The Missionary Review of the World — July 1916
CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY GIRLS' SCHOOL, FUCHAU
MISSION~Y FlgES 1. The demons of fear and superstition need to be driven out of Asia. Ko- rean children's heads often bear the scars of branding with hot irons, showing their parents' efforts to drive out the evil spirits in sickness. (See page 502.) 2. One result of missionary work in the Far East is that on becoming Chris- tians people usually take on habits of cleanliness of their own accord. The Gospel of Christ seems to be incompatible with filth. (See page 503.) 3. A number of Sikhs from India who are now living in Southern California maintain a distinct colony and are intent on earning a thousand dollars, which will enable them to return to India and live in affluence all their days. Here is a field for missionary work. (See page 525.) 4. Over three thousand American college students are now engaged in teach- ing classes, or are doing other forms of service for industrial workers. They find in the work an unexpected stimulus for their own spiritual lives. (See page 509.) 5. A Japanese lawyer, pleading for mercy for his client, who had been con- verted in prison, took the opportunity to explain at length to the court the power of Christianity to transform the lives of men. (See page 517.) 6. As many as 1,000 Chinese girls who are being sent south to be sold as slaves, pass through the Yangtze port of Ichong in a single year. (See page 552.) 8. Tho a Turkish government order had been issued, forbidding the use of French, Russian, Japanese and English as "enemy language," the Ameri- can Ambassador made it possible for some of the mission schools to continue by securing permission for the use of "the American lan- guage." (See page 549.) .J • 8. About forty influential Chinese in the city of Hang-chow have formed a Christianity Discussion Club, which meets twice a month for Bible study and discussion. (See page 530.) 9. The total amount spent for education in the United States in 1914 was less than one-third the nation's expenditure for alcoholic liquors, and only a little more than three times the estimated admissions to motion pic- ture theaters. (See page 542.) 10. At an all-India inter-caste dinner, held in Bombay last winter, with the avowed object of doing away with caste differences, 450 were present, 225 of whom were Brahmins, and 20 the "untouchables." (See page 550.) Here the girls are delivered from bondage ot fear and filth and superstition. (See page 499) I E IE OF THE WORLD Vol. XXXIX. No.7 JULY, 1916 Vol. XXIX. No.7 Old Series New Series it ,SIGNS"'OFvTHEvTIMES mI 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 I '1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiii.l CHINA'S RULER AND CHRISTIANITY Yuan's sudden death on June 6th, and the succession to the presidency of the T HE death of President Yuan Shih well-known and respected republican leader, Li Yuan Hung, has caused the Kai, with rumors of poison, sui- provinces of Szechuan, Hunan, Checide and nervous breakdown, has no Kiang and Shensi to rescind their doubt removed one of the strong men declarations of independence (caused of China, but has also taken a cause by their distrust of Yuan Shih Kai) of discord out of Chinese politics. and to reassert their loyalty to the Peking government. This is a decided The late President, Yuan Shih Kai, gain for peace and unity in China. was a man with energy, ability, strength of character and personal am- President Li Yuan Hung is fifty-two bition. He came to the presidency at years of age, having been born in the a critical moment, when a strong hand province of Hupeh in 1864. He studied was needed to bring together two op- at Peiyang Naval College and served posing factors-the Manchus and the on a cruiser during the Chino-Japanese Republicans-and to establish peace. war. Later, he assisted in moderniz- He was, no doubt, a patriot, but with ing the Chinese army. At the outbreak strong personal ambitions. He re- of the revolution at Wuchang he was established Confucianism as the state forced to take the command of the religion and caused himself to be pro- revolutionary forces and was instruclaimed Emperor. This latter step mental in arranging the Shanghai brought about a series of revolutions Peace Conference. After the abdicain various provinces and threatened tion of the Manchus he was elected the disruption of China.
The editors seek to preserve accuracy and to manifest the spirit of Christ in the pages of this REVIEW.. but do not acknowledge responsibility for opinions exprest, nor for positions taken by contributors of signed articles in these pages.-EDITORS.
vice-president of the Republic, to which greatly strengthened, six were baptized office he was reelected October 7, 1913. and in at least three different places groups of them are gathered into Bible President Li is not a professing classes. As these students become the Christian but he is very friendly to- officers of the Chinese army the waves ward Christianity and has given gen- of influence from this campaign of erously to the support of the Y. M. friendship will doubtless go on in ever- C. A. and other Christian enterprises. widening circles and out of it there He listened most sympathetically to may develop the future Army Departthe Christian message given by Mr. ment of the Chinese Young Men's Sherwood Eddy when the latter was Christian Association. in China two years ago. The new president promises to enforce the laws WAR AND PEACE MOVEMENTS of the Republic, guaranteeing liberty and justice to all. There is great rea- THE tragedies of the war are inson to expect that under his guidance. China will enter on a new era of peace creased, rather than diminished, as and prosperity and will give even the conflict continues. No doubt the greater opportunity for the advance- purpose of God will be wrought out, ment of Christianity. either through the war or in spite of it, but it seems unthinkable that there can THECHRISTIANS IN CHINESE ARMY be rejoicing among the profest fol- changes in China since the days lowers of the Prince of Peace when of the Boxer riots are in nothing whole battalions of men are destroyed, more conspicuous than in the changes or battleships with their living crews in the personnel of the Chinese army. and marines are sent to the bottom of the sea. The death of Lord Kitchener For example, just outside the city of and his Staff, while on their way to Wuchang there is a large military col- Russia, is a serious blow to Great lege, where future officers of the mod- Britain, and the destruction of many ern Chinese army receive their prelim- British and German warships-valued inary training. These students are at $150,000,000, and between 5,000 and drawn from all the provinces. One of 10,000 lives in a naval battle on the them, a student named Way Ling from North Sea-wil! bring sorrow to many Fukien province, was led through the hearts. In the meantime, Germans influence of an Association secretary continue to batter away uselessly at and a summer conference, into a deep Verdun in France; the Italians fail to Christian life, and exerted a powerful make much impression on the Austrian influence among his fellow students. defensive; the Russians begin a vic- torious drive in Galicia and con- The Foreign Mail of the Young tinue to advance in Armenia; the Men's Christian Association, tells us British and Russian forces threaten to that Ling's class has now graduated and cut off the Turkish forces in Mesopois scattered among the various military tamia; the British repulse useless atstations in China, the students serving tempts to capture or destroy the Suez as privates before taking their final Canal and foil plots to start serious course in the Higher Military College revolutions in India, Arabia, the at Paotingfu. Some of them who were Sudan and South Africa. Christians before have had their faith
OF THE
The conflict is more fiercely waged to pass a given point marching twenty than ever, and yet none can say that abreast without a break! peace may not come suddenly. Christians in America have recently made The American Board received a a declaration for the promotion of cable from the charge d'affadres at The American Council of the W orId Constantinople, urging that all the mis- Alliance for Promoting International sionaries in the interior of Asia Minor Friendship through the Churches. be withdrawn on account of increas- This held its first National Confer- ingly tumultuous conditions, but a ence at Garden City, April 25th to message from the United States Con- April 27th, and affirmed : "We believe sul at Tiflis, Russia, stated that condiit is time for the Christian Church to tions in the region of Van are suitable speak and act in strength and assur- for the missionaries who were driven ance of a deep and full loyalty to out to return. The American Board Jesus Christ." now has four stations under the Rus- sian flag, Van, Bitlis, Erzroom, Tre- The resolutions adopted invited bizond, and has found the Russian every communion and denomination in officials extremely friendly. the United States to establish a Peace Makers' Commission, if it does not al- Matters, evidently, are very differready have one, in order to enter thus ent in the Turkish territory and on into close affiliation and practical co- the Russian side of the line. The operation with the American Council American Board expects the male misof the W orId Alliance. sionaries to return to Van at an early date. They will travel via Russia and Christians are earnestly invited to the Caucasus and, for some time to cooperate in this movement to promote come, will be occupied mainly in refriendship and good will among the lief work. The missionaries still in nations, for "permanent peace must be Asia Minor (one hundred and twelve ultimately based on religious sanctions, in number) are advised to consult and back of all international agree- with Treasurer Peet at Constantinople ments must be good will." and the United States Embassy as to the wisdom of their remaining at their RECENT REPORTS FROM TURKEY posts.
T HE Russians continue to advance A company of eight missionaries from eastern Turkey, desiring to leave inAsiaMinor, but more slowly than for home, have been detained at Beirut at first. As they occupy the Armenian since January 1St, the Turkish governterritory, the surviving Christians come ment refusing to allow the United out of their hiding-places and peace is States battleship Des Moines to take restored to the remnant-but Asia them off. Minor as a whole is in a pitiable condition. In America, the Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief has been The havoc wrought by the Turks stirred to renewed activity by a recent can be better realized when we think cablegram which states that many of that the number of Armenians, men the Armenian exiles, deported from women and children massacred or their homes by Turkish soldiers, are starved to death in the past year would take three days and two nights
reduced to eating grass and are dying general throughout the empire, and of starvation by hundreds. it has found expression in more than "Sufferings among exiles have been one special movement. A strange greatly increased on account of their mystical revival is reported to be having refused to accept Mohamme- spreading over northern Russia, un- dan religion in accordance with offers der the metropolitan Archbishop Pe- generally made them. The fortitude trim, of Vladicavkaz. He is con- of most of the people under the suffer- ducting services with an impressive- ings which they are undergoing is ness unprecedented, and has organ- wonderful, and they are not losing their ized choruses of hundreds of chil- Christian faith. The men of the fami- dren, whose singing exercises a spell lies of many of the exiles are still serv- almost hypnotic over vast masses of ing in the Turkish army." people. The peasants and the nobles The Committee has commissions at alike stand side by side to honor this work in several cities of Turkey and leader, and even the Czar has come Persia and relief is being distributed under Petrim's influence. On one under the direction of American mis- occasion last winter many thousands sionaries and United States consuls, of persons, including royalty, nobles, each city being the distributing point and commons, knelt a long time in for a large section of country where the snow, with the mercury at thirty are thousands of destitute people. It degrees below zero, to receive the is estimated that in Turkey, Persia, archbishop's blessing as he returned Syria, and Palestine there are approxi- from the cathedral to his monastery. mately a million Armenians, N estorians, and native Christians who are des- Reports of another more evangelititute and suffering for want of food cal movement come from Rev. C. T. and the necessities of life. Byford, who is credited with know- ing more of the inner working of IS RUSSIA CHANGING? evangelical religious life in Russia than any other Englishman. He has RUSSIA, with its immense masses exprest his deep conviction that the of uneducated peasants, its renaissance which has come to Rus- powerful State Church, its autocratic sia is due almost entirely to the re- government, and its atheistical stu- markable spread of the evangelical dent classes has presented a diffi- faith. Many of the Russians them- cult problem to evangelical Christian selves do not know to what this ity. Is the war to change the situ- change is due. When Russia be- ation and to bring new life to the comes completely emancipated from "Orthodox" Russian Church? Al- the tyranny of superstition, and re- ready there are reports of such re- ceives the Gospel of Christ in its generating influences at work. simplicity, she will inevitably enter Conditions in time of war have upon a new and splendid career. The made a powerful appeal to those preparatory work of the past years elements of religion and mysti- is beginning to bear fruit and the cism which' are so potent in the light of the Gospel of Christ is Russian character. A remarkable spreading. This fact is the most growth of religious fervor has been hopeful sign for Russia's future.
MISSION SCHOOLS IN CHOSEN a tremendous number of church WE have already referred at schools all over the country. The length to the Japanese policy Government of Japan and Korea al- and laws in regard to the mission lows the carrying on of these church schools in Chosen. However fairly schools, but says definitely that the the government may intend to deal teaching of religion and of the Bible, with the missions, the fact remains or the holding of religious services that their policy is forcing the schools can not be 'included in the curricu- out of existence. The missionary edu- lum,' and in their interpretation of the cation is necessarily religious as well law the Director of Education asserts as secular, and the Japanese insist on that it was worded this way in order the separation of the two. The Metho- th&t such church schools might carry dist mission has agreed to conform to on this religious instruction during the regulation forbidding religious in- hours outside of the curriculum.
struction in the schools, without wait- Whether all will interpret the law in ing for the expiration of the ten years. this way I can not say, but when this This action places the large Presby- is the interpretation of the man in au- terian educational sysrem in a difficult thority in the administration in pOSItIon. Recently the Japanese au- Chosen, we hardly ought to say 'they thorities ordered the Sen-Sen (Syen- ( the Japanese) are doing all in their Chun) station (Presbyterian) to close power to throttle Christianity.'
the academy for girls or else to stop "The statement concerning 'a law teaching the Bible. The mission de- which says missions must obtain per- cided to accept the alternative of clos- mission from the Government every ing on March 3 ISt. This action was time they want to employ a helper, taken not because of any lack of mis- a colporteur, or a pastor, when they sionary sympathy with the Japanese establish a church' is not the law as Government and its laws, but because it exists. Everyone in the country is the missionaries are in the country not registered with a full statement as to primarily as secular teachers, but as his work, what he does, whence he ambassadors of God in the name of goes, etc. The mission does not have Jesus Christ. to obtain a permit for the employment A recent letter from Dr. Horace G. of a helper, a colporteur or pastor, Underwood, an honored American but must notify the Government con- missionary in Korea, takes exception cerning all so employed who are de- to statements in a recent number of pending upon church work for a live- the REVIEW (p. 84, February, I9I6), lihood.
in regard to the Japanese attitude to- "Judge Watanabe, well known as a ward the missions in Korea. Dr. Christian statesman in the adminis- Underwood writes in part as follows: tration here, and one who is noted as "I do not hold that they (the Gov- an active, energetic Christian worker, ernment) are right in separating re- told me that these laws for religious ligion and education, but they have work among the 'Koreans in Chosen decided to do so and their decision were identical with those laws under has been arrived at very largely be- which both the Methodist and Presby- cause of the fact that there were such terian Japanese churches in Chosen
had been working for a good many heads of the following five new depart- years; I think, therefore, that this was ments: The Department of Evangel- not especially aimed at Christianity ism, the Department of Church Exten- among the Koreans. The Government sion, the Department of City Work, had introduced the Japanese system the Department of Rural Work, and of registration with a slight modifica- the Department of Frontier Work.
tion for Korea. While we may dis- The plan further provides that the agree with the laws and with many Board shall consist of thirty-six lay- of their methods, let us strive to view men and thirty-four ministers, one of them as they are intended." -these to be a bishop.
MISSIONS AT THE METHODIST EPISCOPALiANS AND UNION WORK GENERAL CONFERENCE T HE Board of Missions of the EFFICIENCY, economy and an ag- gressive forward movement are Protestant Episcopal Church sent delegates to the Panama Congress on the characteristics of missionary ad- Christian work in Latin America but ministration to-day. has declined representation on the Continuation Committee and refused The quadrennial General Confer- to take a part in the proposed program ence of the Methodist Episcopal for united missionary work that has Church met in Saratoga Springs, developed from the Congress and its N ew York, during the month of regional conferences. Some of the May, and elected two new mission- officers are in sympathy with such ary bishops for Africa, Rev. Eben united efforts, but the opposition in the E. Johnson, of Sioux City, Iowa, Church as a whole is strong, and deleand Rev. Alexander S. Camphor, gates were sent with the understanding a negro, now President of the Central that the Congress was deliberative and Alabama College. Rev. Herbert Welch not legislative or executive. was also made a bishop, to be stationed in Seoul and Rev. Wil- The cooperation of Episcopalians in liam F. Oldham, another new bishop, union movements at home is shown by was appointed to Buenos Aires. He the fact that one hundred and forty served from I904 to I9I2 as mission- churchmen were delegates to the Naary bishop of Malaysia, and since then tional Missionary Congress in Washhas been Corresponding Secretary of ington. They pledged the salary necesthe Board of Foreign Missions in New sary to pay a secretary of their own York. He is an able leader and may communion on the staff of the Laybe expected to develop a strong mis- men's Missionary Movement, and also sionary policy in South America. unanimously adopted the following statement : "We wish to express our In the home mission field the Con- absolute confidence in the Board of ference reorganized the Board of Missions and pledge them our loyal Home Missions and Church Exten- support in making up the full amount sion, which formerly had three cor- they may see fit to appropriate even to responding secretaries with coordinate the full amount of the appropriations jurisdiction. It is now proposed to asked." place the board in the general charge of one secretary, who shall appoint the
J COMING
JUNE AND JULY, June 14th to July 25th-Summer Term, Bible Teacher's Training Sch., N. Y. 23d to July 3d-~oman's Summer School of For. Miss., Silver Bay, N. Y. 23d to July 3d-Y. W. C. A. Student Summer Conf., Seabeck, Wash. 23d to July 3d-Y. W. C. A. Student Summer Conf., Silver Bay, N. Y. 26th to July 6th-Miss. Education Movement Conf., Blue Ridge, N. C. 27th to July 7th-Y. W. C. A. Student Summer Conf., Eagles Mere, Pa. 30th to July 9th-Missionary Education Movement Conf., Asilomar, Cal. 30th to July 9th-Christian and Miss. Alliance Conv., Binghamton, N. Y. July 4th-The 35th anniversary of the opening of the Tuskegee Institute, 1881. 5th-The 60th anniversary of the birth of Ion Keith-Falconer, 1856. 5th to 12th-Women's Summer School of Missions, Boulder, Colo. I 7th to 14th-Woman's Summer School of Home Missions, Boulder, Colo. 7th to 16th-Missionary Education Movement Conference, Silver Bay, N. Y. 9th-The 210th anniversary of landing of Ziegenbalg and Plutschau in India. 10th to 17th-Reformed Church Missionary Conference, Vermillion, O. 11th to 21st-Missionary Conf. on Religion, Columbia University, New York. 14th to 21st-Woman's Summer School of For. Miss., East Northfield, Mass. 14th to 28th-Missionary Education Movement Conference, Estes Park, Colo.
15th to 24th-Woman's Summer School of Foreign Missions, Princeton, N. J.
16th-The 80th anniversary of the birth of John E. Clough, 1836. 17th to 22d-Woman's Summer School of Home Missions, Mt. Hermon, Cal. 17th to 24th-Reformed Church Missionary Conference, Pen Mar, Pa. 20th-The 75th anniversary of the Founding of Lovedale Institute, So. Africa. 21st to 28th-Woman's Summer School of Home Miss., East Northfield, Mass. 21st to 30th-Woman's Summer School of Foreign Missions, Tarkio, Mo. 21st to 30th-Missionary Education Movement Conference, Ocean Park, Me. 22d to Aug. 18th-Vacation course for missionary preparation, Oxford, Eng. 23d to 29th-Woman's Summer School of Foreign Missions, Lakeside, O. 28th to Aug. 6th-Missionary Education Movement Conf., Lake Geneva, Wis. 31st to Aug. 7th-Reformed Church Missionary Conf., Ridgeview Park, Pa.
AUGUST 1st to 6th-Okoboji Summer School of Missions, Arnolds Park, Iowa. 1st to 11th-Y. W. C. A. Student Summer Conference, Asilomar, Cal. 4th-The 75th anniversary of the birth of James Chalmers, 1841. 4th to 14th-Christian and Missionary Alliance Conf., Old Orchard, Me. 5th to 12th-Reformed Church Missionary Conference, Mt. Gretna, Pa. 7th to 14th-Presbyterian Foreign Mission Conference, Montreal, N. C. 7th to 14th-Reformed Church Missionary Conference, Collegeville, Pa. 11 th to 20th-Christian and Missionary Alliance Conf., Lancaster, Pa. 12th to 18th-Woman's Summer Sch. of Home Missions, Chautauqua, N. Y. 15th to 20th-Reformed Church Missionary Conference, Palisades, Iowa.
"LOVEST THOU ME?"
An opportunity for the ministry of love in China BY W. H. JEFFERYS, A.M., M.D. GERMANTOWN, PA. Formerly a Medical Missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in China IRSTLY – The Gospel with the manger in Bethlehem and mF of Jesus Christ is com- continuing to Calvary when the gift prehended in the one of life was "finished" Jesus continued word LOVE, and love systematically to unself Himself, to is not a self-protective Himself completely become the "Son . thing, it is the outgoing of man." Day by day through the thing, the unselting thing. years He gave Himself in love-in the Secondly-Jesus said a good many name of the child-in-the-midst, of the things as if He meant them, but prob- disciple, of all the host of the world's ably none in which He spoke more needy ones; 50 much so that we say to- emphatically than in those pronounce- day, in very truth, the need of the ments which He sealed with the word world is the voice of Jesus, calling "Inasmuch." "Lovest thou Me." "Greater love hath Bishop Brent quotes in "The Reve- no man than this."
lation of Discovery" that love can not "As the Father hath sent Me so be defined, that in the last analysis send I you," "take up your cross and "Love is love"; but I believe that we follow Me." In this sign we shall are not far off the track of a practical conquer. This is the meaning of working definition when we say that- "Whoso shall lose his life for My Love is the giving of life, some of sake and the Gospel's (the love Gos- life or all of life. To me the greatest pel's) shall find it unto life eternal"- utterance the world has ever heard is which is perfected love.
this: "God so loved the world that r am at the point of reviewing the He gave His only begotten Son"-and, past in perspective, the mistakes we in Him, gave to us the eternal love- have made in China, the things we life of God Himself. His giving of have thought worth while and worked life came from the very Heart of Love for; and the gold tried in the fire.
all the way to that hate-stormed Cross The rubbish heap is large and there on Calvary. On the third day (the are many ashes, and yet it is all so morning star of eternal life) was simple. Where we have served our- Love perfected. So comes it that the selves we have failed. Where we Cross where that life was given, is for have put our missions in the name us the symbol of perfect love. of trade, of American civilization, of This same Jesus said, "As the the opening up of industries, we have Father hath sent me so send I you," been unprofitable indeed.
that is: For Love's sake, take up your A recent paper by a Chinese in St.
Cross and follow me. Love is the John's Echo says: "But what struck motive of service-of all service. Love me and converted me were and are the is the outgoing thing, the unselting earnestness and self-sacrificing deeds thing, the giving of life. Beginning of my professors and the missionaries
of the interior. The Christian virtues mutual consideration and helpfulness. and the Confucian ethics were placed They were a callous lot, and not outbefore me side by side. I concluded wardly much on loveliness; but there both are good, but between them there was a peculiar satisfaction in ministerwas and is a great difference. That ing to those most alien minds and difference is the decisive element be- bodies, sitting on the bedside of a tween them. I may illustrate it by a chronically starved waif from the true flower and an imitation one. The drama of Chinese life, and testing on former is life. The latter is dead tho him the magic of love, digging down beautifuL" into his deeply buried soul to see where Christ's loveliness might be In the kingdom of Christ only divine found in him, and hearing in his moan love lives. Such love is eternal life, of agony the voice of Jesus. unlove is eternal death. It is a long reach from the social In so far as we truly love we mani- environment of a conservative Amerifest Christ, and no further. When can town down into the very depths of the Church's love reaches farther, the heart of a derelict Chinese coolie; when she and her messengers give but it is not so far, by a long way, as themselves utterly in love, then will it was from the heart of God, the men hear and understand, and be con- Father, to the thief on the Cross, yet verted, and take up their cross and the conditions are at least faintly simthe world will follow. ilar. There is the same element of daring and adventure and there is the THE ADVENT OF LOVE same element of the splendor of love's imagination. A Chinese professional It has always seemed to me that on beggar and leper once brought me her this basis, that of the adventure of leper baby for my admiration and ap- Love, the mission of the Church is the proval, the whole being apparently an most gorgeous of all human callings outward expression of an inward sense in the very fact that it has that ele- of human fellowship and sympathy. It ment of adventure which is so per- is almost impossible to express in hufectly wonderful in the incarnation of man words the flight of love's imag- Jesus, the adventure of God for the ination such as could bring us two love of His children, the great ad- alien human lives into this fellowship. venture. So can the Church take up, Only the magic of love does that thing, as Christ Himself did, in His name, and Jesus is the great Love Way from the very same adventure and carry it man to man. This question of the down to the last dregs of human con- reach and imagination of love is vastly sciousness; to the most alien of the underestimated in the importance of children of His Love. its bearing on the whole question of the Church's mission. '" In St. Luke's '"Ho'"sp'"ital, Shanghai, Even in actual mission service it is we used to have a ward guarded by only through love that we get that the police and with barred windows, most necessary element of success especially devoted to prisoners from which we call vision. Just as war the jails, to professional beggars, and conditions are only really felt in this to other human derelicts, and even to pirates. Their strong points were not
LOVE-THE SUM OF THE GOSPEL 49 I
IN NEED-A TYPICAL BEGGAR OUT-PATIENT In bed No.8, at one end, there is a new patient-a perfect stranger. He country by those who can love, so is is just a thing, some six feet long, that it with regard to the need of the world we call a man, six feet of motionless in general. There are supposed to be yellow clay. He looks about twenty certain large amounts of eye disease years of age, robust, a good face, but and blindness in far eastern countries, at present perfectly expressionless, and good people are supposed to sym- with almost the relaxation of death. pathize more or less with such a con- He is flat on his back, his hands are dition of affairs. But follow me folded on his chest, and his face is around a mission hospital in Shanghai turned upward. His eyelids are half for a moment, and let me show to your closed, and motionless. love's imagination an actual· condition. Mechaqically we nod to him, but Now we are walking with the Resi- there is no response, so we say "Tsat, dent, Dr. Koo, a couple of nurses and A I" (Good morning). But still the senior students, down what we there is no response, only a vague sense call the "lucky ward"-every hospital of uneasiness and a slight trembling has its lucky ward, I suppose, and of the eyelids, but it answers the every surgeon his superstitions-stop- question that is in our minds. He is ping 'at most of the beds for at least uncertain if he is being spoken to, and a few questions and nodding or saying our diagnosis is partly made. a word to each patient. This is the morning round. It's a torturous way, "Why did he cO{l1e in at night, paved with toil and agony, and lighted Doctor ?" by the reflection from the glow of an invisible Presence. "Oh, he is not in for his blindness, he is an opium suicide, but he either did not take enough, or his family got him here very promptly. We worked over him for some hours, and he seems safe now."
Bending over the young man we notice that his breathing is quiet and steady. He is now conscious of our nearness, but two white patches SOME LOVE AT WORK Bed endowed by American children in memory 6£ a crippled boy
where his black pupils ought to be "Yes." show that he is stone blind. Seating It depends on circumstances. One ourselves quietly on the side of his of the circumstances is the reach and bed, we put our hand on his. the imaginative power of some one's love. "Noong a-z hah-tsz Va?" (So you are blind.) **** "Sz-tsen." (It is so.) Some love has reached to China, "Why did you try to kill yourself?" half way around the world, and we "I do not wish to live." have seen something there of the "Tell us about it." human agony of one blind man, but "I am a tailor. A year ago I rap- beloved, there are others. It is our idly went blind. I can not see any- impression that, except in rare inthing, I can not do any work. No one stances, blind boys and men in China will employ me for anything. There eventually find their way on the street is now only to become a professional as professional beggars, the lowest beggar on the street, and that life is class of Chinese humanity; and then not worth living." (The fate of the there are the women and the girls-! blind in China.) "Why did you not come show us Jesus said to a certain group of your eyes first?" Christians who thought well of them- "What wotrld be the advantage? selves, "I counsel thee to anoint thine Blindness is incurable. that night has eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest no to-morrow." . see." "Behold, I stand at the door A month goes by, and there is a and knock." "If any man hear my group of four men gathered about a voice . . . Inasmuch." canary bird up in the roof garden, one very old, two middle-aged, and It would be the merest guess to' one a boy of twenty. They are talk- name the number of blind in China. ing about the good points of the bird, but I should consider it a fair estijust as we talk about the good points mate to say that there are a hundred of a bulldog. There is quiet joy in thousand perfectly curable blind eyes their faces. They have all been blind, in China to-day–but the love of and they all can see. The youngest some so-called Christians in America is our tailor boy. He is wearing his can not reach that far. new glasses, and trying experiments with them. We,nod to him, and this Some one said recently that every time he does respond: man believes in love. Henry Drum- "Si-Sang." (Master.) mond calls it "the universal language "Ze-voong! Ngan Kyung hau veh which all can understand," but it is hau?" (Well, tailor, how are the so much more; it is the life of God glasses ?) Himself, it is the gift in His son to Answer, "Hau-Ie." (Well, in- the whole human race, it is the whole deed.) "I can see to thread the Gospel message, it is salvation, it is smallest needle; I am glad." the whole commandment of Jesus "You see that night of blindness Christ, it is the motive of all valid had a to-morrow." Christian service, it is the unity of the Christian Church-the only possible unity that's worth more than a scrap of paper,-it is the measute of the
PIERSON MEMORIAL BIBLE SCHOOL IN SEOUL
stature of the per- If thou woulds't fect man, it is the be perfect, oh! be- "These things ye loved bod y 0 f ought to l1ave done Christ, go sell all and not to have that thou hast and left the others un- follow thou Him done." fo r He I should like to is the way to see the whole body Love.
of Christ, for the "W h 0 s 0 ever next ten yea r s, shall lose his life make love "its sale for my sake and occupation," pray the Gospel's shall for love more than save it unto life for all else put to- Eternal."
gether; look, speak, "Whoso loveth work and think not knoweth love. With St. not God .
Paul, do this one' WAITING for God is thing, "Press on Love."
toward the goal unto the prize of the "I am the way follow thou high calling of God in Christ Jesus." me."
Progress of the Pierson Memorial Bible School in Seoul Ii. 1N EARLY five years ago, Korean Christians have been gradu- following the visit of ated. All the Methodist and Presby- Dr. W. W. White to terian theological students are re- Korea, a Union Bible quired to take their first year of School was started in preparation at the Bible School and Seoul, the capital of many others take advantage of the Korea, to train Bible teachers for the excellent courses of study provided. large and growing work in this most prosperous field of Protestant Mis- The number of students varies from sions. The school has since become fifty to one hundred, and these not the Arthur T. Pierson Memorial Bible only study the Bible and how to teach School, with a Board ot Directors rep- it but they are engaged in practical resenting the Protestant Missions ~t Christian work in the city. In Sepwork in Seoul. The work has been tember, or October, the Bible School greatly blest, and several classes of will enter the new building, which is shown in course of erection in the ac-
companying illustration. It stands on given to a Chinese contractor, the sua commanding site on one of the main thoroughfares, on a hill overlooking perintendent of construction is a Japathe city. The funds in hand are sufficient for the completion of the main nese, and the furniture has been made by Koreans of the Y. M. C. A. in building but an additional $7,000 is Seoul.
greatly needed for the erection of a Dr. James S. Gale, secretary of the dormitory and for the purchase of the board of directors, writes: "The site we have secured commends itself to THE PIERSON MEMORIAL BIBLE SCHOOL PROPERTY IN SEOUL, CHOSEN (KOREA) This view shows the main building in course of erection, and gives an ,excellent idea of the commanding location near the main thoroughfare. The American committee hopes that additional gifts will make it possible to purchase the property adjacent to the street. The cost will be about $4,000.
land between the Bible School prop- us more and more. The fine open erty and the street. This purchase view is refreshing and the outlook will protect the approaches and pre- over the Japanese Middle School vent the erection of buildings 'that grounds and off to the palaces will be would shut in the Bible School and an aid to the labors of the class room." obscure what may be otherwise a commanding obj ect lesson to 'Koreans To-day is the day of opportunity in and travelers – a central Christian Korea. The Bible is the basis of landmark and gathering-place for Christian faith and practise among union Christian conferences. disciples in Chosen. This explains the reason for the apostolic character The contract for the building was of the Korean Christian Church.* * GHts for the purchase of th is property and for th,e erection of the needed dormitories 'for men and wornen may be sent to the Secretary of the American Committee, D. L. Pierson, 354 Fourth Avenue, New York. Checks may be made payable to Valter McDougall, Treasurer.
We Ready for War?*
BY REV. JOHN HENRY JOWETT, D.D.
GREJAT vision is not al-.. name "Christian Soldiers?" In the lurid light of the warfare in Europe mA ways beneficent. Un- can we speak without shame of "fight- less it issues in a great ing the good fight of faith?" What- crusade it becomes only ever one may think about war, we a deadening dream, a should challenge ourselves as to reverie, a kind of medi- whether we are entitled to call our- selves an army equipped to proclaim tation, that puts the active powers the message of the Lord and establish "peace on earth and good-will to men." to sleep. We must have not merely the vision, Military metaphors are used very but the glowing spirit of crusade. We must not only go out from these confrequently in connection with the lay- ventions seeing-we must go out fight- ing. Let me take my place just where men's missionary campaign. These the Lord has put me and there fight for God and His truth with all the ardor metaphors, so abounding in the New of the soldier now fighting for his country in Europe. Testament, and used with extraordin- Turn your eyes upon Europe and ary vividness, have been reborn and then fix them upon yourself. Weare learning by the warfare in Europe that rebaptized in the horrors of the Euro- a powerful army is possest by the conviction that it is fighting for somepean war. The very word war has a thing worth while. It may be the de- fense of the home or the glory of the new significance; the word fighting country; it may be the glory of the lJiighted word; or the sacred cause of suggests an amazing conflict; the word freedom; or the unity and security of empire. Whatever it is, there must endurance betokens almost unspeak- be something of controlling power if the strength of the army is to be susable resources; the word valor has tained. There can not be perennial springs of energy where there is no come to palpitate with a self-forget- deep and vital faith. It is in great convictions that great emotions have fulness for which it never stood be- their birth. Emotion is always thin where conviction is faint. But emofore. Therefore, when we make mili- tion is like a river when the convic- tary terms the terminology of religion, I am afraid that the very brilliance of our terminology may eclipse the some- what somber dulness of our lives.
If we are going out as an army seeking to incarnate the visions of these missionary conventions, how do we, as an army, compare with the armies in Europe? Can we be favor- ably mentioned alongside of the armies in Flanders or the Tyrol or the Rus- sian frontier? Look at anyone of the European armies and then turn your eyes upon the army of the Lord.
Is that army dimmed by the army in Europe? Are we entitled to the … An address delivered at the Laymen's Missionary ConventionJ New York, Wednesday evening. April 12, 1916.
tion is like a mountain. An army Cambridge is empty. Edinburgh Uniwithout mighty conviction is like a versity is empty. The great industrial loose multitude without bonds. universities in Birmingham, Sheffield and Manchester are empty. The Now, have we, as Christians, any young fellows are away at the front. such conviction ? I do not sayan Look into the banks and factories and opinion- a thing that flies away like a we find that the young fellows are all falling feather, but a conviction- gone and girls are in their places. something that holds me as its convict, Every empty place means that a man that possesses me, controls me. Have has given his blood in the defense of we any convictions worth fighting for? his nation. Everywhere in Europe just now there is a readiness to con- We see in this world of sin and secrate blood in the defense of home suffering the need for a great and and fatherland. glorious emancipation. Is that worth fighting for? We are fighting to make Last summer, when I was walking known the love of our Father in the through a little village in Gloucesterperson and work of our Savior, Jesus shire, I saw a woman standing at the Christ. Weare fighting to disperse door of a little cottage. She turned darkness and ignorance, to break the to me and said: chains of evil habit, to offer salvation from the bondage of sin, to make an "Is there any news of the war this end of cruelty, to emancipate the op- morning?" prest, to dry tears no other hand can touch, to transfigure sorrow, to I told her the news and then asked, exalt wedlock, to glorify the home, to "Are you very much interested in the hallow childhood, to beautify age, to war?" light up death. "Very much interested in it? Yes; Are these worth anything? Is it I have five sons at the front and I worth everything just to unveil the wish I had more to give." fatherhood of our God, to unveil the great motherhood of the race, to un- Five sons! Five sons! – "and I veil the springs of forgiveness, to un- wish I had more to give." seal the very fountains of true freedom, to open up the way of eternal That is the spirit of the European life, the way that leads to Home and war-no sacrifice is too great to se- God. Is that worth fighting to attain? cure ultimate triumph. Is it worth anything? Is it worth everything? If we ale convinced of How is it with the army of the the glory of that for which we are Lord? How do we compare with the fighting, we have the primary requi- European soldiers in the extent of our site for a fit army in the service of sacrifice? Are we ready to give our our Lord. blood to proclaim the incomparable splendor of our cause? The first blood Look again across the seas at the ought to be given when we pray. armies in Europe. There we see a James Hinton, that e~ceedingly promarvelous willingness to give blood to found and practical philosopher, said gain desired ends. MyoId University, that we shall have to begin giving Oxford, is empty. The University of more in our thinking and in our prayers. There is a way of bleeding when we pray. 1£ I merely pray about myself or my family there is no blood,
WE READY FOR WAR?
but when I pray and do not remember elist and public man, once wrote that myself at all, in the remembrance of his footman was a man without much other people, when my petitions go apparent personality. But he enlisted out like armies in loyal intercession, in the army, and after several months bearing other people to the throne of training, Sir Gilbert wrote that "he grace, then my prayers are red with simply was not the same man he was life blood. when in my service." He said to Sir Gilbert Parker, "I am keen to go and Is my labor red with blood? We I think I am fit for it now." often tire ourselves with things of the world. How many really wear them- Rev. Stuart Holden told me of a selves out in the work of the King- young fellow in his congregation who dom of the Lord? In a biography, I had been for nearly all his life sitting read, the other day, of a man who on an office stool. He gave himself, said in a letter to a friend: "It is a body, mind and soul to be disciplined glorious thing to get thoroughly tired in the army; and so well did that man out for Jesus." That is spending your serve his country upon the field, that blood as they are spending it for an he was summoned before the King and inferior purpose in Europe. That offered his choice of honors, whether should be the spirit of the army of the a commission in the Army or the Vic- Lord-red with the blood of sacri- toria Cross. A young man says when fice. he gives himself to the army of the King, "Here I am. My poor imperfect Across the seas, I find in the army body and mind I surrender to thee for a sense of community. Every man is discipline and for drill to equip myself making the best of himself for the for the field." service of the whole. The man places himself at the service of his country. How is it with me? 'King Jesus What drilling a man undergoes, what says to me, "Jowett, I want you to be discipline he follows, what obedience a well-equipped unit in my army. Give he practises when he thus places him- thyself to discipline and drill and make self in the army of the King! How thyself fit for the field." Am I doing willing he is to be equipped for the it? Am I keeping my body under and field! One night, in the very dead of making my body an efficient servant night, in a little town of Yorkshire, for my Lord? Am I training my mind I heard the call of the bugle and in clear and pure thought, in vigilant in twenty minutes I heard the sounds understanding and in swift and correct of thousands of feet running through moral judgment? Am I drilling mythe darkness, going for a night run of self in the mighty exercise of prayer? ten miles to harden the young recruits Am I engaged in the even more for the field. You would be amazed exhilarating discipline of praise? at the ~ransformations taking place Whereas, to me, as a boy, a prayer in the physical caliber of the young meeting was somewhat dull, a praise men and in their general powers which meeting was absolutely exhilarating. have been brought about through un- "Be not drunk with wine," says Saint reserved surrender of every capacity Paul, "but in giving thanks." You to be disciplined on the field. will find greater exhilarancy and stim- ulus, in praise than ever in wine. Have Sir Gilbert Parker, the famous nov-
we indulged in the exhilarating disci- ings? Are we always talking about pline of praise, and are we engaged in other people's wounds and other peothe enlarging, expanding and athletic ple's suffering? Are we so intent upon ministry of intercession? the suffering in India and China and Japan and Africa that we scarcely re- When a man begins to pray for member our own? Whenever we be- India and China and the islands of the gin to forget our own sufferings and sea, and does it intelligently and sym- our own hardships and our own burpathizingly, he is becoming an excep- dens, we are becoming well fitted to tionally well-equipped and disciplined be soldiers of the Lord. servant for the army of his Lord. One more word. In one of the vil- Look again at the warfare in Europe lages of Flanders I have been tolJ and see the armies possest by uncon- there is a large crucifix, and the figure querable courage and persistence. on the crucifix has been greatly man- Amid all that is desolate, appalling gled, and the arms of the figure, by and heartrending, there are glimpses the shells have been forced out into of heroism that light the darkness. an imploring attitude, but the face Think of that new officer dying in has been blown away. Now, my Flanders-and as he was dying,cry- brothers, that face must be restored. ing out to his Dorsetshire regiment: Europe must once again see the face "Stick to it Dorsets, stick to it Dor- of Jesus. Great Britain and Gersets." many and France and Russia must see the face of Jesus. We must help to If that is being a soldier in Europe, reveal it? Will you pledge yourselves what ought I to be as a soldier of the to do it, not merely in Europe, but in King? every land under the sun? Shall we pledge ourselves that with God's help One officer wrote home, and at the everyone of us will drill and discipline end of the long letter he just added and surrender until each one is as a postscript: "By the way, I am in well equipped for a soldier of Jesus as a hospital with a bit of shrapnel in the men in Europe are well equipped me." That is all there was of it. "By to serve their king and their country? the way!" China does not yet know Jesus. Are Another wrote home "I have a bul- we daunted? India does not yet know let buried in my face and five holes Jesus. Are we daunted? America in my shoulder. Jol1y mess they made does not yet know Jesus. Are we of me, but now I am washed I am all daunted? Let us rededicate ourright." It is that light dismissal of selves. personal wounds, it is that valorous thinking of other people; it is that Soldiers of Christ arise reconsecration of their poor patched- And put your armor on. up bodies to the renewed service of their country that fil1s me with deep Strong in the strength which God supplies and grateful surprize. Who are these Through His eterual Son. soldiers ? Won't talk about their wounds; won't talk about themselves. From strength to strength go on, What about your elders' meetings? Wrestle and fight and pray, What about your deacons' meetings? What about your trustees' meet- Tread all the powers of darkness down And win the well-fought day.
A MARKET DAY SCENE IN CHIENG MAl, NORTH
Casting Out Demons In Asia EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY AT WORK IN THE FAR EAST * BY REV. THOMAS GUTHRIE SPEERS, NEW YORK AR'KET is held every had rented a booth, to which they EMJ three days in the little came every market day to preach town of Tap Teang in the "good news" to any who might pause to listen. We sat by their side ~ .:.. southern Siam. To the and watched. A half-breed, a Simo- Chinese evangelist, was speaking. On ~ old bamboo and thatch the wall behind him hung a mission- ary map of the world. His subject sheds come crowds of was the "Fatherhood of God," and, as he spoke, he pointed first to one people from all the many neighboring country and then to another, telling his hearers that the God whom he farms and hamlets. On the low plat- had found cared equally for the in- habitants of all the nations. Many forms running the length of the long in the crowd paused to listen, partly out of curiosity at the sight of forsheds were piled the stores of the eigners, partly out of interest in the words of the speaker. merchants and market women: fish As we watched there came one that were alive and flopping, fish that old man from a distant country vil- had been dead a long time; betel nut, native cloth, and cheap imported trink- ets; all these and more exposed to germs and offered for the inspection of the hundreds of people passing up and down the long alleyways.
In one corner of the market a little group of native Christian evangelists '*" Mr. Sp'eers has recently returned from a tour of missions in Eastern Asia. His report is particularly interesting as that of a wide·awake college graduate interested in world betterment.-EDITOR.
A RIVER BOAT IN THE NORTH OF SIAM The notch in the high curved stern is for the spirit to sit in so it will not disturb the crew lage, one who had never before heard pression on that man's face as he of Christ. He stopt to listen on the heard more and more of the message outskirts of the little group. Almost of the half-breed evangelist, without instantly his attention seemed to be being sure that Christianity was not caught, and we could see him nod merely a collection of theories or once in a while as if to say, "What truths, not merely an ethical system, you tell us is true." Without taking but a living, glowing force, a vital his eyes from the face of the evange- power, a reality! list, he moved to the edge of the little market platform and sat down to Of the many impressions which the listen further. As his interest grew Christian traveler in the Far East rehe pushed himself back on the plat- ceives none comes to him with such form more and more so that he force as this impression of the wonwould not be disturbed by those who der of his own religion. In America passed. At last he rested his shoul- a man's vision of Christianity is obders against the wall and settled scured by the multiplicity of interests down to spend the remainder of his and by the fact that the majority of morning hearing the truth which one's neighbors and friends call themwas so new and yet which appealed selves Christians. Consequently, a so strongly to his heart. Noone man often fails to recognize the vitalcould have sat there in that filthy ity and power of the Christian shed and watched the changing ex- religion.
In the Far East, on the contrary, it
OUT DEMONS IN ASIA 50!
VICTIM OF' HEATHEN LAW IN KOREA The criminal law in Asia is based entirely on the principle of fear stands out clear-cut against the back- those who have not had that advan- tage, who through ignorance and suground of the Asiatic religions, That perstition dwell in constant dread of something, they know not what. which is considered the usual in Amer- Through all the countries of the Far East there exists this fear, fear of ica is seen as the unusual out there. the unseen, fear of something which always seeks to harm men. That which we at home accept half- In the Philippine Islands there are heartedly is seen to be a wonderful, men and women who do not dare to leave their huts between eight and living force. Anyone who has had the nine o'clock in the evening because they believe that the spirits of the privilege of witnessing the effect of departed return to earth during that hour and torment those who have not the preaching of the Gospel upon a lived as they should.
man who has never before heard the In China we noticed that nearly every house had a great spirit wall Good News can not fail to realize built up in the road directly in front of the door to prevent evil spirits that there is far more to the Chris- from entering the house. The people believe that spirits can fly only in tian religion than many in America think Here are a few of the changes that the Christian religion IS working in the Far East to-day: .
The Demon of Fear First, Christ is delivering people from fear. We who have been brought up in a <:ivilized country can not know the attitude of mind of
straight lines; and so, when they have dren make in kindergarten-images erected these walls, they feel safe in of buffaloes, of elephants, and of their homes, for the spirits can not children. When a father finds that go up over the top of the guardian his boy is sick he makes a clay image walls and then down through the of a child and puts it in the spirit door on the other side. Imagine the shrine, and then prays to the spirit, attitude of mind of men to whom saying: such things are real, who would actually be afraid to live in a house "0 spirit, you do not want my little which did not have a spirit wall pro- boy, for he is ugly and weak and can tecting the doorway! do nothing that is helpful. Rather take this child, who is so beautiful In Korea (Chosen, Japan), at the and who will do many useful things church services the men sit on one for you. 0 spirit, you do not want side of a center partition and the my little boy!" women on the other, the men with their funny little black hats perched In that way the father hopes to deupon the tops of their heads, the ceive the spirit into taking the clay women with their white cloth head- image instead of the real boy. To dresses. Then close up to the edge those who have our Western backof the platform one sees a small circle ground of thought this does not seem of black heads-the little children, very terrible, but it is real to them! who wear no head covering at all. All their lives they have believed that And there is scarcely anything more the whole universe is filled with unpathetic than to look down upon seen powers, everyone of whom is those little black heads and see many constantly seeking to harm them, to of them with a small round spot bring sickness upon them, to destroy burned into the top of their scalps, th'eir crops, to blow down their where their parents have branded houses. There are no kindly spirits; them with red-hot irons in order to they are all evil and hostile to men. drive out the evil spirits of sickness. Imagine the mental attitude of men It is fearful enough to think of par- who have lived all their lives under ents inflicting such torture upon the the shadow of this fear, and then children they love, but it is more ter- consider the change that comes over rible to consider the atmosphere of them when they [earn of Christdread in which all of them must live. when they are told that there is but The fear of the hostile unseen makes one Great Spirit, Who made the them believe that such physical suffer- world and Who rules it now, and ing is necessary. that this Great Spirit is a loving spirit, a Father Who seeks not to Siam especially seems filled with harm His children, but to work them the fear of spirits. Along the coun- good. Christianity is delivering men try roads one frequently sees little from fear. spirit shrines-a bamboo post stuck up in the ground with a flat tray set The Demon of Filth on top of it. And in the tray one may find a whole collection of small Not only this, but Christianity is clay images such as American chil- doing the very practical service III the Far East to':'day of delivering
OUT DEMONS IN ASIA 50
men from filth. The slums of some The Gospel of Power of our great American cities are dirty, but one has little conception of what Christianity is doing a greater thing real uncleanliness means until he has than delivering men from either fear visited the cities and towns of the or filth. It is giving power to believ- Far East. The streets, the roadside ers, enabling them to do things that ditches and little canals all filled they never could have done before, with an indescribable mass of slime things, perhaps, which they never and filth, the unsanitary conditions in would have desired to do.
In 1912, at the close of the revolu- THE BONDAGE OF FILTH AND POVERTY IN ASIA A wayside beggar in China the houses, the absence of anything tion in China, when the Cantonese resembling personal cleanliness, all soldiers returned from the north, they contribute to a horrible condition of brought with them to sel1 as slaves dirt and pollution. some six hundred little boys and girls whom they had stolen from their Yet one of the most interesting side- homes. General Hwang Sing had not lights on the Gospel was the oft-re- gone up to the north with them, but peated statement, made to us in met his soldiers as they passed Korea, that when men become Chris- through Nanking. When he discovtians they also become clean. Little ered what they had done, in his anger is said to them about it, but naturally he had some of them beheaded. He of their own accord they clean up. took the children from their captors There seems to be something in the and gave them into the care of a little Gospel of Christ that can not exist Chinese woman named Miss Chow, side by side with dirt. When a man's who, entirely from a motive of patrisoul has been made clean he feels otism and a desire to do something compelled to purify his body also.
for this new government, volunteered body and the strong, beautiful face of to start an orphanage for them. She the lady who has accomplished these was given an old yamen or court things, and we felt sure that Miss house, and for a while she tried to Chow had not worked alone, but that carry out the stupendous piece of there had been with her One by work. But soon her motive of patri- means of Whose power and love she otism wore out, not being strong had been enabled to work the work enough to stand against the difficul- of the Father Who sent her. Out ties and discouragements which con- of weakness she was made strong.
TEACHING FILIPINOS THE BLESSING OF LABOR A class in agriculture at Silliman InstituteJ Philippines stantly crossed her path. She would All through the countries of the perhaps have given up, but just then Far East one finds men and women into her life there came the knowl- doing things that they never in the edge of Christ, and immediately all world could have accomplished withthings were changed. Her motive of out the power of God in their lives. patriotism was ennobled and purified. The difficulties which before had But this is not enough to inspire seemed unsurmountable now appeared men and women to leave their homes possible of solution. We visited that and go to countries whose languages little orphanage and looked into the they do not know, with whose cusfaces of the children and heard of the toms they are unfamiliar, and among marvelous things that ar~ being done whose inhabitants they are often most for their lives. We saw the frail unwelcome, there to live and work for life. It is splendid to relieve men
OUT DEMONS IN ASIA
of their fear, to purify them of their up on high; those who were facing filth, and to enable them to do things one way have been turned squarely that they could not have done before; around and now walk in the opposite but these motives of pity, of hygiene, direction. and of efficiency are not sufficient to warrant the existence of such a task We saw many instances of this as the missionary enterprise. Men transforming power of Christianity. would demand some higher possibility In Japan we met Buddhist priests before they would make the sacrifice who had once sought only selfish and corrupt pleasures, but who now are GIRLS AND WOMEN OF A SABBATH CONGREGATION AT TAIKU, KOREA The curtain dtviding the men from v;,~'::~h,;;,a~i~dos~en at the left. The large basket hats which they do so willingly in becom- giving their lives to the unselfish sering messengers of Christianity to far vice of their fellow men in purity distant lands. and love. In northern Siam we saw a whole village, 'It one time a nest The Power That Transforms of thieves and murderers, now eagerly crowding into the little chu:-ch which Christianity offers this higher pos- they have built with their own hands, sibility in the one thing which it is the leaders of the old robber band doing supremely throughout the Far acting as the officers in the church. East, namely, the transformation of We listened to a farmer boy in the character. Nothing could be more Philippine Islands as he rose in his wonderful than to see the changes school assembly and told the boys which Christianity has brought about that when he had come there he had in this realm. Men who were far been very sinful, but that when he down in the mire have been raised
had learned the truth in the Bible it his father was ashamed, but which had helped him to cleanse his soul neither he nor his religion was able and his life. to prevent. At last in desperation he brought this wayward son to the one The most striking example of the lone Christian missionary who lives transforming power of Christianity in that stronghold of Shinto, telling we found in the city of Yamada in her that he could do nothing, and Japan. This is a sacred city that is asking that she use the power of her visited yearly by thousands of pil- religion to help his son. Into the grims, who come from all over the fellowship of the little group of per- Japanese empire to worship there at haps fifty Christians the boy was the imperial Shinto shrines. It is a taken; and we saw him there at a city of only about 40,000 inhabitants, meeting in the house of the missionbut it contains 800 hotels, erected ary, an absolutely new man. What solely for the benefit of the long all the powers of Shirito couid not do stream of worshipers. The shrines that Christianity had accomplished. themselves are very simple. In front A life had been transformed, a charare small rock-hewn basins filled with acter made new by the power of water for the purification of the pil- God. grims. From these basins they come in a constant procession up to the These are some of the things that shrine itself. There they drop a cop- the religion of Christ is doing for the per coin in a box made ready for the people of the Far East. He is delivpurpose, fall on their knees, clap ering them from fear, cleansing them their hands twice to attract the at- of their filth, giving them power, and, tention of the goddess, mumble some most important of all, He is transformula of prayer to be made clean fonning their lives. No other reliand pure, rise and go back to their gion is doing this in the Far East. homes. Since the shrines were first No other power than Christ can do erected, in 4 B.C., men have been it. Peter stated the truth when he thus coming to this sacred place, seek- said to the Sanhedrin: ing and longing for something, but gaining nothing. The son of one of "In none other is there salvation; the head priests, in spite of his sacred for neither is there any other name surroundings, became very wild and under heaven, that is given among unruly. He did many things of which men, wherein we must be saved." The Acts 4: 12. (R. V.)
Itongolo-The Black
BY REV. ROBERT HAMILL NASSAU, S.T.D. Author of Fetishism in West Africa ~""'''''''''t"'"G~HILE I was living at took such statements with caution; Benito, W est Africa, there might be selfish desire for em- I sent some of the best ployment. I did employ him. He native church-members was quick, faithful, cheerful. When to adjacent districts, others, at the noon rest, sat down to ten or twenty miles smoke, he came for a lesson in the alphabet. At night, when others went away, as teachers or evangelists. One to the village dance, he came to my day I started alone down the coast, study for more lessons, and to ask a along the sea-beach, to inspect the multitude of questions. He grew school at Hanje. I leaped across or rapidly. He became a church-memwaded through some of the many ber. I made him, successively, forelittle streams that crossed the beach. man of the workmen, captain of my At a larger one, I undrest and swam. boat's crew, teacher, evangelist, ruling elder. He became a candidate and At Hanje, I had a happy time, ex- licentiate. During all the many years amining, commending, and encourag- of testing, he never once failed, and ing, and, late in the afternoon, I never laid himself open to rebuke by started to walk back the ten miles. either session or presbytery. Coming to that large stream, I intended again to swim it; but, I saw While Itongolo was in my employ sharks. So I sat down under the as teacher some ten miles away, he bushes at the top of the beach, hoping regularly made monthly visits to me that a canoe, with two men whom I to report. On one of these occasions, saw fishing, would come ashore and a brother of his had died at a village ferry me. Finally, the canoe did along the route he was to take. come; but, the two men were armed Almost any other native would have with guns and seemed to be acting in abandoned the report, and would a suspicious way. It seemed strange have spent at least a week in idleness that fishers should also have guns. at the mourning, sitting in rags and When they landed, the younger one ashes. But Itongolo had drest himbroke into a laugh. They came to self in unusually good clothing on his me. I did not know them, nor they respectful visit to me. He stopt at me. They asked what I was doing, the village where the mourning was hidden in the bushes. I told them being held. When he entered the that I was resting in the shade, and street, the mourners broke out in inwaiting for them to ferry me. They dignation at his fine clothing, "You did so. Then I sat down on the gun- have no love for your brother! We wale of their canoe and preached are sitting in rags and dust." He Jesus unto them. replied, "In my heart I am mourning for my brother more truly than you Two weeks later, the younger one, are doing with your dust! I am Itongolo, came to me, saying that he desired to be a Christian. I generally
doing my monthly duty of reporting "Yes, and I remember your laugh. to the white missionary, whom I At what were you laughing?" respect too much to go to him in rags. I will, however, recognize our "Dr. Nassau, your life was in custom, and will mourn with you for danger that day. With the other one day, and then I will go on my man I had been fishing unsuccessway." fully. We had our guns; for, the tribe at that part of the coast was During the while that he was in not friendly to us. Suddenly I saw my personal service at Benito, in his an object hidden in the bushes on the church activity, he organized a Civili- beach, and we cautiously came ashore, zation Society. He did not ask my so as not to alarm it, in order that advice, nor did he ask me to attend. I might shoot it. On landing I saw This was so unusual that, for a that what I had thought was a wild moment, I was disposed to resent beast was a human being. And I being ignored. But, he explained: laughed to my companion at our disappointment. " "If you attend, the members will not say all their thoughts, they will Itongolo's wife was older than himspeak only to please you. Some of self. Tho forty years of age, she them in their hearts still approve of learned to read, and became an old customs. To me they speak earnest worker among the women. freely; and I make them see that they After her death he married a younger are wrong." woman. He died in the prime of life in charge of the Ubenji church. So I refrained from attending the He was always true, quick, earnest, meeting, and he regularly came to with a happy, hopeful temper. As report to me what had been said and done. He opened my eyes to my protege (as did other proteges to the real character of some of the church-members. Finally, after many their special teacher) he imitated me years as a licentiate, he came before in my penmanship, my pulpit man- Presbytery for ordination. After the nerism~, my tastes in house-building, laying on of hands he said to me: and in other ways. I thought him the most spiritually minded of our "Dr. Nassau, do you remember that native ministers. first day that we met?"
HOW ONE READER USES THE REVIEW "Please let me thank you for the BEST METHODS DEPARTMENT. Some of the plans I have passed on to the four hundred children's Mission Bands under my care, and I feel that I can voice their appreciation with my own.
"Just now I am in the midst of going through the file of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD. I am opening the wires at the back of each number, slipping out the 'Department of Best Methods,' slipping the wireS' again into place, leaving the magazines in apparently unchanged condition. All the pages of the 'Departments' I am binding together for more convenient handling and for frequent reference.
"Possibly others may find this a method that may be included among the 'Best: "-From a letter received from Miss Elizabeth N. Briggs, Raleigh, N. C, Band and R. A. Superintendent, 'iVoman's Baptist Missionary Union of North Carolina.
NEED OF MORAL AND SPIRITUAL
A typical lumber camp with its saloons where spiritual engineers are at work Seeking Men and Finding God THE SUBJECTIVE REACTION FROM CHRISTIAN SERVICE BY FRED H. RINDGE, JR., M.A., NEW YORK Secretary of the Industrial Department International Y. M. C. A.
EEKING men and A millionaire's son, an under- graduate in college, who had been led ISI finding God! Chris- into his first service for some fac- tian workers are ac- tory men, said: customed to think of "The men I've been teaching have done me more good than I can ever . . first finding God and do them, and it is real joy to be doing something worth while. I'm . . then expressing our not ashamed to say that this work has changed my whole viewpoint of faith and love in terms of service life and made me realize for the first time what it means to be a Chrisfor men. This is not only advisable tian."
but necessary. "By their fruits ye His life was truly transformed, as was further proved when, a few years shalI know them." Service is essen- later, he took charge of several hun- dred lumbermen in one of his father's tial to a real Christian life, but how western camps, improved their work- ing and living conditions, raised their about the large number of men and wages, and became known as a "square boss and the workingman's women who are not Christians yet who friend."
have real ability going to waste? Many A man uninterested in Christian could not teach a Bible class but they could teach mathematics to a group of apprentices, take part in a survey, or render some other form of worth- while service. Seeking men (in cer- tain forms of service) sometimes helps the seekers to find God. A few illustrations may more clearly explain my theme.
work and not known as religious, tho ica, causing him several times to con- brought up in a Christian home, re- template suicide, because he could not cently responded to an appeal to lead get on, Joe stood on a street corner a boys' educational club, "because the one evening, when a volunteer spoke thing looked real" to him. It was to him as a brother and invited him not directly "religious work," but to to join an English class. Joe joined, him it became a religious privilege. became interpreter, then teacher, and After a year of this service and a learned how he could serve others.
fellowship in service with other This opened the door into a new workers, he entered religious work life. He soon joined the church, for life. Evangelistic meetings, Bible and is now ready to give his life to classes, talks, etc., had not touched Christian work. The volunteer who the niotor nerve in this man, but spoke to Joe on the street corner was when he was given something to do a Jewish student, who was beginning for somebody else his heart re- to discover Jesus as the fulfilment of sponded. He was not an "excep- his faith. Somehow, hundreds of.
tion," but one of the "average men." "Christians" had passed Joe by "on The captain of an eastern football the other side," but the Jew had not.
team, the most popular man in col- A letter from this same Jew states lege, was opposed to the student that he has joined the Association in Young Men's Christian Association a Western city, lives in the building, because he felt (wrongly, to be sure) and is teaching a Bible class there.
that it was "only a prayer-meeting." He writes: Nevertheless, when asked to teach "The first lesson I taught was the citizenship and American ideals to a Sermon on the Mount. We discust group of foreigners, he accepted the it for two hours without getting half challenge, even at considerable sacri- through. It's great!"
fice. Through this he became inter- That Jew is now' living a life of ested in the entire work, was elected Christian service, because, in seek- pre$ident of the Association, won ing men, he too found the only true many of his fellows to the Kingdom God, and heard the caIl of Jesus and has now become a Y. M. C. A. Christ to a larger ministry.
secretary in the very city where he How did that Jew happen to do the first enjoyed the privilege of a real unselfish thing in the first place? Back service-experience. in his college was a Y. M. C. A. sec- My friend Joe is an Italian lad, retary who believed in the evange- whose life is one of constant struggle lizing power of service and who was to resist temptation and gain a live- willing to trust the average man- lihood. Recently we saw Joe walk- even a Jew. And when this secre- ing the streets of New York looking tary saw the results of his trust in for work, because he had just given men, his trust in God was strength- up a good position for another . ened. This was another "subjective "foreigner" who needed it more than reaction from service."
he. Some call Joe a fool. We call Real men are not enthusiastic about him a hero. After three years of serving on "paper committees," but hardship and ill-treatment in Amer- will gladly go out into the com·
MEN AND FINDING GOD
SE.ElCING MEN proportion to the reality of the serv- ice activities. The college man in touch with the industrial worker I am also interested in the indus- trial aspect of this idea. I have obmunity to undertake something far served other men, after similar servmore difficult. In fact, we have seen ice experience, go from college into some college men who saw nothing industrial centers and make possible to interest them in their church, but movements for accident prevention, who were among the first to respond social hygiene, proper amusements to a real service appeal. Some of for their men, welfare club buildings these same men, after a year's serv- and branches of the church or Young ice, not only joined the church but Men's Christian Association, often in became teachers of its Bible classes, places where no other restraining or which classes began to reach men, refining influence previously existed. heretofore seemingly unreachable. Still others have gone to large cities Some may fear that "service" may where they have gladly placed their supersede or interfere with "serv- experience at the disposal of the ices" and other activities, but such church. As this is being written a a fear is unfounded, if proper suPer- letter arrives from a graduate who vision is provided. Something must says: "I never seem to be quite satisbe vitally wrong if the strength of fied with life, although I have every the Bible study, brotherhood meetings reason to be. I have given the and other such work does not in the matter a good deal of thought, have last analysis prove to be in direct changed positions twice, without re- sult. The trouble is that I've been doing things entirely for myself, and devoting all my energy to my own A FOREIGNERJS OPINION · OF AMERICA
advancement. I am convinced that In his travels throughout the past the only way to get any real satis- six years the writer has personally faction out of life, is to devote more observed over five thousand men, of my time to working for others. mostly from universities and church Please put me in touch with a real men's brotherhoods, placed in various job." forms of volunteer service, such as teaching English and civics to for- The very nature of Christian work eigners, leading boys' clubs, instructdemands that we give volunteers a ing groups in first aid, giving shop chance to do some one thing that they talks, leading classes in labor unions and over fifty other lines of work. can do. Many of these men have been of the We preach the gospel of personal type indicated and some have un- doubtedly volunteered for service beand social service and maintain that cause they desired the experience or anyone who fails to practise this from other "selfish" reasons, but not greatest of Christ's principles-serv- a single one of them, so far as we ice-can not be a real Christian. can learn, after careful study, has Lives become selfish and self-cen- failed to feel a subjective reactiontred, because- men are "too busy" a reacdon which, in many instances to accept and make opportunities for has meant enlarged sympathy, exservice. The warning note in many tended vision, quickened understandreligious conferences is the necessity ing that amounts to a revelation and of avoiding breadth at the expense of frequently means, even in spite of depth, and the importance of the themselves, that men in seeking men minister or religious leader himself found God! never becoming so much of a social engineer as to be led away from in- "If any man willeth to do His will he timate touch with the individual man shall know of the teaching."-John 7: 17. who hungers for brotherhood. Notwithstanding all this, too many of us If this is true of the non-Chrisare afraid to give the average man a tian, it is equally true of the doubtchance to serve, and thus prevent his ing Christian. He was a wise man getting from service the very things who sent the brother, filled with we all agree he needs to make his doubts, out into the western construclife essentially Christian. tion camp to work among men, for word came back: "I arrived here There are men and boys in our doubting much in religion, but when churches and Christian societies whQ I found how badly these poor felare cold, distant, and of that particular lows needed a Savior, I got busy and not uncommon type of mind and my doubts vanished." which resents both "preaching" and "personal work" (vitally important In order that we might benefit by as this is), and who perhaps need a the definite counsel of ministers and real service-experience, more than others, a brief questionnaire was reanything else, to bring about a spiri- cently sent to many student and city tual awakening in their lives. That Y. M. C. A. secretaries, who are such men will respond to the service using large numbers of volunteer appeal has been adequately proved, especially during the past few years.
MEN AND FINDING GOoD 51
workers. The following digest of results in more kindly, Christ-like relareplies is significant: tions with all men and gives one a new working faith in the average goodness I. What is the effect of industrial of men." service upon the student who serves? "Tends to tone up a man's whole life." "By frequent intimate contact with working men, the student secures a first- 2. Have you noted instances where hand knowledge of their working and men's lives have been strengthened living conditions and becomes interested spiritually as a result of such service? in improving these conditions in a rational and effective manner. By this unselfish "Most certainly. The chairman of our t:NCLYf fOR £!l!WN'!…
~ri., A Ntnth lHwn Wa.c~ YISITon kOOCks Aman knocks allre fronl goes Tile falller aoes to IIlf 0001 !/Ilfn, The lalher opens 1111! !klI IS slandlng Mr.SmlthlSslandll!gon1l1l! c shal<tshaOCls The lall1er snakes hands Wllh T~a~t"f. ~;HoW tl saYS Mr. smlh sav~ I am well. lhank you: Mr. Smlth carnes Into Ille T e ffiO/N'r W~(omes lit SIIS In me parlOr The lamer IaIkS 1l) h The mOlber brings n take and COIIee.
rile oaugnler helllS her rr.
The son IS not al home. Mr. SllI/lh gelS up fQ lea He saYS "g1lOll·bye-llllhe TheIrefalthlOeOrr.ices Wllh ~ Mr 'imilh saYs "ROOIIlJy lather says "g1lOll by ""(ome again.
M.5ml ea MAKING THE FOREIGNER AT HOME IN AMERICA Teaching the incoming millions to think and speak Christian American ideas service, he becomes less self-centered, Intercollegiate Council has greatly deand is usually greatly strengthened both veloped. A year ago he was· 'indifferent.' morally and spiritually. I am convinced Now he 'fairly eats the work.' The work that the value of the SUbjective reaction is helping him get his spiritual equilibrium of this service upon the student can not and he will probably give his life to it." be overestimated." "The year after R– started this "It's a wonderful, and sometimes a work, he became chairman of the Bible humiliating revelation to a fellow to get Study Committee. He had not been inup against some of thes"e foreign men. terested in the Church or Y. M. C. A. It makes a fellow readjust a good deal before. He is now thinking seriously of of his previous thinking. Practically, it taking up the Association work for life."
HELPIN G BOYS INTO CHRISTIAN MANHOOD AND AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP 3. Do you know of cases where by his becoming chairman of the commen have been won for Christ as a mittee." result of such service? "Many men have joined the Church "I am acquainted with one fellow whos'e as a result of this volunteer service." life was absolutely changed through work with working boys. He has been defi- These quotations speak for themnitely won to Christ, and is contemplating selves. The surpri~ing part of our giving his life to the work." investigation is that not a single Christian worker interviewed or cor- "I believe decidedly that industrial responded with doubted the spiritual service awakens men to their own real reaction from service: This is another need of help, and drives them to Christ strong argument for ' the use of "the as their all-sufficient Savior." average man" in volunteer work. Church history fully justifies the use 4. Are some men won by gIVing even of the non,Christian for certain them a real job to do, where other forms of service. We recognize that methods fail? now and then such a volunteer may not be as efficient or truly representa- "Captain of the college swimming team tive as we might wish, but may it not is an example. Until this year the Church be our duty to take some "risks" for or Y. M. C. A. hadn't been able to in- the sake of what the service renterest him in anything. We succeeded in dered may do for him who renders it? getting him to take a club of boys, and As a matter of fact, for one man who the effect this had upon him is shown
MEN AND FINDING
COLLEGE MEN CONDUCTING A BOYS' "GYM CLUB" AT WILLIAMSTOWN fails, one hundred men may rise up in some Christian workers the obstacles a new strength and astonish us with seem almost unsurmountable. But their earnestness and efficiency, and have you observed what has hapmay find God. pened to some obstacles in the path of progress during the past forty We know, intimately, one man years? In 1875, when "dreamers" whose whole viewpoint of religion said we could draw from the open air was changed through trying to teach an invisible force that would run our a class of foreigners English, even machinery, pull our trains and light tho the class failed after a few weeks. our cities; that we could record and The volunteer did not help the for- reproduce the human voice for the eigners very much, but he tried hard; pleasure and profit of mankind, people he will do better next time. He says: agreed they were crazy. In 1880, "Before I undertook this work the when other "dreamers" affirmed that only ideal I had in life was to make yellow fever could be conquered and all the money I could regardless of the death rate from tuberculosis and anyone. Now I don't care where typhoid cut in half; that torpedo I go or what the salary so long as it boats could speed safely and swiftly IS some place where I can help through fathoms under the sea; that others." horses would to a large extent give place to "horseless carriages," people Overcoming Impossibilities laughed in derision. In 1895, when men of science declared that messages There are difficulties in the way of using volunteers extensively, and to
would be sent through space along men, average men, of the· type preelectrical waves; that motion could be viously indicated have also been used continuously photographed and repro- in certain kinds of service with great duced in "moving pictures," many success. said, "Ridiculous, it can not be done." In I902 a few daring spirits affirmed Many churches and other religious that there would soon be "flying organizations are enlisting their memmachines" that could travel one hun- bers in successful volunteer service as dred miles an hour, and "wise ones" never before. In this way some of smiled. In I 909, when adventurers the "average men" in life are being claimed that the North and South afforded a real service-experience- Poles would be reached, it seemed and some of these ordinary men, like mere bravado. When China, the through service and the power of oldest and most absolute government, God, are being led into most extraorwas changed to a Republic, the whole dinary activity. world wondered. The more we discover and use All of 'these "dreams have con- these average men, delegating to them densed their misty substances into responsibility and authority, even tangible realities," because a few had with all their faults and weaknesses, faith in them. A few years ago we, trusting them and trusting God (who among others, thought it impossible is more anxious for them to "make to enlist hundreds of busy men, good" than we are), the more souls engineering students particularly, in will be won for the Kingdom! After volunteer service for industrial all, is there a man or older boy in workers, but there are now 4,000 whose heart there is not the capacity such students from 200 colleges ren- of response to the service appeal, if dering forty different kinds of in- that appeal is made in the right way? dustrial service each week. Besides Is it not a witness to the Divine in this, nearly 3,000 graduates who be- man, and should we not in this way came interested at college are now give God more of a chance and trust promoting the ideas and ideals of the Him to fan the spark into a flame? Industrial Service Movement of the Y. M. C. A. The types of service "Lead me, yea, lead me deeper into life; promoted by this Movement par- this suffering human life wherein Thou !iv'st ticularly appeal to college men. and breathest still, and hold'st Thy way di- Large numbers of the finest kind of vine. 'Tis here, 0 pitying Christ, where Christian men are used in this work. Thee I seek. Here where the strife is The character and Christian life of fiercest; where the sun beats down upon the the leader always counts more than highways thronged with men, and in the anything else. But other men–good raging mart. 0 deeller lead my soul into the living world of souls where Thou dost move."-Richard Watson Gilder.
Japan's Leadership In
BY ROBERT E. SPEER) NEW YORK Author of "Missions and Modern History," etc.
1I….rtHJ'……..'""'~IHE net judgment with which a Western race or nation would which we returned to be judged, unless the latter be held America, after three to a stricter accountability because of VISItS during seven their fuller light. months, is a judg- ment of increased re- Whoever seeks to view the Far East with an impartial mind to-day spect for Japan and for what she has will be imprest anew with the sigachieved and a deepened confidence nificance of the history which Japan in the worthy and better elements of has made. Of the Asiatic nations Japanese life and character. There she alone has thus far shown hersel f are circles both in the East and III capable of actually mastering and the West in which it is almost as absorbing the principles of efficiency much as a man's life is worth to which lie behind modern progress. express such a judgment as this, so The new civilization in Japan is deep is the feeling of racial distrust not merely imitative, but has been inof the Japanese and of suspicion of telligently absorbed as no other their political and commercial ambi- Asiatic nation has yet absorbed it. tions. Many times we have been frightened at the intensity of this The New in the Old feeling as we have encountered it at different points in the East. After what one has seen of the struggle for civilization in other Noone can complain of fair and Asiatic lands and of the danger of discriminating judgments, but what attempting to make tr:ansitions by frightens one in much of the prejudice breaches and over chasms, one appreagainst the Japanese is its unfairness ciates Japan's success in having and its lack of discrimination. moved from the old to the new with Courses of action pursued by America so little rupture and without the loss or Great Britain or Germany are of her own racial traditions and inviewed and judged in an entirely tegrity. The new has been grafted different light from similar courses on to the old not without blunders of action pursued by Japan. and some misshapen consequences, Japan's conduct is often considered a but in the main with wonderful skill matter of mere political expediency and success. or a cover of sinister purposes, while wrong done by Western nations is Japan has done better than any of too often condoned or lamented with the other Asiatic nations in presoft judgments. Wrong and right are serving good manners through such not affected by degrees of longitude. a transition. It is pitiful in some of Evil or unworthy actions on the part the Eastern lands to see how fully of the Japanese ought to be judged the old etiquette and courtesy have on precisely the same basis as that on passed away without the acquisition of such good manners as there may
still be left in the West. Japan is her example Japan could add inholding still to some of her old tra- fluences which would win the love ditions which she must transcend, but and confidence and good will of the she ought to be judged charitably if Asiatic peoples, the service which she she holds to them a little too long. might render to Asia and to the What can a nation build on except its world would be unlimited. But as past? The present history of Siam one travels about through Asia he shows how difficult it is to build up finds that while Japan is admired, a sense of national personality with- she is also feared. The other Asiatic out a living history. peoples complain that the Japanese are proud and overbearing, that they By grafting the new civilization on are seeking not to befriend and to her own racial life Japan has ren- guide but to overpower and dominate, dered a great service to the whole of to secure and monopolize the markets, Asia. It is true that the process has to promote the interests of Japan not been a perfect one. Every living alone and not to guard Asia for the experience of this kind is sure to be people of Asia or to seek the nobler mixed with crudities both of spirit end of fostering the brotherhood and and of form. Who should realize unity of all mankind. this better than Americans? But just as America set an example of inspira- If Japan could break down these tion and of hope to the peoples of the suspicions and free herself from all West, so Japan has done to the the influences which justify them and peoples of the East. They were in give her leadership unselfishly to the danger of slowly sinking into a sense Asiatic peoples it would be the beof racial incapacity, surrendering the ginning of a new day. hope that they could ever take a full place amid the serving, working, for- The Inspiration of Religion ward-moving. nations. Such a despair as this was itself sure to create its Only religion will be able to inown justification. And the strong spire ambitions like these in the heart nations have not been free from the of a nation and the old religions of error of schooling the backward Japan can neither give men such innations into the idea of their own spiration nor even produce these conincapacity, nor has the missionary ceptions in their minds. enterprise escaped from this reproach. But to treat either men or nations as Shinto is in the narrowest sense incapable of the highest is to dis- nationalistic and for purposes of qualify them for the highest. The nationalism even is now only a great need of the Asiatic peoples to- shadowy and receding force. Its day is that they should be steadily ritual has filled a large place in the heartened to believe that God has as coronation ceremonies, but it is a honorable and worthy work for them mere shell for departing ideas not to do as for any others. Japan's unwisely preserved, perhaps, until example has given such a heartening new and living ideas have more adeas this to all the Asiatic peoples. quately taken the place of the old. The Shinto shrines are kept in good If to the hope and inspiration of repair and to many of them in the holy places the people still throng,
16] JAPAN'S LEADERSHIP IN
but it is often with simply a holiday nation with penetrating and far-expurpose or as a rite of patriotism or tended influence. They have made a with a religious longing which would nation of readers. At the ricksha turn as readily to an image of Buddha stands the coolies read together while or to some symbol of animism. they wait. Messenger boys have their books in their pockets to read as Buddhism, broken into scores of they push their carts along the roads. sects, active in its propaganda, has It is claimed that more books are its huge temples and its millions of published and sold in Japan now adherents, but it has been badly each year than in Germany. For half damaged by notorious financial dis- a mile in one street in Tokio bookhonesty in its chief shrine, it can stalls, with new and second-hand not without logical contradiction fit books, line the street on either side. itself to the needs of a modern The yellow press, exceeding in irresociety, and in its effort to do so is sponsibility, in lack of historical perappropriating more and more of spective, in sobriety, in any conscious- Christian truth. One is imprest in- ness of the perils of its power, even our evitably by the splendor of the tem- yellow press in America, finds in all ples and the multitudes of people this mass of common men who are thronging about them, but two things now able to read a field where fire need to be kept in mind when we are can run as over a prairie. In the told of the activity and popularity of schools all classes meet together and Japanese Buddhism. One is that the in the democracy of their fellowship cleanness and good repair of the and of the truth which they are temples in Japan as compared with the taught forces are at work which must squalor and neglect of the temples slowly develop a new Japan and in so many other parts of Asia which will need the wisest guidance, may be due, not to any special if wise guides can be found to sucstrength of Buddhism, but merely to ceed the few survivors of the old the fact that everything is kept up men who have led Japan so successbetter in Japan than in other Asiatic fully along her amazing way. countries. The second is that the idea of amusement and recreation is One of the things which impresses more and more drawing crowds to one deeply as he comes to Japan the vicinity of the temples but is also from the Philippine Islands or China weakening and too often degrading is the tightness, the constriction, the' the old religious sensibilities. The close knit organization of life in best known of the Tokio temples is Japan. In spite of the license of the tenfold more now than twenty years press there is still a check upon free ago, the center of the amusement and expression. Japanese will often immorality of the city. lower their voices as they refer to some political or religious subject. A Nation of Readers Economically and socially also Japan seems to be completely set together, The processes of national educa- the paths to employment are clearly tion to which Japan whole-heartedly defined, the whole organization seems committed herself a generation and to be more nearly finished, with less more ago have wrought upon the
room for free play, for initiative, for schools or public halls or even in innovation. Buddhist monasteries. The secular newspapers are reporting now not The Japanese are beginning to feel only religious meetings where the disthis and are attributing some of it to cussions have had a semi-political the rigidity of their educational cast but purely evangelistic services mechanism. The great body of as well. An English paper in Tokio alumni of the different private uni- printed the account of the Emperor's versities resent the privileges of the birthday with a small caption and Imperial University caste and now immediately under it, with bolder that the head of one of these uni- capitals and in longer space, an acversities is Prime Minister and its count of the death of Dr. David Dean, Minister of Education, what Thompson, one of the older mismight be called educational liberalism sionaries. A few years ago it would is raIsing its hand against the not have been thought appropriate to routinism of the educational abso- overshadow with any other news a lutists who have controlled the whole reference to the Emperor's birthday school system of the nation. Many ceremonies, least of all with an' acare arguing that the traditional system count concerning a missionary, has simply bred specialized men, that the nation needs a great body of men N ever were Japanese Christians more freely educated and breathing bolder in telling their nation what it an ampler air, that there should be needs and where what it needs can more flexibility of mind and life, a be met. Dr. Uzawa, an elder in the release from the over-preCision and Church of Christ in Japan, and a bureaucracy of the past. leading lawyer of Tokio and a mem- ber of Parliament, stated in a pub- The Japanese are instinctively an lished article, "Does Japan need orderly, rule-obeying people and their Christianity?" effort at transition from a social mind in which they have been clamped to- "The main reason why Japan needs gether objectively, so to speak, by Christianity is to cast out her devils. the bonds of a highly organized There are some among us who fancy they order, to a new social crystallization have no devils to be exorcised of but they of self-directed, freely choosing in- are much mistaken. Even those who dividuals, is one of the most interest- pretend to be sinless and pure are none ing situations in racial psychology too good for Christianity. Buddhism has that can be conceived. taught us that when we think devils enter through our thoughts; when we Attitude Toward Christianity read, they enter through our mouth; when we pray, they enter through the Everywhere through Japanese life crown of the head; and thus evil spirits great changes are taking place. Among take advantage of everything we do, to these we rejoice most in the evidence get into us somehow; so that aU our deeds of the steady gain of Christianity and are more or less influenced by evil. But the altered attitude of the nation through Christianity come in the spirits toward it. Everybody notes the ease of good to defend the ego and prevent its with which Ch'ristianity can secure a defeat. hearing anywhere, in churches or "Christianity is the white corpuscle to
JAPAN'S LEADERSHIP IN ASIA
protect the soul's blood, and consequently is the only force capable of assisting us the whole man, from evil spiritual in- to overcome the counteracting gravita- fluences. It supplies the phagocytes be- tion of evil. Before its light and power fore which malign spirits flee. Without a the darkness and doubt of insistent religion of the right kind man is exposed pessimism disappear.
and hopelessly at odds with his environ- "If the world is to-day less pessimistic ment. Wil1 those among us, who fancy than it was, the improvement is largely they can do without religion, affirm that due to Christ. Two or three hundred we Japanese are as kind as we ought to years ago pessimism hung like a pall over be, or that we are as' thoughtful and the human spirit. The Buddhism of the serious as becomes a people with a great Kamakura period taught that this was destiny? The Buddhists of the Zen text the worst of all possible worlds, a place invite us to go to the central temple and of torment and affiiction, a veritable hell, learn to return to our true selves; but and that the only hope of happiness lay the true self in most of us is so marred beyond; the aim of life was to attain and maimed that it is hardly worth re- Buddhahood and reach Nirvana. The turning to. For most people the true spirit seems to have been world-wide, for sdf is completely gone-and only Christ Christianity, too, had to pass through the can restore it whole. same stage. Paradise was either in the "Some will say that I talk like a distant past or in the unseen future. But pleader, and that I so speak because I under the influence of Christianity the am a Christian. Well, I can hardly do human mind has so far developed and otherwise. I have been a Christian for brightened that men now look for para- twenty years, admittedly a very imper- dise on this earth, where nature is being fect one; but I owe so much to Christian- fast conquered and made to yield all the ity that I can hardly be expected to do delights that man can enjoy. It is only otherwise than plead for it. Vhen I say the irreligious that to-day have fear.
what this religion can do for a man, I They doubt whether nature is yet con- speak out of the seriousness and fulness quered.
of my own experience. "In Tokio the newspapers that tell "The Japan of to-day is absorbed by fortunes sell best. Multitudes are still abounding ambition; she is no longer con- away back in the age when nature was tent to remain an island empire; her man's master, and the earth a fearful career is to be continental and her future place to dwell in. But the spiritually en- world-wide. No such ambition can ever lightened know better. Christianity has be realized without the wise guidance taught them that heaven is' where Christ and firm faith which Christianity gives. is, and He is everywhere that man will No nation can make a universal appeal receive Him. I am convinced, therefore, without the inspiration of a universal re- that no nation can successfully enter in ligion. Those among us who imagine, world-wide hopes and ambitions without as is often asserted, that modern science the help of the Christian religion. This has eaten into the vitals of Christianity c0nviction has grown upon me more and like a canker, are greatly mistaken. more during the last twenty years, and Science has never undertaken to prove, I am extremely solicitous that my coun- nor can it prove, that Christ can not save. trymen should make no mistake about it; That man can not attain unto his best for no mistake could be more fatal either without religion is the teaching of all to the individual _or to the nation.. Both religions as well as of Christianity; but in my experience as a lawyer and as a the latter is the one power that has member of the Imperial Diet, I have been enabled men to come unto their best. It confirmed in my conviction ever more
and more. If I have been able to do more cently, arguing in behalf of a man for myself and my country than the who had committed murder and who, young men who went to school with me as the jailors recognized, had been and had the same chances in life, it has touched and changed by the influence been due to the help that Christianity has of the Gospel of Christ, boldly apgiven me. This religion has given me a pealed for the life of his client on spiritual courage that has carried me the ground that a new principle had triumphantly through many an adversity. come into his life, that he was no longer the old man who had com- "Our country is very successful at mitted the crime but had now been producing criminals and incorrigible made a new man, and he openly in youth. Why not now welcome an in- court explained to the judge the fluence that will make men? When I fundamental principle of Christianity consider all that my country has yet to and that process of redemption by do before coming to her own, I tremble which Jesus Christ, entering a man's to think of her undertaking it with her life, transforms his character and own strength. The defects of our edu- gives him a power of victory over cation and our social life are patent to sin that enables him to live by the all. We have to spend the greater part strength of God a new and pure life. of our early life obtaining an education, and then shortly after its completion we Thousands of men in Japanese retire from life's activity. Our system society who are not prepared themseems to be intended for those who ex- selves to test the Christian faith by pect to live to the age of about 125 years personal surrender and make· their and is therefore unsuitable to us, with own lives the gateway for the enthe possible exception of Count Okuma. trance of its power upon the life of Jesus Christ, in his short life of thirty- Japan are nevertheless quite candid three years, and with no university edu- in their declaration that it is this cation, did more for mankind than a power which Japan needs in the whole nation can do. Why? Simply strange days which have come upon because HiS' was the unconquerable her, wherein the old paths have faded spirit of the Divine, a spirit that every away and the old lights flickered out, man and every nation may have, if there and when the nation must find the be the will. highway of truth on which the Light of the WorId is shining. Heavy is "Nearly everything that is international the responsibility which those men and humane in modern life originated assume, whether in Japan or in Amerwith Christianity. Our hospitals, our ica, who talk of war or the possibility Red Cross societies, our international of war in an hour like this when the jurisprudence, our rescue work among whole mind and heart of the nation the poor and unfortunate, our education, need to be fixt upon the deep, spiritual and the general enlightenment of the problems of her own life and her world, all is but a combined reflection of great duty as the friend and helper the life of Jesus Christ. Through Him of her neighboring peoples. alone have we any hope of creating a paradise on earth, and making ourselves a people of permanence and great national destiny."
This is the same lawyer who re-
Gray In
BY REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., CAIRO, EGYPT Auhor of "Mohammed or Christ," etc., etc.
N his book, "Thinking those in his Epistle to the Corinthians; "The things which the Gentiles sacrimI Black," Dan Crawford fice they sacrifice to demons and not has introduced us to to God, and I would not that ye should . the psychology of the have communion with demons." black man so as to give us a new angle of John was the Apostle of love and vision. The primitive mind seems, na- yet it was he who wrote in regard to turally, to think in black and white the Gospel message: "If anyone comrather than in gray. Perhaps our eth unto you and bringeth not this modern civilization has made us lose teaching, receive him not into your the power of sharp distinctions in the house and give him no greeting, for he world of thought. We are told that that giveth him greeting partaketh in one of the results of the war will be his evil works." Such intolerance is to teach men everywhere to think less impossible to those who think in terms superficially and more conclusively on of gray. moral questions. J ames does not hesitate to class the There is always a tendency to com- devils with those who deny the Deity promise in morals, and the same ten- of Christ (2 :19). And Jude speaks dency is evident in regard to the work of the false teachers in his day as of evangelization. God divided the "autumn trees without fruit, twice light from the darkness, not only in dead, plucked up by the roots . the world of nature but in the world wandering stars for whom the blackof grace. "This, then, is the mes- ness of darkness hath been reserved sage," says John, "which we have forever." heard of Him and declare unto you, that God is light and in Him is no More Positive Religion darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in dark- Vhat we need to-day in missions is ness, we lie and do not the truth." less comparative religion and more The attitude of the apostles toward positive religion. It is possible to the non-Christian religions is not ex- dwell upon the tolerable things in prest in gray or twilight shades. Hinduism and the noble things in Is- There are no blurred edges to their lam even as one sifts out grains of convictions. "Sharp as a sickle is the gold from tons of earth, to the pracedge of shade and shine" in their tical exclusion of the social evils, the teachings. spiritual darkness and the spiritual death which dominate these systems. Straight Talk This was not the method of the Apostles. A recent writer in the In- What Paul thinks of idolatry is dian T¥itness put the fact in very forclear, not only from the first chapter cible language: "The wise general does of Romans, but from such words as not carefully search out the strong
spots in the fortress of his antagonist abandoning their traditions and the and then spend his time illuminating Koran in public and private discussion them with his searchlights. He finds and are appealing to the Scriptures. the weak spots and dwells on them Their appeal is often based on the inwith his heavy artillery. Let some of terpretation of those who think in our sages who are scholastic rather gray. A recent paragraph on the subthan practical prepare a list of the ject of Christ's Deity that appeared in things vitally antagonistic to Christian an Indian Moslem magazine, copied truth, then the men who are practical the arguments of modern Unitarians. rather than scholastic will be able to avoid scattering an ineffective effort An Arabic book published at Beirut and to concentrate on those things the three years ago is entitled "Heathen destruction of which by their fall will Doctrines in the Christian Religion." cause the fall of false faiths." It is by a Moslem who fancies that he has proved Christianity false by ap- To us who work among Moslems pealing to European critics of the detheir denial of Jesus Christ's mission, structive school. In Cairo the Moslem His Incarnation, His Atonement, His press quotes Unitarian interpretation Deity, are the very issues of the con- of New Testament doctrine as proof Bict. Almost spontaneously, there- against the New Testament Christ. fore, what might have been mere theo- The Christian who has no convictions logical dogma in the mind of the mis- in regard to the great fundamentals of sionary turns into a deep spiritual con- Christianity is easily led to treat Isviction, a logical necessity and a great lam as a sister religion and all Mospassion. Face to face with those who lems as seekers after God in their own deny our Savior and practically defy way. If there is no real distinction Mohammed, one is compelled to think between creation and evolution, if in black and white. The challenge of there was no miracle at Bethlehem the Muezzin is a cry of pain; it hurts. and only a martyrdom on Calvary, we In the silence of the night one can not may patiently await the future develhelp thinking that it pleased the Father opment of Islam on the right lines. that in J eSllS Christ should all fulness In that case the missionary is no dwell, not in Mohammed. Face to longer a proclaimer of the truth but face with Islam one can not help ask- a seeker after truth. He is no longer ing what will be the final outcome of an architect and builder but a geolo- Christian Unitarianism. In the history gist looking for fossil specimens in old of Islam its monotheism has always strata to complete his collection of degenerated into some form of panthe- things once alive but now dead. ism or deism. "The great obstacle," writes an ex- When Moslems assert that the Gos- perienced misionary from India, "in pel is corrupted and untrustworthy, the way of the success of the Gospel the missionary can find no help in de- in non-Christian lands is not the atstructive criticism. One wonder~ titude of the people or the inherent whether the great conflict between Is- difficulties of the work but the tenlam and Christianity will not have to dency on the part of missionaries to be fought out between the covers of be judges instead of advocates, with a the Bible. They themselves are desire to hold the balances of truth
SELF-EXILED IN
rather than wield its sword." There different explanations; that the healcan be no neutrality in a war for the ing of the sick was faith-healing, the Kingdom which has no frontiers. stilling of the storm, coincidence, the feeding of the five thousand a mis- The effect of thinking in gray is in- represented sacrament, the withering evitable on the messenger as welI as of the fig tree a misrepresented paraon his message. Twilight life is not ble, the raising of Lazarus a case of conducive to spiritual health. Ve premature burial, and so on." need the full blaze of the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus A mutilated Gospel can only mean Christ. His authority must be su·· a mutilated spiritual life. When we preme in the intellectual sphere. His walk in the light we do not mix colors. belief of the Old Testament scriptures There is a noble intolerance in the and His statement that "they can not very words used so often by the be broken" leaves only one alternative; Apostle John: light-darkness, truth if we reject them, we reject Him also. -lie, life-death, God-devil. The It is not hard to accept the miracles of effect of thinking in gray always leads the Old and New Testament if we to compromise, and where there is accept- the miracle in the first chapter compromise there is indecision. Men of Genesis and the greater miracle in have opinions instead of convictions; the first chapter of John's Gospel. As they join Erasmus in his study rather R. L. Knox says in his brilliant book than Luther nailing his theses to the Some Loose Stones: door of the cathedral. But Luther would have made a better foreign "Orthodox theology explains all the missionary than Erasmus, especially in miracles recorded of our Savior under these days when so many in the one single hypothesis that He was Christian and non-Christian world are omnipotent God. But the enemy of thinking in gray. miracle is forced to give a variety of Self-Exiled In America SOMETHING ABOUT THE HINDUS IN CALIFORNIA BY MISS LEE M'CRAE, CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA ~I T was rather startling seemed strangely out of place in the to have five black- new world. bearded Hindus on bi- cycles speed past the Between twenty and thirty of them door of our home ill live on the outskirts of the town, and the little inland. college about twice that number live in the town in the lower left-hand corner Los Angeles Hindu colony, and as of the United States. Their old- many more in and around Sacraworld, white, black, pink and yellow mento. tt1rbans flashing in the California sun Big, black "birds of passage" are they! No more may come to the
United States from India under the and an iron disc of peculiar signifi- present laws. These have come solely cance, which is stuck into their coil of for the two dollars a day that they hair.
can earn instead of the sixteen cents N egative-"N0 smoking; do not a day in India. As soon as each has murder; avoid bald-headed men; accumulated his fortune of a thou- avoid the circumcised; have nothing sand dollars he will return to his wife to do with idols"-except the sacred and children, to live at ease for the Granth, which is decorated and WOf- rest of his days. Only one of those shiped.
located in our town claims to be a When asked about their faith they Christian. One has his wife with reply that they believe "whateyer is him, and he alone can speak English recorded in the Granth"-their Bible, with any accuracy. Therefore, they written by Govind, the tenth guru Of must dwell in colonies or wage-earn- leader. As the "Granth" is written ing groups. Two have leased a tract in old Hindi, one who does not un- of land here and are making good derstand it is as much at sea as ever.
progress in cultivating the soil. They do not wish to give information.
These people show their fear of The positive commands are evi- Christian influence by their suspicion dently designed to keep them a pecu- and protests against every kindness liar people. Their hair, never cut, from Americans. This· often amounts often reaches the knee in length and to base ingratitude. Christians have makes a heavy coil about which to repeatedly offered them schooling, but wrap the distinctive cloth. Yellow they have no wish to learn English and white are the religious colors and -save enough words to do business are most commonly worn, but black -and will have none of the English or any color is admissible. An Ameri- Bible. can hat signifies a total rejection of In spite of this, a meeting is held the Sikh religion.
for them every Sunday afternoon in Every Sikh is also bitterly opposed the Congregational Church, where to the use of tobacco in any form, tho Dr. A. B. Caldwell, a returned mis- they are about equally divided on the sionary from India, preaches in their liquor question.
own tongue to those who will come As wage-earners in orchards, gar- and listen. Sometimes he has an au- dens and houses the Sikhs seem to dience of five, occasionally eight, and give entire satisfaction here, being at other times none at all. Many industrious, skilful, not dissipated, come for advice and help in letter- and, necessarily, quiet.
writing, legal matters, and the like, It seems strange to walk the streets so that the Doctor makes the most of of America and to meet these stran- his opportunity and has acquired gers eye to eye and realize that a gre:l~ some influence over them. curtain of superstition has shrouded The Hindu Sikhs hold tenaciously their needy, lonely lives from Gospel to five positive and five negative sunlight. They move among us with tenets: eyes and ears and tongues and hearts, Positive-Adherence to long hair, yet they neither see nor speak nor a bangle, a comb, short pantaloons, hear nor feel the joy of it all.
for Speakers and
GLEANINGS FROM THE LAYMEN'S CONGRESS AT WASHINGTON Make the demands of the Gospel How One Pastor Does It difficult and you make Christianity triumphant.-fohn R. M ott. I. Preaches missions persistently. 2. Enlists key men and keeps them *** alive. 3. Undertakes large things chal- Why should not men go into the lenging the support of men. business of Christ and the Church 4. Secures good live missionaries as with the same interest in spiritual speakers. profits as they go into the lumber or 5. Forms mission study classes. banking or other business. -George 6. Prays persistently and intelli- Inness. gently. 7. Prints letters from mission- *** aries in the bulletin. 8. Keeps at work continuously. Has not the church of Christ as compelling an appeal as that which Chas. A. Rowland. calls millions of men to the colors in Europe-(1) a great cause; (2) a *** compelling appeal; (3) an example of sacrifice; (4) an unquenchable faith A Ten Point Standard in the justice of that for which they are contending.-N. W. Rowell. The Northern Baptists have adopted a ten point missionary stand- *** ard for local churches : A man may live one of three types 1. A church missionary committee. of life. (1) an evil, selfish life; (2) 2. Presentation of missions from a Christian life for normal times; or the pUlpit. (3) a Christian life for times of 3. Mission study classes organized. emergency. Christ lived the third 4. Missionary prayer meeting for kind of a life.-S. D. Gordon. the Church. S. Missionary literature distributed. *** 6. Women's missionary organiza- tion. The trouble with much of our missionary work is that we are relying 7. Missionary education in the Suntoo much on money and men, on the forces of the world and the wisdom day-school. of the world and do not rely enough 8. Intelligent prayer for missions. on God.-Robert E. Speer. 9. Local missionary service. TO. The every member canvas. *** fohn M. Moore.
We need to establish chairs of *** Christianity in our colleges and we need a medical college in which no The Southern Presbyterian Church professor will be allowed to teach who publishes a roll of honor of churches is not a Christian and fitted to train giving as much for others as they medical missionaries.-f. Campbell spend on themselves-Chas. A. Row- White. land.
an American Saw In Asia*
BY WILLARD PRICE Managing Editor of the World Oullook.
I saw a million handkerchiefless children. I saw hundreds of villages in which the community handkerchief, modern sanitation, was absolutely unknown. I saw glittering Oriental cities, the pride of the East, and under the shining lacquer and gold paint I saw suffering and filth and want such as no man can describe. I saw rotting bodies, empty minds, naked souls. I saw Disease, stalking up alleys, wading ankle-deep through garbage to enter the doors of the people. I saw, in one land, the stains of parental vice on the skin of two out of five of the children. I saw a mother selling her babies that their older brothers might not die of starvation. I saw pallid factory girls of twelve and even ten years of age, who worked thirteen hours a day, seven days a week, standing constantly while at work, and received a pittance of a third of a cent per hour. This, moreover, in a mill advertised a's the "model factory of the Orient!" I saw things which I have not the heart to set down and you would not have the heart to read. I saw life in its lowest terms.
AND YET- I saw love in its highest terms. I saw Christ yearning over Asia. I saw the response of Korea to that yearning. A nation turning to Christianity at the rate of three thousand conversions a week! I saw the dawning of a new China, not in the political kaleidoscope, but in the spiritual changes which have led to the abolishment of opium, have brought six thousand of China's strongest leaders to accept Christ, and induced idol-makers to turn to the making of busts for show windows because their old business has proved unprofitable. I saw a three-hundred-year-old statue of Buddha, and almost in its lap an impertinent three-year-old automatic telephone booth. The ancient religions . of the East are being found wanting and cast aside. I saw the mission schools from which the Chinese Government has selected the first ten girls to be sent to American colleges under the Boxer Indemnity Fund. They were the best-equipped ten that could be found in China. All were graduates of mission schools; all were Christians. I saw hundreds of closed shops on Sunday. Neighboring them I saw hundreds' of open shops, consuming all the Sunday business. Every closed store was owned by a Christian-not a "rice Christian," but a real Christian, whose pocket had no rule over his conscience. I saw a beaten man board our ship at Wuhu and heard him teII of the crushing overburden of medical work that had kilIed his predecessor and was killing him. I saw everywhere undermanned hospitals, undermanned schools, under- manned churches; a missionary force powerful in quality, petty in quantity. I saw Asia, sore, ragged and dulI, with her foot on the threshold of the house of Christ, hoping for an invitation to enter. I saw, upon returning to America, a rich and happy nation, eager and generous to a fault, but unthinking, storming the movie theater, swallowing the lump in their throat for pity of the ragged child in the play–while Asia waits .
• Adapted and abridged from the World Outlook for JU11e
Movements
– Students in China * BY W. E. TAYLOR, PH.D. National Secretary, Young Men's Christian Association HE year 1914 marked a to the Christian cause. The provincemT step forward in the ex- tension of the evangelis- wide effort showed conclusively that a tic student movement province could be reached as effectively from the large cities out as a city, provided the Christian forceS' unite and plan wisely. In Foochow as a . • through the smaller citieS' result of the meetings a permanent for- of a province. The new development was ward evangelistic movement committee limited to the one province of Fukien in has been appointed to represent the united order to make the work typical and thor- missions and Chinese churches in aggres- ough. Fukien was chosen, with its dense sive evangelistic effort to reach and hold population of thirty million, because of the student classes. A three-year pro- its proportionately large Christian popu- gram has been adopted, covering the lation, its preparedness in city experience three lines of evangelism, cultivation of .in its· capital of Foochow, its strong atti- Christian friendship, and social service.
tude of united effort-the three missions Secretaries have been appointed by each of the province working together in full- mission who have released their best men est harmony, and its farsighted and gen- to give their whole time to the study and erouS' provision of local and provincial direction of this work. The movement supervision. All of these were consid- thuS' gives promise of becoming continu- ered to be conditions essential to the se- ous and permanent.
curing of large and permanent results. A The first results of the meetings con- notable and encouraging feature of the ducted through China in 1914 have been provincial movement was the fact that gratifying to a very high degree.. They the four student evangelistic leaders give promise of large and permanent chosen to lead the meetings in the ten fruitage, provided the early efforts are secondary cItIes of the province were not allowed to be dissipated. Over 20,000 Chinese, men of recognized outstanding students from non-Christian schools and personality and Christian leadership. colleges exprest their willingness to These included Mr. C. T. Wang, former become "investigators" of Christianity.
vice-president of the first Republican Twelve thousand have been enrolled in Senate, now general secretary of the Bible classes. Those who signed cards Young Men's Christian Association were not "inquirers" in the ordinary ac- movement in China; Pastor Ding Li-mei, cepted sense of the word, since the hear- the founder and leader of the Student ers had had little or no previous exposure Volunteer movement in China, and to Christian truth. They exprest their others. These men, well and favorably willingness "to investigate Christianity known to students throughout China, with open mind and honest heart." The presented a powerful message in a way sincerity of their promise is shown by in which no foreigner could. The finding, the fact that a large proportion ultimately using and training of strong Chinese joined the Bible classes. Provision was evangelists is one of the great contribu- made for more advanced decision after tions which the new movement is making members of classes had been under in- * From The Student World.
struction for an extended period of from year in this one city 530 of the members three to six months, in order to give the of classes have exprest their decision to more serious-minded an opportunity to become Christians and their desire to decide to begin to follow Jesus Christ. attend the churches. These men are lit- Where the classes were efficiently and erally standing at the church doors. The faithfully conducted the results have been first and later results of the meetings sllrprizingly large. In the city of Hang- have clearly shown that the student field chow over five hundred students were en- of China is ripe for harvest. The unrolled in Bible classes following the limited opportunities offered by the open meetings. At the end of six months a and responsive attitude of the more seridecision meeting was held, led by Mr. ous-minded of the student classes is offset C. T. Wang. One hundred sixty-one by the admitted unpreparedness of many students exprest their purpose to begin of the churches. The serious and pressthe Christian life. One hundred twenty- ing problem now facing the movement is three of these came from thirteen non- not so much how to reach the non-Chris- Christian government schools and col- tian student classes. The important and leges and ten others who made the Chris- critical question is how can the churches tian decision were teachers in the govern- be got ready so as to hold and teach and ment institutions. Encouraged by the train and use these new, large, potential forces for good and leadership now response and results of the decision within her reach. The movement has meeting, a Christianity Discussion Club revealed that, along with extensive outwas formed by leading Chinese, including reach, there must be coordinated the inthe Commissioner of Foreign Affairs tensive preparation of the churches and from the Governor's yamen. He had the training of the Christian forces. made Christian decision at the meetings conducted by Mr. Eddy. The club was In spite of the revealed unpreparedness organized with a view to reaching offi- and weakness of the churches, distinct cials' and principals and teachers of non- progress has been made in some centers Christian schools. This club meets, about in placing the first responsibility for the forty in number, twice a month for an care of the student inquirers upon the hour of Bible study and discussion. It is churches, where it properly belongs, noteworthy that this influential group of rather than upon the committee formed non-Christian seekers after the truth to originate the movement. In the earlier have invited Professor Zia Hung-Iai, the years of the movement the Bible classes well-known Christian writer and transla- for signers of cards were held mostly tor, to lead the discussions of the club, outside the churches. This was done and have constituted the local pastors as partly because of possible lack of underhonorary members. standing and prejudice of the non-Chris- tian students and partly because pastors The ability to hold and conserve the and laymen were inexperienced and emearly results of the meetings is evidenced barrassed in Christian work with the new by the experience of the Christian committee in Foochow in their remarkable student classes. In the last series of success and progress in enrolling students meetings the policy was accepted of havin Bible classes and later leading them ing the signers of cards join c1ass'es imon to Christian decision. In the meetings mediately after the meetings within the held in Foochow in 1913 20 per cent. various churches. In some cases indiof those who signed cards at the evan- vidual churches failed in their responsigelistic meetings were enrolled in Bible bilities. The aggregate gain, however, classes. After the meetings of 1914 60 in getting the non-Christian students imper cent. were enrolled. During the past mediately into touch with the churches
EVANGELISTIC MOVEMENTS AMONG STUDENTS IN CHINA
and the acceptance by the pastors of re- are especially so at this time in China sponsibility for their care has marked a to influences which come to them with distinct advance. the weight and authority of Western scholarship, either real or fancied, be- Some of the direct and most immediate cause the "old learning" of China has results of the meetings and the movement been so seriously discredited. have already been indicated. The im- portance of these should not be disre- There is a notable lack of opposition garded or underestimated. It is nothing to Christianity among students in China less than marvelous that to-day, after a at the present time. Confucianism is still decade of special effort, hundreds of gov- asleep. Buddhism has little hold on the ernment students in China are baptized, educated classes. Taoism is still more with many more literally standing at the disorganized. This leaves the field for doors of the Church, and thousands are the moment practically free from all opgrouped together in Bible classes open posing elements such as are able to offer to Christian influence, where it is given any organized resistance to Christianity. in the spirit of genuine friendship and But Confucianism, Buddhism, and even helpfulness. This actual and visible Taoism, are not likely to remain permaachievement of reaching the hitherto un- nently inactive. There are already signs reached classes, the traditional Gibraltar of their being galvanized into action by of the Far East, is' nothing less than one contact with the vigorous forces which of the greatest of modern miracles. now confront them. It is not unlikely that the government, from national and There are indirect results as well which patriotic motives, will espouse one or are vast and far-reaching. The success more of these weaker religions, possiof the movement must not be judged only bly through the government educational by the number of men gathered into the system, which now offers its unhindered Church. There are other results, not at approach to Christianity. It is not imfirst visible or tangible, which are, never- probable that a decade from now it will theless, real and significant. One of the by a restrictive system of requirement chief of these is the fact that the move- exclude the Christian religion if possible ment has created a new atmosphere, and from all influence over students in govopened a new field of thought among ernment schools. It will thus follow the the educated non-Christian classes. The early example of Japan's policy toward Christian addresses of the student leaders missionary education in Korea, explainboth in China and from abroad have pre- ing pointedly their determination to carry sented the Christian truths in a striking out their plans as to education withway and have appealed to the student out foreign interference or ass'istance. mind and conscience. They have demonstrated once more the power of the Gos- The Chinese student stands to-day in pel to draw men to Christ. The move- a perilous moral condition. The weakment has promoted a more careful study ening of the old-time methods of reof the Chinese student mind and environ- straint, together with the grasping after ment. It has become increasingly clear a lot of unassimilated and misunderstood that knowledge of these conditions is es- Western ideas, and the attempt to put sential to effective effort directed to influ- some of these into practise, is exposing encing permanently the thought and life the young men, and student classes espeof these classes. Foremost among the cially, to new and great perils. The closcharacteristics of the Chinese student is ing of schools on Sunday, following the the evident impressionability of the pres- Wesrern practise without the correspondent generation. Impressionable as are ing motive or objective, tends to leave students of all countries generally, they idle a large body of students, so that
their fall into sin becomes more easy. classes, who have been imprest with the The closer study and better understand- splendid spectacle of a united and uning of the Chinese student mind and en- broken Christian movement. This unity vironment has its obvious and important has not been nominal or mechanical; it lessons to the leaders of the Christian has been vital. movement designed to reach and hold these classes. The feeling of doubt about Bible study has been found to be the their own religious position has brought most fruitful center of evang~listic effort, about an open-mindedness on the subject and the most fruitful source in leading of Christianity that forces Christian lead- men to ultimate Christian decision. The ers, both in China and at home, to take ordinary Bible classes with regular immediate steps to grasp adequately what courses have not been found sufficient may be a passing opportunity. The fact for this purpose. Bible study with a that Chinese educationalists are already definite evangelistic objective has been forging ahead in the establishment of promoted. Special courses of study have schools and the publication of text-books been selected and prepared. Bible trainin which religion is left out challenges ing schools have been held in various Christian leaders to take immediate steps sections of the country. Individual Bible to offset the lack 0 f moral training that schools in a city have been coordinated will necessarily result. There is a real to form a city-wide Bible study moveand urgent demand for specialists to come ment. The secret of the rapid growth to China to assist directly and indirectly and assimilation by the churches of the in the formation of new moral ideals and new movement is due largely to the emreligious aspirations among Chinese stu- phasis which has been placed on the dents. Innumerable opportunities now study of the Bible. offer themselves to groups of young students in government schools waiting for Prayer is revealing a new meaning to the friendship and counsel of a true many and is another sign of far-reachfriend who will help them in the solution ing significance. Success or failure will of their moral and religious problems. depend finally on whether the Church is a praying Church. intercession has been The movement has shown the feasibil- found indispensable and powerful in acity, the practicability and the necessity complishing results that were humanly of genuine Christian unity in evangelis- speaking impossible. Through prayer tic work in a new country which will combined with hard work miracles have be wide enough to include all classes. been periormeJ in China. The work There has been in China in the progress accomplished in the larger cities during of the evangelistic movement to reach the past decade has given birth to other students a distinct development of the movements in many ways and in various cooperative spirit. There has been a places. "Pu-tao" (the Chinese word for closer working relationship between ec- evangelism) is the topic of the time clesiastical families. There has been a among all classes. China is ready. The drawing together of Chinese and foreign Church in China is awakened, aroused workers. Pastors and laity have united to her opportunity, unprepared but willwith a common purpose. A real and ing to go forward. Missions are sympadeepening Christian unity has found ex- thetic but handicapped by the lack of pression in facing a common problem of suitable evangelistic workers. The situaextraordinary magnitude. This new tion in China should constitute a call to sense of unity has been an inspiration student volunteers and other candidates to the Church. It has also had apologetic who are ready to respond to the great, value affecting the non-Christian student open opportunity to reach the coming leaders of a mighty people.
DEDADTMENT
OF '
BEST METHODS ' ,CONDUCTED BY BELLE M. BRAIN, 38 UNION AVENUE, SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK BEST METHODS FROM MANY MISSIONARY WORKERS HE number of Christian A Mid-summer Missionary Pilgrimage fTl workers in the home- In a letter to auxiliaries sent ant in land who give time aud April, 1915, Miss Julia C. Emery. sec- retary of the Woman's Auxiliary to the strength and money to Board of Missions of the Protestant _ the cause of missions is . constantly on the in- Episcopal Church, asked that wherever crease. These workers are not con- possible missionary garden parties be fined to anyone country nor to anyone held at summer resorts. In response to denomination and are found in the small this, the Woman's Auxiliary of the Dio- rural congregations no less' than in the cese of North Carolina held an out-of- great city churches, Their number is doors meeting in August which, tho not legion and they are doing everything that a garden party, was so profitable and so consecrated ingenuity can suggest to ad- enjoyable that it might well serve as a vance the cause of Christ. model for similar gatherings in other A vision of this great multitude of parts of the country. At our request workers with their hands on the ropes Miss Claudia IN. Hunter of Henderson, (to borrow Carey's metaphor) is the North Carolina, has sent us an account best possible antidote for discouragement. of it.
Working away in our own small corners, "Last summer, when Miss Emery asked often against almost insurmountable ob- each diocese to arrange for garden par- stacles in the way of ignorance, indiffer- ties at summer resorts, we in the Diocese ence, and opposition, we are apt to forget of North Carolina wondered what we that ours is but one small division of the could do, as we have neither seacoast whole vast army working for God, What nor mountains," she says. "However, the knowledge of the 7,000 who had not we held two very successful out-of-door bowed the knee to Baal was to Elijah at meetings, one of ~ch was at ViIliams- Carmel, a vision of these great hosts boro, the first 'See City' in the state, but should be to us. now an almost deserted village. St.
Through the large number of mission- John's, the oldest church building in the ary magazines and letters from mission- diocese, is here, and the old house where ary workers that come to our desk we the first Bishop of North Carolina re- get inspiring glimpses of these hosts sided. So it was really a pilgrimage to at work for missions. In April we an historic place.
shared with our readers some of the best "Over one hundred and fifty men, things in the magazines. This month we women and children came, enjoyed a de- give some of the tried and tested meth- licious and bountiful picnic dinner, met ods that have come in letters. old and ncw fricnds, and disctlst the
great missionary enterprise. Eight of agreed to make it an annual occasion, and the nine Branches within a radius of people from all over this part of the fifty miles were represented, and people state who have some association with the came in buggies, carriages and automo- old church and village have exprest a biles from four counties and over the desire to be present." Virginia line. Playing at Missions "At eleven o'clock the company assem- bled in the old church and the Rev. Lewis Playing at missions-not in the way N. Taylor of Stovall and Townesville, condemned by Doctor Duff-is a fine held a short devotional service with spe- method of work with children. It is cial prayer that the members of the built on solid pedagogical principles and Woman's Auxiliary, being taught to pray, has often produced good results. After might pray prevailingly for the coming Pliny Fisk went as a missionary to the of the Kingdom; that in the Branches Holy Land, his little niece Fidelia began represented, young men and women to play that she, too, was a missionary might listen to the call to the mission passing through experiences similar to field; and that not one cent of the $400,- those described in his letters. This un- 000 emergency fund might be lacking in doubtedly helped to confirm the impulse the Lord's storehouse when the end of planted in her heart by his going, and to the month should come. Four brief ad- make her the great missionary she be- dresses on missionary topics followed, came in after years. and at twelve o'clock Mrs. T. W. Bickett, of Louisburg, led the noonday prayer. Not long ago we had the privilege of reading a quaint little letter written to "At one o'clock dinner was served out- the secretary of a woman's board by a of-doors. After this, all walked through shut-in, "seventy or 5'0 years young," who the village, past the old home of the first has been unable to walk for the past Bishop and on to a mighty oak by the eight years. Believing that it will help wayside, where a simple missionary play many mothers, we have secured the per- –'St. Luke's Hospital, Tokyo'-written mission of the writer to print it on condi- for the occasion, was presented by a tion that we do not reveal her identity. group of Juniors. It was most pictur- esque and realistic with 'Doctor Rudolph "You ask what I know about mission- Teusler' (a splendid six-foot, sixteen- ary garden parties," the letter says. tel year-old boy) in regular surgeon's uni- don't know anything about the modern form; 'Anaki San' in regulation nurse's kind. I used to have them years ago, just garb, and Bible women and patients in to get the children and young girls to- gay-colored Japanese kimonas. At the gether on our beautiful 'Shorelands' (we close there was a strong appeal to the had forty acres) and because we could Juniors of North Carolina to raise funds be more comfortable than in a house. for the Children's Ward at St. Luke's. "I really believe those parties of mine "At three o'clock the Rev. L. N. Taylor were the magnet that draw 'Our Girls' again led the prayers in the church, read- and my 'Little Missionaries.' It was a ing most impressively from the Chancel queer idea, I suppose, but different parts Bishop Lloyd's 'Ideal' for the Woman's of the grounds were supposed to be dif- Auxiliary and dismissing the company ferent countries, which we visited and with the blessing Bishop Lloyd used at helped according to our ability. In ,the close of the triennial me~ting, 'God Africa we were without food, excepting bless you; God keep you; God use you!' as we found things that looked inviting. My good old Ellen would hide tempting "The day had been so profitable and slices of bread and butter in the trees, so pleasant that it was unanimously and we discovered bread fruit and were
DEPARfMENT OF BEST METHODS
kept from starving. A creek ran through the house and cut out s'ufficient work for the grounds and a good missionary us to begin on. I had thought we might landed on our shores and taught us. I meet once a month, but no-once a week really think my boys and girls learned a was what they wanted. good deal in this rural way. "Names were suggested, such as Busy "I wonder if I could have held them Bees, Helping Hand, etc., but I said together in as loving a way if I had man- let's call our little society simply 'Our aged with red tape. I doubt it. One of Girls.' The day before I left that old my girls (now a grandmother) says I home on a Thursday in June, we celetaught her all she knew about the brated our twentieth anniversary and Church. And one of my boys, who now had never omitted a meeting except occupies a prominent position, wrote me Christmas week in all those years. We a little time ago that he could never for- had organized on June 26, 1880, and get all I had taught him. I am telling on the 26th of last June, our thirty-fifth you thiS', dear friend, because I am sure anniversary, 'Our Girls' sent me $35 for my homely way did bring results, and the room that bears my name in a famous now I am so crippled, I am glad that I missionary hospital in the Orient. Do have not lived in vain. I am not writing you wonder that I love them? in a boasting way. It seems to me that if I had health and strength and those "One day, when we had been at work forty acres of beautiful woodland, I some time, one of them said to me, might be able to have real missionary 'Mrs. –, why didn't you begin with garden parties. I only wish I could have us long ago?' This led me to see what I done more, but that time is all past." could do with the younger children. So the following Sunday I asked the little The boys and girls thus trained did ones in my infant class how many would more than play at missions-they worked meet me on Saturday morning and help hard, too. In response to our request for me dress dolls for a Christmas tree? more information we have received the Every hand went up. Of course, I did following letter, which can hardly fail not place much weight upon such a promto be an inspiration to workers with chil- ise, and I thought as I already had 'Our dren. The opportunity for primary Girls' I would calI these younger ones teachers herein revealed is so great that 'Little Women.' On Saturday morning we wish it might be calkd to the atten- there were 93 children to meet me, 46 tion of many: of them boys! This stopt the name I had chosen, so they became my 'Little "For years I had a fine Sunday-school Missionaries.' Those two societies really class (the infants) and taught them as were the beginning of our Junior Auxil- I pleased. One day as I came from iary. My, how I did love them, and how church I met two girls who had been in I do love them! my infant class, but had gone to another church. I questioned them and found "Before the end of the second year they had gone there because there was my Little Missionaries had sent out six nothing for them to do in our church. boxes and were at work on supplies for This made me think, and on Thursday of a missionary hospital-boys as well as that same week I gathered ten girls at my girls hemming sheets and sewing up the home and interested them in missions. seams of pillow cases. I remember that I I had once met a worker from the South offered a prize of a silver thimble to the and remembered how she was struggling best sewer, and a boy won it! It was to support and care for a colored hospi- given to his mother and proved to be tal in her home town. I had some cotton the only silver thimble she had ever flannel and some unbleached muslin in owned. That boy is now a B.A., and
a professor of mathematics in a school. beside a river known to the salmon. 'The "I never lost my boys. I had a junior White Man of Uganda' went with her, and when the cook was wanting some- St. Andrew's Brotherhood, and from that thing to read this was given him. 'He they went into the real Brotherhood." was a brave man,' was' his quiet remark when he handed it back. Providing for Sunday "This sister took her missionary spirit Providing Sunday occupation for the with her. Finding neither Sunday- school nor Sunday service of any children when packing one's trunk for a kind in the nearby settlement, she 'did her bit.' The three ladies in camp, a summer outing is a method of the very Methodist, a Presbyterian, and a Church of England, called on the most possible best sort. Some suggestions along this leader (formerly a Baptist) and secured her promise to be superintendent. The line have come to us in a letter from next Sunday a small Sunday-school was organized in the station house. This Miss Minnie M. Bell, of Halifax, Nova grew into a school of about thirty before camp broke, and this season when the Scotia, secretary of the supply commit- salmon run we shall hear whether it is still in existence. In the meantime books tee of the Nova Scotia and Newfound- and papers have been sent by those interested." land Branch of the Women's Missionary A Missionary Demonstration Day Society of the Canadian Methodist A year or so ago a Missionary Demon- Church. stration Day was held in Zion Lutheran Church, Williamsport, Maryland, which "The game, 'Who's Who in Missions' enlisted all the missionary organizations of the church, seven in number, the obalways goes in my trunk when we are ject being not only to present the work of the organizations', but to arouse interoff for a holiday," says Miss Bell. "For est among the country members of the congregation. The program was in two several years my sister and I spent our sections-one for the afternoon, the other for the evening, with a box lunch summer outings with a friend-the and social in between. We are indebted to Mrs. D. U. Bair, who was largely mother of two children-and during instrumental'in planning the demonstra- tion, for an account of it. those years these children developed The class rooms of the Sunday-school into young manhood and womanhood. room were used as booths by the various organizations, their circular arrangement As our party was congenial, we always making them especially adapted to this purpose. In the center of each booth tried to find some out-of-the-way spot, there was a table with literature for' free distribution, and on the walls were motaway from the beaten track. toes and banners with statistics strikingly portrayed. Over the entrance to each "From the first we endeavored to there was a placard with the name of the make the Sabbath days as interesting as possible and tried to keep the Fourth Commandment. So we were always on the outlook for Sunday games. The first year we had 'Who's Who'-1912; we played it by distributing the cards, and after reading what was underneath we would cover the printed matter and hold the picture up. The one who guessed correctly secured the card.
"In the winter of 1912-13 the game went with us on a trip to the West Indies. In Bermuda we boarded in a house where there was a large family.
On leaving, we gave our game to the daughter and hope that through it some seeds were sown in the many Dannies of the house. .
"Another sister of mine went last sum- mer to the unbeaten paths of New Bruns- wick, where her husband has a camp
16] DEPARTMENT OF BEST METHODS
organization and the date of its origin. The women were followed by workers These were as' follows: from each organization in turn bearing Woman's Home and Foreign Mission- placardS' with statistics, which they hung ary Society-1875. in their respective hooths. These statis- tics, so strikingly displayed, made a deep Young People's Missionary Society- impression. They were very instructive; 1881. and so arranged as to make a distinct personal appeal. The Cradle Roll pla- Mission Band-1891. card, carried by a mere baby, read: Cradle Roll-1897. Home Department-1903. Helpers' Circle-1905. Mission Study Club-1907.
The program opened with "From WE WILL HELP SOME Greenland's Icy Mountains," played on DAY the organ, while an unseen person recited the hymn with fine effect. Then 3,836 Cradle Roll Babies came a processional of workers, who General Synod, took their places in the different booths, Lutheran Church the organ meanwhile continuing the The program proper began in the hymn. The processional was led by a woman's booth by the president, who set boy bearing this placard, which he hung forth the object of Demonstration Day. in the woman's booth: Then there was a bright little dialog, HELP "How the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society Won the Young La- the 144,000,000 Women of dies," by the Young People's Society; an India effective little play, "Tired of Missions,"
After this came women at intervals by the Mission Band; and a chapter from bearing the following placards, which a book showing how babies in all lands were als'O hung in the woman's booth: were drest and bathed and cared for, by the Cradle Roll.
WE ARE HELPING During the supper hour which fol- 724 Woman's Societies lowed, the ladies, by previous appoint- ment, kept the conversation largely on in the the subject of missions. The placards General Synod placed in the lunch room by the Home Department helped greatly in this.
WE ARE HELPING In the evening there was a stereopticon 24,944 Members lecture on the work of the summer in the schools and assemblies, given by the General Synod Helpers' Circle through their leader, and a very effective missionary service, enti- WE ARE HELPING tled, "A Vision," with music, tableaux 24 Women and readings, presented by the Mission in Study Club.
Zion Lutheran Church Owing to the weather, the attendance was far below what had been hoped for.
"It was cold and snowed and rained by 131 WOMEN turns," says Mrs. BaiL "There was in Zion Lutheran Church slush underfoot, as well as overhead, ARE NOT HELPING and people from the country could not . come in. But some noble purposes were Are you IN or OUT? born that day. For instance-three
grammar school girls have repeatedly de- N. Y., sent us by Miss Margaret Wright, clared that they will be missionaries shows some unusual and highly comsome day either to Africa or India. And mendable features. The calendar itself a few new members entered the work- is a novelty. Attractively printed on but only a few where we had hoped and heavy white cardboard, measuring 9 by planned for many. 14 inches and provided with a scarlet ribbon hanger, it contains more informa- Can You Answer? tion than the average year book of many pages. For the past two years, during the autumn, the Schenectady County Sun- The society has a membership of more day-School Association has held a than one hundred women and meets in very successful Training School for the evenings at the different homes. One Sunday-School workers in the En- of the unusual features is the division gineering Building, Union College. into active and associate members, lists Last year there were seven courses, of whom, divided into groups for each taught by some of the best educators in month, are printed on the year card. Schenectady, among them two college La~t year there were 70 actives and 34 professors, an ex-college president and associates. At our request, Miss Wright the superintendent of the Teachers' has kindly given the following explana- Training School connected with the pub- nation of this feature: lic schools. At the close an examination was given in each course to those who "The active members," she says, "are took it. those who are willing to take part on the missionary program for our monthly The course in methods of missionary meetings, give talks, write papers, or work was based on the book, "Holding give the chairmen any needed help in the Ropes," and was taught by Professor the development of their plans for pre- Warren C. Taylor. The questions sub- senting mission study at the meetings. mitted to the class were as follows. It might be interesting to try them, first to "The associate members are those who test yourself, then your society or school. would like to attend the meetings and help with gifts of money and service, 1. What are the four principal ways in but are not willing to take any part in which efforts for missions may be put the missionary programs. This works forth by workers at home? well. There are often those who, after being associate members for a year or 2. Give some good method of using the two, are willing to allow their names to Bible in the missionary meeting. be transferred to the active list. At the close of 1913 there were a number who 3. How can music be made effective in did this, and one of the results was that the missionary meeting? last year we had many splendid papers written and read by women who said 4. What is the best way to interest an when they joined that 'they could never individual in missions? say a word in the meetings.'
5. What is the first thing you would do "The explanation of our groups by to start an interest in missions in the months is this: The first name of any Sunday-school? group in the active list is' the chairman for the month. With the assistance of 6. What ways are there of missionary that group of active members she must training in the home? present the mission study program for the month. The active group, assisted 7. Name six missionary books. by the associate group for the same 8. Name six noted missionaries. 9. What is the best way to raise money for missions? 10. What encouragements are there to pray for missions?
A Novel Year Card The 1915-1916 calendar of the Stafford Home and Foreign Missionary Society, First Presbyterian Church, Canastota,
OF BEST METHODS
month, must also s'erve light refreshments always of interest. In July, 1914, we at the close of the meeting. In this way printed the 1912-13 program of the every member, both active and associate, Voman's Missionary Society, Bedford has something definite to do once every Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., year. We have splendid meetings, and very large ones, too." which consisted of a series of "Little Journeys to Mission Lands." Through "I must add just a little about our Sunshine Committee," says Miss Wright. the kindness of Miss Lydia Pennington, "At each meeting we take a sunshine offering. Members can give as' little as president of the Christian Woman's they wish and not every time unless they Board of Missions, Euclid Avenue Chrischoose. When our members are sick or in trouble little gifts of sunshine are sent tian Church, Cleveland, Ohio, we have to them-flowers, huit or candy. Once it was a gift of money with a friendly received a copy of the 1914-15 year book little note to one who must undergo an of her society showing an adaptation of expensive operation. On her return there this plan. "The 'Little Journeys' proved were bright flowers at her home to speak our joy at having her with us again. most interesting," she says, "and attracted Most of us' have been cheered by these many to our meetings." sunshine gifts and we feel that they have bound us closer together." The topicS' for the journeys (some copied from the Bedford Church pro- True Yoke-fellows gram, but many original) were as fol- Some societies have found great blessing and a large access of interest through lows: yoking their members with missionaries on the home and foreign fields. ThiS' is October-Bird's-Eye View of the World done in the Woman's Missionary Soci- from an Aeroplane, ety, First Presbyterian Church, Tuscumbia, Alabama. In the 1916-17 year book November-Journey Through India. of the society, recently sent us by Miss December-A Cruise Through the West Frances Cooper, there is a list of 44 mem- Indies. bers of the society and opposite the January-By Trolley Through Foreign names of 31 of them the name of some Sections of Cleveland. missionary. February-A Trip to South America and Mexico. "Two years ago," says Miss Cooper, March-By Trail Through Liberia; Side "we decided to ask each member to select Trip Up the Congo. a missionary to pray for-some one in April-On Horseback Among the Mounwhom she was especially interested. It taineers. was also suggested that we not only re- May-Tenting Through Palestine and member these missionaries in our pray- Syria; Side Trip by Camel in Arabia; ers, but write to them as well. I'm afraid Hold-up, "Your Money and Your Life!" some of us have failed to carry out the June-By Dog Sled to the Frozen North; latter suggestion, but a great many have Stopover Among the Canadian Indians. done so, and it is a fine plan." July-By Wheelbarrow Through China; A Glimpse Into Tibet. August-Through Japan by Jinriksha; Ticket Extended to Korea. S e pte m b e r-Auto Journey Through America.
The devotional topics for these jour- neys were especially appropriate. They were as follows: Preparation; Equip- ment; Chart and Compass; Power; Hints for the Journey; Marching Or- ders; Helps by the Way; Outfit; Pro- visions for the Journey; Comforts; Sug- gestions for the Trip; Guide Book.
Little Journeys to Mission Landa An Envelope Calendar Societies on the outlook for novel ways The way in which one society adapts of announcing their programs for the the methods of another to its own use is'
year will be interested in a set of ten A Spontaneous (?) Missionary Social envelopes sent us by Mrs. J. R. Cowan, of Danville, Ky., president of the Junior Through the courtesy of Mr. R. H. Auxiliary, of the Diocese of Lexington, Young, of Haines City, Florida, we have which serve the double purpose of a cal- received the following account of a very endar and a receptacle for the offerings. successful missionary social given some years ago, under the auspices of the Mis- The envelopes measure 5% by 3% sionary Committee of the Young People's Society, in the Cas'e Avenue Presbyterian inches and have very large square flaps. Church in the city of C–. On the face of each envelope a picture of some building or scene appropriate "This missionary committee," says Mr. to the topic for the month has been pas- Young, "did not confine itself to the reguted; on the flap at the back the date of lar monthly meetings provided for by the meeting and the program has been the devotional committee, but occasionwritten in by hand, and across the bot- ally held missionary socials at the homes tom below the flap of the envelop, the of interested members of the church. names of those in charge. A package of Nor did it confine itself exclusively to ten was made for each woman in the accounts of Presbyterian missions. Its auxiliary. The envelop announcing the members believed that the best service meeting on giving contains three excel- results from a broad knowledge of the lent tracts. entire 'field, which is the world.'
"The parish is small," says Mrs. "The topic for one of our'socials (tho Cowan, "and we only needed fifteen not so announced) was 'Missionary packages, so the making of them was not Boats.' A number of these in use in dif-' a very great item. We had a better year ferent parts of the world were selected than ever before when this program was and assigned to different members, with used, and I hope the results were worth instructions to make such a study of the effort. One can only trust they were. them as would enable them to teU (not One woman is using her envelope as a read) about them in an interesting way. sort of repository for accumulating mis- Those selected ranged all the way from sionary literature." the old 'Morning Star' to a new boat just launched on the Kongo. In Honor of Two Presidents "When we were gathered in Mrs. Weare also indebted to Mrs. Cowan W's parlors that evening (in full numfor the following card of invitation to a bers, for it was a place all delighted to meeting in a sister church. "It was a go) and were well under way socially, splendid meeting," she says, "at which the conversation was skilfully led to 'Misthe retiring president turned her duties sionary Boats.' Without announcement over to the incoming one." This is an and in the most informal, conversational excellent idea for any society: manner, one of the company began telling about a particular hoat of which he had C.W.B.M. been reading. This led another to tell something about another boat of which Appreciation she had read lately. And so on. Some- times there were interruptions in the of shape of questions (perhaps artfully asked and on purpose!) or of ,general One who has served talk-all in the easiest and (apparently) most spontaneous and impromptu fash- and ion. It was a delightful evening.
One who will serve Mrs. Cecil Mrs. Cloyd Christian Church September 7, 2.30-5.00
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MlSSIONADY NE S ISLANDS OF THE SEA being repaired and numerous new buildings are being erected in new " 0Conquering Fear in the Pacific communities. Other revenues are taking N these most easterly islands of the place of the lost State revenues, and Papua the work has been almost a far more able and efficient body of entirely of an itinerary nature," writes workers is taking the place of the dis- credited Spanish friars. The Roman Rev. W. J. Endicott, of Australia, from Church is straining every nerve to ad- just herself to the changed conditions, Rossel Island. "Without a central mis- and, one must confess, with considerable sion station, the missionaries have been success. The greatest, most bitter and compelled to make their home on the prolonged struggle for complete religious boat, and thus have been continually freedom in the Philippines is yet before traveling. The Papuans have given them us, and it will require the highest conand their message a cordial reception centration and the richest gifts in men everywhere, altho they had been in- and money." fluenced against the missionaries. I Generous Islanders "It was gratifying when a trader, after N the Pacific Ocean, midway between informing us that he had been partly re- the Fiji and the Gilbert Islands, lies sponsible for this, and as a consequence a an archipelago of nine or ten coral atolls, fairly large village had requested him to called the Ellice Islands (under British keep their location from our knowledge, protection). Their total surface is only assured us that now there is no such de- 14 square miles, and the people number sire; but, on the contrary, they desire our about 2,500. This little group gave continued visit or even our stay among $3,500 in money recently to the London them. There are, however, some places Missionary Society in honor of the fifstill in which the children flee into the tieth anniversary of the coming of the bush at our approach, being afraid that missionaries to their islands'. They speak we have come to take them away." the Samoan language and have a tradi- tion that thirty generations ago they came' Rome in the Philippines from Samoa. They even name the valley from which their fathers started out, and " DO not let the churches at home they possess an ancient spear whose staff think that we are facing a deca- is of wood not known among them now, which, they say, came with their ancesdent, weakened Catholicism, where for- tors from Samoa. merly she had supreme control," writes a tTliSSlOnary. "It is a mistake to speak T Good and Evil in Hawaii of the Roman Catholic Church in the HE Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) Philippines as decadent, and the ruined were not long ago heathen territory. churches here and there are not indica- Now they are giving men and money to tions of its state. Enormous sums of missions, and are liberal in helping the Roman Catholic money are being poured into the Philippines, and scores of her mo'st intelligent and capable workers are constantly coming to the islands. Dozens of dilapidated buildings are
sufferers from the European war. The 84,000 in excess of the year previous.
Congregationalist says that "when ap- -Lutheran Observer.
peals to aid relatives at home reached TPresident Charles R. Watson of Cairo Hawaii, surprizingly large sums were at HE trustees of the proposed Univeronce cabled. Later the Belgian relief committee secured generous donations. sity of Cairo have recently elected Even the poor gave far in excess of all the Rev. Charles R. Watson, D.D., presi- anticipations." dent of the university. Dr. Watson has re- The problems of Hawaii are those of signed as secretary of the Board of For- America-one of which is intemperance. eign Missions of the United Presbyterian There are upward of 130 liquor estab- Church of North America, but has been lishments on the islands, and the drink made honorary secretary of the board bill amounts to $3,570,000 per annum. A and expects to remain in America for brewery in Honolulu does a flourishing one or two years in order to complete business. There are several distilleries, the work of organizing and financing including one or two big sake stills owned the university. He is succeeded in the and operated by Japanese. Cargoes of general secretaryship of the board by whisky, brandy, wine, "dago-red" and Rev. Wm. B. Anderson, D.D., who has "square-face" gin are being shipped in been his associate, and who was for from abroad. "Dago-red" California fourteen years a missionary in India. wine is a deadly poison and is the cause of crime, suffering and death. The death The new president of the new univerrate is shocking. Appeal after appeal sity was born in Egypt, being the son of has been made to Congress for help, and Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Watson, for half now a bill has been introduced into the a century honored missionaries of the United States Senate for the prohibition United Presbyterian Church. He was of the liquor traffic in Hawaii, which is a graduated from Princeton University in territory of the United States. 1894 and has been for fifteen years a missionary secretary and a force in mis- NORTH AMERICA sionary circles at home and abroad.
Liberating the Prisoners TCost of Education in the United States THE National Committee on Prisom HE Bureau of Education has issued is guiding the movement for the a report to the effect that the cost overthrow of the barbaric prison systems of education for the 22,000,000 persons which disgrace our civilization to-day.
enrolled in institutions of learning in the Opportunity is demanded for the prisoner United States in 1914 was $750,000,000. to develop through self-expression, in- "This cost is less by $300,000,000 than dustrial training and incentive to right- the cost of running the federal govern- doing. The committee has come to feel ment," the statement asserts. "It is less that further advance in prison reform than one-third the nation's expenditure calls for action on the part of the for alcoholic liquors, and it is only a little churches, and is calling upon the church more than three times the estimated cost people of every creed to take up the of admission to motion-picture theaters cause of the morally and spiritually ill in the United States for the same year." man and woman whom we call the crimi- The attendance at elementary schools nal. A committee on religious work has totaled 19,000,000; 1,374,000 in secondary been organized and includes in its mem- schools, and 216,000 in colleges and uni- bership representatives of all denomina- versities. In point of rapid growth, the tions. The work in which the coopera- public high school represented the most tion of the churches is sought is three- impressive figures, the enrolment being fold: ministration within the prison;
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after-care of the ex-prisoner who comes ance, to be edited by Rev. S. B. Rohold, out of prison determined to make good, who was reelected president, and the and who needs encouragement and a other the starting of definite missionary right environment; the creation on the work under the auspices of the Alliance. part of the general public of a right atti- This has especially in mind the sending tude toward the prison and the prisoner. out of traveling evangelists, who would April 9th was observed as Prison Sabbath visit the many communities where large in many churches. numbers of Jews are to be found, but where no Jewish mission exists. Bibles for West Point Cadets Mission Work Among Foreigners AT an impressive service in the chapel of the United States Military Acad- T HE Church is not only sending the emy at West Point, on April 9th, the Gospel to foreigners, but the Lord forty-sixth annual presentation of Bibles is sending foreigners to the Gospel. to the members of the graduating class There are nearly 35,000,000 people of was made by the American Tract Soci- foreign birth and native-born children ety. The entire cadet corps, numbering of foreign and mixed parentage in Amernearly 600 men, was present in full uni- ica. Here is a magnificent opportunity to form. Rev. H. Percy Silver, chaplain of teach all nations. They are at our doors the academy, conducted the devotional -yes, inside the portals. About 25,000 exercises. The presentation address was foreigners return to their native land delivered by Rev. Harlan G. Mendenhall, every year. If each would carry back of New York City, who spoke of the correct ideas of civilization and Chris- Bible as "living and active and sharper tianity gained during residence in Amerthan any two-edged sword," and then ica, he or she would become to that exproceeded to show that these qualities of tent a missionary. Thus, the work of the Word of God were representative of home missions among foreigners is inthe true West Point spirit. directly a great contribution toward the work of foreign mb'sions. Hebrew Christians in Conference TBooker T. Washington Memorial T HE second conference of the Hebrew HE campaign in the interest of the Christian Alliance of America was Booker T. vVashington memorial held in Philadelphia, May 2d to 5th. N ear- fund is being vigorously conducted among ly 150 delegates and friends were present both white and colored people. The trusfrom all parts of the United States and tees have already received from white Canada and representing many denomi- friends of the institute SUbscriptions nations. The presence of such a large amounting to about $700,000, some of number of Jewish Christians actuated by which is conditional upon other subscripa common religious impulse made a pro- tions being secured. The fund asked for found impression upon the life of the is $2,000,000, of which the trustees are city. The leading newspapers gave con- expecting the colored people to give ~iderable space to accounts of the meet- $250,000. Memorial fund committees ings. The Jewish rabbis of the city have been organized among the colored wrote letters to the press and the Yid- people in nearly 160 cities. Contributions dish papers gave exaggerated accounts, and pledges already received seem to inadding sarcastic comments on the pro- dicate that the colored people will raise ceedings. a large part of the sum expected of them by the trustees. Public meetings are The conference was marked by unity being held, and the colored churches, and spirituality, and two advance steps were decided upon-the first, the establishment of a quarterly organ of the Alli-
schools, fraternal and secret organiza- These Tsimpsean Indians were among tions, business leagues and individuals the most barbarous of any on the North are contributing as they are able. The American continent. They believed in teachers and employes of Tuskegee In- witch doctors and were given over to stitute, out of their modest earnings, cannibalism. have contributed, in cash and pledges to be paid before June 1st, $3,742.60. The It was from such material that Dr. students also are planning to contribute, Duncan organized the civilized communin a desire to help in the perpetuation ity of the MetlakahtIa of to-day. The of the work. community has its own preachers and its own public speakers. Some of the ser- Christian American Indians mons in the Tsimpsean language are full of eloquence and beauty. PAUL BALDEAGLE, a full-blooded Indian, wrote in The Student WarM One preacher who had formerly been of the situation among his people: vicious and high-tempered, speaking of himself, said: "The Indians of the United States are in pressing need of Christian leaders, "I will tell you what I feel myself to who can bring Jesus Christ as a real, liv- be. I am like a bundle of weeds floating, personal Savior to the multitudes ing down 'the stream. I was going down of Indians, who know Him not as such, with all my sin, like the weeds, covered altho they profess to be Christians. with earth and filth; but I came to the rapids when lo! there was a pole stuck "There are quite a large number of fast and firm in the rock, and I clutched schools for Indian boys and girls at at the pole, and there I am now. The which the needed leaders can be success- stream is passing by and washing away fully trained. Some of these schools are my filth. Christ to me is the pole. I maintained by the Government; others hold to Him and am safe." are provided for by certain denominations. Thousands of Indian boys and LATIN AMERICA girls are thus educated yearly. Porto Rico and Prohibition "The Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations have T HE recent Porto Rico Protestant laid siege to this student body of In- mission conference adopted the dians, and· whereas four years ago we resolution asking for the prohibition of had 400 Indian young men who were intoxicants for the island. members of Christian Associations, this year there are 1,200; two-thirds of these After the resolution was carried the are in voluntary Bible classes, and many audience cheered for three minutes. are becoming Christian leaders in their Porto Rican rum is sold on the island school life. One is preparing to go as at 10 cents a pint, and peons' can get a medical missionary to his race in South drunk on two cents' worth of this rum. America. He is the first Indian Student There can be little doubt that there would Volunteer." be no comprehensive or effective dry laws passed now if the matter were left An Alaskan Indian's Sermon for settlement in the island itself. Iso- lated as it is, Porto Rico can be sealed ONE of the romances of present-day up as tight as a drum. And for those missions is the story of the work car- who have suffered from the effects of too much liquor there can be no gainsaying ried on for the last thirty years among the benefits which may be derived by the Indians of Metlakahtla by Dr. Dun- having the temptation removed. There can, "the Apostle of Alaska," who is now eighty-four years old.
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is much money spent throughout the A Bible class organized last June with an enrolment of four has increased to island for drink that might better go for twelve, including one Ecuadorian. It is bread. That the insular revenues may hoped that these men will become lead- suffer by taking away the alcohol taxes ers in opening other Bible classes. Re- ligious work has been carried on through probably is true, but there is no particu- personal interviews. The following is typical. The man interviewed is the lar reason why the Government should Chief Quartermaster of the Chilian live so largely on a business which may Army, a man of thirty years. He does so easily become a vice, and with an in- not profess to belong to any church but telligent, responsive, elective legislature acceptS' the ideals of the Association. He there is every reason to believe that am- says there are many men like himself ple provision would be made promptly who will have nothing to do with the for other means of revenue. Church and therefore call themselves un- believers, but they are not unbelievers Signs of Harvest in Mexico as practically all of them believe in the spirit of Christianity. Forty men, mostly METHODIST workers in Mexico re- Chilians, were interviewed for the pur- port many encouragements in the pose of setting before them the ideals of the Association, preparing the way for a lives that are being touched and changed. more active propaganda in winning them For example, in Queretaro, a married to Christ. Only a very few men really couple who for years had prayed to know Christ, but all of them are open to images received the Gospel with such joy influence. A prayer group organized that they immediatt'ly destroyed the with four men, in 14 sessions had a total image they formerly worshiped. They attendance of 56.-Foreign Mail. are now worthy members of the Church and through their influence others have Evangelical Conference in Argentina come into the fold. WITH the object of widening the A soldier in the present revolution outlook, deepening the spiritual while away from his family was converted to the Protestant faith and came life, and fostering the spirit of brotherhome almost dreading the task of im- hood among members of Spanish-speakparting the news to his family. His joy ing churches in the southern part of the can be imagined when he discovered that province of Buenos Aires, a conference the family had also been converted and was held in Tandil from March 4th to were faithful attendants at the services. 12th, representatives being present from It was indeed a happy reunion. most of the Protestant churches. A more cosmopolitan gathering it would be hard At one time a Catholic family came to find, many nationalities being repreto the parsonage in, Mexico City for re- sented. During the week morning and fuge and, of course, were asked to be evening sessions were held. . present at the daily family worship. When they left they said to their hosts, Some of the meetings were given up "Please pray for us, for we s'ee that you entirely to the testimonies of the memhave a most direct and beautiful way of bers of the churches represented, all of talking with God and we want you to them, while telling of differing spiritual intercede for us." experiences, witnessing to the truth that "the Gospel of Christ is' the power of Reachinlr Chilian Young Men God unto salvation."
THE membership of the Valparaiso, In the town they were celebrating Chile, Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation is 337, of whom 118 are ChiIians, the others English, German, and other foreigners.
carnival, with all its frivolity. The Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway, and mIsSIOnaries formed into procession may visit Italy and Turkey as well. No and sang choruses as they marched public meetings of any kind have been along the street, arousing great interest called, the object of his trip being to among the onlookers. inspect the vast work which the Young Men's Christian Association is conduct- One of the best featureS' of the confer- ing for the millions of men under arms ence was the fraternizing of the mem- and in prison camps. We can not estibers of the different congregations. The mate the possible outcome of his visit plan is to make the conference an annual in drawing more closely those internaaffair. tional bonds of Christian fellowship which he has helped to create in past Baptists to Enter Brazil years.
T HE important Brazilian state of ASpanish Attack on a Colporteur Parana has been opened to Baptist SPANISH paper reports an attack missions. A pawnbroker, who was also upon an agent of the British and a fairly well-to-do jeweler, heard the Foreign Bible Society in Bilbao. "Mr. Gospel preached in the streets of Santos, Arbiza had been threatened, so that it received a tract and went home to read was deemed necessary to give police proit. The pages were read again and again tection to the Scripture booth which he and finally brought conviction and salva- had set up in the annual Bilbao fair. tion. The reader sold all that he owned This year the agents of the clericals and dedicated his life to the spreading of broke in upon him and poured vitriol the good news. Using the means at his over his stock of Bibles. In trying to disposal, he printed "tracts, paid his own rescue a part of the books, Mr. Arbiza expens'es as he traveled about selling was burned about the hands and his Bibles, and finally settled in Paranag1l3, clothing was injured. Some of the Bilwhere he built himself a home and a bao newspapers condemned the action, large hall for preaching purposes. while three others objected to the here- Groups of Christians began to be gath- tical character of the Bible. The peoered which were ultimately organized ple of the city came in large numbers to into a church unconnected with any de- express their mortification at the deed nomination. Some time afterward its and, as' usually happens as a sequel to evangelist leader, exhausted by his labors such cases, more Bibles were sold than and anxious to see the work established ever." on a firm basis, made approaches to the American Baptist Mission in Brazil and Work for Women in Munition Centers the whole body of 250 members was incorporated in the Baptist Church of WAR conditions in Great Britain Brazil. Mr. Pettigrew has been sent to have brought to the Young aid in this reorganization and has been doing a great work since his arrival. Women's, as well as to the Young Men's Christian Association, special opportuni- EUROPE ties for service, which have been quickly seized. John R. Mott in Europe In crowded munition areas, where the ON May 29th, Dr. John R. Mott sailed rattle and clank and whirr of machine for England to spend two months and death-spelling engines make the music of the weary day; in rushing milivisiting the various countries' of Europe. tary centers; in the heart of big cities, He plans to spend some time in Eng- where hundreds of wqmen have left land, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, country homes in order to enter into
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the commercial life of the hour-in all Hungarian prisoners of war, these strik- these places a work of grace is going on ing statements have been made concern- in the name of the Lord Jesus. In the ing the war work of the Association.
munition centers the Young Women's There are more than four millions of Christian Association has erected cheery men and boys in the prisoner-of-war huts, which serve as canteens, rest- camps of the countries on both sides of rooms, Gospel centers, and in some cases the struggle. Of all the countries where have included sleeping accommodations. these prisoners of war are found, Russia This is the supreme opportunity of affords possibly the most significant op- winning the women for Christ, as it is portunity. In European and Siberian the great opportunity of winning the men. Russia, chiefly the latter, there are to-day The women are gathered together in vast concentrated in scores of prison camps numbers, and in the huts of the Young over one million Teutonic soldiers. The Women's Christian Association there are International Committee of Young Men's possibilities of evangelism the like of Christian Associations have been granted which have not been seen in peace-time. the unique privilege of entering all of The women and girls who never dream these camps and of organizing practical of going to church in the ordinary way Christian work on their behalf. What are now within reach of the Association, lends even larger significance to this and the very best use is being made of movement is the fact that the Russian the opportunity thus presented.-Life of Government has given permission to Faith. work among the Teutonic prisoners on France and Islam condition that Germany and Austria would give similar permission to the In- T HE French Government has laid two ternational Committee to do a similar bills before Parliament, providing work among Russian prisoners. for measures to be adopted in order to show the gratitude of France for the Mission School in Salonica Burned loyalty of her subjects in North Africa. O NE of the most promising institu- One of the bills provides for the cre- tions of the American Board's work in the Near East is the Agricultural and ation in Mecca and at Medina of two Industrial Institute in Salonica. On large caravanserais, bought or erected at April 15th, the main building of this the expense of the French Government, school, with most of its contents, was where pilgrims from Northern Africa destroyed by fire. SoldierS' from a nearmay obtain shelter free. by French aviation camp helped very much in fighting the flames, but the fire The second bilI provides for the addi- spread so fast that it was impossible to tion to the Inter-ministerial Commission save half the equipment and furnishings, for Moslem Affairs at Paris of Moslem to say nothing of personal effects. Some councillors, thus allowing natives to be of the boys are now sleeping in the hay represented at the seat of the central power.
1 War Prisoners in Russia mow and the others are camping in out- N connection with the acceptance by buildings.
Rev. Fred P. Haggard, D.D., Home Before the fire was' over two contribu- Secretary of the Baptist Foreign Mission' tions of 100 francs each were handed in Board, of the call of the International from among the English and French Committee of the Young Men's Christian military who came to help; and friends Association to go to Russia to take from two military hospitals sent over charge of the work being conducted there food and blankets, so that no one had to on behalf of the German, Austrian and go cold or hungry.
Later gifts, together with the insur- MOSLEMS IN ASIA ance money, will make possible a start T A German Report from Palestine on rebuilding, tho the increased cost of HE Moslem World quotes the folaJl building materials is a matter for lowing, with the heading "Is this sume anxiety. The lost apparatus, tools, Sarcasm?" furniture, library, etc., can not be easily or quickly replaced, but the school will "The war has had its effect on the continue its work even tho under diffi- Holy Land," says Der Bote aus Zion cult conditions. (Zion's Messenger), a Berlin paper de- voted to German mission work in Pal- The Moravian Crisis estine, "and that effect has on the whole not been unfavorable. The Hill of Gol- THE international position of the gotha and the Mount of Olives have been Moravian Church and its missions awakened to a new life by the tramp of has been greatly tried through this the Turkish troops, which drill there world's war. The entire Unitas accord- daily. At Jerusalem a score of monasing to the report at the close of 1914 teries and convents, formerly occupied numbers 46,133 members. They are dis- by enemy missions, English, French, and tributed as follows: German Unitas with Rupsian, have been transformed into 433 missionary people, 8,765; Bohemian barracks, and their halls and galleries congregations, 1,267; British Units, now resound with the military com- 6,574; North American, 22,348; South mands of officers. On the whole, the American, 7,037; missionaries besides spectacle presented by the Holy Land Germans, 150. is an extraordinary one. Everywhere In the mission administration alI three one sees motor cars', aeroplanes, machine guns, buffaloes, and oxen-drawn cars, Unitas provinces are represented ac- laden with munitions, going through the cording to the constitution. The posi- lanes and along the fields once trodden tion has become more acute, because by the apostles and the patriarchs, while many friends without the Moravian the construction of military roads Church help their mission. The German brotherhood, in spite of the close inter- through the desert, over the mountains national relationship, has always been of Judea, in the outskirts of Jericho, very patriotic. In England, the German does not cease by night or day. Truly, origin of the church and its name "Mo- the dry bones are made to live again."
ravians," was until the most modern time An Armenian'. Hope a great stumbling-block toward its devel- T opment, and for this reason the national HE following letter from an Ar- menian, now in Asia Minor, shows side of the English brotherhood was more and more emphasized. Of the German the kind of faith some Armenian Chris- Moravians, 934 were in the army the tians possess: 8th of November, 1915; 90 had fallen; "Gdd can still shut the mouths of lions.
13 missed, and 17 imprisoned. Of the Do you realize that He has truly done English, several hundreds had volun- this during many years? We now under- teered for the army, who, like the rest stand how great a miracle it is that our of their nation, believe they are fighting nation should have survived so many for a good and just cause. How, under . years in the midst of a people like the these conditions, the historical interna- Turks. Into what demons can men tional relationship of the Moravian change themselves! I fear they are plan- Church can be maintained, is a serious ning to kill some of us, to starve others, question for its members on both sides to drive the rest into the desert. So I of the canal and the ocean. have little hope of seeing you again in
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this world. But do not doubt that I will only 200 escaped death or exile. Thirty do all possible to encourage others to of these were saved in the house of Mr. die bravely and may God aid me to die Stapleton, the American Board repreas a Christian. May this land see that sentative. if we can not live longer as men, we can die as men! And may many die as men The Moslems came several times and of God! May the Lord pardon this (Mo- demanded that the Armenian girls be hammedan) people their sin! They sin given over to them. Mr. Stapleton anthrough ignorance. May the Armenians swered, "You must kill me before· you by their death be able to show forth the can touch them." A plot to fire the house life of Jesus, since they can not render was discovered and the situation daily testimony with their lives! May we became more desperate, until at length soon see many Moslems become followers Mr. Stapleton said, "If the Russians do of Christ! And may this war soon end not arrive to-day I feel sure that our that the Moslems may be saved from time has come." That night the magatheir cruelty. For day by day they be- zines in the Erzroom forts exploded, the come more demoniac and their character shock breaking most of the windows in is degraded by the tortures which they the Stapleton house, and breaking all impose on their victims. Our expecta- the windows in the hospital near by. tion is in God, out of love to Moslem The Turkish troops fled. Then the no less than to Armenian. May He soon townsfolk began looting. They were apmanifest Himself !"-Record of Christian proaching the American quarters when Work. the Russian advance guard of Cossacks entered and began to police the city. American Schools not Closed Later many high Russian officials called and were entertained at the Stapletons' A WAY has been found to continue at house. The Turks had sent most of least some of the mission schools in their wounded away; but 200 were left Turkey during this time of war. The with no one to care for them. When Christian Guardian gives this note: "A Dr. (Mrs.) Stapleton and the Russian han was placed on the language of all Red Cross physicians went round the the belligerents; and French, Russian, hospitals they found dead in every room. Japanese and English became forbidden tongues. Of course, this affected United Persian Pastors Killed States schools and United States citizens in Turkey; and the United States Am- W ORD has come from Persia that in bassador protested most vigorously. Bohtan four native preachers have However, a Turkish firman had been is- been killed and their families either suer! and could not be recalled, being like killed or carried away. Several Christhe laws of the Medes and Persians. But, tian women are also definitely reported to please the United States Ambassador, as having been carried off by the Kurds. another firman was issued giving full After the first, the Kurds were inclined permission to all and sundry for the use to care for the Christians, but the Turkof the 'American language.' And the ish government threatened the Kurds folks concerned very quickly acquired and compelled them to complete their this new tongue, and were safe from of- work. Rev. William A. Shedd, of Uruficial interference. Great is diplomacy!" mia, now in this country, comments on this news as follows: Awful Scenes in Erzroom "Bohtan, where the four preachers INDESCRIBABLE things happened in were killed, is the region in the U rumia Erzroom just before the Russians cap- field most distant from the station center. tured the city. Out of 20,000 Armenians It is in the Tigris Valley, and the
Protestant community there has been lowed in a long train. We wanted our marked by wonderful faith and zeal. district Christians to realize that they The men referred to as having been were members of a great Church. We killed were all of them simple, earnest, trust the inspiration of this day will rehard-working men, who always contrib- main with them for a long time. One uted to the peace of the community. Had of the British Territorial troops who was matters been left to the Kurdish chiefs present was heard to s'ay, 'When I get there is good reason to believe that they back to England I'll tell the people of would have spared the lives of these men this, and there will be no man saying, first of all. This word from the Chris- "I don't believe in native Christians.'" " tians in the Tigris Valley makes one feel for the fate of the large number in Into the Depths Mosul and the region north of Mosul toward the mountains." SOME missionary workers in India justly claim vast areas of land, or INDIA land and water, within their territory. T Breaking Down of Caste Others emphasize the diversity of races HIS from Rev. F. E. Jeffrey, of with which they are dealing. But ac- Aruppukottai. Things are certainly cording to the Rev. William H. Hollister, moving in India: the South India Mission of the Methodist Church, which conducts Christian work A marvelous revolution is in progress. five thousand feet underground in the Twenty-five years ago the writer was Kolar mines, goes deepest in its soulstoned for innocently taking a low-caste saving mission. Christian servant through the Brahmin street. The other day he sat down to a Indian Farmers Turning to Christ banquet with college students of all castes, including three divisions of Brah- REV. E. W. FELT, of Vadala, in the mins. All were served by servants of Marathi Mission, writes: low-caste extraction. In Bombay, on December 28th, an all-India inter-caste din- "It is the farmer caste that presents ner, organized with the avowed object the biggest opportunity. They constiof doing away with caste differences, was tute the sturdy middle class of India, held. Of the 450 guests from various and in our district, tho years of work castes, 225 were Brahmins, 50 were In- have been done among them, only a dian woman, and 20 were the so-called handful has actually become Christian. "untouchables !" They are deeply conservative and not very responsive to a purely spiritual ap- Meerut Mission Centenary peal. Yet the fruitage of all these years of effort among them is becoming more ONE of the principal features of the and more manifest, until our hearts thrill centenary celebrations of the C. M. with the promise.
S. mission at Meerut, India, was the pro- "Our schools in the villages which had cession of some seven hundred village almost no high caste Hindus in them twelve or fifteen years ago are now in Christians. Rev. J. F. Pemberton wrote many cases crowded with the children of farmers eager for an education. Crowds of it: of the fathers and mothers of these chil- "We marched in procession from the dren may be gathered at any time to listen to the gospel. They are most mission compound to the garrison church. friendly, and seek us on all matters con- The Bishop and twelve clergymen led cerning government and their fields, etc., the way, and then the villagers, each bringing their quarrels for settlement. group with a distinctive banner-on foot and in bullock carts and on camels-fol-
16] WORLD-WIDE MISSIONARY NEWS 55
"There is a new unrest among these say: "This is not only a menace to our farmers, partly economic, partly a desire work, but is proving a serious hindrance for education, and partly spiritual. A to the suppression of the opium traffic society of them is working in our district, across the border in the province of called the Truth Seekers' Society, which Yunnan in China." has as its object the throwing off of the yoke of the Brahmans, the abandonment SIAM AND LAOS of idolatry, and the education of the community." "0 Training Siamese Inquirers NE of the encouraging features of The Message Bit this field," writes Rev. J. A. Eakin, of Petchaburi, Siam, "is the large num- ANYTHING is better than indifference. ber of people who have given their names as willing to give up their former The most depressing missionary sit- religion and accept Christ as their Savuation is an easy-going tolerance. Mis- ior and Lord. The various lists of insionary work is weakest when nobody quirers now total up more than a thoucares to attack, when it is not regarded sand names. Of these, 154 have been as effective enough to demand notice. baptized. The mission has recently From this point of view we may read with adopted a method of receiving these inrejoicing the following verses taken from quirers as catechumens, requiring them to the Madura Mail after Mr. Sherwood make a public promise to renounce their Eddy's evangelistic meetings. Sircar is former religion, accept Christ, repent of the name of a Bengali Christian, a their sins and forsake them, observe the former Brahman, who was another of Sabbath, practise monogamy, and study the speakers: the Scriptures. In addition to those baptized, twenty-eight have been received OH! HINDU BROTHERS, BEWARE! as catechumens by this method.
The fisher comes with tempting bait; Each of our evangelists has the list The fox it comes with cunning gait; of questions prepared for those who wish With luring words on us' doth wait; to be enrolled as catechumens, and they are expected to instruct all inquirers who Beware! Beware! show sufficient interest, so that they will Oh, friend, heed not to that Sircar, understand clearly what is involved in The state his speeches can not mar, the catechumen pledge. Thus, while the And so thy sense from wavering bar: roll of inquirers is being constantly lengthened by the addition of new Beware! Beware! names, we are giving our attention And Eddy he doth eddy 'bout; mainly rather to intensive work in the He tries our common sense to rout. way of developing those already won Conversion is his faith, no doubt: over in the graces of the Christian life and in the knowledge of the truth as it is Beware! Beware! in Jesus.
Opium in Burma "I Influence of the Gospel in Siam BELIEVE that a Christian rebirth IN the northwestern part of the Keng- is quietly taking place in the king- tung field, Burma, the cultivation of dom," writes L. C. Bulkley, M.D., a opium is being pushed to the exclusion Presbyterian missionary in Siam. "Apart of other crops. There has consequently from any effort on our part, Christian been a shortage of food supplies and teachings are being quietly appropriated rice has been very high. In addition to by Buddhists, and imparted by officials, this, local officials have tried to force opium cultivation on Christian villages and to take away the land of those who refuse to cultivate.
The Baptist missionaries in this field
whose lives are quite different from the selves we will have no lack of boys in our officials' of some years ago. school. The graduates of our Ming Sam School for Blind Girls can do very credit- "Not only we missionaries have seen able work in knitting, and most of them that more is needed. Something must are employed as Bible readers or teachbe added to the religion they have; the ers and are proficient in church music, people here feel it themselves. The vocal and instrumenta!." Holy Spirit is now preached bJ some, as tho a part of Buddhism. Recently Nearly all the graduates of these at a gathering of the headmen of a small schools are in Christian work and are adjacent village, our Governor talked to employed by the various missions. them at some length on the virtues of honesty, mutual helpfulness, monogamy, Difficulties in China etc., in a very kindly and fatherly spirit, finishing up by saying, 'Now all this is SOME faint idea of the difficulties that the religion that we believe in, and so are encountered in mission work can we must practise these things.' An old be gained by a consideration of the vastman now a Christian two years or so, ness of the country and the diversity of laughed as he reported it afterward, and the dialects. The area of China is 3,913,- said, 'How many years was I a Bud- 560 square, miles, and the total railway dhist, and I never heard anything like mileage is under 7,000. The roads are this in their teaching!' poorly constructed and badly kept; con- sequently, traveling is arduous and slow. "Let us pray that they will see what On the other hand, there are numerous they really need is the whole Gospel, canals and navigable rivers which faciliwhich is offered them!" tate communication. In regard to dia- lects, the actual number in use through- CHINA out China can not be stated, but an esti- mate, said to be conservative, has placed Schools for the Blind in China them at over 300. Knowledge of the Mandarin dialect is' general among the T HERE are over 300 blind pupils in official classes throughout the country, the various schools which have been but for intimate work among the people opened for them by missionaries in South a knowledge of the local dialect is essen- China. Among the best known of these tial. institutions are the "Ming Sam Schools for the Blind," in Canton, where the op- Slave Girl. Sold in China portunity to minister to these unfortunate ones is limited only by the funds in CHINESE slave girls are found in hand. Dr. Mary W. Niles, who is in large cities, such as Shanghai and charge, writes: "We feel that our most important work is to train our pupils for Canton, and refuges for these unforself-supporting professions or trades; to tunates have been opened by missionarouse in the parents and the general aries'. Many will, however, be surcommunity a feeling of responsibility prized to learn that girls throughout for training and making the blind use- the country are sold as slaves, and that ful, and to break down the bond of super- the province of Szechuan is probably stition and vice which oppress them. the greatest slave market in China. Bishop D. T. Huntington, of the Prot- We already have three girls whose estant Episcopal Mission of Anking, families are supporting them wholly in says of this: "When I was stationed school, and a number of others pay par- in Ichang I learned a good deal about tial support. The boys pay their own the way in which the trade is carried board. vVhen we can demonstrate that on. Ichan,g is at the mouth of the our graduates can always support them- Yangtze gorges, and all the traffic of
WORLD-WIDE MISSIONARY NEWS
Szechuan with the rest of the Empire Men's Christian Association. The fol- passes through it. Most of the slave lowing report from the association in traffic is illegal, as the Chinese laws Tientsin is an illustration of this: regarding it are quite strict in theory. "A two weeks' membership campaign Some of these girls are bought from brought in 775 members and $7,400. The their parents, but more are kidnapped team which stood far in the lead was and brought down the river in the headed by the leading citizen of Tientsin, junks under hatches. A friend of Mr. Yen Fan Tsun. His warm support mine was coming down from Chung- and effort will mean much to the organ- king and had noticed nothing peculiar. ization in this city. Mr. Yen was for- until he was within a day of Ichang. merly at the head of the National Board Then he saw a little hand come up of Education and is a man to whom all through the forward hatch. He pulled educators look for advice and example.
up the hatch and found six little girls Among the prominent members received below. They were taken away that were three sons of President Yuan Shih night, so he was unable to do any- Kai, who are resident in Tientsin. Sev- thing about them. My Chinese friends eral of the most prominent campaign have told me that at least 1,000 girls workers have since decided to become pass through Ichang in this way in the Christians."-Foreign Mail.
course of a year."
Borden Memorial Hospital in Kansu Revival Meetings in China FROM Lanchowfu, in far-away Kansu T HE evangelistic work of Rev. and province, Mr. George Andrew, of Mrs. J. Goforth has been greatly the China Inland Mission, writes: blest at various points in China. At "The Borden Memorial Hospital, which their meetings at Hsuchowfu in Kiangsu is now partly built, on the bank of the province the heathen attending the ser- Yellow River, outside the city, is a center vices were awed at the scenes of maniof Gospel light, where Dr. and Mrs. fest judgment. They said the living King, Dr. R. C. Parry and helpers min- God was present in the assembly, and ister to the sick. Patients come from many of them decided to become Chrislong distances, among them Moham- tians. medans, the winning of whom for Christ is one of the great problems confront· Mrs. Goforth summarizes the work in ing us. The Life of Faith: "I do not know where we coulrl find "Dozens of the students declared their more willing hearers of the Gospel than purpose to become preachers of the Gosat Lanchow, whether in the street-chapel pel. Hundreds promised that at the least 0, on the streets. Many Mohammedans they would strive to win one soul before come and listen with pleasure as' the unity the close of this year. On prayer and and spirituality of God are declared, and Bible study the whole audience seemed the falseness of idols exposed; but they resolved. A wonderful feature was the dislike to hear of salvation by Chri,;t. hundreds of one-sentence testimonies to The truths of His divinity and of His blessing received. Whole families testideath on the cross are derided by them." fied that they had been made new. Some said they now had a new church. The heads of both the boys' and girls' schools TResult. of a Y. M. C. A. Campaign said they have new schools, not a pupil, HE way in which its methods can as far as they knew, left unconverted. be adapted to conditions in many All the leaders said the blessing poured different countries is one of the signifi- out upon all was' beyond what they had cant features of the work of the Young asked or thought. The missionaries said
they never saw prayer like this before, Christianity will again occupy a position and some said that neither did their of recognized leadership.
weak faith lead them to expect it." Buddhists Start Sunday-schools Bi.hop Brent's Report on China T HE rapidly increasing interest in Japan in the coming convention of SPEAKING before the Episcopal Board the World's Sunday-School Association of Missions, Bishop Brent, who had just returned from the Far East, said: at Tokyo has challenged the attention of "I touched at various points in the Orient the Buddhists. The children who, they and took the opportunity to come into think, should follow their parents in the contact with the mission work at each Buddhist faith are going into the Chris- point. tian Sunday-schools, and the priests real- "China to-day presents such an oppor- ize that they must keep hold of these tunity as I suppose the world has never young people if Buddhism is to continue.
seen before in a country that is not As a result they are showing signs of Christian. We were thrilled a few years aroused activity in many quarters. In ago as we heard reports from China commemoration of the emperor's corona- after the Republic was established. But tion hundreds of Sunday-schools are to let me tell you that the opportunities in . be started in the Buddhist temples, where China for Christianity to-day are ten- the children of Buddhist homes may re- fold more than they were six years ago. ceive instruction in the tenets of their The opportunity is increasing by leaps faith, after the order of the Christian and by bounds. Again let me beg of you, Sunday-schools. For a time the priests in the name of Christ and in the name of have influenced the Buddhist teachers in the Orient as a whole, not to close the the public schools to tell their pupils they door of opportunity, but to think in the must not attend the Christian Sabbath terms of the Kingdom of God first, and schools, but when this was reported at a dollars and cents afterward." conference held in the home of Count Okuma immediate steps were taken to JAP AN-CHOSEN put a stop to it.
T Japan's Progress T Influencing China at Tokyo HE Japanese are rapidly becoming HE Chinese students who have come the most educated people in the to Japan in the last few years have world. At the present rate of progress been largely picked men, and generally Japan will soon have the smallest per better prepared than those who came cent. of illiterates and the largest per earlier. A natural proces's of selection cent. of children of school age in attend- among these has left chiefly those of ance in her schools. The National Chris- more serious purpose and better staying tian Educational Association and all the qualities, those destined in time to have Protestant missions of Japan have made the greater and more enduring influence plans for a great interdenominational upon their native land. From this point university, and the advanced schools for of view the winning of the Chinese stugirls are getting together in projecting dents in Japan to Christ is seen to be of a great Christian College for Women increasing importance. to open in 1916. Japan is more open to Christianity than at any time since the There are two churches for Chinese early eighties, and if the seven or eight students in Tokyo, and the Young Men's schools for men will advance their stan- Christian Association is working in close dards sufficiently and cooperate cordially connection with them. There are in Tokyo with the proposed Christian university, at present 98 baptized members. Others nOt affiliated with either church bring the
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total number of Christian students up terview the Moslem woman who owns to 110 or more, about 4 per cent. of the the house in which she had rented a total. Certainly in no community in room for this school.
China will there be found so large a pro- "You must not permit that Christian portion confessing Christ as among this missionary to come again nor must you great group of China's modern literati. allow the school to meet beyond to-day.
As large a percentage of the whole na- That missionary who came to speak yes- tion Christian would mean a Church in terday said such attractive things about China 16,000,000 strong.-Foreign Mail. Christianity that if he should continue I Progress in Korea there would soon be no Mohammedanism N spite of some serious problems con- in this neighborhood. Say to him that nected with missionary work and some you have done with him and his wife at very delicate matters' that have arisen once." in the relations of the missions with the government, the past year has been To the astonishment of the sheikh the one of phenomenal progress along all Moslem woman answered independently: lines of Church activity. According to "I shall do nothing of the kind." This is the figures in the Christian Movement a forecast of the emancipation of Mosin Japan, the total number of additions lem womanhood from the dominion of by baptism to all the Protestant churches the sheikh. was 9,019. The total number of communicants is reported as being 82,325, of A Moslem School in Egypt which number about 60,000 are in con- OSLEM young people are eager for nection with the Presbyterian churches. M Bible study. In the center of the Some progress has been made in estab- Nile Delta lies Tanta, a city of 70,000 lishing better relations between the -largely Moslem. In one of the poorest Christian churches and "the powers that quarters of this city a Sunday-school has be." The government has made less use been started for the children gathered of its military arm and has pursued on from the streets. Rev. Stephen Trowthe whole a more kindly and conciliatory bridge, Sunday-school secretary for work policy in dealing with the native people among Moslems, describes a recent visit than was the case two years ago, the to this school: results of which will show the wisdom "The upper floor of a house has been of that policy. At one time some foolish rented, and we found every class-room native enthusiasts in northern Korea full to overflowing with Mohammedan started an uprising which, however, did boys and g;r1s. When this work first not assume formidable proportions and started, the children who came were of was quickly and summarily supprest. the poorest and could not read a line, but recently some very bright boys from AFRICA the government schools have been attend- ing. They also are Moslems, and as Sunday is one of the regular school days, Moslem Woman Defies a Sheikh they came directly from their classes to MRS. S. M. ZWEMER has been con- this Sunday-school. I saw a number of ducting a small school and Sunday- them with their Korans tightly clasped school in a Mohammedan quarter of under their arms listening most intently Cairo. One Sunday when Dr. Zwemer to the lesson, which was from the Book made an address, the room was crowded of Acts', Some of the questions they with children and their parents and answered with quick intelligence, altho friends. they know almost nothing about the Bible The next day one of the leading as yet."
sheikhs of the neighborhood came to in- "Another evidence of interest in Bible
study," writes Mr. Trowbridge, "is found being treasurer of the mission and giving in the Girls' college, Cairo, which is a general oversight to other branches of under the direction of the American the work, devoted a large part of his mISSIOn. Never in the history of the time to work among the "untouchables" college has there been such a demand for or low caste people. the Bible. Moslem, Jew and Christian alike come, saying, 'Please send for a He left in Jullundur two sons ann a Bible for me.' A new Syrian teacher daughter, all in the work of the Missaid that the thing which imprest her sion. As a native of India, Dr. Newton most in this college is that, when she had a perfect command of-the vernacular looks over the crowded room full of and a brother's understanding of the girls at chapel time, she can not tell from hearts of the people. With this equipthe earnest faces which are Moslem, J ew- ment he combined a single-eyed devotion ish or Christian, for all are equally at- to the work of the Gospel, unusual practentive, eager and responsive." tical sense in business and accounts, un- tiring energy, and a spirit of absolute TNecessity the Mother of Invention fidelity to all duty, whether great or HEY were issuing a natural science small. reader from the press of the West Central African Mission. It seemed H8Sir Alexander Simpson of Scotland that such a text-book without any illus- Y the death of Sir Alexander Simptrations would be a tame affair. But son, the Christian Church has lost there were no cuts available. So Dr. one of its truest and most faithful sons. Stokey set himself to make some. A distinguished medical Professor in the Pouring a thin coat of plaster of Paris University of Edinburgh, he put himself over a model, he then carved out the and his professorship at the feet of his figures from pictures found in Web- Lord, and strove as few men in his proster's Unabridged Dictionary. No one fession have striven to make it a handcould mistake "the camel" and "the lion." maid to forward the interest of the King- The ingenuity of our missionaries is dom of God. And God honored him in constantly being witnessed. It is inter- his endeavor. On one occason, when a esting to learn that Dr. Stokey thus delegate to a great medical conference unwittingly repeated the first experi- at Rome, he had St. Luke's Gospel ments of the engravers in making printed in Italian and nicely bound, as a . metal cuts. gift for all his colleagues with the golden letter-press outside, 'A letter from a OBITUARY NOTES good phys·ician.' His home was open to strangers from all countries, but no one Dr. C. B. Newton of India could enter it and not realize how true DR. CHARLES B. NEWTON, for it was of him; 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' "-Medical Mis- nearly fifty years a missionary of sions. the Presbyterian Board in India, died at Jullundur City, north India, April 11th. Rev. P. H. Moore of Assam Dr. Newton was born in India, nearly seventy-five years ago, son of Dr. John REV. PITT HOLLAND MOORE, Newton, who was one of the first mis- who died in March, in the hospital sionaries of the Board to the Panjab, in Calcutta, in the sixty-third year of his going out in 1834. He spoke fluently age, gave to the Baptist Mission in N ow- Urdu, Panjabi, and Hindi, and was' well gong, Assam, thirty-six full years of read in Sanskrit. During the past twenty- strong, invaluable service, the influence five years Dr. Newton, in addition to of which will go on for the years to come. AND S5ION LANDS Black Sheep. By Jean Kenyon Mackenzie. has branched out into student cmeinssteiros~ Illustrated. 8vo. 313 pp. $1.50, net. into rural districts and into the Houghton, Mifflin Co., Boston, 1916. For living interest and literary style fields. One of the most active leaders this is easily the leading missionary book was Miss Grace Dodge, of sainted of the year. Miss Mackenzie, who was for some years a missionary among the memory, who has been succeeded as blacks of West Africa, describes in her delightful home-letters' the daily scenes president of the National Board by Mrs. and experiences that stirred her woman's heart. They give an intimate picture of Robert E. Speer. It is a great work, life in the Kamerun country. One is reminded of Miss Amy Wilson Car- thoroughly organized and efficient in michael's "Things as They Are in India," except that these descriptions are less many lines of work. depressing. Miss Wilson has produced a book, not With a woman's sympathetic touch and keen perception, Miss Mackenzie tells of only valuable as a history of the move- African women's suffering and of little black children's play, of African dancing ment but interesting and full of suggesand feasts, of markets and palavers, of sins and follies, of vaccinating two hun- tions for all workers among young dred and forty people in one day in a church, of hunger for better things, and women. of the missionaries, methods of satisfying such hunger. Mohammed or Christ. By Samuel M. Zwemer. Illustrated. 12mo. 292 pp. There is no better book to place in the $1.50. net. Revell, 1916. hands of an intelligent woman interested Dr. Zwemer is the American apostle in humanity but not in missions. The reading of Miss Mackenzie's experiences to Moslems. His pictures of Islam capis to win converts at home for the work ture the attention, his arguments conabroad. To begin is to finish. vince and his appeals win both recruits and support. His latest volume is a Fifty Years of Association Work Among series of articleS' and addresses on the Moslem situation in various lands–Rus- Young Women. By Elizabeth Wilson. sia, Africa, Arabia; the dying forces of Illustrated. 8vo. 402 pp. $1.35, net. Na- Islam, the stumbling-block of the Cross and the changing attitude of educated tiona! Board of Y. W. C. A New York Moslems. The volume lacks unity and 1916. '",' continuity of thought but it does not lack fire and facts that compel attention. Dr. The Young Women's Christian Asso- Zwemer is up-to-date and reliable in his facts; moreover, he knows no other way of saving Mohammedans than through the living faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God. These fifteen chapters are worth reading more than once.
ciation has had a remarkable history. Leaves From the Log of a Sky Pilot. By Wm. P. Puddefoot. Illustrated. Bvo. Fifty years ago the work was organized $1.00, net. The Pilgrim Press. Boston in Boston and to-day has spread over the 1916. '
world. The Association was founded to If anyone is inclined to think that help self-supporting girls in cities, but it there is less of romance and adventure in home missions than in foreign, he In the Wake of the War Canoe. By should read the life of Mr. Puddefoot, W. H. Collison. Illustrated. 8vo. 352 pp. one of the most picturesque figures of $1.75, net. E. P. Dutton & Co., New the home mission field of the northwest. York, 1916. His thriIIing experiences and encourag- ing success as a "Sky Pilot" stimulate, In his forty-three years among the while the mixture of humor and pathos Indian tribes of British Columbia, Arch- makes this an intensely human document. deacon Collison saw them change from Mr. Puddefoot is a man-a strong man- pagans to a civilized community. He a Christian pioneer, and the story of his followed William Duncan in his work varied career reveals the helIish condi- among the Tsinsheans of old MetIa- tions of many lumber camps, the Her- kahtla and the other tribes of Western culean task that awaited the missionary Canada. The history is full of incidents who entered them, and the power of God and evidences of the power of God. to transform the most degraded and Conflicts with medicine men, unscrupuhopeless men and women. The early lous white-traders and other enemies part of this missionary's life is especially made the archdeacon's life adventurous. stimulating as it was devoted to the The Indians are a picturesque people search for lost men. The latter part of and their customs and traditions are ex- the life has been spent more in seeking ceedingly interesting. One wonders, on to arouse the Churches. laying down the volume, why all the Indians of North America have not yet Was it Worth While. The Life of been evangelized-after nearly three Theodore Storrs Lee. By some friends hundred years of work among them. of his. Illustrated. 12mo. 178 pp. 50 cents net. The Association Press. New Missionary Crusaders. By Claude Fi~ld. York, 1915. Illustrated. 220 pp. $1.00 net. Flemmg H. Revell. 1916. Charles E. Hughes, Republican candidate for President of the United States There is no field of literature of America, writes the foreword and more rich in stories of heroic achievepays his tribute to the noble character ment and adventure than the hishere portrayed. Various friends tell the tory of missionary pioneers. There is story of different periods of his life. here variety 'and self-sacrifice, danger This takes from the unity of the biogra- and daring, exploit and achievement. We phy, but gives variety in viewpoint. read of John Eliot and the American Theodore Storrs Lee was born in Cleve- Indian wars; Hans Egede and the glutland in 1873, and after graduation from tonous Greenlanders; William Duncan Amherst College and Union Seminary, and the Metlakahtia cannibals; Robert went to India as a missionary. His life Moffat and the terrible Africaner; the and character made a profound impres- black Pishop Crowther and the people sion everywhere, for he was a genius of the Niger; Schwartz, the holy apostle and a man of force. His talents were to India, and Dr. Wolff among the brigmany and were put to good account. He ands of Bokhara. These are stories was a personal worker in college, a to captivate boys and to direct their amfriend in need, a hard worker and be- bitions to the life worth Jiving. loved by all. The book is full of incidents that show the young man's human A Hero of the Frontier. Life of Dr. sympathy and Christlikeness. Theodore Pennell for Boys. By Alice M. Pennell. Lee died in 1911 at the early age of Illustrated. 8vo. 209 pp. $100 net. thirty-eight, yet he had made his mark Fleming H. Revell Co. 1916. upon his fellow men. This is the story of the man of whom a British officer in India said: "The pres-
ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS
ence of Pennell on the frontier is equal guide to a clearer knowledge of the Bible to that of two British regiments." He was a remarkable man with a wonder- and an inspiration to Christlike living. fully stirring history among the fierce and fanatical tribes of the Afghan The arrangement is topical and the frontier. verses are scattered, so that unfortu- This life-story is written for boys, not in a style adapted to very young boys, nately it is not a guide to consecutive but for young men interested in games of other men, in camping out, in contact Bible reading. with wild tribes and in a missionary's adventures. Pennell is a man that it will The Life Abiding and Abounding. By be good for boys to know-and they will W. H. Gri'ffith Thomas, D.D. 12mo. 79 like him. The half-tone illustrations are pp. 40 cents, net. The Acts of the attractive. Apostles. By W. H. Griffith Thomas, D.D. 12mo. 50 cents, net,. The Bible Happy Childhood, the magazine pub- Colportage Association, Chicago, 1915. lished in Shanghai for Chinese children, Two very useful books for missionunder the auspices of the Interdenominational Committee on Christian Literature aries and students of missions. The for Oriental Women and Children, has been so successful that its editor, Mrs. first consists of deeply spiritual Bible Donald MacGillivray, undertook at Christmas time another venture along studies in prayer and meditationsthe same line, and published "A Picture Book for Chinese Children," using some breath and food for the soul. of the cuts from Happy Childhood. The edition of 600 was rapidly sold and an The second contains outline studies in appetite for more Christian reading was whetted by this enterprise. primitive Christianity-very helpful for Carol-A Sweet Lover of Christ: A those who are working in fields where Memoir of a Missionary Child. 12mo. 169 pp. 2s. 6d. Marshall Brothers, Lon- problems are presented like those that don, 1915. Carol lived in India and was an un- faced the early Church. It is an excel- usual child-especialIy in her grasp of lent guide to the study of The Acts. Christian truth and in her earnest interest in the spiritual welfare of others. NEW BOOKS The memoir is composed for the most part of letters delightful, religious but How to Learn a Language. An Exposigirlish letters. Many adults will finq tion of the Phonetic Inductive Method spiritual help from this story of a for Foreign Resident Language Students. triumphant little life. A Direct, Practical, Scientific Way of Mastering Any Foreign Tongue. By The Will of God and A Man's Life Thomas F. Cummings, D.D. 16mo, 90 Work. By Henry B. Wright. 8vo. 280 pp. Author, New York, 1916. pp. 60 cents. Association Press. New York, 1912. Paradoxical Pain. By Robert Maxwell These studies have already helped Harbin, M.D. 12mo. 212 pp. $1.25, net. Sherman, French & Co., Boston, 1916. men and women to discover the will of God in reference to their life work. The Children of the Lighthouse. By They will help others. Arranged as Charles Lincoln White, D.D. Illustrated. daily Bible studies, they are also a helpful 12mo. 84 pp. Cloth 40 cents, net. Paper 25 cents, net. Association Press, 124 E. 28th St., New York, 1916.
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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.