. He caused her feet to be so bent economics have a place in missionary as to raise the instep into an arch, to life as well as elsewhere, and· there is resemble the new moon. The figure certainly a very terrible waste of vital was much admired by the courtiers, energy in this mode of life. Men may who soon began to introduce it into endure it, as soldiers endure the hardtheir families. It is said that another ships of the camp or the march, but it emperor, two hundred years later, is cruelly hard for the ladies. One has placed a stamp of the lotus flower but to look at many of the ladies at the (water-lily) on the sole of the small shoe Conference to see that they were mere of his favorite concubine, so that at shadows of their former selves, their every step she took she left on the ground heroic spirits not being proof against the print of the flower; hence girls with the physical and mental trials of such a small feet are complimented at the pres· life. The statistics of the great society, ent day as "the golden lilies." The whose name is synonymous with the operation of bandaging and compress- highest consecration and self-abnegaing the feet is very painful; children tion, show a terrible sacrifice of precious cry very much under it. Mortification material. It is said that one half of of the feet has been known to result those who enter China under its ausfrom the cruel practice. Cnstom, how· pices return within two years, either to ever, imposes it as a necessary attrac- their homeland on earth or to the home tion in a woman. An old gentJeman at above, and that the average term of ser- Canton being asked the reason why he vice for the whole body is only three bandaged his daughter's feet, replied and a half years. The policy which that if she had large feet she could not leads to this alarming sacrifice must be make a good marriage. backed by the strongest arguments of necessity before it. can be fully justified." A " Heavenly Foot Society" has been formed by Chinese women at Amhoy. The Habitations of Ornelty. Rev. John Macgowen, missionary at Amhoy, now in England on a visit, in a Bishop Crowther, speaking of the speech delivered at Manchesterrecently Niger xegion, says; "About four days stated that the Society was the result of before our arrival at Ohambele, an old his persistent teaching that the Chinese rich woman died and was buried. The custom of binding the feet was in open proceedings of the burial were stated as – violation of the precepts of the Gospel. follows; When the grave was dug, two It is his belief that the example will be female slaves were taken, whose limbs extensively imitated, and that the final were smashed with clubs. Being unresult will be a death·blow to the bar- able to stir, they were let down into the barous practice. grave, yet alive, on the mat or bed on which the corpse of the mistress was laid, Rev. B. C. Henry says, with regard to and screened from sight for a time. Two the wearing of nati ve Chinese costumes other female slaves were laid hold on by the missionaries in China : " Chinese and dressed up with best clothes and dress too often means a Chinese house, coral beads. This being done, they pure and simple, and native furniture, were led and paraded about the town native utensils, native food. These, to show the public the servants of the when necessity requires, may be cheer- fich dead miatresl! whom they would fully eqdllred tor a time, but to be volattend in the world of spirits. This foreign missions, addressing requests to was done for two days, when the un- ministers in different parts of the fortunate victims were taken to the edge Church to write briefly on some aspect of the grave, and their limbs were also of foreign missions and the Church's re- smashed with clubs, and their bodies sponsibility. The first series in the laid on the corpse of their mistress, and symposium appeared on December 10th, covered up with earth while yet alive. discussing the supreme motive of mis- We can only imagine what would be the sions-the _prayer, " Thy Kingdom feelings of these unfortunate victims. Come" -the Missionary-the Mission- Some of the Bonny oonverts attempted ary obligations-the need of consecra- to rescue these last two females by a tion-the debt to missions, and the large offer of ransom to buy bullocks for necessity for a full presentation of the the occasion, but it was refused them. facts. The idea is a good one, -and Can there be any doubt as to the urgent might be well imitated in other quar- necessity of sending Christian teachers ters. We must not only strike while the among this poor ignorant people, who iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. are slaves to Satan, and yet glory in their shame? After these atrooious deeds It is no smaIl gratification to the ed_ were performed, volleys of trade oan- itor to have received from France a copy nons were fired for days in honor of the of "La Crise des Missions," which is dead. I counted ten of these cannons a translation into the French language in the street opposite the house of the of the " Crisis of Missions." The ed- dead, about four or six pounders eaoh." itor supposes himself to be desoended from the Huguenots, his original name From Bolobo, Congo Free State, having been Pierre, the Frenoh for an English Baptist missionary writes: Peter; after the expulsion of the Hugue- " Our neighbor's wife died; a man and nots and their arrival in England, it bewoman were killed, so that she might came very natural that the next generanot go alone into the spirit world. Her tion should be known as Pierre-son, or spouse was then wound up in oloth, and Pierson, Peterson being another form of wrapped round and round with piece the same name. Having his little book after piece until it made a big barrel translated into the Frenoh language at shaped bundle two yards long and one this orisis of foreign missions, he feels in diameter. Hearing that two more as though he were like a son, bringing victims were to be sacrificed on the day to his old mother a tribute of filial love. of the funeral, I determined at least to put in a protest, and, together with An aged clergyman met a man who Miss Silvey, arrived on the scene just was declaiming against foreign misas the executioner was carrying the sions. " Why," asked the objector, young woman to the grave, at the mouth "doesn't the Church look after the of which the young man who was to be heathen at home?" "Oh, we do, ' , her companion in misery was bound and said the olergyman, qllietly, handing the ready for the last act-that of being man himself a tract. placed in the grave in a sitting position and bnri~d alive, with the corpse sup- One of the singular revenges of hisported on their knees. It was, indeed, tory is noted in the fact that the first a sad sight to see a couple of well-built stone of fhe monument erected to the young people, with fine, intelligent memory of the missionary John Willfaces, weeping bitterly at the prospect iams, who was oruelly killed in the of a cruel death and making their mute South Sea Islands, was Jaid by the son appeals for help." of the man who slew him.
The Ohristian Intelligencer of New York has started a symposium on
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
[EDITOBIAL. ] The Land of the Aztecs.
-Between the southern limits of in either direction may be found all the California, New Mexico, Arizona and featnres of a continent.
Texas, on the one side, and the conti- Historically, this country is equally nent of South America on the other, interesting. Here is the colossal there stretches an irregular triangle of museum of American antiquities.
land which, from a breadth of eighteen Cortes' conquest of Mexico dates back hundred miles, gradually tapers down- neaxly four centuries; yet this era is com.
ward to a narrow isthmus less than fifty paratively modern. Far back beyond the miles from sea to sea. Spanish invasion, into the dim distance The upper and much the larger part of of prehistoric times, stretches Mexican this triangular country is Mexico, which civilization, the monum(mts of whose dips down into the great waters of the unique, antique grandeur even now are Gulf like the arched head and neck of a among the wonders of the world. For camel. Below it lies Central America, example, there is the Teoccali of Cho- in shape somewhat like a half square, luba, its four stories coinciding with the bisected at its diagonal and resting its cardinal points of the compass, its balle base line on the Pacific. more than fourteen hundred feet square, This country of Mexico is, from every its summit rising to a height of one point of view, one of the most interest- hundred and sixty.four feet. Though ing in the world. In physical features undoubtedly built as a temple or grand it is very l'emarkable, having the capac- altax, it was also, like the Pyramid of ities and possibilities of an occidental, Cheops, a sepulchre; and a square sep- tropical paxadise. The Tropic of Can- ulchral chamber has been found with- cer divides Mexico into two nearly in, having no egress, and supported by equal parts, one of which lies on the cypress wood. In it were idols of Temperate, the otheron the TorridZone. basalt, curious vases and two skeletons.
On the western coast is the long, narrow At Mitla, in Oaxaca, have been discov- gulf of California, seven hundred miles ered very unique ruins, palaces with in length, famous for its pearls, and quaint, arabesque ornaments; a vast once known as the Vermilion Sea, from hall. whose ceiling is borne up by six its reddish hue; on the eastern side the porphyry columns, the like of whicli are Gulf Stream has its mysterious fountain. not elsewhere to be found in this hem- The configuration of the country is isphere, and which bear the marks of peculiar. A vast plateau, with a series the primitive days of art.
of table-lands varying in elevation from Politically, the country of Mexico six thousand to eight thousand feet, wields a peculiar fascination over the dotted with volcanic cones, forms the student of political history. In a double great bulk of the interior; and this sense this is a land of earthquakes and plateau abruptly descends toward the volcanoes. Frequent and violent social Pacific, while it gently sbpes to the upheavals characterize its annals. From broad lowlands which border the Gulf. the conquest, about 1522, until now, it Such a country must present all varie- has enjoyed little respite from these po- ties of climate. A few hours' journey litical eruptions and revolutions. After enables the traveller to pass from torrid exactly three centuries of Splnish dom- heats to the frigid realms of ice and ination, in 1822, it became for a short snow. There are three distinct and time an independent State under an well-defined climatic zones, with cor- emperor; in 1824 it was constituted a responding varieties of fiora and fauna. Federal Republic, but afterward came Within a range of five hundred ·miles under military dictatorship. In 1862, by French intervention, it became sub- twenty thousand victims were slaugh- ject to the sovereignty of an Austrian tered upon it. The papal religion has prince, and then again became a Repub- been forced upon the people, but it has lic. There is no social stability; quiet scarcely lifted them above the level of is but the interval between eruptions these old rites and superstitions. To and explosions. keep them down and keep them under, it was necessary to leave them in that The population is of a mixed hetero- ignorance which is the mother of super- geneous character, composed of every- Btition and to cater to their vices. thing, but compacted into nothing; and Hence to-day seven eighths of the pop- this is one secret of social disquiet. ulation cannot read or write. Marriage The whites of Spanish descent, called has sunk into concubinage. The Bible creoles, constitute at once an oligarchy is almost an unknown book, and the and a landed aristocracy. There is a name of Jesus is inseparable from that much larger body of mixed Spanish and of Jesuit. With a drunken and disso- Indian blood who count themselves lute priesthood for teachers and exem- among the whites, but are not of pure plars, with the very churches and con- lineage. Indians form the bulk of the vents identified with extortion and population, and their abject poverty re- licentiousness, the drift of society has .duces them to practical sl.:.very. With been toward atheism on the one hand this mixed mass are further mingled a and the indifference of religious apathy few negroes, and everywhere may be on the other; while the more abject poor found the mestizos, with their varieties, and oppressed lower·clas~es, pulverized the zambos, mulattoes, terzerons, and beneath the millstone of social tyranny quadroons. Add to all these the numer- and slavery, are only waiting for oppor- ous foreigners, especially French and tunity to feed their resentment. The German, and you have the body politic, only power that can remould such a pop- which throughout, like the feet of Neb- uIation is the pure Gospel of Christ. uchadnezzar's image, is of elements that Notwithstanding the sway of a nominal refuse to assimilate and combine, out- Christianity, Mexico is as much a field for wardly mixed but not mingled. Protestant missions as China or Africa.
The Mexican religion is well symbol- This popuIation of over ten millions, ized by the Teoccali, to which we have with a score of cities having each over already referred. The elevated summit- 20,000 inhabitants, lies on our borders, platform once sacred to the Aztec our next-door neighbor. Contact there deities now bears aloft a chapel to the must be, and it must be more close and Virgin. Another race has succeeded it frequent, as modern enterprise is so rapand supplanted the Aztec; so another idly annihilating space and time, and religion, with its new deities, saints, and pushing railways and telegraphs through sacrifices has reared its very shrine on the heart of the land of the Aztecs. the temple platform of a more ancient Lacking a river system and good harbors, superstition. Yet down beneath the Mexican commerce naturally Hoats to corrupt Romanism of Mexico, we find our ports. Awaking to the superiority the old relics of an abandoned faith. of our civilization, Mexican society be- gins to court closer fellowship with our That ancient Aztec religion was a institutions. Now is the tum of tide strange mixture of countless deities and in the affairs of this neighboring nation. deified passions and cannibal cruel- Whether avarice and ambition shall ties. That huge round block of red conquer Mexico in the interests of trade porphyry in the museum of the City of and traffic, or the spirit of the Gospel Mexico, once the capstone of the great shall impel laborers to till these opening pyramidal temple, was once the bloodi- fields for Christ, is the pivotal issue of est stone of sacrifice known on earth. the hour. Its side bears graven records of horrible cruelties, and it is said that every year Forty.four years ago, in 1847, in con- still in the State of Guerrero, until Manection with an unjustifiable war, the thilde Rodriquez went with her Bibles United States troops invaded Mexico, and tracts and anointed tongue to the but they bore in their knapsacks that homes of the people. Eight years ago, blessed book of God, which thus by the Rev. J. Milton Greene went with Rev_ strange fate of war found its way into Procopio Diaz, and found a welcome the Aztec land. The furrows ploughed again in Guerrero. Within seven weeks by cannon were strange furrows in they held thirty-two services, estabwhich to sow the seed of the Kingdom. lished six churches and thirteen congre- Yet so it was. Then seven years later, gations, and baptized two hundred and Miss Melinda Rankin, in Brownsville, eighty converts. Texas, just across the border, a few miles from Matamoras, set up her sem- There were similar signs, elsewhere inary. The revolution of 1857-8 open- in Mexico, of a breaking down of the ing Mexico to Protestant missions, Mr_ barriers of ages. When Mr. Forcada Thompson, agent of the Bible Society, entered Zilacuaro twenty.four years ago, crossed the Rio Grande to Matamoras he found that for six years Bibles and in 1860 ; and that heroic woman, Miss tracts had been making ready the paths Rankin, followed in 1864, and in 1865 of the Lord. A Mexican had opened a personally raised in our country the bookstore and taken with him four hun- $15,000 to push on her pioneer work, dred Bibles and a large lot of tracts, and herself training and sending out native had sold or given away the entire stock_ colporteurs. In 1866 she began work The circulation of the blessed word of at Monterey, and six years later the God had proved a similar John the Presbyterian General Assembly formally Baptist in Tabasco, preparing the way took up Mexico as a mission field. In of the Lord. September of that year a pioneer band of seven, Rev. Messrs. Pitkin, Phillips, The true policy of missions in Mexico Thompson, with their wives, and Miss is to raise up an efficient native ministry Ellen P. Allen, took ship from New to whose charge the churches may be York and went straight to the Mexican entrusted. In the theological seminary capital. There they found a large body at San Luis Potosi, this training work of people prepared for organization into is carried on. The girls' boarding- Protestant communities, and in J an- school, in charge of Miss Snow for five nary, 1873, Rev. M. N. Hutchinson and years, passed into the hands of Miss wife took charge of the work. During Bartlett, when Miss Snow became Mrs. the same year Zacatecas became to the Hamilton. Twenty-five pupils were here northern what Mexico city was to the gathered. southern States, the evangelical and evangelizing centre, and from these The fact that even figures sometimes points evangelism radiated. lie is illustrated in the reports of the statistics of the Mexican field. The re- The methods of work were simple duction in the number of converts and and effective. Protestant worship, with church-members reported by the Pres- Scriptural ordinances and sacraments, byterians, for example, led some to de- Christian schools, Bible teaching, evan- preciate the work and even to affirm gelical hymnology and the education of that it was going backward. But at first a native ministry were the seven-fold all baptized persons were classed with secrets of success. Of course these de- communicants, and so reported; but voted men and women had to breast according to Presbyterian usage elseopposition and sometimes dare and bear where, the lists of baptized children persecution. In the outbreak in Aca- haye been separated from those of compulco in 1875, several persons lost their muning members, and the latter only lives, and the work for a while stood reported. The fact is that, instead of a large loss, there has been a total gain of ten per cent over and above all reductions and losses by death, and the work made Juarez Governor of Oajaca. Revois growing both in interest and promise. lution having broken out there, his position was very difficult, but he not It is very difficult to give any fairly only reduced chaos to order, but sent accurate photograph of the present con· out armed forces to effect pacification dition of missions in Mexico. Before elsewhere in the Republic. In 1857 he what is written can be put in type, the was made Constitutional Governor of whole condition may have undergone Oajaca ; then in November, 1857, Presisuch change as to demand a revision if dent Comonfort made him . Secretary not reconstruction of the report. At of State, and afterward he became Presithe time of the Jubilee Report of the dent of the Supreme Court of Justice. Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, In January, 1858, he became ell-officio they had a total force of eighty.nine Constitutional President of Mexico, by laborers, of whom fifty.six were native the withdrawal of Comonfort. To him preachers, teachers or helpers, twenty· Mexico owes a great debt. He secured one licentiates, and four women. There recognition from the United States. were ninety churches, with 4314 com- In 1860 he drove Miramon, his rival, municants, and a gain of one sixth dur- from Mexico ; then, entering the capital ing the year. Over six hundred pupils in 1861, he was formally elected Presiwere gathered in schools. This repre- dent for four years, and executed with sents but one denomination. great severity the decrees against the clergy, by the confiscation of church Some reference ought to be added as estates. He was governor when France to Benito Juarez, the Mexican Presi- invaded the country and put Maximilian dent, and the descendant of the Toltec into power. In 1865 this ill-fated prince race.· Educated by a wealthy family, he issued his fatal decree declaring the rebecame distinguished in the law, and public extinct, and sentencing to death afterward, as a politician of most liberal all J uarists taken in :arms. Though ideas, went from the position of justice the term of Juarez had expired, the bold of the peace to presiding judge. In Toltec issued a proclamation that he 1846, at the age of 39, he was made should hold office until the driving out deputy to the Constitutional Congress of invaders should make possible a new in Mexico City. He was prominent in election. The United States now inthe administration of the famous manos terposed, our own Civil War being at an muerias, whereby the clergy had to end, and in 1866 Napoleon withdrew furnish a loan to pay war expenses in his troops, and Maximilian was shot in the conflict with the United States. 1867. Juarez probably would have been Then for four years he was Governor unable to prevent his sad end, as it was of Oajaca. During the period of peace judged by court-martial a justreprisalfor he opened roads, built up schools, re- his guerilla mode of warfare on Mexico. formed finances, and left the public treasury enriched when he retired from After a ten yeo.rs' struggle, in which the government. After being banished Juarez had held up the standard of the under Santa Anna, in 1853, he spent republic against treason at home and time in Havana and New Orleans, and armed intervention from abroad, he WIlS in 1855 joined Alvarez, whom he ac- again elected President, and died still companied to Cuernavaca, where he rep- in office, June 18th, 1872. He was an resented his native State in the choice of honest reformer and a man of statesa temporary President for the Republic. manlike ability. He is believed to have Alvarez being selected, Juarez was made done more than any other man of his Minister of Justice. To him was due generation to deliver Mexioo from tIle the Ley Juarez, the law abolishing the despotism of a corrupt papal church privileges of the clergy and the army. and open the way for the Protestant re- General Comonfort, who became Al- ligion and repUblican freedom. varez's substitute in December, 1855,
GE:NERAL MISSIO:NARY I:NTELLIGE:NCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
The Scandinavia.n Mission in Liverpool, by Rev. James Johnston, Bolton, England.
No lack of encouragement is sup- Kjaldstrom, of Hull, and Pastor Snellplied by the pUblication of the nine- man, of London, who have conducted teenth annual report of the Scandi- services in the Finnish tongue. This navian Mission in Liverpool, to sailors, brief record of what is being accom- ~migrants, and others who chiefly hail plished yearly for thousands in the great from Northwestern Europe. Last year port of Liverpool, who would otherwise marked the fifth anniversary of the be spiritually destitute, constitutes the opening of Gustaf Adolf's Church in most eloquent appeal for assistance. the famous English shipping port. The organization has the cordial aid of sev- Organized Missionary Work and Statiseral prominent Li veTpool citizens. Its tics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard, committee further includes the Swedish Bellevne, O. and Norwegian, Danish and Russian Consuls, and the most influential mem- -The China Inland Mission sent out bers of the resident Scandinavians. As no less than 59 missionaries in 1890, of in previous years, the work has been whom 32 were unmarried women. The continued among the mariners and number sent the year before was 55. American-bound emigrants without in- These toilers represent various societies, terruption. The services of the year such as the Swedish, the Norwegian, the 1889 number 331-averaging from six to German Alliance, and the Bible Chrisnine services weekly-and the attend- tian missions. ance in the aggregate to 31,000. Day by day the pastors and laymen have vis- -The number of missionary stations ited the ships, boarding-houses, Sailors' in Africa now exceeds 500. There are Home, emigrant houses, and hospitals, 400,000 converts, and the number is ininviting the wayfarers to the services, creasing at the rate of about 25,000 a comforting the sick, and distributing year. Within five years more than 200 religious books and tracts. During the natives have suffered martyrdom for year the British and Foreign Bible So- their faith. ciety presented the society with 2500 Gospels. The spacious reading-room -It is stated that not one in 10,000 in the basement of the church, which is of the Chinese have yet heard of the provided with admirable supplies of Saviour of mankind. The province of newspapers and religious literature, has Shen-si, which possesses 88 walled cities, become an appreciated quarter for rest, has 86 without 8. missionary. Another conversation, and general knowledge. province has 56 such cities, and 54 ut- When it is repprted that 549 Scandi- terly unreached by the true Light. Nine navian vessels dropped anchor last year other provinces of the empire are equalill the Mersey no greater proof of the ly destitute. need of the mission is required. For the maintenance of this remarkably suc- –The Free Church of Scotland had cessful undertaking the Hon. Treasurer, last year 181 branch stations; 51 or- Mr. C. Brodersen, 10 South Castle dained European missionaries; 14 or- Street, Liverpool, will gratefully ac- dained natives; 10 licentiates; 8 medknowledge the donations of friends ical missionaries ; 3 nati ve physicians; whether in Europe or America. Pastor 23 male and 35 female teachers; 15 lay O. Heden has been assisted in his min- evangelists and mast~rs of industrial istrations by Pastor J. A. Axelson and departments; 625 native helpers; 42 Mr. A. Andersen Hetland. Occasionally native churches; 6620 communicants; help has been volunteered by Pastor 26,826 pupils in schools of all grades.
-The Y. M. C. A. is spreading all over the world. There are now formed upward of 4000 associations, and of these 1000 are in papal lands, and nearly To which add Brazil Mission, 365 ; Cen- 300 in Mohammedan and heathen coun- tral Mexican Mission, 1650 ; China Mistries. There are 21 in India and Ceylon, sion, 348; Mexican Border Mission, 12 in Turkey, 6 in Syria, 12 in Africa, 5 1838 ; bishops, 8 ; travelling preachers, in China, 7 in Persia, and 200 in Japan. 4862 ; grand total, 1,177,150. There are going to be openings in every quarter for the young men who have a -Though the Salvation Army has fitness for secretaries and evangelists In Great Britain as its principal work-field, connection with these associations. and finds its chief. task in ministering to the poor and degraded of the great -Statistics of the Lutheran Church, cities, aggressive operations are also gathered by the Rev. J. N. Lenker, of pushed continually and with vigor in Leadville, Col., show in Europe a total heathen lands. Thus a few weeks since of 22,980 ministers, 29,644 churches, and a detachment of fifty young men and 43,133,696 baptized members; in North women sailed for India to reinforce the America, 4710 ministers, 7964 churches, members of the order already there. and 6,511,500 baptized members. In. These new recruits volunteered for this eluding the statistics of Oceanica, South particular service largely as an affec- America, Africa, and Asia with those tionate tribute to the memory of the already given, he makes the grand total late Mrs. Booth. As showing the in the world of 28,406 ministers, 38,381 financial strength of the Army, it is credchurches, and 50,061,280 baptized memo ited with owning property in various bers. countries to the amount of $3,250,000.
-Methodism in this country has over -The Methodist Episcopal Church, four and a half million members, led by North, with its 2,236,000 members, conover 30,000 preachers; Baptists nearly tributed last year for home, foreign, and four million followers, led by over 28,000 freedmen's missions, $1,799,000. But ministers; Presbyterianism, a million though this sum is large it yet repreand a half, led by a ministry of 11,500 ; sents an average of but eighty cents per besides a host of smaller denominations, member, while the Congregationalists, and a band of Sabbath·schools scholars with a membership of only 492,000, gave numbering over nine millions. In the to similar objects $1,877,000, or at the whole country there is a gain to the rate of $3.81. In all its foreign work Christian churches the past year of this great and active church reports a 1,089,853 members, 4867 ministers, and gratifying growth. The largest gains 8494 churches. were mads in North India, where in a single district last year 2677 were bap- -Statistics of the entire membership tized of whom 1020 were adults. The of the Methodist Episcopal Church, total increase in all the fields was 5553, South, are given as follows: Georgia, or nine per cent. The Methodist Epis- 132,606; Texas, 126,884; Tennessee, copal Epworth League, though but two 114,351 ; North Carolina, 111,630 ; Vir. years old, has 300,000 members. ginia, 108,341; Alabama, 88,702; Missouri, ~2, 933; Kentucky, 80,685 ; Mis- -Madagascar, with its 230,000 square SISSIppi, 72,203; Arkansas, 69,378; miles and population of 3,500,000, is South Carolina, 67,094; West Virginia, one of the wonder-lands for missionary 24,779 ; Louisiana, 23,269 ; Florida, 23,- success. The Church Missionary So- 044 ; l:[aryland, 10,866; Indian Terri- ciety has 12 representatives at work tory, 8130; California, 7491; Illinois, upon the island, and has gathered 6361; Kansas, 2803; Oregon, 1569; 10,000 adherents, and the Society of Colorado, 1138 ; Indiana, 1104 ; District Friends, with a force of 15, has gained of Columbia, 772; New Mexico, 542; 32,000. But the London Missionary Montana, 456; Washington, 342; Ne· Society, first in the fiel d, and called to braska, 300; Arizona, 225; Idaho, 80. bear the heat and burden of the day, can easily reckon up by far the largest are 6271, and the expenditures for the results. To her 30 English toilers are year were $lJ4,742.42. The Japan Mis- joined as auxiliaries 827 native ordained sion was opened in 1873. and has 1686 ministers and 3459 other nati ve helpers. church-members, an increase for the In the churches are found 40,000 mem- year of 211, and the cost was $27,503.50. bers, while 160,000 adherents listen to the Gospel. The local contributions Christian Church (Disciple).-Secamounted last year to $18,340. retary, Rev. A. McLean, Cincinnati, O.
Arabian Mission.-Treasurer, Prof. Report for the year closing October J. G. Lansing, New Brunswick, N. J. 18th, 1890.
Report for the year closing October This church has a membership of over 1st, 1890. seven hundred thousand, and sustains missions in India, China, Japan, and This Society was formed in August of Turkey, in addition to work in England 1889, and the field chosen for its first and Denmark. It has in heathen lands operations is likely to be Southern 32 stations and 33 missionaries from Arabia and the Aden region. Two America (of whom 16 are women) and missionaries are already there or on 25 native helpers, a total of 58. The their way thither, and making prepara- church-members number 1418, a gain tion for their work by studying the for the year of 158, a net gain of 135. language. Its receipts for the first year In day-schools 817 pupils are found, ani 'were $4738.47 with a bequest of $5000 2063 in Sunday-schools. The receipts in addition, and the expenditures were were $67,750.49,8 gain of $5820.34, but $3144.64. $12,000 came froll} a single bequest. An earnest call is issued for $100,000 in Evangelical Association. – Secre- 1891. tary, Rev. S. Heininger, Cleveland, O. Reformed Church in the United Report for the year olosing Sept., 1890_ States.-Secretary, Rev. Allen R. Bar- This society has a mission conference tholomew, Harrisburg, Pa. in Germany and another in Switzerland, but its work for the heathen is wholly Report for the year closing May 6th, confined to Japan, where 5 missionaries, 1890. with 10 native itinerant preachers and 3 local preachers, sustain 31 appoint- Until 1865 this church contributE1d ments. A theological seminary gives through the American Board in all training to 13 students. The number about twenty eight thousand dollars, of church-members is 378. of whom 115 and had its representatives in Asia were received last year. In 1888-89 Minor and among the American Indians. the receipts for the Japan missions were In 1878 a mission was opened in Japan, $9513.03. to which 7 missionaries have since been sent. The number of native preachers Methodist Church (Canada).-Sec- is 17. The churches are 12, with a retary, Rev. Alexander Sutherland, D.D., membership of 1656, and the contribu- Toronto. tions for nine months 'of 1889-90 were $2835.15. The number of converts was Report for the year closing June 1st, 218. A girls' school is sustained, and a 1890. theological school with 26 students. The cost of the mission for three years is This church has a membership of $59,209.64. 233,868, and has increased by 36,399 in four years. It sustains missi;;ns among North Africa Mission.-Secretary, the French, Indians, and Chinese in Edward H. Glenny, 21 Linton Road, Canada, Manitoba, and British Colum- Barking. bia. Its foreign work is confined to Japan. In aU fields the missionaries The figures are from the Monthly number 67, with 44 native assistants Record, December, 1890. and 46 teachers. The church-members This society was organized in 1881, is undenominationol, and has its work Income. sundry funds ..•……•.••• $10.172.35 among the Mohammedans, Jews, and Tuition and public funds. •…….• 40,066.75 Europeans in Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, U. S. Gov't, on account of tuition Tripoli, and Northern Arabia, with a 24.700.08 population of 14,000,000. It has 53 mis- and subsistence for Indians. _… . 8,900.00 sionaries in the field, of whom'31 are lo- Slater Fund, paid to Institutions.. . cated in Morocco and Algeria, 2 are physicians, 36 are women and 28 are Total …………………. $408,038.97 unmarried. In November 7 were sent Balance in hand September 30th, out, and 4 others have been accepted. 1889…….. …. ……………. 4.471.67 Canadian Church (Episcopal).- Secretary, Rev. Charles H. Mockbridge, Total….. ……. ……… $412,510.64 D.D., Toronto. DANI1IL H.um Fmm. INcoHlI: ACCOUNT. Report for the year closing July 31st, Income collected 1889-90……….. ~,686.76 1890. Balance in hand September 30th.
Hitherto this church had contributed 1889…………………… …. .. 16,688.56 through the Church of England, but last year sent out its first missionary, Total……… …. ……… $51,375.32 and to Japan. The total expenditures Amount expended in the South….. $47,482.27 were $14,785, of which these are the Balance in hand and appropriated… 3,893.05 principal items: Total. … ………………. $51.375.32 S. P. G………………………….. $1,880.59 REC1tIl'TS J'OR THlI: WORK OJ' THE YEAR. C. M. S…………………………. 1,410.44 S. P. C. K……………………….. 470.15 For current work • •. •. …..•..•.••• $408.038.97 Income from Daniel Hand Fund…. 34.686.76 Colonial and Con. Church Society. . •• . 470.15 Proportion of General Expenses.. . . . •• 245.00 Total …………………. $442,725.73 Appropriat~d Contributions. American Board.-Secretaries, No.1 S. P. G…………………………. $3,301.73 Somerset Street, Boston, Mass. C. M. S…… _…. ……….. ••• •••••• 275.71 Bishop of Madras ……………….. 305.00 Report for the year closing August Zenana Missions…. . .. .. . .• •••• ••• •• 1,289.53 31st. 1890. Parochial Missions to Jews………… 1,424.06 London Society, Jews …………….. 2,321.81 No. of missions………………… . 22 Rev. J. Cooper Robinson, Japen Fund. 1,227.06 Stations and out-ltatiOns •••••••.•••• 1,053 American Missionary. Association. -The main work of this society is in Ordained missionaries.••••••.•••.•.• 183 the Southern States among the freedmen and the" Mountain whites," with large Lay …………. .. 17 emphasis given to education. but missions are !Llso sustained among the Ind- Women (wives. 181) .. .. 333 ians and the Chinese in this country. Whole No. from America.••.•••….. 533 The Treasurer's Report (October 1st, 1889-September 30th, 1890) gives a grati- Native pastors………………… .. 174 fying exhibit. showing a credit balance of $2,089.24, an increase of receipts over Total native helpers…………….. . 2,417 last year of $31,820.09, a total of $408,- 038.97, and if the income be added from Total American and native •..•.•.••. 2.950 the Daniel Hand Fund, $34,086.76, the aggregate amounts to $442.725.73. the No. of churches……………….. .. 387 largest ever received by the Association. No. of church-members…….. _…. . 36,256 RECEIl'TS. Added during the year…………. .. 4,554 From churches. Sabbath schools. missionary societies and Individ- No. of adherents……………… .. 127,000 nals…………… ………… ••• 8186,470.61 No. of church-members from the be- Estates and legacies.:…. • •••••• 137.739.18 ginning……………… …….. .. 115,000 Average congregations….. ………. 62.200 Under theological training.. . .. . . . . .. 247 In 66 colleges and high schools.. . . . . . 4,600 In 56 girls' boarding schools. . •..• .•• 3,180 In 889 common schools…. .. .. .. .. .. 33,114 Whole number under Instruction…. 47.329 Native contributions….. …. ……. $117,494 Total receipt…………………….. $763,434.07 Protestant Episcopa.l. – Secretary. Rev. WilliamS. Langford, D.D., 22 Bible House, New York.
Report for the year closing December 31st, 1890. According to the Living Chu.rch Alma- Nonconformists in this total is thus nac for 1891, this church has 4163 stated: clergy, 299 candidates for orders, 2330 parishes and missions, and 508,292 com- Wesleyan Missiouary Society……….£124,883 municants. The number of baptisms Londou Missionary Society…. . . .• . . . . . 98,830 IMt year was 61,665, of which nearly Baptist Missionary Society. . . . . .. . •… . 63,470 47,000 were of infants. The contribu- English Presbyterian Foreign Missions. 14,492 tions for the year are $12,754,767. .. Friends" Foreign Mission Association. 13,156 Wesleyan Ladies' Auxiliary for Female In addition to work carried on in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Education…….. …. ……… ……. 7,661 Greece, and Hayti, missions are BUS- United Methodist l!"'ree Churches' Fortained among the Indians and freedmen, and in West Africa, China, and eign Missions.. .. . …. …………… 6,283 Japan. These are the figures for the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists Foreign three fields last named : Missionary Society.. . …………… 7,195 Bishops….. .. ….•. …. …. •… 4 Eight smaller societies and value of Presbyters (of whom native, 14)…….. 32 needlework….. …. … …. ………. 33,682 Deacons (native).. .. •. … ..•. . .. . . . . . .. 18 Total. ……………………….£364,652 Candidates for holy orders……… •••• 22 Scottish and Irish Presbyterian soci. eties contributed £185,646, aud Roman Catechists, readers, etc. (native)……. 'J7 Catholio societies £9819. The amount for 1888 was £1,334,491, and for 1887 Stations……………. …. …. ……. 196 was £1,228,759.
Baptisms……………. …………. 585 United Presbyterian Church, Scot- land.-These figures set forth the growth Adult baptisms…………………… 331 witnessed by this society in thirty years, and in six important and decisive par- Confirmations……… …. …… ….. 265 ticulars. As will be noticed, the de- velopment of both causative forces and Communicants ……….. " …. .. .. … 2,242 of results has been steady, and the two have kept pace in a remarkable manner. Increa.e……………. …… ……… 305 The first column includes ordained na- tive pastors, Zenana missionaries and Scholars in day schools …..• …….. 2,434 European teachers, but excludes all native evangelists and teachers. Scholars in Sunday·schools…….. .. 8,247 Native contributions………….. : …. $5,527.79 The appropriations for work among the American Indians and freedmen is $85,007.50, and for foreign missions $162,504, or a total of $247,511.50.
British Contributions to Foreign ~! "'"Q)~ ..d~ 1>,' Missions.-Canon Scott Robertson has ~lS ~~ "[;Q ;.0) prepared with great care the following .~+::.£ ,>:IS -"il ~,g summary of the gifts of British Chris- ~~ j~ ~~ tians to foreign missions in 1889. Os .s :9~ Though somewhat smaller than in 1888, ~~ ~t. it is yet larger than for any previous -bS year. Of the grand total, £1,301,306, ~ ° – – " — – he estimates that £670.000 came from – § 8"t0d 0 members of the Church of England. The channels of contributions were: – — – -0 – 1859…. 30 1 85 4,552 £16,900 £2,090 Church of England Societies•…•….. £523,226 1869…. 63 7 48 5,740 29,100 8,020 Joint Societies of Churchmen and 1879 …. 81 12 68 9,187 32,300 6,500 1889 …. 117 l!3 96 14,899 40,500 10,470 Nonconformists ……………… .. 217,963 English and Welsh Nonconformist 1 Societies ……………………. . 364,652 Missionary Failure.-The cry about Scotch and Irish Presbyterian Socie- the failure of the modern mission sug- gests a close study of the following statis- ties ………………………….. . 185,646 tical table, compiled to show the growth Roman Catholic Societies. . …..•…• 9,819 at intervals of five years during the past thirty years, or from the beginning of Total contrihutions…….. . … £1,301,306 missionary work in the Methodist mis- sion of North India. The number of The share of 'English and Welsh communicants given is, with the ex- ception of 217 Europeans and Eurasians, native membership. ~~!~ln=~:~~:::':':::':::::.:':::::::.::::~:::::: 1858~ 186~ 1:~ 1::~11 '~I'~I ':; Number of Sunday..schoo!s ……………. , ……. 9 31 104 164 4-30 703 " "school scholars…… …………. 397 860 4,540 6,~ 17,366 26,585 " ~1 :~~~f~~~:::::::: ::::::::::::::::~:::. 4~ 1,Jll 3,~ 6,~,1 7,~7 t2j~ 16,~~ Christian boys in schooL……………. 4 130 257 296, 442 t,243 2,027 " girls in school. .. " …… .., 126 168 350 715 971 1,327 Baptisms during past year……………… …….. .. 115 289 5701 7B9 1,169 1,959 Christian community.. .. .. .. .. .. …. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 11 .. . . 11,000 " men teachers and evangelists………….. …. women teachers and Bible readers. ,…. .. …• 320 300 The number of children in schools tive Christians live. Christian con. includes only 260 pupils other than verts reside in more than 600 towns and pure natives. Twenty missionaries direct work in 225 centres where na· villages, where they BUpport their own work.
AMERICAN MISSION IN EGYPT. A COMPARISoN SHOWING THE lIHSSlON'S GROWTH AND STATUS, DEC. 31, 1889. 1854-1889.
PERIODS: FmST, 5; OTHERS, 10 YEARS. 1859. 1869. 1879. 1889.
Number stations and churches. . ……………….. .. 3 8 48 112 ~. organized congregations, Christians. . …. . 2 11 29 1 5 12 pastors (native) ………………………. .. 1 6 7 licentiates" . .. ……………. …. . .. . 13 . 8 *14 theqloglcal students …………………… . 180 9B5 2,971 communicante, Dec. 81. ……………….. ' 48B 2,088 5,654 4 $566 $4,726 " of attendants, Sabbath A.M'……………… . 100 5 39 $6,495 Amonnt contributions for church purposes……….. . 118 1,575 9B Number Sabbath schools ……………………… '. 2 (1) 100 4,427 h school pupils…. .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. , .. . 20 $829 H 400 1,200 50 300 83 Amouut contributions Sabbath·school pupils…. , …. . 2,150 Number harem workers ……………………… . "i4 44 " women taught in harems. …. .. ………… .. 'iii 2,218 4,557 females hearing word in churches, harems, 633 1,537 1,156 schools, etc…. ………………….. . .. . 60 352 female ~om!ll~nicant8, ~ec: 31. . ………….. . 281 681 4 women s mISSIOnary SocIetIes …….. ……. . 12 61 159 members women's missionary societies. . . . .. . 10 29 $273 $596 $2.723 100 Amount contributions women's missionary societies .. 6,446 20,720 2,100 6,350 6,304 Number day and training schools……………….. .. 4 $2,051 $4,694 4,386 $3,213 $12,148 1,918 :: pURils, enrollmeutt ……………………. .. 100 51 199 boys ………………………….. .. 45 31 117 100 20 35 " H girls., ………………………… . 55 25 13 $13,872 Teachers {Males…. ………………………. .. 3 B 31,067 Females…………………………. .. .23 10,184 Amount paid by natives for school purposes………. . 3 883 $6,384 Book department: Total volumes sold …. …….. . 600 '(f)' $860 $27,358 250 Scriptures …………………………………….. . (?) 75 Total receipts…. .. .. .. .. .. .. …. .. .. .. . .. … .. …. .. (?) 50 Total paid by natives for all purposes……………. . (?) 68 Training college: Pupils…….. .. ……………. .. 25 NUl;'!-ber of gra?ustes… .. '.' …… _. ………. …. ..- ~11 III servIce of Chnst.. . ……… . teachers trained and workiug. ' ……….. ' .. . 64 2,981 pastors. preachere, etc., trained …….. , ….. . 1,315 college pupils in theological class. .. .. …. .. . $2,123 " sch~ols.-outgrowth.. . .. . .•• .. .. …. .. ….. .. . puplls III same………………………… . Total enrollment, college …………………….. .. Amount fees paid by pupils ………………….. ..
* In 1890, theological students, 19.
t Sects, 1889: Protestants, 1,822; Copts, 3,718 ; Mohammedans, 831 ; others, 433. ~ Seventeen in 1890. Monthly Bulletin. steamer. The annual drink bill of Japan is $86,000,000, an average of -Wo hive Bishop Walker's church $2.40 for every individual in the Emon wheels, and now the Free.Will Bap. pire. It is encouraging, however, to tists have built a floating ohuroh, whioh learn that a total abstinence society has was launched recently at St. Louis. It been organized in that country, and that iii intended to 0lrry the Gospel along many are uniting with it. the Mississippi from St. Paul to New OrleanEl. -The missionaries in Africa deem the work of one woman equal to that of -TJie Presbyterian Church has now twelve men, since the women can go in Alaska seven missions and fOllr anywhere, even among the fiercest ohurches, with seventy to eighty com· tribes, unmolested. The female mismunicants each. Besides the Presby- sionaries are held in high esteem; their terian. the Moravian, the Protestant motives are never questioned, and they Episcopal, the Methodist Episcopal, the are listened to with greatest respect. Roman Catholio, and the Anglioan ohurches have missions in Alaska. -From the recent report of the Jap- -The Church Missionary Society of anese Minister of Education it appears England proposes to send out one thousand new missionaries during the next that education is now offered to all the fi ve or six years. A much larger proportion than heretofore will be laymen. children in Japan, and that there are -It was recently reported from the nearly three millions of pupils in the Presbyterian Mission at Wei Hien. China, that there were 650 inquirers, pllblic schools of the Empire. There and that 150 had been baptized. This is most gratifying news. is a remarkable growth of intelligence -The spirit of intolerance seems to among the people. The standard of rule unmitigated in Russia. It is stated that the procurator of the Holy education is advancing, as is shown in Synod has advised the Czar to banish all foreign missionaries, and to suppress the fact that many new studies have foreign worship except in the Baltic provinces, where the Lutheran religion been introduced in the Imperial U~:liis barely tolerated. versity of Tokyo. ' -The working of the marriage laws of India is illustrated in a recent inci- -A congress of French Protestants dent. A marriage was arranged between was recently held in Paris, having in an edllcated young girl of twelve and a view new consecration and practical lawyer of twenty.three who was suffer· study. The meetings were very earnest. ing from white leprosy. The girl was The subjects considered were such as ,kept in ignorance of the disease of her the relation of the evangelist to the paspurchasing husband. and learned it only tors and churches, difficulties in the way when she met him at the marriage ser- of evangelization in Roman Catholic vice. She merely looked up with tearful countries, and the getting of converts eyes to her father, and then submitted into the church, especially where differto her lot with a resignation character- ent denominations are represented in istic of the Hindu maiden. the same place. A resolution was adopted asking the French Evangelical -American enterprise is now sending Alliance to study means for promoting :r;um to Japan, as well as to Africa. It a confederation of French Protestant is carried over the Union Pacific Rail- churches. way an4 forwarded to Yokohama by -Another mission is to be established in Alaska by the Reformed Episoopal Church. The government having prom- ised $1000 for buildings and $1000 toward expenses, Miss Benson, of Phil. adelphia, offered to contribute one half of the remaining expenses on condition that the Church would raise the remain- der. These propOSitions bave been 00cepted, and an appeal has been made tions on the confines and books prepared for funds. in Thibetan to equip the missionary as . Boon as the wall is broken down. A -The interesting fact is stated that prayer union has been formed among while the number of Christians in Japan the Moravians to pray for the opening is only about one in one thou~and, and of Thibet. in no province do Christians even' approach to a majority, yet there have -Dr. B. H. Badley, 'President of been eleven members of the House of Lucknow Christian College, writes to Representatives chosen from their num- the Independent of the North Indian ber. There are also three professed Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Christians in tho House of Peers. A Church. Its foundations were laid in Christian has been ohosen President of the dark days of the mutiny of 1857, by the new House of Representatives. A Dr. Butler. In August, 1858, the statisformer vice-president of the liberal tics were: Missionaries, 3 ; helpers, 7 ; party is an active Presbyterian elder. church members, 1; probationers, 4; After his ~lection he was advised to give orphans, 6; day scholars, 41 ; native up his office in the church, as it might congregations, 35. In 1889 the figures create prejudice against him, but he re- were: Missionaries, 30,; Zenana and plied that he regarded his office in a native, 72 ; helpers, 389 ; church-mem- Christian church as more important bers, 4989; probationers, 4793 ; than his seat in the Diet. It was then orphans, 617; day scholars, 17,241; suggested that he absent himself from Sunday-school scholars, 28,400 ; native the meetings, but he answered that he congregations, 13,529. The mission has rega.rded attendance at Christian wor- its own publication house, a theological ship as a greater privilege, as well as a seminary, a college, and 8 woman's colhigher duty than any other. This shows lege, and is in all respects splendidly sturdy Christianity in Japan. equipped for work.
-It is said that Hebrew is rapidly -In the year 1800 only one twentybecoming again a Iiving tongue in Pales- fifth of our population was in towns of tine. Jews driven by persecution from more than 8000 inhabitants. Now more other countries are gathering in the land than one fourth of our population is of Israel. They do not know each massed in cities. Thill fact is startling. other's language, but all of them under- It has its great lesson for the Church. stand something of Hebrew, and the Here is where the work of evangelizaconsequence ia that Hebrew is becoming tion must be pressed. While we are the medium of communication among sending missionaries to fOl,eign lands, them. Two weekly newspapers are now God is sending thousands of foreigners published in Jerusalem in Hebrew. It to us, that we may Christianize them would seem expedient that missionaries right at our own doors. The problem of to the Jews in Palestine should be able city evangelization is one of the great to speak in the Hebrew language. problems of Christian missions to-day.
-Thibet is one of the few countries -Dr. Arthur Mitchell, Secretary of where the preaching of the Gospel is the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Misprohibited. Very little is known of the sions, was greatly impressed in his repeople. The population is set down as cent visit, with the vast unoccupied 6,000,000. They have two forms of re- fields in Central China. He found cities ligion, one of which is a type of Buddh- of from 75,000 to 300,000 with not one ism. Various attempts have been missionary of any denomination. These made to carry the Gospel into the coun- fields are open, too. "There is as littry, but they have all been practically tle excuse," he says, " forIeaving a city unsuccessful. The Moravians have long of 100,000 on the New York Central Railwaited to enter the field, having sta- roe.d without 8 single ~reaqber of the GOIl_ pel, as for leaving cities of that size and Miss Frances E. Willard, "no steamer double that size utterly neglected with- could revolve its wheels fast enough to in twenty-four hours of Shanghai." convey me to the Dark Continent. I should go where my color was the cor- -The Rev. J. A. MacDonald, a Wes- rect thing, and leave these pale faces to leyan missionary in Bengal, says that in work out their own destiny." India idolatrous practices are coming into disrepute. He thinks that the -Along the West Africa coast thirtyreign of false gods is drawing to a close. five languages, or dialects, have been mastered, and portions of the Scripture -The Foreign Mission Board of the and various religious and educational Reformed Church has sent out an ear- books and tracts have been translated nest appeal for special contributions to and printed, reaching thus about eight meet the needs of the work. It makes million people. these suggestions: "One cent a day from every member of the Reformed -This is woman's age. Even in Church in this country, 90,878, would slow-moving China, women are coming give $331,707 a year for this blessed ser- to the front. The Amhoy MontMy Ohurch vice. Five cents a week (a single car- Magazine contains a prize essay by a fare) saved and given to it would yield young woman on " How Shall Christian $236,283. Women Lead their Heathen Sisters to Worship God." -An ignorant Hindu woman became a Christian. Her husband told Dr. -The Moravians, at the close of a Murray Mitchell that his wife was century of missionary work, show a realways singing. Dr. Mitchell asked the markable record. The total number of man to write down some of the words their members at home is but one-third she sang and bring them to him. He of those in the mission fields. One in did so, and the following is the transla- every sixty-five of their adult members tion: has gone to labor as a missionary.
" To my poor house there came a lofty strauger- -Reginald Radcliffe says that the Oh, it was Jesus, the darling of heaven. sooner we understand that the New I ran to bid Him welcome. Testament does not ask nor expect the evangelization of the world to be done " With gods of stone what have I now to do ? by ministers, any more than a general I clasp my Saviour's feet; expects the fighting to be done by him- My whole soul clings to Jesus. self and his officers, but in far greater part by the rank and file, the sooner " Since to my breast I clasped those blessed feet, will the day of missionary advance be- Rich, rich am I, 0 Jesus I gin. The apostles did not send to And Thou wilt never leave:' Jerusalem for foreign pastors, but out of the converts in each town found na- -Sometimes converts in heathen tive overseers which they placed over countries may teach us older Christians the flock. lessons in systematic beneficence. It is said that the Christians in Ceylon -The Young Men's Christian Assohave four methods of giving for the sup- ciations are spreading all over the port of the Gospel. First, the tithes of world. There are now above four thoutheir earnings. Second, the offering of sand associations. Of these there are, trees-the setting apart by each family in India and Ceylon, 21; in Turkey, of a cocoa· nut tree, the produce of which 12; in Syria, 6; in Africa, 12; in they sacredly devote to benevolent pur- China, 5 ; in Persia, 7 ; in Japan, 200. poses. Third, the offering of labor-de- There will be openings in all parts of voting a certain amount of time to work the world for young men who are fitted in the interest of the church. Fourth, to be secretaries and eyangelists in conthey reserve a handful of rice from neotion with these associations. every day's meal.
-" If I were black and young," says
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1891
THE REGIONS BEYOND
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
YOLo XIV. No. 2.-0Id Series. –FEBRUARY.–YOL. IV. No. 2.-New Series.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
THE REGIONS BEYOND. * [EDITORIAL. ] The old Greeks were a worldly-wise people. In the Olympio games they showed their sagacity. Three pillars stood in the ancient stadium, respectively at the starting point, midway, and at the goal or turning point. On the first was inscribed a Greek word, whose force was, "Show yourself a man !" "Do your best!" On the last was a word which migh~ be rendered, "Stop here !" "Arrest your steps!" But on that midway pillar was the imperative ::i;'7rEVOE, " Speed you !" "Make haste !"
How much philosophy there was in that! No risk was greater than the· risk of overconfidence when success was but half attained. A racer, who at first outran the others, and at the middle of the course found himself ahead, would be tempted to 'relax his efforts; and so some athlete, who had reserved his strength for the supreme effort at the end of the race, would pass him by and get first to the goal.
Paul was a trained athlete in the spiritual sphere; and the law of his life was, "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Spinoza wisely said that there is no more fatal foe to all progress than selfconceit and the laziness which self-conceit begets. To think and feel that we have already attained or are already perfect, is the narcotio that brings on the sleep of the sluggard and the slothful.
The motto of the great apostle of the Gentiles was, THE REGIONS BEYOND. He would be satisfied with no other man's method of measurement, with no narrow circumference of present attainment. He yearned to evangelize-to preach the Gospel in the Regions Beyond, and not to boast in another man's canon or measure as to territory already embraced in the scheme of labor.
That motto of Paul is the trne watchword of the Church in this new age of missions. After all the work of a century, we have only * The substance of an address at anniversary of China Inland Mission, Mildmay Hall, London, England, May 21,1890, and stenographically reported.- A.T.P. just begun. We are not even at the midway pillar; and God says, " Speed ye! Make haste! Forget the things behind and push for the Regions Beyond." And this will we do, by the grace of God!
This grand motto suggests various important applications: 1. The Regions Beyond, in the literal sense,of territory thus/ar unclaimed and unoccupied for Ghrist. If this great work of evangelizing the world is ever to be done, we must penetrate the deceptive halo of mere enthusiasm and come to the bare, hard facts of a world's destitution and degradation. Zeal is good, but zeal according to knowledge is better. To know the facts is to be oppressed with a great burden, for souls. To judge from what is sometimes said or written on missions, one wonld suppose that the work, not only of evangelization but of conversion, is going on so rapidly that we might wake any morning and find the whole world brought to Christ. Let us get past and behind this rose-colored cloud, and look at those great bald facts that, like those stopy shafts of eternity, the crags of the mountains, lift their awful forms before us-I,500,000,000 of human beings-enough, if they were moving, single file, past a given point, one every second, to consume fifty years, day and night, in passing, yet going down to the grave at the rate of more than one every second! Death, three times every century, sweeping the entire population 'of the globe into eternity, like chaff from a threshing-floor, to make room for a new generation! And this process going on for nineteen centuries, uninterruptedly, so that, since Cllt'ist was born, nearly sixty generations have lived and died, most of whom never heard of Him! What if all that host might be supposed to move in procession at the same rate we have already imagined! It would take over a thousand years! And, while we are talking about evangelizing the world, and some enthusiasts are prophesying its speedy conversion, is it not true that there are to.day more unsaved souls in the human family than there were last elmtury, or even last year? With all our missionary effort is not t 11e world';; population advancing faster than the churches of Christ are gathering converts? Surely it is time the church should fully awake to her responsibility. We act as though we had ages before us in which to preach, and the unsaved had ages before them in which to be reached, whereas our term of service and their term of life must very soon expire. The China Inland Mission found the germ of its being in the fact that, in Inland China alone, were eleven great populous provinces where as yet no missionary had gone to reside; and, in ten of the eleven, missionaries are now permanently working. Let the church not shrink from facing the facts: the destitution still unreached is appalling. What are 700 missionaries in China among 350,000,000 of souls? One missionary to half a million! About the same proportion of missionaries amc,ng the 250,000,000 or 300,000,000· of India, one to about 400,000! In Siam, with from 8,000,000 to 10,000,000, about a score of men and women, laboring among the native Siamese and Laos people, every male missionary having an average parish of a million souls, and cities with a population of 200,000 having not even a Bible-reader or native teacher!
Consider Africa's need! How little is it understood. Even a missionary journal gave currency to the misleading statement that the Dark Continent is " tolerably well supplied wi.th missionaries, as thirty-five missionary societies are now at work there." If you go across Siberia and down the eastern slope of the Kong Mountains, through the three Soudans, of the Niger, Lake Tchad and the Nile, 3,000 miles to the Red Sea, and if 400 miles north and south of your line of travel you could survey the land, you would find 90,000,000 of people with scarce one missionary! And farther south, in the Congo Free State, you might travel from Equatorville east to the Great Lake stations, and there is another territory 1,000 miles long by half as many broad, whose 40,000;000 of people when Stanley passed through Uganda had not yet seen a missionary! Doubtless Africa has to-day at least 200,000,000 of people who never saw a Bible or heard the first proclamation of the good news. And yet Africa is " tolerably well supplied with missionaries! "
Am I not justified in saying that we must get beyond and behind all this illusive glamour of ignorance and imagination? Yes, beyond evanescent touches of sympathy and passage of resolutions, and do something for souls that are dying without Christ.
In all the world we have six: thousand 01' seven thousand missionaries, representing 30,000,000 of church members-one for every five thousand! Whereas, if Protestant churches gave out of their membership one in three hundred, it would Imt 100,000 missionaries in the field, exclusive of the native helpers, who have for the last half century outnumbered four or fivefold the missionaries from Christian lands. These are, doubtless, familiar facts; but Sydney Smith said that for purposes of impression repetition is the only figure of speech worth a farthing. These facts must be beaten in by repeated blows. We must not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. Never will the people of God take up the work of missions as they ought until they both understand and feel the emergency and extremity of a dying world and their own opportunity and {)bligation with reference to it.
As to opportunity, there was never any such before. We live in ~ays more augustly awful than any in previous history. I would rather live in this year 1891 than to have lived when Christ walked the earth. Grand as would have been the privilege of seeing the Lord in the flesh and being closely associated with Him then, this day of grace offers us opportunities of service and privileges of fellowship which, in their way, are even more transcendent.
The regions beyond, of the whole world, now lie open before the children of God. Fifty years ago the burden of public and united prayer for missions was that God would open the doors of the nations to the preaching of the Gospel. In those days Japan was like a vessel hermetically sealed; China was the walled kingdom, fifteen hundred miles of solid barrier shutting out "the foreign devils;" India was 'in the selfish clutch of the East India Company; the islands of the sea were held by cannibal savages, and Africa was not even explored. A hun- dred years ago it seemed as though there was no chance of reaching the vast bulk of the race with the Gospel. A great wall of idolatry, superstition, prejudice, surrounded the nations, with here and there a solitary breach; now, that whole wall is down, wit.h here and there a. fragment remaining to oppose our advance. Let those who see no God in history tell us how changes so stupendous have been brought about inside one century. No human being, no combination of human elements could ever have done this. But" one day is with the Lord as a thousand years," and there have been single historic" days" in this period, in which He has wrought the work that ordinarily would have taken a millenium.
That one year 1858 may be selected as the annus mirabilis of modern missions. During that one year doors were opened giving access to one thousand millions of the human race. In that year, 1858, Great Britain, after two hundred years of exclusion, made her treaty with Japan. In that same year China, by the treaty of Tientsin, threw open not only her p.orts, but her interior, and provided that any Chinese subject might embrace the Christian faith without molestation or persecution. In that same year India was transferred from the sordid East India Company to the British crown, and Victoria became Empress of the Indies. In that same year the revolutionary changes in Papal Europe laid the basis of Free Italy. In that same year David Livingstone sailed a second time for South Africa to complete his pioneer path for missionaries. In that same year Benito Juarez, in Mexico, overthrew the monastic system, confiscated the estates and revenues of the Papal Church, and opened the way for Protestant missionaries to enter Central America. And in that same year Elizabeth Sale, of Helensburgh, Scotland, successfully penetrated the zenanas of Hindustarr, and led the way in woman's work for woman!
Was there ever such a year as 1858? Within less than a twelvemonth doors of approach were opened to from thirty to forty millions in Japan, three hundred to four hundred millions in China, two hundred and fifty to three hundred millions more in India, including all her millions of women and girls, two hundred and fifty to three hundred millions more in Africa, besides the hosts in Papal Italy and Mexico! When Paul and Barnabas came back to Antioch from their first mission tour, "they gathered the Church together and rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." But did God ever open doors of access in Apostolic times with such rapidity and on such a scale of grandeur as in your day and mine? Who shall dare say that the days of supernatural working are past, ",hen such miracles qf Providence are performed before our ~ery eyes?
The apathy and lethargy of the Church of Jesus Christ are alarming, for they suggest a deadening of sensibility. We are like those that walk amid a blare and glare and flare, and whose eyes and ears are dazed and dulled by the glory of the scenes in t.he midst of which they are moving.• This year 1858 was not the only wonderful year in modern missionary history. In 1878 there was such a mighty movement of God's grace in India that sixty thousand people turned from idols in Tinnevelly and the Telugu country within six months! And it was in that same year that some twenty persons gave upwards of $4,000,000 to missions, as though God would show what on the one hand His grace could do among the heathen, and, on the other hand, in prompting a higher Christian liberality.
The Regions Beyond, thus marvelously opened to the Church, are a perpetual challenge to us to occupy till He comes. We need to get down on our faces before God for a greater Pentecostal baptism than the Church has ever yet known. All our efforts lack unity and harmony and business methods. On some mission fields a score of different denominations will sometimes be found, working side by side, in a comparatively small district, while in the Regions Beyond millions are without a single missionary. And our home fields are often overstocked in comparison. When in Scotland, on my mission tour, I found in one village, of perhaps 1,200 people, five fine church buildings with as many educated pastors; the entire church-going population could have been accommodated in one of those buildings, and cared for by one of those ministers, while the other four, with the money that their buildings cost, might have been evangelizing the interior of Chin.a, India or Africa, where each man might have a parish of from one million to ten million souls! There is something wrong in the Christian Church when denominational zeal outstrips that nobler zeal for the evangelization of the vast multitudes that are absolutely uncared for. It would seem that something is wrong, even in the basis of our missionary work, when the Church of God can calmly look on eight hundred million of human beings that, eve~ yet, after nineteen centuries, have not so much as heard whether there be a Christ or no ! When Rev: Geo. W. Chamberlain first went to Brazil, he found 10,000,000 of people in a nominally Papal land, who scarcely knew what a Bible was. One old patriarch of four score years, to whom he gave a Portuguese New Testament, and explained salvation by faith, said to him: "Young man, this is what I have long been waiting to hear. But where was your father when my father was alive that he never came to tell my father how to be saved?" Some such question as that we must all answer, if not before we die, at the judgment seat of Christ.
These Regions Beyond-this te;ritory unclaimed and unoccupied for Christ-should at once be possessed. Christ distinctly outlined for His Church her missionary policy: it is not concentration but diffusion. We cannot too often ring out this truth. Some have urged the American Board to concentrate its forces largely upon Turkey, and then, when Turkey is thoroughly evangelizeQ, it will, they say, furnish evangelists for the Regions Beyond. A similar policy has been urged upon the Presbyterian Board in New York as. to Japan, and the Church Missionary Society as to India. The argument is that we should unite our forces upon a limited field till it is thoroughly Christianized, and then make the newly converted people an evangelizing force to push on to the furtJlermost limits of the earth.
This looks well and sounds well at first suggestion; but is it scriptural? Our Master made no such discrimination. " Go ye into all the world," " unto the uttermost parts of the earth," and "'preach the GORpel to every creature." Those are onr marching orders. The policy of concentration more or less limits the area of the work of the Church. To follow such a policy is not to go into the Regions Beyond. We are tempted to choose fields comparatively neal', attractive, promising; fields offering prospect of large and quick harvests; and leave the more distant, destitute, degraded races of mankind to utter neglect. vVhile we are concentrating on Turkey, Japan or India, what is to become of the other millions of mankind that have only one lifetime in which to hear the Gospel?
Again we would peal out in the dull ears of a sluggish Church the signal of opportunity and obligation ! We are to take whatever men and women we can get and whatever money and other means we can gather and do just as OUI' Master bade us-go everywhere and to every creature with the Gospel, and do it at once. And when the Church of God will do her simple duty with faith in her Lord, the miracle of the loaves and fishes will be repeated on a larger scale in human history. 'fhe small provision, which seems nothing amil1 snch a vast multitude of hungry souls, will, when brought to the :Master and used along the lines of His command, again illustrate the miraculous mathematics of God. As we subtract from our supply, He will add to our resources. As we will divide, He will multiply; and He will increase for distribution what we decrease by distribution.
We write it solemnly and with profound conviction and deep emotion: Christ waits to see the travail of faith in the souls of His people before He can see the travail of His own soul in the redemption of the race! Never will that largest and last blessing come to our mission work until we emphasize evangelization. for which we are responsible rather than conversion for which we are not responsible; until we abandon our worldly-wise centralization and concentration and adopt the divine policy of universal extension and diffusion, going with all speed even to the uttermost parts of the earth and bearing among all nations our witness to our I.ord and His cross. From His cradle to His tomb, and from His sermon on the Galilean Mount, to His last commission, perhaps upon the same Mount, we seem to see but one commanding signal: it is a Hand pointing ~ TO THE REGIONS BEYOND. [To be continued. ] EACH religion has an appropriate symbol. The cross has come to represent Evangelical Christianity, as the crucifix does the Papacy, and the Greek cross the Greek Church. The wheel of endless transmigration may well stand for Buddhism, the iron ring of caste for Brahmanism, the crescent for Mohammedanism, the sun-disk for Parseeism, the tablet for Confucianism, the dragon for demon worship, the stone for fetichism, and the axe for a destructive atheism.
" BECAUSE iniquity abounds the love of many shall wax cold." No believer can afford simply to breathe a polluted atmosphere, and if his work for God compels such associations he must frequently go, as Christ did, apart with God, and on the lofty mountain tops breathe a pure air, taking long and deep inspirations of that purifying and strengthening oxygen and ozone. Prof. Bernard used to illustrate our unconscious accommodation to a vicious atmosphere by placing a sparrow under a bell glass receiver, with ail' enough for three hours respiration. Then, at the end of two hours, he put a sccond sparrow under the receivel', and it fell over dead, while the formcr bird was able to sustain the process of respiration for the remainillg hour. So there is a law not only of physical but of spiritual toleration. We learn to live in a polluted atmosphere, to accommodate ourselves to a low level of spiritual life. Could we come suddenly from a pure society into the carnal and worldly and selfish atmosphere often found even in Christian churches, we should be stifled. Let us live much with God, in the closet, and so learn to detect and flee from a contaminated atmosphere. May this law not explain in part the high consecration of true missionaries? They can maintain spiritual life amid snch surronndings only by mueh COil verse with God.
THE MISSION OUTLOOK
THE MISSION OU'l'LOOK.-II.
BY J. MURRAY MITCHELL, M.A., LL.D., NICE, FRANCE.
We proceed to speak of the foreign field. And first we ask what progress has been made in the evangelizing of the nations generally?
We sometimes hear even the friends of missions assert that the progress is deplorably small. 1Ve ask-small in comparison with what? If the answer be-small in proportion to the effort made, the answer runs clean counter to our deepest convictions. Considering how little man has done or tried to do, the blessing from on high ap- pears to us most graciously, most marvelously large. The seed we sow never perishes; it brings forth fifty, sixty and a hundred fold. Just compare the progress made in modern times with what was witnessed when the Gospel was preached even by apostolic lips. Some thoughtlessly speak as if the miracle of Pentecost had been frequently repeated through the early centuries. It was not so, even during the first. The highest estimate which we can possibly form of the number of professing Christians in the year 100 is not half a million, including childre'n, and some authorities make it considerably less. But, during the last century, more than 3,000,000 have been rescued from heathenism by Protestant missions alone. The Lord is pleaaed to bless our poor, initial efforts far beyond what we had reason to expect-for very feeble and faltering have these efforts been; and His marvelous goodness ought to impel us to run henceforth the way of His commandments.
1Ve are fully aware of the retort which is frequently made: "Yes, you have gained perhaps 3,000,000 from heathenism during the last century; but the heathen population of the world has been increased by a vastly greater number; and there are far more heathen now than there were a hundred years ago." True, but the Christian population of the world has been increasing too. Proportionally it seems to increase twice as fast as the heathen population; and by the end of the present century-that is, ten years hence-the Christian inhabitants will actually increase more rapidly than the heathen inhabitants. Of course, we may be told that merely nominal Christianity is of no value. But that is not true. Just compare the state of Europe with that of the heart of Africa! The last accounts, supplied by Stanley and Mackay, regarding interior Africa, are as horrible as the descriptions which Dante gives of hell. Europe is no paradise; but neither is it a pandemonium.
1Ve are amazed at the erroneous conceptions as to the progress of missions existing in quarters that ought to be well informed. A few years ago a journal of high name asserted that the conversions to Mohammedanism in British India were about a hundred thousand annually. More recently an anonymous writer in one of our most inflnential magazines maintained that the conversions to Islam were every year about 50,000, and that India was steadily becoming Mo- hammedan. It was of no use for missionaries to protest against these assertions; on such subjects they, good men, are supposed to be hopelessly prejudiced, and it is for able editors to put them right. But next comes Sir W. W. Hunter, whose knowledge of Indian sta- tistics is unquestioned, and he informs us that, so far as statistics are available, the general population of India, in nine years, has increased 8 per cent., but the Christian population 30 per cent.; and that, tak- ing Bengal as a sample, while the Mohammedans have increased 11 per cent. the Christians have increased 64 per cent. That particular error, then, is finally disposed of. So much as regards numbers; but what about character? No doubt there are black sheep in the flock. Missionaries are sometimes detleived by inquirers, and the children of {)onverts in heathendom are very like young people in Christendom. Still, there has been generally-we suppose universally-a remark- able elevation of the Christian community in intelligence and cllarac- tel', and, as a consequence, it has risen and is rising in position. In ~ndia, government returns show that crime' exists among native Chris- tians only to one-fifth the degree which obtains among the Hindus. We believe the same thing is tl'Ue of converts in China, Japan and Siam. It is remarkably true throughout the Dutch dominions in the islands of Eastern Asia, as we may have occasion to show a little farther on.
Letus now glance at the chief mission fields separately, beginning at the East: JAPAN.-The progress in this empire during the last twenty years ()r so in which it has been possible to preach the Gospel in public, has " been steady, and, as compared with that in other countries, even Tapid. Recently, among the educated or half e,ducated young men there have been manifestations of a feeling of dislike to foreigners; and probably the cry of " Japan for the Japanese" will wax louder and louder. The strong feeling of nationality will affect the missions and their ecclesiastical arrangements. Quite possibly foreign mis- sionaries will be told, before ten years are come and gone, that their presence is no longer needed; and this not scornfully or bitterly, but from a conviction that Japanese Christians can manage their own affairs and evangelize their countrymen better than foreigners can. For our part, we respect their feeling; and though we desire no abrupt severance of existing ties, we trust to see, ere long, the great spectacle of a national church in Japan-self-supporting, Eelf-gov- erned and self-extending. We say a national chttrch. The mission· aries are laudalby exerting themselves to reduce the number of eccle· siastical divisions among Christians. The Presbyterians have all united; they had almost coalesced with the Congregationalists, when a bar was unhappily interposed-from, America, if we mistake not. The Methodists wish to unite; and so do the Episcopalians and others.
Excellent, so far; but the Japanese Christians long for one grand, national church; and they will have it if foreigners do not interfere.
Em Oriente lux. Very probably the problem of union, at which the chutches of Europe and America are toiling, will receive its solution from the minds and hearts of more far-off Eastern Christians. That ought to humble the haughty West; but all of us, we trust, would heartily rejoice in the result. When we speak thus, we dream that there will be one grand united church holding the principles of the Reformation. The Roman and Greek churches will doubtless remain apart from this, and from each other, in Japan as in other places.
The new constitution of Japan gives full tolerance to Christianity, and the Gospel may now be preached over the length and breadth of the empire. Are the two old religions-Shintoism and Buddhism- likely soon to pass away? Some have answered yes; but we fear not. Shintoism is a vague, colorless creed, and one naturally leaps to the conclusion that it cannot long contend against the Gospel. But it is the old, ancestral faith; nearly all the vaunted glories of Japan are connected with it; and, probably, it will die slowly, as did the religion of Rome, even after Constantine's profession of Christianity.
How difficult to forget the national traditions handed down for more than two thousand years; how difficult to throw off the religious ideas they embody! Buddhism is an alien faith, though in itself more definite than Shintoism; but it may not perhaps survive its rival.
Confucianism has been the creed of many of the higher classes, and its worldly, cold philosophy may content them for a good while longer-all the more readily, because it can easily combine with the ancestral Shinto worship. • KOREA comes next-the'" hermit nation," as it used to be called; "the land of the morning calm," as it calls itself. Korea had very little distinctive religion. Shintoism was little known; Buddhism was proscribed; Confucianism influenced only a few among the higheF classes. Vague, confused superstition was all in all. But Korea happily has an easy alphabet, and multitudes, even of women, are able to read.
The beginnings of Protestant work in Korea are due to the Rcv. John Ros~, missionary of the (Scottish) United Presbyterian Church in Manchuria. He tra~slated various portions of the Scriptures illto Korean, from the year 1873 onwards. These were circulated in Northern Korea, and the result was truly remarkable-indeed, few things in mission history have been more so.* Then came the Ameri- can Mission, in 1884, being begun by Dr. Allen, a medical missionary, • See Report of Foreign Missions of (American) Presbyterian Church for 1890. In a spirit which does them much honor the Americans speak most war..lIy of the labors of the Scottish Mission, which preceded their own. whose professional skill was greatly valued in the highest quarters. An Episcopal Methodist Mission has followed, and recently an Angli- can one. Two laborers from the General Assembly of Victoria, in Australia, co-operate with the Presbyterian Mission. So far a mar- velous blessing has rested on the work. The opening of Korea has . been more sudden, and more complete, even than the opening of Japan.
CHINA.-In connection with China the eye first naturally fixes on the late Missionary Conference held at Shanghai. It was very large, very harmonious, very earnest and very hopeful. Of the arousing call to the Church of Christ to send China a thousand missionaries within the next five years we have already spoken. Especial stress was laid on the work of women. Dr. Williamson, since then, to the great loss of China, deceased, said that the permanent Christianization of China depends on the women, and that the women can be reached only by women. The conference did not take any narrow view of Christian work, and one of its solemn declarations was: "We hear a loud call to the Christian Church to supply Christian educationists for China." Lastly, it came to a most important resolution regarding the translation of the Scriptures into Chinese. Hitherto there have been rival versions, and interminable disputes aA to the rendering of im- pOl·tant words (even the name of God among them), and when the conference met, agreement on long-contested points seemed utterly hopeless. But the" great mountain" became" a plain," and satis- factory means were proposed for the preparation of versions in the high classical language, the colloquial :Mandarin, and an intermediate dialect. In addition to these there is a considerable number of local '. dialects, and arrangements were entered into by which versions into these will be made, or, if already made, harmonized. Had the Shanghai Conference achieved nothing more than this, all the labor and expense connected with long journeyings and a session of more than a fort- night would have been richly repaid.
SIAM.-Buddhism is the established religion in Siam; but here, as elsewhere, the name veils a mass of childish superstitions. The chief mission here has been the American Presbyterian, which began its work in 1840. Its operations are carried on mainly in the northern part-Laos. Some twenty years ago there was a severe persecution of the Christians; but, for some years past, opposition on the part of the government has completely died away. Education and medical work receive decided encouragement from the king and the high officials. All the missionaries seem to be full of hope.
NETHERLANDS, INDIA.-The Dutch possessions in Eastern Asia are so called by the Hollanders, though they have no connection with IIindustan. (They are part of Indict extra Gangem.) Until of late the Dutch authorities discountenanced missions, if they did not actively oppose them. '1'0 this day religion is at a low ebb among the Dutch inhabitants of Eastern Asia, and the clergy are often ,avowedly rationalistic. But the missions have done much faithful work, and the blessing from on high has rested on them. We give some remarkable figures in a note. * We understand that the oppo- sition of the authorities to missions has entirely ceased. They admit that the native Christians are visibly superior to the heathen (incluiing Mohammedans) in industry, cleanliness and morality. The owners of plantations in Java prefer native Christian laborers to all others. Let it be observed that, though the Mohammedans are zealous in proselytizing, yet the conversions from Islam to Christianity have been very numerous, especially of late.
INDIA. t-In this great field the battle between the Gospel and heathenism becomes hotter every day: "All reports of religious affairs are growing in urgency and interest."! 'l'he next Decennial Missionary Conference takes place two years hence, and the proceedings may be expected to be of absorbing interest.
There are vast diversities between different parts of India. Even the languages spoken amount, according to the census report, to 106, and some have reckoned as many as 132. The diversities among the inhabitants are astonishingly great. To use Lord Dufl'erin's words: "At one extremity you have the naked, savage hill-man, with his stone weapons, his head-hunting, his polyandrous habits, and his childish superstitions; and at the other extremity you have the Europeanized native gentleman, with his refinement and polish, his literary culture, his Western philosophy, and his advanced political ideas."
Even a lifetime barely suffices to supply a full, comprehensive idea of India. We are, therefore, continually in danger of drawing too general conclusions from particular facts. And hence come such ,conflicts of opinion as to the state of things in India. Some already tell us they can hear the wailing cry that" great Pan is dead"; § while others declare that, as yet, he has received no serious wound. We, therefore, entreat the friends who pay a cold-weather visit to India, and then rush home to proclaim the conclusions they have reached, to specify the part of the Indian Continent which they have studied and think they understand. On the other hand, we must request the men who knew India ten or fifteen years ago to remem- *Christians in Java (1873)….. …..•….• 5,673 " (1889) …………….. 11,229 in Snmatra (1873). .. .. .. . ….. 2,500 (1889) . .. .. .. .. …. 12,000 in all Dntch India (1873) …… 168,672 (1889) .•.••.250,000 ~ an increase of 66 per cent. nearly.
These figures are given by Inspektor Schreiber, of Barmen.
t Many of the principles we state regarding missions in India will apply to missions ,generally. :j: Last report of British and Foreign Bible Society, p. 184. § Ibid, p. 185. bel' that change now proceeds rapidly, even in what used to be called the" unchanging East."
The accessions to the Church of Christ in India continue to be chiefly drawn, as heretofore, from the races generally called abori-.
ginal-such as the Kols, Santals, Garos, Khasias, etc. (as in Burma from among the Karens). It was high time that missions should exert . themselves in behalf of these tribes; for, ere long, they would cer- tainly have been merged in the general Hindu population; the ab-.
sorption was steadily going on. We lately noticed an assertion by a high Indian official to the effect that Hinduism is gaining rather than losing ground. Quite true, in a sense. Uncivilized races are influenced by the civilized races near them; their vague demon wor- ship gives way before the more definite Hindu mythology, and their marriage and funeral rites fall gradually under the control of the Brahmans. Races that live apart eSyape this influence in a great degree; but those that have intercourse with the Hindus become more or less Hinduized. True, they are not received into the Hindu com- munity-they are not taken into caste; they are, so to speak, tied on to the great mass, not ingrafted into it. Other races, such as the Dhers, of Gujarat, or the Mhars and Mangs, of Maharashtra, no longer live apart from the Hindus; they are attached to the villages-permitted, not indeed to live in them, but around or near them. Among such races the progress of the Gospel is not much slower than among the more sequestered aborigines.
It is cheering to watch the steady elevation of these hitherto down-trodden races. The Brahmans, of course, sneer. Often have we heard them say, "We are too wary to swallow your bait, and so you go to those wretched outcasts." In truth, the missionary goes to all; but the proud Brahmans, as a rule, despise the message; while, in many cases, the poor and despised do not. And the reception of the truth raises and refines; the very expression of the countenance is changed. Then, when the children of converts are carefully taught and trained-and that this should be done is a most pressing, sacred duty-they compete, on no unequal terms, even with the intellectual Brahmans.
Thus the wrongs of ages are gradually becoming redressed; a social fabric, based on a new foundation, is slowly rising; and, by and by, the Christians will be not only the men of light, but the men of leading, too. .
Among the middle and higher classes the visible progress of the Gospel, as shown in the number of baptisms, is much slower than among the races we have just referred to. Hitherto it has been very difficult to reach these classes except through schools and colleges.
This is still true of India generally; but there are already exceptions to the rule, e~pecially in the largest cities. If evangelistic addresses were attentively listened to only when delivered in English, one might fear that the language, more than the meaning, formed the attraction; but earnest appeals in the vernacular, when the speaker wields it with any power, are also becoming acceptable. The change is immensely important. Educational missionaries ascribe it to the influence of Christian education, and we think they are right in doing so.
Attacks on educational missions continue to be made, as they have been for fifty years; but we see no new argument advanced. ""Ve suppose they will be repeated; but the missionaries will patiently toil on-aye, no kind of mission work is so toilsome as theirs, and assuredly it is not from a love of ease they take to it-and while they heartily rejoice in the extension of all kinds of missionary effort, they cannot, in faithfulness, give up their own. Education, both lower and higher, has become a necessity in India. Who is to give it? Government is disposed to withdraw more and more from its higher institutions, and (in a spirit which does it much honor) is expressing its belief that only those in which religious instruction is given can meet the necessities of India. Are Protestant missionaries to abandon the work?
Hoc Ithac1l8 velit, et magna mercentur AtridaJ. Nothing would delight the natives more; nothing would delight the Romanists more. The moulding of the higher thought of India would then be in the hands of these two classes. We hold that too much has been conceded already to the cry of " preaching, not teaching." The Cathedral Mission College, in Calcutta, in connection with the Church Missionary Society, founded by Bishop Cotton, was given up in 1880, under the impression that there were needlessly many colleges in Calcutta; but the demand for higher education has greatly increased since then, and the missionaries of the Church Missionary Society regret the closing, and for this reason, among others, that they now cannot get into touch with the influential student class as they used to do when their college was in existence.
Some people talk of educational missions as if they were merely educational. Is there one such mission in all India? We believe not. People who criticise what they call" Dr. Duff's system" should try to understand what that system was.
The fullest examination of this question with which we are acquainted is contained in the" Revised Special Report of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Church of Scotland on Educational Missions in India." The document comprises 213 pages, and embodies the opinion of eighty-four persons, connected with various churches, who were deemed well qualified to pronounce an opinIon on the important question proposed; and it shows that, after most patient and prolonged inquiry, the General Assembly of the Church resolved to maintain its educational efforts. The report deserves to be studied as a valuahle rer,ertory, not only of opinions, but of facts. We read that wheu the apostle and his companions were tossed up and down ill Adria, they "cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for the day." When some one rejoicingly pointed to the first streaks of dawn on the Eastern horizon, we wonder whether he re- ceived the chilling rebuke: "The dawn is nothing; we are waiting for the sunrise." But so speak many now. They do not believe in pro- cesses and preparations. They expect the sunrise immediately to follow midnight. Each of the higher religions of India covers as large an area as it did before; and many sorrowfully ask what im- pression, then, the Gospel is making on them. 'Ve reply that the Gospel never comes into real contact with heathenism without affect- ing it, and the influence exerted is in direct proportion to the com- pleteness of the cOlltact. The moral teachings of Christianityap- peal to natural reason and conscience; they carry with them their own bright evidence, and are acce})ted without much delay. The deeper mysteries, such as the divinity and atoning sacrifice of Christ, are, it may be for a long time, vehemently opposed by many; nor need we wonder at this, seeing that ., no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost." But when the Gospel is fully and faithfully proclaimed, it is never long proclaimed in vain. The truth is revealed to some; and these profess their faith, and, if need be, are prepared to suffer for it.
Now, in India, the higher religions are being shot through by the arrows of light; that is to say, the moral teachings-and much of the teaching regarding God contained in the Gospel is st.eadily penetrat- 'ing the mind of heathenism. The professors of heathen religions may deny that they borrow from Christianity; they may not be aware that they do borrow, but that does not alter the fact. One of the most noteworthy proofs of what we now affirm is supplied by a statement lately made by the high priest of the chief division of the Bombay Zorastrians, to the effect that the attributes ascribed in the Avesta to Ahuramazda are the same as the Old Testament ascribes to Jehovah. The statement is far from correct; but the high priest honestly believed what he so strongly affirmed. The wish was father to the thought.
We need hardly dwell longer on this. Every student of church history will see in it only a repetition of what occurred during the first three centuries. Heathenism was then compelled by the presence of the Gospel to remodel itself. "Reformed heathenism adopted features borrowed from Christianity, and even grew to be an imitation of it."* It thought to save itself by so doing. But by and by, as the lamented Liddon expressed it: "Conversions came with a rush."
Our readers must have been surprised to hear of the late sugges- * Uhlhorn "Conflict of Christianity with Heathenism," Bk. II., ch.3. tion, made by at least one man of influence, that the Bible be added to the Hindu sacred books. A very natural proposal, in the mouth of one who recognizes the steady onward march of Christianity, and would fain come to terms with it before it is too late. But the pro- gress of the truth is still more fully proved by the alarm that is so widely professed and the vehement efforts to oppose it-Hindu tracts,.
Hindu preachers-these are now sent forth in great numbers; and the Gospel is mercilessly attacked. The large society called the "Arya Samaj," gives in to Christianity so far that it surrenders po- lytheism, idol-worship, caste, and child-marriage, and permits the re-marriage of widows. It falls back on the Vedas as the sole author- itative scriptures, and, by torturing Sanskrit terms, it finds Christian and modern ideas in them. It is ienscpreecaisailnlgy.a f"rIafi d•woef cCohnrt iins tuiea nt oscshl eoeopls, ". Its propagandism is zealous and it cries, " our temples will soon be Christian churches."
But it is in vain that the Arya Samaj has abandoned three-fourths of Hinduism in order to save the remainder. Christianity is, so to speak, in the air.* It affects all the religious thinking of India; and its influence is seen in the remarkable attempts at reform which are happily becOI~ing so frequent. People may call these only social re- forms; but in India what is social is also religious. The Rajputana chiefs, bolder than the British Government, have limited marriage ex- penses and fixed the minimum marriage age for men at 18, and for women at 14. This is a stupendous change; and it involves stupen- dous consequences. The persistent efforts to encourage the re-mar- riage of widows; the refusal of the barbers of Bombay to shave the heads 'of widows; the formation of a social reform association, which held its third annual meeting in December, 1889, where it was noted with interest that several Hindu ladies were present; these and similar movements are, to anyone that knows the people of India, full of interest and promise; and, we repeat, that they are traceable, directly or indirectly, to the influence of Christianity. We spoke above of ideas changing; but there is also, though to a less extent, a change of institutions.
We have been Ilpeaking of Hindus. But the Mohammedans in India are also moving. Their antipathy to vVestern education is con- siderably mitigated. That enlightened man, Sir Synd Ahmad, tells us that his college at Alighar is flonrishing. If so, Moslem bigotry is proportionally declining.t Meantime, the uneducated Mohammed- ans-note especially what has happened in the north at Peshawur- * Since this was written, we find the same expression quoted in the Church Missionary Society Report. p. 172.
t A high Indian official, Sir Auckland Colvin, has said: "An Alighar col- lege man has become synonymous with a man of liberal ideas, advanced edu- cation and independent character." We have seen this college. We have ob-· served that its alumni are Mohammedan in little more than name. are as greatly terrified at the progress of Christianity as is the Arya Samaj among the Hindus. Zenana mission teachers are objects of especial dread to Mohammedans, as well as to Hindus. Let our sisters thankfully and strenuously persevere; their work is telling greatly.
[To be continued.] THE Church of God cripples all her mission boards and mission work by a selfish withholding of money for the Lord's cause, and then wonders at the slow progress of missions in fields where retrenchment makes all advance impossible. This absurd contradiction reminds us of the wars of Arminius (Hermann), Prince of Cherusci (16 B. C.- '16 A. D.) The Germans bored holes in the tongues of the Roman lawyers and judges, and then said, " Now, rattle away /"
ONE of the McAll workers in Paris was very much affected at finding a poor working woman, already in a dying condition, who bad strayed into one of the salles and there for the first time heard of Christ as the Good Shepherd of souls. She was trying to recall and put together in an intelligible shape the few hints she had picked up at that meeting, mere fragments of gospel truth, and when she found one at her bedside who could give her the whole truth about this great Saviour her joy was so great that she forgot even the agonies of dying! And yet there are literally millions of souls in France hungering for just such a Gospel.
MATERIALISU, like other forms of infidelity, has a basis of insincerity. At a meeting in Liverpool an evangelist publicly said: " I do not believe there is an honest man ill the world who really believes that we are all simply matter and go out of existence at death. If there is a real materialist in this audience I would like to see him." A man rose up and shouted: "Well, here is one." "Come up here," .said the evangelist, " I want all these people to see a man whose mother died like a dog, and that was the end of her." "You are a liar," shouted the man, " she was one of the best women that ever lived, and she's in h.eaven to-day /" The fellow was fairly. caught in his' own trap. He quite forgot for the moment his own creed!
THE efforts of churches which are not evangelical and which lack all true missionary spirit to found mission enterprises, simply to appear aggressive and seem abreast of other professed believers-in other words, to save themselves the humiliatio.n of a significant contrast-have always ended in disastrous failure. Often, instead of Christianizing the helthen, they themselves become heathenized. Those impulsive spurts in the direction of missions remind us of a significant phrase in the psalms, in which, referring to the triumphant passage of Israel over the Red Sea, the sacred writer adds, "which the Egyptians, assaying to do, were drowned /"
MISSION OF THE AMERICAN BOARD IN NORTH CHINA
A CONDENSED SKETCH OF THE MISSION OF THE AMER- ICAN BOARD IN NORTH CnINA.
HEXRY BLODGETT, D.D.
The history of the North China Mission is closely connected with that of the Shanghai Mission, and through that with the history of the Canton Mission, the first of the American Board, and of the American churches in China.
Mr. Bridgman, the first American missionary to China, arrived in Canton in the year 1830, twenty-three years after Dr. Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to this empire. In 1847 Mr. Bridgman , went to Shanghai as a delegate of his missionary brethcrn to assist in the translation of the Bible. This resulted in his permanent residence in that city, where he died in the year 1861. The translation made by Messrs. Bridgman and Culbertson into the written language of China is still in use, while the twenty volumes of the Chinese Re- pository, edited by Dr. Bridgm;tn, remain as an invaluable thesaurus of matters relating to China and the far East. .
In the year 1854 Messrs. Aitchison al,ld Blodget were sent out by the Board to join Dr. Bridgman at Shanghai, thus forming the Shanghai Mission. Mr. Macy joined the mission in 1858, making the fourth ordained missionary.
During the years in which the mission was continued at Shanghai, Dr. Bridgman was engaged in translating, also taking the pastoral care of the church connected with the boarding-school of girls, under the charge of Mrs. Bridgman. The three younger members of the mission were engaged in the usual work of teaching and preaching, as they were able, both in the city and the outlying country. 'rhe rule established soon after the opening of the" Five Ports,"
of twenty-fonr hours absence only, from one of the ports, was soon broken at Shanghai, and before long became a dead letter, Mission- aries made frequent tours into the interior. In the autumn of 1858 MassI'S. Aitchison and Burdon (now Bishop Burdon of Hong-Kong), after many journeys in the country together, took up their residence at Ping Hoo, a city of 100,000 inhabitants, seventy miles southwest of Shanghai. Here Mr. Aitchison remained for the winter, but re- turned at length to Shanghai in hope of commencing a mission in the llorth of China.
Such a movement seemed very desirable both to the Board, and to the memhers of the miRsion. Shanghai being the northernmost of the fi ve ports then opened, various European and American Societies had designated their missionaries to this city, so that, before the open- ing of China in 1860, more than thirty lahorers, representing as many as ten or eleven bodies of Christians in different countries were con- gregated there waiting for restrictions to be removed as a signal for advance to all parts of China. The year 1859 was one of sore trial to the Shanghai Mission. Mr. Macy died in April; Mr. Aitchison accepted in June a place offered him in the American Embassy, then about to proceed to Peking, in the hope that it might result in fixing his residence in the Northern Capital. He had only been eight days in Peking when he was taken ill, and after eleven days of suffering, died August 15th en rm£te to the .seaboard. He was buried in the Gulf of Chihli. In the autumn of the same year Mrs. Blodget was compelled by failure of health to re- turn to the United States.
In the following spring, 1860, Mr. Blodget for a like reason was forced to quit Shanghai. He went first to Japan, and, after two months at Kanagawa, embarked on a British transport, bound, for Taku to join the fleet about to rendezvous at that place. The ship ar- rived at her destination August 19th, just one year from the time, when, near the same spot, Mr. Aitchison was lowered to his watery grave.
A few days after her arrival the Taku Forts were taken, and in a short time all North China was open to the missionary and the mer- <lhant. Tientsin became an entrepot of foreign trade, and Peking the place of residence of the ministers of the various treaty powers of the West.
Early in September, of this year, Mr. Blodget landed in Taku, and on the 8th of November took up his residence in the city of Tientsin, being at that time and during the following winter the only Protestant missionary in this newly opened province.
The city was then garrisoned by the allied English and French forces. A lodgment was readily obtained in the barracks of the British soldiers, ana Christian work was commenced at once, both among the soldiers and the thronging multitudes of Chinese, who received with great friendliness the newly arrived missionary.
In April of the following year, 1861, Mr. Blodget had the happiness of welcoming to this field the Rev. J. Innocent, of the English Methodist Mission, and in May the Rev. J. Edkins (now Dr. Edkins), of the London Mission.
A journey to Peking in the month of May showed how entirely the country was open to travel, and to Christian effort; nor was any objection offered to passing about freely within the walls of the capital, even to those in no way connected with the legations.
During this month a chapel and houses for residence were rented within the city of Tientsin, and the Sabbath services were removed from the temple court, in which they had been held, to this place. Blind Chang, the first convert, was baptized in June, 1861. He was a 'veale man in humble life, but there is hope that he died a Christian.
Several journeys were undertaken, in this and the following year, for the exploration of this new field, as also for direct missionary ef- 'ort. These journeys extended to Teh-chen, in Shantung, on the South; to Pao Ting-fu, the capital of Chihli; to Tai Yuan-fn, Ta T'ung- fu, in Shansi; to Chang Chia K'eu (or Kalgan), on the Northwest;. also to T'ung Cheu and other cities east of Peking.
The Rev. J. Doolittle, of Fuhchau, spent the winter of 1862 and 1863 in Tientsin assisting in the work of the mission. Mr. Blodget spent the greater part of the winter in Peking, but returned to Tient- sin in view of the departure of Mr. Doolittle for Fuhchau. The mission was reinforced in 1863 by the arrival of the Rev. C. A. Stanley in March, and the Rev. L. D. Chapin in May. They took up their residence within the city walls, in houses which had been pur- chased the previous autumn through the aid of the late Dr. S.. W. Williams. Subsequently, on the ground of health, the residence of the missionaries was changed to the settlement, southeast of the city.
The principal labors of the missionaries have been in preaching the Gospel, and in the distribution of Christian books, both in the city and in the country. A day-school of boys has generally been maintained, and at times a few boarders have been taken in and cared for. The project of a higher institution of learning at Tientsin, in which the English language should be taught, has often been before the mis8ion, and has met with much favor.
The work of this station received a great impulse in the years foll0'Ying the famine of 1877. At that time the missionaries, furnished with funds to the amount of $10,000, more or less, by the liberality of Christian nations, threw themselves unreservedly into the work of famine relief, in which they were assisted also by members of the station at 'l"ungcheu. Their principal labors were in the region of P'ang Chuang, the central place of their work in Shantung. ~Iultitudes of the starving people were relieved in their distress. In this and the following years the missionaries found open doors and open hearts to the preaching of the Gospel. Several hundreds turned to the Saviour. The church was greatly enlarged, and a new station at P'ang Chuang was the result. The life of MI'. Smith, at one time greatly endangered by famine fever, was spared, and his labors are continued at this new station.
The importarice of Tientsin as the port of entrance, not only for Northern and Western Shantung, but also for Northern Ho Nan, for Shansi, Chihli, and inner Mongolia cannot be overestimated.
The station at Peking was formed in 1864. Though frequent visits had been made to this city by Mr. Blodget since May, 1861, it was not until February, 1864, that he took np his permanent residence here. Through the timely assistance of Dr. Williams, the present mission premises were purchased in March, and a chapel was opened in one of the rear buildings almost immediately for public preaching. This was a new departure for Peking, and one which attracted crowds of curious listeners. The pr~mises had been purchased from the Chinese for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; but that Society, being cramped by its own laws, was unable to take them over, and allowed this advantageous location to pass into the hands of the American Board.
On July 1st, Mrs. Bridgman arrived in Peking, having left New York when only partially recovered from a dangerous accident, and narrowly escaped the Alabama on the way. Mrs. Bridgman at once set herself to establish a girls' boarding-school, which has been continued ever since that time, and is now known as the" Bridgman School." She also gave to the Board the entire sum which had been expended for houses, lands and school buildings, amounting to not less than $5,000. In 1868 she left Peking, broken down in health, and spent the remainder of her days in Shanghai, where she died, in 1871. While in Shanghai, though in feeble health, she laid the foundations of a boarding-school for girls, and a dispensary, which, by her will, have passed into the hands of the Woman's Union Mission of New York.
The mission force in Peking was increased in November, 1864, by the arrival of the Rev. J. T. Gulick and Mrs. Gulick; and again, in August, 1865, by the arrival of the Rev. C. Goodrich and Mrs. Goodrich. A month before their arrival, in the early part of July, Mr. and Mrs. Gulick left Peking for Kalgan, to open a mission station in that city. The next reinforcement was by the coming of Mr. and Mrs. ·P. R. Hunt and Miss M. H. Porter, in 1868.
Miss Porter very soon took charge of the Bridgman School; Miss Chapin joined her in 1872. Under the efficient management of these ladies, and of Miss Haven, who arrived in 1879, t}Jis school has maintained a high character, and has been of the greatest service in training up young women suitable for wives for the native helpers, able also to take some part in Christian work. This school has formed the nucleus for efforts for women, botb in the city and in the country.
Mr. Hunt after twenty-seven years of service in India, came to Peking with the enthusiasm of youth to establish a mission press, and also to take charge of the financial affairs of the Mission. The press he established in 1869. It was at the time, and still remains, the only press of Protestant missions in North China. The money used for this purpose was supplied by the indemnity fund received from the Chinese Government after the burning of the mission press in Canton in 1858, and was originally given to the Board by the Bleecker Street Church, in New York, for the establishment of that press. Mr. Hunt was a skillful printer. vVork done by him was well done, whether in the establishment of the press, or in printing the books which issued from it.
During the nineteen years in which Mr. Hunt and Mr. Noble, who succeeded him, had charge of the press, there were printed on it, for the American Bible Society, the version of the New Testament, in Mandarin, prepared by the Peking Committee, that of the Old Testa- ment, also in the Mandarin, prepared by Bishop Schereschewsky, the Psalms and various portions of the New Testament; for the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, the four Gospels, with notes on the same; for the Church Mission Society, the book of Common Prayer; a series of Sabbath-school lesson papers and other works, for the North China Tract Society; a treatise on theology by Mr. Sheffield; several editions of a hymn book by Messrs. Blodget and Goodrich; a geography by Rev. L. D. Chapin; a smaller work on geography by Rev. L. W. Pilcher; a treatise on physiology by Dr. Porter; tracts and books by Miss M. H. Porter and l-Iiss M. E. Andrews, and, in addition, a con- siderable list of tracts and books not here enumerated. From the first this press has done a select work for local convenience-rather a large work for distant parts of China.
In commencing chapel preaching in Peking Mr. Blodget was assisted by the late Rev. VV. C. Burns, whose memory is still fragrant in the minds of some who heard the Gospel at that time. Subsequently Messrs. Goodrich, Holcombe and Roberts, each during the time of his connection with this station, labored in evangelist.ic work, both in the city and in the country. These are now succeeded by Messrs. Ament and Aiken. A good degree of success has attended these efforts, and frequent accessions in the city and at the country stations indicate a, constant growth in the membership of the church.
The boys' boarding-school in this station was discontinued in 1869. Two day-schools for boys have usually been maintained in the city, and at present there is one day-school in the country. There is also a day-school f~r girls in the city.
Perhaps there is no large city in Europe, or even in the whole world, more open to every sort. of evangelistic and educational labor, and to all the eleemosynary institutions of the Christian church than is Peking at the present time..
'rhe Kalgan station was opened by Rev. and Mrs. J. T. Gulick in the summer of 1865. Great difficulties were encountered in the early days of this station in renting houses and procuring suitable places for mission work. In the end unwearied patience, combined with great skill and prudence and unbounded charity in caring for the sick and needy, secured the desired result.
This station was reinforced in 1867 by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Williams, in 1868 of lIr. Thompson, in 1870 of Miss Diament, and subsequently, after Mr. and Mrs. Gulick had left for Japan, by .iYlt-. and Mrs. Sprague, and Mr. and l-Irs. Roberts and Miss Dr. Murdock.
Healing the sick and a boys' day-school were from the first carried on jointly with evangelistic work at this station. After the coming of Dr. Murdock, a hospital and a diRpensary, including an opium refuge, were opened. A girls' boarding-school was established by Mrs. "Villiams, which is now under the charge of Miss Diament. The buildings for the school were erected largely by funds contributed by one of the mission families.
The Yu Cheu Valley, seventy miles southwest of Kalgan, has hitherto been the most fruitful part of this field, and in the city of Yu Cheu it is now proposed to estahlish a new station. Kalgan and Yu Cheu are solely in the charge of missionaries of the American Board. Other societies are not likely to enter this field.
Kalgan is located at a pass in the great wall. It has an outlook upon the rolling pasture lands of Mongolia. The roving Mongols are often seen in the streets of the city, and pass through in numbers on their way to Peking, or in their pilgrimages to Wu'l"ai in Shansi. The missionaries have often proposed labor for these sons of the desert, and something has been done among them. One convert to the Christian faith has been baptized in Kalgan. It has been suggested that one missionary should devote himself to this work.
The station at T'ungcho was opened by the Rev. L. D. Chapin in 1867. No serious difficulty was experienced in securing' residences. The people in 'l"ungcho have from the first been friendly to the missionaries. The station was reinforced in 1868 by the arrival of Miss Andrews, and in 1869 of Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield; Miss Evans reached T'ungcho in 1872; Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich, after their return from the United States in 1872 spent a year at Yu Cheu, and thence removed the following year to 'l"nngcho. Dr. Holhrook arrived in 1881, Mr. 1nd ]frs. Beach in 1883, Dr. and lVirs. Ingram in 1887, and Miss Miner in 1888.
The boarding-school for hoys, early established by Mr. Chapin, has been enlarged, and expanded by the efforts of Mr. Sheffield and others, so that it has now become the Mission High School. To this pupils are sent from all the stations of the mission to go through with a thorough course of study, in the hope that many of them will enter the Christian miuistry, and that all will hecome helpful in one way or another to the cause of Christ.
The course of study embraces a thorough knowledge of the Chinese classics, learning to compose in the written language, a familiar acquaintance with the Bible, including the study of Bible history and geography, and the committing to memory of quite a number of the books of the New Testament, also some of the more impo]·tant branches of gClleral knowledge and Western science, such as geography, mental and written arithmetic, algebra, geometry, chemistry, mechanics, phy~iology, geology and astronomy. It is de8iglled to extend the course and introduce higher branches as fast as the needs of the sehool and the circumstances of the mission make it expedient. The high school is to become the college. Connected with this high school is the theological seminary of the mission, designed for those who are prepal'ing to enter the ministry. Here the various departments of exegesis, systematic theology, church history, sacred rhetoric and the pastoral charge are attended to, so far as the attainments of the students and the circumstances of the case will allow. A great and an increasing amount of medical work has been done at this station from the first.
Through the energetic labors of Dr. Holbrook a hospital and dis- pensary were opened, the work in which is now vigorously carried forward by Dr. Ingram. Dispensaries are also opened at two country stations not remote from T'tmgcho. It is proposed that medical instruction shall be given to some of the students at this station.
General evangelization, both in the city and, to some extent, in the country, has been carried forward at thif station, in connection with the work of teaching, with hopeful results.
T'ungcho is the port of Peking, twelve miles distant from that city, with which it is soon to be connected by rail. Its accessibility by water and its abundant accommodations have made it to be chosen as the place for the annual gatherings of the mission.
The station. at Pao Ting fu was opened by Mr. Pierson in 1873. At no other place has so great difficulty been experienced in obtaining suitable residences for mission familieR. For more than a year Mr. Pierson lived in a Chinese inn, and until the present time he has occupied rented houses in a crowded ,part of the city. It is only within two years that the desired plot of ground has been purchased, in the southern suburb, upon which buildings have been erected to accommodate one or two families. Happily there has been no collision with the authorities or with the people. By uniform kindnessand prudent management all causes of offense have been avoided.
Here, as in Kalgan and T'ungcho, medical aid, though administered by unprofessional hands, has from the fhst been a most potent agency in removing prejudice and opening the hearts of the Chinese. After the arrival of Dr. Peck, in 1880, this branch of the work fell to llis care. Large numbers of patients flocked to his hospital and dispensary from the city and the surrounding region of country. Under the care of Dr. Merritt, who arrived in 1886, this useful work is still continued.
A school for boys, and one al.so for girls, in each of which there have been some boarding pupils, have been maintained at this station. "Vork for women has been carried forward b~r Mrs. Pierson and Miss Pierson. Colporteurs under the direction of 111'. Pierson have labored extensively in all that part of the province.
Pao Ting fu, as being the provincial capital, is a place of much political importance. Its situation at the head of river llavigation renders it a commercial emporium for grain, salt and various kinds of merchandise. All missionaries for Shansi pass through Pao Ting fu. This is the highway for officials passing from the capital to the south- western provinces of the empire. The place is well chosen as an im- portant and convenient centre for missionary labor.
The station at P'ang Chuang was the outgrowth of the work ~t Tientsin. Mr. Hou, a man whose name is held in loving remem- brance by the Christians of that region, heard the Gospel in P'ang Chuang from a native helper, and went himself to Tientsin to learn more of this new way. In the Gospel he found the truth for which he had elsewhere sought in vain, and was baptized in 1872.* "Within a few years he became himself a helper, his house the headquarters of the missionaries at every visit, as well as the centre of the famine re- lief work, and his village was afterwards chosen as the residence of missionaries designated to the Shantung station of the American Board. From the year 1872 the work in this region graduallyex- panded until, at the end of 1877, the annual additions brought the membership up to forty-three, representing twelve different villages." 'rhen followed the long to be remembered famine of 1877, and the famine relief, and the subsequent enlargement of the church, in view {)f which the mission resolved, in 1880, to open a new station at P'ang Chuang.
It has been usual in China, in all the missions, to locate mission- aries in large and important towns and cities. P'ang Chuang is al- m08t, if not quite, the only case of a mission station established in a rural district quite away from any city 01' great mart of trade. Yet the missionaries here have a great work on their hands. They are in the midst of a very populous region of country, so that within a radius of six miles there are approximately 150 villages and hamlets, {lontaining 60,000 inhabitants. In more than sixty of these villages they already have church members, and the lines or" their efforts are constantly reaching out into the outlying villages, towns and cities which are not distant from their central station.
The fact is, moreover, to, be remembered, in considering the location of this station, that in China the reverse is true of that which took place in the Roman Empire. There the villagers, or pagani, were the last to embrace the Christian faith. In China they are the first.
The greatest success of Christian missions in China have been thus far among the country people. Not only are they more simpleminded, but they have also less to fear in becoming Christians from loss of wealth or position, 01' of the means of earning their daily bread. The most independent man in China is the small farmer, who owns a few acres of land, and by daily toil earns his daily bread.
After some delay in the purchase of land and erecting houses, and * "Skellches of a CountryPal'ish," by Rev. A. H. Smith. further delay, occasioned by the opposition of a recusant magistrate, happily overcome by the friendly aid of the United States officials, the missionaries took up their abode in P'ang Chuang, in 1882, with a most cordial reception, and lively demonstrations of affection and gratitude on the part of the people. These kindly feelings have con- tinued, for the most part until the present time.
The labors of this station at the present time are the oversight and instruction of the native helpers, the care of the churches and dayschools, teaching the scriptures to men and women, and the wider range of evangelistic work. There is daily preaching to the dispensary patients, and regular preaching both at the central station and at the six outstations.
The medical work begun by Dr. Porter, and now carried forward by Dr. Peck, has been as in other parts of Ch,ina, of the greatest value to the. Christian name. The hospital, established largely through a gift of the late Dr. Williams, bears the name of this early mis8ionary of the Board, and devoted friend of the Chinese. Its fame has extended to regions far and near, and brings to the village of P'ang Chnang patients from all grades of society, some of whom have come hundreds of miles, and even from other provinces, to be healed of their diseases.
A commodious and tasteful chapel has been erected at this central station wholly by the offerings of members of the church, and of other churches in the mission without any assistance from the funds of the Board. Some of the outstations, stimulated by this example, are now moving in the same direction.
The field of labor set before the missionaries at P'ang Chuang is immense. Fifteen miles north is the city of Teh Cheu, with its surrounding towns and villages. The southern part of the province of Chihli, the northwestern part of Shantung, and the northern part of Ho-nan, all densely populated and covered with walled cities, tOWIl8, villages and hamlets, are easily accessihlo from this central station, and all invite the labors of Christian missions.
One step forward into this unoccupied region was taken in 1886, by the occupation of Lin Ching, a Department city forty miles southwest of P'ang Chuang, by the Rev. F. ~I. Chapin. The following' year premises were purchased for mission residences, and, ill 1888, Messrs. Chapin and Perkins removed their families to this new station. A kindly reception to the missionaries has been given by the people. The medical work of MI', Atwoo(l, who labored at this station for a time, and later by ~lr, and :;HI',", Perkin~, has heen, as ellSewhere, rno~t helpful' to the evangelistic work. Should the day evo!' come when the Chinese are as eager for the Gospel as they now are for the medicines of the foreign physician, the conversion of the Chinese will be at hand. The mission in North China is of recent origin, but it has been abundantly blessed of God. After more than thirty years of labor in Canton the American Board had but one station and several tens of converts. This was in the early stages of the China missions. In North China the Lord has given us in twenty-eight years five stations in the most important cities of Chihli, two stations in the western part of Shantung, and in these seven stations more than 1,000 converts. '1'he work laid upon the mission is great. The encouragements- to its performance are also gl·eat. The outlook for the future is full of promise. If the mission and its supporters go forward in humble trust in the ever present Saviour and in patient endurance of labor and trial, they will have the honor of being used by God, with other branches of His Church, to establish the Kingdom of Christ in these populous and powerful regions of China, into which ill His providence they were the first among Protestant missions to enter.
A PRIEST, finding a young Irish lad in his parish in possession of a Bible, att~mpted to take it from him on the plea that it was the prerogative of the spiritual father to feed his spiritual babes with " the sincere milk of the Word." " Your ri verence," replied the lad~ "I would rather kape the cow mYAelf."
A CLERICAL wag says that where denominational and sectarian feeling gets the upper hand in a community, even the church bells become intolerant and get a sectarian twang in the ears of the people. The Presbyterian bell seems to peal out, " Or-tho-doxy-orthodoxyl" the Episcopalian, "Con-fir-ma-tion-confirmation I" the :Methodist, "Come to the al-tar-come to the altar!" the Congregationalist, "Inde-pend-ence-independence I" and the Bapt5st, " '1Vant to be dipped-want to be dipped 1"
THE Island of Sumbawa (Sunda series) has the Tomhoro volcano on the north side. In 1815 was a terrific convulsion lasting over three months. '1'he sound was heard 1,000 miles off at Snmatra; the sky was dark with ashes at Java, and the sea covered with them to a depth of two feet for many miles. Awful whirlwinds swept over the land and sea, and out of 12,000 persons only 26 survived.
And yet, even such distress and desolation imperfectly represents, as in a figure, the awful destruction carried to body and soul by the prevalence of heathenism and paganism. Vice is deified and cruelty enthroned. Read Alexander Mackay's just-published memoirs, and get a glimpse of the atrocious cruelties of heathenism. It reminds us. of Java's Valley of Death, half a mile in circuit, where the prevalence of carbonic acid gas makes impossihle the survival of either animal or plant life. The JlIuseo Borbonico, at N aples, ~uggests that Pompeii lay in such a valley.
BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY
BUDDHISl{ AND CHRISl'IANIl'Y-A CRUSADE WHICH MUST BE MET.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.
On the 9th of November The New York Herald published an article of four columns and a half, over the signature of Baron Har- don Hickey, a professed Buddhist and missionary chosen to promul- gate Buddhist doctrines in the United States. To an interviewer of another paper Baron Hickey has expressed the belief that America is a peculiarly favorable field for the spread of Oriental doctrines.
The design of the article referred to, which was plausible and rather ably written, was to prove that the history and doctrines of the early Christianity were largely borrowed from Buddhist sources. A reply which was sent to '['lte Herald was refused admission to its columns, but inasmuch as this crusade is being waged in all parts of the United States where it ought to be met by the defenders of the Christian faith, that reply is herewith given in the columns of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW. "While well-established Christians and friends of miRsions are not to be disturbed by slich assailment~ as those of Baron Hickey, it is to be remembered that there is a vast border- land lying between the Christian church and the infidel associations of the country, and that it embraces millions of people, especially of the young, and' so long as our weapons of defense are so numerous snd so potential, it is not wise to leave this broad, neutral territory to the mercy of the enemy. The fact that many of the most influential and extensively circulated of our secular papers discriminate in favor of skepticism and irreligion, as being more sensational, renders it all the more necessary that the Christian church should be alert, and that through every legitimate avenue, the clear and convincing truth of Christianity should be as widely circulated as are the manifold errors of our time.
The assumption that Christ became a follower of Buddha is not new. There lies before me, a Buddhist Catechism, by Subhadra. which makes the same allegation. It declares that" the fundamental tenets and the personal character of the founder of Christianity are of Buddhist origin"; that "Jesus was an Arahat and attained Nirvana." Hardon Hickey goes farther and calls him the Maitreyeh whom Buddha predicted. There are a few truths mingled with Baron .Hickey's statements which should be distinguished from his erroneous conclusions. It is true that a limited intercourse was established between India and Greece by the conquests of Alexander, 327 B.C. A few references to Indian customs are found in Strabo, Arrian and Pliny, but it is the wildest assumption to claim that an influence which was so faint even in the great commercial marts, reached and moulded the peasant population of a J udean village, or that the influence was distinctively Buddhistic. Again it is true that asceticism prevailed throughout the East; but that th~ fasting of Christ was borrowed from Buddhism is absurd. ·Moses bsted forty days in Sinai centuries before Buddha was born. Besides, Indian asceticism belonged to Brahmanism and not to the Buddha. It was, indeed, practised by the Essenes, as it was also by the ancient Druids, the Peruvians, the },Iexicans, and even the Hottentots. Among the Jews there was an ascetic school of prophets at Gilgal centuries before Buddha's time.
The field of controversy on which Baron Hickey draws his sword has beeu fought over for the last hundred years, and the parallels which he presents have been exploded over and over again. A century ago Lieutenant Wilford espoused the theory that the entire civilization of Egypt, Palestine, Greece and Rome, including Christianity, had come from India. He importuned the pundits to search for manuscripts, and for a consideration they met the demand. He filled the magazines of Europe with his discoveries. But at last he was constrained to confess publicly that he had been the dupe of Brahman fraud.
A Frenchinan by the name of J acolliot has made a similar attempt in our own time, aiming to show that the life of Christ was a plagiarism upon the story of the Hindu Krishna. He, too, collected manuscripts and translated them; but Professor Max Muller has honeycombed his pompous displays of Oriental learning, and remanded him ~o the same category of dupes with Lieutenant Wilford. In volume V. of "Chips from a German Workshop," he says: "Much of the socalled Sanskrit is not Sanskrit at all, and J acolliot's ancient Vedic quotations are not Vedic and not ancient; they simply belong to the last half of the nineteenth century."
Ages ago Porphry adopted the same tactics, alleging that many things in the life of Christ had been anticipated by Pythagoras; and Julia Domna, wife of Severus, prompted Philostratus to work up a life of Apollonius of Tyana, which should match the history of Christ. (Uhlhorn's" Conflict," etc.) The very latest charge of plagiarism against Christianity has recently been made by the Aryas of India, who allege that the Westminster catechism has stolen its doctrinal statements from them.
Baron Hickey leaves us a little in doubt as to whether the copying from 13uddha is charged upon Christ and his immediate disciples or upon the "creed-mongers of Alexandria" at a later day, or whether all were concerned in the fraud. He thinks that there is no doubt that Christ studied Buddhism and became a disciple, and that Buddhist influence widely prevailed in Palestine. This implies that the Gospel history was in the outset strongly colored by the Buddhist narrative, and that Christ Himself adapted the events of His life to the Buddhist story. The emphasis, however, is put upon the plagiarism of the Alexandrine "creed-mongers." In replying as briefly as possible to Baron Hickey, I "hall endeavor to cover all these im- plications : In strong contrast with these cheap assertions of Alexandrine {lorruption and plagia)'ism is the frank admission of such keen critics as Renan, Yeiss, Volkmar, Schenkeland Hitzig, that the Gospel story as we have it was written during a generation in which some of the companions of Jesus still lived. Renan says of Mark's GORpel that "it is full of minute observations, coming, doubtless, from an eye-witness," and he asserts that :Matthew, Mark and I"uke were written "in substantially their present form by the men whose names they bear." These Gospels were the work of men who knew J eSUSj Matthew was one of the twelve; John, in his Epistle, speaks of him- self as an eye-witness. They were written in a historic age and were open to challenge. Thcy were nowhere contradicted in con- temporary history; they tit their environment and their age.
How is it with the authenticity of Buddhist literature? Oldenberg says: "For the when of things men of India have never had a propel' organ;" and Max Muller declares to the same effect that" the idea of a faithful, literal translation seems altogether foreign to Ori- ental minds." He also informs us that there is not a single manuscript relating to Buddhism ~'hich is a thousand years old, and scarcely one that can claim five hundred years. For centuries after Gautama's time nothing was written; all was transmitted by word of mouth. Buddhists themselves say that Pali canonical texts were written about 88 B.C.
Any fair comparison of the two histories should confine itself to the writings which are regarded as canonical and whose dates can be fixed. No more importance should be attached to the later Buddhist legends than to the "Apochryphal Gospels," or to the absurd "Ohristian I"egends," which appeared in the middle ages. The Buddhtst canon was adopted by the council of Patna, 242 B.C. The legends which Baron Hickey compares with the canonical story of Ohrist are not included in that canon, or, at most, very few of them. 'rhoy are drawn from certain poetical books written much later, and holding about the same relation to the Buddhist canon that the" Paradise Lost" and" Paradise Hegained," of Milton, bear to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Who would think of quoting "Paradise Lost" in any sober comparison of Biblical truth with the teachings of other religions?
Even the canonical literature, that which is supposed to contain tlIe true history and teachings of Buddha, is far from authoritative, owing to the acknowledged habit-acknowledged even by the author of the Dhammapada-of adding commentaries, notes, etc., to original teaclIings. Not only was thi8 common among Buddhist writers, but (lven more surprising liberties were taken with the narrative. For example, the legend describing Buddha's leave-taking of his harem is clearly borrowed from an earlier story of Yasa, a wealthy young householder of Benares, who, becoming disgusted with his harem, left his sleeping dancing girls, and fled to the Buddha for instruction. Davids and Oldenberg, in translating this legend from the" 11aha- vagga," say, in a note: "A well-known incident in the life of Buddha has evidently been shaped after the model of this story," and they declare that" nowhere in the Pall Pitakas is this scene of Buddha's leave-taking mentioned."
As another evidence of the way in which fact and fiction have been mixed and manipulated for a purpose, one of the legends, which has of-ten been presented as a parallel to the story of Christ, repre- sents the Buddha as repelling the temptation of :Mara by quoting texts of "scripture," and the scripture referred to was the Dhamma- pada. The blunder here is amusing; first, because the Dhammapada was compiled hundreds of years after Buddha's time, and second, there were no "scriptures" in Buddha's time, for nothing was written till two or three centuries later; and third, Buddha is made to quote his own subsequent teachings, for the Dhammapada clai.ms to consist of the sacred words of the" enlightened one." l10st of the legends of Buddhism were wholly written after the beginning of the Christian era, and it cannot be shown that any were written ill their present form until two or three centuries of that era had elapsed. T. Rhys Davids says of the" Lalita Yistara," which contains a very large proportion ofthem, that" there is no real proof that it existed in its present form before the year 600 A.D." The" Romantic Legend" cannot be traced farther back than the third century A.D. Oldenberg says, "No biography of Buddha has come down to us from ancient times, from the age of the Pali texts, and we can safely say that no such biography was in existence then." Beal declares that the Buddhist legend as found in the various epics of N cpaul, Thibet and China, "is not framed after any Indian model (of any date), but is to be found worked out, so to speak, among Northern peoples, who were ignorant of, or indifferent to, the pedantic stories of the Brahmans. In the Southern and primitive records the terms of the legend are wanting. Buddha is not born of a royal family/ he is not tempted befo1·e his enlightenment/ he works no miracles, and he is not a Universal Saviour."
The chances are decidedly that if any borrowing has been done it was on the side of Buddhism. :Mr. Hickey's assertion that 30,000 Buddhist monks from Alexandria once visited Ceylon (and he giyes this not as a legend but as a historic fact) is absurd on the face of it; hut that a Christian colony settled in 11alabar at a very early day is at tested by the presence of thousands of their followers even to this day. Christianity has always been restrictive and opposed to admixtures with other systems. It repelled the Neo-Platonism of the "creed-mongers" of Alexandria (they borrowed from Plato, not from Buddha), and it fought for two or three centuries against Gnosticism, Manichaeism and similar heresies; and the assumption, in the face of all this, that the Christian Church went out of its way to copy Indian Buddhism, must be due either to gross ignorance or to reckless misrepresentation.
On the other hand, it is in accordance with the very genius of Buddhism to borrow. It has absorbed every indigenous superstition, and entered into partnership with every local religious system from the Devil worship of Burmah and Ceylon to the'raouism of China and the Shintoo of Japan.
In its long-continued contact with Christianity it has changed from the original atheism of Gautama to various forms of theism, and in some of its sects, at least, from a staunch insistence on selfhelp alone to an out-and-out doctrine of salvation by faith. This is true of the Shin and Yodo sects of Japan. :From recognizing no God at all at first, Buddhism had, by the seventh century A.D., a veritable trinity with attributes resembling those of the Triune God of the Christians, and by the tenth century it had five trinities with one Supreme Adi-Buddha over them all. Each reader must judge whether these late interpolations of the system were borrowed from the New Testament Trinity which had been proclaimed through all the East many centuries before.
Buddhism is still absorbing various elements through the aid of its various apologists. Sir Edwin Arnold has greatly added to the force of its legends by the Christian phrases and Christian conceptions which he has read into them. Toward the close of the "I"ight of Asia" he also introduces into the Buddha's sermon at Kapilavostu the teachings of Herbert Spencer and others of our own time.
Even the" analogies" of the Buddhist legends, as a late apologist calls them, are undergoing a rapid development. Professor Seydel was ingenious enough, with the help of fact and fancy, to make out fifty-one" parallels" to the Gospel history; Baron Hickey has up to date" one hundred." Doubtless still more are to follow.
In discussing the specific charge of copying Buddhist legends in ~he Gospel narratives, we are met at the threshold by insurmountable improbabilities. To anyone who nnderstands the spirit of Judaism and its attitude toward heathenism of all kinds, it is simply inconceivable that the Christian disciples, whose aim it was to propagate the faith of their Master in a Jewish community, should have borrowed old Indian legends, which, by the very terms of Baron Hickey's supyosition, must have been widely known as such. And our Buddhist friends must admit that it is a little strange that the Scribes and Pharisees who were intelligent, and 3S alert as they were bitter, should never have exposed this transparent plagiarism. The great concern of the Apostles was to prove to Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the Christ of Old Testament prophecy. The whole drift of their preaching and their epistles went to show that the Gospel history rested squarely and uncompromisingly on a Jewish basis. Peter and John, Stephen and Paul constantly" reasoned with the Jews out of their own Scriptures." How unspeakably absurd is the notion that they were trying to palm off on those keen Pharisees a Messiah who, though in the outset at Nazareth he publicly traced his commission to Old Testament prophecy, was all the while copying an atheistic philosopher of India.
It is equally inconceivable that the Christian fathers should have copied Buddhism. They resisted Persian mysticism as the work of the devil, and it was in that mysticism, if anywhere, that Buddhist influence existed in the Levant. Whoever has read 'l'ertullian's withering condemnation of Marcion may judge how far the fathers of the Church favored the heresies of the East. Augustine had himself been a Manichean mystic, and when after his conversion he became the great theologian of the Church, he must have known whether the teachings of the Buddha were being palmed off on the Christian world. The great leaders of that age were men of thorough scholarship and of the deepest moral earnestness. Many of them gave up their po!'sessions and devoted their lives to the promotion of the truths which they professed. Scores of them sealed their faith by martyr deaths.
But even if we were to accept the flippant allegation that they were all imposters, yet we should be met by an equally insurmountable difficulty in the utter silence of the able and bitter assailants of Christianity in the first two or three centuries. Celsus prepared himself for his well-known attack on Christianity with the utmost care, searching history, philosophy and every known religion from which he could derive an argument against the Christian faith. Why did he not strike at the very root of the matter by exposing those stupid" creed-mongers" who were attempting to playoff upon the intelligence of the Roman world a clumsy imitation of the far-famed Buddha? It was the very kind of thing that the enemies of Ch:'istianity wanted. vVhy should the adroit Porphyry attempt to wor~.;: up a few mere scraps of resemblance from the life of Pythagoras and why should the wife of a Roman emperor employ a man to trump up precisely such a story as our baronial friend now asks us to believe, when all they had to do was to lay their hands upon familiar legends which afforded an abundance of the very articles in demand?
But altogether the most stupendous improbability lies against the whole assumption that Christ and His followers based their" essential doctrines" on the teachings of the Buddha. The early Buddhism was atheistic. This is the common verdict of Davids, Childers, Sir Monier Williams, Kellogg and many others. The Buddha declared that "without cause and unknown is the life of man in this world," and he recognized no higher being to whom he owed reverence. The "Buddhist Catechism," to which I have already referred, shows that modern Buddhism has no recognition of God.
It says (page 58): "Buddhism teaches the reign of perfect goodness and wisdom without a personal God, continuance of individuality without an immortal soul, eternal happiness without a local heaven, the way of salvation without a vicarious Saviour, redemption worked out by each one himself without any prayers, sacrifices and penances, without the ministry of ordained priests, without the intercession of saints, without divine mercy." And then, by way of authentication, it adds: "These and many othel's which have become the fundamental doctrines of the Buddhist religion were recognized by the Buddha in the night of his enlightenment under the bodhi tree."
And yet we are told that this is the system which Christ and His followers copied! Compare this passage with the Lord's Prayer or with the discourse upon the lilies and its lesson of trusts-I appeal not merely to Christian men, but to any man who has brains and common-sense-was there ever so preposterous an attempt to establish an identity of doctrines? But what is the evidence found in the legends themselves? Several leading Oriental scholars, and men not at all biased in favor of Christianity, have carefully examined the subject, and have decided that there is no connection whatever. Professor Seydel, of Leipsic, who has given the most scientific plea for the so-called coincidences, of which he claims there are fifty-one, has classified them as: (1) Those which have been merely accidental, having arisen from similar causes and not necessarily implying any borrowing on either side. (2) Those which seem to have been borrowed f~om the one narrative or the other, and (3) those which he thinks were clearly copied by the Christian writers. In this last class he names but five out of the fifty-one.
Kuenen, who has little bias in favor of Christianity, and who has made a very thorough examination of Seydel's parallels, has completely refuted these five. (See" National Religion and Universal Religion," page 362.) And, speaking of the whole question, he says: "I think we may safely affirm that we must abstain from assigning to Buddhism the smallest direct influence on the origin of Christianity." He also says of similar theories of De Bunsen, "A single instance is enough to teach ns that inventive fancy plays the chief part in them." (" Hibbert Lectures," 1882.) Rhys Davids, whom Subhadra's "Buddhist Catechism" approves as the chief exponent of Buddhism, says on the same subject: "I {lan find no evidence of any actual or direct communication of those ideas common to Buddhism and Christianity from the East to the West. " Oldenberg denies their early date, and Beal denies them an Indian origin of any date.
Let us now ctmsider Baron Hickey's analogies seriatim: 1. "The genedogies of both Buddha and the Christ are traced from their fathers, not their mothers." This parallel would fit }Iohammed as well as Buddha. The whole argument rests upon the assumption that the mother of Buddha was a virgin, which is con- trary to canonical Buddhist history. The Sacred and Historic Book of Ceylon translated by Edward Upham, tell us that Buddha was born in wedlock. The late King of Siam, in a sketch of the Buddha, says that "he was born of natural generation." Subhadra in his Catechism says that "his parents were King Suddhodana and Queen Maya." Even the wild J ataka legends of Ceylon declare the same. 2. Baron Hickey declares that the conception by the Holy Ghost, announced by Gabriel, corresponds with Maya's dream of the white elephant. But his story of the white dove is manufactured for the purpose; no such myth was ever held by any Christian sect. 3. He compares the coming of the wise men with frankincense with the Brahmans who hastened with congratulations to the palace of Suddhodana. There is no canonical authority for the latter, though it was a common custom, and would have no significance. 4. "As Herod was afraid of the child, so King Bimbasara told his ministers to search the land to find whether any famous child had been born." Herod meant murder; Bimbasara, according to the Jataka legends, merely sent to inquire about the great teacher and his doctrines. 5. "The Simeon of the Bible corresponds with the Brahman Asita, an aged man who came to see the thirty-two marks and the eighty signs of the Buddha." This is a clumsy after-thought. How should anybody be looking for marks of a Buddha on a Hindu baby thirty years before Buddhism had been thought of? 6. "The presentation of Jesus in the temple is similar to a corresponding one in the childhood of the Buddha." This is one of Professor Seydel's" evident cases of borrowing." But such presentations of children were required under both the Jewish and the Hindu systems, and the claim of any particular parallel is weak. 7. "In his twelfth year Jesus was found in the temple, discoursing with the doctors, so, also, the father of Buddha found his son in the wood, surrounded by sages, etc." This does not agree with the Sinhalese legends, which say that the Buddha's youth was given to pleasure, and that his zenana contained 40,000 dancing girls. 8. "The Buddha bathed in the stream N aranjana, and J esu~ was baptized." This bath occurred when Buddha resolved to abandon his Brahmanical asceticism; he no longer regarded dirt as a means of grace. Whoever has seen a Hindu fakir besmeared with wet ashes will realize the significance of Buddha's "j:>ath, and, there- fore, of Baron Hickey's parallel.
9. "The forty days' fast in the wilderness is· common to both teachers." If any borrowing were required it would have been done from the life of Moses, who fasted forty days in Sinai. Buddha. never fasted forty days. The" Mahavagga" tells us that after his "enlightenment" he passed twenty-eight days i'njoyou8 meditation. His "Middle Path" shunned fasting as one extreme. He had begun to eat. He received his enlightenment on a full stomach-the first in six years.
10. There is no real parallel in the temptations of the two, though both are said to have been tempted. Buddha was tempted, according to Southern legends, several times and in respect to differ- ent things, but not at the beginning of his ministry.
11. "The heavens opening and the voice from heaven proclaiming the teacher are to be found in the Buddhist scriptures." Where?'
12. As to Buddha's Sermon on the Mount, high and breezy summits were often resorted to, especially the Vulture's Peak. It· was an incident of a hot climate in both caseS.
13. "The first disciples of Jesus, and even Jesus Himself, were at first followers of John the Baptist. The number of disciples in both accounts was at first five, afterwards sixty. "(?) As a matter of fact, Christ's disciples were not graduates from the school of John, but were called from their fishermen's boats. Instead of being a teacher of Jesus, John felt unworthy to unloose His shoe latchet.
14. "Both performed wonders." Buddha particularly disclaimed miraculous powers: the miracles were subsequent embellishments.
1.5. The incident of Buddha's walking on water needs a more particular statement with time and place and authority.
16. That both he and the Christ had a presentiment of death is very probable.
1 7. It is quite possible, also, that, among the thousands of Buddha's converts, were courtesans; but that the rich and brazen Ambapali who invited the Buddha and his disciples to dine, was the model after whom the Gospel narrative 'formed the picture of the crushed and penitent Magdalene, is far-fetched.
18. As for triumphal entries into cities-if a crowd of followers is meant, both, probably, had many-Christ at Jericho as well as at Jerusalem. Buddha is said to have been followed on one occasion by twelve hundred people, and King Bimbasara is said to have interviewed him with 80,000 of his overseers! 19. (( Both systems were missionary religions from the start." This is true; but how paltry is the notion that a mere motive of imi- tation prompted the wide-spread evangel of Christianity!
20. Weare told that (( Buddha fed the hungry," instead of which he was a mendicant and carried a beggar's bowl, and never performed a miracle.
. 21. As to the question asked of Jesus by the by-standers: (( Did this man sin or Bis parents that he was born blind?" If metempsychosis was in their minds, they could have borrowed it from the Greeks who had held it from the days of Pythagoras.
As to the general question, there seems to be little need of assuming that these shadowy coincidences denote borrowing on either side. Many of them are merely fanciful and are the work of modern apologists. Many others are such natural correspondences as might spring from similar causes. If incidents have in any case been borrowed, the chances are much greater that all-absorbing ever-changing Buddhism has been the copyist.
New York, November 25, 1890.
[The editor is constrained to add that the article which is printed above is, as he thinks, the most painstaking production that Dr. Ellinwood has, perhaps, ever written. It is felt by many who have seen it before it appeared in these pages that it ought to be put in some permanent form. Rev. Dr. Paxton, of Princeton Seminary, has pronounced it "a perfect rejoinder." vVe make a great mistake if we assume that merely ignoring and" pooh-poohing" at the active and aggressive movements of error are going to meet the case. The war is upon us. The old fathers of the early churcn did not confine themselves to pious denunciation. Think of Tertullian, Cyprian, Ambrose, Origen, how they fought with the beasts of Ephesus, and how magnificently they conquered the haughty heathenism of Greece and Rome. This paper will undoubtedly be reprinted in tract form.] WE often speak of ourselves as only" instruments in God's hands." It is our privilege to think of ourselves, if we are truly His servants, as agents. An instrument is a dumb, senseless, lifeless thing, which has no active, intelligent power even to co-operate with him who handles and uses it; but an agent (ago) is one who acts)· however, in behalf of, and under control of, another, yet acting intelligently and individually, as Aaron spoke under Moses' dictation. Even the ox and ass yield a voluntary, intelligent obedience, and are far above the plo}V they drag or the goad by which they are urged on. Weare God's agents, and He worketh not only by us, but in us, both to will and to work. (See Greek of Philippians, ii., 13.)
THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF'THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
II. THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH.* BY PROFESSOR HENRY WOODWARD HULBERT.
It would be difficult to point out a scene of more dramatic historic interest than that laid in the upper room of prayer at Jerusalem in the year 30 A.D., between Thursday, May 18th, and Sunday, May 28th. The Master had gone, never to return to quiet again the doubt of a Thomas with a material argument. He had left them unexpectedly, but His parting words contained a promise and a command. The little, trembling church, ~he muscles of whose lips had hardly ceased articulating the question: "Lord, dost Thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" was waiting with breathless expectation to be clothed upon with power. There sat restless Peter, the echoes of whose blasphemies had hardly died away. There were John and J ames and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of J ames. There were the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his. brethren and others, swelling the number of names to one hundred and twenty-one hundred and twenty poor, weak men and women in the midst of a rich and powerful civilization with as many millions. The minute hand in the great clock of destiny was rapidly nearingthe critical point. The child of many promises, the dream of patriarchs and kings and prophets, the only tangible outcome of the life and death of Jesus the Messiah-the fate of all seemed to hang in the balance. The whole future of the world-its wide-spread lands, its. unnumbered billions (present and to come)-lay in the prayers of a few broken-hearted, yet believing souls. 'Vho could have predicted the result?
Let us notice, in a cursory way, the geographical conditions. which surrounded this little church of six score members on May 28th,. 30 A.D. Putting aside very largely the profounder conditions, moral and intellectual, we ask: What were the natural, political, commercial, linguistic and racial features of the known world which were to compose the environment of the primitive church as it commenced its conquest of the globe? An answer to this question will involve a study of (1) the extent of the known world at that era, (2) the character and extent of the Roman civilization, (3) the commercial and' military relations of this civilization to outlying barbarism, (4) the spread of the Latin and especially the Greek languages, and lastly (5) the wide dispersion of the Jewish race throughout the world.
Take an ordinary school globe and cover up on it all that portion unknown to the geographers, 30 A.D., and we are at once impressed with * For article I. of this series see MISSIONAl!.Y REVIEW OF THE WORLD, Jan- uary, 1890, pp. 26-32. the small extent of the known world. It seems like a mere toy as contrasted with the great bustling earth of to-day. As far as civilization was concerned that was nothing more than a Mediterranean world. A stretch of three thousand miles east and west, and of fifteen hundred miles north and south contained it all. Britain was still unconquered. The fierce Parthian, hardly weaned from his pastoral life in Central Asia, was the greatest organized enemy of Rome. He had learned a little bit of the lesson of civilization from the conquered Persian, but he was still essentially barbaric. India was superficially known by navigators, and far-away China was reached by caravan routes. Travelers occasionally brought in reports of strange lands an.d peoples; captives struggled back to the confines of civilization with marvelous tales of Hyperborean paradises, and one-eyed monsters; but all about this confined areaof terra cognita lay the great, impenetrable cloud-land of terra incognita. The Pentecostal church prayerfully faced the Roman civilization, but what of the vast stretches of sea and land still veiled from their eyes, but included in their }faster's last command? In spite of ignorance, which they shared with the wisest of antiquity, the apostolic leaders were able to grasp the thought" every knee shall bow and every' tongue confess to God." Their faith was wider than the known world. They were assured that there could not be " Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman, but Christ is all and in all." Peter's vision on the housetop at Joppa, teaching the impartial love of God to every human soul on earth, was the most comprehensive social lesson the world ever received. The apostles and the earliest evangelists are supposed to have done missionary work far outside the limits of the empire, going as far as India and Sonthern Russia.
But the immediate task before Christianity was the conquest of the centres of civilization-the Roman Empire. Let us notice the geographical characteristics of this Mediterranean world as related to the company of Christian believers in J ernsalem. (1) It was an empire of cities. Rome began with a city, she conquered cities, and from beginning to end her genius was municipal. In the East this was not so strictly true as in the West. The nomad life of the Orient could not be so easily brought and held together; but Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt were honeycombed with thrifty cities. Christianity must needs then handle cities and their thronging population. As the apostles looked out upon the Roman empire they found from four to five thousand cities to be reached. For three or four centuries Christianity was destined to be municipal in its methods, and this gave a determining bent to the whole future of the Church. (2) The tideless }:Iediterranean furnished easy access by water from city to city. It was covered with sails employed ill a thrifty commerce. The Roman fleet swept the pirates from the seas and gave security to the humblest craft. A great number of the cities were situated on or near the sea, and a map of the coast looks like a string of pearls broken only at the Bosphorus and at Gibraltar. (3) Splendid Ro- man roads connected all parts of the empire so that news was carried rapidly and power was quickly concentrated and distributed. From Jerusalem one could walk over these superb roads, a few years later, all the way to Scotland, with only the narrow bodies of water to cross, a distance of 4,080 Roman miles (3,740 English). Along these highways trudged the messenger of the Gospel, from city to city, counting the mile·stones as he went, and wondermg, perhaps, whether the words of the prophet were not fulfilled: "Cast ye up, cast ye up: prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people." (Isaiah Ivii~14.) (4) Over one hundred million people were thus by land and water ways compactly drawn together in a territory containing less than two million square miles. Geographically considered, no portion of the globe furnishe.s so interesting a bat~le·field for religious conquest as the territory of the old Roman empire.
Roman civilization spread itself outside its own regions by two methods-commercial and military-and Christianity must needs follow in the track of merchants and armies. Caravan rontes came streaming in like rivers into the common basin of the Mediterranean, through the trackless Sahara from Central Africa, down the Nile from the Great Lakes, from Yemen along the Red Sea, from the Persian Gulf through the Syrian desert, and from Mesapotamia, where was centred the trade of Central Asia. To this husy mart on the eastern border of the empire, came pouring in the treasures from the Persian Susa, from Hyrcania and from Bactria, which in turn drew npon China through Statio Mercatorum and upon Hindustan and Farther India through Clisobra.
Turning from the land trade to, the sea, the routes are no less numerous or patronized. The whole coast of Southern Asia was familiar to the merchants and regular routes by sea were open, find· ing their natural termini in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Along this extensive seaboard on the Indian Ocean the rude craft crept timi,lly without the compass, but the markets of Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome were well stocked with the dainties of the far East. Another thrifty line of commerce found its way from the great river systems of what is to.day Russia, down through the Bosphorus. Still 3nother line came pouring into the outlet of the Mediterranean from distant Britain, and daring navigators pushed along the coast of the North Sea, and even penetrated the Baltic lands in search of trade. If a little later we find Christianity firmly planted in far-away places let us not be astonished. The door was providentially open and the missionaries of the early church could easily enter. A very large portion of the earliest evangelists were merchants, and the laity from the first have furnished the main agencies for the spread of the Gospel.
Garrisons of Roman soldiers were stationed all along the borders of the empire. These military barracks soon became centres from which Christianity could spread outside the civilized world. The new religion took easily to the Roman camp and these isolated spots along the Rhine, the Danube, the Euxine and the Euphrates became points of light. Tracing the legend of St. George back to the facts of which it is a distortion, we find that he was one of these Roman soldiers. When the armies pushed beyond the boundaries of the empire Christianity was sure to go with them. Christian soldiers captured and enslaved by barbarians were the means of converting whole nations.
Another geographical condition of the greatest importance to Christianity was the wide extent of the territory over which the Greek and the Latin languages were spoken. The administration of civil and military government was through the Latin. The language of business, science and literature was the Greek. At the opening of the Christian era Hellenistic Greek was the lingua Franca of the Roman world. Greek colonies had been established all around the :Mediterranean, and these had determined the language of commerce-there has never been an instance in history where the language of commerce has failed finally to win its way to every station of life. It is a truism that Greek letters and arts conquered Rome more effectually than the legions of the Republic had overcome the Peninsula of Hellas. The New Testament was composed in this universal language, and all through the early centuries Christian churches were Hellenistic. Later on the Latin tongue took the supremacy in the 'Vestern world and still remains the liturgical language of the majority of Christians.
But more important to the Christian Church than any of the conditions mentioned was the geographical distribution of the Hebrew race. Everywhere synagogues were the early preaching-places of the apostles, and the majority of the Christians of the first century were of Jewish extraction. Christianity, as the fulfillment of the Old Testament religion, naturally turned to the be,lievers in that Revelation. Providentially, it seems, these seven millions of people, with their monotheism, their nobler conceptions of God and their purer ethics and life had been scattered broadcast over the Roman world and even beyond its boundaries. The Sibylline oracle says that "every land and every sea" was filled with them. Strabo, writing of the century before Christ, says that the Jewish people had already come into every city and that it was not easy to find a place in the world which had not received this race and was not occupied by them. Josephus, Philo, imperial epistles, as well as the Acts of the Apostles, tell the same story. Forcibly torn from their country, frightened away from Palestine, the battle-ground of the Asiatic world, enticed away by flattering offers from Ptolemy, Seleucidae and Roman governors, lured to the most distant climes by the hope of gain-this race started out on the most singular career history can show us of a nation keeping its nationality without a national terri- tory.
Let" us notice more particularly their whereabouts in the year 30 A.D. There were three centres about which the Jews were gathered in masses-Syria, Egypt and Mesopotamia-although some parts of Asia Minor and Cyrene in Africa might almost be ranked with the three·mentioned. At the time of which we are dealing there were, according to the latest and best authorities, four million Jews in Syria from the Taurus range to the Sinaitic peninsula-a population twice as large as that occupying that same region to-day. Jerusalem, Damascus and Antioch were the centres; but we may suppose that every city and village in Syria had representatives, and that houses of prayer were found everywhere.
In Egypt Philo (an Alexandrian Jew born about 20 B. c.) estimated that there were one million Jews out of a total of nine million inhabitants. The city of Alexandria had several quarters occupied exclusively by this race. Prayer-houses were found all over the city. Jews were scattered overthe Delta and up the Nile we know not how far. The Falashas of Abyssinia to-day indicate a powerful Jewish influence on the upper Nile at an early period. The Jewish sect of the Therapeutre had their chief seat on Lake Maroetis. The influence of the Alexandrian Jews was all out of proportion even to their great numbers.
There were one million Jews in Mesopotamia and Babylonia, on the very b,:mier of the empire. These were the descendants of those members of the ten tribas and of the Kingdom oi Judah, who had been carried away in captivity and had not returned. In fact, after the so-called return from captivity these eastern communities seem continually to have grown by accessivns from all parts. J osephud count:'! these colonies of his people not by thousands but by millions. The Talmudic schools of Babylon were equally influential with the western schools. Elsewhere it is estimated that there were scattered one million Jews, making seven millions in all. They seem to be living everywhere in Asia Minor. Strabo divides the inhabitants of Cyrene into four classes-citizens, agriculturists, metoikoi andJewsshowing that this race, so troublesome to the Roman authorities, was numerous there. We find traces of Jews all along the north coast of Africa. In Thrace, Macedonia and Greece we know from the Book of the Acts that they were plentiful. Agrippa's epistle to Caligula. also gives ample evidence. At Rome and Puteoli there were large colonies of Jews-Cicero, Suetonius, Philo and Josephus are our witnesses for Italy. They were found in Spain and Gaul in all the cities. 'Herod Archilaus was banished to Vienne and Herod Antipas to Lugdunum (I,yons) both in the Rhone Valley. Outside the Roman empire we know there were Jews in Ethiopia, Southern Arabia, Ar-' menia, Iberia, Chalchis, Crimea, II.):rcania, and even in distant China.. In fact, it is difficult to mention a district of the known world at the date 30 A.D., which did not have representatives of the Jewish race.
These, then, were the more important geographical conditions that faced the Pentecostal church of six score members. There was the Roman empire with its roads and harbors and languages. All about this lay unknown lands and tribes with theil' unnumbered millions. Scattered all over the known world were the Jewswho furnished just so many open doors to the religion ,of the Messiah. It will be the object of succeeding papers to show how the little church threw 'itself fearlessly into the conflict, and won province after province for the kingdom of its. Master, and to show how we have entered into their labors.
THE RAPID GROWTH OF ASIATIC POPULATIONS.
. This is written you from one of our inland stations, one of ~ group of a dozen villages right round about. The one thing that always strikes me in a Chinese town or village is the number of small children that are running loose all around. One thing is certain, the population of this already overgrown empire is certain to be kept ur.
More than that, it is growing within the past twenty-five years with increased rapidity. One estimate puts it now at a yearly advance of four millions. We dwell on the growth of our own population at home, but China is advancing nearly three times as fast. Forty millions in ten years is enough to start and stock a new nation.
Japan, too, is growing rapidly in numbers. A few years ago the people were estimated at thirty-seven or thirty-eight millions. Now the government puts them at forty millions. India, too, shows remarkable results. The census is taken there with great care by the British government. The last census was taken in 1881. Since the previous one taken along from 1867 to 1872 in the different provinces, the gain had been 15,010,304. In all these cases the population is by natural increa~e, and not, as in the United States, by immigration.
These are solemn and impressive figures taken in their 'bearing 011 Christian r'nissions. It will not do to wait till the Jerusalem folks are all converted. ""V. ASHMORE. Swatow, Ohina.
ARE WE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST?
ARE WE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST?
[FOR THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.] " 'Vhosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."-Luke xiv: 33.
"One thing thou Iackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, take up the cross, and follow me."-Mark x: 21.
" But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet."-Acts v: 1,2.
Examining ourselves, as individuals and as churches, how many disciples of Christ can we find, according to the criterion He has es- tablished in the explicit rule and the explicit injunction above quoted?
No dodging! Let us not get behind the pretense of a heart forsaking, while our hands tenaciously grasp the bulk of our possessions. Let us at least not mock God and" lie unto the Holy Ghost," by saying, "Yes, Lord, I give all to 'fhee," while we actually give nothing, or a dole, or a tithe; lest we join ourselves with Ananias and Sapphira.
in infamy as well as perdition. " Itwere better not to vow."
But all of us members of evangelical churches have thus vowed.
We have all made the profession, or pretense, of Ananias and Sap- phira. 'Ve have consecrated ourselves and all that we have-our persons, our possessions and our children to the Lord. WHERE then are the proceeds? Are they fully laid at His feet, according to the profession? Or is a " part" of them" kept back"? Is it an honest profession, or a lying pretense like that of those two dreadful monu- ments of the Lord's indignation at hypocrisy in the Church? 'Ve do not know how large a part Ananias and Sapphira kept back. Proba- bly it was a small proportion, such as they thought would not be noticed. How many modern Ananiases and Sapphiras are agreeing together to tempt the Spirit of ~he Lord, while joining in the com- muniun of His supreme self-sacrifice, by keeping back, not a minor proportion, but NEARLY ALL, of that which they have solemnly and Imblicly dedicated.
Far be it from us to judge one another. But let us remember that there is a Judge, and that if we would judge ourselves we shoald not be judged. Let us not flatter ourselves, or each other, with vain hopes in Christ that are explicitly excluded by His own reiterated warnings. Can sinners hope for heaven Who love this world so well ?
And are not the ministers of Christ themselves derelict if they €ncourage, even tacitly, the assumption of discipleship on the part of those who give no evidence of a bonafide assignment of so much as thcir pr-operty to the Lord that bought them?
W. C.
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 12::>
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK.
-De Macedonier gives the following statistics for Java: 'Vest Java, 11 missionaries, 21 congregations, 20 helpers, 1,963 souls; Bagalen, 4 missic;maries, 60 congregations, 2helpers, 5,937 souls; Salatega Mission, 5 missionaries, 18 congregations, 6 helpers, 534 souls; East Java, 9 missionaries, 27 congregations, 54 helpers, 6,276 souls. Whole number of souls, 14,710. In 1886, 10,979. Increase, 3,731; yearly rate, 11i per cent.
-De Heidenbode, the organ of the Nederlandsche Gereformeerde Zendingsvereeniging (Netherlands Reformed Missionary Association) says very pertinently: "When the sigh ascends from the churches to heaven: 'Lord, the 1,000,000,000 souls of the unchristian world have no bread,' whatis his answer? The same as in the wilderness to his disciples: 'Give ye them to eat.' He was compassionately willing to feed the hungering multitudes, yet he sent down no bread from heaven, and brought up no fish from the sea. The disciples were to give them what they had, and this He blesses, so that there is enough and to spare. Even so, He does not preach the Gospel to the nations through angels, or send down Bibles from heaven in all the varying tongues of earth. We are to give them what we have, and He will add the blessing. "
-The Journal des Missions for September, 1890, gives account of the baptism at Thaba-Bossiou, in Lessuto, of 90 adults.
-The following letter of welcome from King Lewanika, on the Zambesi, to M. Adolph Jalla, is not a bad letter from a heathen king: "To the new missionary, health! Come soon with the peace of thy God. I thank thee for thy letter. I too would fain see thee and salute thee soon, new missionary! I shall soon rejoice to see thee with my eyes. Health, health, it is I who love thee.-LEwANIKA."
-The Journal des Missions, .speaking of the efforts making by some governments to decoy the missionaries into the service of their particular interests, says: "Woe to the herald of the good news of Christ's free salvation who lets himself be enticed by a worldly master, under the cover of promoting civilization, into the service of colonial interests! Here, as elsewhere, everything goes to show that no man can serve two masters, that the church and the world are two distinct domains, that the salvation of souls and the supposed interests of colonists are the most often mutually incompatible."
-The definitive recognition, by England, of Madagascar as under the protectorate (a polite way of saying under the dominion) of France, has led to well-founded apprehensions concerning the London Society's missions there, which have Christianized the ruling tribe of the Hovas. We remember only too well the declaration of the Protestant Guizot: "France abroad means Catholicism." To be sure, the treaty expressly provides that" in the island of Madagascar the missionaries of the two countries shall enjoy a complete protection, religious tolerance, liberty for all forms of worship and for religious instruction are guaranteed." But who believes that if the Jesuits once more came to govern France they would allow it to keep this treaty except evasively? And England is not now the England of Cromwell, or even of Chatham. However, the Protestant steadfastness of Queen Pomare and the Tahitians will doubtless be emulated by Queen Ranavalona and the Hova churches. It is a matter of great thankfulness that the Protestant mission of our French brethren on the Zambesi is likely to be rescued from the ignoble clutch of Portugal and assigned to the benign guardianship of England. The inroads of the children of Mammon, unhappily, cannot be restrained by any power. " Never," says the Journal, "has the world witnessed a partition so gigantic. Whatever may come of it, He that sitteth in the heavens (says yet) I have set my Ki.ng upon my holy hill of Zion."
It is not to be understood, of course, that all the French colonial officers are hostile to Protestant missions. Some are themselves Protestants, and others are friendly to every elevating influence abroad, Protestant or Catholic. M. de Brazza, the great agent of extending the French authority along the right bank {)f the lower Congo, has himself urged the Societe des Missions to establish its mission on the Congo, and promised it his best support. And, although since the loss of Alsace-Lorraine, the French Protestants are only some 600,000 out of 38,000,000, yet their greater mental freedom, more earnest religion, and higher moral standard, make them an antagonizing power manifold greater than their numbers against both atheism and ultramontanism.
-Dr. Warneck, in the Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrift, in answer to a deprecatory remark of Major Wissmann, that Protestant missions ought not to shrink from criticism, observes very pertinently that Protestants criticise their own missions rather too much than too little. Roman Catholics, possessed as they are with the instinct of infallibility, do not criticise theirs at all.
Major Wissmann puts the Roman Catholic missions in Africa above the Protestant, as putting the labora before the ora (which they would hardlyacknowledge), declaring that the Protestants reverse the order. Dr. Warneck replies that they do neither the one nor the other, but, as commanded by Jesus Christ, teach faith in Him, which then becomes the inner principle of both prayer and labor. Dr. Wissmann, like most of such men, seems to regard the Africans only in one light-their relation to the labor market. But, as Dr. Warneck remarks, the Catholic missionaries have bought children (doubtless with the most benevolent intentions) over whom they have power. The Protestants exhort to industry free people, over whom they have only influence. The immediate industrial results, therefore, are more noticeable on the side of the former. The lasting results will turn more largely to the credit of the latter. Even now Major Wissmann acknowledges that, industrially, the Livingstonia Mission equals the best Catholic misl!ions. The trouble with the Catholic missions is, that however benevolently they treat their converts, in so many cases they do not teach them how to go alone.
Dr. Warneck remarks that, although where the Roman Catholics, as in China, have been laboring for three centuries, they have naturally an absolutely greater number of converts, yet they seldom have relatively so large a number if we compare time, outlay, and number of laborers, and that in fields where they and the Protestants have both labored for nearly the same time, the absolutely greater number of converts is almost everywhere on the Protestant side, excluding the European immigrants whom the Catholic reports count in, and whom the Protestant reports count out. Even in East Africa, to which Major 'Wissmann principally refers,the Catholics (not including Uganda.the statistics of which are undetermined) only claim some 2,000 converts, over against some 4,500 of the Protestant missions.
"The present Protestant missions proceed simply in theway of the apostolic missions, when they put their confidence, not in the forms of outward worship, but in the power of evangelical truth. And to-day, also, we do not find that this confidence puts us to shame, as is shown by the results of our missions, e.g., in the South Sea Islands, as well as in West and East Africa, where we have gathered fully a million of free Christians from among the heathen into well organized, and in part already independent, churches. We may well allow that the outward worship of the Roman Church has a certain share in the results of her mission; but much more are these owing to other outward means, e.g., purchase of children, concession of temporal advantages, employment of the civil power, connivance with heathen irregularities, etc."
-In' view of the sharp national animosities, which have attached them- selves to the relations between the Anglo-American Stanley and the German Emin Pasha, the following judgment of Stanley, founded on his latest book, from the great German missionary magazine, is of much value. The Zeit- schrift, has throughout, while genuinely German, held itself clear of all exag- gerated nationalism, in matters which concern universal.humanity and the kingdom of God: "This book leaves no doubt that in Stanley we have to do not only with one of the most heroic, circumspect, enduring of travelers, but also with a warm friend of mankind, a great student of human nature, a wise dealer with men, and a conscientious performer of the commissions assigned to him. He is not lacking in self-consciousness, and the energy with which he is wont to act sometimes verges on recklessness; but without the inflexible firm- ness, which ever and anon degenerates into harshness, he would never have overcome the absolutely gigantic difficulties which lay in his way, and never have attained his end. But Stanley is by no means merely a valiant man of iron will, he has also a warm heart, is full of motherly carefulness, fidelity and devotion to his friends, white and black, nor is he wanting in humility and a sound feeling of piety." He would hardly be a Welshman if his sense of religion were not strong.
-The Societe Centrale Protestante d'Evangelisation, in its forty-third an- nual report, that of 1889, says: "It has a faith, and it confesses it. In this re- gard it has gone beyond the Synod of 1872. It used to be said, as it still is: Why these doctrines? Is not life enough? Bring near the prophets, remove the doctors; inflame the heart and take no care about the head. Inflame the heart with what? The heart, too, has need of reasons, and the reasons of the heart are the very doctrines which you reject. According as these doctrines are pre$ent or absent, religious fervor increases or declines. History teaches us that in all times moral is closely connected with doctrinal relaxation. Why, then, should we separate the prophets and the doctors, as if they did not belong together? They imply each other, they do not exclude each other. Let me only cite three names: St. Paul, St. Augustine, Luther-three glorious prophets and three illustrious doctors. But for the doctrines which it has adopted and propagated, the Central Society would not have done what it has done, for it would neither have felt nor kindled the same confidence."
-" France is divided into two camps, of equal passion, if not of equal strength. The religious society anathematizes the civil society; the civil society anathematizes the religious society, and ever and anon the one point on which they seem to agree is that it is the duty of each to murder the other. Lost in this tumult of battle, what are we doing, we, French Protestants of every denomination? We maintain religious faith and bless social progress. We show France how she may be at one with herself, and be at the same time Christian and liberal. If, weaned of their bitter and resultless struggles, civil and religious society are minded some. day to make peace, they will make it, not under our name, indeed, but on our territory. The triumph of Protestant principles, whether under Protestant forms or not, is the religious future of our country, and of every country." Free religion, not in the infidel but in the Christian sense, as against the compelled religion of the middle ages.
-The Danish churches raised for missionary purposes in 1888, about $24,000. ENGLISH AND AMERICAN EXTRACTS.
-The Church Missionary Gleaner for October reports as ready to go out six university men, six clergymen from the Islington school, nineteen single ladies and four others. Adding the wives-" whom we must never leave out of account "-and there is a total of ninety-one new missionaries. "But the day is rapidly coming when that will seem quite small."
-It seems that, as with the ark of old, each African tribe has been afraid to keep the bones of Bishop Hannington, being persuaded that the wrath of heaven has attended each attempt to detain them, until at last they are given to an Englishman who comes from the coast "by the route which Hannington" in his last moments, declared that he died to secure!"
-Miss Ridley, lately gone to China, says in the Gleaner: "I do not do much else but study. I am standing, as it were, on the brink of a wonderful ocean –this difficult, interesting and fascinating language-just playing with a few of the drops."
-It is known that the aborigines of Japan are the Ainos, or Ainus, now mostly found in the northern island, Yezo. They are very degraded, but are said to be rather of our type of race than of the Mongolian. It has been questioned whether they have retained any religion. But the Church Missionary Society missionary to them, Rev. J. Batchelor, writes in the Gleaner, that " they firmly believe in a God who is the life giver and benevolent sustainer of all, and they thankfully and dutifully acknowledge His gifts and mercies."
-It is known how highly the Church of Scotland, both Established and Free, values education in India. It is now, in the Established branch, engaged in reviewing this whole question, and corresponding widely with authorities in Indian affairs. Some of the answers deserve reporting: Sir Charles U. Aitchison, late lieutenant-governor of the Punjab, is very sure that if the chasm now yearning in Hindu belief is filled up by an unchristian theism, the church will have all the sapping and mining to do over again. He mentions the American College at Lahore, as one of the types of schools that ought to be multiplied through India, giving university training, together with the steady personal application of Christian truth by cultivated men. "God forbid," he says, "that I should undervalue preaching and evangelizing. I believe India is only waiting for some native St. Paul to turn by thousands to the Lord. But the more active you are in your schools the better you will be prepared for that day when it comes." Even now, he says, the most and the best converts are from the schools. f Sir William Wilson Hunter says that a Christian government cannot give anti-christian, and, in India, cannot give Christian teaching. The result is deplored, deservedly, by the natives of India. Missionary schools alone can make good the lack. Such schools the government feels free to aid. " It would not do," he says, "that just as Hinduism and Mohammedanism are entering the field of education more largely, Scotland should withdraw from it. Alexander Duff and John Lawrence," he remarks, " went to India in one fear. One saved India for England; the other rescued Christianity from sinking again into such a degradation as that into which the uneducated' Portuguese Christians' had brought it."
Sir William Muir, Sir Henry Ramsay and Sir Richard Temple give similar testimony.
The Rev. Robert Clark, of the Church Missionary Society, thinks that there are friendly Hindu and Moslem teachers whose influence is positively better than that of some nominally Christian teachers. He calls them "Hiram's Carpenters. " It is an error to suppose that the Scottish Establishment in India spendo chiefly for schools. £2,492 is spent for them; £5,488 on evangelistic work.
The Rev. D. Mackicham, D.D., of the Free Church, remarks that there are fewer conversions now at such schools than at first. This he attributes (1) to the great modifications of Hinduism, giving a temporary resting-place to many; (2) to the religious indifference of the age; (3) to the stronger political life awakening in India, carrying off much moral force–all temporary causes, but operative at present.
The Rev. A. Clifford, of the Church Missionary Society, says that "Dr. Duff's converts are the backbone of the native church in Bengal." Few, but mighty.
Bishop Caldwell and Mr. Sharrock declare that these higher schools are the unly way of reaching the higher castes. The Roman Catholics, moreover, are waking up to the importance of education, and the question is, into which scale enlightened India shall be thrown.
James Wilson, Esq., twenty-five years missionary in India, says that the condition of India, that is, especially of Hinduism, with iis compact society and overmastering religion, is unique. Individual conversions cannot be there, at present, the main end. India is a mighty rock to be tunneled, and educa- tion is the process of tunneling. The rate of conversion among the aborig- ines, who may be called the soft rock, does not at all give the rate among the Hindus, who are emphatically the hard rock. As yet, no method of labor has gained many conversions from Hinduism proper. That mission schools have not, therefore, is not against them, while for ultimate results we may well re- gard them as an indispensable agency.
The Hindus are beginning to be alarmed at the absence of ethicai teaching from the government schools. One Hindu journal, quite independent of direct missionary influence, calls for the introduction of a little book, called" The Precepts of Jesus," compiled by Rajah Ramahun Roy, the original leader, I believe, of the Brahmo Somaj. Says Mr. Wilson: "I have nothing to say against other methods of spreading the truth; but I, for one, have no regrets that so many years of my life were spent in India in diffusing among the young people of that country knowledge of any and every kind, including that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation."
Judge Roberts, of the Punjab, brings like testimony to the grievous decline of morality and integrity which has followed the divorce of religion and education. The Rev. S. S. Allnutt, M.A., late of Cambridge, nowof Delhi, says that this system starves the HiNdu conscience, already weak, and leaves the intellectual to struggle with. the animal nature, aggravated by an English propaganda of atheism, "rampant, vaunting, undisguised." The vile Bradlaugh has recently, we remember, visited India, partly to prosecute this apostolate of hell. Even the Mohammedans, it appears (except the heretical Shiites) disdain to acknowledge sin before God, or profess repentance of it. Mr. Allnutt wholly condemns the too usual practice of allowing heathen teachers to give formal instruction in Christain doctrine. _ The Rev. John Paton, formerly chaFllain in Bombay says: "Convert all the aboriginal types and leave the Brahmanical castes untouched, and you have only touched Hindu religion by the fringe. Neglect neither Aryans nor non- Aryans, nor the methods best suited to the genius of either. A mighty citadel (and no citadel of heathenism compares with Hinduism) must be besieged with infinite patience and manful use of every form of appliance." Principal Miller, of Madras, says that the Jesuits have a broad outlook, and the Protestant missions, as yet, a narrow one. Shall educated India, he asks, be Jesuit or Protestant? He strongly condemns the helter-skelter mutual emu- lation of Protestant schools. One-fourth of their revenues, he says, have been spent in paralyzing another fourth.
Mr. Mozumdar, the Brahmo Somaj leader, says that he knows mission school graduates above others by their superior moral principle and greater firmness of character.
A Hindu jurist, callmg for religious education in government schools, de- clares it better that a few should embrace the faith of Christ than that all should become practical atheists.
The Rev. John Monson, B.D., of Calcutta, says that if Protestants do not want Protestant Christianity in India to be absorbed by Roman Catholicism, they must not relax, but intensify, their efforts for the higher education.
The Rev. Johr. Crawford, B.D., says: "Christ has gained, because natives have seen men of all Christian creeds in Britain establishing Christian colleges."
The Rev. Herbert J. Thomas remarks: "The best that the natives of India can say of the English Government is that it is without religion; and they think no better of the English on that account, as their newspapers abundantly show."
On the other hand, various eminent authorities, among them Sir Monier Williams, speak doubtfully as to the results of these schools.
In 1863 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland decided that its higher schools in India should be deeply modified, in the direction of much fuller instruction in religion. Thus modified, it appears to be the mind of the present Missionary Committee, that they ought decidedly to be maintained, as being a needed counteractive to the irreligion of the government schools, and as peculiarly agreeable to the Scottish genius. The General Assembly is yet to take action on the report of the committee.
The Colonial and Continental Church Society, an Anglican institution, formed "to send clergymen, cathechists and schoolma:sters to the colonies of Great Britain and to British residents in other parts of the world," is important among those many semi-missionary societies called into being by the peculiar nature and relations of that dominion" on which the sun never sets." Its total income for 1889-90 was £35,668, of which £17,600 was raised at home, the remainder in the colonies and on the continent. The society takes a part in the Indian missions of British America. It also aims at commending to the French-Canadians a purer form of the Gospel. It appears to represent principally the evangelical school of the Church of England. We observe that the Marquis of Salisbury is one of its subscribers, and that his eminent competitor is not. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel seems to do the same work for the High Church party, although it is an extensive, and in various places rather an interfering, foreign missionary society.
-The Church Missionary Intelligencer for October, 1890, remarks: "The British Empire at the present time is five times larger than that of ancient Persia under Darius; it is four times larger than that of Rome under Augustus; and it is one-eighth larger than all the Russias put together; it is three times the size of the United States, sixteen times that of France, and forty times that of Germany, if we leave out of account her recently acquired territory in Africa. Now, if we admit that God guides the affairs of men, surely there must be some sufficient reason fot placing such. vast popUlations under our control, and when we remember that all these pos~essions have come to us since. the Reformation, it seems as if we had in this fact a hint as to what the reason is!"
-The same number of the Intelligencer, warning against expectations of what may be called a tumultuary movement of conversion in India, says: "In very truth there is no possibility in India of such a thing as a popular movement. There is no public opinion-how could there be in a body of 250,000,000 of people, of divers races, speaking a great number of different languages, and disintegrated by the cleavage of caste, by no means conformable to the strata of society? The conversion of a whole caste would render that of the next above it none the easier, rather all the more difficult. The ocean of Indian thought has been for ages stagnant; there are in it neither tides nor prevailing currents. But the w~ter of life is pouring into it, and creating, at all events, local eddies, which go swirling onwards steadily, spite of their back-waters, towards the throne of Christ."
-The Intelligencer quotes from two organs of·two branches of the Brahmo Somaj the two following declarations: "Christ Jesus. . is as much necessary in this age and in India as He was 1,800 years ago in Judea. As sinful children of men, we, the people of India, are as much in need of the Living Son of the Living God as the people of Judea were in days gone by." "In Christ, humanity, possessing nothing, not even a stone to lay its head upon, declared nothing good but its Father in heaven, surrendered itself wholly to His will, was tortured and killed, and finally was raised to eternal glory and everlasting blessedness. Humanity was reconciled to divinity, and the earth witnessed the rare spectacle of a divine humanity reigning over her." The editor remarks: ,. There is something of a perverse current there, a tendency to philosophize away the realism of Christ's redemption, which is characteristically Indian. But let the Indian mind take its own course-it will be guided at last to the personal acceptance of Christ."
The Rev. Worthington Jukes, of the Afghan Mission of the C. M. S., speaks of a baptized convert of ten years' standing, Hazrat Ali Shah, as being a lineal descendant of Mohammed. He has given up his government appointment to devote himself to mission work.
-The Intelligencer, complaining of the abundance of orthodoxy and the lack of moral feeling in the negro Christianity of West Africa, remarks: "It is not a Luther that is wanted; it is a John the Baptist." Yet it remarks that there is enough of the right spirit to be making a visible impression on the Mohammedans.
-It is known that there is a difference of opinion among missionaries, here and there, as to the use of the native instead of the European dress. There can be no doubt, however, as to the wisdom of Dr. Harford-Battersby's course on the Upper Niger. He says, in the Intelligencer: "For the first time adopted the native dress. Found it very comfortable, and well adapted to the climate. The turban, I believe, is far the best protection from the sun; the tabe, or gown, which is very loose, admits of free ventilation, and at the same time can be modified to suit almost any change of the weather except rain. Below we have the loose trousers and sandals for the feet-very comfortable. It is delightful altogether to have discarded boots and socks." Elsewhere it is remarked how pleased the people are to have the white men condescend to dress like themselves!
-The Intelligencer for October gives from the Matin the following statistics of Roman Catholic missions, mostly French, in Central Africa. The Catholic Missions of Lyons have in the Kingdom of Benin 6 stations, 1 college, 10 schools, 8 orphanages; on the Gold Coast, 6 stations, 3 schools and orphanages; on the Niger, 2 schools and 2 orphanages; in Dahomey, 8 stations,4 schools and 5 orphanages. The Brethren of the Holy Ghost have in Cimbabasie 4 stations, schools and 1seminary; in Gaboon, 6 stations, 3industrial schools; in Senegambia, 15 stations, 1 seminary, 1 printing office, 16 schools, 1 industrial school, 1 orphanage and 1 asylum; at Sierra Leone, 2 stations and schools; in French Congo, 7 stations, 5 schools; in the Lower Congo, 9 stations,l seminary, 5 schools; in Zanzibar, 11 stations, 6 schools, 2 hospitals, 1 industrial school. The White Fathers (Cardinal Lavigerie's missionaries) have in Nyassaland 2 stations, 3 orphanages, 4 schools; in the Sahara, 7 stations; in Kabylia, 1 station; in Nizab, 12 stations, 8 schools, 2 seminaries, 8 orphanages; Upper Congo. 2 stations, 4 schools; in Unyanyembe, 2 stations; at Zanzibar, 1 station; at Tanganyika, 3 stations, schools and orphanages.
-The Intelligencer remarks: "India is becoming more and more visited in the cold season, not only by politicians, and litterateurs, and students, and sportsmen, but by the messengers of Christ. The' missioner' is becoming as distinct a variety of them as the' missionary.'"
-The Bishop of Lahore, at a recent C. M. S. meeting in India, referred to the noble work opening in Kashmir. He said that many converts had recently been gathered in, and all over the district congregations of seventy or eighty met in the simplest of little churches for worship. These churches had not cost more than a rupee per sitting, if he might use that term, for, with the exception of the Bishop, for whom, in consideration of his infirmities, a chair was provided, sittings there were none [laughter]; the people all sat on the ground. The simple service was conducted and joined in with great fervor, and his heart was much touched by a beautiful cUdtom they had of repeating Jai Prabhu Yesu (Victory to the Lord Jesus) as they rose at the conclusion of their service.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.
Mr. Max Wood Moorhead writes that: " A Conference of the Student Volunteer Movement is to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, February 26th to March 1st. "The objects are: (1) To bring volunteers and secretaries of foreign mission societies into personal contact; (2) to acquaint the Church with the character, scope and purpose of 'the movement'; (3) to stimulate and arouse to action student volunteers. Christian citizens offer to entertain a thousand guests, and volunteers in hundreds will probably avail themselves of this hospitality. "Such a convention will give secretaries of various boards in the United States and Canada opportunity to confer with candidates, and define the relation which should exist between them; and societies will communicate their spirit and their methods. "The following societies have been invited to send representatires: Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Women's Christian Association, the American Inter-Seminary Missionary Alliance, the Canadian Inter-Collegiate Missionary Alliance, the United Society of Christian Endeavor, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, the Epworth League, etc. From many missionary agencies comes the cry of' Debt!' 'Retrench!' The Church seems largely indifferent to the Master's appeal for laborers. We earnestly hope and pray that this gathering may result in a renewed spirit of obedience to the command of Christ, and, consequelitly, the actual sending forth of many laborers. "Foreign missionaries, now at home on furlough, from' every quarter of the globe, will be present. "Will the readers of THE REVIEW pray that all prepartions may be in conformity to God's will, and that all who participate in the coming Conference may be led by the Holy Spirit?"
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND· CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Editorial Items.-[J. T. G.] mission agents, whether English or It will be gratifying to the friends African, that are, in their jUdgment, "vessels meet for the Master's use." of humanity everywhere, to know Earthen vessels they may be; we do that at the last Holland signed the not look for perfection in human in- agreement of the Brussels Confer- struments or instrumentalities; but .ence, authorizing a tariff for revenue ~ve do deeply feel that true missionary work is the Getting forth of the Lord in the Congo Free State, to raise a Jesus Christ both as Saviour and as special fund for the suppression of the King and that this work must be slave trade. If she had held out in done 'by those who, however feeble in themselves, do know Him as their her refusal to concur, the entire Brus- Saviour and obey Him as their King, sels Conference would have been a and who seek, by the power of the failure, as it required unanimous con- Holy Ghost, to be examp~es ': in w<,>r?, in conversation, in chanty, m spInt, sBeenrtlinofTtrheeatysio~f-na1t8o8r5y, powers to the in faith, in purity." to make it ef- -It would be amusing, if it were fective in this modification of the free not so serious, to note the present con- troversyabout mission comity. Here trade clause of the original constitu- are the Baptists criticising the Method- ists for entering Rangoon, and the tion. Lutherans in turn criticising the Bap- tists in. Guntur because they "im- -It is time the good people of this mersed several of their teachers under discipline for irregular conduct." Then country gave a half-hour to the man- we have the Church of England Mis- sionary Society complained of by the ner in which the United States Gov- Presbyterians in Persia, for interfer- ing with their constituency, and so on, ernment is made to play the part of sometimes with cause, and, possibly, sometimes without cause, for we do procuress in the case of Chinese w0n;ten not claim to pass judgment on any of these cases. And all this comes on us at San Francisco. We are not saymg when the brethren are reading essays and making addresses on missionary a word now in favor of letting the comity. We printed in May last an able paper read before the Calcutta Chinese in, nor about our disreputable Missionary Conference on this subject by Bishop Thoburn. That met with a violation of treaty with China; but rejoinder in the same conference by Rev. Mr. Clifford, and now the subabout those who are let in, and the ject is treated in the December num- ber of The Church Mis.'lionary Intellipurposes for which they are admitted.
No Chinese can be landed without a writ of habeas corpus from the district court of the United States. Eleven thousand of these have been issued in order to land Chinese men and women, and ninety-nine out of every hundred of these women are known to be brought hither for the vilest uses of white men as well as Chinese. The President and his Cabinet ought not to allow the majesty of law to screen slavery and lust after this fashion.
-Here is a model utterance by the gencer. The writer concludes by Church of England Missionary Society saying facetiously: "The American in connection with some administra- missionary, though often a magnifitive difficulties in one of their West cent specimen of a Christian gentle- Africa missions, which might well be man is, nevertheless, to the end an adopted as a manifesto by all mis- American, given to going ahead, and -sionary societies: not absolutely beyond the temptation of filibustering. And the English The Committee are solemnly deter- missionary is apt to be ineradicably a mined in humble dgeivpeentdheenSc~eciuetpyo'ns Divine' strength, to support only to mission agenCies and John Bull, accustomed to dwelling on an island, and with no particularpen- next ten years, and hence it is now chant for being interfered with by two-hundred-fold greater than it others." But during the while in was at the beginning of the present which these various brethren discuss century. and re-discuss the modifications nec- essary in the mission co-operative Mr. Gladstone says we have not only policy of the past, a writer in the Har- multiplied wealth in a ratio that is un- vest Fieldsuggests some modus vivendi precedented in the world's history, that the work be not hindered. but we have multiplied the variety of pleasures which wealth commands, What About Our Surplus Wealth 7 also, in a correspondingly unparalleled degree. The New York World recently pub- lished a list of the richest people ia the Archdeacon Farrar is credited with United States, with a rough estimate the statAment that the working-classes of their wealth. We say rough esti- of Great Britain are saving annually mate because when one of these five hundred millions of dollars, and gentlemen, in a legal proceeding, tes- the British nation fifteen hundred miltified, as is asserted, that he could not lions. tell within ten or twelve millions of dollars what his fortune did amount The Japan Mail some while ago to, he only represented the rest of the said there was wealth enough in a very wealthy persons whose fortunes single block of warehouses, between are in part in more or less fluctuating Cornhill and Regent streets, in London securities. It is not assumed there- to buy up the whole of Yeddo, Japan, fore, by us, that the article referred and possibly five times over. It is disto presents precise knowledge, and tinctly the Christian nations that are in some cases may be grossly incor- adding in geometrical ratio to their rect. surplus wealth.
Nevertheless, the outline stands sub- Allowing all this to stand for the stantially representative of the facts moment, take another factor, as well in the case. Here are the names, then, established as careful and consciof seventy-five individuals whose for- entious computation can make so intunes are estimated at more than five definite a propo~ition. It is stated millions of dollars. It includes three after careful examination that the inmen thought to be worth over one crease in the wealth of the Protestant hundred millions of dollars each, and Christians of the United States equals thirty-five individual fortunes which five hundred millions of dollars anexceed ten millions of dollars each. nually. That amounts to the assertion that every three years Protestant The leading statistician of Great Christendom in this country accumu- Britain is made responsible for the lates an aggregated surplus fortune, statement that the increase of the equal to the total estimated fortunes world's wealth between the years 1800 of a hundred and twenty-five of the and 1870 was greater than that of the wealthiest persons in the land, or that eighteen hundred years preceding each year Protestant Christians in this century; and, still further, that the United States lay by a fortune the increase of the wealth in the equal to the sum total accumulated world between the years 1870 and through many years by the Rockefel- 1880 was equal to that accumulated lers, Astors, Goulds and Vanderbi~ts, between 1800 and 1870. In other as estimated by the World's table. words, the world doubled its wealth in the first seventy years of this cen- Now, we have not a word, at this tury, and added an equal sum in the writing, to say about the special dan- gers to any community, in any coun- try or century, of such vast augmenta- tion of wealth. Mr. Gladstone has done well to point out that it is indi- economies; after-we repeat the sumrectly a fertile source of the negative mary-after it has used all it needed, religious tendency of our day. But given all it would, and wasted most we do not propose to moralize about wantonly, it yet has a reserve of unit in one way or another. What we spent fortune reaching the enormous write to accomplish is this: to press sum of $500,000,000 annually! home on every Christian in the land who has any surplus, who one year And this is not supposed to be thE> with another, or after an interval of "saving" of the irreligious or ignorant, ten years, finds he has accumulated but of the very best type of Christian some" savings," the question: What commonwealth. What ought we to are the special obligations growing do with this surplus? What account from savings? will we render of it at last? Not one- sixtieth of so much as these' , savings" If annually the Protestant Christians is given to save the world outside of of this land are accumulating five our country, adding what men give times the wealth of the few men who while living and leave after death. own a hundred millions of property after a lifetime, or as the accretions of We cast no reflections. We read no more than one generation, what is homilies. We prescribe no action.' this same Protestant Christendom pro- We only put an interrogation point posing to do with these five hundred before one part of the Christian millions of annual surplus? It must Church in the richest and most luxube borne in mind just what the charac- riant land on the globe over against ter of this is. It is not what these the increment of its savings. Christians now want. It is what is left. After our Protestant Christen- J. T. G. dom has supplied all its wants, catered as far as it pleases to all its whims, The Press in Heathen Lands. spent on its viands all it cared to indulge in, wornjust" as good or expen- BY J. T. GRACEY. sive raiment as it has pleased to buy, indulged itself in art and literature The area of the reading population and travel, spent on the education of of the worla has been vastly extended chilUren all it could be induced to within the century, and in heathen spend, made merry the Christmas and lands as a direct result, in large part, of other holidays, indulged ~n all lawful, the modernmission. In India the Hindu possibly some questionable amuse- and Mohammedan readers are increasments, hospitably and socially enter- ing at present at the rate of a million tained friends and neighbors; after it and a half a year. Before the translahas, besides all this, generously spent tion of the Bible scarcely one-thirtieth in charity and benevolences, sustained part of the population of Bengal could all the churches, built all the colleges, read, and at the beginning of this cenand subscribed as liberally as it could turythat vast province and its Bengalibe induced to subscribe for missions speaking millions had no prose literain this and other lands; after it has, ture; now it is extensive and rapidly in a word, been as public-spirited as increasing. it pleased to be in forwarding all humanitarianism and religion while What we say of Bengal is but typiliving, and bequeathed all it would to cal of the rest of India and of other be spent or given away after death parts of the Moslem and heathen -spent, donated, squandered, be- world where the mission has entered. queathed; and after it has wasted untold thousands, being reckless of Not to delay with further illustra- tions in heathen lands, though the literary vaulting of young Japan is a tempting theme, let us take a single illustration from Moslem literature. That we will select, not from Delhi or Lucknow, which furnish most start- publishes newspapers in a dozen oJ' ling and arousing facts of recent liter- morelanguages,would ofitselfindicate ary ventures, but from the dead-line the relation of the mission to literary of the Moslem intellect in the coun- activity. Butthe intent of this present tries lying on the eastern borders of paper is to call attention to the use the Mediterranean. We pass by the which is being made by the press of twenty millions of pages of Arabic some heathen lands in antagonism to literature issued in Beirut in 1889 by Christianity. Illustrations are abun-' the Presbyterians, because it is Chris- dant in Japan and in Moslem lands. tian, and even the great dictionaries, We will, however, limit ourselves to grammars and chrestomatics in Ara- selections from India. bic, of the Roman Catholic press at Beirut, for the same reason. All of the six hundred native news- papers of India, except a half-dozen, The Moslem literary stir is indicated may be set down as inimical to Chris- by the officially reported pUblications tianity. In all the larger Indian cities in Constantinople in three months of there'is a fair proportion of youths 1889, of which 143 were Turkish, 3 who have received an English educa- • Arabic, 2 F re~, and the others tion, many of whom are bitterly hos- in Armenian, Neo-Greek, Bulgarian, tile to Christianity. There is an abun- Servian, French and Italian. dant supply of imported European infidel literature sown broadcast Egypt is not a country to which one among these young men. But not is likely to turn to find the freshest only is the newspaper turned against literature. But the presses of Cairo us, but organizations modeled after are turning out works of vast impor- our Christian tract societies have been tance. The Turkish, dictiona~y, established and are in active operation. "Kamus," and the "Tag-al-aurus," The" Free Thought Depot" in Madras the great dictionary of classical Ara- issues a list of 124 separate works, in- bic, seven volumes-of the total ten- cl_ding 34 publications of Bradlaugh, of which have been issued in rapid suc- 19 of Mrs. Besant, 16 of Ingersoll, and cession, and which will cost, perhaps, others of Paine, Voltaire and other forty dollars, mark anything but a well-known infidel publicists. Inger- Dead Sea or a. low Nile of literary soll's lectures have the largest sale. interest. Some of these have deceptive titles. "A Bible Hand-book for Mission The modern newspaper has become School StUdents and Inquiring Chris- a power in these lands. Beirut pub- tians" and " The Bible Dissector for lishes eight political and four literary the Use of Mission School Students" and religious periodicals. Damascus, are illusive titles. The" Elements of Aleppo, Jerusalem and Bagdad have Social Economy" is said to be a most their newspapers. demoralizing advocacy of free lust, in which marriage is denounced. This We have said the missjon was the tract literature is being circulated by source or occasion of much of this benevolent contributions like those literary culture in all the lands where made to our own tract societies. Edu- it has entered. That might go with- cated natives are paying monthly sub- out the saying, but that we wish to scriptions of ten dollars to disseminate fasten responsibility on the mission to these tracts and books. One rajah in foster and direct, if it cannot control, Bengal is known to have subscribed the agency it has created or awakened ten thousand dollars for this object. into energy. That a single American Others are spending great sums for missionary society should have re- the purpose of printing literature in duced, through its agents, perhaps advocacy or defense of their own twenty languages to writing, and have published approaching three thousand writings in fifty or more dialects, and religions. Some of them are appeals of Jesus, and make a great pretence of humility. But inwardly they are to their own people to arouse them- saying: "Alas, has it come to this, selves because of the aggressions of that we should be beaten by these the Christain forces. people !" The famous poet, Shakspeare, Some of these tracts and booklets has' said: "Good wine needs no push." He means that if a thing really posare rejoillders to Christian books. sesses worth it needs not be puffed. Rev. Dunlap Moore's tract entitled For instance, a spicemonger, when "An Examination of Jainism" is an- his goods are worthless, makes a great swered in "A Reply to an Examina- display of them, and ostentatiously in- vites everybody whom he sees, saying: tion of Jainism, " or, in native words, "These are good spices; come and " a slap on the Christian face." Some buy." Not so the man who has really are curiously mixed. Here is one on good ones. People go to him wherever " A Warning to the Cow Protectors and he may be. Now you see missionaries going about. They say that the Bible, an Answer to Christians," one part de- which is impure and has not a grain fending cow killing, the other part of truth in it, is the word of God, and filled with sneers and taunts at the they shout in every street: "Come, missionaries. A Christian tract, " The brethren. This is an excellent religion, Choice of a Guru," claiming that Jesus a good caste." Why do they thus Christ is a world teacher, is answered shout? Because if they do not, not one person will go to them.
in another tract, "An Examination ***** of Jesus." Christians cast suspicion upon the More curious, however, is the cate- story that Hanuman (the monkey- -chism of the Hindu Tract Society, god) leapt over the sea to Ceylon. But an equal objection lies against the with sixteen questions and answers story of Christ walking on the sea. By bodily from the Westminster Cate- holding hi,. breath a person may leap chism, including the definition of God. an immense distance; but no amount of suppression will prevent a man All this is done because it is "good, and from drowning. To say that it will is Christianity borrowed it from Aryan- a lie. From incidents ,like these it is ism, which is chronologically the pre- clear that the Bible is the work of decessor of Christianity." man and not the word of God, and that But others are bitterly and blas- even Jesus Christ was only a man phemously antagonistic to Christianity like the rest of us. itself, and contain most wanton attacks on the Bible. This is illus- ***** llilissionaries say hat idolatry is child's play. But surely the worship trated in a wildly blasphemous Aryan of the cross is a superstition worthy of tract, published by the Hindu Tract scorn. It is only on a level with the Society, entitled "Jesus Christ a play of children who put up broom- Fool." It is said by the editor of the sticks and call them soldiers. These people put one stick across another Harvest Field to be too shocking to and worship it because Christ died on such a cross. They call our worship be translated for English readers. He, idolatry: we may well call theirs stickhowever, presents two ".mild" para- worship.
graphs, as he styles them, to show Now, there is really in all this the animus of the publication. We nothing to discour~ge, however it,may copy these for the same purpose: shock. We have long been familiar There are many sects in this world, with attacks like these from much and usually each sect contents itself with the practice of its own religion. better brains, and have learned how But it is not so with these Christians. futile they are.
They are bound to increase their num- But othertracts show still a different bers, and so they sent out missionaries, while they themselves remain quietly vein. Here is an extract from one published by the Arya Samaj, transat home. Is this just? These missionaries are ignorant and very covet- lated from the Tamil: ous. 'Vhen they are beaten or abused Missionaries come from Britain at or mocked they quote the commands a great cost and tell us that we are in heathen darkness, and that a bundle ing and virtual destruction that are of fables called the Bible is the true imminent. Hence the organization Vendanta (inspired book) which alone of clubs, the publication of tracts, can enlighten us. They have cast pamphlets, and articles in newspapers, their net over our children by teach- the appointment of learned men ing them in their schools, and they among them as preachers and defend- have already made thousands of Chris- ers of the old faith, the relaxation of tians, and are continuing to do so. caste rules and restrictions, and the They have penetrated into the most various other devices that are now be- out-of-the-way villages, and built ing employed to defeat the purpose of churches there. If we continue to the Lord and His people, and prop up sleep as we have done in the past not an effete and decaying system. And one will be found worshiping in our it is no small tribute to the value of temples in a very short time; why the the agency that we employ that our temples themselves will be converted opponents have taken a leaf out of the into Christian churches! Do you not Christian book, and are, in many know that the number of Christians is places, sedulously imitating our exincreasing and the number of Hindu ample. We engage evangelists and religionists decreasing every day? pay them; so do they; and when the How long will water remain in a well available local talent is not sufficient which continually lets out, but re- they look elsewhere, as is evidenced ceives none in? If our religion is by an advertisement for preachers incessantly drained by Christianity that has recently been appearing in without receiving any accessions, how the Bombay daily papers; the publican it last? When our country is cations of the several tract societies turned into the wilderness of Christi- are sought to be refuted by tracts and anity will the herb of Hinduism grow? leaflets, well written both in English We must not fear the missionaries and the vernacular, published and because they have white faces, or be- circulated under the auspices of a cause they belong to the ruling class. Hindu tract society; and Christianity There is no connection between the and its teachings are steadily maligned government and Christianity, for the and misrepresented with an ability Queen Empress proclaimed neutrality and an earnestness worthy of a better in all religious matters in 1858. We cause. must, therefore, oppose the missionaries with all our might. Whenever In 1786 the youthful Spaulding they stand up to preach, let Hindu preachers stand up and start rival wrote to F. H. Jacobi that he had preaching at a distance of forty feet from them, acd they will soon flee heard Biester say: "We must not reaway! Let caste and sectarian differences be forgotten, and let all the lax our efforts, and then in twenty people join as one man to banish Christianity from our land. All possi- years' time the name of Jesus, in a ble efforts should be made to win back those who have embraced Christianity, religious sense,will be no more heard." and all children should be withdrawn from mission schools. That was in Germany, and since then The Missionary Herald, of the Pres- Germany has furnished a large pro- byterian Church in Ireland, review- portion of the most intelligent and ag- ing the report of the Hindu Gujarat gressive missionary force in the world.
Tract and Book Society, says: But the stern fact remains that we The Hindus ha,e at last realized have created an agency for the adthat there is something in Christianity itself, and in well-directed Christian vancement of Christianity, which the effort, that is not to be repelled by any of the rough-and-ready methods heathen are turning against us; and, hitherto tried; Christianity is to-day felt to be an aggressive power, mov- worse, which we are not using ouring with an ever-increasing force, which must in some way be resisted, selves with anything like the I:;kill or and its influence counteracted, if Hindu society is to be saved, and the in the proportions that we should do. antiquated fabric of Hindu religious and social life is to escape the remouId- We have created a vast reading community of Christians also without giving them anything like an ade- quate supply of their literary needs.
We have not utilized the press at all commensurately with its place, power and opportunities. This is a field where the societies might combine for co-operative work much more largely than they do. There should be a great by that time India would adopt her pan-mission council on the subject reform. A few friends and organizaof missionary literature distinctively tions pledged her $10,000 annually. for non-Christian lands and for Roman Of $25,000 required for a permanent Catholic countries. There might be building, $18,000 have been raised. economic distribution of the material which would help to make much Of her work for the school in Bommore of the funds already contributed. bay, Ramabai writes as follows: It is a subject demanding special consideration by specialists.-J. T. G. "Besides visiting families, I have found it necessary to gather women Pundita Ramabai's Work. together and acquaint them with my The cultured little Hindu lady, work. I have, therefore, now and Ramabai, is carrying on a unique then, to invite ladies of the high castes, work against great odds, and we de- get up entertainments for them, leclight to note her success. A conversa- ture on different subjects, and encourtion which a missionary had with her age and implore them in various ways some time since was thus reported in to take an interest in women's educathe Bombay Guardian: The missionary tion and progress. They will not asked and she answered as follows: listen to me if I begin at once to talk " Are you saved?" to them about my school and its ob- " Yes." jects. They have been taught to dis- " Do you believe in Jesus Christ as like widows and look down upon their your Saviour? " education. So we have very carefully "Yes." to approach them, show them the " Many people believe in Christ in beauties of intellectual pursuits, make their heads and not in their hearts. them realize the superiority of en- Do you believe in Ghrist with your lightened life to one of perpetual heart 7" ignorance, talk to them about the "Yes." blessedness of useful life, and thus "Are your sins forgiven through gradually teach them to look upon Him?" themselves and the widows as beings "Yes." who have more value than cats, dogs, " Praise the dear Lord." or mere puppets in the hands of men. It will be remembered that she More opposition to our work is to be opened the school for Hindu widows met from women than from men in at Bombay in March,1889. We so- certain quarters. Many women of licited from Miss A. P. Granger, the Bombay are now beginning to take secretary of the Ramabai Association, a interest in our school, as they have contribution relating to the work that been several times invited and enterhas since been developed, and we now tained here." have the pleasure of making extracts from Miss Granger's reply. Miss Granger favors us with the fol- In March, 1890, one year from its lowing statements: opening, the school numbered twentyseven pupils, twelve of them being " In view of its ultimate dependence high caste child-widows. Five child- upon Hindu support alone it was dewidows have since been added. In- cided to move the school to Poona, on struction is given in Marathi, English the 1st of November, the objections and Sanskrit, and also in sewing, etc. first made by the Advisory Board to Ramabai asked the assistance of this its establishment there, having been country for ten years only, belieying removed. The larger expenses of an English city like Bombay, and the su- perior advantages of Poona as a stronger hold of Brahmanism, are the two most important reasons for this C'11anJ:0. " Ramabai's first idea of the location the Uriion, in this country, whose ad- of the school for Hindu widows was dress he knew. Poona. On many accounts she felt it would be wiser to place the school The library of the International there. She was, however, overruled by others and the school was opened Missionary Union is as yet an experi- in Bombay. The officers of the asso- ciation do not hesitate to state that it ment. This little sheet is sent out, has been fully as successful as they anticipated. It is not on that account after some unavoidable delays, to all that a change is now being made. A suitable building with ample grounds the members whose present address have been secured for the Sharada Sadan, at a moderate rent and wise can be ascertained, chiefly to test the arrangements made for the conduct of the school and boarding depart- question of the call for such a library. ment. On account of her approach- ing marriage, the teacher who went We have pleasure in presenting a list out from this country has resigned her position but an efficient successor of such books as we have thus far se- had been found. It was expected that all the boarders would go with Rama- cured, with an approximate indication bai to Poona. of the postage on each. Whoever " In view of this change we would ask more earnestly than ever before wishes to take out one of these books for the sympathy, support and prayers of the American people, and will close is requested to send this amount of . with Professor Max Muller'stribute to the character of our head: 'I have postage to the librarian, and after never been in India; but I have known many Indians, both men and women, keeping the book one month to return and I do not exaggerate when I tell you that some of them need fear no it by post, prepaying the amount comparison with the best men and women whom it has been my good necessary. A book may be renewed fortune to know in England, France, or Germany. Whether for unselfish- if desired a second month when not ness or devotion to high ideals, truth- fulness, purityand real, livingreligion, asked for elsewhere. I know no better hero than Keshub Chunder Sen, no heroine greater than Any donations of books or pamph- Ramabai; and I am proud to have been allowed to count both among my lets or money for the library will. be best friends.' " thankfully received; also any sugges; International Missionary Union Notes. tions as to how lt can be made more Circulating Library.-The librarian of the incipient circulating library of useful to the members. the International Missionary Union, is the Rev. James Mudge, East Pep- POSTAGE. perill, Mass. He recently sent the fol- lowing circular to all the members of Our Indian Mission, Gordon………….. 2Oc. London Missionary Conference, 2 vols, .. " 15c. Indian Evangelical 'Review, vols. 2, 3, 4, 5, 1874-1878……………. _………. " .. 14c. Romance of Missions, Miss M. A. 'Vest … 14c. Siam and Laos, Dr. House and others……13c. Decennial Conference, Calcutta ………. 120. Missionary year-Book……………. " .. 12c. Among the Turks, Dr. Hamlin………… 120. On Horseback in Cappadocia, Barrows…. lOc. Two thousand Miles in Mexico, McCarthy. lOc. Letters from India, Bruce……… …… 8c. Great Value of Missions, Liggins…. ….. 7c. India, J. T. Gracey …………………… 7c. Woman's Medical Work, Mrs. Gracey….. 7c. Ann H. Judson………………………. 7c. Sarah B. Judson………. ………… 7c. Memorial Papers of the Marathi Mission .. 30. Natural History of the Marathi Bible.. …. 30. Africa in a Nutshell, Thompson …. ,…… 20. China, J. T. Gracey …………………. lc. Open Doors, J. T. Gracey……… …….. 1c. Moravian Mission in Alaska, Hamilton … lc.
Also THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD for 1888, 1889, 1890 in separate numbers, anyone of which can be ordered as above, postage four cent.s, thus enabling any member to refer to any article or articled. Most of the papers read before the Union in these years are to be found herein. The next meeting of the Interna- when the pressing claims of India, tional Missionary Union will be held at Clifton Springs, New York, June 10th China, and especially of Africa, were to 17th. We give the notice thus early that missionaries in this country may the subject of conversation, resolved be the better enabled to make preparations to attend; and that those abroad to memorialize the Society with refermay know when to send their greetings, their suggestions, or their papers. ence to a great forward movement. Essays and letters are solicited from members now on the foreign field as That memorial seems to have prothey constitute the" Outlook Committee." All such papers or correspond- duced a profound impression upon the ence should be sent to Rev. J. T. Gracey, 161 Pearl Street, Rochester, committee of the Church Missionary N. Y., or to Rev. W. H. Belden, Secretary, Bristol, Conn. Society, and they have caused the -The members of the International memorial to be printed and widely Missionary Union, will note with active interest, we trust, the appeal that circulated with the earnest desire that Rev. Arthur H. Smith and Dr. Henry D.Porter, both members of the Union, they may be guided by the Divine make in the December number of the Missionary Herald for aid for the Spirit in their deliberations on· the Chinese suffering from flood and famine, over not less than 4,000 square matter. It is stated that the Church miles of the Chihli Province. Thousands of families are homeless. The Missionary Society is supported, even Famine Relief Committee in Shanghai, after giving $60,000 for relief of nominally, by less than a third part of the sufferers has closed its books, but the distress still continues. No two the Church of England, and it cermen within our knowledge could more judiciously distribute the few tainly is a courageous thought to add thousand dollars they ask for than to its present staff of European misthose two brethren,and we are quite sionaries one thousand within five or sure, the need will continue for some six years. Yet such is the proposal. while yet. Send money to Mr. L. S. The memorial makes certain sugges- Ward, No 1 Somerset Street, Boston, tions as to these reinforcements, es- Mass pecially the following: 1. That evan- gelists should be sent into the mission One Thousand Additional Mission- fields in groups, each group being as- aries !" sociated under a leader. 2. That the services of lay-workers should be used The English Church Missionary So- much more than hitherto. 3. That ci€'ty presents a scheme for the send- mechanics and working men and ing forth, within the next five or women whose hearts God has touched six years, from the Church Mission- should form parts of these groups. ary Society alone, one thousand ad- The suggestion of such an increase in ditional missionaries. At the Kes- the working forces is startling simply wick Convention, in July last, mem- because it is such a sudden increase bersof the Church Missionary Sodety to the present numbers. That portion gathered at the house of a friend, of the Church of Englantl which operates through the Church Mission- ary Society is amply able to provide the money, to provide the workers and the supplies for such an advance, and the need is imperativ€'. And what is true of Christians in England is true of Christians in America. The forces might be and ought to be doubled and trebled. There are abundant means of support in the hands of those who bear Christ's name. Young men and young women are in training, and a large portion of them have already pledged themselves to this work. Shall not the Christian churches of America, and the Consti- tuency of the American Board espe- cially, anew and at once "attempt great things for God, and expect great thingR from Him?" It is time for a grand forward movement. There are men enough and wealth enough in our churches to respond to the present call for an advance, if there is a will to do so.-The Missionary Herald.
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
IH.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
-After much painstaking in proof- of population not later than October, reading, the electrotyping process is 1892.
chargeable with a bad blunder in the -At the recent meeting of the January issue of the REVIEW. The American Board, in Minneapolis, the top line of page 5f belongs on page 5f) "Committee of Nine" reported that If readers will make a marginal note contributions to missions have not kept on the page to this effect, it will avoid pace with those to other benevol.
confusion. ent causes. No explanation was at- -The year 1892, which marks the tempted but they implied that the dis- 400th anniversary of the discovery of cussions and division of feeling as to America, also marks the centenary missionary policy, might account for of the formation of the first great this relative decline of receipts for missionary society of England, whose foreign missionary work.
distinctive purpose was the evange- The meeting presented many at- lization of the world. It was on the tractions and not a few wholesome second day of October, 1792, at Ket- lessons. Dr. N. G. Clark's paper on tering, that William Carey and his "Higher Christian Education as Re- brother Baptists formed the now lated to Foreign Mission Work ;" Dr.
famous Baptist Society, and laid thir- G. K. Alden's discussion of " Mission- teen pounds, two shillings and six ary Motives;" Dr. Judson Smith's pence on God's altar, as the beginning paper on the" Missionary Outlook,"
of the great enterprise of organized and Dr. Storr's address as President, foreign missionary work. were among the most notable features It is our deep conviction that it of that great annivprsary. The papers would be a great mistake if this referred to, must be read to be appre- memorable era were allowed to pass by ciated. Dr. Clark pleads for higher without another great 'Vorld's Con- Christian education in order to pre- vention, such as was held in London, serve and turn to account the religious in 1888. If such a gathering could sentiment of the people among whom begin at Kettering, in Andrew Ful- we labor; and for the sake of a native ler's old' chapel, with a consecration ministry adequate in character and in meeting in the house of Widow Beebe numbers to meet the intellectual and Wallis, which is still standing, and spiritual wants of their countrymen where that society was formally or- and to share with missionaries in the ganized, what an inspiration would responsibilities of establishing such such a beginning afford for an un- Christian institutions as shall secure paralleled series of missionary assem- the success of the missionary enter- blings! The end of a century seems prise. He holds that the " men must an appropriate time for the gathering be reared on the ground." Dr. G. K.
up of the results of missions in all Alden sets forth as motive forces: (1) parts of the world, and the projec- "Profound convictions as to this pres- tion of new lines of enterprise and en- ent sinful and perishing world and its deavor for the century to come. Is great need. (2) Profound convictions it too much to hope that this next as to the superabounding riches of century of missions may not have divine grace in Jesus Christ, the great passed Ulatil the whole world shall provision. (3) Profound convictions of have been acquainted with the Gos- the personal command, the personal pel? 'Ve hope that at an early day trust, and the personal responsibility the leaders of missionary enterprises to bear the good tidings at once to all in all parts of the world will co- men." Dr. Judson Smith says Chrisoperate to call such a world's con- tianity is becoming the dominant revention in some of the great centres ligion of the world; communication between all parts of the world is be- -In the August number for 1890, coming easier; the world, with only the statistics are given for Protest- here and there an exception, is ac- ant missions in China, which are re- cessible to the Gospel; and that mod- peated in the December issue, page ern missions are successful. At home 934, as the strength of the United missionary contributions are being en- Presbyterian force. Of course, the lat- larged; the supply of missionaries is ter is an error. It should read: "As increasing, and the church is com- furnished by the Presbyterians." mitted to mission work as never before. -The late Dr. Alexander William- son, of China, was identified for some -In Scotland the question of dis- 30 years with the London Missionary establishment has produced no little Society, then with the National Bible excitement. It seems almost certain Society of Scotland, and the United to come before the next Parliament. Presbyterian Church. As a translator There is certainly a religious interest and distributor of religious literature among the Scottish churches. The in the Chinese tongue, he filled a attendance upon church services is, we unique position, and to these labors -venture to say, better than in any was singularly devoted. His extensive other country in the world. The travels, researches, grasp of missions, number of praying men, and especially passion for a more economic distribupraying young men, struck us with tion of the working force, made him peculiar force in recent visits to Scot- an authority. His" Journeys in land. We cannot conceal our pro- North China," ranks as a standard found solicitude for the progressive work. His late wife, a most gifted theology which is moving many, we woman, wrote "Old Highways in fear, away from the old landmarks of China." Dr. Williamson died of nethe faith. No doubt there are many phritis, possibly due in part to his arwho are interested in these questions duous toil in thfl recent Shanghai intellectually, whose hearts are per- Conference. His prodigious activity fectly loyal to Christ and the truth, is rivaled by few of the most devoted but we fear the flffect of this ad- workers in the Middle Kingdom. vanced theological opinion upon the younger clergy of Scotland. At the -China owes to Christian missionsame time so deep is the interest in aries a great debt for information on a missions in this land of martyrs and vast range of topics. But a little while missionanes, that the practical work ago, the Chinese were wholly depend. of the churches, both at home and ent on the Peking Gazette; now they abroad, is largelyantidoting the influ- have some twenty-eight publications. ence of this skeptical opinion. The missionaries have supplied an enormous number of translations of We can never more speak or write of European booksonscience, geography, Scotland without the feeling which a history, mathematics, philosophy, etc. son would have for his mother. We They have translated the Bible into add the words of Dr. W. M. Taylor: not less than twelve Chinese dialects, "I say without any hesitation that and are now busy at fifteen more. when interesting foreign missions are Dr. Legge's investigations into the maintained in a church to the normal ancient systems of the Chinese phipoint, all other activities and agencies losophers are embodied in Professor at home will go of themselves and as Max Muller's" Sacred Books of the things, of course, while, if there be a East," and American authors have lack of devotion to that noble enter- given the world the "Middle Kingprise, nothing else will be prosecuted dom," and the" Chinese-English Dicwith either enthusiasm or success." tionary." So writes Mr. Johnston, of These are true words. Bolton.
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
lJy J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
China. –.:.. China is a vast field. many centuries they have been in full That is a statement that grows by enjoyment of them, and on every side· every line of comparison we can lay. the evidences of long-established Here is a late attempt by Rev. Dr. wealth and commercial enterprise are· B. D. Gray, in the Foreign Mission observable.
Journal of the Southern Baptists (see " From the great wall to the frontier December number; it is published at of Tong-king, and from Thibet to the Richmond, Va.): . China Sea the country is dotted over "A single province of hers con- with rich and populous cities, which verted would be equal to the conver- are connected one with another by sion of whole nations elsewhere. Con- well-trodden roads or water highways.
vert anyone of her eighteen provinces In these busy centres of industry mer- and you would have more than all chants from all parts of the empire Brazil and Mexico. Anyone of a are to be found, who are as ready to dozen of her provinces would be more deal in the fabrics of the native looms, than the conversion of all Italy. As porcelain, tea and other native pro- goes China, so goes Asia. She is to- ducts, as in cottons, metals and day the citadel of paganism. Secure woolens of Europe.
her to Christ, and you secure all her " The rivers and canals are crowded dependencies, as Thibet, Turkistan, the vessels bearing silks and satins Mongolia, Manchuria and Korea. from Cheh-kiang .and Kiang-su, tea Break down her idols and you de- from Gan-hwuy and Ho-nan, and rice throne the greater part of heathenism from the southern provinces to parts at a stroke! " of the empire which give in exchange CHINESE EMIGRATION. for such gifts the corn and other pro- Dr. R. H. Graves says: ducts which they are able to spare."
"There are 50,000 of these in the. In the matter of the language, Dr.
Philippine Islands; 50,000 in the Eng- Douglas says: lish colony at Singapore, where they " By means of their three classes of own four-fifths of all the real estate; characters, the hieroglyphics, ideo- 50,000 more in the Malay Peninsula; grams and phonetics, the Chinese 1,300,000 in Siam; thousands in Cochin have been able to express and pre– China. and thousands more in Borneo, serve the thoughts and sayings of theit Java and Sumatra. The colonies greatest and wisest writers through a founded by the Spaniards, Dutch, series of centuries which dwarfs int« French and English are being rapidly insignificance all Western ideas of filled up by Chinese. In the Sand- antiquity. For thirty centuries China- wich Islands there are more Chinese men have been accumulating stores of men than men of the native race." literary wealth, which are of them- China is a fertile region. Professor selves sufficiently important to attract Douglas, at University College, thus the attention of scholars and to stir described it: the literary ambition of students, and "From one end of the country to which do so in almost every country.
another the land blossoms as the rose, But by the fresh discoveries of Messrs.
and yields to the diligent and carpfu} De Lacouperie and Ball, not only is a tillage of the natives enough and to new interest added to the language, spare of all that is necessary for 'the but it is brought into close and inti- comfort and well-being of man. Nor mate relation with the tongues spoken have these advantages become the by the great civilizing nations of the.
recent possessions of the people. For world." Great changes are taking place in every form and righteousness too.
China. Rev. Young J. Allen, D.D., The doctrine of mediation is recog- LL.D., read an able paper before the' nized.
Shanghai Conference on this topic, in 4. They have some knowledge of a which he classified these changes as: true and living God, a power on whom (1) Compulsory, or those necessitated cOu.;}try, family and individual pros- by force or treaty obligations. The perity depends.
compulsory occupation by the allies, 5. They possess an implied knowl- in 1860, of the imperial capital was edge of immortality. Their emperors followed by a treaty which gave com- never die, they ascend.
merce and missions the right of un- 6. There is a providential prepara- molested access to the entire land. (2) tion. China is open from end to end.
The semi-compulsory changes, or At the Shanghai Conference this was those initiated with a view to adjust- called in question as to Ho-nan, but ments. The Chinese knew that the Hudson Taylor said it was politically treaty must be fulfilled, and that in open, though persecution and oppos- reorganizing their government they ition were great.
could not do better than copy the OBSTAOLES AND DIFFICuLTIES.
strong points of their late adversaries. 1. To the heathen becoming Chris- Hence, the innovations of foreign tians. No one can state the ca.'le of military camps, arsenals, customs, the Chinese better than the Chinese, schools, coast surveys, etc. (3) Spon- and so we "let a native Chinese taneous-voluntary changes. Inter- Christian minister state the point of national relations become cordial. The the difficulties of the native Chinaman press is callEJd into requisition, news- in learning about Christianity.
papers and books are translated. China Rev. Y. K. Yen, speaking at the has become conscious of her wants, a Shanghai Conference, said: mint, banks, post.offices follow. (4) "We must understand the peculiar Imperial, or those which define the character of the Chinese. (1) They position and policy of the country. have hazy ideas about gods. A Chi- ADVANTAGES AND HELPS. nese who went to the United States Rev. Dr. Williamson pointed out was written to by his father that his some while ago, in Evangelical Chris- sixth mother was well. What can a tendom, that there is a providential man who has six mothers know of a preparation in China for the reception mother's love? (2) The Chinese have and spread of the Gospel. hazy ideas about sin, which they con- 1. There is an educational prepa- found with crirpe, treading on one's ration. They say: "The mind is the toes, being late to dinner-the same man." The competitive examinations character for all. (3) They have hazy have quickened theinteUect of China. ideas about a future life. At a This gave rise to schools. Hence the Chinese death-bed there is never a large percentage of readers. Then word about future happiness, but only there is one written language for the about mourning and money. If they whole empire. There is asocial prepa- did Rot think the gods could affect .
ration. Through the observance of men's bodies the temples would be filial obligation has trained the nation deserted and ancestral worship would to subordination to law and order. decline. They are not to blame. It is There is no communism nor nihilism their misfortune and not their fault.
here. Divine authority can be easily The Chinese cannot see Christianity as taught. we see it."
3. There is a moral preparation. This is jUtlt what Rev. Judson Smith, The heart is recognized as the seat of D.D., has said in other language and on morals. Benevolence is urged in an opposite side of the globe: "It is not simply the greatness of anity yet they can be reached. He the population of China that makes her evangelization difficult. It is said his church in Monkdon included rather the institutions of the Chinese; it is the Chinese character; it is the in its members five or six Mandarins, Chinese history inwrought into insti- tutions; instinct in the life of the men with literary degrees; that many people. Making them a nation of themselves, exclusive, caring not, others of the Mandarins are at heart knowing not, heeding not of aught that goes on in the world outside of Christians, and many more very them; not desiring the arts we are so ready to bring them; not wishing the friendly. institutions that we would gladly see thrive among them; scorning the The mission schools are becoming a faith that we deem their life and their salvation." power for good in China. One would 2. To native Ohristians. The same fancy that there would be great preju- Christian native, already quoted (Rev. Y. K. Yen), said again at the great dice against the teaching of Christimissionary conference last year some very sensible things about the difficul- anity in connection with secular eduties to the mission work growing out of the conservatism of the Chinese. cation, but it is amongst the marvelous He said that "the Chinese Christians are not in the same favorable circum- providences of God that in scarcely stances as Christians in other lands. The former have fifty generations of any heathen country does this long heathenism behind them. They have much to contend with. We should prove an obstruction. not expect the same enterprise, activity and piety as from from foreigners. The teaching of Christianity does Missionaries often speak disparagingly of Chinese Christians. This, consider- not inure to the disadvantage of the ing the circumstances, is unreasonable and unjust. Western civilization is mission schools in China. We can furmarked by diversity. Eastern civilization by uniformity. Chinese are nish no better evidence of this than is not active physically, morally and spiritually. If I were active physi- found in the report to Government in cally I should not have this queue today. If any other Chinese would cut Hong Kong, made in 1889: off his hair and shorten his skirts I would do so too. They have a load Referring now to the 7,101 scholars upon them. All Chinese worship is who attended, during the year 1889, for selfishness. They have no knowl- schools under the· supervision of the edge of God; no recognition of being education department, there were as His sons." many as 4,814 attending voluntary schools, where they received a Chris- All classes are reached in China. tian education, whilst 2,293 scholars Rev. John Ross said at the London attended government schools, receiv- Conference that while the literary ing a secular education. The secular class in China are opposed to Christi- government schools are, as a rule, bet- ter provided for than the voluntary religious schools as regards money matters, house accommodation, school materials, staff, organization, and dis- cipline, and when charging fees, keep their fees far below the rate charged in voluntary schools of a correspond- ing class. Nevertheless, the voluntary schools, which freely teach Christian- ity without the restraint of any con- science clauses Whatever, and are in every respect conducted as denomi- national mission schools, receive from the public double the amount of pat- ronage bestowed on government schools. This clearly shows that parents of children, in Hong Kong, as Europe. prefer, on thewhole, religious to secular education, even when the latter is cheaper.
This was made by Dr. Eistel as in- spector of schools. It only confirms the judgment of Dr. F. Stewart, who was inspector of schools, but who died recently, who said: The advance in education is one of the most gratifying features in the progress of the colony. There is yet twenty-eight, is introduced at court much to be done, and female educa- by Lao-tse, is appointed chief magistion is only in its infancy; but the trate of Chung-too, introduces praclines on which the system is moving tically ajury system; for thirteen years seem to be correct, and time alone is becomes a homeless wanderer, and required to reclaim those portions of henceforth abandons himself to letters the field which remain untouched. and religion, and wanders from court to court to obtain converts to his ideal THE RESULTS ARE ENCOURAGING. government. He died, having prac- tically remained unrecognized us a The statistics at the Shanghai Con- successful reformer. After his death ference last May, showed: Of foreign his teachings became powerful. Every missionaries, men, 589; wives, 390; year 66,000 animals are now offered single women, 316. Total, 1,295. Na- in sacrifice to this sage. Here is the tive helpers, ordained, 209; unor- chorus chanted in the great sacrificial dalned, 1,260; female helpers, 180. ceremony to him: Medical work, hospitals, 61; dispensaries, 43; patients in 1889, 348,439. "Confucius, Confucius I How great is Con- Churches, organized, 520; wholly self- fucius! supporting, 94; half self-supporting, 22; one-fourth self-supporting, 27. Before Confucius there never was a. Confu- Bible distribution, Bibles, etc. Total, cius; 665,987. Communicants, 37,287; pupils in schools, 16,816. Contributions by Since Confucius, there never has been a. Connative churches, $36,884. fucius; MEN AND WOMEN ARE WANTED. Confucius, Confucius I How great is Con- fucius! " Ministers and laymen are called for. The Shanghai Conference asks soberly The emperor himself offers this for 1,000 men in five years. Their ap- prayer to Confucius: "I, the emperor, peal was published ,far and wide. offer a sacrifice to the philosopher Then there have been specific appeals. Confucius, the ancient teacher, the The mISSIOnaries of the Baptist perfect sage, and say, 0, teacher, in churches in America, now in China, virtue equal to heaven and earth, have appealed to the Baptists of whose doctrines embrace the past America alone to send 100 men. time and the present. . . • in reverent observance of the old statutes, with Oonfuoia.nism and Oonfuoius. victims, silks, spirits and fruits, 1 carefully offer sacrifice to thee. Mayst "Great men have short biogra- thou enjoy the sacrifice." (See Duphies," says Carlyle. The rule is not Bois's" Dragon, Image and Demon," broken in the case of Confucius. The p.l24.) outline of his biography can be given in a paragraph. He was born in the " If the Chinese," says an author, State of Tsow, B.C. 551, of noble an- "pay divine honors to any being in cestry whose record reached unbroken heaven, or on earth, or under the for over two thousand years backward earth, it is to Confucius." from his cradle. His father was a soldier of great prowess and of daring CONFUCIUS AS A FOUNDER OF A bravery. He was married at nineteen, rose from keeper of the public stores, RELIGION. to the cnarge of public lands. At twenty-two he taught letters, ethics, Fairbairn says, in his "Studies in devotion of soul and truthfulness. He the Philosophy of Religion and Hisearly became cosmopolitan: "I am tory," that" without Confucius China a man who belongs equally to the had been without a native religion." north and the south and the east and the west." He studies music at Dr. Legge, in his "Religions of China," boldly corrects this erroneous statement. Religion in China does not date from Confucius. His grand- son asserted that Confucius only "handed down" and "displayed" the ancient teachings and took them of etiquette, taking the place of ethics: for his model. Confucius himself said a skeptical denial of any relation be- he was a" transmitter, not a maker" tween man and a living God, taking of the doctrines of the ancients. Cer- the place of religion, while there is tainly the "transmitter" gave color encouraged a sort of worship of human to that which he transmitted. China genius, combined with a set of des- does not owe its national religion to potic political theories. But who Confucius. But if he did not originate can honestly call this a religion? " it, neither did he discountenance it or alter it'in any sensible degree. But Over and over we are told that Con- Confucius did emphasize the moral fucianism is not a religion, only a duties as taught or implied in the system of morality. This needs large religion of the ancients as of first im- modification. So far as the element portance and of much easier compre- of worship enters into the element of hension than the speculative side of religion it is distinctly, pervasively, theology or the religious superstition penetratingly, a religion. about the unseen. Dr. Faber pointed this out with One thing has been plainly pointed emphasis at the late General Conferout as to the effect of Confucius' large ence of Missionaries at Shanghai. "Religion," he says, "pervades every emphasis of practical duties. Dr. movement of official life in China. Matheson (St. Giles Lecturer) says: A glance at the Peking Gazette will convince the most skeptical of the "Since the days of Confucius the truth of this statement. We find there speculative element has declined and mentioned not only worship of ances~ the Chinese mind has sought truth tors, of Confucius, of innumerable almost exclusively in the path of deified worthies, but also of the duality morals." of heaven and earth, of sun, moon, stars, wind, clouds, rain, thunder, the Much has been written about Con- ocean, mountains, rivers, the four fucius in relation to the "Golden regions, the four seasons, the years, Rule." He is credited with being the months and days. Astrology, selection originator of this. But Dr. Legge, of lucky and unlucky days, omens, than whom he has no stouter cham- charms, exorcism and other superstipion, says here he tarnished a doc- tiQlls are sanctioned by imperial trine of the ancients rather than pro- authority." (See The Messenger, Shanghai, June, 1890.) claimed it. Confucius is said to have CONFUCIANISM AS A THEOLOGY. advocated the negative side of the Golden Rule: "Do not unto others This same Dr. Faber, at another time, what you would not that they distinctly pointed out some of the should do unto you." But the ancients aspects of absolute negation in Conwe~t further than that. Lao-tze fucianism as a religon. He says: taught: "Return good for eviL" But Confucius said: "What then will you 1. "Confucianism recognizes no return for good? Recompense injury relation to a living God." with justice, and return good for good." How nearly this shades, how- 2. "It makes no distinction between ever, to the Christian teaching! the human soul and body, nor is there any clear definition of man, either IS CONFUCIANISM A RELIGION? from a physical or psychological point of view." The China Review contained years since an article in which the writer 3. "All men are said to possess the said: disposition and strength necessary for "Confucianism pure and simple is, the attainment of moral perfection, in our opinion, no religion at all. The but the contrast with the actual state essence of Confuciani"m is an anti- remains unexplained." quarian adherence to traditional forms 4. There is wanting in Confucian- have no rights in relation to their ism a decided and serious tone in its parents; subjects are like children; of treatment of the doctrine of sin, for, human rights there are none-first with the exception of the moral retri- and last there are only duties. Po- bution in social life, it mentions no lygamy is sanctioned and presup- punishment for sin. It is devoid of a posed, so is polytheism. Filial piety deep insight into sin and evil. extends even to worship. In ordinary life the son must" manifest his rever- 5. It "knows no mediator, none ence, in his nourishing of his parents, that could restore original nature iJi in his endeavor to give them pleasure; accordance with the ideal which man when they are ill he feels the greatest finds in himself." anxiety; in mourning for them, when dead, he exhibits every demonstration 6. "Prayer and its ethical power of grief; in sacrificing to them he dis- finds no place" in his system. plays the utmost solemnity."
7. There is, with the exception of Confucius taught the supreme value ancestral worship, which is devoid of of personal character. The" charac- true ethical value, no clear conception ter of Alexander of Russia was worth of the dogma'of immorality. a constitution," says Colton. Confu- cius would make every character a 8. "All rewards are expected in constitution and by-laws besides. To this world." be and not to appear is the correctest thing. The wise man will assail his Confucius plainly held that these own vices and not another's: "I am are things beyond the grasp of human not concerned that I have no place; I intelligence. You cannot figure to am concerned how I may fit myself yourself the nature of God. You for one." The substance of three cannot certainly know that there is hundred pieces of the "Book of any point of contrast between His Poetry," says a recent author, may be nature and yours; hence prayers and expressed in: "Have no depraved sacrifices are of doubtful utility. All thoughts." this lies in the region of imagination; it may represent truth; it may not. "The man who, in view of gain, Neither can be demonstrated. Yet he thinks of righteousness, in view of did not forbid worship. "Sacrifice as danger, is prepared to give up his life, and who does not forget an agreement if your sacrifice were a reality; wor- however far back it extends-such a man may be reckoned a complete ship Shin as if Shin were really man. . . . "Man is born for uprightpresent." But meanwhile your chief ness. They who know the truth are concern is with the visible and palpa- not equal to those who love it, and ble nniverse and with the homely they who love it are not equal to those tasks of life. The opposition to Chris- who find delight in it." tian points of theology is entire and fundamental. But the rule of right is not indivi· dual conscience, but rather the uni- CONFUCIANISM AS A MORAL FORCE. versal conscience of mankind. Man must do all this without any help, hu- In what way and sense is Confu- man or divine. He fails, and Confucianism a moral force? There must cianism does not attempt to account be something in it by which it has for the failure. It only stands alongheld sway for these centuries. Espec- side of the failure and says man was ially in the face of sundry marked born to be good. It does not even furdefects in its ethical teaching. It con- nish an example. founds ethics with ceremonies and politics, it asserts that certain musical The sceptre of authority, of all pomelodies influence morals; its system of social life is tyrannous: women are slaves, and may be bought and sold ·as sheep in the shambles; children litical power, hence the centre of all guised as a Thibetan, accompanied by political government is morals. a Sikkim Lama, who was a sub-in- spector of schools employed by the "Withal," Mr. Edkins says, "Confu- British government. cianism has not made the Chinese a moral people. They exhibit a lament- Yet, it is not true that we do not able want of moral strength. The know much about the country and standard of principle among them is the people. The" Cyc10predia Britankept low by the habits of the people. nica" has a quite elaborate article, in They do not appear ashamed when which a great deal of information is they are discovered to have told an condensed, and there are many sources untruth." (See Edkin's "Religion in of information about this land. China.") We summarize from sources,learned Archdeacon Hardwick says: "How and popular, too numerous to name, many are the points in which Con- in the following statements: fucian tenets are opposed to Christianity, it were superfluous to enumer- THE COUNTRY. ate. The opposition in respect of doctrines is entire and fundamental. Thibet, or Tibet-for there seems no It is the opposition of nature and of preference in the spelling-or to use grace, of unregenerate and regenerate the native name, Bodyul " The counprinciples, of sight and faith, of earth- try of the god," or Bhotiya, or lyand of heavenly, And how vast Bhoots, is a section of table lands ten will, therefore, beth~ revolution in the to sixteen thonsand feet above the moral nature of the Chinaman if he sea, stretching from the Upper HimashaH ever learn to practice the un- laya Mountains and those of Yunnan, worldly lessons of the Gospel." (See on to the mountains of China in one " Christ and Other Masters," p. 57.) direction, and to those of Turkistan in another. It is difficult of access in all Confucian conservativism is essen- directions and equally difficult to travtial and inherent. It is the greatest erse. The world owes the Jesuits a obstruction to all progress. debt here as in so many other places for the earliest maps, though here as Thibet. elsewhere those made early in the It is quite the fashion to dismiss eighteenth century were crude and Thibet with the statement that very often misleading. There is no exact little is known of this country and its survey had, except in Western Thibet people. That is only true in a very where, as in Kashmir, it is the most qualified sense. The ordinary student complete. may not have a hand-book, as he has of Bavaria or Switzerland, and the The Britannica is full enough on casual reader may not be easily re- climate, products, industries and ferred to anyone or two volumes many other common matters to have from which to find at a glance what it suffice t-o refer our readers to that he wishes to know of what is known, source. and only now and again has any European been permitted to make any THE PEOPLE. personal investigation by actually traversing the country, as did Alexan- The most probably correct estimate der Csoma de Koros, who made his of the population is from a Russian way from Hungary to Thibet on foot; source which puts it at six millions. or as an enterprising Hindu, Sarat Chandra Das, who, it is alleged, re- The people themselves are worth n.. cently made a tour in Thibet dis- fuller note than a mere reference. The Turanian family of races separate into two great divisions-the Northen~ and the Southern. The Northern com- prehends the Tungus, t,he Mongol, the Tartar, and the Finn branches. The Southern includes the Malay, the Bhotiy,a and the Tamil races: The represent the Chinese government in Indo-Bhotiyas are in the northeast Thibet. These direct exclusively the countries of India, on the Himalayas foreign and military administration and in the valleys of the Brahmaputra. of the country. The civil and relig- The stronglanguage of affinitybetween ious government is left in native these tribes in Burmah and in Thibet hands. The number of Chinese troops is manifest if the chain of gradual rarely equals 4,500 men. modifications from tribe to tribe is followed. But the original Bhotiya The Dalai Lama is the supreme race are Thibetans, and they live in authority in civil government. He Thibet, not alone, but with Mongoli- resides in the famous temple palace of ans who are supposed to have been Potala near Lhasa. He is an incarsettled there since the days of Genghis nation of Buddha, and his soul passes Khan. from him into another body when he dies, in order that there may be a per- The HoI' or Horpa occupy the west- petual incarnation of Buddha at the ern part of Northern Thibet, and ex- head of the Thibetan affairs. They tend into Chinese Tartary or Little do not shout, but they might, with pe- Bokhara. They are nomads, not culiar propriety: "The king is-dead; agriculturists, and more Tartar than long live the king!" for the Dalai Thibetan in their habits. They are Lama never dies. He only disappears mostly Buddhists. But some of them in the form of one man to reappear are Moslems even within Thibet: at the same instant in the form of Turks in blood, Bhots in language. some infant born at the moment of In Ladak both the creed and the liter- the apparent death of the king. They ature are Buddhist, but in blood and search the land to find this childlanguage they are Bhot. Ladak's po- Buddha, place him on the throne, and litical relations are with British India run the Government through a vice. and Kashmir. The Bhot element in roy till he comes to maturity. His its distinct type can not be seen but duties are simply to sit cross-legged in in Chinese Thibet. his temple, and from time to time ex- tend his hand in benediction on his In appearance the Thibetans re- worshipers. semble the Chinese and the Mongols, though, according to Hodgson, many This joint headship of state and of the mountaineers differ entirely church has inhered in the Dalai Lama from the Turanian, and approach the since 1640. There are many other Aryan type. No absolutely white grand lamas, but they are subordinate skins are seen, but often a very pale to the Dalai Lama who is at once brown complexion with red hair and emperor and pope. Below these still gray eyes, and a good deal of bloom are monk-lamas, who act as scribes, on the children's faces. In appearance physicians, sorcerers, etc. It is frethey resemble Chinese and Mongols, quently the case that the correspondnot Hindus, and are more athletic ences of Lamaism with the Roman than either. They are of the same Catholic form of Christianity are overfamily as the Burmese, and their emphasized, at least very incorrect languages are like. Yet Thibetans inferences are made from these. The have no tradition or notion of a pro- Lama ceremonies of baptism, confirgenitor of the human race. There is mation. The ecclesiasticism of pope no caste, yet the social habits are and cardinal, archbishops, priors, Hindu in most r~spects. Polyandra monasteries and nunneries, abbots, prevails, and Polygamy obtains. etc., are all here. But these similar- ities are often strained, and the differ- Since 1720 Thibet has been a depend- ences in them are very great. ency of China, under the Viceroy of Sze-Chuen. Two imperial delegates Lamaism is a compound of Shamanism, Sivaism and Buddhism. The But Thibet was not without a re- Thibetan form of Buddhism is, how- ligion till it imported Buddism and ever, wholly unique. Writers are Sivaism from India. It had an earlier constantly saying this is the strong- creed, though but illy formulated till hold of Buddhism without any ap- Buddhism came. It is known as the parent discrimination. Buddhism in Bon Religion. Eighteen principal ,"ods Burmah is one thing; in Ceylon it is are enumerated. Originally it was a another thing; it is still another sort of nature worship, mixed with thing in Thibet. It is not in its ori- a superstitious element; later on, ginal purity in Thibet. It is strongly adopted from Shamans and the Sivamodified by surrounding religious ites of India, and now further mixed notions. It was born in Thibet contem- with Buddhist ideas. poraneously with the Sikh religion in the Punjab and with the Lutheran CHRISTIANITY IN THmET. Reformation in Europe. In its monasteries in Thibet are preserved heaps The Roman Catholics nave tried to upon heaps of Buddhist literature, the introduce Christianity on the Chinese language Thibetan, but the alphabet border. They began this in 1846, and being Indian, and they may date from made some inroads till 1865, when the second century. They differ in their mission property at Bonga was their language much from the spoken destroyed by fire by the Thibetaus. language of Thibet to-day. Again they endeavored to work, but in 1887 were again driven out, only For much of this class of informa- two of their nine centres being untion one must search ethnological and touched. philological works, like Brace's "Races of the Old World," " Latham's On the west the Moravians have Philology," Hodgson's great works, sought to enter the country, but have and other books like Cunningham's had to stay in British Lahore. They Ladak (the title has gone from us just commenced this mission at the sugnow). gestion of Gutzlaff, in 1853, by send- ing Messrs. Pagell and Hyde, two Max Muller, too, will often let in laymen, who endeavored to reach light, as for instance, in his" Chips," Thibet by way of Russia, but were deetc., where he says: feated in the attempt, and then tried the -India route by way of Simla, in "People have complained of the 1854, to Kyelang in Lahore, and eslength of the sacred books of other tablished a mission house 10,000 feet nations, but there are none that ap- above the sea, and at Poo, in Kunaproach in bulk to the sacred canon of war, in 1865. At this latter place they the Thibetans. It consists of two col- number forty converts. They have lections, commonly called the Kanjur done a large amount of translation of and Tanjur." Scriptures, grammars, etc., into Thibetan, and sent these into Thibet, The Kanjur consists in different where it is said all the lamas can editions of 100, 102 or 108 volumes read, and the lamas, remember, folio. It comprises 1,083 distinct number eighty thousand! works. The Tanjur consists of 225 volumes folio, each weighing from -Father Agostino, a preaching four to five pounds in the Peking edi- friar, has been addressing flocks of tion, which edition was sold for $3,000 people in Rome, and among them by the Emperor Khian-Lung. A copy even skeptical scientists. He is an of the Kanjur was bartered for 7,000 impassioned orator, and has been oxen, and a copy of Kanjur and called the "modem Savonarola." Tanjur together was sold for 1,200 Nevertheless, he is an ignorant Romansilver roubles. (See Vol. XX., ist and worships the Virgin. " Asiatic Researches.")
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
-Mr. H. W. Frost writes that the Missionaries employed, 121; days inundation in the region about Tient- labored, 23,182; stations supplied, 710; sin, in province of Chihli, was caused miles traveled, 200,443; sermons by very heavy rain-falls in the moun- preached, 12,029; Exhortations and tains: The waters spread with unex- other religious addresses, 6,587; total ampled suddenness. Mud villages sermons, 18,616; baptized into mission were completely dissolved, and swept churches, 1,893; received by letter away with their inhabitants; some and restoration by mission churches, who escaped with life lost ~he crops 2,267; total received by mission Dn which they depended for the eight churches, 4,160; professed conversions, months to come. Probably 4,000,000 2,619; churches assisted in organizing, Df people will depend on charity, in 103; prayer meetings assisted in orthis province alone, until May next. ganizing, 405; Sunday-schoolsassisted Active relief committees are at work, in organizing, 250; prayer meetings ascertaining the extent of the calam- led, 3,224; elders or bishops assisted ity, and devising means of help. The in ordaining, 43; deacons assisted in government is repairing the embank- ordaining, 98; pages religious literments, and has issued an imperialre- ature distributed, 522,789; reliigious script ordering Tls.60,000, to be dis- visits, 28,611; church houses built in tributed among sufferers. All this, connection with labor, No. 39, cost, however, is inadequate to raise the $29,965.00; books, Bibles, etc., distrirecipients above the bare preservation buted, No. 2,406, cost, $1,061.03; colof life. Rev. G. W. Clarke, of the lected for State missions, $35,357.77. China Inland Mission, writes, that to keep these people from November 15th -The Dutch Reformed Church of to March 15th, at two cents a day for Cape Colony, which has 175,555 bapadults and one cent for children up to tized white members, is coming, says twelve years, would cost $9,000,QOO. the Rev. Charles Starbuck, under Even now famine is upon the people Scottish and English Stimulus, to who can get but one meal, and that show a much more animated missionvery poor food, every twenty-four ary zeal. "Stellenbosch, with its theohours. Here is a chance not only to logical institute, is very especially a help the starving, but to reach them focus of missionary zeal." Among the with the b.read of life. The judicious others, the Wesleyan Missionary Sohelp given in 1871, 1878, 1888, re- ciety is most prominent. It has (in the moved many prejudices against mis- west) 9 stations, 6 missionaries, 96 na. sionaries and resulted in soul-saving:. tive helpers, 1,476 communicants, 1,467 scholars. The South African If any feel moved to contribute, a Wesleyans are quite independent of draft on London, England, sent to the the British conference. In the whole Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Cor- Colony they have 71 stations, 156 poration, Shanghai, China, or a post- churches and chapels, 55 clergymen, office order or New York draft, sent to 1,198 native helpers, 16,840 communi- Mr. H. W. Frost,No. 30 Sheeter Street, cants, 88,000 baptized adherents, 218 Toronto, Canada,will be forwarded to schools, 310 teachers, 13,803 scholars. the relief of the suffering millions. "But no other British society laboring in South Africa compares with the -Mr. J. B. Cranfill, superintendent Scottish societies as respects' capabilof missions, incloses summary of ity, sobriety and diligence, combined Texas (Baptist) mission work, from with true evangelical piety." The Free September 30,1889, to September 30, Church of Scotland has 9 stations, 10 1890: ordained Europeans, 2 ordained na- cational and industrial training. The tives, 23 native helpers, 4214 commu- United Presbyterians have 11 stations, nicants, 12,113 baptized adherents, 12 missionaries, 60 native helpers, 2,307 3,510 scholars. Their institute at Love- communicants, 8,080 baptized adherdale (largely assisted by the colonial ents, 43 schools, 1,735 scholars.-Illu8government) is a great force for edu- trated Weekly.
Foreign Mission Notes, by Rev. James Johnston, Bolton, England.
The Missionary Death Roll. secrated in Edinburgh on All Soul's Bishop Callaway.-At the close of Day, 1874, he settled at Umtata, March last, in his seventy-third year, around which grew up a small town, passed away the Right Reverend a pro-cathedral, a theological training Henry Callaway, D.D., first bishop of college for natives, schools for native St. John's, South Africa. Born in and European boys and girls, a hospi- Crediton, Devonshire, on the 17th of tal, and other institutions. Through- January, 1817; he early attached him- out his wide diocese he toiled with self to the Society of Friends. He inexhaustible zeal. On the failure of pursued the medical profession with health, in 1886, he formally resigned marked distinction, in London, and returned to his native land. True though his interest in religious ques- to the apostolic spirit, he devoted all tions and pre-eminently his strong his property to Spring Vale when he convictions on missions ultimately in- withdrew, and subsequently gave to duced him to join the Established the Established Church a sum of Church. On the formation of the £2,000 on his retirement. Bishop Cal- See of ~atal, he responded to Bishop laway will rank with Africa's most Colenso's call and was ordained laborious and enlightened missionary at Norwich Cathedral, August, 1854. heralds.
After a voyage of fourteen weeks to Mr. A. M. Mackay.-By the death Port Durban, he was appointed in the of this eminent missionary a lament- capacity of priest, in September, 1855, able blank is created in the Uganda to St. Andrews, Pietermaritzburg, the Mission. Most probably this event oc- first church erected in Natal. He ClIrred at Usambiro, on the southwest speedily became a conspicuous worker of Victoria Nyanza, 750 miles inland.
among the heathen and in the study Mr. Mackay was born at the Rhynie of the Kaffir language. Three years Manse, Aberdeenshire, in 1849, where later he obtained a grant of 3,000 acres his father was a noted Presbyterian of land, a day's journey from Rich- minister. Educated partly at home mond, where he founded the famous and at the Northern University, he Spring Vale Station, a prolific centre later went to Berlin in order to follow of Christianizing influence. He as- the profession of engineering. There sisted in reducing the Kaffir language he won no inconsiderable reputation to written form, and chiefly in trans- for ability and accomplislmIents. Mr.
lating nearly the whole of the Scrip- Stanley's historic letter, inviting mis- tures and Prayer Book. In this sionaries, in 1885, to the dominions of tongue, followed by a literal transla- Mtesa, moved the young engineer in tion in English, he wrote a book en- Germany to offer himself for service titled, "Zulu Nursery Tales." On the as an artisan missionary to the Church Scotch Established Church founding Missionary Society. He was readily in 1873, the Bishopric of Independent accepted, and on the 27th of April, Kaffraria, lying between Natal and 1876, sailed with the first party.
Cape Colony, Dr. Callaway was of- His desire to go forward on landing fered and accepted the. charge. Con- was frustrated by a serious illness. During his months of waiting by the classes. A pamphlet named "Times seaboard he made important surveys of Refreshing in Spain," recently pub- and laid out a useful road as far as lished in Glasgow, contains a bright Mpwapwa. When the news of the narrative of his toils for the better tragic deaths of Lieutenant Shergold school accommodation of the families Smith and Mr. O'Neill on Victoria Ny- connected with the Rio Tinto Com- anza came to hand, he resolved at pany, and increased facilities of wor- every hazard to join the lonely re- ship. He was equally esteemed by maining missionary, the Rev. C. T. the officers and seamen at the ship- Wilson. In December, 1878, he ping port for whom he opened a res- reached Mtesa's capital. Through a taurant and readiug-room, and as ~uccession of hardships, perils and ca- steadfastly sought their spiritual wel- lamities, he displayed the highest de- fare.
votion and splendid fortitude. House Rev. T. German Jones.-By the and boat-building, implement-mak- unexpected decease of this notable ing, teaching agriculture, managing mISSIOnary, the Welsh Calvanistic the printing-press, and proclaiming Methodists are bereft of one who held the message of eternal life, occupied a foremost position in the mission his nights and days among the tribes cause in the East. An overworked of Uganda. Under threat or in cap- system compelled him to sail from tivity he tarried within Uganda Ter- Calcutta, with his wife, on the 17th of ritoryuntil he was driven forth by the last March. The relatives and friends Mohammedan revolt in 1888. At his who repaired to Gravesend to await temporary abode, Usambiro, every the incoming steamer were terribly one knows how faithfully he succored shocked to learn on her arrival that the followers of Stanley and Emin on the home-voyaging missionary died on their coastward march. His decease the previous day, April 14th. In many robs the Church Missionary Society of respects his career was a remarkable its most conspicuous foreign agent,and one. A native of Anglesey, he was the whole missionary world of one of employed for some years as a working the most energetic and successful mis- quarrier. On completing his studies sionary pioneers of modern times. in Bala College he was called to the Rev. James Lundie, M.A.-To ministry of the Welsh Calvanistic the deep sorrow of the English and Church. His foreign labors began at Spaniards at Huelva, Spain, this be- the mission station of the Khasia loved missionary died unexpectedly Hills, India. By an unremitting en- on the 21st of March. At Edinburgh thusiasm he was witness to abun- University, where a few years past he dant spiritual harvests. His services received the Master of Arts degree, to the British government at the time two of his brothers on that occasion of the Indian mutiny were the means had the same honor conferred upon of averting a general rising in the them. One of the latter, Mr. Marsh- neighborhood. All through the awful all Lundie accompanied him to Spain cholera plague in India he labored un- and there ultimately succumbed in flaggingly, e5pecially in bearing the the Master's cause. The third of the stricken to the crowded hospitals.
brothers, the Rev. John Lundie, re- For his devotion on successive famine presents the Scotch United Presby- outbreaks he won the public thanks terians in Kaffraria, in which capacity of the Indian authorities and the he is sustained by a genuine mission- grateful affection of the poorest classes.
ary partner. The subject of this me- With fine literary tastes he combined morial notice was on the eve of com- an extensive and profound Oriental pleting special work for the benefit of scholarship. A large concourse of the English residents and the native mourners and spectators attended the funeral at Smithdown. Cemetery, here. My church, after many years Liverpool, on April 18th. of imancy and adolescence under another, and a part of the time under United States. my ministry, is giving signs of growth. New Orleans, June 30, 1890. EDITORS OF THE MISSIONARY RE- My church is a missionary church, VIEW:-As chairman of the Assembly'S and our young members are being dili- Standing Committee of' Foreign Mis- gently trained as soldiers for the war, sions, at Chattanooga, it was my duty and I hesitate not to declare that the to shape and present the favorable re- Church is so essentially missionary in ,sponse to an overture from the pro- her constitution, that to neglect or to fessors of our colored institution at do slackly this work, is to forfeit the Tuskaloosa, to begin a mission in the charter received from the King. Dark Continent. ,Two missionaries, -one white and the other black, are Yours, in our dear Lord, now on their way to Africa, and our R. Q. MALLARD. Assembly, at its late session in Ash- ville, resolved W reinforce them with Lutherans in all Languages. four additional laborers as soon as the means could be realized. In order to The Lutheran is a church of many deepen the interest of our people in languages. The latest statistics show this new mission, and stimulate that of her baptized membership greater generosity and prayerfulness, throughout the world 32,000,000 speak I sent the article enclosed, entitled, German, 5,300,000 Swedish, 2,500,000 "Wheah's Appeal," to our organ, The Norwegian, 2,300,000 Danish, 2,048,- Southwestern Presbyterian. Possibly 000 Finnish, 1,250,000 English, 1,113,- it might he made of larger service in 000 Hungarian, 624,000 Livonian, 480,- awakening interest in the evangeli- 000 Courlanish, 272,000 Esthnian,70,000 zation of a land long neglected, but French, 70,000 Icelandic, 48,000 Bohetoward which the eyes of the whole mian, and that in every other civilized -civilized as well as Christian world are tongue she is well represented, num- bering in the world 28,406 educated now being turned.* ministers, 38,381 church edifices, and 50,061,280 baptized members. This Your REVIEW, which I have only of church, though taking its origin in late been able to take, is invaluable to Germany, seems to know no fatherme in the preparation of missionary land or mother tongue. She is at sermons, and in the monthly concert home everywhere. of prayer, which I have always observed in my ministry. It is of great Wesleyan Missionary Society.- value in keeping my own soul stirred The society is reported struggling -on the matter which engaged the last against financial difficulties, for the thoughts of our dear Master before He relief of which an earnest call is made. mounted the throne. Your REVIEW Notwithstanding a carefully admin- ~nables the soldier of the Cross to istered expenditure, the current inmount occasionally above the dust and come does not keep pace with. it. smoke of the battle to the serene Possibly for the decrease the embitmountain-top, whence he can, at a tered controversy with Dr. Lunn and glance, survey the entire field of con- Mr. Hughes may be partly accountflict, only to descend with heightened able. The majority of the older courage to his place in the host. British missionary organizations re- gard the obstacles in the way of rais- Allow me to thank you warmly for ing their necessary incomes as multithe help you are giving m~ in my work plying rather than diminishing. The birth of numerous modern societies • We regret that space compels us to omit largely explain this dilemma, for they this strong appeal.-ED. draw upon supporters identified with " Word has been received from the long-established agencies. illustrious Department of Instruction The Salvation Army derives a at Constantinople, addressed to the princely income from the Christian government guarding the interests of public, whereas, General Booth does Syria, to the effect that there has been not aid any other organization, even issued an imperial order in favor of those traveling on corresponding lines Mr. Henry Jessup, a subject of the to his own. honored American republic, based Interest was shown at the Man- upon a statement and petition ad- chester Auxiliary of the Wesleyan dressed by him, permitting him to Society, attended by the Rev. W. H. publish the Weekly Neshra, which Findlay, M.A., of Negapatam,and the had been previously suppressed, this Rev. Professor Patterson, of Madras, permission being granted on the con- in the presence of two old-time Wes- dition that the paper shall not treat of leyan advocates of missions. One of· any political matters, nor of any oc- the veterans, who presided, Mr. Oeo. currences whatsoever which may taktf Cussons, was within a few days of place within the empire or outside its completing his eighty-eighth birthday; borders, but shall treat solely of re- the other patriarch, Mr. John Napier, ligious, scientific and moral questions.
has already entered on his ninetieth But this permission is restricted by the year. The occasion was made deeply condition that nothing shall be printed memorable by the masterly defence in it which directly or indirectly of educational work amid the great opposes any of the religious beliefs centres of population in India. Pro- current in the governments ruled and fessor Patterson held that the policy guarded by the Sultan, and also by the which had been maintained for many condition that a copy of the contents years by the Protestant missionaries of the paper be sent before it is in regard to this phase of activity was printed and published to the govern- wise and justified by its results. ment censor that he may sanction its printing and publication after he has -Liberty of the Press in Turkey. ascertained that in no respect, in The Neshra, an Arabic newspaper single words or in sentences, has there published by the American mission in been any infringement of this condi- Beirut, Syria, was suppressed without tion. The exalted local government cause, months ago, by orders from will inform him of the nature of this Constantinople. Efforts have been concession. "
made, by interviews with the local Turkish soldiers, hemmed in by authorities and by petitions to Con- bayonets and cannon, shout at the stantinople, by the intervention orthe close of their daily reviews, "Long United States consul and of the am- live the Sultan!" American Chris- bassador, to secure permission for its tians interested in the redemption of resumption, but all in vain until the Turkey will wait for further proofs of pre~ent time. the fostering care of the Sultan's gov- An Arabic paper from Beirut, re- ernment before heartily echoing this ceived here recently, publishes the fol- prayer.-Church at Home and Abroad.
lowing notice of the Sultan's gracious edict, from which our readers can Jews.-Baron Hirsch gives $10,000 judge of the nature of the " liberty of a month toward the relief of the Jews the press" in Turkey, and of the re- exiled from Russia and seeking homes strictions to which the missionaries in the United States. The American are subject in their work. This is a Hebrew says: literal translation of the Arabic "A census of the district south of copy:' Houston street and east of Broadway shows Russian and Roumanian Jews were clothed with different clothing; far in excess of one hundred thou- and were of different habits and ways sand, and the average increase by im- of life. Yet I never realized the one migration is about twenty thousand ness of the human family more than I per annum. The committee propose did that day. The poet says, "One using the Hirsch fund in educating touch of nature makes the whole world these people so as to become self-sus- kin." But one touch from the hand taining by entering trades or occupa- of Christ can do far more than that. tions which are new to them, and to It can abolish all differences, makes enable them to amalgamate rapidly us feel that we are the children of a with the people among whom they common Father, saved by a common work or dwell. Classes have been Saviour, heirs of a common inheriopened for teaching children sufficient tance, pilgrims to a common home.- English to prepare them to attend the Samoa, Past and Present, by Rev. public schools; for instructing adults Oharles Phillips. in English, in American history, methods and customs; for fitting girls Monthly Bulletin. for other occupations than tailoring, for making men handy with tools, -A Chinese society of Christian whereby they can more rapidly obtain brethren, organized in East 39th renumerative employment. It has Street, New York City, has, on the first been proposed to teach them various floor, a room for religious meetings, trades, and put some at agriculture, and, on the second, apartments for and so scatter them in different voca- the sick and homeless. It began with tions. With the aid of the employment twenty-six members, who paid $70 bureauofthe United HebrewCharities, per month for the house. positions have been found for a large number of men, the Hirsch fund pay- -A school for the Chinese, opened ing the expense of transporting them at Kelley's, North Carolina, called the to the points where they are to work, " Oriental Academy," began with and in some cases tools have been seven pupils direct from Canton, and given them." is on a farm, and the system is indus- trial. It is designed for Chinamen Samoa. – A South Sea Com- wishing to be educated, but prevented munion. At the close of a service by race prejudice or lack of funds several hundreds remained to com- from entering an American school. memorate our Lord's death. For bread The school is non-sectarian, is under the natives have often only the kernel the auspices of leading Chinamen, of the cocoanut, and for wine only the and will offer opportunities for selfmilk of the cocoanut, the natural support. bread and wine of the country. The scene was very striking. Only four- -In the Sabbath-school of the teen years since the mission ship first Clarendon Baptist Church, in Boston, approached the island. Then they whose pastoris Rev. Dr. A. J. Gordon, were only a herd of naked savages. is a class of one hundred of native Now" clothed and in their right Chinese. They support three of their minds," numbers of them gather countrymen as preachers in their own around the table of the Lord. There land. seemed hardly any point of resemblance between preacher and people. -A united prayer-meeting in con- We were of different races; spoke nection with the week of prayer, for different languages; were of different woman's work in the mission-field, coloring; ate different kinds of food; was held in Exeter Hall, Friday, January 9th, at 3 P. M. Representa- tives of various zenana societies were present and took part in the proceed- said that not until the end of the ings. seventeenth century did the popula- tion number more than 60,000,000, If -A converted Chinaman on our so, what remarkable growth has Pacific coast sold himself as a coolie characterized these last two centuries, in New Guinea, for the sake of work- notwithstanding famines, droughts, ing among his own countrymen. pestilences and wars. Within the last Before he died he was the means of two centuries has occurred the two the conversion of two hundred of his notable reigns of Kanghi and Keincompanions. lung, each lasting nearly sixty years, and were characterized by tranquility -The statement is again made that and good laws. The educational Mr. C. F. Studd, one of the China system also stimulates the increase of Inland missionaries, placed his for- population. The cultivation of silk tune of $500,000 in the hands of the engages a large number of persons, trustees, the interest of which is to go from the tending of the mulberry to the mission, while he shares the trees to the last step in the production common lot of missionaries. Whether of the fabric. About one in nine of this statement is true or not we are not the people is a washerman, one in ten able to say. is engaged in the cultivation of the soil, one in 100 is a bricklayer, or a -Laotsze Yaotze Nahtsze, a cele- stonemason, or a carpenter, and one brated philosopher of China, founder in 120 is a tailor, while one in 140 is a of the Tabu Sect, or Sect of Reason, blacksmith. was born 104 years before Christ. His name means" old boy," because -France is now much the largest he is believed to have been eighty land owner in Africa. Her territory years old at birth. will extend from the Mediterranean almost to the Gulf of Guinea. Even -Forty societies are at work in the great Sahara will now be under China, with between eight hundred French control. and nine hundred missionaries and teachers: -From mid-China we have news of a remarkable revival, great numbers -Dr. J. G. Kerr, of the China Mis_ being brought out of the darkness of sion, read a paper at a meeting of the heathenism. The Rev. George Clark Medical Missionary Association, at has preached to audiences numbering Shanghai, on May 20th, last year, his 4,000. Even the intensely cold weather subject being "Medical Missionaries did not prevent the people from in Relation to the Medical Profession." coming night after night. Stanley He lays great stress upon the moral Smith reports two hundred and ten value of the work of those who, to- baptized at one time and as many gether with the healing of the body, more inquirers. offer to the people that religious faith which has produced the best men and -A missionary home and business women, husbands and wives, citizens agency has been established at No. 8 and neighbors, and governments upon Seward Road, Shanghai, of which Mr. the face of the earth. Edward Evans writes: -Canton is a real Chinese city, but "It is designed as a halting-place Hong Kong is simply:a British settle- for all arriving and departing missionment. aries, of which there is now a large travel through Shanghai, which, with -The population of China is be- the exception of Hong Kong, is the port lieved to be, according to the most re- of entry for all China for Europe and liable statistics, 380,000,000. The America. The China Inland Mission people show a marvelous energy in multiplying. They thrive upon what others regard as starvation diet. It is has recently erected a beautiful and you can lift first the children of the commodious place, costing over rising generation. $50,000, for its own missionaries. The American Presbyterian is the only -At a recent session of the SociaL other society, of all who are repre- Scientists in Saratoga, N. Y., Dr. T. sented in China, who have any home W. Couthers advocated a practical for its missionaries in Shanghai. method of treating drunkards. He' All the more need is there for a Chris- would put the inebriate on the plan of tian home to welcome and shelter and the small-pox patient and put him into pass on new arrivals, often suffering quarantine till he recovers. He would after sea-sickness' of a long voyage, take away his personalliberly, declare and bewildered with the new and him both incapable and irresponsible, strange sights and conditions they are and so strike a death blow at' the entering. The missionaries in the saloons with the pauperism and crime interior have need also of some one to that proceed from it. receive and forward supplies sent them from home, and purchase such things -Samoa has recently attracted'. as they require for home use. The much attention. A large proportion agency is designed to meet this need. of the Samoans are Christians, and a The home is not supported by any missionary says that he would be denomination or society, and is a willing to match any twenty men, simple effort of an independent women and children that he might worker. It is to be carried on so as to meet there against any twenty met at just cover its expenses." random in this country as to their knowledge of the Word of God. -Rev. Dennis Osborne (India) baptized over 500 persons last winter, -In Africa the number of missionand hopes for similar success this sea- aries exceeds five hundred and the son. number of converts four hundred thousand, increasing by about twenty- -Count Campello is addressing five thousand a year. During the very large gatherings in Italy, urging past five years Africa has furnished his hearers to renounce Papacy and more than two hundred martyrs. affirm the infallibility of none but Jesus Christ. He presses the Gospel -A Missionary Reading Circle remessage upon the careless and skepti- cently organized at Columbia, Mo. cal, but his preaching is not unmixed It is an endeavor to unite young with politics. people in a systematic course of read- ing upon the subject of missions. The -Rev. John McNeil, who succeeded course will cover about three years, Rev. J. Oswald Dikes at Regent Square and those who engage in it will be Church, London, is to be relieved examined and certified as graduates from his evening service, that he may upon the completion of the course. proclaim the Gospel in destitute The course for the first year covers regions in London and round about. the lives of Judson and Livingstone, Mr. McNeil has very remarkable gifts Dr. Strong's charming book, "The as an evangelist, and it seems as Missionary Review and the Crisis of though he should not be confined Missions." The admission fee is fifty within the limits of anyone church. cents per annum. We would be glad if such reading circles might be estab- -The motto of Dr. Guthrie's whole lished in every part of our country. Ragged School work was " Prevention Information is what is particularly better than Cure." It is impossible to needed to awaken missionary con· raise the lower classes in towns unless science,
The Missionary Review of the World — January 1891
J. M
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. t.-Old Series.–J ANUARY.–VoL. IV. No. t.-New Series.
L–LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
FALLEN ASLEEP-REV. JAMES M. SHERWOOD, D.D. Like it winter avalanche in the Engadine-sudden, swift and inevitable-Deathcame to our beloved, associate editor, on October 22d. He had been, as usual, at the weekly prayer service, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, the week previous, and had spoken-all unct'>nsciously-his last public words. At the close of a brief, but earnest and impressive address, he faltered a little, said, "Let us pray," and sank back into his seat, speechless. He was tenderly borne to his home, and, after a few days of flickering flame, life's lamp went out so quietly that the exact moment was scarcely perceptible-let us not say "went out," but was transferred to another sphere to burn and shine forever. This departure withdraws from earthly scenes a man who had a large circle of friends. He had been preacher, pastor, author, editor, and in every sphere of activity he touched nothing which he did not adorn. He was not cut off prematurely, for he was in his seventyeighth year; and his years were packed with various and versatile endeavor. Born in Fishkill, N. Y., in 1813, he had only a common-school education, and entered, as clerk, his father's store in Johnsville; until, feeling in him the resistless impulse, toward the ministry of the Gospel, he, with his father's consent, turned his steps toward the pulpit, was taken under care of presbytery and studied theology with the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Fishkill, Rev. Robert G. Armstrong. At, the age of twenty-two, he was licensed to preach, and subsequently served churches in Mendon, N.Y., New Windsor, N.Y., and Bloomfield, N. J. In each of these churches he left his mark both as a preacher and a pastor.' He also acted as evangelist for a term in Milford, Conn. After his health seemed to demand a change of occupation he found a fitting sphere for his busy brain and ready pen in the gi'eat republic of letters. His work as editor of the National Preacher, Biblical Repository, New York Evangelist, Eclectic Magazine, Princeton Review, Hours at Home, Homiletic Repiew, and MISSION-
FALLEN ASLEEP-REV. JAMES M .. SHERWOOD, D. D
ARY REVIEW, has entered, into the unchangable record of history. He was the founder of Hours at Home, which was, in a sense, the parent of Scribner's Magazine; and the richness, variety, and marvel- lous success of the Homiletic Review, none know so well as the twenty thousand readers who study its pages.
Beside all his occasional papers, published in the leading maga- zines and periodicals, he wrote the "History of the Cross," and edited a new edition of the "Life of David Brainerd." He had also written a voluminous work on "Books and Authors," which has not yet ap- peared in print.
Such are the brief outlines of an intellectual life that extended over half a century. He was thrice married; his first wife was Miss Amanda Carpenter; his second, Mills Jane E. Lamberson; the third, Miss Annie Clarke, who survives him, as do also his five children.
We have never known a man of larger capacity for work. No one who knew him would have suspected that he was far on the way toward four-score years. And there was not the slightest sign of intellectual decadence. Up to the last his mind worked with all its pristine vigor and versatility. To the very day when paralysis struck him, he seemed as fresh and young, mentally, as in the years of early manhood, and he actually worked from fifteen to eighteen hours out of every twenty-four.
He was an embodieo, conscience. Duty was his polar star. Indeed, he had but little patienc~ with anything wrong, ignoble, di3honest. In his vocabulary the word" expediency" was not found. Right was his only might, and principle his only policy. There were those who possibly construed as severity what was only an uncompromising adherence to right and righteousness. I,ow moral standards and equivocal moral practices could find with him no toleration, and but little forbearance.
Religiously he was a thoroughly evangelical disciple. He knew no theology but the old theology of Paul. That was good enough for him. He regarded the new notions creeping into the doctrinal beliefs of our day as signs of degeneration and disintegration. He believed implicitly the Word of God and the whole of it, and bowed in humility before tIle mysteries he could not explain. To no work of his life did he give himself with such absolute heartiness as to the editing of a REVIEW whose grand object was to promote a world's evangeli-' zation. ,He was especially desil'Ous' to live till he might see this, the last and most precious work of his life, established on a basis of permanency and having a world-wide circulation.'
As a man, especially in his own household and within th~ circle of intimate friends, we cannot in these pages undertake to photograph his character. There are some secrets that cannot be unveiled to the common eye-they refuse to emerge from their privacy; they lose their beauty by disclosure. It is enough to say that 'he was most bel6lved by those who best kRew him.
Our readers will no longer read his words or feel the pOWEl'!' of his guiding hand in shaping the content·s of this REVIEW. His work here was invaluable. Although his duties, as simply editor, gave him little leisure as a 'Writer, and it was only in an occasional paragraph or a more infrequent article that his hand was seen, even while hidden, it still moved beneath the whole structure of this REVIEW. He was constantly seeking to engage the most competent pens to contribute to its columns, and was always on the alert to improve its quality and increase its circulation and enlarge its influence.
He rests from his labors; we devoutly believe that his works will follow him.
"MORS JANUA VIT.LE."
It may be well for the editor to add that, being left now in sole <lharge of this REVIEW, he proposes some minor alterations, which will be noticeable in the present issue. The number of departments will be less, and the fine print, so trying to many eyes, will be abandoned. Instead of letters from abroad, we shall venture often to give only their substance, and notices of books will appear on,Iy as editorial notes. The Monthly Bulletin will be simply an appendix to General Intelligence, in the briefest and most compendious form, presenting the latest news from various fields, etc. And, in view of the unselfishness of our work, which is undertaken solely for the promotion of the Kingdom of God, we again ask the prayerful, sympathetic co-operation of all who daily pray " Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done In earth as it is in heaven."
SYSTBMATIC GIVING.-To raise large sums for missions we have no need to depend on a few large givers, but only to "organize the littles." Dr. Guthrie eloquently urged hundreds of the poorer folk to take subscription cards and fill them up with such sums as they were able, from a sixpence to five shillings; and explained to them how the drops unite in showers, the showers produce rills, the rills, rivers, and the rivers make the sea! Not six hours after his speech a poor woman in Currie's Close had collected from scavengers and night police and basket-wives and match-sellers-and beings who live no mortal can tell how, over half a sovereign! And a little woman, who sat in all weathers on the street selling eggs from her ba8ket, brought in five shillings, the earnings of many a day's labor.
LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY
LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY. [EDITORIAL. ] On the map of Africa, which history is making, these two names will be engraven in letters so large that they will be read at the distance of ages. It may, therefore, be well to put on permanent record some characteristic facts which link with Equatoria and with each other-David Livingstone and Henry M. Stanley.
DAVID LIVINGSTONE, born March 19, 1813, died April 30, 1873~ having just passed his sixtieth year. Converted at twenty, he was. for forty years, in heart and aim, a mIsSIOnary. Thus have we roughly outlined a life that, within those two-score years, poured forth as much of the costly ointment of a consecrated service as, perhaps, anyone life since the age of the Apostles.
He was a man of singular force. As Sir Bartle Frere said, "Any five years of his life might have established for him, in any other occupation, such a character, and raised for him such a fortune, as none but the most energetic can realize." His last public utterance in his native Scotland seems to have been in Oswell's school, where his closing sentence was: "Fear God and work hard," and these words disclose the double secret of his life. By simple, God-fearing, hardworking perseverance he traveled 29,000 miles in Africa, .and added to the known regions of our globe a million square miles; he discovered Lakes 'Ngami, Shirwa, Nyassa, Moero, Bangweolo, the Upper Zambesi and other rivers; he unveiled the Victoria Falls that surpass Niagara; revealed the high ridges that flank the basin of the central plateau; first, as a European, compassed Tanganyika and gave it its true orientation; explored the geology, and hydrographyfauna and flora of the continent; nd so grappled with the two great enemies of man and beast, in Africa–j'ever and tsetse-that he himself said those two words would, at his death, be found engraven on his heart.
To energy he joined industry. What Livingstone was, as a scientist and explorer, the world does not yet fully know. His powers of mind were but medium, and his early opportunities were but meagre. But, like William Carey, he could" plod;" and rigid economy of time, yoked with patient resoluteness, gave a momentum to his life which native genius and great advantages often fail to secure. In the factory at Blantyre, where attention to his cotton-spinning was necessarily incessant, it was only fragments of time-often less than a minute-that could be spared from his work; but those fragments he gathered up, and it was upon solid and substantial diet that he fed his growing mind. In the books he read as a lad we can see the germs of his scientific career as a man. He was also careful in details. That famous" lined journal' of his was a quarto volume of over 800 pages, where the plain, neat writing is a model and a marvel -of pains and patience. The mind that, even in African wilds, found Telaxation in "Smith's Dictionary of the Bible," will not be charged with lightness or waste of time!
He was certainly ve1'satile~' and what great questions he studied! the dessication of Africa, the possible utilization of her great rivers, .as water highways; the physical structure, geology, climatology, botany, of the tracts traversed! Then, again, we find him translating hymns into the Sechuana language, and adding to all else the toil of book-making, in which, perhaps least of ali, he was a success. This was the only task he did not approach with that enthusiasm, without which he himself said that nothing either good or great is done. Book-making was to him a mere task, to which even crossing Africa was far to be preferred. But it is no marvel if a man, shut in with pagans and for years without contact or converse with a white man, not to sayan Englishman, should feel that he had none of the facile <Jommand over his own tongue, and none of that leisure to digest and .assimilate his own material, which are needful if a book is to be any- thing more than a printed jou1'llal.
Livingstone's services to science were too great for hasty recognition. The accuracy with which he traced his course and marked his geographical points, leaves almost all other explorers behind him. His astronomical observations, his dilicovery of the fact that the In- terior is a plateau intersected by various streams and lakes, whose waters reach the ocean through great fissures in the flanking hills; and his manifold contributions to every department of natural science, compelled even sages to say that such various and versatile suc- .(lesses were without precedent.
Traveler, explorer, geographer, astronomer, zoologist, botanist, physician, missionary-what a many-sided man! What accurate observation of details! What husbanding of results! He brought home twenty-five different sorts of fruits; told of oils, dyes, fibres, varieties -of sheep and vegetable-products of which even the Chamber of Commerce knew hitherto nothing. In May, 1855, the Geographical Sodety decorated him with their highest honor, the gold medal; London, Glasgow and Edinburgh conferred on him the freedom of their dties, while he who loved to minister but not to be ministered unto, shrank from publicity and courted retiracy.
Humor is a conspicuous element in all great natures. A hearty laugh, genuine and generous, somehow inspires confidence. Livingstone's habit of seeing the funny side of things saved many a tragic ending and tU1'lled many a tragedy into a comedy. He writes to his daughter Agnes, about his almost toothless jaws, that if she" takes .any more kisses from him it must be through a speaking trumpet." He declared the sight of a soko (gOt'ilIa) nauseating, and that he is so bideously ugly that he could conceive no other use for him than" to sit for a portrait of Satan." When showing his lantern-slides-the only service for whose repetition the natives clamored-it greatly amused him that those who stood on the side where the slides were withdrawn shrank back in mortal terror lest the mysterious figures that so magically appeared and disappeared should prove wandering spirits and enter into their bodies!
.Duty was his watchword. He was an incarnated conscience. In the scales of a candid mind he weighed eve)·y question, and, aftercarefully considering a course, judged for himself; and then dared to act independently, even though against the remonstrance of his best friends. To keep his word and to do his work was the double motto of his life.
Such elements of character always crystallize about a strong will. His favorite maxim was" Try again!" His persistence and perseverance were heroic and herculean. "If I live I must succeed in what I have undertaken; death alone will put a stop to my efforts,'" were his words in 1866, and they proved prophetic. Half-starved on tough and tasteless African maize, even his goats lost, and milk denied him; his medicine-chest stolen; in the heart of Africa without resource or defence against a thousand ailments, like a warrior without weapons at the mercy of his foes; afterward, narrowly escaping' death thre!l times in one day, and then almost dead of debility and disease;-not one man in a million would have gone forward. Especially when, in 1872, Stanley himself begged him to return with him to England, he never flinched from his resolve to remain in Africa. Nay, when a strange presentiment burdened him that he was on his last journey and would never reach its goal, he pressed on, praying' that before he fell he might work out his purpose!
Self-denial was, from the first, a habit. Privations and sorrows he accepted and expected, as Moses did when he calmly exchanged the treasures and pleaBures of Egypt for a share in the afflictions of the people of God. Rather than sacrifice Africa's good he would spend his last penny, surrender his dearest gains, and give up his last drop of blood.
Such was THE ~IAN who, beyond all others, henceforth stands in history as the heroic friend of Africa. Mr. E. D. Young, who knew him so long and so well, pronounced him" the best man he ever knew.'" Such filial trust in God, such a childlike, Christlike spirit, such loyalty to duty, purity of motive, simplicity of aim, energy of purpose and unselfish love, united to make his life one grand sermon. The iron pen of action, held in the hand of resolve, wrote out its sentences in living deeds on history's imperishable scroll, for all future ages to read in letters of light!
Iile was a man of great faith. His strong but simple confid~nce· in God's providence was the north star of his life. He saw how every' crisis of his life turned upon some seemingly trifling event, as a door swings on a hinge-but the hinge argues a workman who knows how much to hang upon it. He remembered how the chance reading of Dick's" Philosophy of the Future State" led him both toward faith in the unseen and toward a reverent philosophy of science; how Gutz- laff's appeal led him to be a missionary and a medical missionary, too; how while the opium war closed China against him, Moffat's visit wedded him to Africa and to his beloved" Mary" ; how the friendly word of a director procured for him another" trial," while his dangerous illness in London strangely shaped his unconscious future.
He learned also that the leadings of Providence, like the subtle sense of the Inspired Word, are to be read not by the natural but by the spiritual eye; and he sought, by specific prayer for guidance, to cultivate the" single eye," that there might be no dim or confused vision; and carefully watched every motion of God's beckoning hand, pointing finger, or guiding eye. One text gave telescopic range and microscopic delicacy to his vision: "In all thy ways acknowledge Htm, and He shall direct thy paths." This trust in God's providence discerned good and cause for gratitude even in trials and troubles.
Apparent calamity became a storm signal of the will of God; and when, in the death of his wife, that nameless sorrow which finds no earthly balm smote him, his only answer was that great petition of his life: "Fiat, .Domine, voluntas tual"
He believed in special providence. Even among men it is the great minds that give heed to minutire: the astronomer grasps an infinity of small things; the general-in-chief commands the least details in his wide survey of camp and campaign; and so God is not so high above us as not to "number the hairs of our head."
Such a man, of course, loved his Bible, wrote on his heart its pre- cious promises, and became so absorbed in them that he was indiffer- ent, if not insensible, to praise or blame; and, that he might neither be misled nor inflated by human approbation, he made it a rlile never to read or preserve any words ofpraise-which resolve, of itself, marks him as a most uncommon man. While in Manyuema, he four times read his Bible through; and when in Ulva Cottage, in Hamilton, I took that very book in my hands, I saw dimly through my tears the evidences upon its worn pages of the singular devotion of its la- mented owner.
Whatever Livingstons may be in history, in his own eyes he was, first and last, simply a missionary. Charles Gutzlaff's "Appeal for China" first set his heart aflame; but, when his early longing toward China was transferred to Africa, the fire of his enthusiasm lost noth- ing by the transfer of those live coals to a new altar of service and sacrifice. ' When he began his work his conception of himself was that of a mere missionary laborer, but better acquaintance with Africa's wants and woes gave breadth to his aim. He said there was need of one whose plans would embrace a whole continent and its whole. future. The entire land must be surveyed and mapped out; the accursed traf- fic in the bodies and souls of men abolished; the resources of the country developed, and new facilities devised for travel and traffic. Before the missionary could go, his path must be explored. Some John the Baptist must go before Jesus to make a level highway for our God. And this humble missionary-worker unconsciously devel- oped into the MISSIO~ARY GENERAL AND STATESMAN. Restraining the natural impatience of visible progress, he was willing to wait a century for the fruits of his works to be seen; as he grandly declared, the "END OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL FEAT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE EN- TERPRISE."
And so this humble man had a passion to act as a PIONEER, and open a path for others to follow; if he could not himself sow the seed, he could break up fallow ground, where as yet neither sower nor reaper had ever trodden.
Livingstone's ideas of mission work were evangelical and catholic. He offered himself to the London Missionary Society, because its sole aim was to send the Gospel to the heathen; setting up no par- ticular form of church order, but accepting laborers from different denominations, it concerned itself mainly with rearing churches of Christ on Pagan soil. Paul's motto was also Livingstone's: "THE REGIONS BEYOND." He took no "other man's line of things made ready to hand," but yearned to preach Christ where He had not hith- erto been named. As he told the directors of the London Missionary Society, he was at their disposal to "flO anywhere provided only it be FORWARD." The views of Blantyre's great hero, as to missions, are such as we wish might prevail everywhere. "Vith him the foremost law of mis- sions was NOT CONCENTRATION BUT DIFFUSION! However important to secure conversion of individual!'! or of communities, the field is the Vorld, and seed, scattered broadcast over the whole area, is far bet- ter than seed sown however thickly over a limited area. Ve are to seek to sow the whole field, rather than seek harvests however abun- dant in any part of it. He favored colonization, transplanting a body of Christian workmen into the midst of the dark places of the earth and the habitations of cmelty, to show how men and women in every calling, may "abide therein with God;" and he yearned to see twenty . 01' thirty families going together, at one time, to build up a Christian community in the heart of paganism. He gauged missionary success not by the shallow showing of so many converts for so many pounds, shillings and pence; but by the diffusion of better principles which no statistical columns can exhibit, any more than Babbage's calcula- ting machine could suffice for a barometer 01' a thermometer.
He was, in every best sense, a missionary martyr, both in witnessing and suffering. "Sacrifices" he would not call them; but they were many and great. Often soaked with drenching rains; his bed, the coarse, damp grass; his food, bird-seed, roots, African maize; forty timE)s scorched in the furnace of fever; what words can tell the agony, when, April 27, 1860, he left his dear "Mary" in the grave at Shupanga, and turned from her dust to find the only balm for his broken heart in seeking Africa's redemption! Three years later he must have touched the bottom depths of trial. His wife dead, his <lhildren orphans, his expedition recalled, his very efforts to serve God and man apparently turned by Satanic ingenuity into instruments of {lviI, isolated from all true human companionship, with the prostra- tion of disease added to all the vexation of delay and disappointment, how many men have ever faced such environments without suicidal ~e~pair? Seven years later, long without tidings from home,or contact with any European, lingering on a sick bed, without wife, child, mother, brothel' 01' friend to cheer him, a horror of great darkness fell upon him!
Among the great charms of this great man his genuine interest in individuals, however humble, was at once one of the highest, both as an ornament of his character and a secret of his influence. His deep piety transfigured this noble trait into a passion for souls which begot unsparing self-scrutiny. His lament over "poor Sehamy," and his misgivings and self-accusations, lest he had not done all he might to save his soul, reveal profound depths of habitual watchfulness over the lost. He bent every energy to the good of men. When he could not preach, his lantern-slides were made to tell to the eye great facts of Bible history; he subordinated everything to service.
His abhorrence of the slave trade was literally detestation-i. e., it compelled a testimony, which marked his whole course and even his dying utterances. To abate 01' abolish this evil was, perhaps, his master passion. What a debt Christian nations owe to Africa! The destruction of life in the" middle passage" forms but a fraction of the total waste. For every slave transported, a score have fallen by war or violence, disease 01' fatigue. Such atrocities have been linked to this nefarious traffic that the victims sacrificed by it, if laid side by side, would reach round the world, paving with skeletons a pathway over land and sea-bed. Everywhere he saw signs of this continued and continuing desolation-bones bleaching in the sun, fresh corpses floating on the rivers; often heaps of bodies where slave caravans had abandoned their sick, helpless 01' dead. Inhuman drivers shot, stabbed or left to die tho1<e who could not keep up with the rest, and often these were found not yet dead. On his way to Lake Bangweolo he heard six men, wearing the slave yoke, singing in the joy of the vengeance they anticipated in coming back after death to haunt their captors. Exaggeration as to the horrors of this trade is impossible; as the sailor said: "If the devil don't catch these fellows, as well have no devil at all! " The massacres he witnessed gave him the impression of being in hell, and to disclose the horrors of this business so as to lead to its suppression, inflamed his holy ambition more than to reveal the fountains of the Nile. And so, wherever he went, he aimed to teach the first truths of the Gospel and to rouse the dormant Christian con- cience to the measureless atrocity of this traffic. Just one year before his death he uttered those memorable words which still speak from -that memorial slab in Westminster's aisle: "ALL I CAN ADD IN MY LONELINESS IS, MAY HEAYEN'S RICH BLESSING COME DOWN ON EYERY ONE, AMERICAN, ENGLISHMAN OR TURK, WHO WILL HELP TO HEAL THE OPEN SORE OF THE WORLD!"
Livingstone's devotion to Africa was n.ot more remarkable than his power over her sable sons" even his first year there showed that in his hand was the sceptre that could rule Africans. His power was an open' secret. His simple frankness, kindly bearing, honest courage, transparent unselfishness, trust even in strangers, disarmed both sus- picion and antagonism. While with prayer and faith he sowed the seed of the Word, he sowed himself as the seed of the kingdom; and by forgiving injuries and trusting even the unworthy, by absolute fidelity even to trivial promises, and by a Christlike life that taught more than any words, he moulded even savages into noblemen. What his character wrought in this direction may be seen in Susi and Chuma, his faithful body servants, who amid such hardships bore his body from Ilala to England.
Dr. Blaikie, in his charming" Personal Life of Livingstone," sug- gests that the old Roman fashion would have written his name Livingstone" Africanus." When first overwhelmed with the vastness , of Africa, he asked: "Who will penetrate through the Dark Conti- nent ?" And that was the question of his life. From the day in December, 1840, when he first set forth for those shores, this double work, the emancipation and evangelization of Africa, was his passion. When, in 1863, he expected the recall of his expedition, he could only say: "If I am to go ' on the shelf' let that shelf be Africa." And history presents no fact more pathetic, poetic, prophetic in its sym- bolism, than this-that when, on April 80, 1878, he was found on his knees, at Ilala, dead, his heart should be buried there beneath a moula tree, while his body was borne to England to be laid in the great sepul- chre of her greater dead! Emphatically Livingstone's heart was from the beginning buried in Africa; but buried as the seed of a future harvest. It shall not abide alone, but dying, and springing up, bear much fruit-fruit too vast in measure for our arithmetic to estimate! 1Ve yearn to see that life and death bearing fruit in many holy lives. How slow are disciples to learn the ministry of money. Moffat nsed to say that the coming day will :find rich and great disciples regarding it an honor to spend their money not on hounds and horses, but in the support of whole stations of missionaries. Many who read these lines are providentially kept from giving their lives in personal labor for the degraded and destitute. But how many of Ull, had we but the spirit of David Livingstone, would be found living in the persons of other consecrated men and women, and, by the agency of these workmen, preaching the Gospel where Christ had never yet been named. Oh, that those who read the story of such a life, and walk over that memorial stone at the Abbey, would take up the work he laid down, and by their money, their prayers, their tears, their influence, if not their personal efforts, help to heal this open sore of the world, and light the flame of the Gospel and of the new life wherever darkness reigns and habitations of cruelty are found!
Yes, David Livingstone-thy candle, found burning in the grass hnt at IIala, still burns and shines, and never will it go out, until, from Zanzibar to Banana, from Nile to Niger, and from the Cape of Good Hope to the Pillars of Hercules, shall shine the Light of the World!
HENRY MORTLAKE STANLEY is by birth a Welshman, and his. original name was John Rowlands. The same year, 1841, that David Livingstone first reached Africa, was the year that ushered into life the boy who was to be his distinguished successor in the exploration of the Dark Continent. This is one of the striking coincidences of history: while the cotton-spinner of Blantyre was on his way to the Cape, an infant boy at Denbigh, in Wales, was :first starting on his voyage upon the unknown sea of life. A certain Mr. H. M. Stanley,. in New Orleans, adopted this Welsh boy, transmitting to him his own name, little knowing what high honor that boy was to reflect upon it. We follow this waif of humanity, as he enlists in the armies of the Confederacy, and subsequently drifts into the Federal ranks; until 1865, when, acting as secrctary for an admiral, he was promoted fOl' heroism, having manifested his courage by swimming, under :fire, to fasten a hawser to a Confederate vessel.
The next great step toward his after career was his becoming a· representative of the press'-;"a newspaper correspondent. He served in a Guerilla warfare against the North American Indians, then wrote letters to the New York Herald, accompanied the British expedition into Abyssinia, etc. Thus a mixed experience on land and sea, in army and navy, :fitted him for camp or campaign, tent or vessel; picking up scraps of information and gathering treasures of varied experience, he grew to be peculiarly adapted for the unique life he was to lead, but which only God's Providence had foreseen.
In 1869 he was commissioned by James Gordon Bennet, of the New York Herald, to find the lost Livingstone. His expedition was to be kept secret. He went by a round-about course, arrived at Zan- .zibar January 6, 1871, and started for the interior, feeling his way toward Livingstone by such indications as only the most sagacious instinct could recognize. He had used the time at sea, en route to the African Coast, to learn how to take astronomical observations and lJrepare himself as a surveyor. November 10, 1871, found him at Ujiji, near Lake Tanganyika, and there he grasped the hand of the .scotch herb, of whom for three years no certain word had reached the ears of an anxious outside world. Twenty-three times Stanley }lad been prostrated with fever, but he felt repaid when, on December 27th, the travelers set out together for Unyanyembe; and more espe- {)ially when, on March 14, 1872, they parted, having been four months .and four days together.
In 1873, Mr. Stanley again accompanied the British expedition to Coomassie. That same year, May 4, 1873, Livingstone was found by Susi, at four o'clock in the morning, in the little grass hut, not in bed but at the bed-side, his head buried in his hands, and both buried in the pillow; the candle still burned, but the candle of life that bad shed its rays so far over benighted Africa, had gone out. In 1874, April 18th, the sacred dust of the great traveler reached their final resting-place in the Abbey; and MI': Stanley led the body of pallbearers, as they deposited, in the tomb in the nave, the body of the man to whom he owed more than to any other human being.
And now begins a new chapter, the .fourth in the weird experi- ence of that Welsh-American. He who, at U nyamyembe, had sorrowfully parted with Livingstone, by that open grave in Westminster, resolved to take up and finish the work he had left undone. And so a new chapter also opened in' Stanley's African experiences. On August 5, he left England, and on November 12-three years almost to a day from the time he first grasped Livingstone's hand-he left Zanzibar again for the unknown interior. At Uganda he met Mtesa, whose warriors he estimated at a quarter of a million. "While at his {)ourt he translated the Gospel according to Luke, and actually wrote a brief analysis of Bible history in Kiswaheli for the monarch's use. Mte,sa professed adherence to the Bible instead of the Koran, and invited to his capital Christian teachers. Stanley then wrote a letter, which was published in the Daily Telegraph, urging that missionaries should be sent. And so Stanley began, in more senses than one, to follow in the steps of the grand Scotchman. The Church Missionary Society sent men to Uganda, who, in 1877 began to labor. That letter of Stanley's had a stl'ange histOl"Y. It was given to I~inant de Belfonds, one of the officers of Gordon Pasha. When he was killed by the Baris the letter was found in his boot and forwarded by Gor- .don Pasha. After a journey of 7,000 miles, consuming 999 days, Stanley reached Banana point, August 9th, 1877. In January, 1879, he was again en route to the Dark Continent, at the head of the expedition, organized by Leopold 11., of Belgium, who, in place of his dead son, adopted Africa as his child and ward. Stanley reached the Congo's Estuary on August 14, 1879; Leopoldville station was built in April, 1882. Compelled by illness to return for a time to Europe, he came back to the Congo toward the end of the same year; and in August, 1884, reported to the King of Belgium that his mission was ac.complished. He had performed the stupendous feat of opening up the Congo basin, with its 5,249 miles of navigable waters, its 43,000,00() of people, its area of nearly 11,000,000 square miles drained by various streams. In February, 1885, the Congo Free State was erected and recognized as such, with Leopold II. as its sovereign.
January 20, 1887, Stanley begins a new chapter, and again Africa is the theatre of his action. He departs from London for the relief of Emin Pasha. February 25th, he once more left Zanzibar, and, going by the Congo's mouth, reached Leopo}dville, April 21st. A year later, April 29th, just fifteen years from the last day of Livingstone's travels, he met Emin Pasha at Kavalli, and December 6, 1889, emerged from darkest Africa once more at Zanzibar.
From that day honors were showered thick as autumn leaves on Stanley's head. The reception given him, May 5, 1890, at Albert Hall, in London, when 7,000 people were present, was one of the most brilliant assemblages of all modern history. Then, on July 12th, in the great Abbey, he led to the marriage altar his accomplished bride, Miss Tennant; and sInce, in her jubilee year, the Queen was there, Westminster has had no such gathering. Had it been a ,royal ceremony, the interest could not have been more intense or the throng more dense. 'l'he long, crimson carpet broke its lines only over the slab which in the isle bore the name of LIVINGSTONE. Two magnificent floral wreaths, one from the officers of the relief expedition, and another from Mr. Stanley himself, were laid on the sides of the prostrate tablet, and when the bride moved up the aisle she gracefully laid still another tribute upon the marble memorial, bearing, in flowers, the words, "In memoriam, DAVID LIVINGSTONE-H. M. STANLEY."
Thus, at no little length, we have chosen to place before our readers in outline, for permanent record, the twin stories of these two strangely-linked lives. We do no injustice to Mr. Stanley when we say, what he himself is reported to have said, that, to the four months and four days that he spent with Livingstone in Africa, he owes the greatest impulses of his later life, and especially his attitude toward Christianity. Livingstone found himself suddenly thrown into the society of a stranger who was far from being a Christian disciple. There is no. evidence that during all those months he ever directly <lonversed with Stanley as to his spiritual interests. But sure we are that by his manifest character he commended the religion of his }Iaster. His uncompromising loyalty to Christ, his unobtrusive conscientiousness, his unselfishness, considerateness, readiness to obligeall this impressed Stanley as no words had ever moved him; and, when he parted from his new friend, he was constrained to' say, what Pilate said of a far greater, " I find·no fault in this man!"
From that day Mr. Stanley has led a life that runs strangely in sympathy with that which had its spring in Blantyre. When Sir William Mackinnon asked the pleasure of presenting· him with some token of friendship to carry with him to Africa, Stanley replied, "Give me a Bible," and he took it and read it thrice through. Afterward, in darkest Africa, constrained at the darkest hour humbly to confess that, without God's help, he was hopeless, he says: "I vowed a vow in the forest solitudes that I would confess His aid before men. Silence, as of death, was round about me. It was midnight; I was weakened by illness, had been prostrated by fatigue, and wan with anxiety for m'y white and black companions, whose fate was a mystery. In this physical and mental distress, I besought God to give me back my people. Nine hours later we were exulting with a rapturous joy. In full view of all was the crimson flag with the crescent, and beneath its folds was the long-lost rear column."
And now he whose previous reserve upon such matters had seemed to bear a special seal of silence, has made this, his latest confession: "Many forms of belief and curious ideas respecting the great mystery of our being and creation have been suggested to me during my life and its wanderings; but after weighing each and attempting to understand what must be unsearchable, my greatest comfort has been in peacefully resting firm in the faith of my sires. For all the human glory that surrounds the memory of Darwin and his wise compeers throughout advanced Europe, I would not abate a jot or tittle of my belief in the Supreme God and that divine :Man called His Son."
Space alone compels our pen to halt as we pursue this fasciitating story of these twin lives. We have had space not even for a paragraph about that last book, with its thousand pages, of forty lines each, all the work of fifty days, and itself a greater feat than his march in Equatoria; and the production of which as a printed volume is said to have employed an army of nearly 15,000 men and women. We have had no space to repeat Mr. Stanley's noble tributes to the heroism and success of Christian missions which present such a marked contrast to some modern critics who ought to have been in better business. We have sought merely to put side by side two lives whose unique parallelism demands a permanent memorial and suggests lessons of lasting value. We must not fail to note one marked contrast. As Livingstone's great successor followed the mIssionary explorer, he iltrewed his path with the blood of the slain. Livingstone had trodden those same paths without even a pocket pistol for personal protection from wild beasts; his great weapon of defence was a magnanimous Love that forgave even the injuries it could not prevent. And, when we read of the demijohns of strong drink which Stanley, in his former passage across the Dark Continent, distributed to those sable sons of her soil whom he employed in building his stations, we cannot but deplore any such ministry to the destructive appetite for intoxicants. We recall that letter, the first written in English by a Congo native, and addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury: " Great and Good Chief of the Tribe of Christ, Greeting: " The humblest of your servants kisses the hem of your garment, and begs you to send to his fellow servants more Gospel and less rum. " In the bonds of Christ, " U GALLA."
And now, 3S we turn from these two lives, may we not invoke the prayers of all Christians that the latter, the unfinished one, may complete its noble and heroic course by a service to God and a ministry to man that shall surpass anything yet accomplished by Stanley, or even by Livingstone? Our living hero is decked with many medals and crowned with many laurels. We crave for him one ,still higher and brighter-a crown wrought by no human handswhose lustrous gems burn with immortal fires and outshine in splendor ~Ven the glory of the stars!
A PERTINENT REPLY.-We understand that our friend, Chaplain :McCabe, has sent the following message to Colonel Ingersoll: "DEAR COLoNEL:-Ten years ago you made the following prediction: 'Ten years from this time two theatres will be built for one church.' The time is up. The Methodists are now building four churches every day-one every six hours. Please venture upon another prediction for the year."
Evidently the Colonel is as far out of the way as Voltaire was when he set up a printing press at Fernay to demolish Christianity. That press is now used at Geneva to print Bibles !!
MONEy.-Early in our own generation there were but five men in this country who were millionaires: John J. Astor and Stephen Whitney, New York; Nicholas Longworth, Cincinnati; William Gray, Boston, and Stephen Girard, Philadelphia. To-day in New York alone there are 500 millionaires, some of them worth from 100 to 300 millions, and in the coffers of American Protestant Christians there are not less than ten thousand millions oj dollars. One man in 1869 spent as much for a corner lot on which to build a private residence as the Presbyterian denomination spent for its entire foreign mission work!
NEW EFFORTS IN BELGIUM
NEW EFFORTS IN BELGIUM.
BY REV. HENRY E. DOSKER, A.M., HOLLAND, MICH.
Of all the countries of the continent Belgium is one of the most peculiar. With an area of 11,373 square miles and a population of nearly 6,000,000, it is the most densely populated strip of land on earth. This may seem strange, and yet it is true. While the Nether- lands come next in order, with a population of 312.86 to the square mile, Belgium crowds together, in the same space, not less than 481. 71 of its inhabitants. British India has only 311.57 and China but 83.86. These figures are respectively taken from the census-reports of 1885~ 1881, and 1887.
The physical aspect of Belgium, generally speaking, is flat, like that of Holland; a great part of the country actually lying below the level of the sea. In t.he south-eastern districts, alone, a considerable highland is formed, of some 2,000 feet high, by a spur of the Ardennes. This mountainous region, rich in different minerals and coal, together with a proverbially rich alluvial soil in the lower parts of the coun- try, enables Belgium to maintain its enormously dense population.
Its inhabitants are of a mixed Teutonic and Celtic stQck. The two main branches are the Flemings of German and the Walloons of Celtic, origin; the fonner out-number the latter, in the proportion of 4 to 3, throughout the country.
The French language is spoken at court and among the higher classes. In the rural districts and provincial towns a curious patois prevails, in various dialects of either Flemish or Walloon. This lack of a national language and literature has greatly retarded the intel- lectual progress of the nation, which is in no wise proportionate to its physical advantages. The educational system of Belgium was, till recently, quite deficient, and the sharp antagonism between the cleri- cal and liberal parties has made adequate provision in its behalf well- nigh impossible.
As might be expected from its history, the religion of the country is prevalently Roman Catholic. Of the nearly 6,000,000 of inhabit- ants, from 13,000 to 18,000 are Protestant, with some 35,000 Jews; the remainder nominally belong to Rome. Nominally, I say, for the close contact with France, the permeating influence of its periodic re- , volutionary attacks, and the prevalence of socialistic and rationalistic tendencies among the masses of the people, have so materially changed the religious 'complexion of the country, that a large pro- portion, possibly a majority, of its inhabitants may be put down as irreligious, if not atheistic.
The Gospel of Christ in Belgium meets with much the same dif- ficulties as it does in France. Efforts to bring the Word of God to the masses of the people have been made for years, and the so-called "Belgian Mission Church," and similar organizations, have not been unblessed in their endeavor to reach the Belgians by the channels of the two great languages of the country. But the trouble was that heretofore the labor performed has been too staid and conservative; the methods adopted were antiquated and ill-adapted to the peculiar character of the people and of the work in hand, and the little focus points of life, which resulted from such efforts, have had a tendency to develop too quickly into establishments for the edification of the few rather than for the salvation of the many.
A new attempt has been made of late at Brussels, which, if it should prove to be tenacious of life may become for Belgium and its capital what the McAll Missions are for France and Paris.
Allow me to outline the new movement. The name of its leader is Rev. N. De Jonge, who, some sixteen years ago, came to Brussels as a young preacher in the Dutch Evangelical Church. Through his personal influence, his church soon developed a rare missionary'activity. He made his people understand their divine call to labor among the bigoted 01' irreligious masses who surrounded them in the capital.
The year 1880 was one of special activity in this line. A revival visited the church, and especially those who were engaged in this department of her labors.
A city evangelization society was organized, of which pastor De Jonge became the director. The double task soon grew too heavy and he was placed before the inevitable choice between his charge and his mission. He was not long in deciding, and yet the decision. was one, in which he staked all on his faith in God; for he lost his salary and had no visible means of support. His resignation took effect on the first of Jannary, 1887, and another pastor soon took his place, whilst~ he began to devote himself, with all the energy of his young and vigorous manhood, to the work of evangelizing the masses of the Belgian capital, trusting, for the support of himself and large family, in the promise of God. And not in vain!
The work now rapidly extended and assumed encouraging proportions. It affords, to-day, the following aspect: a hall, named "Silo," with a seating capacity of 300, in the suburb I..acken; another, "Bethel," with l'oom for 80, about a mile distant, in the same neighborhood. In the suburb Anderlecht, a hall, named "Pniel," with seats for 200; neal' by, at the hamlet of Veeweyde, the hall "Bethlehem," with a seating capacity of 100. And still another and larger hall in the village of Ruysbrock, neal' by, as yet unnamed, but offering room for more than 300 hearers. As with the McAll rooms, the stations are simply but neatly furnished. Every night of the week, meetings are held in at least foul' of these mission halls, and the attend:l.llce is steadily increasing.
Besides all this the Mission has a printing-office in connection with the Silo station, where hundreds of pamphlets. and. tracts are pub- Hshed, to be spread broadcast over the entire kingdom. Two week- lies are issued fram this press: "Het Ohristelijke Volksblad" (The Christian National Paper), and "])e Blijde Boodschap voor Vlaamsch Belgie" (The Glad Tidings for Flemish Belgium.) The circulation of the latter, the smallest paper, has reached the number of 1,500. Moreover, a mission hospital has been opened, and h~ndreds of Catholic patients have been treated and evangelized at this "Beth- esda," as it has been appropriately named.
By catechetical instruction and Sabbath-school work the Mission endeavors to reach Roman Catholic children; hundreds of whom at- tend, notwithstanding the open opposition and secret scheming of the priests. All this missionary work is clinched by systematic house- visitation, which is richly blessed. Besides Rev. De J onge, the director of the Mission, two evangelists, two colporteurs, two regular trained hospital nurses, and some forty assistants are employed. It seems to me that this movement is worthy of close observation and encouragement.
The Catholic masses of Belgium are harder to be reached than those of France. The antagonism against Protestantism here is a.
growth of centuries; its earliest roots lie hidden in the memorable struggle of the eighty years' war. The southern part of the country never fully shared in the struggle for liberty. At Brussels the Spanish court was established; there the two most noted political victims of Alva's wrath were beheaded; there the "bloody assizes" held their councils. At Antwerp the two earliest religious m;utyrs of the Nether- lands fell. When the cause of freedom finally triumphed, and the North became independent, the South was still held in the Spanish vise, and the reformation within her borders had literally been drowned in a sea. of blood. From this time on, the unfortunate country was tossed to-and-fro between the great powers. To-day Austria, to-morrow Spain, then again France ruled it, as a whole or in part. In 1748 it finally came back to Austria, in whose g-rasp it remained, with varying fortune~, till the Congress of Vienna, in 1815, united it with Holland. But the two countries were only united never unijied.
In the revolution of 1830, the Belgians revolted and established their own independence and the severance became a fait accompli, by the treaty of London, May 21, 1833. Hence the antagonism against Protestantism has a political background. To the Belgian mind it is a thoroughly "Dutch" affair. And the overcoming of this prejudice is no small factor in the difficulties of Protestant missions in the country.
May the movement of De Jonge prove for the Belgians what the McAll Mistlion is to France, for the spiritual rescue of hundreds of thousands. Foreign Protestant missions, generally considered, in heathen lands, are far easier and far more hopeful than those COllducted by the handful of trusty laborers, who have given their lives to the evangelization of countries, thoroughly and for centuries nnder the influence of the papacy.
HELPERS AND HINDERERS OF MISSIONS IN JAPAN
[The following charming letter is from the beloved son of Rev. A. J. ·Gordon, of Boston, one of our editorial contributors.] HELPERS AND HINDERERS OF MISSIONS IN JAPAN.
BY ERNEST B. GORDON.
While enjoying the cordial hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Brand, the excellent missionaries of the Baptist Union, I have had considerable opportunity to observe the progress of the work as well as some {)f its drawbacks.
I went over to the Shogum's tombs, in Shita, the other day, and while straying in and about the temple of Zojigi, stumbled across a little fellow, a Buddhist novice, who spoke a little English. He had Dr. Hepburn's Dictionary, and was reading Peter Parley's Universal History. I struck up an acquaintance with him, and learned that he was a protege of Oolonel Olcott, who was to take him to India to study Sanscrit and the sacred books, but was prevented by the boy's poor health. Olcott, as is known, is the American Buddhist who goes about wearing a jewel said to be a crystalized tear of Mme. Blavatsky. He has published a Buddhist catechism in Singhalese, which has received the imprimatur of the Southern Ohurch in Oeylon, and is considered by Oeylonese Buddhists as almost canoni- ~al. It has gone through seventeen Singhalese editions, and was recently published in English by Estes & Lauriat, of Boston. I invited the boy around to Mr. Brand's to dinner and gave him a copy of the New Testament, which he promised to read. Last night he came again and talked a long time with Mrs. Brand about Shaka or Buddha and Jesus. He seemed much interested, especially when she told him of what Jesus left when He came to earth. He was surprised to find that Ohristians were not hateful and bitter.
The story of Roman Oatholic misl"ions in Japan is well known. Shinabara and the Oliff of Pappenberg will ever bear witness to the constancy and heroic endurance of the Roman Oatholic converts. Nevertheless, Oatholicism left a bad impression. I met the other day an old Japanese who remembers distinctly the annual ceremony of trampling upon the cross. A brass cross was brought around to every house in his village by the authorities, and everybody was required to trample upon it as a sign of his repudiation and contempt ()f Ohristianity. Much of this misapprehension and. bitterness still lingers among the Buddhist priests. The little novice, therefore, was pleased at our attention. He promised to come again and hear more about Ohrist.
Oolonel Olcott has done much harm here in Japan. An American is a person of influenee on account of his birthplace. To find an American teaching Buddhism was an experience, therefore, which startled young Japanese and which encouraged the Buddhist priests to attempt the galyanization of their putrescent superstition. Arthur May Knapp, too, the Boston representative of "Reciprocity in Religion," to use his own phrase, is encouraging the Buddhists in every possible way. He has abandoned his title of "missionary," and has assumed that of "ambassador"; the idea being, (,7idently, that he and the Buddhists are to exchange ideas and to treat with each other on an equal footing. This reassures the Buddhists and amazes the advanced men in Japan, who look upon Buddhism with the hatred and contempt which the liberals in Italy feel for the obscurantists of Rome.
Have you seen what Mr. Takahashi Goro, a prominent newspaper man, said at the banquet last May about the Unitarian movement in Japan? Its significance will fully appear when one takes into account the extreme politeness of the Japanese people. He said that he had not yet succeeded in fully mastering the doctrine of Unitarianism. He had perused the books kindly placed at his disposal by Mr. Knapp, but he still remained more or less in the dark. One thing, however, he had ascertained beyond question, viz., that Unitarianism is the child of orthodox Christianity. There was no manner of doubt about its parentage. Why, then, he wanted to know, should the attitude of Unitarianism to orthodox Chistianity be one of antagonism. He had read a book by Mr. Savage, entitled the "Religion of Evolution," and he had learned from it that Unitarianism regards orthodox Christianity with strong feelings of dislike, and would spare no pains to sweep it away from the face of the earth. Was that the proper attitude of a child toward its parent? Certainly not according to Japanese ideas of filial duty. Such an unnatural antipathy could only shock and deter Japanese observers. Besides, the Unitarians should remember that the law of heredity applies to bad qualities as well as to good. ""Vhen a man denounces his parents and declares them unworthy of respect he denounces himself by implication, for as the father is so, to a great extent, must the son be also. U nitarians coming to Japan, and arraying their forces against orthodox Christianity, would immediately find allies in the Buddhists and Confucianists. What would be the sequel of such an alliance? If the three united succeeded in driving out orthodox Christianity, the Unitarians might be quite sure that from that moment these sincere allies, the Buddhists and Confucianists, would turn on them and leave no stone untu'l'ned to drive them out also I In a. recent number of the Japan Mail, Mr. Takahashi Goro invites the attention of the Rev. Mr. Knapp to the short-sightedness of his alleged wish to ally himself with the Buddhists. Mr. 'rakahashi premises that he entertains no ill-feeling toward Unitarianism itself, but being convinced of the folly of the views of its representative in Japan as to Buddhism, he cannot but give utterance once more to the opinions he expressed at the Unitarian banquet some time .ago. Since then, he obse~ves, the Buddhistic press throughout the country had more and more distinctly shown a tendency to utilize Unitarianism as an instrument for attacking Christianity. Mr. Takahashi, however, believed Mr. Knapp to be too sagacious to become a tool of Buddhists. What, then, was his surprise to learn that the Unitarian missionary is still bent on cultivating the friendship of the Buddhists, as is shown by his article on the" Similarities and Dissimilarities of Unitarianism and Buddhism." Mr. Takahashi even goes so far as to say that Mr. Knapp'S attitude toward Buddhism is that of one who flatters, prays and solicits its favor.
"Does Mr. Knapp know," he asks, ,,, what Buddhism is really like? Buddhism is essentially an atheistic religion. This proposition can be proved by quotations from the Buddhist sacred writings." He then proceeds to consider another statement of Mr. Knapp, that, on the fundamental idea of creation, Unitarianism and Buddhism are directly opposed to orthodox Christianity. Mr. Knapp is represented to have stated that creation is not an event, but a perpetual progress which has neither commencement nor end.
"Now, in the first place, it is an abuse of a philosophical term to speak of 'creation' in connection with Buddhism, for how can there be any creation in a religion which does not recognize God? Nor is it correct to say that creation is a perpetual progress without either commencement or end, because man, as maintained by no less an evolutionist than Virchow, does not seem to have made any progress -during the first five or six thousand years. Further, there is no place for the idea of progress in the conception of atheistic creation."
If J-"1r. Knapp means to adopt the theory of atheistic evolution, Mr. Takahashi thinks he would better leave the Unitarian camp and join the atheistic Buddhists. Our author, however, believes that these apparently atheistic opinions have been expressed by Mr. Knapp for the purpose of obtaining the good will of Buddhists, for, from ·other utterances of his, it is evident that he recognizes the existence of God.
Mr. Knapp is said to have observed further, that Buddhism is, next to orthodox Christianity, a representative of the pessimistic religions; but that Unitarianism represents the optimistic religions. Mr. Takahashi does not attach much importance to the fact that Christianity is included among the pessimistic religions of the world, for he thinks this is merely a device of Mr. Knapp's to please his Buddhistic friends. He refers Mr. Knapp to Schopenhauer and Hartmann for an account of the crushing pessimism of Buddhism. He warns Unitarians against being utilized by Buddhists, and quotes from a Buddhist tract, by JUl'. Maesa Unkei, as follows: " Unitarianism will not be productive of any positive bendits / Jmt, as it will be negatively useful in neutralizing the evil effects of Christianity, we approve its spread for the sake of the country / nay" for the sake of our Shin-shu (Buddhistic) views."
It is interesting to note that the so-called " short cut" movement has extended to Japan. Last year the Japanese Presbyterians of Tokyo came to the conclusion that the work in Japan requires not only all the men who could be put through their theological school, but also those whose age or means would not allow them to take the full five years' course. Accordingly, of their own free will, they opened a school for evangelists. This year there are between thirty and forty men studying the Bible and receiving enough instruction to fit them for the work of preaching to the common people. The school is designed of course to supplement, not to antagonize, the Presbyterian Seminary. The Japanese Christians initiated the move.- ment, recognizing as they did the intense need of evang~lizing preachers, skilled in the Word, as well as of pastors versed in hermeneutics and apologetics. Many of the missionaries consider the success of the school as one of the most hopeful signs in late years.
It shows the determination of the Christians here to spread abroad the story of the Cross, and their good, common sense in choosing practical means for the furtherance of the work.
Christian work in Japan is complicated greatly by the present political excitement. The nnwillingness of foreign powers to repeal the unjust and unrighteous treaties forced upon Japan a generation ago has resulted in an increased hostility to foreigners and to foreign things. Christianity, of course, is classed in the latter category. Of our present United States representative, Mr. ,Swift, we will not speaK, except to say that the removal of his predecessor, the Texan Baptist minister Hubbard, appointed by President Cleveland, is greatly regretted. A Christian man, he did all in his power to assist Christian workers. No American since Perry, Minister Bingham possibly excepted, has been so popular in Japan. As to diplomatic. results, the Hubbard treaty negotiated with Count Okuma, although finally breaking down, was the first attempt to settle the vexed question of Treaty Revision in an honorable and statesmanlike way. If Mr;, Hubbard had been retained in Japan, it is likely that the revised treaty would be an accomplished fact, and the Christian missionaries would not be hampered now by the irritated condition of public opinion which prevails throughout the empire.
TOKYO, Oct. 12, 1890.
A JAPANESE CONVERT, who united with Bethany Church, Philadelphia, in 1886, said that "so great were the changes in his native country during the ten years previous, that nothing was left, as it. had been, but the naturalsceneryl"
EXAMPLES FROM MODERN MISSIONARY HISTORY
[Although the number of competitive essays sent in, in response to the editorial note in August number, 1890 (p. 631)-631), is not sufficient to justify the award, the edltor will avail himself of one or more of the best, as was then intimated, as articles in these pages.] EXAMPLES FROM MODERN MISSIONARY HISTORY OF THE UNMISTAKABLE INTERPOSITION OF GOD IN ANSWER TO PRAYER AND IN BEHALF OF HIS SERVANTS AND THEIR WORK.
BY REV. JOHN RUTHERFORD, M.A., B.D., ROTHESAY, SCOTLAND.
Pentecost was preceded by prayer. The coming of the Holy Ghost and the conversion of 3,000 souls in a single day were the result of ten days' continuous prayer.
Events like the siege and relief of Leyden, in 1574, when the Spanish armies were compelled to retreat, not before the brave Hollanders, but before the force of nature itself, visibly used by God in defence or the oppressed, witness to the fact that the hand of Almighty God is still interposed in behalf of those who trust Him. "As well," shouted the Spaniards derisively to the citizens, "as well can the Prince of Orange pluck the stars from the sky as bring the ocean to the walls of Leyden for your relief." But what was the issue? "A' violent equinoctial gale, on the night of the 1st ana 2d of October, came storming from the northwest, and then blowing still more violently f!'Om the southwest. The waters of the North Sea were piled in vast masses on the coast, and then dashed furiously landward, the ocean rising over the earth and sweeping, with unrestrained power, across the ruined dykes." The relieving fleet sailed up almost to the walls of the city. As the historian records, it was the hand of God that sent the ocean and the tempest to the deliverance of Leyden, and that struck her enemies wi th terror likewise. We cannot doubt that the preservation of Holland and Britain from the Spanish fury were in answer to many prayers offered up by those who fled to God as their refuge. (Motley, Dutch Republic, II., p. 558).
And much more does the history of the church assure us that God answers prayer. If we review the qistory of missions in any part of the wo,dd, we see that those who do the Lord's work live near to Him, and that He guards them in danger, and watches over that work which is not so much ours as His.
1. In the "Life of John G. Paton" (I., p. 118), the events are narrated which led to his leaving Tanna. He says, "On reaching Nowar's village we found the people terror-stricken, crying, rushing about in dispair at such a host of armed savages approaching. The whole village collapsed in a condition of indescribable terror. The approaching multitude had gone to the mission house and broken in the door, and, finding that we had escaped, they rushed on to Nowar's village. W e ~rayed as one only can pray when in the fear of death and on the brink of eternity. We felt that God was near and omnipotent to do what seemed best in' His sight. When the savages were about 300 yards off, N owar touched my knee, saying, 'MisRi, Jehovah is hearing! They are all standing still.' On gazing shc-rewards, we saw a dense host of warriors, but all were standing still. To our amazement the host began to turn and entered the remote bush at the head of the harbor. We were on that day His trusting and defenceless children; would you not, had you been one of our circle, have joined with us in praising the Lord God for deliverance from the jaws of death? I know not why they turned back, but I have no doubt it was the doing of God to save our lives."
2. Again Mr. Paton writes (p. 345,) "About ten o'clock the savages surrounded the mission house. My faithful dog, Clutha, pulled at my clothes and awoke me. I silently awoke Mr. and Mrs. Mathieson, who had also fallen asleep. We committed ourselves, in hushed prayer, to God, and watched them. Immediately a glare of light fell into the room. They set fire to the church all round, and the'l a reed fence connecting the church and the dwelling-house. In a ""lW minutes the house, too, would be in flames, and armed savages waiting to kill us on attempting an escape." Mr. Paton then ran out and cut the burning fence and tore it up, thus preventing the fire from reaching the house. He stood surrounded by seven or eight savages who had raised their clubs in the air, yelling in rage that none of them ventured the first blow, though they shouted "Kill him! kill him!" "At this dread moment occurred an incident which my readers may explain as they like, but which I trace directly to the interposition of my God. A rushing and roaring sound came from the south, like the noise of a mighty engine or of muttering thunder. Every head was instinctively turned in that direction, and they knew from previous hard experience that it was one of their awful tornadoes. Now mark, the wind bore the flames away from our house, and had it come in the opposite direction no power on earth could have saved us from being all consumed. It made the work of destroying the church only that of a few minutes; but it brought with it a heavy and murky cloud which poured out a perfect torrent of tropical rain. Now mark again: the flames of the burning church were thereby cutoff from extending to and seizing upon the reeds and the bush, and besides, it had become almost impossible now to set fire to our house." A panic siezed the savages, and, throwing down their torches, they fled.
Returning to the house Mr. Paton was met by Mr. Mathieson, who exclaimed, "If ever, in time of need, God sent help and protection to His servants, in answer to prayer, He has done so to-night. Blessed be His Holy name."
3. In "Darkest Africa" Henry Stanley writes, "Constrained at the darkest hour to humbly confess that without God's help I was helpless, I vowed a vow in the forest solitudes that I would confess His aid before men. A silence, as of death, was round about me; it was midnight. I was weakened by illness, prostrated by fatigue, and worn with anxiety for my white and black companions whose fate was a mystery. In this physical and mental distress I besought God to give me back my people." And' what was the result of Stanley's vow and prayer? "Nine hours later we were exulting with a raptur- ous joy. In full view of all was the crimson flag with the crescent, and beneath its waving folds was the long-lost real' column."
4. Shortly before the disruption of 1843 the Church of Scotland sent Dr. Keith, Dr. Black, Rev. R. McCheyne and Dr. A. Bonar, the last of whom still survives, on "a mission of enquiry to the Jews ;" they went to Palestine, and on their return journey visited Buda Pesth. There Dr. Keith took suddenly unwell, and all hope of his l'ecovery was abandoned.
In Buda Pesth there lived the Archduchess Marie Dorothea. Liv- ing, as she did, among a morally, degraded people, she longed that they might be made acquainted with the Gospel; for seven years she had prayed that God would send them a missionary. And God answered her prayers in a way she thought not of. She heard that an English clergyman lay dying in the hotel; she sent word that nothing should be left undone to save his life. The physicians had given up the case, but to please the Duchess they redoubled their efforts, applying friction and using other means, until, as they held a lighted taper neal' his mouth, the flames wavered: he lived.
The Archduchess visited him, and begged that the proposed mission should be located ill Buda Pesth. This was agreed to, and as long as she lived she gave it her protection and support. Thus the Gospel came into Buda Pesth. Fifty years Gospel work among a people held down by popery and ignorance and sin; such is God's answer to a woman's prayer (see Bonar's "Mission of Enquiry to the Jews").
5. Rev. E. Pearse in "China's Millions," September, 1882, vouches the truth of the following incident (see "Progress in China," by Rev. Arnold Foster, p. 52). "A man was converted, who had been for many years a vegetarian to gain merit and be saved. He came to our chapel, heard and believed the Gospel, and for years has lived a consistent Christian life. Some time ago the people collected a large sum of money to be expended in idolatrous work, in order that their houses might be saved from fire, and asked this man to contribute to that fund. He declined, on the ground that he trusted in the living God, and that the idols were not able to save them from fire. No sooner was the idolatrous ceremony over than an extensive nre broke out in the very street in which this man's house was situated; 120 houses were burnt down, and when the flames were coming nearer and nearer to his house, the people said, 'Now you see what you have got.' And they wanted to persuade him to take out all his furniture into the street that he might save something. He knew that if he brought the things out into the street, even though they would be safe from fire, they would probably be stolen. But he believed that God was going to preserve him from suffering loss, and he told the people so. While they were hurrying to-and-fro in all their excite- ment, he, in the presence of them all, prayed God that He would show that He was the living and true God. And then he watched the fire as it came nearer and nearer, until there was only one house standing between his own and the flames. But just then there was a sudden change in the wind: God had said, 'Thus far shalt thou come and no further,' and his house was saved. If I had time, I could tell you of a great many more instances."
6. David Livingstone, returning from Central Africa, tells of a great inland sea-Lake Nyassa. The Scottish churches and the Uni- versities' Mission take possession of the land for Christ-money and life are freely spent to evangelize N yassaland. After a dozen years the envy of Portugal is aroused; she sends Major Serpa Pinto to sieze the country, and Cardinal Lavigerie is ready with his priests to sta- tion them in all the places where the missionaries have labored, where the graves of English men and English women are "the title deeds to Nyassaland." Alas! is all this work for Christ to be overthrown? No, indeed; a spirit of prayer comes over the British churches, and the Portuguese encroachments are defeated not so much by the s~ates manship of Lord Salisbury as by the prayers of those who sent out the missionaries, and who, day by day, cease not to pray on their behalf. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."
7. On August 19, 1856, Rev. William Burns arrived at the city of Chao-chow-fu, south China; he had gone there in order to preach the Gospel and do colportage work. vVhen suddenly he was arrested and the same night examined before the district magistrate (Life of William Burns, p. 290). The magistrates decided to send him to Canton., It was the time of the Taiping rebellion, and, in addition to this, his arrest took place immediately on the eve of the war which that same year broke out between Britain and China. Had he arrived at Canton just a very little later, while the events begun by Commissioner Yeh were in progress, death would have been the probable result to the missionary. N ow compare an entry made by Mrs. Stewart Sandeman, at Perth, Scotland, in her diary, of date 28th December, of the same year: "Mr. Burns was safely kept through his arrest and imprisonment in China. Comparing the dates I find that we were met in prayer for him during his dangerous jOttrney under guard of the Ohinese ofJicials." (lVlemoir of Mrs. Stewart Sandeman, p. 177).
[ NOTE: The 8th and 9th instances are omitted, having been already published in the REVIEW, 1889, pp. 29, 348-ED.] 10. The repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts in Britain was a.
work as arduous as any in Asia or Africa. Those vile acts roused t(} a white heat the zeal of a noble band like Mrs. Josephine Butler and Miss Elice Hopkins who were aRsisted by men like Mr. Stead, Mr.
Stanfield, ~1.P., and Professor Stuart, M.P. Almost the whole strength of the House of Commons and of the House of Lords were against them. The army and the navy were against them. Two or three women and as many men against a nation! but they determined to struggle and suffer in order to save our poor, lost sisters from the brutality of demon-like men. They could endure to he hooted, to be insulted, to be written against in the daily press, as "the howling sisterhood," and they could enlist the arm of God against the power of British immorality. Christians gave themselves to prayer through- out the whole kingdom, and the power of prayer conquered, the Gov- ernment yielded, and by the unanimous vote of Parliament the Con- tageous Diseases Acts were abolished. '
Verily, there is a God that judgeth in the earth, whose ear is not shut to the cry of those who wrestle in prayer as they do His work.
11. And pr~er which God thus answers for the preservation of His servants and their work, also brings spiritual blessing. We have testimony to this on all hands. For example: Rev. Griffith John, of Hankow, says (Records of the Shanghai Conference of 1877, p. 26)), "Feeling my own lack of spiritual power, I spent the whole of a Satur- . day in earnest prayer for a baptism of the Holy Ghost. On the fol- lowing morning I preached on the subject. At the close of t·he ser- vice I proposed that we should meet for an hour on every day of the ensuing week to pray for a baptism of the Holy Ghost. From fifty to seventy of the converts met day by day, and confessing their sins with tears, pleaded for an outpouring of the Spirit of God. The na- tive church at Hankow received an impulse then, the force of which continues to this day. The Holy Ghost became a mighty reality t(} many. vVhere once other things are preached, Christ and His power to save is now the theme."
12. What a successful mission is that carried on in China by the English Presbyterian Church. Begun in 1847, by that apostolic man> William Burns, it has increased until now it has five separate centres, Amoy, Swatow, Formosa, the Hakka country, and Singapore. With its thousands of converts, its native preachers, its ordained native pastors, its schools and Sabbath-schools, its medical missions, its lady missionaries, it has received from God much spiritual blessing-bless- ing which has enabled the converts to stand true even when persecu- tion brought the loss of worldly goods and when heathen fury against the native Christians resulted in murder: this occurred at Poih-buan, in 1878. And they willingly acknowledge that much of the divine blessing, so abundantly given, is to be traced to a monthly prayermeeting for China, held in a room in Edinburgh.
Whether we are opposed by immoral legislation or the opium trade {)r the cruelties of slavery or of the African trade in alcohol, or by the vast forces of heathenism, let our resources be the power of God made available for all the needs of His church. Yes, in all Christian work God supplies all our need according to His riches in gl'ory in Christ Jesus.
GREED IN THE WAY OF MISSIONARY ZEAL.-We fear that there is no form of selfishness more fatal to missionary consecration than the worship of the dollar. Avarice prevents abundant giving, and it hoards fol' the sake of gain what could be used with the most ~bundant profit in the wide harvest field. Not only so, but the Scripture phrase is sagaciously accurate, gold "blinds the eyes." Men do not see the facts or feel the force of the appeal of God and {)f souls because the love of money intervenes as an obscuring medium. There are many professed disciples who hold a dollar so Dear the eye that they can see scarcely anything else in the world.
Robert Hall, arguing with a clergyman suspected of having -changed his opinions from mercenary motives, proposed to him several reforms of great importance, but was invariably met with the reply: "I don't see it; I can't see it at all."
At length, penciling in small letters the word "God" upon an .envelope which lay on the table, Mr. Hall showed it, and asked: " Can you see that?" "Yes. " Then, covering it with a half sovereign, he asked again: " Can you see it now? " " No." Whereupon, without another word, he went away. The argument was sufficiently conclusive without any drawing of a "moral" after it!
THE " New Theology," according to Dr. O. W. Holmes, in teaching probation beyond this life, has as effectually deadened all sensibility to the fear of eternal punishment, as cocaine, the new local anresthetic, deadens the sensibility of the part to which it is applied. We may be permitted to raise the honest inquiry whether any doctrine which practically destroys the power of the retributions of a future state can have any other effect than to paralyze missionary activity. And, if the tree is known by its fruit, can that be a safe doctrine to hold which either deadens sensibility to the plain warnings of the Scripture or to the degradation and destitution of the heathen world?
DO HEATHEN MULTIPLY FASTER THAN CONVERTS?
DO HEATHEN MULTIPLY FASTER THAN CONVERTS?
BY THOMAS LAURIE, D.D., PROVIDENCE, R. I.
The thought of the conversion of the world prompts the question, " How large is it?" There have been v~rious estimates of its popu- lation. In 1753, Voltaire said 1,600,000,000. Fifty years later Volney put it at 437,000,000. Matte Brun, in 1810, made it 640,000,- 000; Balbi, in 1816, estimated it at 704,000,000, and in 1843, at 739,000,000; Behm and Wagner, in 1880, fixed it at 1,456,000,000, and in 1882, with probably greater accuracy, at 1,434,000,000, though it was less than their previous estimate by 22,000,000. This popUlation they distributed as follows: Europe …….. 327,743,400 Asia…………… 795,591,000 Africa………. 205,823,200 America …………100,415,400 Polynesia…… 4,232,000 Polar Land……… 82,500 Total population of the globe………………… 1,433,887,500 These statistics do not introduce a dissertation on population, but only a brief consideration of a recent objection to the missionary work. It is estimated that modern missions have won about 4,000,- 000 converts from idolatry; but we are told that running parallel with these conversions is an increase of the number to be converted from 600,000,000 to 800,000,000, and if 200,000,000 heathen are added to the number, while only 4,000,000 become Christians, at that rate when will the world be converted to God? At first sight the case seems hopeless, and that on these conditions we can only make progress backward; but is the prospect as dark as it seems? Let us look at it carefully and dispassionately. One thing is plain: while the 200,000,000 are the natural increase of the previously existing 600,000,000, the 4,000,000 are an absolute creation. Four millions from nothing is a vastly greater proportion than the other, though the Bums are larger.
But let us examine the subject yet more carefully. Modern evangelical missions have now been in operation about a century. The first missionary society (the Church Missionary Society) dates from 1792. Now, if conversions began immediately, then the 4,000,000 converts are rightly set over against the 200,000,000 increase of heathen; but if they did not begin for a number of years, then the heathen increase of the years during which there were no converts must be subtracted from the 200,000,000, and so we have already reduced the seemingly hopeless contrast.
But that is not all. '1'he first converts were not only the fruits of many years of labor, but they were very few in number. For many years Leang Afa was almost the only convert among the many millions of China, and this introduces a riew element into the discussion, for while the natural increase goes on from year to year, and from age to age, with slight variation, missionary converts in~ease in the ratio of a geometrical progression. At first there were no conversions at all; only a work of preparation. The military stores are gathered together and the forces massed for the coming conflict, and, when that begins, each prisoner taken is not immured in a dungeon, but becomes at once an active soldier, able to avail himself of his famil- iarity with the condition and position of thc enemy for their over- throw. And it is worthy of notice, that the Lord of Hosts does not isolate the converts, but scatters them purposely among those to be acted on by their example and their labors. Already in some.of the latter decades of the century the increase of the converts has been at the rate of eighty-one per cent., and the natural increase of the heathen during the same period only six and one-half per cent. Now, if that proportion were to continue it would only require a sum in arithmetic to find out how soon the eighty-one per cent. would overtake and go beyond the six and one-half per cent. But we have seen that the ratio is one of geometrical progression-" the constant quantity by which each term is multiplied to produce the succeeding one "-and so we see the way clear to transfer very rapidly the hundreds of millions from the heathen side to the Christian side of future increase.
It may be said this is a very beautiful theory, but-. Then take an actual case. Robert Morrison entered China through much tribulation in 1807. When Dr. Happel' went there in 1844 he found only six Protestant missionaries and two native assistants in all that empire. While at the Shanghai Conference, in May, 1890, 1,285 missionaries and 1,469 native assistants were reported as then in that field, and with slich an increase in the past, what may not be hoped for in the future? Other examples might be given equally encouraging. When a fire is kindled in the forest its progress depends on the denseness of the mass of trees to be set on fire, and when everyone of the millions of China is a tor~h waiting to be lighted, it needs no prophet to foretell the effect of casting in these torches already lighted.
Take another view. A century ago there were in all the earth 174,000,000 nominal Christians, 44,000,000 of them Protestants. Now there are 165,000,000 Protestants, almost as many as the whole number at that time, among 450,000,000 nominal Christians. Add to that that the energy and efficiency of the race is concentrated in those Protestants, and the prospect for the future is radiant. Furmerly the Latin race was the conqueror and colonizer of the world, but since it fell under the paralysis of Popery it has lost its power. Now the race which lives by truth is marching at the head of the race, carrying the source of its own energy to all the nations.
It is significant in this connection that, while one hundred years
THE PRAYER LEAGUE
ago only 22,000,000 of the race spoke E'llglish, 115,000,000 now use that language, an increase of more than 500 per cent., and while at that time the 22,000,000 had neither missions nor missionaries, the 115,000,000 now sustain 120 missionary societies, of which our American Board is only one, and these societies raise annually $11,250,000 for the conversion of the world to God.
Then we need only to call to mind the immense store of Christian literature in that language to thank God that it is having such free course in all the earth.
Indeed, we thank the objectors for calling attention to a line of truth where there is nothing to discourage but everything to fill us with the assurance of a glorious success.
THE PRAYER LEAGUE.
We note with sincere gratitude the movement toward covenant prayer in various parts of the Church, and we regard it as the most promising sign of the times. When God's people begin to pray in faith and with true agreement marvels begin in the earth. And not a crisis of missionary history, from the beginning until to-day, has been turned except by prayer.
The Reformed Church has recently formed a Foreign Missionary Prayer League, whose purpose it is "to unite God's people in abundant and prevailing prayer; to intensify, accumulate and direct the power of prayer so that multitudes of heathen may be turned to the Lord in our missions."
In the very impressive appeal which has been issued prayer is recognized as the mightiest power in missionary work, whether to open the doors, thrust forth the laborers, secure the needful means, or to call down abundant blessing. Those who cannot go to the foreign field can, at least, sustain the work by prayers for it, "striving together" with the workmen by their own supplication. United prayer carries resistless power, as is shown throughout all history, and is especially acceptable to God. The method encouraged is special seasons, daily set apart, and particular prayer for individual persons and places: abundant prayer, prayer with fasting, arid with intercommunication among those who join the league.
Mrs. Joseph Scudder, 57 Cannon street, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., acts as secretary of the league. We exhort all who belong to that communion especially to join this league, and make its objects and aims heartily their own. We believe that if the whole Church would get into a new attitude of fervent, believing prayer there would be such a new Pentecost as the history of man has never yet recorded.
COl>'VENTION OF CHRISTIAN WORKERS AT BANGALORE, INDIA
CONVENTION OF CHRISTIAN WORKERS AT BANGA- LORE, INDIA.
BY REV. JACOB CHAMBERLAIN, M.D., D.D., MADANAPALLE, INDIA.
Bangalore, the chief city of the kingdom of ]fysore, has just witnessed a singular sight for the capital city of a non-Christian kingdom.
Pursuant to an invitation from the missionaries of all societies working in Bangalore and other earnest Christians residing there, a convention gathered at that place on the 23d of September, of missionaries and other ChriAtian workers from all parts of the Madras Presidency with some also from Bombay.
'l'he convention was not for the discussion of abstruse problems of missionary policy, but for the promotion of spiritual life and growth and earnestness in work for the Master.
Trains arriving on the afternoon of September 23d, from four different directions, centering at that place, brought those invited, and others who could attend, from many different provinces, districts, cities and villages. .iUJ. parts of the Tamil country, from near Cape 00morin to Madras and the N eilgherry Mountains,sent representatives. All parts of the kingdom of Mysore, the Kanarese kingdom, were represented. Two delegates from the Marathi country and one from the Gujarathi; myself and another from the Telugu country; missionary workers among the Mohammedans in Hindustani; workers in English among the Eurasians and in the English army, and native preachers in Tamil, Kanarese and Telugu were there. Seven languages were required to do the daily work at their stations of the workers there assembled.
Not missionaries alone: many laymen were there. Coffee planters from the Shevaroy and the Neilgherry mountains. An executive engineer from one of the new state railways on the East Coast; a general and several other officers from the Madras army; soldiers in uniform from the garrison; artisans and tradesmen and their families; natives, male and female, in their striking costumes. All mingled, as children of the King, in this conference. It would be hard to match it in any city of the Western world.
Twelve different branches of the Church of Christ were represented-the Church of England,English Baptists, American Baptists, English Independents, American Congregationalists, English Wesleyans, American Methodists, AustralasianWesleyans, German Lutherans, American Reformed, English Plymouth Brethren and Salvation Army officers-all joined heartily in counsel and prayer for higher spiritual life, for more absolute consecration, for more efficient. service.
Tuesday evening was devoted to an informal reception, a social gathering, the Rev. and Mrs. W. H. I. Picken, Wesleyan missiona- ries of Bangalore, behlg host and hostess.
It gave us all an opportunity of becoming acquainted. English, Germans, Hindus, Americans, Australians, and an exceedingly pleas- ant gathering it was, closing with half an b1u ~Cff more formal words of welcome, praise and prayer.
The next three days, with three sessiOn!, each day, were given to the consideration of "What Christ does for His people," "What Christ does in His people," and "What Christ does through His people," one day being given to each theme.
The vVednesday morning meeting was a Bible reading on the first theme, conducted by Rev. E. Chester, M.D., thirty-one years a missionaryof tbe American Board in the Madura Mission. The afternoon meeting was devotional, led by Rev. I. G. Hawker, twenty-five years a missionary of the London Missionary Society at Belgaum. It was a helpful, uplifting meeting. The evening's session was a more public meeting for addresses on the day's theme, presided over by the representative of the Arcot Mission of the Reformed Church in America, thirty years a missionary among the Telugus, at which every seat in the large audience-room was filled and some stood. Addresses were given by the chairman, on what Christ does (a) by His atonement; by Rev. G. W. Lawday, of Tumkur, Wesleyan, (b) By His example; and by Rev. W. Ioso, London Mission, Madras, (c) By His intercession. The exercises were interspersed with warm prayers and spir:ted singing by a volunteer choir who had previously practiced for the purpose.
Thursday's was the second theme, "What Christ does in His people." The morning's Bible reading on it was led by Handley Bird, Esq., Plymouth Brother, from Coimbatoor, and was exhaustive and stimulating. The afternoon meeting was for ladies only, and was said to have been of exceptional interest. The evening meeting, for public address, was led by Dr. Chester, of Dindigul, and addresses were given by the chairman, by Mr.E.Lynn, Plymouth Brother, Malvalli, and by Rev. John S. Chandler, of the American Madura Mis- SIOn.
Friday was the crowning day. The theme, "What Christ does through His people." The morning Bible reading, led by H. Clift, Esq., railway executive engineer, mapped out the subject well. The afternoon meeting was a conversational session on "Methods of Evangelization," or "How shall God work through us for His higher glory?" 'rhe writer was asked to open and guide the conversation. This was declared to be a "Council of War" for the conquest of India. And it proved one of the most stimulating of the meetings, full of val'lety and suggestiveness.
The methods referred to were: Oral proclamation of the Gospel in the streets, villages, markets, fairs, with such accessories as large colored Scripture pictures or magic-lantern Bible scenes, by night;with cornet and bicycle to tow in the crowd and "baby organ" to hold them for the preaching: Medical missionary work, with preaching to all patients, and terse Gospel tickets for the patients to take home; and Zenana medical work by lady doctors; Reading rooms and preaching halls in crowded thoroughfares; Sunday-school work among Chris- tian and heathen children; Young Men's Christian Association work in large cities, and Young People's Societies of Christian Endeavor in smaller places. The Press and Tract Gospel and Christian book distribution all through the country. Christian school work to reach non-Christian pupils, and to train workers, and Zenana work and Bible women, and lIindu girl's schools to reach non-Christian women.
This meeting being a "family gathering," all mingled freely in the discussion-ladies and gentlemen, lay and clerical, English, Germans, Australians, Americans, Hindus, Episcopalians, Methodists, Salvation Army, Presbyterians, Plymouth Brothers, "Faith Mission" Workers, Baptists, strict and open, Congregationalists and Wesleyans, with prayers of unction, and hymns of victory thrown in all the way. The only difficulty was in bringing the meeting to a close.
Friday evening'S meeting, the closing one of the series, was the most crowded one of all. General MacAusland, of the Madras army, presided and made the opening address, on "What Christ does through His people." (a) by the example and influence of their live!', and was followed by Rev. L. S. Gates, of the American Board's Mission, Sholapore, Bombay, on (b) by their testimony to truth and experience, and by Rev. I. G. Hawker, of Belgaum, on (0) by their works of faith and love.
After the Benediction there was a general handshaking of those who had come, many of them one and two days' journey to attend, and so this memorable "Mildmay Conference," held in India, of Christian Workers, was brought to a close amid a universal desire for a similar meeting to be held next year, at which very many more workers, lay and clel'ica~, will be sure to be present. The Kingdom is coming. We can see its onward progress. God bring it in speedily!
SAID a heathen to a mlsslOnary: "There must be something in your religion which makes you come all the way out here to tell us of it. I am sure I would not go so far to tell you of mine." Nothing is perhaps more likely to impress the minds of pagan people than the evidence that missionaries afford, that the good news is worth telling! And the more sacrifice our evangelism costs us the more eloquent is t.he testimony that missions give to the value of the great salvation and our own passion fOI" souls.
THE MISSIONARY OUTLOOK
THE MISSIONARY OUTLOOK.-I.
BY J. MURRAY MITCHELL, M.A., LL.D., NICE, FRANCE.
We intend to take a view, if possible, of that field which is the world. It follows, of course, that in so general a survey, many particulars that are by no means unimportant, must pass unnoticed, and that only the most outstanding objects can receive more than a passing glance.
It is often said that we have entered, or are entering, on a new era in missionary history. Various things seem, on the whole, to justify this language. Of these we shall specify only three-the student movement in America, the request of the Missionary Conference at Shanghai that a thousand missionaries be sent to China within the next five years, and a prayer from members of the Church Missionary Society that its missions speedily receive the same accession. Ten or five years ago such things could not have been. The double, indeed ,triple demand (Mr. Hudson Taylor had already asked for a thousand new laborers for the China Inland Mission) for a thousand missionaries, if made, would have been scouted as ridiculous. Reserving to the end of this paper Bome questions as to the practical carrying out of the proposal, we can express nothing but admiration in view of the enlargement of heart which the demand implies.
We divide this paper into three parts. We first advert to the missionary spirit as it exists at home. 'Ve then speak of the position of things in the foreign field. We shall conclude with a few suggestions grounded on the sur~ey we shall thus have taken.
I.
First, then, let us attend to the missionary spirit as it exists in Christendom: Undoubtedly there has been, for a good many years past, a steady growth of missionary zeal. The movements we have already mentioned are the natural result of what preceded. Hardly any portion of the Church of Christ now fails to take a share in foreign evangelistic work; or, if it fails, it is quite aware of having to explain its position and apologize. Otherwise, it knows it will stand condemned at the bar of Christendom. There is not merely a growing interest in non-Christian peoples, arising out of a growing knowledge of their condition; there is a deepening sense of duty towards our fellow-men -an increasingly clear perception of the social character of Christianity. Time was when even good men thought not too much, but too exclusively, of their own salvation. We see better than we did that we must "add to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity"-to love of God and love of Christians-a love that embraces the entire human race and that does not evaporate in talk.
Such is increasingly the feeling of the church, and the general public shares it to a considerable extent. We are old enough to remember the time when any new missionary effort that might be pro- posed was sure to be sneered at-classed under the head of "missions to the moon and elsewhere." But no man will scoff at missions now who does not scoff at the Bible itself, and he who speaks of the useless- ness of missions is prepared to assert in the same breath the useless- ness of Christianity.
This growing appreciation of missions on the part of the general public is due to the strong testimony in regard to their practical ef- ficacy, which has been so often rendered by men fully qualified to form a judgment-many of whom were prepared to look on missions with an eye severely critical. Among .such witnesses Charles Darwin has been one of the most tnfIuential. He certainly had no predispo- sition to think well of missionary work; but, as an entirely honest man, he told what his own eyes had seen. One of his expressions has become proverbial: "The lesson of the missionary is an enchanter's wand." Speaking of some who had ridiculed the work in the South Seas, which he himself had carefully examined, he used the scathing language: "Disappointed in not finding the field for licentiousness quite so open as formerly, they will not give credit to a morality which they do not wish to practise." Testimonies in favor of missions are multiplying. Stanley has spoken, with characteristic warmth, in praise of Mackay and others, and, as we write, an eye lights on the high eulogium which Mr. Johnston, in the New Review, pronounces on the doings of Dr. Laws, of Nyassaland. Mr. Johnston says Dr. Laws "learned to make bricks in order that he might teach others. He has become a practical engineer, carpenter, joiner, printer, photographer, farrier, boat-builder and druggist, so that he might instruct his once savage people in these arts and trades."
Mackay, the "engineer missionary," labored with much zeal in teaching the arts of civilized life at Uganda. He spoke very warmly of the missions at Lovedale and Blythswood, in South Africa, as exemplifying what he regarded as the right kind of missions for Africa. They combine intellectual and religious teaching with industrial training.
Men who are believers in Christianity may be expected to write in terms such as we have been referring to. And when those that are not believers use such language as we have quoted from Darwin, we need not be surprised. For now-a-days many who never think of the service of God, plead earnestly for "the service of man." They have drawn the lesson, directly or indirectly, from the Bible, which makes the service of man an essential part of the service of God; and this they ought, in fairness, to acknowledge. But, although they believe in no Divine command to evangelize the nations; they can hardly deny the elevation of the aim. They may blame the missionaries for proclaiming dogmas which to them seem unintelligible, but the philsnthropic character of missions they do not seek to deny; and, when testimonies multiply as to their practical efficacy in raising degraded races, they cannot but express approval. 1'his is true, at least of the higher class of unbelievers-of men like Cotter Morison, one of the ablest of the Agnostics. He speaks of the "unequaled potency" of Christianity in moulding character, and of the "true Christian saint" as "one of the most wonderful phenomena of the moral wOl·ld-so lofty, so p~re, so attractive." We do not wish to make too much of such testimonies; neither do we despise them; but, at all events, language like this rises infinitely above the polished sarcasm of Gibbon no less than the vulgar ribaldry of Paine.
While we speak thus, we are not ~rgetting that, if missions are better appreciated than they were, yet the missionaries themselves have lately been subjected to severe criticism. It is not long since an Anglican canon was writing foolishly about Mohammedanism, and bitterly about the missionaries of his own church. And, certainly, we cannot overlook the excitement aroused among the 'Vesleyans by charges made by one who had seen very little of India-charges which were repeated in one or two influential quarters at home. Such attacks do temporary harm, both at home and among the heathen; but, as the truth becomes known, there is a great reaction in favor of the men assailed. Canon Isaac Taylor will hardly return to the bat-' tIe, seeing he was not only refuted by missionaries, but charged by literary men like Mr. Bosworth Smith with "invincible ignorance" and" headlong heedlessness." The Canon has done good service in linguistics and archreology, and to these he should confine llimself. And as for theWesleyans, it is, we trust, a joy even in the quarters at home in which the accusations were rashly credited, that, instead of their being" proved to the hilt," the sharp weapon, though powerfully wielded, has not pierced-has barely grazed-the skin. For the mis- .sionaries were, after the fullest inquiry, completely exonerated from all charges made, or implied. And so let us pass from the whole thing as from a painful dream.
Of course, criticism is not over. It is inevitable, if real interest be taken in the work. There will be unjust and ignorant criticism; for some men have a perfect genius for finding fault, and there will be room for legitimate and enlightened criticism, for missionaries are not infallible. Inquiry into evangelistic methods there ought to be. Every true-hearted missionary will be most grateful for any new light that can be thrown upon his work, and all friendly criticism he will meet in a friendly spirit. He will indeed be disposed to smile at not a few of the changes that are suggested as improvements on pres- ·ent methods, for probably either he himself, or others, have already tried the thing proposed and found it wanting; but he will fully appreciate the spirit oy which the criticism is prompted. No doubt, as he watches the slow, steady advance of the truth wherever the Gosper is faithfully made known, he will be pained to note the impatience of some who think that the high places in heathenism ought to be cap- tured by a rush; and he will be disposed to ask why things move so slowly at home-why the Pope and the College of Cardinals are not r converted-why unbelief and worldliness are still so fearfully strong A craving for the salvation of souls is beautiful, but a craving for results, mainly in order that we may get our money's worth, is pitiable; and the Church of Christ needs to examine her own heart and see which feeling chiefly sways her. The Apostle speaks of the need of the sower having" long patience," "till he receh-e the early and the lat- ter rain." N ow, in this ale of unsettlement and restlessness, "long patience" is, to the best of us, difficult of attainment; and many crave- for perpetual excitement and perpetual change. Let the Church be " instant in season and out of season," but let her also seek to enter into fuller sympathy with Him who sees the end from the beginning, and who is seated at the right-hand of God" from henceforth expect- ing till His enemies be made His footstool. "
We hail a growing desire on the part of the Church at home to draw tighter the bonds between the foreign laborers and herself. .One mark of this is the sending of deputies to the missions. When these are wise and sympathetic men, only good should result from this. Would that all home ministers could visit heathendom! It would enable them on their return to plead the cause of missions far more zealously and effectively. "Mine eye affecteth mine heart," and a sight of real heathenism would be a lesson and an impulse for life. Indifference to missions is often traceable to ignorance rather than unfaithfulness. Certainly, in this case, zeal will be in proportion to· knowledge.
All that we have said implies that the interest of the Church, and even of the general public, in regard to mission work has been, and still is, deepening. The world begins to see that the work is good, and the Church that it is glorious. Now, do we sufficiently realize the magnitude and importance of the change? Doubtless everyone has heard of the rebuke administered by Dr. Ryland to young Carey for his excess of zeal, and most of us -can repeat the story of the Scottish Assembly, and good Dr. Erskine's "Rax me that Bible.'" But at a later date such representative men as Bishop Horsley, in England, and Dr. Timothy Dwight, in America, were opposed to the' movement on behalf of missions. Or, going farther back, it is deplor– able that from the Reformation till about the end of the sixteenth century the only great man who is known to have seen the import– ance of missions was Hugo Grotius. When from about the year 1664 the Austrian nobleman Van Welz was striving to arouse the churches: of Germany to a sense of their obligations, he encountered the sternest opposition from men of position and unquestioned orthodoxy, such as Ursinus, the superintendent of Regensburg. "The heathen," said this high ecclesiastic, "have already had sufficient means of learning the truth. The Greenlanders could have learnt it from their neighbors, the Danes and Swedes; and the Turks and Tartars from the Greeks. God is not bound to help these'heathen more than He has done." "As for those who have been persecutors of the faith, why should heaven's pearls be thrown to dogs or swine like them?"* Can such things have been said by the leaders of the Christian Church? Unhappily, yes; and they were, by the people under them, all too readily acquiesced in.
Let us thank God that such words cannot be used again. They would arouse one general feeling of horror throughout the churches.
One proof of the deepening interest in missions is the increasing number of university men that are offering themselves for service. It was long before any such, in the Church of England at least, were willing to work among the heathen; but, during the last four years, seventy-nine English university men have become missionaries. In former days of coldness special colleges for training missionaries were wholly indispensable; but the belief is growing that ordained men in the foreign field require at least as good an education as ordained men at home. In the Presbyterian churches the same training has long been given to both classes; there is no abbreviated curriculum for missionaries. The flower of university youth everywhere is pressing more and more -into the foreign field.
The steady increase of female missionaries is equally remarkable III all missionary churches and societies. If we mention the C. M. S. as an example it is not because it stands specially prominent in this respect, but because the requisite information regarding it happens to be at hand. Three years ago it had twenty-two female missionaries. (excluding the wives of missionaries); now it has sixty. Equal or nearly equal progress has been made by the distinctively female missionary societies connected with all the churches. For example, the Zenana, Bible and Medical Mission has, during the last eight years, sent out 138 additional workers, and is making an effort to send twenty more.
The claims of the heathen world are overwhelming, and the conviction grows that the class of ordained missionaries must be supplemented by the unordained men, with or without academical training. This is as it should be. In certain fields, and for certain kinds of work, the higher education is indispensable; a thorough acquaintance with Hebrew and Greek, for example, is necessary for those who are to translate, or revise, the Holy Scriptures in foreign tongues. Devout laymen do admirable service at home, and why may they not abroad?
* See The Nordisk Missions-tids sleri/t. vol. 1, pages 62, 68. This excellent missionary maga- zine has just been started under the able editorship of Provst (Dean) Vah!. As for women, of course, the question arises: "Is the Church to Rend forth only those who are in the position of ladies?" Certainly; native ladies in India and elsewhere can quickly take the measure of their foreign visitors, and a woman of little education or refinement will hardly be welcome in the homes of the higher and middle classes. But are the lower classes to be' overlooked? No woman whose heart is burning with the love of Christ need despair of doing good to her heathen sisters. And, then, the Spirit of God will seldom work powerfully in the heart without imparting a large measure of sweetness and refinement to the bearing-whereas, polish of manner without the grace of God is nothing worth-for Smooth, good breeding, supplemental grace, 'Vith lean performance apes the work of love.
The importance of medical missions is now pretty fully recognized in Britain and America. lVIedical missionaries having British degrees are about 141 in number; while from America and the Continent there are 150. China has the largest proportion. The number of female practitioners seems to grow rather more rapidly than that of medical men.
So hI' we have spoken of Britain chiefly, though we trust our remarks apply also to America. We proceed to refer briefly to the Continent of Europe.
In Germany there is decided progress in missionary zeal. 'rhe vast territories which Germany now possesses or " influences" in East Africa have naturally led Christians to feel that new obligations rest upon them; and new societies ha~e been formed to meet these claims. For example, one at Neukirchen, another in Bavaria, and another at Berlin (where a third society has thus been set up). In medical missions Germany does comparatively little, though the late Professor Christlieb earnestly pleaded for them. Still, the lVIoravians and the Basle and Bremen societies now recognize their exceeding value.
There is a clear advance in Denmark. The imperative obligation of evangelizing heathen nations has been of late earnestly pressed on believing men and women, and a great many missionary uriions (450, at least, we understand) have been formed. The first university men that have become foreign missionaries did so in 1888 and 1889-one in each of these years; but several students of theology have resolved to give themselves to the foreign work on the completion of their course. ,"Vomen also begin to come forward. A deaconess was sent to India, in 1888; two young ladies are under training for foreign work, and several others are likely to follow their example. No medical missionaries have as yet proceeded from Denmark; but two young men are receiving medical tralning with a view to go out in 189l. The mission to the Red Karens has been given up; but one is to be begun among the Burmese. All this, it may be said, does not amount to much. Still, it distinctly implies progress; and some Danish Christians are very much in earnest with regard to missionary work.
Three missionary societies have for a good many years existed in Norway, and a fourth was formed a short time ago, called the" Free lEssion," which sends out men and women to Natal. Quite recently a small society has been set up which will send missionaries to China.
In regard to medical missions Norway is in advance of Denmark.
Au ordained medical missionary was sent to Madagascar in 1869; a second in 1876, and in the same year a third, who had taken his degree in Edinburgh, was sent to Zululand.
In Sweden there are three larger societies-that of the state (lhurch, the evangelical union, and the missionary union. '1'he Swedes work earnestly in various places abroad, especially in Africa, in the Congo Free States and among the Gallas. They have not been able to enter Abyssinia itself, but among Abyssinians on the borders they have done a good deal. These bodies send out among their agents both m<edical men and ladies. There are several other small SOCletles. There is evidently au increasing zeal for missions in Sweden, and it is interesting to note that the state church, as a (lhurch, is hearty in the cause.
The French Societe des Missions Evangeliques has of late made ~al'llest efforts to increase the zeal of French Protestants. The synods of the National, Free and Lutheran churches some time ago recommended that there should be annually a mission Sunday-a day on which the duty of evangelizing the heathen should be pressed on the attention (If worshippers. Mission festivals (fetes) have been established in "Various places~* though by no means as yet in every parish, as was the hope of the synods; publications giving missionary information are largely circulated, and subscriptions to missions have considerably increased. '1'he missions have struggled with great difficulties (in Senegambia particularly); and now, when France has obtained such vast possessions in northern and western Africa, the question is, (lan the French Protestants rise to the requirements of the high occasion? '1'hey deserve sympathy; they require help in their foreign, as in their home work.
In Holland missionary zeal is increasing, though not rapidly. Switz('rland has the Basil Missionary Society-a most valuable and progressive institution, and the small Canton de Vaud has, sinee 1872, had foreign missions connected with the Free Church. In 1883 the free churches of Geneva an<d Neuchatal joined in the work. The united society is called La Mission des Eglises Libres de la Suisse Romande. The venerable Waldensian Church, while it feels itself especially .. See last annual report, p. 3.
NUNNERY LIFE IN NAPLES
called tp evangelize Italy, has taken some part in foreign missions since 1881. It works in South Africa in connection with the Paris society.
The Finnish Christians are not neglectful of missions to th~ heathen. We wish we could say the same thing of the Hungarians (who are also of the Turanian stock). Still, let us not forget that the "T Hungarian Church works both in Herzegovina and Roumania. e have been speaking of interest in the evangelizing of the heathen nations as it is manifested in Christendom. Happily, the bounds of Christendom are enlarging. Ve may now include Australia and New Zealand under that designation. In point of missionary zeal the churches in these regions are hardly behind those of Europe and America. The Dutch Church in South Africa" is also earnest in missionary work.
[To be continued.] NUNNERY LIFE IN NAPLES.
The recent disclosures in this Italian city have produced a pro- found sensation throughout the whole bounds of the thinking world. A convent in Naples, which for four centuries has been shut to all, and has been appropriately known as the nunnery of the "Buried Alive," has been opened by the police and the secrets unearthed. A young girl had been hurriedly" buried" there to cure her of an un- fortunate passion; but when her family afterwards wiRhed to com- municate with her it was found impossible. An appeal to the Italian Minister of Justice procured an order for entrance, and, against vio- lent opposition, the police forced their way. They found twenty-six nuns, ragged, wretched, and some of them half-insane. Eight of them had been immured in this death trap by order of their parents, against their own will. The horrible spectacle thus brought to 'light has caused the Governor of Naples to order a further and complete investigation, and all the closed nunneries of Southern Italy are to be visited officially. "Free Italy" is proving both her right and her power to be free! These women were walled in, 'Yith only a small opening to " pass in food, and were like bony skeletons, The government pro- poses to turn the large convent into a school for girls. Of course the priests cry, "Sacrilegio I Sacrilegio!"
One of the Erskines said: "I can call God to witness that I have done my best to bring on a definite issue between Christ and the adversaries of the truth." .Let us not be afraid of conflict. Christ came not to send peace, but a sword. Loyalty to the truth will inevitably arouse to violent opposition the minions and myrmidons of' error.
"HOW MUCH BETTER THEN IS A MAN THAN A SHEEP?"
"HOW :MUCH BETTER THEN IS A MAN THAN A SB,EEP?" MATT. xn:12.
BY A. J. GORDON, D.D., BOSTON, MASS• • An absurd question! you may exclaim at first. But it was a very pertinent question when Jesus asked it. And it is just as truly so to- day. For do you not know that our American congress has given vastly more attention to the protection of sheep's wooi than it has given to the protection of the home and family? And this is a typi- cal fact which illustrates the conduct of worldly rulers and secular shepherds in all time. Therefore, it is necessary for us to answer anew the question: "How much better is a man than a sheep ?"
Answer first: "The gooa shephera giveth his life for the sheep,'" (Johnx:ll), which, being interpreted, means: "The Son of God gave himself for the sons of men." Our first computation of the worth of man, then, is not in an earthly currency but in a heavenly; not in the denomination of "corruptible things as silver and gold" but of "the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." Think of that, ye monopolists and Christian millionaires~ who have ground humanity between the upper and nether millstones of combination and capital in order to make gain and grist for yourselves, till the Lord has cried out repeatedly: "Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge who eat up My people as they eat bread ?" Here is the difference between man's estimate of man and God's estimate: The one will grind the masses into food for his own stomach, if he can do so; the other-the Son of God-will give his own body to be ground into food for man, saying, as he offers us his own wounded and bleeding members: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." The philosopher, Compte, is said to have instituted and kept what he' called "Man's Supper," in which he partook of a crust of bread and a cup of water, saying, as he did so: "This I do in remembrance of the great multitude who have only a crust to feed upon.'" But such a sacrament is not needed: for the Lord's Supper, instituted centuries ago, declares all this and vastly more. By it our Lord says to our hungry, oppressed and suffering humanity, " I give myself to you, My.body to be your loaf, lIy blood to be your life, take, eat ye all of it." When was ever such valuation set on man as this? "Every man has his price," says the proverb. And the politician is in the market bidding for him; and the capitalist is in the Exchange bidding for him; and the man-slayer stands in the door of his saloon bidding for him. All these are bidding him down, vieing with each other in deadly competition to see which will get him for the smallest. and most paltry price. But Jesus Christ steps into the circle and sternly asks of the bidders: "How much better is a man than a sheep? Look on him, made in the image of God, and, though bruised and broken by the fall, capable of being restored to that image, and re- dothed with glory and honor and immortalityl And is this all that he is fit for, to be sheared of his daily income by the saloon; to ~ Tobbed of his fleece by the usurer, and to be sold in the shambles by the monopolist? I will not bid him down, I will bid him up. 'As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my lifefor the sheep,''' (John x:15). Here is the Divine valuation of man; Christ's invoice of humanity. Look at the price-the Lord Himself – and then estimate the purchase. N ever was such fine gold of purity and perfection coined into a single life; never was such weight of priceless suffering crowded into a single death. And all this the purchase money of our redemption. "Or what Hhall a man give in exchange for his soul?" asks Jesus. And He answers His -questions by giving Himself. We want no more powerful argument for missions than this: "Who loved me and gave Himself for me"- Himself, so infinitely much, for me, so insignificantly little. Then woe to the Christian who can hoard his gold, when the dying millions are crying out for more missionaries to be sent to them; and our bur- dened and anxious Boards are crying out for more money with which to send them.
"How much better is a man than a sheep?" Answer second: "I willmake a man more precious than fine gold/ even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir" (Is. xiii. 12). The seer looked on, through the long perspective of prophecy, to .the day when the heavens shall be shaken; when the sun shall be darkened .and the moon shall withdraw her light. In this time, when God shall }mnish the world for its eyil he "will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible"- then" a man shall be more precious than fine gold." Here is something new in the history of the race. For ages the gold brokers of this world have counted humanity as oBly so much crude ore to be reduced and coined into cash for their vaults. But now the golden age has come when a man stamped with the image and superscription .of God will pass for what he is worth-the highest currency on earth. Hear this, ye missionaries of the Cross! You have forsaken all to go down into William Carey's "Gold Mine," while many of your brethren at home are filling their safes with thousands and ten thousands of superfluous wealth, leaving you short-handed and discouraged for want of helpers which they might send you if they would only give as the Lord has prospered them. And in hours of heart-sinking and faintness you sometimes wonder what you will get for all your thankless sacrifices. Be of good cheer. You are mining men, and that for the most part out of the lowest strata of humanity; and though your products have little value in this world's market, wait a little. There is a financial panic approaching in which yellow gold will go down, while there will be an astonishing rise in your securities. Listen to the report of the coming crash, as it appears on the bulletin-board of James, v: "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 'Your riches are co~ rupted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat yourflesh as it wereflre. Ye have heaped together treasure for the last days." Did you ever hear of such a gold panic as that? Boom the market; form syndicates; pass silver bills; enlist the banks! It is of no use. The day of judgment has come. "Your gold and silver is cankered." :Millionaires become insolvent, banks suspend, and the only people who have anything to depend on are those who laid up somewhat in the savings bank of heaven.
But what news for the missionary on St. James' bulletin-board? Listen: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman 1vaiteth for the precious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient/ stablish your hearts/for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." "The coming of the Lord." And what of that? Ah, that is going to revolutionize society. Read the :Messianic Psalm 72d and learn for yourself the change that will be ushered in by the millennium. :Money will go down, man will come up. Immanuel will now control the market in the interest of his clients. "And to Him shall be given the gold of Sheba," and" He shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also and him that hath no helper."
And most wonderful of all: "A man shall be more precious than gold." Hear that, 0 long-suffering and patient missionary; your stock will be at par now-as it never has been before. The poor souls which you dug from' the dark caverns of heathenism, and which you coined in the mint of redemption, will be worth millions of such "corruptible things as silver and gold." Did the mother of the Gracchi present her own children to those who inquired concerning her treasures, saying: "These are my jewels?" How much more will the missionary exult in his spiritual children in that. day when the ]~ord shall" make up his jewels," presenting them before the Redeemer, and before the angels, saying: "These are my riches!" :Moffat, who is that black man who stands by your side, and what do you count him worth? And the aged apostle of Africa replies: That is Africaner, the once bloodthirsty and raging man-slayer, now become as gentle and tender as a Iamb since Jesus laid him on His shoulders rejoicing. Do you ask me wha':. he is worth? He is "more precious than fine gold. Yea, than the golden wedge of Ophir." 'Who is that, 0 William Carey, whom you are introducing with such joy to your Lord? That is Khrishna Pal, my first convert from among the heathen of India. Listen, and you shall hear him sing, " 0 thou my soul forget no more The friend who all thy sorrows bore."
And who is this, 0 Boardman beloved, whom you are leading up to the throne with such thanksgiving? This is San Quala, whom God gave me from the dark-faced Karens, and who himself in turn led thousands to Jesus Christ.
" Where can I invest most safely and profitably?" is the question constantly asked on 'Change. Invest in souls; seriously, deliberately and solemnly we urge you to inv~st in souls. There is no insurance on gold and silver that will protect tllem against the fires of the last day. But saved and glorified souls-these are" the gold tried in the fire," out of which your crown of rejoicing shall be wrought. Get money, you mayor may not, 0 Christian. But as you care aught for the rewards of heaven, fail not of getting souls. Get them at your own door; get them from the ends of the earth; but fail not to get them.
" I FEEL age creeping on me. I know that I must soon die. I hope it is not wrong to say it, but I cannot bear to leave this world with all the suffering in it /"-Earl of Shaj~esburJ/.
SCHLEGEL, and Madame de Stael after him, called" architecture, frozen music." From some of the music we have heard in so-called sanctuaries during the past five years we have concluded that the praise was frozen in the icy surroundings of an !esthetic performance, in which all the warmth of devotional fervor had somehow been utterly lost. Is it not possible for even our missionary spirit so to be chilled by the icy rigidity of a heartless formalism, that even while we are boasting of our efficient organizations, God sees that they are like frozen corpses, from which all life is gone?
ARE OUR PASTORS FAITHFUL?
The large number of our non-contributing churches, after making a liberal allowance for unintentional omission, and churches having only a nominal existence, also the trifling amount given to the Foreign Mission Work by congregation" whose wealth runs up into the millions, shows the necessity of some new movement. I have been attending a prominent evangelical church in a great city for the last three years and more, ministered to by one of the most mature preachers in our church, and during the whole tiJlle he has made no reference to the foreign work from the pulpit. The attention of the officers of the church has been called to the strange omission but no explanation has been given. If men who have the ear of the church are silent, God will raise up others. " The stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber and help destroy it." This is beyond endurance.-A Parishioner.
1891.J Tl4-NSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK.
-The Missions-Blatt der BrUdergemeine, for June, 1890, gives the follow- -ing account of the peculiar relations of the mission-stations in South Africa to the civil authorities: " The practical English government has long since come to see that mission_ stations are the very best representatives of good morals, good order and civilization, the most trustworthy guarantees of public quiet, above all in the domain <>f the hot-blooded, turbulent Caffres, who have already cost the English colony streams of blood and untold sums of money. No wonder, then, that the higher -officials, in the well-understood interest of the common weal, encourage missions~ It is natural, therefore, when a mission-station is laid out, that they should gratuitously grant the ground required for church, school and missionhouse, if it is in the hands of the government. Indeed, they used also to give, without compensation, even the land for fields and gardens likely to blil required by a future community. This was known as the station-land. The rules and ordinances necessary for such a station then receive government sanction, and the presiding missionary receives civil jurisdiction to expel, from the station and its domain, those that offend against these ordinances by gross offences. Less important violations of station rules are visited with a fine paid into the public purse of the congregation. Thus the presiding missionary of the station is armed, not only with ecclesiastical, but also with civil and judicial prerogatives. On the other hand, the State naturally reserves to its representatives the right to ascertain whethcr the grant in land is actually applied to the designated purpose, whether discipline and good order prev:;til at the station, whether the school is efficiently carried on, and so on. Moreover, those that are condemned to leave the station lands have the right, in case they esteem the penalty unjust, to appeal to a government officer, who takes cognizance of their complaint."
This banishment from the station, however, especially as concerns submission to the heathenish and degrading rites connected with circumcision, is now in disuse, milder, but practically less dangerous and more effective measures of discipline taking its place. This universal Caffre usage, in itself indifferent, is so inextricably interwoven with all manner of vile concomitants, that it seems to be Satan's chief instrument for holding the Caffres under his dominion. Yet a Caffre yputh who does not submit to it becomes virtually a pariah among his tribesmen, and can scarcely obtain, even from Christian parents, the hand of one of their daughters. Its final overthrow will storm the citadel of darkness.
-The Rev. Mr. Stahle, of Australia, a Moravian, though at present connected with another society, communicates the decision of the" Aboriginal Board," appointed to look after the interests of the rapidly-vanishing native race, that they shall all be removed to certain stations, where they shall be kindly cared for, and not allowed intercourse with the whites, or even with the half-whites, until the race disappears, as within a calculable time it appears that it must.
Mr. Stahle says that for several months an awakening, accompanied with rich blessing, had been in progress among the Tapuas of his station. "Much sickness, however, had prevailed, and from January till October there had been eleven deaths. But all who fell asleep bore witness on their deathbed of their faith in Him who justifies the ungodly, and of their fervent desire that they might be permitted to enter into the joy of their Lord."
A visitor to the station, who attended a meeting, says: " But, ah, the hacking cough, which is heard on every side from among them! It sounds like the deathknell over the remnant of the once so numerous native tribes of Australia. Sitting thus in the midst of them, we cannot fail to remark how weakly they are, and how evidently the sentence of death against them is already proclaimed by their debilitated constitution. How emphatic is the appeal to our affectionate Christian sympathy, which resounds in our ears as we listen to this cough!"
-This work of bringing the regenerating influences o(the Gospel to the last survivors of a dying race, casts, of course, a shade of sadness over the minds of the missionaries, such as appears in these words of Missionary Kramer, of the Brethren's Mission, at Ebenezer: "Our beloved Ebenezer will, doubtless, be permitted to enter, as a mission station, upon the new decade. But how will it be at the end? The Lord alone knows. If it is to be dissolved I hope that ourlittle church will remain 'God's house,' and not be turned to the uses of a barn or a· stable. Many blessings, by God's grace, have descended upon us therein, and a certain sadness comes over me when I fear that in the place where we have assembled so often, in the name of the Lord, seeking to be built up out of His Word, or to present before Him our supplications and thanksgivings, or to raise to Him <;lUr songs of praise, the voice of riotous blasphemy may be heard. May the Lord forbid that it should be so !"
The following description of Cashmere, from the Missions-Blatt, reminds one of Moore's "Who has not heard of the vale of Cashmere, With its roses the brightest that earth ever gave, " etc.
"It is a region so richly and bounteously endowed by the goodness of God. that some naturalists have ventured the conjecture that it must have been the cradle of mankind-the origin at Paradise. That wonderful union of the sharpest antitheses in the life of nature, which characterizes the mighty Indian empire, the heat and luxuriant vegetation of the tropics, combined with the refreshing alpine ail' of snowy summits, glaciers and blue-green mountain lakes-so strengthening to the nerves-this fullness of God's glorious creation bursts upon the traveler in Cashmere in its purest, noblest forms. We cannot wonder, therefore, that the children of men to be met with there are also a. wonderful combination of the most startling contrasts. These are the proper inhabitants of the land, genuine Asiatics, arrested in their development for centuries back, and still bound in the chains of a relaxing heathenism. On the. other hand, you meet here with all the facilities of modern intercourse, and the country swarms with Europeans, some seeking recovery from the ill effects of a long sojourn in the heated plains, some finding delight in climbing the glaciers and snowy mountain-tops, like the tourists of Switzerland and the Tyrol."
-It is known that the Moravian Mission among the Himalayas is at oncein Thibet and in India. In other words, the people are Thibetan Buddhists, but are on the Indian slope of the main ridge, and are subject to British authority. They say: "As a missionary, Brother Redslob, so long as he and his wife, though seeking relaxation, are still within the range of Thibetan speech, he feels it incumbent on him, wherever he makes a stay of any length, to bear his witness to the crucified and risen one."
-The Roman Catholic government of Nicaragua, after many refusals, has finally granted permission to the Moravian brethren to establish mission stations in Nicaraguan Territory, for the pastoral care of the converted Indians, who have emigrated thither from the Mosquito State, or have received the Gospel from there.
-The Missions-Blatt' expresses surprise that John Morongo, a leading Indian of their Ramona Mission in California, had previously been a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, but until lately was unbaptized! Of course he was only an adherent, not a member, of the Episcopal Church-a distinction with which our German brethren seem to find it a little difficult to become familiar, as almost everybody in Germany is baptized, and, therefore, accounted a member of some church, though not necessarily a communicant member.
-The Missions-Blatt likewise makes a slight slip, very natural in a German magazine, in speaking of the government of California, instead of that of the United States, as controlling the Indian reservation. The distinction, of course,. is of no consequence to German readers.
-Our German brethren greatly admire the American and English institution of medical missions, to which, for want of suitable candidates, they themselves have not as yet been able to give any wide extension. The Unitas Fratrum, however, has its first, and, at present, its only trained medical missionary, in Carl Marx, who is established in Leh, in connection with its Thibetan Mission. The different German societies are making special effort to come up in time with the Anglo-Saxons in what may be called this left-hand of Christ's work, which now, as with the Lord Himself, has always so mightily supported the work of His right hand.
-The annual report of the Societe EvangeZique of Geneva, for 1890, has-the following remarks: "It is, in fact, beloved hearers, a word of hope, of confidence, indeed of certainty, with which we would fain conclude this reporta word of faith, for that is it of which we have need, in present conjunctures, to sustain us in our work. The times are most serious, and, in face of the growing troubles of the present hour, one might easily be tempted to dl~wur agement. Owing, to our limited view-owing, above all, to the deafening cries of our adversaries, who, in the name of science, of progress, of liberty, of equality, of democracy, proclaim that the era of Christianity is past; that the hour of the definitive enfranchisement of human thought is about to strike on the clock of time–one might believe that it is over with the reign of Christ; that the last times are here, and that the world, given over to itself, is about to undergo the final convulsions. In face of the storm, some are ready to lay down their arms. Why strive, when defeat is certain, why suffer when there is no longer a morrow? Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. Others, more spiritual in appearance, hold another language: "Let us separate ourselves," say they, "from this perverse world, destined to a final destruction. Little Hock of the Good Shepherd, as we are, let us withdraw into His fold; the hour of deliverance is at hand. Let us go out of Sodom and Gomorrah, and, in prayer, await our Deliverer. Let us, too, eat and drink; let us feed on the heavenly bread, let us refresh ourselves with the spiritual drink, and let us abandon to their fate the masses destined to destruction.' Gentlemen, let us listen to neither of these voices, the voice of discouragement and of pessimism or the voice of spiritual egoism; the voice of insane enjoyment or the yet more culpable voice of abdication in the name of sanctity! No, no! neither: .. 'Labor, labor, for the thankful 1 let the thankless hold their hands, Happy the servants whom the Master, when He comes, shall find watching I'
"Is it true, in fact, that the final hour of defeat is arrived, and that everything is discouraging in the Church? Must the rapidly approaching twentieth century necessarily witness a new inroad of barbarians, the more terrible that it will be the inroad of science turned infidel? I do not believe it. It is true that humanity, that unceasing traveler, marches uninterruptedly through valleys and mountain ranges, now ·on the summit, in full sunshine, to-morrow in the depths, in darkness and peril. Possibly we have reached one of those dolorous hours when it descends towards the precipice; but let us not forget it stops an instant; where it takes breath and rests, in order there to address itself to the climbing of new heights. And, gentlemen, let me be taxed with optimism, but I must still say, in spite of all I hear, in spite of all Isee, in de- spite of the sombre prophecies of the guardians of Israel, and of the cries of distretls from the leaders of the flocks, I believe that the present hour is not an hour for despair; I believe that at this end of a century Christianity is not like a wild creature brought to bay; I believe, and I may even say I affirm, that never has the Church been more active, more audacious, more victorious; that never, at any epoch of its history, has Christianity exercised upon the world a power more energetic and more glorious.
"To open, Christians, the way to you, the princes of industrial civilization are transformed, without willing it or knowing it, into pioneers of Providence. These bridges which they hang in air, these mountains which they transpierce, those roads on which fire is their ,bearer and which they desire to serve their ambition, are only channels through which the Spirit is to flow. Thus did three centuries before Jesus Christ, the conquering Alexander, when he sub- dued Asia and transplanted the Hellenic civilization into the distant Orient; thus did the Romans, his successors, when marching in their turn to the con- quest of the world, they brought peoples together by their arms, and furrowed the three continents with their military roads. They believed that by these their legions would eternally pass and repass to impose their commands on the world. They knew not, what we know to-day, that they were preparing tri- umphal ways for the Saviour and his Apostles. 0, you, then,masters of science and of wealth, engineers, colonizers, conquerors, whatever may be your names and your designs, continue the work of your predecessors, abridge space, les- sen the breadth of the sea by your steamers, and suppress distance by your telegraphs, draw from nature her final secrets, so that one day the Truth may no longer be checked by rivers and by mountains, but may advance rapidly to break the last-remaining bonds of slavery and to stifle the ultimate lurking places of barbarism and superstition !"
-The report for 1889 of the Societe des ll:fissWn8 Evangeliques gives for Tahiti: 23 parishes; 4 European missionaries; 20 native pastors; 2,044 church mem- bers; 44 catechumens; 8,949 francs for home work, 594 francs for foreign missions.
-The Paris society, speaking of Tahiti, remarks: "The religious life of the Tahitians is still in a state sufficiently rudimentary. It has its bright sides: profound attachment to the Word of God, very general observance of the Sunday; regular attendance on worship; practice of Christian liberality. Butit has its deep shadows likewise: for one thing, the considerable number of the unconverted, who form the majority of the population; then, even among believers, are insufficient apprehension of the -exigences of the Law of God; the almost complete absence of true Christian faInily life; in brief, to speak with our brethren, 'a piety which still localizes itself too much within the walls of the churches, and which does not spread abroad sufficiently in good works and in regenerating influences.'"
-In speaking of the great work of the Paris society, that in Basutoland, or, as the French call it, Lessuto, the report remarks: " We bless God that He has given to the churches of France a work proportioned to their strength, adapted to their genius, and the success of which has stimulated a zeal which efforts too long without fruit might have discouraged. And, to-day, that which strikes the eye in the Lessuto mission, by the side of that in still advancing, it from time to time regains some large plateau where weaknesses and defects inseparable from every human work, is its sound and vigorous growth."
This mission last year experienced a remarkable revival, bringing in many pagans. This has not continued, but it has left open many new doors of access. Paganism, on the other hand, having recovered from the early impressions of awe before the missionaries, has become at once more malicious and more aggressive. It is assisted, as in Paul's day, by two rival missions, the Roman Catholic and the Propagation Society. The latter, however, excites the contempt of the Basutos, who regard it as coming to the ground between two -stools. "The danger is in the scandal of these three rival Christian confessions, these three Gods, as the natives still phrase it."
The awakening among the heathen Basutos resulted in the addition of 514 new members, making the present number 6,543. The present number of catechumens is 3,332. Out-stations, 110; for 1888, 94; native helpers, 194; for 1888, 176. Primary scholars for 1889, 5,347; for 1888, 4,566.
-11. Coillard, of the incipient, but noble mission of the Zambesi-anoffshoot (){ the Lessuto mission-speaking of the imperative need of extension, or rather 1)f filling up intermediate space, remarks: "We are no longer in the earlier time when missions of magnificent distances had leisure to develop themselves as they might without the risk of taking any harm. To-day the centre of Africa is the object ofa general assault, which contests every point of attack. God grant that we may be resolved and faithful."
-It is known how discreditably,indeed, ridiculously, jealous, both the French and the German governments are, of having missionaries of any other nation in their colonies. Germany, however, being Protestant, does not dislike them as Protestants, and, by its late agreement with England, expressly allows them in Africa. France, however, whose occupancy of the Gaboon, in West Africa, is much more recent than the American missionary occupancy of it, distrusts .our Presbyterian brethren there as foreigners and dislikes them as Protestants. Even French atheists are" Catholic atheists." They have forbidden our missionaries to use English in their schools, to which acceding, the Americans have obtained from the Paris brethren several teachers of French. The Journal says: "The authorities, having obtained satisfaction on the point as to which energy"-French-" colonial administration is inflexible, the teaching of the language of the mother country in the schools, have come to regard the American missionaries with a more favorable eye. If, as we hope, these friendly dispositions become fixed, every one will at last comprehend that which has always appeared evident to us, namely, that an intelligent administration, eager to extend civilization, ought not to refuse any assistance, even though offered by foreigners; especially when these foreigners are the repre sentatives of a friendly nation, and only ask leave to preach the Gospel without any intermixture of political aims."
Should the French Republic, as Father Hyacinthe forebodes, swing over from atheism to Jesuitism, it would fare ill with Protestant efforts, French or foreign, in her colonies. But, as Sainte Beuve remarks, whenever Jesuitism stretches out its hand to some great work of mischief, the eternal wound dealt by Pascal reopens, and it gives up the ghost afresh.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
n.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND OONDUOTED BY HEV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Past Ten Years in Persia. rians, and Catholics; and the Jews, who are quite numerous. BY REV. W. L. WIDPPLE, D.D. The field of the Bible work is divid- In looking backward ten years we ed with the British and Foreign Bible find very little change in the status of Society. Dr. Bruce, its representa- Persia. The same king, ~asr-ed-deen tive, looks after the southern, while I Shah, who has reigned, according to superintend the northern portion or the Persian reckoning, nearly fifty the kingdom for the American Bible years-the longest of any Persian Society. monarch-is still on the throne, a wiser and better sovereign than he There has been decided progress wastenyearsago. The journey which made in the missionary work, reprehe made to Europe, for the third time, sented, on the one hand, by the Amerilast year, seems to have had a bene- can Presbyterian Board, in the North, ficial effect upon him. He visited and on the other hand, by the Church most of the principal capitals and Missionary Society of England, who manufacturing centres, and appeared have their centre at Isfahan. to be in earnest in obtaining information and an insight into the various. In taking a retrospect of the Bible improvements and progress of the 19th work in Persia during the decade just century. Since his return he has be- drawing to a close, I am glad to say gun to introduce changes and reforms that it comes up, in the main, to my of a practical nature. This is no easy reasonable expectation, though not so task, for the same forces are still at extensive as I should wish to see. In work, opposing in every possible way forming plans for the work, when I the introduction of Western ideas, as first entered upon my duties, July 1, on his return from his previous Euro- 1880, I thought that if I succeeded pean tour. He has, however, gained in placing in the hands of the people in solid stamina, and we trust that he of Persia, in ten years, 40,000 copies will not be held in such subjection by of God's Word, I should be thank- "the power behind. the the throne" as ful. I was not over-sanguine that in former years. I should be able to attain that cir- culation. I find that the total cir- The kingdom has been quite free culation, including grants, has fully from internal troubles, with the ex- reached that amount. The sales exception of the Koordish Rebellion, ceed the grants in the proportion of which occurred about nine years ago, fourteen to one. The larger portion and was soon suppressed. are in the Persian, Turkish, and Ara- bic languages, representing the Mos- There has been no foreign war. The lem population. The Syriac comes. territory remains the same, contain- next. Then follows the Hebrew, ining nearly one-fifth of the area of the dicating the interest manifested by United States, or about as much as God's ancient people in His Word. Germany, France, Austria, and Hun- The Armenian does not enter so gary combined. Roughly estimated, largely in our sales as we expect it to it is 1,500 miles long, by 850 miles do in the future. There is too much wide, in its greatest extent. light creeping in on all sides of that ancient and dark Christian Church to Our work is among the following debar God's Word from its communion nationalities: The Moslems-the pre- much longer. dominent class-including the Sheah and Sunee sects (the Koords, as a In 1885 I made an address at the rule, are all Sunees); the nominal jubilee celebration in Oroomiah, com- Christian nations-Armenians, Nestomemorating a half century of mis- mission to the present time, it is be- sionary labot among the Nestorians, <>n the subject, "What part has the lieved that 70,000 copies of God's Word Bible had in the work of the last fifty years in Persia?" There were have been distributed, in different present about 2,000 persons, nearly Qne-half of whom were women and languages and among varions nation- girls. It was stated then, that fifty years before there were only two alities in Persia, apart from what has women in the entire Nestorian nation who could read, and the request was been done by the British and Foreign made that all the women present who (lould read the New Testament would Bible Society, through the agency of rise to their feet. Imagine our grati- fication when 800 arose. It was a Dr. Bruce. This may not seem very sight never to be forgotten by those present, who saw those daughters of wonderful to one unfamiliar with the the East, with intelligent and beaming faces, rise up, en masse, and remain bigotry and self-satisfaction of the standing until they were counted. And these were only representatives Persian Moslem, especially when he from many villages and towns upon the plains of Oroomiah, Sooldooz, and reads the circulation reported each Balmez, with a few from the moun- tains of Koordistan. The incident is year in some larger and older estab- a very impressive and encouraging object-lesson of what missionary ef- lished agencies. But let us not despise forts have accomplished in one di- rection merely-a rather liberal per the day of small things, nor forget >cent. of return in fifty years. Itspeaks even more teIlingly, when it is borne that these millions in Persia are a part in mind that at the commencement of the work among the Nestorians by of the world into which the triumph- Dr. Perkins and Dr. Grant these poor peeple did not have the Scriptures in ant Master commanded to preach the their own language (the Syriac). There were a few manuscript copies on Gospel. ' parchment of the ancient Syriac, so revered and precious that they were The fact that the representatives -only used on special and very holy oc- Clasions, and upon which oaths were from this Oriental land were the first administered to Moslems. as well as Christians, as they were counted very ambassadors to pay homage to the in- sacred by all classes. fant Saviour, and to lay at his feet It was the privilege of the American Bible Society to furnish the means to their royal gifts, is a very significant -carry through to completion the publication of the entire Syriac Bible, in one. And cannot we bring this up both the ancient, or sacred, and the modern languages. It is now revising before the adorable Master as "a methe modern version, and preparing to :,print a new edition with references. morial" in her behalf? We all in Per- From the commencement of the sia believe that there are brighter days in store and greater ,blessings held in reserve. The people are beginning to be aroused to a sense of their duty.
There is no more potent energy at work to bring about this greatly de- sired end than the printed Word. It enters silently where no preacher is allowed to stay, and quietly'and daily preaches to some one or more in that village or city where it finds lodgment and then suddenly the place is thrown into commotion by the rumor that one of their number has left the faith and become an "infidel Armanee"
(Christian). Then persecution begins; loss of relatives and friends and prop- erty follow, and revilings, beatings, and imprisonments hasten on apace; then threatenings, and, at last, it cul- minates in casting out and banish- ment from home and country. It may terminate in death itself.
But, meantime, this faithful one has taught a few of his firm friends, or read to them night after night from this new and interesting Book, .And this was the fact, as I can testify until they, too, have been won over to from what I have seen as I walked believe in the Injeel, and to accept through the bazaars. Christ as their Redeemer. And when a colporteur or evangelist visits the .After various methods were tried, place again, he is surprised to find a without avail, it was decided to pronumber who are not only favorably hibit all sales of Scriptures by colinclined, but who actually accept porteurs, whether in cities or towns Christianity, and petition the mis- or villages. So they could not make sionaries to send them a teacher or tours. This was made a jetwa, or ofpreacher. This has been the case in ficial action by the chief mujhtaheeds, a number of instances. It is inter- or highest ecclesiastical authority; esting, indeed, to see how the leaven 'and when the notice was communiworks, "until the whole lump is leav- cated to the governor-general hedared ened." not disregard it. He therefore in- formed our representative of this or- But in Persia, as elsewhere, "the der, and requested him to notify the kingdom of Heaven cometh not with agent of the American Bible Society observation." Very little attention at to respect it. After careful deliberafirst was paid to the circulation of the tion and counsel, we all deemed it Scriptures. When I began the work, expedient to observe the rule until reten years ago, they were admitted free dress could be obtained. of duty; but as the demand increased, and the cases of books-fifty and This proved to be by far the heaviest eighty at a time-began to arrive, the blow our work ever received. It was custom-house officials deemed it worth over one year before we could get the their attention, and soon we had to order rescinded, and receive permispay customs. A moderate rate wa..'1 sion to resume our work. This profixed, to be paid in kind. But it was hibition was in force only in .Azerbinot long before the officials com- jan, the other provinces being still plained that this was burdensome to opened to the colporteur. The printhem. They did not have room, they cipal part of our work, however, was said, to store away their share of in that province, where such cities Scriptures received for duties; so it and districts as Tabreez, Oroomiah, was decided, after due consideration, Salmas, Maragha, Sooldooz, etc., are that mone,y would be paid instead of situated. It affected, in conse- Scriptures. Soon after these points quence, our sales very materially. were settled, then the mullahs and high ecclesiastics of the Moslems ap_ I have told this story of the conflict, peared on the scene. They seemed to between truth and error, which has have been taken by surprise, and were been in progress for some years, so not aware how many Scriptures were quietly that few have been aware of going into circulation. They began to it, to show what advances the former investigate, and the more they in- is making over the latter, and, how quired the greater were they dis- stubbornly each stronghold has been turbed and alarmed. They held coun- held until captured by force. Progcils in various places, and discussed ress has been slow all along the line;' meaures for putting a stop to this but the fact that nearly 100,000 " torwork. Some were heard to say: pedoes" have been" placed," and are' " These men are filling the bazaars only abiding their time set for them with the Injeel, and wherever we go to accomplish the work intended for' we find one. Even merchants and them to do, is full of encouragement tradesmen are seen neglecting their to those who "wait patiently on the work, and poring over this book." Lord."
The colporteurand evangelist going' out together to the districts and, cities in the distant portions of Persia Testament. There are a number of have had a marked influence for good. converts to Christianity from the Indeed, they have been the advance Jews, and all have been faithful readguards, and have prepared the way for the establishing of every station in ers of the Tourat, or Old Testament. Persia except Oroomiah. All the others, viz.: Teheran, Isfahan, Ta- But as they compared Scripture with breez, Ramadan, Salmaz, and the Scripture, they were at last convinced new one recently established in the that the Messiah had surely come, and mountains of Western Koordistan, they hastened to acknowledge, and do were visited and canvassed first by him honor. There are many intellicolporteurs and evangelists, sent out gent Jews in Persia to-day, intellectuyearly by the missionaries in OroD- ally converted to Christianity, who do miah. They would spend, every not confess Jesus publicly" for fear visit, one week or more in each city in of the Jews," lest they be cast out of preaching and selling Scriptures. In the synagogue. That means to-day this way much precious seed was what it did 2,000 years ago. But the sown, which, after many days, has truth is working in many hearts, and sprung up and brought forth fruit–a will eventually prevail. The missionrich spiritual harvest–already; and aries' schools are composed entirely of the work is only fairly begun., Jewish boys and girls, who daily study the New Testament, and even the OBSTACLES IN THE WAY. catechism.
During these ten years a civil war, Another encouraging fact is the following closely upon the heels of large sale of Scriptures to Moslemsfamine and pestilence, has interfered perhaps the largest part of the gross with and curtailed materially the sales. These are in the Persian and sales of the Scriptures. Likewise, as Arabic, the Azerbijan and the Osalready mentioned, for over one year manli – Turkish languages. Weare no colporteur' was allowed to sell able, by these languages, to reach all Scriptures in the large and influential classes of the Mohammedans of Persia province of Azerbijan, where the larg- and Koordistan. Not only that, but est share of sales was usually made. they are purchased and carried home These circumstances, combined with to dwellers in Mghanistan, Beloochisthe constant animosity and vigilant tan, Turkestan, and even India. opposition to our colporteurs and the scarcity of ready money, have ham- It is a grand accomplishment and a pered the sales. Should the Armenian powerful agency in the evangelization bishops and priests withdraw their ob- of Mohammedans that the entire jections to the people purchasing the Scriptures have been translated, pub- Scriptures, and permit them to be lished, and circulated for years in the used in their schools, our sales would Arabic tongue, the sacred language of be greatly augmented; for they are all Moslems. abundantly able to purchase, and they are well supplied with schools. We The Arabic Bible and New Testahave been working to bring this about, ment are popular with the Moslem and some recent indications lead us to high ecclesiastics and clergy; for, behope that it will not be long before our ing in the sacred language, they al'e en<! will be accomplished. not suspected of reading the holy books of the Christians. If questioned ENCOURAGING FEATURES IN OUR WORK. what they are reading, they can re- ply, "the blessed Arabic tongue," and Among others might be mentioned then they read aloud a few verses in the number of Scriptures that are sNd confirmation of their statement. Our yearly to the Jews. It is true that colporteurs have sold Bibles in this most of these are copies of the Old language to some of the highest rank of Moslems, both clergy and nobility. I could mention some very interesting In concluding this paper, I append cases of this character, which it is not the resume of sales and grants for ten prudent to publish. years. The figures for 1889 are only All the converts 'from Islam to Christianity, whom I have met, at- approximately correct: tribute their conversion directly to the reading of the New Testament in The average number of men employed Persian, and not any human agency. annually ………. ~ •….. . . .. …. …… 25 Number of years spent by them…….. 170 " U miles (on horseback) tray· eled by your agent …….. 10,000 " " months spent on those jour· neys….. …. …. ……… 22 RESUME OF SALES AND GRANTS FOR TEN YEARS. GRANTS. SALES.
Bibles. Tests. Parts. TotaL Value. Bibles. Tests. Parts. TotaL Value.
From July 1880 to 2,114 1,921 4,488 $1,24800 50 285 402 737 151.00 end of 1881. .. .. . 453 2,129 1,755 4,308 1,069 12 47 265 394 706 149.40 2,178 2,363 5,026 1,295 48 58 185 240 483 127.85 F,?r 1882.. …….. 424 1,973 1,977 4,426 1,050 03 …2.9… ..1..7.3.. 236 ….4…3..8….. .1.0.6…2.5.. 1883………. 485 1,105 1,310 2,754 94090 1,549 2,974 4,852 …….. ……. . …… " 1884………. 476 1,023 1,625 2,844 1,311 98 . …… " 1885…… …. 339 2,464 2,129 5,004 384 36 1,500 1,870 3,625 87588 48 " 1886 ……… 329 1,225 15 ……… …9.0… ..1.7.1… ..3.0.9… ..6.4…0.0. , 1887. ……… 196 " 1888………. 411 " 1889………. 225 Total Sales in 10 years. .. ……… 3,368 16,035 17,924 37,327 $9,401 50 232 Total Grants in 10 998 1,448 2,637 $598.50 years… … ….. 232 998 1,443 2,637 59850 Total circulation, 10 years….. '" 3,600 17,033 19.367 40,000 $10,000 00 [NOTE: The above paper was read before International Missionary Union, 1890.-J. T. G.] Missions to the Native Mexican Races. and saving power of the Lord Jesus than their ancestors knew in the old REV.WH. P.F. FERGUSON, BANGAL, N.Y. days when the Aztec altars were piled with human hearts. I showed, in my former paper (see What prospects are there for their MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, Christianization under present meth- ods? March, '90, p. 218) that there are today in Mexico, out of a total popula- The Roman Church has given them tion of less than 12,000,000, nearly all that it ever can.. They have the 4,000,000 who speak some one of the rosary, the crucifix, holy watermany ancient languages. In other pretty idols, compared with the fiendwords, to-day, after 370 years of the ascendency of Spanish blood, one- ish representations of the old Aztec third of the nation still use the lan- divinities; but only idols, and Rome's guages of their fathers, hands hold no better gifts.
In regard to these peoples I shall The Protestant missions' now at raise a series of questions and suggest work in the country have not, as yet, such answers as are in accord with attempted any very considerable work my conception of the facts: among the indigenes, not can they in the near future. Given the money Have these people been Christian- and the men, and to·day, in parts of ized? the Republic already under the eye of the missionary, 100 workers could be I might give a very extended an- placed in Spanish-speaking towns and swer. I might array facts and pile cities of from 1,000 to 10,000 inhabitup quotations to show you their con- ants where there is now no teacher of the Gospel and where good and sucdition. i refrain, and, with full real- cessful work could be entered upon at izationof the sad import of the words, sum up the condition of the native Mexicans to-day, in the one statement, that they know no more of the love <lnce. It is to be expected, and is To say nothing as to the ability of right, that these missions should ex- native workers to create a Christian pend their slowly increasing force literature of which I shall speak, none upon this work, lying right before of the missions at work in Mexico them and for which they are prepared. have as yet succeeded in training any It will be many years, in the probable considerable number of native minis- -course of events, before any of our mis- ters who would be considered by those sions can offer the Gospel to even the who best know them, as competent to greater part of these ancient peoples. manage the affairs of a mission with- out the constant supervision of the It seems to me, then, not in the least foreign missionary, and, besides, they unreasonable to urge the establish- are, with a few possible exceptions, as ment of special missions among the ignorant of the native languages as native Mexican races. At this day are foreigners. Some boys and girls missions are being founded among in our mission schools, and a few wasted tribes that contain only a few young men employed in the "supply" thousand, or even only a few hun- work would be available as interpre- -<Ired souls, and shall we neglect these ters, but I need not draw upon my peoples who, remnants though they own slender experience to show to .are, still are counted by hundreds of anyone who has ever been obliged to thousands and even by millions? Their work by such agencies that such work romantic history, the remains of their is often worse than unsatisfactory. .ancient greatness, their manifest and And I believe that the best results can' admirable qualities of mind and heart, never be attained by it. The bearer and, above all, the love of our common of the Glad Tidings must come into Saviour impel us to the work of their personal contact with those to whom salvation. he is sent.
This leads me. to question: Can mis- Is there any reason why the Amerisions to the native races employ the can missionary should not go to these Spanish language as the means of peoples, leaming their languages and -communication? entering into their life as he does among other nations? I speak with the fact fully in mind that there are others whose observa- Some have expressed the belief that tion uponthis point has been far more the Mexican government would asextensive than my own, and thus sume an attitude toward any such more valuable; but, in my judg_ movement not unlike that of our govment, the answer to this question is, ernment toward the use of the native No. As well as I am able to judge, languages in the Indian schools. much less than half of the 4,000,000 of whom I speak, have any knowledge of This seems to me in the highest dethe Spanish, and the greater part of gree improbable. I would expect that these but very little. I have seen the government would rather look people living within six miles of one with favor upon anything that would <If the largest cities and gaining their tend to arouse a pride of race among living by selling garden produce in the indigenes, It must be remembered its streets, who could' scarcely under- that Mexicans to-day are fond of 13tand or 'use the Spanish language thinking of the Republic as the lineal enough to transact their business. To successor of the Aztec Empire. Many confine us to the Greek language for scholars would, too, I think, give a <lur religious instruction would be welcome to a missionary who should about a parallel. undertake the study of the ancient languages. It may next be inquired: What are the available resources among our va- Some, again, look upon such labor tive Protestants? as unnecessary, believing that the use of the native tongues is soon to cease. Scriptures and religious books, my I consider this also improbable. For 370 views would be as follows: The be- years the Spanish has had every advan- ginning already made by the publica- tage in Mexico, but has failed to dis- tion of the Aztec Luke, I look upon as place the native languages. To-day it is valuable, more because of the interest· itself growing weak. The day comes, I that it has attracted than for its prac- venture to predict,when, in the greater tical use, which must be slight because- part of Mexico it will be of no greater of its antiquated form. But if mission importance than isthe French language work is ever conducted among these to-day in some of our Southern States. people to any extent, a translation of It cannot be expected to do, in its de- the Scriptures into the languages used cadence, what it has failed to do in will be a necessity. Independent. its strength. So that I do not expect translation by each worker could not to see the native languages spoken by be thought of. If schools should be any very greatly less numbers until a established and the people taught to stronger than the Spanish race rules read their own language, which they in Mexico. cannot now do, the Bible would, of course, be put into their hands and Again, it is asked, if these lan- other Christian literature would be guages are capable of expressing the called into use. The teaching of the truths of the Gospel, and if they are native languages, would, however, de- not of so barbarous a character as to pend upon conditions not as yet fully be almost impossible of acquirement. understood.
Man speaks no language in which The facts which I have briefly he may not be told that "Jesus Christ stated warrant, it seems to me, the came into the world to save sinners." appeal and give promise of success. There is no linguistic impossibility to It may be, that some of the missions the successors of those upon whom now established can be so enlarged fell the baptism of tongues. And, and adapted as to include the most from what little study I have given urgent part of the needed work; but I the subject, I am of the opinion that a should expect better results from new man who has the courage and ability missions established either by the soto begin his study at the very basis cieties now engaged in Mexico, or by anew can master even the most diffi- others. If each would confine itself cult of these in about the average to one nation, or, at least, if the work time required to master other foreign could be so adjusted as toavoid waste, languages. and conflict of forces, much could be accomplished in a short time, while The existence of numerous dialects the less numerous tribes would furnish is also urged as an insurmountable fields of labor for societies of limited obstacle. We are told that even a resources. slight change of location among people of the same race would render Conceeding the possibility that some useless the study of years. I question of my condusions may not be well if this obstacle is not very much over- founded, and doubting at the same rated. I believe that missionary his- time if data are yet at hand for a pertory will show many instances of fect judgment of the case; I would greater difficulties of this character urge that the first step should be an overcome elsewhere. And, it is to be exploration with a view to discoverremembered that the introduction of ing accurately such points as, to what missionary work in the languages will extent these peoples are dependent strongly tend to remove the differences upon the native languages, to just – of dialects. what extent the more important of them are divided by dialects, and If we shall raise here the question of the necessity of translating the what is the present prospect for their interest to remember that the mission- survival. Attention should also be ary living among these peoples, mak- given to the disposition of the people ingan intelligent studyof theirlife and toward the Roman Church, their wil- language, would doubtless encounter lingness, or otherwise, to receive in- many facts, and would give light upon struction and other things that would that most perplexing problem, the aid in the selection of fields of labor history and origin of American races. among-them. If those who were ex- pected to become the missionaries This work is a duty to someone; is should make this exploration (and this it not to us? How can the Protestant would be desirable), a good beginning Christianity of the United States be should be made toward a mastering blameless if it fail to preach the true of the native languages. Gospel to these dying millions, who, right at our doors, have been for cen- The outfit for such an expedition turies cursed with a false faith ? When need not be very expensive and. the we stand before the judgment throne total cost of a year's work could be will not we hear the question, "Where more than met by the literary pro- is thy Mexican brother?" Shall we ceeds. This part of the work might be answer, "Lord,we left him in his filth entered upon at once and would do and ignorance and vice." Or shall we much to arouse an interest in the sub- answer, "Lord, we told him of the ject and make further advance pos- blood that cleanseth, we brought to sible. In fact, I believe that it must be his dark mind the knowledge of Thy done and that, too, by private effort, be dying love, we showed to him 'the fore any organization will move to the Lamb of God that taketh ..way the work of planting a miSflion. sins of the world,' and here, Lord, he is, washed and redeemed, a jewel for Once in possession of the facts that Thy diadem." could thus be brought to light, some society, or it might be, some man of llnent the ~ec~ means whose heart God should touch, would, I trust, furnish the necessary BY REV. LEVI B. SALMANS. financial support for the opening of the work. The field chosen would Anglo-Saxons, as we are, and misprobably be remote from civilization sionaries, too, suddenly set down in and full of dangers. A small, care- the midst of a Latin people, we could fully selected and well-furnished force not fail to admire the Astec populashonld be sent to make a beginning and tion of the fastnesses of the Sierras. advance should be upon the lines de- They have never been conquered by veloped. It might prove that,under the force of arms, though the Latinized touch of Christianity, elements of the government, which has come to preold civlization would spring to life and vail throughout Mexico in a certain thus new peoples be brought into the way, has come into the power of ruler- "federation of the world." Or, it ship. Yet the Ancient Cacique is the might prove that all traces of the old organized ,power behind the throne. were but forms of dust to vanish at Nothing of importance can be done by that same potent touch. Then it the Mexican government in these would be the work of the missionary mountains except it be agreeable to to guide these peoples clear of the the leaders among the Indians, as we dangers of the present Spanish-Ameri- would call them, though they are as can civilization, and introduce them different from our Indians as the Japinto the better and purer form of life anese are from Chinamen, or French into which we are already trying to from English. I do not know whether lead their Spanish-speaking neighbors. these comparisons are just right or not, but the Astcc was a semi-civil- It cannot fail to add a thought of ized race, living in cities built of stoneand morta'!', and had laws and govern- than the inhabitants of the Sierra of ment, with arts and industries, and Pueblo, risen into prominence or fur- were by no means the wild savage nished political leaders in the national nomad, known as the Indian in the affairs of the past generation. United States. Bishop Hurst says: .. while the Spaniard conquered and On Board the "Taichiow," Two Days ruled for three hundred years in Mex- From Bangkok Siam. ico, and grafted upon the people his religion, laws and customs, the Mexi- August 30, 1890. can or Indian has at last conquered DEAR DR.GRACEy:-Am on my way the Spaniard, and taken possession of to my field of missionary labor, in the realm. More than this is true of Laos, and, in reading the July num- the Sierra of Pueblo. They were ber of THE REVIEW, 1 have been much never conquered at home, while they interested in an article headed "Meaided nobly in conquering and ex- chanic Missionaries," by Secretary pelling the Spaniard, and afterward Brown, of the International Commit- the Roman hielarchy. They formed tee of Y. M. C. A. the troops who saved the day on the The Church is waking up to the great fifth of May, 1862, at Pueblo, grand importance of utilizing its lay and on many another fiercely fought element, though slowly. Themechanic battlefield. They hold their land in missionary comes in contact with a severalty, and live largely on their class of people, the very bone and land, rather than in villages. The sinew of a country, unreachable by personal independence of the Anglo- either the ordained or the medical Saxon largely. characterizes them. missionary. The rank and ,file of an They are fierce in war, while at the army could not be made up of colonels Bame time they are very mild-man- and generals. Private soldiers do the nered in peaceful intercourse. Ro- fighting directed by their officers. manism destroys the individual and Why should not the Church carry on builds up the institution. When Pro- her work both at home and abroad on testant evangelism seeks in the midst the same plan? -of a Roman civilization for individuals Secretary Brown speaks of an extento convert, who, after being converted, sive movement to establish one or more will have independence and individu- Christian undenominational schools ality enough to become useful evan- of technology, to fit men to become gelists and leaders among their people teachers of the trades and first-class against the odds of sin, conservatism, mechanics, and at the same time to and feudal inequality, it rejoices the enlist and prepare them for personal heart to find such a people as these in work in winning souls. This is a the Sierra. It is true they are not laudable undertaking, and ought to .nearly so highly civilized as the people have the hearty support of the entire in the cities of Mexico, but they are in Church. But it will, necessarily, be sympathy with the country and the some time before these institutions country is in sympathy with them, can be in readiness for students, and and they belong to the race that is on then some time before these students the top at this time; and when we get will be ready to be sent to work. Let them converted we will have a most us call attention to the fact that you valuable evangelizingagency. Nearly have just such a school in your midst. -one-half of the whole population of Park College, Parkville, Mo., has for Mexico still speak their original fifteen years been sending its trained tongues, and maintain, to a greater or men, and women, too, into all parts less degree, their original customs. of the home field (1 am writing as an Among these none have, more notably American), and into many foreign countries. There is this difference be- hundreds of her sons pleading to be tween this college and those proposed fitted to carry the Gospel to all lands?
by Mr. Brown: its distinctive work is ROBERT IRWIN.
the training of Christian workers for M. Henri Lutteroth, who died personal Christian work. The study February 12, 1889, was the last surof the Bible and the inculcation of viving founder of that lamp shining, personal piety are first; then the col- we will not say amid darkness, but lege work proper leading up to the de- certainly among vapors, the Societe gree of A. B., and lastly, the manual des Missions Evangeliques de Paris. training, embracing nearly all the Speaking of him, the Journal says: trades. " Our work has never had greater This would seem to be the natural need than at the present hour of colorder, and an argument in its favor laborators of this stamp, knowing how is the great success Park College has to place at its service the intensity of had. Everyone of our hundred and piety and of zeal together with all the twenty-five graduates is actively en- distinctions of culture and of knowlgaged in Christian work, besides a edge. Never, in fact, has the amount. great many who were unable to of labor imposed on the committee graduate. There is a practical advan- been more considerable than during tage in their mechanical department. this year." Nothing is done simply to show how it is done, but because it is necessary. The Moravian Church, which first The institution depends largely on the sent a missionary to the south of work ,of its students. They quarry Africa, in 1737, and which has a flourthe stone, mould the brick, burn the ishing work in Cape Colony and the lime, cut the logs, saw the lumber, neighboring lands, now proposes t() and build their houses; they cultivate join the ranks of those who are seekand tend large gardens and a farm of ing the evangelization of the equaseveral hundreds of acres; raise cattle, torial regions. A mission has been sheep and hogs; make wagons, repair projected, under the protection of the implements, shoe horses, and do the German government, for that part of one-thousand-and-one other things the German zone of eastern Africa necessary on a large industrial estab- adjoining the northern and northlishment. There are now over three eastern shores of Lake Nyassa. The hundred students in attendance, and two pioneers of this newest Moravian' hundreds are refused admittance mission, Theodore Meyer and Theaevery year just because there is no phile Richard, will shortly set out for room. If now there are those who the sphere of their future labors. want the mechanic missionary training, proposed by.Secretary Brown, J. TAYLOR HAMILTON, they need not wait until several other Secretary of the Societyfor the Propainstitutions are equipped. Let twenty gation of the Gospel, Bethlehem, Pa.
such be built at once, they will not be A Waldensian church-edifice, hold- too many; but let the Church use, to ing four hundred, has been opened its utmost capacity, that one now in by Cav. Dr. Prochet in Vittoria, a existence. The foreign field is calling Sicilian town with a population of for men. It is the loud cry from the 25,000. The church was so full that north and the south and the west and Dr. Prochet could scarcely reach the the east and from all over the home pulpit. After sermon seven catechu- field. Shall the Church hear the cry mens were admitted, and the crowd, and withhold what is in her power to inside and out, was so much interested give-viz: facilities for training Chris- and excited that the municipal guards tion workers, and oppo~nities to the had to disperse it.
ii2 EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
1II.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Editorial Prospectus for 1891. eluding notes by the editor on various The editor cordially salutes his read- topics and books of a mISSIOnary ers with the best wishes of the New character, and editorial correspon- Year. Notwithstanding the decease dence. of the associate editor, no material change will be needful either in the IV. The Department of Intelligence, character or contents of THE MISSION- including the Monthly Concert, Gen- ARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD. The eral Items of Information, Statistics editor-in-chief will be aided by the and Monthly Bulletin. prolific and graceful pen of the Rev. J. T. Gracey, D.D., president of the The editor will spare no pains, and International Missionary Union, under the publishers no expense, in securing whose sagacious control it is hoped from the ablest sources whatever will that the International Department enrich the columns of this magazine. IDay supply to our readers even richer We hope to make it indispensable to stores of missionary information and every minister and missionary, theoinspiration. The Rev. A. J. Gordon, logical student or friend of human D.D., of Boston, whose praise is in all weal. We have planted our standard the churches, will act as a regular on a level higher than any denomina. editorial contributor, and we can tional platform, and shall seek to think of no man in this country whose unite all true disciples of Christ in a words will be read with more interest new crusade against all the powers of and profit. darkness, and in favor of a speedy Beside this editorial staff we shall and universal proclamation of the be aided by a large and able body of Gospel. Once more we ask the prayer. editorial correspondents and contribu- ful and sympathetic co-operation of tors, and no pains will be spared to every Christian, and invoke, upon this secure the best talent and the most sincere and unselfish endeavor, the consecrated piety in the service of this blessing of the Master of us all! REVIEW. These pages will be devoted to the discussion of all the great ques- The editor would add a special word tions connectedwith the spread of the to contrlbutors of articles intended Gospel both at home and abroad, and for publication. So great is the influx will be open to the advocacy of every of unsolicited manuscripts already cause or IDeasure which is linked becoming that even the reading of with human well-being, and to the them has been almost impossible. Of impartial and critical investigation of course, preference will be given to papers which have been solicited; but those who desire to send manuscripts all forms of philanthropic and Chris- would ordinarily do wisely, before tian endeavor. sending, to inform the editor of such intention, state the topic, and inquire It will be observed that, in the whether they are likely to be used. interests of greater unity and sim- The editor begs to say, also, that the plicity of arrangement, we have but qualities of brevity, directness, and, four main departments: especially, freshness of matter and pertinency to the great qUj*ltions of I. The Literature of Missions, in- missions, will give particular value to cluding papers pertaining to general contributed matter. We cannot undertopics, translations from foreign peri- take to return rejected manuscripts odicals, etc. unless stamps for that purpose are enclosed with them when forwarded II. The International Department, to us. Any recent and well accredited under the efficient conduct of Dr. Gracey.
III. The Editorial Department, inintelligence from any part of the field tional interest, and at Cleveland, Ohio, will be especially valued, and all the evening meeting held in Music accepted articles will be paid for so far Hall numbered, probably, 4,000 peras the limited resources of the REVIEW sons. Some very beautiful examples allow. Manuscripts, written in a clear of the power of consecrated mission_ and legible hand, and not obscured by ary-spirited pastors to mould their corrections, interlineations and other congregations into missionary helper, blemishes, are also more likely both to and to stimulate systematic and cheerbereadandaccepted. Wehaveattimes ful giving, have been found. As in been compelled to cast aside a manu- Great Britain, there have been many :script because it was neither possible gifts of jewelry, etc., showing how for the editor to read it, nor the printer God is leading His people to sacrifice <correctly to put it in type. Special superfluities for Him. A gold pen pains should be taken by writers to with pearl handle, a seal ring, two make proper names correct and plain, solid gold chains, a society badge, a and statistics accurate and unmis- pair of gold-mounted eye-glasses, etc., takable. No second article should be have been sent to me for missions. sent, ordinarily, until it is known that Large collections of money have, in the first is accepted. If the corres- several cases been made for the Board pondents will observe these sugges- of Missions. And the farther the tour tions and exercise due patience, the has reached the more abundant the editor will endeavor to see that there calls for service became. It was a is no just cause of complaint as to his curious coincidence that the very day part of the work. The burden of on which the last week-day appointeditorial duties and responsibilities is ment was fulfilled, was the day on excessively onerous, but the constant which the co-editor, Dr. Sherwood, endeavor will be to deal courteously, departed for the Better Country! In promptly and impartially by all con- any case that death would have made tributors and correspondents. further engagements, to any consider- able extent impracticable, as it im- Since arriving in this country, in posed double duty on the survivor. June last, the Editor has been making But no impression is stronger as left a brief tour of the churches in the by these four months of contact with great centres, mostly east of Chicago, the churches, than this, that the best in the interests of missions, and with agent a mission board can have, is results most gratifying and encourag- simply an unselfish missionary-spiriting. Boston, Northfield, and Green- ed, well-informed pastor, who keeps field, Mass.; Willimantic, Conn.; Ger- the vital interests of the world-field mantown, and Pittsburgh, Penn.; Al- constantly before his people. We bany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, never once struck an apathetic church Buffalo, Lockport, Binghamton, and where there was a man in the pulpit Elmira, N. Y.; Montclair, Newark who was full of passion for souls. and Camden, N. J.; Baltimore, Md.; Youngstown and Cleveland, 0.; Lan- Are Mission Oonverts a Failure? sing and Detroit, Mich.; Indianapolis, In The Ohurch of Scotland Mission Ind.; and Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, Record of May and October, 1890, Dr. and Chicago, Ills., have been among the places comprehended in this hur- Archibald Turnbull, B.D., of the Darried tour. Almost without exception jeeling Mission, writes on the above the audiences have been large and the topic. The author is abundantly able interest manifested unusually intense. to discuss the subject. He is one of the At Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, El- ablest and most accomplished missionmira, the gatherings were of excep- aries in the field and his labors have been remarkably successflK. The A. Beautiful Epitaph.
work begun by Rev. McFarlane, in The most interesting specimen of an 1870, yielded to his prayers and labors, epitaph is one to be seen in a pretty but little apparent fruit, for some church, in Aneityum, one of the Loy- years. When Mr. Turnbull first joined alty Islands, or New Hebrides. It is the Mission, in 1880, there were some a tablet erected by the grateful natives hundreds of converts; and Mr. McFar- to their missionary, John Geddie. On lane, having been called to his rest, this tablet is inscribed, in their lan- Mr. Turnbull is now at the head of guage, the following: the mission, which has branched out When he landed, into three divisions, each headed by in 1848, able and devoted missionaries. Considerably over a thousand baptized there were no Christians here, and when he left, in 1872, Christians are now in communion with there were no heathen. it. Professor Lindsay, convener of On almost any island within 2,00<1' the Free Church Foreign Mission, who miles of the shores of Tahiti, in any recently visited India, has described direction, a similar tablet might be this Darjeering Mission, as the "best erected, as an expression of the results mission he had seen in India." When of the twenty-two years' work, besuch a man as Mr. Turnbull, with tween 1817 and 1839-the epoch of such a large experience, tells what he John Williams-and yet, "missions has seen of converts, his opinion can- are a failure! "
not but be of great value, and by per- A Practical Cure for Scepticism. mission of our beloved friend, Rev.
Thos. Nicol, B.D., the editor of The In the life of Dr. Fleming Stevenson Ohurch of Scotland Record, we pro- we find an interesting commentary on pose to give our readers hereafter, at the words, "He that doeth my will least, some portions of Mr. Turnbull's shall know of the doctrine." At one valuable testimony. He proves, to a time his mind was in a somewhat certainty, that the Gospel is the unsettled state regarding some ele- power of God unto salvation, even in ments of the creed in which he had India. been brought up, to which he clung with loyal reverence. Itwas by plung- Rabinowitch, the Hungarian Jew- ing into practical mission work that ish Rabbi, who, a few years since pub- light was to come to him upon these licly conf03ssed Jesus as the Messiah, thorny points of theology.
and led out a new body of Jewish be- This reminds us of what Shaftesbury lievers, adheres to his faith and used to say to young men: preaches to great crowds. A new, ,,Nothing is more likely to keep you large hall, called after the great evan- from mischief of all kinds-from mis- gelist of the Free Church of Scotland, chief of action, of speculation-from the Somerville Memorial Hall, is to every mischief that you can devise, be opened soon. We look with the than to be everlastingly engaged in intensest interest upon the new some great practical work of good.
movement, known as the "Israelites Christianity is not a state of opinion of the New Covenant," and bless God and speCUlation. Christianity is essen- for the Hebrew New Testament trans- tially practical, and I will maintain lated by Dr. Delitzsch, and for the this, that practical Christianity is the sermons and addresses of such men greatest curer of corrupt speculative as Rabinowitz, David Baron, Wilkin- Christianity. No man, depend upon son of Mildmay and a host of others it, can persist from the beginning of Who are taking the warmest interest his life to the end of it in a course of in the conversion of the Jews. self-denial, in a course of generosity.. in a course of virtue, in a course of ing service, go first to gather in and piety, and in a course of prayer, un- teach the poor neglected children in less he draw~ from his wellspring, un- the afternoon, then hold a yoke-felless he is drawing from the fountain lows' prayer-meeting and take supper of our Lord Himself. Therefore, I together at their humble place of meetsay to you again, and again, let your ing; and who then go out for an hour, walk the streets, and personally invite Ohristianity be practical." * to service those whom they find. And then, at eight o'clock, they go to their To all of which the writer adds his meeting-hall, or tent, and, in their confirmatory witness that never, since simple way, preach, simply as laymen, the taking up in dead earnest the work and hold after-meetings for inquiry. of a world's evangelization, have speculative doubts harrassed the mind.
As to churches and missions, I think The Ritualism, which is more and their true relations to each other are more obtruding itself upon observation very simply defined. The church is in the Anglican Church, and in some both a rallying and a radiating point. of the High-Church services of this We are to come there to be fed and go country, is compelling some who have from there to feed others. GenerallyI been zealous champions of the Episcomake my morning service especially a pal Church, to look with alarm on the encroachments of a latent Romanism feeding time for Christian swubosrtkaenrcs~ .that is rapidly becoming patent. If when I try to bring out the of the Word-the promises, the ways these things go on, they will compel a of serving, the motives of true work withdrawal of those who cannot felfor God, the preparations of prayer, lowship these semi-Papal practices. etc.-whatever helps to qualify any Take these two examples: Canon Scott mHogllhaI.nSds,eirnmSont., Preafuelr'srinCgatthoetdhreald' edautrh- . disciple for holy living and unselfish serving. Then I am glad to have my Christian workers go out after that of the late Canon Liddon, thus solicitmorning service to preach and teach ed prayers on his behalf: "Pray for that sermon and that Gogpel else- him-for his refreshment, for his ilwhere, and am quite willing to have lumination, for his eternal repose." their places empty at the second service Praying for the dead finds no warrant that they may go and hold little evan- in Scripture; it is a Romish practice gelistic meetings, cottage meetings, that ought to receive no countenance prayer services, etc., where they may from Protestants. A service, which was, to say the get at the non-church gael's. I do not least, novel, was held lately in that believe in Christians feeding without same Cathedral. It was styled a "Serworking. "If any man will not work vice of Reconciliation." In Septemneither shall he eat." Activity for ber last, during public worship, one souls prevents spiritual dyspepsia. It Sabbath morning, a stranger suddenly is the exercise needful to carry off the drew a pistol a.nd shot himself, and food into normal channels and assimi- I?hortly died within the sacred struclate it to our constitutional wants. I ture. Having no precedents to folcannot understand how any man can low, after much consultation, the dean be jealous of his workers going out to ' and chaplain formally requested the carry the Gospel and leaving an empty Bishop of London, in the exercise of place half a day for some one else to his Episcopal authority, "to declare fill who needs the Gospel far more. I the said Oathedral church exempt and have had a band of such young men, reconciled from all canonical impediespecially, for years, who, after morn- ment, and from everyprofanation con- * Hodder's Life of Shaftesbury, 1: 328. tracted and incurred by or through the aforesaid acts of suicideand blood-let- all thatoffends refined taste, the Salva- ting, forever." Hence this "Service tion Army compels recognition by of Reconciliation" on the 14th of Oc- downright earnestness and heroic self- tober. The London Times, with a denial. One of the most conservative tone bordering on contempt, asks why, ministers of the Presbyterian body, in if the great temple was "polluted" by a recent visit to London, went re- the crime, services were not entirely peatedly to the army meetings, and, suspended-why the altar was not after careful investigation, declares dismantled, and the edifice closed un- himself wonderfully impressed with til the profanation could be removed· the evidences of God's presence and by a "reconciling service?" Others power.
ask, why the freak of a sensational Shortly before his death Canon suicide, should be considered as "pol- Liddon went to one of the Salvation luting" a sacred edifice. Army meetings in London. As' he was returning with a friend, he said: General Booth gives to the world "It fills one with shame! I feel his new contribution to the great guilty when I think of myself! To problem of how to take care of the think of these poor people, with their unhoused, unfed poor of London, imperfect grasp of the truth! And yet almost at the same time that his wife's what a contrast between what they do body is borne to burial. and what we are doing! When I Her funeral was one of the most compare all the advantages we enjoy, impressive events of modern social we who possess the whole body of history. Whatever we may think of truth, and see how little use we make the Salvation Army, it is one of the of it, how little effect we produce com- most remarkable developments of our pared with that which was palpable time. Its genesis is recent-it began at that meeting, I take shame to my- in the year 1865, and kept its" Silver self. I did not like the women speak- Jubilee" in 1890. A quarter of a cen- ing, however. You know I have the tury ago William Booth resigned his misfortune to agree with the Apostle post as a'Methodist minister, New Con- Paul on that question. "
nection, and began his "Christian And now, Mrs. Booth, after long ~fission," thirteen years later called and acute suffering, has died, and the the" Salvation Army." day of her funeral, though raw, foggy, After this quarter century, this dismal, the procession numbered Salvation Army, at whose members probably 50,000 people, and the streets and methods the world and the were densely thronged with spectators.
Church sneered, now has its banners At the head of the marching columns flying in thirty-four countries or colo- were the 5,000 officers of the army, nies, boasts 10,000 men and women men and women, marshaled in fifteen wholly given up to its work, holds battalions. Each battalion carried a 50,000 religious meetings weekly, flag, some of them a number,of flags, which are attended .by millions of generally of white, with inscriptions hitherto neglected and outcast people. in colored letters, such as "Love one It has, moreover, twenty-seven weekly Another," " Save your Soul," " Believe newspapers, of which about 31,000,000 in God," and one especially striking copies are sold in the streets, saloons, flag bearing the words, "Mother of etc. It has accumulated nearly $4,000,- the Salvation Army." The coffin was 000 worth of property, and its rentals carried on an open hearse, and bore for meeting-places reaches $1,000,000 no emblems beyond Mrs. Booth's a year, while it has a total income of bonnet and cloak, and the flag of the between three and four millions. army, according to her earnest desire Despite all ita sensational methods, for simplicity in funeral reform. Even the London Times lends two or the individual statements and >()olumns to a detailed description of propositions of this book, in common the event, and the Methodist Times with thousands of the best men and describes Mrs. Booth as " the greatest women on both sides of the sea, we Methodist woman of her generation." heartily wish General Booth success. No one who has read the little volume of her addresses, known as " Aggres- Canon Farrar, on November 9, sive Christianity," will doubt her preached a sermon on this philan- })ower. thropic scheme, and even the great Abbey would not hold the crowds that And now, almost simultaneous with thronged to hear it. He had, the her death, General Booth issues his week before, made a tour of the army book, inscribed to her memory: "In centres, and was so impressed that he Darkest England, and the Way Out." made a fervent and impassioned We have read it with profound in- appeal in behalf of the proposed plan, terest, and we find ourselves very far while he disclaimed any authority to from being disposed to ridicule or dis- represent anyone but himself. regard its practical suggestions. From a somewhat extended study of the Those who wish to get the substance practical methods of the Salvation of General Booth's scheme may find a Army, especially in Great Britain, we l·ecapitulation of it in Chapter VII, were compelled to admit that, more Section 5. Some of the most pious than all the churches put together, this and philanthropic of British Chrisunique organization is bringing relief tians are coming forward with liberal to the unfed, unhoused and uncared contributions toward the $5,000,000 for masses of the great cities of for which General Booth appeals, as Britain. the financial' basis of his plan. So awful and so widespread is the degra- General Booth's book is a bold dation and destitution of this "sub- ~ttempt to solve the most perplexing merged tenth" of Britain's population, <>f social problems. His plan is a that we rejoice at any honest attempt mere expansion of that which on no to relieve and remove another of the small scale is in actual operation in open sores of the world. Let the new the Salvation Army ~ntres in London. project have at least a fair trial. He proposes a scheme of three colonies -a town, a country, and an over-the- The following is from the son of the sea colony. Cheap food depots, advice editor, studying this winter in Edinbureau, labor shops, a household sal- burgh, Scotland: vage brigade; the gathering of what would be wasted otherwise, and its " After tea we went to the univerutilization as food for human beings sity to hear Professor Drummond on and for animals, or for various pur- , Christian Evolution.' He dwelt par- })oses of manufacture. He proposes ticularly on the progress of missions to exact a reasonable amount of work and their condition and work, as he from colonists and to pay reasonable had noticed it in his recent trip around wages, so that there may be no en- the world. The lecture was a fine one couragement of paupers; to help out- in every particular, and he seemed to cast and criminal classes to a better be thoroughly in sympathy with the life; to help those who are disposed missionary movement; to have obto help themselves; to maintain whole- served keenly on the subject in his some discipline, and afford religious tour; and he urged all to consider care- {lulture without compulsion. Those fully if their lives could not be best who would know details must read his used for Christ in the foreign field. book. Without giving endorsement He lamented the fact that there seemed to the peculiar methods of the army, to be so much misdirected effort by well-meaning Christian missionaries, because the problem of missions, in Here is another, enclosing a gold. connection with the special countries pen with a pearl handle: in which they worked, was not more thoroughly studied and understood. Sabbath Morning, Oct. 5,1890. He contrasted Australia and the South Sea Islands, Japan and China, espec- DEAR DR. PIERSON: ially, as presenting entirely different kinds of fields, which were to be sown This gold pen was a Christmas gift. with the same seed but in different It has a sad story. It has nev!'r been ways, according to the nature of the used-it has lain idle ten years. May ground, and growth already planted the dear Lord now use it in some way there. One thing he said about Japan so as best to tell of the "Peace on was pretty well put-Japan is ready earth and good will from heaven for anything new and European; she toward men." has taken from France a system of law; from Germany an organization ONE OF YOUR HEARERS. for an army; from England a navy; from America a public school system; The American Missionary Associafrom' the civilized world in general a tion has 500 missionaries. Among fine system of railways and electric the Indian children they have entelegraph, etc. At present she is in couraged unselfish efforts to help in the unique position of prospecting for carrying the Gospel to the destitute a religion. There are, too, on the and unevangelized. But the children islands many missionaries prospecting had no money. Some of them had for converts: they include Episcopal- never seen a copper coin. The governians of every degree of height, Presby- meNt had offered premiums for the terians of every degree of breadth, and killing of gophers, and so the boys Methodists of every degree of warmth. would hunt the gophers and bring Roman Catholics are practically out of their tails in as proof of the work the race. done. Among other contributions was an enclosure, wrapping a gopher's tail " It was a thoroughly good lecture, within, and bearing this memoranand I would like to have it in print. dum: "Richard Fox, one gopher's tail: four cents." "DELAVAN L. PIERSON." One old colored saint in the far South Latterly, the editor has been making used to pray with great fervor for the a short tour of the great cities in the missionaries, and this was one prayer interest of missions. Among numer- heard from his lips: "Oh, Lord, let ous letters received by him, the follow- de missionary down deep into de treasing will suggest their own lesson: ures of de Word, and hide him behind de Cross of Jesus." For whom might DR. PIERSON: not that prayer well be offered?
Dear Sir-Enclosed please find four While Christianity makes us more dollars and ten cents, a small sum that and more tenderly considerate even of I had intended to use toward a society the welfare of the most distant and pin, but if the Master can use it for destitute of the race, sin makes IlUtelling the good story in the lands of man beings more callous eve:n to the darkness I dare not keep it for my own most appalling misery close at hand. pleasure. We have all heard of that notorious gambling resort on the Gulf of Genoa, I would that it were more than Monte Carlo, and of the wretched and it is. summary life-ending of many who have thrown away their means in its May God, our Master, bless you in elegantly-furnished halls. Very lately the work you are doing for Him, is it was reported that during ten weeks the prayer of a college girl. of this year as many as forty-nine E – College, Oct. 6, 1890. suicides had occurred there. "Every before the introduction of Christianity. night," says The Christian, of Boston, All interested in South Sea missions "'the grounds are carefully searched should procure it. It especially com- by the police after the casino is closed. mends itself for brevity. Other vol- Dne man drags a covered spring-cart, umes in this series, lives of Carey, the wheels of which have India-rubber Chalmers, Comber, Crowther, Morri- tires. When a body is found, for son, Patteson, Griffith John, etc., are which a reward is given, it is immedi- as readable as romances. Such vol- ately stripped of clothes and valu- umes can scarcely be multiplied in too ables, tftrust into the cart, and silently great abundance. hurried away and buried. Next morn- jng the sun shines again, the band The Success of Christian Missions, plays, saloons and tables are thronged, by Robert Young, F. R. S., G. S. In and people gamble as usual." this volume, Mr. Young has made a careful compilation of testimonies in New Books. favor of foreign missions in most heathen lands, similar to that of Mr. F. H. Revell has issued two more vol- Liggins. Personal, official and .pub- umes of the short biographies of mis- lic testimony to the value and influ- 'sionaries: Henry Martyn and Robert ence of the missionary operations of Moffat. If there are any better brief many societies is here gathered and biographical sketches for general nse preserved. For permanent reference, .as educators of the young, and as a and as an answer to the slurs and at- means of general stimulation to the tacks of adversaries, the book will be missionary spirit, we have not met always useful and should be at hand them anywhere. 'Within the compass in every well-stocked missionary ,of 160 pages, there is comprised a library as, in its way, an encyclopedia mass of information that is often di- of testimony. London: Hodder & .luted through three times the space. Stoughton. Cheap, thrilling, fascinating, these stories of missionary life combine the While we write, there just comes facts of heroism with the fancies of by mail from a dear personal friend, romance. They are very near to Dr. George Smith of Edinburgh, the ideals realized. We believe that few last book so far produced by his schol- will read one chapter without wanting arly and prolific pen. It is entitled A to read the whole, or read one of the Modern Apostle, and is the life of series, now embracing twelve, without Rev. Alex. N. Somerville, D.D., "the wanting to possess the entire series, world's evangelist." He was an ex- ,and give them away to others. We traordinary man, and we propose here- would like to give the series to every after to present an article upon young man and woman in every him to our readers. Suffice it to say Protestant congregation where Eng- that he thirteen times made a "world lish is spoken. The whole twelve may tour of missions;" viz.: to Canada, be had for $6, exclusive of postage I Syria, Spain, India, Australasia, France and Italy, Germany and Rus- The editor also cordially commends sia, Central Europe, Greece, Asia and to all readers the following books on Africa; and beside this was the able missions: James Calvert; or from and faithful pastor of one of the most Dark to Dawn in Fiji, by R. Vernon. prominent churches of Scotland. Here F. H. Revell, Bible House, New York. is a story of more than seventy-five 'This account of mission work, in what years, full of service and every form was once the cannibal group of Fijian of inspiration to heroic endeavor. – Islands, is rendered specially valuable Those who have read the lives of Carey, by its graphic account of native man- John Wilson of Bombay, Alexander .ners and customs as they were found Duff, Stephen Hislop, and that Short History of Christian missions which terestmg and valuable. One sees as. we have never seen equaled in its in a birdseye-view the steady and sure way, all of them by the same gifted advance of the Master's Kingdom, and author, will not need to be told that we rejoice. this latest volume from his pen, recently issued by John Murray of Lon- In the work of a missionary there don, is a book without which no min- is often much to disappoint. One has isters library is complete. It is one to sow in faith and labor in patience, of the grandest books that modern seeing no sign of a reaping-time. But biographers have offered to the public. when one reads of others who are al- ready rejoicing in the ingathering of Livingstonia Mission. an abundant harvest, he for a mo- ment forgets the plowing and sowing, [The following letter relol,ched Dr. the watering and waiting, and cannot Sherwood's home November 3d, too help sharing in their joy and the Maslate for his eyes to read it. Notwith- ter's. standing the personal references, the Another end gained by your REVIEW Editor feels that it belongs to the is that our hearts are enlarged and we begin to have a fore-taste of that readers of THE REVIEW.] glorious time for which our Saviour LAKE NYASSA. prayed: "That they may be one even as we are one. . . . that they may Mvera Station, May 11, 1890. be perfected in one, that the world DEAR BROTHER:-Were there the may know that Thou didst send Me." least doubt about the excellence and usefulness of your REVIEW, I With reference to the contents of should gladly give my testimony in THE REVIEW I have no suggestions to its favor. Let me merely mention make. What we in the field need is that, along with many thousands of an occasional inspiring article, one to, your readers, I most heartily enjoy rouse and encourage. To my mind and profit by it. Especially on a Sab- there is no pen so gifted, in this rebath afternoon or evening, after sev- spect, as that of Dr. A. T. Pierson. eral services and two Bible-classes, Let us be urged to prayer, patience, feeling somewhat tired, it is with personal devotion to Christ, to faith great pleasure that I take up THE and faithfulness. "Ve know these MISSIONARY REVIEW and read it things but do not realize them. through, I may literally say, from beginning to end. Even though the As many of us are unable to have "news" is from four to five months large libraries, a summary of the biold when it reaches us, we, neverthe- ography of some missionary hero (as less, eagerly look forward to each fol- has appeared of Carey, Egede, etc.), is, lowing number. always most acceptable, or even an I have, of late especially, enjoyed episode from such a man's life, or his an article in the number for Septem- views on any important missionary ber, 1890, on "Prayer-Basis of Mission subject. And why not pubhsh a whole Work," by Dr. Pierson. I have read biography, continued in several numand re-read it, and read it to my com- bers ?" panions, and each time I feel more than ever that "the whole basis of suc- As regards my own work Ishall not cessful missionary work is to befound say much. At this present station we in believing and importunate prayer." have been at work for only about six These words should be written in let- months. The work is much the same ters of gold on the tablets of our- here as on other stations round the memory. lake. Weare 3,400 feet above the sea The items of news you give from in a healthy and fertile country. A various fields of labor are most in- great door has been opened to us. The work is becoming more and more, interesting. Some 500 to 600 people simply as a way of introducing the hear the Word preached every Sabbath letter. Mr. Baldwin will be remem- day. In the school, however, we bered as the writer of the papers in have as yet only some twelve boys- The Christian (London), on "The boarders. People are afraid to send Question of the Hour," advocating the their children lest, having secured a conduct of missions on the lines laid good number, we should run off and down in Matthew x.
sell them as slaves! This fear, will, of Without giving our endorsement to course, pass away in course of time. every sentiment of Mr. Baldwin in Should you care to publish any part those letters, we confess to a large of this letter and any discouraged measure of sympathy with his general worker happens to read it, let me position. And we cannot but feel that stretch out to such an one a brotherly when any missionary in these days hand, and say, "Courage, friend! the attempts a work for God in the spirit Master is looking on and is intensely of faith and prayer, it is not for other interested in our work; let us press on, Christianworkers toridiculeor criticise if not so ably as others, then at least or oppose. There are many ways of as faithfully. Let us often prostrate doing the Lord's work. Why not let ourselves before the 'WondroUB Cross,' them all have a fair, faithful trial?
and in deep self-abasement and lowly Experiment will show whether God reverence, there learn to be' nothing, is with such methods; but the ex- nothing,' that the world might our periment must not be embarrassed Saviour see. When weary let us rest with the secret or open hostility of at His feet; when sad, lean on His even nominal disciples. Mr. Baldwin's breast. Let us drown our cares and personal consecration not even his worries in the ocean of His love, and critics can question. He is about to we shall not sow in vain, but receive start on a prolonged journey, with a the sower's reward." single companion, probably among the Bedouin. May God be with him!
Itis because I so often feel the need of encouragement myself that I am seek- Rev. Dr. Wayland Hoyt, his brother, Colgate Hoyt, and Charles L. Colby, ing to encourage others to-llfght, for Esq., have been preparing a" chapel the Master bas been very near to-day car," for use in Minnesota and on the and wonderfully kind. My subject of Wisconsin Central and Northern to-day, "My son, give me thy heart," Pacific railroads. ' , Uncle Boston" is has touched my own heart. to use this chapel-on-wheels for his I cannot ask your readers to pray Sunday-school mission work, and it is for us and our work specially; there finely adapted to his purposes. Atone are others who have probably a end are arrangements for living, and greater right to their prayers and the rest of the car is a chapel fitted thought; but let me urge all who pray for about 100 persons. During summer for missions to more "believing and months a tent will be carried, which importunate prayer," and we also can be set up for temporary use where shall receive our share of the blessing. crowds are too great for the chapel. Bishop Walker, of the Episcopal ANDREW C. MURRAY. Church, has done a like thing for the territory under his jurisdiction, in The Rev. E. F. Baldwin, now in North Dakota. Each of these moving Beyrout, Syria, desires it stated that chapels is about 60 feet by 10. The latter has gothic projections to give it the letterin the October number, 1890, a church-like appearance, and is finpages 776,777, was not a specific letter ished in oak, in gothic style,. with for THE REVIEW, although Dr. Sher- . chancel, altar, lectern, cabinet organ, wood so understood it at the time, but and even baptismal font and bishop's a circular sent to THE REVIEW. The chair. Weare surely making pro- adch'ess, "Dear Editors" was affixed grE'ss!
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
[EDITORIAL. ] Faots and Figures about the World-wide Field.
-.Alaska's coast is the sepulchre 40,000,000 were called Protestant; now, of ships. Dr. Sheldon Jackson says the population is more than double, that almost a hundred vessels have and the nominal Protestants more found a watery gra,e there within than quadrupled!
twenty years! In one storm, and atone -The first convertamongthe natives place, thirty-three ships were ground of India was Krishna Chundra Pal between ice-fields, and 1,200 sailors in 1800. Renry Martyn said it was a cast, wrecked, on a barren shore. miracle as great as the raising of the -According to the census of 1890, dead. Now, every ten years the con- the population of the Unite9. States is verts increase over eighty per cent.
62,480,540. It seems to us that this is The first convert in western Poly- an underestimate; we have supposed nesia was King Pomare II.; now there 66,000,000 nearer the actual truth. are 850,000, and all western Poly- -A Messianic pretender appears in nesia is evangelized.
an Indian tribe. He claims that the -Up to 1853, the Edict Board of Indian power and prestige is to revive Japan made it capital offence for a and the lost ground be recovered. If Christian to set foot on the island this notion gets hold of the mercurial empire. Now, there are 30,000 pro- red men no one can tell what may fessed converts and 17,000 children in come of it: they may attempt to ex- Sunday-schools. One in twenty-eight terminate the whites. .Already, for of the elect members of the new par- three months, the whole northwestern liament is a Christian church member.
part of our country has been in a state As the Christians of Japan number of disturbance and serious alarm. but 1 to 1,200 of the population, it will -Principal Magee,ofDublin,says the be seen that the proportion of Chris- dogma of the infallibility of the Pope tian members of parliament is forty- has repelled the bulk of Irishmen, and three U'Yhes as great. This impresses led to intellectualindependencewhich us as one of the most remarkable is reducing the ranks of Romanism signs of the power of Protestant mis- and filling up those of Protestantism. sions in Japan. The contributions of He thinks vaulting ambition has native converts were about $50,000 again" overleaped itself" and "fallen last year, nearly $2 a head!
on-tother side." -At Oroomiah, Persia, last year, -These are old figures, but their fifty-one out of sixty-seven pupils in lesson is always new: the seminary were Christians and In 1800, not over 50,000 converts in members of the church.
all heathendom; now, over 1,500,000, –The McAll mission schools had and five times as many adherents. last year 235,000 children under in- In 1800, not over 70 mission schools; struction.
now, about 14,000, with 600,000 -The Established Church of Scot- scholars. land reports 2,034 converts and 2,465 In 1800, 50 translations of the Bible; pupils in the schools in the Punjab now, between 300 and 400, of the whole Mission, India, with 723 converts bap- or parts, like the Gospel of Mark. tized in 1890.
In 1800, not over 5,000,000 copies of -Dr. Robert N. Cust reckons 223 the Bible; now, more than that issue missionary societies in the world: 113 from the press every year. in Britain and colonies; 56 in the In 1800; the population of the globe United States; 20 in Germany; 14 in about 700,000,000, of whom some Netherlands, and 20 in other lands. Many of these are doubtless small. sustained by the facts. Mr. Henry Fifty have incomes of $10,000 and up- A. Hinshaw, in the August Science ward, and twenty report over $100,- Monthly, says: "At the end of the 000. At least ten of these have got mission rule the Indian was really three-fourths of their funds from less capable of taking care of himself 1tative converts! than at the beginning. He was found Roman Oatholicism, if we may trust a free man, he was left a dependent.
the "Catholic Dh;.ectory," for last year, Driven to church by the whip, forced has, in the United States, 13 arcb- to kneel by being punched by goads, bishops, 73 bishops, 8,332 priests, 2,132 with no free or rational cultivation of ecclesiastical students, 7,523 churches, mind or conscience, the religious in- 3,302 chapels and stations, 35 theo- struction made up of scarcely any- logical seminaries, 102 colleges, 635 thing else but ritual and superstition, academies, 3,194 parochial schools and the idea of obedience to the priest, with 633,238 pupils in them, 553 chari- the result was what might have been table institutions, and about 8,000,000 expected." Why should the Govern- members. ment continue to appropriate money The approximate distribution of to such schools?
missionaries is said to be as follows: -M. Monod says he adopts very No. of Mis- .much the words of one of his best col- Populatlou. sionaries. Proportion porteurs: "It seems to me supersti- .syria …….. 3.000,000 100 lto 80,000 tion is not so general as it was, and Turkey …… 21,000,000 450 lto 45,000 that what people call the' Protestant Madagascar. 5,000,000 50 1 to 100,000 Burma …… 8,000,000 40 1to 200,000 faith' is honored by many Roman Japan……. 38,000,000 200 1to 200,000 Catholics, who ten years ago felt noth- Jndia …….. 250,000,000 900 1 to 275,000 Persia……. 7,500,000 80 1to 300,000 ing but a bitter hatred against the ·.Africa.•… _..250,000,000 600 1 to 400,000 Gospel and the Scriptures which we s. America'.. 80,000,000 75 1to 400,000 colporteurs circulate. Blessed be the Korea…….. 9.000,000 25 1to 400,000 Lord for that! Those times are gone, .Siam …….. 8,000,000 18 1to 000,000 and the light of the Gospel seems to Chiua …….. 380,000.000 600 J.toQ..A5O,OOO spread. The Lord gives me new Arabia……. 6,000,000 4 1 to 1,500,000 'Tbibet.. ….. 15,000.000 7 1 to 2,000,000 openings, and I must hasten to meet In Sahara district with 3,000,000; . theln." ~ Afghanistan, etc., with 3,500,000; An- -The women's societies in America nam, etc., with 12,000,000; Russia, are doing untold good by preparing 16,000,000; Algeria, etc., 12,000,000; and scattering broadcast missionary Soudan, 75,000,000, there is an ENTIRE literature in condensed and cheap DESTITUTION. forms. Some of us, in·this fast age, [Weare aware that the above must skim the great pan and serve figures are not exact, but they are the up the cream in little pitchers, rich best we have been able to'Obtain from and sweet. Our" little pitchers" are a variety of sources. We shall be multiplying. Brief, compact and in- grateful to anyone who will furnish teresting leaflets, containing the great us correct and reliable statistics.-ED- facts of missions, or short biographical lTOR.] sketches, or quaint stories of a half- -Senator Dawes, opposing an in- humorous sort to illustrate giving and crease to the appropriations to Roman praying, and helping in the work, are Catholic schools among the Indians, freely circulated. Those who can declared the 120 years of Jesuit mis- condense the facts into a small space sionary work among the Indians of and yet preserve all their vitalizing California had left them less capable force are benefactors indeed, and this of self-support than it had found the women of our day are doing with them. The accusation seems to be well grand success. -The Church of Scotland Mission -On the plains and in the selva.s of Record nobly says: Brazil there are a million of wild " But no one can pretend that our Indians, ignored by the Christian missionary collections are such as world.
ought to satisfy us. Let us remember – During the past ten years over how large is our number of communi- 11,000 converts have been gathered in cants-about 588,000. Our missionary the missionary fields of the Moravian contributions show but a very small Church.
sum as given per communicant. For -Sabbath observance is making the foreign mission, or mission to the great progress in Paris. A determined heathen abroad, there was contributed effort is made to close all places of last year by the church at home, business on Sunday.
through the assembly scheme, the -Ninety thousand copies of the ladies' association, legacies and special illustrated Bible, issued in weekly subscriptions, a total of £28,331-not , parts, have been sold among the quite one shilling from every com- Roman Catholics in Italy.
municant. And when we exclude the -The last five years have seen ladies' association, legacies and special greater developments in the opening subscriptions, it appears that the sum and Christianizing of Africa than the raised for tilis object by church col- ninety-five years preceding.
lections in Scotland was £13,172-giv- -The Gospel of Matthew has been ing an average of only 5 1-4d from translated into the Laos language by each communicant. We grant that Mrs. McGilvary of the Presbyterian many of our communicants are poor Board. The Acts of the Apostles is persons, but it will not be denied that also nearly ready.
the great majority are in circum- -The American Baptist Telugu stances to afford some help to any Mission calls for a re-inforcement of good cause which thoroughly interests twenty-five men in the next two sears.
them. If they give nothing, or very Dr. J. E. Clough, of Ongole, has under little, we must conclude either that his care more than 17,000 Christians.
they do not know that there is an -:Et!!',">Dr. Boggs, of Ramapatam, object deserving and needing their aid, says all India is in a state of ferment.
or that they feel no interest, or little The Hindus and Mohammedans interest, in it." actively oppose the advance of Chris- -Arch-deacon Farrar, of London, tianity, and at the same time mis- says: "It comes with shocking ill sionary work is pushed more vigor- grace, and sounds like shameful ously than ever.
hypocrisy, when those who give -The appropriations of the Ameri- nothing and do nothing for mis- can Baptist Missionary Union for the sions, make the 'home heathen' year ending March 31, 1891, are $503,- a false excuse for doing nothing. 159.53. The society calls for an im- They talk as if it were weakening the mediate special contribution of $50,000 resources of England and surely that to meet the deficiency caused by the is stupendous nonsense when we are passage of the silver bill.
not even spending as much on mis- -Four railroads are projected, or sions as on tobacco and Christmas in process of construction, from the cards." east coast of Africa toward the in- -Canon Christopher, one of the terior ; one in the territory of British notable men of Cambridge, England, East Africa Company, one in German proclaims his interest in missions territory, one in the Portuguese pos- by annually entertaining a great sesions, and one passing through Port- company of representative men to uguese territory to the domain of the breakfast. British South African Company.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Foreign Mission Notes, by Rev. James Johnston, Bolton, England.
African Mlssions.-There are re- cessible. remarkably intelligent, and ported to be over 500 missionary considered by the missionaries to be stations in the Dark Continent, with more Christian, on the whole, than the which 400,000 converts are associated, ordinary run of Christians in England.
whose numberis increasing at a yearly By the Rev. W. E. Taylor, (C. M. S., average of 25,000 souls. Frere Town,) it was observed that the Slavery.-A meeting held at the present is the time to win the popula- Stanley and African Exhibition in tion to Christianity, otherwise they London was addressed by several re- would be made converts to Moham- turned missionaries, of different so- medanism. The Rev. R. P. Ashe cieties. Their reports were very en- (late missionary of the C. M. S. at couraging, especially as to the Congo Uganda) said that the friends of mis- region. Lord Knutsford urged more sions do not realize that the mission- exertion for the suppression of the aries in Central Africa have, with less horrible slave traffic. Although the assistance, d1fficulties to face, corresc British are less directly active in com- ponding to those which Mr. Stanley batting it they seem determined to narrated in "Darkest Africa." A col- banish the great curse of Africa. So lection was taken for the purchase far as Pro1!estant societies are con- of a steamer to be launched on the eerned they are free from the disgrace waters of Victoria Nyanza for the use of buying boys and girls to train them of the Church Missionary Society's as Christians, whereas, French Catho- agents. The total outlay will be £5,000, lie societies openly countenance this of which £2,300 has been secured. In unwisfj .pgliey. A representative of aid of this desirable object Mr. Stanley the -~Anti-Slavery Society entreated made an eloquent appeal in the eol- English people to eschew the use of umns of The London Times, to British ivory, every scrap of which, accord- Christians. ing to Mr. Stanley, issteep~la:lnblood. Bishop Smythies.-The brave lead- The venerable Archdeacon Maple, of er of the Universities' Mission, de- the Universities' Mission, described parting once more to his field, his work on Lake Nyassa. He paid a preached a farewell sermon to a eon- warm tribute to the African Lakes gregation of supporters in St. John's, Company for resistance to the intro- Red Lion Square, Holborn, from the duction of liquor and to similar evils. mlsslOnary passage in Col. il-:3, The work of Dr. Laws, of the Free "Withal, praying also for us, that Church and of the Scotch Established God would open unto us a door of Church, on the Shire Highlands, was utterance, to speak the mystery of equally eulogized. The Archdeacon Christ, for which I am also in bonds."
said, in face of the partitioning of He returns, accompanied by three Africa by European powers, their clergymen and two lady nurses, mak- duty as pioneers was to maintain their ing a complete mission staff of seventy ground unless superior force com- persons. During his sojourn in pelled them to retire. Dr. Guinness Europe the Bishop visited Berlin, and referred to the scope of the Congo was cordially welcomed by the young Mission, founded in 1878, by Mr. Emperor of Germany, who spoke with Henry Craven and others, which had marked sympathy and appreciation of at the present time three missions the Universities' Mission.
and seventy-five missionaries. No- Cardinal Lavigerie. – After dis- where in the world is mission work cussing in Rome further plans bearing more hopeful. The people were ac- on the anti-slavery question, the • Cardinal passed through Marseilles, on 1890, they had received only £13,000; his way to ~'.lgiers. From there, to meanwhile they had to borrow money Biskra, whence he will make various at a high rate of interest to meet their ,excursions in southern Algeria. . liabilities.
Holland and the S,ave Trade.- Japan. – To secure more help for The principal members of the Belgian the English Church mission in Japan government are impressing upon the an important meeting has been held Dutch cabinet the absolute necessity in the library of the Lambeth Palace, 'of giving its signatures to ,the general London. Bishop Barry said, not- act of the Brussels Conference; if not, withstanding the lateness of the Eng- a stigma will rest on the country in lish Church in the field, it would ulti- preventing the execution of effective mately take the leading place in measures for the suppression of the influence and responsibility among slave trade and its horrors. The ex- Christian communities there. A re- port trade'of the Congo State for the markable feature of the Japanese is second quarter of the year 1890 was their capacity to adapt themselves to double that of the corresponding what they had adopted. The church period of 1889, and five times larger mission had certainly no desire to than it was in 1887. These figures hinder the growth of native institushow the necessity of giving the Congo tions, or .to press upon the Japanese State the means to pursue its honor- any western customs which could not ,able and humane mission. be appreciated or assimilated.
Wesleyan Missionary Society- Madagascar. – Excitement reigns Tonga. – The good news is con- in the island consequent upon the fumed respecting the improved condi- terms of the Anglo-French agreement tion of affairs among the native Wes- becoming known. The various misleyans, chiefly due to the wise inter- sionary societies view with lIlisgivings vention of the High Commissioner, the ultimate action of the queen and Sir J. B. Thurston. The majority of her advisers. As to the immediate the exiled Wesleyans have returned prospects, religiously and politically, from Fiji. With the re-affirmation of the sta£ements of authorities are conreligious liberty, the hitherto sup- flicting. According to agents of the pressed feeling of fear and restraint is London Missionary Society recently beginning to disappear, and large arrived in England, no alarm is ennumbers are again attending the Wes- tertained in relation to Madagascar's 1eyan Church. agreeableness to the French Protecto- rate. An experienced missionary, the Secunderabad.-That ardent Wes- Rev. J. Sibree, believes that there isa leyan missionary, the Rev. William tendency to exaggerate the differ- Burgess, reports that he has baptized ences and apprehend risks only in 200 natives this year (1890), and ex- days to come. The English Governpects shortly to announce double that ment have been gradually compelled number. to subscribe to what the Malagasies must have foreseen many years since. Italy. – In, connection with the A younger missionary, the Rev. James vigorous campaign of English Wes- Taylor, declares the influence exerleyans in the Italian peninsula, the cised by the London Missionary Socidoubted secession of a whole Roman etyon the natives is unequaled by any {)atholic village in Italy to Method- kind of organization in the island, and ism is now ascertained to be beyond that from the Society it would be difdispute. ficult to wean the people.
English Wesleyan Missionary So- On the other hand these assurances ciety Finances. – With regret the are vigorously controverted by the secretaries state that out of a procSpective home income of £100,000 for latest mail communications from the car has remained quiet because she island. Great unrest prevails touch- believed that she was outgrowing the ing the Anglo-French agreement; the time for foreign aggression. She now Hovas pronouncing vehemently finds that she has been sleeping in fan- against a French Protectorate sway. cie<i'security, and to-day she is awake For two powers to deprive a country in a rage. The country is aroused. sUbstantially of her rights and privi- There is a dangerous spirit thrilling leges without consulting her is con- throughout the country. The late po- sidered cruelly unfair. In retaining litical calm has disappeared. To an her freedom to conduct her civil and individual the Hovas are patriotic, commercial intercourse, "Madagas- and, if France insists upon putting car," says the principal local journal, a wrong construction upon the Treaty "will fight to the last if France de- of 1885-6, the Malagasy will heroic- mands the control of the foreign of- ally repel her aggression. Watchful fice, or assumes a protectorate over sympathy is desired for the religious the Government of Her Majesty Ran- and national welfare of a people who avalomanjaka III." This language is are beginning to enter on a civilized unmistakably decisive. Until very career. By the missionaries in particu- recently the government in Madagas- lar, abounding grace and wisdom are car had no idea of the island's liberty needed to guide their converts in the being endangered. A claim of France right paths. some time ago to represent Madagas- London Missionary Society. – car in her foreign relations was re- The London Missionary Society will fused, consistent with articles 1-2 of send delegates to the International the 1885-6 Franco-Malagasy Treaty. Council of Congregationalists, to be It was consequently surmised that held in London in 1891. This step is as France did not urge it ,that she regarded as a sign that the society is inte~ the clauses to refer to moving from a broad evangelical basis the pledge of Madagascar not to to one of a more denominational enter into compact defensively or character. offensively elsewhere unless–tt";"'con- Church Missionary Society.- sent of France was previously ob- The benefactions to the Church Mistained. The Malagasy Government sionary Society for the current year is content to allow France to intervene are about twice as much as those of on her behalf in exterior political mat- the average of the last five years, and ters, quite otherwise respecting inter- the ordinary income steadily increases. nal affairs. Madagascar cherishes her Six London societies send out unindependence and sets great store on ordained missionaries, not demanding everything which develops her re- college education. Thus not only sources, and naturally wishes to retain are wider doors opening before the ' a free hand for her administration and, church in foreign lands, but the gate an openseaboard to transacttrade with ,of entrance for workers is becoming other lands. The organ of the Eng- much broader. lish, The Madagascar Times, asserts Two more young ladies went out that the agreement is a monstrous last month to the Zenana work in contravention of past treaties, and Rajahmundry, India, sent out by the warns France of the dangers which Lutheran Mission Committee. The await her should she persist in taking two workers, Miss Sadtler of Baltinominal possession. "Europe," this more and Miss Schade of New Brighpaper states, "is mistaken in her be- ton, Pa., were given a farewell meetlief that Madagascar has been unde- ing in St. John's Lutheran Church, monstrative because the French con- Philadelphia. A chest of medicines trol affairs. This is not so. Madagas- was presented to the missionaries. Monthly Bulletin. -Miss Anna E. Johnson has left Bryn Mawr, Pa., for the McAll work -Mr. David Sinclair, M.A., princi- in Paris. pal of the Missionary College at Mad- ras, and who, after twenty years of -Two Bengalese ladies, after a five service, retired at the beginning of the years' course, received at Calcutta last year, is dead. University the degree of Bachelor of Medicine. They are both disciples of -Professor Riggenbach, of Basel, Christ. for twelve years president of the great Basel Missionary Society, died also -The British and Foreign Bible So- September 5. He had a fascinating ciety issued last year 3,790,000 copies history. of the Bible, either wholly or in part; -Some 200 Hebrew students in the and the London ReligiouB Tract So- University of Odessa petitioned the ciety 77,000,000 publications, every Russian government to be allowed to one of which, in some form, ango forward with their studies as nounces the glad tidings of salvation Hebrews, and met a refusal. It re- in Christ.
sulted in their conversion to Ohris- -The French Protestant Mission tianity! among the Basutos has over 6,000com- -Bishop Hannington was cruelly municants.
murdered by Mwanga, of Uganda, -Rev. R. Glover, D.D., of Bristol, whose Christian subjects have now re- and Rev. T. M. Morris of Ipswich, instated him on his throne. Two years two of the foremost men of the Bapago Bishop Parker, who followed tist deilOmination in England, are in him, perished on the shores of Victoria China as a deputation from the mis- Nyanza. And now, a third bishop, sionary society to visit the stations Mr. Tucker, has started for equatorial Africa. Thus far these bishops have and report on needs and claims of the ~-…. work.
held office less than two years each; -Arthur Brooks, whom the natives but lor the work in which they per- killeq a year ago in Africa, was the ished .more than twenty have been elev~lM:llartyr the London Mission- found ready to take the place of each ary Society has given to the East one who has died. African Mission. Since then Mr.
-It is proposed to build a sort of Slade's death left but three men to "People's Temple" in London, with carry on this work.
sufficient space for 100,000 persons, so -Rev. Dr. Sheldon Jackson has been that when great public interests are at establishing three new missions-Con- stake room may be found for popular gregational, Episcopal and Presby- meetings and discussions. terian respectively, in Alaska. This -A "Hindoo tract society" in is a practical illustration of inter- Madras is trying to neutralize the denominational comity.
missionaries' work by leaflets in de- -In three colleges of North Caro- fence of Hinduism, as they have lina 15 students have volunteered for already imitated Christian "cate- mISSIons. At Oberlin 32, and $400 chisms " for teaching and indoctrina- have been raised for their outfit.
ting the young. -On Lake Nyassa the Scottish Free -A chair for study of the English Church has, at Bandawe, 1,180 pupils Bible was last year established at and 38 native teachers in its schools.
Princeton College. At Yale over 150 -Moravians distance us all in mis- students of the higher classes elect a sionary heroism. One of their Alaska course of Bible studies, with two lec- missions is 3,000 miles from its base tures a week. of supplies, and sometimes the cold is so intense that even the smoke is a pronouncedly good influence upan turned to frost in chimneys. him and his people. He has abolished drinking in his land, and is always -Mr. Penazottj, the agent of the intent on some reform. His word is American Bible Society, in Peru, is always trusted, not only by the mis- in prison solely for the crime of circu- sionaries, but also by traders and lating the Word of God in the Spanish hunters, wl'lO are mistrustful of every- tongue. His instructing of the people thing accomplished by missions. He has been construed as violating a is sincere, courageous and manly, and semi-obsolete decree of the Peruvian if all Caffre chieftains were like him, {lonstitution. We watch the result of Caffreland would have a very different this trial of Protestantiam in South look from its present one. America with interest. -Basel Missionary Society recently -Rev. John Newton, seventy-eight observed its seventy-fifth anniversary. years old, and oldest of missionaries It has missions in India, China, and in India, landed in Calcutta in 1835, on the African Gold Coast and the and is still a hale and happy worker. Camaroons, and not until recently He is a Presbyterian, and believes in have unmarried lady missionaries goue the" Perseverance of the Saints!" to the frontier to engage in educa- tional and other work among their -According to Dr. Pentecost, dark and darkened sisters. Bishop Taylor is the only evangelist who has left behind him in India a Alaska.-Important are the openpermanent work. We may be per- ings for the spread of the Gospel in mitted to say that our friend Pente- this largest possession of the United cost sometimes allows himself to make States. Its area is 531,409 square statements which are too sweeping, if miles: Arctic division, 125,245; Younot careless. Bishop Taylor not only kon, 70,884; Southeastern, 28,980. Its worked as an evangelist, but he extreme length north and south is founded churches, and large churches, 1,100 miles; its extreme breadth is too, which few evangelists do. Hence, 800 miles. Total population about his eminently scriptural and apostolic 30,426; white, 430; Creole, 1,756; Inwork abides, which cannot be said of nuit, 17,617; Aleut, 2,145; Tenneh, some who only do the work of an 3,927; Thlinket, 6,763; Hyda,788. It evangelist. . occupies the extreme northwest of the continent. This important coun- -Think of America sending a few try was purchased from Russia by the missionaries to Africa and finding it United States government in 1867, difficult to raise enough money to and is now under its control. support them, while Boston alone, from 1882 to 1887, sent to the Dark Turkey.-Great Revival in Aintab. Continent 3,500,000 gallons of strong In the annual report of the American drink! Rev. David A. Day, at Monro- Board the siguificant event in Asiatic via, saw landed at one port on one Turkey was the revival, whereby 538 Sunday 50,000 casks of gin! were added to the church in Aintab, and by its influence no less than 1,000 Africa.-Mr. J. Nixon declares of hopeful conversions occurred within Magata, a chief near Pretoria, where the limits of that one field. The three the Hermannsburg missionaries are centers of collegiate and theological working, that not even in England training were specially blessed. Only has he met with a more perfect gen- a small number of college graduates, tleman. Chief Kchama, he declares, however, enter the theological school, is also a chief whose word can be de- and there is an increasing tendency to pended upon, a noble example of suc- come to America to complete their cessful missionary work. His Chris- studies and to better their fortunes. tianity is nothing nominal, but exerts Cost of War.-According to rep- Canon Liddon on Missions.- resentations given recently in the Across the triumphs and the failures German Reichstag, France has'a war of well-nigh nineteen centuries, the footing of 3,300,000 men; Russia, spiritual ear still catches the accents 2,570,000; Germany, 2,900,000; Austro- of the charge on the mountain in Gali- Hungary, 1,150,000; Italy, 1,090,000; 100; and, as we listen, we note that or these five powers can summon into neither length of time nor change of the field, should the necessity require circumstance has impaired their it, 11,019,000. Who can foretell the solemn and enduring force. It is a awful consequences should any power precept which, if it ever had binding be so rash as to let loose the war virtue, must have it at this moment dragon? And to prevent such a catas- over all who believe in the Divine trophy, it is deemed necessary to keep Speaker's power to impose it-it must up a peace footing for Russia of 314,- bind us as distinctly as it was binding 000; France, 511,334; Germany, 486,- on the first disciples. Weare ambas- 983; Austro-Hungary, 325,693; Italy, sadors of a charity which knows no 255,418; or in all, 2,393,423. distinctions between the claimants on Worth Noting.-The secular press. its bounty, and no frontier save those announces that Abbe Mesmer has of the races of man. A good Chrisstarted from Rome to assume his posi- tian can not be other than eager for tion at the head of the Roman Catho- the extension of our Lord's Kingdom lic University in Washington. In among men, not only from his sense of this case at least, we regret that the what is due to the Lord who bought law which prohibits the importation him, but also from his natural sense of of contract labor will not be enforced. justice, his persuasion that he has no We trust, however, that the American right to withhold from others those public will not lose sight of the fact privileges and prospects which are the that this new university is to be placed joy of his own inmost life. When he under the direction of tt foreigner, and finds comfort in the power of prayer, of one who comes witk the blessing of when he looks forward in humble a Pope who, from his hatred of free confidence to death, when he enjoys institutions, continu~s to keep up the the blessed gift of inward' peacefarce of his being a prisoner in the peace between the soul and its God, Vatican, and is arrayed in open an- peace between the soul's various powtagonism to the civil law of Italy. If ers and faculties-he cannot but ask the man is like the· master, we may the question: "Do I not owe it to the reasonably expect that the consistent millions who have no part in these policy which has been so long main- priceless blessings that I should do tained in Italy will not be forgotten what I can myself, or through others in America. to extend to them a share in this smile of the Universal Father which is the Mr. W. F. Wilkinson.-Another joy and consolation of my life? Can worker fallen on the Congo. The I possibly neglect the command to Baptist Missionary Society have re- make disciples of all nations?"-Spirit ceived this.sad intelligence of one who of Missions.
less than ·six months ago was set Rev. Dr. A. P. Happer, President apart at the Society's Birmingham of the Christian College, Canton, meetings for the noblest of callings. China, .is ordered by his physician to Of heroic ardor, the death of so give up work and return home. He young a man cannot be other than a has disease of the heart. As soon as source of grief to all wilo follow with the trustees appoint his successor he interested eye the course of the con- will hand over the College, which he flict. is now arranging to do.
The Missionary Review of the World — July 1890
DR. PIERSON'S LETTERS FROM ABROAD
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
m. VOL. XIII. No.7.-01d Series.—JULY.-voL. No.7.-New Series.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
DR. PIERSON'S LETTERS FROM ABROAD. No. V.-THE McALL MISSION. Paris, April 8, 1890.
The more I see of the so-called" McAll Missions," the more I am prompt~d to exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" In 1871, he and his wife came to Paris, to view the scenes made desolate by the Franco-Prussian war. That war had prostrated obstacles to the spread of the gospel among the French working people, and he found opportunity for disseminating among them tracts on the vital themes of the gospel. While standing on a corner in Belleville, opposite a wine-shop, distributing these tracts to passers by, a man stepped out from the throng, and, in good English, said: " Sir, I perceive you are a clergyman; if anyone like you is ready to come over here and teach us a gospel, not of superstition, priestcraft and bondage, but of simplicity, liberty and charity, there are many of us ready to hear; but we have done with the priests."
This is the substance of that appeal, from an unknown man, a man not even yet known to anyone connected with the Mission. That was the voice of another" man of Macedonia," saying, "Come over and help us," and Robert ~w. McAll heard in his voice the summons of God. Like Paul, he and his wife could say, "Immediately we gathered that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel" in France. And on the 17th of January, 1872, they opened the first salle in Belleville, little dreaming whereunto all this would grow. With no little timidity that first room was rented, and about five dozen plain chairs, a table, a Bible, and a parlor organ constituted all its furniture. The first night twenty-eight persons constituted the entire audience. Mr. McAll was no French speaker. He could say in the langu3,ge of those people, "God loves you," and" I love you," and that was his beginning. But those poor working people-the commune of Belleville-instinctively discovered that a man and a woman were come to seek their welfare. They were taken captive, as by surprise. There was about this Mission nothing priestly or churchly; no imposing ceremonial or ritual; no robes or vestments; no choir or procession; no altars or tapers; no crucifix or mass in a de:td l:tnguage. Everything was as simple as simplicity itself. A few verses of a hymn, a short reading of Scripture, a -prayer, a brief address, a warm hand of welcome-that gospel of the grasp-an atmosphere of cordiality and homelikeness, and withal, not a centime asked in return. Here was a new sort of religion, and of church and of worship. It was so different from anything the working men of France had seen before that they called it a " new religion,"
and a new word had to be framed to meet the case; it was "Mc- Allizing the people! "
Every regiment in Britain has two sets of colors: the regimental flag, and the Queen's colors; the former different in each regiment, and bearing the names of all the battlefields where the regiment has been engaged; but the Queen's colors are the same in all the regiments. Here no denominational banner was to be seen; only the banner of the cross, the King's own colors. Nothing indicated whether Mr. McAll was a Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregationalist, or Episcopalian. His peculiar" ism" could not be dis- (lovered, unless it was what the Frenchman calls Ohristianisme, as Rev. Howard Gill well says.
The work, thus carried on without ecclesiastical furniture and garniture, and on purely evangelical lines, without any trace of denominationalism, was also conducted on the most economical basis. Mr. McAll devoted his own means to the support of himself and the work, asking no compensation for his services, and freely giving all he possessed to enlarge and expand the Mission as new doors opened. But the work outgrew his slender resources; the room in which he began became at once too small, and a larger one was secured; then it outgrew the largest available place, and it became evident that God was calling for another salle to be opened; and this meant more cost, more work, and more laborers. Then came the appeal for helpers, and they rallied to the support of the Mission; and so salZe after salle was opened, and band after band of helpers was organized, until last year there were some 130, not only in the metropolis, but in all parts of France, and even extending into Algiers and Corsica. Behold how this humble work has grown in somewhat over eighteen years! That first night sittings perhaps for sixty; last year in the various salles an aggregate of 19,000; then two workers, Dr. McAll and his wife; now sixty persons give up their whole time to the Missions, and from 600 to 700 (lo-operate, lending such aid as occasion demands and their other work permits. That first night there were twenty-eight present; last year the aggregate attendance was nearly 1,200,000.
We have referred to economy of expenditure as a marked characteristic of the Mission. The entire income last year fell short of 19,000 pounds sterling (about $95,000), i. e., about one pound sterling for every sitting in these mission halls. On the average every five dollm's contributed insured one seat for a working man or woman, for 365 days, with all the evangelical influences of preaching, teach- ing, prayer, and other services throughout the year. If anything outside the Moravian Missions can show results of expenditure in excess of this, we know not where to look.
This is my fourth visit to Paris, and the last three times I have sddressed meetings from once to thrice a day. The halls have been crowded with audiences as decorous and attentive, and even enthusi- astic as I have ever addressed anywhere. There is an eagerness, an expectancy, a patience, an absorbed attentiveness, which indicate a rare preparation of mind and heart for gospel truth. In fact, in these McAll Missions the ordinary conditions seem to be largely reversed. Commonly the difficulty is, having a place of assembly, to get it filled; here the difficulty is rather to find places of assembly enough to hold the people. Superstition, corrupt religion, priest- craft, have done their work here; the people have swung away from Imperialism to republicanism, and from clericalism toward indifferent- ism. They have largely, as a prominent French woman phrases it, "lost their faith," and, though nominally adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, the bulk of the French working classes are" free thinkers," by which they mean that they have swept away the barriers and bonds of their foriner creed, and now are free to think for them- selves.
It is a golden day of opportunity for the Protestant Church in France, to give the pure and simpl~ gospel to the common people. With much sorrow we have learned of the closing of thirteen salles of the McAll Missions for lack of funds. This implies positive disaster, for each hall is a rallying and radiating point for the Christian. workers to meet and to disperse for wider activity. Round these salles gather all the beneficent influences of worship, preaching and teaching, Bible classes, converts' meetings, mothers' meetings, children's schools, etc. '1'0 close a salle is to dismiss workers, shut out the eager crowds, and, in a word, abandon a station which has been like a new fortress on the border of the enemy's country. Every -opening door demands expansion, and retrenchment is a double evil, for it means not only non-expansion, but actual contraction. Had Dr. McAll to-day $500,000 and 500 new laborers, he could use every dollar and employ every worker inside of six months! The Government looks with favor upon the work, as the Prefect of Police said, ~'Every new McAll station means a reduction ofpolice force."
While we write all this with profound conviction that no work of which we know, especially in Papal lands, deserves more hearty snd enthusiastic support, we feel constrained to add a few words, • not of cold criticism, but rather of sympathetic suggestion and fraternal caution. After speaking repeatedly in these crowded salles, we are strongly impressed with the neglect of proper sanitary precautions. The effort has been to conduct these lVIissions with the utmost possible saving of money; hence locations have in some cases been chosen, because cheap, which were both unsavory and unwholesome. A courtyard may be found which can be rented at a low rate, and where an iron room, ~ith glass ro.of, may be constructed at a very small cost. But what if in that courtyard there be one or more cesspools, as there are apt to be in such places ! We have spoken in audience-rooms where there was no facility or possibility of ventilation, and where the atmospere became sickening, if not stifling, before the time of dismission. Into these places Dr. lVIcAllleads the way, and is followed by his devoted band of workers, and in such an atmosphere they, night after night, attempt to carryon the vital process of respiration! One or two salles lately opened are conspicuous for the provision made for fresh air, and the increased safety and COmfo.l·t of all who assemble in them; but the major part of these assembly halls are shockingly devoid of any metho.d for either the escape of foul air or the ingress of pure air, and are strong reminders of the" Black Hole of Calcutta."
We feel constrained, in the interests of truth and candor, to say also that we feel sensible of a certain atmosphere of hurry and 'Worry about thif! mission work, which we believe ill comports with such a work of faith and prayer. Dr. lVIcAll drives himself and all his co.- wo.rkers at a toO. rapid pace. I arrived in Paris, April 1, at evening, and left for Rome, April 8, at morning. Between these dates I found myself "boo.ked" for fourteen services, at widely-separated points, and these fourteen services compressed into six days! And this is only a fair sample of how Dr. lVIcAll works himself and all his colaborers. From week's beginning to end it is one perpetual" drive," without even a day of rest. No wonder if workers have headache, shattered nerves, and shortened lives, and either must go away and rest, or run the risk of taking that long rest that has no waking hour until the resurrection!
We write sympathetically, for we fully understand how it is the very zeal and, consecration of this great organizer and the devotion of his fellow workers makes such disregard of God's eternal principles of health possible. And yet we insist that all this is a disregard of laws as fixed and irrevocable as the Decalogue. "Thou shalt not kill" is a command of many applications. If this is the Lord's work, worry and hurry are out of place in it; if it be not the Lord's work, disciples are out of place in it altogether. That is our short logic in this case.
While feeling constrained by candor to make these suggestions, we are by no means unaware that the sole impulse in this self-saCl'ifice is zeal for the Lord. In the face of this deep need and wide door, Dr. McAll and his fellow helpers feel urged on, by an inward passion for souls, to do their very utmost to overtake the spiritual destitution of these millions. They try to make up in a measure for lack of funds and of friends, lack of money and of men, by doubling their own activity. They shorten their hours of sleep and rest, and lengthen their hours of labor and wakefulness. But it is a serious question whether" in the long run" this pays. Life and health are valuable treasures, more easily lost than regained. Experience and capacity are still more valuable as qualifications for successful labor, and well-trained workmen must not be sa.crificed by indirect suicide. Dr. McAll himself is singularly fitted for this sphere. He is at once preacher and teacher, organizer and administrator, architect and draughtsman, a man of business and a man of piety. He has rare combination of traits; guileless like Nathaniel, shrewd like James, earnest like Paul, loving like John. He has been here over eighteen years, and has learned many lessons which he can impart to no successor. He has the "inside track" in this evangelistic race, and every way the advantage in seeking to reach this mercurial people. For such a man to be prematurely disabled, or removed from his work, would be an irreparable calamity. He may not account his life dear to himself, but he ought to account it dear to his Master and His work. We can see the marks of age upon him, which his years do not justify, and since we were here, less than two years ago, the lines have seriously deepened upon his face, and his work has left furrows of care that two years should not have ploughed.
We write it tenderly, but earnestly. Dr. McAll and his workers should consult health and rest. They do not honor God's moral and spiritual laws, while they neglect the physical, which emanate from the same source. And to insure this needed relaxation, recreation, abatement of excessive toil; to eliminate this hurry and worry, the Church of God must come up to the help of this devoted man and his helpers, and provide more money, and more men and women to enter this great and effectual door of service. It is a shame, a reproach, that no words can adequately express, that salles should be closed in face of such blessing on present work and such demands for new laborers.
We venture one more suggestion, applicable not to this Mission work alone, but to many other spheres of service. There should be more concentration and less diffusion. There is a mania in the public mind for mere numbers j and there is a natural, but perilous, temptation to pander to this abnormal passion. Unless the number of salles opened increases every year, as the offerings increase, a hasty judgment concludes that the money is either not needed, or not well spent. And so Dr. McAn is anxious that every pound or dollar con-
THE SCIENCE OF MISSIONS
tributed shall show results that appeal to the eye, and are appreciable numerically. We consider this a serious mistake, to cater to this insane popular demand for a mathematical standard of success. Our calm opinion is that if instead of adding another salle for a year to come, increased energy and efficiency might be imparted to those already open; if, instead of scattering more workers over a wider field, more workers could come to reinforce the overtaxed and exhausted ranks of those now in service, relieving those now employed of the needless wear and tear of excessive toil-no better use of money or of men could be made. The Christian Church should not identify itself with the world in this senseless clamor for a numerical showing of results. Lengthened cords imply weakness, without strengthened stakes. There may be extensity at cost of intensity. We want not simply an organization whose network covers immense territory, for we may attenuate such network until it is as frail as a spider's web; but we must have strong organization, strong enough to sustain its own weight and connect all its remotest parts by vital and helpful bonds.
For Dr. McAll and his work we have nothing to say but words of cheer and praise. If there be any fault, it leans to virtue's side. For constancy and energy of toil, for self-sacrifice I and devotion to souls, for economy ~nd sagacity of administration, this work is unsurpassed. But we should be more than glad to see the Church so generously sustain the work, that it may not unduly tax and prematurely disable these willing workers; and we yearn to see high spiritual standards of measurement used in estimating results. The door seems open to evangelize all France. Only money and men are needed. The people are more ready to hear than the Church is to help. How can the open eye be given to see the open door?
THE SCIENCE OF lHSSIONS.
BY PROFESSOR HOlIER B. HULBERT, SEOUL, KOREA.
It is probably impossible to expect that foreign missionaries will go into the field with greater zeal or devotion than were displayed by the pioneers of missionary work three quarters of a century ago. But in view of the mass of experience that has been subsequentlyacquired-the long list of successes and failures, the costly experiments that have been tried, the millions of pages that have been printed on the SUbject-in view of these things, I say, we have a right to expect that the missionary of to-day shall take the field with betterpreparation and better methods than then.
The development of the science OL war is marked by two things: the steady and rapid decrease in the mortality of soldiers, and the tremendous increase in the destructiye power of military engines. This 11y no means implies that the soldiers of to-day are braYer than those who fought the historic battles with sword and axe. But it does mean that those who have battleR to fight are quick to make use of every opportunity by which the maximum of execution can be accom- plished with the minimum expenditure of treasure and of hum:t,} blood. So in the mission field-the worker may not be braver than Judson or Carey, but he ought to be able to do more execution in a given time and with a given amount of expenditure. A thousand years ago a young man who could swing the broadsword and hack was a good soldier. He received no special training, he was not taught the science of war; but to-day the soldier is a specialist. He passes years in studying the special methods of attack and retreat, flank-movement and center-movement. Just so and not otherwise should it be in the missionary movement. The missionary ought t'o be a specialist. His training ought to be of a special nature. He ought to know something more than a college and seminary course can give him. Let us ask then what are some of the points to be observed in the preparation of men for the mission field?
First, The men to be sent as missionaries should be selected. You say, of course they should be selected. But too frequently they are not. I mean by that, that beyond a man's education and credentials of good and regular church standing, the Boards rarely look. If a yonng man wishes to enter West Point or Annapolis, he first undergoes a rigid examination. If there is a weak spot in him anywhere it is found, and his application is rejected. Our government recognizes the folly of educating and training for the army or navy a man who has some physical deformity which could hinder his usefulness. On the same principle and for identically the same reasons, candidates for the mission field should be carefully selected. In the selection, what qualities should be looked for? We pass over, as being taken for granted, a thorough consecration and a firm purpose to put the pure gospel of Christ before the heathen. After this the first quality should be that of phy~ical health. It often happens that men who have wasted their strength by confining themselves to their studies, who have permanently damaged their constitutions by lack of exercise, are sent into the mission field. Thel change is too much for them, and in a year or two they have to be put on the retired list before they have even learned the language of the people to whom they were sent. Or, if the case is not so severe as this, they live o'll in the mission work accomplishing only a fraction of the work an ablebodied man could do.
The second thing that is absolutely essential to successful missionary work is the habit of study, by which is meant the power to sit down and apply oneself uninterruptedly to one thing for several hours with- out letting the mind stray off into other lines of thought. It implies the power to concentrate the mind on one thing, and work hard while working. The reason for this is plain. The missionary's time is almost sure to be broken in upon at all hours and in a thousand ways, and so it is necessary that he should be able to sit down even for half an hour, and so concentrate his mind on his work that he can accomplish something even in that short time. However mixed his work may be, he must not let his thoughts get mixed.
And now, in regard to preparation for the mission field after deciding to become a missionary: First, do not put off deciding whatfield to go to until near the time of going. It is very common for young men or women to say, "vVhen I have finished my education and am ready to go, then I will decide where to go." Such a plan can only result in injuring future usefulness, and for the following reasons: Between the time when a man decides to go into the foreign field and the time when he starts, he ought, together with his other studies; to make a special study of the geography and history of and the general literature about the country to which he is going. From the moment he contemplates mission work he ought to consider himself as bound to become a specialist in regard to the country to which he is going. It is extremely probable that it would be much more difficult to get hold of the books about a heathen country in that country itself than in the home land. For instance, if I wanted a copy of the only grammar which has been published of the language of this people, Korea, I should have to send to Japan for one, or else borrow one and discommode my neighbor; but in New York I should drop into the Astor Library and ask for the Korean grammar in French, written by the fathers sent out by the Societ~ des Missions Etrangcres of Paris. Read ·all that can be read of the country before going there. Secondly, by deciding upon the field and having it always in view, and making it a special object of prayer, the young man has his enthusiasm aroused, and his sympathies engaged, and he enters upon the work when the time comes with double the power that he otherwise could have.
Mission life among the comparatively civilized and cultured Hindus is vastly different from mission life among the nomadic hordes of the Tartar plains, and a man ought to know which he is going to a long time before he goes. In deciding what field to enter, a man must be led largely by what he deems the needs of the various missionary lands. But one thing ought to be borne in mind-one's linguistic power, or the power of acquiring language has a very great deal to do with success in the mission field. Some men acquire languages readily, others with great difficulty. I have heard it said by a prominent and successful missionary in China that not half the missionaries in that great land are able, or will probably ever be able, to speak the colloquial language readily and correctly, not to say fluently. Of course, no one can vouch for such a statement, but it shl)ws a weak spot in the general subject of preparation for mission work as handled to-day. If a man is slow to acquire language, let him go to some Home Mission field, or to some country where they use a language cognate with our own, or 'some offshoot of the Latin. There is splendid work to be done in ,Spain and Italy and among the Spanish speaking peoples of Southern ,and Central America. But let no one think that simply because he has not studied foreign languages, he has no linguistic power; it does not necessarily follow. Don't give up the darker continents unless you are pretty sure that your linguistic power is beneath the average.
There is one thing more. Before leaving home for a mission field make one determination, and pray over it and place it deep in your heart, so that it cannot be changed; and that is, that whatever shall .happen, however yon shall be tempted to do otherwise, you will never allow yourself to be drawn into misunderstandings with other men on the field; that you will always be conciliatory; that you will go more than half way to meet anyone who differs with you in regard to ways and means and methods, unless some great principle is at stake. 'That you will always put the very best construction on the acts and -words of your co-laborers that you possibly can. But what are the reasons for the necessity of great carefulness in this particular? In the :first place, a young man starts for his :field with his heart brim full of enthusiasm, and with a good many plans laid as to his meth- ~ds of work; and it is often very difficult to give up those plans, although they may conflict with plans that are already being carried ·out in the same :field. It tends to dampen his enthusiasm when he nnds that the older and wiser heads tell him that his plans, although ·theoretically excellent, will not work when put in actual operation. 'I.'bis is likely to be one cause of difference of opinion. It must be remembered in the second place, that the relations of missionaries in ,the same :field are very different from those of any set of men at home. A dozen men or more, thoroughly in earnest, with ideas of their own, each feeling the weigbt of responsibility resting on his shoulders, and each having an equal voice in the management of the work and of the funds which are appropriated-in these circumstances, I say it would not be strange if each man should feel the importance of his own special work, and fail to appreciate that every other man's work is as important as his own. This, also, is a cause of difficulty at times.
There is one other thing which ought not to need mentioning, and yet which the history of missions warrants the mention of, and any .young man who contemplates foreign mission work needs to bear it ,in mind. The young man or wotnan entering the foreign :field must i!l]otgO expecting to make a mark in the world. He or she must be mrilling to be forgotten so far as the public at large is concerned. Of
THE LAW OF THE
course, in mission work as in everything else, those who are exceptionally bright or successful will make a name, but it comes unsought. We should blame a young seminary graduate if he entered upon ministerial and pastoral work with the strong and controlling idea of pushing his way as rapidly as possible to the pulpit of the largest or wealthiest or most influential church in the country. If such an idea is blamable at home, how much more so is it in the mission field,. where men are bound together so firmly that such ideas are sure to be soon discovered, and are almost sure to become a rock of offense.
These few cautions, while implying some of the unpleasant and undesirable features of missionary life, and so taking away, perhaps, a little of that romantic feeling which is sure to arise in the mind of the· young man or woman who is }ust starting for his or her foreign field, are yet necessary as enabling one to forearm against foreseen dangers. May the men and women whom God sends into the harvest be wise' as serpents and harmless as doves / THE LAW OF THE ADVANCE.
BY REV. THOMAS LAURIE, D.D., PROVIDENCE, R. I.
No Christian will deny that every command of Christ is to be' obeyed, because he is our Lord, so that debate concerning the command to preach the' gospel to every creature is limited to the manner of our obedience. The only question is, How shall the work be done?
Some say that when the Master bade us begin at Jerusalem, He meant that we were to go over the countries of the world in order,. finishing it in one land before we proceed to another; but that cannot be true, for preaching the gospel, like woman's work, is never done. So that if other lands must wait till the work is done in one, their' chance for hearing the gospel will be very small. It may be replied,. however, that it ie not necessary to wait so long, but the work is to e., be done as one ploughs a field,' i. we are to begin at the point.
designated, and regularly advance from there, leaving no places uuploughed, but throwing the soil from each furrow into the hollow of the preceding one, and that along its whole line without a balk.
This sounds very well. It is a beautiful picture to look on and see the work advance so regularly and so smoothly; but beautiful ideals are not often realized in practice. The actual carrying out of the idea differs very widely from the imaginary original. God has a perfect knowledge of the difference between the ideal and the actual,. and would it not be well, if instead of reasoning a priori what it ought to be, we simply ask how has the Lord of the harvest actually calTied on the work up to the present time? Holy Scripture is not a. collection of theories, but a history of actuRI transactions that have been brought to pass by the Providence of God working through men. in accordance with their nature. Does then inspired history give us a law of advance fitly repre- sented by the ploughman patiently plodding on in his furrow, one step after another, or has there been some law of selection manifest in the matter? Even from the first, when God laid a foundation in one family for a church against which the gates of hell should not prevail, He did not confine himself to the spiritual education of that one family. Why was Abraham chosen, that in him all the families of the earth should be blessed? (Gen. xii: 3.) God tells us why, when he says, on another occasio~ (Gen. xviii: 19):." I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, to the end that the Lord may bring upon Abra- ham that which He hath spoken of him." Here is not merely the training of Isaac, the heir of the covenant, but of Ishmael also, and the children of Keturah. Yea, the record speaks not of children only, but also of "a household" in addition, and few readers of the Bible notice how large that household was. On one occasion we are told that he armed three hundred and eighteen trained servants, born in his own house (Gen. xiv: 14). "This," according to one of . the latest commentators on Genesis (Murphy, p. 286), "implies a following of more than a thousand men, women and children." Then that large household was gathered from among the heathen, and trained to keep the way of the Lord, as well as to fight against oppression. In fact, it was the first missionary training- school recorded in history, and such continued to be the character of the households of his children after him, both as to numbers and training. Thus, when Israel went out of Egypt, we are told that "a mixed multitude went up also with them." (Ex. xii: 38.) We know not how large that mixed multitude was, but we know that it also was from among the heathen, and, in being joined with Israel, entered a training-school for spiritual profit to themselves and others. We pass over individuals, such as Jethro and Rahab, Ruth and Jonathan, son of Rechab, to emphasize the fact, that while the evil example of heathen outside of Israel corrupted the less spiritual of the chosen people, the good example of such elect souls as J ochebed and Naomi, Moses and Joshua, together with mul- titudes of unrecorded names, told with immense power on the con- sciences of the more thoughtful among the heathen. And if these things are true of the time of preparation, what may we not expect to find in the period for which it was the preparation? For all this was only laying a foundation for the command to preach the gospel to every creature. Even in his prayer offered at the dedication of the Temple, Solomon did not forget to make mention of" the stranger that is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come from a far coun- try for thy great name's sake, and pray toward this house" (II. ehron. vi: 32, 33), and his father before him prayed (Ps. lxvii: 1, 2), ~'God be merciful unto us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations," and that was the true spirit of the old dispensation, though the fullness of the time had not yet come for its complete development.
Let us now proceed to look at the Law of Advance under the gospel, as shown, first, in the conduct of Christ himself, and second, in that of His disciples under the leading of. the Holy Spirit.
Our Lord says of HimsiM, that He was" not sent but to the lost sheep of the House of Israel." (Math. xv: 24.) He, too, began his work at Jerusalem when he was only twelve years of age, but he was the author of such faith in a Roman centurion as the infallible judge Qf faith pronounced unparalleled in Israel. He attracted some Greeks to Himself, not merely by outward rumors, but also by the inward drawing of His grace. He walked far under a hot Syrian sun to work the work of faith in a woman of Samaria, and even went entirely Qutside of Jewish territory to meet the woman of Syrophrenicia, in whose heart He had been workiHg even before she met Him. One morning Peter broke in on the private devotions of his Master with his" All men seek for Thee," but the calm reply was, "Let us go to the other towns and villages also, for therefore came I forth;" and in the same spirit he said: "Other sheep have I, which are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice." Still all this was only preparatory work, for as the Spirit was not given till Jesus was glorified, so His great command to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, in which He expressed the yearning of His soul for a lost race, was not given till just before He re-ascended the throne of His glory, and, in determining the law of the advance of the kingdom, it is all important to know how the disciples were led of the Spit'it in their obedience to this command.
If the law of advance under the gospel dispensation had been patterned after the movement of a plough over a field, then, after Jerusalem, Bethany should have formed the next centre of Christian work, for it had peculiar claims as the home of the family whom Jesus loved, and where He spent so many happy hours. There also He raised Lazarus from the dead, and it was the place whence His ascending form was last seen by His disciples.
Then, by the same law, next after Bethany should have come Bethlehem, the home of Ruth and David, and the birthplace of the son of David. Instead of these places, the next centre is at Antioch, further from Jerusalem than Dan is from Beersheba, and almost halfway to the shore of the Black Sea. Having gone so far to find its first resting-place, does it there begin to take places in their regular order? Not at all. It next vaults across the lofty summits of the Taurus range to distant Antioch of Pisidia, more than halfway to the Grecian Archipelago-that, too, though Tarsus, the birthplace of Paul, stood in a direct line between the two Antiochs, and the apostle must have yearned to preach the gospel to the associates of his childhood and his nearest kindred. After leaving this latest missionary centre it would seem as though Paul was very anxious to make the regions near by partakers first in the grace of the gospel, but in two consecutive verses of the Acts of the Apostles (xvi: 6, 7), we are pold, first, that he was forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, and then, when he and his associate essayed to go into Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not to do that, but, instead of either, he was divinely directed to find his next field of labor in Macedonia, and this reminds us that this whole line of movement from the beginning had not been left to chance, but was from first to last under the immediate guidance of the Spirit of God. It was not the Church at Antioch that chose PiRidia as the field to which Paul should be sent from the capital of Syria, but the Holy Spirit had said (Acts xiii: 2): "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." The undertaking then was wholly the Lord's, and He knew from the beginning where He would send them, and in what order it was to be done. And was not the tribulation that arose about Stephen permitted in order that the disciples might be scattered abroad from Jerusalem sooner than they would have gone of their own accord? This law of advance then, in regard to communities, was from God. W a~ it otherwise in regard to individuals? Was it not the Angel of Jehovah who spoke unto Philip, saying (Acts viii: 26), "Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza," where He had brought a man of Ethiopia, a eunich of great authority under Candace, the queen, to request from Him the knowledge of Jesus? (verse 31).. And was it not the same God (Acts x: 1-20) who moved Cornelius to send for Peter, and bade Peter go to Cornelius, nothing doubting? Thus, while Paul was divinely led along his checkered path all the way round to Corinth, arrangements were made to send the gospel as far as Ethiopia on one side and Italy on the other. In all these things we have clearly revealed the divine law of advance in the Kingdom of God. Has that law been changed? If not, then it is just as plainly revealed by the Spirit· how the kingdom is to advance in our day, as He has recorded the law of that advance in the days of the Apostles. And what God has so unmistakably arranged, let no man presume to disarrange.
We are not to evangelize our own conntry first, and then after tl!tat turn our attention to the rest of the world, but we are to work after the pattern set before us in Holy Scripture, and that both in the Old Testament and the New.
TELL THE TALE
TELL THE TALE.
BY PASTOR J. CLARK, ANTIGOUISH, NOVA S<;JOTIA.'
TeU the tale of Jesus' love Tenderly and sweetly; Like to one who fain would be In its power completely.
'Tis a wondrous, wondrous theme I Love o'er sin victorious!
'Tis the love of God's dear Son- Let His praise be glorious.
TeU the tale of Jesus' love Fresh from Truth's own pages; All its hold on man it keeps Through long-lasting ages_ While to you the passing years More and more endear it, Millions of the human race Die and never hear it i Tell the tale of Jesus' love Where life's ills are thronging; Nought like this in all the world Meets the heart's deep longing: Nought like this can cheer and bless Sinful, dying mortals; Nought like this can gild with light Death's dark, gloomy portals.
Tell the tale of Jesus' love; Think not, None will listen; Soon, beneath its sacred spell, Childhood's eyes will glisten.
Aye, and souls, perchance, e'en now, Wonder why you never Speak of Him whose name might bring Life to them forever.
Tell the tale of Jesus' love, Free from formal phrases; Let each meaning word and look Speak the Saviour's praises.
Heaven is listening! Wherefore wait? Haste I for time is flying: Speak as though you just had seen Christ for sinners dyiug.
Tell the tale of Jesus' love; Oh I 'tis worth the telling, Where, amid the multitude, Joyous strains are swelling; Yes, and where one sorrowing soul, Weary, burdened, lonely, Has no friend to come between Him and Jesus ouly.
Tell the tale of Jesus' love, Fervent prayer upbreathing; Plead as Christ would plead with men, Tears with words enwreathing; Plead as one whose gladdened heart Thrills with Calvary's story; Plead as one who longs to win Souls for God and glory.
Tell the tale of Jesus' love While the strength is_~iven; Glorious work on earth is this- Pointing souls to heaven!
TeU this tale of love until Soul from body sever; Then, among the saints above, Tell it ont forever!
FOREIGN MISSIONS IN THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES
FOREIGN }IISSIONS IN THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES.
BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.
(Continued from page 341.) No man during the latter half of the 16th century did more to assist missions than the Hon. Robert Boyle. His wealth and influ- ence were used freely and habitually in their behalf, as the follow- ing instances will show: Dr. Edward Pacock was one of the first Englishmen who, by great learning and religious zeal, interested his countrymen in the literature and evangelization of the East. Boyle engaged him to translate Grotius's ".De Veritate Christiana Be- ligionis" into Arabic, bore the entire cost of printing it, and took means to have it circulated in various places in t~e Turkish "empire. He was at the expense of publishing the four Gospels· and the Acts, in the Malay language, but in the Roman character, and of sending them to the East for distribution. Through his influence and with his assistance the New Testament was translated into Turkish, and circulated in the empire; and he rendered similar service to the trans- lation made by Eliot for the North American Indians, through the Corporation for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England, the new Charter of which he was the chief means of obtaining in 1661. He had before this been the friend and correspondent of Eliot, and remained so till death, though theological differences separated them widely. He also powerfully imbued others with his own spirit, and probably did more than any other man to prepare for the organized efforts to spread Christian truth with which the 18th century opened. Some of its most influential leaders, as Dean Prideaux, the author of the Connection of the Old and New Testaments, and Archbishop Teni- son, received their evangelizing zeal fron~ h"im. He exerted his power- ful interest as a Director to induce the East India Company "to pro- mote the honor and worship of God, by the conversion of those poor infidels in those places where, by His blessing, they had so much ad- vanced their worldly interest." Failing in this he adopted the independent course of publishing the Gospels in Malayan, and this brought him acquainted with Prideaux, who from that time combined great zeal for Christian propagandism with unusual learning. * Already much had been written respecting the duty of imitating the Portuguese and Dutch in providing not only our countrymen abroad with Christian instruction, but such of the subject races as desired it. Prideaux, advancing on the general principle, urged that * Boyle left at his death the sum of £5,400 for the propagation of Christianity among infidel and unenlightened nations. With this sum an estate was purchased in Yorkshire, the annual rent of which was paid to William & Mary College in Virginia, until the commencement of the American war. In 1793, the accumulated capital, which now yielded near £1,000 a year, was appropriated "to the Society for the Conversion and Religious Instrnction of the Negroes in the British West Indies," which was then incorporated by royal charter. Brown's "History of Mis" zions, " Vol. III., p. 475. churches and schools should be erected at Bombay, Madras and· St. Davids for the instruction of the natives in their own language; that a seminary should be established in England to train ool'efully selected men for the missions; that natives of India should be brought over and educated here as missionaries; that as soon as practicable a. bishop should be consecrated for India; .that then the seminary should be removed there and placed under his care; that at once careful in- quiries should be made to ascertain how the work could best 1;>e carried on; that an act of Parliament be obtained, obliging the East India Company to carry it out; that wise and good men be chosen in London to direct the whole design, and that all good Christians pray for the success of it.* At the same time Prideaux wrote to Archbishop Tenison, begging pim to intercede with the King that the Company might be obliged to do "something toward that good work." He reminded him of the exertions of Boyle, with whom the Bishop had doubtless often conversed on such topics, when the one was incumbent of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields in London, and the other a parishioner; alluded to the mighty work before them, of the guilt of neglecting· it, of the hope he had because the archbishop had previously accepted from him proposals of a like nature, and concluded by saying that though there "is work enough at home," that isno reason for neglecting opportunities abroad, and if the Company cannot be moved to action, he suggests that the clergy should undertake it, offering a contribution of £100, and such future help as he could afford to give.t Thus did his zeal and sagacity suggest most of the plans which since have been adopted.
The appeal of Prideaux was so far successful that in the next Charter, granted by Willia:m in 1698, it was enacted among other important clauses that "all ministers sent to reside in India shall be obliged to learn, within one year of their arrival, the Portuguese language, and shall apply themselves to the native language of the country where they shall reside, the better to enable them to instruct the Gentoos that shall be the servants or the slaves of the same Company, or of their agents, in the Protestant religion." These words, alas, became a dead letter, though they were designed to be the basis of a grand evangelistic work on the part of the Company and everyone of its chaplains. The intention was noble and Christian, and it proves that some dignitaries of the Church of England were profoundly interested not only in the religious well-being of their own countrymen in India, but the enlightenment of the natives, almost a century before the famous resolutions of Wilberforce were passed by the House of Commons in 1793.
The zeal of Prideaux was not quenched by failure. In 1718 he * Anderson's "History of the Colonial Clmrch," Vol. II., p. 476, and Brown's History, Vol. m'F p.477. t "Life of Dean Prideaux," Vol. I., p. 151. addressed Archbishop Wake on the subject to which he Jiad called the attention of his predecessor twenty-three years before; stating, evi- dently as the result of careful observation, that it was "not possible to carryon the work of the ministry, either in the East or West In- dies, with any good success, nnless there be bishops and seminaries settled in them, that so ministers may be bred and ordained on the spot." Thus nobly in the midst of his home duties, and though greatly interested in sacred learning, did he seek to enlarge the bor- ders of the Kingdom of God, and though (as some will judge) his aspirations were fettered by too much dependence on political and ecclesiastical machinery, his zeal, wisdom, and breadth of sympathy, are worthy of the profoundest respect.
Shortly after this, in 1725, Berkeley, the friend of Swift, Addison, Steele, Pope, Chesterfield, and the favorite of Queen Anne, of whom Bishop Atterbury said, "So much understanding, so much knowledge, so much innocence, and so much humility, I did not think had been the portion of any but angels till I saw this gentleman," published "a scheme for converting the savage Americans to Christianity by a college to be erected in the Isles. of Bermuda." It has been charac- terized as one of the noblest designs that had ever entered into the human heart to form, .and undoubtedly displayed an unselfishness rarely equalled. He was Dean of Derry, with an income of £1,100 a year and the certainty of preferment, but, as Swift wrote in a letter, recommending the scheme and its author, to the Viceroy of Ireland: "He hath seduced to join him several of the hopefullest young clergymen and others here, many of them well provided for, and all of them in the fairest way of preferment. He hath been struck with a notion of founding a university in Bermuda, by a Charter from the crown, with a college founded for Indian scholars and missionaries, where he most exorbitantly proposeth a whole hundred pounds a year for himself. His heart will break if his deanery be not taken from him, and left to your excellency'S disposal." After delays most trying to a spirit so unselfish and noble, the Charter was granted, but the £20,000 he had been led to expect for the college was never paid by Sir Robert Walpole, so that after a residence of two years in America, he returned home, giving then, as ever, repeated evidences of remarkable zeal, benevolence and generosity. * But a deepening consciousness of the Christian duty of seeking the conversion of the heathen was not confined to Episcopalians. Dr. Doddridge thought much of the wide extent and deep degradation of heathendom, and was one of the first eminent non-conformists to de- * He gave back to the subscribers every farthing of the £5,000 he had received, or, when they could not be discovered, to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He gave half his books to Yale College, a gift alike liberal in purse and in sentiment, and the future bishop was, no doubt, equally surprised and amused to learn tbat they had converted some most promising st~,l'nts from Congregationalism to Episcopacy. vise means for its conversion. Whether he acquired his interest from Pacock and Prideaux, with whose lives and writings he, no doubt, was familiar, or from Eliot's remarkable history, or from his contem- poraries, Bishop Berkeley and David Brainerd, the true and worthy successor of Eliot among the North American Indians, or as an impulse of his own benevolent nature, we cannot tell, but he formed in his own congregation at Northampton, in 1741, a small society for the spread of the gospel among the heathen; urged other ministers to adopt a like course, was anxious to see some of his best students laboring in spheres such as Brainerd's, and wrote in his diary when those desires were disappointed: "I hope I can truly say, that if God would put it into the heart of my only son to go unde; this character, I could will- ingly part with him though I were never to see him more. What are views of a family and a name when compared with a regard to extend- ing my Redeemer's kingdom, and gaining souls to Christ." Noble senti- ments, rare alas now, as they were then! That most Pitthetic hymn, "Arise, my tenderest thoughts, arise!" one of the first of our noble series of modern missionary hymns, was written by him, and shortly before his early death, he wrote: "I am now intent upon having something done among the Dissenters, in a more public manner, for propagating the gospel abroad. I wish to live to see this design brought into execution, at least into some forwardness, and then I shall die the more cheerfully."* If the health and vigor of Doddridge had been equal to his learning and zeal, the awakening of missionary ardor, which distinguished the close of the century, might have taken place fifty years earlier.
But we must turn back to notice the beginning of that great and noble work which so many churches in so many lands are now prose- cuting in India; which, when completed, will be the grandest triumph Christianity has ever won over heathenism, or can win.
When Frederick IV. became King of Denmark in 1699, he imme- diately turned his attention toward the conversion of the heathen in .his India~' territory around Tranquebar. His tutor, chaplain and friend, DI Lutkens, to whom probably he was indebted for his Christian principles and benevolent aims, and whose soul longed for the conversion of the heathen, was commissioned to find men who, by learning, piety and zeal, were qualified for this mission. Lutkens begged that he might be allowed to go himself. "No," said the king, "I cannot send that hoary head to encounter the dangers of the voyage and the devouring heat of the climate. Seek younger men." He did so, but none were found in Denmark. 'furning to Germany, his attention was directed by Dr. Augustus Hermann Franke, whose aspirations were kindred to his own, to Bartholomew Ziegenbalz, who, with Henry Plutscho, embarked for India on November 29, 1705, and landed at Tranquebar on the following 19th of July. Seldom has a * Orson's "Memoir of Dr. J;>oddridge,"p. 126, and Brown's "History of Missions," Vol.m., p.491. mission been more fortunate in its founders. How nobly, and amid what difficulties, they labored among Danes, Germans, Portuguese, and especially Hindus, cannot now be described. The strength and .success of their endeavors chiefly arose from the fact that, unlike many in America who regarded their labors among the negroes and Indians as secondary to their ministrations among their own country- men, they were first and above all things missionaries to the heathen. Five converts were baptized on May 12, 1707, the first fruits of the harvest which almost every decade since has been gathered over a wide area, and with augmented richness. In 1711 the translation of the New Testament into Tamil was completed, though its publica- tion was delayed for three years. Plutscho returned to Germany in 1712, and Ziegenbalz died in 1719, but it is questionable if any mis- sionaries in so short a time, and with such limited resources, ever did more, in such varied directions, or with equally permanent results.* Happily the mantle of Ziegenbalz descended on a succession of men singularly able and devoted. Schultz landed in India in the same year that his great predecessor died, and labored until 1742 with wonderful zeal and efficiency. He was instrumental in sending Schwartz to Tranquebar in 1750, and when Carey began his noble career in Bengal, in 1793, Schwartz was still living at Tanjore. John Frederic Kierieander, a Swede, who was sent by the Christian Knowledge Society to Cudalore in 1740, and removed to Calcutta, in 1758, was still 'there. t J ainicke, who began his work in 1788, was vigorously sowing the good seed of the kingdom in Tinnevelly, which now bears such an abundant harvest, and Gericke, who began his labors in 1767, extending more widely than any of them to the south and north of Madras, did not finish his course until 1803. Thus far more had been done in various parts of South India and in Bengal than is generally supposed.
But we must now turn our attention to the formation of the two great English societies which, throughout the century, did so much to sustain the missionaries just named, to perpetuate Christian truth. and knowledge in the British dependencies and possessions, and still * The numbers of converts in 1712 was 255, and at his death 355, but the catechumens were numerous; the whole Bible had been translated into Tamil; many schools had been established; school books had been p"epared; the gospel had been preached far beyond the narrow limits of Tranquebar, and an interest had been awakened in missions, not only in various parts of southern India, but in Denmark, Germany and England, which powerfnlly tended to nourish the missionary sentiment into the strength it exhibited at the close of the century. See "Lives of Missionaries in Southern India," published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; Carne's "Lives of Eminent Missionaries," Vol. 1.; the "History of Protestant Missions in India, " Chap. I., by the Rev. E. Storrow, published by the Religious Tract Society, London.
t He was the first missionary in Bengal, and was invited there by Cleve. His labors were very varied, consisting of preaching to Danes, Portuguese and English; whilst his school labors extended to a large number of Europeans, East Indians, Mohammedans and Hindus. His success was greatest among Roman Catholics, but the number of his adult Hindu converts was considerable. He died in 1799. See "Sketches of Christianity in North India," by the Rev. 111. Wilkinson, and the Calcutta Review, No. XIII., "The First Protestant Missionary in Bengal." represent the evangelizing zeal of one of the most influential sections of the Church of England.
Two hundred years ago the religious state of most of the fourteen North American colonies was very deplorable. The six New Eng- land States, owing to a general diffusion of Puritanism with its simple forms of church life, were well supplied with churches, schools and ministers, but none of the rest were. The State of North Carolina will illustrate the condition of most of the other colonies. Through- out an area equal to that of all England, there were three small Episcopal churches. Nor did the Puritans to any adequate extent supply the deficiency. The clergymen were at least 120 miles distant from each other, and though required to itinerate, there were but two roads in the colony, both of which were very bad.
In 1696 Dr. Thomas Bray was appointed Commissary to Mary- land, or representative of the Bishop of London, who had ecclesiastical charge of all the British colonies. He had already gained repute as a preacher and organizer, and at once devised efficient measures for the spiritual benefit of the colony placed under his charge. But as the conception of the Bible Society grew out of the idea of supplying Wales with the Sacred Scriptures, so Bray was led on to form the plan of a "Society for the Spread of Christian Knowledge, byestablishing libraries for the benefit of the poorer clergy, and schools for the educating of children in all the colonies; by appointing an adequate number of missionaries for all the plantations; by allotting gratuities or pensions to the most worthy on account of their learning, labors or success; by providing specially for such ministers as most hazarded their persons in attempting the conversion of the negroes or native Indians, and by supporting the destitute widows and children of missionaries, more particularly of such as by their zeal and industry in converting souls may have occasioned the loss of life or goods."* This noble scheme was propounded in 1698, and led to the formation of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. This was at once so successful, that in 1700 Bray, with the powerful aid of Archbishop Tenison and Compton, the Bishop of London, set about the formation of a society more purely evangelistic, and obtained from the king a charter in 1701, incorporating the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts."t Reference is often made to the eminent men whe founded the Baptist and the London Missionary Societies, but few religious societies have ever been favored with more founders and early helpers of eminence, learning and piety than was this one. At its first meeting, in addition to the three just named, there were present the well known Sir Richard Blackmore, Dean Sherlock, Dr. Kennett, Dr. Hody, Regius Professor * See Anderson's "History of the Colonial Church," Vol II., p. 409.
t "Missions of the Church of England," Chap. II., by Ernest Hawkins, B. D., published by Rivingtons.
THE INDIAN SOMAJES
at Oxford; Dr. Mapletott, a physican of eminence; Dr. Stanhope, Dean and author, and Melmoth, author of "The Great Importance of a Religious Life." The society received the approval of many bishops and of the University of Oxford, and the assistance, in one form or another, of Bishops Beveridge, Burnet and Patrick, of Dean Prideaux, of Burkit, the commentator of Nelson, author of the "Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England," of John Evelyn, Sir John Chardin, the traveler, and Dr. Ratcliffe, the physician.
The objects of the Society were declared to be two-fold. " First, the providing of learned and orthodox ministers for the administration of God's Word and Sacraments among the king's loving subjects in the plantations, colonies and factories beyond the seas, belonging to the kingdom of England, and, secondly, the making of such other provision as may be necessary for the propagation of the gospel in these parts," that is, for its extension among the heathen inhabitants ,of the countries indicated.
These two Societies for a time carried on simultaneous work, but gradually and harmoniously became more strictly what their names ,designate. In one respect have they altered. Practically they are ~ore exclusively sacramentarian. They never were other than strictly Church of England Societies, but their extensive and varied correspondence with learned and eminent men, throughout Europe, belonging to various churches, and the generous and free manner in which they gave assistance and encouragment to other than Episcopalians, justifies the expression of regret, that whilst Protestantism gives so generally indications of noble catholicity and a broadening liberalism, here there should have been retrogression.
It is beyond our range to give the history of the Societies; all we .can attempt is to indicate their aims and to glance at their foreign mission policy. ,( This series ofvaluable historicalpapers will be concluded in our ne:.ct.) THE INDIAN SOMAJES.
BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D. D., NEW YORK.
The founder of the first was Mohun Roy, who was born in 1780, 'and died in 1833. He attempted to find everything which modern sentiment considers noble and pure, in the Vedic literature. He opened a prayer hall for men of all creeds, but his system and his fraternity declined at his death, if not before, because the Vedas afforded no adequate inspiration. In 1866, Chesub Chunder Sen ,endeavored to revive the Brahmo Church by adopting the eclective principle and freely admitting the best things gathered from the sacred books of all religions, the Vedassimply holding a place among them. His great personal magnetism, his poetic and spiritual nature, and his literary genius enabled him to gain great influence, but cOUld not carry the conservative element in the Somaj into such dangerous concessions to foreign religions. He was not long in discovering the transcendent character of Christianity, as compared with all other faiths, and he proclaimed with such eloquence and fervor the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ that the Christian world began to hail the Brahmo Somaj as something fast approaching the threshold of the Christian Church.
THE ADI BRAIIMO SOMAJ.
This led to a schism between the progressive party which he represented and the strict Vedaists, who denied the authority of all other books and systems. As Chunder Sen and his party had borne off the name Brahmo Somaj, the conservatives adopted the name of Adi Brahmo Somaj (Great Brahmo Somaj). An adherent of the latter thus defines its relative attitude: " Its demeanor towards the old Hindu religion of the country is friendly, but corrective and formative. It is this circumstance which pre-eminently distinguishes it from the Brahmo Somaj, whose attitude towards the old religion is antagonistic and offensive. The mission of the Adi Somaj is to fulfill the old religion and not destroy it. The Adi Brahmo Somaj is accessible to all. The minds of the majority of our countrymen are not deeply saturated with Christian sentiments, and what would they think of a Brahmo minister who should quote on the vedic altar sayings from the Bible? Would they not from that time conceive an intolerable hatred towards Brahmoism and everything pertaining to it? "
It is easy to discover in this frank and well-worded statement the inveteracy with which the conservative Hindu mind clings to its old traditional faiths, entrenched as they are in the national pride, and how it resists Christian influence, even though half-conscious that it is the real regenerative power of modern India.
TIlE BRAHMO SOMAJ.
The Brahmo Somaj of Chunder Sen was the nearest approach that has been made to the Christian faith by any system in India. Since his death, and even before his death, signs of decay appeared. Chunder Sen had taken strong grounds against child marriage, fixing the marriageable age by what he claimed as divine authority. When, however, the hand of a rajah was offered to his own daughter, who was under the prescribed age, he yielded to the temptation. This greatly impaired his influence.
At the same time he drifted into a species of mysticism, and claimed personal revelations. Some disreputable extravagances were introduced into the worship of the Somaj, which soon led to divisions.
Mr. P. C. Mozoomdar, who has lectured in this country, and has written a book of charming style, entitled the" Oriental Christ," is now, perhaps, the leading exponent of the more orderly wing of the lapsed and waning Somaj. But without a Divine Christ he fails to revive the dead system.
The creed, drawn up by Chunder Sen, might fairly pass for the standard of any Unitarian church in this country. It is as follows: THE CREED.
I believe that f':xOd is a spirit, and that He is one. I believe that He is personal and living, with infinite attributes of wisdom, love, holiness and power. I believe that He is present in us all, directs all the functions of our bodies, according to laws, and watches over our thoughts and acts. I believe that man has a double nature-body and spirit-the body perish- able; the spirit immortal. I believe that the immortality of the soul means eternal progress in good- ness and godliness. I believe that sin, both inward and outward, brings its own punishment; goodness its reward; that sin is willful violation of God's law. I believe that Heaven and Hell are not material, but are states of being. I believe in prophets and teachers, through the lustre of whose words and example we learn of salvation and spiritual life. I believe that Jesus Christ was the chief of all prophets and teachers. I believe in the efficacy of studying the Bible, and the Hindu Scriptures, and the other sacred books of the nations. I believe Theism to be the dispensation of this age, and that it will be the religion of the future. I believe in the inspiration of certain teachers and prophets, especially Chunder Sen, but not that they are infallibly inspired. I believe woman's position in the Theistic Churoh to be very high, and 'that, without her influence, Theism will not take deep root. I believe in the duty and efficacy of prayer for all spiritual sood. I feel it a duty to propagate our faith. I believe in cultivating independence of thought and will. I believe in the ultimate triumph of· good over every form of evil, of truth over falsehood.
Near the close of his life (1883), Chunder Sen published an appeal to all churches, sects, creeds and cults to unite under the one banner of the Church of the New Dispensation, of which he was the apostle.
The assurance of this Pauline appeal is refreshing. It is as follows: THE APPEAL.
Cheshub Chunder Sen, Servant of God, called to be an Apostle of the Church of the New Dispensation, which is in the holy city of Calcutta, to all the great nations of the world, and the chief religious sects in the East and West; to the followers of Moses and Jesus, of Buddha, Confucius, Zoroaster, Mohammed, Nanak, and of the various Hindu sects: Grace be to you, and peace everlasting. Whereas, sects, discords, and strange schisms prevail in our Father's family, causing bitterness, and even wars and carnage; and whereas, this setting of brother against brother has proved the prolific source of evil, it has pleased God to send into the world a message of peace and reconciliation. This New Dispensation has he vouchsafed in mercy to us in the East, and we have been commanded to bear witness of the nations of the earth. Thus saith the Lord: "I abominate sects and unbrotherliness; I desire love and concord, and that my children shall be of one heart, even as I am one. I have at sundry times spoken through my prophets and my many dispensations. There is unity in them. There is one music, though many instruments; one body, but many members; one spirit, but many gifts; one blood, but many nations; one Church, but mallf churches." Let Asia, and Europe, and America, and all nations prove this New Dispensation and the true fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man.
THE SADHARAN BRAHMA SOMAJ.
This is the result of another division, following Chunder Sen's defection. It means the " Universal" Somaj. It seceded and formed a new organization in 1878. Its leader is Sivinath Sastri, though means are taken to guard against the popish assumption and power which characterized Chunder Sen.
It has a republican form of government, and is very active. It has large prayer halls, students' weekly services, students' prayer meetings, a theological institute for lectures and discussions, a "Theistic Philanthropic Society," night schools for laboring men, a Brahmical Somaj for women, and schools of various grades. It sends forth missionaries, who are adopting some of the methods of Christians. All the Brahmo Somajas employ the press, and they support twentyeight periodicals. Yet they all show signs of decay as organizations, while, at the same time, their ideas live in the literature which they have produced.
THE ARYA SOMAJ.
But the most significant of all branches of the modern Hindu Somaj is known as the Arya Somaj. This is now in its full power and influence. It is evidently designed as a protest against the radical and broad church confession of the Brahma Somaj of Chunder Sen. The Arya Somaj professes to be purely Vedic, and to admit no Christian element. On the contrary, it is bitterly hostile to all that savors of Christianity. It borrows the stock phrases of our modern infidelity. Nevertheless, it has plainly been influenced by Christianity to a very great degree. Its current literature is full of assailments upon the Bible, yet the whole moral force of its creed has been borrowed from the Christian influence exerted in India during the last two generations. Its ethics are Christian, and not Hindu in any sense. It has turned its back squarely upon all that is characteristically Brahmanical, but it claims to derive all its inspiration from t,he Vedas. As the Brahmo Somaj is very nearly powerless, and as the Arya Somaj is that with which we are now chiefly concerned, some idea of its doctrines will here be in place. From a catechism by Ganeshi Lal, F. A. S., of Merut, we copy substantially the following doctrines: ARYA DOCTRINES.
1. There is only one God, omnipotent, infinite and eternal. When the Vedas speak of different names, as Agni, Vayu and Indra, they apply them to the same supreme God.
2. God was never incarnate. Vishnu's alleged incarnations, Rama and Krishna. were only good men.
3. God created the world by the union of atoms (supposed to be eternal) through His direct power, and the object of creation was the revelation of his attributes, and glory to his creatures. There are clear evidences of design in nature which bear witness to a divine creatorship.
4. The human soul, though encompassed by the infinite soul, is a distinct entity, endowed with thought, choice and free will.
5. God created man (the first man) out and out as an adult. "If they had at first appeared as infants there would have been nobody to care for them."
6. The universe was created nearly two thousand million years ago. Its future will be even longer than its past. Three entities are .eternal: God, the soul, and Pakriti, or the ultra atomic substance.
7. Man differs from the lower animals in having reason, but both have souls. 8. Religion consists of contentment, the virtue of returning good for evil, repression of the passions, knowledge of the Vedas, obedience to God, truth- fulness and justice toward all men. 9. Heaven and hell are not places, but characters and conditions. 10. Prayer is asking God for blessings which are beyond our own power to secure. They must be general, and not selfish, in their objects.
11. Transmigration is a true doctrine and is desirable for these reasons: (a) It maintains divine justice to all. (b) It opens the way of salvation to all. It is only a question of time. (c) It displays the love of God, as it gives all a chance, or chances. (11) It guards us from sin. (e) It proves our immortality. (j) It divides up eternity into a series of probations. (g) It explains the inequalities of human fortunes.
12. Moksh or Nirvana is a true doctrine of the ultimate. 13. Cremation of the dead is to be maintained as of great sanitary im- portance. 14. A missionary spirit is enjoined upon all Aryas in the promotion of their creed. 15. Caste is recognized as a character, but not as an outward condition; the true Brahman is one inwardly. Any man may rise above his rank by virtue , and culture. 16. Aryas, like Brahmans, are to be invested with the sacred thread. 17. Child marriage is strongly condemned for cogent reasons. 18. Widows are encouraged to marry. For neither child marriage nor the prohibition of remarriage are found in the Vedas. 19. The only revealed truths are those of the four Vedas. Other works derive their authority from them. 20. The six Darsanas, or schools of Hindu philosophy, are in the main ap- proved, especially the Yoga. 21. The Puranas, so-called, are condemned. The true puranas were ancient traditions, the works of the renowned rhishis. 22. The Vedas are free to all, men or women, and should not be monopo- .1ized by special classes. 23. Female education is encouraged. . 24. There should be no worship, except of the one true God. '25. Souls are eternal, past and future. '26. Vegetable diet, temperance and purity are enjoined• . 27. The worship of ancestors is forbidden. A few points in this creed are worthy of special note: Its testimony for the monotheism of the Vedas is clear and ex- plicit. Its humane elements in respect to woman and child marriage are evidently borrowed from Christianity and the higher sentiment which it has created. Its doctrine in respect· to caste is a virtual arraignment of the entire Indian cultus and civilization. It strikes a. blow at the all-prevailing pessimism of India in ascribing benevolence of design to the supreme and personal Creator of all things. In this respect it approaches very nearly to the Christian view and to that of" Plato and Aristotle. It is less grossly anthropomorphic and more spiritual than the old Hindu faith, in its conception of heaven and hell, which it looks upon not as places, but as characters and conditions. It is elevated in its moral standards, and it assigns to ethics a Godward side; obedience to God is one of its foremost'requirements. Its denial of all incarnations of deity. is a two-edged sword which strikes at both Hinduism and Christianity; it is so far in accord with Islam. Though it approves of Yoga, or asceticism in theory, yet its definition of true religion is as practical as that of the apostle James. It embraces the cardinal virtues of life, both activeand passive, such as contentment, repression of the passions, the return of good for evil, knowledge of the Vedas, obedience to God and truthfulness and just dealings towards all men. Its positivelymissi(Jnary character is in sympathy with Buddhism and Christianity, rather than with Hinduism. Its advocacy of female education is a proof that it has caught the spirit of Christian lands. In no one feature does the Arya Somaj strike more deeply at the root of old Hinduism than in its policy with respect to woman. Its doctrine' of transmigration is exceedingly plausible. No better reasons could be given for such a theory of eschatology. On the whole, there is reason to expect a wide-spread influence' from the doctrines of the Aryas. Their organization may not be' large. Their creed may not be widely accepted as a whole, but some, at least, of its principles are gaining an extensive following. Whole provinces are .practically renouncing some of the time-honored re– strictions respecting child marriage and widowhood. The public. sentiment regarding female education is being revolutionized. An aspiring girl may now claim all the privileges of university training- and university~onors. The Maha Rani (wife of the Maha Raja), of"
Mysore, has under her patronage a large seminary for the daughters of Brahmans, in which all the branches of female education are taltght, and which, except that its religious teaching is wholly Vedic, instead of Christian, closely resembles the higher class of boardingschools in Western lands. The medical schools, established by Lady Dufferin, and supported by Hindu patronage, are a concession to the same general movement.
THE LACK OF INFORMATION AND INDIVIDUALISM
The Arya Somaj, therefore, is but one factor, though It very important one, in a wide-spread Aryan revival. Tens of thousands of intelligent Hindus, who would be found too conservative to break so violently with the past as to adopt all the articles of this creed, are more or less in sympathy with its general spirit. The Vedantic philosophers can maintain their pantheism, in all its Alpine coldness and lifelessness, and yet take on the common-sense view of social ques- tions here taught. It helps th,em over the awkwardness of admitting the real advances of Christian philanthropy and the irresistible force of Western ideas. It challenges their united suffrages in support of the assumption that the new era of progress is not the product of Christianity, but of Vedic wisdom too long dormant and unrecog- nized. It challenges their respect, also, by its bold rejection of all . those base influences of idolatry alld superstition which have grown out of the debasing literature of the Puranas and Tantras, of which all educated Hindus are now ashamed.
The relation of the Arya Somaj to Christianity and to Western thought is unique and full of interest. It is exceedingly hostile to Christian propagandism, and yet it has borrowed its whole power from the Christian faith, while it gives the honor of Christ to a dead cult of the distant past.
THE LACK OF INFORMATION AND INDIVIDUALISM.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. P.] PART I.
Just now a singular paradox confronts us. On the one hand, displays of God's providence and grace in modern missions, which constitute His trumpet-call, exceeding loud; and, on the other hand, a singular lack of response on the part of His church to His omnipotent challenge to holy enterprise.
The nineteenth century is the wonder of the ages. More of nature's mysteries have been penetrated, more of her secrets unlocked, more of her resources utilized, during the fifty years past, than during the six thousand years preceding. Ocean steamships and continental railways, all the marvels of electricity, whether as a motive power, a message-bearer, or an illuminator; all the wonders of spectroscope and spectral analysis; of anresthetics in llurgery, of illuminating oils and giant explosives; audiphone, and telephone, and phonograph-these are a few of the marvels of the last half century. Never before have all the elements of the universe come, bowing at the feet of man-gases, fluids, liquids, solids, the sunbeam,' the thunderbolt, the crystal, the cell-and said to man, "Call us by ou!" names, and use us for your service."
The only department of human enterprise that does not' seem to feel the quickening pulse of this nineteenth century is the missionary work of the church, the noblest enterprise of all the ages, and the most needing and in~piring a consecrated enthusiasm. With fifteen hundred million of human beings, out of whom only one-fiftieth are members of Protestant churches, and only one-fifth can be fairly reckoned as nominally Christian, we have sent to the whole field only one out of 5,000 of our church membership, and give annually only one out of every 5,000,000 dollars, aggregate income, believed to be .at the command of Protestant disciples! For example, the Presbyterian church, excelled by no other Protestant body in intelligence .and ability, finds it difficult to muster 500 laborers, clerical and lay, male or female, and to gather in a year an amount equal to one dollar for each member, less than one-third of a cent a day.
Mr. Gladstone has said that the first fifty years of this century ·surpassed in rapid progress, in art, science, invention, social reforms, .all the ages preceding; that the next twenty-five years surpassed the previous fifty; and that the next ten o~tran the previous twenty-five. Is it not a reproach that, with all else accelerating its pace, the ·Church of God remains so far immobile and immovable, that she is left far behind in the onward march of the centuries? Surely, if Christ did say" that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light," He never said that it ought so to he.
The question natually arises, Why is this so? and it demands a 'plain and exhaustive answer.
1. First of all, Information is lacking in the church at large. Knowledge does not always awaken zeal, but zeal of a true type cannot exist without knowledge. There may be fuel without fire, but not fire without fuel. There is not only amazing ignorance, but, in some parts, an audacious display of it. A few, perhaps, affect to know less than they do, as though missions belonged to a level far beneath them. Such remind one of Beau Brummell, who, with exquisite affectation, replied to a poor beggar who asked a ha'penny, " A ha'penny? And what is that? Really, I don't know that I ever saw one; but would a shilling do you?" The London Times, of October 14,1863, accounted for prevailing apathy as to the propagation of the gospel by the lack of satisfactory reports of resuIts-a parading of ignorance which was astounding, in view of the missionary literature, .already so abundant, which for reality or romance, power or poetry, was unsurpassed in the products of the human pen. At the very time of that challenge the writer might have read the story of William Carey in India, Robert Morrison in China, Robert Moffat in South Africa, Adoniram Judson in Burmah, V{illiam Johnson in Sierra Leone, John Williams in the South Seas,-those new chapters in the Acts of the Apostles.
The bulk of our church membership remains ignorant of the subject of missions. Even the geography of heathen lands is misapprehended. An intelligent Englishman sent to Dr. Duff a package,. containing other smaller ones, requesting him, at his convenience, to· hand one to a party at Bombay, and the other to another party at Madras; about as reasonable as to ask a New Yorker to deliver one package at Boston and the other at Washington, or Cincinnati. We have been accustomed to speak of Africa as the Dark Continent. But, the great subject of missions is itself a whole unexplored continent. It has more than a thousand million inhabitants. Its area is equal tofour-fifths of the habitable globe. Its vast "coast-line" has, as yet, been scarcely explored; here and there missionaries have p~netrated a few hundred miles towards its interior; a very few intrepid explorers have reached the heart of this Dark Continent of Missions; but their path of exploration has been very narrow. And to-day, not only are there vast tracts unoccupied by the missionary, but practically untraversed; and, as to the great mass even of intelligent Christians, there is no real acquaintance either with the wants and woes of these millions, or with what is now doing to relieve them.' Were the facts familiar; could the degradation and destitution of these unsaved millions be really understood and felt, the prevailing apathy would not last an hour. It is inconceivable that a true disciple can be brought face to face with the facts, both of man's extremity and the church's opportunity, without an immediate and enthusiastic response to man's wail, and to God's will.
The name of William Carey is a household word with all lovers of missions. How did that poor, unlearned, obscure cobbler of Hackleton come to flame with such zeal that it not only consumed him, but. set the church on fire? He began simply by gathering facts. He learned what he could of the earth's populations, how they were distributed as to territory, and as to religions; he made himself familiar with the awful destitution, degradation, depravity of heathen and pagan 'peoples; he made his own rude map of the world on great sheets of sole leather, or coarse brown paper; he kept before his mind'il eye this vision of a dying world until he seemed to hear the groaning of perishing millions, and could no longer stay at home. He had to go abroad and minister to this want and woe. His only hope of rest was in unresting labor for souls, paradoxical as it may seem. And so Count Zinzendorf led and inspired Moravian zeal. On the one hand he seemed to see that" Ecce Homo," constantly saying: " All this I did for thee; What hast thou done for ME?"
and, on the other hand, he heard from the thousand million of perishing souls, the cry: " Thou hast, with living Bread, Been made alive and fed; And canst thou shut thine eye And leave a world to die?" We can hardly understand how, as late as 1813, in the British House of Commons, Mr. Charles Marsh, in protesting against the introduction of Christianity into India, could, in the face of all the facts, aetually use the following language: "When I look at the peaceful and harmonious alliances of families, guarded and secured by the household virtues; when I see, amongst a cheerful and well-ordered society; the benignant and softening influences of religion and morality, a system of manners founded on a mild and polished obeisance, and preserving the surface of social life smooth and unruffled, I cannot hear without surprise, mingled with horror, of sending out Baptists and anabaptists to civilize or convert such a people, at the hazard of disturbing or deforming institutions which appear to have been hitherto the means ordained by Providence of making them virtuous and happy."
Over against such words as these we place one example only of the beneficent "institutions" which Mr. Marsh was so horrified to have "disturbed or "deformed."
There is a class of Hindu procurers known as " Panwas," who provide for sacrifice victims, also known as "Merias." These victims may be of any age, and of either sex, and are bought or kidnapped from the poorer classes. One condition of the virtue and value of the sacrifice is that the victim be bought with a price, as a life, unbought, is supposed to be regarded by the deity as an abomination. In every village victims are reared and kept ready for sacrifice, conveyed to the hills, and sold for so many lives, animals there taking the place of coin as standards of value. Dr. Duff has said that, in a hill district of no great extent, probably from four to five hundred such sacrifices have been offered annually for two or three thousand years.
In the vicinity of the village is a grove known as the "Meria grove," with a vacant space in the centre. The sacrificial festival consumes three days. After one day of drunken riot and excesses, on the second, with musical accompaniments, the victim is clad in gay attire and borne to the centre of the grove and tied to a post, anointed with oil, butter and tumeric, and, amid revolting orgies, treated as an object of worship. On the third day, the great day of the feast, the ceremony reaches its climax of horror and of cruelty. The victim mllst be unbound and unresisting, and to insure entire submission the bones of hands and legs are usually broken, and the head is thrust through a rift or slit made in a large branch of a tree. With the neck firmly held in this vise, and the extremities held by cords, the priest gives the signal by a sharp blow with a hatchet on the shoulder of the victim; then, instantly, like a pack of maddened bloodhounds, the whole multitude pounce upon the helpless being, and in a few moments every shred of flesh is torn from the naked skeleton, ana flung over the fields as a tribute to the goddess of the sacrifice. And this is only one specimen of these institutions that exist among this" cheerful and well-ordered society."" When Buchanan was yet fifty miles from Juggernaut's shrine, he knew it by the bones which paved his pathway, the remains of millions of devotees crushed beneath the gigantic car of that hideous idol-god; and when he came near to the altars and fanes, he found them covered with the green slime of the leprosy of lust and the red stains of human blood; he saw that two words-cruelty and sensuality-adequately describe the whole worship of this monster. Dr. Wilson, in Bombay, enumerated some thirty or more of these "beneficent institutions'] of East Indian life which the English supremacy in India has either abolished or abated. And yet Mr. Marsh had no words but those of surprise and horror when he heard that missionaries were likely to go forth to convert these people so blessed of "Divine Providence"! !
Information about mission fields and mission work is at hand, but it is hard to get it before the church. Occasional public meetings, with stirring addresses; here and there a newspaper column; now and then a sermon, or a missionary meeting-all this does not suffice. Somehow or other the knowledge of these facts must be given a wider .currency. Great hopes were entertained that when a single authorized -church periodical should, within its covers, embrace the whole scope -of missionary and benevolent work, it would insure readers. And so that" Great Eastern" of the Presbyterian brotherhood-"The Church at Home and Abroad"-was launched. One of the most gifted and honored men of the church was called to take her helm. The best business machinery was put in her hQld, and she was equipped with sails, and screw, and paddles. An excursion to all lands was offered at less than the cost, with every inducement that could be devised; the editorial committee invited suggestion and criticism, and tried to suit everybody-remodeled the new periodical within, and covered her with new sheathing; nay, even changed her figure-head and lettering; but, to-day, out of over 720,600 communicants, only about one out ofjorty-or, if those 720,000 represent 200,000 families, still less than one family in ten takes this, the only missionary magazine of the denomination! And this is simply one instance of the difficulty of making the fire burn even when fuel is furnished!
No wonder that when an English Canon, and a member of Parliament, assail aud criticise missions as at least, if not a failure, a toocostly outlay for the results, so many disciples should accept all their inaccurate statements and "illogical conclusions, and begin themselves to question whether the work were not a badly-paying investment! Ignorance can easily impose on ignorance, and superficiality mislead the superficial. How little knowledge, for instance, of Indian mis-· sions is sufficient to show that any man, however honest or intelligent, is incompetent to criticise the work in Hindustan, who skirts the northern limits only, and knows nothing of the missions in the Madras presidency; who does not go to the Telugu country, where 10,000 converts were baptized in a twelvemonth; or to Tinnevelly, where 16,000 were gathered in half that time! Missions must endure criticism and welcome suggestion; but let us have these at competent, hands. When we read such absurd blunders and reckless statements as have been going the rounds of the press, we are reminded of Dr. Parr's answer to a conceited student who proposed to him that they should together write a 'book. " Yes," said the doctor, "if I should put in all I know, and you all you don't, what a big book it would be!" or, of Dr. Bacon, who, when a disputant, in debate, said of his statements, that, if they were facts, "he did not know of them," quietly replied that "his knowledge, however limited, could not be set aside by his opponent's ignorance, however extensive!"
Information-yes, that is a foremost need. When William Carey saw himself a sinner and Christ his Saviour, he began to study the condition of the heathen world-when, in his little cobbler's shop, he made those rude maps, and hung them upon the wall where he could see them; when he studied those statistics until he filled in his maps with figures representing populations and adherents of false faiths, every new fact had thus both its visible sign and its constant reminder. No wonder that Thomas Scott, the commentator, used to call Carey's shop, "Carey's College!" When, afterwards, Carey eked out a preacher's scanty living by keeping school, or working at his cobbler's bench, as he taught his pupils geography, he would rivet their attention on the spiritual condition of the various lands under review. And, as he pointed to his map, and his finger rested on those vast areas given over to the darkness and death shade, he would say, " These are pagans, and these are pagans, and these, and these, and these-" until, overcome with emotion, he wept aloud. The subject will, to a true disciple, be more absorbing as he ponders it, until his zeal, fired, and fed, and fanned by knowledge, flames into a zeal-a passion for souls that consumes him, and renders impossible a listless idleness and apathy.
2. The sense of obligation is lacking,-of individual duty to the lost. The time has passed when missions are ridiculed by disciples, and even ministers of the gospel use unsanctified wit or logic to make the work appear chimerical-" the dreams of a dreamer who dreams he has been dreaming." But while the church does not deny her debt, it is paid, if at all, by proxy. We erect great Boards; put at their head some capable and earnest men, take a yearly collection, attend an occasional missionary meeting, perhaps subscribe directly for the support of some man or woman who goes to represent" our own church," and there, with most disciples, activity ends.
There are some great truths that must be burned or beaten intO' the conviction and conscience and consciousness of all believers-inculcated-"trodden in with the heel"; and, among them, this is foremost -EVERY BELIEVER IS A PREACHER-every hearer is a herald. Proclaiming the gospel is not an exclusive prerogative. From the moment we open the New T'estament the line between priest and people disappears, and never reappears in history until the church apostatizes. We are all a priesthood of kings, a kingdom of priests. All the rights of the "clergy" inhere essentially in the "laity"-indeed, those very terms are the invention of the Devil in the dark ages. It may be well to set apart certain persons to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word; it may be well to have a class of men to act as bishops of the churches and exercise oversight of the flock, to insure soundness of teaching and practical piety. But, to make the ground work of the ministerial calling a" division oj labor," is one of the worst practical heresies that ever cursed the church. The labor of proclaiming the good news and seeking to win souls is universal and indivisible. God scattered the infant church, and, while the Apostles were yet at Jerusalem, these primitive believers went everywhere preaching the word. Philip-only a deacon-went down into Samaria and evangelized, yes, and baptized, and a new pentecost came to Samaria. The command-" Go ye into all the world "-came to the whole church, and the whole church obeyed. We must get back where the primitive disciples were. Preaching the gospel must be so universal, that if every ordained minister were shut up, like Luther at Wartburg, preaching will go on. Even the woman who finds Christ must remember Mary of Magdala, who first bore the tidings of a Risen Christ, and that nameless woman of Samaria who forgot her waterpot in her zeal to tell even the men of Sychar what a Saviour she had found. Christian women must not forget Phoobe, the deaconness; Priscilla, who taught even ApoIlos; and other women who, like Persis, labored much in the Lord.
Weare proclaiming no new doctrine. Any church that differs from prelatical bodies in affirming the parity of the clery, is logically compelled to concede the parity of the eldership also. The New Testament knows but one order of men entrusted with spiritual functions, the presbyter, and the presbytery is but a bench of elders, or presbyters. The presbyter may exercise the function of a ruler, of a teacher, or both; but it is difficult to find any scriptural basis for constituting the teaching elder a separate order in the church. Not a few intelligent New Testament students so far hold to the parity of the eldership that they question not only whether it is properto'speak of an elder as a layman, but even to re-ordain a ruling elder who develops teaching gifts and is called to the pastorate. To hold the parity of the eldership implies logically the equality of all believers. Essentially, inherently, the right of preaching, and even of administering
FAMINE AND THE WORK OF FAMINE RELIEF
the sacraments, belongs to disciples, as such, and whatever rights are surrendered are surrendered only in the interests of expediency. There is one right that never ought to be or can be conceded or transferred, namely, the right to proclaim the gospel. That must ever remain the inalienable, untransferable yrerogative of ,everyone who believes. To believe is, ipse facto, to be a preacher, with a divine right of one of God's kings and priests, to tell the good news.
'Ye must learn the power of illdividual work for Christ from Oncken, first a domestic servant, then a bookseller, then a tract agent, then, with six humble men in a shoe-shop, organizing an evangelistic church in Hamburg; then visiting every part of Germany, preaching, scattering tracts and Bibles, gathering converts, and organizing churches. Twenty-five years of labor showed over 65 churches and 756 stations and out-stations, 8,000 members, 120 ministers and Bible readers; 15,000 Bibles and Testaments and 458,000 tracts distributed in one year. Behold what results-one little church multiplies to 70; 10,000 souls are hopefully converted; 400,000 copies of the Scriptures and 8,000,000 pages of tracts have been scattered, and 50,000,000 of people have heard the message, and all this within a quarter of a century! Give us twenty-five hundr€d men of like consecration, and in another quarter of a century we can have 175,000 new churches, 1,875,000 gospel stations, 25,000,000 converts; we will scatter 160,- 000,000 Bibles, 3,000,000,000 pages of tracts-and, with these twentyfive hundred such men, we will tell the good tidings to the whole population of this globe within the remaining ten or eleven years of this nineteenth century!
Individualism is what is needed. God and man must unite to lay upon every believer's heart and conscience the weight of a world's lost conditition. To evangelize this race is a load that will crush the few; it can be lifted only by the many.
(Ooncluded in our next number.) FAMINE AND THE WORK OF FAMINE RELIEF.
BY REV. J. L. NEVIUS, D.D., CHEFOO, CHINA.
That famine is to be attributed to supernatural intervention-that is, to the expression of divine displeasure~and a punitive infliction for individual and national sins, is not only clearly taught in the sacred Scriptures, but is also one of the fundamental beliefs of heathen nations. This belief seems to be the interpretation which man's religious instincts put upon the evils by which he is afflicted. The Chinese, not only scholars but the illiterate as well, speak of famine as tien tsai, "heaven-caused calamities," and, in time of famine and other misfortunes, it is not uncommon for the emperor, on behalf of himself and his people, to confess his individual sins, and the sins of his nation, and implore immunity from these dreaded expressions of the wrath of heaven. In the religious conceptions of the Chinese the fact that famines are produced through the operation of obviously natural laws is regarded as perfectly consistent with referring them ultimately to a power above, but immanent in nature, acting through natural laws and controlling and directing all events. The destruction of property and life by the overflow of rivers, owing not so much to unusual meteorological conditions as to man's neglect (as in the case of the overflow of the Yellow river), though very similar in effect to providential calamities, are quite distinguishable from them. Famine is the result of the two opposite causes-drought and flood-which may be referred to one and the same cause, the unequal distribution of the rain-fall, producing drought in some places and floods in others. In that part of Eastern Asia which includes the great empires of Hindustan, China and Japan, the alternations of the winds of summer and winter are so marked as to produce what are called the northern and southern monsoons, to which the climatic peculiarities of this whole region are to be largely attributed. During the winter months the northern monsoon blows almost continuously, and sometimes with great violence, from the Arctic regions to the tropics. Early in the spring the tropical winds, charged with moisture, commence moving northward, at first continuing only for a few degrees of latitude, but graduallyasserting their supremacy, and extending farther and farther northward, until, in July and August, they constitute the southern monsoon, which, on the entire coast of Asia, extends from the tropics to forty degrees of north latitude. The region in which the southern monsoon and the colder breezes of the north meet, like two opposing armies alternately advancing and retiring (the colder atmosphere condensing the vapor with which the southern monsoon is surcharged), forms the rain belt, which, as it advances step by step to the north, brings what is called "the rainy season." The rainy season reaches Ningpo and Shanghai, in central China, the latter part of May, when the rain is almost constant, while north, in the province of Shantung, the sky is cloudless. This monsoon, after discharging its moisture in the south, often continues its course northward for several degrees of latitude with great violence, and almost as dry as the sirocco of the desert. In the latter part of July, and nearly the whole of August, when the air in central China has risen to a high temperature, the southerly monsoon blows past . that region, holding its moisture in suspense until it is condensed and falls in northern China and Manchuria. These two monsoons, with the fluctuations in their force and temperature, produce the very irregular rain-fall of the rainy season. In one section of country there is sometimes such an excess of rain as to form destructive floods, while in an adjacent region, north or south, there is a comparative deficiency. Sometimes the rain falls gently for days, and at other times in such volume that it is impossible to distinguish objects at mid-day a few hundred yards distant, and water-courses half a mile in width, in which the stream had shrunk to a little rivulet, requiring only a few stepping-stones for the foot-traveler to pass, in an hour's time becomes a rushing torrent, overflowing its banks, and rendering all passage, for the time being, impossible.
The province of Shantung has within the past thirteen years suffered from two destructive famines, in which millions of its inhabitants have perished. The famine which reached its highest point of intensity in the spring of 1877, was from drought, affecting thehigher mountainregionsofthisprovince, and extending west to the adjoining provinces of Shansi and Shen-si. In this famine the work of relief was carried on by missionaries with the most satisfactory results. The famine of 1889, which was produced not by drought, but by floods, affected the plain bordering on the Pe-chi-li bay in the northwestern part of the province. It covered an area of about 6,000 square miles, containing a population of not less than 1,000,000. In consequence of the excessive rains of the summer of 1888, the swollen streams in the central part of the province overflowed their banks and poured their contents through the villages, carrying away trees and houses, in some places denuding rich arable land of its surface earth, and in others covering the land with sand to the depth of one or two feet. Reaching the plain, the overflow of the streams, with the deluge of falling rain, united in a continuous flood to the depth of from one to ten feet, flowing onwards to the sea. Not only the crops, but a large proportion of the houses, were destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of the inhabitants were left without food or shelter. They subsisted on wild grass, chaff and roots. As a natural consequence, physical weakness, emaciation, disease and death quickly ensued. The fearful privation and distress of the unfortunate inhabitants may be easily imagined. The harrowing accounts of individual suffering furnished by our missionaries are doubtless still fresh in the minds of many of your readers.
The work of relief commenced with January, 1889. Appeals for aid had been sent to Shanghai, Europe and America, and the generous response which they met in all quarters enabled us to enlarge the work so that it soon reached proportions which at first were hardly dreamed of. The contributions received for this local famine in Shantung, independent of the still larger amounts which were spent in the relief of the distress from the inundations of the Yellow river, amounted to about $300,000, and the persons who received aid aggregated more than 300,000.
The work of relief was carried on by the members of the English Baptist and the American Presbyterian Missions stationed at Ching Chowfu and Wei Hien, about a day's journey from the famine region. As our supply of funds increased the work was rapidly enlarged, until all the members of both mis- sions, including twenty persons, were engaged in it, assisted by a much larger corps of native workers. All adopted the same plan, co-operating and assisting each other in every possible way. Contributions, from whatever source, were paid into a common fund and divided equally between the two missions. Dis- tinctions of nationality and creed, and also territorial divisions for missionary work, were ignored. Six of our distributers were missionary ladies, five of them .accompanying their husbands. They sought out the sick, especially women and children, who were so nearly starved that they could only be brought back to life and health by special care, and more nutritious food than the general plan provided for. By finding out these women and children in their homes, and ministering to their individual wants, many were saved who would otherwise have been without hope.
This work of famine relief has not only saved the lives of tens of thousands, but it has had marked moral effects as well. The famine relief of 1877 gave a new impulse to our mission work in this province. Similar results have accompanied and followed that of last year. There are now in connection with the stations of the English Baptist mission and our own about 1,500 inquirers. It is not to be inferred that these inquirers all received aid, nor that most of them were thus led to enroll themselves as Christians. Such a result would give very little cause for congratulation for the present, or hope for the future. That a desire to secure sympathy and help in case of future emergencies has been, in some instances, one of the motives, even of sincere converts, and that in some cases it may have been the only motive of applicants for baptism, is more than probable. There are many beneficial results from this famine relief work, which have reached far beyond its territorial boundaries, and influenced many who had no need of help, even in times of famine. These results may be summarized as follows: 1. While the Chinese have hitherto been disposed to regard us with suspicion as the propagators of an exclusive and revolutionary foreign religion, the famine relief work has given missionaries a new introduction to the people as their true benefactors, presenting in a concrete form the central idea of Christi-
THE REVIVAL IN THE NESTORIAN CHURCHES IN 1890
anity, 8elf-sacrifice for the good of others. This favorable opinion of foreigners could only be arrived at by overcoming strong national prejudices. It was more natural at first to account for these generous gifts, this unremitting toil, and voluntary exposure to pestilence and violence, by referring them to sinister motives, generally expressed by the Chinese as" buying the people's hearts," which was at first supposed to be for political ends. These imaginary causes are, however, gradually giving place in the Chinese mind to the real ones. .
2. Missionaries in having entrusted to them large sums of money to be dis- posed of as they think best, are thus presented before the peopleas men possessed to a high degree of the confidence of those who know them.
3. What most suprises the Chinese, however, and has the most powerful and salutary moral effect on their minds, is the evidence given of business integ- rity. Here the character of the foreigner comes into direct contrast to that of the Chinese in that point, which discloses their national weakness. Their high idea of righteousness dominating covetousness, which is rarely illustrated in real life in China, is actually realized in this work of the missionary. These people believe, and probably with good reason, that a considerable portion of the famine relief funds intrusted to their own officials is absorbed by them, and never reaches those for whom it was intended. In the open and methodical way in which the missionary does his work there is no ground left for suspicion or distrust, and his manifest honesty is attributed to the superior excellence of the religion which he l'epresents.
As in Apostolic times God made use of miracles to powerfully attract public attention to those whom He had chosen to be His agents in propagating the gospel, and at the same time to .give evidence suited to the comprehension of the masses of its divine character, so in the present age God is subserving the same ends by this work of famine relief. It would be a great mistake, how- ever, to suppose that the spiritual results connected with this work are to be attributed to it as its efficient cause. We believe that that Divine power which opened the eyes of the blind was accompanied by a special influence of the Divine Spirit opening the eyes of the understanding, and enabling men to apprehend and embrace the truth; so now the same Spirit, through the liberality and in answer to the prayer of God's people, is conferring spiritual as well as temporal blessings on this people, making even the scourge of famine a blessing.
We call upon Christians in the West, and especially those who recently showed their interest in China by such generous responses to appeals for material aid, to pray that the enlightening and transforming power of God's .Spirit, now manifested in the famine region and its vicinity, may extend through- <Qut this province and the whole Chinese empire.
THE REVIVAL IN THE NESTORIAN CHURCHES IN 1890.
"The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad." We desire .all our friends to rejoice with us-rejoice over souls saved, over Christians awakened to newness of life, and over our churches filled anew with the spirit of love and unity and of zeal for souls.
Let us go back a little and glance at the dark back-ground which makes our present joy all the more radiant, and also at the steps which led up to the blessing in which we now rejoice. Last year was a year of trial and discouragement in many ways. Coldness within our churches, and opposition without, caused the utmost anxiety to those who had the work most at heart. The accessions to the churches were fewer than for many years. The reports at the close of the year showed there had been a net loss instead of gain. We almost began to fear the Lord had hidden his face from us and from our work.
The first sign of better things was a band of consecrated young men who met together frequently for prayer to God for revival of true piety among his people, and who made their voices heard throughout the churches, calling, in no doubtful accents, for a higher standard of Christian living and consecration. Their influence was felt, especially among our pastors. In the summer, at a Chautauqua-like gathering of our helpers, at the lakeside, the spirit of prayer was most manifest, and the need of the Holy Spirit was reiterated and empha- sized at every session. Then again, later in the fall, at the meeting of Synod, the same spirit was present, and a general expectation prevailed of a great blessing to be received. Before the college closed for the winter vacation there was a quiet but genuine revival among the professing Christians. Many who had hitherto bolstered themselves with false hopes confessed that they had never before e,xperienced a change of heart.
All these things we accepted as tokens that the Lord was near unto us to bless us, and that it was only for us to prepare the way for his coming. With this thought in mind, the Friday before the Week of Prayer was set apart as a special day of fasting and prayer, and was observed by the most of our churohes with solemn interest. But the Week of Prayer went by, and the greater part of the month of January, and though there was more than usual of earnest work on the part of many, in spite of the prevailing sickness, still we saw no such results as we had hoped and prayed for. But the blessing came at last, and it began when we least expected it. Two young men of the band above mentioned, who scarcely knew how to read, but in whose hearts the love of God burns warmly, together with one of our college teachers, moved by some Divine influence, united forces, and without consultation with anyone, proceeded to the large village of Ardeshai. The church there had been in a very languishing condition, but at the very outset of these young men's labors they were greatly blessed. The church was quickened and revived in a wonderful degree; large congregations assembled to the preaching, and many from out- side avowed their purpose to begin a new life.. The next week one of our largest and most influential churches began to experience times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and every week since we have had occasion anew to praise God for the cheering tidings of some church blessing in like manner. All our available missionary and native force has been taxed to the utmost in meeting the calls for help from churches holding extra services. In about ten of these there has been a deep work of grace, and in five or six others marked and encouraging interest. In many places there was much bitter opposition to the work by the enemies of the pure gospel; women were threatened and intimidated, and in one or two cases wives were actually driven from their homes by their enraged husbands, because they insisted on attending these services. Many persons noted for their wickedness have been wonderfully changed. Especially worthy of notice is the case of one of our native physicians, a graduate of our college and medical department. He has until recently given himself to very unchristian habits, and even delighted in the utterance of infidel views. The Lord has worked a change in that man's heart scarcely short of miraculous. His confessions, his prayers, and his walk, give the strongest evi7 dence of a thorough reformation. He recently visited the village in which he has worked most of his deeds of darkness, and there, before a large audience, he made a confession so humble and contrite, and with such evident sincerity, that the whole congregation was melted into tears, and many then and there arose and confessed their sins, and expressed their desire to experiencethe change
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES
wrought in him. Another of our native physicians of excellent capacity, who a few months ago was a slave to drink, has ever since the summer been a changed man and a Christian of shining example. His activity for the Master is delightful to behold, and his influence in the recent revival has been very stirring in many directions.
To speak of numbers at this time would be misleading. While upwards of four hundred have expressed publicly their desire to begin a new life, we can by no means count on that number as genuine converts. Still, we believe that the ingathering to the church will be very large. The work of grace has been to all appearances a thorough one, unaccompanied by undue excitement. Much of the preaching has been of the most searching, practical kind along the lines of sin, repentance and the new birth. In the village of Goolpashan, nearly fifty are propounded for admission to the church at the next communion. Probably a large number will unite with the church in Degala. Other of the smaller churches will be increased in like proportion, we have reason to expect.
Men's pockets have been reached as well as their hearts. The church in Goolpashan, always a liberal one, has increased its annual SUbscription fifty per cent., and they are planning to employ one of their own earnest young men as an evangelist for the neighboring villages. The church in Ardeshai was prompted to subscribe a large sum for a needed church edifice, one-third the expected cost, but double what anyone supposed could be raised in that church.
But the earnest spirit and newness of life manifested by many of the church members who have been hitherto very cold and worldly, are perhaps the most cheering aspects of these revival experiences. Our printing office has become a veritable Bethel. PrinterS and binders alike seem animated with a purpose to improve every opportunity to speak for Christ. No one drops in on any sort of business scarcely who does not have some helpful word addressed to him. Many a blessed influence has emanated from that building during the past few months. It was not so in former times.
And so having received these tokens of God's presence and favor, we are filled with rejoicing. As we look back over the past few weeks, we may exclaim with the Psalmist: "This is the Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes."
[In transmitting the above joyful intelligence to us, Dr. Samuel Jessup, of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, adds (probably from still later accounts): "You have doubtless heard of the revival in the West Persia Mission. Our last dates from that field from Dr. Labaree and Mr. Coan are very encouraging. They report about four hundred conversions during the spring, and that the religious interest is still continuing. It is probable that after all the sifting and testing of these four hundred there will be three hundred or three hundred and fifty accessions to the church. It is pleasant in these times of financial depression at home to have such cheering intelligence from the mission fields."-J. M. S.] TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
Cowper's reference to the Moravians, as those who were willing to endure every hardship, in order "To plant successfully sweet Sharon's rose On icy rocks, and 'midst eternal snows,~'
receives illustration from this description of Labrador, in the Monatsbliitter for last March: "As always, so now, the weather and theftshing playa great part in the reports of ourmissionaries. Offence has sometimes been taken at these perpetual references to drift-ice and seals, but unreasonably. Labrador is one of the most inhospitable lands of our planet. It offers, it is true, water, air, and stone. But how scanty is its vegetable world, so far as regards advantage to man I A few berries and a little firewood-that is all the soil affords the Eskimo, and at the nortl;1ern stations there is great scarcity even of firewood; for what is called the 'Hebron woods,' is only·a low brush, consisting of birch and alder shrnbs, that just manage to creep out of the earth. As to the yield of vegetables, which the missionaries procure from their hot-beds and gardens, that, even in the most favorable summers, hardly pays for the care and pains spent upon the preparation of the soil and the tendence of the plants. Grain fields or potato grounds· are something wholly unknown to Labrador. And the ground (of this parsimony of nature is found in the extraordinarily rough, changeable, capricious climate of the country. Seven months long, even during the last ship's year (on the whole a right favorable one), did the winter maintain his iron dominion, and cause his snow-storms to rage. And these are storms of such a violence as the inhabitants of more temperate regions can scarcely conceive; storms which, e. g., in Hebron, carry off a good share of the toilsomely-collected garden earth, or, a few weeks later, so shake the little church, that amid cracking beams and roaring winds the preacher's voice is almost drowned. And even when approaching summer seems at last to be victorious over winter, he bides his time to return again and again with spiteful reprisals. Thus this year, as late as June 27, snow fell a foot deep in Okak, and at the other stations also violent snow-storms prevailed."
The Moravians, in choosing Labrador, were indeed illustrating their principle of going where no one else was willing to go. These circumstances of their people, and the obstinate improvidence which they engender, compel the missionaries to take a much greater share in providing for the bodily wants of their people than almost anywhere else.
Yet even in Labrador nature has another side. " All through this last fall we had mild and friendly weather. There were days, such as even at home, in dear Germany, would be reckoned as 'ideal' autumn days. And though we miss here the yellow stubble fields, yet the variegated woods fill the heart's desire. The dark, solemn firs, the lighter pines, among them the yellowing leaves of the deciduous larches, and, above all, the carpet of moSil at their feet, shimmering in the most various hues, joyfully convince the eye and the mind that not all the beauty in our land is glacial and cold."
-It seems that there are six stations in Labrador-Ramah, Hebron, and Okak, in the north; Nain, Zoar, and Hofienthal, or Hopevale, in the south. The number of adherents is: Adults. Children. Total.
Ramah…………………………………………………… 32 21 61 Hebron…………………………………………………… 147 236 Okak……………………………………………………. 209 89 332 266 Nain………………………………… …………………. 181 123 98 85 316 Zoar…………….. … ……. …………………………… 65 Hopewell ……………………………………………….. 221 33 95 1,309 -The Allgemeine Missions-ZeitschriJt, speaking of the difficulties caused by the rather high-handed proceedings of the German authorities on the Marshall Islands towards the mission of the American Board, remarks: "We have not too many friends, either in or out of Europe, and for that reason our youthful colonial policy should avoid every unprofitable irritation. It should be considered that it is a dictate of political wisdom to put one's self on a good footing with a long-established and influential Mission, if for no other reason because it has the natives on its side. Instead of this, during the short time that the German flag has waved over the Marshall Islands, one vexatious measure after another has been adopted against the Protestant mission there. If under such circumstances the German Government is felt as a hard yoke, and regarded with discontentment by the very best elements of the native population-the Christians-who, besides, are already tolerablynumerous there, while the report of such measures, spreading far and wide, renders it disagreeable even to the whites so far as they are not Germans, we are not to wonder at it." -In April, 1889, the Heidenbode, i. e., "Missionary," of'the Nederlandsche 'Gereformeerde Zendingvereeniging (Netherlands Reformed Missionary Society), connected with the Established (Presbyterian) Church of Holland, gave'the following report of its missionary work in Java: Residences. Population. Churches. Adherents.
Bagelen ……………………………………. . 1,269,000 21 2,411 Banjoemas…………………………………… .. 13 713 Tegal ……………………………………….. .. 1, H17,OOO 4 341 998,000 6 515 tfo:j~~~~::::·.'.':::::::.: .::::::: :::::: .::::::: :::: 532,000 9 637,000 1,013 "So that, in the midst of a Mohammedan population of over four and a half million souls (the population of the Netherlands) in numberless dessas (villages), spread over an extent of land of more than 6,000 square miles (half the size of the Netherlands), there are fifty·three Christian congregations, numbering altogether something over 5,000 souls, gathered out of the Javanese. Certaiulya cause of humble thankfulness to the Lord God, that He has been pleased to make the work in the gospel fruitful, and has extended His church, even in Middle Java. And yet it is a cause of the deepest humiliation, that there are still so many millions dwelling there who have not heard the gospel, because, through the unfaithfulness of the churches in Holland, there was no one to preach to them."
The spiritual and normal condition of the Javanese churches, though a plainly advancing one, is yet described as deeply colored by the inborn slavish- ness of a race that has been under oppression for ages. One excellent trait, however, is, that the church members, and especially the elders, are always ready to converse about Christianity. Two elders preached Christ in a village in the principality of Djokjakarta with such effect that fifty persons went over to Christianity, forming the first church in the principality. The common inaccessibility of Mohammedans to the gospel seems to suffer a decided exception in Java and Sumatra. And yet precisely there is where Islam is at the farthest removed from the gospel, since the people very commonly hold that Christ has forfeited his rank as a prophet by allowing his people to dishonor Mohammed, a doctrine which, of course, orthodox Mohammedanism would reject asabominably heretical, since it holds Christ, and even his mother, to have been, unlike Mohammed, conceived without taint of original sin; anticipating, as respects Mary, the papaldecisionof the Immaculate Conception by some twelve centuries. The language of the Koran is a little vague, but is so interpreted by scholars.
A great part of the Javanese, however, are heathen, or practice more or less of Mohammedanism without knowing much about the system. Indeed, the religion of the people at large is described as such a medley of heathenism and Mohammedanism, that some have, not altogether amiss, designated it as "Javanism." Lately, however, the Mohammedan element has been powerfully reinforced. .Ifthis process goes on, the susceptibility of the Javanese to the gospel is likely to diminish. It is to be hoped, therefore, that Netherlands Christians will pour out their gifts before the era of fanaticism fairly sets in. The practice of pilgrimage to Mecca is now so greatly facilitated by the use of steam, that Hadjis (i. e., pilgrims), with their intense consciousness of superior holiness; are rapidly multiplying, and with them the influence and intolerance of pure Mohammedanism may be expected to rise. Already there is at least one Hadji or more in almost every dessa or native settlement, from the seashore to the high mountains. Yet it may encourage us to reflect that in Sumatra, where Mohammedanism appears to be much more genuinely such than as yet in Java, half the 11,000 Christians have been won from it, a fact which that great authority, Sir William Hunter, declares to be more significant as to the hope of a future prevalence of the gospel in the Moslem world than any other that had been brought to his knowledge. The congregation mentioned above is only one of a number that have the fearfully oppressive government of the Dutch, who take about thirty-five cents out of every fifty that they,earn, abominate the whites, but are ready to hear the gospel from their own countrymen.
"Native preachers to evangelize, and native instructors for the native Chris- tian schools; then, native pastors and teachers for the native churches; and native Christian doctors for the care of the sick." This is the ideal towards which the Dutch missionaries are working.
– Dr. Warneck makes some comparative estimates as to the number of pupils in the Protestant and in the Roman Catholic missionary schools of India and Ceylon. In 1881 the Protestant schools numbered 4,175, with 234,759 scholars. In 1881, the Protestant Christians of India and Ceylon numbered 528,590. As- suming them in 1888 to have numbered 620,000, and that there were then 4,500 schools with 275,000 scholars-(the latter doubtless too Iowan estimate), these would average for every 1,000 Christians 440 scholars. But the Missiones Catholical for 1888 give the number of Roman Catholic Christians for India and Ceylon at 976,943, the number of schools at 1,280, with 70,138 scholars. This would give for every 1,000 Catholics 71 scholars. The Protestant zeal for education in India therefore appears to excel the Roman Catholics in the proportion of more than 6 to 1. Perhaps the Roman Catholics will do better in future, as Sir William Hunter attests that they are very much more attentive to education in India now than they used to be. On the whole, however, their ideal seems to be the same as that of their great antagonist, Mr. Froude, namely, to pick out the bright boys of the poorer classes for training, and to let the rest go. Where their practice is higher than this, it seems to be most frequently where it is stimulated by the force of an antecedent example. In view of this, it is a little difficult to keep our faces straight, when we read the declaration lately made in the German Parliament, "That the English government owes it principally to the Jesuit order, that it has achieved in India such results, and that it has gained its present stability."
Dr. Warneck remarks, that to all appearance the appeal of the viceroy of India to Christians to increase the force of Christian schools, is receiving deep attention in missionary circles, as the State declares itself willing to assist them by grants-in-aid, having become convinced that the result of its own government-schools, without religion as they necessarily are, is showing itself in a wide-spread popular demoralization. India has discovered this; but of course America will insist on learning the lesson for herself. "But whence are characters of the needed Christian maturity to be obtained in due numbers? We see it all leads out again to what is really the central missionary supplication: Lord, send forth laborers into thy harvest I"
-At the great missionary meeting at Christiania, special honor was rendered to the memory of an eminent Swedish missionary, Charles Alexander Ouchterlong. He was born in Stockholm, October 12, 1826. When a young private tutor, his eye fell on an article in the Lunds Missionstidning, entitled, "Is it right?" which determined him to a missionary life. It had, indeed, a remarkable working, for it sent out another missionary also, Carl Olaf Fast, who, going to China, was murdered by pirates, when only 28; but was, in his death, the incitement to embrace the missionary life for the eminent Swedish divine, Dr. Blomstrand, the most distinguished of Swedish missionaries, in his influence both in southern India and at home.
Ouchterlong likewise went to south India, where he labored with singular faithfulness and effectiveness for 36 years, and where he died a year ago. Oertainly that was a fruitful article in the Lunds Missionstidning. -Mr. Kabis, of the Leipsic Society, mentioning the recent baptism of a, Brahmin in Madras, says: "One after another came to convince the Brahmin of the folly of his resolution, especially an agent of the Hindu Tract Society, to which this conversion was especially odious, What-an uproar had been evoked by the mere rumor that a young Brahmin student in the Christian college intended to turn Christian I Indeed, it had led to the establishment of a Hindu divinity school in Madras. The Hindus had imagined that by word and writing, by street preaching and lectures, they were again masters of the field. It sadly dashed their joy of victory, that now once more a Brahmin, and he no youngster leavened with Christian schooling, but a man of ripe years, hitherto an orthodox priest, who understood not a word of English, should have been converted to the Christian religion."
The young Leipsic missionary Mohn, newly arrived in south India, writes: "On the evening of November 5th, we went ,by rail together to Majaweram, in order here, November 7th, to celebrate Brother Meyner's wedding. This fell just in the time of the great Bathing Festival to which as many as 50,000 to 60,000 assemble. The railway alone forwarded 27,000 persons last year. On the chief day we went to the bathing-place, and looked at the matter a little more closely. There was a tumultuous throng, hardly to be penetrated. We were the only white faces among all these dusky multitudes. The best place for viewing the whole affair appeared to be the flat roof of the idol temple. We climbed up to it by a ladder, without any opposition. From here we could overlook the human masses; they stood close packed together, some bathing, some chatting, etc. We saw also how they were carrying about different idols, which were adorned with gold, silver, and precious stones. All were greeted by the crowd with uplifted hands and loud acclaims. In view of this our hearts might well sinll:, as we beheld heathenism yet subsisting in its full, unbroken might. If we did not know that God's truth gains the victory, we should despair of the possibility that India will ever be converted. It is an almost impregnable citadel of Satan, and the individual mission stations are like oases in the waste, and the individual missionary is as a drop in the ocean. For instance, in each of such cities as Sidarnbaram, Kudelur, Kurnba-Konam, etc.,of 40,000 or 50,000 inhabitants, there is only a single missionary I What can a single man effect over against such masses? Even yet it is only a siege from without, we have not yet made our way into the interior of the fortress. Nevertheless we will not therefore despond, but with fresh courage attack the task in the name of the Lord-you at home with prayer and gifts, we in the land itself by preaching the gospel to the poor, blinded people, and attracting such as are willing to let themselves be saved. We know that the Lord by little can accomplish much. But Thou, 0, Lord Jesus, accept our poor, weak will, our slender strength, take also the offer of our youth, and fashion us into men, and into instruments of Thy mercy I Do Thou Thyself fulfill Thy work in power and bring hither to Thy flock them that are scattered abroad in the world, so that Thou canst SOon appear in Thy glory and conduct us out of the conflict and strife of time into Thy kingdom of peace! Amen."
-The following description of.Barsute heathenism is equally applicable to many other mission fields: "The adversary whom they combat, although wounded, is still on his feet and powerful, and he defends himself with a singu- lar vigor. This formidable adversary becomes more dangerous and more subtle as the strife goes on."
-Pastor Haccius, of Hanover, speaking of a visit to the only Jesuit station in the Transvaal, occupied by one priest and one lay brother, where he was very cordially received, inquired what success they had. They told him none. His companion remarked that they had come too late. "Yes," the father answered, "the Caffres had become so much accustomed to reading the Bible, that they scorned missionaries who made so little of it. Moreover, in their masculine pride, they take great umbrage at the honors paid to Mary, apparently not so much because she is a creature as because she is a woman." "But, if the Jesuits have here no spiritual, they have, at least, a terrestrial success. For they have, with admirable perseverance, turned the whilom farm into a lovely, fruitful garden, and laid it out with such perfection as I have never seen rivalled here. The most various sorts of trees had been set out, all manner of vegetables and flowers were reared; they had even made a trial of asparagus fields-and this all was skillfully irrigated. And, as a main proof of their industry, in beds and fields not a weed was to be seen. The two men, in their monotonous life, find their especial delight in this garden."
524 NOTES ON NEW BOOKS OF A MISSIONARY CHARACTER
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS OF A MISSIONARY CHARACTER.
John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides. An Autobiography. Edited by his brother. Second Part. New York: Carter & Brothers. $1.50. Those who read the first part of this fascinating autobiograpby will read with equal delight this second volume. For thrilling adventure, for heroic daring and enduring, for vivid romance and apostolic zeal, for robust piety and noble achievement, this work stands almost unrivaled in the annals of Missionary literature. We cannot do better than quote the Introductory Note to the volume from the pen of our associate, Dr. Pierson: "The avidity with which Part I. of Mr. Paton's remarkable life story was received by the public in· England has been no surprise. Before this second part was issued from the press three thousand copies were already sold, and the entire edition of 5,000 was so soon exhausted that it has beenimpossible to cope with the demand. We have no hesitation in pronouncing this second part the most fascinating narrative of missionary adventure and heroism and success that we have ever met. This volume abounds in poetry and pathos, dramatic interest and thrilling experience, lit up by the golden rays of a delicate and unique humor. It reminds one of a varied landscape, with bold mountains and modest valleys, where snow-crowned summits look down on summer gardens; where cascades fall into quiet streams, and where all the marvels of light and shade at once relieve and diversify the scene. The twenty-two miles' gallop through the Anstralian bush on the back of Garibaldi, which made the inexperienced rider drunk with ex- ·citement and fatigue; the Ariwan woman who, judging clothes an evidence of a new heart, proved her decided conversion by coming into chapel having her person grotesquely adorned by every article of male attire which she could beg or borrow, may illustrate the comical side of this charming story. The three years of progress among cannibals, in laying foundations of Christian families, schools, churches, and even social order, may serve as one of the grandest indications, through all history, of that gospel which is still the power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation."-J. M. S.
Foreign Missions: Their place in the Pastorate, in Prayer, in Conference. Ten Lectures. By Augustus C. Thompson. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1889. $1.75. These lectureswere delivered as the annual series under the Foreign Missionary Lectureship in the Hartford Theological Seminary last year. The topics and the method of treatment were of course chosen with reference to a select professional class-room audience instead of a large popular assembly. While of special interest and value to a Senior Class of Theological Students, they could not be otherwise than instructive, coming from the eminent source they did, to all the students and friends of missions throughout the world.
The topics of the several lectures will show the breadth of the discussion and the highly practical character of them all. I. The Minister's Sphere. II. and m. Missionary Obligation.
IV. Ministerial Prayer and Missions. V., VI. and VII. Missionary Concerts. VIII. Prayer for Missions Answered. IX. and X. Missionary Conferences. These topics are all vital to the missionary enterprise. They are each and all subjects of the utmost importance to be clearly under- ·stood and made practical in missionary life. And we rejoice that such a master in Israel has grappled with them, and set them forth so promineutly and with such clearness and force and wealth of illustration. "Mis.'lionary Obligation!" How faintly is it conceived or felt! Only here and there one begins to comprehend the significance of the High Commission of our Ascended Lord, or to see the Hand of God in the marvelous and supernatural movements of the day. Dr. Thompson shows the true basis of this "obligation"-the great underlying principles of all missionary work-and he enforces the obligation by weighty motives and facts. We call special attention to his remarks on "Missionary Concerts." He devotes no less than three chapters to the subject, showing the importance he attaches to the subject. It was a sad day for the Church when the" Monthly Concert of Prayer for Missions" lost its hold and was largely given up by pastor aud people. The church ought to rally everywhere for its restoration. We know of no one agency so wisely adapted to interest and enthuse pastor and people and promote a liberal and self-sacrificing spirit, than such a regular monthly service can be made to be. We earnestly hope these lectures will fall under the eye of thousands of our pastors and leading laymen who now neglect this service, which was once observed so extensively and with such blessed results. The lecture, "Prayer for Missions Answered," is highly inspiriting, while the two last lectures on "Missionary Conferences" afford a fund of information and suggestion that can be extensively utilized by the friends of missious. The infiuence of such a volume-BO scriptural and philosophical in its teaching, so broad and catholic in spirit, so clear and incisive in its statement, and so eminently timely and practical in its cas~nnot fail to have its effect on the current thought of the day, even beyond the immediate circle of missions.-J. M. S.
A Century of Christian Progress: Showing also the Increase of Protestantism and the Decline of Popery. By the Rev. James Johnston, F. S. S. Second edition. Fleming H. Revell. New York and Chicago. Paper 25c., cloth 50c. We expressed a highly favorable opinion of this little work in our notice of the first edition in our issue for November, 1888. .The present editiou ,contains "all that is essential for demonstrative proof" found in the first, modified somewhat
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
so as to secure a wider circulation. The object of this brief remarkable treatise is: 1. To encourage hope in the evangelization of all nations, by showing the progress which Christianity, as a whole, has made in the past, and specially during the last century. There are now 400,000,000 of nominal Christians in the world. Fully 800,000,000 out of the 1,400,000,000 of the population of the earth live under the government of Christian States. With the exception of savage tribes, no nation is under the independent rule of an idolatrous government. The idols, though not abolished, are dethroned. 2. To show the growing ascendency of Protestantism, and, owing to its slow rate of increase, the relative decline of Popery. 3. To make Protestants feel their obligation to spread the religion to which they owe. the unparalleled position of power and intluence which, in Providence, they occupy: with their 135,000,000 stationed in almost every part of the habitable globe, and with 3,000,000 of converts scattered among the heathen of every race, it needs but the breath of the Holy Spirit to infuse life into them, and the evangelization of the world is as sure as the promises of God. 4. To warn Protestants of the danger and folly of mimicking the rights and yielding to the seductions of Popery, which has, as a religious system, as a moral intluence, and as a political power, proved itself, where dominant, an utter failure. Protestant statesmen, eccleSiastics, and ritualists, are now its greatest dupes, or are making dupes of the ignorant. All who are interested in the progress of the Kingdom of Christ should procure this book. It will impress and encourage as well as unfold how much is still to be done.-J. M. S.
In the Far East is an exquisite volume, with illustrations, containing letters from Mary Geraldine Guinness, on China, and published by F. H. Revell, Chicago and New York. It is sufficient to say of this book that it is written and edited by daughters of Dr. Henry Grattan Guinness, and introduced to the public by Dr. A. J. Gordon. The map of China, which prefaces the volume, is one of the best we have ever seen, prepared with artistic care. The letters are racy, homelike, and written with a woman's keen appreciation of everything she saw. They are full of information, and have a strange touch of sympathy about them which makes the whole world seem kin.-A. T. P.
Map of Central Africa. Published by the "African News," Vineland, N. J.-75 cents. This is an interesting and valuable map of Equatorial Africa, covering that portion of the continent between six degrees north and twenty degrees south latitude. It is 18×24 inches in size, but on the same sheet are severalinsets giving (1) the whole of the continent, with enlargements of the Delta of the Nile and southern Africa; (2) map of Liberia; (3) Angola; (4) Africa in its relation to other continents; (5) Bishop Taylor's missions on the Lower Congo. Leopoldville, on Stauley Pool, is made the centre of circular lines showing distances across the continent. The publication is specially designed to illustrate the missions and plans of Bishop Taylor, but willlfe valuable to anyone who desires a good and detailed map of this portion of the great continent. The map is on good paper, printed in colors, and folded into a cover which renders it convenient for use.-J. M. S.
II.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions, It happens frequently that volun- and persuaded by the power of that teers are compelled to give as a reason love to a practical exhibition of for their non-departure to their chosen loyalty to their Master. "The Student missionary fields that there are no Volunteer Movement" has under- funds in the treasuries of the Boards taken, through her representatives, to send them. The Presbyterian to awaken churches to a consciousness Board of Foreign Missions carries, at of their duty and privilege in support- present, a debt of $60,000, and the ing missionaries; the missionary hav- financial status of other old-established' ing been urged as "a living link"
Boards is itself a commentary on the between the church and the foreign lukewarm interest manifested in the field. The following "Plan of Sys- cause of foreign missions by the multi- tematic Giving" has been adopted by tude of Christians possessing this individual churches in many parts of world's goods-men and women, en- New England and the East: rolled as church members, who are, we believe, not willfully disobedient THE PLAN. to .our Lord's commands, or deliber- 1. An opportunity will be given to all who so ately unresponsive to His love, but desire to subscribe to the following pledge: who simply need to be enlightened "I promise to give $ ….•….. and …….. cents each week during a period of five years from date, towards the support of a missionary in the foreign field, this sum to be over separately and go to other objects." and above my present offerings to the cause Before the adoption of the plan of of foreign missions."* systematic giving between $500 and $600 was raised by the church. The (Instead of weekly payments, quarterly or amount pledged per annum by this plan yearly payments may be made if so desired.) is something more than $2,700 (a sur- plus of about $400 over cost of support 2. The weekly offerings shall be placed in of our two missionaries; this sum being envelopes furnished by the church treasurer exclusive ofchurchcollection, Sunday- to those who subscribe to the pledge, and these school contributions, etc.). Two mis- envelopes shall be collected on each Sabbath sionaries and their wives are wholly in connection with the usual collection. supported. Our regular collections have been larger since the adoption of 3. It is suggested that a committee be ap- "the plan" than before. "I se~ no pointed by the church to assist the treasurer reason why other churches should not in the work of collection and in obtaining new quintuple their gifts to foreign mis- subscriptions. sions, to their own spiritual benefit, if pastors would do their duty in inform- 4. If the amount pledged in any church is ing their people of facts, and enlisting sufficient for the annual support of one or of their sympathies in the work, by the several missionaries, that church shall report adoption of this, or a similar plan." to the Foreign Board with which it is con- nected, that such a sum has been pledged for Between the dates April 8 and 26, five years, and request that the board appoint Mr. Robert E. Speer, traveling secre- one or more missionaries to represent that tary, has visited the following educa- church in the foreign field. tional institutions: University of Vir- ginia, Charlottesville, Va.; University 5. If the amount pledged in any church is of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C.; more than sufficient for the support of one colleges: .Emory, Oxford, Ga.; Rich- missionary and not enough for the support of mond, Richmond, Va.; Wofford, two, the surplus shall be sent to ihe Foreign Spartansburg, S. C.; Vanderbilt, NAsh- Board to be applied to the cause of foreign ville, Tenn.; Davidson, Davidson, N. missions in whatever way may be thought C.; Trinity, North Carolina; Pantop's best. Academy, Charlottesville, Va. Total number of volunteers secured within 6. If the amount pledged in any church is dates above mentioned, sixty. insufficient for the support of a missionary, that church may unite with neighboring Concerning Mr. Speer's recent visit churches of the same denomination in the to Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass., support of a representative. If this is im- a correspondent writes: "He ad- possible, the amount raised shall be for- dressed the whole school on the mornwarded to the Foreign Board, to be used as the ing of March 22, reading 2 Kings, board may direct. 7th chapter, and considering especially a portion of the ninth verse: 'Then 7. This plan is to be so carried out as not to they said one to another, we do not interfere in any way with existing missionary well; this day is a day of good tidings, agencies, but with the hope and earnest and we hold our peace; if we tarry prayer that it may result in larger contribu- till the morning light some mischief tions than have ever been made to the mission will come upon us.' cause. " A general interest," continues the A letter received recently by Mr. R. writer, "has been felt throughout the school since Mr. Speer's visit, which P. Wilder, from Rev. William H. seems to have lasted, and since he was here the volUJ.iteers have met once in Miller, of Bryn Mawr, contains facts two weeks for prayer, and to help one which demonstrate the practicability of support of missionaries by hundreds of other churches throughout the country-churches who have as earnest and aggressive and enthusiastic pastors as the incumbent of the Presbyterian Church at Bryn Mawr, who writes: "Our contributions to this special work are made in quarterly installments, paid directly to our missionary treasurer. The church annual collection, and the gifts of our Ladies' Society and of our Sundayschool to foreign missions are all made * This pledge is not legally binding. .another. Most of the nUp,lber have count of the heavy adverse balance been present, and are earnest, conse- with which the Treasurer's return for crated girls. Weare trusting that 1889 was closed, the unexpected be- much good may be done for God here quest is highly acceptable. Mr. Sturge's in our school, and later in other lands, interest in the foreign missions of the through these consecrated lives." English Presbyterians is remarkable, inasmuch as he himself was a member MAx WOOD MOORHEAD. of the Society of Friends. Previously he had contributed £1,000 towards it. Foreign Mission Notes. The missions are carried on in Amoy, Swatow, Hakkadom, Formosa, Singa- BY REV. JAMES JOHNSTON, A. S. A., pore, and Rampore Banleah, Bengal, BOLTON, ENGLAND. at an annual expenditure of about £17,000. – General Presbyterian Alliance. At the last meeting of the Foreign -British Churches and the Anti. Mission Committee of the Alliance, in Slavery Conference. The presenta- Edinburgh, a large number of repre- tion of some 120 memorials, princi- sentatives attended from the different pally from Scotland and Ireland, to Presbyterian churches in England, the Conference relating to primary Ireland, and Scotland. A resolution questions in its deliberations, is a sig- was adopted thanking Lord Salisbury nificant indication of the watchful at- for the protection afforded by Her tention devoted to the recommenda- Majesty's government to the mission- tions expected. The non-conformists aries on the Shire Highlands and in have been singularly energetic, especi- Nyassaland, against the encroach- ally the Society of Friends, in dis- ments of the Portuguese, and the se- patching petitions. Until the Church ,curity guaranteed for the continuance of England Temperance Society pre- .of the missions in Southeast Central sented a memorial signed by the Africa. It was decided to submit to Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Anti-Slavery Conference at Brus- and numerous dignitaries and lay- sels, the views of the Committee on men on February 26, the Established Slavery, and the reckless distribution Church of England (with the ex- of firearms and alcoholic drinks ception of a few wide-awake par- among the native races of the Dark ishes) had been entirely silent. The Continent. Other matters of vital in- memorialists touched on the special terest to foreign mission work had features of the traffic in spirituous €xhaustive consideration. The pro- liquors. They alluded to the practice jected union into one national church of Europeans forcing the natives to of the various Presbyterian missions allow the importation of drink; tothe in India, and similar proposals with inferior quality of the spirits sold; its regard to China, were favorably re- disastrous effects upon semi-civilized ceived. It was stated that a United races, and the need of repressing the Mission Presbytery is being formed in trade wherever practicable. The Manchuria between the agents of the President of the Conference referred Scottish United Presbyterian and of in his reply to the long programme, the Irish Presbyterian churches. consisting of difficult and intricate questions affecting slavery, arms, am- -Prelbyterian Church of England munition, and liquors, to be dealt with Foreign Missions. The Treasurer of by the 43 representatives of 17 powers. the Society is to be congratulated upon He anticipated that the enormous 'the intimation from the solicitors of tracts, chiefly under the swayof Islam, the late Mr. George Sturge, London- which at present were untouched, a noble advocate and patron of peace might be saved from the introducand missions-that they proposed for- warding, in aid of its operations, a donation of £5,000, from the "residue" of the deceased gentleman. On action of drink; and he was hopeful orating agency of education, superinthat an improvement was possible, tended by ~issionarY organizations. It where the traffic has a foothold, by the wascontendedthatwithmoreinforma- interdict of a general impost duty tion of the statesmanlike plans which upon an equalizing scale all round the had been inaugurated by Dr. Duff and coast. The deputation were urged to Dr. Inglis, beneficial results might be make public to the uttermost among traced which exceeded material arith- the nationalities represented at the metical calculations. Dr. Scott elo- Conference the legislation adopted, quently demonstrated that an evan- and, ultimately, to keep a vigilant eye gelistic mission must be an educational on its execution. It is evident from mission if absolutely successful. To their letters and speeches that the the twofold instrumentality of preach- English and Belgian delegates are in ing and teaching, much of the eleva- warm sympathy with the movement tion socially, intellectually, and relig-· for the repression, if not the total pro- iously in India, he held, was distinctly hibition, of the sale of liquors among attributable. In proportion to its re- the native tribes. sources, no educationally religious, -The Presbytery of Edinburgh and method had excelled that of the As- Indian Missions. On the mooted sembly, and to abandon the Hindus in question of higher education in India, this respect, meant Government teach- the report of the Assembly's Foreign ing,which regarded no religion. or per- Missions Committee was lately sub- version by Roman Catholic mission- mitted to the Presbytery. The Com- aries.
mittee was requested to pronounce May Missionary Anniversaries. whether the discontinuance of the current system of higher education -Wesleyan Missionary Society.
was advisable, and whether the cost At the annual gathering May 5th, in of maintenance could be reduced. For Exeter Hall, the best meeting known, education in Calcutta a sum of £1,157 according to Dr. Rigg, the report was expended, of which £594 repre- showed receipts amounting to £140,623 sented the outlay on higher instruction and the expenditure £139,814. The and £563 on elementary education. At actual debt amounts to £6,500. It Madras the expense was £385, of was stated that the total expend- which only £66 was laid out on ad- iture on the Indian Missions during vanced teaching. Of the Foreign the past ten years had increased by Mission revenue, £18,479, contributed £11,000, while the native contribu- in 1888, the Church at home spent tions had more than doubled, being only £660 on higher class training. now £17,247.
The recommendation of the Gen- -Church Missionary Society. On eral Assembly by the Committee to the 6th of May the 91st anniversary retain the high schools and colleges was attended by a vast audience in in India, was accompanied by valu- London. It appeared from the report able suggestions. These referred to that the Society had 297 stations; the utility of effecting co-operation in European missionaries, ordained, 282 ; this department with sister organiz- lay, 51 ; ladies, 57; total, 390. Native ations, of a modification in the scale of and Eurasian clergy, 287; native lay fees, of the missionary design of the col- and female teachers, 4,210; native leges b,eing emphasized, and of the in- Christian adherents (including Cate- culcation of a strong missionary spirit chumens), 187,785; native communi- among the teachers. Influential mem- cants, 46,520 ; schools, 1,772; scholars, bers of the Presbytery cordially sus- 72,277 (returns incomplete). Total re- tained the views of the Committee, and ceipts £260,282, and payments £224.- adverted in positive terms to the ameli- 585. A donor who had been interested in the newspaper reports of the Society servations. He thought that there gave £5,000. was a tendency to unduly exalt the negro, which only did him harm -British and Foreign Bible Society. and the missionary cause no good. More system was wanted in missions, The 89th annual gathering was cele- and the natives should be taugJ1t brated on the 7th of May, and, as in the value of labor. He had known former years, attracted a crowded as- several of their missionaries, and could testify to the thoroughly '*' sembly. Mr. Spurgeon, Mr. McNeill, practical manner in which they did their work. Young mIsslOnaries Dr. Newman Hall, and other distin- were apt to think that they were guished representatives of thechurches going to do something very wonder- attended. The free income of the S0- ful, that miracles would be worked ciety realized £113,773; sale of Script- on their behalf, in consequence of ures, £98,189; and various channels which ordinary precautions were often made the aggregate receipts £212,077, disregarded. The time seemed to have the expenditure amounting to £227,- come when God had decreed that 566. Encouraging signs were visible Africa should be subdued by the gos- throughout the world, particularly in pel, but there would be a great strug- France, Spain, Germany, Austria, gle between Mohammedanism and Hungary, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Christianity, and this would likely 0c- Persia, European and Asiatic Russia. cur on the Congo, or further north.
-Baptist Missionary Society. At the annual soiree held in CannoIiStreet Hotel, the chairman, Sir Francis de Winton, made some noticeable ob- Africa.-African Trade. Mr. Kel- capable with the progress of popula- tie, of the Royal Geographical Society, tion, order and civilization. gives some reliable statistics on this subject. The entire trade of Africa, -The strong position Italy now ocexports and imports included, he cupies at Massaua on the Red Sea, its reckons at 85,000,000 to 90,000,000 ster- military strength, its alliance with ling. Of this some 40,000,000 are to be King Menelek, itsrisingcolonyatAssab credited to the countries along the -all inspire the hope that Abyssinia Mediterranean. The West African and the Galla country may be speedily trade between the Tropics is about opened up to the gospel. The past 5,000,000. The entire trade of Central . labors of the C. M. S., since 1830, in Africa is some 15,000,000. The remain- these regions are well known. Gobat, ing amount must go to South Africa, Krapf, Isenberg, were among its faithwhere trade is increasing at present, ful agents; these were, however, it may be said, by leaps and bounds. gradually driven out through religious As an instance, the exports of Cape intrigue and the violence of King Colony for last year are reckoned at Theodore. There remain, however, 9,405,955l., being an increase of more valuable translations, such as those in than half a million (673,354l.) on the the Amharic, Tigre and Galla tongues; previous year. Of this amount, Trans- the last the laborious work of Dr. vaal gold stands for 860,945l. Of the Krapf. There are still, also, fragentire African trade, Mr. Keltie reck- ments of missions among the Falashas, ons that seven-eighths are derived in the Shoa country, and there is the from one million square miles, the Swedish Mission at Massaua, etc., remammg millions not yielding which General Gordon so generously 10,000,000 worth; that is, about a mil- supported. The church of Rome is lion on an average for each million of availing itself of the opportunity. It square miles. This suggests of what is said that Russia also is to establish a large development African trade is consulate and to send a mission. Itis to be hoped that evangelical missions will not be slow to avail themselves of French will now have it that the Mo- this open door. An immense region bangi is within their limits. In the of country opens out, if we include Lower Congo there is also progress. the territories north of the Blue Nile, Vessels now ascend, passing Banana Shoa, the high regions of the Interior, and Boma, to Mataddi, the basis of the the Galla country-all that may be railway to Stanley Pool. The laborers embraced under the name Ethiopia. here include Vei, Kru, Haussa, Loan- :111 The grand total, it is stated, amounts go, the Bangala of the district, who to 1,141,690 square miles, occupied by are found the best. It is hoped that numerous races, probably destined to the railway may be completed in four hold a high place in a future civilized years. Its length will be some 180 to Africa. 190 miles, and it will cost about a million sterling. Meanwhile there are -Mr. Mackenzie, of the British ox-wagons, and the cost is about East African Company, and Major 201. per ton, which leaves a good Wissman, have agreed upon a joint margin for railway profit. Commerce plan of action to prevent the sale of is extendmg in the Middle Congo; arms in their respective spheres of ad- there are three trade steamers plying, ministration, with a view to checking and two being completed at Stanley slave raids in the Interior. Also, that Pool. But the Middle Congo naviga- Mr. Mackenzie has concludedarrange- tion will not be safe so long as the ments with the Arab masters on the Arabs hold the strategical position of coast for the redemption of from two the Stanley Falls. Tippoo Tib, it is tothreethousandrunawayslaves. Still plainly seen, is not to be trusted. The more welcome is the news thalt he is Arabs must be dislodged from the framing a license law to prevent the position, if the slave trade and slavery sale of intoxicating liquors within Brit- in Africa are to be vanquished. At ish territory. So long as this latter present they can send out marauding traffic is unrestrained, no permanent expeditions in all directions. progress, no general development of the country's resources, no civilization -Congo Money. There in now a worthy of the name, can be expected silver and copper currency, but, exin Africa. If the utter destruction of cept at Boma and Banana, it is of no the native races, both in body and use for work among the natives. At soul, is to be averted, the "raging Banana they have for many years Phlegethon" of gin, rum, and gun- been accustomed to use English silver, powder, which the "white man" is and I believe all along the coast its pouring down the rivers of Africa, value is well known; but for us to must be stopped. Only the other day, adopt it as things now are would be it is stated, two German vessels dis- ruinous. There is as yet so little cash charged at Zanzibar more than seven trade and so little competitionamongst thousand cases of gin, or some hor- traders that cash has a very low value. rible compound so called. For instance, a certain piece of cloth, or any of the more common articles of -In the great inner valley of the trade, would in England cost one Congo there is a large extension of dollar; but to buy the same with cash operations. There are the American herewouldcost$2.250r$2.50; and while and English Baptist Missions at work, the traders aim chiefly to develop a and there is also the Mission of Dr.Guin- barter trade-native produce for Euroness. The exploration of the Mobangi pean goods-this will remain so. by Mr. Grenfell is an important fact. The river is beyond what was under- The native currency from Palabala stood to be the French boundary east- to Ngombi, say three days and a half ward, !!eventeen degrees; but, as with on this side of Stanley Pool, is blue Stanley Pool and the Kwilu, the glass (chopped) beads. I understand the bead is made by manufacturing a Ho-zi. A native Christian, thrown long tube, six-sided, of blue glass, out of employment for refusing to work on the Lord's day, went on the which is then chopped into irregular Monday afternoon to a tea shop to lengths, one-fourth to one-eighth of an preach the gospel. Mr. Wong there inch long. A string of about one hun- and then accepted it, and after some dred of these lengths or beads is the time returned to his native district to standard coin of the people. In the seek the conversion of his family and markets one can r3J.'ely buy food, etc., neighbors, while working on his own farm. After· several years of such with other goods. One must first sell work, a lady in England, recently de- his knives, or cloth, etc., for these ceased, sent him a small sum of money blue beads, and thereafter purchase to enable him to hire partial help on food, etc., with them. Beyond Ngombi his farm, that he might be more free for evangelization. The old man has the currency is a rod of brass, about been preaching the gospel there for 29 twenty inches long and one-eighth of years, and for over 20 years has shepan inch thick. It will no doubt be years ere the people take to a metal herded a little church in his house of 20 or 30 native Christians, the fruit of his labors.
(European) currency, such as is being A missionary, not connected with tried by the State, as they will be very the C. I. M., passing through a city slow in believing that one of these in the north of Kiang-su, preached .silver or copper coins represents so the gospel there. One of his hearers was much impressed, and obtained a many strings of beads or so many couple of tracts from a native helper.
brass rods. Another grave hindrance After studying them carefully, he is the fact that it will be very difficult went to the inn where the missionary to get the trading-houses, etc., with had stayed to seek further instruc- tion, but found that he had gone. In the State, to agree to a standard of deep hunger and thirst of soul, after exchange for coin and native cur- weeks of vain inquiry, he learned rency.-Rev. JQseph Clark, Palabala. that we had an out-station four days' journey to the south. Thither he re- China.-Value of a Single Proc- paired, and received much instruction, lamation of the Gospel. Dr. Med- but failed to find rest to his soul. Journeying four days further to the hurst, in 1835, landed on the island of south in search of help, Mr. Tomalin, Lam-yit and left books; in 1868 a of the C. I. M., had the joy of being native preacher vi.ted that island, instrumental in his conversion, and he and was preaching on the seashore, returned to his duties with Christian when two men said: " Come up to tracts and books, a rejoicing believer. the village; we have books that con- Before he left that neighborhood he tain the same doctrine; our father was the means of interesting about a -charged us before his death to take dozen people in the gospel, who subgood care of these books, for by-and- sequently became the members of a by some one would come to explain native church when one was formed them." In six months more than 60 there. Leaving the city, he went to persons were baptized on that island. his own native district, where he The first convert in the Presbyterian was greatly used of God, and three or ·church at Yu-yao read a sheet tract foul' village churches exist to-day, the posted on the city wall, and not liking outcome of his work in the Lai-gan the position assigned to Confucius, as district of the Gan-hwuy province. compared with the Lord Jesus, took One of the most remarkable helpers the first opportunity of going to dis- we have ever had in Cheh-kiang was cuss the matter with a native preacher, a literary man, Mr. Nying, whose con- which issued in his conversion. version was the fruit of a single con- The first convert the Lord gave us versation with Mr. Stevenson. Eternity in Ningpo rose up and testified to his only will show all the fruit of that acceptance of the gospel the first time man's conversion. One of the most he heard it. He subsequently became devoted native pastors we have in a native preacher, and died, I believe, Shan-si received his first leading to in the service of the United Methodist the truth through a gospel given him Free Church. by a man who procured it from one The oldest native helper in connec- of our missionaries on the occasion of tion with the C. I. M. is Mr. Wong, of a solitary visit to the neighborhood. Time would fail to tell of scores of Ohristians doing something on behalf of people who are under the same Im- similar cases which might easily be perial rule. An endeavoris at present collected, showing the blessing re- being made to drive home this fact, ceived through once hearing or with a view to the revival of the de- through receiving a book. Apart, al- funct Auxiliary Oommittee. together, from cases of distinct con- version byvisits of the kind proposed, Recently a meeting in aid was held the whole Ohinese mind is being en- at the Oonference Hall, Mildmay Park. lightened, and subjects for thought The chair was occupied by Dr. Ward- are suggested that cannot be forgotten, law Thompson, of the London Mis- and will surely bear fruit in days to sionary Society, who spoke of what he come. The Ohinese nation had lost had seen and heard of the work of the the knowledge of one living, personal Society in South Africa. The long- God. Without God there can be no continued and successful labors of M. true idea of sin, and there is no place George Oasalis in Basutoland, and for forgiveness and atonement. A the brave pioneering work of M. and dingle visit may sethundreds of people Mme. Ooillard on the Zambesi, were thinking and talking, and prepare the described in the terms of warm admi- way for a great work later on, even ration they merit. M. A. Boegner, where no immediate good is apparent. secretary of the Society, told in ex- -J. Hudson Taylor, in Ohina's Mil- cellent English the story of the exten- lions. sion of the work, which was begun in great weakness, but with faith in God, France. – French Missions in and a desire to obey the command to preach the gospel throughout the Africa. The Paris Society of Evan- world. There are in Basutoland 17 sta- tions and 111 out-stations; 5 superior gelical Missions has long been doing sohools, and about 111 primary schools; 190 native workers, 6,543 church mem- excellent work in the great harvest bers, and 3,332 candidates for member- ship. Special efforts have been made field. Quietly and persistently, since to render the work'llelf-supporting, but through the increasing poverty of the 1822, it has testified for Ohrist in people since the late war, this is'not yet possible. The Roman Oatholics distant lands where the gospel is un- are very busy, and the field must not be neglected. M. Boegner pointed known. Beginning in South Africa, out, in conclusion, that the pressing need to-day is a special fund of about it has done a work of unique interest £500 or £600 a year to support native evangelization. among the Basutos. Other regions Pastor G. Appia followed with a have also been entered in the true spirit vigorous address. He rejoiced to speak of the enthusiasm of the chilof gospel conquest, and an admirable dren of French Protestants in regard to missionary work. M. Ooillard's read!ness has ever been shown, on mission is, he said, full of promise. MdIle. Kiener, a Swiss lady, who is political emergencies arising, to oc- about to join the misflion party on the Zambesi, was present at the meeting, cupy spheres which only Frenchmen and was, in earnest prayer; com- mendM to the Lord for protection and could fill. We rejoice to state that blessing in her undertaking.
the Society is about to send a mis- sionaryto take the place of Rev. John Jones, of the L. M. S., who was ex- pelled from Mare, one of the Loyalty Islands.
A peculiar interest attaches to the work of the Society in South Africa, inasmuch as subsequently to the Ohurch of Ohrist being firmly planted in Basutoland, the people have been taken under British protection. Some years ago there was an English Oom- mittee in aid of the general work, and the assistance was gratefully received by the Society; to-day there is not only more acute need for such help, seeing the demands on the Society have greatly increased, but the fitness of things points the desirability of British
MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS
Jews.-The following is quoted awakened a marvelous echo, and from a recent address by Dr. Adolph although we may not be able to point Saphir: "The attitude of Israel to the to many results as far as baptism is person of Jesus himself has become concerned, and the organization of .changed, and also to the New Testa- such things as appear outwardly and ment, which formerly thousands and can be registered, yet the amount of thousands would not even touch with interest which has been called forth their hands, reg:trding itas an unclean among the Jews throughout all Europe thing. It is most astonishing how in the testimony which has been many thousands of Jews within the raised by him, clearlyshows that there last few years have begun to read that is something special in the present book, and to read it in an attitude day, that the Jews have entered into of compartive candor. Rabinowitz is a new phase, that the field is prea wonderful sign of the times, and the pared, that the hour has come, that it message which, as a Jew, he brings to is our duty to go in faith and in love, the Jews, that Jesus is our brother, and bring to them the glad tidings of whom we sold into Egypt, has salvation."
I1I.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
Africa. Algiers.
LETTER FROM REV. JOHN SCOTT. BAPTISM OF A MOHAMMEDAN IN A PRESBYTERUN Impolwerie, Natal, South Ajrica, CBURCH. March 12, 1890. My DEAR DR. PIERSON:-I have just time to On Sunday, April 27th, an interesting service :give you a short account of my work on Sab- (writesa correspondent) took place in the Scot- bath, February 23<1. After many delays and tish Ohurch at Algiers–the handsome edifice nearly two years absence, I held a baptismal presented to the Presbyterian Ohurch of Scot- service at H1atlkulu, one of my distant out- land by the late Sir Peter Ooats. In addition to stations. This station, not yet four years in the regular congregation, a large num~r of existence, is under the faithful evangelist, strangers were present, some of them being Petros Muyabi. I leave you to imagine my students of medicine attending the Ecole de feelings when I admitted 50 adults and 61 chilo Medicine in Algiers. There were also present dren to the visible church of Ohrlst. It was a Rev. J. Lowitz, agentoftbeBritishandForeigu long forenoon's work; in only one' case was Bible Society; Rev. Adolphe Goldenberg, mis- there a united family, father, mother and sionary to the Jews; the Hon. and Rev. Francis children; the majority of the adults were Byng, former chaplain to the House of Oomwomen; in two cases they brought twins, and mons; Mr. Borel, agent of the M'AII Mission, in each case a third child of three or four years etc. The occasion of the unusual gathering of age. A few years ago one o/the twins would was the public baptism and reception into the have been smothered, as that is Zulu custom. Ohristian church of Abdel Kader Ould Bouzian, In the afternoon, in God's glorious temple, we an Arab and Mussulman by birth, and a nasat down over 200 professing Ohristians to re- tive of Morocco. He has for the regular member our dear Saviour; whilst nearly 1,000 course been a student of medicine, has obheathen or semi-heathen looked on; they were tained his diploma as a medical practitioner, scattered about on the grass. It was impossible and has lately been chosen to the post of into hold the service in doors, as our little church terne or house surgeon at the Hospital Oivil at would not hold even the communicants, in Mustapha, having been promoted to this offact, it was nearly filled with the candidates t1ce after public examination, in which he was for baptism. successful over a list of above twenty others- We are not without our trials. Satan is mak- mostly French and other European students. ing a big fight, and, as usual, trying many Dr. Bouzian is a tall, intelligent-looking man, methods to hinder our work. The greatest seemingly about 26 or 27 years of age, with 1:..ial that I have met with as yet is the fall the tanned skin and large, mellow eyes of the into gross sin of one of my evangelists, a man wandering race. He is evidently a man of who seemed greatly blessed of God. His strong will and determination, and as he stood case is not concluded yet, but I feel it almost up before the congregation to answer the impossible that he can clear himself. Another questions put to him regarding his belief, his new foe is the Church of Rome, which is steal- appearance indicated that he fully realized the ing in, seeking to destroy our work. serious nature of the step he is taking, which ~iIl sever him forever from his kindred, and make him a marked man among the Arab enable it to rent rooms for its Sunday-school, p"pulation of Algeria. After a statement re- prayer meetingR, missionary work, and such garding the nature and ends of Christian bap- appointments for its life and work which every tism, and the reading of Scripture recording well-organized church in our land possesses. the conversion and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, by the Rev_ J. Royd, Scottish clergy- The needs in Paris present unique and re- man, Dr. Bouzian was asked, in French, ques- markable opportunities for usefulness. This. tions regarding his belief and resolve to live a church ought to be made a centre of religious. Christian life, to which he responded in a soft life and activity. It is in close sympathy with but distinct voice, "Oui, c'est mon d~s-ir." He the forces which are at work in Paris_ We arc wasthen publiclybaptized,the old test benedic- praying and hoping that'some person or per- tion being pronounced in French, and immedi- sons will give the needed endowment. ately afterwards chanted in English by a choir of ladies. Dr. Bouzian was then solemnly ad- The pastor, or the American and Foreign dressed in French by the Rev. J. Lowitz (him- Christian Union, will be very glad to furnish self a convert from Judaism to Christianity), all information concerning our condition, need and, in accordance with an old French ecclesi- and plans. In the meantime it is necessary, astical custom, he was publicly presented with in order that we may meet our current ex- a French Bible in the name of the church. The penses, that we ask the co-operation of ceremony was deeply touching and interest- churches and friends in the United States. ing. Many will watch with keen interest the The following plan has been most helpful to- career of this young Arab surgeon, who has re- us in the past year. We desire to thank the solved to abandon the religion and friends of churches and individuals whose kindness has his early days, and to cast in his lot with the been so opportune and encouraging. The Christian church. plan is that individuals and churches rent pews for a term.of one or three years. France. The name of the party renting the pew will be A STRONG APPEAL. placed UpOI'. it, ,"nd the pew will be reserved for- the use of the persons or members of the con- [The Scotch church at Paris is doing gregations when they visit Paris. The pews a noble work for our Lord, and its contain six sittings, and the rent is $80 (eighty dollars) per annum. The.money may be sent by value is high above all denominational cheque on local bank by any church treas';rer questions. The editors with pleasure to Mr. Edward Henry, Treasurer of the Amerigive to the public this appeal in its can Church, 21 rue de Berri. Mr. Henry's address is 10 rue Poisson. behalf.-EDS.] Most cordially and fraternally yonTS, DEAR DR. PIERsoN:-The American Chnrch, EnWA.Rn G. THURBER. 21 rue de Berri, Paris, in its history of more than thirty years has justified the wisdom and PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE. Christian zeal of its founders and friends. It has fulfilled a most important mission in William Herrick, F. A. Gaylord, Eugene C_ ministering to the large nnmber of travelers Savidge, Edward Henry, R. S_ Waring, Henry who pass through Paris, and to those who for a Crandall. longer or shorter period have taken up their residence in this city. This church is vitally CHURCH COMMITTEE. r~lated with the Christian churches of the United States. It is their representative and Alex. Donaldson, A. A. Anderson, J. B. Rey.. servant; it seeks to care for the welfare of nolds, C. C. Curran, K. N. Cowedry, N. K.. those who are absent from their homes and Gillett. present in Paris. More than a thousand students in art, literature and other branches of INTl!:RESTING LETTER FROM MISSIONARY CHARLES study in this city need its helpful Christian care and sympathy_ There is a large field here E. FA.ITHFULL. for its best activity and service. Its position is strategic and most important. The Seamen'. Re.•t, Marseille, April 5, 1890.
It was established on an evangelical and DEA.R DR. SHERwoon:-It is Good Friday, union basis to be a home to members of vari- and on all public buildings, theatres of course ous households of faith. Its prosperity and included, and on the ships facing our MiSSion, efficiency are measured by the degree of sym- fiags fly at half mast, a sad but forceful illuspathy and co-operation it receives from the tration of a religion with a dead Christ. We· home churches. The resources of the church have hoisted full mast all our bunting, Bethel, are from weekly Sunday offerings, donations, English, Norwegian, and Swedish flags, and and pew rentals; the income from these when asked why, our reply was, we believe in' sources .has been inadequate for its support a living God and rejoice to witness to His' and work. The church should have an ample power and grace. endowment, the annual income of which would Taking advantage of the day, I had a special meeting this evening,when seven different na- tionalities joined, first in French and then in English (the latter is the language most spoken by sailors) in hymns, principally from the well known Sacred Songs and Solos, and then fol- lowed two brief pointed addresses from myself on the questions, (lIs it True 'r' andif so I' Where am I Drifting?" An American afterwards ex- tenance of the Rest with its varied branches pressed his pleasure at having dropped in; he of effort for the good of the souls and bodies was a civil engineer, and said he had heard of men. Dr. Pierson, who, by-the-bye, we are looking forward to see for a few hours next week. By The M'All Mission, that I have the privilege God's help we have gone forward in this work. of assisting, mainfains a steady course, and its Last year showed a considerable increase upon able director here, Monsieur Lenoir, is mO!3t the previous oue, over 100 more sailors having active in seeking to improve opportunities. lodged in the Rest. We had, however, very Emigrants leaving our port, as well as differ- serious difficulties to contend with, small pox ent classes of men, such as postmen, soldiers, and typhoid fever having three times visited gas men, rag-pickers, have all come in for a the Rest; though proving fatal in only one in- share of special attention. stance, this entailed much expense, and then the serious strikes in the British Isles further The Mission Interiore has also been at work complicated matters so that, though friends lately: a series of eight consecutive meetings were as liberal as ever, our receipts fell off, was held in a large building that was generally and the year closed with a debt of £80, half of well filled with respectful and attentive audi- which is, I regret to say, still unpaid. ences. Some instances are recorded of con- version, one of whom I had the privilege of Another feature of advance is the Temper- dealing with, and many heard, probably for ance Coffee House and Restaurant, that since the first time, the gospel in all its purity and the alteration of premises and transfer to the simplicity, ground floor of the Rest, has steadily pros- pered, though not as yet self-supporting. This An almshouse for aged Protestant men has very desirable object, howe"er, is kept well also just been acquired here, and is mainly in view, and I hope to report its realization due to the energetic, devoted and determined ere another year closes. It is a matter for efforts of Pasteur Edouard 1I10nod, one of our very deep thankfulness, that in this wicked council. and increasingly intemperate city there is at least one place where spirituous liquors Whilst thanking God for all that is thus go- are nnknown. The light wine of the country ing forward, ones heart bleeds for the multi- is allowed, however, at meal times only. As to tudes still unreached, and by the shameless our customers, they are "all sorts and con expose of the corruption and impurity on ditions of men," and even women, respectable every hand. Imagine this: An immense plaof course, soldiers, sailors, workmen, clerks, card outside a large music hall announces as even a priest has been patronizing us the last a spectacle, "Ie Parades et l'enjer;" (paradise few days (an ex-missionary), and men of all and Hell) and crowds went to see it. nations. We are often sadly reminded of Babel whilst listening to the varied tongues But I fear I have already over-stepped the talked, but we sing" 'tis better on before, " and limits of a letter. Begging a continuance of Pentecost in its fullness will yet bring these your sympathy and prayers that are offered jarring elements once more together. for great blessing on the other side.
Still, yet I have to speak of advance. For Japan. some years we have been trying to counteract the terrible evils surrounding the sailors in the Hiroshima, Japan. shape of tailors and tailors' runners, by sup- To THE EDITORS OF THE MISSIONARY REVIEW: plying clothes at a fair price. I have at last decided upon a regular shop where everything The enclosed Outline Map of Japan I am Jack requires will be obtainable. Just at the confident wiII be of great interest to you. very time suitable premises offered, a cheque Working at Hiroshima, as I am, I will state arrived for the rent until Michaelmas. So I how it looks from this standpoint. This map am encouraged to expect my Heavenly Father is designed to show the work of the "United to send what we require to purchase the stock. Church of Christ in Japan," which now in- cludes all churches connected with the Ameri- Briefly, then, there has been progress, for can Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian, which we thank God and take courage. ·We Southern Presbyterian, Scotch Presbyterian, feel we are eminently .•ower., but we seek to Dutch Reformed, and German Reformed. sow prayerfully and carefully, and fullyexpect a rich harvest. All my fellow workers at In January, at the council of missions laborpresent are heartily and happily one with me. ing in connection with this United Church, the We represent six different nationalities, and following general stptistics were presented for speak eight different languages. For all that 1889: In the United Church the number bapwe need both for personal requirements and tized during the year was more than 1,500; for the work, I am cast upon the faithfulness contributions by native churches, 18,071.05 yen of a Covenant-keeping God, the payments of (the equivalent of about $14,100 U. S. gold)_ the sailors for board being the only source of The number baptized in connection with a.1l income, and only a small portion, for the sus- denominations, 5,500; amount contributed by the native Christians of all churches, 53,500 yen (about $40,000 U. S. gold).
In view of such figures it would seem that Missions do .'pay. " By glancing at the map, you will see that The only foreign missionaries in all this while the work of the United Church has a region are three men with their wives, and wide reach, there are large blank spaces, es· one single lady, of the Presbyterian Mission; pecially on the main island between Osaka two Southern Methodists, and one Episcoand Shimonoseki, and on the island of Kyushu. palian; these at Hiroshima, with another In view of this, last October, at the annual Episcopalian on the coast to the north of meeting of the Western Japan Mission, which Hiroshima. The location of 80 many at has missionaries located at Osaka, Kanazawa, Hiroshima shows that it is regarded as a MAP OF JAPAN …….. ~,tne W'QI"fI: _ ~ Vntl.«:l atuf'ch ~ N'1IUn" CIt phlOM ~" UIe. .' …. ~n:90 ;OUfI"Ohee are underlined.. In an otIIo.,. PI_ _ho'Wn on I.hlll IlUIP _0'"
,. Irtf'"?'J- bu_ QD OI…."*'!- IuI_ ret bean Of'g_nleed.
Kyoto, and Hiroshima, the following resolu· strategic point. It is a fine centre for evangeltion was passed: istic tours, being in quick communication by steamer with any point on the inland sea, " That we respectfully ask the Board (Pres- which I have indicated by crossed lines. byterian) to send out, as soon as possible, at least five new men to aid in the work of the On account of the Government restrictions Mission, in view of the very pressing need in with regard to passports we cannot travel the region south and west of Osaka, and in with freedom at present; but even if the rethe island of Kyushu." vision of the treaties do not go into effect, as we had hoped would be the case this month, In Hiroshima and its immediate vicinity we yet we hope for a modification of present reo have considerably more than 100,000 people, strictions. We hope then to do more towards and to the west of this point there is a popula- filling up these blank spaces. tion of three millions.
~890.] INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
On this western part of the island Yamagu- evangelistic work, for though the A. B. C. F. ,chi and Shimonoseki rank next. If men were M. have a very large force in this place, located at Shimonoseki, they might not only among its quarter of a million of people, its work among the people on that extreme lower missionaries are carrying on scarcely auy end of the island, but, by a few hours' journey, evangelistic work. The United Church, how- reach important points on the coast to the ever, does not undervalue the work of educa- north of Hiroshima, which would take us two tion, as is proven by the Meiji Gakuin, at ,days to reach overland. Tokyo, with its academic .and theological departments; smaller schools with these same As to Yamaguchi, not as a centre but in departments at Nagasaki and Sendai, and still itself considered, perhaps there is not a more another to be started at Osaka. Also a boys' promising field in all Japan_ The people of school at Kanazawa, several girls'schools in Yamaguchi province are counted among the the same place; also at Tokyo, Yokohama, ,best as to sterling worth. Many of the lead.ers Osaka, and elsewhere. in Japan to-day are Yamaguchi men. One of the fioest schools in the empire is located Surely we no not undervalue the educational there. Work among people of such a character work, but we feel the great need of pressing will be productive of great results. The out into the regions beyond. We need evan- Presbyterian Mission, therefore, feels strongly gelists as well as teachers, and so we must inclined to man this field. have more foreigu missionaries to lead in this movement, and to strengthen and counsel the But not less urgent is the call from the island churches already established, for the fields are ,of Kyushu; we are, in fact, inclined to give its white to the harvest. 'claims precedence to all others. Here are 6,500 square miles of territory, with a popula- Affectionately yours, tion of six milUons, and the only foreign mis- FREDERICK S. CURTIS. ,sionaries of the United Chnrch on the whole island are those in connection with the Dutch Sweden. Reformed Mission at Nagasaki. However, these men are so taken up with school work, [We gladly lay the following brief that they have little time left for the evangel- but earnest request for prayer before istic, and besides, Nagasaki is not a good our many readers. It is made by an centre for working the island. Itis hoped that American, working as an evangelist in we may put men in some such location as Stockholm, Sweden-the Rev. Otis L. Kurame, which will' probably become a railroad centre, and an excellent base for opera- Leonard. As an earnest of his in- tions. l't seems strange that so important a terest in missions in his native land, part of Japan should have been so compara- and especially in our Student Voluntivelyoverlooked. ,Ve feel that we must go teer movement, he sends us $16 as a up at once and possess the land. contributioh to our Volunteer Fund, Although the names of places on this map besides renewing his subscription to seem well to fill up the empire, in reality there the REVIEW. A similar request, and a ,are wide spaces between, and though work is liberal gift for the same object, came established in all these places, in less than one- from him last year.-J. 11:. S.] third are there organized churches-as indicated by the underlining-and in only sixteen Request for Praye:. are there ordained foreign missionaries. I have indicated these places by a cross eX) DEAR BROTHERS AND SrsTERs:-Pray for under the names. Sweden! God has wonderfully heard prayer since I made my last request, and is sending Of course all this is only with reference to great revivals in various parts of the land. the work of the United Church. The Ameri- Hundreds are coming to Christ. Two young can Board work, which ranks next to that of converts, who have laid themselves on the the United Church, is almost entirely educa- Lord's altar, to go to the ends of the earth if tional, and its missio~aries ar~ located in He sends them, have been blessed to the consome ten different places. version of more than one hundred persons in a little country place. Pray that a PENTECOSTAL What we are emphasizing is the evangelistic REVIVAL may extend through the whole land, work. As an evidence ofthis is our just having and that thousands may be saved! gone into Kyoto with the pnrpose to do purely IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Eduoation in Japan. as uncivilized and uneducated, but it :BY PROF. M. N. WYCKOFF, OF JAPAN. may be a surprise to malny to know that I presume there are few people any- much attention has been paid to learn- where who now think of the Japanese ing, even from very ancient times. EARLY EDUCATION. Government to make education general. Native accounts seem to show that scholars were brought from China and Primary schools are found in all Korea about 300 A. D., to teach mem- towns and large villages, and are bers of the Imperial Court. About 675 attended by both boys and girls. The A. D., a university was established at studies are reading, writing, arithme- the capital,with branches in the princi- tic, history, geography and moral pre- pal towns of the various provinces. cepts. The course extends over a The object of this institution was only period of eight years, and pupils who to train men for Government service, have completed it in a satisfactory and not at all to promote general edu- manner are eligible for admission to' cation among all classes of people. the middle school. This university exertedgreatinfluence, and was the parent of many schools Middle schools have a five years' which sprung up in different parts of course of study, including, besides the the empire, but it was finally discon- subjects begun in the primary school, tinued. physical geography, algebra, geome- try, botany, physics, chemistry, Eng- DECLINE AND REVIVAL. lish as the principal foreign language, and German or French as a secondary From about 900 A. D. the interest foreign language. Middle schools are in learning gradually declined, but found in all the cities and large towns. in the year 1603 A. D., Tokugawa Some of them have an advanced course Ieyasu, the founder of the dynasty of extending over two years. They are Shoguns, which lasted till 1869, en- called" Higher Middle Schools," and couraged education, and Government their graduates are eligible for admisschools were founded not only in Yedo, sion to the university. They correbut also in the chief towns of the spond to our colleges, but resemble principal daimyos. rather the German gymnasia. Five of these gymnasia are under the direct These schools were designed only for control of the Educational Departthe sons of military retainers, but girls ment, and are located in Tokyo, and children of the common people Kyoto., Kanazawa, Kagoshima and had opportunities of studying in pri- Sendai. vate schools, or under private teachers, and many availed themselves of these Of great schools there are three, viz. :. advantages sufficiently to be able to 1. The Imperial University, in Tokyo, read and write the simpler forms of established and controlled by the the language, and to cast up accounts. Department of Education. 2. The Keiogijiku, an outgrowth of the school MODERN EDUCATION. of Mr. Fukuzawa, controlled by a pri- vate company. The foreign professors During the later years of the Sho- in this institution WE're selectE'd by gunate, the influence of the Dutch Mr. Knapp of the Unitarian Mission. language and learning was plainly They are all Unitarians, but claim perceptible, but it was not till after the that thE'ir rE'ligious views have noth-, overthrow of the Shogun and the ing do with their work as professors. restoration of the emperor to power, 3. The Doshisha, established by the that the present system of education American Board Mission, and dependwas inaugurated. ing upon that mission for its staff of foreign professors. This institution The Department of Education, or- owes much of its success to the labors ganized in 1871, has established a of Rev. Joseph Niishima, whose recent course of instruction which requires death is a great loss to the whole Chris– schools of three grades. These are: tian church in Japan. 1, Primary schools: 2, .Middle schools, or academies; 3, Great schools, or universities. These are open to people of all classes, and it is the object of the Besides the three kinds of schools parents and superiors, and obedience to them, were the corner-stones. These already mentioned, there are special ideas were kept constantly before the minds of the young, both at home and schools, such as normal, professional, at schools. The flood of new knowl- agricultural, commercial and indus- edge from the West has re-arranged the methods and teachings of the trial schools and kindergartens. Pri- schools, and largely destroyed the covate schools of any kind may be estab- operation of school and home, for most of the present generation of parents lished upon receiving the consent of are unable to follow their children in the proper authorities. There are the new paths of learning, and many have ceased trying to do so. In this many such schools, among them being way parental influence has lost much of its power. all 'the schools of the various missions This loss of reverence is in itself a working in Japan. The statistics for serious matter; but, when added to disregard of authority we find even 1889 show 142 mission schools, with 10,791 pupils. boys figuring as political agitators, we meet with a positive danger. It may PRESENT DANGERS. not seem credible, but to-day there is From what has already been said it probably no m,ore difficult problem confronting the statesmen of Japan will be perceived that school work in than the question of dealing with stu- Japan is well advanced, and it would dent politicians.
seem that progress and growth on Some remedy must be found. What· shall it be? is the cry on all sides. these lines are all that can be desired; Some educators advise that moral but the foremost native educators are teaching be emphasized in the schools, but that can produce littleeffect, unless to-day bewailing the fact that,although supplemented by home training, and made real by being revealed in human the schools are undeniably better in lives. Others are looking towards most respects than any that have pre- Christianity as a possible key to the ceded them the conduct of students solution of this problem, and we believe they will not be disappointed. In a has greatly deteriorated. In an address paper on "Educational Needs of Japanese Students," read before the delivered by Dr. Kinoshita, in Octo- Tokyo Teachers' Association in 1885, ber, 1888, to the students of the First when the loss of good manners had not yet attracted much attention, I Higher Middle School, occur these used the following words, which I words: believe to be just as pertinent to-day: " It is a regrettable fact that society " So far I ·have considered education generally seems to have lost the guid- merely as an instrument, and have ing principles of conduct, and one is endeavored to show how it may be not particularly surprised at seeing made most effective; but we must not the rude, disorderly, and even mean forget the uses to which the instrumanners of the present day. People ment may be applied. The surgeon's simply call them 'students' manners,' knife is most fitted for its proper uses a hateful but appropriate term. The when it is made of the best steel and present Japan is in a transition period has the keenest edge, but these very -she is not what she was-while the excellences make it the more dangernew order of things is not yet settled, ous in improper hands. Education is and you [students] are surrounded by a keen and powerful instrument, but those who have no feeling of selfrespect, and whose mannel1l are, to say the least, disorderly. In cOntrast with European countries, where the feeling of self-respect and the observance of social duties and the rules of etiquette are due to education at home, our country at the present day is in an unfortunate position."
Manyof the best men of the day are impressed in the same way as Dr.
Kinoshita, and are earnestly seeking a remedy for this state of things, which is serious, though not sur- prising.
In the old education, reverence for it may be the weapon of the evil as cellently educated, and offering the highest well as of the good. With the studies gnarantees of character and competence, who already mentioned we must, there- are willing to discharge the duties of teaching fore, combine moral teaching, in order for salaries quite inadpquate to compensate that our pupils may have their facul- laymen." ties not only developed, but developed in right directions; that th(lY may be I need not dwell upon the importnot only 'wise as serpents,' but also ance of this fact as related to the moral , harmless as doves.' Our work in this education of the rising generation. direction should be founded upon the Bible. All that is best of morals is Any sketch of education in Japan found there. I neither say nor think would be incomplete without notice of that the Bible should be our only text- what is being done for the girls. book, but whatever books or methods we use, our teachings should agree Advanced education for females is with Bible teachings. Nor, in my a growth of the last t,wenty years, but ·opinion, can we do better than to it has been taken up heaI1ily and follow the Bible plan. If I read my pushed with vigor in both Govern- Bible aright, its greatestaim is to lead ment and Jlrivate schools; indeed, DIen everywhere to know and trust there are some who think ij; has been Christ. Knowing Christ and trusting excessive. The missions are not back- Him brings us salvation, and we learn ward in this important work, and in to love Him as ourSaviour. Knowing our girls' schools are being trained Christ and trusting Him, we know and future mothers who will be able to Jove th~ Father who sent Him. Know- supplement the training of the school ing and loving Christ and the Father, with wise and sound home training we strive to be like them, and in this andinfiuence. With Christian teachers -effort we are not left unaided, for the and Christian mothers, we shall proba- Holy Spirit is given 'to guide us into bly find to-day's problem far on the all the truth '-not true knowledge way to a satisfactory solution. alone, but true living also. New Brunswick, N. J. " This is God's plan, and we cannot improve upon it. We may wear our- Meohanio Missionaries. selves out in trying to spread human opinions of right conduct, and accom- BY HENRY E. BROWN, SECRETARY plish little, but by this plan we have INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF Y. M. C. A., OBERLIN, OHIO. only to hold up Christ, and God does Friends of missions have learned the rest. ChrIst Himself said, , And four great lessons during the present I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men century, viz.: unto me.' Let us hold Him up before our pupils." 1. Native missionaries are neces- sary to the most rapid opening and Such is part of the training that is permanent development of mission fields. being given in all our mission schools, 2. Schools are absolutely essential. and I need not tell that such teaching 3. Physicians can reach some hearts and opent the way to some classes is bearing good fruit. God's word otherwise inaccessible. 4. Home churches are prospered in does not "return unto Him void." their local work in proportion to their gifts of men and money to missions. And this kind of teaching is not con- One more lesson remains as a com- plement to the work of the century, fined to mission schools. Many mis- to which the Divine finger seems to point distinctly, and for which the sionaries and Y. M. C. A. workers are other lessons have prepared the way, viz.: The preparation and use of ~mgaged in teaching in Government mechanical missionaries. In order to secure important testimony in reand private schools, and while not allowed to use the Bible in their regu- lar school work, they have abundant -opportunities in Bible classes, and by their daily living, to make Christ known, and they are making Him known. The Japan Mail, of Septem- ber 20, 1889, says: "The educational work of this country, as far as concerns foreigners, is rapidly being monopolized by missionaries. From mission- ary sources it is possible to obtain youths exgard to this question, the following become interested in missions through such a letter was recently sent to forty-nine practical effort? Mission Boards of this country. From the twenty-four replies already re- 70 per cent., yeS. 30 per cent., po.sibly. ceived, all the definite answers are col- lected and given in italics after their The large per cent. of affirmative respective questions. answers, and the favorable nature of nearly all the remainder, indicate a LETTER. remarkable readiness for the move- ment. There is an extensive movement to establish one or more Christian, un- LAY MEMBERS. denominational schools of technology, to fit men to become teachers of the The great problem, humanly speak- trades and first-class mechanics, and ing, in evangelizing the world, is the at the same time to enlist and prepare question of the general and effective them for personal work 'in winning use of all classes of church memsouls. bers. Great progress is already made in this direction, at home and abroad, The plan includes an effort, as Zenana Missions, Young Men's through Christian Colleges and Young Christian Associations, and Young Men's Christian Associations in great People's Societies of Christian Encities, to show young men of charac- deavor amply testify. ter and culture, who have mechanical ability, the large opportunities tbey The work by lay members which is would have for work for Christ in safest, and most profitable, and capaconnection with the trades. ble of largest extension, is that done for others of the same craft. If such I am gathering statistics and opin- work is to be done extellsively and ions from many sources showing the wisely, suitable men from some class imp0rtance of such a school. must be selected, who shall be "care- fully trained and directed in this work. I write you in common with other Mechanics comprise one of the best Mission Boards to ask: classes with which to promote this lay effort in mission fields. 1. Do you believe that good mechanics and mechauical teachers, who are interested in and The medical missionary has proved prepared for doing personal work for souls, a success. "Livingstone Memorial would be especially helpful in connection with Medical Missionary Training Institumissionary operations? tion," ofEdinburgh, together with its medical missions in India and Damas- 65 per cent., yes. 35 per cent., in some fields. cus, is doing a noble inter-denomina- 2. Would Christian mechanical missionaries, tional work in fitting English and who would support themselves as mechanics, native Christians to become physicians manufacturers, or teachers of the trades, be of both soul and body. The demand of material aid in gaining access to mission for mechanical missionaries will surely peoples, and in developing among them Chris- be as great, for it provides for the well tian institutions? rather than the sick. 65 per cent., yes. 35 per cent., scattering. 3. Would it be an advantage~to home KINDS OF WORK. churches to call on them to develop young men for such service? 1. To superintend the erection of 61 per cent., yes. 29 per cent., scattering. buildings, and provide the material 4. Could some ordinary missionaries wisely comforts of the missions. spend a little time at such a school before going to their missions? 2. To teach the skilled labor depart- 70 per cent., ye8. 30 per cent., to a limited ments of mission schools, which might extent. wisely be multiplied in many mission 5. Would some simple outfit of machinery fields. and tools. as foot·power lathes, blacksmith outfits, or small engines, such as might be 3. To build factories and shops, and made in a school of technology, be helpful in aid in developing the material remission fields? sources of mission countries, thus pro- 77 per cent., yes. 23 per cent., sometimes. viding opportunities for self-support, 6. Would some wealthy men probably and means of higher civilization for means of preparation for spiritual students in the schools, and for the work in the shops. communities to which they go after leaving school. It is unreasonable to 3. Well balanced. Mistakes are expect Christian churches to best illus- easier made than corrected. The deli- trate the power of the gospel to ele- cate service required of the mechanical vate men, while their members live in missionary cannot be rendered by hovels, and cultivate the soil without mere enthusiasts, or by those who are tools or machinery. Railway and tele- "carried about with every wind of graph, saw-mill and machine-shop, doctrine." are essential to the rapid evolution of a Christian people. These agencies PREPARATION REQUIRED. are sure to come ere long to every nation on earth which is not already 1. Culture. It is impossible for one supplied with them. If they are con- to accomplish most in this direction trolled by men of consecration and without a good education. While a prayer, who are more anxious to win· full college course is not absolutely souls than dollars, they will greatly essential, it is of vast service. One hasten the kingdom of Christ; but of the greatest mistakes now made in in the hands of mere seekers after technological training is the small .gain, they seriously complicate the amount of previous education re- .situation. Sooner or later Christian- quired. Cultureis especially important ity will be tested by its civilizing to one who would combine mechanical .agencies. If Christians, on the aver- ability adequate to an undeveloped age, have better homes and more country with spiritual power sufficient of the real comforts of life than to undeveloped minds. adherents of other religions, then will Christianity be appreciated, and 2. Knowledge of trades. If general Christians will secure a controlling in- cultureis important,athoroughknowlfluence. edge of the elements of several trades is demanded. To be a good mechanic KIND OF MEN NEEDED. is not sufficient. One must know the principles that underlie his trade. He 1. Consecrated. Many men are must also possess a fair knowledge of ,church members and highly respected the several related trades, which in their communities, who yet lack together make up the group to which the consecration necessary to highest his particular trade belongs. If he usefulness in this field. A desire to would be a good carpenter in a mission forsake all that interferes with winning field, he should also know something souls, and do, be, or become whatever of architecture, of bricklaying and would best promote this service, must stonecutting; if a machinist, he must be characteristic of the successful be familiar with pattern-making and mechanical missionary. the foundry.
2. Apt with tools. Some men seem 3. Theory and practice in personal to be "cut out" for mechanics. It workfor souls. The better education a frequently happens that one boy in a man has, whether in books or tools, the family is "always making something." less willing is he to do anything poorly; His deepest interest and best service therefore, the educated mechanic will are in the shop. An ambitious, though be likely to excuse himself from spiritmisguided, mother tries to make a ual work if he is not prepared to do it preacher of him. Pity the church well. Hence, training-class drill, inthat employs him! He may be very cluding study of the Bible with referanxious to do good, but what a mis- ence to inquirers, and actual work in take his choice of vocation! And winning men, must be a part of his what a blessing to him would be a education.
HOW SECURED.
1. Suitable men for this service are scattered throughout our churches and for and encourage mechanical ability colleges. They can easily be gathered in large numbers whenever provision in their boys, for the sake of missions. is made for their training. The recent enlisting of young men in Kansas and 2. Mission fields which secure the Minnesota for mission work, without even awaiting any human call, or aid of suitable mechanics in the mis- securingany financial support, testifies a rapid increase in zeal for missions. sion, and in adjacent shops and fac- 5,000 college students lately pledged to go as missionaries, if wanted, is still a tories, will make safer and more rapid .stronger testimony. Many of these men would doubtless make good progress, sooner reach self-support, mechanics, and would show their faith by their works in learning a trade and enjoy more home comforts, than before going to a foreign field, thns preparing to become self-supporting mis- had been possible without such aid. sionaries, if God calls to such service. Some countries will welcome the 2. Adequate preparation for the work proposed can be rapidly secured missionary that brings better tools and in a school provided for this special purpose. It is not necessary that such machinery, though at first caring a school limit its students to those nothing for Christian doctrine. It is expecting to enter a foreign field. Home missionaries are wanted in our impossible to foretell all the ways in shops and skilled labor schools, who possess the same consecration, charac- which the Holy Spirit will use this ter and training that are necessary to success abroad. The course of study new agency. Only one thing is im- .should be similar to those of the best ordinary schools of technology; but portant-that we see the door opening, should include, as electives, some other branches, as printing, brick and and enter in, ready, and hoping to .stone work, plastering, steam-fitting ,and work in sheet metals. know and do to-morrow what had not Provision should also be made for been possible to-day. the training-class and its personal work among the unconverted each Re1igion in Ohina. week. In this way the student will not only learn how to deal with men, POLYTHEISM; PANTHEISM; ATHEISM. but he will find whether he has special interest in such work, without incur- BY REV. ARTHUR H. SMITH, P'ANG CUIA CHIANG, ring the expense of a foreign trip. No man is fit for foreign work who CHINA.* cannot succeed at home. Volumes ha~e been written upon the RESULTS EXPECTED. religions of China, and upon the relig- ious ideas of the Chinese. Confucian- 1. Home churches will receive great ism is now well understood, and both benefit in developing men for this Buddhism and Taoism have been so work, just as in furnishing men for thoroughly explored that it is hard to ~rdinary mission work. It will be a believe that anything of first-rate imglad day for Christ's kingdom when portance is to be discovered. At least pastorS shall urge the need of Christian one more book upon this topic, howmechauics, and parents shall watch ever, remains to becomposed, or rather to be compiled, namely, a Chinese Mythological Dictionary. Such a work should contain an account of all the principal divinities actually worshiped by the Chinese, with authentic histori- cal notices of such as are historical, together with a record of the steps by which many of them have been pro- moted in the Chinese pantheon, until, like Kun Ti, the god of war, from very humble beginnings they have become "adjuvant of heaven." The number of such divinities would probably be seen to be very much less than is ordi- narily supposed. Some of them would * Chinese Characteristics is the title of a volume soon to be issued, probably simultane- ously in England and America. The author, Rev. Arthur H. Smith, has very kindly given us permission to use such part of the advance sheets as we please in the REVIEW. We are bewildered to make choice of a topic out of the many which are dealt with in the work. To those who know the author, we cannot com- mend the book by anticipation better than to say that in treating of" Chinese Characteris- tics" the author has lost none of his own.- J.T.G. be perceived to be of purely local im- towards the worship of nature is a portance, and others to be practically mere truism. The recognition of irre- national in their influence. Some of sistible and unknown forces leads to them would -be found to have been their personification and to external continuously worshiped for more than act~ ?f adoration, based upon the sup- a millenium, while others have been pOSItIOn that these forces are sentient. recently evolved from the ranks of Thus temples to the gods of wind, ordinary humanity. Such a manual thunder, etc., abound. In China the would prove to be of the highest inter~ north star is an object of constant est both to the casual traveler, who worship. There are temples to the wished to get an idea of Chinese re- sun and to the moon in Peking, in ligious worship as it exists in fact, as connection with the imperial worship, distinguished from the theory, and also but in some regions the worship of the to the more or less permanent resi- sun is a regular act of routine on the- dent, who is often confused by the part of the people in general, on a day heterogeneous, if not contradictory , III the second month, which they are phenomena of worship in China. pleased to designate as his "birthday." Early in the morning the villagers go Into the disputed guestions con- nected with the religion of the Chinese to the east to meet the sun, and in the we have no intention to enter in any evening they go about towards the manner whatsoever. Whether the west to escort him on his way. This Chinese ever did have a knowledge of ends the worship of the sun for a year. one true God is indeed a point of con- An exceedingly common manifesta- siderable interest. Those who have tion of this nature-worship is in the examined most critically the classical reverence for trees, which in some writings of the Chinese assure us that provinces (as for example in north- the weight of scholarship is upon the western Honan) is so exceedingly side of the affirmative. By others who common, that one may pass hundreds have a claim to an independent judg- of trees of all sizes each of them hung ment this proposition is altogether with bannerets, indicating that it is denied. To us it seems to be of very the abode of some spirit. Even when much less practical concern than some th~re is no external symbol of worwould make it, and for our present ship the superstition exists in full purposes the question may be alto- force. If a fine old tree is seen standgether ignored. What concerns us in ing in front of a wretched hovel, it isour present inquiry is neither a histori- morally certain that the owner of the cal nor a theorf?tical matter, but a tree dare not cut it down, on account practical; to wit, '¥hat is the relation of the divinity within. It is often which exists between the Chinese and supposed that the emperor is the only their divinities? In speaking of the individual in the empire who has the disregard of foundations on the part prerogative. of worshiping heaven. of the Chinese, we have alreadyad- The very singular and interesting cereverted to the singular mixture by monies which are performed in the which the same individual is at once a Temple of Heaven by the emperor in Confucianist, a Buddhist, and a Taoist, person are no doubt unique. But it and with no sense of incongruity. It would be news to the people of China is in some cases not difficult to trace as a whole that they do not and must the stages by which the heroes and not worship heaven and earth each for worthies of antiquity from being themselves. The houses often have a honored came to be commemorated, small shrine in the front wall facing and from being merely commemorated the south, and in some regions this is came to be worshiped. All the gods of called the shrine to heaven and earth. China may be said to have been dead Multitudes of Chinese will testify that men, and by the rite of ancestral wor- the only act of religious worship which_ ship it may be affirmed that in a sense they ever perform (aside from ancesall the dead men of China are gods. tral rites) is a prostration and an offer- Temples are constantly erected, by the ing to heaven and earth on the first consent of the emperor, to men who and fifteenth of each moon, or in some while living have in various ways dis- cases on the beginning of each new tinguished themselves. It is impossi- year. No prayer is uttered, and after ble to say that anyone of these men a time the offering is removed, and, as may not in the slow evolution of ages in other cases, eaten. What is it that rise to the highest place among the at such times the people worship? national divinities. There can be no Sometimes they affirm that the object doubt whatever that as a nation the of worship is "heaven and earth." Chinese are polytheistic. Sometimes they say that it is "heaven," and again they call it "old man of the That there is a tendency in man sky" (lao t'ien yeh). The latter term pretation which is not only materialisoften leads to an impression that the tic, but which, so far as we understand Chinese do have a real perception of a it, is totally atheistic. After the Yellow personal deity. But when it is ascer- river emerges from the mountains of • tained that this supposed "person" is Shansi and Shensi, it continues its way frequently matched by another called "grandmother earth" (ti mu nai nai) for hundreds of miles to the sea. Insucthe value of the inference is open to serious question. The word "heaven" cessive ages it has taken many differis often used in the Chinese classics in entroutes, rangingthroughsixorseven such a way as to convey the idea of degrees of latitude, from the mouth of personality and will. But it is likewise employed in a manner which the Yangtzekiang, to that of the Peiho. suggests very little of either, and when we read in the commentary that But wherever it has flowed it has car- "heaven is a principle," we feel that ried ruin, and has left behind it a barren waste of sand. Not unlike this the vagueness of the term is at its has been the materialistic current inmaximum. To this ambiguity in troduced by the commentators of the Sung dynasty into the stream of classical use corresponds the looseness Chinese thought, a current which hav- ing flowed unchecked for seven cenof meaning given to it in every-day turies, has left behind it a moral waste of atheistic sand, incapable of supportlife. The man who has been worship- ing the spiritual life of a nation. Taoing heaven, upon being pressed to ism has degenerated into a system of incantations against evil spirits. It know what he means by "heaven," has largely borrowed from Buddhism, will frequently reply that it is the blue to supplement its own innate deficienexpanse above. His worship is there- cies. Buddhism was itself introduced fore in harmony with that of him who to provide for those inherent wants in the nature of man which Confuworships the powers of nature, either cianism. did little or nothing to satisfy. individually or collectively. His creed Each of these forms of instruction has been greatly modified by the others, may be described in Emersonian and as at present found in China, they phrase as " one with the blowing clover may be likened to three serpents. The and the falling rain." In other words, first serpent swallowed the second up he is a pantheist. This lack of any to its head, beyond which it could not definite sense of personality is a fatal go. The second serpent in like manner flaw in the Chinese worship of "heaven." swallowed the third to the same ex- The polytheism and pantheism of tent. But the third serpep.t having a the lower classes of Chinese are mouth of indefinite capacity, reached around and finding the tail of the matched in the upper classes, by what first, also swallowed this serpent up to appears to be pure atheism. Upon its head, leaving only three heads this point we are not prepared to speak visible, and an exceedingly intimate with the same confidence, as in regard union between all three of the bodies. to the prevalence of polytheism and Buddhism swallowed Taoism, Taoism swallowed Confucianism, but at last pantheism, for the reason that oppor- the latter swallowed both Buddhism tunities for a satisfactory estimate of and Taoism together, and thus "the what the condition of mind of the three religions are onel" The practical relatively higher classes of China relation of the Chinese to theIr "three really is, have not fallen to our lot. religions" may be illustrated by the relations of an Anglo-Saxon to the But from the testimony of those who materials of which his language is know most on this point, from the composed. " Saxon and Norman and abundant surface indications, and Dane are we," but even were it possifrom antecedent probability, we have ble to determine our remote origin, no difficulty in concluding that there the choice of our words would not be never was on this earth a body of edu- influenced to the smallest degree by the cated and cultivated men so thoroughly agnostic and atheistic as the extent to which we may happen to have mass of Confucian scholars. The Saxon or Norman blood in our veins. phrase "antecedent probability" re- Our selection of words will be deterfers to the known influence which has mined by our mental habits, and by been exerted over the literati of China the use to which we wish to put the by the materialistic commentators of words. The scholar will use many Latin words, with liberal admixture the Sung dynasty. The influence of of the Norman, while the farmer will Chu Hsi, the learned expounder of the lise mostly plain Saxon terms. But in Chinese Classics, has been so overwhelming, that to question any of his views has long been regarded as heresy. The effect has been to overlay the teachings of the classics with an inter-
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
either case the Saxon is the base, to nese, but such utter confusion as if which the other stocks are but addi- found on earth would be equivalent to tions. In China Confucianism is the chronic anarchy.
base, and all Chinese are Confucian, as Another significant result of the all English are Saxons. To what ex- union of all beliefs in China, is the de- tent Buddhist or Taoist ideas, phrase- basement of man's moral nature to the ology and practices may be superim- lowest level found in any of thecreeds. posed upon this base, will be deter- All the lofty maxims of Confucianism mined by circumstances. But to the have been wholly ineffective in guard- Chinese there is no more incongruity or ing the Confucianists from fear of the contradiction in the combination of goblins and devils which figure so the "three religions" in one cetemony largely in Taoism. Wealthy merchants than there is to our thought in the and learned scholars are not ashamed interweaving of words of diverse to be seen on the two days of the . . . . . . . national origin in the same sentence. month set apart for that purpose, worshiping the fox, the weasel, the It is always difficult to make a Chi- hedgehog, the ~nake, and the rat, all nese perceive that two forms of belief of which in printed placards are are mutually exclusive. He knows styled "Their Excellencies," and are nothing about logical contradictories, thought to have an important effect and cares even less. He has learned on human destiny. It is not many by instinct the art of reconciling prop- years since the most prominent states- ositions which are inherently irrecon- man in China fell on his knees before cilable, by violently affirming each a water-snake which some one had of them, paying no heed whatever to been pleased to represent as an em- their mutual relations. He is thus bodiment of Lung Wang, the god of prepared by all his intellectual train- floods, himself supposed to be the ining to allow the most incongruous carnation of an official of a former forms of belief to unite, as fluids min- dynasty, whose success in dealing with gle by endosmosis and exosmosis. He brimming rivers was held to be mi- has carried''intellectual hospitality" to raculous. This Lung Wang is gener- the point of logical suicide, but he ally regarded as the rain-god, in re- does not know it, and cannot be made gions adjacent to water-ways, but at to understand it, when he is told. a little distance in the interior, the god Two results of this mechanical union of war, Kuan Ti, is much more likely of creeds are very noteworthy. The to be worshiped for the same pur- first is the violence done to the innate pose; but sometimes both are supplant- instinct of order, an instinct for which ed by the Kuan Yin P'u Sa, or goddess the Chinese are especially distin- of mercy. To a Chinese this does not guished, which is conspicuously dis- seem at all irrational, for his mind is played in the elaborate machinery of free from all presumptions as to the the carefully graded ranks of officials, unity of nature, and it is very hard from the first to the ninth, each for him to appreciate the absurdity, marked by its own badge, and hav- even when it is demonstrated to him.
ing its own special limitations. Some- In connection with thf>se prayers for thing analogous to this might certainly rain, another curious and most sig- have been looked for in the Chinese nificant fact has often been brought pantheon, but nothing of the sort is .to our notice. In the famous Chinese found. It is vain to inquire of a Chi- novel called the' 'Travels to the West,"
nese which divinity is supposed to be one of the principal characters was the greater, Yii Huang or Buddha. originally a monkey hatched from a Even in the "Temples-to-all-the-gods " stone, and by slow degrees of evolu- the order is merely arbitrary and acci- tion developed into a man. In some dental, subject to constant variations. places this imaginary being is wor- There is no regular gradation of au- shiped as a rain god, to the exclusion thority in the spirit world of the Chi- of both Lung Wang and Kuan Ti.
v.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY SECRETARY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.
APlea fOl the Senecas. inheritance. A bill which was before The people of the State of New the last Legislature proposed to abolish York are again brought face to face all tribal relations still existing among with an effort to deprive the Indians the Indians, and to carry out a division within its bounds of a portion of their of lands in severalty. The land so ,divided was to be rendered inaliena- to exist in the Indian Territory or ble for a given period, and steps were among the Sioux. There are no vast to be taken to extinguish those re- tracts of unimproved land which block versionary claims of the Ogden Land the progress of railroads and other Company, which have so long stood public improvements. The Tonna- in the way of all schemes to deprive wanda Reservation would, if divided the Indians of their lands. It was in severalty, afford only about seven- represented or implied that a majority teen acres per capita to the tribe now of the Indians were in favor of such a occupying it. On the Cataraugus Res- division. ervation the allotment would be still It cannot be denied that some ad- less. The truth isthatthe NewYork In- vantages would be secured by such a dians have already been so pressed and step, provided the consent of the ma- crowded by the white man through jority of the Indians should be freely every species of fraud, that they have given, and provided that only the un- but a very scanty provision. Why divided farmlands should be included. take away the little that is left?
But the reasons for such a measure do 2. It is proposed to break up the tribal not apply to the leased lands which lie relation by force. The enforcement .adjacent to large towns. of the laws of the State and the Some cogent objections have been abrogation of all tribal laws in con- raised against the bill which did not at flict therewith would be entirely first appear upon its face. it provid- just and prOPQr, but to break up the ed that certain lands in and around tribal relation as a guild would be Salamanca, and other villages on the tyranny. The Senecas have as good Alleghany Reservation, should be sold a right to perpetuate their chieftain- immediately, and it has been sus- ship and their old customs as the Irish pected that just here was the real se- Catholics have to parade the streets ·cret inspiration of the whole move- on St. Patrick's day; or the Odd Fel- ment. lows or the Masons to hold their secret Pending the discussions in the Legis- sessions and perpetuate their orders.
lature, a letter was published which 3. The Tonnawandas and the Tus- divulged the purpose of interested caroras have purchased their lands parties to secure the destruction of the and could no more be compelled to Iflases by which the village lands on give up their joint tenure than a real the Alleghany Reservation are held, estate syndicate in Salamanca or in and to secure a fee simple-in other the suburbs of Buffalo. It would be words, to get possession of the most a strange procedure to undertake to valuable lands. It was asserted that raise the Indians to citizenship by an Buffalo had done the same thing with act of the Legislature which should the Reservation of Buffalo Creek and violate every right which a citizen is why should not the citizens of other l!Iupposed to possess.
towns have the same privilege? The Tonnawandas, in a treaty of The time has come when the people 1857, paid the Ogden Company in cash of New York have a duty to perform for all the land which they now pos- in the interest of common justice sess, and not at any trivial rate, but at and humanity. They should know a maximum price of $20 per acre. A the truth in this matter as between supplement to the treaty allowed even the conflicting statements. A few con- a higher price to the Company in cer- siderations should be borne in mind: tain cases.
1. There is in the case of the New 4. The land in and around the vil- York Indians no such demand of the lages on the Alleghany Reservation public welfare calling for a breaking constitutes the chief and only adequate up of the reservations as are alleged provision of the Seneca Indians, and it is this that certain interested parties We of the Eastern and Middle States.
are now trying to secure through have been ready to criticise many of Legislative action. the schemes which have disgraced the Weare being told repeatedly in far West, and which are not wholly these times, that farming is so poor an unknown even now; but it may be industry that even the white man can well to consider our own history in scarcely obtain a livelihood on a farm this respect.
of average size; how then is the Indian . A single sketch will illustrate the to be supported on a much smaller methods which were pursued with the tract,and husbanded in Indian style? Indians of the Alleghany, Cataraugus.
The Salamanca leases will all be and Tonnawanda Indians fifty years needed as a supplemental resource. ago. Up to that time the Indians had The people of the State should hold held a tract known as the Buffalo them as saCred as those of the Sailors' Creek Reservation, lying in what is.
Snug Harbor in New York. It may now a suburb of Buffalo, and is worth be very undesirable to hold property millions of dollars. But in 1838 a under a perpetual lease. It is doubt- treaty was there formed whose pur- l~ss felt to be so by many occupants pose was to gain possession of all the of the vast properties of Columbia Indian lands in Western New York.
College; but who thinks of appealing It was negotiated by Ransom H. Gil- to the Legislature to compel a sale of lett, Commissioner of the United those properties at nominal rates? In States; butthe parties in whose interest how many instances are such property it was done were Messrs. Ogden and rights maintained without even a Fellows, or the Ogden Company.
question! Have the Indians, whose Under the guise of a "whereas," the tenure is the oldest and clearest of all, preamble to the treaty recited that the- no rights under similar circumstances? Six Nations "had become convinced 5. The people of New York should that their true interest must lead at least consult their own interest, if them to seek a new home among their they are not impelled·to act upon con- red brethren in the West." This was science and a sense of right. To allow untrue, as the sequel will show.
the Indians to be pauperized that a There had been a previous treaty.
few individuals may be enriched, is to which gave to them certain lands place burdens on the public treasury around Green Bay. By this new treaty for years to come. If the Cataraugus those lands were to revert to the Indians had been broken up as a tribe United StatesGovernmentinexchange· forty years ago and the fee of their for a large tract in Kansas, where all lands been placed in individual hands, the Western New York Indians were the adjacent counties would long since to be located.
have been burdened with taxes for the The so-called treaty, with some· maintenance of hundreds of paupers questionable signatures of the Indians, of every description. This must be so was submitted to the Senate in the in all cases in which Indians are thrust June following. After sundry amend- into "civilization '.' before they are ments, it was ratified with the proviso prepared for it; but especially so " that the same should be of no bind- where evil contact with white men is ing effect, and it should not be under- so close as in Western New York. stood that the Senate had assented to The public mind should be awakened any of the contracts made in connec- to serious apprehension by the fact tion with it until the same and the that there has scarcely been a treaty amendments added should be sub- or land purchase relating to the New mitted, and fully and fairly explained York Indians within the present cen- by a Commissioner of the United tury that was honest and equitable. States to each of such tribes or bands,. separately assembled in council, and Society of Friends, all expressed the they have given their full and volun- opinion that improper means had been tary consent thereto." The require- brought to bear to secure the assent ment that the signatures shonld be of the Senecas to the treaty. Mean- given inopen council was disregarded. while the Tonnawandas presented a Many were secured in private and by statement that only one of their chiefs questionable means. had signed the s<K:alled treaty, and that he lived off th~ Reservation. In 1840, the President, in transmit- " Still," says the report of the special ting the treaty to the Senate, saidin his committee of the New York Legisla- message: "No advance toward obtain- ture of 1888, " with what must have ing the consent of the Senecas to the been a full knowledge of all the facts, amended treaty in council was made, the Senate ratified the treaty, by the nor can a majority of them in council casting vote of the Vice-President, now be obtained. The provision of a both Senators from New York, one of resolution of the Senate, June 11, 1838, whom was Silas Wright, voting in its requiring the assent of each of the favor, and President Van Buren pro- tribes to be given in council, has not claimed it." been complied with as it respects the Seneca tribe, and furthermore, that But the Society of Friends, whose improper means have been employed philanthropy does not tire so easily as to gain the assent of the Seneca chiefs, that of most other peoples, still con- there is every reason to believe." Not- tended for justice and humanity. withstanding all this, the Senate short- They appealed to Daniel Webster and ly after ratified the treaty, and the others, but were told that a resort to President proclaimed it. the courts wonld be useless, because "they wonld not undertake to go In an early dispute relating to the back of a ratified treaty." Yet in respective jurisdictions of New York how many scores and even hundreds and Massachusetts over the lands of of cases have treaties, and even just the Six Nations, it had .been agreed and regular treaties, been overthrown that Massachusetts shonld have a right when it was for the interest of the of protest against any unjust aliena- white man to .set them aside? tion of titles held by the Indians. The Senecas, availing themselves of Mr. Webster advised a compromise, this agreement, now memorialized which was finally made. By its terms Massachusetts for protection on the the Indians were permitted to remain ground that of their ninety-one chiefs in the State and to hold a possessory a majority had not signed at all; that right to the farm lands of Cataraugus a part of those who had signed were and Alleghany Reservations, while the not chiefs; that some of the names Ogden Company gained the rich prize were forged; that some of the chiefs of the reservation in the suburbs of had been bribed by the Ogden Com- Buffalo. pany, and that the contracts for bribes had been in writing and were in their This history, which is abundantly custody; and that while the resolution verified by Governmental documents, of the Senate had required that the should fill every citizen of the State signatures of the chiefs should be with shame, and stir him to a firm given in open council, only sixteen resolve that this work of spoliation had been so given. The President, shall go no further. the Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, Governor Everett, of I have shown that so far as farm Massachusetts, Governor Seward, of lands are concerned there is nothing New York, a committee of the General left to excitethe cupidityof whitemen, Assembly of Massachusetts, and the unless there be a purpose to rob the Indians of their all and send them adrift. The movements now on foot must, therefore, either be influenced The Japanese on the Pacifio Ooast. by a disinterested desire to benefit the Indians by compelling them to divide The Japanese in California, mostly their lands against their will, or by in and around San Francisco, are now the expectation that somebody else variously estimated at from two to will be benefitted by the sale of village three thousand. More than half are lots. of those who have received Christian baptism in Japan. What should be done? 1. The lawsof the State should be ex- A more interesting and promising tended to these Indians as to all other classcouldscarcelybefound. Nobetter classes, and should overbear all tribal field for missionary labor exists on any laws so far as there is conflict and no continent; the churches and Young farther. Men's Christian Associations in this 2. It would be desirable by amicable country should be fully awake to the means to secure a full and inalien- opportunity. These young men repreable possession of a proper amount of sent the most vigorous element in the land for all who desire it and for no Japanese churches. Very largely they others. Those who prefer a tribal are of the higher middle class, and the partnership or syndicate, as giving very fact that they have crossed the a more permanent tenure, should be ocean for study or for practical knowlallowed to have it. edge of business is proof of their 3. The leases of valuable lands now energy and enterprise. Shall they be maintained as a resource for the met with cordial Christian fellowship, tribes should be left undisturbed both and strengthened for future usefulness for the good of the Indians and for in their native land-for they intend the protection of the public treasury from the burdens of wholesale pauper- to return-or shall their Christian ism. 4. The public should cultivate an faith and their high expectations be intelligent interest in these Indians, shocked by indifference and neglect? and should watch with jealous care all legislation which concerns them. Unfortunately the complaint i3 5. All possible effort should be put frequently made that they are disapforth to raise the lowest of them to pointed in their hopes, that their ideal the intellectual and moral estate of of American Christianity is dissipate,l, the highest. There is every encour- that the worldliness of the churche,; agement to such effort. and their practical indifference to the The Tuscaroras show a larger per spread of the gospel, give rise to grave cent. of church members than any misgivings. equal rural community of white people in the State. Mr. John Babberton has It is easy to see that such disappointshown in the columns of the New ments may often result in a similar in- York Herald that they are orderly and difference and even apostacy from the law-abiding, and that they bring no faith, whereas a cordial reception disgrace upon our average civiliza- with faithful effort and encouragetion. ment might confirm these men and fit Among the Senecas, in the Presby- them to go back to Japan as earnest terian churches alone there are about Christian laborers. They are nearly 300 communicants; 47 have been all young men, and as so large a proadded this year-a gain of more than portion of them are already Chris- 15 per cent. This is a higher ratio than tians, it ought to be easy to foster could be shown by the Synod of New such a prevailing Christian sentiment York. among them as should bring them all or nearly all to Christ.
Some of the missionary organiza- tions, as the Methodist and the Pres- byterian Boards, are in some degree showing their appreciation of the
EDITORIAL NOTES O~ CURRENT TOPICS
rare promise of this work, and vigor- foreigners and western civilization, ous Japanese churches have been and, in particular, the Christian re- formed. But there is a fine field for ligion, from Japan. 'Vhen he saw thesupplemental effortof the churches that the new order of things was to prevail he be~an to prepare for it. He in San Francisco, in fellowship and studied ' for81s:n medicine' in Tokyo, sympathy, in every form of encour- and was admItted to practice in 1882. "In the spring of 1885 he came to agement and help. These young men San Francisco for the double purpose are by no means inclined to be unduly of learning English and pursuing an dependent. The Japanese Presby- advanced course in medicine. He was terian Church, which numbers only invited to the Presbyterian Mission, where he found many of his countrysixty-five members, has contributed men in circumstances similar to his $1,174 during the year, besides sub- own. Dr. Sturge, of the Mission, gave him special instruction durin~ the scribing $800 toward the erection of a day, and Mrs. Sturge taught hIm in chapel. The Methodist Church is the evenings.
equally active and self-reliant. In "He was converted, and united with both missions Young Men's Christian Associations have been formed with the church by baptism and confession memberships much more numerous of his faith. He subsequently entered than those of the churches. the medical department of the State The following account, quoted from a letter of Rev. A. J. Kerr, of San University, where he remained two Francisco, reveals the character of years. He opened an office for pracsome of these men: tice on one of the principal streets, "A recent steamer carried back to Japan one of our elders, Dr. Kawa- where, during certain hours each kami. He is in some respects a very noteworthy man. In 1876, when only week, he gave free medical treatment seventeen years of age, he took part in Maebara rebellion against the Japanese to the poor of his countrymen. S"overnment. He was arrested and Imprisoned, but on the overthrow of "About a year ago he was elected the revolt he was released. The pur- to theeldership of the church, in which pose of the rebellion was to exclude capacity he served till his departure for Japan. Before leaving he asked for a letter of dismissal, that he might unite with a Presbyterian church in Tokyo, and he particularly requested that I would give him a letter to one of the sinall churches where he would find plenty to do."
VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
An "Extra-Oent-a-Day Band." work, and in remembrance of the [We give below a letter from a gen- Lord's command to preach the gospel to every creature, an Extra-Cent-atleman filling a high position in one of Day Band was formed at the church the leading banks of Boston, who is with which the writer is connecteddeeply interested in missions, and the Congregational, Newton Centre, after giving much thought to the sub- Mass.-at the missionary concert in ject, has devised and put in operation November last. Our members give in the church to which he belongs a one extra cent a day for missionary plan forsecuring specialaid to advance the cause. The plan is simple. feasible, easily worked, and affords the possi- bilityof grand results. Its immediate purposes. We started with about 40 success in Newton Centre is the pro- members, and have now 111. We phecyof success wherever it is wisely shall give in a year, with our present and efficientlycarried out. 'Ve heartily membership, $405.15, which will • commend the scheme to all our minis- practically all be extra. 'Ve did not ters and churches. Never was there wish to interfere with other ways of greater need than now to increase giving, and therefore we give but an largely our missionary receipts.- extra cent, and simple ways were J. M. S.] suggested for saving that small EXTRA-CENT-A-DAY BANDS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD:-In view of amount. Our band has butone officer, the many present splendid opportuni- a treasurer (though the addition of a ties and pressing needs for mission president would give the organizat:A:l more form), who reminds the mem- Almost 1900 years have gone since -bel's monthly of their dues by means the great commission fell from the of small envelopes printed: Master's lips. Let the Church, follow- WILL M __________ ers and representatives of Him whose earthly life was a mission to a lost PLEASE HAND_..__._TO .aM'–_ __ world, resolve that ere this century closes the story of the Saviour shall In this Envelope. indeed be proclaimed to every crea- ture. That will make our age sublime! EXTRA-CENT-A-DAY BAND. With Extra-Cent-a-Day Bands To_……………………._._………………………………… everywhere doing. their fullest work, supplementing the present ordinary A few members, however, paywith- missionary contributions, the ways out any reminders. A small book is and means would be amply provided, kept by the treasurer, containing the and we may be sure that the Lord members' names, with space after each of the harvest would raise up laborers for entry of payments. We give one- in abundance. half of our contributions to the foreign work, through our American Board, I have pondered the Extra-Cent-aand onljl-half to the work in our own Day Band idea for many months, and land, through the several home mis- have come to believe in it enthusiassionary societies. One hundred dollars tically. It is simple and practicable, -one-halfof our moneyfor the foreign within the means of almost everyone, work-will be applied to build a school greatly needed, and fraught with prohouse and to support a teacher for one digious possibilities! year at Kumbhari, India. Rev. Chas. Harding, of Sholapur, India, has long Let Christ's followers of every name regarded Kumbhari as an important form such bands everywhere. I hope place to occupy, but his repeated ap- to hear of very many, and will gladly plications for an appropriation for that render such help as I can to all who purpose have not been granted, solely will address me. S. F. WILKINS. for lack of funds. Now, through our little band, this long-desired work is Newton Centre, Mass. already under way. This is one specimen of what we hope to do in for- " Shall Islam Rule Africa 7" eign fields, and in the home land as well. This is the startling title of a paper· One extra cent a day seems insig- by Rev. Lemuel C. Barnes, Newton nificant, but thirteen million Protes- Centre, Mass., read before the Ministant evangelical Christians in the isters' Conference of Boston, and pub- United States giving at that rate, lished by a Committee of the Conferwould add $47,450,000 a year to the ence, who "express their high appremisdionary treasuries, the total amount ciation of the writer's earnestness, contributed at present being about candor, and thorough diligence in in- $6,000,000. vestigation, and heartily commend his work to the candid consideration of Since our band was formed another Christian men everywhere." has started at Auburndale, and still another at Groton, Mass., and we The paper is a notable one. in some believe that such bands may be formed respects. It is written by one who in all the churches of our land. Such has carefully studied the problem, and bands, doing but half their fullest understands the present condition and work, would furnish means sufficient tendency of the African situation. It to more than quadruple the entire is written with candor, looking fairly present missionary activities of all the at all sides of the question, and duly Protestant evangelical churches of estimating the various factors which the United States. enter into the significant question he asks. His statements as to the growth and extent of Islam in Africa and and finally considers "the radical dif- elsewhere are bold and startling. They ference between Christianity and Is- .are too general and sweeping to be at lam," and "some special conditions -once accepted as facts. He divides of the conflict between Islam and the continent into two nearly equal Christianity in Africa."
portions, the northern and the south- Dark as the picture is made to ap- -ern. "The northern half has been at- pear, there is still solid ground for hope tached to the Arabian prophet; all its that Islam will never rule Africa.
roads lead to Mecca." It consists of Africa, in the marvellous providence i;hree zones: North Africa, the Sa- of God, is now pushed to the front, hara, and the Soudan, with an esti- and is destined in the near future to mated population of 18,123,846; be the arena of a sharp and decisive .2,500,000, and 83,800,000 respectively. conflict between Islam and Christian- "These three zones, which contain con- ity. In this conflict Islam will be ;siderably more than half the popula- shorn of many of the elements of its tion of the continent, are thoroughly past success; while Christianity will Islamic." "The whole northern half possess new and powerful auxiliaries.
·of Africa is as thoroughly Islamic as The sword and the slave trade have Turkey or Persia, if not more so." On been the right arm of Islam, but the the basis of t,he estimated total popu- days of their dominance in Africa are lation of the northern lobe of the con- numbered. Although the most diffi- tinent "its Moslem population is over cult and stubborn of all false religions rather than under 75,000,000," while to subdue, Islam cannot, we believe, the strength of Christianity is only withstand Christianity in a fair fight.
"35,777" souls; including "Romanists Now after 1,200 years of contact, for less than half a million western Chris- the first time Islam and Christianity tians." The writer states also that are to meet face to face for a trial of Islam has made large advances in the faith on an open, fair, broad field.
southern half of the continent. For the first time it is to be mainly a We have not space to follow him in trial of moral strength.
the details. "In a word," he says, The European nations, which have "the northern lobe of Africa is covered planted their authority and civilization by Islam, with mere traces of Pagan- in the centre of Africa, and have gone ism and touches of Christianity. The there to stay, will not long leave Is- southern wing of Africa is covered by lam to propagate itself by sword and Paganism,with a considerable area of the slave trade as in the past. The Islam in the north, and a considerable Congo Free State-the very garden of area of Christianity in the south." "Is- the continent-is already guaranteed lam has ren'dered void the Christianity religious liberty. These two religions that once reigned from the Pillars of span the continent. If Islam move Hercules to the Indian Ocean; and southward it will be because it has going beyond, has, century by cen- moral power for conquest, which we tury, pushed its way across the Sa- know it does not possess and never did.
hara, throughout the Soudan and Surely,when the Mohammedan pow- down the east coast, until more than er in Europe is crumbling to pieces; half the continent is in its grasp. The when no Mohammedan empire or grasp to-day is as fresh, warm and people anywhere is rising into signi- greedy as ever." ficant position .01' influence, and when The writer next discusses "what the leading Protestant powers of have been some of the great elements Europe are running a sharp race for ,of the religious strength and weakness the possession of African territory, of Islam and Christianity during the and the extension of Christian civil- centuries of their paralleled history," ization over the best portions of the Dark Continent, it is not the time to wrote to her of this opening, when. fear that Islam will rout or check Christianity and "rule" that vast con- she came and was introduced to the tinent, which is evidently destined to figure conspicuously in the future ladies of the three Zenanas. And from history of mankind, if we interpret aright the wonderful series of provi- that time the work spread rapidly. dences which has opened it up to view, and fixed the attention of the whole Now there is no need of work as a civilized world upon it, and enlisted, as never before, the combined forces bribe to learn to read; so anxious are of Christendom for the redemption and elevation of a degraded people.- the ladies in the Zenanas for instruc- J.M.S. tion that where we have one female The Origin of Zenana Work. [Understanding from Mrs. Arm~ missionary we ought to have a hunstrong, of Burmah, that Mrs. Elizabeth Sale, of Rockmount, Helensburgh, dred, and would if the Christian Scotland, could give information of the earliest movemeilt in this direc- Church were alive to its responsibilition, I wrote to her, and received the following reply. It will be of great ties. interest to all who are interested in woman's work for woman.-A. T. P.] " Excuse this hurried reply. " As soon as I knew enough of the " I am yours in the best bonds, language to make myself understood I began going into the villages among "ELIZABETH SALE." the women of India, in 1852. In 1856 I got first an entrance into a Zenana -We have received a copy of a letproper. In 1858 I began work in Calcutta, and worked more than a year ter addressed to the Corresponding in my first house before I got anyone to take anything out of my hand. It Secretaries of the American and Ha– was very difficult to get one of the ladies to look at a book, as they feared waiian Boards of Missions, and of the being made widows if they desired to know anything of the outside world. American Bible Society, from the As soon as some little bits of work were finished-a little pair of shoes Rev. Hiram Bingham, of Honolulu, and a bit of canvas work-I had them make up, which so delighted the hus- announcing the completion of the bands and brothers, that the' wonderful work' was taken to other houses, translation of the Old Testament into when invitations came to teach there also. The needle work had to be made the language of the Gilbert Islanders. the bribe to induce the women to learn to read. I had then been so far blessed, Seventeen years ago he and his wife, that the ladies in three Zenanas were who ably assists him in his work, redaily hearing the Scriptures read, and joiced in the completion and pub_ some had so far broken through their lication of the New Testament. And fears that they were learning to read. now, after more than thirty-one 'Years "In 1860 my husband was ordered from the beginning, he is able to to Europe, when I heard of the arrival announcP. the completion of the enof Mrs. Mullens and .her daughters. I tire Bible. We congratulate this be- loved missionary that, with the valu- able assistance of Mrs. Bingham, "a born linguist," he has finished the long and arduous work. It will be an enduring monument of patient and heroic work done for Christ. And we congratulate the Boards under whose auspices the translation has been made, and the American Bible Society which is to print it, "for a people now emerging from heathenism, and of whom not a few are waiting in eager- ness for a complete Bible."-J. M. S.
-We have received the printed ad- dress made by Rev. J. T. Stevens be- fore the Presbytery of Athens, Ga., entjtled, "The Gospel can, and ought to be preached to the whole Heathen, Jewish and Mohammedan world in the next ten years." So far as the "ought" is concerned, it is undoubted- ly true; and it "ought" to have been done ten centuries ago, and many more. But the "can," considered in the light of actual practical accom- plishment, we more than question. vVe doubt the wisdom of fixing on a brief definite period for the world's. evangelizatioI. It is a tremendous The Soudan Missionary Movement. work, the full import of which it is impossible for a finite mind fully to Thel'!'l sailed from this port a few take in. It is not a mathematical days Slllce three young missionaries, problem that a dexterous play of F. M. Gates, Warren Harris, and figures will solve. Let us give the facts, the arguments, the motives, qharles Helmick, for the.Soudan, Afand press and reiterate them with all possible force and urgency and nca. They are a part of that heroic faithfulness, but let us not presume band of Kansas young men, who, unto assign a period within which the der the powerful appeals of Dr. Gratwhole world "can" be evangelized. tan GUlllness, resolved to establish a. The appeal of our brother, so far as mission iii that vast unoccupied region facts, statements, and array of mo- of the Dark Continent without the tives go, is excellent, and cannot b3;c~in~ of any soci.ety, trusting im- plICItly III God and hIS promises. They fail to quicken the blood of any Chris- were business men, several of them tian who willreadit.-J. M. S. pro~i~ent offic~r~ of Young Men's Chnstlan ASSOCIatIOns. One of their number, Mr. Kingman, had gone in advance to locate the mission, and had Death of Alexander Mackay of Uganda. written to them to come on. They The Church Missionary Society has took with them implements for farmsustained an almost irreparable loss in ing and house building, and expect tothe death of this heroic missionary. spend their lives there. They express He has labored fourteen years in Cen- unbounded confidence in the PrOVIdentral Africa, and his brave continuance tial supply of their needs. Some will at his post, when others retired, and question the wisdom of their method, when difficulties and dangers thick- but all must admire their heroic and ened around him, has won for him self-sacrificing spirit. Others:will folmuch well-deserved esteem from all low as soon as they have finished their who can appreciate faith and Chris- series of missionary meetings, which have been productive of much good. tian courage. It was when the news of the assassi- Mr. Kingman went by way of Engnation of Mr. Shergold Smith and Mr. land, at the invitation of Mr. Graham O'Neill on the Victoria Nyanza Wilmot-Brooke, of England, who has reached him, near the coast, that he traveled extensively in the Soudan, pushed on to Rubaga, reaching Mtesa's and was about to leave again for that capital in December, 1878. Uganda country, and he kindly invited the· became his home from that time till Kansas missionaries for the Soudan he was driven out by the emnity of to have one of their number meet him the Arab traders nin~ years later. in England and sail with him. Our Even then he only retired to the south associate, Dr. Pierson, was present at the farewell meeting, iWnilEmxote-teBrrHooakll~ end of the Great Lake, where he has London, given to the now fallen asleep. He has carned his life in his hand all these years, and party, and made the Consecrating has seen colleague after colleague Prayer. Mr. Kingman joined this either carried off by death or obliged party at Liverpool, and took ship to retire from the field. No one could with them for Africa. During the read Mr. Mackay's letters in the Church voyage out he had ample opportunity Missionary Intelligencer without see- for conference with Mr. Brooke, and other members of the party, and so, ing that he was, over and above his on his arrival, was soon able to give missionary devotion, a natural genius. the needed information to his fellow- His translation of the Scriptures into workers in regard to their outfit, etc. the tongue of Uganda, his mechanical , contrivances, his marvellous tact and The agent of the steamship com- soundness of judgment, nis calm pany by whose line Mr. Kingman courage at the court of Mwanga-all sailed sent this telegram: "To-day marked him out as a man of extra- has seen, in the departure of Kingman ordinary power and devotion. He for the Soudan, the beginnin!5 of what was born in 1850 in the Free Church is going to be the greatest mIssionary manse of Rhynie, his father, the Rev. movement of this century. God bless A. Mackay, LL.D., being the Free it, and the West where it started. Church minister there. Mr. Stanley Keep believing." And adds Mr. Walspeaks of him in the most enthusiastic ton: "And so the Soudan missionary terms, classing him with Livingstone movement is no longer something and Moffat. The Christian Missionary talked of, but is now something real. Intelligencer for May has a deeply- Praise the Lord! "*-J. M. S.
interesting sketch of him.-J. M. S. * :';ee our June issue, pages 472-73.
556 PROGRESS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN
VII.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Africa.-King Mwanga. Uganda is one made the first complete ascent of Mount Kil- ·of the most powerful of African kingdoms, ima Njaro, in East Africa, and finds it almost =d the conversion of its king to enlightened 20,000 feet high. A graphic account appears views, and his restoration to power by the aid in the Royal Geographical Society's Proceed- <)f Christians whom he had so cruelly pel"S!3' ings for March. This is the mountain that cuted, are events of no small importance to the was discovered by our missionary, Rebmann, -cause of missions and of civilization in Central on May 11, 1848; and his letter, announcing the Africa. From a cruel enemy he has become a discovery, was printed in the very first num· warm friend, so that he now sends to the ber of the Church Missionary Intelligencer, Protestant and Catholic missionaries south of 1849. The scientific world and the AthenaJum Victoria Nyanza, begging them to return to laughed at a poor missionary finding a snow- their work in his kingdom. " You will be at capped mountaln under the Equator. But liberty to do whatever you like," says he. Rebmann merely replied, "I was brought up H Do not imagine that Mwanga will become in Switzerland, and I ought to know a snow· bad again. If you find me bad, then you may clad peak when I see one." That discovery ·drive me from the throne; but I have given was the first event in the history of modern up my former ways, and I only wish now to Central African exploration. follow your advice." It is also reported that the English have completed a treaty with -The acceptance ofthe Italian Protectorate Mwanga, by which Uganda comes under the by the King of Abyssinia is reckoned as af- ·suzerainty of Great Britain. Still another re- fording much hope for missionary work in the port affirms that Mwanga has been defeated valley of the Nile. and dethroned. It is impossible to tell at present how much truth there may be in the.m -Along the valley of the Nile, from Alexan- rumors. dria to the first cataract, there are seventy mission stations, and seventy Sunday-schools, -The Brussels Conference. The results numbering 4,017 scholars, while the boarding will not be fully known till the Powers have and day schools have over 5,000 pupils. :Severally ratified its action. The report of the Maritime Committee is a long document, and -There are, in connection with the Pres- ;shows that all difficulties have been sur· byterian Board of Foreign Missions, nine mounted, and an agreement has been con· churches in the Gaboon and Corisco Missions, ·cluded on every point. If the recommenda· with 1,090 communicants enrolled, of whom tions of the committee be adopted, the 163 were added during the past year. repression of the slave trade by sea will be regulated henceforth by a complete code -The London Missionary Society has re- which respects the views of the various ceived news from its missionaries at the south Powers, and at the same time forms a code, end of Lake Tanganyika. They have beim in the efficacy of which cannot fall to make itself great peril from the Arabs, and in great straits felt. According to L'Afrique, all trade cara- for provisi()Ds and cloths for barter purposes vans, before starting from the coast, must and wages, but the worst is thought to be give a deposit to be forfeited if they trade in now over. slaves. Arms are not to be taken into the interior; and even on the coast, guns and -Stanley says that during his recent Afri- powder will be under close supervision. Slaves can expedition he came across a new and in- fonnd in any caravan or ship will, if possible, teresting race of blacks, the Wanoumas, who be liberated and restored to their own are absolutely European in type, and very in- country_ telligent. They appeared to be decendants of the ancient Ethiopians, who settled in some -A large quantity of intoxicants is being way not known to him in Equatorial Africa. imported by the Germans into their East These people never int..rmingled with the ab- Africa territory. Great care is taken to pre- original races, but kept their blood intact, vent this being brought into the English considering the ordinary negroes beneath sphere. The English are beginning to see the them. baleful effects of this trade in rum, and are restricting it. But they have not yet much to -Rev. Alfred Robert Tucker has been con· boast of. It should be said, however, to the secrated at Westminster as Bishop of Equa great honor of the African Lakes Company, torial Africa, to succeed Bishop Parker, dethat they absolutely refuse to have any share ceased, who succeeded Bishop Hannington, in the sale of intoxicants to the natives. The who was assassinated. British South African Gompany is also working in co-operation with the African Lakes -The Congo. Mr. Grenfell, of the English {Company. Baptist Societ~, reports that they are expect- ingto open anew station at Lulanga, some 150 -A German traveler, Dr. Meyer, has lately miles northeast from Lokolele. The officials of the Congo Free State desire the Society to make much greater advances up the river to Ukoto, some 400 miles, where the Arabs have as yet obtained no foothold. It is evident that the authorities of the Free State are desirous ox stables, damp huts, and filthy, small, dark to aid missionary societies in all possible ways rooms; of the ddys with students in wet grass, so that a barrier may be made against the on the mountain·tops and by the sea-side, of Arabs. Mr. Grenfell says that if the railroad the visits in a savage country, among the between Stanley Pool and tidewater were only aborigines, you will never fully know. Four· built, the Arabs would find their vocation gone. teen years of toil have passed away. Yester- He affirms that a railroad cOllld do much more day 1,273 rejoiced in singing praises to the than could an army. The work at Balolo station Lord God Almighty. To God alone be all is most promising. People listen attentively, the praise, honor and glory. There are now and express much surprise over the teachings hospitals as well as churches, native clergy- of the Bible. For instance, they cannot see men as well as teachers, colleges as well as why God should object to their stealing one primary schools in Formosa, and the native from another. But Mr. Grenfell says, that Christians largely aid them." though they acknowledge that the Command· ments are good, "they are not yet prepared Greece.-Mr. T. R. Sampson, an intelli- to accept the awkward restrictions their adop- gent missionary at Salonica, admits that the tion would entail."-Missionary Herald. call for laborers in Greece is not so urgent as. in China or Japan, but says that there is now -The following list gives statistics of the an opportunity in Macedonia, Epirus and various Protestant missions working on the Asia Minor such as never has existed before, and may not exist there long, should Russia Congo: or Austria come in. The work can be done Baptist Missionary Society. established 1878: only by Americans, for they are not mixed up with politics abroad, nor embarrassed by In the field, 24; on furlough, 7; studyingmedi- State establishments at home. The rest ot cine, 1; transferred to other missions, 3; in the world is open to Christians of all nations home work, 2; *left the mission, 4; dead, 25. alike, but in this part of Europe the circum- Total, 66. stances particnlarly favor those who come from the western world. American Baptist Missionary Union, estab· lished 1878: In the field, 23; on furlough, 9; India.- The Disintegration of Hindu- studying medicine, 1; in other foreign mis- ism. Thus the work goes on, and has been sions, 7; in home mission work, 8; *left the going on for seventy years, now with a larger mission, 5; dead, 18. Total, 71. staff and now with a less, but with an ever- increasing volume and with results which stIli Simson's (New York) .Mission, established in a great part await the future to declare 1884: In the field, 3; *Ieft the mission, 5; dead, them. This work among the lower classes is 1. Total,9. not so conspicuous in its results as that which is carried on among the higher. It is Swedish Mission, established 1886: In the not pulling down the pinnacles of the Hindu field, 10; on furlough, 3; dead,S. Total, 16. temples, but it is disintegrating their founda- tions. At Sal' Nath, near Benares, is a huge Bishop Taylor's Congo Mission, established Buddhist tope of brickwork, through which 1886: In the field, 11; helping other missions, 2; antiquarian investigators have driven a single *Ieft the mission, 11; dead,7. Total,31. tunnel jnst at the gromid level. The mighty mass stands all unshaken by that. But one The Congo-Balolo Mission, consisting of 11 by one the bricks are loosening where they are members, is not included in this list, as it has exposed, and by and by the.whole .tructure only recently been established. will collapse. We are driving tunnels in all directions through the mass of Hinduism. N. B. Those going home by April mail are The lower classes are being permeated by included above as "on furlough."-Missionary the dissolving element of Christian truth, and notes from the Congo. the mortar of ignorance and superstition is being picked out from the joints of the caste England. – The British and Foreign system. Even if the higher classes were un· Bible Society has, during the eighty-one years touched, the work in and around Calcutta of its history, issued from its London Deposi· could not fail to tell at last.-Christwn tory alone, 29,000,000 complete copies of God's Missionary Intelligencer. word, 32,000,000 Testaments, and nearly 12,- 000,000 portions of the Bible; a total of 73,000,- -A new sect, called the Arya Somaj, is at- 000, or nearly 1,000,000 a year, or enough to tracting considerable attention in Northfurnish every twentieth inhabitant of the western India. Its purpose is to oppose giobe! Truly England's noblest cathedral is Christianity by restoring the worship taught in the ancient Vedas. An orphanage and her great Bible Society. school have been established in ~arei1ly by the Formosa. – A Rapid Conquest. Some- sect, whICh is probably the first effort ever made by the natives of India to provide a times the conquest of Christianity in foreign home for the care of helpless and neglected fields is qnite rapid. Dr. Mackay, the distinguished missionary on the island of Formosa, off the coast of China, writes: "Fourteen years ago I arrived here. All was dark around. Idolatry was rampant. The people were bitteI towards any foreigner. There were no churches, no hospitals, no students, no friends. Year after year passed away rapidly; but of the persecutions, trials and woes; ot the sleepless nights; of the trawiling barefoot, drenched with wet; of the nights in * Many of these are connected with Mission work at home. children. The attempt is undoubtedly in- schools. The translation of the New Testa- .spired by the successful efforts of missionaries ment was not completed until 1880, and the in this direction, and is intended to keep the whole Bible at the beginning of 1888. A few ·children of Hindu parents from falling into months later one society had distributed over Christian hands. 100,000 copies of the complete Bible, and, previously, more than twice that number of -In politics, III religion, and in religious the various parts. No less than 575 daily and .and moral and social development, we have weekly newspapers, and 111 scientific periodi- entered, or are entering, upon a new era of cals are printed in Japan. There Is also a transformation under the quickening influence good system of postal and telegraph service, of the West; and it is the highest glory of the with extensive lines of railway in course of missionary that he has contributed no small construction. They manufacture their own share to this upheaval of a nation of 250,000,- locomotives and steamships, while last year's ®.-TheHindu of India_ imports with the United States from Japan amounted to $16,000,000 in value. -There .are 10,000 licensed opium shops in the British territories in India. The opium Madagascar. – The Chronicle of the habit is increasing rapidly. Ladies Missionary Society contains an inter- esting account of the opening of a new church -Rev_ E. P. Thwing, Ph.D., of Brooklyn, in Antranobiriky, Madagascar, on Christmas N. Y., has recently traveled 4,500 miles in Day. One of the principal pastors from An- India. He says that 8,000 entries are yearly tananarivo came with letters from the Queen made in the official catalogue of vernacular and Prime Minister-the former containing 101• .and English works, issued mainly by Hindus, Services were continued with great success .and on religion more than on any theme. for several days. .. But Buddhist theosophy will never tear Christianity in tatters." Dr. Thwing has been Scotland_ – The Free Church of Scot- .absent from home six months, and has land have received the following interesting traveled 20,000 miles. After the Shanghai items of news from their missions on Lake -Conference, in May, he expects to remain till Nyassa: Dr. Laws reports the baptism of 32 July in Japan. Mrs. Thwing is on her third converts at Bandawe. Dr. Elmslie records the missionary tour among the heathen villages, application of the two first wild 'Ngoni for 120 miles southwest of Canton. baptism. (2) Her Majesty's Consul, Mr. Johnston, F. L. S., having hoisted the British -As India is engrossing at the present fiag at the north end of the Lake-the mission- time so much of the attention of the Church, aries, after 13 years' heroic exposure to dan- some figures relating to its people and their ger, are now under some form of British pro- religion may be useful. In March, 1888, the tection against the Portuguese and Arabs_ population of British India, including the Pr0- (3) The Rev. A, C. Murray, with Mr. Vlok, tectorates and Feudatories, was reckoned by evangelist, has founded the first station of the Government at 269,000,000. It is calculated "the Dutch section of the Livingstonia Mis- that there are about two millions of Chris- sion" at Chewere's, fifty miles west of Lake tians in Indilt, counting Roman Catholics, Nyassa. This will constitute their central Protestants, and adherents of what are known 'Ngoni Mission, as Dr. Elmslie's is North as the Eastern Churches. To the Romish 'Ngoni, and Dr. Henry1s is South 'Ngoni. (4) -Church about a million adherents are as- Dr. Henry sends an account of wonderful signed; to the Syrian, Armenian, and Greek medical missionary work among South 'Ngoni Churches about 300,000; to the Church of Eng- of Chikuse's country_ land, 360,000; to the Presbyterian Churches, 20.000; and to other Protestant communions, Sweden.-A new Mission.-The Church 158,000. There are still 106,000,000 men and Missionary Intelligencer reports that a Swed- 111,000,000 women who can neither read nor ish expedition has been organized to proceed write. The languages spoken are 109. to Victoria Nyanza, with the intention of form- ing stations between that lake and Lake Tan- Japan.-The first Protestant missionary ganyika, for the purpose of co-operating in landed in 1854; the first baptism took place in the suppression of the slave trade. One hun- 1865; the first church was organized in 1872. dred Swedish artisans have entered into ar- Now there are 28 missionary societies at rangements extending over three years. The work, with a force of 443, male and female leader, Mr. Sachrissen, has had experience in foreign missionaries, 142 native ordained mis- Africa, both on the Congo and on the Zambesi. sionaries, 257 native helpers, 8 colporteurs Fifteen hundred native carriers are to be emand 70 Bible women. There are 396 stations ployed. Of the £250,000 necessary, £50,000 and Out-statIOns, 92 of the churches are self- have already been subscribed for this entersupporting, and 157 partly so, with a total prise. membership of 25,514, whose gifts, for all purposes, in 1888, amounted to $48,340.93. The -Swedish MISSionaries, numbering about Sunday-schools number 295, with 16,634 twelve, who were originally connected with scholars in attendance. There are 14 theo- the Livingstone Inland Mission on the Congo, logical schools, with 287 students, and 9,698 but who, at the time that mission was transhave been gathered into the missionary day ferred to the American Baptist Missionary previous nine months, the amount exported would be 209,127 gallons. Now, this is 209,127 Union, came under the direct supervision of gallons too much, but it is pleasant to notice that it is nearly a third less in amount than the Swedish Missionary Society, will soon be the exports of the preceding year, and only one-third, and in some cases one-fourth, the reinforced by seven new helpers from Sweden. amount of several preceding years. While we rejoice over the decrease that we can chroni- They have already had some fruit from their cle, there should be no slackening of effort to put a complete stop to this nefarious traffic.- labors; the congregations are increasing, and Missionary Herald.
the children are coming to school. -The American Board. Since the 1st of November the Prudential Committee has ap· Syria.-The Syrian Christians. Several pointed 52 persons to the various foreign fields. This is about as many as were apmonths since we gave some information pointed in the twelve months of last year; 21 of these are men, and 31 women. The list in· regarding the Syrian Christians in the Travan- eludes several children of missionaries, which shows that the infiuence of heredity tells. core region of southern India, and of the One of the latest appointments is that of Miss Susan H. Calhoun, whose father, the late Rev. reformed party, headed by Bishop Mar Atha- Simeon H. Calhoun, was one of the noblest workers the board ever had in its Syrian field. nasius, which sought evaugelical reformation Her grandfather, Andrew Calhoun, was one of the founders of Park Street Church. A son of within the old church. We referred then to Dr. Joseph K. Greene, of Constantinople, just through his studies at Andover, goes back to a prolonged lawsuit to determine whether Turkey, and a daughter of Rev. J. T. Noyes, of India, returns to the Madura Mission after Bishop Athanasius was in the rightful posses- a course at Wellesley. Her brother, Rev. W. H. Noyes, It will be remembered, is working sion of his office. This case, which has now independently in Japan.
been in the courts fifteen years, has been -Southern Presbyterian Foreign Mis· sions. The report of Dr. Houston, Secretary decided against the reformed party, it being of Foreign Missions, shows 14 missionaries sent out last year, being more than in any held that Mar Dionysius, who had been con- previous year. An important mission was started in the Congo Free State, Africa. Resecrated by the patriarch of Antioch. was ceipts from all sources, $107,627, being $11,000 more than in any other year. From legacies the legal head of the Syrian church of Mala- came nearly $15,000. The committee asks for one-fourth of the church collections, instead bar. It seems that the Court of Final Appeal, of one-sixth as now.
consisting of two Brahmans and a European -Presbyterian Church, Northern. Total receipts of the Board of Foreign Missions, barrister, presented two opinions in open $794,066.44. From churches, $291,791; from Sabbath-schools, $36,062; from woman's court, the Hindus favoring the authority of the boards, $280,285; from legacies and from mis- cellaneous sources, $73,120. There was a depatriarch of Antioch, while the English judge crease of $58,599 as compared with last year. Thirteen less churches contributed. There is gave his opinion that the Syrian church in at present a deficit of $60,275. There were sent out during the year to Mexico 5 mission· Malabar was of right entirely independent. aries; to Colombia. 4; to Brazil, 8; to Syria, 6; to Persia, 13; to Laos, 3; to Korea, 5; to China, This decision was not unexpected, and the 26; to Japan, 15; to Guatemala, 2; to Africa, 3; and to India, 16.-Total, 106. Besides outreformed party have been for some time pre- stations there are in the Indian mission 6 sta- tions, in the Mexican 5, in Gautemala I, in the paring to act independently. The Harvest Brazilian 8, in the Colombian 3, in the Chilian 4, in the African 17, in India 19, in the Siamese Field, in reporting this decision, well says: 5, in the Chinese 13, in the Japanese 5, in the Korea" 1, in the Persian 6, and in the Syrian 5 " A sad sight, truly, it is to see a Church which -in all 98.
has stood through a long course of centuries -Reformed Church. The receipts of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed as a conservator and witness of Christian Church for the year just closed were about $117,000, an excess of nearly $24,000 over the truth, notwithstanding much deadness, in a previous year. The debt of the board has been reduced from $23,500 to $16,500. very dark region of India, when once it begins to show signs of spiritual life and evangelical reform, crushed down again by the heel of a foreign ecclesiastic and his interested abet- tors in Travancore."-Missionary Herald.
Thibet.-A "Thibet Prayer Union" has been formed to plead for the opening of the door into Chinese Thibet, at which the Moravi- ans have been waiting SO long.
United States. – Boston and African Liquor Traffic. As the result of inquiries made at the Boston Custom Honse, we are glad to say that there has heen a great de- crease in the amount of ardent spirits sent to Africa from this port. The following table gives the exportation of rum and other spirits since July.!, 1882, down to the 1st of April of this year. In each ease the year ends with July!.
Year. Gallons Exported. 1883……………………. __ …….. 737.236 1884 ……………………………..576,268 1885 ." …………………………. 803.437 1886 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737,650 1887… .. … … .. …………………646,205 1888 …………………………….694,716 1889 .• _.. ….. .. …………….. 297,008 To April 1, 1890 (9 months) ………… 167.302 If the exportations for the remaining three months of 1890 should be at the rate of the
INDEX OF CONTENTS OF THE JULY NUMBER. [July-
INDEX OF CONTENTS OF THE JULY NUMBER.
PAGE PAGIIi' I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS••••••• 481-525 n.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLI· tian Knowled~; also for the Society for the PropagatlOn.of the Gospel in Foreign GENCE …………………… 525-533 Parts, 500; Presbyterian Alliance, 527; m.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE.. 533-<i37 Presbyterian Church of England Mis- IT.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT••• 537-546 sions, 528; British Churches and the V.-MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS 546–551 Brussels Conference, 527; Presbytery of VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT Edinburgh and Indian Missions, 528; Wesleyan Miss. Society, 528; Church TOPICS…………………. 551-555 Missionary Societr, 528; British and vn.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTH- Foreign Bible SoCIety, 529; Baptist Mis- sionary Society…… .. …. •.. .. … .. … 529' LY ·BULLETIN ……………. 556-559 "Foreign Missions: Their Place in the PasvnI.-INDBEXERTO..C.O..N.T..E.N..T.S..J.U..L.Y…N.U..M..- 560 torate, in Prayer, and in Conference," noticed. … .. .. .. .. …. .. .. …. .. …. 524 Authors. FORMOSA.-Dr. Mackay's Fruitful EDITORS.-A. T. Pierson, The McAlI Mis- Work. . ……………… 557 sion, 481; The Lack of Information and Indivualism……………………….. 507 FRANCE.-The McAli Mission, 481; A Strong Appeal for Help, 534; Letter Brown, Henry E., Mechanic Missionaries. 540 from lI1issionary Charles E. Faithfull… 534 Clarke, Pastor, Poem, Tell the Tale…….. 494 Editorial Notes, J. M. Sherwood …….552-55 Frederick IV., King of Denmark,Efforts Ellinwood, Dr. F. F., The Indian Somajes, to Convert the Heathen in 1699…… . . .. 490· 501; A Plea for the Senecas, 546; The Gracey, J. T., D.D., International Depart- Japanese on the Pacific Coast……….. 550 ment …………………………….. 537· Hulbert, Professor H. B., The Science of Missions…………………………. 486 GREECE.-Call for Laborers…….. . .. 557 Johnston, Rev. James, Mission Notes…… 527 Laurie, Rev. Thomas, The Law of the ad- Guinness, Mary Geraldine, "In the Far vance…………………………….. 490 East, " noticed… .. … .. . •… .. …….. 525· Nevius, J. L., D. D., Famine, and the Work of Famine Relief ………………….. 514 INDIA.-The Indian Somajes, 501; Pupils Smith, Rev. Arthur H., Religion in China. 543 in Protestantand Roman Catholic Mission Storrow, Rev. Edward, Foreign Missions Schools, 522; The Great Bathin~ Festival, in the 17th and 18th Centuries……….. 495 523; Disintegration of Hinduism,557; A Starbuck, Rev. Charles C., Translations New Sect, 557; Dr. Thwing'sTravels, 558; from Foreign lI1issionary Magazines '" 519 Strength of the Church, and the Popula- Wyckoff, Professor 111. N., Education in tion ………………………………. 55& Japan……………………………. 537 Information, Lack of… …… .. ……… 507 Countries and Subjects. Java, Missionary Work in ……………… 521 AFRICA.-lI1ap of Central, 525; British Churches and the Brussels Conference, JAPAN.-Map and Statistics, 535; Educa· 527; African Trade, 529; Italy's Position, tion in, 537; Japanese on the Pacific 529; lI1ackenzieana Major Wissman, 530; Coast……………………………… 550 Inner Valley of the Congo, 530; Congo Money, 530; lI1ission Work in the Congo Jews, Dr. Saphir'sViews ……………… 533 Valley, 556; Letter from Rev. John Scott, 533; Baptism of a Mohammedan in Johnston, James, F. S. S., "Century of Algiers, 533; Shall Islam Rule Africa? Christian Progress," noticed……….. 524 552; The Soudan lI1issionary lI10vement, 555; King Muanga, 556; BrusselsConfer- MADAGASCAR.-Opening of a New ence, 556; Country of the Oil Rivers, Church.. . .. . …. .. .. ; . . . ………. 558, 556; Intoxicants, 556; Dr. Meyer's Ex- ploit,556; Various Items of Interest, 556; Mackay, Alexander, Death of … …….• 555 Stanley Fouud a New Race of Blacks, 556; New Statiou on the Congo, 556; Mis- lI1echanic Missionaries. ………………. 54!) sionary Societies on the Congo…….. " 557 Missions, How Advanced …….. '" •….. 49{) American Board, lI1issionariesAppointed. 559 Bingham, Rev. Hiram, Letter on Complet- Missions, The Science of.. … .. .. …. .. . … 486 ingTranslation of the Bible…………. 554 Moorhead, Max Wood, Volunteer Move- Boston and African Liquor Traffic …….. 559 ment ……………………………. 525· CHINA.-Famine and its Relief, 514; The Moravian lI1issions in Labrador………. 519 Religions of China, 543; Value of a Single Proclamation of the GOspel …………. 531 Nestorian Churches, Revival in, in 1890… 517 ENGLAND.-lI1issionary Operations in the 17th and 18th Centuries, 495; Forma- Paton, John G., "Autobiography," no- tion of the Society for Promoting Chris- ticed………………………………. 524'
Poem, Tell the Tale .. ……………… 494 Presbyterian Foreign Missions (South) re- port of last year … ………………. 559 Presbyterian Foreign Missions (North) re- port of last year……………………. 559 Reformed Church, receipts of last year .. 559 SCOTLAND.-Good News Received by the Free Church from Lake Nyassa…•. 555· Stevens, Rev. J. T., Address on Converting the World……… .. ……………. 554 SWEDEN.-Request for Prayer. 537; A New Mission in Africa, 558; The Force of the ~lission on the Congo to be Increased. 559 SYRIA.-The Reformed Party in the Syrian Church defeated after a long contest ………………………….. 559 THIBET.-"A ThibetPrayerUnion"…. 559 Thompson, A. C., Lecture on Missions ..•• 524 Zenana Work, Origin of……………….. 554
The Missionary Review of the World — April 1890
THE CHRISTIAN DAWN IN KOREA
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF TilE WORLD.
VOL. XIll. No.4.-0ld Series.—APRIL.-VOL. m No.4.-NetO Series.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
THE CHRISTIAN DAWN IN KOREA.
M., BY REV. JOHN ROSS, A. MOUKDEN, MANCHURIA.
[In sending me this paper from London, Dr. Pierson writes: "Mr. Ross gave this thrilling account in my hearing, and at my solicitation he wrote it out for our REVIEW. It is a wonderful story of the opening of Korea to the gospel, by one who had a most prominent place in it, and it belongs among the archives of missions."-J. M. S.].
In the autumn of 1873, after a journey of seven days eastward from the port of Newchwang, in Manchuria, I arrived at the" Korean Gate." The village of this name was a long, straggling one, form- ing then the most easterly outpost of Manchuria, towards Korea. Its name was derived from the fact that it was the only place where Ko- rean merchants could exchange the product of their country for other merchandise bought of Chinese. To me the most interesting of much that was novel was the appearance of the Koreans themselves, as they quietly sauntered over the green hillsides, or their long, loose, white robes crowded the streets where they moved slowly along. With the purpose of ascertaining as much about themselves and their country as possible, I permitted them the most perfect freedom in entering my room at the inn. They began to drop in at 8 A. M., and desisted onlyat 10 P. M., when they retired to rest. Naturally curious to see the- "foreigner," , and to learn what they could about western countries~ their questions were endless. But in return for my abundant infor- mation to them, I got none. They insi!l.ted that the language they spoke to each other was Chinese-they wrote only Chinese. In re- sponse to questions put to numerous groups for several days in suc- cession, my knowledge of their laws, social customs, family life, na- tional institutions, and even the products and physical character of their country, was exactly what I had before. It subsequently trans- spired that I was taken for a spy sent to investigate as much about th~ country and people as possible, in order to utilize the information in some way not to their advantage. Disappointed at failing to se- cure on any terms a man, however poor and ignorant, who would in- struct me in their language, I returned to N ewchwang; but a keener interest in the people led me to revisit the" Gate" the following year, when I was more fortunate. The Koreans divide themselves into three classes: The" upper," composed of officials, and the descendants of such; the" middle," consisting of merchants, and others able to hire labor; and the "lower," embracing all who are employed in any form of manual work. And, as the dignity of labor has yet to be learned in that country, the middle and upper classes never apply themselves to any handicraft. One of the merch'ant class embarked the value of his worldly goods in a boat across the migpty Yaloo to go to the" Korean Gate." A strong southwest wind blew up the river, and the waves rose high. The storm-beaten boat was upset, and the goods precipitated to the bottom. The owner landed safely up the river; but soon found himself a " ruined" man. " He could not dig; to beg he was ashamed." In his sorry plight he came across the servant who had been sent amo'ng the Koreans to hire a teacher. One evening he came with the others, and waiting about half a minute after the others had departed, he engaged himself to be my teacher; then hastily urging me to take no further notice of him than of a stranger, he hurried away. and overtook the others before they had entered their inn. He came and went for the next week like any other stranger; but the night before my departure he again staid after his fellow countrymen had departed just long enough to tell me that he would remain with his fellow lodgers till midnight, and when they were sound asleep would start westwards, travel all night, and in the early morning rest at an inn, where I could breakfast just before midday. It appeared afterwards that he had not informed even his own brother of his intention; and he gave me as the reason for his jealous secrecy that if it were known in his native country that he had gone to serve the" foreigner," all his relatives would be thrown into prison, and the principal men among them probably beheaded. The laws against intercourse with foreigners had always been stringent; but after the failure-first of the French, and then of the American Squadron, for lack of water-to force their way to the Korean capital, the Regent issued a still more severe law against any communication with Europeans. Hence the difficulty in obtaining information or service. The accident which upset the merchant's boat was the first of a series of interesting incidents, which have finally resulted in giving the New Testament, translated from the Revised Version, to the Korean people. The dissemination of the Scriptures and of Christian truth in tracts is all the more important to a people like the Koreans, even though their numbers should be only half of the thirty millions they claim, when we know that every woman in that country can, or in a day, may learn to read. The alphabet in which the language is written is phonetic, and so beautifully simple that anyone can easily and speedily master it.
Before the Korean New Testament was ready for the printer, it was deemed advisable carefully to prepare a gospel, which, with a simple tract briefly and intelligently setting forth Christian doctrine, might be first circulated among the people. The gospel according to Luke was selected. . In frequent translations and revisions, my colleague, Mr. MacIntyre, did excellent work on this gospel. After it was supposed to be sufficiently accurate, and after the printing press was set up, and Chinese printers initiated into its use, a Korean was required who could set the type. A Korean was then a rare sight; it was still more difficult to secure the services of one. But again help came through a providential accident. Korean medicine is held in high repute among the Chinese, and a glib-tongued quack soon makes money. There came one, however, who was the reverse of eloquent, and he could sell "gold" or "silver" pills only enough to barely cover his daily expenses. With the exhaustion of his stock (lame the end. of his resources. He could not pay his inn fare; he was still more unable to travel homewards. He came a beggar to the mission house, and gladly remained to work. Had there been any alternative this man. would not have been employed, for a more unpromising individual I have not encountered. His eye was sleepy, his fingers clumsy, his gait slow, his thoughts of the most sluggish. To understand any process, he required four times as much explanation as any ordinary man. He was just able to keep the two printers going, setting four pages of type while they threw off three thousand copies. But though slow he soon proved himself trustworthy, carrying out satisfactorily whatever he had to do. He had, in setting the type, necessarily to scrutinize closely the manuscript before him. He became interested, and in his broken Chinese began to ask of the printers, who were well-trained Christians, the meaning of this term and that statement. By the time the Gospel of Luke was printed, he became an applicant for baptism. Much to my surprise, he proved himself well acquainted with Christian truth, and in due course was baptized.
It appeared that even before Luke was published, the translation was revised abroad in the Korean capital, and caused so much interest that an occasional underling attached to the annual embassy, bearing tribute from the Korean King to the Emperor of China, dropped in to see the work. These visits gradually became more numerous, and among the young men was one the exact antipodes of the compositor. He was nimble-fingered, quick-eyed, and smart in speech, in thought, and action. He was engaged as compositor, and the other man set free to begin a work for which he seemed, on account of his acquired knowledge, better adapted. With a few hundred copies of the printed gospel and as many more large tracts, he was sent to his native valley, about four hundred miles directly east of Moukden. He spent a fortnight in the journey, and in half a year returned, reporting that he had sold the books, which were being read by the people with deep interest, and that some men wished me to go to baptize them. Believing that this last statement was merely intended to please me~ and made on the supposition that I would never face the arduous jour- ney implied in going there, I paid no attention to it. The man was sent, however, with a further supply of books to other valleys, and after the lapse of another half year he returned, repeating exactly the same story.
During the period of this book-distribution a revolution had broken out in the Korean capital, in which the Progressists, who< sought to open their country to western nations, worsted the official and literary men, who opposed any change. Many of the latter were killed~ more were cast into prison, and some, who were transported into the armies on the frontier, escaped across the Yaloo to Manchu- rian soil, where their lives were safe. A few of these found their way to the valleys which had been visited by the colporteur. They saw our books, and their curiosity was excited about the work going on in Moukden. Having nothing to do, they slowly wended their' way towards us. On presenting themselves, they mentioned the books they had seen, stating that many of the men were praying to> the" God of Heaven." This statement from men who were ignorant of the meaning of what they were saying, was such strong confirma- tion of the story of the colporteur that I resolved to investigate the matter on the spot, believing it too serious to be neglected. As soon as my colleague, Mr. Webster, was informed of my resolution, with his characteristic courage and enthusiasm, he volunteered to accompany me. It was then summer. The heavy rains of early autumn would soon fall, after which the considerable portion of the road~ which was boggy, would become impassable. Waiting till the keen frosts of our winter solidified bog and quagmire and made bridges. across our rivers, we started in the middle of November. After the first half of the journey was over, we were compelled to leave wheeled vehicles behind, and with a few indispensable articles on pack mules finish the other seven days' journey on our ponies. We were gradually ascending, till one afternoon we halted at an inn about 2,000 feet· above the sea. Two feet of snow lay on the ground, a pathway having been trodden down by preceding travelers. About 3 A.. M. next· morning, in brilliant moonlight, we set out to scale the two passes which lay between us and the Koreans. From the west fort of the one pass to the eastern base of the second was a distance of thirty miles. Once we tried to ride; but soon had to dismount, and made no second attempt, as the path was so steep, narrow and rough. With a halt on the top of the first pass, we had to walk the whole distance~ and thoroughly worn out we at last came in sight of a house, which to our delight proved to be a Chinese inn. Entering the gateway, and throwing our horses' reins to the nearest attendant, we moved into the inn, and threw ourselves on the brick bed, resolved to rest there till next day before searching out our Korean friends.
We were resting for but a few minutes when in marched a body of about a dozen Koreans, gentlemanly in appearence, garments, man- ner and speech. They came in to welcome us. This they did with a smile lighting up their faces, as though they had been welcoming long- lost and very dear friends. Being very hospitable, it would have been a disgrace to them had we remained in the inn, so, perforce, we had to go to be their guests. We were conducted into the home of the principal farmer, in whose guest-room we found a crowd of men nlling the warm, close room.
Of the refugees, on whose story we had undertaken the journey, €very man sooner or later became a convert, and was baptized. The oldest of them was the first. He was a hereditary official, and possessed of the Korean highest literary degree. Him we had brought with us to act as our intermediary, as from his degree, his birth and his social status, he was acknowledged superior, and could secure information beyond our reach. He was sent out in the evening to investigate the character of the Korean farmers. Late at night he returned, with a favorable report. Next morning we were therefore prepared to receive the applicants for baptism. About thirty men appeared, and the fact was noticeable that they were all well clad. None of the farm servants-no boy, and no woman-was among them. They were all farmers and heads of families. Their women and children were, they said, believers; but they thought the younger people would not be received, and their women, for social reasons, could not present themselves where the men were met. As this was the only opportunity for investigation, the examination through which the men had to go was pretty thorough. Some were baptized, and some postponed for further Christian instruction.
In the afternoon of the same day we rode to the other end of the valley, where we enacted the same scene. Next morning, in a falling shower of snow, we crossed a mountain ridge to the second valley, where we encountered the same experience. On the following day, over a higher and more picturesque range, we entered the third and most extensive valley. Nearly a hundred men, from 16 to 72 years of age, presented themselves for baptism. In the three valleys, 85 men were baptized, and far more postponed. We were here informed that the heavy snowfall might come. on at any time. This fall would prevent us for at least three months from returning to Moukden, and for various reasons it was impossible for us to venture that risk. We resolved, therefore, at that time to proceed no further, but to return to the same place again. Our resolution -was formed with the less reluctance, as the experiences of those baptized, and especially of those postponed, would be useful in spreading the knowledge among the other applicants, both of the amount of Christian instruction demanded and the kind of life required on the part of those who desired to become members of the Christian Church. We were informed-and from what we had seen we were now prepared to> believe almost anything-that in each of the 28 valleys which lay between us aud the long, white mountain 400 miles to the northeast, there was a larger or smaller number of believers waiting to be received into the Church.
Early in the following summer we revisited the valleys; but, though we found guides awaiting us to lead us to other valleys, we concluded it would be both unkind and unchristian on our part to proceed further then in the matter, for a serious persecution had broken out against the converts. The landlords were Chinese, and the Koreans were farmers. As we confined our visits and attention to the Koreans exclusively, the Chinese came to the not unnatural conclusion that a plot was being formed against their interests. To prevent further mischief they hired a "rabble of the baser sort," chiefly Korean farm servants, and arming them with swords and other weapons, set them upon those who had been prominently connected with the new movement. No man was killed, but many were slashed and wounded. The design was apparently not to kill, but to terrorize; and this was effectually done, for several men had to> abandon the houses they had built and the farms they had reclaimed. With the exception of doing a little to undo the erroneous suspicions of the Chinese, we proceeded no further then. But some men were baptized, who, persecution 01' no persecution, desired to enter the Church.
It was painful, on account of still more important work in Moukden, to have to refuse the frequently expressed and earnest wish that we should remain among them for at least half a year. Another opportunity for seeing the people has not recurred. But the work, by means of the colporteur, supported by Mr. Atkinson, of London, and another, who has since joined him, under the British and Foreign Bible Society, has not only retained its ground, but has widely extended its influence. So that on the Korean and Chinese sides of the Yaloo river, I am told that" there are thousands who daily read the Scripture, and pray to God."
THE FIRST KOREAN CONGREGATION.
One of the youngest of the refugees seemed to me to possess greater force of character, and a more fearless disposition than the others, while he was also a fair scholar. As he expressed a wish after baptism to return to the capital, whence he had fled for hIs life, to instruct his relatives and acquaintances, he was placed under special training for a time. When he was supposed sufficiently well informed to be able to meet the objections of the gainsayer, and to answer the questions of the inquirer, he was permitted to go to the Korean capi~ tal. As his class are all educated in Chinese, read and write only a high-class Chinese style, they contemptuously ignore the "vulgar" tongue, and will neither read nor write in that tongue. Giving'this fact its due weight this man was given a few books in Christian lit- erature, and a few portions of Scripture in that Chinese style.
Next year I had a letter from him requesting me to go to the capital, as 13 of his friends desired to be formed i.nto a congregation. It was impossible for me then to spare the long time implied in an over- land journey even if a European could obtain permission to enter the sealed nation. Next year another letter urged me to ,the city, as there were 79 believers. It was still impossible to go.
In due course Kf)rea opened four ports to foreign intercourse by treaty: First with Japan, then with the United States and various European nations. Our American Presbyterian brethren, forward in all mission work, sent to Korea one, and then other missionaries. In connection with the New Testament I went to the capital by sea, which made the journey both possible and easy, arriving on an evening which was to me of peculiar interest. My host, the Rev. Mr. Underwood, informed me that he was to go to his little chapel that night to organize his small company into a Presbyterian Church. Gladly accepting his kind invitation, I accompanied him and his medical colleague, when the darkness had fairly enmantled the city. Crossing the wide main streets, which, like all those eastern city streets, are unlit, we were guided by a Korean, with a small lantern, among narrow lanes till at last we were ushered into a small, open courtyard, whose gate was opened to our knock. A gentle tapping at a paper window secured our entry into a room, where we found a company of fourteen well dressed, intelligent-looking men. One of these was baptized that night, but the principal business was the election by the others of two men to be their elders. Two were unanimously elected, and the next Sabbath ordained.
It turned out that these two men were cousins of the man who had gone from Moukden. They were believers for six years, so that they must have beeu of the first company. It also transpired that thirteen of the fourteen baptized members forming the church were the converts either of that man or another, who had left Moukden subsequently. But what was most interesting to me was the assurance that there were over 300 men of that class in the city believers, who werefor various reasons not then quite prepared, publicly, to join the Church.
The man who was the human instrument in starting this remarkable movement was then away in another province, and frequent letters to his missionary notified him of similar work in that other prov-
LIFE AMONG THE KARENS
ince. It is needless to adduce other facts of a like nature to show how the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared in Korea, and is moving among that people in a manner justifying our expectations of a rich and speedy harvest. Nor is it possible here to give our reasons for believing that Korea will be one of the first eastern nations to become a Christian nation.
LIFE AMONG THE KARENS.
AN ADDRESS BY MRS. W. F. ARMSTRONG, OF BURMAH, AT EXETER HALL, LONDON, JUNE, 1888.
[The following narrative of life in Burmah impressed all who heard it as of the most thrilling interest. At the time, the editors sought to get possession of the manuscript, but have only just got a copy for our readers.-A. T. P.] The Karens are the hill tribes of Burmah. They were treated by the Burmese in former days with the greatest cruelty and injustice. Their crops and cattle were stolen, and they were caught and sold as slaves; so that they lived in constant terror. They hid themselves in the jungle on the mountain sides, concealing the paths to their bam- boo houses, and constantly moving from one place to another to avoid detection. They were content to live on the produce of their fields, and to weave their own clothing. Indeed, they were as much at home and as independent in the forest as the birds or the bees. Their religion was peculiar to themselves. They lived pure, honest, truthful lives, were unbounded in their hospitality, and had no idols. They made offerings to propitiate evil spirits whom they feared, but they had no symbols of them, nor did they worship images of any kind. They had no books, but they had carefully preserved legends-" grandfather's sayings," they called them-which were very carefully handed down from father to son. Their tradition told that they had once God's book, but they were disobedient to it, and their younger brother carried it away. Some day their white brother would come across the sea in a ship, and bring back the book which told of the Great Father and the life to come. They must watch for its coming. No wonder such a people should receive the Gospel when it came. No people have ever been discovered who were so prepared for it, and whose very prejudices were on its side. When missionaries came among them their old men said, " This is what our fathers told us of," and they flocked by hundreds to receive the Book they had waited for. Their simple faith took Christ at His word. They did not question, but believed and received His promise to everyone that believeth. The fruits of the Spirit were manifest in their lives. Now there are about 40,000 communicants, and fully 100,000 nominal Christians -about one-sixth of the entire tribe in Burmah. They are divided into many churches, each one supporting its own native pastor and its own village school. The first aim of the missionaries was to reduce the language to writing, and give them the Bible in their own iongue. Sinoe then many books have been published, so that they have quite a literature of their own. It is about sixty years sinoe the -first Karen was baptized, and now they are an eduoated people, ready io help in the evangelization of the world.
A marked charaoteristic of their piety is their enthusiasm in foreign -mission work. They have their Foreign Missionary Sooiety, and .send out their young men north and east to distant countries, support- ing them there, and re-enforcing them as the need arises. These have -established churches among those tribes, and done a grand evangel- istic work independent of other missionaries, in the face of persecu- -tion, and long separation from their homes, and from the privileges -<If Christian intercourse with those they love. These Karens are th3 ·only foreign missionaries in some regions north of Burmah. They are poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith. It is true of them as it -was of the Macedonian Christians, that "their deep poverty abounded -unto the riches of their liberality." When I was in charge of a miscSion statio;], there, an old Karen pastor came one day with ~ large ·contribution for the foreign mission work. I said to him, " How can your people give so much? I know they are very poor, the overflow -of the river has swept away your crops, your cattle are dying of dis- -ease, it is the famine time with you." "Ob," he said, with such a contented smile, " it only means rice without curry." They could live on ;rice and salt, but they could not live without giving the bread of life -;to their brethren.
A Karen girl has been associated with me more or less all through -my missionary life. She was brought to my notice when I first reached the cou!ltry, as the girl at the head of all her classes, the brightest- .and most promising in the mission school. After I had learned to :speak Karen, I was free to do evangelistic work wherever the door ;should open. I was unmistakably directed to Tavoy in the south of Burmah, near the mountain wall between Burmah and Siam. There were large numbers of Karens there without help. They had onceheard the Gospel, but for lack of mission schools among them, had no ieachers to educate their children, and few pastors to care for the -churches. Thither I was sent. Christians to be taught were everywhere around me, and the heathen, unreached as yet, lay beyond the mountains in Siam. Who was to go with me? The old Karen pastor, ·of whom I have spoken, and others like him, said, " vVe will pay all the expenses of two native pastors for six months, and we will also :pay for whichever of our teachers in the girl's school is willing to go with you." The men were to return to their families at the end of six months, but her teacher was to remain with me, unless she too wished io return. On our way when we had reached Rangoon, the girl so favorably known when I learned Karen, came to me and said, "Mama, my school work is done, and I want to work for Jesus; there are many who love Him here who can tell the story, but in Tavoy there is. no one to teach, no one to tell the heathen of Christ; my heart is longiug to go there; will you take me?" I said, "Nan-Nan, I have no money for you, the Bassim Karens pay the expenses of those they send; I have faith for my portion, but I have not asked for any money from home for this work. I dare not promise anything out of my salary, for my plans will take every rupee of it." In my own mind I doubted if she realized what she was doing in leaving a comfortable home, and the pleasant society of educated people in the station at which she had grown up. I thought very likely she would grow tired of our· jungle life, and would be home-sick, and return in a short time to pleasanter surroundings. She did not say much, and I thought she was discouraged, but she came back again and said, " Mama, I cannot rest, I want to go with you. I have plenty of clothes, enough for· some years. If I come with you can you not give me rice?" " Oh," I said, "Nan-Nan you shall share my rice every day, but I can promise you nothing more." So the matter ended. Rather to my dismay, when I went on board the steamer, there was Nan-Nan with her basket of clothes, and quite as large a basket of books,-all her worldly possessions. She seemed to be not very sure of a welcome, but determined to go, and I concluded it must be of the Lord.
We reached Tavoy, renovated things as best we could in the disused mission house, and, as the Karens were all in their jungle homes far from town, we set off as !loon as possible to find them. But our hearts were burning to get at the heathen over the border, where no· one had gone to tell of Jesus. One missionary had passed rapidly through the country, and had told of the Karel}s there, but none had yet gone to give them the Gospel; and while our hands were free from other work, we wanted to take the message there, and see if there were any opening for establishing a native evangelist among· them.
It "'as Christmas morning when all preparations were concluded,. and we mounted our elephants and started away under the overhanging bamboos, glittering with dew, to cross the mountain ranges into Siam. That night we camped far away in the forest with very happy hearts. There is no joy in this world like foreign missionary joy.
After m:j.ny days of travel, we reached the Karens on the other· side. We had engaged Siamese elephants returning home from Burmah, because no one else knew the route; and as the elephants were owned by Siamese Karens, they could take us to their villages. I have told you that the Karens are naturally a most hospitable people; wherever we went the chief of the village had a large covered veranda. built expressly to accommodate strangers. The villagers all brought a share of their food to the chief's houf>e, and he supplemented it out of his own store, and whoever came were village guests as long as. they choose to stay, and were served with the best they had. They treated us in the same way; we were all Karens. I was the only adopted child of the party, yet my party would not have gone without me.
As we proceeded farther into the heart of the country, we found among the Karen villages a most unaccountable unwillingness to receive us. It was contrary to all precedent among the Karens, and the Christians with me could not understand it. At last we came toa village where they absolutely refused to allow us to enter, or tohave any dealings with us, so we did as we were accustomed to do at other times-we camped under the trees just otltside the village. Karens and others from a distance gathered round our fires, and wepreached to them till we were all quite exhausted. It was twelve, and still they stayed; at last I told them we had to leave early in the· morning, and must have our rest, and reluctantly they departed, and we were left alone under the quiet stars. All night we were disturbed by a prowling in the woods around, and ~ad the strangest guard I ever had. The pariah dogs of the village all left their kennels, and came and curled themselves up beneath the bamboo platform on which the girls and I spread our rugs to sleep. Anyone whoknows anything of these dogs knows that they avoid you as much as rats would; but they slept beside us all night, and whenever the prowling was heard in the bushes they rushed out barking till it was· quiet again, and we could not drive them away. The next morning early we were on our way to a friendly village, where we were sure of a welcome, for it was Saturday, and we would rest there over the Sabbath. We got to the village about noon, and here again the old chief looked troubled at our coming. We took up our place on his veranda, thankful for the shelter, and told him we had come to stay a day or two. But I felt a great cloud drawing down over us. Shortly after we reached his house, the old man came and said wewere welcome to stay, but an urgent summons had come from another village which they dared not disobey; they must all go, but would be back in the morning. One by one we sawall the men pass away int() the forest, and we were left alone with two 01' three old women of the village.
The last thing the old chief did was to go out into the green around which the village was built, and open up a little lime kiln, in which they were burning limestone. The cloud of terror had been drawing down over me since noon, and when I saw the smoke rising from that, although I had no apparent reason for it, I felt it through and through me that it was meant for our grave; that the lime kiln was to be the hiding away of some great crime, and an undefinableand uncontrollable dread took possession of me. I called our party together, ahd told them what was in my mind, and asked if there was .any place to which we could flee. Our elephant driver had taken .away his elephant, and had told us where to send if we wanted him .again, so we were left quite alone then. I remember so well how Nan-Nan spoke; the men, of course, could not understand such fan- ,cies at all; but Nan-Nan spoke out: "Why mama, you have never been afraid when there was real danger, and now, when we are here among Karens, and there is nothing at all to fear, why are you .afraid? Where can we run? The forest is our enemy, here we are .safe. It is only that mama is very, very tired; when you rest you will be brave again!' I could say no more, so I told them we would bave our evening worship. We went out into the open green beside the lime kiln, and, as our custom was, the native pastor read the Bible, commented upon it, though we were alone, and the heathens, who usually gathered round us, were gone, and then they prayed. I :knelt quietly in an agony of prayer. I thought death was near, though there was no sign. My mother would never know what had become of me. The dear Christians at home would be discouraged in the work; they would think that God could care for men, but not for women. How could it be for His glory? And so I prayed, and wrestled in prayer for help; and help came.
I rose from my knees, sure that God would come to deliver us. We had scarcely risen when we saw the old chief coming back through the wood~; he came silently, and was going silently up into the nouse, when I said to him: "Grandfather, we are glad to see you back; we thought you would be away all night." He gave what I must call a Karen grunt, and went stolidly up the ladder. One by .one they were all coming back through the dusk. Soon the fires were lighted, and the rice was cooking; but there was a strange expectancy over it alL There is never anything to fear from Karens; there is no treachery, nothing but kindness to be expected from them, .especially towards their guests.
Dark had fallen on the forest when some elephants came tramping through the jungle, and stopped at the chief's door. There was a great noise of dismounting and tethering the elephants; then a group of men came up into the house, brushed past us, and went in to talk with the old chief. They were not Karens, and talked in a language we could not understand. We went to our rest, and about three in the morning I awoke, as the men went tramping past us over the vibrating bamboo floor ; they put their trappings on their elephants, and went away. We had a very quiet Sabbath, and then went preaching to the villagers along the path to meet our elephant driver, to whom we had sent word to come for us, I shall never forget that morning.
Now let me tell you what we did not know till more than two years afterwards, when a messenger came from this village, asking for a teacher to be sent to them, and saying that whoever came must. send word first, and they would send trusty men to meet him. Then we learned that a band of .Dacoits h.adfollowed us for a week. '.rhat. all the Karen villages had been warned that if they harbored us they would share our fate ; that this old chief had been told that if he stayed in his village, he must either help to kill us or be killed him- self ; that all the men had left the village in consequence; but the old chief had been so troubled in mind that he was constrained to come back again. That the Dacoits had come there, and, finding him there,. asked the reason. He had told them that he could not stay away, that many signs and auguries assured him that it would be the worse for anyone who touched us, that the English would discover it, and they could not escape. He was a wise man, or soothsayer, among them, and they tried several auguries, and they were all so alarming that the men reluctantly forebore to touch us, and they went away. When Nan-Nan heard this, she came to me with such an awed face,. and referring to my fear that day, she said: "Mama, you were right,. and we were wrong; but God took care of us, after all." The reason why I have told you this is that you may see that the age of miracles is not quite past. For, however we may think of this, to the heathen Karens in that district it was a miracle. Our elephant driver thought it so; he had left us with a grim thought of pity, but was unable to' help. When we sent for him again it was as though he heard a voice from the dead. The villagers all thought it so. When we talked to' them next morning we all noticed how pre-occupied they were ; they gazed on us with such a strange look, and scarcely seemed to hear what we said. They were glad that we were safe, and in their own quiet way, which I did not understand then, determined to keep us safe; they invited us to a village we had not heard of before, and hid us there for two or three days; they said their elephants must rest. Then, when I urged them to take us further on into the district, not knowing the danger, they said little, but allowed us to get on the ele· phants, thinking we were going in another direction, and then they turned the elephants tO'wards Burmah. When I expostulated with them, they said: "The cQuntry is dangerous; we will lose Qur ele· phants if we go further into Siam. We dare nQt take you there, but we will take you back." And sO' they did; not by the usual route, but they cut a new path through the forest, and made a long detour, lest the Dacoits, repenting of their mercy, might follow us again. We did not understand it then, but we did afterwards. I came home, feeling that we had accomplished little or nothing.
Twelve years passed away, and I was pennitted to go back to' Tavoy; only then I discovered that the elephant driver, his mother and his wife, had come over into Burmah, and were living among the Christians; they had been baptized many years, alid he was the
254 DR. PIERSON'S MISSIONARY CRUSADE IN SCOTLAND
-deacon of the village church. The old chief and his wife had been baptized, and had removed to another Karen village, where they lived :a most useful life, and died honored and revered by all the Christians. This much I know of the fruits of that trip, and there may be more to know hereafter.
When I went to India, Nan-Nan came to me again. "Mama, I want to go and tell the Telugus about Christ." This time myanswer was ready: "Nan-Nan, you want to go? I am only too glad to take you." So we studied Telugu together; but she outstripped me. She started a girls' school, teaching them in Telugu more efficiently than any of their own people could do in that district, on account of her previous training. She won many women and children to esteem the Gospel, was everywhel'e treated with respect, and was called by the same title as I was. She was in all respects ~a genuine Foreign Missionary. She is now living in Rangoon, where she is married to an educated, intelligent Karen, a, wealthy merchant. They both delight to give to missions, and to speak f01' their Master on every opportunity. She is secretary of the Karen Women's Foreign Missionary Society, which carries on its work just as our societies here do, and supports and sends out its own Bible women. Nan-Nan is only one .of many like-minded women among the Karens.
'l'hink it over, my sisters, and ask yourselves: "How does this compare with what I have done for my Master? Have I done all I could in the past? With the gracious Master's aid, can I do more in time to come ?"
DR. PIERSON'S MISSIONARY CRUSADE IN SCOTLAND.- LETTER II.
lIfy ])ear ])1'. Sherwooa: LONDON, J anIiary, 1890.
The interest here awakened on the subject of missions is like a kin- dling of light all around the horizon. Never in modern days have the past success and future progress of the world's evangelization ex- cited an interest so intelligent and general, as now.
Archdeacon Farrar, in Westminster, is giving addresses at Satur- day Afternoon Vespers, on Missions. We heard his half hour talk .on the" Success of Missions," on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11. An audience of several hundred was gathered into the seated space about the choir, and the address was familiar and colloquial, and, though a few sentences savored of elaboration, it had the air of extemporiza- tion.
He began by intimating that there were some who audaciously in- timate that missions are either" an organized hypocrisy, or a disas- trous failure," which statement he met with indignant denial. As for ourselves, we thought any assault, so reekless and malicious, deserved no denial. As Lyman Beecher used to say, "that gun kicks so badly, it were better to be before it than behind it." The Archdeacon then proceeded to give two preliminary cautions: 1. If the success of missions seems slow, we must not forget the fact that all great religious transformations are gradual. He instanced England-for centuries under Christian influence before Augustine landed on its shores. 2. We must remember how feeble have been the efforts of the church, and how few the laborers she has sent forth into this world-field. He then proceeded to indicate, first, the indirect results. He affirmed that the gospel is now making more rapid stddes than ever, even in apostolic days. He quoted the late Bishop of Durham, Dr. Lightfoot, whom he pronounced the most learned prelate in the kingdom, as having said before the" Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," in 1873, that in the first three centuries, the Christian religion had subjected only onetwentieth of the Roman Empire, and only one- one hundred and fiftieth part of the race of man; whereas now, Christians constitute ()ne-:fij~hof the population of the globe. He remarked that in 80 'years the missionary Episcopate had risen from one to one hundred and fifty bishops, and the inferior clergy from twenty to two thousand, since this century began. He pronounced the Christian religion dominant in three of the great divisions of the world, and fast spreading in the fourth, and now penetrating the fifth.
Instancing particnlar countries and fields, he spoke of Sierra Leone; of the 100 tribes represented among that refuse population gathered from slave ships; of the death of 53 missionaries there in 20 years, giving the colony the unenviable name of the "White man's grave;" and then contrasted the subsequent transformed condition of the colony, and instanced Bishop Crowther, the slave boy, exchanged for a horse, and returned as a bad bargain, to be bartered again for rum and for tobacco, then attempting suicide, and afterward -converted, educated, and rising to the dignity 'of the mitre, etc.
lIe turned to Madagascar, and outlined the rapid development of these persecuted Malagasy-their martyrdom and heroism, the gathering of 100,000 children into the Mission schools of the London Missionary Society alone, the building of hundreds of churches, etc.
lIe referred to Japan-to the native nobleman who picked up a New Testament, found floating in the harbor of Yeddo, in 1854, who was curious to have it read and explained to him, and who, taken captive by its new truths, became the first convert. "Now," he said, " 35 years later there are 60 native churches." China also passed under his review, and the Fiji Islanders; the work of Samuel Marsden in New Zealand, then full of barbarous savages, now Christianized, and he concluded by a reference to India.
The address was popular, and we rejoiced to hear in Westminster .a prominent voice lifted to advocate world-wide missions. The effect could not be otherwise than both instructive and stimulating. Would that such an example might be emulated in all parts of the king– dom! We confess to no little surprise, however, to hear from such a· source so many careless, unguarded and inaccurate statements. The present income of the Church Missionary Society was referred to as· two millions of pounds sterling / ($10,000,000.) Would it were! The converts in India alone as reaching two million / Commodore· Perry was characterized as an "A.merican sailor." The Fiji group· was spoken of as an island, and that island as now having over 800" churches upon it, and "102,000 Christian converts." India was represented as having" one missionary" for every 250,000 natives, which makes the number of missionares 1,000, for he gave the population as· 250,000,000, and if so, one-third of all the missionary force is in India,. for the Archdeacon gave the entire number of missionaries in the entire field as but 3,000! He said there were now over seventy missionary' societies, which is far below the true figures, aHd that the Bible is· translated into 200 languages and dialects, which was true years ago~. and takes no account of the grand work of the last decade! Referring to China, he intimated that 'it was necessary to translate the· Bible into all its various spoken dialects, as though the written lan-· guage were not uniform throughout! These are but the flies, of course, in the ointment; but where such inaccuracies occur, and are detected, they awaken suspicion that the whole address is untrustworthy, and an audience having such men as Robert N. Cust, Esq., in it, knows something of the subject.
The recent letters of Stanley have been remarkable as tributes, both. to the providence of God and as to the character and reS1J.1ts of missionary labor. His letter of Oct. 15, 1889, written from Ugoga, contains some misapprehensions. It was not Mwanga, but Kiwewa,. his successor, who drove out the missionaries, or rather the Arab traders and their minions, who had obtained power in Uganda. Mr. Mackay is forty years old, instead of a little over thirty, etc. ; but. the main facts referred to in Stanley's letter have already been given to the public. And, as he says, Livingstone's great heart would have beat with joy could he have foreseen this powerful body of Christianain the heart of A.frica, who prefer exile for their faith to the serviceof a hostile and impious chief.
Prof. Max Muller recently (Jan. 11) gave~n address at the Royal Institution, in connection with the opening of the School for Oriental Languages, in which he significantly says: "The history of England's taking possession of India is more marvellousthan any story of the 'Arabian Nights,' and what is the most marvellous in it is the apparent absence of any plan or plot from beginning to end. No English statesman was ever so hare-brained as to conceive the plan of sending out an expedition for the conquest of India. But, though there was no plan or plot, nowhere in the whole history of the world is there a higher purpose more visible than in the advance of England towards the East. It was the innate vigor of the Saxon race, its strong political instincts, its thirst for work, its love of enterprise, its craving for progress, that drove its sons across the sea, and made them the founders of new empires in India and the colonies. There was no plan or plot; but read the history of the English Empire in India, and you will find that the readiness, the presence of mind, the self-reliance, the endurance, the heroic bravery in moments of supreme anguish of Englishmen and Englishwomen, and, taking it all in all, the political wisdom and moderation of the best of India's rulers and statesmen, would supply materials for a perfect epic, more wonderful than the ' Iliad' and ' Odyssey.' And, as in the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey' the old poet shows us, behind the human, heroes, the Greek gods fighting their battle, though unseen by mortal eye, the true historian also must try to discover, behind the conflicts of races and rulers in India, the working out of higher purposes, though at the time beyond the grasp of the human mind."
Who can study history, and not see God's plan in it all, and where more conspicuously than in laying hold of India, that centre and stronghold of Oriental idolatry, superstition and civilization, and then planting in it the English race, with its Protestant faith? Be- hold a great country, peculiarly central in the vast Asiatic Continent, with English roads, English laws, English courts, English postal system, and English schools, placed like an open field before the Church, to till for a gospel harvest. It took Britain 250 years to _ learn the secret purpose of God in permitting British occupation of the Indies; but we see it all now!
I have just received privately from my friend, Rev. E. F. Baldwin, our Editorial Correspondent at Mogador, Morocco, very inter~ esting information. Mr. Baldwin. and one of his missionaries, Mr-..
Richmond, were going from Mogador to Tangier, but the vessel faile<l to stop at Tangier, and, greatly to their disappointment, went on to.
Gibraltar. When Mr. Baldwin got there he found a very prominent man, who had been specially praying that he might see Mr. Baldwin, but who was so situated in Government service that he could not leave his own post, and here by a strange Providence Mr. Baldwin was brought to him, most unexpectedly. ~ Mr. Baldwin was, morever, anxious to go to Beyrut, Syria, to ar- range for the training of certain workers in Arabic, with reference to reaching the Mohammedans at large, who, whatever be their native tongue, may be reached through the sacred tongue of the Koran, and this very man at Gibraltar offered to transport, without cost, as far as Malta, Mr. Baldwin ana his companion. On arriving at Malta he took a steerage passage fOI' Syria, according to his principles; but the captain gave him a first-class stateroom, and invited him to sit at his o.wn table" so marvellously went the 1m'd before him. At Beyrut, eIght or nme days sufficed to accomplish all he had gone to secUl'f'.
He found only the most sympathetic reception from the American Educational and Medical Missionaries. Drs. Jessup, Post, Bliss and Dennis were most helpful and cordial. Mr. Baldwin was afforded every facility for presenting his proposed methods privately and publicly. He expounded his principles, according to :Matthew X., and his plan for sending out young men, pledged to work on these lines, to study Arabic in Syria, and then go, two by two, into Moslem lands, and with simple, inexpensive methods, in Apostolic fashion, preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. The missionaries in Syria seemed to hail the movement as full of promise. 'l'he sight of men coming among them to live simply, forsaking all things, to follow Christ, and preach the gospel, will, it is hoped, bl'ing forth much fruit in the professed Syrian converts. Mr. Baldwin believes that the result will be, that in future, Englishmen and Syrians will be found going, two by two, among Bedouins, dwellers on the Nile, in Arabia, and elsewhere. Dr. Post offers to superintend this part of the work, and believes the seven or eight million Bedouins will be found receptive of the gospel. Mr. Richmond, who went with Mr. Baldwin, remains in Syria for language study, hoping ultimately to work among the Bedouins, and Mr. Baldwin takes back with him a Syrian teacher for th~ Mogador missionaries.
Dr. Jessup offers to receive at Suk el Gharb, a Lebanon village, 3,000 feet high, where there is a large boarding-school for young men, all the workers Mr. Baldwin may send, at a nominal cost for board, say $35 a year, each worker having a room with a native family in the village, for the advantage of language practice. The prominent official, who met Mr. Baldwin at Gibraltar, is deeply interested in the whole work, and may even devote himself to it.
It is no strange matter if Mr. Baldwin, whose Southern Morocco Missi.on has now been successfully begun on the same lines as Hudson Taylor's China Inland work, should be greatly encouraged. A wide door is now opening fOl' scores and hundreds of young men to come out to Morocco and Syria, and study the Arabic in the Lebanon until grounded in the language, and then push forward into Moslem communities wherever God leads the way. It seems as though a new day had dawned for Syria and Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli and Arabia. We chronicle these steps carefully, for this new South Morocco movement may have a most important bearing upon the whole future of missions, especially in Mohammedan lands. Mr. John Anderson, of Ardrossan, Scotland, is the secretary of the mission, and The Reaper is the official organ.
The two days, January 13th and 14th, were about the fullest days I ever spent. I went to Olney, Hackleton, Bedford, Elstow and Cardington. At Olney, after visiting Cowper's summer house and residence and Weston Underwood, where he afterwards lived with Mrs. Unwin, I drove over to Hackleton, seven miles off, and stood in the house where Wm. Carey lived, and in the very shop where he worked as a cobbler, and it made everything seem vivid, for there' was a man putting a sole on a boot! 'In Hackleton, Carey was converted, and in this shoe shop he began those pious meditations which .ended in his becoming the first missionary from England to India! Never have I felt more solomn than when I took off my hat in that place, and reflected on the great outcome of that "sanctified cobbler's" .conversion! A memorial chapel has been built at Hackleton, to Wil- liam Carey; but the old pulpit is still preserved there, from which he heard and afterwards preached the gospel. At Olney is the old Baptist Chapel, sacred alike to Sutcliff and Carey, where Carey became a member, and" exercised his gifts," preaching his first sermon in 1785. At Bedford, I addressed a meeting in the "Bunyan Rooms," attached to the Chapel, which stands on the very site of the original chapel of Bunyan, and where now Dr. John Brown, his accomplished biographer, preaches. Dr Brown and Dr. Samuel McFarlane, one of the pioneers at New Guinea, kindly assisted me in my search for the points -of interest thereabouts. We were shown the door of Bunyan's prison cell, preserved in the chapel; also his chair, cane, cabinet, will, pitcher, etc. Dr. McFarlane drove me to Elstow, to the cottage where Bunyan lived, and the quaint old chapel where he preached, .and the stone on the green around which he played, as well ,as to the parish church whose bell he rang, and where I looked on the old, de- .caying pulpit, from which he heard the sermon that turned the whole .course of his life. Then we drove to Cardington, near-by, and saw ,John Howard's house, and the cottages of his tenantry.
Here is the sacred soil of Britain, if allywhere. What lives flowed from these fountains! John Newton, William Cowper, John Howard, John Bunyan, William Carey, not to speak of J olln Sut- .cliff, and Thomas Scott, the Commentator. This day of events was .concluded by an address at Leicester, where Carey was in pastoral charge when the first action was taken by the Baptist Association towards the new Missionary Society, and Carey offered to embark for the Indies. Kettering is close by, where, in Widow Wallis' humble house, still standing, the room is shown, where, in 1792, the Mission- .ary Society was organized, and that first offering laid on God's altars. Surely this is missionary ground! Here, within the compass of sixty or seventy miles, the whole modern missionary movement found its ,cradle. It was in Paulersbury, near Northampton, that Carey was born; in Hackleton he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and converted; in Olney he was baptized in the Ouse, and began to preach; at Moulton, in his humble shop, he conceived the idea of translating the Bible into the Hindu and other Oriental tongues; in Kettering he organized the great Baptist Missionary Society, and in Leicester .offered himself as its first representative abroad! Behold how great
FOREIGN MISSIONS IN THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES
a matter a little fire kindleth! Over the whole world to-day the missionary altars burn with coals largely brought from that altar first erected in the cobbler's shops at Hackleton and Moulton! How much interest may, in God's eyes, hang like a halo around some obscure cradle where to-day a future Carey may lie sleeping!
FOREIGN MISSIONS IN THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES.
BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.
[Our readers may be interested in knowing that the venerable writer of thil' paper, after spending a long life in the mission field, in his l'(ltirement is using his pen in the production of books and magazine articles to help on the cause. Heis known in mission circles as a careful and highly intelligent writer.-J. M. S.]: Three causes withheld the sympathy and zeal of Protestants from. missions to the heathen prior to the present century. Their own internal weakness, their contention with the Papacy, and the evangelistic work that absorbed their zeal within their own territories and colonies.
It is difficult for us, who see the strength and consolidation of many Protestant denominations, as exhibited in their thousands of costly and spacious places of worship, their numerous organizations, their settled principles and policy, and the general prosperity, if not. wealth, of their adherents, to imagine how much of all this has come into existence within the past one hundred and fifty years. The Protestantism which existed as the result of the secession from Popery during the Sixteenth Century was as different from the Protestantism of the Nineteenth as the struggling, incipient vegeta- tion of March is from that of July. * Its energies were absorbed in consolidating and perpetuating the civil and religious heritage that had been so perilously won, and which was so incessantly threatened by sacerdotal craft like that of the Jesuits, and political force like that of Philip of Spain. Anyone familiar with the foreign and domestic plots and enterprises with which the Protestants of England were threatened for almost two, hundred years, and the theological literature of the times, which was so largely an argument, a. defence and a denunciation against the Papacy, will easily understand that they were as a garrison, hardly able to hold their own against open and secret attack on the part of a merciless, unscrupulous and powerful enemf' and therefore having no heart and little ability tosend a force far distant to wage an aggressive war.
And when any State, as England) Denmark or Holland, became • Those who are alanned at the supposed spread of Popery would do well to consider that at. the former period the three most powerful States were intensely Catholic-France, Austria and Spain: now the three most powerful and progressive are Protestant-England, Germany and the United States. France, Russia and Italy are politically classed with these, but the former is n-.t. Catholic, either in conviction or policy. as Rhe once was; tlJe second is as anti-Romanist as a.llY- Protestant State. and the last is Protestaut and liberal in policy and sentiment. strong enough to undertake distant enterprises, the duty of caring for the spiritual welfare of their own countrymen absorbed the resources (If all such as desired the extension of the kingdom of God. Missions then were colonial rather than foreign, and if the enormous diffi- <lUlties in the way be taken into account, the efforts of some conti- nental States and of the English Puritans, Episcopalians and Presbyterians to carry Christian truth and principle into the various plantations and colonies to which they resorted, will be acknowledged to be worthy of gratefnl recognition.
But it must be admitted that there was a general want of what is -expressed by the missionary spirit. The duty of preaching the gospel to the entire human race, its power as a regenerating and ,civilizing agency, quite apart from State and military intervention, and the actual moral, social and religious state of pagan races, were most imperfectly understood. And this apathy was derived from the Roman Catholic Church. The zeal which converted the Roman Empire, and then Northern and Western Europe, had long died down, so that for more than three centuries prior to the Reformation 110 earnest attempt was made to enlarge the boundaries of Christendom.
Popish missionary zeal, it is well to remember, had its origin with the Reformation. The loss of one-third of Europe awoke the pride and zeal of Rome to recover her influence by conquests elsewhere, and Spain in America and Portugal in Asia, with the fervid zeal of Loyola and Xavier and their disciples, were her ready and powerful agents for such an enterprise.
This reacted on the Protestants, for it must be admitted that much of the colonizing and proselytizing zeal was stimulated by the policy and practices of Roman Catholics rather than from pure apostolic missionary zeal. But true gold was there, though mixed with iron, and even clay, and beyond the admission of mixed motives, it is not necessary or advisable to proceed in an analysis of the proportion of each. The gold was there, and sometimes in unex- pected localities. Erasmus is an instance. No man of his time had a clearer conception of the dlJty of the Church of God toward the pagan world, or a more ardent desire that it should be discharged.
In his treatise" On the Art of Preaching" are passages which read like a modern missionary address. * "Everlasting God," he writes, "how much ground there is in the world where the seed of the gospel has never yet been sown. What, I ask, do we now possess (If Asia? In Africa, what have we! There are surely in those vast tracts barbarous and simple tribes who could easily be attracted to Christ if we sent men among them to sow the good seed.
I speak of nations who stray as sheep without a shepherd because they have never had any Christian teaching. Christ orders .. Dr. Smith's Short History of Chri-tian Missions, page 115. us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers, because the harvest is plenteous and the laborers are few. But some excuse themselves on the ground that they are ignorant of foreign languages. Shall princes have no difficulty in finding men who for the purposes of human diplomacy are well acquainted with various languages? Even Themistocles, the Athenian, in one year so mastered Persian that he could dispense with an interpreter in his intercourse with the king. And shall we not show the same zeal in so noble an enterprise." After combating with great skill and eloquence the objections that danger and want may hinder the missionary, and death come in some· violent form, he says: "Bestir yourselves then, ye heroic and illustrious leaders in the army of Christ. Address yourselves with fearless minds to such a glorious work. Do not make earthly gain your object, l?ut strive to enrich the heathen with spiritual treasures. Count it great gain if you save for the Redeemer souls snatched from the tyranny of Satan. !t is hard work I call you to, but it is the noblest and highest of all." Thus Erasmus wrote at the very beginning of the Sixteenth Century. His words were addressed to Christendom, irrespective of party, and their first practical outcome in the Catholic Church was when Xavier sailed for Goa in 1541 and began the first Jesuit mission.
The first Protestant missionary enterprise was conditioned by the critical and turbulent spirit of the age, and had a national and colonial as well as religious purpose. Emulating the enterprise of Spain and Portugal, France was wishful to gain possession of part of Brazil. The Admiral, Coligny, who perished in the massacre on Bartholomew's Day, in 1572, seeing in the enterprise a hope of relief from trouble for his Protestant co-religionists and a field for the propagation of Christianity, encouraged the enterprise, and sent in 1556 missionaries and ministers who had been selected by Calvin, who were joined by others. Numbers would have followed, thus seeking relief from persecution and "freedom to worship God," had not the governor of the colony, Admiral Villegaynon, who had invited su?h colonists, proved false. . Some of the leading Calvinists were hurled from a precipice, most of the others returned to France, and the Portuguese completed the ruin of the colony. As to missionary work in Villegaynon's island in the. bay of Rio Janeiro, there were native auxiliaries, and the Calvinists were instant in preaching so long as they were allowed, and there were frequent conversions. But soon the Indians fled from oppression into the forests of the mainland, where the Protestants joined them for a time. Six years after, Coligny tried a second Protestant colony under Ribaut at Charlesfort in Florida, and again at Caroline. There the settlers were first thinned by famine, then slaughtered by the Spaniards. Thus ignominiously ended the only attempt made by French Protestants to propagate their faith during the centuries under review. * It is interesting to reflect on what might have been the different issues to America and Christendom if the French Huguenots had succeeded in Brazil as the English Puritans did in a subsequent age in New England. Shortly after this, in 1559, Gustavus Vasa, of Sweden, sent ministers to attempt the conversion of his pagan subjects in Lapland. Schools were opened, books were translated, and some converts were baptized. The effort, though not very successful, was well sustained not only by the sovereigns and government, but by the people. It is gratifying evidence of this that in 1738 it was resolved that the whole of the Bible should be translated into Lapanese, and for this, schools and the mission generally, £60,000 were contributed. I The Dutch and Germans were most active in the propagation of Christianity throughout the East in the 17th and 18th Centuries, and this was largely owing to the influence of a small number of men, in whom there was an unusual combination of learning, piety and force of character. Grotius was one of the most eminent of these. He was in thorough sympathy with the Dutch in their endeavors to evangelize the people of their foreign possessions, encouraging ministers and schoolmasters to engage in the undertaking, and it is interesting to know that he wrote his celebrated treatise on "The Truth of the Christian Religion" as a text-book to be used by missionaries. Walleus, professor in the University of Leyden, was the first- 1612-to form a college for the training of missionaries, and his colleague, Hoornbeek, followed in the path of Grotius, by writing in 1659 his treatise "Summa Controversia cum Gentilibus, Judies Muhamidis et Papistis."
But no one equalled the Baron Von W elz in combined zeal, learning and practical endeavor. In 1664 he published two short treatises in German, called "A Christian and I.oyal Reminder to all Right Believing Christians of the Augsburg Confession regarding a Special Society, through which, with the Divine Help, our Evangelical Religion could be Extended," and "An Invitation for a Society of Jesus to Promote Christianity and the Conversion of Heathendom." In these he asks: "Is it right to keep the gospel to ourselves? Is it right that students of theology should be confined to home parishes? Is it right for Christians to spend so much on clothing, eating, drinking, and to take no thought to spread the gospel?" He urged/the importance of having a well appointed missionary college in every university, and then himself became a missionary. Laying aside his title, he was consecrated "an apostle to the heathen," and taking with him 36,000 marks, went to Dutch Guiana. He soon died, but surely such have high honor and unusual blessedness in a future life!
Later on we find the illustrious Leibnitz ,suggesting that German • Dr. Smith's History of Missions, page 119. Brown's History of Missions, Vol. I., Chap. I. missionaries should be sent to China by way of Russia, and so earnest in the design was he that when in 1700 the Berlin Academy of Sci- ences was founded he caused the design to be inserted in the statutes.
But now we come to record definite and practical efforts, and along with them the names of those who either at home or abroad rendered, in spite of prevalent indifference and immense difficulties, the most illustrious services to the great cause.
To the Dutch belongs the honor of being the first Protestant State to recognize the importance of seeking the spiritual good of their pagan subjects, although in a most defective manner, with inadequate a.gencies and disappointing results, as indeed might have been anticipated. As soon as they wrested Ceylon from the Portuguese in 1636 they established their form of Protestantism as the religion of the island, dispossessed the Roman Catholics of most of their churches, and attempted to Christainize Hindus and Buddhists by the most defective processes. All that was deemed necessary for baptism was ability to repeat the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, a morning and evening prayer, and a grace before and after meat. To induce a profession of Christianity it was ordained that no native should hold any situation under government, or even farm any land, unless he was baptized and subscribed to the Helvetic Confession of Faith. The apparent result was a large number of converts, the real one the most shameful hypocrisy and irreparable damage to true religion. At one time the converts were almost half a million, but after the British conquest of the island in 1795, when all political and civil temptations to profess Protestantism were withdrawn, more than four-fifths of the supposed converts relapsed into paganism. This is the more significant since the Dutch were zealous in establishing schools and circulating the Scriptures; but the primary causes of the ignominious failure were the essentially vicious incentives held out to induce a profession of Christianity and the great lack of true spiritual insight and motive on the part of the ministers of religion. Had they been earnest and competent a large amount of good might have resulted in spite of the defective policy.* Similar zeal, conjoined with analogous defects, characterized the Dutch elsewhere. After they had settled in Java, in 1619, means were adopted by the Government to bring the people to a profession of Christianity. So in Formosa in 1626; in Ambogua in 1647. In these, as well as in Sumatra, Celebes, and other islands, tens of thousands and even a hundred thousand converts were said to exist; but the work was usually superficial and formal, and such as it was even was allowed to languish.
We now come to the beginnings of Protestant effort in India. They are worthy of far more attention than usually they have • Sir Emmerson Tennant's HiStory of Christianity in Ceylon. received, if it were only to do justice to noble men, not adequately appreciated, of a different nationality to our own, for Danish and German Lutherans, with rare courage and zeal, labored for ninety years to evangelize India, before Carey or any other Englishman ,definitely entered on the immense and splendid sphere.
T~e Dutch were the pioneers. As early as 1630 there was a native Christian congregation at Pulicat, twenty-five miles north of Madras. It must have been of recent origin, but of its formation we have no record. It is, however, known that Baldens, one of the most evangelical and gifted of the ministers in Ceylon, went in 1660 to N egapatam on the Coromandel coast, to preach the gospel. He was followed by Nathaniel de Pape, who labored not unsuccessfully in the same locality. But to Frederic the Fourth of Denmark belongs the honor of commencing Indian missions with a definite purpose and in methods well considered and approved, as we shall see in the next issue of this REVIEW.
A very different yet most romantic and pathetic enterprise followed the one just mentioned, and from the same quarter. The Norwegian pastor, Hans Egedi, and his noble wife, after eleven years of repulse and discouragement, found their way to Greenland in 1721. Twelve years afterwards the two Moravians, Matthew and Christian Stach, settled in the same dreary region, and were followed a year after by two co-religionists. For fifteen years Egedi heroically persevered in spite of the climate, want, and the unbelief of the people. The two Stachs and their companions suffered even more. Sometimes they had no change of clothes; they lived in miserable huts; they had to toil hard to secure unpalatable food, and were often in peril. Such success as such a sphere could yield came, but yet more important even was the profound interest in missions generally their almost life- long sacrifice did so much to create. * .
Before passiug on to trace the manifestations of missionary zeal -on the part of Englishmen prior to the present century, a reference must be made to the Moravians, since no religious community has ever been more nniformly and intensely evangelistic, from the time when their great leader, Count Zinzendorf, saw at the court of Christian VI., in Copenhagen in 1731, two of the natives of Greenland who had been baptized by Hans Egedi, and learned from a negro that many slaves in the West Indies thirsted for Christian knowledge. In the following year, when their community did not exceed six hundred persons, most of them poor and distracted by recent exile, they sent two -of their number to St. Thomas, in the West Indies; in 1733 other two to Greenland, and in the short space of eight or nine years, others to Bt. Croix, Berbice, North America, Surinam, Lapland, Tartary, Guinea, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Island of Ceylon.
• Carne's Lives of Eminent Missionaries, Vol. I., p. 185,
BABYLON IS FALLING
Besides the immediate results of their widely extended and most. unselfish zeal must be placed the powerful effect of their example in exciting the missionary zeal of others and indicating the methods in which that zeal should act. Wesley and Whitfield owed much tothem. Their influence and example were powerful in the formation of the great missionary societies in England at the close of the last century and the beginning of this, and their efforts, in behalf of theaborigines of America and the slaves both of the West Indies and_ the United States, greatly stimulated the zeal of others.
(To be continued.) BABYLON IS FALLING.
BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, BELLEVUE, OHIO.
" Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the mountain tops."
In Utah, that-is. After a long and wearisome and hitherto discouraging struggle with theological, ethical, social and political evilscombined in the Mormon Church, these choice phrases of Juliet well set forth the current situation and the outlook for the future. It is a time, not indeed for peace, or even for truce, but for gladness and hope. '1'he last year was by far the best for substantial gains, and already 1890 has witnessed progress something such as was made by the armies of Grant and Sherman in 1864.
On the politico-judicial side, the beginning of good things dates from the passage of the Edmunds law some eight years since, by which, for the first time, it became possible to inflict fines and imprisonment upon polygamous law breakers. From that day to this the courts have been busy. More than a thousand in all have been tried and convicted, and the neatness and dispatch with which the " saints" can be landed in the penitentiary have become such that. last year the number. reached 357, an average of considerably more than one a day, Sundays excepted. They are a stubborn folk, and cases are strangely numerous where from prison they have retu~ned straight to their old practices, and have served out their term twice and even thrice: Now that President Harrison has summacily removed a reactionary chief-justice and reinstated Judge Zane, the Utah bench is composed of four men thoroughly able and determined to execute the law, with a fifth like-minded in Idaho. And never before has the Government been represented in Salt Lake by a class of officials at once so competent and so devoted to the performance of their duties, including the governor, secretary, marshal, district-attorney, and four out of five of the Edmunds commissioners.
In addition to inflicting judicial pains and penalties upon polygamists, the law of 1882 also disfranchised all the overmarried, some 15,000 in number, while an amendment included the entire female" voting population. But, even yet, the whole political power was in. church hands, and the o~d chiefs continued to dictate all nominations, and to fill all the offices with their favorites, and every office-holder had it for his business, first, last, and all the time, to do the bidding of his masters, the priesthood, and look out for the interests of the· Mormon "kingdom of heaven." But, fortunately, a few years ago, through mining activity, the advent of new railroads, and other causes, a business boom struck the territory, hitherto so forlorn in its business condition and so medieval in its business methods, and in particular into a few of the chief cities a large anti-Mormon element began to pour. As a result, at an election held last spring, Ogden, with a population of 15,000, was lost to the church, and every office was filled with such as know not Joseph Smith and the book of Mormon. Then la!!t August followed the territorial election,!tt which the Gentiles were able to seat eight men in thc legislature, three of them in the upper house, and further, to the astonishment of everybody, it was found that Salt Lake, a city of 35,000, the sacred Zion of all Mormondom, the headquarters of the theocracy, seat of the $2,000,000 temple, etc., etc., had been carried by the hated foe!! The blow was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. But all was not. lost, for from mayor to police every official was a faithful elder, and before the February municipal election the small Gentile majority might be wiped out. Almost immediately the campaign commenced,. and increased in activity and enthusiasm until the' supreme crisis came. Ward meetings, processions and illuminations were the order of the day. Never had Salt Lake, and seldom has any city, witnessed such a canvass, and when the votes were counted, behold, the uncircumcised had triumphed by more than 800!! And a great, glad shout went up from thousands of patriot and Christian hearts which had suffered much and waited long. Of course, the chalice commended thus to the lips of the haughty theocracy ruling by divine right, is. exceedingly bitter, and these sage-brush hierarchs will find it hard almost beyond expression to bend the neck. But it may confidently be predicted that Salt Lake will enter at once upon a period of material prosperity, and will hasten to take rank with Omaha, Denver, etc.
But much the worst (that is, the best) remains to be told. The courts have been making some recent rulings which go far beyond the limits yet touched by any Federal legislation, which threaten tocarry much further the disfranchisement of Mormons, and so open up a vista nothing less than appalling to the eye of the" saint." For' the future final and absolute overthrow and end of the political power of the Mormon Church are thereby revealed to light, aud if the hierarchy cannot carry the elections and maintain a solid vote, then this world is but a dreary waste, and life itself but vanity. As we have already seen, all polygamists were long since debarred from the polls. Next, for quite a period and increasingly, the Utah courts. had been exammmg more carefully into th,e fitness of Mormon emi- grants for American citizenship, and at length the practice was fixed .of refusing naturalization to all who were not outspoken in their repu- .diation of polygamy. And finally, last November, Judge Anderson took several days to make judicial investigation to· determine whether .a step much more radical was not demanded. And his decision was, that because of secret oaths taken by many, and also because the .church makes such claims and wields such power, is bitterly hostile to the Government, and teaches as a duty what the law of the land .denounces as a crime, therefore, no comer from the Old World, who .accepts the rule of the priesthood, is fit to become a citizen, and hence this fruitful source of supply for votes is forever closed.
Still further, and the very climax of latter-day woe: In Idaho, where some 30,000 Mormons dwell, two or three years since, weary .and disgusted with the continual and most outrageous political med- .dling and mischief-making of the Salt Lake church bosses, the Re- Fublicans and the Democrats combined and passed laws which pro- hibited the ballot to every member of the Mormon Church, as being a .disloyal and treasonable organization. Again, last summer framing .a constitution in preparation for Statehood, provisions to the same .sweeping effect were inserted, and this document is now before Congress. In the minds of not a few it was a question whether such heroic treatment would stand the test. For months the matter was under advisement in the Supreme Court, was fully argued, and Feb. 2, just one week before the Salt Lake election, by unanimous vote, the highest judicial tribunal in the land decided that the Idaho statute was good, sound, constitutional law. In due season Idaho will be- ·come a State, with that ironclad provision, and for every" saint" the daily alternative will be, give up polygamy and theocracy, or else be forever a political nonentity. And why should not Congress make haste to embody this decision in a statute, and so make it possible for the non-Mormons to carry and control the entire territory?
So far, as to the political situation in Utah, which nowhere else this side of Turkey and Persia is so inextricably blended with morals and religion. Upon the more strictly missionary side, progress is not so marked; but yet, here too the indications are encouraging. It is only within the last decade that the various denominations have undertaken in thorough earnest to fight this strange combination of folly .and fanaticism, superstition and depravity, with the double potency .of the gospel and the spelling book. But it has already come to this, that almost all the considerable towns are supplied with teacher and preacher, one or both, while the larger cities are fully furnished with all the instrumentalities required for ultimate redemption to civilization and Chl·istianity. Thus, in Salt Lake seven denominations have .churches and schools established; in all, twelve of the former and four-
UNoccupmD TERRITORY. 269>
teen of the latter, while in addition not less than eight of the public. schools' are fully in the hands of Gentiles, with several others to beadded in the near future. In the aggregate, in the territory are found upwards of 60 Christian ministers and upwards of 30 church organizations, most of them small, with 93 mission schools, 230 teachers, more than 8,000 pupils, with property worth $600,000. There is yet occasion for long and abundant prayer and giving and toil. The end is not, yet, but it will surely come ere long.
UNOCCUPIED TERRITORY.
BY A. P. HAPPER, D. D., PRES. CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, CANTON, CHINA.
The statement has been made in various publications that Thibet. is the only country to which the Christian missionary has not pene- trated. And now the agents of different mission societies are watch- ing about its borders seeking to break through its exclusive laws and regulations, and make known the gospel to the people within its bor- ders.
A few years ago great attention was directed to Korea, as the- country in which the gospel had not been preached, and many mis- sionaries from different Protestant societies have been sent there~ though the laws of the country still forbid the preaching of Christianity. But for fifty years before the interest and efforts of Protestants were directed to Korea, Roman Catholics had entered that country, and were secretly disseminating Romanism in that land, though exposed to persecution and death. It was considered by all Protestant mission associations that the presence of noman Catholic missionaries in the country did not preclude the sending of Protestant missionaries to that land. In other words, in general usage the Protestant missionary societies do not consider a country occupied by missionaries till some Protestant missionaries are laboring within its borders.
r.rhis being accepted as the Protestant view of the matter, thestatement that Thibet is the only country that is not occupied by Protestant missionaries, as made in many missionary papers, is not correct. There are some extended countries in which there is not Ii single Protestant misRionary laboring. I wish now to refer to two countries in which there are no Protestant workers, and to invite those who are looking for new districts in which to plant mission stations, to consider the claims of these lands, and the facilities and opportunities for engaging in missionary labor therein. Why should any wait around the borders of lands where the laws of the country exclude them when there are wide regions open to evangelistic labors?
The attention of the whole world has been more or less directed, for the last twenty years, to efforts of France to establish a great colonial system in the southeast part of Asia. 'fhis work has been ef- fected by successive steps. First, France took possession of Cam- bodia, the extreme southeast part of Asia, with a protectorate of An- nam. Subsequently the possession of Tonquin was sought for, which resulted in a war with China for its possession. Now France has possession of all three of the countries known on the old maps by the name of Cambodia, Annam and Tonquin. 'The territory is say 1,000 miles long and from 150 to 200 miles broad, and has some 175,000 square miles. The whole territory is a tropical land of great fertility of soil and of great mineral wealth. It has an estimated population of from 10,000,000 to 15,000,000, some placing the popula- tion as high as twenty millions.
The French Government is establishing its rule over the whole territory-establishing order and peace and safety of perRon and prop- erty. There are two seats of authority: Saigon in the south, and Haiphong in the north, i. e., in Tonquin. The hope and purpose of France is to make it the counterpart of British India. It is no part ()f this paper to refer to how the French Government came in posses- 8ion of this very important part of Asia; but to call the attention of the Protestant churches to the fact that an European power has possession of a vast territory in southeast Asia, where it is establishing a stable government and affording peace and protection to person and property to a numerous population, and that there is not a single Protestant missionary in this whole region of territory.
There have been Roman Catholic missionaries in Annam and Tonquin for more than one hundred years-these were from France and Spain. They have frequently had to endure terrible persecutions from the heathen governments. They have had many followers; but during the war with China these Christians were counted partisans of France, and thousands of them were murdered, as enemies and trait- ()rs to their own country. A number of European priests were murdered, the churches burnt, and missions scattered. With the restoration of peace and order these missions are being reoccupied and restored by the Romanists. But there is wide room for a great increase of Christian workers. As the French Republic is tolerant of all denominations, there is now no reason why Protestant missionaries should not work side by side with Roman Catholic missionaries in Annam, as they do in China, India, Japan, Siam and in the other parts of Asia. With this opportunity to engage in Christian work under the protection of a European power, comes the obligation of the Protestant churches so carry out the command of their Lord, and" Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."
The other territory which is yet unvisited by any Protestant missionaries, is that portion of the Eastern Archipelago which belongs to Spain and is called the Phillippine Islands. They comprise about 120,000 square miles, and the population is estimated by different writers to be from four millions to seven millions. These islands have been held by Spain for more than three hundred years. Roman Catholic missions have existed among the native inhabitants for more than two hundred years. But no Protestant missionary has ever been established in any of the many islands included in this designation. N ow that Spain tolerates the Protestant laborers in Spain and Cuba, the inhabitants of these fail' islands of the Eastern seas should not be over- looked by those who are seeking for lands in which to propagate the Gospel. It is not yet time for the soldiers of the cross to sit down at ease, saying to themselves there is only TMbet that is not yet occupied by Protestant missionaries, when such extensive districts have never yet been even explored by messengers of Protestant associations, to inquire into the needs or conditions of the inhabitants, or the opportunities for reaching them. What society 01' societies in Eutope or America will look to Southeast Asia and the Phillippine Islands of the Eastern Archipelago, as fields of missionary labor, and enter upon this great work?
But there is another part of the Ea~tern Archipelago which has a special claim upon Protestants to. afford to its inhabitants the Gospel. This district is in the northern part of the large Island of Borneo.. It is designated British North Borneo. This part of Borneo, comprising some 25,000 square miles, has been granted to a British company under British protection, in absolute control, to establish government and rule over all the territory thus designated. The company had .appointed a governor and enacted laws and regulations, and appointed Tulers for the administration of the laws. They are establishing towns, inviting settlers, and taking efficient means to develop various industries, agriculture and manufactures. A large number of settlers are going from China, and more are expected and desired. The population is not numerous yet-say 200,000 to 300,000. But in a region under a British company and under the protectorate of the British Government, toleration to Christian work may be counted upon, if not as- 8istance and support. It is most desirable that Christian institutions should be laid with the first foundations of the new order. We suppose British Ohristian effort would keep pace with British commercial enterprise. All Protestant lands will consider that this part of Borneo has special claims upon British Christians. And, perhaps, most will consider that it has still more special claims upon that British Missionary Society which has commenced work upon a part of Borneo adjacent to British North Borneo, and known as Laburan, where a British Bishopric has been established. But while this fact may be considered, this new opening should not be neglected, if that Society does not enter upon Christian work in this land now fully open to evangelistic effort. I trust that we will soon hear that some
MISSIONARY CHURCHES
British Society has entered with zeal and energy upon the work in British North Borneo, and will make it a center from which shall go· out an influence over the whole northern half of Borneo and the sur– rounding island.
MISSIONARY CHURCHES.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D. D., NEW YORK.
What shall constitute a missionary church, judging from the' standpoint of the present time and with the light of the New Tes- tament and of subsequent Christian history? For such a question there ought to be no necessity; it should have no pertinence. The New Testament knows no other than a missionary church. The Acts of the Apostles are simply a missionary record. The very name "Apostle" is a synonym of "missionary." The Epistles of Paul are only a body of missionary correspondence. The theology of the Chris- tian church, from the early days to the present time, is based upon world renowned missionary letters, written not in seats of learning,. nor in the quiet studies of erudite bishops or professors, but written afield,-now in one place and now in another, wherever the earnest her– aId of the cross might chance to be. They were written for the partic,ular instruction of some far-off mission church, and yet so written as to state in logical and enduring forms those great doctrines which haveconstituted the intellectual and spiritual life of the Christian church.
Yet, even in the early church the conception of a distinctively missionary character was not clear to all minds alike. There were the· J udaizers, who felt that the Christian religion, whatever else might. happen to it, must not lose lts pivotal centre at .Jerasulem; that the old_ Hebraic system must not be so overlaid as to be in any degree obscured; and that the proselyting of a few heathen tribe~, more or less, was. not to be compared with the retention of that historic prestige which belonged to Mount Zion. James and Cephas and others at Jerusalem did finally extend the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and Paul and to their heathen converts, but it was stipulated that contributionsshould be gathered for the home church at Jerusalem. Barnabas and Paul, in the largeness of their hearts, needed no persuasion on this. point. They were" forward" to do this very thing, and as the result proved they collected more from the far off mission fields of Macedonia and Corinth for the poor saints of Jerusalem, than was realized from all other sources. Thus early was the lesson taught that a broad and generous missionary policy, so far from impoverishing, only en-· riches the Church, and strengthens it on its own ground. But, following the line of history, it is evident that the character of a Missionary Church has not uniformly been maintained. The missionary element has been fitful; it has been developed in one branch more than in another, and at one time more than at another. Of the Eastern Churches, the N estorians were the only truly missionary body in the centuries following the Apostolic period. Hair "plittings in doctrine, strifes for pre-eminence, bitter persecu- tions, fanatical worship of relics, as well as of pictures and images, absorbed the strength of the ecclesiastical bodies.
What a marvellous and fatal mistake that the Church of the By- zantine Empire did not turn its attention to Arabia! Whether Paul made any considerable beginnings there during his three years' so- journ, does not appear. If so, they were not followed up. Judaism had been driven thither by early invasions, and Christianity followed from the same causes at a later day, but no earnest missionary effort • appears to have been made in Arabia during the early Christian cen- turies. The Church was wasting her strength upon heresies and her- esy hunting, upon ecclesiastical ambitions and contentions, upon Christian fetishes and upon the stagnation and waste of droning asceticism.
Not only was a glorious opportunity lost-an opportunity which might have turned the moral earnestness of the chivalric Arabian tribes to good,account in reclaiming the regions beyond-but dire retribution was gathering for the negligent and apathetic Eastern Church. Her stagnation brought corruption, and its virus extended beyond her own borders. When Mohammed arose he found on the one side the idol- atry of the heathen Koreish, and on the other what he regarded as an equally impious idolatry in the Christian Church. A degraded and superstitious sect had found its way into Arabia, which taught a doc- trine of the Trinity represented by the Father, Mary, and the. Son! This not only filled the false Prophet with disgust, but it furnished!. him with a pretext. The place of the Paraclete (the Holy Ghost} was left vacant, and he took it, and so strengthened his position with. New Testament authority.
Thus the day of doom approached. In due time the false Prophet, "Sword of God," appeared to take account of neglected duty. Over the dusty deserts came the stern, fanatical hordes who were to sweep away the vestiges of idolatry, drive forth 'the soft and luxuri. ous Bishops from their churches and the grizzly monks from their cloisters, and to tread down the whole effete Empire of the East. Even to-day the Greek Church has not recovered from its stupefying shock, and the Arab is the herald, not of the Gospel, but of Islam.
It would be well if the modern churches of all favored lands would' ta,ke to heart this lesson of neglected opportunity and its dire results-, the lesson, namely, that it is not optional to do or not to do, the work which Providence assigns in reclaiming the world to Christ. It must be done, or privilege is turned to retribution.
The We8tern, or Latin Church, inspired in part, perhaps, by eccle- l'iastical ambition, but in part, also, by a more aggressive missionary spirit, carried the Gospel to new and unknown lands, and came at length to mold and elevate those hordes of barbarians, who, while they vanquished the power and the civilization of the Roman Empire, were themselves vanquished by the faith of the Cross. The Latin Church bore the Gospel to Spain, France, and Britain.
Perhaps the most eminently Missionary Church of the early centuries was that of Ireland, founded by the earnest and apostolic Patricius. What nobler outstart could it have had? What more Christlike recompense than his, who, having been kidnapped and sold into degrading bondage, became a missionary at last to those who had enslaved him? From the Irish Church to lona, and thence into Scotland and the north of England, and finally to the continent, this mis- :sionary impulse extended. To this movement, evangelical in its teachings, simple, fervent and Christlike in its spirit, the later Reformation in Germany and Great Britain owed more than has generally been ascribed to it; and to its permanent influence, quite as much as to any other cause, the Protestantism of Great Britain may fairly trace its origin. Nor is it too much to say that this same missionary impulse of the Irish missionaries, who first planted Christianity.in Germany, was subsequently the means of evangelizing those fierce Northmen on the shores of the Baltic, whom all the armies of the continent had not been able to resist. Up every river that emptied into the German Ocean the piratical fleets of the Vikings had swept, till even Charlemagne had wept at the hopelessness of a11 resistance. But a handful of missionaries, with only spiritual weapons, carried the war into this Scandinavian Africa. They wrought that timely transformation among the savage hordes of the North which the Eastern Church had neglected to work upon the hordes of Arabia. They saved not only the scourge-smitten shores of France and Germany, but the Baltic provinces as well. No people are now more pacific, and orderly, and industrious than they. Their fair-haired descendants invade only the American shores in our time, and none are more wel- come. If we take our stand at a somewhat later period, and consider the three centuries which followed the Reformation in Germany, we find that the Protestant branches of the Christian Church did not compare favorably with the Catholic with respect to missionary enterprise. Not, however, because there is less of missionary spirit in their teach. ings, but only because Protestantism in Europe was so overborne by persecution and so absorbed in its struggles for'l'eligious liberty.
But the strange and inexplicable fact is that even after those struggles were at an end, Protestantism had to begin with the very alphabet of Christian missions. It even had to overcome narrow prejudices which set strongly against the whole enterprise, the light of the New Testament and the missionary history of centuries to the contrary, notwithstanding. 'l'his seems the more strange when we consider that through all the long period of neglect brave protests were uttered here and there by noble leaders. The learned Erasmus, in his treatise on The Art of PreaeMng, wrote these words, which would pass for an eloquent missionary appeal to-day: " We daily hear men deploring the· decay of the Christian re- ligion, who say that the Gospel message, though once extended over the whole earth, is now confined to the narrow limits of this land. Let those, then, to whom this is an unfeigned cause of grief, beseech Christ ~arnestly and continuously to send laborers into his harvest. • . • Europe is the smallest quarter of the globe; Greece and Asia Minor the most fertile. Into these countries the Gospel was first introduced from Judea, with great success. But are they not now wholly in the, hands of Mohammedans and men who do not know the name of Christ? What, I ask, do we now possess in Asia, which is the larg- .est continent, 'when Palestine herself, whence first shone the Gospel light, is ruled by heathens? In Africa what have we? There are Burely in these tracts barbarous and simple tribes who could easily be attracted to Christ if we sent men among them to sow the good seed.
Regions hitherto unknown are being daily discovered, and more there are, as we are told, into which the Gospel has never yet been carried.
And what shall I say of those who sail round unknown shores, and plunder and lay waste whole states without provoca- tion? What name is given to such deeds? They are called victo- ries. Travelers bring home from distant lands gold and gems; but it is worthier to carry hence the wisdom of Christ-more precious than gold-and the pearl of the Gospel, which would put to shame all earthly riches. We give too much attention to the things which de- base our souls. Christ orders us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers, because the harvest is plenteous and the laborers are few. Some excuse themselves on the ground that they are ignorant of foreign languages. Shall princes have no difficulty in finding men, who, for the purposes of human diplomacy, are well acquainted with various tongues? Even Themistocles, the Athenian, in one year so mastered Persian that he could dispense with an inter- preter in his intercourse with the king. And shall we not show the same zeal in so noble an enterprise ?"
It is not easy to understand why such appeals as this, issued early in the 16th century, should have been so little heeded both then and also later, _though the works of Erasmus were so greatly prized.
. Rev. A. C. Thompson, in his recent work, entitled "Foreign Mis- sions," has shown that some of the very highest ideals of the Chris- tian life, as set forth in the religious works of the 16th and even to the latter part of the 18th century, were strangely wanting in their recognition of Christ's great commission. Personal experience, as leading to personal salvation, claimed an undue place in the then cur- rent literature, as compared with the needs of the world.
Among the strongest impulses in the modern missionary move- ment were those born of necessity on the part of the Moravians, who, like the disciples at Jerusalem, were scattered by persecution. "If we have been cast out and rendered homeless," reasoned the devout saints at Hernhut, " it must be the Divine will that we shall become ambassadors of the Master, who had not where to lay his head." From the beginning it was their rule to go where men were most in need, and where others would be least likely to reach them, and they still retain their prominence as the most self-denying and consecrated of all missionary bodies. The chief motive to missionary endeavor has differed with different bodies of the Christian Church. From the Moravians the missionary spirit extended to the Wesleyans and to the· Independents of Great Britain, and even to that mother church from. whose formalism the apostles of Methodism had broken away.
With the Moravians the chief inspiration was found in the love of Christ. In their doctrinal standards they never greatly emphasized the doctrine of eternal punishment. Rescue, which is certainly em-· phasized in the commission of Paul, acts xxvi: 18, was not so much in their thoughts. It was enough for them that the heathen were without. God and without Christ. They thought chiefly of the unspeakable privilege of realizing in the hearts of all men, however degraded, the matchless love of a Divine Redeemer, and they seemed to feel that just where the conditions of human life were hardest and least endurable, whether amid the gloom of the Arctic regions, or under the rocky crags and bleak snow peaks of Thibet, or in the most malarious regions of the tropics, there it was the most delightful to point the gloomy and despondent sons of men to that Divine love, which everbent compassionately towards them, and which pitied most of all, the suffering and the lowly. Everywhere by the camp fires of the American Indians also these faithful Moravian missionaries took their stations, sharing the wrongs and hardships which white settlers visited upon that race whom only God seemed to pity.
Towards the close of the last and in the first quarter of the present century, the fire of missionary zeal spread among all branches of the Protestant Church. There was that readiness to hear the voices of Providence, which did not allow special calls to go unheeded. The slave trade, which had so long disgraced two continents, appealed to- Christian consciences for Africa. The blacks who were occasionally brought to London from the West Indies, could not but prove living reminders of what England owed to those islands in which she had sought only gain.
A scientific expedition to the Pacific, returning with new and thrilling facts concerning Tahite, stirred up the early zeal of the
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES
London Missionary Sooiety. A Sand wich Island boy, weeping on the steps of Yale College, in his great desire for an education, gave unconsciously the Macedonian call for Hawaii. The wrongs of traders and frontiersmen among the Amerioan Indians, scarcely less than the early and noble Moravian examples, stirred up the American ehurches.
Thus the stations occupied by the different missionary bodies have been chosen, not by any general agreement, but in response to the various leadings of Providence. In some instances it has been a matter of conscience, in others an opening made by trade or new discov- ,eries, or the movements of conquest and colonization. And the greater the number of influences which have been at work, and the more fortuitous they may seem with respect to concerted planning, the more strikingly does the unity of a divine direction appe8,r And no particular class of distinctive doctrines has won pre-eminence as leading to missionary zeal. It is not the most positive Calvinistic creed, with profoundest sense of man's moral ruin, or the nighest Arminian insistence on the freeness and fullness of the offer .of life, or the most assured prelatical derivation of apostolic authority, or the strictest adherence to the alleged New Testament forms and rites, that can claim pre-eminence in this grandest of all proofs and demonstrations of doctrine. All types of evangelical truth have been owned alike and blest of God with success. Where Christ, as divine and all-sufficient, has been proclaimed, the Holy Ghost has wrought with power. It is only where Christ has been denied as divine, and simply a great teacher bearing His name has been presented to the heathen, that missions have failed and withered away, " as grass upon ,the housetop."
And now all churches are Missionary Churches. None dare exdude themselves. None dare expect a blessing on their own life without at least doing something for the waste places of the world.
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The Rev. A. Mabille, writing in the Journal des Missions Evangeziques, describes a strange illusion which checks the acceptance of the gospel by the chiefs of the Bassutos. "It appears that some of the principal chiefs have lately received impressions more serious than ever, but the character of their. retinue is well calculated to hinder them from making progress. There is especially an idea which their pagan and even their Christian subjects present to them incessantly-anideawhich cannot fail to deaden their conscience-namely, that because they have granted the missionaries leave to introduce the gospel into the couptry, God will take them into his favor, although they are sinners, like other men. This idea has so thoroughly possessed itself of some that one cannot uproot it, and they assure you that they, at all events, shall be saved."
-The French brethren on the Zambesi, a year or two ago, seemed to be undergoing the extreme of monotonous misery. Separated by hundreds of miles from all other Christian men; obliged, for the most part, to sustain themselves on a scanty measure of the coarsest food; in the dominions of a bll,)Odthirsty, heathen tyrant, who reverenced them, indeed, but followed none of their pre- cepts; in the immediate neighborhood of chiefs whose characters were a re- production of their master's, with his intelligence and respect for the gospel left out; holding services, at which few but themselves were present; opening schools which only a few villainous young princes attended, and their worthless young slaves, who provided for themselves by plundering the missionary of his cattle, great and small; sometimes, in walking, stumbling over the burnt re- mains of unhappy wretches that had been burnt for sorcerers; only the grace of God and the sublime purpose of redemption kept them from sinking to the ground. The elasticity and cheerfulness of a French temperament, doubtless, were a human means through which these higher influences could work.
At presentthe isolation still continues,and the deprivation ofcomforts is proba- bly not very much less. But already their labors are beginning to tell. The King is not converted, nor apparently near conversion; .but his reverence and affection for the missionaries seem to have become as great as they can be, while he remains a heathen. For months back we have seen no allusion in their letters to any scenes of murder. The chiefs, too, patterning after their sovereign, and, moved by some sharp admonitions which he has addressed them, have exchanged their former indifference into so excessive a zeal for the missionary's rights, that lately, on a complaint of M. Jalla, they fell upon the offender, and, to the missionary's horror, left him for dead. Fortunately, he at last recovered, and fled from the village. The Sunday services begin to illl up. The schools are enlarging greatly, mostly with children of chiefs, who, of late, instead of a torment, are beginning to be a main comfort of their teachers, and, instead of plundering them, make it a point of honor to go often on the hunt, always, on their return, offering the first portion to the " Father" and the" Mother." We confess that a year ago it was only the cheerful courage of these brethren and sisters that kept us from doubting whether they ought not to give up their work.
Unhappily, as we should say, if Christian martyrdom were an unhappiness, the malarious plains of the great river are having their effect. M. Jalla writes: " We have all been, for several months, enjoying remarkably good health. We have some hope that the rainy season and the winter will be easier to bear than last year. Who is there of us here that will be remaining if we have to dig four tombs in 1889, as was the case in 1888?"
-The scarcity of food on the Zambesi is easily explained. "The rainy season," says M. Jalla, "has passed, without bringing us much water. Many fields have been scorched by the sun. H there has been an average of ten or twelve days of rain at Shesheke during the two years we have been here, it is all. Our attempts at gardening, therefore, are not brilliant, notwithstanding the beautiful waters of the Zambesi which flow but two paces distant from us.
-The missionaries do not exaggerate the extent of their influence, increasing as it is. M. Jeanmairet writes: "In the village, at evening, you hear our hymns resounding often in place of the pagan chants, and the chief even closes the sitting with prayer. This ought to encourage us, without leading us, however, to see in it the mark of a change of their hearts, of which there is, as yet, no real proof. You know yourselves how much the natives love to sing, and how little they understand all this which passes before them, even our prayers. We must take account of their superstition in ·order to comprehend them. No deity must be neglected; and our Zambesians also, in their fashion, have altars erected to unknown gods; but the true Christianity of the heart is not yet implanted in the souls of the people of our charge, at least so far as we know… -It is interesting to see the influence of our American evangelist of song penetrating into the depths of Southern Africa, and expressing itself in a Pentecostal affluence of tongues. M. Adolphe Jaila, returning from Europe to missionary labors in his native land, and writing of his wagon journey from Kimberley to the capital of the Christian King, Khama, says: "Established on the front box, I opened conversation with my coachman, Mochuana, a young man of some twenty or twenty-five years, but the honest fellow knew just as much English as I knew of Sechuana, so that every topic was soon interrupted by a ha ke uthlua (I don't understand), sometimes accompanied by a burst of laughter. After awhile I turned to singing hymns in Sessuto, French or Italian, especially Sankey hymns, I taking the air, and my wagoner the bass."
-M. Goy gives an account of Khama, the noble-hearted Christian chief of South Africa. Being about to remove his people to a new locality, "he assembled them all, men and women; then, with a voice of emotion, he prayed them to praise the Lord for all the blessings of the past, and exhorted them, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to leave behind in their abandoned huts their superstitions and their pagan habits, and engaged them all to become new creatures-to serve the Lord in the new city. He then invited his son and his brother to read a portion of Scripture, then he pronounced the benediction." .
-" Mr. Heany," says M. Goy," an American, who is the director of the Bechualand Exploration Company, finding me embarrassed for the want of a wagon, offered me one to continue my route with all my goods, and not only that, he gave me the provisions needful for the journey. This is a gift of 300 francs to the society, and he has already offered me everything I can need in the way of furniture at very low prices." It is only fair that this good deed of our countryman on a distant continent should be noted in his own country and in his own tongue.
-It will be remembered that the Zambesi Mission is an offshoot of the Bassuto Mission of the French Protestants, which they name Lessuto, the latter being the name of the country, the former of the people. M. Goy writes: "When I see all these churches of Lessuto, these great congregations, these numerous communicants, I am happy, but still more zealouS in thinking of our dear mission on the 2;ambesi. My daily prayer is that, like that of Lessuto, it may become a focus of light, and, above all, a means of salvation for our poor Zambesians. I should love to live ten years longer, because after this time I hope we shall also have numerous Christians on the Zambesi."
-The Journal des Missions Evangdiques gives a summary of the operations. of the Berlin Society in South Africa. The following dates and numbers will make them more distinct: First Berlin missionaries sent to South OrdaIDed missionaries in the Transvaal. 26 Africa (Orange Free State) . …….. 1834 Native helpers (2 ordained). •. •.•• . …• •• 234 Oommunicants…………….. ;…….. 5,311 First Berlin missionaries sent to Ca1l'ra- Whole number of baptized (inc. com) … 10,925 ria …………………………….. 1836 Berlin missionaries in South Africa, inc.
First Berlin missionaries 'sent to Cape Transvaal……… … …………….. 53 Colony .•_… …………………….. 1838 Communicants in South Africa, inc.
First Berlin missionaries sent to Natal.. 1848 Transva.a.l……………………… 9,772 First Berlin missionaries sent to Trans- Whole number baptized (inc. com.) ….. 20,058 Whole income Berlin Society.•.. minus $80,000 va.a.l (Northern Baasutos)………….. 1860 First Berlin missionaries sent to Trans- va.a.l (Southern Baasutos-French)…. 1860 -The Nachrichten aus dem Morgenlande communicates some curious facts respecting one important means by which European powers are pushing their interests in the Levant, namely, popular schools supported by these foreign governments. Imagine France or Italy supporting out of its public treasury schools in the United States, in which French or Italian should be the medium of instruction, only French or Italian teachers be employed, and which should be supported by regular government appropriations from Paris or Rome. Our government would soon have something to say to that. But Turkey has fallen too low to dare object. It seems that lately Italy, finding that the Italian schools in the Levant, being Catholic, had fallen under the control of France, who, atheistic at home, poses everywhere abroad as the protector of Roman Catholicism, resolved to mend matters. Therefore, the Italian Parliament now votes $200,000 a year for the support of government schools, taught by Italians, in Italian, under the inspection of the Italian Government, but open to all who will come. These schools are sustained in Tunis, Tripoli, Beirut, Aleppo, Con- stantinople, and a good many other places, and, by a strange encroachment on a Christian power, in Athens. Tuition is free, the scholars are furnished with books and stationary free, and in some places with their dinners. No wonder that the native children come in such numbers as rather to disorganize other schools. Religious instruction is given only when desired by parents. What effect this curious national missionary work, not of Christianization, but Ital- ianization, will have on the missionary work proper, does not seem quite cer- .tain. At present it seems principally to affect the Roman Catholic missionary schools.
-The French Government spends yearly on the French schools of Syria from $60,000 to $80,000. These schools are a force of enlightenment, and do not appear, as yet, to be made, either by France or Italy, a propagandism of in- fidelity, as the goverment schools, of France at least, largely are at home.
-The Nachrichten, mentioning the new vigor with which the various Christian parties, especially the Roman Catholics, are bestirring themselves in Palestine, remarks: "The Pope seems not to have miscalculated in believing that by making large personal contributions for the Roman Catholic mission in the Holy Land he should reap an ample harvest. It would not be extrava- gant to say that a new crusade has developed itself for the possession of the Promised Land."
-The Nachrichten gives reports from the German Asylum for Lepers at JeI'11fI8.lem. Medical examination, attesting a profound difference of almost all the symptoms from thoSe described in the law, seems to make it certain that the disease has in the course of ages very greatly changed its form, and that much for the worse. There would now be no occasion to provide for the case of a cure, for a cure is now never known, at least in Palestine.
-A little narrative from the asylum for lepers at Jerusalem gives some insight into the possible experiences of a soul enclosed in this loathsome body of death: "How blessed and refreshing was the deathbed· by which we were lately permitted to stand. A malden entered into the joy of her Lord. She had been eleven years in the asylum When first here she had great controversies with God, that he had smitten her with such a sickness. She was often very much exasperated over it, and sometimes broke out into loud expressions of anger against God. But subsequently she became aware that this availed nothing; she became more and more wretched. One day, not long before her departure, she had me called. To my inquiry, what I could do, she replied, with a voice of entreaty, that she wished I would read something out of the Bible to her. How my heart rejoiced I At once I took the blessed Bible, and read the Gospel of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. I then had a somewhat lengthened conversation with her. I spoke to her of the pastoral faithfulness of Jesus and his love to poor sinners, and how he has ways and means enough to allure his wandering sheep to him. Even her loathsome sickness, I suggested, was a means whereby the Saviour would fain draw her to him and save her. I asked her whether she, too, would not willingly become a lamb of Christ, and enter into him in the realm of health. With tears in her eyes, she answered: 'I believe from my very heart that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of kings, and I know, for my
-1890.] THE REVOLUTION IN UGAND~
-heart tells me, that Jesus loves me, too. And by no other than Jesus will I be saved.' After I had prayed with her, the next morning I visited her. How astonished I was when she received me with the words: •How glorious it is to be a lamb of Christ.' I talked long with her, and she –confessed, with many tears, how heavy it lay on her heart that she had cost the Saviour so much trouble and effort; but that she was heartily glad that she was now certain of the forgiveness -of her sins. With the words: •The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has made me also pure from all my sins,, she composed her head to rest, and fell asleep."
-The Turkish Government, which is increasingly hostile to foreign Chris- -tian schools and churches, shows great kindness to the lepers' asylum, and has ,;secured the perpetual title to the property to the president of the Brethren's -Unity at Herrnhut for the time being.
-The Berliner Missions Berichte speaks of a great danger threatening the whole Caffre people, namely, the spread of infectioUs diseases from the promisocuous use of the same drinking vessels.
-The Missionstidning for Finland for May, 1889, gives some account of the Norse Santal Mission, which is carried on in common by the three Scandinavian nations, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, having been founded in 1867 by the Swedish missionary, Borresen. The Santals are an unhinduized aboriginal race of northeastern India, bordering on Assam, or extending into it. For the first ten years the mission made little progress. In 1878 there was only one station and one little out-station. There are now 13 stations, 7 of them luLving solid dwellings for whites, and appropriate dwellings for native help- ·ilrs. In 1879 there were 2,283 native Christians, now there are 4,840. In 1879 the outlays were 18,911 rupees, now they are 58,897. Sweden in 1879 contrib- -uted 73 rupees, she now contributes 6,972. The Christian Santals, in their turn, :are beginning to prosecute missions among the native races of Assam, which is .a connecting link between India and Burmah.
THE REVOLVTION IN UGANDA.
[The Morning Post (London) of very recent date gave a three-column paper <>n this important event. The writer is evidently well informed, and his con- iribution is highly interesting. We give the following extracts.-J. M. S.] "Who does not remember the enthusiasm of the great African explorer when he first beheld this land? That his views are still unchanged he lost little time in announcing to the world after his arrival at Zanzibar the other day, and on his return to England we may look to hear some still more emphatic declarations of his faith ill the resources of those regions, and the field of splendid enterprise to which they invite our commercial and missionary energies. That his enthusiasm was not mistaken the history of the last twelve years has amply proved-and the history of the next twelve years will doubtless/rove :more permanently. 'What a land they possess! And what an inlan sea; ! How steamers afloat on the lake might cause Ururi to shake hands with Usongora, and Uganda with Usukuma; make the wild Wavuma friends with the Wazinza, and unite the Wakerewe with the Wagana! A great trading port might then spring up on the Shimeeyie, whence the coffee of Usongora, the ivory, sheep and goats of Ugeyeya, Usoga, Uvuma and Uganda; the cattle of Uwya, Karagwe, Usagara, Ibangiro and Usukuma; the myrrh, cassia and furs and hides of Uganda and Uddu; the rice of Ukerewe; and the grain of U zinza might be exchanged for the fabrics brought from the coast, all the land be redeemed from wildness, the industry and energy of the natives stimulated, the havoc of the slave trade stopped, and all the countries round about permeated with the nobler ethics of a higher humanity. . . . Oh! for the hour when a band of philanthropic capitalists shall try to rescue these beautifullands, and supply the means to enable the gospel messengers to come and quench the murderous hate with which man beholds man in the beautiful lands around Lake Victoria.' How the man's invocation was answered, almost as soon as uttered, by the noble advance of our missionaries, all the world knows, though the breadth and depth of the success which has attended the labors of Mr. Mackay and his fellow missionaries on the shores of the Victoria Nyanza are but inadequately known. To-day or to-morrow we shall hear more of their triumphs, enough to make even Stanley himself confess to an emotion of grateful wonder. While he was buried in the darkness of the western forest, fighting for life with hunger and hostility and disease, and almost given up for lost by the world, his invocation was being answered in another direction.
What he may have to say on these things when he returns will be worth hear- ing and heeding, as they will truly be heard and heeded, with deep conviction of the importance of the man's great faith. What has been happening, mean- while, in Uganda, has most important bearing on the realizatIOn of Stanley's hopes. His friend, Mtesa, died in 1884, after a reign of twenty-seven years, and was succeeded by his son, Mwanga. It is unnecessary to recite the events of the brief reign of this young savage. The murder of Hannington, the mas- sacre of the Christians, the revolt which dethroned him, are welfknown. His, weak, cowardly and cruel character gave the Arabs the opportunity they were watching for to enable them to drive the missionaries from Uganda, and estab- lish their own power there. They have so far succeeded that, after dethroning and murdering Mwanga's successor, Kiwewa, they have a puppet on the throne in the person of Kalema, who is merely the creature of theIr will. But Mwanga is a factor with whom the Arabs will still have to reckon. He is the heir of Mtesa. Nothing good can by any stretch of charity be said of him, but, the cruel and impolitic massacre of all the princes and princesses of the royal house by Kalema has left Mwanga the only rival under whom the disaffected Waganda can place themselves. It is, therefore,either the Arabs' creature, Kalema, or the Christians' leader, Mwanga. It is a curious ap,d striking revo- lution which has made Mwanga now the head of the party in whose blood he, had rioted before; but such is the way of revolutions. The situation which has thus come about in Uganda has brought us into the presence of the astonishing and almost incredible hold which Christianity has attained in that country. It looks little short of a miracle that there should be a Christian army in Uganda, defeating in more than one pitched battle the forces of the King, and threatening the existence of his throne. Whence has it sprung?
The lowly and modest labors of our self-sacrificing and self-effacing handful of missionaries in Uganda, hindered, menaced, persecuted, at every step. hardly prepared us for this result after a few years. Yetthere it is. Immedi- ately following their expulsion from the scene of their labors, when the faint-, ing fugitives landed on the south shores of the lake, despoiled and shattered in soul and body, and the last hope of Christianity seemed crushed forever be- neath Arab hatred, there arose in arms this astounding testimony to the suc- cess of their work-an army of Christians strong enough to shake the strength of the kingdom. The events of the past year on the shores of the Victoria Nyanza are full of'
interest. The Arabs, after having the missionaries expelled from Uganda, en- deavored to get them driven away frow the lake region altogether. The missionaries escaped to. the south end of the lake. The Arabs asked Rwoma. the chief, to drive them all, English and French, out'of his country, but he re- fused. Then the King (Kalema) was requested to send a force for the purpose with a fleet of canoes; but he probably could not spare a force for such a distant operation, and had no canoes. But, meanwhile, the fugitive Christians from Uganda were fortifying themselves near Koki, in Usagala, a country south of the Kagera or Alexandra Nile, and were daily joined by numbers of other people, who were disgusted with Arab rule in Uganda. Many of the fu-· gitives were adlIerents or pupils of the French mission, and it appeared that these were desirous of making war a~ainst Kalema and setting up another king, and invited the Protestant ChrIstians to join them in the enterprise.
The latter sent across the lake to Mr. Mackay, at Usambiro, for advice, and he dissuaded them from any rash enterprise of the kind, and bade them be content with defending their King (Ntale, King of Nkole), should. he be attacked.
Mwanga was at this time a refugee with the French missionaries at Ukumbi, close to Usambiro, and, after applying to Mr. Mackay, without effect, for con-· veyance across the lake, it a:{'pears he induced the well-known trader, Mr. Stokes, to take him across in hIS boat to the mouth of the Kagera River, in order to put himself at the head of the insurgents in Usagala, and with their aid make an attack on Uganda. With Mwanga proceeded some 50 Va~anda from the French mission, with rifles and ammunition. Mr. Mackay tried to intercept the boat with a letter, but was too late. Meanwhile, the fu~tives gathered in Usagala, resolved to invade Uganda, liberate one of the imprIsoned princes, and make him their leader in the war against Kalema and the Arabs•. It was on learning of this that Kalema cruelly murdered all his brothers and_ sisters, and Mwanga's children as well. The Christians fought two fierce bat- tles with Kalema's forces before the arrival of Mwanga—one in Uddu, and the other after crossing the Katonga. In both they were victorious, although in the latter case the King's army, commanded by the Katikiro, or chief minister, was much the larger. It is worth noting that in this victory fell three of Christianity's bitterest enemies in Ugandar-Pokino, one of those who decreed Bishop Hannington's murder; Serukoti, the murderer of the Christian Ad- miral Gabunga, and the one-eyed Arab, Masudi, who used to mistranslate the letters sent to the King by the Sultan of Zanzibar and the Consul-General, al- ways to the prejudice of the Europeans. Soon afterwards Mwanga arrived, placed himself at the head of the insurgents, was defeated at Dumo, and, tak- mg refuge on Stokes' boat, fled to the Sesse Islands, where the fishermen in- habitants, already rebels against the Mohammedan Government of Kalema, gave him their adherence. Since then Mwanga, having command of all the can~s of U:ganda, has left Besse, burning and pill~ging the. coasts, aJ?-d has es- tablIshed his headquarters on the Island- of Bulinguye, III Murchison Bay, where he is being joined by his former chiefs deposed from office by Kalema. Mwanga invited the Christians in Usagala to join him there. Daily conflicts were occurring with Kalema's forces, and Stokes advised a bold dash on the capital. Mwanga, however, was waiting to collect a stronger force. It was before leaving Mwanga at this stage that Mr. Stokes heard of the advance of the East Africa Company's officers towards the lake on the north. Mwanga. invited both the French and English missionaries to repair to Sesse to carryon the religious instruction of the people. Mr. Stokes, it appeal's, was preparing to go at once to the assistance of Mwanga (whose position on the island was au unassailable one) with a cargo of arms and ammunition, and Mwanga, apparently well able to wait his time, was offering his abject submission to the British missionaries if they would adopt his cause, and looking out for reinforcements and the arrival of the white men. But to restore, or assist in restol'lng, Mwanga, except as a tributary and subject prince controlled by European power, would be a misfortune for Uganda and the doom of all those who have· opposed him in the late civil war, Christians as well as others.
The opportunity presented by the condition of affairs in the Kingaom of Uganda is unique, and all will hope that the end of the present stateof things will be, as Mr. Mackayindicatesthat it should be,the permanent establishment of British influence in Uganda, the expUlsion of the Arab slave traders from the coun– try, and the assurance of a future field for missionary work, whose results will be immeasurable if merely estimated by the astonishing spread of Christianity at present evidenced. Happily, no international rivalry or question of right can arise with respect to Uganda, which, by the treaty or understanding with Germany, of July, 1887, is entirely within the sphere assigned to British influence. Mr. Stanley's ideal is, therefore, in a fair way of being realized, hastened on by a revolution of an extraordinary character. It may be asked why Mr. Stanley, when on his way to the coast, knowing, as he must have known, the condition of things in Uganda, and the opportunity that offered itself of establishing supremacy there by one bold stroke, failed to take advantage of it. The answer is-if we know anything of the redoubtable explorer's characterthe same as that which he gave in reference to the supposition that he had made an advance towards Khartoum in the role of the White Pasha. His duty was to take his expedition to the coast, and one inch right or left from the line of duty he was not the man to be drawn by any temptation. We believe that England will hear a good deal more from Mr. Stanley, however, in his vigorous and downright manner, concerning the regions of the Victoria. Lake' on his return. The advance of commercial enterprise in that direction cannot fail to stir his deepest interest, and we shall be considerably surprised if we do not hear some expression of his astonishment and admiration at the startling phenomenon _of missionary success in a region where Christianity was believed to have lost all the ground it had ever gained.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
n.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missioll& Ever since the student uprising at fields. Second, co-operation with ex- Mount Hermon in 1886, the young ecutive committees, to obtain the best men in our colleges and theological information relative to the fields as- seminaries have been active partici- signed to the group. Third, calling pants in the great movement for the together members of his group at stat- -evangelization of the world. Through ed periods for prayer. Fourth, secur- the efforts of students, missionary en- ing missionary literature from the thusiasm has been kindled in many of various boards for distribution in ,our churches and educational institu- churches visited.
tions; and $45,361 has been raised for In groups, the labor is divided as missions over and above what had follows: Let us take China, for in- been given before. Distributed as stance. One man speaks on the his- follows: Churches, $11,500; Colleges, tory and geography of China. The ~18,350; Seminaries, $8,500; Miscel- second speaker gives an account of the laneous, $2,011; Mr. Speer's tour, social and religious condition, stating ,$5,OOOi (These figures are approxi- encouragements and discouragements matelycorrect.) to missionary enterprise. He is fol- The' problem before us is: How lowed by the third speaker, who closes can bands of volunteers work together with an appeal for volunteers and for mosteffectivelyinarousingenthusiasm money, presenting, in his appeal for and in securing funds and men forthe funds," the plan for systematic giv- world's evangelization? Experience of ing," already adopted by many individual workers and of bands has churches. The plan is that each demonstrated that church members church is to support a worker in con- are glad to give if facts are intelli- nection with the board of the denomi- gently and squarely presented. The nation to which the church belongs; working of a method adopted recently and that the salary be over and above by the Union Theological Seminary in what the church already gives.
New York City has been attended The results from twenty-six meet- with certain definite results, which ings conducted during the present presages success in future endeavors. year (1890), from January 18th to The Mission Band in Union num- February 19th, by Union Seminary bers 38 volunteers. An executive Students may be sumarized briefly as committee is composed of three men, follows: Amount of money pledged, one from each class. Upon this com- about $4,000; volunteers secured, six; mittee devolves the duty-first, to find a considerable degree of interest an opening for the band to present awakened in churches and societies of their cause in churches in the city and Christian Endeavor.
vicinity, aiming specially to reach Reports from the State of Ohio young men and young women. Sec- show aggressive work on the part of ()nd, to appoint groups of men, each some of the volunteers. During a visit group comprising three men, to pre- of Mr. Wilder to Allegheny College in pare on one topic-say China, or Af- Pennsylvania, a brother and sister rica, or Japan. Third, to appoint a volunteered; afterwards they went to captain for each group. Mount Union College, Ohio, and at The duties of the captain of each once began to work enthusiastically group are as follows: First. corre- for missions, and as a result a band of spondencewith mission boards relative seventeen was formed. In coming to his particular field, as, for example, from Findlay to Ada College, Ohio, the to ascertain the number of men and corresponding member of the State amount of money needed for special had to wait for a train at Lima. Just before train tillie, opportunity was to talk. The young woman volun offered to call on a young lady who was thinking of offering herself as a teered, andwill probably enter the field missionary. He had but eight minutes as a representative of one of the Lima.
churches. M.
Notes on Africa. the audience was stirred by the fare- well appeals of the three young speak- -By the last Congo mail intelli- ers. In a personal interview with Mr. gence was conveyed of the lamented Brooke, one is impressed with his un-· death of the Rev. J. G. Brown, a mis- daunted determination to carry the· sionary connected with the English Gospel to the sixty millions of bronzed Baptist Missionary Sooiety. skins in the Western Soudan, whither he is essaying for the fourth time to. -A telegram from Zanzibar, Janu- proclaim it. ary 18, announces a very heavy loss of Arab life at the recent engagement -The Convener of the Foreign Miswith Bwana Heri, whose son, Abdul- sionsCommitteeof the Church of Scotlah, Mr. Brooks'murderer, is declared land has received a letter from the to have been mortally wounded. Rev. David Clement Scott, superin- tendent of the Blantyre Mission, East -Hundreds of slaves are being en- Central Africa, under date November listed on the Zanzibar mainland for la- 12, intimating that at that time all was. bor on the Congo. Large advances of well. When he wrote, news hRd reachmoney tempt the owners to loan these ed Blantyre reporting war on the Shire wretched human chattels. River, in which several of the Makololo had been slain by the Portuguese -It seems that the Arab slave pro- troops. Mr. Scott enclosed a copy of prietors ridicule the Sultan's recent the Declaration of Protection served enactment, making all slaves free who on the Portuguese, bearing.the seal of returned to his dominions after the Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at date of November 1, 1889. Verily, the Nyassa, presumably Mr. Consul John- Brussels Anti-Slavery Conference has ston, signed at Molomba, Makololo. a task which demands unwavering country, September 21, 1889. The deczeal and superhuman resolveI laration was printed by the mission boys at Blantyre. In addition to a -The report of Mr. A. M. Mackay's specification of the boundaries from intended withdrawal from the Uganda the junction of the Ruo with the Shire, Mission to accept a position under the and eastward to the Milanje moun- British East African Company, is not tains, and again northward to the upcredited by the Church Missionary per Shire, the document states that the Society.• From a conversation with Makololos,Yaos, and Machingas,chiefs. Mr. Eugene Stock, of the C.M.S., I was and tribes, desire henceforth British informed that the enterprising com- protection. pany doubtlessly regard the heroic Scotchman with covetous eyes, which -Bishop Smythies, of the Universimust have been intensified since Mr. ties Mission, after visiting the mis- Stanley penned, a few months back, sions on Lake Nyassa, called at Blanhis magnificent tribute to him in the tyre October 4th, remaining there vivid narration which he sent to Mr. until the 21st. During his sojourn Bruce, the son-in-law of Dr. Livings- he conducted two Scotch services. tone. Subsequently the Bishop descended the Shire as far as the Ruo confluence, -At a notable valedictory mission- but failing to persuade his boatmen to ary gathering in Manchester, on Janu- continue the voyage, he re-ascended ary 23, 1890, to Mr. Graham Wilmot the river and went a second time to Brooke, Dr. Battersby and Rev. Eric Lewis, who form one-half of the new Niger and Soudan Mission, identified with the Church Missionary Society, Blantyre, November 1st. On the 11th support these men, and to have them he hazarded an overland march to prayerfully in cons!;a.nt remem- Quillimane afoot, where he safely ar- brance. It is a grave undertaking for rived about December 1st. Proceed- a young mission to send forth these ing north by a Donald Currie steamer, young ardent brethren, but the Lord he eventually returned to Zanzibar on is rich in mercy, and will hear the the 19th of Jannary in a dhow from cry of those who fear Him. Magila by way of Pangani. The Germans have shown him the utmost con- -African and European Influence. sideration. Above Zanzibar the coast Mr. Joseph Thomson, the African is reported quiet and safe.-Our Eng- traveler, gave a recent lecture to the lish Oorrespondent, Y. M. C. A. of St. Cuthbert Church, Edinburgh, on "The Results to the -Lord Salisbury has devoted him- African of European IntercoUrse." <self to master the tangled web of Afri- There were about 2,000 persons prescan affairs. The line of his pollcy ap- ent. In the course of his remarks, Mr. pears to be, not to burden the State Thomson said he was able to say from with increased duties, but by a pro- his own observation, and not merely {leSS of devolution to secure the bene- from missionaries, what had been the fits of good government and the nature of the results to the African of development of their resources for European intercourse, and to put a extensive territories in the Dark pin into the beautiful iridescent bub- Continent, by the formation of char- ble which his hearers had had so often tered companies. The terms of these placed before them. He ~ould un- <:harters vary according to the special hesitatingly affirm in the plainest lanrequirements of the districts to begov- guage, that, so far as our intercourse erned, but in all they are very string- with the African race was concerned, ent, and secure protection of the instead of it being a blessing, it had native races, impose severe restric- been little better than an unmitigated tions as to the sale of alcohol, and curse to them. There were, no doubt, maintain freedom of trade. We have many things full of promise, but as first the Niger Company, then the Im- yet merely of promise. Our comperial British East Africa Company, merce with Africa had consisted and the latest is the British Zambesia chiefly in gin, gunpowder, and guns, or the South African Company. Prob- alongside of which the good we had ably others may follow. Why should tried to achieve was hardly discernthere not be one for Calabar, where ible. Taken as a whole, our,trading our own Church has proseCuted mis- stations on the greater part of the west sions so successfully for half a cen- coast of Africa, instead of being century? ters of elevating influence, were cen- ters of corrnption, moral and physical. -The first number of The Soudan Trading ships were laden with gin out and Regions Beyond has appeared. of all proportion to the carriage of H. Grattan Guinness is the editor. useful articles. He then spoke of the The object of the jourual is to dis- success of the Mohammedan missionseminate information regarding the aries in some parts of Africa as com- Soudan, and like territories awaiting pared with the failure of the Christian the missionary and evangelist; also, missionaries. The reason of the sucto report the development of the Kan- cess of the Mohammedans was that sas Pionee:c Soudan Mission, and the they only presented that amount of movements of the missionaries, the good which the negro could comprefirst batch of whom will soon be on hend and make part of himself. On their way to attempt pioneer work the other hand, the Christian missionbeyond the Kong mountains. Many ary, instead of simplifying the presenindividual churches have promised to tation of the Gospel, had generally second gateway the sentry was "stalk- done his best to stupefy the negro with ed," and an entry was forced. Three views and doctrines which were men who guarded the inner gate were largely incomprehensible. Once the asked to permit an entrance, and after negro was educated in the right man- a show of resistance they did so. The ner, there would be splendid results. narrative continues: " We then went as the negro, with all his intellectual all around the temple and photo- deficiencies, is very religious. His graphed. The Chinamen watched us hearers might ask whether, seeing that but did not interfere. Then we said, European intercourse had had such 'Now open the temple; we must go results, they should not retire from inside.' They were horrified by our Africa dtogether. His answer was, presumption. But we went up to the " No, a thousand times no!" On all doorway and tried it, without effect.
sides he saw signs of the approach of a At last I saw a hole in the door. I better day, for the negro men's eyes put my hand in, and the alarm of the were being opened to what was doing Chinamen showed me I was on the in Africa. Governments were becom- track. I soon found a bolt and open- ing more and more alive to the evils ed the door. Then K–, in the most of the present system, and were striv- commanding tone, told them to open ing to check the liquor traffic which the windows, as we wanted light.
had been established. The sympa- Strange to say, when once we had thetic ear of the Houses of Parliament beaten them they yielded and did was open, the churches of all denomi- what they were told." The English- nations were lending their aid, and man and his companion triumphed merchants were becoming alive to the over all obstacles. They forced their fact that they were engaged in a traffic way by sheer audacity into a temple of which they should be ashamed. regarded by the Chinese with extreme The Royal Niger Company and the reverence, and an attempt to enter Imperial British African Company which on the part of foreigners was were working in the right direction, likely, they had been told, to be at- while the efforts of the missionaries at tended with trouble and riot. Detail- Lake Nyassa and other parts of Africa ing the story at this distance of time, were all tending, he hoped, to good it is only fair to the Englishman con- results in the future. cerned to say that he admits having China.-The Temple of Heaven, nothing to boast of. It may be lately destroyed by fire, was re- asked what would be thought of a garded by the followers of Confu- Hindu or a Buddhist who in a Chris- cius as a holy of holies, and no profane tian land forced his way into a special- foot was everallowed to enter it. Per- lysacred temple,and proceeded to take mission was never given to a European sketches for the edification or amuse..
to inspect the temple. And yet in the ment of his co-religionists at home.
year 1875 an adventurous Englishman Such' 'an insolent barbarian," to quote managed not only to obtain an entry, a phrase which Lord Palmerston made but to secure photographs of the in- famous, would probably get six months terior and exterior of this jealously- for sacrilege and church-breaking. If guarded edifice. The gentleman in a religious riot had followed the inva- question reveals how, in spite of the sion and profanation of the Temple of warnings of the British Minister, he Heaven, the audacious Britisher might contrived to defy and' outwit John have paid the penalty with his life, in Chinaman. The temple was sur- which case reparation would have rounded by three moats, the first of been dem:mded and war !night have which the Englishman and a friend ensued. But who would have been climbed without difficulty. At the really in the wrong? -Rev. Henry V. Noyes, writing demned by the British Parliament. from Canton, China, January 7th, Government official replies intimate says: "We arrIved safely in Canton that the Indian Government have been on the 19th of October, after an un- instructed to enforce the regnlations. usually pleasant voyage, and have been well since. I am at present en- -Wesleyan Students and the Mis-· gaged in building a lay schoolliouse sionary Cause. Following the exand a dwelling, both of which I trust ample of the Students of the Richwill be ready for occupancy before the mond, Headingley and Handsworth middle of the year. We will be able Wesleyan Training Colleges, those of the Manchester Didsbury Instito accommodate 100 scholars, and ex- tution have held their first anni-· versary gathering in the city. Oldpect tohavethatnumber."-Dr. J. T. time Methodist hymns were sung, Gracey. and the inaugural assembly bespoke greater consecration for work abroad. -The Chronicle of the London Mis- Some years ago, foreign mission stu-· sionary Society for January gives an dents were located in Richmond, but it, extended review of the case of Rev. was subsequently arranged to distri- John Jones, who, on December, 1887, bute this class among all the colleges. was forcibly expelled by the French The wisdom of that step was indicated authorities of New Caledonia from the by the dispatch of 17 Didsbury men island of Mare, which had been his into the' foreign field. In the able home and the scene of his labors for 33 speeches upon the various phases of years. The Government allowed him missionary labor, prominence was only one hour to pack his effects and given to recent assaults on missions, arrange for going on the French man- showing that confidence had not been of-war to Noumea. The French Gov- shaken in the ultimate triumph of the ernmenthaving refused,on application cause. of the British Government, to review the case, the Secretary of the London -Charges against Wesleyan Mis- Missionary Society succinctly reviews sionaries in India. Far and wide it for the judgment of the world. throughout Wesleyan nnsslOnary circles the letters in the Methodist· Notes on England. Times (London) in the spring of 1889, produced, and continue to excite keen. -English Wesleyan Foreign Mis- controversy. These were written sions – Social Purity in India. To the Marquis of Salisbury and Lord under the nom de plume, "A Friend Cross, Secretary of State for India, of Missions," upon such questions as· the Secretary of the Social Purity the cost of missionaries' accommoda-· Committee of the Wesleyan Con- tions and provisions, and also concernference has forwarded important ing modes of preaching and higher resolutions adopted by 3,437 "Vesleyan education. The missionary organiza- Methodist churches, representing 353 tion in India was exposed to a galling circuits, protestingagainst theinaction fire. This bold attack became the burnof the Indian authorities in giving ef- ing question at the Wesleyan Conferfect to the resolution of the House of ence in Sheffield last year. To the Indi- Commons of June 5,1888, forbidding an brethren a message of confidence the continuance of licensed prostitution was sent. At a later date, the Bangalore in counection with the military estab- Conference of Wesleyan missionaries lishments of India; further, that so was held, of which the official report far from a distinct recognition of the has been issued and sent to England. act bearing on the question being ap- The document contains fully reporteci plied in the Cantonments Bill (India), speeches, refutations of the accusant's there are signs that the way is still veracity, and a demand for a Commisleft open for the vice so loudly consion of Inquiry. Four of the English upon the opportunity presented in the year missionary secretaries discouraged the 1800 under the Additional Article of the Chere-opening of the subject, which is not foo Agreement (ratified May 6, 1886), to termishared by the body of the influential nate that Article, and to secure the execution missionary committee. As the Rev. of anew treaty repealing the Tientsin Treaty, Hugh Price Hughes, editor of The as far as it relates to opium, and also enacting Methodist Times,makes common cause the prohibition of the legalized importation of with his contributor, Dr. Lunn, who opium into China. is now a minister of the famous London West-End Mission, the case is The agitation of the subject of reaggravated. It is apparent that un- stricted importation of opium into less the fathers and brethren at home Australia is meeting with encouragmak~ a thorough investigation, the In- ing results. It is led by a Christian dian missionaries will insist on another Chinaman named Cheok Hong' form of c..onstitution with regard to Cheong.-Dr. J. T. Gracey. the home department. Many of the brethren in India would have occupied -There are 17 Presbyterian mishigh positions as scholars and preach- sionary societies, including the Reers in bTeat Britain, and for these ab- formed (Dutch) Church, laboring in sent workers both sympathy and jus- India. Of these 11 are American and tice are the least obligations. After a Canadian, and 6 are British. Ninebrief sojourn in India, in the capacity teen years ago a movement was beof a medical missionary, the failure of gun to brin~ the Presbyterians of In- Dr. Lunn's health necessitated his re- dia into closer relations. In 1872 a turn to England.-Our English Cor- conference was held in Allahabad in repsoodent. which 8 missions were represented, and it was resolved to hold thence- India. – The Opium Traffic.- forth general conventions of Presby- The Bombay Guardian is sending out terian ministers and elders for cousulthe following form of petition, with tation concerning the general inter· the hope, of course, that Christians ests of Presbyterianism in India. The everywhere, without regard to coun- first conference pursuant to this pur· try, or sect, or language, ~ sign pose was held the next year, nine and circulate the same, and send it to presbyteries being represented, and the Guardian at Bombay, to be sent the Presbyterian Alliance of India. to the proper authorities. We pre- and Ceylon was organized. A consti– sent it in the hope that it will help tution was submitted to the various;~ the several missionary societies and missions, and another conference of: others, who have lately been agitating the alliance was held in 1875. Th~ the subject in America. It reads : objects of the alliance, as then set forth, were these: To the Emperor and Supreme Executive Oouncil of China: 1. To promote mutual sympathy and the We, the undersigned ministers and mem- sense of unity among the Presbyterian Churches in India. bers of Christian Churches, desire to record our sorrow at the moral and physical havoc 2. To arrange for co-operation and mutual. which has been wrought among the people of help. China in consequence of the Opium policy of the British Government-a policy which has S. To promote the stability and self-support been totally at variance with the principles of of the native churches, and to encourage them the Christian religion. in direct labor for the evangelization of In- dia. We respectfully express our deep sympathy with the Supreme Authorities of China in 4. To prepare the way for an Organic Union. their desire to save their nation from the among the native Presbyterian churches in curse of the opium habit; and, in order to India. further so wise and laudable an object, we would emphasiee the importance of acting The Conference, or Council of the Alliance, meets every three years, the fifth Council having been held last December in Calcutta. This Council seems to have been the most import- ant of t·he whole series. Action W[lS taken on the subject of a united Pres- It was sadly felt that in Italy, called byteriln Church for India, by the " the Paradise of Europe," where su- adoption of bases for union in local perstition and error had reigned, a organization and in doctrine and pol- wide reaching infidelity was creeping ity. The way to this action was pre- over several of the provinces. With pared by the appointment by a num- the cessation of the excitement in ber of the presbyteries, of members Italy on behalf of the Gospel, which for a General Committee on the sub- was manifested when the nation ject of union, which submitted a re- achieved its freedom, the messengers port to the Council, which the Council of the truth were quietly sowing the adopted. The bases of union will be life-giving seed. Dr. R. H. Gunning 'submitted to thepresbyteries andto the promises£300for extending operations, Home Churches for approval. Our In- and, especially for the propagation of dia exchanges report the proceedings religious liberty whenever jeopanlized briefly, but do not give the articles of by Romish apostasy. He offei'S £100 .agreement. That the Home Churches yearly to continue the crusade, and a will cordially approve the effort to similar amount he contributes to the secure union is hardly to be questioned. The principle of co-operation Evangelical Publication Sooietr.-Our and union in the mission field has been settled by the concurrent deliv- English Oorrespondent. erances of General Synods and Gen- S~oOand.-Foreign Mission eral Assemblies on both sides of the Atlantic, and the action of the Pan- Work of the Church of Scotland. Dr. Presbyterian Council has been one of cordial approval. Marshall Lang lately remarked that there was no feature or development of Italy.-Italian Evangelization recent years of greater interest than Society. The deputies of the Scottish the organization of woman's work. churches who attended the recent bi- Apart from matrimonial requirecentenary celebrations of the"Glorious ments, the place and sphere of woman Return "of the W aldensians to their were being growingly recognized, as native cantons, have delivered graphic shown by the many ways in which narratives to their fellow-countrymen. woman was standing forth a true By the bravery, endurance, persever- help-meet for man, bearing life's burance and strong faith of the heroes, dens, doing life's work, and especially Dr. Andrew Thomson said it appeared in the channels of philanthropy, bethat their providential guidance and nevolence, and service. vindicating rescue was one of the most interesting the high ground and duty that belong chapters in all human history. Both towoman. This view wasemphasized health and piety would be invigorated by the recent gathering of that'newly by a visit to the Waldensian valleys. founded auxiliary, the Church of Scot- Happily, the inhabitants of the valleys land Fellow Workers' Union for Jewwere prosperous, which allowed the ish and Foreign Missions in Edinburgh. money sent from Scotland and other Centralized there, it had branches all countries to be devoted to mission over Scotland, and one each in London work exclusively. The Society was and Canada. It was now affiliated the only effective evangelistic agency with the Ladies' Association for Forin Italy. Its spiritual emancipation eignMissions, and the Ladies' Associwould-if ever realized-be accom- ation for the Christian Education of plished through the Waldensian Jewish Females. Present organizachurch. To it might be advantage- tions were strengthened by its existously committed the spread of a much ence, which confirmed the axiom that needed pure literature in that land. the opening up of a new vein of mis- sionary enterprise generally aids sister institutions. The Rev. Dr.Norman Mac- leod urged more consideration for the workers in the Jewish mission fields, as waters. If there is any hole in this these, in some cases, were as binding as edict through which the proverbial many parts of the heathen world. Up- " coach and four" can be driven, it is on the work in the Punjab, Mr. Welles- to be found in the exception of "black ley Bailey observed that a more hope- slaves going abroad as servants of ful territory has never fallen to the their masters or mistresses, or em- lot of a mission committee, to which ployed as sailors on board trading ves- the eyes of the friends of missions were sels." Such slaves cannot, like the being turned. The position was of others, obtain their freedom by claim- .supreme importance. Roman CathO- ing it, and securing certificates of lic encroachments troubled them. manumission from local authorities Houses for the priests and a nunnery and free passports to return home.
were in course of erection. The Pro- There are also in the edict provisions testants were attacked by Rome's emis- for the punishment of th!J masters ;Saries, who, instead of seeking to make and owners of vessels carrying slaves <converts from the heathen, made across the seas. In such cases the proselytes of young Hindu Protestant slaves are to be confiscated.
believers. They were required to keep But will this excellent edict be car- watch against this spiritual sheep- ried out? This question is especially :stealing. Miss H. R. Anderson spoke important, in view of the fact that {)f the Poona Mission. 'l;he Foreign the two main outlets for the slave Secretary said that Africa filled the trade of the Soudan-Tripoli and the })Ublic mind, where the missionary Arabian coast-are within the bounds {)utlook was one of mingled anxiety of the Turkish Empire. While there and hopefulness. By a communica- can be no guarantees that Turkish tion from Lord .Salisbury, assuring tribunals, if left to themselves, will "them of his regard to the situation and carry out the law with any more effi- "the just claims of the missions and ciency than they have other laws of a missionaries, the Church of Scotland similar character, there are some rea- had been much gratified. In alluding sons for hope that hereafter those to the East African Missions, Miss H. tribunals will not be left to do entirely C. Reid anticipated that it was a di- as they please. Undoubtedly the influ- vision of the Dark Continent destined ence of England and Germany was "to be the battle-field of civilization.- potential in securing this edict. These Our English Oorrespondent. and other European powers will MiscellaneoU8.-Turkey and hardly fail to see that its humane the Slave Trade. Apparently antici- provisions are enforced, by requiring pating the action of the Anti-Slavery their own consuls to keep a sharp eye Congress at Brussels, and perhaps de- on the Turkish authorities along the ~liring to place itself in a more favora- African coast. If this should result in ble position before the civilized world, pricking up these sluggish officials to the Ottoman Government has issued do their duty, it would be a big blow an edict, which, if it means anything to the slave trade. This may be the (which is always doubtful with Tur- first fruits of the Berlin Conference.- key), may lead to a restriction, and The Evangelist.
linally to the abolition of the slave -Startling Facts. Writers on mis- trade in quarters where it has hitherto sion work necessarily deal with thou- flourished. The new edict prohibits sands and millions. Who can realize "the commerce, entry, and passage what a million really means? We of black slaves in the Ottoman Em- . notice it is calculated that at least pire and its dependencies "-a prohi- 1,200,000,000 people in " Pagan, Papal, bition which applies to the markets of and Moslem communities" are with- Tripoli and Arabia and to all Turkish out a knowledge of the pure Gospel,
"MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS
and that" the whole missionary force South in the great civil war, by Gerof the world, including native help- many to France yet more recently?- ers, falls considerably below 40,000 !" We have not yet realized the magni- Is this an adequate army for the con- tude of the enterprise. Our contribuquest of the world? It is often said tions of money and men are out of all that the churches giveas much money proportion small to the greatness of and as many men as they can afford. the war in which we are engaged.- Do they? The incomes of Great The Freeman (London). Britain, according to Income Tax returns, amount to £554,022,000. A -Sir Edward Arnold, author of very small proportion of this is de- "The Light of Asia," was a passenger voted to the greatest of all expedi- with Rev. Dr. Ashmore on the Belgic, tions. Each individual has only to from San Francisco to Yokohama, compare his contribution to his total and in conversation with him said income, and he will see that it is that "The Light of Asia" was to be not in proportion to the claims of regarded simply as a poem. In rethe Saviour and of the perishing gard to his supposed views, he said :- 1,200,000,000 of human beings. _Dr. Pierson-than whom there is not a " I have been criticised for an implied commore reliable missionary statistician- parison between Buddhism and Christianity in thinks that during the last 35 years regard to doctrines derived from them and_ 1,500,000 lives have been lost on the prinCiplescontained in them, respectively. No battle fields of the world. When such object was in mind. For me, Christianshall we ilend out armies equal in ity, rightly viewed, is the crown queen of re– number and costliness to the armies ligion, Immensely superior to every other; Bent out by the allied nations to the and, though I am so great an admirer of Crimea, by the Northern States to the much that is great in Hindu philosophy and religion, I would not give one verse of the Sermon on the Mount away for twenty epic poems like the Mahabharata, nor exchange the Golden Rule for twenty new Upanashads."- lII.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
Burmah. widely separated places. .Some have never [Weare permitted to give extracts seen each other. from the following letter to Dr. W. C. "Let me sketch our course: Frfday, A.. M., Wilkinson.-EDs. ] 3 o'clock, we were up, and off before 4, from Wakema. We stopped for breakfast at 9 at a- "BASSEIN DISTRICT, July 1, 1890. Karen village that 1 once described in The "I wish you were on the other end of Examiner. At 2 P. M. we were at Tee-pa-Ieh, the board I am sitting on. I wish you had and went first to the farthest family, with only been with me on tlIis four days' trip; but I one Chrlstian in it. They sent and called a will tell you about it. There is one good Bur- man and his wife, both Christians, and with mese brother on the stern, and another on the these three we spent an hour or two, and I bow. If it rains they wear great hats. Inside prayed with them before we came away. Then sits my cook, and farther back I am writing, we stopped for the night with another family, sitting astride of a board that runs lengthwise man and wife Christians, and two men came through the boat, much as the boys sit on a in, who were also Christians. We talked, read, double runner. I have on rubber boots, and sang, and prayed. The brethren said they don't mind the water that is sure to be in the were not sleepy, but, as 1 was, I crawled under bottom of the boat this time of year-the rainy. my net and slept till morning, when we were When I straighten up my head hits the bam- off at 5. This is one of my most promising boos of the roof. centres. They meet and worship Sundays, "We are on our way home to Wakema. I and say that some neighbors come in with have asked my brethren to give a guess, without stopping to think, how many Burmese them. Christians we have met on this trip. The bow guessed 15 and the stern 20. Then I recalled "At 9 A. M., Saturday, we were at a single the names, and found there were 18. It has been a useful trip. These 18 live in four house where a Christian couple live, whom I baptized about a year ago. As elsewhere, we were warmly welcomed. We had breakfast- here, much converse, and worship. The man bailed out his little boat, and paddled along seem to be praying for her recovery earn- with us for some five hours to the next place, ,Six House Row, where we were to spend Snn- estly, and we are not discouraged in respect of day. After we were well housed, how the rain did pour and the wind blow I We were glad her recovery, only leaving the country seems not to be on the big river in our little boat. I wish I had space to tell you of the range of essential to it. Our very excellent doctor, ,subjects included in our conversation. One was Stanley's difficulties in getting through who has attended her two months, is decided the jungle to Emin Beyl Don't imagine that this indicates general information, for they in his advice on this point, but we hope to stay only knew of it from a note in our monthly paper. But I will rather tell you of Sunday. till1S90. " At 7 A. M. a class to study the Bible. We took " BASSEIN, July 6. Luke =iii, first part. Nine Christians, includ- "I received news'as to Mrs. Jameson's health, ing the two with me, formed a circle on the verandah fioor, and read around, a verse very discouraging. Came home to Bassein, apiece, wlille I asked questions and made explanations. I called on one brother to pray but took two places on my way, and have .at the beginning, and another at the close. seen, all told, about 45 of our people on this "At 10.30 I read the rest of the chapter, with ~xplanations, and then spoke for twenty min- trip. " "Your brother, utes from' Ye are bought with a price, therefore,' etc. Some were in besides the Chris- "M. JAMESON." tians. There was good attention, and it seemed an impressive service. At 2 P. M. one Ohina. <>f the brethren with me led a meeting, and ,spoke from the words, 'Ye are the salt of the THE NUMBER OF BUDDIDSTS. earth.' There are resident here and near-by 10 Christians, and the promise is good. I [We quite agree with our editorial ~ould tell you some encouraging things of them correspondent, Dr. Happer, in his es- timate of the strength of Buddhism. had I space. Sir. Edward Arnold's claim, in his "We were off at 5.30 this A. M. Have spent " Light of Asia," is most preposterous, ,an hour or more with a Christian family, and equally untrustworthy is the estiwhose home we reached at 8 o'clock. We ate mate made in " The Ten Religions of rice there and had worship. Now we are go- the World." Itis not wise that Chrising home, and shall be seven or eight hours tians should give currency to any such about it. If you were on the other end of this false representations.-J. M. S.] board I would let you entertain me ; but I am not at a loss in that respect, though I was dis- DEAR EDITORS: To those praying and laborappointed not to have the newspaper ac- ing for the conversion of the world, it is a subcounts of the May meetings for my reading on ject of great interest to inquire what is the ihis trip. number of inhabitants in the world. The best authorities give 1,400,000,000 as the present "It may interest you to know that I have population of the earth. This is a vast multi- ~ot seen a chair in any house since I left Wa- tude of people. The human mind labors to kema, but plenty of American kerosene oil grasp such a vast number. We talk of it boxes, which make good enough seats, or back- and write about it; but what an inadequate rests, while one is stretched out on a mat, conception do we have of it. This multitude, ~amp fashion. comprising the people of all lands, of aU tribes and nations, are members of the human fam- "I hope I need not tell you that nike this ily. The command of our Lord and Saviour is, lrind of work. It seems to be according to the " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gos- Great Commission, though this trip has been pel to every creature !,-to every one of this ratherfor edification of believers, as necessary number. as any kind of work, in my opinion. There seems to be more promise in my district in SOIDe writers on the classification of the manifold ways than ever before. While I population of the world, according to the rewould like to work uninteITllptedly, the pros- ligion they follow, have estimated the number pect is that on account of Mrs. Jameson's of Christians of all denominations-Protesbroken health we shall both be obliged to tants, Roman Catholics and Greeks-to be 420, leave the field. Whether I return to Bassein 000,000. This leaves nearly one billion-or, as immediately, or make another trip, will de- others would express it, nearly 1,000,000,000 to pend upon the news I find waiting for me at be followers of other religious systems. The Wakema. Nothing could be more grateful most widely diffused non-Christian religions than the loving inquiries as to her health at are the Mohammedan, the Braminical, the the places we have visited. They certainly Confucian, the Buddhistic religion and Fetish worshippers. These are again subdivided into the Monotheistic religion of Mohammed, and all the others which may be classed as idolatrous, in that they worship idols; or polytheists, in that they all worship many gods.
It h~s been, by some writers, made a subject of investigation, to determine how many per- sons may be classified as followers of these different systems of non·Christian religions. The populations of Ceylon, Siam, Burmah, and In the census taken in 1881, by the British Gov· Thibet are nearly all Buddhists. They are" ernment in India,the Populati<JP.s of the several found in large numbers in Mongolia, Man- provinces are classified in reference to their churia and Japan. religions under the following desjgna.tlons, viz.: "Hindus,·' " Sikhs," "Mohammedans," esti- We may give the following numbers as " Buddhists," "Christians," " others," and religions not known. A very common classi· mates of the number of Buddhists in these fication is to say, that 800,000,000 are pagans or several countries, as follows: Siam, 10,000,000; idolaters. The most populous countries in the Thibet, 6,000,000; Burmah, 4,000,000; Cevlon, world are China and India. The population of 2,000,000; India, 4,842,407; Mongolia, 3,000,000; India, as given in the census taken by the Eng· Manchuria, 10,000,000; China, 20,000,000, and lish Government, is 254,000,000. The estima.ted Japan, 19,000,000; and we have an estimated population of China va.ries from 280,000,000, to number of Buddhists in these various countries 400,000,000. In india, the great portion of the ofJlO,342,407. Professor Monier Williams, the population is classed as Hindus. It is stated distinguished Indian scholar, has published that in all the provinces of India the number his opinion that 100,000,000 would be a" large estimate of the number of Buddhists in the o.f Buddhists is 4,842,407. various countries where they are found. But Mr. Edwin Arnold, in the preface to his "Light , In the census taken in China by the Chinese of Asia," written to glorify Buddhism and to Government, there is no effort to classify the disparage Christianity, states the number of population according to the religion professed. Buddhists to be 470,000,000. He would claim. It is commonly said that there are three relig· for this system a greater following than that ions professed in China, viz.: Confucianism, of any other system. The above statements Buddhism, Taoism. Thefirst and second are in· of the number of .followers of the non·Chris· digenous to China. The second one was intro· tian systems show that Confucianism, with its duced into "China in the first century. A. D. say 250,000,000; Hinduism, wtth its 150,000,000, While all these are acknowledged, and toler· and Mohammedanism, with its 140,000,000, ated by, the Government, and their different have each a mOre numerous following than forms of worship and temples are found in all Buddhism. It is probable that the Il/ttive parts of the land, yet they are by no means idolatrous system of Africa has also a larger held in the same degree of respect. If a cen· following than Buddhism. It has been esti· sus could be"taken in the same way that the mated to be 130,000,000. In order to make out census was taken in India by the British Gov· the number of 470,000,000, Mr. Arnold had to ernment, classifying the people as they would accept the highest estimate of the population repol't themselves as adherents of one or other of China to be correct, and to count them an 0: these three religions, there is no doubt in as Buddhists; and also to count all the popu· the mind of anyone acquainted wtih the feel· lation of Japan to be Buddhists. In this classi- ings of the people of China, but that the vast fication he is not supported by any of the majority "of the people would declare them· authorities on these countries. selVeJ as Confucianists. Confucianism is the Stab religion of the empire. All the officers Notwithstanding that this estlmste of Mr. and the literatti are Confu!)ianists. Confucius Arnold is unsupported by reliable authorities, is exclusively worshipped in all the schools in many Christian writers, not considering the Chins. However tolerated, the other two reo reason why Mr. Arnold has placed the number ligions are practically denounced as heretical' 80 high, whicn is to disparage the Christian religion, and to hold up that Buddhism has a The best known writers on China confirm greater number of adherents than Christianity, this opinion in their writings. Dr. Williams, in follow his incorrect estimate, and repeat the "The Middle Kingdom, " says: "In China no statement that Buddhism has a greater num' one is called a Buddhist except the priests and ber of believers than any other system of be· nuns" (p. 250, Vol. II., 1st edition). Rev. Dr. lief. Whereas, according to the figures given Edkins, who has written so fully on Chinese above, Christianity has more than four times Buddhism, writes, in answer to inquiries by as many followers as Professor Monier Wi!· me: "Strictly speaking, no Chinese could be li8.I!lS assigns to Buddhism; and of the non· called Buddhists except those who have their Christian systems of faith, Confucianism has heads shaved, of both sexes, i. e., the priests nearly three times as many believers as Budd· and nuns of this faith. Chinese historians hism; Hinduism has nearly twice as many, only clas8 priests and nuns as Buddhists." If and Mohammedanism and Fetishism each has the statements of these two writers are ac- a much larger number of followers than Buddcepted as the basis of an estlmste of the num· hism. ber of professed Buddhists in Chins, it would make the number less than 20,000,000, and the In a sin mined world, it is not at all surprisvast population of China, whatever it may be, ing that the true religion should not have a8 must be classed as Confucianists. The estimate many believers"as the false systems. It was of Confucianists will vary with the estimate of when the men in the world had forgotten God, the population, from 240,000,000 to 880,000,000. .. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds and four-footed beasts and one to every 500,000 people. Let us diverge a moment, and consider how it is in Japan. creeping things," that God sent his Son into Forty millions of people and 550 missionthe world to recover the world back to the aries, or one to less than every 75,000 people. Look at China, with its 800 or 400 Inillions of knowledge of the true God. The work of the people, and over 1,000 missionaries, 01' one to conversion of the world started from nothing about every 800,000 people. Korea certainly to overcome the opposition "of the world, the makes by far the poorest show in workers.
fIesh and the devil," and to overthrow and .And yet what are the resnltsf As I have written you before, the results are more supplantall false systems of faith and worship. marked than in the opening up of any other field. The Lord is not dependent upon num- The present number of adherents of Christi- bers. He is not dependent upon equipments. He, and He alone, can bring about the converanity shows the progress it has made in these sion of this people.
1,890 years of its existence, and the prepara.- Let us again tabulate results. In July, 1886, the first convert haptized. In September, tion God has made for its onward march. 1887, first church organized of ten members. At the en,d of 1887 the membership was over That it will go forward "conquering and to twenty. At the end of 1888 over fifty. At the end of 1889 it is over 100. This is of the Presconquer," until every laIJ,d-1tnd people has byteiian-Church alone. come under its most ben~cent influence, we What hath the Lord wrought in our most fully believe. "Not pne jot Or tittle" of midst!
all God's most gracious promises shall fail of Here is this land, and what does it need? It needs a body of men consecrated to their their fulfillment till the glad shout is raised, ::Ifaster, who will go out and preach the gos- pt'l to all. It needs men who shall be prepar- "the kingdoms of this world have become the ing to teach others, and raise up a native min· istry among this people. They must be men kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ." Let the of talent, men of education, men who know the Bible, but, above all, men of God, filled people of God gird up their loins and put on with the Spirit. It needs men who shall ac- quire the langnage, and shall then translate the whole armor of God, and go forth to this the Scriptures from the original into Korean. They must be men of learning, and well acgreat and blessed warfare not in any spirit of quainted with the Bible in the original; men of ability, well able to acquire a language, as fear or doubt. Let the enemy boast and mag- yet scarcely reduced to system; but, above all, close followers of the Master, so that they may nify their vantage ground-that the multitude know His will.
is with them; "greater are they that are with The Romanists are hard at work here; their followers now number thousands; their workus than they that are with the enemy." The ers are scattered all over the country, and it is for Protestantism to say whether she will God of grace shall give us the victory through give this land to Rome and her perve..-.-ed Christianity, or whether she will take it fol', our Lord Jesus Christ. The Dark Continent, Christ. Now is the time for Korea. Workers are needed now. They will first have to acwith its unnumbered millions now sunk in the quire the langnage, but if there were Po score more missionaries in this land to-day with a deepest ignorance and superstition, and the complete knowledge of the language, every one of them would have his hands more than multitudinous followers of Hinduism, Confu- full.
cianism and Buddhism, shall all come to ac- The talk about inability to do active work Is false. Active work is carried on, and has been knowledge Jesus of Nazareth as the "Light of steadily increasing for over three years. Whether we can work or not,we do not discuss; the world" and the only Teacher of the ages. all we do say is we do work, and the Lord in His mercy blesses our labors. The followers of the false Prophet shall come Let the church pray for us during this year, to have a new war-cry put in their mouth, and let many hear the Master's call, and go where he beckons. and rejoice to know that Jehovah, the God of " Come over and help us." Abraham is the true Lord, and Jesus is His H. G. UNDERWOOD.
Prophet and the Saviour of the world.
Yours in the faith and hope of the Gospel, CANTON, Jan. 8,1890. A. P. HAI'PER.
Korea.
FROM oUR EDIToRIAL CORRESPONDENT AT SEOUL.
It is a long while since a line has come from Korea, and now, as we have just passed the end of another year, it may be well to let all know what the Lord has been doing for this land. It is called the Land of the Morning Calm, and it almost seems as though the mOrning of the gospel were just now about to dawn. The people are as ready as ever, and the limit to the work and to the results Is only the number of worker8 on the field.
Here is a country of twelve millions of peo· pIe, fol' over five years open to the gospel, that has shown its willingness to receive the gospel, in the resnlts th8.t have already been obtained, to which, in His providence, God has been calling loudly to His Church to send workers, and yet to-day, in this whole land, to feed all these hungry souls, there are, counting in the four new.arrivals that have reached there withlIi the last few weeks, a paltry 24, or about Incidental Results of Foreign Mission- a missionary to the same country, and in 1844 ary Work. married Mary, the eldest child of Robert and Mary Moffat. She died April Zi', 1862, and, as [We gladly give place to the valua- we are told by her hUSband, "rests by the large baobab tree at Shnpanga, " not far from able thoughts sent us by that veteran the mouth of the Zambesi river. missionary, Rev. James Herrick, and Dr. Livingstone subsequently visited Engtake the liberty of introducing them land, and, at one period after his return to to our readers by his own private note Africa, disappeared in the wilds of that coun- try for so long a time that Henry 111. Stanley to us, because of the interesting facts was sent in search of him. On Oct. 28, 1871, it gives concerning himself and the he grasped the Doctor's hand at Ujiji, near Lake Tanganyika, and spent several months founder of this REVIEW.-J. M. S.) with him in a manner pleasant and profitable to both, especially profitable to Stanley, as be- WEST BRATTLEBORO, VT., Jan. 20, 1890. came apparent later.
DEAR DR. SHERWOOD: You wiIl, perhaps, be We are told by Dr. BIaikie, in his "Personal Life of Livingstone," that "animated by the interested to know that I was a classmate, in memory of his four months' fellowship with Livingstone, Mr. Stanley undertook the ext·he theological seminary, of the late Rev. ploration of the Congo, or Livingstone river, because it was a work that Livingtone desired R. G. Wilder, and participated with him ill to be done." His wonderful discoveries led to the organization of the " Congo Free State," considering and deciding the question relating and to his being sent more recently for the re- lief of Emin Pasha, full reports of which exto ollr life work. pedition are yet to be published, and its re- sults to be known. After graduating, he and two others of our While the main, the real, object of mission. class went as missionaries to the Marathi peo· ary work is of infinitely greater importance, may it not be truly said, that the benefits incipie of India, while two other members of the dentally resulting from it are sufficient to war- rant its vigorous prosecution? same class and myself went to the Tamil peo· "TO THE CHURCHES OF ASIA." pIe. Having previollsly made one visit to this [The note and circular below will country with my wife to recruit our health explain themselves and prove suggestand make arrangements for the care and edu- ive to other pastors and churches.- cation of our children, I went back with her, EDS.] and embarked again for America in just LEXINGTON, 11a8s., Nov. 30, 1889.
thirty-seven years after our first arrival' in DIIAR EDrroRs: The enclosed circular letter was prepared and sent to "the Churches of India. It would have given me great satisfac- Asia," etc., by the committee of my church in response to the salutations which I brought tion to return and spend the rest of my life home with me from over one hundred mission churches and others in the East. among the Tamil people, bnt age and impaired It is probably the first time that an indihealth prevented. JAMES HERRICK. vidual church in America has sent out an epistle to so large a constituency. It is sug- It is a striking illustration of the value of gestive of that wider Christian fellowship the work missionaries are called to do, that, which a more intimate acquaintance among thongh done with special reference to the the nations is sure to bring about. present generation, it will be, so far as successful, of unspeakable benefit to futnre genera- I have seen your REVIEW, and read it with tions. And that their inJIuence, while seeking great interest, among the missionaries of the spiritual good of men, has a distinct and various Boallds working in the East. You sure tendency to promote their temporal good have an important function to fulfill in our also. It sometimes falls to their lot to form periodical literature, and I am sure your efan alphabet for the language of Ii people, to be forts will meet with increasing encouragefollowed by the printing press, grammars and ment. Yours very truly, dictionaries. the Bible, and other books, with the ability to read them. EDWARD G. PORTER.
Savages are taught to make honses to shel- CIRCULAR LETTER. ter them and garments to cover them; to use mechanical instruments and implements of The Hancock Church in Lexington, Mass., husbandry: to adopt proper methods of culti- to the – – Church of Christ in –, and vating the ground. Women are raised from others in Asia and Australasia, sendeth greetthe condition of beasts of burden or slaves to ing: that of honored and loved companions. The direct tendency of their work, as has been said by Dr. Storrs, is to "renew the moral life of mankind, abolish tyranny, and put a stop to oppression. "
These, and many other results beneficial to men in their present state, have followed the life and work of missionaries.
In January, 1817, the missionary, Robert Moffat, arrived in South Africa, and was joined three years later by Mary Smith, chosen to he U3 companion and helper.
Fa,':, in. 1841 Dr. David Livingstone went as
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
Our beloved pastor, Rev. Edward G. Porter, kingdom is at hand. The nations, in fulfillhas returned home to j1is accustomed work ment of ancient prophecy, are flowing unto it. among us, and we were very happy in giving and casting their idols to the moles and to the him a welcome. bats.
It is with great joy that we hear of your We rejoice with you that the light which is good estate, and of the readiness with which to lighten the Gentiles has arisen upon yon, the minds and hearts of the far distant peoples and has shined into your hearts, so that many of the East are opening to the light and truth have become new men in Christ Jesus, and of Christianity. enjoy that liberty wherewith Christ maketh His people free. Since our pastor's long sojourn among you, we almost feel that we are acquaintances, We can now hope that the nations of the and even friends; and not only so, but, by a far East will in due time take their places more endearing relationship, brethren of the among the Christian nations of the earth, and same household of faith, of which J eBUS is the thus unite with the grand army of the refirst born, the Elder Brother. And being deemed, to subdue the powers of darkness, and cleansed by the washing of regeneration and bring all people to the feet of Him whose renewing of the Holy Ghost, you are now re- right it is to reign King of Nations, as He now ceived, with us, into the fellowship of the reigns King of Saints. Church Militant and to the world-wide communion of saints. 'Wecommendyou to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and We rejoice that our pastor was enabled to to give you an inheritance among all them visit you, and to do so much for your cheer which are sanctified. And we pray, beloved and edification. And the good tidings which brethren, that you may be steadfast, immovhe brings greatly encourage us, inspiring our able, always abounding in the work of the hearts withfaith, hope and zeal in the work of Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor :making the glorious gospel of the blessed God is not in vain in the Lord. 1llliversally triumphant. And now, wishing you grace, mercy and We cannot fail to see the hand of the great peacefrom God our Father and the Lord Jesus Head of the Church in the spread of the Holy Christ, we remain ever your brethren in the .Scriptures, the increase of the heralds of the bonds of the gospel. Cross, and in the signal blessings attending the faithful presentation of Jesus Christ as the By vote of the Church. Saviour of lost men, Even now we hear of Pentecostal refreshings in some mission fields, W. W_ BAKER, } in which many trophies of divine grace are G. F. CHAPMAN, Deacon.!. 'won to the glory of His name. Verily, His F. O. VAILLE, G. E. MUZZEY, Clerk. Lexington, Nov. 1889.
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Unexpected in Japan. fiefs, or clans, turned into provinces, with governors appointed by the Em- I. peror. (3.) In 1876 the Daimios and 'There .has been no time since the the Sumarai were deprived of their modern revolution of Japan began, swords and their hereditary income, thirty years ago, when the best stu- all by compulsory commutation,which ,dents of the history and the character- plunged the Government an additional istics of her people, have not borne in one hundred and seventy-five million mind that this people are sensitive, dollars in debt, and precipitated the proud, and, as compared with their Satsuma rebellion of 1877, to suppiess neighbors, the Chinese at least, fickle. which 60,000 troops were called into They have been frequently called the the field. (4.) The Supreme Council, French of Asia. We have seen them, Dai Jo Kuwan, with its thirteen memhowever, progress with marvellous bers, was formed in 1875, and the Senquickstep through the following ate, with forty members nominated stages: (1.) The abolition of the office by the Crown, also a Supreme Judicial ,of the Shogun, the charter oath of the Tribune, an assembly of Provincial Emperor, and a deliberative assembly Governors, and ten Ministers of Dein 1866. (2.) In 1869 the surrender by partments. (5.) The general reforms 'the feudal chiefs, or Daimios, of their in the social and civil life of the people ;hereditary fiefs; and in 1871 these after models from various countries : The proposed treaties look, however. from France she learned how to or- to the improved tariff on imports, and ganize her army and police; from Eng- the result will be the restoration of land the construction and manage- many industries now supposed to be· ment of her telegraphs, railways, and, dead. Another gain to Japan is the pre-eminently, her navy; from Amer- proposal to terminate, after five years, ica and England, educational and agri- the extra territorial jurisdiction over cultural development; and from these, foreigners. The assumption by for- with Germany, machinery and manu- eign nations of the right to exercise factures. Her postal system has jurisdiction over their own subjects, is· grown to importance and precision. grounded in the diverse standards, Two cables connect her with the rest civil and moral, of these Oriental of the 'world, and her own sons make countries and those of the West. But her telegraphic apparatus. The news- Japan has objected to the Consular paper has been rapidly and in1luen- Court, and it doubtless has yielded tially developed. To cap the climax, anything but justice to the Japanese the Emperor kept his contract in 1890, in cases past count. A cold-blooded and handed the country a Constitu- murder of a Japanese by an English- tion! man has been punished only by five· years' imprisonment. The proposal These are very rapid changes for any now is for a mixed court of Japanese country to make during one genera- and foreign judges, to whom cases of tion, and there have been frequent ex- conflict between Japanese and foreign- pressions of misgivings whether they ers shallbe referred. But the Consular were not all too rapid to be permanent. jurisdiction has rendered the Japan- But thus far Japan hasstood the strain. ese distrustful of foreign justice toward the Japanese,' and they an- There were, however, some existing tagonize the suggested provision. We treaties with foreign nations which are pleased to be able to present the certainly needed revision. Take the following about the situation, from an matter of the tariff, for instance, observant and thoughtful resident of which was cruelly against Japan's in- Japan, who is not out of sympathy terests and opposed to all justice. with the patriotic ambitions of the Now that the time for this revision Japanese, though probably not in symof treaties has arrived, the Japanese pathy with the Japanese politician of have become very excited in the dis- low grade and stubborn prejudices. cussion of it. They are sensitive, proud, and inexperienced in foreign II. diplomacy, a third of a century'prac- lt is with feelings of the deepest tically comprising all their experience sadness and regret that I must say the with other nations than the Chinese. condition of Japan to-day is more The most objectionable feature of the perilous that at any time since the proposed treaty provides that for- revolution of 1868. eigners may go anywhere, reside any- But a few months ago there was a where, own land, and engage in busi- prospect of the revision of the treaties ness anywhere. The larger part of and the opening of the country, s<> .the Empire is opposed to any such in- that foreigners could travel or reside· trusion, and the commercial part of in any place and conduct business the population doubt their ability to freely. This seemed at that time to ,hold their own against foreign busi- be the sincere desire of nearly all of ness combinations, if this be granted. the people of Japan, and the only Then there is the chance of Chinese question was as to the terms. The immigration, which has scared bigger foreigners were very reluctant to nations than Japan, and nations with place themselves under native jurismuch greater territorial extension. diction, unless there was an assurance The worst feature of all this is that of a just and equitable administration the men who have stood at the head of the laws. thus far, and to whom the credit of Japan's position to-day is due, have It was proposed that this should be resigned their places, and left matters arranged by employing a certain to drift. number of foreign judges, who should sit with the natives in cases where The state of things here now is well foreigners were involved. It was stated in a recent number of Japan thought that this arrangement would Mail, which is practically an organ of meet with general satisfaction, and, the Government, and of course is disas a temporary arrangement, would posed to treat all questions of this naprepare the way for Japan to take her ture in the most favorable light. It place on an equal footing with the en- says : We need scarcely dwell upon lightened nations of the earth. the magnitude of the loss that the Cabinet will suffer by the retirement But, to the surprise and regret of the of the two men (Count Ito and Inouye) true friends of the country, there has who have hitherto supplied such a. recently appeared a strong anti-for- large share of that body's talent and eign feeling that has put a check upon experience. It has come to be difficult all revision of the treaties and thrown to imagine a really efficient Japanese matters here into utter confusion. administration from which the names The cry now is Japan for the Japan- of the two brilliant Choshiu leaders. ese, and no foreigners whatever. The are absent; and the removal of their ground for this opposition is that for- guiding hands from the helm of State eigners are dishonest and overreach- at a time when the nation is about to. ing in business matters, and with their enter upon the novel routes of local more extensive experience and energy government, autonomy and constituwill leave no chance for competition. tional institutions, cannot be viewed But it is plain that at the bottom of without grave uneasiness. this there is still lingering in Japan some of that old feeling of hatred of To these two men more than any other nations that was almost uni- others does the country look for guidversal when Com. Perry came here. ance. No others have had so much It was not a matter of choice, but experience or shown the same abilithey were compelled then to make ties. Count Ito was the compiler of a treaty that was quite against their the Constitution, and is, therefore, eswill. pecially fitted to introduce and de- fend it. Count Inouye has filled both The leader in this anti-foreign cru- the foreign and domestic bureaus with sade is a General Torio, who is gath- credit to himself and advantage to the ering about him some of the' dis- country, and seems especially fitted to contented factions who are not in direct the future political affairs of sympathy with the past course of the the country into a stable and prosper- Government, and who are ready for ouS shape. anything that will bring a. change. He tried to get the sympathy and c0- In this crisis of affairs the Emperor operation of the Buddhist priests, on has summoned to his aid the old Prime the ground that in this way they Minister, Prince Sanjo, but it is apcould keep out the Christian mission- parently only a temporary expedient. aries, who have become such an active It seems hardly possible that the naforce in the land. But the priests tion will be content to go back to the have not been so foolish as to enter old and conservative leaders of the into any political affiliation thatwould past and inaugurate a new and antisurely bring them trouble and division progressive policy. Just at present the in their own ranks. country is like a ship at sea, with no one to take the helm or man the political party came along, and then ropes. rushed upon them with swords and clubs and nearly killed them. The Nothing more is attempted in the Government has ordered both of the way of treaty revision, and present parties to be dissolved. It will be indications are that efforts will be sad, indeed, if all these past years of made to discard all recent efforts in such marvellous progress are to be that direction, and instead of looking followed by a revolution, in which for concessions on the part of other the ruling spirit will be that of isola- nations, as heretofore, such terms will tion, and the old idea of barbarian be demanded as will make revision expulsion will have full sway. We entirely out of the question, and the have better hopes for Japan, and yet residence of foreigners here as uncom- time alone can tell where all this is fortable as possible. going to end.
It is only about two months before H. LOOMIS, Agent A. B. S. the proposed opening of the Japanese Yokohama, Japan, Dec. 14, 1889. Parliament. In this condition of things such an institution would be Missionary Tra,ining Schools. a most unfortunate addition to the present complications. With so many We are frequently applied to for in- wild schemes as are now being dis- formation about Missionary Training cussed, it would be impossible to effect Schools, and it is not easy always to any legislation that would be a benefit give satisfactory answers. We have to the country. Until there is some a special care that persons wishing to .change for the better in the political prepare for foreign mission service status, the whole project of a Parlia- shall not underrate the importance of ment had better be given up. It is the work. We do not care to encourplain now that the country is not age anything that implies that the ripe for a change in the administra- very best talent and the best trained tion; but two things are possible-a talent Christian lands can furnish are strong monarchy or hopele~s anarchy. not needed in the most degraded sav- Men full of all sorts of schemes are age community. We have been readcoming to the front, and forming par- ing of late remarks in the pu.blic ties to sustain their crude and imprac- prints that affirmed or implied that it ticable ideas. And they are not con- was a waste of force to send highly tent with simple suasion to carry out educated and talented men as mistheir policy either. The assassination sionaries among what scientists name of Count Okuma and others are indi- nature-peoples. A little thought will cations of what desperate measures show the fallacy of this: Given a 8()- may be resorted to in order to secure ciety absolutely uncivilized, and the success. task of developing a civilization-who cannot see that the profoundest ac- At a recent political meeting in Hi- quaintance with the principles of soroshima, the speakers were hooted cial science will be required to shape down by the mob, and given no chance that development. But that is only to speak at all. One of the speakers one item. Physical science also must was dragged from the stage and be fostered, and its elementary prinbeaten by his opponents, who, it is re- ciples must be mastered, to present to ported, hired a body of men to take a simple people, and the widest range possession of the building, and pre- of its application must be provided vent any hearing on the part of those for. Thus, too, with political and who came to listen and learn. commercial development. It requires cosmopolite knowledge and state-craft At Kumamoto also a band of men to create and mould a-Civilized comhid themselves by the roadside at night until some members of another munity, and no man can bring to it It now admits both men and women. brain force too great, nor culture too The curriculum is comprehensive. It· varied. Therefore, be it understood, seems that provision is made for inthat our colleges and seminaries .tLnd struction in Hindustani, Chinese and technical institutions must always be Japanese. It is closely related to drawn on to furnish the cultivated the "Pratt Institute," a large school guidance that mission work must se- in Brooklyn, where the students can cure among fetish worshippers, as it is learn cookery, hygiene, nursing, dressalready well known it must have making, carpentering and plumbing. among the peoples who profess the It also secures large reduction in fees lettered religions. But, while accen- of medical students in several institu– tuating afresh the need for the stu- tions. dent volunteer movement, and all that it represents, we recognize that 2. What is known as the Bostoa the time has come when more varied Missionary Training School has Rev. talent can be used in many foreign A. J. Gordon, D. D., for President of fields, and that not only professional its Board, and Drs. Pierson and Jos. men, preachers, scholars, or physi- Cook as Vice-Presidents. Its course cians, are needed, but when the indus- of instruction includes Biblical and trial teacher, too, must go forth; when Practical Theology, Special Biblical. skilled workmen, explorers, nurses, Studies, Principles, History and Meth– printers, engineers, and other mechan- ods o~ Missions, Methods and Pracics, are to take their place, as part of tice of Evangelistic Work, Medicine the great evangelistic force of the and Surgery. Its headquarters are world. A great number of such per- No.7 Ohardon St., near Bowdoin Sq., sons–some older, some younger-are Boston. It designs only to help those being impressed that it is their duty whose age and financial resources to enter upon such work. They rec- will not permit them to take a course ognize, however, as do the friends of of study covering a term of many missions, that they would be all the years. The tuition is free, missionary more powerful in that work if they service during the term being accould pause for a season to be trained cepted as its equivalent. Rooms vary in some special courses, which had in price from $1 to $3.50 per week. heretofore lain outside their privilege, Good board $3,50. Twenty-four youngor even necessity. men can be accommodated with rooms at the Chardon St. house. Rev. F. L. 1. Of the institutions projected to Chapell was announced in October meet this need; we have not been able last to deliver twenty-five lectures in to obtain full information. In Brook- the Practical and Biblical Theology lyn, MrS. Rev. Wm. B. Osborn has Department, and Dr. Pierson thirtyan institution for training of mission- eight – lectures of the same course. aries. It has had quite a struggle for Dr. Eames, Professor of Pathology five or six years, but has now quite and Therapeutics in the Boston Dental flattering prospects of becoming well College, was set down for twentyfurnished to do valuable work. This eight lectures on hygienic, medical was originated at Niagara Falls, then and simple surgical lay treatment. removed to Philadelphia to be near a medical institution, and has since been 3. The Springfield Union publishes transferred~ Brooklyn. It is housed an account of a Christian Industrial in a large building on Raymond and Technological School at that street, which has been placed at its place, which it was hoped would be service, rent free, by Mr. Freeboru ready to receive students the begin- Garretson Smith. It reports twelve ning of this year(1890). The prospecof its former students on the field. tus names its object as being to train teachers for manual training schools. to train skilled artisans for all trades, In 1888 the United States Congress ig- and to train mechanic missionarie8. nol'ei that treaty. In 1890the Supreme It holds that in Africa, for instance, Court of the United States declares much more success would be gained that the Act of Congress of 1888 is in if missionaries knew one or more distinct and deliberate violationof the trades, and could practically handle existing Treaty made in1868; but that machinists' or carpenters' tools. This the United States Congress is sover- ~nterprise is housed in a building 126 eign, and that the act, therefore, must feet by 52 feet, four stories high, on be obeyed! This is simply a monstrous the corner of State and Winchester anomaly. It presents the United Sts., and Mr. D. B. Wesson has sub- States as a big, lawless bully. But, scribed $10,000 toward the $100,000 could satire be more intense, than desired to give it a good start. that the heathen ambassador of a 4:. Of the estimable institution heathen nation, stupefied with aston- known as the Chicago Training School ishment at this standard of recog- for Women, of which Mrs. Lucy nized political morals, should admin- Rider Meyer, M. D., is the efficient ister the stinging rebuke contained in head, and whose now comfortable' the following, which we quote from quarters are at 114 Dearborn St. , quite the letter of Chang Yen Hoon, the a full account was given in TIm Mls- Chinese Minister at Washington, to SIONARY REVIEW for December, 1888, Secretary Blaine: pp. 940-944. It has its graduates in "You will pardon me If I express my amaze- Japan, Africa, China, Korea, South ment that such a doctrine Is held by a court .America and Indian Territory. It for whose members, by personal acquaintwas chartered in 1886. It has just re- 'ance, I entertain such profound respect. It cently added a department known as forces upon me the conviction that in the three years I have resided in this country I the Deaconess' Home, for training in have not been able fully and correctly to com· evangelistic work combined with pro- prehend the principles and systems of your fessional nursing. It has excellent fa- great Government. In my country we have cilities for hospital experience. acted upon the conviction that where two na· tions deliberately and solemnly entered upon 5. In that same number of the RE- treaty stipulations, they thereby formed a sa- VIEW, p. 944, will be found an outline cred compact, from which they could not be of the Correspondence Course of Study honorably discharged except through friendly in Christian Doctrine, arranged by the negotiations and a new agreement. I was, Baptist Women's Foreign Missionary therefore, not prepared to learn through the medium of that great tribunal that there was Society of the West, conducted by a way recognized in the iaw and practice of Mrs. H. W. Barber, Ph. D., of Fen- this country, whereby your Government could ton, Mich. release itself from treaty obligations without consultation with or the consent of the other 6. The Woman's Board of the Meth- party to what we had been accustomed to reo odist Episcopal Church, South, has gard as a sacred instrument. inaugurated a training school for its own candidates for foreign service. "When it is remembered that the treatyob- Its headquarters are at Kansas City. A tine site, with a frontage of 250 feet ligations between the two nations were estabon a principal street, has been secured, and a donation of $25,000 has been ac- lished at the express solicitation of your Gov· cepted, conditioned on the raising of a like sum by others. The ladies as- ernment, and that its every request for fur· sumed this responsibility. ther stipulation has been in the highest spirit of complaisance, I think you must sympathize W ANTED-A CONSCmNcE.-In 1868 with my astonishment that the body which itthe United StatesGovernment forced a self initiated this policy, and which represents Treaty upon the Chinese Government. the intelligence and justice of the great American people, should trample these treat· ties under foot, and grossly o1fe~d the nation which has always held these compacts in sa- cred esteem. I trust that some way will be found whereby the hasty and unprovoked ac· tion of Congress may be undone, this wrong and damage to thousands of my countrymen avoided, and the high affront to the Chinese Government and people removed." SEVEN YEARS OF PRAYER FOR Bu- stimulants, applied friction, poured DA I'EsTH;-It is an old story, but will hot wax on his breast, and continued bear repeating, how the Archduchess other means, until they discovered Maria Dorothea conquered by prayer: that as they held the lighted taper be- Forty years ago, in the palace over- fore his lips the flame wavered. The looking the beautiful Danube and the physician put his mouth near to the city of Buda Pesth, lived this godly ear of the apparently dead man, and woman. Grieved at heart over the asked: "Dr. Keith, are you dead?" moral degradation of the people, she The answer came, "Not dead." He longed to have the gospel in all its was unable to speak again for many simplicity and purity presented to days, but slowly gained, and in about them, but she had little hope. Still two weeks full consciousness returned, she believed in prayer, so at an open and it was all to him as a dream. window about midway in the palace, The Archduchess visited him" and the she prayed that God would send a object of their journeywas explained, missionary to the people. Her faith when she begged that the proposed was monumental; for during seven mission should be located in Buda long weary years she prayed before Pesth, in answer to herprayers. It was her prayers were answered. Seven begun, and in sight of the very win- years of unanswered prayers! While dow at which she had so long begged she was praying, hearts in Scotland that God would intercede in be- were moved, and proposed to start a half of her people, and send the gos- mission tp the Jews, The sainted pel in its simplicity and purity in McCheyne, Dr. Keith and Dr. Andrew their midst. She promised to help Bonar started on a tour of inspection, and protect it to the utmost of her in 'quest of the place for the carrying power, and as long as she lived gave out this purpose of prayer in Scotland. it her' full support. They went to Palestine, and on their 'l11us Christianity came into Buda return journey stopped, for some rea- Pesth to stay. The Austrian Govern- son, at Buda Pesth. On one of the ment did not like to be conquered by streets Dr. Keith swooned away, and a woman's prayers, and so a decree was carried unconscious into a hotel, was issued that no Protestant should where he sank so rapidly that all ever be united in marriage to the rul- hope was'abandoned of his recovery, ing house again! Of what avail was and the word was on the streets that such a decree? he was dead. The news of the dying This story was .recalled on opening condition of an English clergyman The Ohurch of Scotland Missionary reached the ears of the good Arch- Magazine for January, and beholding duchess, who had so long prayed for a beautiful picture of 450 children in the coming of a Protestant minister this same Buda Pesth Mission School. to Buda Pesth. She sent word to the All the participants in that early hotel, his room being in sight of the struggle – the Duchess, McCheyne, window at which she had almost Bonar-all are gone, but their work wearied heaven, that the physicians lives on. In November last this misshould leave nothing undone to save sion had a festive occasion in the his life. The message came after they double celebration of the twentieth had abandoned his case, and he was anniversary of the occupancy of their thought to be actually dead, and some fine school building, and the fiftieth preparation had been made for the of the organization 'of the' mission. grave. The word from the palace Large numbers of people were presstarted them into making what they ent, and the peculiar providences, believed were utterly vain efforts, only many and varied, of the beginnings to please the Duchess. They gave of the enterprise were recalled. The General Oonference at Shanghai. AgenCY-Dr. H. W. Boone and Dr. A. W. Douthwaite. We have kept the subject of the General Missionary Conference pro- (2.) Medical Missionary Work In China by posed to be held at Shanghai in 1890 Lady Physicians-D,. M. Niles. repeatedly before our hearers. As the time is now at hand for its hold- (3.) Orphanages, Asylums for the Blind. Deaf and Dumb, and other Charitable Institu·, ing, we present the programme of top- tions-Rev. F. Hartmann. ics and speakers, or essayists. This will serve to show the church at home what (4.) Value and Methods of Opium Refugees -Dr. H. T. Whitney. are considered practical questions by those on the field. (5.) Statistics and Resolutions on the Evils of the Use of Opium-Dr. J. Dudgeon. Sermon. PROGRAlIlIE. Sixth Day.-The Native Church. First Day. (1.) Method of Dealing with Inquirers, Con. ditions of 'Admissions to Church Fellowship, (2.) Organization of Conference. and Best Methods of Disciplin~Rev. R. Lech· (3.) The Changed Aspect of Chin_Rev. ler, D.D., and Rev. H. Corl)ett, D.D. Y. J . .Allen, D.D., LL.D. (2.) Deepening the Spiritual Life, and Stimu· Jatingthe Church to Aggressive Work-Rev. Second Day.-The Scriptures. (1.) Historical summary of the different R. H. Graves, D.D. versions, with their terminology, and the feasi- (3.) Best Methods of Developing Self-sup-, bility of securing a single standard version in Wen-li, with a corresponding version in the port and Voluntary Effort-Rev. G. L. Mason. Mandarin Colloquial-Rev. W. Muirhead. (4.) How far should Christians be required (2.) Review of the various colloquial versions and the comparative advantages of Ro- to abandon Native Customs 1 Rev. F. ,Oh· maL letters and Chinese characters-Rev. J. E. linger and Rev. H. V. Noyes. Gibson, Rev. S. F. Woodin and Rt. P.ev. Bishop Burdon. Seventh Day.-Education. (3.) The need of brief introductions, head.- (1.) History and Present Condition of Mis-, ings, maps, and philological, historical, geo- sion Schools, and what Further Plans are degraphical and ethnolOgical notes-Rev•.A. Wil- sirable f-Rev. N. J. Plumb. liamson, LL.D. (2.) How best to adapt Christian Education, (4.) Bible distribution in China: its methods to the present state of Chinese mind and lif~, and results-Rev. S. Dyer. Rev. D. Z. Sheffield and Rev. C. W. Mateer, D. D., LL.D. Third Day.-The Missionary. (3.) The best Method of selecting and train.. (1.) The Missionary: his qualifications, in. ing efficient Native Assistants (preachers. troduction to his work and mode of lif~Rev. school teachers, &c.)-Rev. M. Schaub and- J. Hudson Taylor. Rev. J. Lees. (2.) Lay Agency in Chinese Missions: To (4.) The place of the Chinese Classics in what extent desirable, and on what condi- Christian Schools and Colleges-Rev. A. P. tions1-Rev. D. Hill. Parker, D.D. (3.) Historical Review of Missionary Methods, past and present, in China, and how far Eighth Day.-Literature. satisfactory-Rev. J. L. Nevius, D.D. (1.) Report of School and Text Book Com-, (4.) Preaching to the Heathen in chapels, in mittee: What has been done and what is the open air, and during itineration-Rev. B. C. needed-Rev. A. Williamson, LL.D. Henry and Rev. H. H. Lowry. (2.) S8ientific Terminology: Present dis- crepancies and means of securing uniformity' Fourth Day.-Women'. Work. -J. Fryer, Esq. (1.) General Review of Women's Work in (3.) Christian Literature in China: Its Busi-, China, and its Results-Miss A. C. Safford. ness Management. A Discussion of Dr. J. (2.) Girls' Schools-Miss Hattie Noyes and Murdoch's Report (published at Shanghai, Miss Haygood. 1882)-Opened by Rev. E. Faber, D.D. (3.) Best Methods of reaching the Women- (4.) Christian Periodical Literature- Rev•. J. M. W. Farnham, D.D. Miss C. M. Cushman and Miss C. M. Ricketts. (5.) Current Chinese Literature: How far is, (4.) Feasibility of unmarried Ladies engag- it antagonistic to Christianity-Rev. J. Ed· ing in General Evangelistic Work in New kins, D.D. Fields-Miss M. Murray. Ninth Day.-Oomity in Mission Work and'
(5.) The Training and Work of Native Fe- Relation to Government. male Evangelists-Miss A. M. Fielde. (t.) Division of the Field-Rev. J. W. Steven· (6.) The Christian Training of the Women of son. the Church-Mrs. A. H. Smith. (2.) Co-operation-Rev. J. McCarthy. Fifth Day.-Medical Work and Charitable (3.) Relation of Christian Missions to the, Institutions. Chinese Government-Rev. T. Richard. (1.) Medical Work as an Evangelizing (4.) Ancestral Worship and Kindred Obsta-, des to the spread of Christianity-Rev. W. A. P. Martin, D. D., LL.D., and Rev. H. Blodget" D.D. THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MIS8IONS.
Tenth. Day. Subjects for Evening Lectures. (1.) Direct Results of Missionary Work in (1.) The Relation of Christian MIssions to the China and Statistics-Rev. J. W. Davis, D. D. Foreign Resident&-Ven. Archdeacon Moule. (2.) Indirect Results of MIssions-Rev. J. (2.) How Chinese view Christianity-Rev. lIIacIntyre. A. H. Smith. (3.) The Aboriginal Tribes of Formosa- -THE INTERNATIONAL MIssIONARY Rev. T. Barclay. UNION holds its next annual meeting (4.) The Chinese in Singapore-Rev. J. A. B. at Clifton Springs, N. Y., June·12-19. All persons who have served on for- Cook. eign missions are invited to be pres- (5) The Chinese In Bahmo-Rev. F. A. Ste- ent. For particulars, address Rev.
ven. W. H. Belden, Bridgeton, N. J. (6.) The Mlao·tsu and other Tribes of West- ern Chln3r-Rev. Goo. W. Clarke.
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.
India. under the British sceptre- is a centra WHY SHOULD AHERICANS PROSECUTE and source of influence for many sur- MISSIONS IN INDIA? rounding nations. This.point is illus- The fact that nearly all the great tratedabundantlyinthe fact that India religions of the world have found in hasinthe past extended her philosophy India the field of their successive con- and religion over almost every portion quests, and have there shown their of the Asiatic continent. And there comparative power, renders it one is reason to believe that Christian in- of the most interesting theatres of fiuence, once firmly established, might Christi~ effort. And the fact that, radiate along the same lines and to the although Hinduism, Buddhism, Mo- same extent.
hammedanism and Zoroastrianism In the second place, all nations, not have there enjoyed unlimited oppor- excepting our own, are alike indebt- tunities for influence through many ed to India for influences which have centuries, Christianity, in the com- greatly affected the world's civiIiza,.
paratively brief period of its occupa- tion. No other country has influenced tion, has done more for the regenera- all1ands and races so widely as Indiar tion of society than all these together, and that not by her conquests but by is a fact fuUof encouragement for ex- her vanquishments. From a very- tended and continued conquests. early period, the wealth of India. hast But the question naturally arises, been the lure of stronger races on the, why should America carry missionary north and west. Persians under Da-· effort into a part of the British Em- rius, :Macedonians under Alexander~ pire? Why not leave India to the mis- Mongols; Tartars, Afghans, Arabs" sionary societies of Great Britain? To Portuguese, Dutch, and Britains, have.
say in replythat the presentgeneration successively invaded India in pursuit of India's millions will pass away be- of wealth. Though passive for ages, fore British missionaries can reach she has stirred the currents of conany large fraction of their number quests and of all human enterprise&. would be conclusive, were it not that Even when not invaded, the rich intd& there are millions elsewhere whose of India has attracted the natiOJlS of' case is equally urgent. western Asia and eastern Europe, and.
But there are some considerations the late Dr. DUff said truly that what-· which give to India exceptional demands, and so long as the vast work ever nation possessed for the time th61 exceeds all that. Britain can possibly key to India's trade rose into ascendo, those considerations are in force dency and even supremacy. with Christians in America. The Phrenicians were made rich First, India-especially now that it is and powerful by that overland cara- van trade which supplied products ft,r'
THE MONTHLY CONCERT Oli'MISSIONS
the lading of their ships. Alexander osophy to a greater extent even than built a fleet for what he considered a the countries of Europe. brilliant commercial intercourse with India, and founded Alexandria as a A modern and altogether novel gatewayof commercialtransit by way phase of Indian speculation appears of the Red Sea. The rich and power- in the changes which have come over ful city of Ghazni, in Afgha.n.itttan, our American spiritualism. We now was virtually created by the spoils seldom hear of it under the old names. which Mamoud won by ten successive There is less said of spirit rappings invasions of India. Venice was made and table movings, but all the crude opulent by a maritime monopoly of superstitions of oocu1tism still survive the products which came over the among us under the 'name of Indian deserts from the far East, and her Theosophy and Esoteric Buddhism. :power declined when Portugal found If we do not convert India, India will a passage to India by the Cape of Good demoralize America. The grapple of Hope. truth with error has fully come, and old superstitions which breed new and The impulse which developed the strange progenies among us here, civilization of western Europe was must be met in the very sources of largely derived from this trade of the their power. It is said by English Orient; it quickened the spirit of dis- writers that the American temperacovery, perfected the art of naviga- ment is specially suited to these vagation, filled the minds of men with a ries, that the most favora.ble soil for broader enterprise, gave them in- those Orientalexotics is just here, and creased wealth and means of culture, that there is a sort of fitness in the fact stimulated invention and all mechanic that the high priest of Theosophy is artB. For successive generations the an American. While we dissent from -one great object of search was a theseallegations,it istruethat America nearer passage to India. It was this is no idle spectator in this great war -one great and all-absorbing quest of truth and error. The Christian .which stirred the ambition of Colum- Church of the· world should have a .bus and led him to the discovery of part in the religious conquest of India, our own continent. Indirectly, there- and all the more for the reason that fore, we are indebted to India for the that conquest is not an easy one. vast resources of this hemisphere, and for many of those quickening in- Let us consider some of the difficulfluences which raise our condition so ties: 1. As we have already intifar above that of medireval Europe. mated, the philosophico-religious sys- tems of India are the most subtle and India has also been productive of inveterate the world has ever known, widespread evil influences which have and they have existed from time imextended over modern Europe and memorial in one form or another. over America, and those influences The Hindu faith extends back of all seem not likely soon to cease. The ascertainable dates. Buddhism, origiextent to which modern German nating there 500 years before Christ, philosophy of various schools has was but an offshoot of the old cultus, drawn upon the ancient systems of and, though the system has disap- India, can only be known by those peared in India, it has left its influwho have traced the parallel between ence upon all Indian thought. the two. Christianity on the continent of Europe has suffered for more Mohammedanism has existed there than half a century from this source, at least 800 years, and now claims and no part of our own country has 40,000,000 of the population. been exempt. .In some ways we are feeling the influence of Indian phil- The religious literature of the coun- try is vast, varied, subtle, and full of the self-conscious wisdom of countless sages. Indian metaphysics are often in the estimate of all the more intelli- 'so subtle as to dissolve the clearest gent people. Purer morals, a more western conceptions into seeming va- humane sentiment, a better degree of por, and so comprehensive as appar- common sense, and with it a disgust ently to match e~ery truth of the for vile and puerile ceremonies, have Christian faith. Missionaries have appeared. Meanwhile, with the help found that nearly every doctrine of European scholarship, the old which they present is met by a plausi- Sanskrit literature has been revived. ble counterpart. If they teach the With its purer Aryanism of the early ,doctrine of the new birth, "Yes," say days it has risen up in condemnation the Brahmans, "we also are twice of the superimposed corruptions of born; first in the natural birth, and modem Hinduism, which all intelli- :second at our initiation into the full gent men now condemn. And now privileges of Brahmans." If we speak what is the last result? It is this : ,of sin, they too recognize sin, and The leaders of Indian thought have claim that noother people in the world borrowed without credit many of the undergo such self-mortifications as noble sentiments which, for a century they to break its power-the difference at least, Christianity has impressed being that their idea of sin has no ref- upon India, and have laid them as .erence to God; it is not an inward comely garments upon the jejune corruption of the heart; it is a fault figure of the old Aryanism, and they of ceremonial observance, a breach of are now shouting on every hand, custom, a violation of caste, an unfor- "Great is Diana of the Ephesians I" -tunate entanglement of mind with " Not unto the Christian Bible, but matter. If the missionary spOOks of unto the Vedas be all the praise I" It -the incarnate Saviour, their gods also is true that the simple nature-worship have become incarnate. If the future of the Aryan invaders of India was 1ife is mentioned, they answer, purer than that conglomerate of all "Yes, of course we look forward to superstitions known as modem Hin- -s succession of future lives by trans- duism, but it was powerless to effect migration." Worst of all obstacles is the marvellous change which has the dread of breaking away from kin- been wrought. It was dimly monothedred and friends, and encountering istic, and retained clear reminiscences bitter persecutions. The pride of of that knowledge which all men race also is touched, and the honor of once possessed of the true God; but that venerable antiquity in which In- that all vitality and regenerative dia glories, and whose prestige rises power had long since departed from like a wall of adamant against all it is clear from the increasing degenchange. eracy which the centuries have wit- nessed. In the recent years wonder- This pride of race and pride of an ful transformations have occurred. old and venerated faith has in late They are wholly due to Christianity years taken a very significant form. and Christian civilization. India wel- Christianity has achieved remarkable comes the change, but denies the true results even in the numbers gathered source, and claims all the credit for from heathen error. To this fact the Vedas! There is accordingly a many prominent' administrators and widespread Aryan revival. Infidel statisticians of the Anglo-Indian Gov- writers of the West have strengthened ernment have borne recent witness. the Brahmans in this claim by their But it has wrought a far more won- apologistic and fulsome laudations of derful influence as a general leaven the old Oriental system!'. They have in the native communities of India. refreshed their fading memories of The cruelties and the corruptions of their Aryan pedigree and the proud _heathenism have been put to shame history ofthatname, which they, amid though that order of things is at an, many branches of a common stock, end, so far as the influence of the. have longest retained. stillgove~ent may go, the same spirit, The following hymn, copied from lives in the lives and influence the doctrinal catechism of the Arya of thousands who ought to represent, Somaj, reveals the proud spirit which more truly the genius and spirit of a. has thus been fostered and which con- Christian nation. stitutes no slight obstacle to the influence of Christian missions : But, on the other hand, there are. great encouragements. God has, by We are the sons of brave Aryas of yore, some remarkable providences, rebuked Those sages in learning, those heroes in war; the sins of th~ who misrepresented the truth in the early days. We have· They were the lights of great nations before, not forgotten the terrible scenes of the And shone in that dlj,rkness like morning's Sepoy mutiny and the lessons then taught, and we have not ceased to be, bright star- thankful for the fact that such men as. A beacon of warning, a herald from far. Lord Lawrence and others heeded the· rebuke of Providence, put an end to. Have we forgotten our Rama.and Arjlm, yoadhlshtar. or Bisma., or Drona the wise f the wretched habit of catering to-.
Are not we sons of the mighty Duryadan f heathen error, and repressed the perse- Where did Shankar and great Dayananda cution of those who adopted the Chris- tian faith; thatsince that rebellion the· arise 1 full establishment of the British Gov- .. In India., in India., " the echo replies. ernmentinthe place of the East Indian- Company has given the missionary Ours the glory of giving the world work a nobler and more advantageous. Its science, religion, Its poetry and art; position, and that from that time to. this, scores of the greatest of India's. We were the tIrst of the men who unfurled administrators have recognized ita The banner of freildom on earth's every part, success.
Brought tidings of peace and of love to each There is a special encouragement for Americans to labor in India, in the, heart. fact that their efforts are warmly wel- comed by Government officials and Another difficulty which has been other Briti:;h residents. Men like Dr. and still is encountered, arises from Robert N. Cust, who have seen every the influence of Europeans and Ameri- phase of Indian life, and have been cans claiming to represent Christian keen observers of missionary work, nations, but belying the whole spirit have frequently paid generous tribute· of Christianity, and putting stumbling to the faithfulness, the intelligence and blocks of a mOf!t serious nature in the commdn sense, the practical methods. way of winning the people to Christ. and eminent success of American mis- The late Dr. Duff has said, "There is sionaries. By intelligent natives they a most striking contrast between the are known to be entirely disinterested" early representatives of the British as they have no connection with Gov-· East India Company and the Moham- ernment, cannot be .even suspected medan rulers and leading personages of being influenced by hopes of prewho preceded them. '!'he Moham- ferment, or of having a national sym- pathy with alleged Governmental medans never failed to put forward wrongs. They are understood to be boldly, and at all times; the peculiari- simply and purely ambassadors of' ties of their faith, and even their public documents were prefaced by the leg- Jesus Christ. end, 'There is no God but God, and Moreover, some of our American- Mahomet is His Prophet.' Whereas, those who represented Christian Eng- land studiously concealed from view their faith andall that belonged to it- nay, denied their faith, fostered heathenism, repressed and forbade missionary effort, persecuted missionaries, and, in a word, turned the whole tide of their influence against the truth and in favor of error." Almissionary boards and societies have history. Though with less tragic re- many sacred investments in the reli- sults, its mission8.ries bore for seveJ'Sl gious history and religious life of India. wee~ the awful strain. The churches The American Board W88 one of the at home were wrought up to a higher -noble pioneer agencies of the early consecration and a more earnest pur- part of this century, sending men like pose and effort, and few branches of ,Judson and Rice, when 88 yet there the church have reaped richer har- was no welcome for them, but only vests in India than the Methodists of Governmental rebuffs, and a bitter America. prejudice on the part4Pf British resi- ,dents. As men now view it, it is an The Baptist churches of America honor to any church to have had her have also a rich investment of expe- missionaries sent away; an honor- rience in Indian missions. The lesson -considering the tardiness of the Chris- of the "Lone Star" of Telagoo has I tian church in evangelizing heathen proved a legacy of great value to the lands-to have knocke<MI.t the barred entire Christian life of the denomina- ·doors, and by the very inhospitality of tion. There, where for a score of years their reception to have brought about almost, no fruit appeared; where mis- that reaction in the public sentiment sionaries still toiled on in faith, though of the British nation which rather many in the home churches, and, per- hastened the work of missions in the haps, even in the Board of Afunmis- end. The churches of Great Biitain tration, considered Telagoo a forlorn have reason to thank the American hope,-there the friends of missions .Board for those early and seemingly were destined at length to see a modern _futile efforts. Pentecost in which thousandsof native Christians were gathered to the church. The Presbyterian Board also has sacred investments in India. During The mission of the Reformed Church the Sepoy inv88ion eight of its mission- of America h88 also had abundant aries, with two little children-after reason to rejoice in the labors it has <lays and nights of horror-were put forth in the Arcot Mission and marched out to the parade ground of among the Santhals. It has been no Cawnpore and shot by order of the mistake that these American churches demon Nena Sahib. I have since have made in stretching forth the right visited the place, and could find no hand of sympathy and of help to India. headstone, no grave, no trace of these In spiritnal impulse, gathered from noble martyrs; but "their names are thrilling histories, from the lives of written ·in heaven," and their voices men like Judson and women like Har- <cry out from the very ground unto riet Newel, from the character of their countrymen to carry forward faithful laborers who have fallen that great work for which they gave asleep amid the scenes of their toil, and all that they had to give-their lives. martyrs who have poured out their The sacred spot on which they fell blood upon the harvest field,-from all ought to be regarded by the Presby- these, the Americap churches have reterian church 88 a sacred trysting ceived back double into their own place with Him who came to seek and bosoms, and have thus been brought to save that which was lost, and whose under renewed obligationto carry foroCovenant cannot be broken. We ought ward the work till He' shall reign to pray in earnestness and faith that whose right it is. the blood of that martyrdom may be , During this present year of 1890 a the seed of great spiritnal success. new summaryof results will doubtless be made. From decade to decade, the The Methodist Episcopal churches ratio of incre88e h88 constantly risen, of America shared something of the and we are prepo.red to find that ratio trials and sacrifices of that same sad higher still
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
As to divisions of the mission fields but have sent rePl'esentatives to all between the American churches and lands where the darkness and the need those of Great Britain, the example were greatest. They have virtually has been set before us of paying little challenged us to forget all other regard to the question of national bounds than those of Christ's universal boundaries. Themissionarysocietiesof kingdom, and to go forth, side by side Britain have not confined their efforts and hand in hand, with them till the to their own vast colonial possessions, world shall be won to His sceptre.
VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Dr. Pierson's Work Abroa.d. world in this generation is taking hold of various persons, and various plans Our foreign exchanges make very are forming to carry out the project. Dr. Pentecost proposes to go out to favorable mention of the great inter- India with from 25 to 50 men and women, wll.o shall go at their own' est everywhere manifested in his mis- cost, and settle down for a time in certain districts, to give up their time sion. He is doing a great and success- to a united work of evangelization, in addition to existing agencies already ful work in stimulating interest in at work. This duty and privilege of reaChing the whole world with the missions among the Scotch and Eng- gospel during the present generation, and even century, has been often lish churches. He has been laboring urged on the readers of this REVIEW. We rejoice to see that thought workthus far chiefly in the west of Scot· ing in many other minds throughout the church, and cropping out in so land, and in London and vicinity. many directions. Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, in his paper in this REVIEW, During the months of February and February number, page 106, says ~ " In 1877 the Conference of Mission- March he was to devote himself aries, assembled in Shanghai, ap- pealed to the Christian Church to mainly to the middle and southern evangelize China in the present gen- eration, and many hoped it would be counties of Scotland. In a letter just accomplished within the present cen- tury. More than half the time bereceived, under date Feb. 22, 1890, he fore the close of the century has passed, and not one-hundreth part of says: "As far as now appears, I am the people have been reached, yet this generation is the last of sixty since likely to take a trip to France and our Saviour gave the command, which, as Dr. Pierson has well pointed Italy and Vaudois Valleys in April, out, has laid the responsibility on the church of each successive generation and to sail for New York June 1. The to give the Gospel to each individual living in its own period." A. T. P. work here rather grows than dimin- Apropos of the suggestion in the ishes in magnitude. I have now opening pages of this year's volume, of the direct support of missionaries made 116 addresses to an aggregate by individual congregations, we have audience of over 100,000 souls."
The Ohristian, of London, noticing the work already done, says: "Dr.
Pierson's addresses were everywhere characterized by most intimate knowl- edge of the missionary work of the world, heart-moving appeals for in- creased devotion to the service of the Lord, and remarkable spiritual fresh- ness and power. The attendance ex- ceeded the most sanguine anticipa- tions of the promoters. In several places, though the largest available churches and halls had been secured, hundreds were unable to get admit- tance. The cordiality of the co-opera- tion of the churches and missionary societies was a striking feature of the movement." J. Y. S.
The thought of evangelizing the 1890.] EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS. 311 a private letter from that venerable These facts are very noticeable, for and beloved pastor, Dr.Andrew Thom- son, one of the grandest men in Scot- they are in the exact line of literal ful- land: "I notice in the January mnn- ber of your MISSIONARY REVIEW some fillment of prophecy. Mr. Blackstone, approving remarks on the practice of some congregations adopting individ- of Oak: Park, in his recent visit, ob- ual missionaries for special support, not disturbing their relation with the served also that much building is go- general mission board of the church, but securing regular correspondence ing on outside of the wall; and he with them and benefit of intercession for each other at the throne of grace, took a map and carefully drew the as congregation and missionary. We, in Broughton Place Church, stand in line of the new wall as indicated in this relation to four foreign mission- aries. It has been our practice for Jeremiah, xxxi: 38-40, and elsewhere fifty-nine years, and I am not disposed in Prophecy, and he found the new to abandon it. buildings to fall just inside this line. " We had our annual missionary meeting last night, in the midst of an The increase of settlement of Jews angry sto):'IIl of sleet and snow, but there was no appearance of chill in is owing partly to the firman of the the meeting. We had two foreign missionaries among our speakers and Sultan allowing them to settle, ten at a pastor from the Waldensian Val- . leys. I reminded the meeting that a time; and partly to the persecution Christendom had entered on the last decade of the century, and suggested of them in Russia, and the anti-Semitio that this decade should not be allowed movement in other countries. Mean- to run out without some great work that would be if1t. jitting close. Shall while, a railway isbuilding from Joppa not slavery, before that time, be swept to Jerusalem, which means a highway entirely and forever from the face of the earth? Shall not the Gospel have from the sea to, and across the land, been preached to every nation and kindred and people on the face of the and to the East as of old. Mr. McInearth ? Would it not be well to ring changes in your REVIEW on the ques- tosh also calls attention to the protion: ' In what way shall we :fill up the closing decade of the nineteenth cen- phetic cycle of 1260, as about to reaeh tury?' Yours, eompletenessin 1897-1,260 years from " ANDREW THOMSON. the building of the Mosque of Omar in "EDINBURGH, Scot., Jan. 21, 1890." 637,A. D. The Jews and Jerusalem. It behooves students of Prophecy to In 1841 the number of Jews in Palestine was but 8,000, but in 1883, examine, in the light of modern de- 20,000, and in 1888, 70,000, about as many as returned from the Babylonian velopments, Ezekiel, xxxviii., revised captivity. The" latter rains" have been restored to the land, after cen- version. The battle of Armageddon~ turies of eomparative drought. the mountain of Megic;ldo, seems to be approaching. Signs appear in the hor- izon of marvellous movements, nigh even at the doors. A. T. P.
A Tribute to Woman. " Help those women which labored with us in the Gospel." The sixteenth coopterof Romans gives a glimpse of the already developing influence of Christian women. There are twenty- seven persons mentioned, and some third of them are women.
Phoobe is thought to have been a womanof quality and state, who, for Christ's sake, became a deaconness of the church at Cenchrea.· Priscilla was one who in her own home received the eloquent Apollos, and taught him more perfectly the way of God. Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, the beloved Persis, Julia, the mother of Rufus, the sister of Nereus-all these are men- EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
tioned with high encomium. And it to their neceBBities; and even our ne- is curious to note that these women cessities to their extremities."
represent all the various conditions India. -SodOlDB. Professor Lindsay and spheres of life. Some were doubt- saw from the railway, between Poona less given to a single life, others were and Wathar, at Jejuri, a huge tem- wives and mothers; some presided ple, frowning dark like a medireval over church work and some over the fortress; and forty miles below Satara, household; but all were active in labors in a secluded glen at Pal, another.
for Christ and for souls. What an Going on to Dhoud, then up to Visa- anticipation of these days, when the pur, and climbing the hills, there was Lord having given the word, "The another. They are the three great women who publish the tidings are temples of Khandoba, lord of Jejuri.
a great host." A curious reversal had To them the poor villagers all over the taken place already when Paul wrote. Maratha country look with religious At first woman was believed to be awe; and in ful1illment of vows, bring vIrtually a help for man, and was so their young daughters there to deliver treated for 4,000 years. But when them over to a life of nameless .degra- the Gospel redeemed her, socially, as dation. These girls, thus consecrated well as spiritually, Paul _could say . to a life of infamy in the name of to men, "Help those women," as religion, wander in bands over the though woman had now become the face of the country, and the places primeworker and leader in holy activ- where they mainly congregate are ity, and man was now to give her turned into SodOlDB.
help. London Missionary Society-From Woman in India.-When Mrs. May, 1888, to May, 1889.:-MiBBionaries ArlDBtrong, laboring among the Telu- in the field, 190; of whom 36 are gus, sought a winding sheetfor a dead women. Fields of labor, China, India, woman, she was asked: "Was she a Africa and Madagascar, South Seas saint or a sinner?" The question meant and New Guinea. Income for the was she married or a widow; if a support of the workers and expenses widow, she would not be buried in of home office, about $625,000 cloth of such quality as if living with (£125,000). Percentage of funds for a husband. And when she asked one . home administration, 8 to 9 per cent.
of the many sects of Hindus if there Bible Society.-The Britishand For- was anything on which they agreed eign Bible Society has, during the 81 he said: "Yes, we all believe in the years of its history, iBBuedfrom its Lon- sanctity of the cow, and the depraVIty don Depository alone, 29,000,000 com- of woman." plete copies of God's Word, 32,000,000 What vast SUlDB could be given to Testaments, nearly 12,000,000 portions missions if we only exercised self-de- . of the Bible, a total of 73,000,000, or nial-nay, if our self-denial reached nearly 1,000,000 a year, or enough to no further than our luxuriesl A furnish every twentieth inhabitant of woman in London was leading about the globe I Truly Englcmd's noblest a poodle which had on its neck a col- cathedral is her great Bible Society.
lar set with diamonds valued at $1200, The Missionary Work of .Amer1can and attached to it was a silver chain Baptists covers seventy-five years.
worth $35 more. In one day, in Lon- The first station commenced in 1814, don, $25,000 are often spent for flow- and the first baptism was in 1819, so ers alone. What if we should but that the first six years were those of follow John Howard's maxinI: "Our sowing seed only, and not of reaping.
luxuries should give way to the con- At the end of ten years there was one veniences of the poor; our conveni- -church, with 18 members, in the Asi- ences, to their comforts; our comforts, atic field. This first decade was one -of sore trial-self-denial, discourage- some' interesting facts from its Forty- .ment, delay, even imprisonment and third Annual Report : persecution, and little besides. But, Nearly 700 new members have been these ten years included, there has enrolled during the year by the British from the very beginning been one Council. The two secretaries have .church organized on the Baptist Mis- visited over fifty towns in Great .sion field, on the average, evfJrY three Britain, where meetings on behalf of 'weeks, or about 17 a year for this en- the Alliance have been held, as well as -tire period. The baptisms have been in many districts of the metropolis.
about 225,000 in all-over 3,000 every Several new local auxiliaries have been year for the seventy-five years, or one formed in the provinces, and these, .every three hours for the whole period. with some of the older branches, hold In 1819 there was but one baptism; in regular meetings for prayer and con- 1886, 9,342; in 1824, there were but 18 ference, which are much appreciated.
.living members; in 1886, 123,580. In The programme of subjects for the 1814, the treasury contained $1,230.26, Universal Week of Prayer, is- :and in 1887, $351,889.69. In 1814, the sued in the name of the British and ·whole Misaion force was Mr. and Mrs• foreign organizations of the Alliance, .Adoniram Judson; ,in 1887 it num- is now accepted by evangelical Chris- bered 1,986~ In 1814, the only Mis- tians generally and in all countries.
.sion field was Burmah; in 1886 there The document, published in immense were 16 fields: Burmah, India, As- numbers in English, is sent into all :sam, China, Japan, France, Spain, Ger- parts of the earth, and is translated many, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, into a great variety of languages and ,Finland, Turkey, Russia, Greece, and dialects. Inforeign lands, and especial- -the Congo. lyamong missionaries and native con- Roman Oatholics. – In England verts, the week of prayer is anticipated there are some 10,000 parishes, in 9,000 with great interest, and the observance '<>f which Roman Catholics are not rep- is often followed by revivals of religion.
.resented. Their total membership is Some remarkable instances are given• 1,353,514, with 2,252 priests and 1,252 There has been a comiderable devel- ~hurches. Even theSalvation Armyfar opment of the Evangelical Alliance ,{)utnumbersthem. And these statistics during the year in the United States, llrobably misler.d, for the Romanists Canada, and South America. Ener- ·are wont to include, in their estimated getic action has been taken by the membership, every baptized infant, United States branch against the ~wen though clandestinely brought Romish aggressions in regard to edu- by someservant in a Protestant family, cation, and special efforts are being in order to insure the child's salvation. made to reach the non-church-going Even with such basis of calculation, portion of the ,community, by the co- -this would give to every church an operation of ministers and laymen of average of nearly 1,100 members, and all denominations. The Dominion to every priest an average charge and Branch, too, has made special efforts • :curacy of about 600 souls. A. T. P . .to counteract the insidious advances Evangelical Alliance. of the Jesuits, especially in Quebec: and in this it has been heartily sup- ThIS Alliance was founded in 1841 ported by' Evangelical Christians to •'enable Christians of different de- throughout Canada. Great National nominations, and in all countries, to Conferences of the Alliance have been realize in themselves and to exhibit to held both in the United States and {)thers that living and essential union Canada during the ~3.'!t year. On the which binds all true believers together continent of Europe, too, progress has in the fellowship of Christ." Wegleau been made ill several countries, while a new branch has been formed in to a cross carried at a funeral. The Spain. publicity given to this case seems to The Alliance heartily andgenerously have prevented, thus far. the sentence c(H)perated with Dr. McAll, at the being carried out.
Paris Exposition, in the prosecution of In view of such results the Alliance- evangelistic work among the multi- deserves the hearty support of Chris- tudes who visited it. The efforts of the tians of every name and laUd.
Alliance to promote religious liberty J. M. S.
are continued, and the results of the A Oentury of Missions.
past year's labors have been very grati- fying. Many instances are given, but The Moravian Church has for its two or three will suffice here. missionary organ a quarterly, called In Turkey there is frequently more Periodical Accounts, relating to or less infringement of the religious Moravian Missions. The last num- liberty guaranteed to all subjects of the ber of this magazine, issued December, Porte. The Constantinople Committee 1889, completes one hundred years of the Alliance keep the Council in Lon- since it started. We believe this is the don duly informedof all that is passing. oldest existing missionary journal.
Representations are made by the Conn- The only one of earlier date, of which cil to H. M.'s Government, who then we have knowledge, was commenced instruct the British Amoassador at the at Halle in 1710, and its first editor Porte to investigate and use his influ- 'was August Hermann Franke, who ence in favor of religious liberty. The trained the youthful Count Zinzen- Turkish Government itself is also ap- dorf for his marvellous career. This, proached by the Constantinople Com- continued in German, under a variety mittee, who are supported" by the ac- of names until 1880. " Our own land and language," to quote from Periodition not orilyof the British but also of cal Accounts, "certainly possessed no the American Ambassador. Thus, Ni- missionary li~ature, when, in 1790, colaki Effendi-imprisoned' for many our Moravian forefathers at length months on account of his religion-was overcame their reluctance to go into released. A school teacher at Erz- print and sent forth a modest pamphroom (Siklemian}-after being imprisoned about twelve months and sen- let of sixteen pages, with the hope that it would be 'ro unwelcome present to their friends and well wishers.'
tenced to perpetual punishment-was That was two years before the found– ing of the first of those British misliberated and restored to his freedom. sionary organizations, which, by the In Russia the persecution of Lu- Divine blessing, have since had so theran Christians in the Baltic prov- many triumphs of the Cross to chron· inces continues, notwithstanding the icle in their respective magazines. " From the very first, our quartelies astounding statement of M. Paba- have been published by th,~ Society for donozeff, high procureur of the Holy the Furtherance of the Gospel. At a Synod of the Greek church, that Rus- committee meeting held .March 2, sia is the-only country where religious 1790, the Secretary, Christian Ignatius La Trobe, laid on the table the first liberty is fully understood. In Spain also, and in Portugal, ~h.~re have been number of 'Periodical Accounts, relat- ing to the Missions of the Church of several cases of petty persecution, and the United Brethren established among the Heathen.' Of this, 550 copies were some worse cases of religious intoler- sent forth, wi~h the prayer 'that our ance. A Protestant chapel at Criptana Saviour m'ty lay His blessing upon it. has been closed by the arbitrary con- and cause many to read it and to take duct of the Alcalde, who affirms that an effectual share in the support of the the Gospel services will lead to riot. A work of God In all parts.' poor man in Portugal has been sentenced to twelve months' imprison- "Already, in '1769, the Society hall entertained a proposal toprint a quar- terly, instead of the monthly manu- ment for refusing to tdke off his cap scripts .:lirculated within a limited circle of friends. But, 'there being a out, and, while retaining the individ- synodal rule that nothing should be printed without previous approbation uality of the well-known 'blue btohoeks~' of the Directory for the time ~.. we intend to move forward on the matter was deferred until le&Ye lines. May the Lord help us still to- could be obtained from a Synod. It was taken up again in 1787, by C. I. present true and interesting 'PERIODI- La Trobe, whose plan, altered and im- proved, was proposed to the General CAL ACCOUNTS' of a living and blessed Synodhe1d at Herrnhut just a hundred work, which is ministering to many years ago. In reply, BishopSpangen- the life that is life indeed." berg wrote: 'Your proposal to print a short account ~every quarter of the All honor to, this noble Church, with missionary labOrs among the heathen, for the benefit of the honorary mem- its glorious example of self-denial and bers..of your Society and others who feel interested therein, has the hearty sacrifice and heroic endurance; and all concurrence of the Synod.' And so it came to pass that the printed magazine honor to this venerable "Periodical" superseded the laborious preparation of manuscript matter for circulation which has lived to chronicle so many among those who loved the work of the Lord and longed to hear or read achievements of missionary enterprise of its progress among the heathen. The first number was introductory, and triumph. May its career in the and gave a concise account of the whole of our affairs relating to the coming centuries be like the path of missions. The second commenced that series of missionary letters, reports, the just, shining brighter and brighter items of intelligence, statistics and accounts of the sums received and ex- unto the perfect day I J. M. S. pended for the spread of our Lord's kingdom,' which has now continued China Inland Mission. I It is known to our readers that in fora century." the summer of 1888, Rev. J. Hudson But' even this venerable and modest Taylor, the founder of this Mission, bodvof Christians is in touch with the tim~ and announces a changeof policy. on his way to China, passed through " Our next number for March, 1890, the United States and Canada, and will (D. v.) commence a new century of the 'PERIODICAL ACCOUNTS relat- attended Mr. Moody's Summer School ing to Moravian Missions.' Surely that will be a good time to move for Students at Northfield. Such inforward in any direction that may be of real advantage to the cause, which terest was awakened in his China Miswe all-writers and readers-have at heart. sion at this Convention, and at subse- " A brief word first on behalf of the quent meetings, that fourteen mis- Editorial department. We hold it no small honor to edit the oldest mission- sionaries sailed with him in September ary magazine. The office has passed through few, but worthy, hands: for China, and others have since fol- Christian Ignatius La Trobe, Peter La Trobe, Thomas Leopold Badham, lowed. The support of many of these Henry Edwards Shawe. These have been the writers of more than thirty missionaries was' pledged. Many volumes of our missionary annals, each containing ten or twelve quar- others offered their services. A Proterly issues. ,And we trust we have inherited the purpose 'not to emblazon visional Council was also formed to our own (Church's) deeds or to exhibit to the world a picture of our achieve- carryon this work in behalf of the ments,' but' to glorify God and magnify His saving grace. We have China Inland Mission. ,. already endeavored to give our venerable magazine a brighter and more The arrangements have now been readable appearance within and with- put on a permanent basis, and a "Council for North America" duly organized, with J. Hudson Taylor, Director, and H. W. Frost, Secretary and Treasurer, located at Toronto, Onto All correspondence should be addressed to the Secretary, at the office of the Mission. The Council will meet quarterly, and on special occasions; but some of the members resident in Toronto will meet weekly for prayer and for the transaction of business. Several candidates have been accepted, and parties will be sent to China as the Lord may open the way. J. M. S.
~16 PROGRESS OF MISSION8-MONTHLY BULLl!:TIN
A Pentecost at Aintab, Turkey. of women, who were in the majority.
Dr. Graham, a colleague of Dr. Post Fifteen hundred would crowd the place to hear the Word; and then the in Beyrout, an eye witness of the late church would be em>tied, to be im- mediately filled agam for another remarkable work of grace in Aintab, service. Work was also begun in the gives this account of it: other churches. The work continued " There are. three native Protestant (longregations in Aintab, self-support- with increasing power among Armeing and prosperous, with a natural increase from the native membership. nians, Catholics and MosleDlS. The The immediate human instrument of -the revival was Mr. Jenanyau, a native city was never so moved. At the end of Tarsus. He had met Mr. Moody and caught his spirit. The ni&"htly services of four weeks upwards of 600 converts began in the church that 18 numerical- had been added to the churches. The ly the smallest of the three. Soon crowds came. On the first Sunday effect on the old Anjenian churches .night the place was filled to the door; the windows, the yard, and even the was beyond estimation. Armenian low roofs around were crowded. A women would take their Protestant .remarkable featnre was theattendance sisters with them to their own churches and call on them to testify, which they did with great effect. The fruit gath- ered was almost exclusively from others than Mohammedans. Prayer should be offered for like results among thema1so." A. T. P • VII.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
A-f'rIca_Alarminc tidings JOr the rav- the most available measures for the suppres- -ages of the Arab slave traders and conquer- sion of the slave trade has rejected the Eng- ·ors in Africa reach us through Mr. James lish proposals for a maritime blockade of the Stevenson of Glasgow, chalrmlUl of the Afri- East AfricaD coast, and adopted those of the can Lakes Company, whose operations are in Belgian delegates. The latter l'Ok to the exthe Lake Nyanza country. From this source tirpatiOD of the evil in its places of origin by -we learn that those traders still pursue their the organization of African territory under -work of conquest, slaughter and extermina- European rule, the establishment of police tion, on lines extending from the Mozambique stations at strategic points, and the institucoast directly west to the countries once de- tion of steamboat service OD the lakes and rivpopulated by the old west coast slave trade, ers, the opening of railroads, and the prohinorth· to the Victoria Nyanza, and thence bition of the Import of arms aDd ammunition. north of the Equator from sea to sea, and to the Nile. West of the Great Lakes, an area -There are three Roman Catholic and 1,000 miles in length and 400 in breadth, has eight Protestant missions in the Congo terribeen made a desert, and for 90 mlles along tory. They support 28 stations and 95 mission- Lake Tanganyika, a once populous section has aries. The Protestant missions are supported been entirely depopulated. Reference to a by Americans, English, aDd Swedes.-Illus. map of Africa will show the extent of this trated Ohristian Weekly. cruel desolation of lands recently densely peopled by thrifty, peaceful and industrious -Thirty colored missionaries for the Sou. natives. All missionary work in this section dan mission were secured bv Dr. Grattan ~f Africa is endangered. Guiness during his receDt visit to the South.
-Mr. Stanley has brought a sult Into the -The work of the Baptist Missionaries Consular Court at Zanzibar against Tlppu-tlb, on the Upper Congo is greatly helped by medtor lossesconnected with his expedition, grow- ical practice among the natives, who suffer ing out of the Arab chieftlan's breach of con- from many diseases. tract and bad faith. It seems that Tlppu-tlb has funds at Zanzibar which can be attached, -The Gospel of Matthew has been puband the evidence of his bad faith Is said to be llshed in the Fiot tongue of the Lower Congo, of a startling character. Mr. Stanley knew by Mr. Westllnd. him well aDd had no falth in him person,ally; but believes that by employing him on a sal- Dra~II.-The Baptists of Bahia, Brazil, s;ry of $120 per ·month he prevented his enter- have recently purchased for church purposes ing lipon some marauding expeditions on the what was formerly an inqulsitioD building. Upper Congo, by which thousands of lives Parliament there has receDtly promised libwould probably have been destroyed. ertyof worship and civil marriage.
-The committee appointed by the Anti- Harmah.-An Assoclation of Baptist slavery Conference at Brussels to report upon Churches in Upper Burmah has been formed. It ls called the Qung-pin-Ieh Association, from the place where Dr. Adoniram Judson suf- fered his cruel imprisonment.
-The tranalation of the Old Testament into the Shan language, by J. N. Cushing, D. D., of funds. 1,915 men have availed themselves of Burmah, is ready for the press. the advanta.ge of our Home for Discharged Prisoners, a. larger number than ever before. Chlna.-The Chinese Coast, 2,000 miles 480 boys, taken from the courts at the request in extent, is lighted at night by as complete a of judges and maglstra.tes, have passed system of lighthouses as the shores of any through our Boys' Homes since opening in civilized country. September, 1887, of the Greville Street Branch. The present inma.tes number 45, of whom 39 -Although the Roman Catholic Church are in employment. has had its missions in China for about 300 years, it has never given the Bible to the Chi- The goods sold and given during the year- nese people. from the -clothing department of the mission comprised 2,025 coa.ts, 2,347 pairs of trousers, -Dr. Corbett writes to the Presbyterian 1,949 vests o.nd guernseys, 8,760 shirts, 1,876- Banner: "One thousand inquirers have en- hats, and 2,719 pairs of boots. rolled their names, and are earnestly desiring to know the way of salvation. Many of this Franee.-The French Governmentha& number are in the late famine districts where declined to reinstate Rev. John Jones, mis- 80 much was done with money sent from sionary of the London Society on the Island Christian lands to save life and alleyiate sulfer- of Mare, In the Pacific. He has been labor.. ing. The need of more laborers was never so iug there thirty-three years, and a large pro- _urgent, nor the outlook so hopeful, as now. portion of -the people have been converted, through his efforts. He wo.s removed from " Dr. and Mrs. Mateer have decided to defer the island o.t an hour's notice by the French their visit to America for the present, and re- otllcials at the instance of the Roman Catholic main at their post at Tungchow. Mr. G. S. priests. and Mrs. Hays will return to Chefoo. At the late meeting of presbytery, texts were as- HUulrary.-There are I,ISO Baptists in- signed to six licentiates with view to ordina- Hunga.ry, aU connected with one church in tion, and four young men were received under Buda-Pesth. There are only two Baptist min- the care of presbytery. No previous year wit- isters in the country; but they have baptisms nessed the establishment of so many Christian every Sunday. The prospect is very encourschools. Heathen parents are pleading to aging. have their children taugh~ in our schools. The presence of our secretary, Rev. Arthur Indla.-Dr. Mary Crawley, of Edin- Mitchell, D. D., and wife, gave much joy to all burgh, has been o.ppointed physician to the the missionaries and native members." family of the Maharajah of Patlala, and to have charge of the Femo.le Hospital there. DenIDark.-At the Jubilee of the Baptist Mission in Denmark, held in Copenhagen, – The Ohristian gives some interesting stait was reported that 6,000 in all have been bap- tistics showing the gradual diminution of' tized, and there are now 2,700 members in the Buddhist temples in the Kyoto Fu. In 1879churches. All the Protestant missions in Eu- there were 3,737, five years later there were rope lose many of their best members by emi- 3,506, a.nd this year the number Is given atgration to America. 3,270.
Enlrland.-St. Giles' Christian Mis- -A Hindu gentleman hascalled a congresg sion gave an annual supper to the criminal of Brahma.n priests and learned men for theclasses (London) Dec. 2, 1889. We give a syn- purpose of Incorpora.tlng the Bible among theopsis of its work during the year: sa.cred books of India, and otllcially recogniz- ing Christ 80S the last and spiritual Avatar, or- The number of prisoners discharged from incarno.tion of Brahm, the supreme deity. the four metropolitan prisons was about 19,300. Of these 15,978 accepted our invitation -The Baptist Church at Nursarava petta, to breakfast, and 4,850 signed the temperance of 4,000 members, was recently divided int~ pledge. Besides these 8,359 men and boys twelve, each with its own pastor. were assisted in other ways, as follows: Sent to sea……………. … ……… 118 -A paper printed in Tamil o.nd Telugu is Sent abroad (outfit, passage money, and published by the missionaries in Madras. It has a circulation of 10,000 copies. all other expenses being borne by the mission).. .. . …. … …………… …. 184 -At the Cum-bum station in the Ameri- Sent home to friends………. .. .. …… 289 can Baptist Telugu Mission, 528 converts were Relieved with gifts of money, clothes, baptized in eleven months of 1889. tools, stock, etc., and by employment being found……… .. ….. …… … … 7,768 -A few years ago the offerings at the tem- ple o.t Monghyur o.mounted to $50,000 during 8,359 the two days of the o.nnual festival; now they 461 convicts were sent to us at their own re- a.re only $20,000. The priests say to the millquest, and their gratuities, to the amount of sionaries : " You are the reason. Yourover £2,510, were expended lor them in the prea.ching and your books have taken the manner that seemed to the Society best for ilie fear of us and our gods from the hearts of our men. To a. large number of cases o.dditional people." monetary grants- were made from the mission .Japan.-The Universalists start a Mis- sion. Rev. Geo. L. Perin, pastor of the Shawmut Unive1'8&llst Church, Boston, has resigned, boldest, the most liberal, the purest, doctrines and goes out under the auspices of the Uni- of natural religion are preached by salaried ve1't!8lWt General Convention. He takes a Jewish ministers. Both Biblical and Rab- -corps of workers with him, and expectS to binlcal Judaism. leam to have had their da.Y. stay at leaat dve years .. to start with,.. he The cloak that could not be tom ott by the says. He will make his headquarters at To- tempest of Christianity and persecution bids kio, and $20,000 has been raised to back him fair to be thrown ott under the sunshine of up. The Episcopalians also have chosen one rationalism and tolerance. of their ministers, the Rev. Edward Abbott, brother of Dr. Lyman Abbott, to head their -Missionaries among the Jews in all the ~olumn of workers in Japan. The Sunrise countries of Continental Europe report an in- Kingdom 118 a mission deld is ta.king on new creasing interest in Christianity among 1Ibat importance in the thought of Boston. people. They are atrected by the movement inaugurated by Mr. Rabinowitz, of Ki%henetr, -Nine new missionaries have been ap- Russia. point!ld to Japan the present year by the American Baptist Missionary Union-an addi- -It is announced from Constantinople that tion of thirty-three per cent. to its working the Sultan has sanctioned the erection, at force in that country. Bethlehem, of a chapel for Protestant pil- grims. It is said that this decision is most -One-half of the population of Japan is in gratifying to the German Empress, who has the southern part, but most of the missionary had the scheme particularly at heart. work has been done in the northern-central portions. -All the best sites along the hill country of Judea, between Jerusalem westward and -Lieut. Murdock, of the U. S Navy, says the sea, have been bought by Russia, and covthat the Japanese are so eager to learn that ered with splendid Greek temples. The great while they care oniy for secular knowledge, pilgrimages of the day are from Rnssia to Palthey will tske religious instruction with it. estine. Every year about 30,000 or 40,000 Rus- This is the great opportunity for missionary sian pilgrims visit the Holy Land. work in Japan. The country must soon become Christian; but the Japanese are so inde- ..adasaBear.-The new hospital in pendent, they will modify the Christianity of Antananario is built by the Friends Foreign the 'west to snit Japanese ideas. He thinks Missionary Society, and not by the L. M. S., they will dispense with our denominational as we stated in our September issue. Thelatdistinctions. ter society, however, aids in the work.-.T. M. S.
-Translations of the Book of Jonah and Norway~Mis8ionary Skresfrud's an- Matthew's Gospel in Ainu, by the Rev. J. nual report of the Norwegian Lutheran Mis- Batchelor, the Society's missionary to the sion IU Santallstan, states that during the past Ainu, in the northern island of Yezo, in Japan, year 415 heathens and 82 children of Christian have been printed at Tokio for the British and parents received the sacrament of baptism. Foreign Bible Society. The membership is 5,Z72, and the number of stations, 14; these are suppUed by Norwegian -The death of Dr. Joseph Niishima, the missionaries and native teachers and catefounder and head of the doshisha, or college of the American Board at Kyoto, is greatly to chists. be lamented. He had visited America several Palestlne.-The Guardian of Novemtimes. Born in Yeddo in 1844, he ded to this country at 20, and was educated at Amherst ber 20 gives the following facts, as stated by and Andover by Mr. AJpheus Hardy, of Bos- Dr. Blyth, Bishop of the Anglican Church in ton, and was ordained to the ministry in 1874. Jerusalem, in an address at the Church of St. At the meeting of the American Board the Margaret, Lothbury: In 1841, when the bishsame year he made a powerful plea for opric was founded, there were 8,000 Jews in Japan, which led to the founding of the do- all Palestine. In 1883 there were 20,000, but so shisha at Kyoto. By means of this college or great has been the increase of late that in training school for young men, his iniiuence 1888 the number came up to 70,000, about the on the religious life of Japan WII8 very widely number that came up from Babylon. The felt. This was the institution in which so Bishop further stated that while the feeling powerful a work of grace under Secretary of these Palestinian Jews towards Christians Wishard's labors about a year ago we re- was losing its bitterness, and an agricultural corded, resulting'in the conversion of about aptitude developing, the fertillzing rains, 100 of the young men connected with it. Who known in Scripture as the "latter rains." had will take his place ! been granted for the last two years, although they had been withheld from, perhaps, the .JeWB.~Judaism breaking up. The Jew- time of the exile. ish Quarterly Review says that religion among the Jews is a dead thing. In Austria the Jewish Portusal.- Mr Herbert Cassels, of teachers have openly broken with Judaism; in Australia Judaism is an auremic invalid; in Oporto, in order to encourage the circulation America, even more than in Germany, the of the Holy Scriptures in the country, is pub- lishing an illustrated edition of the Bible in Portuguese. The work contains the common translation of the Vulgate, with the text of the Vulgate itself, and it is first of all being come in 1889 of $234,000, and ulne were In Can- ada, with an Income of $84,257. In the given to the world in penny serial parts. United States there were 39 01'g8Jlized socie- ties of women, with 25,000 auxiliaries and Messrs. Cassell, the famous London publish- 8,000 children's bands. There were half a mil- lion members of the auxiliaries and 200,000 ers, are supplying the engravings, and it is members of the bands. The total receipts of these societies in 1889 were 51,250,000;* from hoped that the attractiveness of the book will the beginning of work from the women's boards $10,000,000. These societies support, In mduce many to procure it, and enable them to the aggregate, 1,200 missionaries, 2,l5OO native Bible women, teachers, and other helpers, and 1Ind peace of soul In Christ. have under charge 2.500 schools of various grades, with 60,000 pupiis.-Christian Union. 8eonand.-The Church of Scotland -The Anti-Mormon Victory In Utah is a Missions have sustained a severe loss In the cause for national rejoiCing. At last there seems some prospect, even In the near future. death (Oct. 21. 1889,) of the Rev. W. Smith, of SU~y grappling with one of the great- est dangers to our western life. Th~ enOr- PrIncipal of their MissionarY Institution In mously wealthy and unscrupulous monopoly of the Mormon leaders had enabled them to Calcutta. Their Central African Mission is se- bid defiance to all law, so long as they could command a majority of the people of the Terriously affected by the recent Portuguese at- ritory. Now that they are In a minority, it is hoped their end is near. tack upon the lIlakololo. -Dr. John HaUls delivering the N. F. South ADierlca.-It seems to be a Graves course of lectures on Foreign Missions, at New Brunswick, N. J. favorable time for pushing out Into the South -Since our last number was issued; each American States, from several of which come of the three Northern New England States has enjoyed a week of .. simultaneous meetings" tidings of a decided though incipient move- In the Interests of foreign missions. Never before, within so short a period, have so many ment of the people toward Protestantism. In meetings been held In behalf of foreign mis- sions in these three States, and we hear cheer- :Brazil, for Instance, with a territory equal to ing reports In regard to the Interest awakened. Aside from the aid of pastors within these that of the United States combined, the Pres- States, Dr. Creegan has been assisted by Messrs. Gutterson, of India, Stimson, of byterians, Baptists and the Methodists have, China, Rev. Dr. Hamlin, the Rev. E. G. Porter, and others. A series of foreign missionary all told, but a bare handful of agents at work. meetings has also been held in OWo, In which District Secretary Daniels was assisted by Mr. The climate, with the exception of a few Chambers, of Eastern Turkey.-Miss'y Herald for March. places along the seaboard, is comparatively ~Receipts of some of our Missionary healthful, and Protestantism has a well-de- Boards: The American Board report for the first five months of the CUTrent 1Inancial year :tined legal status. A similar spirit of toler- "a gain from donations of about $20,500, and from legacies of nearly $53,000. Severnl ance on the part of the government prevails churches have recently reported a marked a~ vance In their contributions over previous in Chili, where thirteen Protestant churches years. Certainly the good tidings of the mani- fest tokens of the presence of the Holy Spirit :have already been established, and several In connection with the work abroad should encourage generous giving here at home. natives are just entering the ministry. In "Nineteen new missionaries and assistant Venezuela, with 2,000,000 population, no Pr0- missionaries have been appointed during the testant missionary societyhas ever yetplanted [* These figures are too low. Receipts in '89 were $1,731,083; and from the beginning of the the banner of the cross, but distributers of work of Woman's Societies some $14,000,000. See table in Jan. No., '90, of tWs REVIEW, page the Bible have made the ground fallow for 73, and Feb. No., '89, prepaTed by QUe of the most efficient secretaries of our Woman's evangelistic sowing. Bolivia and Ecuador are Boards.–J. M. S.] likewise almost totally unoccupied.
-The American Bible Society reports that Bible distribution was fifty per cent.
larger last year in South America than during any preceding year. The number of Bibles, New Testaments, or parts, disposed of by sale <lr gift (mainly the former) was 51,862. That this large increase was not the result of mere spasmodic e/l'ort, is evident when we learn that during the past ten years 264,542 copies have been circulated, of which 90,484 belong to the first half decade, and 174,038 to the last half. These figures are exclusive of the work of the Valparaiso (Chili) Bible Society, which sold during the past year 4,563 copies, and during its existence of twenty-eight years has distributed 54,417 copies In the Republic of Chlli. .
Swl~land has 1,162 Sunday-schools, with 5,459 teachers and 84,000 scholars.
Sweden has 3,340 Sunday-schools, with 15,000 teachers and 220,000 scholars. Austria has 140 Sunday-schools, with 312 teachers and 4,519 scholars.
United States.-Sixty-one women's foreign missionary societies are recorded by Ufe and Light (Boston, Mass.) as now at wOl'k on the "wide field." Thirteen of them were In Great Britain last year, with an inpast three months, eight men and eleven -The Board of Home Missions, of the·· same church, makes a good showtng. Rewomen. Several others, whose testimoniaJs ceipts tn January $94,191.76; last year for the , same month $47,509.58, almost twice as much_ are nearly ready, will probably be appotnted -The Reformed Church in America.- before this item falls under the eye of our Financial statement: RecelvedtnJanuary. __ … __ ._ ••• _. $9,955 15· readers." Previously acknowledged .. _•• _._ ••• 57,897 89'
-The Methodist Episcopal Missionary Total from May 1, 1889, ••••.•••• $67,853 04· Society.-The followtng table will show the The excess of January receipts overthose of' last year is about $500, and for ntne months, tncrease in the tncome of the Society stnce to Feb. 1, $23.527.59. There are still needed. to make good the pledge of General Synod, 1884: :s;::::; ::8 ,… ,… g~~ ~1iia5 <r: $33,147. But much more than this Is needed … !8 if the way is to be made clear for the reten- ! ~~~~ ~lfi '~" <- tion of all our work. The receipts from Feb. 1 t i i to May 1, 1889, were $48,817. There should be· .!:l 1 :~tfi :~ ~~l: z~.g..~.~.. no retreat from this potnt if the work is to be· matntained. .fIio…… :'1""1 ii~ ~ cO"- lli~ 1IIIscellaneoa.·-According to care-· ful calculations made by a British clergyman, a5!iS~Sa!i1ii ~ of note, just published, Protestants have tn- creased during the last hundred years from ! ~~~~ifl~ §i t 37,000,000 to 134,000,000, or nearlv fourfold. ~'~~g~ Roman Catholics during the same period have- lli tncreased from 80,000,000 to 163,000,000, or' twofold. The Greek Church durtng the cen- }) …… !i518!il8ll!l~ ,l.!.l. tury has increased from 40,000,000 to 83,000,000• ~8l~~§~ also twofold. ~g;i!€ggi .f ~ -Six missionaries of the Southern Baptist, ~ Board have voluntarily decided to accept as salary only $300 each person, with allowances giZ~i'!;:f.:;~ !;e for medical attendance and children when reo. quired. .~ ~§~~1§l~ ~ -In different parts of the world, under the· J ! …!i~!,…S:igf auspices of sixteen different societies,there are· twenty-seven vessels engaged in missionary $ 8l:Jil~S~S iIl work. Six of these are employed tn the Pai … II ~!~~~~ !@ cific Ocean, and sixteen of them along the· =0 ~ii~~~ ri coast or on the rivers of Africa.
0 ~ lli -Moravian MiBBions.- In answer to re- peated Inquiries respecttng this mission, we. ..: : are asked to state, once for all, that theAmeri- can agent for all Moravian Missions, no matter ::: ~'" in what part of the world they may be situ- ated, is the Rev. Robert de Schweinitz, Beth- ~ i~~~~~ E-i lehem, Pa.-J. M. S.
>t ?"" …………………… '1"'1 -Medical Missions at Home and Abroad publish a list of medical missionaries at work. The most encouraging feature of the above There are 125 tn !lll. The Free Church 0'- report is the steady increase in the confer- Scotland employs 22, C. M. S. 19, Presbyterian ence collections. Almost one thousand dolla1'8 Church of England 18, United Presbyterian Church of Scotland 10, London Missionary So-· per day bas been added to the annual tncomr ciety 10, Church of Scotland 5, Baptist Mis- sionary Society 3, China Inland Mission 6, inof the Missionary Society from collections dian Female Normal and Medical Missionary Society 5, Wesleyan Missionary Society 4, only since 1884. The exact sum is $861,893.10. Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society 8, S. P. G. 3, various other Societies 22. They This is the thermometer to watch. It marks are distributed thus: 42 in China, 38 in India,. 25 tn Africa, 6 in the Holy Land, 15 are scatthe ristng enthusiasm of the church for the tered over Europe, Asia Minor, New Hebrides. and Madagascar;' 12 of the number are qualigreat cause of missions. This is the first time fied ladies.
'we have crossed the Million Line by collec- tions only. .
-The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions reports receipts from May ~ to January 31, 1888-9, to 1889-90 : 1888-8'. 1889-90. GAIN. LOSS Church••, 'UIO,981 43 '129.829 89 81,661 64 eabbatW..ebool., 14,341 90 n,Sl68 18 $2,926 28 Woaen'. Boardl, '1'1.'1'1'2 86 ~.443 26 4.6'7091 L e cac1• • , 3(,496 86 61 386 12 16 890 ~6 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 1I1IceUaneoa.l, 34,12'1' 63 82.164 49 1,9fS 14 Tolalll, '29I,fI917 '8120681 9H24 48' 4! t3,624 68 8,624 68 Total gatD, 1889-90. $20862 7'r This gain is encouraging, but a much greater gain is needed in the three remaining months.
The Missionary Review of the World — July 1889
~ERVING OUR OWN GENERATION
IISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE- WORLD.
VOL. XI. No. 7.-Oid Series._-JULY.-_VOL. II. No. 7.-New Seriu. , I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS. SERVING OUR OWN GENERATION.
LEDITORIAL.-A. T. p.] PAUL, in the Antiochan Synagogue, significantly said of David, "He served his own generation by the will of God." * If anything especially distinguishes those foremost missionary disciples of our day-the Moravians-it is the sublime purpose to reach their own generation with the gospel. Count Zinzendorf led in this unique consecration to present service, when he chose as his motto, "That land is henceforth my country, which most needs the gospel."
To this thought we would now give emphasis: the lifetime of our generation bounds at once our work and our opportunity. What we are to give we must impart while we are living; what they are to receive from us they must get while they are yet living, We owe to our Lord an infinite debt; we can never pay it ; all we can do is to acknowledge it by service to our generation according to His will and in His name. Obviously 80 far as that debt can be paid, it can be paid only during the period which limits the generation of which we form a part. This proposition seems so simple and obvious as to need no argument. Yet, practically, it has never been accepted and acted on by the church in modern times, nor at any time since the apostolic age.
There are two sorts of service we may render to humanity: one is immediate and transient, the other is remote and permanent.
For example: a confbgration sweeps over some great metropolis, consuming every conbustible dwelling and leaving thousands of families without clothing, food or shelter. Manifestly, every true fellow-citizen owes to the naked, starving, homeless, an immediate and imperative duty which can be done only now. The first necessity is to rally universally to put out the fire, save those now imperilled and perishing, and feed, clothe and house the destitute. After these present and pressing needs are met, it behooves us to make permanent provision against like calamities hereafter, preventing such catastrophies by securing a more adequate water supply, a better equipped fire department, and a fire-proof class of buildings. But only fools or monsters * Acts xiii : 36. would meet to consult about such permanent preventive measures while the fire was yet raging or the multitudes were yet starving or freezing! Humanity and philanthrophy instinctively impel us to re- lieve immediately the peril of the perishing. '
God has committed to the church a double work. Undoubtedly there are remote and permanent results at which we are to aim, even the laying of broad and firm foundations for the evangelization and edifi- cation of future generations. We are to erect Ohristian homes, churches, schools, colleges, seminaries; provide translations of the Word of God and a Ohristian literature, thus simplifying the work of each succeed- ing generation, lessening the labor, facilitating the process, accelera- ting the progress of the work, for all time to come. But, me:1nwhile, we must not overlook what is even a more pressing duty and'privilege, viz.: 1.oe must not permit this1!eneration to die unsaved, so far as our consecrated labor can prevent it. No activity in providing for future generations can atone for our inactivity in providing for our own generation, which first of all we are to serve, by the will of God, with the gospel.
We pray God that this one thought may press with mighty and resist- less weight upon the heart and conscience of every believer. When Ohrist said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," he must have meant that those to whom he spoke should go forth and reach those who were then living. That command is of perpetua.l force. It applies to every new generation of believers; and it means that, in every successive age, the church shall both undertake and overtake this great work. If it seem too great, he reminds us that omnipotence is His: "All power;" omnipresence is His: "Lo, I am with you;" eternity is His: "Alway, even unto the end of the age."
And, if the church will take up this work faithfully, He will supple- ment all her efforts with His omnipotent, omnipresent, perpetual co- operation.
How the church may serve its own generation has an example in Scripture history. The so-called Acts of the Apostles is a book, the very frame work of which has a strange meaning. It covers just about thirty-three years, the average lifetime of a generation. It reveals the infant church, receiving its" infant baptism," its anointing ofthe Holy Ghost for service; and then undertaking to reach every "nation" and "every creature" with the proclamation of the gospel. The book covers only the period of a single genemtion, as though to show us what was possible even then, with a few disciples who had no wealth, no learning, no social standing; no modern facilities for travel and transportation, for translation and publication and distribution of the word of God, for acquiring and utilizi"!1g foreign tongues; and, as though to demonstrate to each succeeding generation of believers what could be done and what should be attempted, as the progress of the ages should put at their disposal new and marvellous helps to the work.
How did .those primitive disciples undertake the work of serving their own generation by the will of God? As John Wesley said, they were" All at it and always at it." The first glimpse we get of the apostolic church reveals the disciples, men and women, meeting for ten days of continuous prayer, waiting before God for the gift of the Promised Spirit. They had from Christ a verbal commission; now they tarried for that enduement and endowment which were to become a new and actual and dynamic commission: they had the message; now they waited for the power. The only time that was "lost" for the direct work, was the time" saved" in getting the divine preparation for the work. Then, at once, on that very day of Pentecost, the actual business of bearing the message of life to every nation and every creature was systematically begun. Peter's unfolding of pruphecy and of the history that fulfilled it, was the means of bringing 3,000 hearers to the immediate acceptance of Christ as Messiah and Saviour.
That was' the first step. What was the second? Those converted souls became witnesses for God and the gospel unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Read this explicit narrative. Why is the Inspiring Spirit so careful to leave on record the wide representation gathered in that Pentecostal assembly? Four verses in the second chapter are given to the brief delineation of the Pentecostal Descent of Power: the fulness of time, the one accord in one place, the sudden sound from heaven, the three symbolic expressions of the Holy Spirit-the wind or breath, the invisible secret of communicated life; the fire, that represents light, or knowledge, heat, or love-that purifies what 18 most precious and consumes what is worthless; and the cloven ton.tue, that represents the VOICE, that sign and signal and symbol of intelligence and affection, multiplied to meet the ears of all strange peoples.
The next eight verses are given to the delineation of the wide territory represented in that Pentecostal gathering. "There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." And subsequently minuter particulars are added: they are from the remote East, Parthia and Media; from the north, Pontus, and the shores of the Black Sea; from the south, Arabia and Egypt; from the west, Crete and even Rome. In other words, every quarter and almost every portion of the known world is represented in that audience and in that anointing. Ears accustomed to strange tongues hear in those foreign dialects the story of redemption, and tongues accustomed to foreign speech begin to tell the story to others. What is the Spirit doing? Not simply bringing the message to the ea.rs of all nations in one gathering, but raising up and equipping a great body of heralds to bear the good tidings back to their own peoples. Let lis not attach too narrow a meaning to that phrase, "dwellinJ! at Jerusalem." * These were probably not permanent inhabitants, otherwise they would not have been more familiar with foreign tongues than with their own Jewish language, or the current Hellenistic dialect; they were proba- bly either Jewish proselytes or foreign Jewish residents, who were tem- porarily residing at Jerusalem to keep the sacred feasts, and who would, sooner or later, return to their own homes, going to all points of the compass to carry the good news of salvation. The Eunuch of Ethiopia has generally been regarded as such a proselyte, who, on his return from the sacred city to Ethiopia, was reading Isaiah's prophecy, deeply absorbed in what he has heard at Jerusalem, and who, on be- ing taught by Pl:;tilip, and illumined by the Holy Spirit, went on his way rejoicing; and, as traditon states, together with the evangelist Mark, founded the church at Alexandria.
But we autictipate. The natural, conservative, concentrative ten- dency of the Hebrew converts would lead to their prolonged iltay at Jerusalem. On the one hand there was the old exclusive jealousy of Jerusalem as the capital city and only nucleus of the Jewish state and church; and on the other hand there was the exclusive spirit of Judaism that shut in all Jews, and shut out all Gen- tiles as common and unclean. God interposed to prevent the church from u tarrying at Jerusalem" after being "endued with power from on high." First, He dispersed those disciples by persecution and while the apostles were still at Jerusalem, the great body of be- lievers were scattered abroad, and went every where preaching the word. t And, secondly, He taught Peter, who was both a leader in evangelism and in exclusivism, a threefold lesson on the house-top, that what God had cleansed no man must call common. Here, then, were the three grand conditions of universal evangelism: a universal commission and endl1ement, a general scattering of disciples in all di- rections, and a rebuke of all exclusive Jewish prejudices.
The church of apostolic times heeded the voice and finger of God, and took up, straightway, the work of preaching the gospel to their generation. They all undertook to reach all men God gave suc- cessive Pentecosts, as He always will when the work is done in His own fashion. The outpouring in Jerusale~ was followed by another in Samaria nnder Philip, and another in Oornelius's palace under Peter, and another in Ephesus under Paul,-and so Jew, Samaritan, Ro- man and Greek-all had typical blessings.
Another step must be noted: the division ofthe world-field. So vast a terriiory could not be covered 'in one generation without system There wert several conspicuous" pillars" of the church, leaders of the Lord's host: Peter, James, John; and, later, Paul was added.
*KilTou'oiJV're~. tActs viii : 1-4; xi : 19-21. There were at least four classes of peoples to be looked after-converted Jews in Judea, dispersed Jews in the East, Greeks and Romans. A glance at the Acts of the Apostles and at Galatians 1 : 7-10, will show that there was a distinct und~rstanding entered into and acted upon that there should be a divisiou of labor. James seems to have become the guardian of converted Hebrews in Judea; Peter, to have gone eastward to the Dispersed Tribes about Babylon; John, to have nourished the church in Ephesus, the center of Greek civilization and Diana worship; and Paul to have set his face toward Rome and Gaul. There were doubtless minor subdivisioJ).s of labor, but these cardinal points in the compass of the work are conspicuous. In the book of Acts, after the first ten chapters, Peter disappears from view, because the book is mainly designed to tell us how the doors were opened to the Gentile world, entered by the apostle of the Gentiles. But we are not necessarily to suppose Peter to have been any less active or successful among the circumcision than Paul among the uncircumcision.
Now we have no record of Peter's activity in evangelism, but we may take Paul's as a specimen of how one believer in the early church served his own generation. We find this one man going within thirtythree xears over most of the known world west of the Golden Horn, from Antioch to Athens, from Jerusalem to Rome, and, as some think, to Spain and Britain. And the astounding result of such evangelistic activity on the part of th~ whole church is that Paul is able to write to the Oolossians, before his death, which must have been, of course, before Nero's death, which was in A. D. 68: "The gospel is come unto you as it is in all the world;" and again, "the gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature (or, in all creation, R. V.) under heaven." * Making all allowance for a legit- imate generality of I:'tatemen t, we find it difficult to get away from this fact that, within thirty-five years after our Lord ascended, the gospel had been carried throughout the known world. That generation of believers gave the gospel to that same generation of unbelievers as it has never been done since!
There has been a long, a criminal delay of the church in taking up the enterprise of a world's evangelization. While we have been" playing at missions," fifty generations have come and gone, without one generatiou of them all being overtaken with the gospel! It is believed that, since the days of our Lord, the average of a generation has been from about one-third to one-half of the present popUlation of the globe, say 600,000,000. If so, the aggregate of these fifty generations has been 30,000,000,000 or twenty times the entire present population of the globe! Of course we can form no conception of such a vast host. To march by us in procession, day and night, ten abreast • Colossians i : 6-23; 1 Thess. i: 6·7. passing each second, such a multitude would require nearly a centur,y! Each generation thus perishing without Christ has gone to accuse the church before God of the double crime of unfaithfulness to the Saviour and neglect of souls.
Meanwhile, during all these fifty generations, the church has been suffering injury in every vital interest. The connection between evangelistic activity and evangelical purity is natural and necessary. Dr. Duff rang out this as with a voice of thunder. Shaftesbury testified that the most potent remedy for current unl:>elief, skepticism and ungodliness, is to be perpetually busy in work for souls. And Dr. Hitchcock, almost with his last breath, declared that the church that has no missionaries will soon have no ministers. The primitive church still stands a model and a pattern of purity of faith and fidelity of work. Never was evangelism so universal, both as to those who undertook it and as to those who were reached by it. Ever since, and down to our day, the best churches in every respect have been those which are foremost as aggressive missionary bodies. In fact, the guage of church life has come to be, what we are doing for lost souls outside of ourselves.
But, most of all, this thought oppresses us, that for fifty generations Christ has been waiting to see of the travail of His soul and to be satisfied. Missions have an intensely vital relation to the person of our Lord. He left certain representative commands-commandswhich center about His own personality: "Follow thou ME 1" "Do this, in remembrance of ME"; "Go ye: and 10, I am with you." Weare identified with Him; we are to share His travail, His yearnings, His sorrows, His vicarious agonies;* yes, and His conquest, His satisfaction, His coronation, too. How can we be Christ's, and yet have none of His passion for souls? How escape travailing in birth for souls until Christ be formed in them ?t Upon the banners of the church let us emblazon, as in letters of light, our motto: THE WORLD FOR CHRIST IN OUR OWN GENERATION; and let us take up the work anew, with a firm purpose, by God's help, to overtake eveOry living soul with the message of the Gospel before this generation shall pass away 1 God is in haste to cut short this work in righteousness. In a reverent sense, Dr. Gordon has reversed the old adage, and says, "God's extremity is man's opportunity." We, who are His disciples, must come up on higher ground. Our platform must be one of abso- lute self-surrender to Him for service to our own generation. We must be willing, now and here, to say, "Lord, I am ready to do what- soever Thou shalt appoint." In simple obedience to that last command, without a secular spirit, a calcula:ting hyper-caution, a dependence on worldly patronage, a distrust of adequate support, without wait- *0010s8. i:24. tGal. Iv: 19. ing for the whole church to recognize her obligation or attempt to"
discharge it, those who do feel the mighty pressure of these great facts and truths must covenant with God and each other, that this generation shall not pass away till all this work be done I This conception of evangelism grows upon the writer until it is difficult to think of anything else. God has given to the church of our day a material equipment for this work which is as far in advauce of apostolic days as the speed of steam and lightning is ahead of camels and horses. Every resource is divinely at our disposal. We can go round the earth in ninety days, and girdle it with electricity in ninety seconds. Steam cars wait to carry us wherever engineering can construct a track, and steamboats are ready to float us wherever rivers run. The printing press will multiply the healing leaves of the tree of life as fast as we can scatter them, and the common school, now fast becoming universal, offers to fit every man to read the Scripture in his own tongue. God has flung all the doors open, and every land is now a Macedonia whose voice is, "Come over and help us/' Back of the missions of a century there stand results so amazing that even unbelievers confess the finger of God. In front of the mission band lie unoccupied territories, inviting the plowman and the sower, and white harvest fields demanding the reaper with his sickle. .AJ3 to money, if one-tenth of the treasure now in the coffers of Christians in England and America were put on the altar of sacrifice, it would suffice to multiply all that is now spent on the entire mission field~ two hundredfold. Do we realize what that means? It means twelve hundred thousand missionaries in the field, or one to every eight hundred of the unevangelized; it means churches, schools and colleges in every heathen, pagan, papal, and Moslem community; it means the blessing long since promised, when all the tithes are brought into the store-house,-a blessing poured out until there be none left to pour ouf; 1* Here is a magnificent material equipment, but it is a machine without an adequate motor. All the combined energy of the flesh will never set this huge mechanism in motion. There is bnt one Power equal to the emergency; it is the vital spark that flashes from above, and only prevailing prayer can bring that spark down. The whole church of Gou should be on her knees, pleading and waiting for the celestial fire. Let that descend, and every wheel will move and every lever play; money will be outpoured like water; life will offer its vitality and vigor, and, better than treasure or life, LOVE will count no cost dear, no toil hard, no load heavy, when Jesus leads and souls are dying! We write these words with the conviction taking hold like a taproot upon the depths of our being, that it is both practicable and *lIIalachI3: 10. See Hebrew.
MUSTARD SEEDS OF MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
possible to preach the Gospel to every human being before this generation passes away!
THE MUSTARD SEED OF MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
BY REV. LEWIS GROUT, WEST BRATTLEBOROUGH, VT.
IT was a little more than 150 years ago, or in 1737, that George Schmidt began to tell the story of the cross to a little company of darkminded Hottentots at Bavian's Kloof, 130 miles out from Cape Town. This little nook at length took on the more beautiful and appropriate name Genadendal. or "Vale of Grace." Having built a house, planted a garden, set out a few fruit trees, taught some of the people to read the Scriptures, and gathered a few of them into the fold of Christ, the Dutch settlers began to put such hindrances in the way of his work that, at the end of seven years, he was obliged to give up and leave the field. And yet, the seed he sowed, though much of it laY" buried long, was neither lost nor forgotten. After a lapse of 50 years the way was opened for others to come in and renew the work. Reaching the same field, "the Vale of Grace," to their great joy, in a few remains of the old mission walls, a few fruit trees still in bearing, and, most of all, in a few praying souls, they found glad mementoes and proof of the good work there begun in the years of long ago, and among the rest an aged Hottentot woman, whom SchmIdt had baptized, who still remembered her beloved teacher, had, indeed, a Bible he had given her, and rejoiced exceedingly when she was told that the new missionaries were his brethren. This new mission, though for a time greatly opposed by the Dutch, was greatly blessed of God. The enterprise, there and thus begun, has continued to grow until that" Vale of Grace" is now able to show a large and prosperous settlement, and a congregation of more than three thousand members, and from this blessed center the good work of theMoravians has gone on to prosper and extend till it now includes two South African provinces with 16 stations, 60 missionaries, and more than 12,000 converts to the Christian faith.
It was not long after Schmidt's immediate successors revived his work, that the London Missionary Society was formed (1795) and began to seek some one who should be suited to the same pioneer work of carrying the light of the Gospel to the benighted tribes of Africa. Nor was it long before they found such a man in the person of John Theodosius Vanderkemp, of Holland. Having pursued a five years' course of training at the University of Leyden, distinguished himself as captain of horse and lieutenant of dragoon guards in the army, taken a course of study in the classics, both ancient and modem, in the natural sciences, and in philosophy, at Edinburgh, and then risen to great repute in the practice of medicine, and been subject, meantime, to much severe discipline at the hands of the Lord, at the age of fifty he responded to the call to be a leader in raising the standard of t116 cross in one of the darkest parts of the earth, and entered upon his work in 1799 at the Cape of Good Hope. Having labored for a time among the slaves, Mohammedans and Hottentots here at the Cape, and awakened a deep interest in his mission on the part of the colonists, he set forward for the regions beyond; and then to the northeast, among Hottentots, Kafirs, and other tribes, shrinking from no labor or peril, however great, he did a marvellous work for Christ and his poor. Often opposed, often persecuted, yet never yielding, he devoted himself with great diligence and fidelity, for 13 years, to the cause he loved; and then, with a few farewell words, went suddenly to the rest his Lord ~ad prepared for him in "the better country." The station which Vanderkemp founded at Bethelsdorf continued to prosper, and the work he began under the auspices of the London Society went on to develop and extend until it has already raised up more than a hundred native preachers, brought about 6,000 souls into the church, and won to its instruction about 30,000 adherents.
'1'he Wesleyan Missionary Society began work in South Africa in 1814. Extending its operations by degrees from the Oape Colonyinto, Kaffraria, Natal, and the Bechuanaregions, it now numbers 40 stations, 60 missionaries, and more than 6,000 church members. The Rhenish Society, which commenced operations in this field in 1829, now numbers more than 10,000 members. The Berlin began in 1833 and has 8,000 members. The American Board, which entered the field in 1834, has grown into three missions, the Zulu, the East African, and the West African, and now numbers 30 stations, 48 laborers from America, more than 40 native assistants, about 2,000 under instruction and 7,000 adherents. Besides these, the French Protestant Missionary Society is doing a large and blessed work among the Bechuana and other tribes. The Norwegians are laboring among the Zulus, the Scotch among the Kafirs, the Hanoverians and the Ohurch of England in Natal and Zululand.
These, with a few other organizations, make more than a dozen societies at work in South Afri~a, occupying more than 200 stations, and employing about 500 foreign laborers, besides a much larger force of native helpers. Of the success and value of these labors we get some idea when we find it estimated that not less than 40,000 souls have been brought in this way into the Redeemer's fold, 50,000 children gathered into Ohristian schools, and 100,000 men and women blessed with the direct teaching of the gospel of Ohrist.
Similar labors have been bestowed upon other parts of the continent, and similar results achieved. Well nigh every Christian nation is coming to have a mission, one or more, in some part of that long-neglected land. The mustard seed which the Lord used George Schmidt to plant 150 years ago, in the Southern angle of the continent, though it lay, in
HE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE WORLD'S EVANGELIZATION
a measure, hid for half a century, has taken deep root, sent up a vigorous stem, and sent out many a strong and fruitful branch. The successes of the past, the openings of the present, and the demand for the future should awaken a redoubled devotion to the blessed work. In no age of the world, in no history of continents, can anything be found so surprising as the discoveries and developments made in Africa since the days of those pioneer missionaries, Schnirlt and Vanderkemp. It would take long to tell how her bays have been sounded since their time, how her plains have been spanncd, her mountains scaled, her rivers threaded, lakes discovered, diamonds found, and a goodly number ' of grand highways projected into even "';he remotest parts of that, till of late little known, yet most marvellous land of the sun; and all under the gracious ordering of the Lord, that men freighted with the blessings of the gospel of God's own dear Son might enter and occupy. EthIopia, all Africa, is on tiptoe of expectancy, only waiting to know who God is, that she may stretch out her hands unto Him, and be lifted into His truth and grace.
THE BOOK OF AOTS AND THE WORLD'S EVANGELIZA- TION.
BY PROF. A. W. PITZER, WASHINGTON, D. C.
THE Book of Acts was written by a Gentile physician, who was the intimate associate of the special Apostle to the Gentiles and his companion in the work of evangelization. It is not a record of disconnected facts and incidents in the lives of the Apostles, but an accurate and scientific history of what Jesus continued to do after His ascension, through His spirit, His word and His servants. The principles and patterns of all missionary work, in all lands, among all peoples, until time shall be no more, are contained in this precious book; and as the church addresses herself more and more eagerly to the great and blessed work of preaching the gospel to every creature, she will also turn with ever-increasing delight to this noblest of all missionary records for guidance, for strength and for comfort.
Until our Lord shall return in bodily presence from the heavens, the elements of the missionary problem will never be essentially different from what they were when Luke prepared this record: A risen Lord on his Father's throne in glory; an omniscient and omnipresent Spirit; a living Word, written by men inspired by the Holy Ghost; living men and women, filled with the Spirit and thus endued with power to be witnesses for Ohrist; a lost race, without God and without hope either for this world or the next; the command of the King, H Go ye"; and the limit of labor-Ci into all the world."
In this Apostolic constitution and by-laws of the First Missionary Society there is a conspicuous absence of elaborate and intricate machinery, of minute rules and regulations for the guidance of the missionaries, ot endowed colleges and seminaries for training ministers, of multiplied scholastic requirements before anyone should preach the gospel-in fact, many things now thought to be indispensable, were not, at that time, even so much as thought of.
And yet the old Roman Empire extended from north to south more than 1,500 miles, and from east to west more than 2,000 miles, and included Medes, Parthians, Syrians, Ethiopians, Egyptians, Cretes, Arabs, Greeks, and many other tribes and tongues of Europe. ChrIst was the Captain, the Word was the instrument, believers were the agents, power was to come from the Holy Ghost; the only waiting to be done by the missionaries was for Him: He would endue them for their work, then they must start, and never stop until the gospel had been preached among all nations as God's witness.
Not the apostles only, but all disciples, were to go everywhere preaching the gospel. The duty of evangelizing the world was not laid upon a chosen few, with superb scholastic attainments, who could discuss gnosticism and polytheism with the scientists of that era; but every disciple who felt in his own soul the power of the Holy Ghost, was to go forth, and as the one supreme business of his life tell his fellow-men what he personally knew of Jesus of Nazareth; they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and went everywhere evangelizing.
We hear much in these days of new and difficult problems, and of new and special difficulties in the missionary work. But there are no new problems, and no special difficulties. The problems and difficulties that confront the missionary of to-day confronted the missionary of the Apostolic age. Heathenism, polytheism, philosophical speculations, sacramentarianism, polygamy, drunkenness, licentiousness, prize-fights, theatres, party spirit, persecutions, unknown languages, different tribes, tongues, races, slavery-these were in the world then, they are in the world now. The Book of Acts is a perfect Manual of Missions for all Christians, in all lands, among all peoples, through all ages, until the gospel has been preached to all nations as God's witness and the end shall come, and the Lord shall return.
The gospel proclaimed by apostolic Christians came in contact and conflict with every phase and form of human existence; in contact and conflict with Jewish bigotry, with Grecian idolatry, with Roman cruelty, with Cyprian licentiousness, with Ephesian magic, with Corinthian luxury, with Lystrian barbarism, with Sadducean skepticism, with Epicurian agnosticism-in contact with race prejudice, caste, polygamy, slavery, the drink traffic and the social evil; and the testimony oJ the humble witnesses, under the power of the Holy Ghost, was indeed the power of God unto salvation; and the men and women of all classes and conditions, of al~ races and tongues, turned from idolatry and vice to serve the living God and to wait for his son, Jesus Christ, from heaven. What problem or difficulty can meet the evan-
THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS
gelists of to-day that did not meet the evangelists of the first Christian century? Within the pale of the church, then, there were mistakes of jndgment, and sins in conduct; there were legalism and Antinomianism; excesses and excitements; false teachers and bad doctrine; dissentions and factions; backsliders and apostates; but in spite of all these evils, the work went on, believers were multiplied on every hand, churches were organized and Christ was honored.
After eighteen centuries, the church of this age finds itself engaged in the evangelization of the world; and we call this the era of univerversal missions, when many questions of urgent interest cry aloud for answer; the sphere and functions of Missionary Boards, the powers of the evangelist, the relation between the home and foreign churches, the status of heathen converts, churches and ministers, the erection and support of schools and colleges, female missionaries, medical missions, the uses of cI,"eeds, denominational comity, increase of heathen populations, Mohammedanism and Buddhism. Whatever answers may be given to these questions, the fact remains that all the essential elements of the missionary problem are precisely the same to-day that they were in the apostolic age of the church. As regards evangelization, there is no new thing under the sun. In every perplexity and difficulty the disciple of Ohrist may turn with confident hope to this Missionary Manual for light and guidance; he will not here search in vain for either principle or practice, for example or illustration.
THE MIRAOLES OF MISSIONS.
. WORK AMONG THE WY'NDS IN IJLASGOW.* [EDITORIAL-A. T. P.] LOVE is omnipotent. Wherever passion for souls burns there we may find a new mount of transfiguration, where the earthly takes on the complexion of the heavenly. Let us find an example of the power of such love and holy passion in one of the citief: of Scotland.
It is now a little more than forty years ago since a young man of 23 undertook work as an agent in the Glasgow Oity Mission. Even before he was fully accepted as a missionary by the directors of the work, he began his apprenticeship by visits at every house in one of the lowest districts, and by conversing with every person there encountered, as to eternal things. The whole salary he was to receive for a year's work was less than two hundred dollars; and the section of the city appointed to him was especially needy and destitute, and particularly difficult as a field of labor. It had never yet been occupied and was in the worst respect pioneer ground. It has been well said that he who is not ready to preach the gospel everywhere and anywhere is fit to preach nowhere; and we are more and more persuaded that if every candidate for the office of the ministry were first tried in some such field it would prove a training in its way more profitable than any • John G. Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides. London: Hodder& Stoughton. discipline in the classroom, and would "shake the napkin at the four corners," and disclose whether or not there were in it even "one talent" for winning souls. What a preparation for practical dealing with men and women and children; with people of every variety of temper and temperament, of thought and opinion, of character and life, would such an experience be !
But we anticipate. The young man, who took up that work in that most degraded district in the great Scotch Manchester, was John G. Paton; afterwards the devoted missionary to the New Hebrides, a man whose biography, just issued from the press of Hodder & Stoughton, is uusurpassed for stimulating and inspiring narrative by any existing story of heroism. Mr. Paton found that many families around the Green street of Oalton had never been visited by any TYbinister; and there were lapsed church members who, for ten and even twenty years, had never been in a church building, and had been called on not even by a Ohristian visitor. Of course, in such classes and courts the worst conditions of society were to be found. Drunkenness, infidelity, licentiousness, blasphemy, ran riot; and there was no religion to set up any barrier against them save Romanism in it~most ignorant and superstitious form. Sin and vice walked about openly, naked and not ashamed.
Four hours a day were spent in house-to-house visits. Little prayer circles, or larger evening meetings, with personal sympathetic contact, were the means mostly used to reach and relieve all this misery of soul and body. A Sabbath evening evangelistic service was very needful; but the only available place for it was a hay-loft, with cowstalls below and a rickety wooden staircase as an outside approach. After a year's hard work Mr. Paton could show only six or seven nonchurch goers whom he had persuaded to come regularly to this rude assembly room, besides about as many more who on a week night met in a humble room of a house of the poor. That very house was a scene of gospel triumphs. The hardworking Irishwoman who lived there had a husband whob the demon of drink turned into a monster, and who cruelly beat her and pawned for accursed rum everything of value. Through the influence of these night meetings this man became a total abstainer, abandoned his evil doing, and not only attended Sabbath worship regularly, but urged others both to become abstainers from drink and attendants at worship. '.rhis man and thi!:! woman became the first real helpers of Mr. Paton in his self-denying work in the wynds of Glasgow.
Still the results of twelve months' work were so small that the directors inclined to abandon Green street as a hopeless and fruitless field and try some other section of t.he great city. But Mr. Paton's heart had become enlisted, and he who afterward at hourly risk of life persisted in abiding among the cannibals of Tanna, pleaded for another six months among Green street heathen. He obtained permission; and at the next meeting told his little congregation that if he could not induce more non-church-goers to attend he would be sent to work elsewhere. Few as they were, they had already learned to believe in Mr. Paton and to love him, and they remembered that first lesson in arithmetic, "two times one is two; " and so each one present agreed to come to the next meeting and bring one more. Of course that simple and easy method at once doubl~d the attendance. When people learn this practical multiplication table, it is surprising what wonders are wrought. From this time forth no house that could be had in that whole district was big enough for the meeting. A Bible class, singing class, communicants' class, Total Abstinence Society, Mutual Improvement Society, etc., were instituted. Beside the usual services, two prayer-meetings were opened for the policemen, one for those who were on day duty, and one for those on night duty. Mr. Paton now found every evening in the week occupied with his work, and every Sabbath brought two public services.
And now the hay-10ft had to be abandoned, for the owner required it, and the poor people were at a loss for any other place of assembly. The hostlers and other servants of a certain coach-hirer, lIfenzies by name, got permission to clear out another unused hay-loft, and at their own cost built an outside stairs for approach, to the great relief of the little congregation. Mr. Paton shared the general joy, but felt that if the work were to prosper, a permanent building of some sort must be had which they could control; and with the help of Thomas Binnie, Esq., secured not only a good site, but a Mission Hall was projected at Mr. Binnie's own expense. Just then a block of buildings being offered for sale, singularly adapted for the purpose, this generous benefactor persuaded Dr. Symington's congregation, in connection with which this mission work was carried on, to buy the whole block; and so, at the crisis of the work, God's providence put at the disposal of Mr. Paton and his mission buildings suitable both for evangelistic and educational work.
Of course the time had now come for reorganizing aud enlarging this work. At 7 A. M. on the Lord's Day. Mr. Paton held a class for BIble study, where from seventy to one hundred of the poorest young men and women of the vicinity were gathered. They came in their workclothes, for they had but one suit, all without coverings for their heads, and some without shoes for their feet. Mr. Paton remarked with joy how contact with the gospel brought improvement even in dress and manners. Gradually the attendants began to come in better and more complete attire, fitter for such assemblies; then they were emboldened to "go to church; " and then to bring others with them. Their teacher's joy in his work was ecstatic, but it was not reached by any dainty and delicate steps. At six o'clock every Sunday morning this indefatigable worker might have been seen running from stl'eet to sheet and from door to door for an hour, drumming up his recruits. He kuocked and called, till he roused the careless and the sleepy; and by dint of such perseverance he got together and kept together that early morning Bible class. At a later stage in its history, a band of voluntary visitors from the class itself undertook to relieve him and loolf after the irregular, indifferent and tardy members.
On Monday nights this devoted city missionary held a sort of Bible ;reading for all who chose to come; on Wednesday evenings a combined Bible lecture and prayer service that half filled the church; and on Thursdays an Intending Oommunicants' class for the instruction of those who wished to confess Ohrist and join anyone of the Protestant churches in the city. Friday evening brought a singing class for church music, and Saturday, a total abstinence meeting, in which the members themselves conducted the varied exercises. Mr. ,Paton testifies to the great influence and power of Temperance as the handmaid of the gospel. He himself being a total abstainer both from liquor and tobacco, he found himself the more able to influence others to forego these injurious indulgences.
Thus this mission, which began with so little promise, became a feeder to all the churches, training active and useful members for neighboring congregations; not only so but it became a kinll of theological seminary in which eight lads got their first lessons in Latin and Greek from Mr. Paton's little stock, and their training for the work of preaching the gospel and winning souls.
And now this Oalton Mission grew rapidly to unrivalled dimensions. From 500 to 600 were in weekly attendance, exclusively poor wageworkers and very largely mill-workers. The results were wide-reaching and far-reaching. Habits improved, personal appearance and the whole environment; many removed to better localities. But Mr. Paton kept watch and hold npon them nntil he saw them safely housed in some church. Often his four hours of daily labor which were "nominated in the bond," expanded to double that time. He trained eight or ten devoted young men and twice as many young women as visitors and tract distributors, and twice a month they went on their rounds of visits. At monthly meetings of workers, reports were made and matters of importance brought to notice. Mr. Paton fou.ud himself the head of a sort of Bureau of Tract Distribution, Relief and Employment.
All this work for God and His poor could not be carried on without antagonism. The keepers of the public houses saw the Total Abstinence Society making fearful inroads on their destructive business, and they were ready for any act of undcrhanded or openhanded violence. Mx:. Paton held, on summer nights and Saturday afternoons, Evangelistic and Total Abstinence meetings in Thomson's Lane. The top of an outside staircase furnished a ready pulpit, and the audiences were large, though the gospel had no meretricious charms of art and resthetics by which to "draw." Oomplaints were made by these tavern keepers to the captain of the police that these meetings were hurting their trade. l!'ortunately the complamt was true, though in another sense frpm that intended by the complainants. The captain happened to be himself a pious Wesleyan, and he informed Mr. Paton of the complaints and of the attendance of his police force, but bade him go on and conduct the meeting as usual. A large crowd gathered, and among them many of the dram-sellers and their minions, expecting to see the police break up the meeting and humiliate the missionary and his helpers. The police appeared in force, headed by Oaptain Baker, and the foes of the mission were jubila.nt in anticipation of a row. But the meeting proceeded in so orderly a fashion that Oaptain Baker himself surprised both friends and foes by mounting the platform and devoutly listening till the close. Thus the whiskey ring had to "wait out" the service and hear the gospel-which was not a frequent experience. And at the end of the service Oaptain Baker, instead of breaking up the meeting, or prohibiting others like it, spoke warmly in favor of the work and wished it God speed.
So the enraged dram-sellers planned another assault. The next Saturday evening, a spirit-dealer ran his van in front of the iron gateway of the church which was the only place of egress for the assembled multitude. Two young men were sent by Mr. Paton to drag away the wagon; they were seized and marched off to the police office for "injuring the whiskey-dealer'S property!" and when Mr. Paton ran after them to ask their offense, he was threatened with similar arrest if he did not cease his interference. He went with them to the station. The rumor flew that the missionary and his young men were being" taken up" by the police, and a crowd ran to the rescue; but Mr. Paton begged them to refrain from all disturbance. The lieutenant on duty was manifestly in league with the conspirators and no justice would have been done but for the interference of some gentleman who threatened to expose the whole outrage, and the accused parties were suddenly set at liberty.
Romanism and skepticism likewise opposed the work; and Mr. Paton at first tried to offset their influence by lectures with free discussion at the close, but he became satisfied that he was only advertising the devil's wares, and he abandoned all defensive methods for the simple preaching of the gospel.
We cannot close this remarkable chapter of city missions without an example or two of the wondrous power of the gospel in these Wynds. An infidel lecturer in that district was very sick and Mr. Paton was called to see him. He found him in the midst of a library of infidel publications which he eagerly circulated to poison the minds of the linwary. Whatever little he knew of the Word of God, was only sufficient to feather the arrows of his ridicule. But now he felt himself to Qe taking that awful" leap into the dark," and his mind was full of terror at the "unknown." Mr. Paton's visits were so blessed even to .that hardened sinner, that another wonder, like that of Ephesus, occurred. With cries and tears for pardon and peace, he became a penitent believer and called in all the infidel works he had set in circulation, piled them together after his wife and daughter had torn them in pieces, and he himself struck the light that turned the pile to ashes. * That man was so completely transformed by that simple gospel message that he not only abandoned his infidelity and ceased to be a panderer and procurer for the devil, but till the close of life continued to wit- ness to souls and thereby to win souls.
The district where Mr. Paton labored was so degraded and depraved that he not unfrequently came upon those who seemed to be possessed of a demon. He met an infidel whose blasphemies made even his vile neighbors shudder; and who even as death approached would not hear a word of gospel comfort, but foamed with rage and even spat at Mr. Paton when he mentioned the name of Jesus. His hatred to God seemed to drive him mad. He yelled like a demoniac, and tore to pieces his very bedclothes, till he had to be bound to his iron bed, still foammg out curses and blasphemies. When the humble missionary asked if he might pray for him, he shouted with all his remaining strength, "Pray for me to the DEVIL!" And when Mr. Paton re- minded him that he had declared that he did not believe in either God or devil, he shouted again in terrific rage, "Yes, I do believe in a devil and a God, and a just God, too; but I have hated Him in life and I hate Him in dea.th I "
Yet, even into such a "mouth of hell" went this fearless young mis- sionary, even there to rescue souls; and he did it I He was called to see a doctor who was both an unbeliever and a drunkard. In hi.s at- tacks of delirium tremens he had tried one and another method of suicide. At one time the watchers barely succeeded in dashing from his lips, after a fierce struggle, a fatal draught of prussic acid; again they caught a glimpse of a shining lancet hid in the :folds of his shirt with which he would have bled himself to death. In one of these fits of suicidal madness Mr. Paton, at his request, took his seat beside him, alone, he having first promised that he would do anything the mis- sionary would ask if everyone else might be put out of the room. After a long conversation Mr. Paton took down a dusty Bible that had long lain neglected in the closet, and after reading said: "Now, shall we pray?" "Yes," said the doctor; and kneeling beside him, the missionary whispered: "You pray first."
*Oompare Acts xix: 17-20.
NOTES FROM OUR ENGLISH CORRESPONDENT
"I curse. I cannot pray; would you have me curse God to His face? "
"You promised to do all that I asked. You must pray or try to . pray, and let me at least hear that you cannot."
"I cannot curse God on my knees; let me stand, and I will curse him; I cannot pray."
Mr. Patou gently but firmly held him on his knees, saying: "Just try to pray, and let me hear you cannot." Instantly he cried out: "0 Lord, thou knowest I cannot pray," and strove to rise up as though Satan were struggling within him to turn that beginning of prayer into a curse. But the noble winner of souls took up that unfinished prayer and continued it as though it were his own, till the old blasphemer was subdued and quiet at the feet of the Master. Then inducing him to lie down and sitting beside him till he fell asleep, Mr. Paton commended him to the care of the Lord, and slipped away to other duties. Returning later in the day, the poor victim of delirium was found in his right mind; nay, running to meet the missionary, he hugged him in his arms, crying, "Thank God, I can pray now! I rose refreshed from sleep, and for the first time in my life prayed with my wife and children; and now I shall do so every day and serve God while I live, who hath dealt" in so great mercy with me !" And so he did, joining Dr. Symington's church, and giving his medical skill to a holy ministry to God's destitute little ones, as anxious for their souls as their bodies, until he, who once could not pray, but only curse, fell sweetly asleep in Jesus, to wake where there is "no more curse."
What wonder that even anonymous letters threatening his life, and the public curses from the altar by Romish priests, and the advice of directors of the mission could not induce this brave city missionary to leave a work attended by such supernatural power of God. For ten years he struggled patiently on, though he was at one time felled to the g.round by a stone hurled.at him by a malignant Papist, and mar- vellously escaped assault after assault upon his life. While we sit quietly at home, in our easy chair, or making rousing addresses or write with burning pens on city evangelization, or the estrangement of the masses from the church, here is one man who dives into the depths of all this depravity and degradation, and demonstrates what love and the gospel can do to rescue drowning souls!
NOTES FROM OUR ENGLISH CORRESPONDENT, REV. JAMES JOHNSTON, A. S. A.
I. RELEASE OF EAST AFRICAN MISSIONARIES.
AFTER months of suspense there is rejoicing among the frIends of the English Church Missionary Society over the telegram from Zanzibar of May 5: "Mr. D. A. L. Hooper, the last of the missionaries detained by Bushiri, has arrived here safely." In conne"ction with the release of the entire band of missionaries, special acknowledgment is due to the British Consul- General, Col. Euan Smith, at Zanzibar. His energy and tact in effecting the safe arrival of the missionaries recalls the generous aid tendered to Dr. Livingstone by Sir John Kirk some 25 years ago. Since the outbreakofhos- tilities between. the Arabs and German traders, the missionaries have been imprisoned at the mission stations of Mamboia and Mpwapwa, about 160 miles from Bagamoyo. Early in February the British Consul deputed the Arab Commissioner to re-open the negotiations for the safe conduct of the missionaries to the coast. Meanwhile, March 11, a gleam of consolation was given by the French missjonaries securing the ransom of the German missionaries, numbet"ing six men and one lady, on payment of 6,000 rupees and the sunender of 12 slaves captured by the German war vessel, the Leip- sic. Subsequently rumors reached Zanzibar that the missionaries belong- ing to England were in daily apprehension of a catastrophe at the mission station. A letter from Mrs. Roscoe, a missionary's wife, dated Mamboia, March 11, and received in England April 28, showed the danger to which the brave band was exposed. The raids of the hostile natives compelled them twice to retire to the hills. In vain they tried to obtain a travelling escort. From this neighborhood Mr. Brooks, at his own risk and against the wishes of his friends, attempted at the cost of his life, to make a pas- sage. The lady correspondent had slight faith in Bushiri, which was speed- ily vedfied by his demand for a ransom as soon as he had the missionaries in his power.
Late in March the French missionaries, by request of the British authori- ties, prevailed upon Bushiri to grant the English missionaries protection from Mamboia and guaranteed arrival into Bagamoyo. Thh. port and mis- sionary station is COining in to rapid prominence. From Bagamoyo, which lies to the southwest of Zanzibar, runs the main trade route inland to Lake Tanganyika. A telegram was dispatched to England April 24, fromZanzi- bar, stating that Mr. Roscoe, of the Church Missionary Society, and his . wife, who were on their way from Mamboia to the coast, had been released by Bushiri and were then receiving the hospitality of the French mission station at Bagamoyo. This good news was darkened with the intelligence of the retention in Bushiri's camp of the Rev. W. E. Taylor, Dr. C. S. Ed- wards and MI'. D. A. L. Hooper, three of the society's missionaries, as hos- tages, for whose redemption 10,000 rupees were demanded. With commenda- ble decision the acting British Consul, Mr. Hawes, authorized the Ft"ench missionaries to pay the entire required amount.
A message dated Zanzibar, April 28, intimated that Bushiri had allowed the Rev. W. E. Taylor and Dr. Edwards to leave his quarters. Without de- lay, the missionaries, in the company of Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe, proceeded from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar, en route for Mombasa. Bushiri still detained 111'. Hooper, on the plea that he was not a missionary and did not hail either from Mpwapwa or Mamboia. Fresh negotiations resulted in his release as announced in the first telegram. Happily, the reported death of Mr. Stokes is untrue. Despite his very critical situation, he has passed through the country safely, and is now on the Victoria Nyanza, arranging for commu- nication by water with Uganda.
The unwearied efforts of Col. Euan Smith throughout the negotiations }Iave made him popular on the East African coast and in England. His de- parture from Zanzibar on a short visitto London was a signalfor an ovation at Zanzibar. In this the fOI"eign representatives, the native community, and even influential Arabs participated. Captain Wissmann cordially bade the Consul a temporary farewell, expressing his intention to encourage British Indian commerce on the German seaboard, and forthwith to open and . protect the caravan routes into the interior !rom Bagamoyo, and Bwam- bara.
Since Col. Euan Smith's arrival in England he has paid visits to the For- eign Office. He has freely communicated his views to the Church Mission- ary Society with regard to the outlook in East AfrIca. With Great Britain the Sultan remains friendly. In suppressing slavery the combined blockade of Germany, England and the other powers had been most effective. The conveyance of slaves by sea had been almost entirely checked. A less fa- vorable statement is made respecting the stoppage of the importation of arms and ammunition. These were landed among general cargoes in large dhows. The Colonel denies the truth of the charge made in the English House of Commons, that slave dhows carried the French flag, or that let- ters of marque were given to such craft by French Cousuls. With reference to German colonization, the Colonel spoke of an interview with Captain Wissmann at Zanzibar. He believed him to be a man of great power and I knowledge, whose experience would undoubtedly help him in hi,; mission.
The latest telegram, May 5, states that the hostilities between Captain Wissmann and Bushiri are imminent neal' Bagan-lOYo. The German force numbers about 400 men, composed of Europeans, Soudanese, Tomalis and Zulus. His purposed by the Germans to restore law at Lundi, Kilwa, Dar- as-Salaam, Pangani and Tonga, and to make a re-conquest of the stations Usagara, Usegua, Ukami and Nguro, belonging to the German East African Company. Along the coast-line from Wanga to Rovuma Bay a pax Ger- manica will, if possible, be impol'ed. Gl'ave apprehensions are felt regard- ing the issues of the ensuing conflid on the mission centres situated in East Central Africa.
P.S.-We append the following telegrams, which are creating much ex- citement in English missionary and colonial circles: " ZANZIBAR, May 9. .. There was a decided engagement yesterday between Captain Wissmann and Bushiri, the former being assisted by a detachment of 200 German sailors. Bushiri's camp was captured and destroyed, and his followers dispersed. His loss was 70 killed and 20 prison- srs. One German naval officer was killed and several of Captain Wissmann's officers were wounded. Forty black soidiers were killed. Bushiri has escaped."
"BERLIN, May 10. "Captain Wissmann's victory over the Arab insurgent leader, Bushiri-a victory though achieved with considerable superior forces-bodes well, think people here, for the future tranquility of German East Africa. . The Imperial Commissary's forces numbered about 900 men, iucluding 200 marilles from the blockading squadron, while Bushiri's in- trenched camp was defended by only 600 of his followers. The fight was short and sharp. Bushiri. himself, managed to escape, according to one account, even before the stormers advanced on his position, his loss being 80 killed and 20 prisoners. while Captain Wissmann had 40 of his black troops killed and one German sergeant of the naval contingent,one offi- cer-Lieutenant Schella of the Schwalbe-and a marine, of the Leipsic, were killed. What effect this defeat of the Arabs will have on the future of the missionaries and other Euro- peans in the interior, remains to b~ seen, but the opinion here is that the insurrection on the East coast will now collapse."
The London Times' comment on the conJecture is as follows: "The escape of Bushiri renders the issue uncertain, nor is it possible to avoid apprehen- sions for the safety of Europeans in the interior. There is a solidarity among the so-called Arab traders of Easters and Central Africa, arising from the con~iction that the advance of Europeans into the country is fatal to their interests."
II. THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY· SOCIETY.
Rev. C. H. Spurgeon has recently spoken in tones of strong encouragement on missionary matters. He remarked that it was wonderful how much was being done for the conversion of the world by Christian people of all sorts, in aU sorts of ways. He believed their missions would yield a glorious harvest tor Christ one day, whether they lived to see it or not. Sometimes it took a. good while to prepare for a great work, and a vast amount of material had to be expended in order to make the foundation solid and good. He had no doubt that by and by they would be well repaid for all their labor and sowing of seed. In a similat' vein of congratulation his brother, the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, urged all Christian toilers to remember that love was the secret of success in foreign missions.
It is noteworthy that notwithstanding the criticisms which Mr. Caine made upon the methods pursued by the Baptist Society in India, and also the severe strictures to which Canon Taylor subjects the Church Mi5sionary Society, both societies are in receipt of unprecedented incomes for 1888. Secretary Baynes, of the former society, announced at the annual meeting thatthe receipts for the yeal' just closed amounted to £80,818, as compared with £66,- 209 for the previous year, an increase of £14,609. A special sum of £3,800 had likewise been contributed for the relief of sufferers in the Chinese famine. Still thet'e was at the close of the year a deficit of £2,800, caused by increased expense in connection with the Congo Mission. Part of this deficit had been made up. The river Congo rates for transportation were excessively large. Mr. Baynes stated that the contract for the new Congo railway had been signed. On its anticipated completion four years hence the cost of mission freights would be much reduced. This railway will have a length of 265 miles, at a cost of 25,000,000 francs. It will start from the Underhill Baptist Station on the Lower Congo and terminate at Kinshasha, Stanley Pool. By this communication Central African commerce, civilization and Christianity will be enormously benefited.
From the report of the society (ninety-seventh) we learn that six missionaries have died and eleven new ones gone forth during the past year. On the society's staff are now 125 English missionaries and 334 native preachers. The numbers of unpaid native agents and self-supporting native churches formed a promising outlook. In 1888 the converts baptized represented 317 in India, 113 in the Bahamas (and upwards of 240 awaiting baptism in the out-stations), 70 in the Shantung province of China, 40 in Japan and 22 at San Salvador. Marked progress was noted III the Congo Mission. In China there were 21 Baptist missionaries who for some months had been mainly engaged in ministering to the famine-stricken Chinese in Eastern China. Two of them were credited with keeping ~live 2,000 at a station in the city where they resided and over 10,000 others in the neighborhood.
Educational and literary agencies had been vigorously maintained. The sale of bibles, religious books and tracts during 188£ in India by the Baptists had never been exceeded. Issnes of portions and complete copies of the Scriptures from the Calcutta Mission numbered 34,535. Testimonies of missionaries and civilians demonstrate that the preaching of the gospel and the translations of the Bible are working a revolution in that empire, and inevitably, is gradually undermining the degraded superstitions of the Hindoos.
'1'he Baptist Zenana Missionary Society drew as usual a crowded assembly. Financially the year has been exceedingly stimulating. Receipts were £9,- 641, which leaves in the treasury a balance of £1,100. Miss Angus, of the Ladies' Home, Delhi, delivet'ed a notable address, from which we quote a single passage: "The map of India is now dotted over with mission stations. Butit must be remembered that these are, for the most part, situated in the large cities, and even there the work to be done far exceeds the strength of the workers. There are literally thousands of smaller towns and villages as yet unoccnpied, hundreds of thousands who have never heard the name of Christ. Day by day the cry goes up to God from many a heart, 'Refuge bath failed me, no man careth for my soul.' For' the millions of India still lie untouched.' Dr. Pierson's words in THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THill WORLD snould ring in our ears: • We are not responsible for conversion, but we are for contact.' When will the church of Christ rouse herself to the duty of contact with these millions?"
III. MISSIONARIES FOR CENTRAL AFRICA.
Toward the last of March a splendid ovation was given in'Exeter Hall to the eight pioneer missionaries departing for Central Africa in connection with the new Balolo Mission. This mission has been formed for the evangelization of the Balolo people dwelling in the Upper Congo, and is a continuation and extension of the Livingstone Inland Mission, begun in 1878. The chairman of the meeting, Mr. J. E. Mathieson, held that it was obligatOL'y upon England to let Africa occupy a large place in the affection and intecests of the church. In deprecating the sever-ely critical attitude taken by so many toward missions, the speaker endorsed the action of five or six of the great missionary societies in London whose methods were being revised in orner to open their doors to young men who had not gone through the regul.ar college curriculum. In sending forth this class of missionaries the directors would command the sympathies and gratitude of the churches. Dr. Grattan Guinness followed with a panegyric upon thL'ee men by whom Central Africa had been opened up to Christianity and commerce, viz.: Livingstone, Stanley and Leopold, King of the Belgians. On the banks of the Upper Congo, where the mission was to do its work, one tribe alone nuPlbered over ten millions, among whom only two missionaries labored. The mission was originally started by a gift of £800, and in a very short time more than £1,500 had been subscribed by friends interested in the enterprise. A rousing speech was delivered by that gifted and eminent representative of young Wesleyanism, the Rev. Hugh Price Hughes. He maintained that the antidote for drunkenness, gllombling and all forms of crime and infidelity in these days was foreign missions. England ought to be active in this branch of service, as there was probably no nation now existing that had done so much mischief as Great Britain by the liquor traffic, and in many other ways, and also by shedding innocent blood in almost every corner of the globe. He held that at the present time there were too few evangelists abroad and too many English ministers at home, a state of things which ought certainly and speedily to be reversed. The devoted leader of the mission, Mr. J. McKittrick, and some of his fellow-workers subsequently addressed the large gathering of friends.
IV. PROTESTANTISM IN HAMBURG.
In Hamburg, one of the gayest and most licentious cities In Europe, a bazaar liberally supported in aid of the maintenance of the Church Fund and, if possible, the early erection of a new English church in the city, realized £1,700. .This amount, raised by the combined efforts of English, American, German and other nationalities, chiefly of the Protestant faith, far exceeded the expectations of the small colony of British and American SUbjects. The l:iympathy which this worthy undertaking has elicited has been confirmed by the unanimous praise accorded to it in the local press, which describes it as the most tasteful and brilliant enterprise of the kind ever attempted in Hamburg.
At the opening ceremony, April 4, the reigning BUrgomaster Dr. Petersen, expressed the genuine sympathy in which Hamburgers held the English people. As the head of the Hamburg Government, he remarked that between England and Hamburg an unbroken friendship had continued for upwards of 600 years, commencing as early as 1266, when the King of England bestowed valuable land and commercial rights upon Hamburg subjects in London. These rights the Hanse factory in the metropoHs was privileged – to enjoy undiminished until the beginning of the nineteenth century. On the other hand, the company of British merchant adventurers received a grant of land, the permission of living under English law with inulluUlty from taxation, and religious freedom in the shape of an English church a.t lIam- burg as early as 1567. Notwithstanding hard times of fot"eign religious in- tolerance, Hamburg alone, perhaps, of all states, can point with pride to the fact that the English church of evangelical profession had been allowed un- mterrupted toleration for three centuries.
V. ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN INDIA.
In the voluminous replies which Mr. Caine's attack on Indian missions has provoked, there will be some advantage in recording the results oC the mission work in India, with which the Roman Catholics credit themselves. The editor of Illustrated Catholic Missions in England has published various statistics bearing upon Roman Catholic missions in India, chiefly based on the figures published in the new edition of the Imperial Gazateer of India, compiled by Sir W. W. Hunter. An English correspondent who has spent 20 years in the Indian Civil Service recently asserted that Catholic and Protestant missions were equally failures in that Empire. He held that in an especial deg-ree this was true of Catholic missions since the beginning of the eighteenth century, while in view of the increase of population Catholicity had been declining for many years. Challenging Mr. Caine.'s implied assertion that Roman Catholics were more successtul than Protesta.nts, he quoted in his proof the official returns of 1881. These show in round numbers as follows: Catholics, 936,000; Protestants, 435,000; Nestorians and others, 456,000; total, 1,827,000. From the number of Pl'otestants 100,000 might be deducted for Bt'itish-born and foreign Christians, though they are not all Protestants. This would leave 335,000 Protestants, a far more satisfactory number in less than 100 years than 936,000 in the 350 years since Xavier began the gt'eat work in India.
It is admitted by Roman Catholic wt"iters that the census of 1881 returned the total number of Catholics as 963,058 (excluding French and Portuguese territories, which contain 285,703 more). The census returns they regard as erroneous to the extent of 100,000 Christians, quoting from Sir W. W. Hunter to the same effect. He writes (vol. vi., p. 265) : "The Roman Caiholies were under-estimated in the census returns by the exclusion of about 100,000 Syrian Christians who acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Vicars- Apostolic of Verapoli and Quilon, andby their inclusion among the Jacobites, who are unconnected with the Roman Catholic Church." Adding, it is said, these extra 100,000, and also the Catholics of Portuguese and French India, which practically all form one mission field, there will be a grand total of Catholics in India numbering 1,349,441. According to the" Madras Catholic Directory" for 1885, the returns at"e estimated at 1,356,037 for British, native and foreign India, some four or five years before the inauguration of the Indian hiet"archy. Mulhall supposed the Catholics in India to number 1,318,000, and another estimate, which appeared in the Deutsche Reich8 Zeitung, gives 1,600,600 as the probable total.
In reply to the charge that the Catholics are steadily diminishing, the advocates of Catholic missions quote the following passage from Sir W.W. Hunter: "The Roman Catholics in India steadily increase, and, as in former times, the increase is chielly in the south, especia.lly in the missions of Pondicherry and Medura. The number
A FmST YEAR'S IMPRESSIONS .oF JAPAN
of Catholics in British and French India and the native states, but exclusive of the Portu guese possessions, rose from 732.887 in 1851 to 93~,400 'n 1871, and to 1,103,560 in 1881. The Pondicherry Mission lately performed over 50,01 ) adult baptisms in three years. In British India. and the native states the children in Catholic schools increased from 28,249 in 1871 to 44,699 in 1881" (p.259).
The Catholics contend that they do not possess a tithe of the funds which the Protestant missionary societies have at their disposal. In verification of this the evidence of Sir W. W. Hunter (in the Imperi:J,l Gazetteer, vol. vi. p. 260) is again adduced: "The Roman Catholics work in India," he writes, .. with slender pecuniary resources. Theyderive their main support from the two great Catholic organizations, the Associa- tion for the Propagation of the Faith, and the Society of the goly Childhood. The former contributes £24,4M yearly to Indian missions, and the latter £12,300, making a total of £-36,- 764. This is exclusive of the expenditure within the Archbishopric of Goa; but it repre- sents the European contributions to the whole vicariates under the Pope. In 1880 they maintained 16 bishops and 1,118 priests, teaching 1,288 schools, 40,907 pnpils, and giving instruction to 1,002,379 native Christians. Tbe Roman Catbolic priests deny tbemselves the comforts consid- ered necessaries for Enropeans in India. In many districts tbey live the frngal and abstemious life olthe natives, and their inlluence reaches deeply into the social life of tbe communities among whom they dryeU."
This Important chain of testimony relating to metbods of operation and principles of teaching, so distinct from the great Protestant sections in the Indian mission field, will nevertheless receive re- spectfulattentlon when associated witb the authoritative imprimatur of tbe foremost living Indian statistician.
A FIRST YEAR'S IMPRESSIONS OF JAPAN.
: BY REV. FRED. S. CURTIS, HIROSHIMA.
As a mission field Japan is doubtless second to nonein regard toits present results and promise for the future: but, judging from a purely human stand- point, the coming of the kingdom of God in Japan is yet in the dim future. The eighty million;; of gods in the" Flowery Kingdom" cannot receive their . deathblow in a day. In the houses of all who are not.either Christian 01' agnostic you may stilI see the little shrine with its offering of flowers. Every- where-not only" on every high hill and under every green tree;" but in the shops and boats, by the wayside, at every turn in the road, these symbols of idolatry meet the eye.
Hiroshima is a stronghold of Buddha. The street on which we live has a continuous row of temples for an eighth to a quarter of a mile. And though the worshippers at these tern pIes seem very scarce the strong Buddhistic prejudice of the people renders them unreceptive to Christianity. The Hiroshima people are looked down upon throughout the Empil'e as being hard, indifferent and unreliable. On arriving we were much disappointed to find tbat, aside from the regular attendants at the Presbyterian and Methodist churches established here-some two or three hundred people- there were but few who manifested any particular interest in Christianity, or who would even come to the preaching places from curiosity. We had expected to see iarge crowds flocking to hear the word of God, and inquirers coming from all parts of the interior, and that anywhere and at any time a large audience could be gathered. This last is true when a large hall or theater is thrown open for a popular lecture on Christianity and prominent speakers are advertised.
I find that the people differ greatly in different localities. For instance, in Koohi the people are exceedingly impressible and embrace the Christian re- ligion readily, while in Nagasaki the old prejudice against the Christian and the" Christian's God" still lives, making it perhaps a more difficult field than Hiroshima. Here it is very difficult to induce the people to enter a otlurch building j they seem to think that in so doing they would commit themselves to Christianity. Since this feeling exists, I am strongly in favor of establishing out-statiorls or preaching.places which at present shall not themselves become churches, but act as feeders to the churches already established till the prejudice is overcome.
As to the government, while it t~lerates Christianity, it clings to idolatry. A recent report shows $150,000 as given in one year to Shinto temples, and year before last $50,000 was given to one single temple. The Mikado himself is an idolater and worships his ancestors.
What the government wants is not so much Christianity as Western science and institutions, and just now, perhaps, more than anything else, treaty revision; and to bring about the last is doubtlebs their motive for keeping foreigners out of the interior. If it permits freedom here, there is no privilege left which it can grant to foreign nations in the future. The various fOl'eign powers have certainly taken advantage of Japan, obliging her to admit aU their products at a duty of five per cent. or less, while she has to pay enormously on her exports. Then, too, no foreigner is amenable to Japanese law, all cases being tried before the consuls.
Some time since I saw quite a melee in front of the hotel at Kobe. A Japanese boatman was being very roughly and to all appearance unjustly treated by a crowd of Chinamen, while not ten feet distant stood a Japanese policeman, his sword hanging by his side, for the treaty laws do not permit any interference with foreigners. Now the time has come when it would seem that the Japanese government does not propose to remain longer in leading strings; but the other nations cannot seem to agree upon any satisfactory revision of the treaties regarding "exterritoriality." What can Japan do to bring about the desired change? If it absolutely forbids foreigners to travel, reside and teach in the interior, "the people would probably become disaffected, so to go outside the treaty ports is being made as difficult as possible. Heretofore the government has permitted foreigners to go to different parts of the interior on passports for" travel, health and scientific observation," also when employed by the Japanese. These purposes have been regarded as mere technicalities by the officials, and many missionaries have lived on such passports.
Having tried every other expedient, the government, while continuing to issne, enforces the strict letter of the law, thus making them very difficult to obtain. One of our missionaries waited at Kobe fOI" his passport from Thanksgiving time till the middle of January. Then, too, after a passport has been once obtained the trouble is not over, for it must be renewed, with greater or less frequency. When the time for which it has been granted is about to expire, the passport must be brought to a treaty port and surrendered and an application made for the renewal. The passport is then sent to Tokio, and after a longer or shorter time the renewal is granted.
There is a missionary who has waited three months, and is still waiting, in Kobe, for her passport to be renewed. This lady is a teacher in a mission school, which may account, at least in part, for the delay, for the government having taken such pains to establish its own schools throughout the empire, naturally wishes them to be well patronized: hence, all private schools are discouraged. Recently it was desired to start a Christian school in Kochi. The Japanese engaged by a missionary was obliged to write "almost a volume to the authorities in regard to the matter," after which, says a missionary, in writing home of the action of the authorities, "they sent this communication back as not correct, wanted to know the number of feet in the school-house and around, the name of the school, etc. All this was written out at full length, when again the paper was returned, asking , what books would be taught, who were the publishers, when and where were they published, how far in each book the pupil must get in a term and at what age a pupil could enter the school.' " .
These questions were duly answered, but sometime after came the query: "If you get two hundred pupils at 35 cents each pel' month, how will you use all that money? If you do not get that number of pupils, where will the money come from? "
Viewed in the light of a determined purpose to secure treaty revision, such seemingly puerile actions are significant. I trust the time is not far distant when propel' treaties will be made, giving Japan her ri~hts and a footing more nearly equal to the otb.er great nations of the earth. For sev- eral months there have been rumors afloat to the effect that Japan had made a new treaty with America, which will give us liberty to go anywhere in Ja_ pan, but whether this is true or not remains to be seen. That some sort ola treaty has been concluded with a certain foreign power, is all that we can now be sure of.
Let mesay a word in regard to my personal work so far. Although I cannot yet preach in the vernacular, I have established a temporary preaching place at the girls' school. My teacher has done the preaching while I have read the Scriptures and led the singing. This tl'acher is a young Japanese student, who is working to obtain funds that he may resume his studies for the ministry in the Congregational College at Kyoto. Though but twenty- two years old, he has already, we think, shown a gift for preaching, but he lacks power, and seems to have very little realization of the meaning and responsibility of the sacred office to which he aspires. I am very glad, how- ever, that he does not think it necessary (as many of the native preachers do) to use the classical Chinese words, which are unintelligible to the unedu- cated. The services which we have carried on together have had an aver- age of about twenty-five attendants, half of these being heathen. Were the preaching place on some large thoroughfare, instead of being near the outskirts of the city, no doubt many more would come in and heal' the gospel.
By the time I am ready to preach, it is my hope that the Lord will open the way for the establishment of a preaching hall on some main thorough- fare, where large numbers may readIly be reached. The people are so ex- ceedingly curious to see foreigners that I am sure they would listen, could some prominent spot be secured. When any of the missionaries enter a store on one of the principal streets, a large crowd invariably collects to watch their every movement and catch their every word. 0, that this same spirit of investigation might be transfel'l'ed to the Gospel of the one true God! For there are in this city a hundred thousand souls who know Him not. Of equal urgency is the need of the handful of Christians here who must be" instructed in the way of God more perfectly." Were I asked what I consider to be the most vital needs of the church of Hiroshima, I should say.
a deepel' heart experience and life, and a realization of the lost condition of the souls of their countrymen, prompting to earnest effort for their speedy evangelization. With many their Christianity seems largely a matter of intellectual belief, and in this section of the country I have failed to see any marked spirit of evangelism.
As to ihe people of Japan, as a race, it may indeed be said to be favorable towar(1 Christianity, but it is, like its rulers, much more favorable towal'd western civil~ation and its accompaniments. .Witb the multitude it mat-
FATHER DAMmN THE LEPER PRmST OF MOLOXAI
tel'S little what it is, if it be but American or European, whether to wear foreign clothes, to eat foreign food, to drink fpreign liquors, or to learn the English language. All these things are done to a most remarkable extent; for our language there is a perfect "craze." The highest ambition of the Jap1.nese youth is to go to America, and next to this to speak Engbsh.
Many Christian teachers would lack for pupils, were the teaching of English done away with.
The superficiality, fickleness and" happy-go-Iuckiness" of this .people, with an impressibleness that is only" skin deep," :O,re the greatest trials of the missionary who seeks to labor among them.
But there is another side to this picture which is so well presented in the recently published report of" The Council of Missions co-operating with the United Church of Christ in Japan," that I send you a brief extract from it• * .. The United Church of Christ in Japan has enjoyed a year of constant growth. * In no previous year have the additions been so many. The adult members of the Church number 7.551. The infant members number 1.139. The total membership is 8.690. The increase during the year is 1.831. The churches are sixty-one. The ministers number thirty-six. The contributions for churCh purposes were yen 20.315.82. A comparison with longer periods is instructive. The United Church of Christ was formed in 1877 by the union of eight churches and 623 Christians. including the children. In 1882 there were twenty- five chnrches. with 1.728 members. Three years later. in 1885. the churches were fifty and the members were 3.922. In the past the church has doubled 10 membership in each three years. and in eleven years the incrl'ase has been from six hundred to nine thousand. A like progression for the remaining twelve years of the ceMtury will make the· membership in the year 1900. one hundred and forty-four thousand.
"Such a hope should notbe too great for our faith. The future may well be richer in blessing than the past."
And there are some of us who are hoping and praying for still greater things-the evangelization of this Empire before 'l,e present century closes.
FATHER DAMIEN THE LEPER PRIEST OF MOLOKAI.
BY REV. EDWIN M. BLISS, NEW YORK.
ON the little peninsula of Kolowao, on the island of Molokai, Sandwich Islands, is the famous leper community established by the Hawaiian Government in 1864, after the ierrible scourge of leprosy that committed such fearful ravages among every class of the people. It is not an ideal place of residence, cold in winter, hot in summer, absolutely isolated from the rest of the island by high mountams. Here the unfortunates were placed. So terrible was their fate deemed that many families sought to hide their afflicted members from the officials, preferring to l"Un every risk themselves rather than condemn loved ones to such hardships and privations. Suitable dwellings were not provided, fo.od was insufficient, there was no medical attendance or nursing; the outcasts were practically condemned to death, with no hope of even the last sad offices or sympathy of friends. It was little wonder that every evil passion rose triumphant. A root growing in quantities at the foot of the mountains furnished a highly intoxicating liquor and drunkenness became almost universal. With this came'licentiousness, until prostitution was the only resort of women who sought a living fOl' themselves and their children. The hula dances were seen on every hand and the whole community became a mass of corruption of every kind.
Into this community, in 1873, went Father Damien, a Roman Catholic Priest, of Honolulu, a native of Belgium, of great talents, wealthy, and with every prospect of success in life. It was no rash act, but a carefully considered purpose, with full recognition of all that it mean~complete isolation from all associations such as he had held deal', fellowship with those who were lower and more degraded than the brutes, and the certainty of the most horrible dise;tse and death known to the human race. • The Government, unable to understand his purpose, thought he would soon seek to return, and gave strict orders for his immediate imprisonment should he stir from the community. They refused him counselor assistance of any kind, and he was compelled to rely upon the lepers themselves for support. He found the dead and dying on every hand, and was so absorbed in his care for them that he could find no time to build him even a plain hut, but slept under the trees. His kindly words and efficient aid won him the confidence of the whole community, and little by little his influence became unbounded. Recognizing that in their condition, spiritual counsel was of little avail without temporal help, he was not only priest but" magistrate, school-teacher, gardener, carpenter, joiner, painter, housekeeper, cook, and often grave-digger and undertaker." He lived with the people, shared their experiences in every way; he persuaded them to care more for cleanliness, comfortable houses, good food, so far as practicable. Soon thE' Government, recognizing his real spirit, changed their attitude, gave him greater privi.
leges, allowed him counsel and assistance, at his suggestion provided bettel'
dwellings, and more suitable food; sent medical officers and nurses, fur.
nished medicine, and sought to alleviate, instead of increasing, the suffer· ing of the poor unfortunates.
The natural result has followed. The hula dances are no more heard of.
Licentiousness has almost disappeared. Intoxication has given place to sobriety, and the company that seemed given over to everything evil has become peaceful and happy, so far as there can be happinE'ss with so much suffering. Even much of the virulence of the disease has disappeared.
Better dwellings, good ventilation. healthy food, sobel' lives, and quiet minds and Christian faith have had their effect to lessen suffering, to pro- long life, and make death itself less dreadful. When, nine years after Da- mien's voluntary exile, the queen visited the settlement, and saw the neat houses, the fields and gardens, the well-dressed, orderly people, her officers, pointing to Damien, who stood humbly at a dtstance, said, "He is the father of it all."
Already the dread digease had taken its hold. A few months later the fatal tubercles appeared, and the devoted priest knew that he was to pay the penalty of his self-sacrifice. In 1886 he was joined by Father Conrardy, a young priest from Oregon, and after initiating him into the work, Da- mien himself yielded to the progress of the leprosy. April 10, 1889, he died, leaving a record of as noble work as that achieved by any martyr of the early church.
There are not a few who claim that the heroic age of the church has passed. The lives of Henry Martyn, David Livingstone, James Hannington, Adoniram Judson, Father Damien, are eloquent witnesses to the fact that this is not true. Yet, while they are conspicuous by reason of their position and public office, they are no whit more heroic than many a faithful laborer among the slums of our great cities, in the dugouts of the Western prairies, or the out-stations of China, Africa and Abyssinia.
One healthy sign of the church's life is the universal recognition of Damien's service as a Christian service. To the great body of Christian believers his creed is lost sight of in admiration for his work. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
EVANGELIZATION OF THE CHINESE IN AMERICA. I
EVANGELIZATION OF THE CHINESE IN AMERICA.
BY J. STEWART RAPPER, NEW YORK, EDITOR "CHINESE EVANGELIST."
THE marvellous way in which God ans weI'S prayer is contin uaUy shown to His children in a manner which humbles their pride and rebukes th('i1'
unbelief. There is no more wonderful instance in modern times than the way in which prayer for the work in China has been ans wered. The barriers of. supel'stition, bigotry, political seclusion and national conceit have been broken down, and now the gospel can be preached in every province. But the answer IS ovedlowing in its abunda,nce of opportunity; and not alone in China is the privilege given to the faithful preacher of the word, but in this la.nd also the Chinaman is found, and those who are unable, for any reason, to go toa foreign land, have the opportunity offered them in their own city, nay, at their own street corner or in their near vicinity.
Thb large number of Chinese who came to California, early attracted the attention of the church, and efforts were made to reach them by the establishment of Missions. Of the work on the Pacific slope I do not in- tend to write at this time, but shall confine myself to the work which is being carried on throughout the Eastel'll and Middle States.
Twenty years have now elapsed since the work among the Chinese in the east was started by the efforts of the Rev. Lycurgus Railsback, at tne New York" FIve Points House of Industry." Since then the Chinese Sun- day-school is found inevel'Y large city, and in almost evel'y place where ~he industrious Chinaman is found, there are also found those who look at the boul in the uncouth mati and try to save it.
So peculiar is the work of evangelizing these heathen in our midst, that it may be of interest to many to speak of the methods and the character of the work in general.
The Methods.-Af> will be readily seen, the work is necessarily at first of teaching the alphabet and the rudiments of our language. Given a China- man who understands little or no English, and a teacher who understands no Chinese, and the conditions of solving the problem of educating the for- mer will at once be undel'stood to be difficult in the extreme. The methods of instruction must necessarily be those which are employed in the primary schools,and picture and pencil are used to express what words fail to convey.
In its first stages a Chinese Sunday-school differs little from a primary school for teaching English. .
The arl'angement of classes is different from the usual manner, for each teacher has but one pupil. This seems at first an unnecessary waste of ma- terial; it would be so, were all the godly people who take this field of labor skilled in teaching languages, for then more than one pupil might be taught; practical experiment, however, has proved that it is hard for the avel'age teacher to manage more than one at a time, until the pupil is far enough advanced to read the Bible. The writer is endeavoring to secure a reform in this matter wherever it is feasible, and urges that the ol'dinary manner of arranging classes of three or four be adopted wherever the pupils.al'e suf- ficiently advanced to make it possible.
Anothel' feature of this work is the fact that the teachel's are (01' the most part ladies, and much trash and scornful comment has appeared in the secu- lal' newspapers in l'egard to the fondness of the Chinese for the pretty Sun- day-school teachers. I would like to express my deliberate opinion that the reason why the Chinese pl'efer lady teachers is because the ladies are more willing to teach the Chinese, and, in fact, are often the only ones who will teach them. If you find a young man who has the patience, the dogged determination, the persistency and tact which are displayed in such a mal'ked manner by lady teachers, you will find that the Chinese will accept him as a teacher just as readily, and treat him with the same consideration. The fact is, that as the work resembles the work of the primary school, so the teachers must possess the same qualifications; and we find most of the teachers of the yonng to be ladies.
Difficulties of the W07'k.-The greatest difficulty often arises from the op- position of supposed Christian people. Some have been known to say that the Chinese never could be converted. As though the grace of God, which can reclaim a South Sea Islander, could be baffled by the Chinaman! Others say the Chinese are such low, degraded creatUl'es that we ought not to ass<>1(iate with them even as teachers! Did not Christ die to save sinners? Others seem to be infiuenced by sentimentality in their religion, and will give freely fOt' the cause of foreign missions, and weep tears over the thought of .. the heathen in his blindness, bowing down to wood and stone;" but fail to see a fit object for their benevolence or effort in the heathen on the avenue, bending all the day over the wash-tub or the ironing-board! Then the charge is made that the workers are actuated by sentimentalism in taking up the work. If sentimentalism consists in coming Sabbath after Sabbath, rain or shine, t!,spend an hour in the hardest kind of teaching, then we must admit the truth of the charge, though I should call that the hardest kind of prosaic work. The most plausible, yet illogical objection, is the one which is made against teaching the primer and against the school, because the Chinese come merely to learn English and not to learn anything about Oul' religion. No one who has been in the Chinese work will attempt to deny that at first the impelling motive, perhaps the only motive, which leads a Chinese into the Sunday-schoolis the desire to learn Eng'lish. We know that, we recognize that desire, but it does not prevent us from using that motive to the good of the man. Soon after he comes he begins to understand that the teaching is done from a spirit of kindness; he begins to look for our motive, and when he has at la!>t comprehended that it is Christian unselfishness, he realizes that here is something he knows nothing of, and he wishes to learn of Christ and His doctrine. Even if he should be so bigoted as to care nothing for these things, he receives a lesson of practical Christianity which does more good than many hours of preaching and theoretical instruction.
Another difficulty, and a most serious one, confronts the teacher of the Chinese when at last they know enough of our language to read and understand the blessed truths of the gospel. In a so-called Christian land, among a professedly Christian people, the observant Chinese is immediatelyoverwhelmed by the difficulty of reconciling the practical Christianity (as he imagines it to be) which he sees around him six days in the week, with the blessed maxims and truths he is taught on the Sabbath. If you tell him that the people who break everyone of the commandments almost every day of their lives are not true Christians, it does not make the matter much better, for, thinks he, why do they not accept such blessed truths? Will a man offer good gold to a stranger when his own kindred l,ave it not? There must be a false ring a bout the gold! It is for this reason that those who have labored both in the foreign field and in this land, unanimously concur in saying that the work is much harder, more discouraging in this land on account of there being" too many weekdays for one Sunday."
Results.-The direct results of the work have been such as greatly to encourage the workers. Nearly everyone of the different denominations working in New York City among the Chinese have several Chinese connected with the chUl"ches, who have proved themselves to be worthy of their profession and excellent examples to their heathen brethren. In many respects they put other Christians to the blush. They are characteristically slow in professing their faith, but that slowness arises often from their deep sense of the responsibility involved. 1 have often been told by an inquirer that he wished to profess faith in Christ, but he did not know enough to lead in pI'ayer, or to give a few minutes' talk in prayer-meeting, The first Chinaman who was converted under my instruction was quite perplexed over the question whether it was right for him to shave his head and plait his queue on Sunday I A Chinese Christian asked me recently whether I did not think that having a fair in the Sunday-school rooms of a church did not resemble the sin committed by those who sat at the tables ot the moneychangers in the temple. Another Chinese, who is soon to be baptized, was very much troubled because the writer did not ask a blessing at an evening gathei·ing where a few Chinese were entertained by their teacher, and icecream and cake were passed al'ound. It was a difficult matter for his teacher to explain to him the reason for the omission, but finally he looked satisfied and said, "0 I I see, ice-cream no count with God."
Space fails to speak of the many notable examples which have proved that the saving grace of God is not confined to any ('ace or people, but wherever sin abounds grace doth much more abound.
The results of this work are wider and reach further than we would at first suppose. Not only do those who are converted in this country return to be messengers of good to their brethren, but on account of the friendly feeling engendered in them toward the Christian people, they are made the means of introducing a minister 01· an evangelist to their neighbors or friends, who would not gain a hearing were it not for their friendly intervention. Even if a man has not been converted, he respects Christians after he has been an ob- ject of their kindness, and he is able to assure the villagers in China that the "Jesus man" has no ill designs on them, but is a harmless person who does good, even though he preaches a lot of nonsense, and thus the reflex in- fluence of the Sunday-school here opens the door for the preacher in China. So no one can estimate the results of this work, except Him who hath said, "My word shall not return unto me void," and in the day when He maketh up His jewels we shall be amazed at the harvest. We sow blindly, but we shall reap abundantly, for it is God that giveth the increase.
I have not attempted to give any statistics as to the number of schools and of those attendant thereon. The simple reason for this omission is that it is hard to get such statistics. As editor of The Chinese Evangelist I have made great efforts to get a complete list of the schools for the Chinese, but every day we hear of some new one, and new ones are continually being started. Since the establishment of The Chinese Evangelist we have en- deavored to systematize and tabulate the work, but such is the difficulty of getting accurate information that so far we cannot indicate the extent of the work except in this general way. The Chinese Evangelist is now being taken in schools all over the land from Maine to Oregon, and from Canada to Florida, and even in the Sandwich Islands and China. From the letters which come to the editors, it seems that the work is being carried on with increased vigor, and the Christian church is awakening to the responsibility resting upon it, and is improving the opportunity now presented. There are still 100,000 Chinese in America, and in spite of the Exclusion Bill more are
TRANSLATIONS }!'ROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES"
coming, and hardly any are returning. The opportunity now is great, the need is pressing, and no one can overestimate its importance, when we consider that the best way to reach China is through the Chinese themselves. In our land we can infuse American pluck and energy into the slow-moving, phlegmatic Chinaman; and these, united with the love of God and his fellow-man, will enable the Americanized Christian Chinaman to be a power in his own land, and he will be able to do a work which none other can do. H anyone cannot go and work directly for China, here is a field, hard, stony, comparatively uninviting, but one which will yield a rich reward in God's own time.
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
THE Rhenish Missionary Society, as is known, has a very important mission in Sumatra. We give some extracts, which make this great island seem more like a real country to us than it has seemed before. From the station of Bungabondar: "In the last yea.r ninety have been led to the Saviour and received into the church by baptism." It is known that in Sumatra Mohammedanism is very strong. Yet, as remarkable exception to the general fact, almost half the converts are from Mohammedanism. On the other hand, a good many unstable Christians flo.at over to it. The following narative from the Berichte for January, 1889, casts a new light on the mental attitude of Moslems in the face of death. We often heal' of their contempt of death. But this appears to be only in the fierce fanaticism of a religious war.
.. Here I must make mention of the faithful Asenath, whom on the last day of the old year we committed to the bosom of the earth. After an illness patiently endured for two years "he felt her end approaching. As the last provision for her way she wished yet once more to enjoy the Holy Supper. I administered it to her in her roomy house before a large assemblage. As Iwas about to give her the bread she said, • Let me first pray.' And now the woman, who for weeks had not been able to sit upright, straightened herself up, and prayed for full ten minutes, as if she would fain pray away every earthly care out of her heart. I have seldom heard a woman pray in snch wise. Thereupon she recei ved the sacred elements. The next day I found witlit her a Mohammedan chieftain, who at taking leave wished her health and long life. •What say you?' she replied, •after that I have no further longing. My wish is now to go to heaven, to my Lord. Death has no longer any terrors for me.' Astonished, the Mussulman replied: 'Such language is strange to us. We shrink and cower before death, and therefore use every means possible to recover and live long.'
.. Even so I think of our James, whose only son had died. When at the funeral I pressed his band, with some words of comfort, he Said: • Only do not suppose that r murmur and complain. All that God does to me, is good and wholesome for me. I shall hereafter find my son again in life eternal.' So vanish little bylittle the comfortless wailings of heathenism; the beams of a living hope penetrate the pangs and the terrors of death, as the. beams of the sun the clouds of the night. And, as the hopelessness of heathenism is disappearing, so is also its implacability. When Christians contend, and at the communionl say to them: 'Give each other your hands,' they often say: 'Natureisagainstit; but how can I withstand the graciou~ness of mv Sa.viour ?' Such words are not seldom heard. And am Inot well entitled to hope, that they, as a grea.tgift of my God, warrant a confident hope in the final and glorious victory ot the Prince of Life, and of his great and righteous cause? "
On Palm Sunday, at this station, Missionary Schutz Qaptized 18 fOl'mer Mohammedans, confirmed 18 Christian children, and restoi'ed one apostate.
THE Rhenish Missionary Society has in all over 150 native trained helpers, of whom only foul' are ordained. The Society has also in all, in Sumatra, China and Africa,250 native elders, and remarks that it might easily be that these" signify as much, perhaps, indeed, even more, than the salaried assistants, for the development and healthy growth of the general cause." The government of the Transvaal Republic, in .South Africa, has suddenly put in force atainst the mission stations a law which forbids more· than five native families to live together on anyone estate. This harsh statute, harshly applied, has already broken up five Hermannsburg stations, and at least one Berlin station.
The MonatsbUitter remarks that in Africa it is not the Mohammedans who have introduced slavery, though it is they who. are fast depopulating lal'ge regions of the unhappy continent by their ruthlessness in conducting the hunting of slaves. Slavery itself is aboriginal in Africa. As no one in Africa has any hope of protection unless he belongs to some one of the few great men, the poorer freemen have gradually reduced themselves to servi- tude, until now, in some n~gro tribes, out of evel'y 100 persons, 80 or 90 al'e slaves. In Igonda the traveller, Paul Reichard, out of 500 or 600 inhabi- tants, found only six free persons. Of his own caravan of 650 there were only five freemen. An institution so deeply rooted cannot, of course, be otherwise than gradually done away, remarks the MonatsbUitter. But the horrors of the Arab slave trade are to be at once attacked. And it is to be remarked that Christian Europe was the first great offender, and not Mohammedan Arabia. Christianity, however, is against the iniquity; Islam fully sanctions it. Christendom, therefore, could be moved from within to abandon it; Arabia will have to be coerced from without.
The MonatsbUitter remarks that the best known emporium of the Arab slave trade is Ujiji, on Lake Tanganyika, and quotes the following descrip- tion of it from a Catholic missionary: .. This is the meeting point of all the caravans of slaves who, captured in the interior, are to be brought to the coast. There are gathered all the Waguana and Mohammedan reprobates to con- cert in what direction and against what tribe the next foray shall be nndertaken-a veritable Sodom, a theatre of all sorts of crimes, excesses, shamelessness of vi~. What a day of calamity for Africa. on which the Arabs first set their foot in its interior I For with them they have brought into the land also their immoral religion. their Vices, as well as the foul contagions dis- eases, which previously were wholly unkuown among the negroes. Towards the end of 1887, when I was in the city, it waS regulu!y flooded with slaves. You saw in hideous medley men, womeu and children, some bound together with cords, some with chains. Some had their ears pierced to admit a small cord, for the sake of fastening them together. At every step which one took along the streets, he encountered living skeletons, painfully dragging th"mselves along by the help of a stick: they had been released from chains, as being too weak to flee. It was not Sickness, but hunger, which had thus reduced tbem, aud the great scars which appeared on tlieir backs su1llciently dis- closed that their masters had not spared blows to urge them along. Others you might see lying in the street before their masters' doors or elsewhere, awaiting the end of their comfortless existence. The heart bled to reflect that these unhappy ones had uot eveu the hope which helps a Christian to bear his misery.
•• An uncultivated plain, growu up with grass, which separates the marketplace from the lake, Is the graveyard of Ujiji, or more accurately the trench, into which are thrown all the bodies of the deceased slayss, and even of those who are still in the last agonies. The wild beasts are their only sextons. A young Christian who did uot set know Ujiji set out to go from the town to the lake shore,but came back in dismay at the view of the numerous corpses, which, gnawed by hyenas and birds of prey, lay along the footpath. Then I asked au Arab why the corpses here were so numerous, and why they were left so near the town, at the risk of a geueral pestilence. He replied with the utmost composure and nonchalance: • From of old we have been used to throw the bodies of our slaves iu this place, and the hyenas would come every night and carry them away; but this year there are so many dyiug that the wild beasts can't get through with them; they have come to have a loathing for human flesh.' It is plain then that blockading the coast is but a small part of the work."
The Evangelisch Lutherisches Missionsblatt says; "We read here and there, e€pecially in English missionary magazines, that the Indian temples are falling into decay. 'rhis may be here and there the case, indeed it is some- times so In the Tamil land; bnt in general our Tamils, especially those who live in the Cauvery deta, are still thoroughly zealous in the temple-service, standing, as they do, wholly under the influence of a. numerous priesthood, for which the maintenance of the temples is a matter of life and death. Here, as in all reports from Ind'ia, we must remind our readers how needful it is to abstain from unadvised generalizati07l/l. For India is a mighty land. Conditions differ enormously from region to region within it, so that It Is only seldom that what may be said of Olle place or district applies to another. What traveler could pronounce a trustworthy judgment respecting the religions condition of all Europe? And if he could it is still more difticult in India. The visible decay of the temples will be in India, as It was in Greece the last 8taqe of heathenism."
.. Here In Shiall the modern schooling has not yet undermined belief in the ancient gods. Here there still prevail" the same zeal in their worship which the Apostle Paul recognized among the Athenians. New temples are still built and the old ones repaired. Wealthy merchants give hundreds of thousands of rupees for this end, and the people work themselves weary for half-wages. The festivals are celebrated regularly, and on their account the most important labors are interrnpted. Even the State must still recognize the heathen holidays, at least as respects its heathen officials. The Brahmans not only claim divine titles for themselves, bnt are also in fact addressed by the people as gods. They, are not only the intellectual and spiritnallea.ders of the people, but as wealthy landholders, are in various ways their secula.r lor:ds.'· .
"Yet worse "-in Shiall, in South India-"the heathens force the Christians into the idol festivals In order to drag through the streets the great car on which the idol. with his tram of attendants, is placed. One would think that for such a work of honor to the god the heathen themselves would gladly offer and be proud of the toil. But this is not so. The wealthy do their part bV deputing their servants and dependents. And almost all our Christians here are depeudE'nts of theirs. At alate festival they came in great numbers to me, showing me their masters' orders. I dissuaded them from obedience. Some followed my counsel and hid themselves in the church or the garden. Others followed their orders and went to take their place at the ropes. What the consequences are likely to be for the disobedient I have not yet learned. One who had refused from the first showed me the marks of a seVere beating."
We have all'eady given a description, from the Mi88ionablatt, of the great temple of Trlchinopoli. We here give a description of the city itself: .
.. Trichinopoli, or, in Tamil, Tirisiril.palli, that Is,' City of the Three-headed Giant,' formerly the capital of a mighty Nabob, with 76,000 inhabitants, among whom are many skillful and industrious Hindus, fanatical Mohammedans, and some 15,000 Catholics, is also a garrison town for a regiment of Sepoys, that Is, nativetroops in English pay. It lies near the ri ver Canvery, which here diVides into two grea.t a.rms, forming the long and fruitful island of Soi-r..ngam, that is, ' Holy River isle.' This island, the paradise of the Vishnuites, is renowned for the magnificent temple of Vishnu, whose external inclosure is some four miles and a half ronnd, and comprises 21 gopurams, that is, p..godas, in fact, a whole city of tcmples. No wonder that the smothering atmosphere of idolatry prevailing here weighs depressingly upon our missionaries, even more tha.n the solar heat augmented by the rockY soil. Yet even as early as 1762 Protestant missions gained a firm footing here. The simple church built by 'Father Schwarz' in the next neighborhood of the' Prichi-rock,' and his modest dwelling-house, keep up even here the memory of this blessed missionary. Southward from this rock the slender spire of our Zion Church, built upon the' Elephant hill,' nea.r the market, points the heathen to a better heaven than the stone god Ganesa, enthroned upon the rock, has power to give."
Herr Kahis then speaks of their girl's school: .. Twenty years ago no heathen girl was yet to be seen in our school. Now many are coming. There is no more grateful task than the instruction of little ~L'ami1 girls. Quiet and yet joyous, easy to guide and of responsive intellects, they make the work of their teachers light. What joy it affords us to scatter the seeds of life in their childlike hearts, and through them to see it borne into families which are otherwise inaccessible to our preaching."
The Caho MonatsbUUter, quoting the text Proverbs xxiv: 11, Which, in the German, reads, "Delivel' them, whom one will kill, and withdraw not thyself fl·om them whom one will strangle," refers to the dangers in East Africa, which since then have been terribly realized: .. This word applies to E..st Africa in a two-fold way. First, to the poor natives who live yet under the curse of superstition, discord and the slave-trade, and whom we may not withdraw ourselves from the duty of delivering out of the hand of him who is a murderer from the beginniug. Secondly, to the missionaries themselves who are laboring there, and who would have cast their lives into the breach in vain unless we send the requisite force of men to support them. Some of them are absolutely in danger of being put to dea.th. TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZnmS. M5 Missionary Gordon at Uganda lies there, as it were, in a den of lions; the Scotch mission- aries live every moment in expectation of an assault from,their Mohammedan foes, and the Neukirchen brethren on Toka river have no assurance of their lives."
"The Anglican and High Church Universities' Mission," says the MonatsbUitter, "has passed through grevious years. Once, or rather more than once, it was a fire, then a hurri- cane, then a plundering irruption of savage heathen, and more than all, a succession of sud- den deaths which appeared to imperII the continuance of the work. But the undaunted sol- diers of the cross, all of them unmarried brethren and sisters, have yielded tono discourage_ ment. They go on unweariedly with teaching, with preiLching, with building, with jour- neying, with care of the sick, with singing and praying; and now they are able to show a.s visible results, not only handsome churches, schools, workshops, gardens and fields, but alsu Christian flocks, amounting in all to about 1,000 souls. All their ways, it is true, are not after our taste. They lay more stress than is easily reconcilable with the New Testa- ment on outward forms. genuflections and vestments, on liturgies and sacraments, on churches and tapers, on eucharistic functions and altars. And when Bishop Smythies went out he took with him, uot only a costly crosier in an oaken futteral, but a set of vest- ments as highly tinseled as you need look for in Rome. • A droll bishop I ' we thoull'ht then. But for all that the mnn has shown himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Worthy of all honor in these years past have been his achievements in journey_ ing and visiting, in care spent on all his stations, in sacrifices of bis own strength and com- fort. It is true while he has been about this the poor crosier has fallen a prey to the flames. But though the shepherd's crook has perished we do not learn that the sheep are any worse cared for."
The Monatsbliitter, as well as the Allgemeine Jlfissions Zeitschrijt, thinks , that the present craze in Germany for colonial possession is of veryambig- uous benefit to missions. "Bishop Smythies complains that since the terri- tory in which most of his stations lie has become German, he enjoys neither the protection of the Sultan of Zanzibar nor of the English Consul, but has to endure passively the plunderipg attacks upon the missions. This then is the shady side of the' colonial policy.' And who forgets the sad end which befell good Bishop Hannington under Mwanga's fears of the' land- eaters.' " Those people who imagine that men go out as missionaries in order to have an easy time of it among a simple people who half worship them, will be profited by reading these words of Mi.3sionary Posselt, among the Caffres: .. After having worked myself weary through the week, when there, on Sunday, I saw these wild men of the wilderness sitting before me, absolute obtuseness towards everything divine, together with mockery and brut2,1 lusts written on their faces, I sometimes lost all disposition to preach. Those fluent young preachers who not only like to be heard, but to hp.a.r themselves, ought to be sometimes required to ascend the pulpit before such an assemblage. There is not the least thing there to lift np the preacher of the Divine Word or to come to the help of his weakness. As when a green, fresh branch laid before the door of a glowing ovp.n shrivels up at once, such has sometimes been myex- perience when I had come full of warm devotion, before the Caffres, and undertaken to . preach. I have sometimes wished that I had never become a missionary. Once the hour of Sunday services again approached. The sun was fearfully hot, and I felt weary in body and soul. My unbelieving heart said: • Your preaching is for nothing,' and Beelzebub added a lusty amen. The Caffres were sitting in the hut, waiting for me. • I will not preach to-day,' said I to my wife; but she looked at me with her angelic eyes,lifted her finger, and said gravely: • William, you will do your duty. You will go and preach.' I seized Bible and hymn·book, and loitered to church like an idle boy creeping unwillingly to school. I began, preluding on the violin, the Caffres grunting consentaneously. I prayed read my text, and began to preach with about as much fluency as stuttering Moses. Yet soon the Lord loosened the band of my tongue, and the fire of the Holy Ghost awakened me out of my sluggishness. I spoke with such fervor concerning the Lamb of God, that t&keth away the sin of the world, that if that sermon has quickened no heart of a hearer yet my own was profoundly moved."
Yet Herr Posselt lived to baptize 1,000 Caffres.
Rev. Victor Holm, Director of the Daillsh Evangelical Missionary Society.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER NOTES
in announcing the appointment of a young parish clergyman, the Rev. Nils Peter Hansen, as a missionary for India, remark!!: .. This will undoubtedly be received with general delight. We have so often complained that no clergyman already proved and found to be a faithful servant of the Lord and possessed of the requisite culture offered himself to serve the Lord as a missionary among the heathen. It has also been the them" of many prayers, that the Lord would provide and send out such a man. That this has now come to pass, that our prayers are heard and fulfilled, is, we are sure, no matter of doubt to all who kuow Pastor Hansen, whose circle of acquaintance is far from being a narrow one."
A German nobleman, quoted in the Missionstidning for Finland, Count Limburg-Stirum, writing from the Dutch East Indies, avows that he had been greatly prejudiced against missionaries, but adds: "But God brought a missionary in my way. And now I could not say, like Cresar, veni, vidi, vw~. True, I came and saw, but instead of conquering I was conquered. I can no longer deny the good fruits and blessed influence of missions."
The Finnish Society first sent out missionaries 20 years ago to King William's Land in South Africa. For more than 12 years they baptized no one, then they baptized 6. At the end of the fourth year there were 80. During the fifth year there were baptized on Whitsunday, 51; ten days later, 23; and subsequently 11. So durlllg the fifth year the number of the baptized was just doubled.
In Germany, hitherto, it is known, the leading classes have been, for the most part, very disdainful towards Missions, and the journals, largely conducted by Jews who had ceased to believe in their own religIOn, and were bent on the destruction of ours, have exhibited towards them a virulent hatI'ed. But in a recent debate on the colonies, held in the Reichstag, a great change was noticeable.
.. We must note as a great matter of satisfaction," says the Allgemeine Missions Zeitschrijt, .. that this time missions have been discussed without being attacked, indeed, withont even the jocularity commonly thought to be due to such a subject. On the contrary, one had only honorable recognition for them ou all sides of the house. 'Missiouary testimonies' were designated as the 'most uuimpeachable,' the aims of the missiouaries as 'undeniably ideal,' their' work of Christian beneficence as rich in blessings,' 'the mission·stations as the true points d'appui of Christianity and civilization,' and all this by men, from whom, hitherto, we have been wont to hear a very dif- ferent language."
Especially significant, in the German Parliament, was the testimony of a social democrat, Sabor, who, of course, occupies a position of incompatibility with Christianity. He says: "We acknowl- edge that there has been a healthful activity developed by the missionaries in Africa. They have shown how much everywhere in the world is to be accomplished by patience and love; they have pi'oved that even with uncivilized tribes hearts which have a fund of goodness, can accomplish mnch without the lash of compulsion."
Spain and France both, from a regard to the political value of the Catholic missions in their colonies, contribute large sums from the public treas- ury for the support of these, doubtless to the great detriment of their spiritual character. But, as the Zeitschrift remarks with just satisfaction, Herr Windthorst, the leader of the Ultramontanes in the Reichstag, has distinctly disclaimed for his party all expectation of such subventions from the imperial treasury. There is no reason, as the Zeitschrift remarks,. why the government should not afford aid to the schools and presses of the mis- sions, Catholic and Protestant, but every reason why it should not inter- fere with their properly spiritual work, even by affording aid, since aid soon establishes a claiI!l. of supervis-ion-. – – – – STUDENT VOLUNTEER NOTES.
THE volunteers who were at the Northfield Summer School in '87 will remember the In- spiring words of Mr. H. F. La. Flamme, who but six months before, when Mr. Forman was in Toronto, had decided for the foreign work and was thAn on his way to his field in India. During the summer of '87, Mr. La. Flamme and Mr. Davis made a tour of Canada and secured about $3.000 for India. Then they saIled together.
After sixteen months spent in the study of the language they set out in February last on their first tour" to breathe out the new words in an old, old storv." Mr. Davis was given permanent charge of 500,000 souls. Mr. La. Flamme will work with him until joined byaB- other man from America, when be will push up north and open a new station. The people rush together in crowds to hear them preach, at times literally mobbing- them by pressing around tbem for the tracts they distribute. A strong appeal is made by the missionaries of the district for 52 men at once, and the third of April Was observed as a day of special prayer for tllis end. The same need is felt all over India, as IS indicated by Dr. Chamber- lain's trumpet-call in THE MISSIONARY REVIll:W OF THE WoaLD for 5,000 men. In the central provinces a work is being originated similar to the China Inland Mission to get out young men on a salary of $300 a year to evangelize Central India. Until they learn the language they will all live in a central horne, BaJaghat, with food and cloth..s only provided. Then they are to go out two and two throughout the land proclaiming Christ.
It gives us pleasure to present a letter from Mr. La. Flamme to the volunteers: My Dear Fellow Volunteer.: CORANADA, INDU., April 8,1889.
As one of you I wish to give testimony that Jesus Christ fully satisfies. That promise, .. Lo I am with you a.lway," is a living- promise, and is fully wrought mto life only when we leave all to follow Jesus. One of our number said at Northfield in IM87: .. Perhaps you think we men who are about to start for the foreign field are sorry men. I tell you we are the happiest men here;" and he spoke the truth. We prove a problem by working it back- wards. The problem of "'peace on earth and good will toward men" was worked out from God to us by the death on the cross of the Son of Man. The proof of It is found in Luke ix: 23 : .. If any man will come after me, let bim deny himself and take up his cross dally and follow me." .. Whither, Lord?" ., To crucifixion," he a.nswers. Self-crucifixion, na.iling the old man to the cross, leaving all to follow Christ, that only brings to the soul the" peace of God that passeth knowledge." Self-devotemen~ to God, and that only, works the prob- lem back from us, in our peace with God, to the full peace of God in us, which proves" the good and acceptable and perfect 1"ill of God."
And now we have proved the problem, we hav.e given ourselves. not our belongings only, not a portion of our time only, but ourselves to God himself-not to God's service merely, but to God himself. We are ready to go anywhere for Jesus, and we have peace in our souls. Bu t let us not rest there. Let us apply the problem. 1 Tim. ii : 3-4: .. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour: who wllleth that all men should be saved and corne to a knowledge of the truth." And how shall they be saved? .. Whosoever call- eth upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." .. How, then, shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shaH they beheve m Him whom they have not heard ?
and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be &ent?" The voice of God cries. "Whom shall I send 1" "Who will go for us?" The WIlling response comes, U Here am I, send met"and with it the question, "'Whither, Lord? "-many volunteers stand just there-willing to go, but wanting to be sent, and asking… Whither, Lord?" And as they wait, expecting a special call, the great need of the foreign field is lost sight of. God's proTidences are the indications of His will.
And what are these indications? (1) Christ means each generation of Christians to give the gospel to each generation of unbelievers. Marl< xvi: 15. And the special providence for all the essentials of this vast enterprise Is found in Acts i: 8 : .. Ye sh..l1 receive roWER, after that the Holy Ghost is COrne upon you • • . to witness unto the uttermost parts."
(2) Though in some generations the carrying out of such an enterprise might have seemed like a march up to the Red Sea with the command to cross. it is not so in this. Every door is wide open. all peoples can be reached, all mission boards are calling for more men.
(3) God has established a law which makes It .. more blessed to give than to receive." If you would see the home church largely blessed,let her send you out to the foreign ser- vice according to that unfailmg promise, .. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth."
(4) One other striking indication of God's will in thIS matter is that be has informed you of the need of these destitute parts. Is that not significant? See John iii : 17. Of India's immense population, 288,000,000, fully 8,000,000 die every year, 24,000 every day. To reach these millions with the gospel the present staff of missionaries is 'Utterly inadequate. A call for 5,000 men (there are now some 600) has gone ringmg through tbe home land without contradiction or response.
But why no response? It Is because the great and perishinll:" need of India's millions Is l!Iot realized. To impress this need upon thIS home church Is the duty and the hIgh privilege of you volunteers. Urge the young men and women by the love and death of Christ, by the worth of souls and by the awful condition of the heathen world to devote their lives to the work and cry in an agony of love, .. Here am I, send me."
Mr. Wm. M. La.ngdon, another volunteer, writes from Pekin, Qhma. :
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS OF A MISSIONARY CHARACTER
"The needs here are oTerwhelming, and yet are not to be compared with those inland. With more than 200 foreigners in this city, we still sometimes attract curious, gaping crowds; and If the preacher is so strange, how unknown must be his gospel of salvation I Eleven months ago I learned of my appointment to North China, and was a little less pleased than if it had been to Japan. To-day I am glad it was China. Japan seems attractive to young America (and may the volunteers crowd that country), but tell them _ they will not regret giving their lives for Christ's work in old China."
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS OF A MISSIONARY CHARACTER.
Garenganze,. or, Seven Years' Pioneer Missionary Work tn Central Africa. By Fred S. Arnot: Fleming H. Revell, 12 Bible House, New York. Victor Hugo predicted that m the twentieth century, Africa would be the cynosure of all eyes. In this story of seven years in the Dark Continent, Mr. Arnot has given us a son's letters to his mother and the home group; a story of strictly pioneer work, fer he undertook to cross the contment on foot. The journey was marked by supernatnral savor so sweet to a believer; as when, for example, . In a terrible thunder storm, an electric ball rell crasbing at his feet hke a cannon's shot, yetlefthim unharmed; or as, when III reptlated Illstances food and water were found to reo lieve extreme hunger and thirst, just whell the crisis came and behevlng prayer had made appeal to God. The book reveals a passion for souls.
With his whole heart Mr. Arnot loved those poor Africans and yearned for their salva- tion. He was divinely restless so long as his tongue was forced to be mute amid such spiritual destitution; and love quickened his mental powers and well nigh became to him a. gift of tongues, so that after but four months he began to use the Sechuana dialect in reading, conversation and prayer. The gospel still proves its power. The converted chief Kama not only forbids the traffic in stron!" drink, but the right of way for it throngh his dominions; he puts down revolting heathen customs, and sets an example of self. denial; yet while warring against their pagan practices, he wins the hearts of his people so that, almost to a man, they would die for him. One might see more shameless vice and immorality in Glasgow 111 one day than in Shoshong during a twelvemonth. It will take more than an English canon or M. P. to shake our confidence in Christian missions while such resnltsare wrought in the very homeso! thedeathshade and the habitations of cruelty.
Mr. Arnot's secrets are open secrets. A faith that made God's promises verities, real- ities, certainties to go by; a felJowship with God that would not be satisfied Without the holy llltimacy which reveals the secrets of God to the meek; a fidelity to the lower law bf duty and.higher law oflove, that turns our groveling into pimons that bear these secrets of this apostolic traveler's success-any disciple may learn and follow… There are eudless fresh beginnings in Christ." We have not yet begun to sound the possibilities of missions, because we have not yet proved the full power of prayer and faith and obedience. When believers trust the promises, learn of Christ and fully accept the great truth that the whole world is thejield and the whole church is the foree, many more will go forth with seed and with sickle, ready both to sow and to reap; and no part of the wide field shall re- main destitute of laborers, and given over to the Harvest of Death I-A. T. P.
F. H. Revell has also published a new Imperial AUas of the TVorld in convenient folio form at the amazingly low price of one dollar. We recommend all students, and espeCIally stu- a. dents of geography, history and missions, to procure copy to place on their tables for constant reference. We have found it invaluable. It has some thirty-three maps repre- senting every continent and country in colors, with a copious index by which easily and rapidly to find any city or town or distrIct; and one great excellence of this atlas is that the maps are not encumbered With too much matter, which sometImes makes an otherwise first-rate map obscure by multipliCIty of details and lessen its utiiity.-A. T. P.
The Missicmary Library. Chicago and New York. Eight charming volumt's, of moder- ate compass, ha.ve thus far appeared in this series, viz.: the lives of Robert Morrison, Rob- ert Moffat, Jas. Chalmers, Thos. Comber, Wm. Carey, Griffith John, Bishop Crowther and Bishop Patteson. Mr. Revell's aim is to put into brief form the most interesting and a.rousing narrative" of missionary heroism. These are not pans of milk, but little pitchers of cream. compact a.nd condensed from bulkier volumes. They can be read in few hours, and easily borne ill memory. because they do not burden the reader with details. If some benevolent person would put a set of these books into every college library or within reach of students in our theological seminaries and Y. M. C. ASSOCIations. not to say the children m ourSunday-schoels. they would become the seeds of many a devoted form of service on fields both at home and abroad. We rejoice to see cheap and available mis- sIOnary biography multiplying, and have seen none that more fully suits the growing de- mand.-A. T. P.
Missionary Enterprises, South Sea 181ands. By John Williams, Presbyteria.n Board, Phil. adelphia. The name of John Williams, the martyr of Erromanga, is a sort of talismllol1 of mlSSlOns. He who knows nothing of Williams has yet to learn the alphabet and primer of missionary literature. He went to the most hopeless field in the South Seas, and found tile isles waiting for God's law. He dared all perils for the sake of Christ aud souls. His career became a triumphal one. Before he died he had the satisfaction of sowing Polynesia wiGh the gospel, and of seeing in most of the islands the seed coming to ripeness in the harvest. 'this Is another chapter in .. The Acts of the Apostles." Williams burned with it Pauline fire and God granted him a Pauline success. This book is one of the" Evidences of Christianity," an unanswerable argument and appeal for the truth and power of the Gospel.-A. T. P.
Ohri8tian Womanhood. W. C. Black, Nashville, Tennessee. There has been need for a. longtime of some monograph upon woman's position in the ancient and modern civihza.. tions. Without endorsing eVt'ry statement or opinion of Dr. Black we consider his book a. very valuable contribution to the literature of the subject, and calculated to throw much light upon some of the most important questions of the day. HIs disc~ssion of the female Diakonate is especially thorough and helpful. He shows woman's position in the ages bafore Christ, ber domestic thraldom, her social status, her systematic ignorance.alld degradation, and the wonderful reversal of all these condItions after Christ came. No ·'coman, especially, should be WIthout the stimulus this work imparts. The place woman holds and is to hold in modern evangelizatlOn is emphatically brought to the front. The book wlll prove a great help in stimulatingmissions.-A. T. P.
The Romance 01 Mis8ions. By Maria A. West. Boston: Ara Kelyan. This book is well named. It is from the pen of a most accomplished woman, Whose imaginative pen invests the work of missions with a romantiC, but not illusive or deceptive coloring. Her experi_ ence in the La.nd of Ararat we have not only read in tilese pages, but hear4 from her own lips with not only interest but fascination. She sees and hears with singular acuteness ot observation,and then with graphic power paints what she observes. We should think our misslon~ry library very deficient without Miss West's delightful and instructi ve book. Missions would not be barren of mterest if such volumes were more read. Few novels compare with this narrative of bcts.-A. T. P.
Bits about India. By Mrs. Helen H. Holcomb. Presbyterian Board of Publication. The writer of this beautifnl book has long been a missionary resident in India, and is thoroughly familiar with the things of which she writes so pleasantly. The title of the book indicates its character. It is fuJI of interesting facts about India, its people, Its customs, its wor. ship, its prlva.te and social life-the very things that really tell most concerning a. country, and yet the very things which most writers are apt to overlook.-J. M. S.
Twenty Years of the Woma.n's Foreign. M"Ul8ionary Society of the Methodist Episcopa.l Church. By Mrs. J. T. Gracey.
Sketch 01 Mr8. J. C. Doremus, by the same author. The first of these brochures is an Intel. lIgent, compact and comprehensive outline sketch of the history, the work and the results of twenty years-from 1869 to 1889-of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, published bV the Heathen Woman'8 Friend, Boston. It is a sketch of remarka.- ble Interest and full of information and of inspiration.
The other Is a graceful and most touching tribute to the memory of one whose name Is like preclOus ointment ponred forth-a name lJIustrious in the annals of philanthropy and ChristIan work. She Was the first President of the first Woman's Missionary Society- "Woman's Union Missiona.ry Society "-and made her blessed infiuence felt at home IIilId abroad through a thousand channels. We wish this sketch, which costs but three cents, and is published at the same place as the one above, could be read by every woman in the land.-J. M.S.
Memoirs of Mrs. Augusta Tullis Kelley, late missionary to East Central Africa. By her husband. "In these memoirs the reader will find nothing fictitious, exaggerated or highly colored, but a plain, faithful record of the work and sacrifice of a woman of God of more than ordinary ability, wholly consecrated to his service It is a deeply interesting volume. It is charming for its simpilcity. It is the record of a holy symmetrical lire. Her own writings contribute an attraFtive pa.rtof the book. It will encourage all who pernse It to holy living. It will, we trust, awaken new zeal in the missionary cause." rhe book is deeply spiritual, bntisnot narrow or sectarian. $1 sent to Rev. W. W. Kelley, Paxton,Ill., wllIse- cure a copy.-J. M. S.
The M"l8IJionary Year Book for 1889, containing historical and statistical accounts of the principal Protestant Missionary SOCIeties in Great Britain, the continent of Europe, and America. London: The Religious Tract Society. New York: F. H. Revell. 12 mo, 428 pp. Prlce,1.25. We barely announced this work in our June issue,anda.reglad to saythat it is now upon the ma.rkilt. A similar volume was published last year, but we note a decided
GENERAL MISSI,ONARY INTELLIGENCE
improvement in the present, especially in the American department, which last year was very meagre and imperfect. Fortunately Dr. J. T . Gracey, who conducts the International Department of this R&VlEW, collated and edited the matter in the American section -<lver one-fourth of the book-which is a guarantee that this part of the work has been intelligently and thoroughly done.
The design of the Annual is to give a bird's-eye view of all the important missionary operations of Protestant Christendom. Each society in turn is briefly sketched, its field and work described, and the latest statIstics presented. So tbat within the space of a moderate volume the reader can learn just what each missionary society or agency in the wide world is doing, ",here it is laboring, and with what success. The statistics given-often tabulated-are official and invaluable. It is justsuch a work as thousands of those engaged in missionary work need for information, and it ought to have, and we believe will have, a large circulatiou. And If the success of this volume warrants it, a similar one will be issued each year hereafter.-J. M. S.
H.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Afrlca.-Prof. Calderwood, in an able -Diffusion of the English language. The article in the Unzted Presbyterian Magazine, fact that at the recent National Congress shows conclusively that concentrated effort in India all the speeches and the entire prohas proved far more effective than desultory ceedings were in English, is a striking illusenterprises. He contrasts for example what tration of the wide diffusion of that tongne. has been done by the China Inland Mission, There were gathered at Madras seven huna.lId by the Presbyterian Church of England. dred dele::a.tes from all parts of India, Af- "Wilham Burns went to China," he says, ghanistan, Nepaul, Bnrmah and Scinde. .. in 1847: Hudson Taylor in 1>l55; Burns had They spoke nine different languages, and thus the advantageo! eight years m ad- the English was the only medium throu&'h vance. The Presbyterian church has con- which the proceedings could be satisfactocentrated in Amoy, Swatow, and in the rily conducted. Great Britain's colonial island of Formosa. This mission has now 16 enterprises ha ve been probably the largest missionaries, 7 medica.l missionaries, 13 wo- factor in spreading a knowledge of English. men wboare zena.namissionaries-36agents It is found also that in countries like Java, m all ; whereas the China Inland Mission where Great Britain has no control, the has 339 agents. How then do resnlts stand? knowledge of English IS steadily growing. The Presbyterian Church of England Mis- Not long ago the French language was the sIOn reports at the end of 1887, 3,528 commu- medium invariably employed in all internanicants. The China Inland Mission, with its tional conferences. At the last Berlin connoble examples of seJr-consecration, cannot ference, however, English and German as show results to compare with them."-Free weIl as French were employed. The other Church 01 Scotland Monthly. leading languages of Europe have graduaIly been insisting on recognitiou on an equal -We must be aggressive. We neglect the footing with French in their proper domain. work of missions at our peril. Look abroad. It was Mr. Canning who led the way when The multitudes of India and China are fast at the foreign office he ordered that certain becoming possessed of the instrnments and correspondence, hi thertowritten in French, appilances of Illodern civilization, while should be sent in English. .. The time will vice and Infldelity from the West keep pace come:' said Bismarck in 1863," when I inwith the advance of art and commerce. If tend to have all my dispatches written in Christianity fails to s~bdne these people, If German, and when I shall find means to the Christian church fails in her duty to make them understood even ill FranCe." He them, and selfishly Ignores the splendid op- kept his word, and both the English and portunities before her, she Is preparinl';' German tongues have profited by the cona.:vengers of her guilty negligence and sel- siderable decline of French as the interns.- fish apathy more cruel than the harbarlan tionallanguage of diplomacy and polite soscour&,es that deva~tated Imperial Rome. ciety. Look at h"me. Infldeilty, socialism, anarchy, the outcome of the neglect, oppression -The Scriptures are now accessible, as to and unfaithfulness ofChristendom,are rally- languages, to nine-tenths of the world's ining their forces, and preparing certain judg- habitants, while in the early part of this ment for a worldly and apathetic church. century they could be stndied only byabout Whatcanavertlt? Communism must come one-flfth. Shall it be the commnnism of the devil, or the communism of Christ? Under God, our _. Are our foreign missions a success? salvation as a church, and as a. people, de- Though the direct results of the propa- ·pends npon revived faithfulness to that ganda of the various Christian missions great aggressive work Which Christ has which have long been at work in Africa may not show an extraordmary num- Iiven us to do. ber of baptized and professing Christians in their pnblished statistics, yet their vastated." At the close of 1887 the Arab Indirect inlluence has had really remarka- traders attacked Karonga, one of the com..
ble effect in educating and humanizing can- pany's stations at the North end of Lake nibals and fetish worshipers, and the mere Nyassa, but a body of native allies came to fact that numbers of savages have been their help, and after five days the siege was taught to read, write and speak good Eng. raised. The company are appealing for lish or French, is alone one result of mis- funds to enable them to send a force of ex- sionary enterprise which should secure the perienced and equipped men to undertake sympathy and support of European Goveru- the work of repelling these Arab aggressors.
ments for these painstaking societies. In- -ReVIved HindUIsm. TheBharatDharma deed, though the converted barbarians may Maha·mandal (Iiterally"theGreat Assembly afterward grow slack in observing theprac- of the India Religion"), Hindooreligiou8 con..
tices of our religion, no one can deny that ference, concluded its second annual meet- they have been very much benefited by ing at Brindabun on the 29th ultimo. About their studies at the mission. No doubt if 200 delegates from various parts of the Pun- the great missionary propaganda of Britain jab, the northwestern provinces, Oudh and confined itself to being a kind of School Behar, including Dewan Ramjas, C.I.E., and Board for savages, it would save time and Dewan Mathuradas Bahadnr of Kapurthala, money spent in installing into low-grade were present. The conference upheld im- minds dog-mas and doctrines which these age worship, the incarnations, sbl'addha barbarians are scarcely capable of turning and pilgrimage. It was resolved that to the practical purposes of life, but inas. branches of the Maha·mandal (Great As· much as that is the original motive-power sembly) be established in places where they of Christian missions, and one must utilize do not already exist, also to promote all forces as one finds them, political ec·ono- over the country religious education, and mists should be content to let the missiona- that Hindoo boys sl,ould be taught :rI:indi, ries dogmatize and indoctrinate without let Sanskrit and the principles of the Hindu or hindrance, on account of the education religion before they begin to learn a foreign and civilization which they laterally intro- language; that no boy be married below 16, duce. The trader civilizes, but he does not and no girl belOW 10 or above 12. The con· go to savage countries for that purpose; he ference closed with prayers for the Queen- goes to trade. In like manner the bait Empress under whose benign rule, as the which draws these good men and women of Secretary remarked, they enjoyed that Ro~an Catholic and Protestant missions to mo.t invaluable boon, namely religious free- Africa, Polynesia, North America, India, dom. Prayers were also offered for Lord China aud Persia, is the desire to instUl into Lansdowne, Sir Auckland Colvin and Sir the minds of the backward races of these James Lyall; but to which of the 330,000,000 'savages of semi-civilized lands their own Hindu divinities the prayers were offered, views of Christian faith and hope, but they our authority does not say. We take it to accompany their care for the spiritual well- be to Krishna and his mistress Radha, the being of the pagan or Mohammedan with a local divinities, who, we suppose, presided very practical intention to improve his over the "Great Assembly."-Indian Evan· bodily life and to educate his mind, and in gelical Review, April.
this they do, and have done in the past, an -Results of a Christless Civilization. Grat- amount of good that has never as yet been tan Guinness lately said: .. All along that sufficientlyappreciated.-H. H. Johnston in West coast of Africll. we have built great Fortnightly Review for Aprtl. warehouses stocked with guns, gunpowder -" The African Lakes Company was form- and murderous drinks. We have built them ed in 1878 to assist the various missions at every river's mouth, and far up every then established and to work out Living- navigable rlver in the interior of the coun- stone b schemes." James Stevenson, of try, wherever European capital and power Scotland, is chairman of the company, and could reach. Where the Senegal, the Gam.
the road known as the Stevenson Road, con- bia, the Niger and the Congo roll their be- necting lakes Nyassa and Tanganyika, was neficent waters to the sea, there we have b'lilt at his expense. This is said to be one set up the man-murdering fa.,tories, and of the most important roads in Central there we land our cargoes of deadly poison.
Africa, commercially considered; but the Look at the green boxes in those factories, Arabs have begun to appropriate it to their packed with gin-infamously bad gin, too, own use, and to block the way with their scarcely lIt to make paint with; gin boxes caravans. Mr. Stevenson has just issued a by the l'Illllion I Look at the demijohns of pamphlet containing a slave-trade map of rum, great glass jars enclosed iu wicker Africa, and bringing together facts to show work, filled up to the brim with burning, that "within the last five years the ravages maddening liquor; rum jars by the million I of the Arabs have increased in area and in- Look at them in every African village and te,sity, so that a territory West of the town all along the coast, positively for thou- G~t Lakes,l,OOO miles by (O(), llle been de- sands of miles, and far away in the interior. See how the deadly trade eats like a cancer that it was fun of interest, a.nd that the into the very vitals of tbe dark continent." road is perfectly open; but being a white man, I had to pay' right of way' to the .. In wandering through some native vil- principal chiefs, who, by the way, are anxla.ges on the Kru coast," says Thomson, ious for white men ~o live with them. We "one feels as if in a kind of hades, peopled a.ri ved here in a. hundred marches, the by brutalized human beings, whose punish- marches averaging six hours. Here my ment it is to be possessed by a never-ending head was overwhelmed at the reception I thirst for drink. On all sides you, are fol- everywhere got from the BashiJange. Every lowed by eager cries for gin, gin, always hUJ dotted with large and beautiful vilgin. I had travelled and sulfered in Africa, lages; the couutry teeming with people who inspired by the idea that I was doing some ha,ve abandoned fetishism and are waitillg good in the world in opening up new lands for what the white men can bring them; all to commerce and civilization, but all my a.nxious to'learn, intelligent, have now some satisfaction was blighted as I felt that what idea of God, want to know about everything. httle work I had done had better have been faces all smiling, and everyone polite. Go undone, and Africa still remained the dark anywhere over the country, and great vilcontinen t, if such was to be the end of it all I lages enconnter tbe eye. The population is For me, as things stand in many places, I enormous and is marvellously thick. Trnly, am inclined to translate this cry of the • the harvest is great, but the laborers are opening up of Africa to civilization as really few.' Few I one only, and that one worth being the opening of itupto European vices, almost nothing."-Baptist Mis.ionary. old clothes, gin, rnm, gunpowder and guns." Ch i na.-A good book. A Chinese mer- -An Italian traveller, Signor Cechi, has lately published, in his work on East Africa, chant came into the American Baptist Misa.n interesting account of the degenerate sion Chapel in Shanghai, and, after talking representatives of ancient Christianity with him for a short time, Dr. Yates sold whom he found among the peoples inhabit- him a copy of the New Testament. He took ing the region South of Abyssinia. The Mo- it home, ;;00 miles awa.y,aud, after about hammedan invasion has driven these de- three months, appeared again in the chapel. scendants of the primitive African Chris. tians to the more mountainous parts of the He came back to say that he was uuder the country, where, .in sequestered vales, scat;.· impression that the book was not complete, tered communities of them have churches that surely it must have other parts, and so adorned with double crosses, and dedicated he came to get the Old Testament as he tosnch names as the" HolyEmanuel." They read and studied the New. What had he profess the old heresy that our Lord had only one nature, the divine. But Signor done with the New Testament r He had Cechi found them so staeped in ignorance that their doctrine can be little more to taken it to his home and shown it to the tbem tban a traditional formula. schoolmaster and the readiug people. They said: .. This is a good book. Confucius him- -Dr. Robert N. Cust, in a recent number self must have had something to do with it." of Ohurch Work, says: .. After a careful As there was only one copy, they unstitched consideration of the subject for many years I have come to the firm conviction that a this one and took it leaf by leaf, and all missionary in Equatorial Africa, East or those who could write took a leaf home. West, at a distance of, say fifty miles from Tbey made twelve or fifteen complete copies the coast, .hould not be encumbered with a of the New Testament, and introduced it family. He is like the captain of a ship, the into their schools without any" conscience soldier on a campaign, the explorer of un- clause." It was introduced as a class- known countries, and should not be weak- book throughout that district for heathen ened in the hour of peril by personal and schools.-Selected. home considerations calculated to unnerve him. It should be a rule absolute that as England.-A missionary exhibition. regards Equatorial Africa no woman should The Kensington Town Hall, London, has be allowed to be sent to a station in the in- been the scene of a very interesting exhibi- terior. I have seen a procession, as it were, tion and bazaar. A perfect museum of arti- of young women pass from the committee- cleg, illustrative of native life in India, room into African graves, with no possible China, Japan, Africa, North America and advantage as rega.rds mission work to com- Palestine, has been brought together under pensate for the frightful sacrifice of life." the auspices of the Church of England Mis- sionary Society; whilst lectures, with dis- Central Africa:-Dr. Wm. R. Sum_ solvIDg views, au the society's various fields mers, who died ,at Luluaburg, in the Congo of foreign labor have helped to render the Free State, wrote as follows to Dr. Sims re- exhibition still more instructive. Manyob- garding the people among whom he found jects of great interest, including idols, himself in that remote station: models of temples, weapons of sa.vage war- fare, and numerous specimens of native .. Of the journey I will sa.y notbing but mauufactures have been lent, and in each division of the exhibition a missionary well acquainted with the country from which the articles came was generally to be found have asked for a re-enforcement of Ii2 missiona- ready to alford all needed infotmation. ries. By the same proportion our own force Qught Relicsofa personal character, too, attracted to be enlarged by more than 100. Bnt they do much attention. Among the latter the most pathetic was the diary of the late Bishop not ask that. They ask this year for sW: new Hannington, with the last entry on the men. Let the young ministry see that the men day he was murdered, October 29, 1885: .. I can hear no news, but was held up by the are found, and the chnrches be sure that tho 30th Psalm, which came with great power. means are provided to respond fnlly to this A hyena howled near me last night, smelling modest request.-Baptist Mis8ionary. a sick man, hnt I hope it is not to have me yet." -The Pandita Rambai has met with a kind reception from all parties in Bombay, and her -The income of the Church Missionary So- experiment of opening a training school lor ciety is larger this year than it has ever high caste widows will have a fair trial. Dur- been before, and the Kensington exhibition ing her prolonged visit to America the Pandlta must materially increase it. Mightnotother met with great favor, and received more liber· missionary societies imitate with advantage al assistance than, we think, had ever before such a good example? been given to any person for missionary pur- poses. We have not been sanguine by any I ndia.-The American Baptist Telugu means in hopes for her success, knowing as we Mission. The Telugn Mission presents a cu- do the character of some of the barriers wb;~h rions 'anomaly in the missions of American Bap- rise in her way, but every such experiment Is tists. It was the most hopeless at the first, worth a trial, and every elfort, whether suc- and is now the most prosperons. From the cessful or not, which aims to ameliorate the least illteresting and encouraging, it has ad- hard lot of Indian widows, deserves the sympa- vanced, in less than twenty-five years, to the thy of all good people. The Pandlta has en- most marvellonsly successfnl mission on the thusiasm and persistence of pnrpose, and we face of the earth. The history of Christianity trnst that her success will be snch as to silence all donbters. As to opposers, she has none.- in all ages and countries shows nothing which Indian W,tnes8. snrpasses the later years of the American Bap- tist Telngn Mission in spontaneous extension, .Japan.-A College Revival. In the Chi- in rapidity of progress, in genuineness of con- cago Watchman, Mr. L. D. Wishard tells a very ver.ions. in stability of results, or in promise for the fnture. The missionary marvels of the interesting story of work in connection with his Sonth Sea Islands cannot parallel it. Only in visit to'the leading Christian college in Japan: the tragic and romantic annals of Madagascar can we find anything to compare with it; and " The Doshisha, as it is called, contains 700 , in the missions of to-day, when the amonnt of students, about one-half of whom are members elforts pnt forth, and the reality of personal ex- of the college church. The institution Is not perience is taken into consideration, not even only the largest Christian college in Japan, bnt the wonderfnl progress of Christianity.ln Japan is one of the very largest Christian institutions can he placed beside it. . . . And yet the Tel- In Asia. It has done more for the spread of ugn Mission occnpies no such place in the af- Christianity in Japan than any other agency, fections and aspirations of American Baptists, and has a national reputation for its literary as as Its wonderfnl history and success would well as its religions standing. We pursued ex- warrant. Here is one man who has under his actly the same course wbich we had followed care more than half as many native Christians so often In American colleges, and the work as there are In all Burma, ann we haven't sent from the beginning to the end of the visit was so similar to an American college revival that any even one man from Am~rica to reinforce the special description Is scarcely necessary. One Telugu Mi8sion jor near,v three veal's. .•. subject which especially interested the stndents was the place which Christianity holds in the Bnt the crisis has come. The mission cannot colleges and among the highly educated of the and must not go longer in the way it has been West_ Many of them had been led to think going. These thousands of converts, most of that Christianity was losing its hold upon onr whom are less than ten years in the Christian intellectnal classes. This outrageous falsehood life, must be trained for Christian manhood has been circulated in Japan by skeptical pro- and womanhood. The appeals of these hun- fessors from England, Germany and America. dreds, and even thousands, who are asking for the missionary to visit their villa~es, and bap- "One of the most interesting and the most dif- tise taem, must be responded to. The over- ficnlt features of the work consisted in the in- worked and overburdened brethren mnst be qniry meetings. It was an imposing sight to see relieved and enconraged by seeing re-enforce- a score of gronps of from three to six students ments coming to their help. We have other gathered about a professor or experienced great and pressing works which must be done, Christian student eagerly discussing the plan of but the re-enforcement of the Telnga Mission salvation. The meetings for personal work presents claims npon our young men, and upon were generally held In onr private rooms. Dr. the gifts of the people, which cannot be longer Davis gladly tnrned his parlor and dining-room into an inquiry-room, and sometimes forty or Ignored. The Canadian Baptist TeluguMission more stUdents would crowd in and spend from ODe to two hours. It was a joy indescribable to answer their eager questions, and lead them we left. The same evening fifty men in a meetstep by step into the light. One of those meet- ing for the unconverted announced their deterings I shall never Corget. The company was mination to begin praying for themselves, and pretty evenly divided-about half of them skep- to seek Christ, as it was expressed, untll they tical concerning the inspiration of the Bible, the found Him." Divinity of Christ, the immortality of the soul, &c.; while the balance were settled upon these Iu this connection we add the words of a mispoints, and were willing to accept Christ as sionary who writes to the ilfiBsionary Herald their Savionr. I di vided the crowd, leaving- the that on March 24 103 students from this instituskeptics with Mr. Bartlett of Dartmonth, '87, tion, 98 young men and 5 young women, received who was one of the first of the pledged mission- Christian baptism and were welcomed to church ary volunteers to reach the foreign field, and fellowship. Last year 141 of the students wbo has a special knack for meeting skeptical made public profession of Christ. And still objections. I took the others into an adjoining further: room. There were abont twenty-two of them. After talking for some time about the plan of .. It is with great pleasure, " says the Mis8ionsalvation, I asked those who had already ac- ary Herald, "that we are able to announce that cepted Christ, or were willing te accept Him a Christian gentleman of New England, who there and then, to aunounce it. Fnlly seventeen desires that his name should be uUknown, has did so, and the reasons which theygayefortheir been so impressed by the value of the work hope in Cbrist were as satisfactory as you will done by the Doshisha Institution at Kyoto, and ordinarily hear iu an American college. by the caU which Mr. Neesima has made for its enIargementasa university,that he has contribut- .. Four or five fellows listened earnestly and ed the noble sum of $100,000, of which $.5,00 are iadly to the testimonies of their companions, to be for an endowment, and $25,000 for the but were unable to grasp the fact of his gift of erection aud furnishing of a science haU. " eternal life. So I said to them, 'Fellows, what will convince you beyond a doubt that the gift PerSia.-Mission Movements. A recent is yours?' They did not answer at once, so I letterfrom Persia speaks of the rapid move tosaid, 'If I should come to you and teU that you wards religious liberty to Moslems, which has had fallen heir to a maguiflcent estate, what been taking place in the capitol, Teheran, and iu would convince you beyond all question of the the part of the field where our American truthfuluess of my word?' , We may be satis- brethren are at work. A few facts will illustrate fied if we could see it,' one. of them replied. this: (1) At Tabreez, an American medical mis- • Would that really satisfy you f' I asked. They siouary was asked by the Vali Ahad, or heir-apdidn't grasp my meauing, so I continued, ' Sup- parent to the throne of Persia, who is also Govposing you saw the legal document-the re- ernor of the Province of wbich Tabreez is the cord? ' , Oh, yes, that would settle the ques- capital, to give up his connection with the mistion,' they exclaimed. 'Well,' I continued, • we Sion, and become his private physcian on a large are 80 fortunate as to have the record. Turn salary. The doctor had no wish to accept it, but to John v: 11, aud let us read, .. And this is the was urged by· his brother missionaries aud the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and Mission Board to doso. He told the prince that he this life is His Son." , could do so on the condition only that he should bequite free to teach and preach his own religion, " I bhall never outlive the memory of the and to this the prince agreed. The appointment scene of that room. They fairly snatched their was considered so important that it was dis- New Testaments from their pockets, and eag- cussed by all the Legations, and oppo,ed by erly searched for the record. And bending low Russia only. The strangest thing was that tho over the pages they seemed to drink in the Mullahs approved of it, and said they could trust words like thirsty men. It was a pathetiC a man to attend to their women who was not sight, those boys beuding anxiously over the ashamed to stand up for his own religion. (2) record, which probably none of them had ever A convert from Islam in another city has not seen before. I could see their faces brighten, only made a public profession of Christ, but has althougb my eyes were becoming somewhat also acted as a mission agent under the American dimmed. Presently one of the boys looked up. missionaries there, and was lately married tothe His face glowed. He reached out his hand. daughter of the native pastor. Great opposition • Is the qnestIOn settled f' I asked. 'Yes, it is was raised to the marriage by the native Chrissettled,' he replied; and they all said the same. tian community (Armeniaus), but none whatever There was joy in that room. The iuterpreter by the Moslems. (3) Not many years since an said, 'L.t us pray'; alid while he prayed I order was given by the Shah, through H. B. M. thought of the joy with which heaven was ring- Minister, that the missionaries should not allow ingas any Moslem to enter their church, or attend any kind of service. Iu December, when Dr. Bruce The angels echoed around the throne, was returning to Julfa, he preached in Persia in .' Rejoice, for the Lord brings back his own I ' Teheran to a crowded congregation of Chris- tians, Jews, Parses., and Moslems. After the "So the work continued day after day. As service the whole congregation stayed for Sunsome indication of the progress of the work, I day-school, and one of the missionaries had a wi11 say that fully one hundred men attended a class of some 25 lloslems, Jews, and Parsees. meeting for new converts, held a week before
MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL
chiefly Moslems, whom he taught the word of Sabbath, with a total attendance of about one God, just as in any Sunday-school clas~·. (4) thonsand. In the qnarters ot Haskeuy and Scu. After service one of the missionaries went out tari and in the rear of the Bible Honse, there are with, a catechist to two Moslem villages, and commodions chapels, bot for more than torty preached quite publicly to attentive congrega- years the evangelical Armenian chnrches in the tions in the street. (5) There are now several great quarters of Pera and Stamboul have converts from Islam In Ooroomiah who make 8 snffered severely in their growth and influence public profession of their faith. These five facts for the lack of church homes of their Own. The are significant signs of progress, and give ground brethren of the Pera and Stamboul churches are, for belief that God's time to favor Persia, of now about to make fresh efforts to secnre hOllses which Dr. Bruce has so often spoke, is at hand. of worship, and we bespeak for them tbe sym- -Christian at Work. pathy and aid of American Christians. The preachers of the gospel have never been so nn- T hi bet.-Mr. Andrew Wilson says that the merous and strong as at present, and the spirit of love and union among the brethren has sensi- Thibetans are the most pre-eminently praying bly increased. By means of our station conferpeople on the face of the earth. .. They have ence, genuine co-operati~n in carrying forward praying stones, praying pyramids, praying flags the evangelical work has been secured, and the flying over every bouse, praying wheels, praying differences of former years have quite disap· miJJs, and the univereal prayer, 'Ommani padme peared.- M!88ionary Herald. haun,' is never ont of their mouth," A German writer on Lamaism says of this sentence, which United States.-A fearless Missionary. literally means" 0 God 1 the jewel in the lotus," Dr. Otis Gibson, who died recently in SanFran. that these six syllables are, of all the prayers of cisco, was a noted missiona.ry among the Chinese earth, that which is most frequently repeated, in that city from 1868 to 1886. Dr. S. L. Baldwin written, printed, and conveniently offered up by in the Chinese Evangelist gives a thrilling acmechanical means. .. They constitute the only count of hisebaracter and work. We give,an exprayer which the common Mongols and Thihetans tract. "He soon gained the entire respect and know; they are the first words which the stam- confidence of the Chinese residents; and when mering child learns, and are the last sighs of the the hoodlum spirit became rampant and truckdying. The traveller murmurs them upon his ling politiCians catered to it for personal advantjourney, the herdsman by his flock, the wife in age, so tbat a public sentiment was engendered her daily work, the monk in all stages of con- very inimical to the Chinese residents, Dr. Gibtemplation-that is to say, of nihilism; and they son with that lofty courage cbaracteristic of him, are the cries of conflict and triumph. One meets stood firmly and resolutely in defence of the opwith them everywhere, whereever the Lama pressed Chinese. He was once burned in effigy church has established itself-on flags, rocks, in front of the City Hall, while the mayor of the trees, walls, stone monnments, utensils, strips City was making an anti-Chinese speech within, of paper, human skulls, skeletons, etc. They and conniving at the doings of the godless mob are, according to the meaning of the believer, without. On appearing once in the Legislative the essence of all religion, of all wisdom and RaHat Sacramento, a motion was promp~y revelation; they are the way of SIllvation and made by one of the hoodlum members that Otis entrance to holiness." Gibson he expelled from the hall; but there was a majority of rational and dece&! men in the Turkey.-Constanti~ople. Arnerlean Chris- body large enongh to prevent the passage or the tianity has three grand institutions in Constanti- resolution. Sometimes it was necessary to senople, namely, the Bihle House in Stamholll, cure police protectiou for the mission house, which is the centre of literary work for the Em- and on many occasions Mrs. Gihson was in seripire; the Female College, called the .. Home," ous donbt when he left the building whether she on tbe heights of Scutari, on the Asiatic shore, wonld ever see him again alive. In the midst and Robert College, on the bluff of the Bo~pho of such conflicts and trials he pressed on unrus, six miles above the city. There are thrEe daunted in his work until three years ago, when native evangelical churches, namely, two Arme- he was stricken with paralYSiS, undoubtly the niau and one Greek, with a total membership result of the long nervous strain to which he of over two hundred, and eleven religious ser- had been subjected." services in eight different quarters of the city and in three different langnages lire held every I1I.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
Africa. of a year now accessions have been constant E. F_ Baldwin's Work in Southern and everyone haptized has renounced Moham- Morocco. medanism. For a time the work was seemingly much hindered by severe persecntion. Impris- MOGADOR, MOROCCO, March 21, 1889. onment, be3ting, disowning, banishment-these DEAR BROTHER: Some of your readers know are all too familiar to the converts here in somewhat of the precious work of grace in pro- Southern Morocco. But when it was impossible gress here among Mohammedans. For upwards to longer work here in Mogador we travelled and preached, going literally on the methods gospel brings them. May not all thia encourage laid down in Matthew x, which we hold with, the zeal and faith of scattered workers toiling we find, increasing numbers of God's children in these bard Moslem fields? to be of perpetnal obligation. We have found them to contain the deep and matchless wisdom Some new workers, all committed to Mat- thew x lives, have just jOined us. Tbere are of God for missionary etrort.* Several others now six of us bere, all mrn of course, with onr lives given up to toil for Lurist nnder bis primbesides myself, inclllding recently converted itive instructions. A band is forming in Ayernatives. are so travelling. The natives knowing shire, Scotland, of others. who will come to us no other methods, have gone glad)y forth, with- soon, we trust. Others in different places are ont purse or scrip. on foot, taking uothing and greatly interested. We hope to have many namarvellous blessiug in the way of conversion tives together here in the summer months for has followed the steps of their simple faith. trainiug in the Word, that they may afterwards They go with no thought of payor salary. The go forth two by two, without purse or scrip. Father makes their simple needs His care. lily own position as an unattached missionary, de- E. F. BALDWIN. pendent only on God for temporal supplies (which, blessed be Hie name, He ceaselessly Brazil. supplies), enables one to consistently instrnct these native Christians in the principles and THE MISSIONARY BUREAU,LoNDON, methods of .Matthew x, and encourage them to go forth npon them. April 8, 1889. DEAR DR. PIERSON:- I enclose It is to this retnrn to these first principles of mission work I attribute the constant :!low of copy Qf a letter received from Brazil, blessing we are having. and which is so except- 10~1 in Mohammedan fields. I earnestly rec- on the subject of "Self-Supporting ommend them to others who may have the faith and are so circumstanced as to practice them. Missionaries." As it is the phase of I say this without any reflection upon the more ordinary and accepted lines of mission endeavor. the subject <in which we are most The field is vast and the need great, and by all and every means let the gospel be.preached. deeply interested, and one in which Jnst now the vigilance of our persecutors and very much more can be done than adversaries has somewhat relaxed, and our fre- has yet been ~ttempted•. I thought quent meet:!Igs (sil<teen in Arabic and eight in English per week, are well attended, and we you might find room for it in your are cheered by more conversions. Several are jnst presenting themselves for baptism. Last excellent REVIEW. night one of the most intelligent and best educated Moors I have ever met,:pnblicly confessed JOHN M. PAMMANT, Secretary. Christ for the first time-both speaking and praying (as all the native Christians do from the Self-Supporting Missionaries: honr of their conversion) in onr meeting before "GREAT BRITAIN, tbrough her vast commercial many witnesses. He is one of the few" honor- and colonial relations, sends men to all parts of able" ones who have been won. We trnst he the habitable globe. These men are natnrally may become a veritable Paul. He was··some energetic and enterprising or they would not months since arrested and thrown into prison on offer for foreign service. the suspicion of being a Christian, which at that ,. Is it not possible to transform this splendid time he was not. His feet, like Joseph's, .. they army of yonng men into repres~ntatives of hurt with fetters," the scars of which he will Christ? I sincerely believe it is. The church never cease to carry. Poor fellow' He was of Christ in England has within its fold the very then withont the comfort that comes to a child flower of manhood, ready for service In any part of God in a1Hiction, and yet enduring reproach of the world. What then is necessary? That for Christ. But God blessed his dreary sojourn for every foreign post a Christian man should in prison to his soul, and it contribnted to his be forthcoming, a man with every qualification conversion. Pray for him. necessary, and equal to any that may be fur- nished from the world's ranks. But how are Some from among the few resident Europeans these men to be brought into contact with the and from among the Jews also have turned to companies who are to employ them? Anassoclthe Lord and confessed Him in baptism. ation might he formed of Christian merchants and others, who would, by their infiuence and Tidings from different places in the interior, known integrity,be nble to select men ofguaranwhere tbe word of life has been carried from teed ability antI general suitableness. But what here, tell us of many turning from Mohammed's wonld be the ~ractical gain to the church by all cold, hard. false faith, to the love and light the this? The gain would be sim ply incalculable. In the first place a great stumbling block wonld –*A series ofpapers dealing witb the qnestion be removed, fornothing impedes the spread of the gospel abroad more than the lives of godless of mission methods and entitled The Question Englishmen. All missionaries will attest this. 01 the Hour-Foreign Mis8ions, is appearing But the greatest advantage of all will be that now in The Christian of London, and are at- thousands of seU-supporting missionaries will tracting wide attention. be located all over the world, for every living Christian is a missionary, whatever his private , calling may be. The opportunities of spreading I hear Miss Pilditch is this moment bnsy giv- the gospel which lie within the reach oC every ing a singing lesson to our school children.
Englishman abroad are very great, and this Santhals are hill people and good singers.
without in any way interfering with his private Thank God for liberty to praise the Lord in the dntles. While laboring abroad I have had the midst of heathendom.
constant fellowship an 1 help of several young Last Sunday about 150 were at the Lord's Englishmen. One who ,vas ever ready to help table to remember His death; it was the won- was the manager of a foundry; another was the der of the RItes, the Son oC God dying for sinful director of one of the largest companies in this men. Eleven men and women were baptized city; and in the same way every Englishman in November, and one man l'lst month, on who fills an engagement abroad may do good proCession of faith in Christ. There is hope oC work for Christ, providing he be a living Chris- many more to Collow. Pray for them.
tian. Famine is tormenting thousands of people i I ask, should all this power for good be left daily heads of families, men and women, come to unapplied f Surely heroic young Christians will me, saying we have nothing to eat; give us some be forthcoming to fill any post that others work, rice or money; the children are crying.
would accept for the salary. The love of Christ The Santhals are a brave and hard-working.
should be stronger than the love' of enterpri.e people, but this famine is a great trouble, and or lucre, and as to fitness, who shall say that the Government does not Ceellncllned to help.
the man of God is inferior to the worldling f " Come ye blessed.-For 1 was hungry and ye Joseph and Daniel proved themselves not one gave me food. Inasmuch as ye did it unto one whit behind their godlesR compeers in worldly of these, my brethren, even the least, ye did It knowledge, tact and business capacity. unto me." Matt. 25 : 14-40. How can we see All that is wanting to put this scheme into these people starving before Our eyes f This is practice is the formation of an association of a time of need. Pray lor them, and afterwards Christian merchants and philanthropists, and see how mnch you can deny yourself to help its results will be universal. them. If friends knew their need, they would " JAMES F ANSTONE." cheerfully send a few pounds to help them.
India. A Ohristian Baba. Interesting letter from Secretary From Rev. J. A. B. Cook, Singa- Haegert, of the Bethel Santhal Mission. pore, Feb. 21, 1889.
BETHEL. 21st March. 1889. MR. TAlIl KONG WEE was born In Singapore, DEAR EDITORS: of Christian parents, in 1842 i he was thus a Baba. To explain this word, I cannot do better We left England in October, '88, with six new than quote the following from Vaughan's" Chi- missionaries for onr mission, and arrived here nese of the Straits Settlements": "The term safely on the 2d December. Our services on Baba Is used by the natives oC Bengal to board were a joy to os and a blessing to others. designate the children oC Europeans. and it Is Oor missionaries learned 500 Santhal words, probable that the word was applied by the and attended 24 lectures on diseases, their Indian convicts at Renang to Chinese children, cause, their course and treatment on board. No and so came Into !(enerai use. The word is time was lost; since their arrival they have given in Donglas's Hokien Dictionary as mean- continued their study. and made good progress Ing a half·caste Chinese from the Straits. In in medicine and the Santhallanguage. Mess1·s. the Straits, however, the term Is applied to all ,Panes and Hearn are at Bethlehem, 20 miles Chinese born there, half-caste, or otherwise." east; the others are here. We trust Mr. The term, moreover, is applied to adults as Rowat will go 20 miles north by and by. well as to children.
D,n:ing the last four months, patients from Mr. Kong Wee's father was a gambler 25 villages were attended at Bethel. Our and pepper trader. who sent him to school at the ulne dispensaries are busy at this time, as Rame's Institution, where he was taoght Eng- the prevailing heatlays many aside. (It is 8 P. lIl. lish. Like all Babas he knew Malsy better just now. and we have 95 degrees on our veran- than Chinese, though he also knew Chinese, dah, in the shade.) Oor nine dispensaries re- which some Babas do not. He left school when move moch misery and woe from many a home, sixteen to enter a lawyer's omce, where he and this they do all the year rouud. As a rule, remained until about three years ago, when he patients from more than 150 vill"ages receive removed to Madras for the education of his two treatment every year. sons. He had saved sumcient to enable him to. retire and do this. The reason why he went Since January, '89, we visited four melas there I will give further on. (heathen feasts) and disposed of 1,850 gospels. May the bleSSing of the Almighty rest on His His parents, brothers, sisters, and indeed all word, printed and preached, and may He guide his relatives were heathen. He also remained a the people to the feet of Christ. heathen Cor some years after leaving school, un- til he came into contact with a Chinese Chris- Last week our preachers, two and two, visit- tian, one of the earliest converts oC the London ed ftfty villages. M18si(!nary Socie.ty, which nnfortunately aban- children the best training they could under ~ most fayorable conditions. Their hope was that doned the Straits altogether, so long ago as both the lads might not ouly become earnest Christians, but also like the f:tther, preachers of 1847. By this Chinese Baba he was induced to the gospel, to the Babas of Malayrla. I am thankful to add that both the BOns are now cast in his lot with the Christians. He after- members of the church, and we hope to. see them more than filling their father's place in wards married one of his daughters, and she the coming years. May God grant it.
had much to do with the after life and usefulne.s PerSia.-The American Presby;'
ot her husband. She still survives, and intends tcrrian Mission.- From one of the missionaries: to return to Madras, until her sons complete The missionary work of Oroomiah Station is their education there. . in some respects unique, and iu many ways it is di1llcult, but full of promise. We area band The whole of Mr. Kong Wee's relatives stood of missionaries set down among a remnant of ancient Christendom in the midst oC Moslem out against his becoming a Christian. He was conquerors. It is a journey of nearly two months' travel to our field-so Car inland and so afterwards on visiting terms with them, and Car isolated that very few Americans other than missionaries have eyer yi"ited tbe region. The supported his mother nntil the last, but he was band of missionaries are four Presbyterian min- isters and their wives; one physician, his wife never forgiven by them for leaving the" cus- and mother; one secular missionary, and tbree single ladies. toms of his fathers," i. e., idolatry. While in The location and extent ofthe field.-To the India he often wrote, urging Mrs. Cook to visit north is Monnt Ararat, at the corner of Persia, Russia, and Tnrkey. The eastern boundary hi… de",rest mother" and sis ters. This we for nearly a hundred miles is the inland Ses of Oroomlah in ancient Media. Then the field extried to do, but apparently with little good tends westward to the Tigris, over the rugged region of the mountains and valleys in Kurdi.. result. Yet snrely God will hear his prayers on tan to the Tigris, as it passes the site of ancient Nineveh. The territory to be evangelized by their behaIr. When he first became a Christian, our station is nearly as large as the State of OhiO, partly in Persia, partly in Turkey, and is he once told me, thongh he had made a clean one of the oldest abodes of man.
break with idolatry, he knew very litt:e of the The Population and Nstionalities.-The first people Cor special efl'ort are the Syrians, or steps he had taken. Bnt by the teaching o~ his Nestorians, a remnant of the once great church of the Far East, that had its missions even in wife and others, by prayer, and the constant China a thousand years ago. This remnant nnm- bers about 150,000. There are probably 30,000 stndy of his Malay New Testament, he came to Jews on the site where they were carried cap- tive twenty-five centnries ago; there are as see "trnth as it is in J esns." He became a many more Armenian Christians; nearly a mil- lion and a quarter oCKurds, Moslems and Devil trne disciple, and was ever found ready to worshipers, aud over half a million of Persian Moslems; a total of near two million souls. speak for the Master, in his own house, at tbe There are many reasons why we should expect the Nestorians to be won over rapidly, as a cbapels, tbe prison, and elsewhere. He was people, to pnre Christianity, and the other peo- ples more slowly. certainly tbe most hearty and enthusiastic Chi- History of the Miasion.- The Nestorian naman I ever came across. So frank and out- remnant were first fully made known to the Protestant world in 1830, by exploring missionspoken. It was qnite refreshing to meet with aries. The mission was begun in 11l35, and called the Mission to the Nestorians. The him. first missionaries were Rev. Justin Perkins and Dr. Asahel Grant, very noble and euthnsiastic He preached freely at his own charges, and pioneers. Others, of a like spirit, ,followed them, of whom the Messrs. Stoddard and Rhea, gave regularly of his means to the cause of the and Miss Fidelia Fiske (as well as the two piO- neers) furnished subjects of bioll:raphy. In 1870 gospel, and even when away in Madras, where he also gave, he always had his monthly sub- scription paid in Singapore, and when he heard of the new chapel at Bukit Timah he sent twen- ty-five dollars towards the building fund. For years he and a few others went regularly once a quarter to communion services, and thus helped to keep things going tbere, after the founder of this station, Mr. Keasberry, had passed away; and it was largely owing to him and two or three others that services were maintained at tbe Malay chapel from the time Mr. Keasberry died, until our mission took over this station also, with its much reduced congre- gation. We shall continue to miss him in many ways. I shall always be thankful I knew him, and learned to love him as a brother. I shall remember his pleasant, hearty manner, his readiness to take a service or help in any way he could.!
A severe liver complaint brought him back with his wire to Singapore, but it was too late to save his life; he died in February of last year in great sufl'ering, but" in peace."
The reason why the parents took their sons- their ouly surviving children-to Madras was· that they might be witb them tbere, away from the debasing influences of Chinese idolatry, and the example and practic~s of heathen rela- tives. He knew too well what heathenism was.
So these loving parents wished to give their the name of the mission was changed to The Church has four Presbyteries -and a Synod; MiSsion to Persia. Since then it has enlarged also a native Board of Evangelization that meeta its sphere to embrace half Persia, or near 5OO,()(,0 monthly. By combining funds and counsels square mUes, in its efforts. Stations have been with the miSSionaries, a system of pastoral care established in Tabreez, Teheran, Hamadan and and itinerant labors is in operation which aims, a8 fast as possible, to reach all the Christian Salmas. population, and to carry the gospel to all other 1835, the work was hegun, and the mission- population. about us.
aries warmly welcomed by the Nestorians; The people are very poor in worldly goods, 1836, the Shah of Persia gave a firman to the but are able to do much for their own support, missionaries, and severely punished ruffians and for the spread of the gospel. The average that tried to kill them; 1838, the Roman Catho- amount given is about a dollar to a communilic mission was begun in the same field; 1841, cant-$2,000 per annum. This sum stands for the first printing-press ever seen in Persia began much real devotion and self-denial. Tne wages its work at Oroomiah in printing the Bible; of a laboring man is ten to fifteen cents a day, 1844, the training-school was removed to Seir, and of a skilled laborer, suob as a carpenter, and the Female Seminary was fairly opened; never more than thirty cents a day. Money is 1845, was the massacre of thousands of Chris- very scarce, and the sum that passes the hands tians by the Kurds, and follo wing this was a se- of our Christiaus is very small and very bard to vere persecution; the Patriarch and the Persian Governor beat and imprisioned many of the earn; but all give, and some conSCientiously missionaries' converts; 1846 to 1849, remarkable revivals; 1852, Persia was at war with Enl(land, give their tithes. and the missionaries were under Russian .pro- The Special Needs.-These are numerous; tection; 1855, the Reformed Church began; 1862, the Presbytery formed; 1862 and 1866, the one most pressing at this time is to provide years of cholera, and many thousands of people larger accommodations for our college. The swept away; 1870 to 1871, years of famine iu present building (two stories and basement, 110 many parts of Persia; 1871, the missiou trans- by 45 feet) gives ns chapel, library and recitation ferred from the American Board to the Presby- rooms, aud accommodations for sixty students, terian Board; 1877, extensive revivals; 1878, This building cost about $5,000. The demand is the Reformed Church more fully organized; very great to double the number of students, 187~, the new college built, and hospital begun; and give to half of them industrial educatiou. 1880, terrible famine, also insurrection of the It is an opportunity we must avail of, and thus Kurds; 1885, prevailinl!: revivals in the congre- bring the active and leading young men into the gations; 1886, High Church ritualists sent out evangelical Influence. In a few years these by the Archbishop of Canterbnry and began a young men will be the pillars of the church. If miasion; 1888, new Female Seminary built; we fail, these young men whom we reject will 1889. a new station nndertaken in the Kurdish fall Into the hands of Roman Catholics and Mountains. other errorists. While we sleep the enemy will sow tares. Three thousand dollars will bnild The first yearl, from 1835 to 1845, were years the needed accommodations for seventy addiof preparation in teaching, preaching and trans- tional students and provide shops. lating the Scriptures. From 1845 to 1855 there were many blessed revivals in the boarding- DEAR DR. SHERWOOD:-I have just schools, and the young men and women con- received particulars of the murder of verted carried the love of Christ with them to the villages, and many souls were spirituaJly of one of our converts in the Reformed renewed. From 1855 onward the Reformed Church was gradually formed, necessitated by Presbyterian Church, Antioch. persecution and other causes. The converts Yours faithfully, were first invited to meet with the missionaries R. M. SOMMERVILLE. in the Lord's Supper. As the members increased. separate congregations were formed in The following extractfl'oma private the villages, and native pastors placed over letter, recently received at Mersine, them. As pious young men were trained, they from Mrs. James Martin, of Antioch, were sent outaa teachers and evangelists. Thus should drive the churches to more the work has grown, and several thousaud souls are annuaJly reached. There is the stated importunate prayer in behalf of the preaching of the gospel in 120 places. The devoted brethren who are laboring largest congregation numbers 600 ; the smallest there in the face of such violent only ten or fifteen souls. opposition: The communicants in 1S:>7 were 216; in 1867, 697; in 1877, 1.087; and in 1887, 2,003. The .. We are now in deep grief and aftliction. whole number from the first is over 3,000. The Two weeks ago yesterday Abd EI Maseeh Telroll of ministers shows 40 fully ordained, and fort, one of our members, a yonng man of about 30 others, licentiates; also 87 elders and 91 dea- twenty, who joined our church in company with conesses of the congregations. The Reformed his mother three years ago last October, was set on by the Greeks in the shop where he was learning dyeing. Being at leisure, he was reading in the Bible, when a man standing on the other But the Persian Consul brought to court lve side of the narrow street said to another, 'See men, Greeks, who Baid they were in the street that fellow I He is still reading the gospel.' all day, and no assault occurred. We had Fast- Then the man attacked Abd Et Maseeh, striking day yesterday. The Greeks say, •That is the him on the head and kicking him, and cursing first of you only; we will settle you all.' Yeshim, his religion, and hook. A brother of the terday our cook was out in the evening, when young man roshed on him too, aod they dragged one of several men cursed his religion and made him oat of the shop, beating and kicking him. to strike him. Another caught the man, and He appealed to his master for help, but the mas- Yusef got away. The Lord is on our side, and ter took up a stick and made to strike him, and we shall not be moved." others coming np, Abd Et Maseeh got off. This is what the witnesses iestify. The father of Tahiti.-We gladly give place to the yoong man says that his son came home with blood flowing from his ears and nose. The this communication. father, a Greek, wanted to complain to the Government at once, but Abd Et Maseeh replied, In the midst of this dark financial 'No, my father, leave it to Christ, the Judge.' crisis of the London Missionary Society, Tile Ioung man ate a little supper, and went out we have been favored with the sight of a recent to an evening meeting where he and some others letter from Tahiti, well known and remembered were discussing Bible truth. He Boon returned by some of us as Otaheite, as the earliest part home, and after vomiting lay down, and falling of the field of the labors and of the signal sucinto coma, never spoke again. It was near noon cess of this mission. next day before they came for the doctor. When the doctor saw him and heard his story, he got the The remarkable importance of this intelligence futher to call in the Greek doctor and Immanuel, at the present moment is that it shows in a well the Bon of the Turkish Protestant pastor here, authenticated and most interesting detail the who had just returned from Stamboul with a fresh fruit that still remains on the old field of diploma, having .todied in Beirnt. The Greek Pomare, even after the French aggression. and Protestant doctors quarreled at once, the Greek saying it was meningitis, and the other We think we are noW warrented to print and saying it was impossible-it was from violence. to circulate privately some sentences of this let- The family dismissed the Greek, and the doctor ter, which is addressed to a lady in Edinburgh got there just as he was leaving. The doctor who was once herself a foreign missionary, and and Immanuel examined Abd EI Meseeh, and who presided at the Edinburgh Ladies' Associthey came together here, and in this room Im- ation of the London Missionary Society the manuel declared it could be nothing but violence. The young man died Friday evenin!(, and the other day: doctor asked the family to get a paper from the "I have always been hopiug to have a great Government for a post-mortem. Dr. Garabet Hagopian, of Aleppo, who studied in New York deal of missionary news to give you, but, though under Dr. Post's father, is here, and the doctor it is now nearly seven months since we left Sanasked the family to call him, and with Immanuel Francisco, I have not seeu a single European and his brother Yakoub, who studied in Aintab, Protestant missionary. All the IslandS that we and Is the agent of the city, made a post-mortem have visited are in the hands of the French, and examination and declared all the signs were of the English missionaries have been gradually violence to th~ head. That was On Saturday, driven out. Both in the Marquesas and the and on Tuesday they met to arrange their re- Panmutos we saw a great deal of the Roman port, and the sons of the Protestant pastor, Catholics, and I am glad to say that they seemed though not daring to deny that death was caused much less bigoted than they are with us. They by violence, said that there were many enemies, read the Bible in churcb, aad preach sermons, and they dare not say in the report to the Govern- and where there was only a catechist to conment that it was so, and they, too, actually drew duct the service, it seemed quite like our own, up a report in the Interest of the murderers_ as, of course, he could not celebrate Mass. At Dr. Garabet was besieged and offered bribe~ and Tahiti, though I found no missionaries, I am intimidated to compel him to pui his signature to very·glad to tell you that I found that the work their report, but he refused. The assault oc- had been so thoroughly founded that it is going curred In open day, in the street, and the wit- on quietly in the hands of native missionaries, nesses are numerous; but Greek and Turk have and very few have joined the church of Rome. united to kill the case. Three Moslems and two • . • After leaving Papeete we were detained Fellaheen gave testimony, but the Government by broken masts for two months at a very beausaid it would be wrong to write down that they tiful village in the southern part of Tahiti, called cursed his religion aud his book. The murder- Tantira, and it was there that I saw most of the ers are hidden in the house of the Persian Con- people, and loarned to love them. They are so sul. He is a Mason, as also are the pastor's loving and hospitable, and so cheerful and sons. The do«tor telegraphed home and lI:ot au happy. The fir~t Sunday, when I went ashore answer, and the pressure on the Turks is strong. to church, I found the table spread for the communion, and all covered with a white cloth. I asked leave to jOin, and was welcomed by the officiating minister, who was dressed in a dark blue and whIte narin (a cottou kilt), white shirt, and black paletot coat. All the ministers and deacons 'll'ere dressed in this fashion, and
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
had bare feet. In fact, my shoes were the only ship on Wednesday. On the appointed day ones in the chnrch I thirty women and three children came dn .. When the covering-cloth was removed, I fonnd that the wine was in black beer bottles, board, and not satisfied with what they had the cups were of very coarse earthenware, and the bread was baked bread-fruit cut in very already given me, they brought twenty-five small pieces. It was very touching to me to keep the feast with the Mi.sion congregation cocoanuts, fowls, and six pillows stuffed with so recently rescued from heathenism,-touching, too, to realize how the simple rite is silk cotton from the cotton-tree. I asked them snited to all climes and peoples, and may be nnderstood and partaken of although you do to sing a hymn before we went downstairs, not nnderstand a word of the language. When the service was over, I fonnd that I had put my_ which they did; and then, to my great surprise self in a much more conspicuous position than I had any idea of. First, all the ministers and they proceeded of their own accord to make deacons shook hands with me, aud ~hen all my fellow-communicants, of whom there must have speeches and prayers. An old sailor on board, been more than 280. who speaks the language, told me that one wo- .. That afternoon the chief called on me, and begged me to come ashore early on Monday man, who prayed fervently, prayed much for the morning, to receive a gift which the people wished to give to their new member. I went, captain, that he might be guided to do all that and here is a list of what I call •the gains of godliness' in Tahiti :-six fowls, one hundred was necessary for our safety. I was strnck with cocoanuts, bananas, ripe and green, breadfruits, sweet potatoes, taro, pine-apples, eggs, that when I heard it, and still more when the capand a lobster. These were all carried by men on poles over their shoulders, and laid on the tain discovered the very next day that the mast ground in front of our house. ,The chief preseuted them in the name of •Tws/ell religieus.. ' was in a bad state, and must be repaired before of the village. I returned thauks through the chief, and invited the givers to come and see the we could continue our voyage. Was it not a wonderful anSwer to prayer? and don't yon think the Christian kindness of these people might be a lesson to many professing Christians at home? I was a little vexed with the very common look of the vessels of the sanctuary, and have promised to send them Communion cups from Scotland, much to their delight."
Being personally acquainted with the writer.
I can confidently commend this unexpected testi- mony to encourage and stimulate all friends and supporters of Foreign Missions to contribnte to the funds of the London Missionary Society, ihat commenced in Otaheite at the close of last century. G. D. CULLEN.
EDINBURGH, 16th March, 1889.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY J. T. GRACEY, D. D.
Mr. Oust's" Notes." country, as a member of the Indian Civil Service, has been supplemented A CLERGYMAN who was a very by extensive travel in Turkey, Transbrilliant writer but not equally at- Caucasia, Syria~ Egypt, Tunisia, AItractive speaker, said to a brothel' gel'ia and Morocco. He has been for minister whose qualities were direct- many years associated with the conly the reverse of his own: "When trol of the British and Foreign Bible you write people go to sleep, and Society's interests and operations, when you speak they keep awake; as well as with those of the Church but when I speak they go to sleep, of England Missionary Society and and when I write they keep awake." other prominent and important evangelistic a~d learned associations. But if Mr. Robert N. Cust, of Lon- The Royal Asiatic Society designadon, speaks he is sure of a hearing, ted him as an Honorary Secretary. and if he writes he is sure of a He has contributed most valuable reading. He is entitled both to speak stores of knowledge on the languages and write on missionary topics. He of the East Indies, Africa, the Cauhas had to do with missionaries and casus and Oceanica, being the author missionary societies for> almost half of separate works on each of these, a century, and for over thirty years besides linguinistie and Ol'lental has made a close and careful study essays and other more popular topof missions and collateral subjects. ics. He has, besides, taken promi- A large personal acquaintance with nent part in the missionary discusthe people of India, gained during a quarter of a century's residence in the sions of the last quarter of a century, In his annual tours, made volun.- and is well and widely known as a tarily at his own charges, inconnea.
man of strong opinions, which he tion with the Bible Society's work, holds independently and champions he has visited many parts of Europe, fearlessly, according to others the Western Asia, and North Africa, right to exercise the same pdvi- except Tl'ipolitana. One year he lege!3. was in Norway discussing the Lapp We are favored with the second translation; the next year on the and enlarged edition of his valuable cataracts of the Nile, listening to contribution to missio)lary literature, men speaking in the language of which he has modestly entitled Nubians; then on the shores of the Notes on Missional'Y Subjects. The Caspian Sea, or the Sea of Galilee, volume consists of four parts, which or down III the Sahara of Algeria, or though published and procurable at Cape Spartel in Morocco.
separately, are here gathered in one Such a writer, were he far less large and comprehensive book. Part learned than our many-sided scholer I contains (1) Obsel'vations and Re- and literateur, would challenge at- flections on Missionary Societies,and tention; but when there is super- (2) Language Illustrated by. Bible' added a devout sympathy with the Translation. Part II treats of The progress of Christ's Kingdom in the GreatProblems Outside the Orbit of world, he commands it. He told the Pure Evangelistic Work, but which under-g-raduates of BaIliol College, the missionary has to face. Part III Oxford, in an address on "The Duty is devoted to the Relation of Mission- of the Youth of Great Britain," that aries to the Outer World. Part IV when, in 1838, he went to that col- is composed of missionary addresses lege, they knew as little about mis- delivered by the author under vari- sions as they did about Chinese mu- OilS circumstances, and what he sic. On repairing to Calcutta, styles " Pictures" and," Notices," through conversation with Bishop composed in omnibus and railway Wilson, he became interested in mis- trains or elsewhere, as reading, con- sions, and found "a new world"
versation ot' observation have sug- open to him, and missions have since gested the train of thought. They are been the" leading object of his very a layman's utterances on these great existence."
themes. Part V is to follow on " The But Mr. Cust pre-eminently de- ,Missions of the Romish Church." serves attention as one of the com- Mr. Cust's wide experience and ex- paratively few laymen of large abil- tended acquaintance in the depart- ity who have not only lent an ab- ments of geography, philology and sorbing attention to the subject, and ethnology, together with his promi- aided intelligently in missionary nent relation with practi'!al politics, counsels, but who have devoted have been all laid under contribution their enel'gies and literary skill to in the production of the several parts produce a literature on the subject.
of this volume; and the relation of It is surprising what stores of all these to missions has been con- knowledge and thought are gathered stantly present in' his thought dur- in this large and importantcontribu- ing all his life in the saddle, on the tion to curl'ent evangelistic litera- judge's bench, and in the student's ture. We are enthusiastic and ap- retreat; so that the consideration preciative to a degree which will of these themes is not something he scarcely be accredited to be sober, in has taken up, as he says, as the our estimation of this volume; and: "craze" of his "old age," but has yet, there al"e some whole chapters, been almost a life-long study. and plenty of paragraphs and sentences, which do not command our where after the festival is over, one judgment;' and there are manystate- might purchase hundreds ofcarcasses ments of facts from which we would of little pigs at a pice apiece. But dissent, and of opinions which we we do not wish to distract attention judgemustbe greatly modified before from the estimable qualities of this they can be accepted as the last or book by the correction of incidental even the best analysis of the subject statements, norby giving expression in hand. Some of the statements to any diversity of view on the subare, to om· personal knowledge, too jects treated which we, or others, to sweeping, both as to facts in India our knowledge, hold. and in Africa, while the ex cathedra This volume, as a contribution to manner in the utterances of opinions missionary criticism from one of the is not indicative of the essential mod- stoutestfriends and ablest champions estyand broad charity which really ofall evangelisticlabor,has a peculiar pervade the volume. The wisest value. It is a sad fact that the gencounsels are divided upon subjects eral church has not been until of late, on which Mr. Cust does not hesitate intelligently acquainted with the isto write, in the rhetoric at least, of sues and problems of practical workan ultimatum; and though large lib- ers enough to either pass judgment erty be conceded him as a "Christian upon their merits or become intereststatesman." there are other eminent ed in their presentation; and it has Christian statesmen, with long ex- only been when some secular or ecperience and careful judgment, who clesiastical adversary antagonized will differ from him as much as he them in press or on platform, that will from a multitude of missiona- they came to know of the existence ries, who he thinks take a less sym- of some of the most vital problems. pathetic view of human affairs than Friends and administrators of mis- the secular student does. But Mr. sions have discussed thf'se questions Cust does not expect uniform concur- too esoterically. But we hail the rence with his views; he distinctly day when friends and advocates are says so about some chapters of the to assnme the role of frank and book; and though he says all per- friendly critics; and, taken all in all, sons acquainted with the subject we do know not where we will find will agree with his views as express- a warmer friend and abler aU-round ed in "Islam," it is more than proba- critic of missionary matters than the ble that he overestimates the gen- honorable gentleman, the product eral unanimity even there. We do of whose pen has afforded us such not know, for instance, if we appre- great delight, and yet, from whom we hend him aright as meaning to say and so many others; we repeat, will that after li·ing with Mohammedans on so many points widely differ. in India for a quarter of a century, But there is so much that is valua- he never heard of their offering ani- ble in the book that .we must have mal sacrifices; but if so, it seems in- done with our dissertations about it, explicable to us. The "anachron- and regale our readers with some ism" to which he refers may be wit- extracts, though should we even se_ nessed at the Devi Pathan Mela, at lect the samples that tempt us, we Tulsipur, near Gondah, any year, would quote enough to fill a whole where the Hindoos sacrifice sheep and number of the REVIEW. goats; and close by a long line of Few persons appreciate the au- Mohammedans can be seen, each thor's reference to the variety of reo with a squealing, suckling pig under sponsibilities devolving on Mission his arm, waiting their turn to pre- Boards, which have to sent their animal sacrifice; and .. Discharge the duty of a Quarter-master General, the head of a great ~ommission, a. * * .. The last two decades have been ex- Boa.rd of Architects, Shipbuilders and Engineers, a Board of Finance, a Council of ceedingly propitious to the extension ofmis- Education. a Committee on Geographical sions ; the expansion has been marvellous, Exploration, a Superintendent of a Trans- but mnch of it imprudent. The next two IMing and Publishing firm, as well as other decades may prove periods of trial and peril secular duties." by the close of that period the Europea~ octopus will have closed over the continent He adds: of Africa as it has already over Oceanica. and America." .. I have been for more than forty years a witness and a studier of the conduct of hu- :Mr. Cust invites" dowlll'ight critiman affairs, bnt I never realized such puri- cism," he says, a.nd he will surely get tyof motive, such'simplicity of conduct, it sooner or later, though the high and on the whole, such practICal wisdom as respect in which he is held may deis found in such a body." ter some, and others will forbear lest the friends of missions be thus Mr. Cust thinks-and with the hIgh- apparently set over against each est esteem for the missionary force other, in the estimation of the of Great Britain and the eminent thoughtless and indifferent members qualities and immense labors of of the societies themselves, or be many of them, we yet, on the whole, flaunted as sectarians and dessenticoncur with his statement-that the ents by those downrightly antago- 'American churches send out their nistic to the cause. But like Calbest men" to foreign fields, while' vin's Institutes, Mr. Cust's "Notes" might take as their symbol a flaming "Great Britain keeps her best at sword. Missionaries may, themhome." But this must be taken in its selves, not concede the justness of broadest sense or we shall be asked the criticisms on their personal conto show who Great Britain's" best" duct toward the heathen, but they men are, with the record of Pat- will find no public test to exceed the teson, Hannington, Griffith John, high standard to which they hold Dr. Duff and othe1's before us. Still themselves as a class, to be amenawe appreciate Mr. Cust's compliment ble; and our autho1"S beautiful imi- -not to the missionaries, but to the tative extension of the XIth chapter of Hebrews will be as oil to the estimate put by American churches wounds made by Mr. Cust's free on foreign mission service, as de- lance. "By faith the United Mora- vian Brethren at Herrnbut, in Germanding the richest contribution of many, more than a century and a talent they can command. Mr. Cust half ago," &c. "By faith the London thinks missionary operations legiti- and Wesleyan Societies," &c. "By mate subjects of criticism. He says: faith Moffat's son-in-law Livingstone abandoned his home, his chapel ano '" We can no longer treat missionaryop- his school/' &c. " By faith Krapf and erations as above or below candid criticism Rebman sat year after year at the when t4ey are forced up<¥> tbe public notice watch tower of Mombasa, waiting till in the public papers, in Parliament,on plat- the day should dawn, calling to each forms and ,an abundant literature. Mis- other: Watchman, what of the sions like those of tbe Moravian Missionary night?" and thusonandon through a Society,or of the Americau Societies to their galaxy of heroes of whom time would indigenous wild tribes, might be conducted fail us even to mention the names for centuries without public notice: but selected by our author. It was with the evangelizing warfare all round Africa much sadness we read the almost pa- all over Oceanica, into the heart of India; thetic closing paragraph of the vol- China and Japan, by at least two thousand ume in which the author concludes: agents, at a cost exceeding two millions [pounds] annually, cannot escape notice." .' I have said my say. This is probably my '" '" It must needs be that mistskes-are made, but tl:ey need not be perpetuated.
'" * Hard words are often spoken against missions, and whole classes of the commu- nity, from deep prejudICe, hold back from their support. It is in their interest, their positive advantage, that the tendencies should be exposed, that the blots should be hit, and the dangers pointed out." ast contribution to missionary literature. self of the former, and the latter could be If I have written what is not true, let this of no use to him in the social circles of the paper be consigned to the fire. If there is leper colony. a scintilla of truth, think over it. It cannot now be said that we must travel onward, as "Father Damien had resided among tbe if in mist, and that, as nobody criticized lepers for sixteen years when death came to there wa.s no error." his relief, and be had seen the population of Molokai renew itself three times, as the Missions to Lepers. average duratiou of a leper's life is about se ..en years. Years ago he became affiictep THE death of the Roman Catholic with leprosy himself, and for a long time bepriest, Father Damien, popularly fore his death Was a painful sufferer from styled" The Apostle of the Lepers" the scourage. The latest letters from the and now" The Martyr of Molokai," leper colony stated that his health was so which occurred on April 10 last, at broken that h;s death was likely to occur at Kalawa, Hawaii, has called popular any time. Father Damien had for assisattention to a form of Christian tants two men as beroic as himself. One of heroism which may well be exalted these was an Irishman natned Walsh.· He in the public mind in an age quite was a mason by trade, and had been a soldier too justly characterized as supremely in the English army. Walsh reached Honoselfish. lulu III broken health and reduced circum- stances just at the time a supermtendent As the daily papers of the country was needed to keep the colony in order. He generally gave large space to the accepted the position with the result that facts of the self-surrender and self- he is a leper himself to-day and pining for immolation of this Romish priest, relief in death. Father Damien's other we will only give so much of the nar- helper was the Rev. M. COJlrardy, a Catholic rative as is essential to our general priest formerly connected with the Archditreatment of the theme in hand. The ocese of Oregon, who volUntarily went to account before us says Father Da- Molokai about two years ago to become mien was a native of BQlgium and Father Damien's assista.nt." was born in 1840. Mr. Ed ward Clifford, of England, .. He was ordained to the priesthood in writing of " Father" Da.mien during 186~, and SOOB. after went to the Sandwich a visit to this leper island, said: Islands as a missionary. About sixteen years ago the Catholic bishop of the islands "He is just what you would expect him to wanted a priest for duty at the leper set- be-a simple. sturdy. hard-working, devout tlement at Molokai, and Father Damien man. No job was too memal for him-bnildpromptly volunteered for the work. Both ing, carpentering, tending the sick, washing he and his bishop knew what the end would the dead, and manr other such things form be, but these heroic men did not hesitate- part of his daily work. He is always cheerthe one to give the order and the other to ful, often playful, and one of the most truly obey. Father Damien was landed at the humble men I ever saw. The leprosy has leper settlement on the ,eland of Molokai disfigured him a good deal, but I never feel and allowed to provide for himself as best he it anything but a pleasure to look at him." could. There appear to be a thousand or .. From the time of his taking up his resi- more lepers on the part of the island, dence among the lepers Father Damien had occupied by the leper settlement, so much to do in simplyatte.nding to the shut in from the other parts of the wants of dying people that he was unable to island by enormous cliffs, which renprovide shelter for himself for .. long time. Once placed on the island, he had to resign der it almost inaccessible from the his liberty. The sheriff had orders to arrest land side. This touching story and him if he crossed to any of the neighboring the pitiable condition of this portion island.. He became physician and teacher as well as priest, the children born of lepers of the human race, deserves more depending on him for all the education they than a passing glance of the curious could expect to receive. Kiug Kalakaua or sigh from the sympathetic. When soon learned to admire the martyr priest, we learn that there are 40,000 idiots and a rew years ago bestowed on him the in the United States, the first quesprivileges of the medical inspector at!d the tion that occurs is why they should decoration of Knight Commander of the not all be chloroformed out of exist- Order of Kalakaua I. He did not avail bim- ence. What is it that makes that sort of life and life of every sort sacred, when it.cannot be seen to be valuable to it!! possessor or to man- they congregate oCten in latoge numkind? When we learn that in India bers. alone there are half a million of our fellows who are lepers, with no hope The disease may begin anywhere of recovery, deformed and decaying on the body, or at more than one before they are in the grave, suffer- place at the same time, and then, ing a living death, the first thought loathsome, painful and offensive, it again is, why is it any mercy or duty progresses till it reaches some vital to prolong their existence? As Chris- part, and the wretched subject is retianity throws the halo of sacredness lieved. When it commences at the over this wretched and ghastly mock- extremities the first joints of the eryof life, it is not far to see why it fingers, or toes as it may be, fall off should be held responsible for the and then the next joints part, and so amelioration of the condition of on till you see them in all shapes those who carry about this body of from this horrible disease. It is too death. revolting-this rotting alive-to jus- tify more minute description. Leprosy as a disease is in all its varieties in all lands and in all ages, We turn rather to note what the the most repulsive, protracted and kindliness of Christian charity has painful of human maladies. It is attempted in the way of relief to this scrofulous in its character and is helpless, hopeless and suffering portransmitted from parents to children, tion of the human family-vexed and though the offspring of lep~rs with the unsolved problem, Who may be apparently free from the did sin? they or their parents, that taint for many years after birth, the they were born thus? which presses disease is sure to develop sooner or npon them and upon othel·s. We later. Whether leprosy is contagious, cannot attempt any comprehensive and if so, whether alone by contact, summary of the ope:"ations of the are questions about which there is Christian chul"ch to afford relief to considerable diversity of opinion, yet these sufferers. We take from what in all countries contact with lepers is is at hand a few facts sufficient to avoided. After the disease is devel- show that Protestants have been oped so as to render its character active in this department of eleemosmanifest, the subject of it is removed ynary labor in several quarters of from social life and obliged to dwell the globe, as Father Damien and his apart from the community. Though associates were in Hawaii. In 1823, at all stages of the disease they are owing to a request of the Governnot unable to work, yet, except as ment, Hemel-en-Aarde, a leper hoscared for by Christian charity, all pital in South Africa, became a mislepers, so far as the writer knows, sion station of the Moravians. i'his lead a pauper life. They become in was removed to Robben Island in various parts of India quite a commu- 1846 and placed in the charge of the nity and beg in groups. They resort church of England in 1867. Rev. Dr. Augustus Thompson, writing of to places most frequented that they this mission, says: "A less inviting may appeal to the benevolence of the field can hardly be imagined than this refuge of wasting sufferers, and mere passers-by by the exposure of their relics of humanity-deformed, cripdisgusting sores or helpless deform- pled and loathsome beyond expresity. They build for themselves some sion. For simple garden operations flimsy shelter by the roadside in In- one patient would supplement andia, whence they make their exit to other. A man who had no hands petition for the inevitable "bak- might be seen carrying on his back sheesh." Along the trunk roads, another who had lost his feet, but at the ferries, near holy places, who could drop seeds into the ground wOl'k among the lepers at qmb~l)a, with the member which was want- in the Punjab, where their last ing to his fellow, sufferer. report mentions the bapti5m of fif- The institution has a large space of tt-en of this class of pE'rsons. The gl'Ound enclosed with a high wall, and only one entrance, which was accomplished Dr. John Newton, .Tt-., strictly guarded. The leper who entered that gate might never return." labored among these poor sufferers Mr. Thompson says the mistake has for years and wrote a work on leprosy gone abroad that the missionaries which was published in England. who went into this leper enclosure His estimable wife, Mrs. Sarah Wigwere never allowed egress; that he fall Newton, conducted this work for went in there, as Father Damien did a season after her husband.'s death. to the island of Molokai, but this he contradicts positively. But there was At the time when the Moravians still quite sufficient self-denial re- handed over their leper work at Cape quired in the service rendered to these Town, South Africa, in 1867, the poor sufferers. Lord opened to them a' similar work The London Missionary Society has long conducted a leper asylum in in the Leper Home at JerusaJem. the Himalaya Mountains at Almora. which was founded by a Christian which we believe has usually about baroness. Froln its commencement 150, though at times we think as the missionaries for the hospital many as 300 inmates. These are not have been supplied by the Moravian necessarily restrained within the en- Church, and in 1880 they assumed its closure. They also marry and are directiol'l. In 1887 they erected a new gi"en in marriage among themselves. building, which accommodates about A little farther east, at Pithoragarh, twenty-five patients. is another asylum for lepers in charge of Methodist Episcopal missionaries In 1875 an independent societ.y was from the United States. Here an es- organizcd in England, styled "Mistimable Methodist brother, Rev. M. sions to Lepers in India," which B. Kirk, of Ohio, who was educated seeks to alleviate their sufferings by in Mount Union College, for some medical aid. It is at pl'esent carrying months before his death waited on on work at eighteen different centers these wretched sufferers. However and in connection with eight differloathsome their condition, that de- ent missionary societies. It seeks to voted servant of the Lord never utilize asylums already established shrank from ministering often per- and aid them with mean!:' to carryon sonally to their wants. It was while their work. It makes grants of money , collecting funds for a chapel for these for new asylums, and in some cases lepers that he was suddenly called to provldes entirely for the support of his reward. The chapel has since lepers. Mr. W. C. Bailey, a misbeen completed as a memorial of this sionary of the Church of Scotland, devoted servant of God, and on the was the founder of this organization. opening day, after the service, twelve It is at present carrying on work at lepers were baptized, thus raising the Kashmir, Rawal Pindee, Chamba, number of Christians in this institu- Sabathu, Dehra, Rurki, Almorah, tion to slxteen; and a new building Pithora, A~lahabad, Calcutta, and was ordered to accommodate twenty- other places and aids the American five more inmates. Presbyterian and Methodistmissiona- ries, and three of the principal mis- The American PresbytE'rmn Mis- sional'y sociE'ties of Great Britain, as sion has for many years QQl,lducted well as Gossner's Independent Mis- sion.
It must be gratifying to friends supporting this work that it is not only l!eIeVQ!ent, but evangelistic. The record of the Christian experi- with nine evangelic"l churches: Presbyterians, ence of many of these sufferers is two branches of Methodists, and Baptists. most affecting. Not all, but many of these who seem ." baptized unto Denominational lines bad been drawn rather death," enter bto most gracious closely about these churches.. They met one Christian life. One man in India, anothsr at union meetings once a year, on the being pitied on account of the loss of afternoons of the" Week of Prayer," but be- his eyes, said; "I have lost my eyes, yond that hardly knew one another in any way. but with the eye of faIth I have seen Probably it was noc realized that Christian the Lord Jesus, and shall soon go to union was really under discussion in the minis- Him." The testimony from South ter's meeting in the form of a proposal to invite Africa is similar; "Amongst the a pandenominational body of missionaries to poor suffp.rers in that lazar-house," work their will upon the city for a week. But writes one of the missionaries, they determined to invite the International Mis- "there are many dear souls who re- sionary Union to their city. A representative joice in the Lord their God and the meeting of the churches-a remarkable novelty assurance of a better world, and re- -was called, and proved of the same mind with lyingon their Saviour's merits watch the ministers; and in the preparations which their diseased tabernacles falling to all the churches shared together, there began to pieces in the hope of soon being with be the dawn ofa better day. Him in glory. It makes one Hhudder to visit the patients in their dwell- Contemporaneously with this undertaking, ings, such pitiable objects do they the pastors asked all the churches to unite in a present, and so offensi ve is the efflu- complete visitation Of the city for evangelizing via j yet when you enter into con- purposes, and obtained from them all a body of versation with them on the concern visitors, four to each hundred of each church. of their souls and find these poor As might be supposed, the public interest in cripples full of faith and joyful COI1- missions had not been on a much higher plane fidence in the Saviour's merits, it than that in Christian union. The invitation to makes you feel ashamed of your the missionaries was favored, perhaps as much . fastidiousness, for they exhibit only yom other considerations as from love for ' too often in their helplessness and Foreign Missions. And when the International .hopelessness the fun measure of that Union arrived, forty-five strong, the city was at other more dire leprosy of sin. They first disposed to feed them and sleep them cour- are often as repulsive morally as teously, and leave them to carryon their own physically. They need cleansing in meetings by themselves. the blood of Christ." But gradually the spiritthat animates mission- That this is a direct work of grace aries of thc Uross bAgan to make its impression. and of change of heart is abundantly People who dropped in at their meetings were proven by the testimony as to the greatly surprised at their earnestness. It so selfish sordidness and innate deprav- happened that the Union came at the hottest ity which so manifest themselves in time of the summer, and when the native mos- those not the subjects of these gra- quitoes were masters of the town; but people cious influence. who looked in found the missionaries so busy at their conferences, that they sounded their The International Missionary Union praises abroad. "These men and women," they said, "have not come here for a holiday; and the Revival at Bridgeton, N. J. they are doing good hard work studying the questions which concern them." The Upion be- REV. WILLIAM H. BELDElif, A. M. gan its sessions on Thursday, July 5; by Monday evening they began to be crowded, and from that BRIDGETON, New Jersey, was the first place time until adjournment on the 12th missions be- not a summer resort, which invited and enter- came the theme of the town. Tuesday evening tained the International Missionary Union. Re- was occupied by J. Hudsou Taylor, founder of snits can be traced from that meeting, among the Chiua Inland Mission, and Wednesday by the most recent of which has be~n a revival of Cyrus Hamlin, founder of Robert College of religion affecting the whole community. Bridge- Constantinople. The impression made by these ton is a mauufacturing cit;v 9f 12?OO(lj~h!lbitants, two mighty men of God, exceedingly different, but one in testimony to the power of God as dis- played in the missionary work, will never be forgotten in Bridgeton. They lifted Foreign Missions from being a H cause" to receive un- willing pennies or dollars, to a living and boly reality endeared to the hearts of awakeuing Christians. Not, of course, that all needed this advance, but as a change of the general public mind on this great theme, the International Mis-
1889.] THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
sionary Union bad its way witb tbe town. A affections and convictions, that when a8 Presinumber of young persons consecrated tbeir dent of onr Ministers' Association I' had to lives to tbe missionary work. New missionary make the parting address to Mr. Mills, my felsocieties began to be formed; and in tbe old low-pastors, with remarkable agreement, reones the subJect took thence forward a 'real quired me to include in my acknowledgement aspect nnknown before. of the divine work among us some careful refer- ence to the infiuence of the visit here In 1~88 of So spiritual an effect did not, naturally, stop the International Missionary Union. witb the revival of missions. The cburcbes bad enjoyed their work in commo)! of entertaining THE SIXTH AN,mAL SESSION OF THE INTERthe Union. The Ministers' Association had become a recognized and trusted organization. NATIONAL MISSIONARY UNION, as we have al- Plans for furtber work in common were ready announced. will be held in Binghampton, broacbed. The "Week of Prayer" found tbe N. Y.. July 5-12. The prosPect is ofa meeting of cburches in new sympathy with one another; great interest_ Important papers have already never before was there such a "Week" in been received from the outlook Committee in Bridgeton. At last the suggestionstook.hape; foreign parts. to invite Rev_B. Fay Mills, the evangelist. His first demand, of absolute fellowship of all the On the last day of the meeting special attenevangelical churches of the city, could not have tion will be given to aiding missionary candibeen complied with before those blessed days dates appointees and others inquiring as to of the Missionary Union; but now tbey could their duty regarding personal service abroad. and they were, and be came. Mr. Wilder, wbo has so successfuliy with others stirred the students of the country in this mat- We have just risen from bis two weeks visit. ter, will be present, and veteran missionaries of Six hundred persons bave signed his cards, say- almost all fields and churches will be there, with ing: .. I desire bencefortb to lead It Christian whom these persons can take council. Nothing life." The cburcbes bave called themselves for could be better for persons seeking light on this many weeks" The united cburches of Bridge- line of personal duty, than to spend the week ton;" and are studying now how to perpetuate with this noble band of returned missionaries, their harmony. Some of tbem bad been t""ns- and listen to their discussions of practical matformed from a conservatism wbich was threat- ters. ening their spiritual existence into a practical piety which is the wonder of tbe town. The Railroad certificates can be bought of any whole city has been shaken with· the power of ticket agent at point of starting on paying full the Holy Ghost, as it never was befor~. fare, and when countersigned by· secretary of the meeting the return ticket will be one·third It is a significant testimony to its place in our the usual mre. Tickets procurable on the 3d, and good tilIthe 14th of July.
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY ARTHUR T. PIERSON, D. D.
SUBJECTS for July: Islands of ea, in the Hawaiian group. This the Sea, Java, Greenland, Utah, crater is three miles in diameter, a Alaska, North American Indians level bottom with three cones rising and the Chinese and Japanese in from its center hundreds of feet high, America. and onl) of which, hom its ceaseless Java, which we select for this activity, is called Brahrna.
number, is the third island in area Though a Dutch colony, two native and first in importance of the Malay kingdoms were suffered to retain a archipelago, 666 miles long and from nominal existence under Dutch offi- 36 to 126 miles broad, with 50,000 cials, namely the dominions of the square miles of surface and a coast Senaan or Emperor of Surakarta and line of 1,400. It is shaped like Cuba the Sultan of Jokjokarta. The rest and about as large. The geological of the island is split up into twenty formation is highly volcanic, a range residences or provinces, ruled by of mountains traversing the central Dutch residents, six of which belong line from end to end with peaks to the country of the Sundese and reaching from 4,000 to 12,000 feet. the rest to that of the Javanese, the The most remarkable of these is Mt. two distinct nations comprised in the Yenger, whose crater is 1,000 feet be- native population. The Sundese hold low its summit and the most remark- the west end, are inferior both in able in the globe, except only Kilau- numbel' and civilization to the J avanese and speak a distinct language, ninth or tenth centul"y when the but both nations are Malayan. , They are docile and peaceable, so- J ains had ascendancy in Guzerat ·and ber and industrious. Crawfurd pronounced them the most straightfor- westel'll parts of India. ., ward and truthful of all Asiatic people. Java is densely populated, hav- In some respects Javanese civilizaing about 18,000,000 of people, and Buddhism still sways multitudes of tion is an advance upon that of Brit- Javanese. In the central district this story is told on stone: The famous ish Ind~a. The Dutch rule here dates ruins of Borobodo, or Bol'o Buddor, are among the most imposing re- from 1623, with five years interrupmains of religious structures. A pile of masonry, pyramidal in form, 525 tion. Batavia,on the northwest coast, feet squat'e, nine stories h;gh in the center, is covered with figures of is the capital and commercial depot, Buddha. To descdbe this extraordinary group of buildings, the temples with over 100;000 inhabitants. Moof Bramb~nam, mO'e exactly: the great temple is a square building 45 hammedanism is mixed up with feet square, 75 feet high, terminating upwards in an octagonal, straight- Buddhism and heathenism as the relined pyramid. On each face of this is a smaller temple of similar dimen- ligion of the island. Annually the sions, joined to it by corridors. The whole five thus constitute a cruci- natives go in crowds with priests up form building raised on a square base very elaborately ornamented. One the Bromok volcano to propitiate of the minor temples serves as a pOI'ch. Two hundred and thirty-nine with offerings the Fire Spirit. Cocoasmaller tempIes surround this central shrine. Twenty-eight of these stand nn ts, pineapples, rice, cakes, fruit, just beyond the square terrace of the central fane, eight of course standing coins, are cast into the crater. This on each side of the square, and each corner one counting for two sides; ceremony has probably been sugbeyond these 35 feet off comes a second square or court with 44, 12 on gested by the ten"Hic and fatal vola side; then comes a space 80 feet wide, with 6 more temples; then two canic outbreaks that have abounded. more rows o( temples, standing close, Java has near Batour a VaUey of back to back, 160 in numbel', forming another square, each face of which Death, of an oval shape and half a measures 525 feet. All thes~ 239 temples are similar, the lesser ones mile in circuit, in which the exhala- 12 feet square at base and 22 feet high, all richly sculptured and each tions of carbonic acid gas make imhaving a small square cell, within which originally was a cross-legged possible plant or animal life. It also figure of a Jaina saint or Buddhist image. The date assigned to these has its Poison Tree (antiaris macro- most remarkable monuments is the phylla), an ornament to the woods, but from the bark of which flow poison juices.
The Evangelical Mission in Java is in a very destitute condition. There are at most only about 4,GOO Chris- tians, a fact whIch reflects no glory on the Dutch rule and the Christi- anityof the Netherlands. The few luminous points in the meagre mis- sion history of Java, says Dr. 'War- neck, are the Watchmaker Emde in Surabaya, the Missionary J.ellesma, the newly-founded and nationally- aided institute at Depok, an " Oasis in the Desert," and the work of the Nethedands Missionary Society of Rotterdam among the Soudanese.
NEW GUINEA.
S. McFarlane, LL.D., has recently published a story of missionary labol's " Among the Canm'bals of New Gui- nea." It is published by the London Missionary Society. We advise any one who wishes to know what are both the difficulties and the triumphs
1889·1 THE lloN'lHLY OOlWER'l' Oli'1.USSIONS
— ofmissIDn,ary life among the worst eluding the immediate~y adjoining savages to read this book. We give islands, of 311,958 square miles. Con~ space to a brief resume of its· con- sequently its at'ea is about the same tents: as the united area of the Britisn Mr. MacFarlane first had experi- Islands with France, or the British ence of savage life on Lifa, a charm- Islands, Italy, Turkey in Europe and ing South Sea island. Greece. And this vast region has to Three months after his arrival, in be won to Christ and to humanity.
1859, he could preach to the people in What an object of holy ambition I their own tongue. The first years' of If the Christians of the nin~teenth danger, toil and loneliness were also century rose to a perception of .their years of great blessing, useful expe- duty they would follow the example rience and encouragement. Before of the Christians of the first, and he left, at the end of twelve years, count nothing that they possess their "a marvellous change had taken own if only they might acquire the place Il'om idolatry, cannibalism and glory of gathering the outcasts of constant wars to the worship of the New Guinea into the church of the true God, peaceful industry and a living God.
growing education. Schools and In their mission in New Guinea.
churches established throughout the they had to contend with difficulties island, and the New Testament and quite peculiar to the place; to sail in Psalms translated; the teachers' unknown and dangerous waters in seminary in good working order, order to reach the natives; to con- supplying native teachers and pas- tend with savages and cannibals, tors and pioneer evangelists; Euro- who regard strangers generally as pean stores established in different enemies to be killed, cooked and parts of the island, and the people eaten; to pass through sickly swamps not only paying for their books and and be exposed to deadly fevers in providing for their pastors, but also planting and superintending mission making a very handsome contribu- stations; to reduce the languages to tion to the London Missionary Soci- writing and translate portions of the ety to help to send the gospel to the Scl'iptures, school-books and hymn- heathen beyond." books into them; to battle with the In 1870 Mr. MacFarlane began a evil influences of abandoned sailors; mission in New Guinea, "largest, to guide the natives in making and darkest and most neglected island in administering laws, in developing the world." He laid the matter be- the resources of their country, in fore the students, native pastors and building houses, making roads, and, churches of Lira, and asked for vol- in fact, in everything connected with· unteers, giving them to understand their material as well as their spirit- the dangerous character of the ual progress. They opened up about climate and the savages. Every na- six hundred miles of coast line, tive pastor in the island and student gained the confidence of the natives in the seminary offered himself for and established sixty mission stations the' work! Four pastors and four along the coast. They formed six students were selected, and in July, churches, which contain an aggl'e- 1871, the party started for that great gate of between six and seven hun- land of cannibals. dred members, I'educed six of the New Guinea is larger than any languages or dialects to writing, and country III Europe except Russia. It translated portions of the New Tes- is 1,500 miles long and from 30 to tament, a school-book, catechism nearly 500 miles wide, containing an and hymn-book into each. They area of 303,241 square miles, or, in- have two institutions at work for the training of native pioneer evangelists ture's children the comforts and the and pastors: the Papuan Institute at decencies of humanized life, ex- Murray Island, in Papuan Gulf, con- claimed: "Oh, ye orators and phi- taining over fifty students; and the losophers who make the civilization institute at Port Moresby, containing of the species your dream, look to ten or twelve. Twenty-five have been Christian missionaries if you want to sent out from the former and eight see the men who will realize it! You from the latter as native pioneer may deck the theme with the praises teachers, and are located at stations of your unsubstantial eloquence; but in the interior, on the coast and on these are the men who are to accom- islands off the coast, and are doing plish the business! They are now excellent Christian work amongst risking every earthly comfort of ex- the people with whom, in many in- istence in the cause, while you sit in stances, their fathers used to fight, silken security and pour upon their As an illustra,tion of the change holy undertaking the cruelty of your from cannibalism to Christianity, scorn." These words were spoken in compare father and son in the fol- what seems a past age, the age when lowing passage: "The old chief the highest organs of literature Mamo was our friend all along, al- treated missionaries and their work though he had a weakn{'ss for cutting with contempt. The more than seven off the heads of his enemies, and de- decades that have passed since then clined to embrace Christianity' be- should satisfy the most rigid experI- cause its pr{'cepts forbade him this mental philosopher that the words of pleasure. The last time I saw him the preacher were words of tru th and (he died two or three years ago) he sobemess, and that the only power was sitting, as usual, cross-legged on that will redeem degraded nations is a mat in front of his house waiting the power of the gospel of Jesus to receive us, and looking as dirty Christ.
and as ugly, and as great a'savage, "There is a change seen even in as when I first saw him thirteen the appearance of all the natives of years before. He was getting too old New Guinea. They were a wild can- to pursue his favorite sport, skull- niballot a few years ago. One of the hunting. His son and successor is a natives spokea little English. Peat'se fine, tall, powerful man, who at- asked them if they eat man, and was tached himself to the teachers from answered, 'No. No eat man now; the first, and by whom he was edu- all follow missionary now.' In the cated. He has been for many years evening, at seven, a bell rang, and an earnest Christian and indefatiga. soon hymn-singing was heard; they ble local preacher." May we not say, were having evening prayers. You look on that picture and on this-the cannot realize it-savages, cannibals, savage cannibal skull-hunter, and the murderers-now seeking to worship loving, kind-hearted Christian, who God. It was strangely pleasing to is indefatigable in his labors to save hear an old hymn tune in such a both body and soul. Hear this, ye place," A New Guinean, preaching, who prate about the service of man 'I said: "The time has come for us to Where are Yl1ur missionaries ? Where be up and doing. Foreigners have are the savages converted into men brought us the gospel, many have and brothers of whom you can say, died of fever, several have been " These are our epistles"? Echo an- speared and tomahawked; now let swers, Where? us carry the gospel to other districts, Dr. Thomas Chalmers in 1812, after and if we die 'tiS well, for we die in describing the missionaries as ex- yhrist ; if we are murdered, 'tis well- tending among the wildest of na- 'ms carrying His name and love, and 'twill be for Him. Motu, let us do and sacl'ificed thousands of lives, it I" "He knows only a 'little, so Canada, with a larger proportion of vel'y little; yet he loves, and he is Indian population, has not spent a , willing to endure for Chl'ist. I saved dollar on such wars nor suffered that lad a few years ago from being from one such massac!'':l.
attacked, perhaps murdered, by his It is commonly supposed that the own people. Did I LeU you at Vab- Indians are rapidly disappeal'lng and ukori, neal' here, there are forty- almost extinct. This is a. great mis- three catechumens, and at Tuyuselei take. The total number was estimated fifty-six? The prayer of faith is be- by Schoolcraft in 1855 at 350,000. In ing answered. The greatest power Mexico there are at least 4.000,000, in of the mission-house is that monthly Central America 1,5@0,000, and in prayer-meeting. " South America 7,000,000.
NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. The Puget Sound Indians have no THE question of the N. A. Indians literature. Hieroglyphic emblems and is too big to discuss in this limited signs and pictures take the place of space. Our Indian record is not an books. But, the exigencies of kade honor to us as a nation. Our gov- have created a sort of commercial ernment has made hundreds of trea- dialect, which, after a century, has ties with the redman, and seldom if largely displaced the many Indian eve~ kept them. Bishop Whipple dialects aB a vehicle of communica- asked scores of brave officel's if they tion. With only about 450 words in knew of one instance in which Indi- its vocabulary, it is capable, by into- ans were the first to break these nation and vocal inflection, of a wide treaties, and they Il.nswered, in every range of expression, and can be used case, "No." to impart gospel truth.
In 1828 we solemnly guaranteed to No more remarkable work has ever the Cherokees their lands forever. been done among any people than by Ten year later, at the request of Wm. Duncan in his Metlakhatla, Georgia, 18,000 of them were dl'iven the story of which has been so well from their homes and tilled lands told by Mr. Wellcome.
into an unknown wilderness. In Who in the United States shall an- 1876,700 Poncas were similarly robbed swer before God for the sad fact, that and exiled. In 1878 a remnant of in this second century of the life of the Cheyennes, driven to a new this mighty Republic there are still home, were compelled to attempt to 200,000 Indians unchristianized with- return, to avoid starvation, and were in its borders I It is stated that there pursued, captured, and imprisoned, are only eighty-one missionaries at until the chief and his wife escaped work among 184,000 Indians, or one tortnre by snicide. Foul' times in a miSSionary to 2,000 Indians; "17,000 century the Stockbridges and Dela- Navajoes whom Christianity has not wares have suffered the horrors of touched; 5,000 Apaches in Arizona "removaL" absolutely destitute' of Christian The manner in which we have, as light; 17,000 Indians in Washington a nation, paid our Indian debts, the Tel'ritory still heathen." In our In- violation of our express pledges, the dian Territory murder and crime 'are provocation of Indian wars, the mas- rampant, anditis impossible to obtain sacres to which our unfaithfulness justice, owing not only to wickedness a,nd injustice and cruelty have been of government officials, but to the the incitements, all these have come drunkenness and lawlessness of the up for a memorial before 9-od to call Indians. Driven from home by land- down His wrath. While 'Ye have grabbers, they are the victims of the spent $500,000,000 upon Indian wal'S, very officials to whom they look: tor protection, whose character is so vi- says Mr. Egerton Young, missionary orthe Cancious that the Indians say: "If this ada Methodist Church there, .. a number· of Inis civilization and Christianity we do dians came into my room, noiselessly, aCter their not want them." In the southwest- fashion, so that the room was filled with them before I knew it. When I became aware of ern part of Indian Territory is a their presence I asked whence they were.
much more neglected tribe, number- • From a journey of fourteen nights,' they reing about 1900, living in teepees and plied; for they reckon distance by the number tents. They have had the worst of of nights they are delayed to sleep. • We have got the Kessenaychen (the Great Book), but we agents since the administrations of don't understand it, although we can read it.' I Grant and Hayes, whose bad exam- thought they were joking, for the Indians canple has done much to debauch and not read unless some one has taught them, and discourage them. One of these a- I knew from their accoont they must live far away from any missionary, but I asked them: gents is said to have stolen $14,000 'From what missionary did you learn f' • We from these Kiowas and Comanches. never saw a missionary nor a teacher.' I took There is a government school, to down from my shelf our Bible, printed in the beautiful syllabic character for the Cree lanwhich only about fifty Kiowa chil- guage, and opened to Genesis; they read it with dren are admitted, when there· are ease and corr~ctness. I turned the pages and nearly 400 anxious to be educated. they read in many places. I was amazed, and asked them again where they lived. They de· '·The Kiowa,s are eager to lea.rn agricul- scribed it to me; it was far away, north of tural arts aud housekeeping. aud some have Hodson's Bay, hundreds of miles from any mis· taken up land and are trying to improve sionary. Their honting-gronnds, it seems, adtheir methods of tilling it. One woman join those ofsome Christian Indians-they cover about fifty years of age. visited a returned great distances in huuting-and, continued my student of the Carlisle school and saw the visitors, •We vislte~ your Indians and found famliy hving in a house with land and us- that they had the K688enaychen. We got them ing agrICultural implements and living a to read it and then to teach it to us ; and we CIvilized life. She returned home. sold two were so pleased with it that we all learned to horses and a mule. bought a set of harness. read it during the Winter.' Every soul in a a plow. hoes. several thousand feet of wire village of three hundred population had thus fence, and went to work with her two actually learned to read the Bible without ever daughters. They went into the woods, cut having seen auy white teacher; and having rails, and fenced in fifteen acres, not know- providentially come into possession of some ing the use of the wire which they had pur- copies that happened to be in the hands of the chased; neither did they know the use of Hudsou'~ Bay Company's agent, these heathen the tools after obtaining them, but they put Indians had journeyed through the snows fourup a log cabin and raised a fine crop of po- teen nights' distance that to them might be tatoes and melons. While the woman was given instruction in the Book they had thus a.t work a rough man from the Texas border learned to love." was riding by and sa.w her, He dismounted and asked her what she was doiug, and Ohinese in America. hearing of her ambitions, showed her the use of the harness and plough, and from The new Chinese temple, the second Chinese that time she has steadily improved in cir- place of worship in America, was dedicated in cumstances and surroundings." Mr. Her- New York, January 7, and Joss duly installed bert Welch says: .. The two wants of the in his new quarters. The unique dedicatory Indians are tools alld schools.•, services were conducted by the Chairman of the Among the Indians, as among the Chinese Mnnicipal CounCil, acting High Priest ·Africans, the rum traffic has intro- of Joss. Woug Siu Nam and Ah Hi, both being duced evils that actually more than well·to-do merchants of Mott street, and acting as assistant priests. and the Chinese Council, in overbalance aU that thus far Chris- full Mandarin costume, attended. Among the tianity has accomplished for their curious proceedings were the carrying of a big good. The New York TribuniJ, re- roasted pig, painted and decorated, and many ferring to the illegally licensed liquor chickens, pigeons. cakes, etc., to Joss.
A Chinese gambling room was lately raided shops of Alaska, says: by the police. The Chinese when brought be- "The result of the immunity to these grog fore the poliee eourt contended that they were shops is s great spread of immorality among but imitators of the best American society in the natives who will sell their offspring or the National Capital. The keeper of the room, wives for whiskey." Kwong Chong Lee, said he had heard of the "At Norway House, on a certain occasion," clubs incorporated by " the Mellcan man," who
1889·1 ];:i)I'f'OIUAL
can play poker and not be molested, and, ac- the children. The preachllr on the Sahllath cording to his statement, the "Celestials' Pleas- afternoon will often consecrate the elements- . ure Club" meets at .the house raided. He they administer the sacrament every Sabbathshowed Policeman Costello a book in which then preach a sermon, retiring immediately were written the names of the officers of the afterwllrd to bet on a horse race that takes club. The incorporation purported to have place the same afternoon. Last :week I heard been sworn to before Justice Clark. The Chi- one of the elders say in the pulpit, at one of their nese on their arrival at the police station were conferences, that he would as soon have his taken into the sitting room to the rear of the children read Dickens's works as the Bible. office, where there was a pack of cards on the table. Some of them evidently thought they The missionaries sent into" the world" to ' had struck another Chinese joint, fOt' one ofthem preach" the gospel" are often renegades ofthe picked npthe cards and started a game of poker, wildest nature and lowest character, who are but the police interfered before much progress sent ont to see the world. I know of several was made iu the game. A curious commentary young fellows of the higher classes, however, is all this on morals among certain Americans. who were sent" on missions" to Europe sim- ply to procure better edncations. One of them, Morman Morality. The term morality as the son of an nnderground apostle, did the Holy known among the Christians of the world, is an Land in that way; while another, the son of a nnknown term among the Latter Day Saints- German professor, simply went as a guide Mormons. Upon becoming a Mormon no one is through Switzerland for a party of Salt Lake required to lay aside his cupidity, evil heart, young blood. From a town to Southern Utah foul month or beer bottle. A Latter Day Saint there w,ent in 1886 a young man to Nebraska on is not known from other men by the testimony a missiou. He is one of the most notorious of a spotless life. Many a father sits down to gamblers in the whole country, and the night the dtnner table, asks a blessing, and before the before he left lie won a team of horses and a meal Is over is cursing and sweartng at one of wagon at the gambling table. Of such is the kingdom of the Mormons.
VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Strange Doctrine. judged fairly in isolation from their surroundings. The text is often ex- .. Da. PIERSON is reported as saying' I be- plained by the context. but above all lieve that, all the time. men and women are by the drift and tenor of a man's going up to heaven from heathen lands, who whole book of life and testimony. never heard of Christ.' Such a hope would Whatevertruth lies back of the above afford as grateful exhilaration to old mis- professed" quotation" is connected sionaries, whose work is almost done, as to with the teaching of a class in the Y. Dr. pierson-if it can be shown to rest upon M. C. A. Hall of Philadelphia, where a solid foundation. •Take the case of Cor- on Saturday at 4 P. M. from 500 to nelius,' says Dr. Pierson. 'He was a, 1,200 of the most earnest and evanheathen; he had not heard of Christ; and gelical Sunday-school teachers and yet his prayers and his alms came up before adult disciples of the city gather. God. Do you believe that Cornelius would And it may be sufficient to say that have been lost if he had died before he saw whatever was said by the writer, Peter?' I have been face to face with the who has the honorto lead the studies races of Bui-ma for thirty-five years, and of that great class, it awakened no have not yet fonnd a Cornelius, nor have I murmur of disapprobation. So met or heard of a missionary who has found much for the orthodoxy of the a Cornelius among any af the heathen races teacher and of the class. of Asia. It is true that I have found some,· to my great joy, who somewhat resembled But as to the sentiment itself. We Cornelius; but it was soon found in every were studying Matthew xxv. and case that the person had read and pondered the last judgment. The question a ChristIan tract, or a portion of God's arose as to the grounds of final conword." demnation. And one of the princi- ples affirmed from Scripture was that Such paragraphs as this have been no man is held accountable except flying about in the newspapers. We for the light he has. And again, do not often consider it worth while that if the measure of knowledge to chase up our" good name," be- lieving that a reputation which needs much looking after is. not worth looking after-no man's utterances, whether of tongue 01' pen, can be
NOTES
given him is improved, he will not found in the depths of the jungle be condemned. ,Those principles we who had fur years been living in a regard as self-convincing, like axi- state of discontent with his own oms. There is no question in our ancestral faIth, and had been led in mind as to the condemnation of the a strange way to trust to some other heathen world. The first chapter of plan of salvation, of which till then Romans settles that. But it settles he had never had distinct informa- also the grounds of their being tion. Dr. Nevius of Chefoo has just "without excuse." "They held written of Yang-yin-shin, whom he down the truth in unrighteousness," met in a market town of China, and "they did not like to retain God in who, as soon as he heard the gospel their knowledge," " when they said, "This is the very truth Iwant, knew God they glorified Him not as this is what I have been waiting for God." for twenty years. I have been earn- estly seeking for light and guidance, Now it follows from the same inex- but without success. This is the orable Logicthatif a heathen man does very truth that meets and supplies use thelightandknowledgegiven him my want." And his embrace of the hewillnotbejudgedguilty. Weven- tru1tl was immediate. He proved tured to say to those teachers, that If himself one of God's elect by the God saw any man in a pagan land avidity with which he immediately . honestly endea..voring to live up to welcomed redemptive truth. the light he had, he would if neces- sary send to that man an angel as he Now, we have no sympathy with did to Cornelius. We did affirm that universalism, restorationism, second it was not conceivable that if Cor- probation, post-mortem opportunity, nelius had died before Peter reached preaching to spirits in prison, or any him, he whose "prayers and alms other of the hundred modern extra- came up before God" with accept- scriptural expedients to get men ance, "for a memol"ial," would have saved without compliance with the been driven into outer and eternal terms of the gospel within the limits darkness. And we did also venture of the life-time. But no man is com- to say that there may be those who petent to affirm that it is impossible out of every nation go up from time for any heathen man to be saved to time to a saved state, exceptions without the knowledge of the historic to the great mass of the heathen, as Christ. The grace of God is wider proofs that there is no fatality about than our creeds or our philosophy. this wholesale perdition, and alil jus- The love of God is broader than our tifying the condemnation of the rest. narrow theology, Arminius did not This is scarcely an article of faith, know everything, nor Calvin either. for it is not revealed. Yet we cannot And if O'u:f; of every nation some shall but feel that "in every nation he join the redeemed, who, never having that feareth God and worketh right- heard of Christ as a historic person, eousness is accepted with Him," and have been led and taught of God's that in some mysterious way, un- Spirit to rest upon a method of sal- known to us, God may lead a. poor vation only dimly revealed to their pagan who is feeling after Him if yearning souls, not only will God's haply he may find him, to rest upon justice and grace be vindicated and the merit of a mediator, of whom as glorified, but the condemnation of a historic personage he has never aU other lost heathen will be maqe heard. to appear consistent with human freedom and responsibility. While A most beloved missionary in the we suggest this relief to the dark Orient has told us of a white-haired picture of the wOl'ld's condition and and venerable patriarch whom he
EDITORIAL
prospects, it must be remembered paper; I beg leave to quote one par- that, as a practical question of duty, agraph giving my views: this hope does not affect the respon- .. Evangelization-the proclaiming of the good sibilityof the church. It still re- news of salvation to all who are ignorant oC a mains true that without the gospel Saviour's love and intereession-'-is our part in proclaimed among them by believers. the Divine economy of redemption, on whieh is conditioned the conversion of men by the Holy the vast multitude of the heathen Spirit. The work includes the Christian colwill actually perish. This we cannot lege and seminary for the education of a native but believe. While some may be agency, since every country must be evangelized speculating as to the future of those by its own sons, duly prepared by divine grace, through miSSionary instruction and example; who die unsaved, we prefer to give and it includes a Christian literature for the demen the gospel here and now, assured velopment and nurture of Christian life and on the authority of God that "it is eharacter in new-born souls; but more than all else, it includes the preaching of' the word.
the power of God unto salvation to • How shall they believe in Him of whom they – everyone that believeth." have not heard, and how shall they hear with- A.T.P. out a preacher, and how shall they preach THE editors are more and more except they be sentf' No miraculous power is to print the Scriptures and scatter them broad- cast among the tribes of men. No voice from satisfied that the views presented in heaven is to proclaim the message of Ufe in the the leading article of the May num- ear of assembled mnltitudes. This work has ber, on the "Mission and Commis- been committed to the church. The final glory sion of the Church," are not only is not promised till the gospel has been preached for a witness to all nations. The way must be unassailable, but fundamen tal to a prepared for the coming of the Lord, for those right conception of our work and its grander workings of the Spirit, which have success. We venture to print a let- been the hope and the joy of the people of God ter from one of the greatest of the in all the ages, when Christian institutions shall cover the earth, and Ch"istiau homes shall be leaders of the missionary host. the common heritage of all the children of DEAR DR. PIERSON :-1n the May men." number of the MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, 1 read with much Grateful for your valuable services interest your editorial on the matter in your present field of labor as conof "evangelization" as distinguished nected with the progress of the kingfrom "conversion" in the foreign dom of God. field. 1 was very glad to see the article, as 1 hope it will correct a good Very sincerely yours. N. G. CLARK.
BOSTON, May 10,1889.
deal of improper lan~uage, which THE HELL GA'fE EXPLOSION of Oc- we hear in the pulpit and through tober 10, 1884, caused the most in- the press. 1 have for years been tense excitement in New York City.
very careful never to speak of the The Brooklyn Bridge was crowded, conversion of men as in any sense a every available space on the house- human work. That is the preroga- tops, the horse cars, the river banks; tive of the Holy Spirit. Evangeliza- all the world was on the streets. The tion is our work; when that work is explosion took place at 11.13 o'clock well done we may hope and pray for A.M., and the progress of the vibra- the conversion of men. Of that the tion was found to be' 1,700 feet per Holy Spirit will have all the honor. second. There was great fear that As long ago as at the annual meet- the shock might cause disaster to the ing of the American Board, in 1877, foundations of buildings, and even I presented a paper entitled" Claims the towers of the East River Bridge.
of the Un-evangelized," in which I Just before 11 o'clock a small band endeavored to set forth the truth on of engineers stood about a small bat- this subject. I should be glad to terynear the Astoria Ferry slip, with call your attention to the entire General Newton, theil'chief, who frequently looked at his watch. At revolutionary. He would have m'i~ 11.12 precisely, a baby's hand was laid upon the little key of the bat- sionaries go out without purse ,Ii# tery and instantly 13,286 dynamite scrip, without human patronltgeQl" cartridges, protruding from as many dependence, without stated salary,Ol' holes in the mine, exploded, and a settled habitation, precisely as did second later the 240,000 pounds of those primitive disciples. With l'ackarock, packed bacl~ of the car- many of Mr. Baldwin's principles and tridges. Flood Rock was blasted sentiments we confess ourselves in away. The report was not loud, but very hearty accord, while we feel a second before it was heard a great confident that he has carried those mass of foam white as snow shot principles to the extreme of applicainto the air 200 feet, and fell back in tion. wild confusion to meet new upheavals. Great masses of rock were We believe that there are some flung upwards in a giant shower, but truths which belong to the realm only seen here and there through a not of obligation, but of privilege• mountain of shining foam. The elec- .. He that is able to receivli}t, let him tric current moved over a single wire receive it." And to all Mr. Baldwin's beneath the river to a heavy bichro- papers we have one answer-a scripmate battery on the rock, which dif- tural one; it is found in 1Corinthians fused the current through twenty- ix.,3 to 19. Paul, to those who critfour independent circuits, the ends ically examine His course, insists of those wires being bridged and upon certain rights, while at the joined by a fine platinum wire. Big same time he waives them. To rewaves were driven shoreward, and duce all the self-denials of a devoted vessels rocked wildly to and fro. The life to the level of cold duty and newater settled slowly, yellowish in cessity robs them of theil' beauty. hue, and emitting an odor of car- But when a life is lived in peculiar bonic acid gas. The crowd on land closeness of faith and fellowship, and river cheered lustily and waved leaning absolutely on God, and votheir hats and handkerchiefs, while luntarily choosing to have no interthe steamers whistled their salute. mediate dependence on man, we con- The channel was deepened from five fess there is about it a sublimity and feet to five fathoms. What an illus- beauty that are without a rival. tration of the work of God in mis- SIOns, long undermining great sys- A.T.P. tems which some day shall suddenly upheave and disappear.-A. T. P. REV. GEORGE STOTT, of the China Island Mission, fell asleep at Cannes, OUR friend and correspondent, Rev. April 21, 1889, aged 54. He and his E. F. Baldwin, of Mogador, Morocco, beloved wife were the companions has been furnishing a series of letters of Drs. Gordon and Pierson on their to The Christian (London) on "The tour of missions in Scotland in 1888, Question of the Hour-Foreign Mis· and Mr. Stott was one of the lovelisions." These remarkable papers est disciples we ever knew. He had take Matthew x., etc., as the basis of for years had but one leg, but he did all foreign mission work. Mr. Bald- as much work as most !pen with two. For some time he had been troubled with his lungs and a complication of diseases.-A. T. P.
win regards our Lord's instructions THERE was recently held the great to the twelve and the seventy as per- centennial of Wasl~ington's Inaugumanent and authoritative guides in ral Oath. No such celebration has the work of evangelization. His po- eyer been seen on American soil, but sition,is of course both radical and it may be doubted whether any spec-
1889.J ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND
tacle equally disgrltceful with the utterly inadequate; but ample means are EaIl at the Academy of Mu~ic ever at the disposal of our 75,000 Baptist breth disgraced and dishonored such a fes- ren iu the Dominion of Canada; tive occasion. What a contrast between the morning service of wor- That to every 50.000 of the population of ship at St; Paul's and the evening this land one missionary and fifty native worship of the world, the flesh, the Christian helpers are the least possible devil and the drink demon I number of evangelizing a.gents necessary; The Speedy Eva.ngeliza.tion of the Te- That nntil the country is thoroughly lugu People. evangelized, the home churches must pro- vide the support of missionaries and the AT the Thirteenth Annual Cana- higher traiuing of native agents, leaving to dian Baptist Missionary Conference, the Christians of this land the support of in Bimlipatam, India, January, their own pastors and teachers. 1889, the following resolutions were adopted: Therefore we now urge upon the home churches the pressing necessity of at once That the commission of our Lord Jesus grappling with this work by sending out Christ means that this generation or Chris- immediately fifty-two men. and additional tians in the world is commanded to give the lady·missionaries as the work demands' gospel to this generation of heathen; and providing for the consequent extension of the evangelizing agencies; That the one thousand million who are in spiritual darkness. the three millions of We will impress more fully upon the Telugus dependent on us for the Bread of native churches their responsibility in this life. are a share proportionate to the num- work; ber of our brethren in the Canadian Baptist churches; We request both the hotne and native churches to unite with us in steadfast and That for the evangelization of these continued prayer to the God of Missions, for people, the means at present employed are a large output of laborers into this His har- vest field; for an abundant out-pouring of His Holy Spirit, that the workers be filled with power, and their hearers bowed with conviction; and for the speedy triumph of the cause of Christ throughout the world.
VII.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS.
Wesleyan Methodist Mission (English) of a native minister, who seized the oppor- in the Mysore District, Madras, India. tunity to dwell upon the spiritual life of Christianity. Another most important and STATISTICS FOR 1888. useful work is that accomplished by the temperance societies• ., .,riJ cO …;. .; ';' …;. '" ., " ''".""", """ . " ." ~".'" t"": . :5 " " '" 6 ss ::iiij '-·'5§Io~;"w:si ~~''E;§"0~;::'· oZ.,~~…"..,;..~£,<,:.:;~rQ.t~";I.t0.'!,-'Ij'l.a<,.=8l~3.0!:.,lI. ~ "~ ~ .; ",!l .0 The North India Oonferenoe of the Meth- .; c III 0 odist Episoopal Ohuroh. S 'i:l THIS conference met at Bareilly on the 9th .; ~z January under the presidency of Bishop ~ Thoburn. General delight was expressed " .s 'r::-" " '" <J at the bishop'S presence, because his ea.rli- 'a 0 .; .; ~ '0 est field of labor was North of India. The ~ .<:I 0 following table indicates the position of the 0 " ~ rIl '0 Q) rIl work: ~ 0 0 " :g ai S '0 S -" -oj rIl ai .cI rIl '" Q) rIl Eo< E-I u1i – – – – – – – —- – – 84042 912 109 28 1,068 136 8,621 24 1.030 THE field covered by this mission is larger DEPARTMENT. Increa.se than Scotland, and has a populatiou of over Total. on 4,000,000. Except Mysore and Bengalore, there are no large cities. the headquarters Year. of the different districts being towns of about 10,000 inhabitants. Among the most Church Members………… 7,944 1,924 important phases of the work is that among Nat. Christian Community. 10.828 1,602 the Kolar gold fields. The most effectual Baptisms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1,952* evangelistic work is accomplished at the Sunday-schools…………. ' 703 520 time of the idol festivals, which are univer- Sunday-school Scholars,… 26,585 109 sal holidays. One special instance is noted 2,672 where a quarrel between two rival idols resulted in marked attentIon to the preaching *Of these 1,201 are adults.
That is a grand record for a year's work.
In the day schools there are 16,000 pupils, 5,000 of whom are girls, and over 3,000 Chris- tians. Deaconesses' Homes are to be openeO at Mathra and Lucknow. Bengal Mission of the Methodist special lecturers, one American on physi_ Episoopal Ohuroh. ology and sanitation, and two native on methods of theory and practice of mission REpORT for 1888. See Statistics Page 314 work. In the theological department there MISSIONARY REVIEW for April. are 37 students, and in the normal depart- ment 30 students. The course of training The reports of the presiding elders of the includes specially Bible study, togetherwlth four districts, Ajmere, Burmsh, Calcntta and practical instructions in evangelistic work. Mussoorle, bring very forcibly before the reader The classics are those of the country, though the need of the great work. In some places, occasionally Greek and Hebrew are taught where there was urgent need of advance and increased elfort, the word came to retrench, and General Synod Evangelical Lutheran the problem became a serious one how to hold the ground already occupied. The laying of Mission in India. Baptized in 1888 by: the corner stone of the J abulpore Mission buildings brought some grateful words from Rev. E. Unangst { Adults, 311 the chief commissioner, Mr. A. Mackenzie, Chtlctre:1, 318 C. S. The times have greatly changed in India 629 since the day when the first American mission- { Adults, 11 aries were peremptorily ordered out of the Rev. L. B. Wolf, Children, 14 country. At pr.esent there are no warmer sup- 25 porters of their work than mallY of the oftlcials { Adults, 140 of the Indian Government. Rev. B. John, Children, 271 411 Bareilly Theologioal Seminary of the Adults, 9} Methodist Episcopal Mission, N ol'th { Rev. M. Nathaniel, Children, 117 India. 216 REPORT for 1888 shows two missionary professors, with six native assistants and three Total, 1,281 These statistics show that our work here is a graud success. Who will come to help to carry it on ?
Malayalam Mission, Travancore, India..
LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY, COMMENCED 1805. STATISTICS FOR 1888• .; ..",; ..",; ….,.;. .; ….;, .; M …., . """…. ~ ….;, "tS.~ ",.c:I ~ .c:I "o· """".c:I -;; .; .; oj't:l ..;.0.:.,:, .,0 0 "oj A ., …. ~ oj ~ 't:I oj "'>< "0 ~" – "'"0 " o";o;f!j oj ~ "oj ..c."".:,I "E-o M 'a0 0 .c:I o0.j..", "",Il< ~Il) .c:I ".o~ j o "0 "…. "ee ",.c:I 0 r:0n .~…, o~ …. 00 't:I.~ 0 bo 0 "..q, ' " "g..q zoj 0 .c:I 0 ;;: o,-.;!";l: 0 "0 00 0 — —- ———————- —- — 6 6 19 213 1163 266 44.633 5,356 g56 295 13.229 27.657 Trevandrum station, including the city those sold by the colporteur Bible women and with a population of 57,611, and the district, at the depot. covering 632 square miles, with a population of 253,280, has 48 congregations with 1,200 The Medical work Includes 1 MiSSionary, 9 church members, 7,719 adherents, 59 schools Medical Evangelists in charge of Dispensaries, and 1,712 scholars, new adherents 584. 2 Dispensers, 1 Evangelist, 1 Catechist, 1 Bible woman, 1 Colperteur. The patients included Among the chief features of the work are 10,503 Protestants, 2,694 Roman Catholics, 13,- Gospel lectnres to caste Hindoos and 930 Heathens, 530 Mohammedans. others; open.air preaching and private conversation with enquirers; dissemina.- Zenana Work in India.-The Zenana Mistion of Scriptnres, religious books and sionarv Society of the Church of England tracts. reports that in 1888 it had 106 missionaries in the home connection, 189 Bible-women, The chief hindrance is from the high caste and 349 native teachers. Under this mis- Hindoos, alarmed for the safety of their sionaryforce 3,118 houses have been visited traditional religious usages, and hostile to in which there are 2,797 pupils. This method the low cast people who are glad to come of reaching the women of India is proving to the preaching, so that care has to be taken successful, and those who could not possinot to open more places of worship than can be bly be brought together in any public aseared for. 1,439 Scripture portions, chiefly sembly are glad to welcome Ilo Christia.n Gospels, were sold by the preachers, besides teacher in the home, United Ohuroh of Ohrist in Japan.
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT, 1888.
~..".,.. STATISTICS.
9o · MISSIONA.RIES, ! . .n..; as 0"""0i''."-" FOREIGN. " I '" '""§ Sil .n (!)~t ~al .. Sl" ,!.-~ "CIS000"O-, "M D.S ~ ~" .; 6 ;;" z"'''….. f ~.~~,!:,g..= '" – <S»l § o§o.Jd3'fi ,.,~"Qg-.".:a2'e0dgen-j ~ .; .; rJ2 ~~() – – ''"" – – 0 0 Po< ,; ."8o"s' o Po< zg ".d – – – – .S :c ~ ,; PPo< " !l ~ :~:;: ~ I: ~ 44 ~ rJ2 0 8 rJ2 411 : ~ ~ "~ —— 0 -rJ2- 1$:,;;00 8,690 1,831 80 24 2,260 4,000 39 38 36 THE whole report is one of encouragement Missionary Society are calling for men and and hope. An increase for the remaining twelve money to enter the doors open on every side. years of the century similar to that of the past The great desire i8 to increase the power of the year would give for 1900 a membership of 144,- union by the addition of the Congregational 000, a token of the evangelization of this great churches, which will nearly double the effectempire. ive force of the union, adding to it 45 churches with 7,093 members. With such a compact Several more churches have become self-sup- body of Christian workers, animated by such a porting, and it is a question whether many of those still receiving aid are not hurt more than spirit of self-consecration and earnest purpose they are helped. The principle laid down is to work for Christ; there is no obstacle too tbat any church of a hundred members should great. In union is strength. We earnestly be entirely self·reliant. The chief growth is in hope that there will be nothing done to kamper the chnrches, but the fields on every hand are or hinder that union. white to the harvest, aud the native Home -~– Statistios of the Egyptian Mission. (Frbm 1865 to 1887.) ESTABLISHED IN 1854. 1865. 1870. 1875. 1880. 1887.
—-.——-_._-.—————- Ordained Missionaries…………………………. . 8 7 8 8 11 Unmarried Female Missionaries……………….. . 3 3 7 8 10 Native Pastors…………………… , …………. .. 1 3 6 10 Native Licentiates…………………………….. . 5 Organized Congre:oations……………………… . 1 3 8 12 7 3 24 Stations Occupied ……………………………. .. 5 10 6 48 21 85 Communicants …………………………. , …… .. 79 237 676 1,036 2,307 Average Sabbath Attendance ………………….. . 125 513 1,133 1,837 4,747 Pupils in Sabbath-schools…………………….. .. 236 658 1,494 4,438 Number of Schools…………………………….. . 5 49 82 8 23 Pupils in Schools ………………………………. . 815 520 1,040 2,219 5,601 Books Distributed (volumes) …………………… . ? 5,506 1l,8PO 25,534 33,609 $655 $797 $4,863 $13,083 Tuition Fees…. :………………………………. . 1,037 2,795 5,541 7,815 Proceeds from Sale of Books……………………. . Totals paid by Nat's for Prc'h'g., Schools and Books 2,788 4,840 14,986 27,173 Baptist Foreign Missionary Society of The Woman's Baptist ForeIgn Mis.ionary Ontario and Quebec. Societies of Ontario and of East Ontario and Quebec report for their Zenana work MISSION FIELD, TELUGUS, MADRAS, INDIA. expenses additional to the sums paid to the General Society of $2,315.32. STATISTICS.-TwENTY-SECOND ANNUAL RE- The work of the Societies has been ham· PORT, 1888. pered by changes necessitated throughsick- ness and retirement of some from the field. …. " . ".- " " … ;1ui't:! .u..i .n .u.,i Yet they go on their way with good cour- age, "300,000 sonls with a single missionary, :s .-" . " " <II"d~~.~~~c.'g..",.:. 't:!.n ..e- .n .; ::l ::l and he 35 miles distant," calls for help• .':~-t:l:Q."!c~) '0 " " A::l'~" ~~ "'~ Ci~ ~… ."c ~ ~ The Leper House at Jerusalem, 1888. "~ 0 't~::!:ol 80 :te:l'Ow :J .d ~ ';":; The Seventeenth Annual Report of this Insti- Ci'~ E-< tution, under the care of the 1I0ravian Society, ",.- S.:!i 0 "rJ2 ".O..r "S shows an e'lCpenditnre of £435-3-0, $2,176. The Sil new asylum, built at a total cost of about ~dl ~, S $21,C-00, and unencumbered by any debt, has 19 inmates, 13 males and 6 females, 8 Christians Sil ~::. <= 0 and 11 Moslems.· Three died during the year, _. — — — — — — — – 0 aU haviug the Christian hope. 0 0 4 5 4 4 5 46 40 40 13 1.947 Increase from collections, legacies, etc ………………………….$14,67648 Received from Woman's Societies (less $325 returned).. .. .. .. .. .. .. • 4,605 Do 'l,'ota.l income …………… $19,281 48
Missions in the Dutch East-Indian
From the latest reports received during the year 1888, prepared jor THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD by Rev. N. D. Schuurmans, Haarlem, HoUand.
Name of the So- Stations. Receipts European Native As- Adherents. Schools. Scholars. during the ciety. Missionaries -s-i s t-a n-t s . – -l-as-t y-ea-r.- Notes. 8.- 74.- — – – – – – The Netherland ModjowarnQ-Java. 5,me, (on Ja- 135 8,472 on Java $37,706 In the Minahassa (Celebes) are a great . .(founded in the Kendal-pajak, llilissional'Y Unlun Kediri, h The number va) 221 (be. and Celebes; many native churches (communions) for- year 1797 at Rot- ~~:~b~~~Cele~~s. teachers and longing to of Savoo the merly founded by the missionaries of the lterdam). catechists the resort of N. M. S., now under the pastorshlp of Euro- Tanawan~ko .. in the lIiina- Seba (Savoo) number is pean associate preachers, who in connec- hasia prov- not known. tion with the Dutch Protestant Church in Seba-8avoo. inee is 115. Neth. India and under pay of the Dutch Government, yet greatly act asmissionaries for the propagation of the gospel,. Thenum- ber of native Christians is reported abont 120.000 souls. Notwithstanding two mission- aries. properly so-called, are at work in the niinahassa, the one is placed at the head of a training school for native assistan ts, the other occupied witha printing press for the sake of the missions on this Island. – —– .. Missionary Socie- Cheribou, The Netherland nieester-Cornelis-Ja va 7 24 874 11 146 $17,846 Of the 874 adherents 251 may partake of .. ty II. (founded in Indramaju, .. ,he year 1858 at niadjalengka, the Holy Communion.
. Rotterdam). . Sukabumi. Sumedang, .. 1'jiandjoor, .. Pangharepan, . Buitenzorg, —– —- ———- –~~— This year (1889) one Missionary more will Foreign Mission Batavia-Java. 3 6 200 4 224 $8,000 c f the Christian Surbaga, U be sent to Sumba.
Reformed Church Melolo and Cabernero, in the Netherlan<ls Sumba. (founded tn the ear 1860 at Leyen.) – – – – – – 125 Missions Church Salatiga-Java.. 6 8 500 5 $1,892 Only one missionary is sent by tbe Erme a t Ermeloo (found- 'Vonoredjo. ,. (during 1887.) 100 Mission; the other by the Neukinchan Mission. which are united on Java. under .. e d in the year Klampok, the name of h Salati;;a Mis8ion."
1856 at Ermeloo.) Kali<lJeret, ..
.. Tjem~h,
Un- Mergoredjo-Java. 3 16 491 5 200 I $8,479 The three old missionaries, thonlth
ion, for the propa- Pakanteu-Sumatra. (during 1887). directly on the mission field, are yet occugation of the gos- pied wi th working for the missionar~ cause; pel in the Dutch the first by translating the Bible lDto the colonies (founded Javanese language, the second by means of in the year 1847 at writmg, the third by preaching (Reise- Amsterdam). 1——— —– —— —- – – – – – '- – – -…- – $2,127 prediger.) Dutch Lutheran Pulo Tel;o. 2 This mission but just begun.
Society for Home Batuv Islands.
and Foreign Mis- sions (founded in the year 1882 at Amsterdam).
Java Comi te Batavia-Java. (2 on Java. 13 on Java. 115 3 ..t200 $11,911 Missionary I. Esser, of Bondawosso. is at 5 80, present in Holland for the translation (branch of the So- Bondowossa" 1 all Sum",-.J 011 Suma- 450 of the Bible (New 'l'estament) into the Maciety for Home Uta Rimbaru-Suma- tra). tl'a.) durese language. and Foreign Mis– tra.
sions at Batavia, Java) founded in the year 1856 at Amsterdam. —— —– Utrecht Mission Mansinam-N.Guinea. 8 total. 7 180 6 U38 $21,940 Union, founded in Andai, •• the year 1859 at Doreh, Utrecht. Rhoon, Duma, Almaheira. Soa, Konora, •• – – – – – – – – -Ka-w-ir-i. B-u-ru-. —- ——-, —– —– Rhenish Mission Bandjarmassin-Borneo 8 {on Borneo)i26 {on Bor- 1,120 {on Bor- 136 (on Su- $83,362.56 An auxiliary society tor the Rhenish Mis- Society, founded Kwala Kapuas, .. 15 (on Suma- neo). neo). matra). for year end- sian was founded at Amsterdam in the year in the year 1828 at llIandomal, tra). 220 (on Suma-12,702 (on Su- – – – 373 (all Bor- ing Easter 1869. Barm en (Ger- Pangkoh, 5 (on Nias), tra). matra). many). Telang, 9 (')n Nias). 616 (on Nias). neal. 1888. * We have valued thejlorin at 50 cents, Amer- 48 (on Nias). Tameanlajang, U ican money, in these jigures. The Dutch guild- , er is equivalent to 40 cents our money-EDS. Sipirok-Sumatra. Bungabonder, U Pangaloon, U Sigumpu]an.
Pantjarnapitu-Sum. Stations (Continued). Simorongkir, " Pearadja, Sipokalon, Sibtoga, Sum. Lobusircgar, Gunougsitoli-Nlas. Lagubati, Dahana.," Balije, Ombalata, I Sipahutar, Padang, I
ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES. On the Sangi and Talauuer Islands are 6 As already mentioned in the a.bove Tables, several native churches, founded in stations and 6 missionaries (under pay of former times, are now under the care of European association preachers, not only in government) with about 20,000 native Christhe Minahassa (Celebes), but also on the other islands of the Dutch East Indian tians. One of these missionaries, Rev. Kel- Archipelago, as on Java, Timor, Amboina, Ternate, etc. Their number (i. e. of the ling, on the Sangi Islands, preaches at preachers) amounts to 26. Likewise there are a.bout 80 native teachers. All these are 21 different places (villages), while 15 schools paid by the Dutch Government. At Depok (Batavia) is a seminary or are entrusted to his care. trainiug school for native assistants of missionaries. Dnring the year 1888, 10 pupils, The Netherland Reformed Mission Union, being well taught and examined, have left this institution in order to begin their founded in the year 1860 at Amsterdam, has work among their fellow-countrymen. At Madjowarno (Surabaya) Missionary Kruyt 2 stations on Java, with 3 missionaries. has also founded a training-school with about 14 pupils. The number of native The number of native Christians is about Christians at D6pok is about 600 souls. The Netherland Bible Society. founded at 6,000 distrtibuted in 47 churches or lo- Amsterdam in the year 1814, has 122 branches in the Netherlands and also in the calities. Dutch East Indian Archipelago at Batavia, Depok, Samarang, Surabayo, Padang, Aug… For the evangelizatiou in Atjeh (North kola, l'Iakassar, Tondano, Bandjarmassin, and in the Dutch West Indian colonies Sumatra) a comita last year was founded (South America) at Paramaribo. With the aid of this society the Bible has at Zeist. Probably this year (1889) a misbeen translated into ten different languages of the Dutch East Indian Archipelago, viz.: sionary will be sent out to that country. the Dajak, the Javanese, the low Malay of Surabaya, the low Malay of Samarang, the The Union for the Propagation ofthe Gos- Sundanese, the Alfurese, the Batta (Toba), the Buginese and the Macassar languages. pel in Egypt was founded in 1886, at the Two new translations of the Bible have been made, namely, one into the Sun- Hague (Holland). Its missions-field is at Caldanese langnage by Rev. S. Coolsma at Bl1ndung (Java), and another into the Madurese iub, which is i:lhabited by Mohammedansand language by Rev. J. Esser at the Hague. During the last year 57,405 copies of the Hoptish Christians. According to the report, Bible, or parts of it, have been sold or distributed. The receipts of the society dur- 1887-'88, there are seven adherents and a school ing this year (1888) amounted to 53,267florins. Likewise the" Society for Home and For- with sixty pupils. The miSSionary working eign Missions" and the uUnionforspreading Christian literature,"both at Batavia (Java) there will be joinml by a European schoollargely contribute for the propagation of the gospel into the Dutch East Indian Arch- teacher, in May. Receipts, 5,052 florins. ipelago. Total receipts in Holland for the Prot. Mis- Mission of the Christian Reformed Church sion in the Dutch E. I. Archipelago, about $150,000; total native Christians, 240,000 among Israel, began in 1875. Report, August souls.-Two mis~ionaries of the Neth. Miss. Society had arrived on Java for the Missions 1, 1885-Julv 15, 1888: Missionary HORter held on Savoo and Soemba. The Java-Comit" intends to enlarge its mission-field, namely: meetings in several towns and villages that to found five stations more in East Java and Madura; also the Dutch Ref. Union were frequented by the Jews; at many intends to send as soon as possible missionaries to Tegal and Rembang and Madiun, places he visited Jewish families in their houses. Java.-To the mission on the Sanggi Islands, Rev. P. Helling departed Feb. 2. At present this missionary has been honorably discharged, and several members of the Board occasionally hold meetings. Many religiOUS writings or tracts were spread among the Jews.
Receipts, 5,7€2 florins. '
The Netherland Union, for the propagation of the gospel among the Jews, in connec- tion with the English Episcopal Church, began in 1£84, Leist (Holland). Report, 1887: The missionary has his mission-field at Amsterdam, and another at Rotterdam, who visited also sev- eral provinces of the Netherlands. The evan- gelization met with mnch opposition from the Jews; the iOlOrance of this people with regard to the Bible, was very breat. Notwithstanding this opposition, many of them accepted' and read the religious tracts, that were spread among them. Though the resnits of the preach- ing of the gospel are not clearly visible, the labors of the missionaries can be considered as pr<)paring the way for the children of Israel to receive their King. During the last year thirteen Jews asked religious teaching, and fonr of them were baptized. Receipts, 2,724 florins.
Dutch, East Ind.an Arch.pelago.-In the Bottom-lands (North Snmatra) the progress of Christianity is stated to be very hopeful. The missionaries of the Rhenish Missionary Society have their station near to the lake of Toba, at Lagubati, and Balige. In their efforts to spread the gospel into this eDnntry they receive much help of the native Christian churches, and of tbeir assistants. SociE)tyfor the Propagation ofthe Gospel 5, Druze 1. .. All Lhese, evening a.fter even- in Foreign Parts. ing, have heard the Word of God read and very simply and earnestlv explained, many EsTABLISHED 1701. Report of the year 1888. of them joining, with every appearance ~f THE SOCIETY'S INCOME FOR 1888. reverence in' Christian prayer." In this as ,in so many other cases the most interesting I. GENERAL FUND- £ 8. d. features of the work can be known only to Subscriptions, Dividends the workers themselves and to God. The supporters must be content to await the and Contributions…… . 105,910 1 1 open answers to their prayers and dona- Legacies ……………… . 8,552 11 5 tions, until there is more perfect liberty granted to searchers after truth. Reuts, Divideuds, etc ….• 3,222 2 6 Totalreceiptsgeneralfund 117,684 15 0 II. SPECIAL 1<'uNDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21',982 2 6 Total income …………. £]38,666 17 6 American Seaman's Friend Society. The sixty – first annual meeting was held in the In addition to the above, the society's chapel of the Sailor's Home, 190 Cherry street, . treasurers had received for invested funds, New York, on the afternoon of the 6th inst. held by the society as a corporation for The annual report shows that 27 chaplains or specific trusts by request, the sum of £1,- missionaries have endeavored to promote the 429 Os. 8d. spiritnal and temporrl welfare of seamen in ports extending around the world. During the In this sum of £105,610 Is. Id. are included year 501 loan libraries have been sent out, contwo gifts of securities, worth £25,296 and sistine: of 18,036 books, 7,524 being new, and £2,263 respectively. The former was U a supplying crews of 7,781 seamen. On U. S. thankoffering to almighty God for the ex- Naval vessels and in U. S. Hospitals, 993 libratension of the church in the colonies and ries, of 35,742 books, )lave been maintained dependencies of the British empire and be- within reach of 114,267 men. The heroic U. S. yond it." The latter w..s a memorial of one Life Saving Service has been remembered by 117 who had long been a munificent supporter libraries of 4,220 volumes. The Sailors' Home, of the society. on Cherry street, N. Y., accommodated 1,351 sailors during the twelve months, and took Oentral Ohina Missions of the Methodist good care of more than $10,000 deposited tem- Episcopal Ohurch. porarily with the lessee. Shipwrecked and destitute seamen were relieved by gifts amount- REPORT for 1888. See Statistics Page 314, ing to $653.70. The income of the year MISSIONARY REVIEW for April. amounted to $27,832.89, and the outgo to $34,- 971.05. One of the most important minor reports presented is that in regard to Land Tenure. It American Bible SOCiety. The sixty-first should be followed up in every mission of every annual meeting was held Thursday aftersociety. The necessity of owning and develop- noon at the Bible House. The annual reing real estate in connection with mi.sionary port shows that the total cash receipts for genwork makes it of the highest importance that eral purposes were $499,823.56. The disbnrsethe laws of Land Tenure should be well under- ments for general purposes amounted to $555,- stood. The Brother who makes the report 979.78, leaving a deficiency of $56,166.22, which seems to feel as if the time spent upon it was of was provided for j'l part by aloan and in part by little value. We would reply in the words of the sale of certain securities. The following the venerable Father Goodell of Constantinople were elected to the Board of Managers for four to one who made a similar complaint: "The years: John H. Earle, S. V. R. Cruger, Elbert disciples were serving the master just as much A. Brinkerhoff, James G. Levett, Charles H. wheu they went to get the ass as when they Trask, William Hoyt, Robert W. De Forest, J. preached at Pentecost." D. Kurtz Crook and T. G. Sellew_ The Philander Smith Memorial Hospital at The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Nanking reports in all 10,100 patients treated, a American Baptist Missionary Union began grand record of good work done. at Boston, May 15. The following statistics were given: Missionaries appointed dnr- The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society has ing the year, 30; missionaries sailed to the b~en very successful in its medical work among field, 31; missionaries retnrned, 9; total the Tartar women of Chiukiang and good re- appropriations for the year, $423,318; total sults are already evident. receipts, $415,144; balance against the treasury, $8,174. The Foreign Secretary's. Jaffa Medioal Mission and Hospital. report shows that in all the missions there are 279 missionaries,l,316 churches, 134,413 The annual report for 1888 shows expen- members-an increase of 17 missionaries, ditures of £1,209, $6,046. The number of out- 20 churches, and 7,205 members. In misdoor cases has heen 13,217; 138 on a single sions to the heathen are 62 stations and day. 511 patients have been received to 1,179 out-stations, the hospital; 307 men and 204 women and children. The various religIOns represented have been, Mo~lem 414. Greek 44, Je~ish 23, 11aronite 13, Protestant 10, Roman Catholic
~~ . r r
556 [JULY, PROGRESS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN.
l"
VIII.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY' "
BULLETIN.
What a stimulating Btudy follows the lower Rownma, three in Zanzibar and three footsteps of Jehovah through these forma- in the Portuguese interior. Besides there tiveyea.rsofmissionaryenterprise I Mighty are the East Africa. station. of the London obstacles removed; a missionary spirit de- and Scottish societies.-In~pendent.' veloped; over 200 general missionary societies and boards organized; woman's work ·-Rev. E. F. Baldwin, writing from Mogafor women inaugurated and already a phe- dor, Morocco, in April, says: The, work nomllnal success; many of the sons and goes on well, now. There is a. lull In persedaughte~s of ~he church in our educational cution: hence many meetings-five on Suninstitutions pledged to service In the foreign days, fonr on Wednesdays a.ud Sa.turdays, field; medical missions securing gratefulre- a.nd three on other days. We are trying to cognition; the .Bible printed in 300 tongues; make the most of our opportunities. On our a vernacular literature created, and schools last trip Mr. Nairn and I were reported for the lowest grade to the well-equipped killed, and the statemeut was believed by college and theological seminary estab- all except my family. True.wewere roughly lished. handled, but not a. bail' of our heads per- ished. Rosine Is back. and Abraham is on -The most effective reply to pessimists his way. They were separated by Abraham like Canon Taylor and Mr. Caine will be being in prison and put in irons nine days. found in the MISSIONARY REVIEW oJ!' TliE his outer clothes heing also stolen. For WORLD. and more especially in such a paper about six months they were away on a jouras Dr. Pierson's in the April number on ney. on the lines of Matt. x.; many believed. .. Further Testimonies to Missions." Itsets and many were baptized. The work grows forth an array of well attested facts, so in other ;>laces. We hope to devote the weighty that all the accusations and in- summer months to systematically training sinuations of professed friend. or open foe, in the Word the most promising converts. will be but a feather's weight in comparison. in order to their doing service as native No Pl'Stor who desires to keep his congrega- evangelists. Blessing has begun among the tion up to the mark In missionary fervor Jews. I have recently baptizcd three Jewa should fail to procure this hest of all the and lour Moslems. One of the Jew8 Is just missionary magazines.-OhriBtian Leader out of irons for his faith; one or two others (Scot/and). await baptism. The last steamer brought Mr. Sheehan. s. non-commissioned olHcer Africa.-The Missions ofthe German and from Gibraltar, to join us on Matt. x. lines. English societies cover a considerable part Thank God. there are six Matt. x. missionof the countries around the back of the ter- aries (men) here in actual work; one is Mr. ritories of the Sultan of Zanzibar, on the Martin and two natives. I am just olf …. east coast of Africa. The Nenkirchen So- another trip, going first to Cass. Blanca. ciety has had since 1887 a station at Ngao wearing Moorish clothes. which we all (men) on theTana. in the Suabalicountry with two now wear, finding it much better tor the missionaries; a third missionary died short- work, and more comfortable every way. lyafter his arrival. On the other side of Blessing and trial continue intermingled. I the Tana is the station Soldanti. of the hope in tbe coast towns to visit and os- United Jllethodist Free Churches, who also tablish several ~roups of believers who have two stations, Joursee and Ribe, in the have never seen the face of a foreign mis- Mombasa. district. The Evangelical Lu- sionary. therau Missionary Society for East Africa of Jla,varia. has stations at Jimba and at -The Romish Church is pushing for the Mbungu among the Wakamba, six hours in- open regions of the upper Congo. Two Porland, with three missionaries; a fourth mis- tuguese steamers recently carried from sionary died at his home, whither he had twenty to thirty Jesuit priests and nuns to retUrned for his health. One bour from labor in Africa for the propagation of their Jimho is the station at Kisulutini, or Rabai, faith. foun!ied by Krapf and Rebmann in 1876, which with Mombasa, Freretown and Kam- -Rev. George Grenfell, Ia.tely returned likene. torms the Mombasa district of the from the Congo, reports .. Cbristianity English Church Missionary Society. The spreading even where missionaries had not Evangelical Missionary Society for German labored. As he approached one town in East Africa. has a station at Dar-es-Salaam, which no Baptist missiona.ry had ever lawith one projected in Kisserawa, on which bored. he saw a band of native eva.ngelists are two European missionaries, one Abys- coming out of it to preach the gospel to sinian teacher and a deacon. The English their native brethren, and that town. a few Universities Mission has five stations In years a.go, wa.s sunk in hea.thenism." Usambara, oPpol'ite the island of Pemba, four farther south, in the !iistrict of the -Inspector Harms, in his tour among the Rerma.nnsburg missions in South Africa. last year, also visited the Norwegian mis-
PROGRESS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY
sion at Umpupulo, Natal. The stationed celve all who apply; 70 applicants have "missioo!lory had seven 'preaching places, a.t been declined. A Training Cla.ss from the which his helpers preached, ha.ving heen school visits female patients in the Hospispecially prepared for the service on the tal, There are six native teachers at work. Saturday. .. This is a matter of which we do not take thought enough," the Inspector -The Baptist Mission in the' Sbantung remarks; .. yet the Norwegians are lacking Province, have, in the districtofTsing-cheu in emcient evangelists, while we are much Fo, 55 chUrches, all self-supporting, minisbetter provided through our Seminary at tered to by five native pastors maintaining Ehlanzeni, with its 16 pupils." themselves and not drawing any of their support from the society. Belglum.-The Missionary Church of Belgium (EvangelicalSociety) reports a rich -Tho Chinese Inland Mission has been enspiritual growth within the past year. A abled to send $20,000 for the reliet of the letter from Pastor Brocher says that this sufferers from the famino in China. missionary church is composed largely of -The ratio of the gain in converts In all the poor miners who have come out from Ro- Protestant missions In China during the manism. There are 22 ordained minIsters, decade is about 140 percent. ; and In Japan four evaugelists, eight Bible readers, and It is over 300 per cent. four colporteurs, but a large portion of the work Is rendered by the workingmen who, Central Amerlca.-In the latter from the mining and manufacturing dis- part oflast year tbe Prt'sbyterian Bo~rd of tricts, return to the village. There are now Foreign Missions made a liberal appropria- 27 churches, with sixty-one preaching sta- tion of funds to help the mission in Guatetions and 84 other localities where ihe gos- mala, Central America. in purcha.sing proppel has been preached occasionally, besides erty and huildlng for mission purposes in 000 placas visited by colpoteurs. Nearly the city of Guatamala. Ground was imme- 8,000 religious services have been held dur- diately bought and building begun, and ing the year, with a regular attendance of now a house is almost completed and a from four to five thousand hearers. Of the church well under way. 00 Sunday-schools 18 are called .. Missionary Sunday-schools "; that is, composed -City of Mexico, May S.-News has heen reexclusively of children of Roman Catholic ceived here of a discovery of great archfamiliee. This certainly is a cheering re- reological importance in the State of Chia.· port, and the appeal for financial aid which pas, near the ruins of Palanque, being no- Is made by this Missionary Church of Bel- thing less than a large city hidden in the gium should have a generous respoDse. depths of the forests. Some buildings are five stories high and in a good state of pres- Chlna.-In Canton, with its 1,500,000 in- ervation. There is a well-paved road sevhabitsnts, are fifteen Christian chapels, wbere eral miles in length still perceivable in the missionaries and the native ministers preacb midst of a tropical fOl"est. Very few partie. the gospel, not on Sunday only, but daily, and ulars bave reached kere, but the report from two to four honrs each day, to audiences comes from good sources. Palanque is said varying from fifty to several bundred. After to be S, mere village in comparison with tbls the sermon, Chinese Evangelists continue the lost city of prehistoric times. services. Free conversations and discussions tollow; rooms are at band for private confer- Egypt.-Miss Whately's work in Cairo. ences, and Cbristian books and tracts are kept The schools and mission established in in readiness, and disposed olin large numbers. Cario by the late Miss M. L. Whately will The preaching halls are tbronged during the hot- be carried on by her sister, Miss E. Jane test montbs–July. August and September-and Whately, who is well known as the biografrom noon till tbree o'clock-tbe hottest part of pher of. her father, the late Arcbbishop the day. Tens of tbousands of visitors to the Whately, and as a frequent contributor "to city bave beard tbe gospel in tbese cbapels and various periodicals. She will have the valhalls, and have carried It hundreds of miles uabie aid of Mrs. Shakoor, the widow of a. into the interior. The missionary encounters Syrian gentleman. who voluntarily assisted tbese in the most remote places on bis inland Miss Mary Whately in her work until his tours, and sometimes listens with surprise death some years ago. Mrs. Shakoor had while tbey repeat the substance nfthedlscourse for many years been tbe devoted friend and which tbey have beard. The dialect used by companion of the late Miss Whately. most of the miSSionaries, in preacbing, 1s the Punti, or pure Cantonese. by wbicb tbey have England.-English Presbyterians now access to twenty millions of people. number 64,000. according to reports submit- ted to the annual meeting of synod held in -Letters just received from Dr. Happer at Regent Square Church at the beginning of May. This shows a gain of 1,500 communi- Canton, speak of the encouraging Increase cants for 287 congregations in the past year' of students In the Anglo-Chinese College. -a small total and a small average. We The number at the beginning of May was had hoped for better things after the meettrT. The Girls' Boarding School cannot reo ing of the Presbyterian Alliance in London last year. -Dr. Dale, ofEnglan4, thinks that India is to be Christia.nized by her own sons, and cumbent of the Established Church, in the therefore he believes in sending out edu- enjoyment of a remarkably good living, with cated Christian men, capable of training a very small charge, who dwells at ease in Indian converts for the work of teaching England during its pleasant snmmer, and the gospel. There can be no question that enjoys himself in Southern lands during its the native element in missionary work has winter, and who does not even subscribe not been utilized as it should be, not in the con ventional guinea a year to the C.M.S., India only, bnt in other regions, as not- is hardly the man to·hold up a. high standably in Armenia. ard to his fellows I"
-The Wesleyan Missionary Society, with France.-Interference With Missions.- headquarters in London, has missions At a missionary breakfast at Birmingham established in Europe, India, China, West recently, at which Rev. J. Jones, who was Africa, the Transvaal, British Honduras expelled from the Island of Maro, iu the and the Bahamas. It reports ::36 central South Seas, was present, Dr. Dale uttered a stations or circuits and 1,338 chapels and timely protest agaiust what has the appear_ preaching-places. It has a staff of 833 mis- ance of French vindictiveness against Britsionaries and assistants, with 2,000 other ish missions in heathen J~nds. .. It is all paid acents, such as c",tcchists, interpre- the same," said Dr. Dale, .. whether the Emters, etc. It enumerates::;,::::J unpaid agents, pire, the Monarchy, or the Republic obtain such as local preo.chers and 3abbath-school iu Frauce, her officials, goaded on by priests. teachers, and a el:urch membership of 32,- repress Protestantism, wherever possible." 325, with 4,674 persons on trial for admission And he added: "When M. Paul Bert. the to the· church. The method pursued by the bitter opponent of Cleric",lism at home, society is to send to the field English mis- went as Governor of Tonquin, he remarked sionaries for the purpose of organization that their free thinking aud liberty of conand supervision or to gIve instruction in science views were not for exportation. training institntions. All subordinate po- In Tahiti and several other South Sea sitions are occupied by a trained native Islauds, in Madagascar, and wherever our agency, While it is understood that every missionarie~ have been signally successfuh convert, according to his ability, should be the French have. if opportunity offered, a voluntary worker for Christ. The total tried to damage them." income for the past year was nearly £132.- 000. The report for the year expresses -The Paris Missionary Society has a wongreat discouragement because of a debt of derful missionary work in South Africa. In almost £17,000 which has been accumulat- connection with its mission amoug the ing for the past three years. In addition to Basutos it has 176 native workers and 6,000 the above is the work done by the Ladies' church-members. The Zambesi Mission, of Auxiliary connected with the society. and which M. Coillard is in charge, is an offreporting an income for the year of almost spring of the Basuto Mission. The society £8,000. also has missions on the Congo, in Senegam- bia, and in Kabylia. -Rev. James Johnston, F. S. S., in a recent letter to us, speaks of the attacks which India.-Rev. J. E. Scott writes from have been made by Canon . Taylor and Muttra: others on the missionary societies of Great Britain, and says: .. These recent attacks .. There are 90,000 people just around me, on our missions in this country are encaur· and more than 700,000 iu the district. The aqing ! ! They are made by men whose sound of the hammer and trowel has comtrade is sensation and can only gain it by menced. A mission house half finished, a attacking what is great and popular. Not training-school (Woman's Foreign Missionone society has suffered. The Church Mis_ ary Society) just commenced, a schoolsionary Society never had such an income house and a hall and chapel in prospect. as this year. The London Mission Society The fincst temple in North India is here. A have in a few weeks made up their chronic temple covering 10 acres and costing $2,000.- deficit of £15,000; and the number of new 000 is here. 'l'here are 8,000 widows, all bad, schemes started by independent societies is at Brindabon, in the vicinity. They are the another sig.. of life. though it takes erratic so-called' Brides of Krishna.· .. forms and tends to weaken old societies."- The Missionary. -From Dr. Fry's report of the Travancore Medical Mission for the past year, we learn -Canon Isaac Taylor's attack on the mis- that at Neyoor. and in the eight branch dissions is the subject of a brief but powerful pensaries now opened throughout the provarticle in the January issue of Regions Be- ince, 27,657 patients were treated during yond, by Mrs. H. Grattan Guinness. Agree- 1888. Of these 1,255 were received into the ing with the Canon that" the work would Neyoor Hospital as in-door patients… The be better doue if the missionaries were year 1888," writes Dr. Fry, .. is one of faultless, unselfish. devoted, heroic saints," special interest, as being the jubilee year Mrs. Guinness tersely says: .. But au iu- of the South Travancore Medical Mission. Fifty years have' now gone by since Dr. Ramsay, the first medical missiona.ry, began his work in Nagercoil. Drs. Leitch, whole Waldensian church of Italy, of which Lowe and Thomson have successively sus- the present statistics are 42 churches, 38 tained the burden and increased the influ- preachini' stations, 124 pastors and other ence of the enterprise, and it is gi ven us to workers, is the outcome of that return of .. reap where others have sown, and to wit- few hundred, Who were all that were left of ness in the present developments of this the 3,000 to 4,000 that had been expelled by branch of service the results of half a cen- Victor Amadeus II. of Savoy. Without that tury of faithful toil. We have every reason return the Waldensian Church would have to bless God and go forward in firm depend- been wiped outof existe'lce in Italy. In the ence on His power who has so markedly minds and hearts of this people it is the most supported His servants in past days."-Ed- glorious event in their eventful history {nburgh Medical Missionary So~iety. which they are this year celebrating. Dr. Emil Comba, probably their best known -Arcot American Mission. At Katpadi a itterateur, compares it with the return of new chapel wasopcned January 10, on which the ten thousand Greeks, and draws special occasion twelve children and two adults attention to the fact thltt the skill of were baptized. The mission was established leadership had called forth the warm adat Katpadi 1.1 Rev. W. W. Scudder, D.D., miration of Napoleon Bonaparte.-The ["'- who occupied the station for five years and dependent. baptized fifty person~. At the close of his pastorate there were fifteen commnnicauts. -Count Campello, who was a canon in the There are now 164 communicants and a con- Church of Rome tiil1881, when he placed his gregation of 485 Teluga and Tamil ChriA- resignation in the hands of Pope Leo XIII., tians. A native minister, the Rev. A. Wil- has lately been addressing immense meetliams, is assisted by two deacons and two ings in various parts of Italv. He does not elders. call himself a Protestant, but a Catholic Reformer. His latest meetings were at -In the Northwest of India and of Qude San Remo, where, a correspondent of the missionary physiciaus are coming promi- Christian says, .. the Italians turned out in neutly into nutlce. Nearly 75,000 cases were thousands to hear liim. He told them plainly treated at eleveu dispensaries, and 11,000 that he left the Vatican because he was women sought relief at Mrs. Wilson's dispen- wearied of hypocrisy and of slavery. He sary at Agra; 18,850 women and children were left itobecause he wished to profess himself treated at the Thomas Dispensary at Agra. a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. He The women doctors in charge. successfully called upon the Italians to drive the papacy performed some very important surgical from their consciences aud minds, and operations. hearts, and homes, and, if one day an oppor- tunitv came to do so, out of their country. -The Moslems of Delhi have opened a And then, in most earnest and impressive seminary in which preachers are taught all words, he urged them to put Christ in the the objections of Western infidels against place of the pope, and the gospel in place of Christianity that they may go forth to op- the Syllabus. In all he -said he was suppose the Christian preachers in town and ported by the applause of his audience. count.rv. Even when preaching Christ there was not raised one cry of opposition. The local press -The Waldensians are eagerly preparing is strongly supporting Count Campello and for the celebration of the second centennial his movement, and some of the young Italof the" glorious return" of 16~9, when after ians waited upon him before he left the Umuntold sufferings aud banishment from the bria to beg his return." historic valleys as one of the results of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, they, Japan.-Opposition to the proposed unwith sword in hand, and led by their war- ion between the united church of Japan, like pastors, Janavel and Arnaud, forced which is composed of all Presbyterian bodtheir way back to their ancestral homes. ies in that empire, aud the Congregational- The contest was against fearful odds. On ist missionaries, comes from a new quarter. the mountain fltstness of Lit BalsiJIe, Where, Theaid of the Southern Presbyterian church of the 900 Waldensians that returned, about has been invoked to hinder consummation 400 held at bay more than twenty thousand of the union. The Presbytery of Greenbier, Savoyan soldiers, a school is being erected. in the Western part of Virginia, has OVer- In Sibltourd, where, when surrounded on all tured the General Assembly of that church Sides by the hosts of the enemy, the Walden- to take measures to protect the infant sian Christians took a solemn oath either to churches formed by its missionaries from conquer or to die, a pyramid bnilt of blocks the dangers which it believes to be involved of stone is being erected, the number of in this union. These dangers the Presbytery blocks corresponding to the number of Wal- declares to be both doctrinal and ecclesiasdensian congregations existing at present. tical-that is, a danger that fundamental At Torre Pellice, the centel' of the literary truths of the Christian faith may be ignored, and educational work of this people, a new and a danger that principles of church order theological hall is to be dedicated. All these memorials are now abo;]t completed. The which are manifestly scriptural may be moa of the invasion of that troubled king- dom by a band of Mormon missionaries. Six abandoned. ' of them have appeared and six more are on the way from Utah, and they say they are -The number ofconverts in the Japan Mis- going to carryon a vigorous campaign in every viJIage in the group. They appear to sion of the American Board has increased have plenty of financial support., The na- tives receive them coldly, but they have in fifteen months from 4.226 to 7,098, a gain made an impression on European traders.
of 2,867. This is the most remarkable record Thlbet.-Thibet is the only known coun_ tryon earth not open to missions. It has an in any mission connected with the board, area of 750,000 square miles, about as large as the United States East of the MiSSisSippi with the exception of tbe great gathering River. The greatest length from East to West is 1,500 miles, and the population is esin the Sandwich Islands. timated at 8,000,000. It is the stronghold of Buddhism. Lhassa, the capital, is the -At the service in the Doshisha church, .. Rome" of the Buddhists, and the Dalai Lama is the Buddhist pope. He is supreme Kobe, Japan, March 24, there were 100 of in both temporal and spiritual things. One monastery has about 5,000 Buddhist priests, the pupils who united with the church. Five and there are about 60,000 in the country. Thibet is virgin soil for missions. The counwere from the girls' school, 62 from the pre- try is tributary to China.-Illmtrated Chris- tion Weekly. paratory department, 20 from the first year -Mr. and Mrs. Turner, of the China Inland collegiate, and 16 from the second and third Mission, have begun work in Thibet from the Chinese side. They travel in Chinese clothes. years. This fact is a most important one. Thibft is inaccessible to Christian missionaries -The Japan" Mail," of Yokohama, in a from the Indian side, the natives supposing that the British Government have designs series of ILrticles on thc rising generation in to annex the country whenever a missionary in European costume enters their State Japan, says that the young reformers agree from the South. If the China Inland Mission .. keeps low, keeps believing and keeps going that there must be a new moral system for forward," it has a still mightier future be- fore it than in the past. The society that Japan, and that it must harmonize with the opens up Thibet to the gospel deserves the hearty thanks of the whole Christian church spirit and aim of modern ciyilizatior: ; but throughont the world.
they are divided on the question whether it United States.-Dr. Talmage, ofBrook- lyn,says: "The church, if it would do its shall be the Christian system of moraJity or duty, could convert the world in ten years. Ithas the men and money." On which The Inthat which is based on science and philoso- dependent makes this cutting and deserved criticism: "Perhaps so, but it must turn phy. The MaU goes on to say: over a new leaf of generosity very soon if it is going to undertake so great and speedy a "That in recent years a wonderful change task. The Brooklyn Tabernacle last year, with 4.126 members reported, gave $151 to has taken place in our attitude toward home missions and $138 to foreil:'n missions."
Christianity is now a well-known fact, and -Romanism. Father O'Connor, the con. verted priest, is said to have led 800 Romanneed not be dwelt upon here. Only, how- ists into light in five years in New York City ever. within the last two or three years, or, -Gift to United Presbyterian Board. An- other l,OOOcopies of the" Crisis of Missions" in other words, since the awakening of the has been given to the United Presbyterian Board, the author and publishers uniting rising generation, has the new creed become with Rev. J. B. Dales, D. D., in the gift.
a vital element of the nation's civilized life. -Woman's work. The Woman'& Execu- Its inlluence is now felt through the rising tive Committee of Home Missions ot the generation, not only by reason of the fast Presbyterian church announces that its re- ceipts for the year just closed amount to increasing number of young converts, but S320,OOO, an advance over last year of $94,000. Well done. also, and perhaps to a greater extent, by means of the creation of a powerful litera- ture thoroughly imbued with Christian spirit."
-"The Twelfth Report of the Council of Missions co-operating with the united church of Christ In Japan," publislled at Tokio, January, 1889, says: .. The united church of Christ iu Japan has enjoyed a year of constant growth. There has been no excitement and no extraordinary efforts have been put forth." Yet it says in no previous year have 'the additions been 80 many. The adult members of the church number 7,551. The" infant members" num- ber 1,139, the total being 8,690, an increase of 1,831 during the vear. The churches num- ber 61, three having been added during the year. This church was formed in 1877 by the union of eight churches and 623 Christiaus, including the children. In the pa.st three years the church has doubled its member- ship, and in eleven years has progressed from 600 to 9,000. A like progress for the remaining twelve years of the century will make the membership in the year 1,900, the nuinber of John's vision, 144,000.
Samoa.-Monnon InvaSIon. The Lon- don Missionary Society has news from Sa-