The Missionary Review of the World — April 1893

BRA.HlIU.NIBM PAST AND PRESENT

MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.

VOL. XVI. No. 4.-0ld &riel. – – – APRIL. – – – VOL. VI. No. 4.-New &riu.

BRAHMANISM PAST AND PRESENT.-I.

BY REV. PROFESSOR T. M. LINDSAY, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

Mr. John Lockwood Kipling, in his fascinating book on " Beast and Man in India," uses some excusably strong language about the general misconception of Indian life and character created by the conventional pictures of scholars who work from a dead and done-with literature. "Nothing," he says, "could be more scholarly, amiable, sentimental, or mistaken." And he adds that the administrator, the schoolmaster, and the missionary have' equal grounds of complaint.

The subject of this paper almost insensibly tempts one to follow the example of these arm-chair expounders of the Hindu's faith. I have no wiRh to fall under Mr. Kipling's ban, and therefore begin by saying that it is scarcely too much to assert that there is no such thing in the India of to-day as Brahmanism in the true sense of that word; or at least, that it is the religion of a trifling number out of the millions of India. And yet the system potent in by.gone ages, buried in "a done-with literature," has sunk so deep into Hinduism, that the present religious condition of India would be greatly misapprehended if Brahmanism and its undying influence were not understood.

Let me state it more directly. I have seen ordinary middle-class Hindus worship-and by worship I mean kneel and pray with many genuflexions, or make offering of a few grains of rice or jowar or pulse, or burn incense in a cocoanut shell-the following variety of objects: (1) Trees of various kinds, especially the pepal-tree and the Tulsi plant in many places over India; (2) stones, either single uncouth blocks, or smaller ones of curious shapes, also in many different parts of India; (3) a jutting bit of rock, spared by the capricious discharge of blasting powder on the Ghat from Ellora to Roza; (4) a pillar erected to a distinguished officer at Mahabaleshwar; (5) a curiously shaped hummock on a hill near Secunderabad; (6) a fossil, an ammonite, the stone worn smooth by the lips of the worshippers; (7) snakes, monkeys, goats, and cows; (8) a plough; (9) bullocks by the owner of the team; (10) a heap of stones set up on- the Wai Ghat, at a place where a sudden rush of waters had driven a pony carriage and its occupants over the precipice j (11) rivers j (12) the palanquin of the Marathi poet Tukaram in a field near 8aswad j (13) the tomb of an old Anglo·Indian who had hanged himself in his garden on the banks of the Muta·Mula near Poona j (14) de- parted heroes, such as Khandoba at Jejuri and Pal j (15) a newly erected mile-stone near Ahmednuggar j (16) a telegraph-post on the Jalna road j (17) a walking-stick, which had a handle somewhat like a snake's head, in a stand with several others for sale at a shop-door in Mahaba- leshwar; (18) a locomotive engine j and (19) a fat boy who was waiting for the train at a Bombay station, and who placidly ate candy while his worshippers, who believed him to be an incarnation of God, knelt around him. And I venture to say that if to these be added some hundreds of deities, whose names never appear in books which profess to describe the Hindu religion, these commonplace divinities are worshipped in every-day religious life by tens of thousands, while the deities of Hindu pantheon are worshipped by hundreds only.

But there is another side. When exploring the jungle paths among the steep Ghats at Mahabaleshwar, I found myself one day, after some difficult descent, on a great ledge where a small village stood in a jungle clearing. On the slope of the cliff there was a great bJack bowlder, some fifteen feet high, embedded in the clay. The bowlder had a curious cleft in it. At its base there was an altar or shelf of dressed stone, with bells, lamps, cocoanut shells, and other utensils of worship. In front, a paved court, which was surrounded with a wall of stone and lime. While we were in this enclosure the villagers, headed hy an old patriarch with rich dark-brown skin and gray hair, came about us. The old man had a roll of dirty white cloth on his head, and a still dirtier wisp of cloth about his waist, a brown cotton plaid hung on one shoulder. The people, we were told, were low-caste 8hangars, who buried their dead and ate flesh when they could get it. We had a talk together. The bowlder was the village -goddess j the villagers prayed to it : they prayed for rain, for a good harvest, for recovery in sickness, that small pox and cholera might keep away from them, and occaRionally that a tiger might visit the neighborhood j a tiger was a clean-feeding animal j when it killed a buck it only ate part of the animal, and the villagers got the rest, so they prayed for a visit from a tiger. "But do you really mean to say that the great black stone can hear your prayers and answer them?" "8aheb," said the old man, drawing himself up, "there is but one 8pirit of God, as there is but one spirit of man-one spirit of man, and it is in you, 8aheb, and in the least of your servants, in me, 8aheb j so there is but one Spirit of God, 8aheb, and He is in our goddess here, and in Khandoba at Jejuri and in Vitoba at Pandharpur." Further questioning showed that this subtle pantheism, thus suddenly evoked from a man utterly uneducated and in social standing outside the pale of Hinduism, was a mere habit of mind, the thought of a people rather than the intelligent expression of individual belief. But it was there j and the question is, How came it there ~ My own reading, combined with personal observation, makes me think that the curious polytheism I have described is'" not so much the offspring of Brahmanism as its child by adoption;" that its ideas are not necessarily Hindn, still less Brahmanic; that though Brahmans can always explain these ideas by their aU-pervading symbolism this symbolism is but an afterthought entirely independent of the mood of the worship- pers; that, in short, this polytheism would exist if there had been no such thing as Brahmanism. The subtle pantheism, however, pervading it all, which can always be evoked among all classes of Hindu worshippers, is quite another thing. I do not mean to say that Brahmanism is the vital !'ource of this pantheism, which may, after all, be a strange subtle side of all Oriental thought; but on any supposition we have in the old historical Brahmanism, dead and buried for centuries as a popular creed, the ideal of what is dimly apprehended but really held by all Hindus in the present day.

Let it be understood, then, that in what follows I am describing what is ancient, what is no part of modern Hinduism, save in the vague sense above mentioned. If the editor permits, I may be able in a future article to describe its power over the present every-day religious life of the.

Hindus, and how it has created, by its action upon the living germinating polytheism, the Hindu pantheon described in most books upon Hindu religion.

Brahmanism, strictly so called, is a stage in the evolution of the latest form of Hinduism, standing midway between the old Vedic religion of the early Aryan invaders and the complex religion of modern India. It had peculiar historical, social, and religious surroundings. It belonged to that period of the Aryan invasion when the conquerors had mastered the "Middle Land," when they had leisure and resources to divide into classes, when they had a great slave population under them. It hardened into a compact system of social organization, religious rites, and theoso- phist speculation in its conflict with Buddhism-a conflict from which the aristocratic pantheism of the Brahman at length emerged victorious over the democratic atheism of Buddha.

In the" Land of the Sacred Singers," the Punjab, the old Vedic deities, personifications of the powers of nature, had held sway, and Indra, the rain bringer, was the chief deity. "I will sing of the victories of Indra.., of the victories woo by the God of the Spear; on the mountains he smote the demon of drought; he poured out the waters, and let the rivers flow from the mountains; like calves to cows, so do the rivers hasten to the sea." In these old days caste was unknown; the housefather was the family priest, and the chief led the devotions of the clan. .

When we see the same people in the "Middle Land," the country watered by the Jumna and the Ganges, with its great cities-Delhi, Oude, and Benares-and its amazing fertility of soil, the lapse of centuries has brought great changes. The fertilizing rivers made them almost inde pendent of rain, they had no call to pray for heat, the forces of nature were slowly uniform in their action, and the fecundity of· the earth made them meditate on the productive power of nature. They thought and sang, as did Tukharam centuries later in the Deccan, " For the new-born nursling who the milk prepareth ? Mother, child-each shareth His great mercy. In the fierce hot season when the leaflet springeth, Who the moisture bringeth Which it drinketh ?"

Religion had enwrapt itself in a stately ritual, and demanded men who were minutely acquainted with the old Vedic hymns to lead the devotions. The land had been thoroughly conquered, and it was no longer necessary for every housefather to be both husbandman and warrior; he could sit under his own tamarind-tree, none daring to make him afraid. The warriors became a class distinct from the cultivator, the king's followers at home his fighters on the frontiers. The dark-skinned aborigiu"es had become a great slave .population, held in the strictest bondage, which forbade them even sharing in the religion of their masters. A people of clans ready to become a ciVIlized society, but not yet a nationality.

This is the environment out of which Brahmanism slowly grew. It is almost impossible to trace the stages of growth. Early Indian literature is not historical. The criticism of documents based on internal evidence alone is extremely unproductive. The supreme canon of the higher criticism, that a document which really dates from a given period must show itself instinct with the life of that period, cannot be applied when we have no history to tell us what that life was. The Brahmans became the custodians of the old literature, and have changed and interpolated the text to suit their pretensions; but when we come to test the extent of these interpolations, and to arrange documents in chronological order to show the gradual growth of new institutions, then we fail utterly and are very much left to conjecture. Setting aside conjectures about how it slowly evolved into existence, Brahmanism fully formed has four sides or phases, which may be called social, ritualist, philosophical, and mythological.

The social side is the Oaste system. Brahmanism taught that the human race existed in four great divisions-the Brahman, the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra. The Brahman came from the mouth of Brahma, and was priest and teacher. The Kshatriya eame from the arm of God, to rule and defend the people. The Vaisya, who came from the thigh, was the trader and the husbandman. The Sudra, who came from the foot, was to serve the other three. These distinctions were to be perpetually maintained by the higher caste rigidly boycotting the lower in all intercourse, in food, and intermarriage. The Brahmanic writings further aIlsert that this fourfold caste system is not a mere classification of the human race; it represents four kinds of men. The lower animals are made in classes-elephants, tigers, bullocks, and dogs; and the creation of men followed the same order. A Brahman is a distinct kind of man from a Kshatriya, just as an elephant is distinct from a tiger. In this view of it, caste is an institution to preserve purity of class or clan by pneserving purity of blood, which can best be done by preventing intermarriage, and may be further guarded by proscribing intercourse in food and drink. Evidence, however, remains in the Brahmanic writings themselves to overthrow this idea of a rigid, fourfold classIfication of men. The earliest separation was into a free' and a serf or slave class. The oldest caste regulations were evidently designed to keep the Sudras, or conquered peoples, slaves. They were to be kept outside the Aryan community, and were denied the right of worshipping the Aryan gods. The three higher castes, on the other hand, had a certain brotherhood. They were the " twice born," they all wore the sacred thread, and they all took part in the same religious worship. The eternal supremacy of the Brahman caste disappears before traces of long rivalry between them and the Kshatriyas for pre-eminence, and for the right to perform the great public sacrifice. The contest between the two sages, Viswamatra, of the royal warrior rank, and Vasishtha, a Brahman, the story of which runs through the whole Veda, typifies the struggle, and in the end the warrior establishes his title to perform the public sacrifice. Nor was the separation of castes rigidly maintained. After the Brahmans had established their priestly supremacy, due pro.bably to their unique family knowledge of the old Vedic hymns, Kshatriyas thrust themselves up into the priestly caste, and Vaisyas became warriors, while Sudras were admitted into the number of the twice born. This fourfold caste system no longer exists in modern India, where society is broken up into thousands of castes, who neither intermarry nor eat together; and it is doubtful whether it ever did exist save for a limited time and in the" Middle" land. It is rather a programme of how the Brahmans thought society ought to be constituted than a picture of Hindu social life at any period.

The ritualist side of Brahmanism is contained in the Brahmanas. The old Vedic hymns had been collected in the Rig-Veda, and two priestly selections were made from it–the Sama Veda or hymn-book for the higher order of priests, who sung selections from it during the performance of sacrifice, and the Yajur Veda, the liturgy of the lower priests. These hymns are known asMantras, and the debasement of thought is stereotyped in the fact that the word means" charm" in modern Sanscrit. The Brahmanas are a directory or rnbric for the proper use of the Vedic hymns. They show us that, according to Brahmanism, the due presentatio. of sacrifices is the kernel of aD religious observances. The meaning of sacrifice is gradually evolved. It is at first simply thank-offering from man to the gods; thcn nourishment required by the gods them- selves; then a means of wresting boons from the gods; and lastly an instrument to attain superhuman power and exaltation to heaven. Even the gods have won their immortality by sacrifice. Sometimes, but rarely, we find the idea of atonement for sin; but this is foreign to the whole circle of Brahmanic thought, which rejects the idea of trusting to anything but self-righteousness for salvation. Hence Brahmanism taught that every man must rest his hopes on a perpetual succession of oblations consumed by fire, culminating in the last offering of hiriH,elf in fire on his funeral pyre.

Pltilosophical Brahmanism is commonly, but not altogether correctly, represented as the recoil from this elaborate ritualism and sacerdotalism. It is contained in the Upanishads, which are supposed to reveal the hidden spiritual doctrine of the Vedas. It is not philosophy in the Western sense of the word, for it is not a search after truth; nor is it theology, in the Christian meaning, for it does not express the soul's desire to be released from the burden of sin. But having said this, the European expounder has a more serious difficulty to face. He can use no Western theological or philosophical term which is not thoroughly misleading. If we say that the essence of Brahmanical speculation is to show how the spirit of man can be liberated from the bondage of the necessity of transmigration or repeated existence, and reunited with the Supreme Spirit, as a river is reunited with the ocean, we insensibly attach to the word " spirit" a meaning which belongs to none of its Sanscrit equivalents. In Western thought the terms "spirit," "soul," "self" all imply the Western idea of personality, which even on the attenuated Aristotelian definition-a person is what can be the subject, but never the predicate of a preposition-signifies a central spiritual point which can never be dissolved away. Without this thought of spiritual personality the ideas of existence will invariably take the form of confined or bounded and unconfined or boundless existence, and however such ideas are etherealized, they are descriptions of matter and not of spirit. Brahmanical thinking has no such thought of a central spiritual personality. In its philosophy personality is always an external integument, which. prevents the confined essence from diffusing itself in the unconfined or all-pervading essence; or, to speak more subtly, it is what exists when the external integument confines the essence. Hence Brahmanism is always an etherealized materialism.

The Brahmanical philosophy recognizes the Spirit of God and the spirit of man, which have existed and must exist throughout all eternity. The two are not distinct; the living spirit of man is the " Spirit of God limited and personalized by the power of Illusion (Maya); and the life of every living spirit is nothing but an infinitesimal arc of the one endless circle of infinite existence." This human spirit is joined to a mind and clothed with a body, and so can perceive, think, and will. The body consists of more than one integument. First, there is the subtle body, which, enclosing a portion of the universal spirit, makes it a living individual person; this subtle body is swathed in a grosser body, which may be earthly, intermediate, or Divine. It is Divine when it encases a god; intermediate when it clothes the subtle body after death and before another gross body is inhabited; or gross, which is the outer cuticle during earthly existence. The body is, of course, part of the external world to which the Brahman gives the name Illusion, and the torment of personal life is the being forced through a succession of bodily existences which are all illusory, but from which he cannot escape. Bliss comes when the human spirit, freed at last from confinement in material integuments, melts into the diffused essence which is God. The existence of the material universe is the puzzle of Brahmanical philosophy, which their four schools of thought try each in their own way to explain. The explanations are beyond the limits of this paper, but speaking very generally, they practically come to a substitution of the dualism of a male and female energy, from whom all things created come, for the one pervading essence-the monism or pantheism becomes a dualism.

Mvthological Brahmanism is the popular theology or exoteric doctrine for the common people based on the philosophy or esoteric doctrine reserved for the sages. In it the thought of Maya or Illusion, which is the despair of the philosophy, becomes a useful instrument in expounding Brahmanic symbolism to the people. This theology starts with the idea of one sole self-existent Supreme Essence, the only real Existence, submitting for His mere good pleasure to the entanglement of an illusory creative force, and in and through this contact bringing forth endless manifestations of Himself in infinite varieties of operation. All things seen and unseen-stones, plants, trees, animals, man, demons, gods-are emanations from the one Eternal Entity, like dTops from the ocean or sparks from a fire. Everything is a portion of Deity, partitioned off, in separate existence, by Illusion. These emanations are arranged on a graduated scale, whether gods, men, or things. The highest earthly emanation is man, and the human emanation nearest the real Supreme Existence is the Brahman. None of these emanations can alter their existence while in their present gross body, be that a Divine, human, or other body; but on the dissolution of the body they may rise to higher or sink to lower grades of being.

On this basis the Brahman theologians raised their pantheon. The only real Supreme, Existence they called Brahm or Brahma. When Brahma was first overspread with Maya or Illusory Creative Force, the male god Brahma emerged, the first-born of all creation and the evolver of all else. Creation implies preservation and dissolutiou, for it is an endless chain of birth becoming and death. Hence, with Brahma, coequal with him, like him, but one stage removed from reabsorption into real existence, are Vishnu the preserver, and Siva the destroyer and reproducer (for death

INDIA 01' TO-DAY

is the sacrament of new life). They alone of all emanations cannot suffer transmigration; when their integuments of subtle and gross (but Divine) bodies dissolve they will pass back again into the real Supreme Existence. They are equal, their functions interchangeable, and they are represented in the figure of the Tri·murti, three majestic heads springing out of one body, or in the triangle. Of these three Vishnu is the most nearly connected with humanity, and to rescue men he has undergone various incarnations which are also gods in the pantheon and objects of worship. The best known incarnations are the heroes of the poems Mahabarata and Ramayana, Krishna and Rama. The three gods have their consorts or female energies-Sarasvati, Lakshmi, .and Parvati-and their offspring also belong to the Brahmanic pantheon. Beneath these, in grade after grade of emanation, are lower gods and demons (to the number of three hundred and thirty millions), men, animals, plants, stones, all liable to run into each other and incapable of strict separation in thought.

Though every man is really God, he is under the power for the time being of the separative or illusory creative force, and no individual soul can recover identity with God save by liberation from the power of illusion. This liberation may be made easier by union with a higher being, it is ensured by union with Brahma, Vishnu, or Siva. Hence the motive to worship those gods, although, like men, they are under the power of illusion. Again, one means of obtaining liberation is by paying homage to the Supreme Existence, and this may be done by turning the thoughts inward; for this Supreme Existence is in every human spirit, and meditation is the highest act of worship ; or it may be done by worshipping according to proper ritual these emanations of the Supreme Being which are the gods ; or even by paying homage to His manifestations in persons and inanimate objects. Thus exoteric Brahmanism is a net spread to catch every form of worship from the rudest fetichism up to the most sublime mystical contemplation.

Such is Brahmanism in social life, ritual, metaphysic, and popular theology. It has done much to mould Hindu religion, it has undying influence upon Hinduism, but it would be a gross mistake to suppose that it represents the living germinating polytheism of the India of to-day. Its present power and its present weakness must be the subject of another paper.

INDIA OF TO-DAY.

EY THE REV. JAMES JOHNSTON, BOLTON, ENGLAND.

The march of empire over the "Eye of Asia," the name by which India is occasionally designated, presents features of deepening interest, and prophetic of more remarkable changes. Advances in her moral and material condition and in civil and religious development plainly indicate that India is assuredly taking a right place among the progressive nations east and west. The pacific revolutions of the last generation or so in her social and national life have amazing significance. Those degrading heathen customs, the self-immolation of widows on the funeral piles of their ,husbands, the dedication of favorite daughters at idolatrous temple services, the trampling to death of imbeciles, the drowning of aged persons, the universal practice of female infanticide, and the cruelties of childmarriage and widowhood, have been wholly or partially swept away, and, at the present day, fresh campaigns initiated against the abominations which still linger on the horizon of India's humanity. A grand new page is opening in the history of India, and Christianity, in its widespreading embrace, is throwing far out the net of the kingdom of God for the ingathering of India's millions.

In point of population the Indian census offers an array of figures not easily grasped. The British possessions contain 221,172,950 souls, and the feudatory States 66,050,480, making a grand total, for these two divisions, with the territories of Upper Burma, North Lushai, and Kashmir, now included for the first time, of 288,000,000 of human beings. Natives in British provinces occupy an area of 962,070 square miles, and those of the feudatory States 595,310 square milesl The pressure of population on the land during the last decade has risen from 227 to 249 per square mile in British territories, and from 107 to 123 in the native States, or if the whole of India, inclusive of the new tracts, is tabulated, the British divisions give 230 persons and the feudatory States 111, or an average of 184 to every square mile of greater India. Pressure of population on the soil has its highest provincial density in Oudh, returned at 522 persons to the square mile; in Bengal, 471 ; in the Northwest Provinces, 411 ; in the Madras native States, embracing the crowded shores of Travancore and Cochin, 385; in Baroda, 294 ; in the Madras Presidency, 252 ; in Bombay, 207 ; and Ajmir, 207 ; the last two being the remaining provinces or States which have an aggregate density of 200 to the square mile. Upper Burma, with an area of 83,500 square miles, has a population of 35 to the square mile, and Kashmir 31. Comparing these figures with countries having dense city populations, a condition of existence uncommon in India, there are 498 people to the square mile in England and Wales, 21 in the United States of America, and 5 in the habitable parts of Canada. The returns of the current census denote an' influx of people from congested Indian centres to regions of virgin soil, an increase more noticeable in the feudatory than the British States. Just in proportion as the feudatory States are safeguarded by laws does the Indian peasant feel himself tempted to migrate into new pastures. The first advance across a British feudatory frontier is effected by marriage relations, by daughters being given as wives to villagers on the other side of the borderline. In many cases the rural emigration has not passed this initial stage, which shows a marked percentage of females over males. Save in certain localities an extensive migratory movement from British to feudatory States is unreported.

From the aggregate returns of population there is not, it appears, a uniform increase of both sexes. In the British provinces the females have increased faster than males, except in Assam, Bombay, Sind, and Bengal. This increase, again, is more significant in the feudatory States, with the exception of Hyderabad, the Madras native States, and Mysore. The British Indian rate of increase per cent is 9. 63 fo~ males and 9.80 for females, and in the feudatory States 14.81 for males and 16.29 for females. With regard to populations in country districts and towns, India differs widely from Europe. England, for example, denotes a steady increase in population at large centres, whereas in India, with an aggregate population of 288,000,000, the towns have not more than 9t per cent of the population within their radius. In provinces which have the most populous towns, as, for instance, Bengal, where a population of 74,500,000 exceeds that of all the feudatory States of India put together, or the United States of America, the immense rural populations swamp the urban centres. This growth of population in rural areas has been gradually rising, showing an aggregate increase of 9.40 per cent. Throughout India the average proportion of women to men is given at 958 of the former to 1000 of the latter in 1891, while in the towns it does not exceed, as a whole, 886 females. Some of the city populations of India are making rapid strides. Bombay has 821,760 people, and Calcutta, with its two adjoining suburbs, a population of 741,140, or, counting the dwellers in the environs, where the growth is specially noticeable, Calcutta has a return of 978,370. The population of Madras is 452,520 j of Hyderabad, 415,000 j of Lucknow, 273,080, and of Benares, 2]9,470. In 22 other cities there are populations of 100,000 or upward, and in 48 towns the populations average from 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants_ The natives of India, occupying a country equal in size to the Continent of Europe, excluding Russia, speak 106 different languages, as distinguished from dialects, and of these 18 are used by more than a million persons. Racial differences are further accentuated by social and religious prejudices and conflicting material interests. Every type of humanity has its representatives on the arena of India. Ghonds, Pathans, Rohillas, Belochees, and numerous fierce tribes, half clad, bloodthirsty, head.hunters, wielding stone weapons and indulging in degrading superstitions, dwelling in caves, on the hills, and in forest deeps, are the survivors of prehistoric times, in contrast to whom stand the Parsee and Brahmin, the embodiments of polished manners, scholarship, philosophy, commerce, and Western ideas. Beyond its own vast possessions British rule exercises no little supervision over 117 native States, the theatres of loose tribal communities, warlike chiefs, and princely rulers.

Very curious facts are furnished bearing on the religions of the myriads of people in India. The difficulty to register these is increased, because of the indistinct lines which separate IIindooism, Sikhism, and kindred systems. 'Vhen the lower superstitions, such as ghost-worship, tree and animal worship, or demon-worship, are taken into account, the perplexities are intensified. Amid these peculiarities it is evident, from recent enumerations, that Hindooism is absorbing steadily the hill and forest tribes, accustomed to practice strange, primitive rites. If these animistic tribes, together with the 3050 Brahmos and 39,950 Aryas, be added to Hindooism, the combined groups of Hindooism, semi-Hindooism, and reformed IIindooism number 751 per cent of the total; Mussulmans, 19.96 per cent; Buddhists, 2.48; Christians, 0.80; Sikhs, 0.66; Jains, 0.49; Parsees, 0.03 ; and of miscellaneous beliefs 0.02 per cent. In July last Mr. Naoroji, a member of the Parsee community, was elected a Member of the British House of Commons, an event warmly greeted in India, by which it is hoped the "dumb millions" in that Jand may have a greater voice in regard to their nation's interest and policy. Putting the religious census in another form, Hindooism claims 207,500,000-the term, it may be remarked, signifying "any religion which is not Mohammedan;" Islam, 57,000,000; Buddhism, 7,000,000, and Christianity, 2,225,000. The Jews count 17,180, and the Parsees in all 89,887 persons. Of theists, agnostics, and atheists 289 are enumerated. Taking the" animistic group" alone, they represent 3.23 per cent of the whole population, which allows them to stand next to the Mussulmans in numerical strength. Hindoos and Mussulmans have increased 10.74 and 10.70 respectively, in proportion to the growth of population; Buddhism has increased 24i per cent at a pace with the growth of the general population in Lower Burma; while the Christians have multiplied at the rate of 22.16, including large conversions from the forest tribes, particularly in the Chutia Nagpur territories. Gratifying results of the triumphs of Christianity come from the Punjab, the Northwest Provinces, the Karen districts in Lower Burma, Madras, and the west coast seaboard, where the native Christian population is growing at an astonishing rate. These fruitful issues give weight to a remark by Dr. Martyn Clark, that India's fields are not only white for harvest, but the sheaves are waiting, and equally so to the sanguine views of Dr. Pentecost regarding the spiritual regeneration of India.

Of " Young India," considering the population as a whole to the age of fifteen, the Indian return shows that 93.90 per cent of the boys and 82.47 of the girls are unmarried ; and of the married under fifteen years of age, 5.90 boys and 17.02 girls. In every 10,000 of the population there are left as " widowed" 20 boys and 51 girls under the age of fifteen years, and of this" widowed" category 20 per ccnt of the boys and 33 pcr ccnt of the girls are under five years old. The state of education presents terrible backward features in the adult sections of the population, where, again, there is disparity between the two scxes respecting capacity to read and write. From returns affecting 262,000,000 of people, itl is tabulated that 89.1 per cent of the males and 99.4 per cent of the females are unable to read or write. In the male section, consisting of 133,500,000, only one in 9 can pass this double test, and in the female division, comprising 128,500,000, barely one in 173 women! Of the total population in India having a knowledge of reading and writing in English the census makes a return of 360,000 natives. For the training of the young, public and private institutions number 138,054, and pupils, 3,682,707. Allowing, therefore, that 18,000,000-a liberal estimate-of India's people have the advantage of an elementary education, it leaves the enormous number of 270,000,000 of Hindoos buried in calamitous ignorance. Out of the few millions able to read and write a very small proportion have any acquaintance of English.

These shadows, so painful to contemplate, are not entirely uurelieved. Of India is it true that " . • • Long lost in night, Upon the horizon gleams the light Of breathing dawn."

In bright battle the social, medical, religious, and philanthropic auxiliaries are engaged for India's deliverance from myriad woes. During many years that unwearied worker on behalf of the suffering and neglected of India, Miss Florence Nightingale, has made the causes and possible remedies of the unhealthiness of small Indian towns and hamlets a special study. Mainly directed to Bombay, her labors llave had considerable success in combating the frightful condition of sanitary matters. Miss Nightingale is immediately occupied, as the debates on the Bombay Village Sanitation Bill indicates, in providing on a wide scale a good village organization for village sanitation, a measure which had the support of the recent International Congress of Hygiene. By her earnest and effective advocacy of a question vitally affecting the lives of millions of the rural population of India, the gentle heroine of the Crimean War has won the thanks of multitudes of the lowly poor. Next to this admirable work ought to be named" The Association for Supplying Female Medical Aid to the Women of India," founded and organized seven years ago by the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, who has exhibited, in furtherance of her humane enterprise, rare capacity, generous benevolence, and unswerving purpose. Established on broad lines of an unsectarian and national character, it relieves alike the women and children of the poorest class and zenana ladies of wealth and station. The three principal objects of the fund consist of medical tuition, medical assistance, and the supply of trained female nurses. According to the 1890 returns, 411,000 had medical treatment, compared with 280,000 in the previous year. Its proportional increase of in-patients was greater for the same period, which were returned at 8159. Thirty hospitals and 20 dispensaries are affiliated with or governed by the association, and 13 lady doctors and 27 assistant surgeons are working under the auspices of the fund, 9 of the ladies having gone out from England. A strong staff in future days will be obtained from the 238 native pupils drawn from the Parsees, Brahma- Somaj (Veda Hindoos), and Eurasians, who are now studying at the various medical colleges and schools. The cultured and estimable young Hindoo ladies, Rukhmabai and Cornelia Sorabji, have studied at the London School of Medicine for Women, preparatory to undertaking the medical calling in their native land. The approbation of the fund, expressed some two years ago by the Maharajah of Patiala, that it "will earn the gratitude of untold generations of natives of India," cannot fail to have universal echo. In the person of Lady Lansdowne the good cause of her beloved predecessor has fallen on worthy shoulders. To its income native princes, mostly of the feudatory States, and the humble people, in proportion to their scanty means, creditably give support.

Medical education is adv~,ncing steadily in other quarters. To illustrate this from the Nizanis dominions, the last report gives 85 students in the medical school, 3 of its outgoing students being females. Dr. Laurie, the Director of the Medical Service of Hyderabad, states that there are 8 hospitals in Hyderabad and the suburbs, and 59 in the districts, with as many dispensaries. Activity is seen in the city hospitals, which had over 110,000 patients last year. Medical branches of zenana missions belonging to American and British societies are multiplying in stations and workers rapidly. This wing of operation appeals strongly to the native mind and prepares the way for the music of a deeper healing. What force lies in the observation of that chivalrous Christian lady, Mrs. Bishop: " There are so many zenanas which would be closed against the zenana missionary, but where the medical missionary gains admission under the best possible circumstances." Some idea of this gracious type of ministry may be gleaned from the medical station at Batala attached to the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society, which reported for 1891 over 18,000 patients' attendances, 31 in patients, and 617 medical visits to homes. In the zenana labors of the Free Church of Scotland at Madras, Miss Macphail and Dr. Janet Hunter made a return for the same date showing 20,547 attendances by 7823 patients at the two dispensaries, 460 visits to the missionaries' homes, while 1183 visits were paid to the patients in their own homes. Since the report was compiled news of thedeath of Miss Hunter from cholera has caused profound sorrow in Scottish and Indian circles. A young lady of the highest medical attainments and of the sweetest Christian disposition, Miss Hunter's memory will be revered by thousands of Hindoo women. Like fruitfulness attends the manifold branches of zenana spiritual missions. Mrs. Lazarus, an eminently qualified judge, whose opinion has wide corroboration, remarks that the difficulty six years ago of getting admission into a Hindoo home is vanishing, and the difficulty to-day is to find women enough willing to take up the cross of honor and enter the additional open doors. In these dark chambers the light is breaking, the presage of the salvation of the daughters of India and the dominion of missions. Educational claims are not overlooked, special attention of late being devoted to the great cry from the higher classes for English education. Unless this is speedily grappled with and supplied on a Christian basis, " the education of the ruling classes will fall more and more into the hands of anti-Christian agencies." Every year happily, so far as England is concerned, the number of university men with good degrees who join the missionary bodies is increasing, a fact which has a hopeful outlook, inasmuch as " the policy of the Indian Government is to retire from the field when voluntary institutions, either native or missionary, can be found to take the place of Government institutions," making it clear that the future English education in India lies in the hands of the natives and the missionary organizations, the latter hitherto having held the front place. In the propagation of religious knowledge a~ong the Hindoos the Christian Literature Society merits hearty acknowledgment. Consequent upon the advance of education and religious teaching on the one hand, and the spread of anti-Christian works on the other, the Society's resources were heavily taxed to meet the situation. In its admirable enterprise the Society had the support of the Indian services and of gentlemen most conversant with the wants of India. Founded over thirty years ago by Lord Lawrence, aided by a committee of men of strong religious sentiment, the Society had subsequently enjoyed the fullest sympathy of British and American societies. Its indefatigable secretary, the Rev. James Johnston, F.S_S., has few superiors in a knowledge of India and its people. Several branches of the leading Bible societies and the department of Sunday-school institutions are growingly potent allies in forwarding India's redemption.

Changes of grand import are springing up in IIindostan, many of which furnished indications of an approaching unity in Hindoo nationalities not previously seen, and~ by the awakening and wonderful openings among the low-caste and non-caste populations and their future elevation, the Christian Church was summoned to a task of imposing magnitude. Nor could the Mohammedans of the empire be forgotten. To this influential class in Calcutta alone, 250,000 in number, the Rev. Jani AlIi was the solitary torch-bearer of the true faith. In a reference to the great Mohaminedan population at the English Methodist Conference in Bradford, the Rev. William Arthur said that" it was a tremendous force in the world, and in India, if the power of the English should ever be broken, the Hindoos and the Mohammedans would be brought into conflict with each other, and the latter would win." This weighty deliverance will have the earnest consideration of the workers on India's shores.

If the masses of the people are nominally Hindoos still, the once impregnable front is tottering. Hindooism, described by one of its chief supporters" a religion which has failed to satisfy the cravings of the soul of the educated natives of India," has been shaken to the foundations by the Christian religion_ Prophetic vision was not required to see that in

THE HELIGION OF THE JAPANESE AINU

the numbers of seekers after light, the candidates for baptism, the remarkable expansion of the native Christian churches, and the increasing respect for the message of Christianity, the races of India were drawing nearer to the kingdom of God. Says Sir Charles Elliott, Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal: "The growth of Christianity in India has been a solid fact, and sufficiently rapid to give all needful encouragement to the supporters of missions." By the broad pathways which the Gospel was cleaving through the Indian Empire it was becoming the refuge and delight of countless thirsty souls. Granted that the struggle of Christendom during the century gone has been in the main an affair of outposts, the battalions of Christian chivalry were throwing themselves quickly on the field for the possession of a mighty prize. Signs of this decisive issue were visible, which the forthcoming Decennial General Conference of Indian missionaries of all the Protestant churches would voice in resonant tones. In such a noble crusade for the accomplishing of God's purposes among men Ward Beecher eloquently declared: "Of all the triumphs of the Church, of all her signal victories, I believe that which will stand higher than all others, in the future, will be the work which she has attempted to do for the scattered community. I believe that the work which has been done by the Christian religion for the outcast and outlying populations of the globe will stand in the last day higher and more sovereign than any or every other part of the work of the Christian religion on earth." The emancipation of India's millions calls to the Church of God in many climes to inaugurate a forward missionary policy which shall carry the flag of the King over the plains of a continent possessing a land boundary of 6000 miles and a seaboard of nearly 9000 miles, by which the flanks of the peerleRs Himalaya ranges shall ultimately become the frontiers of a worldconquering faith.

THE RELIGION OF THE JAPANESE AINU.

BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.

Miss Bird, authoress of "Unbeaten Tracks in Japan," has given currency to the idea that the hairy aborigines of the great island of Yesso have no conceptions or observances which are worthy the name of a religion. Miss Bird made only a hasty visit of a few weeks before writing her book, which was certainly interesting in many respects; but Rev. John Bachelor, for fourteen years a missionary of the Church Missionary Society to the Ainu, has had better opportunities, and he has found a very interesting religious system among these people. This difference of authorities is an old story again repeated. Where hurried travellers or adventurers have declared that this or that obseure race were destitute of all ideas of God, and anthropologists have quoted their superficial statements with all the conclusiveness of scientific facts, the prolonged residence of a more careful investigator has led to very different conclusions.

Miss Bird says: "It is nonsense to write of the religious ideas of a people who have none, and of beliefs among a people who are merely adult children. The traveller who formulates an Ainu creed must evolve it from his own inne7' consciousness. I have taken infinite trouble to learn from themselves what their religious notions are, and Shinondi tells me that they have told him all they know, and the whole sum of it is a few vague fears and hopes, and a suspicion that there are things outside themselves more powerful than themselves, whose good influences may be obtained or whose evil influences may be averted by libations of sake. "

Mr. Bachelor, who uses the word Ainu as a plural without the s, says, on the other hand: "Every one will agree that it would be ' nonsense to write of the religious ideas of a people who have none, and of beliefs among a people who are merely adult children;' but Miss Bird is clearly in the wrong when she implies that the Ainu are without religion, though they may be 'merely adult children.' As a matter of fact, these people are exceedingly religious; and, however true it may be that a mere' traveller who formulates an Ainu creed must evolve it from his inner consciousness,' yet, as one who has spent more years with them than Miss Bird did weeks, I shall venture, in a later chapter, to give an Ainu creed. This creed will be evolved from their daily life and words, and from their highly prized, carefully transmitted traditions."

It is not claimed that the Ainu possess what is generally known as a book religion, or any formulated system of beliefs, but in fragmentary form their religious conceptions are interwoven with their daily life, and they are transmitted in unwritten folk-lore from generation to generation. There is no esoteric system of beliefs monopolized by a priestly class, for there seems to be no priesthood, but the Ainu are reserved in the presence of strangers who seek to learn their faith, and it is only the missionary who has won their confidence, and who, in close and continued contact, has studied their inmost thoughts and habits, that can judge intelligently of their religious faith. According to Mr. Bachelor the Ainu religion fltarts with the monotheistic conception of one supreme creator and upholder of all things. He is not, however, the administrator; on the contrary, having created a great number of inferior deities, and having assigned them to the administration of different departments of the on-going world, he leaves each of these plenipotentiaries in full charge of his particular sphere, where he is practically supreme. It would be a discourtesy for an Ainu to worship one 'deity in the rightful place of another. When fishing or in peril upon the sea, he may call only upon the god of the sea for help or success. The god of agriculture must be appealed to for abundant crops, and the mountain gods for success in hunting. The Ainu do not ordinarily call upon the Supreme Being for help or in any way practically worship .Him, for they understand that He has farmed out His dominions to subordinates whose authority He respects. Practically, therefore, the religion of the Ainu is the polytheistic worship of many gods, who owe their origin to one supreme creator. This rationale of their system is interesting as bearing upon the question whether the growth of religion has advanced from scattered germs of fetichism to an organized system, with monotheism as a final result; or whether the early conceptions of different races have started with the notion of crootorship, leading on to a multiplicity of subordinate gods, as each condition and exigency of life was supposed to require, or as new objects were discovered to have an imaginary efficacy. With the Ainu the latter process seems to have obtained. Their explanations of their system are perfectly logical so far as they go. They trace the distribution of authority among their subordinate deities precisely as they would that of their subordinate chiefs, from its supreme source in their head chief. In answer to the question why they do not offer their prayers directly to the Supreme God, who created and upholds all things, they are represented as saying: "As God has appointed these intermediaries as channels through which we are to approach Hita, we certa~nly ought to do as He directs us, and not as we wish in this matter. ' , But although God always acts through subordinates with respect to human affairs, and never communicates directly with men, so far as experience goes, yet He is not supposed to be idle or indifferent. He superintends all departments of administration and sees that His servants discharge their fuulltions faithfully. If anything is done amiss, it is only a fault in the administration.

The Ainu account for the evils of the world by a theory of dualism and of conflict between good and evil, and they believe that there are not only remiss and unfaithful servants in heaven, but that downright fiends are found among the angels of light. The struggle between good and evil has always existed and steadily increased, and it will never end. Over against each subordinate god, in whatever department, there is an evil one whose business it is to thwart him.

While all things originated in the Supreme God, His subordinates have had a part in the details of creation, and have not always done their work in the most approved manner. The following legend affords an illustration: "It is said that the island of Yesso was made by two gods, a male and a female, who were the deputies of the Creator. The female god had the west C08st allotted to her as her portion of the work, and the male god had the south and eastern portions assigned to him. They vied with each other in their tasks. As the goddess was proceeding with her work she happened to meet with the sister of ' Aioina Kamui '(the first ancestor of the Ainu), and instead of attending to her duties she stopped in her work to have a chat with her, as is the general custom of women. While they were talking the male god worked away and nearly finished his portion of the labor. Upon seeing this the female god became very much frightened, and, in or~er not to be behind time, did her work hurriedly and in a slovenly manner. Hence it is that the west coast of Yesso is so rugged and dangerous. ' , Whatever else the Ainu may be, they are not pessimists; they accept their hard lot and will allow no grumbling. For the ways of Providence they are always ready with a vindication, even though it be a seeming nuisance that is to be accounted for. For example, an old man who had been annoyed at night by a rat which had tried to gnaw off some of his superabundant hair for a nest, reproved the good missionary for speaking too harshly of rats. He gave his reason thus: "After the Creator had finished making the world He came down from heaven to see how all things looked. As He was viewing His works the evil one appeared and derided Him, saying, 'Doubtless you think you have done a very good action and have made all things for the best j but look at this bramble bush and thistle: what can be the use of such things as these l' God was angry at these remarks, so he put his hand behind his back and secretly created a rat. As soon as the rat was created it sprang into the mouth of. the devil and gnawed off his tongue, and it has never grown again. Let us bear with rats a little," sai~ the old man, "for they did one good thing in biting out the tongue of the evil one."

The very shiftlessness of these people is at least devout. An old man was once working for Mr. Bachelor iu his garden. It was in the early spring and the proper season for digging up the ground preparatory to planting seeds. When directed to improve the ground by digging in some manure, in order 1'0 secure a good crop, he said, with surprise: " What! will you, a clergyman,a teacher of religion, so dishonor and insult the gods 1 Will not the gods give due increase without your attempting to force their hand or endeavoring to drive nature 1" The old fellow was not joking. He was thoroughly in earnest. Evidently he had never heard that Adam was set to dress and cultivate even Paradise, or that he is the true benefactor of his race who makes two spires of grass grow where only one grew before.

From incidents like these it is evident that the Ainu cherish a belief in the care of a Divine providence, and accept their hard lot with a cheerful spirit. If their land begins to show exhaustion they simply remove to another plot. It is the gods who cause the earth to yield her increase j man must learn to labor and to wait.

Under these circumstances it seems remarkable that the Ainu do not go farther and evince a sustained and consistent life. One would suppose that their sense of dependence would lead to regular and systematic prayer and worship j but there is very little of this. They pray only in emergencies or for selfish ends. They pray when setting out on a dangerous bear-hunt, or when they wish good luck in fishing. All prayer is a business transaction, never the breathing of a devout soul. It is simply calling upon the proper divine deputy for his official or departmental aid. Sometimes an Ainu returns thanks before eating, but this depends somewhat upon the quality or quantity of what he has to eat.

Another charge, still more serious, we have against him, and that is that he never allows his wife to share in his devotions, and, of course, there can be no such thing as a family religion in which, as in so many nations, the patriarch is the priest of the household.

"The women," says Mr. Bachelor, " do not worship the gods even separately; and they can take no active part in the religious feasts, excepting to provide the food. The reason they never pray is not a belief tM.t they have no souls to pray for or no life in the future world. The very curious reason commonly given is very likely the true explanation- viz., that the men are afraid of the prayers of the women, in general, and of their wives in particular.

"This idea may appear at first sight stupid and irrational, but in reality it is consistent and in full accord with the principles of the Ainu religion. Moreover, it is a logical and intelligible reason.

" The Ainu believes in various gods who hear and answer prayer; he is aware that his wife is not treated as kindly as she ought to be, he knows that his own laziness must be compensated by extra labors on her part, and he recognizes the fact that his inveterate drunkenness is the ruin of his family. Hence his fear of the prayers of women, and of his wife iu particular."

The reasoning here is quite unique. Everywhere heathenism oppresses and degrades woman, and different types of heathenism have their special theories or pretexts upon which they justify the outrage. The grounds here given by the Ainu are entirely original, and they are about the meanest and most cowardly of any yet known. Conscious of abusing their wives here in this world, they contrive to cut them off from all communication with the unseen world, lest the mills of the gods which grind slowly but surely should work out just retribution for their evil deeds.

The religion of the Ainu has traces of that widespread sun-worship which was known in Egypt, Babylon, India, Persia, Mexico, Peru, and many other nations. The Shintoo faith of Japan is of the same general character, the sun-goddess having been regarded as the ancestor of the Mikados; but the Ainu treat this goddess as only one of the deputies, though she is pre-eminent among them. She has a variety of functions, and is a sort of general care-taker and friend, like the Vishnu of the Hindus and the Apollo of the Greeks.

The Ainu havc no priesthood, no altars for sacrifices or offerings, no temples, no stated days for worship. The nearest approach to altars and temples are the inao, mere pieces of wood whittled into shavings, which are left still attached at one end. These are set up as tufted stakes near the house or the fishing-place, or wherever they wish the favor of the respective gods to be shown. They are merely tokens or reminders i they are scarcely fetiches. According to Mr. Bachelor, if an Ainu were to formulate hi& creed of religious beliefs and superstitions, it would be something like this. At any rate, almost every Ainu would assent to the following items as a concise summary of his belief: 1. I believe in one Supreme God, the Creator of all worlds and places, made by " God the maker of places and worlds and possessor of heaven."

2. I believe in the existence of a multitude of lesser deities, all subject to this one Creator. They receive their life and power from Him, and they govern the world under Him.

3. I believe there are also many evil gods, who are ever ready to inflict punishment for wicked deeds.

4. I believe in Aioina Kamui as our ancestor, a man become divine, and who has now the superintendence of, the Ainu race; in a goddess of the sun; in a goddess of fire; in goddesses of rivers; in gods of mountains and forests ; in the gods of animals; in the gods of the sea and of the skies and all things contained therein.

5. I believe in demons, of whom the devil is chief, and also that there are demons who preside over accidents and all evil influences.

6. I believe that the souls both of human beings and animals are immortal ; that separated husbands and wives will be rejoined hereafter; that all people will be judged, and the good rewarded and the evil punished.

7. I believe that the souls of departed animals act as guardians to human beings.

8. I believe in ghosts; that the departed spirits of old women have a mighty power for harm, and that they appear as very demons in nature.

9. I believe that there are three heavens, called respectively" the high vaulty skies," the "star-bearing skies," and "the foggy heavens." I also believe that there are six worlds below us.

The religion of the Ainu differs from most other systems of the East in these particulars : 1. It is free from pantheism. 2. It holds to a real creation instead of any form of evolution. 3. There is no trace of asceticism. 4. There is no jugglery, hypocrisy, or priestly imposture. 5. There is no organic form of religion in the tribe or even In the family, and there are no records. 6. The system is greatly lacking in moral earnestness. The idea of future rewards is vague, and heaven has little attraction. A gospel of light and hope ought to be readily received.

The progress of Christianity in Japan is alarming the Buddhists, and among some of the plans formed in opposition is that of an organization whose members. promise they will have no relations of any kind with Qp,ristiaus, · .

SOMETHING ABOUT THE PWOS

SOMETHING ABOUT THE PWOS.

BY REV. L. W. CRONKHITE, BASSEIN, BURMA.

And particularly about the Bassein Pwos. They used to be written Pghos, but neither that nor Pwos is quite right, for no letters in our alphabet w~Il just fit the native term. Thl.'y differ in Malect from all other Karen tribes, and to some extent also from each other, as locality varies. They are found mostly in Burma, though they are said to extend also into the country on the Siamese border. A gentleman connected with t.he English Forest Department in Burma-Burma is, of course, under the sway of Queen Victoria-told me several years ago that he had followed them for seven hundred miles down the interior of Tenasserim, the long and narrow extension of Bnrma down toward Malacca. However this may be, it is well ascertained that'there is a large mass of Pwo Karens lying in the interior, to the east and sontheast of Moulmein, and it is painful to be obliged to add that no work for Christ has as yet been done among them. Father Brayton, our veteran worker among the Pwos for the last fifty-five years, saw something of them many years ago. The old man has long been calling for a family from America to go and take up life among them, and I cannot write this without a prayer that the eye of their future missionary may rest upon it.

Like other Karen tribes, the Pwos have been wonderfully prepared for the Gospel by their singular traditions handed down from their forefathers. These said in substance, " In olden times we had the Word of God, but lost it in time of famine. Presently our younger brother, a white man, will come in a ship from the West, and will bring it again. " Often the writer has heard the native Christian preachers appeal to this tradition as pointing to the American missionaries. Their traditions of the creation, Eden, and the fall are mysteriously parallel with the Christian Scriptures. The comparatively small numerical resnlts which have been attained among th~s people are chiefly due to the smallness of the mission force which has been employed among them. In a lesser degree it is due also to the fact that they, most of all the Karen tribes, have been attracted by the Buddhism of the Burmese, and not a few Pwo villages have their Buddhist monasteries, and support Burmans as their priests. The people as a whole are, like other Karens, demon worshippers, or rather demon fearers. Practically one might sum it up thus : There is somewhere a God, but He is good and will not hnrt us, and therefore we need pay Him no attention j but the streams and the trees and the fields and the hills are full of malig· nant spirits from whom our sorrows come, and them we must propitiate. It is a great day when the head of a heathen household hands over to a Christian preacher the common old junk bottle which he has used in his propitiatory feasts. and which he holds eminently sacred. We have a hymn and an address and a prayer in view of the magnitude of the occaSlOn.

God seems to have put the work for the Pwos, as for most other Karen tribes, chiefly into the hands of the American Baptists. We have now two central Pwo stations, the one covering the Rangoon-Maubin field, and the other the Bassein district. The first, in charge of Rev. Walter Bushell, has seventeen churches with seven hundred and fifty members, and the Bassein field twenty-nine churches with a membership of about fifteen hundred. Besides these there are several hundreds of Pwos connected with the Karen missions at IIenthada, Moulmein, and Tavoy j so that there are probably in all some twenty-eight hundred Pwo brethren and sisters in Christ. Of course these represent three or four times that number of adherents. The work in the Bassein district was begun in 1854 by Brother II. L. Van Meter, who labored ardently until his death in 1871. His faithful wife followed a year later. Re,'. S. T. Goodell and later Rev. J. T. Elwell were, with their wives, in charge of the field, and continued the laying of broad foundations of self-help among the disciples gathered. Both these brethren have gone to their rest. The present writer and wife succeeded to the work in 1884. Misses Higby, Tschirch, and Black are also connected with this mission. The people for whom this Bassein branch labors number perhaps fifty thousand. The entire Bible has been translated into the Pwo language under the superintendence of "Father" Brayton, now past eighty. The first meeting among the Pwos that the writer was ever privileged to attend-in January, 1884was the praise meeting of all Christian Pwodom, held at the neat village of Thayagone, to celebrate the completion of this work. I remember old pastor Mee Coo, the leading spirit of the Bassein association, pleading at that meeting that every Pwo Christian possess himself of a copy. He argued that, as neither husband nor wife wishes to wait for the cigar which the other may happen to be smoking, much less should the couple reckon a single Bible sufficient for their united use. He is a quaint old man with little education, but built large, and all the time thinking.

Alas ! for that word heathen. Of course we cannot get on without it, and it is true enough in some of the senses in which we use it j but when it comes to mean on all occasions an untutored savage, sitting on the seashore or in the darkness, with a gun in one hand, a spear in the other, a sword in his belt and his whole being calling out for blood, it isn't true j and yet that really is not so far from the picture that that word heathen calls up in the mind of Christ's average disciple at home. The deepest conviction, except one, that my missionary life has wrought into me is that all men are brothers, not simply in the judgment of charity, but as per the facts of the case. People have been surprised when I have said to them that I have worked among the Pwos for months at a -time without the thought ever crossing my mind that they are of a different race from myself. Once in a while it flashes over me, Why, these people are Rarens! Now this is not because I carry a tomahawk and thirst for blood, but because I really cannot see much difference between a Pwo Christian in a jungle in Burma and a Christian at home. They dress differently, of course, and their habits of thought differ in some marked particulars, but for the most part they live in the same spiritual latitudes.

I have in mind two of the former pupils of our school, Myat San and his gentle wife, Nahn Yeng. The former spent four years as a missionary among the Karens of Northern Siam, in the vicinity of Lakon. To reach the scene of this new work required a journey of a month on foot across the mountains, and by boat along the streams. Myat San, after his four years of work, returned to Bassein on furlough, and nearly three years ago was married to Nahn Yeng, to whom he had been for several years engaged. How well I remember this girl, her patient, never-varying sweetness and earnestness of character, her searching of the Scriptures, her constant watch-care over her younger brother and sister in school with her, her natural refinement, and the sweet face which mirrored her heart within! After the wedding in our large school building, the young couple set their faces toward Siam j but not until rumors of war and the gathering of dacoits or banditti along their route had reached them. Her husband wished Nahn Yeng to remain behind rather than risk the dangers of the journey, but she insisted on sharing them with him. They left us in March, 1890. For nearly two years no tidings came from them, except that she had been very ill with fever the early part of the way. Presently came inquiries from the little flock in Siam as to why their missionaries had not returned to them. At length it transpired that they, together with three of the converts from Siam who accompanied them, had been cruelly massacred by the Shan men whom they employed as guides. Four men received, I believe, five dollars each for their bloody work, having been hired by one who had some grudge against the Christians. The Church's martyr-roll was lengthened, and the two whom the mission had spent years in training for their work were in an hour transferred to higher service. The tender flock in their Siam home was left, and is still left, without human care. Our Society is, I understand, waiting for an American family to go to this Karen work in Northern Siam.

Perhaps seven years ago there came to us two young men, strangers, and evidently much stirred. They hastened to tell us that they had been sent from a remote village in a densely heathen district. Some time before, one of the villagers, while away from home, had come upon a copy of the Burmese tract, " Who is Man's Lord 1" written by the elder Haswell. He had brought it home with him, it had been read in the village, much interest had been stirred, and these two had been sent the long distance to Bassein, where, it was understood, a Christian missionary could be found. They were to seek further instruction, and to make inquiries about schools which,. it was said, the Christian missionaries conduct for the Pwo race. I can never forget their intense earnestness. The next tenn, Aung Poo, the younger of these two messengers, entered our Bassein school. He has remained under training ever since, and I have never seen any pupil of any nationality, American or otherwise, show more Christian pertinacity in the pursuit of knowledge. He must have been nineteen when he began. All this is to prepare himself for a life of proclaiming the gospel to his heathen nation, and he is now an honored student in the Karen Theological Seminary. When traveIling with him a few months ago, I was struck by the singular tact, as well as the eager intensity, which characterized his preaching among the heathen whom we visited. Tt is interesting to add that a church was organized in his village not long after his conversion, and that the other messenger who accompanied him on that first visit to the city has ever since been a leader in all good works.

It is pleasant to explain, by instances like these, why it is that the Christian Pwos so win both our esteem and our tender love. When one thinks back over the numbers who have borne estrangement from kindred for Christ's sake, he scarcely knows of which to speak. There rise in mind an old couple who, much of the time for thirty-five years past, have lived alone among scoffing heathen neighbors, and .who all this time have borne brave Christian testimony. It was my privilege three years ago to· witness the baptism of six of the family of one of our brethren who for thirty years had stood alone for Christ. A long seed-sowing, but he had his reward. Not all who are threatened with estrangement from friends are so fortunate nor so shrewd as was one of this man's relatives. His wife with outrageous clamor had averred that the day of his baptism would coincide with the day of their separation. Our quiet friend one day suddenly disappeared. No one could say where. As the days passed his wife began to find the house lonely. She began to make inquiries. Then she began to be anxious. Presently she began to be broken.hearted. She averred that if only her husband would come back, .he might be baptized or anything else, and welcome; and thereupon, after two weeks of voluntary exile, our friend reappeared as suddenly as he had disappeared.

The love of money is s~arcely a root of evil among the Pwos, though wasteful use of it sometimes is. They are very generous among themselves, and carry the same spirit very largely into their church relations. None of the churches receive outside aid, nor do their village schools. American funds are drafted upon for the salaries of the American missionaries among them, for rather less than half the cost of the work done by native evangelists among the heathen villages, and for a part of the expenses of the central schools, including plant. The Bassein plant is now worth about twenty thousand dollars. The entire membership of the twenty-nine churches give on an average a tenth of their incomes for Christian work. Noticing last year that the boys in the Bassein school were not using their new foot-ball ground, though the game is one to which ~ey are devoted, I inquired the reason. After some hesitation the fact waa elicited that they could not afford a new ball. Nevertheles!'l these same boys were giving into my hands every month more than the price of one. One Sunday last dry season, a young man who had just entered the school as teacher, having been for some years a pupil there, brought an offering amounting to twenty-five rupees, or about nine dollars. Some months before he had decided with himself that if ever he came to have a salary of his own, the first-fruits-that is, the pay of the first monthshould all go to the Master's treasury. This nine dollars was the first month's salary. For years he has given heavily of his scanty means. During the past seven years the pupils and teachers of the town school have contributed twenty-two hundred rupees through their" school subscription," in addition to about eight hundred rupees through other channels. At present three rupees about equal one dollar. These contributions have sufficed for eleven hundred feet of good fencing, two or three hundred books for the reading-room, a large glass case, for the incipient museum, cost of painting the new school-room, a covered walk, and for many other things. The missionaries in charge of the school have joined in these contributions, but to no such degree as to make it other than a genuine Karen enterprise. It should be remembered that the children's parents live in houses averaging from twelve to twenty dollars each in value, and I may add that I once, at a loss to myself, purchased a native house for forty cents. Families average probably a little over a hundred dollars each annual income. There have been many touching instances of selfdenial practised by these children and by their Pwo teachers in making these offerings."

But, after all, in the end how truly such giving has its reward! "There is that giveth and yet increaseth." Three foot-balls have been given to the boys since the incident of last year. and I now cry, Hold, enough '! To Son Tay, who gave the first-fruits, God returned within' a few months several times his donation; and the disciples at large rejoice, not only in the increase of their churches and jungle schools, but also in the marvellous way in which God has led them in providing increased facilities for the work of their central school in Bassein. This has one hundred and forty pupils. Five substantial buildings have been added-a chapel and schoolhouse combined, a home for the American ladies who teach in the school, a large dormitory for the girls, one for the boys, and recently a dining-haIl-besides land, grading, fencing, furniture, and apparatus. While speaking of this development of the school, one should not omit to say that every year a large proportion of the older boys and girls, instead: of going home, spend the first two months of the vacation in preaching and teaching in remote heathen or newly Christian villages. Most of our churches come into being by such means. These pupils, when the hot season has so far advanced that not even a native can work, return to their homes for three or four weeks of vacation before the rainy s~ason brings the new term of the town school.

'l'BE Elm OF T11E MOR:lO'N bIJ:LUS10N. rApn'

In connection with this school I can only mention further its flourishing Christian Endeavor Society, its very useful anti-betel-and-tobacco society, and the stirring kindergarten department in charge of Miss Black. The Karens are fine singers when trained, and render difficult selections in English with great sweetness and power. All are taught musical notation. The school having used for several years the Gospel ltymns Nos. 1-4, a supply of Nos. 5 and 6 has just been sent them, largely through the kindness of Mr. Sankey.

Finally, the heathen Pwos have shown for the past few years a marked willingness, not to say eagerness, to listen to the Gospel and to possess schools. To such an extent is this true that the writer has not at all been able to respond to the numerous calls from heathen villages for evangelistic visits; and it is not strange that under such circumstances it well-nigh breaks one's heart to be compelled to leave the field in impaired health. When shall we have money enough and men enough to provide each field with at least two reasonably congenial male missionaries, in addition to the ladies to whom chiefly is committed our indispensable school work 1 THE END OF THE MORMON DELUSIONo BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, OBERLIN, O.

Not, indeed, of the notorious Mormon creed and practice as a whole, but only of its worst, at least most obnoxious feature, polygamy j and besides, the mortal sickness of theocratic rule, another feature utterly un-American, and without which the amazing scheme of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young could never have attained to such frightful proportions or maintained itself so long. No doubt Mormonism as a " church" will live on and on, clinging to not a few mongrel ideas and customs, but no longer above the law of the land. by all possible means fighting Congress and the courts, hoping. by hook or by crook, in the end to win. From henceforth the Latter-day organization, relegated to an " innocuous desuetude," will take its place with various other odd and outlandish sects, very likely the least Christian and most absurd of them all, but to be opposed only with weapons intellectual and moral.

The course of events which justifies this optimistic statement extends backward at least ten years, and found its culmination in the recent amnesty proclamation issued by President Harrison for the relief of all offenders against the Edmunds law. That executive document may properly be regarded as the formal conclusion of the cause celebre of the U n~ted States V8. the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Therefore, as a matter of history, and in what may happily be regarded as an obituary notice, or brief funeral discourse, it cannot but be profitable to take note of some of the most' prominent steps attending the growth, and also the

TIlE END Olr TIlE MORMON DELUSION

decline, of what is without doubt the most astounding religious phenomenon to be found during this century within the bounds of Christendom.

Our backward glance will cover a period curiously close to exactly fifty years-1843-93. For though the vile beginnings may be traced to Kirtland, 0., and to 1831, yet the formal "authorization" of "celestial marriage" dates from the famous" revelation" given to the" saints" in Nauvoo in 1843. And the origin of Mormon polygamy is to be attributed to a threefold cause: first, to a religious fanaticism which knew no rational bounds; next, to an absurd conception, or exegesis, of the Scriptures wherehy what was permitted to the Hebrew saints was made the obligation, at least the privilege, of the saints of our times j and, finally, the accompaniment in the "prophet" and divers of his most influential followers of morals which recognized no law but selfish, carnal desire. By these prominent" elders" polygamy was practised in secret and increas. ingly for years, and then at length, to regulate the perilous innovation, and to prevent scandal and rebellion among the faithful, the" revelation" was duly coined and promulgated, in a quiet way, to all such as could be trusted, bnt to all the world besides for years was denied on all occasions and with language as forcible as could well be framed. Such utterly shameless paltering in a double sense has never been indulged outsid/l the Mormon " church."

Next, by a calamitous happening, soon after ensued the exodus from Illinois to Utah, and more than twenty years of isolation and independenee, freedom from interference and from observation even, with the Rocky Mountains and a thousand miles of the "Great American Desert" between them and any legal control. Hence all manner of vagaries and insane projects found unparalleled opportunity to live, thrive, and unfold themselves. Fixed thus in his secure nest, with the number of his helpless followers wondrously increased by an influx of converts from Great Britain, in 1852 Brigham Young felt strong enough to defy all opposition, and so proclaimed polygamy, defended it from reason and Scripture, and sent out a cloud of elders into all lands to advocate this "restored" boon, this institution so indispensable to humanity's weal. Meantime at home means most unscrupulous and inhuman were employed to compel assent and obedience, and for several years (1854-58) the so-called" reformation" ran its frenzied and infernal course, with" blood-atonement" teaching. and practice as one of the prominent features, and the Mountain Meadows massacre as one of the horrible results.

It was in these same days of stark madness that the hierarch Brigham presumed to play the rebel against Federal authority, and so an army was sent to bring him to terms. Though the immediate result was a miserable fiasco, yet from this time forward Congress undertook to frame measures to end the iniquity and shame. Thus in 1862 soldiers were sent to occupy Fort Douglas, in the immediate vicinity of Salt Lake, and have remained there to this day. It was in the same year also that the first bill against polygamy was passed. This being found insufficient to accomplish the end in view, in 1874 the Poland bill was put upon the statute-book; but the theocracy enthroned and supreme in Utah were able to nullify this law also. But finally, in 1882, the Edmunds law was enaeted, which, with various decisions of the Supreme Court to establish and define it, as well as certain amendments since made, with such eminent judges as Zane and such prosecuting attorneys as Dickson "to enforce it, has accomplished tIle herculean task. The entire polygamous fraternity was disfranchised, by the hundred the many-wived were clapped into prison, with heavy fines imposed, while a larger number fled and lived for years in concealment to avoid such evils. All which was a surprise at first, but presently sore diBappointment deepened into dismay.

As for the leaders, for a long period they were stout-hearted, full of bluster and defiance, while they called loudly on the brethren to stand firm for "conscience" and "religion," promising that in due season victory and peace would come to " Zion," while their enemies would be brought to confusion. At length, however, even the most deluded and determined began to see that no hope remained of being able successfully to resist the will of the nation. Brought to bay, though not in the least to repentance, in October of 1890 " president" Woodruff, the head of the church, uttered a piercing cry for quarter in the shape of a manifesto, or " revelation, " alleged to have been received from the skies, suspending indefinitely the practice and teaching of polygamy on account of the evil times on which the church had fallen. But much more, and decisively, in December of 1891 the officials of the Mormon church united in a petition for amnesty for past offences, coupled with solemn pledges that never more will they withstand the law. After waiting a full year the boon thus humbly sought has wisely been conferred. Thus, exit polygamy as a public question, a national menace, and source of continual disturbance . and disgust.

Thus far I have spoken only of what the law has done working through the President, Congress and the courts, as though it was by such weapons alone that the great battle had been fought and the victory had been won j bu~ at least two other forces have been at work, and most efficiently, throughout the entire period of struggle, without which the consummation over which we rejoice could scarcely have been secured, at least its advent would have been indefinitely postponed. The first is quite material in character. My reference is to the discovery in 1863 of rich mines of silver in Utah, and by the soldiers from California, who the year before had been sent to Salt Lake to keep the "saints" within bounds. This for the first time introduced into the territory a large population ready to " bid defiance to Brigham and his practices, and able to keep the nation well informed of what was said and done in the Great Basin. With these " Gentiles" the newspaper also made its advent, and when the story ot the downfall of polygamy is written, most honorable mention will be made

AT A MISSIONARY'S GRAVE

of the prominent part played by the Salt Lake Tribune. Then finally the telegraph and the Union Pacific Railroad in 1869 entered the longsecluded realm of the polygamous theocracy, and so the nation was brought into closest contact with the enormity, and the mortal struggle was joined. The scream of the first locomotive was the death-knell of the" twin relic" of barbarism.

Happily to these two mighty foes of Mormon error and iniquity was joined a third, equal to either in efficiency, and which not only hastened the day of jubilee, but made the fruits of victory vastly more substantia1. Though late in beginning, at length the Christian churches of the land bestirred themselves, and in 1865 the first emissary of as pure gospel entered the valley through Emigration Canon, and in the person of Rev. Norman McLeod, sent by the Congregational Home Missionary Society. Two years later the Episcopalians followed, and the Methodists and Presbyterians two y~f1rs later still, when the railroad was completed. From that day to this ministers and teachers by the score and hundred have plied their vocation in the presence of the " saints," diffusing intelligence, proclaiming the truth as it is in Jesus, and setting an a~tractive example of godliness.

How encouraging is this outcome to all lovers of righteousness, and, how favored is this generation above most, which has been permitted to behold the end of both slavery ,and polygamy!

AT A MISSIONARY'S GRAVE.

BY A. J. GORDON, D.D.

Passing through the historic town of Northampton, Mass., one January day of the present year, I stopped over a train in order to visit a grave. True to the end of the chapter is the saying of John: "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. " The highest saints are often hidden from the eyes of those among whom they dwell while living, and their sepulchres are soon forgotten when dead. Before entering the gate of the old cemetery I inquired of several passers-by if they could direct me to the grave of Brainerd. "I never heard of him," was the reply, though those of whom I asked the question were by their own confession old residents of the place. I succeeded, however, through the kindness of a Christian gentleman of the town, in finding the grave; and brushing away the snow with which the tablet was covered, I read the inscription: " Sacred to the memory of REV. DAVID BRAINERD, the faithful and laborious missionary to the Stockbridge, ])elaware, and Susquehanna Indians of America, who died in this town, October 10th, 1747. Aged 30."

DOE)s it savor of saint-worship or superstition to be thus exploring old graveyards, wading through snow-drifts, and deciphering ancient headstones in a cold day in midwinter 1 Perhaps so, on the face of it j but let us justify our conduct. What if the writer confesses that he has never received such spiritual impulse from any human being 'as from him whose body has lain now for nearly a century and a half under that Northampton slab 1 For many years an old and worn volume of his life and journals has lain upon my study table, and no season has passed without a renewed pondering of its precious contents. "If you would make men think well of you, make them think well of themselves," is the maxim of Lord Chesterfield, which he regarded as embodying the highest worldly wisdom. On the contrary, the preacher and witness for Christ who makes us think meanly of ourselves is the one who does us most good, and ultimately wins our hearts. This is exactly the effect which the reading of Brainerd's memoirs has on one. Humiliation succeeds humiliation as we read on. How little have I prayed how low has been my standard of consecration " is the irresistible exclamation j and when we shut the book we are not praising Brainerd, but condemning ourselves and resolving that by the grace of God we will follow Christ more closely in the future. An early biographer states the case exactly, we believe, when he says of this remarkable man: "One must be either a very good or a very bad man who can read his life witboQt blushing for himself. If ardent piety and enlarged benevolence, if supreme love to God and the inextinguishable desire of promoting His glory in the salvation of souls, if persevering resolution in the midst of the most pressing discouragements, if cheerful self-denial and unremitting labor, if humility and zeal for godliness united with conspicuous talents render a man worthy of remembrance, the name of Brainerd will not soon be forgotten."

But our interest in Brainerd's grave lies especially in this: that, standing there, we stand at one of the founta~n sources of modern missions. We doubt if any single life has given such powerful and such permanent impulse to the great movement for the world's evangelization which we are now witnessing as that of this young man, who died at less than thirty years of age.

Within a few rods of his last resting-place stands the old elm which marks the residence of Jonathan Edwards, that theologian and Christian philosopher whom Robert Hall pronounces" the greatest among mortals." This may be an extravagant estimate, but it is the opinion of one of the greatest men of another of the greatest. Edwards in turn gives this estimate of Brainerd: "I never knew his equal, of his age and standing, for clear and accurate notions of the nature and essence of true religion and its distinctions from its various false appearances." We know something of the influence of Edwards in inaugurating the era of modern missions, but perhaps we have thought too little of the influences by which he himself was moved.

Let us recall the fact that in 1747 he issued his famQus appeal, entitled "An humble attempt to promote explicit agreement and vuible union 01 God'~ people in extraordinary prayer lor a revival 01 religion and the ad- vancement 01 Christ's kingdom on earth, pursuant to Scripture promises and prophecies concerning the last time. " This appeal was the echo of one issued a year before from Scotland. It had such a powerful effect upon one Englishman at least that a recent writer names it as one of the chief factors in "the making of Carey." But what especially moved Edwards in the writing of it g Our reply is more than a conjecture. During this year (1747) Brainerd was dying of consumption at the house of Mr. Ed- wards, in Northampton. In his sickness he was pouring out those incom- parable yearnings for the effusion of the Spirit and the advancement of God's kingdom in the earth, which we now read from his own.diary and from Edwards's report of them. We give one example from many. "He said to me one morning, as I came into his room," writes Edwards, " , My thoughts have been employed on the dear old theme, the prosperity of God's Church on earth. As I waked out of sleep I was led to cry for the pouring out of God's Spirit and the advancement of Christ's kingdom, for which the dear Redeemer did and suffered so much.' . . . He expressed much hope that a glorious advancement of Christ's kingdom was near at hand, . . . and on his deathbed a full persuasion that he should in heaven see the prosperity of the Church on earth and should rejoice with Christ therein." Turn now to Edwards's appeal and note its phraseology and spirit, and ask how much these yearnings of Brainerd had to do with it. Did he speak only from conjecture when recording his opinion that " however, Mr. Brainerd, during the last four months of his life, was ordi. narily in an extremely weak and low state, often scarcely able to speak j yet he was made the instrument 01 much more good in that space 01 time than he would have been if he had been well and in lull strength 01 body. " The greatest teachers are they who are the most docile scholars. Weare strongly convinced that Brainerd's deathbed was Edwards's missionary college, and that the latter meant all he said when he expressed his gratitude to the Providence which ordered that the devoted young missionary should pass away at his house, thus enabling him" to see his dying behavior, to hear his dying speeches, to receive his dying counsels, and to have the benefit of his dying prayers." It is enough that we ask the reader to note that it was during the months from July to October, 1747, that Brainerd was dying at the Northampton mansion, giving utterance continually to those earnest heart-breathings for the spread of the Gospel throughout the world j that during this same year Edwards issued from that mansion the appeal which has been named the "trumpet-call of modern missions j" and four years later, in spite of the urgent invitations to high positions which his acknowledged genius had won for him, the great divine chose the calling of his departed friend, and went, in 1751, as a missionary to the Stockbridge Indians.

If we thus infer how strongly, through Edwards, Brainerd wrought for the making of Carey, we know that he influenced him directly and strongly in his life in India. Weare familiar with the story of Charles Simeon, of Cambridge, hanging the portrait of Henry Martyn just over his study table, that those earnest eyes, looking down upon him, might perpetually admonish him to faithfulness in Christ's service, as if he were saying, " Be in earnest; don't trifle, don't trifle." In the same way did Carey hang up before him a mental portrait of the devoted young missionary to the American Indians, that he might feel its constant inspiration. For in the spiritual covenant which he drew up for the guidance of himself and his brother missionaries at Serampore occurs the clause: "Let us often look at Brainerd, in the woods of America, pouring out his very soul before God for the perishing heathen, without whose salvation nothing could make him happy."

Are we mistaken, then, in our impression that in standing at Brainerd's grave we are at one of the most potent sources of modern missions 1 Let us follow still further this stream of missionary influence. In Cambridge University, Henry Martyn one day heard Rev. Charles Simeon talking glowingly of the work of William Carey in India, and of " the untold benefits resulting from the services of a single missionary." This conversation put a thought into the heart of the young prizeman which did not find immediate development or expression. A little later he read the memoir of David Brainerd. "He was much struck with Brainerd's biography," says the writer of his life, "and, filled with holy emulation, he resolved to follow the noble example of a man who had jeoparded his life unto death on the high places of the heathen field." Thus did the impact of Brainerd's consecration move and determine another whom the Church reckons among her most eminent missionaries. Indeed, the character and career of Henry Martyn more nearly resembled that of Brainerd than any with whom we are acquainted. As we follow him to India and read the entry in his journal: "In my conversation with Marshman, the Baptist missionary, our hearts sometimes expanded with delight and joy at the prospect of seeing all the nations of the East won to the doctrine of the cross ;" and as we read another entry, " I lay in tears, interceding for the unfortunate natives of this country, thinking within myself that the most despicable sudra of India was of as much value in the sight of God as the King of Great Britain;" and again, "I found my heaven begin on earth ; no work so sweet as that of praying and living wholly to the service of God," we say, " Surely the mantle of Brainerd has fallen on Martyn." As strikingly alike as were these two missionaries in their ardent consecration, so were they in the circumstances of their early, death. Yet once more is the powerful influence of Brainerd traced in the making of a missionary. In the journal of Robert Murray McCheyne, we find this entry: " June 27th1 1832 : "Life of David Brainerd, Most wonderful man! What conflicts, what depressions, desertions, strength, advancement, within thy torn bosom! I cannot express what I think when I think of thee. To-night more set on missionary enterprise than ever."

McCheyne did not live to become a laborer on the foreign field, yet indirectly he was one of the most influential of missionaries. To him it was given to see clearly the relation of the conversion of Israel to the final ingathering of the Gentiles. "To seek the lost sheep of the house of Israel is an object very near to my heart," he writes. "I feel convinced that if we pray that the world may be converted in God's way, we shall seek the good of the Jews." How active and influential he was in in- augurating missions to the Hebrews need not here be told. Only let us not forget to what large proportions the humble beginnings of his day have grOWN, so that now there are not less than fifty missionary societies en- gaged in making known to Israel the claims of Jesus Christ as their true Messiah. Brainerd, Martyn, McCheyne-what a trio! They all died under thirty-two years of age, and yet how effectually they wrought! It was one power which moved them all; and yet we have seen how, by a kind of spiritual laying on of hands, the first was honored of God to com- municate apostolic grace to the others.

But we have wandered far away from the Northampton grave. Let us return to it for a little: I' When you see my grave, then remember what . I said to you while I was alive." So the young missionary said to the members of the Edwards household not long before he died. There could not be anything of ostentation in such a request, for Brainerd was one of the humblest of men, and the privilege of reading his instructive journals we owe to Edwards' refusal to regard the dying request of his friend that they should be destroyed.

~et us heed the injunction, and recall a few things which he said in his last days. " He dwelt much on the great importance of the work of min- isters," says Edwards, "and expressed his longings that they might be filled with the Spirit of God. Among many other expressions he said thus: 'When ministers feel these special gracious influences of the Spirit on their hearts, it wonderfully assists them to come at the consciences of men, and, as it were, to handle them with hands j whereas without them, whatever reason and oratory we make use of, we do but make use of stumps instead of hands.' "

Alas! is there not too much of this clumsy haudling of consciences in our day ~ The clumsiness of culture without the spirit, the illiteracy of that literacy which can read all books but that of the human heart-how much we see of this on every hand! By the Holy Spirit alone can we " come at men's consciences." As the Holy of Holies was lighted only by the glory of the Lord, so with man's inner court, which is called the spirit. It is only the Spirit of God that can illuminate the spirit of man. " The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him j neither can he know them." So have we read a hundred times, and yet how slow are we to believe the words! The pre- sumption of scholarship is visible on every. hand in these days. Men use " the scientific method" in the handling of the Word of God and the logical method in handling the hearts of men, with, alas ! too little recog· nition of the Spirit in many cases. And what is the result ~ As Uzziah, the king, presumed to enter into the sanctuary to offer incense unto the Lord, and as a judgment from the Almighty became leprous in the fore- head, so with those who make their learning the great qualification for ministering in divine things. They became rationalistic whose first care should be to become spiritual. And what is rationalism but leprosy. in the forehead, the brain disease which is begotten by unsanctified learning! The great missionary spoke from his own marvellous experience when he recommended the power of the Holy Ghost as the great qualification for reaching the hearts of men. With everything against him, the besotted and brutalized character of the congregation, on the one hand, and his own ignorance, in some instances of their dialect, on the other. he yet witnessed marvels of gospel triumph, so that once, having as his mouthpiece only a drunken Indian who acted as interpreter, he saw a veritable Pentecost fall on his savage congregation. Yes, noble missionary, here is the secret which all ambassadors for Christ at home and abroad have need to relearn of thee.

Another lesson closely connected we do well to heed. Mr. Edwards says: "The reader has seen how much Mr. Brainerd recommends the duty of secret fasting, and how frequently he exercised himself in it ; nor can it well have escaped observation how much he was owned and blessed in it, and of what benefit it evidently was to his soul. Among the many days he spent in secret prayer and fasting, of which he' gives an account in his diary, there is scarcely an instance of one which was not either at~nded or SOOT/. followed with apparent succe8S, and a remarkable ble3sing in special influences and consolations of God's Spirit, arid very often before the day was ended. "

This example and the accompanying comment are worthy of careful study. Only let the reader recur to the story of Brainerd's fast-days and prayer-days as they stand written in his own journals. No human experience which we have ever read brings us so near Gethsemane. Sometimes his intensity of supplication is such that his garments are wet through with his sweat; sometimes his self-abasement is so deep that he cannot lift up his head before God; and sometimes, again, he rises to such heights of spiritual victory that he seems able to grasp the whole world in his arms and lift it up before God.

When we think of the obscurity and humility of Brainerd's work, wrought as it was among a decaying race, and in the depths of forest through which he journeyed without companion or coadjutor, and then mark the vast influence of his life upon the great missionary movement of our times, we can reach but one conclusion-viz., that the greatest instrument which God has put intu thf) hauds of men is prayer. 'rhis agency truly mastered constitutes the missionary irresistible in the power and per- suasion of his work among the heathen, and enables him to open a fountain of influence which shall bless distant generations after he is dead. There is a beautiful paragraph of Fenelon's about" the community of spiritual goods," as he names it, the having in common of the inner experiences of grace which characterizes the brotherhood of Christ, so that, however divided, the Church has divine proprietorship in all the saints of all the ageR. The aptness of this observation deeply impressed us while standing at the Northampton tomb. This young missionary, toiling in prayer, in the solitary wilderness, was, though he knew it not, laying up a rich store on which those of other generations should feed. Read the memoirs of Payson, and learn how he was impressed and enriched by this devoted life. To McCheyne, Brainerd's journals seem to have been a kind of spiritual directory. "I yearn to climb near to God, to love and long and plead and wrestle and stretch after Him." So wrote the Scotch saint in one of his letters; but a marginal note reminds us that he is repeating a prayer of Brainerd's. Setting out on his mission to Palestine, McCheyne writes again: "I do hope we shall go forth in the Spirit, and though straitened in language, may we not be blessed as Brainerd was through an interpreter 1" Thus the inspiration lived on. Martyn was moved, as we have seen, by both Brainerd and Carey ; and in his early missionary days we find him holding sweet fellowship with the Serampore brethren, and entering with them into that spiritual covenant which brought Brainerd's picture before them at every reading. Puritan, churchman, and Baptist, they have all things in common; neither does any count aught of spiritual goods which he has his own. Not only possessions but p~ssessors are the general inheritance of the Church. " They are all ours; they who spake another speech, the dead who can never die. Chrysostom and Henry Martyn, buried at Tocat, are brothers with us in the same resurrection with the saintly Crocker as he lies in the hot sands of the African coast, and Judson, sleeping till the sea shall give up her dead. Stoddard, with his astronomy ending in the star of Bethlehem as he teaches it among the Nestorian Hills; John Williams, yielding his back to the smiters at Erromanga ; Morrison, giving the Bible to China; the faithful Moravians in the north-who shall separate us from these 1" * A community of spiritual goods truly, but more than that, "The goodly fellowship of the prophets and the noble army of martyrs" are all one and have all as one.

UNIVERSAL BELIEF IN GOD.-Fred Stanley Arnot found everywhere in Africa, he tells us, first the conception of a Supreme Power, and second. ly a future beyond death, so that we have these instincts everywhere to appeal to in our missionary work.

.. Dr. S. L. Caldwell's sermon, .. The Missionary Resources of the Kinl:dom of Christ."

THIRD DECENNIAL CONFERENCE-INDIA

* THIRD DECENNIAL CONFERENCE-INDIA.

BY REV. HOMER O. STUNTZ, NAINEE TAL, INDIA.

Allahabad had the honor of entertaining the first Decennial Conference in India in 1872 ; Calcutta played the host in 1882, and Bombay takes this rdle in 1892-93.

THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 29TH, at 10 A.M., the third session was opened in the Wilson College, Chowpatty, Bombay, Rev. D. Mackichan, D.D., in the chair. The sight was impressive. The large hall was packed in every part. Between six and seven hundred missionaries, representing more than thirty societies, were present. Hero were men and women from the borders of Thibet, from the wilds of British Bhutan, from the jungles of Santhalia, Berars, Southern, Central. and Northern India. Men and women whose names are household words were being pointed out when I entered the hall.

The programme embraced twenty main subjects with all their ramifications. I can only speak briefly of a few of those which seem likely to be of the most general interest.

Work Among the Depressed ClasselJ and the Masses was the subject for the first day. It is widely known that the last five years has witnessed mighty strides in missionary work among these down· trodden ones. Op' position' to this work has been keen, and not always courteous. The discussion of this theme was not only evangelical, but, strangely enough to some of us, it did not bring out "so much as one discordant note. Some had come braced for a struggle to maintain their positions as workers among the submerged sixth of the empire, but their occupation was gone.

The discussion fell under three heads: (1) Nature of Instruction Given (a) before Baptism, (6) after Baptism j (2) Moral and Spiritual Results Produced j (3) Best Methods of Work for the Future.

There was a wide divergence of opinion and practice on the first point. Rev. A. Campbell, Free Church Mission, Manbhum, Bengal, said his work among the Kols had taught him to deal with each case on its merits. Hard and fast rules laying down certain memoriter lessons as conditions precedent to baptism in every case were a yoke that no missionary among these classes is able to bear. Instruction given must vary with the intelligence of tjle candidate. He required candidates for baptism to give intelligent responses to questions about their faith in a personal God, and in the Lord Jesus Christ as a present and eternal Saviour from sin; to promise renunciation of all heathen and idolatrous customs, and to pledge themselves to abstain from all intoxicants-the latter statement being loudly applauded. He had known one good old man who tried ih vain to memorize the Lord's Prayer and some portions of a simple catechism who .* The programme in Inll has appeared in the Jannary number, p. 55, and remarko on some of the papers in March, p. 205. yet had great power in Qxhortation, whose life was one long act of devotion, and whose prayers in the congregation led the people into the very presence of God. "It is not the man who has the most knowledge who is the best Christian." Other speakers agreed substantially with Mr. Campbell, Rev. D. Sutherland, of the Scotch Church, Sikkim, being inclined to be more strict as to the amount and character of instruction given before baptism -generally the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Shorter Catechism, with baptism delayed usually six months.

Instruction after baptism was of many kinds. Broadly it might be said· to be such as would be suitable for and profitable to readers and non-readers respectively. With the former post· baptism instruction was tolerably easy of impartation. The regular divine services, the Word of God in their own tongue, tracts and periodicals, afforded opportunity for this work. With non-readers the task was great. Mr. Campbell and others alluded to the difficulty of getting the dwellers in remote villages together for meetings. In the day they are out earning their livelihood; at night they fear to venture from their huts in the jungle, for fear of wild beasts and serpents. For these, house·to-house catechising secured the only way of post.baptismal instruction.

As the last point, "How best to work for the future," Mr. Campbell said he knew nothing better than the advice of Paul to Timothy: "Preach the Word ; be instant in season, out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." It was shown by several speakers that word is being passed along the lines of these depressed classes that in Christ alone is there hope for them in this world, and in all that may come after this world. The movement is not confined to anyone mission nor to anyone part of the country.

The loyalty of these converts from despised classes was shown in some thrilling incidents. Mr. Sutherland told of a Gurkha who was baptized in British Bhutan at dead of night, and who, after the keen edge of his clansmen's anger had been blunted, began to preach Christ in the bazars and streets. His tribesmen came upon him one day while so engaged and said: ' , You must not speak any more in this name. If you begin it again we will kill you." The brave man answered: " Very well~ kill me j but remember that if you kill me God will raise up ten men in my place to do this work. "

Rev. A. Campbell declared it was not, as some had asserted, a low motive that led these sweepers and other pariahs to desire Christian education for their children. "Should we not rejoice that these, who have been so long down-trodden and despised, should begin to feel the stirrings of manhood and desire to assert their right to take a position along with other men ~"

On tlle whole, the discussion revealed a remarkable unanimity of sentiment regardiug the great advance among the lower classes, and the feeling was that we should unfeignedly rejoice that God is taking the poor Indian beggar and outcast from the dunghill and setting him among the princes of the kingdom of God.

Work Among Lepers was the subject of one of the sectional meetings in the afternoon. The speeches by Rev. G. M. Bullock and W. J. Richards dealt with the asylums under the care of the speakers. Great things have been done in the asylum at Almorah. Opened by a Christian civilian in 1849, it was made over to the Rev. J. H. Budden and his wife soon after, and has remained under the care of the London Mission at that point ever since. It has now 136 patients. Twenty-one of these received Christian baptism at one service recently j 500 have accepted Christ while within its walls during the fifty years of its history. One convert, Musuwah, Mr. Bullock described as the grand old man among lepers. He was III the asylum for thirty years, and totally blind for twenty years. His work for his brother and sister lepers was Christlike and tireless. His songs, his prayers, his faithful, loving rebukes all worked for the salvation and edification of those who were with him in the loathsome bonds of leprosy. After excruciating agonies, borne with" a triumphant patience,". he passed last year to the pure and painless life at God's right hand. Inmates live in small cottages containing four each. These are built in rows of six, and each row is under the care of a man or woman overseer from among the patients, called a pathan. These puthanB form the panchayat, or Committee of Control. Separate Bible classes are held for men and women. Attendance upon these and upon all other religious services is wholly voluntary. But when the poor leper hears of the hope in Christ, the dark cloud of his despair lifts. He hears that there is hope for him, and the message is so sweet that compulsion is not needed to secure his attendance at the services. Separation of apparently healthy children from leprous parents has often proved effectual in preventing the appearance of leprosy in the children. Authority to compel separation is lacking, and parental love is not always unselfish.

Rev. W. R. Winstone, Wesleyan, Upper Burmah, told of starting an asylum in Mandalay in 1890. All classes of the public were ready to help. Money came from Buddhists as well as from Christians. God has blessed the beginning. Sixty inmates have come in in the year and a half of its existence. No help had been received from outside of Burmah except one subscription from the Prince of Wales. One civil officer gave five hundred rupees ($170). There have been a few conversiqns. One old woman with feet and arms both rotted away, and with her eyeballs eaten out by the awful disease, crawled moaning to the door soon after the asylum was opened. She was admitted, and washed j her wounds were mollified with healing oils, and she was told of Jesus and taught to pray. A few days after, being in unspeakable agony, she cried: " Oh, Isa Masih, take me, a poor, dying leper j wash out my siu, and take me to live with . thee. " These were her last words. Who shall doubt that her cry was heard ~ Mr. Winstone placed a high estimate on the evidential value of leper work. It is "fruit meet" for followers of Him" who went about doing good," and will do more to commend our purely spiritual work than we can estimate. .

It was the unanimous opinion of all present that government should be asked to segregate lepers by law. At least all who appeared as public beggars should be rigidly secluded in asyhlms.

SECOND DAy.-The Native Ohurch in India-Its Organization and Self-Support, was the subject discussed.

Thoughtful papers by Mr. Kali Charan Banerji, B.A., B.L., Calcutta, and Rev. Jacob Chamberlain, D.D., Madanapalle, Madras, were in our hands. Mr. Banerji is a convert of Dr. Duff, and was a member of the Free Church of Scotland. He has now set for himself the task of uniting all the churches in India under one" canopy," which has been called" the Christo Soma,j." The drift of his contention and proposal may be gathered from the following short quotations from his most suggestive paper: " That the missionaries of India, the majority of whom represent for- eign missions, should, in confe"ence assembled, embody in their pro- gramme the conception of ' the native Church,' is an indication of mo- mentous significance. It signifies on their part a readiness to recognize the ideal that the native Church in India should be one, not divided j native, not foreign. Nay, it conveys the promise that henceforth they shall not impose by rule upon the converts they are privileged to gather the accidents of denominational Christianity, at once divisive and exotic, with which theY themselves happen to be identified. . . ." Mr. Banerji calls essentials" substantive" Christianity, and thc accidents of organiza- tion and creed" adjective" Christianity. This will explain the next quota- tion: "The ground being thus cleared for Indian Christians to lay a foundation of adjective Christianity for themselves, they should, in view of unity and native development, start with as simple a basis as possible, admitting of initial union and of concerted progress toward a more com- plex goal. There must be no cutting or clipping when substantive Chris- tianity is in the question. Not one iota of it should be sacrificed at the altar of adjective unity. But as regards matters of procedure, the bond of union should be so formulated as to allow freedom on points, the ac- centuation of which might lead to dismemberment. Such a plan of opera- tions is called for at the present stage to enable Indian Christians to op- pose a united front against the array of unbelief against them, as also to secure the needful co-operation of leaders of Indian Christian thought to work out a suitable system of adjective Christianity for natives of India. . . . Subscription to what is known as the Apostles' Creed and the appointment of committees to regulate the maintenance of Christian .ordinances and of missionary effort might be sufficient for the purpos~ of a starting point j and such a basis, we believe, would lay an effectual foundation for the native Church in India, if only the foreign churches in' the field were prepared to exercise the forbearance of faith. "

Dr. J. L. Phillips, Secretary of the India Sunday-school Union, said he would offer the testimony of one of the oldest, wisest, and most spiritual native pastors in India as his own testimony. This old man had said to him recently: "We are not ready for union. We are not ready to trust one another, and we have not properly trained our children. Only the Holy Ghost can lead in suc)l a far-reaching matter, and we must work on in love, ready to follow His leading when God's time comes for union." So he would say with the Revelator, " He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear- what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

~ev. J. Shilliday, Irish Presbyterian, Guzerat, said he was reminded of a proverb, "Catch your hare before making your soup." He would emphasize the gathering rather than the organization of the Church. First get the Church. Life always compels an organization for itself.

Self-support was also thoroughly threshed out so far as it could be on paper and platform. All recognized the vital need of securing an allarollnd self-support at the earliest possible hour. Mr. Kali Charan Banerji deprecated making self-support a mere matter of rupees. He would have it include the supply of an indigenous pastorate and the erection and care of churches, together with aggressive missionary work.

Rev. F. Hahn, Gossner's mission, spoke at length in favor of a minute scheme for even taxiug assistants and communicants, as well as foreign missionaries, so as to swell funds raised in India. In these latter suggestions he met with no sympathy. He urged receiving contributions in kind. Let the people bring their vessels of rice and wheat, and drive their kids and cattle to God's house, and let the proceeds be put into the Lord's treasury. Insistence upon support in money only hindered self-support among the poor villagers. In his mission it was no uncommon thing to sec a farmer lead his bullock to the church and fasten him to the doorhandle as a token that he was an offering of substance unto the Lord. He also pleaded earnestly for keeping the expenses of the mission machinery at the lowest possible figure. " Weare working for a condition of things which poor people can perpetuate." Pastors should be trained men, and trained men cost money. An inferior order of pastors was being started among them.

Bishop Thoburn said our efforts toward self-support had begun at the wrong end.We have been thinking of and planning for the cities. We must plan for the jungle villages. In December of 1903 there willbe a million Christians in India. What shall be done then? A trained pastorate will be utterly out of the question. We err in making the percentage of giving demanded from our Christians too high, because salaries of pastors are too high. V{e ask native Christians to give two annas in the rupee-one eighth. Have we thought what that percentage would mean . for ourselves? He had proposed one pice a family per week (two cents a month). Let the circuit system be worked, and a few hundred families in contiguous villages could support their own ministry. We must plan for the villages. The strong men and the resources are there, poor as the out- look seems.

THIRD DAY.- Work Among· the Educated Classes of India occupied the forenoon session.

Mr. Modak called attention to the rapidly increasing number of educated Indian youth, whose education had .driven them from their old anchorages, but had left them wholly adrift on " the sunless sea of doubt. " Many were atheists. They must be evangelized. Many are convinced, but wait for relatives. He had an uncle who was supposed ready for baptism, but who had gone to bring his wife, and had not returned.

Rev. H. U. Weitbrecht, Ph.D., of the Punjab, pleaded for more intimate social touch with these educated classes. He said we must treat them as men and brothers. We must get close to them if we would win them for Christ. Love could not be simulated. None are more keen to the mere simulation of love and sympathy than the educated Indian. He differed from the position of Mr. Slater in the paper before the conference. He believed we needed dogma. Mr. Slater pleads for" less dogma and more life ;" he knew no dogma worth the name which was not built on facts, and these were the corner· stones of all trnth. Dr. J. C. R. Ewing, of Lahore, said that the greatest hindrance to work among these young men which he had found in the Punjab and Northwest India is the society known as the Arya Somaj. Its members were in open and constant antagonism to the Gospel. His greatest difficulty was to get to see what they thought about things. When he could see what their thought was, then he could plan his campaign to win them. We who would work among educated Indians must interest ourselves in those things which interest them-social, mental, and political. Young Hindu students founded a regular prayer-meeting at his college, and when the founder died the missionary was called in to offer prayer. He saw encouragement in this. A native Christian, now in government employ, had told him that )lis conversion was due, under God, to letter after letter written him by a busy missionary who once travelled seventy miles in the hottest time of the year to see him about his soul's salvation. Rev. Maurice Phillips, L. M. S., Madras, said that the painful part of this whole question is that the only organized opposition which Christianity has yet had to meet has been from the efforts of Hindu graduates of our universities. They remain as bigoted and as bitter against the Gospel as the most ignorant village gura. The Hindu Tract Society had for its president a graduate of the Madras Uni. versity. His creed was almost violently idolatrous. lIe was convinced that this conference should make a call to all the home churches for especial efforts to save this large and growing class of the Indian community. (This statement was enthusiastically applauded.) Rev. H. Haigh, Wesleyan Mission, Mysore, called for sympathy for thc,.;c youug fellows ill their mental difficulties. Thcse were great. Ve should put ourselves iu their places. Their education had made it impos- sible for them to be honest in a profession of orthodox Hinduism. They hear of educated unbelievers in the Yest, and, from their own position, conclude that just as education in India produces a mental revolt against local orthodoxy, so education in England produces a similar revolt against English orthodoxy. 'Ve must sympathize with them, and be patient and hopeful. He saw many signs of hope. A highly educated Brahman said in his hearing not long ago: "The best thing for us all would be to go to sleep to-night and wake up Christians."

Rev. R. A. Hume, M.A., Ahmednagar, said we must approach the whole man as the Y. lf. C. A. are doing. We must keep Christ to the front. Our work will succeed among this, as among other classes, when it is done in the Spirit of Christ and for the glory of God.

On Sunday the various pulpits of the city were filled by visitors, but at three P.M. we all met at Wilson College Hall and heard a magnificent resume of the first century of modern missions. The speaker was the veteran Baptist missionary, Rev. G. Kerry, of Calcutta; the text, He thanked God and took courage, Acts 28 : 15. Space forbids even a brief account. Following the sermon was the united holy communion. I shall leave the reader to imagine the scene, which proved in a marked way how rapidly our Lord's thrice-repeated prayer for the oneness of His people is being answered.

FOURTH DAY.-The subject was explosive. Many braced themselves for warfare-mild perhaps, but nevertheless for war. Education as a Missionary Agency is a theme which might easily provoke a sharp discussion. Critics have not been wanting who have most severely arraigned the whole policy of education on both a priori and posteri01'i grounds. Happily only one interruption marred the perfect harmony and Christlike spirit of th!) session, and that was at once suppressed by the cool firmness of the chairman, Dr. Hooper.

Dr. J. C. R. Ewing was the first speaker. He still believed educational mission work legitimate and as important as any. No one department could claim all success. Bazar preaching is often barren j so aiso are zenana work, medical work, literary ·work. But shall they therefore be given up 1 Never! As the first requisite for success in higher educational work the school or college must be permeated by a Christian spirit. Next, the Bible must be carefully and enthusiastically taught. " It is the Gospel of the Old and New Testaments, and not our thoughts about them, which we must give our pupils." The school-room is the educational missionary's preaching-place. Intimate personal relationR must be kept up between the professor and his pupils. The comparative barrenness of this work in recent years is due largely to the organization of so many half-way houses as the various somajes of India. Fair and candid criticism is welcomed. We who are in the work are the first to acknowledge how much we fall short of our ideals. More and more should all engaged in this work seek the enduement of power from 011 high.

Rev. L. B. Wolf, M.A., Guntur, reviewed the papers which were in our hands, concluding (1) that the New Testament had no prohibitive will against higher education as a missionary agency; (2) that such work fills a gap between the ignorance and superstition of Hinduism in general and the dangers incident to a morally colorless education such as might be had at purely government schools; (3) that it is necessary, if wc would leaven the thought of educated young India with the Gospel; (4) that educational missionaries preach the Gospel of Jesus .Christ, full and free, and if results are slow iu appearing they should not be charged with the blame.

Bishop Thol urn prefaced his remarks by saying that he wished there might be a hundred more colleges like the one whose abundant hospitality this conference is sharing. Many rush to the extreme of criticism by making the mistake of supposing that because something is best, other things are not good. We need to remember that all our lives converge upon one point. He had not found an ideal Christian college even in America. Asking us to remember what he had said at first, he hoped the time would soon come when, following providential in.dications, we could have Christian colleges i.n India in two senses : Christian pupils and Christian teacher,. Make the atmosphere as thoroughly Christian as possible, frame the work with a view to Christiav- pupils, and let it be understood that Hindus and Mohammedans are welcome if they will come on these terms. He agreed with Dr. Ewing in believing that that which makes an institntbn of real missionary value is the Christian atmosphere pervading the class-rooms. He had learned since coming to the conference that many supposed the mission he represented to be opposed to educational work. Two colleges in Lucknow and all the system of primary, secondary, and high schools feeding these colleges ought to be sufficient reply to such a baseless claim. He believed a great, overshadowing Christian university for India to be the goal toward which we should pray and labor. Then from bottom to top it could be wholly Christian.

Kali Charan Banerji and Dr. Mackichan opposed the idea of a Christian university, on the ground that it would separate the native Christian from their non-Christian brethren, and thus a powerful factor would be dropped out of the problem of winning these for Christ.

In the afternoon an interesting Sabbath discussion took place, in which the suggestion of the Rev. F. W. -Warne, B.D., of Calcntta, that a Sab· bath union should be formed, was heartily endorsed.

FIFTH DAy.-The Social Oondition of the Lowe?· Glasses was discussed in the forenoon. The question affects South India chiefly, and has arisen from the discovery of the semi-enslaved condition of the pariahs there. It was agreed that the surest way to elevate them is to evangelize them. Something, howe'er, might be done by way of seeking governmental interference on their behalf. Missionary Comity occupied one of the sectional meetings in the afternoon.

Rev. A. Clifford, C. M. S., bishop-elect of the see of Lucknow, advocated the old district system pure and simple. He would have all extension take the form of occupation of new territory. If we did otherwise we were not working according to the mind of the Spirit.

Bishop Thoburn closed the debate. He said that India has tried the district system for a hundred years, and it has utterly failed. District lines are not observed even by those who advocate them, as every missionary of experience knows. Besides, no good purpose would be served if they were observed. No real work of God hinders any other work of God. Is it possible that we cannot work together? He was surprised that the members of the conference dared to hope for a condition of things on the mission field which was impossihle of attainment in the life and work of churches in' England and America. At every stage of his missionary life of thirty-three years he had been met by this charge: "You are interfering." He began a Sunday-school in Naini Tal years ago, but had to shut it up because it interfered. If this policy which is being advocated so strenuously had been strictly adhered to they would not have seen him at this conference. In all probability he would have been still shut up in the little mountain province of Gurwhal, safe in his district! When he entered Cawnpore he was told he was interfering. Souls were there to whom no one was even pretending to minister; but when he- went to them, in response to a clear, providential opening through which God had given many souls, opposition was at once aroused. Just now he had in his· pocket earnest entreaty from 15,000 people in a district to come and preacli the Gospel to them, but he could not go to them without an infraction of the rule advocated. And why should he go? Because the mission claiming to occupy that field not only does not, but cannot work for the people who send this request. Oannot, because they have not been led, as our mission has been led, to the poor and lowly, and have learned how to approach them. Will not, if the history of the mission and the declared pnrpose of the staff can furnish an answer. What shall be done? Here are people ready to accept the Lord Jesus Christ. They seek instruction with a view to being discipled unto Christ by baptism, but instruction may not be given, nor, indeed, any advance made, because the territorial liJ;l.e of another mission which does nothing for those people is in the way. He was ready to go beyond others in the matter of taking workers from other missions. He was prepared to say he would not take them at all. His speech was well received, and made a deep impression.

The third decennial conference is over. The chief value will come in the line of deepened fraternity and charity, and more definite expectations that the kingdom of God is really coming. Such a force of godly workers, bending every energy to this work and seeking guidance and power from the Spirit of the living God, must bring to pass the salvation of many souls.

INTERNATIONAL D~PARTMENT

II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.

EDITED AND OONDUCTED BY BEV. 1. T. GBAOEY, D.D.

Mexioo, in the Toils of the Papal Power, even from Jesuit historians. Thirst Struggling for Liberty.* for gold led Cortez to commit the most inhuman and atrocious cruelties; but BY BEV. CHARLES W. OUSHING, D.D., they were endorsed by the Archbishop of Mexico. With the lands divided into ROCHESTER, N. Y. large estates and given to the Spaniards, miserable huts built for the natives, The picture of the seventeen states wages fixed by the landlords, regula- south of the United States in the year tions preventing workmen going from 1851 was a very dark one. Among the one estate to another without approval 48,000,000 in Central and South America of the landlord, Romish churches which -a population exceeding that of the they were compelled to attend, and the United States and Canada combined- Inquisition to enforce all, their condithere was not one evangelical mission. tion was as deplorable as could be imary speaking their language. Nearly agined. every ruler was bound to make Romish interests supreme at any cost. Neither The Church amassed enormous the Bible nor light from any other wealth. In 1850 the Minister of Public source was tolerated. Santa Anna was Works said it was not less than $180,- the chosen tool of the papacy in Mexi- 000,000 ; others said it was $300,000,000. co, and Spain supported the terrible The priests were the recognized banktyranny of Rome. In our prosperity ers. Thirty.two hundred and twenty. we had well. nigh forgotten this down- three ecclesiastics spent$24,OOO,000 antrodden people. Webster said: "Our nually. Twelve bishops had $539,000, greatest danger is, that we have a sis- while the Archbishop of Mexico had a ter republic on our southern border, salary of $130,000. Wilson says he almost in mortal agony, and no one owned nearly one half the property of among us seems willing to lend it a the city of Mexico, holding mortgages helping hand.'" upon the houses of multitudes, who were thereby subject to his will. The Pope had assumed to give to Spain absolute authority of all in this The sums lavished upon churches and new world-souls, bodies, property and the paraphernalia of priests is almost service of all, for all time ; reminding incredible. The figure of the" Virgin one of the scene when the devil pro- of Remedies" has three petticoats decoposed to give to Christ all the kingdoms rated with diamonds, pearls, and emerof this world. when he had no rightful alds, at a cost of $3,000,000. The claim to a square foot of it. largest of fifty convents in the city cov- ered four large blocks. After it was The conquest of Mexico by Cortez, confiscated the author purchased 185 the destruction of the historical records, feet of it in depth for the mission of and the conversion of the people to the Methodist Episcopal Church; and ROll1anism (Christianity). rather than this was not more than one-fiftieth of die, is an awful chapter of history. the whole building The extravagant statements of Cortez in regard to his own victories, as well as Rome controlled all the forces of soto the number of human sacrifices of. ciety: If rulers were hostile, they were fered in Aztec worship so fully endorsed bought or deposed. Hence there were by Prescott, are shown to be unreliable, 50 governors in 41 years.

• H Mexico in Transition; from the Power of The degenerate character of this reo Political Romanism to Civil and Religiou. ligion, the shocking immorality of the Liberty." By William Butler, D.D. New greater part of the masses and of the York: Hunt & Eaton. $2,00. doctrines of purgatory, together with the doomed men, be said: "Your masthe bald idolatry of the worship of the ter, Spain's minion, for one life might Virgin Mary, could have no other effect have saved YOl1 all. So deadly was bis than to degrade any people who should hate, that he would sacrifice three hunbelieve and practise them. dred of his friends rather than forego tbis one sweet morsel of vengeance! ' Fortunately there was an occeasional Even I, who am no viceroy, have three priest, as there is to-day, who had inde- hundred lives for my father's; but pendence and courage enough to resist there is a nobler revenge than this. Go! this tide and openly declare for the You are all free! Go find your vile mastruth. Foremost among these was Hi- ter, and henceforth serve him if you dalgo, the first Governor of Mexico can!" With streaming eyes they rushed by" the national will," and the ., Patri- to their deliverer, gave themselves to arch of Mexican independence." He his cause, and remained faithful to the had been teaching his parishioners the end. use of some industries; but the viceroy ordered the industries destroyed, and In 1820, under fresh kindling of there was much talk of turning Hidalgo hope, renewed efforts for independence over to the Inquisition; but undaunted, were made in which the infamous Iturhe organized his forces and declared the bide figured, being crowned emperor as independence of Mexico, as ,. captain- Augustine I. His treachery being disgeneral of the forces." He was finally covered, he was banished ; but returnbetrayed, captured, degraded from the ing fourteen months later, he was exepriesthood, bound with chains and fet- cuted. This was the end of the empire, ters, and handed over to the civil au- and a republic, without religious freethorities for execution. Fortunately dom, was established in 1824, with for the cause another brave, honest General Victoria as President, which priest, Morelos, had joined the patriotic continued until 1829. host–and two braver men than these never .lived-who at once became the Following this came the struggle leader. He organized a CongreRs to which rescued Texas and California give the movement a natioual character. from the dominion of papacy. In Mexi- Taken prisoner November 15th, 1814, co, in 1847·, during the war, Bibles were he said: " My hfe is nothing if tbe freely introduced. and many of the peo. Congress be saved." Degraded by the pIe met together to read them ; but as bishop, and handed over to the civil soon as the army was gone, the priests power, it was determined that he wherever possible seized these Bibles should be shot in the back as a traitor. and burned them with indignities. Evi- Following him, the two Bravos, father dence is not wanting to show that Rome and son, were among the most sacrific- was oppoRed to the United States, and ing patriots. When the father was taken that she was planning for the overthrow prisoner and condemned to be sbot, the of our Government. viceroy offered him his life if he would persuade his brother and son to join the Her intolerance has been shown in royalists. The offer was scorned. At every country where she has held the this moment the son had three hundred power. An illustration is found in Spanish prisoners, many of them men Ecuador, where the treaty was negoof influence, whom he offered to ex- tiated with Antonelli, the Pope's Secrechange for his father ; but the viceroy tary of State. The first declaration refused. So great was the grief of young was: "The Roman Catholic and apos- Bravo that he ordered all these prison- tolic religion is the religion of the Reers to be shot. At sunrise, when his public of Ecuador. The existence of army were confronting the prisoners any other workship, or the existence of ready to obey the order, riding before any society condemned by the Church will not be permitted by the repUblic. The education of the young in all public and private schools shall be entirely eluding religious liberty. The Congress conformed to the doctrines of the Ro. devoted a full year to framing a consti.

man Catholic religion." Hence says tution on the basis of the "law of Lord Palmerston : ,. In countries where Juarez." Of this Mr. Seward said, he Roman Catholics are in the minority, "considered it the best instrument of they instantly demand not only tolera- the kind in the world." But backed by tion but equality; but in countries the influence of the Pope, it was fought where they predominate, they allow by the clerical party, who undertook to neither toleration nor equality." terrorize the people by threatening to Early in the reign of Pius IX. he de- shoot, without investigation, all who ceived the people of Rome by making supported this constitution.

them believe that he was ready to give Less than three years after Louis them a liberal constitution. Leading Napoleon was placed in power in France men in America rejoiced-as they do to- he overthrew the republic and an- day-in the new spirit which had taken nounced himself as Emperor of France.

possession of the Pope; but alas! when This was quickly endorsed by the Pope, the people demanded the fulfilment of' and, says Victor Hugo, "by the clergy, his promise, he assumed to believe that from the highest to the lowest."

his life was in danger and fled to Gaeta Louis Napoleon now turned to the in the disguise of a lackey, The Ro- establishment of a monarchy in Mexico, mans proceeded at once t0 organize a with the avowed purpose of dividing constitutional assembly. closed the In- republican influence in America. In quisition, provided means for education, Rome and at Miramar efforts were made and then invited the Pope to return as to hasten the departure of Maximilian the head of the Church. reserving the for Mexico. He had already accepted right to control in civil affairs. This the crown. Warnings made him hesi- was spurned by the Pope, and he called tate, but reassured- he hastened his upon the Catholic powers to rescue him preparations. As Napoleon's army ad- by force of arms. Louis Napoleon re- vanced the Mexican President was sponded with 40,000 men, who, with forced to retire from the city of Mex- Austria, crushed for the time these lib- ico.

erty-loving Romans. Restored to au- All things being ready, Maximilian thority, the Pope was more malignant went to Rome for the papal benedic- than ever. One hundred and eighty.six tion. Receiving full assurance of the persons were shot in Bologna alone, but perpetuity of his dynasty and the in the widst of the cruelty there stands "blessing of heaven upon his enter- out one ruler, Charles Albert, king of prise," the Pope intimated that when Sardinia, who, aided by the immortal he had succeeded in Mexico he might Cavour, kept his little province from then exert his influence upon" the being stained by the blood of the per- other disorderly republics of the new secutors, world." The Senior Director of the In 1853 Santa Anna was again made Press of the Cabinet of Maximilian de- President for one year. Without delay clared that" the object of Napoleon in he overthrew the republic, announced the intervention was to checkmate the himself as permanent dictator, recalled United States." The ostensible pur- the Jesuits, and proceeded to establish pose was to elevate the races by bring- a monarchy. The excitement which ing them under monarchical and papal followed caused his overthrow, trial for rule. Strange that Rome dare boast of treason, confiscation of property, and her love for education and power to ele- sentence to – be hanged. President vate the people, while the history of Juarez commuted his sentence to ban- Italy and Spain is open before the ishment for eight years. Then followed world!

the attempt to establIsh a free State, in- Maximilian soon found it impossible to carry out the schemes of the Pope, directed that the three chief offenders should be tried legally by court.martial. and in consequence was abandoned by Maximilian declared court-martial in. competent to try him. The trial lasted him. Finding himself deceived by the two full days, and all that the most able lawyers could do was done. The fact representatives of the hierarchy of that the legation of Spain, France, Prus. sia, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and Eng- Rome, he did not hesitate to tell them land had protested against the bloody rule of the men he had kept in power, so. He had been trying to draw to his and that in spite of this he had ar- ranged to perpetuate this reign of tersupport some of the Mexican republi- ror, told powerfully against him. When condemned, the Emperor of Austria, cans, even proposing an interview with Queen of England, and Emperor of FranQe besought the United States Gov- President Juarez, with the hope of se- ernmentjo use any legitimate means in its power to prevent the execution of curing concessions which would result Prince Maximilian. Accordingly,Mr. Seward very delicately sent this expresin Juarez's co.operation with him, The sion to Mr. Romero, but without avail. After Maximilian was sentenced to be dignified and patriotic reply of the shot he again attempted to escape through intrigue. The officer who had President dispelled all hope in this him in charge received through Prin· cess Salm Salm, a devout Roman Catho· direction. Driven to extremities, Maxi. lic, the offer of two drafts of $100,000 each, drawn by Maximilian on the immilian lost his magnanimity, and be. perial family in Vienna; on condition that he was allowed to escape. The came vindictive in the extreme, an· officer was only to close his eyes and turn his back for ten minutes, and all nouncing that sympathizers with the would be accomplished. The plot being disclosed, the princess was compelled republican cause would be regarded as to leave for San Luis Potosi.

brigands, to whom no mercy would be Maximilian was shot on the morning of June 19th, 1867 ; but the war did not shown. stop. Marquez, Maximilian's command- er-in-chief, prolonged the siege of Mex- Meanwhile Napoleon had grown weary ico for seventy days. Finally, through the representative. of our Government, of his thankless undertaking, and in urged by other foreign ministers, it was arranged wiih General Diaz of the 1866 determined to withdraw his troops republican army that the foreign legion, mostly Austrians, should be spared on and the grant for their support. Alarmed condition that they cease hostilities, shut themselves in the national palace at this desperate state, Carlota deter- and remain there; whereupon the white flag was raised over the Halls of Montemined to cross the ocean alone for the zuma. When the army took possession of the city it was found that the inpurpose of securing help ; but Napoleon famous Marquez had during the night escaped with his booty; but it wal!l was deaf to her appeals, Austria's power had been broken by Prussia, and 'her forlorn hope was aid from the Pope; but alas! her appeals even for sympa· thy from him were fruitless. All this so affected the despairing Carlota that she lost her reason.

And now, despairing of further aid from Napoleon, and apprehensive of fur.

ther disaster, Maximilian resolved se· cretly to leave the country; but Mar- shal Bazaine refused to allow him to embark unless he should formally abdi- cate. The Church party, alarmed lest their plan should fail entirely, rallied with men and money for Maximilian, so that for a time success seemed as- sured. '

Napoleon, compelled by our Govern.

ment, evacuated Mexico March 11th, 1867: Maximilian, fearing that his own generals were to abandon him to save their own lives, offered to surrender on condition that his life be spared; but anything less than unconditional sur- render was refused. President Juarez understood that political Romanism in Italy to enter Rome. Victor Emmanuel, Mexico was dead. though urged by the people to do it, re- fused to 88sume control of the govern- July 15th, 1871, the 'Wife of President ment, until by vote of 50,000 people de- Juarez returned from the long exile in claring for him as their ruler, against 49 the United States, sent home by the only for the Pope, he took possession of United States revenue cutter Wilderness. the city. It was not strange that the President Juarez arrived from the north poor old Pope should declare that he the llame day. Great was the rejoicing was abandoned by his own children ; but at the capital when, with the political the mayor of the city declared at a pubpower of Romanism crushed, the people lic banquet that" the people of Rome met their loved and trusted President, to rejoice togelJier and celebrate the triumph to would rather see their city perish in if constitutional republicanism and religi<nts ashes than again be subjected papal domination… liberty. This noble man was worthy of all honor which could be conferred upon Nevertheless the Pope appealed to him. The laconic message of Victor the governments of Europe to unite to Hugo adtiressed to him on June 20th, restore to him his throne. Be declared 1867. told the story: ., America has two to Emperor William that any baptism, heroes, Lincoln and thee-Lincoln, by Protestant as well as Romanist, gave whom slavery has died; and thee, by him claims and control over all who whom liberty has lived. Mexico has had received the rite, to compel conbeen ~ved by a principle. by a man. formity to the rest of Rome's require- Thou art that man !" ments.

In 1867 the body of Maximilian wss Equally swift retribution followed asked for by his brother, Emperor of Emperor Napoleon. His surrender to Austria. The request was promptly Emperor William at Sedan is most piticomplied with, and the remains were ful. Approaching the majestic old em- peror, he said: " Unable to die at the sent to Vera Cruz at the expense ot the head of my army, I tender to your maj- esty my sword." Says Mr. Gladstone: Mexican Government, with an escort of " History records no more striking ex- 100 dragoons and a number of officers. ample of swift retribution of chimerical ambition. " The two lawyers who defended Maximilian declare that President Juarez, Of Maximilian and tbe beautiful Carwith his cabinet, gave them every facil- lotta nothing more need be said. Of the ity which they could desire, and that his Jesuits it is enough to say that they, trial was as fair as could possibly be with all their compeers, monaRteries, asked. nunneries, and Sisters of Charity, were expelled from the Republic of Mexico, With much interest the author traces never, it is hoped, to be allowed to rethe indicationll of Divine retribution on turn. the leaders in this plot to overthrow constitutional liberty. First in im· Of the vast resources of Mexico, of portance is the overthrow of the tem. which Baron Humboldt says: "This poral power of the Pope, following so vast empire, under careful cultivation, quickly after the declaration of his in. would alone produce all that commerce fallibility. "The very day after the collects together from the rest of the proclamation of this dogma Napoleon globe," there is no room to speak. The III. unchained the furies of war, which one thing for which most to be thankful in a brief time swept away the Empire is the legitimate outgrowth of this triof France, and with it the temporal umph of constitutional liberty: the es· power of the infallible Pope." "In tablishment of evangelical missions. just 47 d~ys two of the greatest The fruit of this is seen in lifting the armies Europe ever saw" met in con· people to a higher plane than would be flict, and the overthrow of Napoleon at Sedan opened the way for the Liberals of possible without religious liberty. The .An Important Movement Among Native opposition to this on the part of the Romish priests was bitter and often at Obristian Ohinese.

the risk of the lives of those who per. DV. ABTllUB H. SlIUTll, SJIANTUNO. ClIlNA..

sisted in the work. About three years ago the announoe· In 1872, appointed by Bishop Simp. ment was made that a number of native son, the author of this book established Christians belonging to several denomi- in Mexico a mission for the Methodist nations in Canton had organized an as· Episcopal Church. A portion of the sociation, the object of which was to monastery of San Francisco, elsewhere lend good books to those who could referred to, was purchased for head. read them, but who would not be likely quartftS of the mission. At Puebla, to buy them.

the ecclesiastical capital of Mexico, a From a letter written by Dr. Chal· portion of the old Inquisition was se. mers, of Hong Kong, to the Ohina Mail, cured. When this building fell into the we now learn something both of the hands of the republicans search was modus operandi of this society, and of made for friends who had been missing. what it has already done and intends to Some were found alive; but it was do. It appears that the constituents of found that the thick division wallK were the organization are the Chinese them- in some places hollow. On making selves, both in China and out of it, for· openings, twelve individuals were found, eigners having no connection ,with the some of them women, manacled and in society. The centre of administration their daily clothing, Who had been is in Canton, where bi-monthly and an· walled in here While alive, sacrificed for nual meetings are held, attended by sub· freedom or for Christ; one other victim scribers or their deputies, and matters was found While preparing the building are there discussed and voted on as they for the mission. Under the floors were would be in similar gatherings in Exe· found tiers of skeletons closely packed ter Hall. The object of the society is together and thinly covered with earth declared in its printed regulations, to and cement near these martyrs' cells. be the circulation of good literature; These appalling revelations show us the object is not to form churches, nor the spirit of the Romish Church wher· to meddle in any way with term8 and ever she has had dominion. Ever since dogmas, nor to preach, lest trouble the introduction of Protestant missions should ensue, but to circulate its litera· no les8 than fifty. eight have been strick. ture in every city, market town, and en down by the fury of these deluded hamlet in the province.

fanatics. After two or three years the book·lend· In this fearful struggle for liberty we ing is to be followed by a general offer- have seen some of the noblest heroes of ing of prizes for the best essays by non- any age ; but in the midst of it is that Christians on Christianity and kindred saddest picture of misguided ambition, SUbjects. The various missions inter- Maximilian, over whose mournf)!l ested will ultimately be invited to come though seemingly just fate we can but in and take a share in the wide field drop a tear. thus opened, in order to form and build Would that the men of our nation up churches.

might look into this mirror of history "There are eighteen very practical and learn that wisdom which cannot be rules laid down for the conduct of book.

gained too soon. lenders. They are to be plain, honest, peace-loving men, chosen from the Can.

ton churches, who are willing to serve Our ohurches should be centripetal in this capacity for a consideration of for life and light and centrifugal for $6 a month. They take with them, be- service. side the books, a small supply of sta. tionery for sale, by way of introduction may serve as a basis for a few words of to schoolmasters in the villages. Books comment. It is a lIignificant circumare of course to be lent only to school· stance that this movement was originatmasters and such other respectable resi· ed and developed by the Chinese themdents as can read; and they are lent on selves, and is under their own manage· trial with the prices marked, a register ment. being kept of the place, the pePson borrowing, the date, and the book lent, Everyone who is interested in the and an intimation given that the lender welfare of China desires that the read. will return, say a month after, to in- ing men of the empire, of whom there quire and effect a sale or an exchange, are unknown millions, should be as may be desired. The lenders are to brought in contact with the best avoid disputes with the natives, are not literature of the West. As to the par. to resent rudeness, but to take it as a ticular kind of literature which is thing to be expected, and even if harm .. best," there are considerable differ. is done to the books, they are to be con· ences of opinion. Some are convinced tent with the smallest compensation or that ,. the Bible, without note or com· apology. The only literary qualification ment," is the great want; others desire necessary in a lender is ability to keep the Bible-or parts of it-but with notes his register and make his report, which and comments; others again prefer is to be transmitted every two months tracts as a beginning ; and still other~ through the nearest mission station." wish to see China enlightened by works on practical science, popularized and According to Dr. Chalmers, whose illustrated. Much has been already opinion ought to have great weight, if done toward carrying out ench of these the report and the regulations now pub- views. The Bihle societies have a large lished were translated into English as staff of nntive workers, and the annual good as is the Chinese, they would as· sales of tracts run high into the mill. tonish Englil:!h readers, whether friends ions. Scientific book-depots have been of missions or not, by their complete- established, the receipts of which have ness of detail, by their eloquence of ap- surpassed all expectations. But it is peal, and perhaps most of all by their still as true as ever, that· China, as a thoroughly business-like character… It whole, remains unaffected by western is no exaggeration to say, that for ear- literature. nestness of purpose and breadth of view, these tracts resemble far more Yet if there is to be any substantial chapters of General Booth, edited by improvement in the attitude of the in- Mr. Stead, than any utterance of na- tellect of.the empire toward western tives of Canton," and the impression thought, the first impulse must unquesupon the mind of the reader is said to tionably come from this western literabe .a. feeling that" the conquering of ture put into attractive forms. Such the province is no mere dream." The literature the educated men of China books to be lent are carefully selected will not buy. Many of them would not by the managing committee, and noth- take it as a gift. But there is reason to ing is asked from foreign sources except hope that by judicious management the books, for the purchase of which a some of them might be induced to exfund amouming to $1379 has been amine it, if offered as a loan. The Chiraised. About $400 has been sub- nese respect for letters is innate. The scribed for expenses of book-lenders, presumption is always in favor of readfour of whom are actually at work, and ing a book, until prejudice begins to good reports have been already received act. By the system of lending books, of progress made. the evils both of the promiscuous giv- , This much space has been devoted to ing of books-now generally abandoned a lIumm.ar~ of these relorts, that the~ -and of mere sale as of any other com- modity, would be decidedly ameliorated, and added dignity would be imported The Sixth National SOIlial Oonferenoe in to the circulation of western literature India, in China. Twenty.five years ago India was with- At present it is well.nigh impossible to get at the higher classes at all. But out the check and guidance of a public if a book.lending system were in opera· tion in each of the fifteen hundred sentiment. Under the example and countries of the empire, it is a moral impossibility that within a single gen· fostering care of Great Britain that coneration the results should not be greater than they seem likely otherwise to be dition •has been materially changed. for a century to come. There are many enlightened Chinese who would be glad One result and at the I18me time one to order special works, such 8B those on medicine, mathematics, etc., who do cause of this is found in the assembly not know where or to whom to apply, the commercial facilities of China being of prominent natiTe gentlemen, from much limited by lack of newspapers, and of a postal system. The book·lend· which Europeans are excluded, which sr would be the natural agent for such sales, and it is probable that the busi. meets annually for the purpose of ness thus developed would surprise the most sanguine. There is also reason to formulating the views of the native expect that the demand for mechanical and scientific appliances will prove to people on public questions, political, be a large one, when the long closed door to the Chinese intellect shall once have social, or religious. From the proceedbeen opened, and perhaps even money· wise the scheme would in some of its ings of that which met at Allahabad, bebranches prove a profitable investment. In any case good literature is a seed for fore us, we select some of the resoluwhich the Chinese mind is a seed·bed, such perhaps as W8B never elsewhere tions adopted December 31st, 1892. known in the history of mankind. They show a growing power and mark From whatever point of view it is considered, the Canton book.lending the spirit of progress among them. Tho plan seems to be a great idea. Like many other great ideas, it is simple, but far. second resolution comes just in time to reaching. It ought to commend itself alike to consuls, merchants, and mis. open the way for the attendance of sionaries. and to be put at once into operation wherever it is possible to caste-men at the World's Fair. make a beginning. It is perhaps the best available way of sowing light broad. 1. That in the opinion of this Confercast in China. And we cannot be far astray in the conviction that a few years ence, it is necessary to curtail marriage of book.lending in those provinces most hostile to foreigners-could such work and ceremonial expenses, and the Con· be carried ont-would do more toward preventing a repetition of last year's ference recommends each community riots than could be effected by volumes of diplomatic dispatches, or by all the to lay down fixed scales of such ex- ~I}re't~ q~ t¥e ll,se o~ ~or«!e~ penses and provide measures for the enforcement of their rules.

2. That in the opinion of the Confer- ence distant sea-voyage or residence in foreign countries should not by itself involve lOBS of caste.

ph~3siTzehatthteh e Conference would em- necessity of promoting female education in every possible way, and making an organized effort in each district and province for the purpose.

4. That in the opinion of the Co~fer.

ence it is essential that the marrlage- able' age of boys and girls should be railled and that all castes should fix minin::a varying from eighteen to twenty-one for boys and twelve to four- teen for girls, according to their circ~m.

stances, the final irrevocable mamage Tite (saptapadi or phera) be postponed till the bride becomes fourteen years old. 5. That every endeavor should be made to promote reunio~ among ~l1b.

divisions of castes, and mtermarnage among those sections whieh can freely dine together. 6. That the Conference reaffirms its second resolution passed last year re- garding the discouragement of polyg- amy.

!l T~at the disfi~ureI1le~~ of (lldd-

lB93.1

widows, before they attain the age of verts and inquirers already gained, that eighteen and even after that age, with· often no strength is left for entering out the consent of the widow recorded thousands of unentered but open doors. in wrIting before a Panch and a magis. Can our sisters in Protelltant Christen. trate, be discouraged by forming caste dom permit this to continue? organizations to arrange for social penalties to be in1licted on those who aid India has fifty million Mohammedans in disfiguring child·widows without -a larger number than are found in the their consent. Turkish Empire, and far more free to embrace Christianity. Who will come 9. That in the opinion of the Confer· to work for them? ence, it is desirable to discourage the cllstom, wherever it exists, of turning Scores of missionaries should be set marriage into a monetary transaction, apart to promote the production of and exacting a pecuniary consideration Ohristian literature in the languages of in respect of it. the people.

10. That this Conference earnestly Sunday.schools into which hundreds of urges upon all interested in social reo thousands of India's children can read· form the absolute necessity of organiz- ily be brought and moulded for Christ ing social reform committees in all dis· furnish one of India'lI greatest oppor. tricts, or at least one such committee in tunities for yet more workers. each province, on the principle of self· sacrifice and employing at least one full Industrial schools are urgently needed time-worker for the purpose of educat- to help in developing a robust oharacter ing public opinion on the subject of so· cial reform. in Christian youth, and to open new avenues to honest work for them. These 11. That this Conference reaffirms oall for capable Christian workers of resolutions 4 and 5 of the last Confer· special qualifications. ence regarding the remarriage of child· widows, and the abolition of imprison. The population of India is largely ment in execution of decrees for resti. rural. In hundreds and thousands of tution of conjugal rights. villalZes there is a distinct mass move· ment toward Christianity. There are An Appeal to the Ohnroh at Home, millions who would speedily become Christians if messengers of Christ could The Third Decennial Missionary Con. reach them, take them by the hand, and ference of India, assembled in Bombay, not only baptize, but also lead them overwhelmed by the vastness of the into all Christian living. Most of these work, contrasted with .the utterly in. people belong to the depressed classes. adequate supply of workers, earnestly They nre none the less heirs to our appeals to the Church of Christ in Eu. common salvation; and whatever ad· rope, America, Australasia, and Asia. mixture .of less spiritual motives may exist, God Himself is stirring their We re.echo to you the cry of the un· hearts and turning their thoughts tow· satisfied heart of India. .With it we ard the things which belong to Ris pass on the Master's word for the per. kingdom. ishing multitude, " Give YE them to eat." An opportunity and a responsibility In the name of Christ, and of the un. never known before confront us. evangelized masses, for whom He died, we appeal to you to send more laborers The work among the educated and Eng· at once. May every church hear the lish.speaking classes has reached a crisis. voice of Christ saying: .. Separate Me The faithful labors of godly men in the Barnabas and Saul for the work where. class·room need to be followed up by unto I have called them." In every men of consecrated culture free to de. church may there be a Barnabas and vote their whole time to aggressive work Saul ready to obey the Spirit's prompt. among India's thinking men. Who will ings! come and help to bring young India to the feet of Christ? Face to face with two hundrl'd and eighty-four millions in this land, for Medical missionaries of both sexes are whom in this generation you as well as urgently required. We hold up before we are responsible. we ask, Will you medical students and young doctors the splendid opportunity of reaching the not speedily double the numb"r of souls of men through their bodies, laborers?

The women of India must be evangel. Will you not also lend your choicest ized by women. Ten times the present pastors to labor for a term of years number of such workers could not over· among the millions who can be reaohed take the task. Missionary ladies now through the English tongue? working are so taxed by the carQ of con. Is this too great a demand to make upon the resources of those saved by Omnipotent love?

.At th,e beginning of another century

tN'TEtuiATtONAL DEPAR'l'MEN't

of missions in India, let us all " expect munificence of Dr. Henry Foster, found- great things from God, attempt great er of the celebrated Sanitarium. All things for God." missionaries are urged to attend, as For the reflex blessing to yourselves, as well as for India's sake, we beseech there is no meeting similar to this, nor you" hear what the Spirit saith unto as helpful to them. It is a great counthe churches" The manifestation of cil of missionaries, in which missiona. Christ is greatest to tho~e who keep His ries only take part, though it is open to commandments, and this is His com- the public, and everybody is invited. mandment: "Go YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREAOH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREA· The list of those who signify their in- TURE." tention to be present is already large.

A. MANWARING, The World's Oongress of Missions.

J. L. PHILLIPS, The World's Congress of Missions ,Secretaries of Bombay Decennial Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Ex- position of 1893 is confidently expected Conference. to contribute much to the progress of January 4, 1893. Christianity throughout the world. Every known Christian missionary so- New Guinea Mission. ciety is being invited to send repre- sentatives-one from the administrative The Anglican Church Mission in New department of the society and one or Guinea has secured a ketch-rigged boat more missionaries or converts from the of fifteen tons for service in the waters society's fields of labor. of that island. The vessel has a length over all of 52 feet, and on water.line of It is expected that the entire proceed- ~O feet; beam, 12 feet, and depth of ings, including stenographic reports of the addresses and discussions, will be hold, 6t feet. She is constructed of the published by the Congress Auxiliary.

finest seasoned timber, keel, stem, and The Congress of Missions, as well as stern-post beingof the best selected hard- the other congresses, will be held in the wood, planking and decks of kauri, and Memorial Art Palace on the lake shore, copper-fastened throughout. The cabin Chicago. The time allotted to the Con. has accommodation for six passengers, gress of Missions is eight daYB-Sep. fitted up with varnished kauri and dark. tember 28th to October 5th, inclusive. brown upholstery. The crew's quarters Three seRsions will be held each day. are roomy and well appointed. This The Woman's Congress of Missions will vessel has been built in Sydney, and has be in session simultaneously in the same been named the Albert Maclaren, after building during Monday, Tuesday, and the pioneer missionary of the Anglican Wednesday, October 2d-4th, with two Church in New Guinea, who fell at his sessions each day. Other missionary post from fever in 1891. services, as many as may be desired, may be held in the same building dur- ROBERT STEEL. ing any of these eight days. The com· SYDNEY, January 23, 1893. mittees Rre not supplied with funds to provide free entertainment for this large The Interna.tional Missiona.ry Union. body of missionary representatives.

Some erroneous statements as to the A prominent feature of the congress date of the Tenth Annual Meeting of will be the World's Missionary Sunday, the International Missionary Union hav- on which, it is hoped, all the churches ing had wide circulation in the press, and missions will hold special services, we re-announce that this Union meets in support of this proposition-the unievery year at Clifton Springs, N. Y., on versal, immediate evangelization of every the evening of the second Wednesday nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue. of June. Hence, this year the dates are June 14th-21st. All persons who It is also earnestly requested that in are or have been foreign missionaries the midweek prayer-meeting, during the will be entertained ~tuitously by the conference, all Christians may unite in a world's concert of prayer and suppli- cation to God for the overthrow of the great obstacles to the progress of evan. gelization, especially the rum and opium traffic, and for a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the work and the workers in every part of the world.

DEPARTMEN'f OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR

III.-DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.

CONDUCTED BY PROFESSOR AMOS R. WELLS.

In the following graphic way Dr. other low bow from every one in the Clark describes a Christian Endeavor room says silently, ' I thank you.' 4£ter meeting in Japan: "Inside the church the address another song, a prayer, and are some benches and a little cabinet benediction, and then what? A grab.

organ. Thin paper screens keep out bing of hats, and canes, and overooats, the chill air to some extent, and a and a' break' for the door? Ah, no ; wooden box, with a little bed of live the Japanese have not learned thus to coals, in the middle of a large bed of close their worship. All drop into their sand, is kindly placed near us, so that seats again ; for a full minute they sit we can toast our numbed fingers over with covered eyes and bowed heads, and it. Sometimes a hand.warmer would be then slowly and reverently pass out of given us. This is a little tin box filled church or break up into little groups.

with ignited charcoal and covered with This is another method worth taking up cloth, and can easily be clasped in one by the roots and transplanting into every hand. On one side of the church is a church and Christian Endeavor society board on which are hung from hooks in America. After twice bowing low to sixty or seventy or more pieces of wood all the friends that come to greet us, we with Japanese characters upon them. say, 'Sayonara' (good.by), one of our These, we find, are the names of the three Japanese words, get into our lit· church.members ; and when one dies or tle carriages, and are trundled off as we moves away, his name.card is taken came, through crowded streets, past down. Ts not that a method worth open stores and houses and peddlers transplanting into our Endeavor socie· and beggars and children and babies, ties? That visible roll.call would be a saying to ourselves, 'After all, young constant reminder of obligation and people are the same, and Christian En.

duty. Soon the meeting begins. The deavor is the same, and faith in Christ same old tunes, the same sentiment, the is the same, and genuine spiritual prayer same aspirations, the same prayer, meetings are the same, all the world breathed in song, even though the over.' "

words are Japanese. The growth of the Christian Endeavor Then comes a series of prayers, earn· movement has been notably accom· est, devotional. strong in utterance. Our panied and promoted by the growth of hearts are lifted up to God, even by this Christian Endeavor literature. Nearly foreign tongue. Then follow Scripture all of the State unions now conduct verses, testimonies, and more songs; papers in the interest of the work, near· and then one who has the gift of the ly all of the large city unions, and many 'interpretation of tongues' stands up a local society. The progress of the with us, and tells the audience what we work in Australia is wonderfully aided in English are attempting to say con· by that vigorous little sheet, The Golden cerning the work of God among his Link. Only recently, a German paper, young people in far.off America, and Der Miiarbeiter, has been established in Australia, and England. Japanese au· this country, solely for the aid of socie· diences are models of politeness. No ties of Christian Endeavor that speak one yawns, snaps his watch, shumes his the Gflrman tongue. The Ohinese llltls· feet, or goes out, even though the speak. irated Nl'/IJ)s has established a Christian er is talking in an unknown tongue. Endeavor department. Canada has her Every eye is upon the speaker. When Christian Endeavor papers; and the he begins to speak, he is greeted by a latest addition to the goodly fellowship polite obeisance from every one in the is the Christian 1!Jndeavaur, the u in whose audience; and when hI! concludes, an.' name would be enough to indicate that it is published in London. The already Here is a. revival experience reported rapid increase of the societies in Eng. from a United Bre~hren church in Cleve· land will be' made still more rapid by land, O. : "One young lady under <lon· the work of this new ally. viction could not make up her mind to accept Christ until a Christian Endeav· The missionary conference of the or pledge was shown her. The wording Christian Endeavor societies of the Re· presented the essentials of faith and formed Church has already held two ses· service so plainly and fully that she sions, in January and February of this there gave her heart to the Lord." year. The first meeting brought to· gether representatives of about fifty so· A union of the Christian Endeavor so· cieties. Rev. A. DeWitt Mason was cieties of all Australasia is contemplated. elected chairman. Missionary addresses Of course such a nnion must be formed were enthusiastically received. At the sooner or later. A union has already second meeting the societies represent. been formed in Tasmania. ed pledged amounts aggregating $1500 for the support of a "Christian En. Christian Endeavor societies have in· deavor missionary" to India, and the creased in number in Louisiana suffi. building of a second ,. Christian En. ciently to warrant the formation of a deavor church. .. A general missionary State union. That, with the recently conference of the Christian Endeavor formed State union of South Carolina, societies of the Reformed Church is leaves Mississippi, Nevada, and Wyom· soon to be held. ing the only States whose Christian En. deavor societies are not thus organized. Presbyterian Endeavorers are being There are also three unorganized terri· roused to missionary enthusiasm by tories-Arizona, Alaska, and the Indian similar methods. In January, at the Territory. New York headquarters of the Presby. terian boards, a Christian Endeavor mis- Christian Endeavor Day was 01:ftlerved sionary conference was held, with Rev. this year more widely and enthusiasti· H. T. McEwen in the chair. Brilliant cally than ever before. The most fa· missionary addresses were eagerly listen- mous and eloquent speakers addressed ed to, and a plan was matured for bring· immense audiences in the cities, and in ing missionary work and its needs very all the quiet country towns gatherings clearly befoTe the Presbyterian Endeav· were held that were filled with the same orers of New York. The Presbyterian splendid enthusiasm. Dr. Clark's sug· boards have recently added several gestion of a week of self·denial for misworkers whose principal efforts are to sions was very generally adopted. be among the young people. Mr. Rob. These ardent young people entered upon ert E. Speer, of the foreign board, is ex· their task with a te~der conscientious. ceedingly popular in Christian Endea.v. ness and a warm love for their Saviour, or gatherings. Mr. Grant, of that that produced noble results. It is too board, Mr. Penfield, recently added' to early to give exact statistics, but enongh the force of the home board, and Miss is known from isolated reports to assure Elizabeth M. Wishard, secretary of the us that the missionary contributions of Indiana State Christian Endeavor Union the day were more generons than ever since its organization, but recently add. before. The novel missionary exercise ed to the force of the Woman's Execu· furnished by the United Society of tive Committee of the home board-all Christian Endeavor was very widely these will devote their main energies to used, and everywhere the observance of rousing the missionary enthusiasm of the week and the day took on, as it was the young. When, before the Christian intended to, a most decided missionary Endeavor movement, would such a thing aspect. Truly the Church of the next be even thought of, and what a promis. decade will be a missionary church. ing sign it is ! There exist already in Japan twenty ChristiaD Endeavor societies, most ot them formed since Dr. Clark's visit, The Lutheran Christian Endeavor So- while more are in process of formation. ciety of Mount Carmel, Ill., has under- Most of these Japanese Christian En- taken to build a prayer·house in an deavor societies conform to the custom India mission field.

of the country, and are for one sex only. Last fall the Clarendon Street, Bos- Wherever the public sentiment will ton, Baptist Society of Christian En- permi!; it, however, the boys and girls deavor assumed the support of a young are brought together in Christian En· man, one of their own number, who deavor meetings, and this serves still went out as a missionary to Africa.

further to break down thtl artificial dis- This requires the raising of at least tinction between the sexes, that stands $600 every year. At a recent meeting in the way of the best ohurch work. of deep spiritual interest held by this The Wesleyan Christian Endeavor so- society, the last hundred dollars for the cieties of Victoria, Australia, at the re- year was subscribed.

quest of the Wesleyan Foreign Mission· In one of her letters, Mrs. Clark gives ary Society, have entered zealously upon this pleasant account of some Christian the subscription of funds for a large Endeavor children in China, in one of whaleboat, to be used in a branch of the mission schools : "There were about the Fiji mission. One society heads II hundred boys and young men there, the list with £10. The boat is to be most of them members of a Christian called The liJndeavcyur. Endeavor society. They read the Scrip- The Baptist Endeavorers of Victoria, ture lesson, each one in turn reading a Australia, have entered upon a quadru- verse, and then the hymn was given ple crusade, whose four goals are (1) out, and a little twelve-year-old Chinese an Endeavor society in every Baptist boy went to the organ and played the church in Victoria; (2) increased mis- tune very correctly, and the boys sang sionary activity among Baptist societies; a gospel hymn as well as any Endeavor- (3) a union Baptist missionary commit- ers in America would sing it. There tee, made up of the chairmen of mis- was one dear little Chinese baby at this sionary committees of the local Baptist meeting, and he also took some part, societies; and (4) a week of evangelistic aside from singing, in the meeting.

services, to be held every yellr by every For some reason-perhaps because he Baptist society. This is a large and was a Christian Endeavor baby-he came glorious programme. in his mother's arms, instead of on her A Junior Endeavorer, belonging to back. He crept down the aisle to the the society in the Centennial Methodist platform, and stood up, patting his lit- Church of London, Canada, is certainly tle hands on the floor, and applauding in earnest about missions. She hates to the speakers in baby Chinese, as well as make beds, but nevertheless she has any little American baby would do it.

asked permission, and rises half an hour If that baby goes to Christian Endeavor earlier every morning to make her little meetings before he is a year old, what brother's bed. For this labor she re- do you suppose he will do when he is a ceives one cent a week, which she man? Boys and girls at home, will you proudly deposits in the missionary col- pray for your little brothers and sisters lection. Good! in China? Will you talk about them to Two Christian Endeavor societies your fathers and mothers at home, and have just been organized in the Ran- invite them to come to your missionary goon College Baptist Church of Ran- meetings and bring their pocketbooks goon, Burma, one using the Burmese with them? Will you give some of your language, the other the Karan. Seven money to China? We cannot do every- associate members from these societies thing, but let us not be satisfied till we have lately joined the Church. have done all we can."

ltDlTORlAL l'>Ei>ARTMEN'1'

IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.

The editor finds that some readers only add that, had he been himself a have taken exception to the paragraph Baptist, these same words might have in the editorial notes of January as to been written. Since coming to London the Free Church Congress in Manches- to undertake the occupancy of the pulter in November last. The charge has pit that dear Spurgeon so long filled, I been made that for the editor of an have been met by not a faw who call unsectarian missionary review to make themselves "Baptists," who not only such an " unjust and un-Christian" at- disbelieve in the intelligence and scriptack on "members of the Baptist de- tural candor of "predobaptists," or nomination," etc., is the very" essence "sprinklers," as they call them, but of sectarian bigotry ]" have written to me calling in question the saved stale of any professed believer Surely such readers must overlook who has never been, as they say, " baptwo facts: tized"-i.e., immersed.-A_ T. P.

1. That the editor especially refers to Persecution of the Russia.n Stundists. "those Baptists who either cannot or will not see," etc. This surely is no at- We have before us a letter from a tack on Baptists as a body, but only on friend in Russia confirming the reports certain people who call themselves Bap- of the persecutions of the Russian tists, who hold these views or manifest Stundists. It seems almost impossible this spirit_ of belief that such brutal deeds should be permissible in this enlightened nine- 2. The simple fact is that at this con· teenth century. There have been, from gress certain persons of this characte1" some quarters, denials of the severity were present and thrust their views and offioial charaoter of these persecuupon the body, maintaining that there tions, but it lieems that the truth has is but one mode of scriptural baptism, been mollified rather than exaggerated. and that there can be no true fellowship We give a few extracts from the letter: with so-called believers who neglect a plain duty, etc. These parties did all "I have made inquiries into many of they could to break up the congress, the alleged atrooities against these poor and their conduct was a matter of criti- wretohes, and, I am sorry to say, things cism even by the more liberal-minded are worse than I had antioipated. Womof the Baptists. The paragraph in en violated and horrihly beaten, chilquestion was not designed as a reproach dren terrorized, houses wrecked, beasts to Baptists as such, as the editor thought killed, impossible fines inflicted, imany intelligent reader would see. prisonment-this is what is being borne by these Stundists, and borne often with Moreover, is it likely that with such a serenity and patience beyond the a man as Dr. Gordon on the editorial understanding of westerners. I have a staff and a very intimate friend, any long record, and a horrible record it is, such attack on Baptists, as such, would of these cruelties. It seems as though it be made by the editor-in-chief? Is it were the Independent or Stundist wing likely that, at the very time when of the Russian Protestants which most preaching to the largest Baptist church suffers. The Baptists are more or less in the kingdom, and treated with such organized, and somehow they Beem to unparalleled generosity by English Bap- be gradually gaining a footing in the tists; the occupant of the pulpit of the toleration, if not in favor, of the gov- Metropolitan Tabernacle is dispused to ernment. Perhaps the reason may be speak or write disparagingly of his Bap- that the Stundists draw more converts tist brethren? direct from the orthodox Greek Church, Regretting exceedingly that his words were so misunderstood, the Editor will

ll:bl'l'ORIAL DEPARTMENT

while the Baptists almost invariably are time into eternity: '" Que c'est bea¥ ; recruited from the Stundists." mais que c'est donc beau, tout II fait exceptionnel! Ce n'est pas difficile, et The directors of the East India Com- moi qui croyait qui ce serait si difficile I pany, early in the century, placed on Je passe! . . . Je passe ..• " et Bon record the following : "The sending of ames 'envolait vers Dieu.' " Christian mi8sionaries into our Eastern possessions is the maddest, most expen- Madame Reck's farewell to the little sive, most unwarranted project that was church was that of a true mother in ever proposed by a lunatic enthnsiast." Israel. ,. My children, " she said, " you Severe as was this arraignment at the know how much I love you. I left time, it was not repndiated by the judg- France to teach you the name of Christ, ment of the bulk of the English people. the only name by which you can be But there were a few men of faith and saved…. Cling to Jesus. Abide prayer and entbusiasm who thought close to Him. Dwell in peace; and otherwise, and were willing to invest may God bless you." their means in sending the Gospel messengers to the perishing of India. The veteran Coillard's sorrow and Eighty fi ve years afterward, Sir Rivers success in the Barotsi Valley is a plain- Thompson,Lieutenant-Governor of Ben- tive story. "Heathen Africa," writes gPol, said: "In my judgment, Christian M. Coillard, "can find no parallel to missionaries have done more real and their state. . . . The whole land is 8 lasting good to the people of India than Sodom; and the benighted people, all other agencies combined." This whose conscience is dead, glory in their convincing testimony is from a witness shame.' , After seven years' toil, and who has had every opportunity of form. just at the time of Madame Coillard's ing an honest and intelligent opinion, death, the first convert is ~ained and and whose word oarries immense weight. four other young men are lirought in, one of them being Litia, the king's eld- British Notes. est son. "What a spectaole," writes the long_tried missionary, "was that of llY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS. 8 Bar-olsi toeeping-and weeping for his sins! This was the last meeting at An artiole of exoeptional pathos and which m~v wife was present on earth. power, from the pen of Luoy E. Guin- Could I have desired a more beautiful eS8, appears in the Regions Beyond, set. sunset to close her career ?' , ting forth the soope and work of the Societe des Missions evangeliques de The Societe des Missions evangeliques Paris. Out of a population in Basuto- de Paris, which was founded in Novem. laud of over 218,000, 11,000 souls have ber, 1822, attains its seventieth birthbeen gathered into the Church, so that day, and its sixtieth anniversary of its the proportion of adult Christians to Missionary Training Institute. heathen is about 5 per oent. There are 24 European workers. Three espe- The Presbyterian missions have unitcially heavy losses by death have be- ed to form the Church of Christ in fallen them this year: Dr. Eugene Cas. Japan, with 13,000 members, adopting olis. Madame Reck, and M. Louis Du· as their doctrinal standard the Apos. voisin. The last words of the latter-a tles' Creed and two or three appended noble soul of large benevolence and doctrinal paragraphs. A few years bsck true humility-afford a radiant glimpse it looked as if Japan was to be gained beyond the veil. He had feared death, for ChriBt by a rush. Matters wear a but, writes M. Boegner, "when the different aspect now. The tension upon gate of heaven opened for him, he was faith is great. But He knows the meas. heard. to murmur in the passage from ure of strain to apply or to permit. Happily the strain which proves too muoh for Pliable, (,lnly spurs Christian on the more in the way by necessitating acknowledged that it was. ., Then am a firmer grasp of Christ and the Gospel. I not right in reading and teaching it ?" " But how about Mohammed?" " That The Rev. J. E. Hanauer, a convert is for you to say. My faith is in Christ from Judaism, supplies in the January and His Word. He is my Saviour." Jewish Missionary lntelligencer a thought- Mirza Abraham was then kiclfed and ful paper on "the Jewish Quarter in beaten, together with the Christian Jerusalem." His comments on the brother at whose house he had been spirit of inquiry there spreading are arrested. But he was undaunted. To couched in a serious 1.one. He cannot the Serperast, who had himself kicked regard the critical tendency as rightly him terribly, he said: "You may shoot rooted. There are two main directions me from the cannon's mouth, but you of this tendency answering to the two cannot take away my faith in Christ." schools of Jews in Jerusalem-the old Eventually, after being put. in prison, school and the new. The first study and witnessing there a good confession, the New Testament" to find occasion he was sent on to Tabriz, to await the for cavilling;" the second do this in royal sentence. The case is crucial, as order to find, if possible, a modus vivendi a direct issue is joined. Will the Shah -" some way in which Jews mayas- put a man to death for leaving the Koran similate with Christians and yet remain and following the Gospel? One thing Jews, .and, as such, unpersecuted.' , we know: His sheep shall never perish. We gather, then, from this witness, that the old school of Jews study the Word An interesting letter has recently apfrom unbelief, and the new school from peared in the Ohristian (December 29th, a double heart. Nevertheless, let us 1892) from the pen of F. S. Arnot, on pray that the honest heart may be the subject of African industrial miswrought in them by the Spirit in the sions. He differs toto erelo from Bishop Word. Taylor's project of evangelizing Africa through the children. His contention A South Sea Island teacher has for is, speaking from large experience, that some time been at work in Tupuselei, children are more difficult to obtain in New Guinea. Mr. Pearse, of the Lon- Africa than in England. Such as can don Missionary Society, referring to be obtained must be bought, and to this, says: "If you were to ask me favor this is to encourage kidnapping; which is the best station in New Guinea for the Africans will not sell their for missionary work, I should say own children, though they will sell Tupuselei. There are not mOl'e than readily enough the children they can 350 people in the village, and certainly manage to steal. The conclusion, therethey are in every respect Christianized. ,. fore, at which Mr. Arnot arrives is, that He also tells of considerable gains in his such preliminary and education work own mission work at Kerepuno. as Bishop Taylor recommends is a mere waste of time at first; that the first In Persia a bold stand for Christ has thing is to aim at the conversion of the been taken by Mirza Abraham, a Mo- people; and that such direct ministry hammedan who was baptized about three is not" love's labor lost," for, as this years ago. He had been at work preach- devoted missionary says, "I have seen ing Christ, and when demanded by the the truth of God illuminate darkest Serperast, ,. Why should you, a Mos- hearts and minds." lem, be teaching the Christian doctrines ?" Mirza Abraham. taking out Upon the Mildmay Mission to the bis Testament, asked in reply.•f Is not Jews, chiefly in East London, the blessthis InjU a holy book ?" The Serperast ing of God has, during the past year, rested in a pre.eminent manner. An confessed Christ in " similar way some unprecedented awakening and turning months sinoe. to God among the Jews coming in con· tact with this mission has taken place. In the Chureh of Scotland Mission Rec. Between thirty and forty have, during ord the conversion is recorded of Pro. 1892, given clear testimony of a heart sonno Coomar Vidyii.rutuii., a Sansorit faith in Jesus Christ. Recently, at the scholar of eminence. The Rev. G. C. close of an address, Mr. Baron asked all Laha, minister of St. Andrew's Bengali the Jews present who in their hearts be· Church, Calcutta, in reporting it, says, lieved in the Lord JeRus. though still un· .. When a profound Sanscrit scholar baptized, to stand up, when over thirty like him declares openly in hill ripe age, immediately rose to their feet. Thanks after mastering all the ancient and sa· be to God that it is given us to see in cred books of the Hindus, that there is these latter days, in growing numbers, no salvation out of Christ, we may rest that there is still in connection with assured the advocates of Hinduism will Israel" an election according to grace… not find it an easy task to defend it, and will have ere long to give up the The opening article in the Church. Mis· attempt altogether." sionary Intelligencer (January, 1893), by T. A. Gurney, would be worth quoting .. Oompromise as an &pedient in Re· in extenso. It is fervid and spiritually ligion" is the topic of an address to incisive to a rare degree. The theme is Hindu gentlemen, delivered by James "The Epiphany of the Fulnessof Ghrist." Munro, C.B., at Krishnagar. It is a The following must serve as a sample: searching exposure of Hinduism as a " A church which realizes its own insuffi- religion of compromise. The appeal ciency apart from Christ is the church to toward the close is most timely. We make known the sufficiency of Christ to trust that with some at least it proved others. The church which rested" on its telling, Now that the Christian doo. social position, its temporal endow- trine of a Mediator has been propound. ments, its national authority, its ancient ed in Brahmo circles, the danger is lest history, its orthodoxy of faith, would be the spirit of compromise enter and the a church sufficient without Christ, and result be ruined. A sentence or two of no • wine' would be forthcoming then. this admirable appeal we subjoin: ., Do But the true mission of tho Church is not follow the ensnaring policy of com· to draw out Christ's fulness with empty promise-do not forget that as God is pitchers, and carry it to those who need one, the one God of all creation, so the it, the supply being proportioned to the Mediator also can only be one-one for destination and measure of our faith, all men-one for east and west-one but otherwise being inexhaustible and for you and for me. Do not, instead of infinite." the perfect Man, put Keshub Chunder Sen, as it is proposed to do, nor place The work in connection with the anyone in that office but the only per- North Africa Mission is being prose. fect Man who has ever trod this earth cuted in the face of every discourage. -the Man Christ Jesus,who lived and ment. The workers among the KabyleR, died for us all, who is the only Media. at Djema Sahridj, are, however, cheered. tor because He is not only perfect man, They have had considerable trial, but but the Divine Son of God. Why take rejoice that the young converts are the shadow of the idea of mediation growing in grace, and the people seem from the west, and leave the substance? increasingly interested.' Why put your burden of sin on the shoulder of an imperfect human being, MiS's Trotter reports the baptism of a when you have the Son of man and Son Mohammedan woman who!!e husband of God waiting to carry it for you ?"

THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS

V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.

India.* a.nd Oeylon-Brahmanism.t THE MISSIONARY STATISTICS OF INDIA, arrangement of the returns, but others are much required; and if the mi5siona- BURMAH, AND CEYLON. ries, at one of their great conferences. BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, would come to a general agreement on ENG. such questions as the following, their The fifth issue of these valuable tables relative returns would be much clearer has recently been published. and of more value: .. Are missionaries'

The series was commenced in 1851 by wives to be counted as missionaries ?" the late Dr. Mullens, solely on his own authority, but based on returns collect· .. Who are included under' Native ored from every part of India, and with dained agents' ?" "Are the' native lay the warm encouragement of the Calcutta Missionary Conference. preachers' solely engaged in mission This was followed in 1861 by a similar labor, or are some of them engaged in but more complete body of tables, and business and occasional preachers a book of great value t embodying an only?" ., Should not accessions by immense amount of accurate informa. conversion from non-Christian religions tion, supplementary and elucidatory of the statistical tables. The Church of be distinguished from growth by natu- God owes much to Dr. Mullens, for so ral increase?" "What marks the dillmuch of accurate and encouraging in- tinction between a station and an outformation on the whole subject of Indian missions as it possesses. His amaz- station ?" ing energy, accuracy, and insight alone produced these first reports; they were There are 47 distinct societies in used and quoted in newspapers, maga- India with 6 isolated missions; but zines, reports, and speeches as no other some of the former include small groups missionary documents have ever been, and it is to his example mainly we owe of auxiliaries, the Australian Baptist the subsequent decennial reports, col· lected and published under the auspices Mission including 5 such. The number of the Calcutta Missionary Conference, probably the largest association of mis- pf women's societies cannot be satisfacsionaries found anywhere, and belong- torily named, because, while some are ing to seven of the most important mis- distinct societies, others, apparently as sionary societies. important, are branches or auxiliaries The tables just issued are for 1890, and report, therefore, the results of nine of great general societies. years' advance instead of ten, so as to The number of missionaries is more bring them into line with the great decennial statistical reports of the govern- clearly defined ; and if to them be addment. ed the male and female foreign and Some changes have been made in the Eurasian teachers in mission schools, and, therefore, largely engaged in Chris- tian work, it will be seen what progress there has been of late made in foreign agency in India apart from Burmah and Ceylon.

1881. 1800.

Ordained Foreign and Eurasian Missionaries. .. ….. . .. .. .. . .. 586 857 Foreign and Eurasian Lay Preachers…. …………… 72 118 Foreign and Eurasian Teachers. 98 75 Lady Missionaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479 711 * See also pp. 26, 47 (January), 205 (March), .. TotaL………………….. 1,235 1,761 and 248, 276, 292 (present Issne).

+t See p. 241 of this issue. If the Eurasians are omitted, the latter "A Brief Review of Ten Years' Missionary Labor in India. between 1852 and 1861," by Joseph figures will closely approximate to the ~u.lletl8" C,C, " . . ~overnmeIl,t ceIl,sU!I returns for 1890, which report the foreigu agents, mall! since 7 societies have mIssIons there, and female, as 1686. This only gives but 2 of them give no returns. one foreign agent to each 165,000 of the popUlation-a proportion far below what So far as appears from page 26 of the India requires. report, the number of foreign and Eura. sian missionaries is 37, the lady work. The following figures will show the ers 4, and the native pastors 115; but progress in various directions that has these numbers are difficult to reconcile been made sinoe the returns for 1881 : with the returns on page 48. There is a serious difference between the number 1881. 1890. of native Christians in 1881 and 1890, Native Ordained Agents…. 461 797 the returns being 35,708 for the former Native Preachers not Or- year, and only 22,442 for the latter- 3,491 the difference much more likely arising dalned…….. .•••. .••.•.. 2,488 4,863 from imperfect returns than actual de. Congregations. . . . . . . . . •. ., 3,650 559,661 fections. The educational returns call Native Christians ……..•• 417,372 182,722 for little notice; the pupils in 428 Communicants. .. . . . • . . . . .• 113,325 schools for boys numbering 29,027, and 1800. in 111 schools for girls, 9510. The Sun. Male Education. day.sohools number as inany as 384, 81 with 16,557 soholars. 1881. 1,584 Theological and Training 1. Returning to the Indian report, it 460 is disappointing to find that the ac· Schools …………….. . 56 53,564 oelerated rate of inorease in the native 4,770 Christian oommunity. notioeable in the Pupils………………… . 1,235 122,193 returns of 1861, 1871, and 1881, has not been sustained. It would be interest· Anglo-Yernacular Schools •. 385 ing to have explanations of this from missionaries in various parts of India, Scholars………………. . 45,249 since the rate of inorease in the gteat provinoes varies greatly, and, from the Vernacular Schools……..• 3,020 oharaoter of the different raoes, may be expeoted to vary. But the question is Scholars ……………… . 84,760 not inopportune, and could be justified -has preaohing to the heathen, with Female Education. 1,507 an earnest aim for their conversion, as Sch,lols………………… 1,120 62,414 large a share of the efforts of missionary Pupils…. …………….. 40,897 40,513 and native evangelists as it should Zenanas Open……… ….. 7,522 32,659 have? Pupils …………….. '" 9,132 2. The progress within the Christian In Burmah 7 sooieties have representa. community oompares favorably with its tives ; the oldest and most influential extension from without, excepting in being the American Baptist Missionary one feature-the number of student!! Union. The entire number of foreign being trained either as teachers, pasand Eurasian missionaries was 52, and tor~, or evangelists, is smaller than agof lady workers 46-no less, however, gressive Christian effort or the care of than 16 of the latter being absent on the churches require, or the qualifica. furlough. The native pastors numbered tions of the converts could supply. We 146. The only item on which a com· have heard with pain and surprise of parison with the past can be instituted aggressive work diminishing, even al. is in the number of native Christians, most ceasing, through the pastoral reo who in 1881 were 75,260, and in 1890, quirements of the Christian communi- 89,182; no fewer than 33,037 of them ties being so great that they demand albeing communicants, and of these 30,- mos~ 1,111 the resources alike of miEsioJ),a,- 646 belonged to Baptist Union churches.

Education by missionaries is not as prominent a feature as in India, nor is it so much needed.

The Anglo-vernacular schools are reported as 31, with 1490 pupils; the vernacular schools were 484, with 10,119 scholars ; and the girls' day schools as 8 only, with 3554-if correct, a si,Ilgular disproportion between schools and scholars.

The Ceylon statistics ale imperfect, ries and assistants, and additional con- There is some defect in the figures reverts would bring responsibilities that lating to zenanas, as the explanatory • could not be met without additional notes appended to the report admit. aid, for the baptism of each man brings " They are incomplete and inadequate, usuRlly six or seven of a family, most but reliable so far as they go." The of them very weak and ignorant, on the returns, for instance, give the number missionaries' hands-at least for social of houses open as 40,513-a remarkable protection and moral and religious in- increase-and the pupils as only 32,659 ; struction. This is a state of affairs that but as most houses contain more than should not be allowed to continue, either one female, and many contain several, by the societies at home or the mis- we presume the latter number indicates sionaries abroad. An adequate staff of only those who properly are scholars, missionaries should be maintained in taking no account of the varying numevery important station, and they should ber of women who from time to time check the demands of native Christians assemble in zenanas to hear the lady on their time and resources, for the lat- missionary, with her native helper, ter are not always wise or unselfish, and speak, read, or sing, or instruct others. their most efficient way to meet all true Certain it is that in houses thus visited requirements is to train for Christian thousands of women hear of Christ and service as many of their converts as Christianity who otherwise could not have the reqnisite willingness, con- and would not. joined with grace and good sense; and the natural gifts for high Christian ser- 4. A brief report is given of medical vice are as abundant in India as any- missionary appliances, from which it' where. appears that the foreign and Eurasian medical missionaries in India proper 3. It is a good feature that education were 96 ; the native Christian assistants, is so advancing. Thanks to the govern- 168, and the hospitals, etc., 162. No ment and the missionaries, the Hindus returns of the kind have hitherto been are rapidly becoming an educated peo- given; but though there has been a pIe; and the education given by the considerable increase in such agency of latter has advantages of a special kind. late years, the returns just given require It is most thoroughly Christian. It explanation. Some of the 96 are by no powerfully influences native and gov- means exclusively medical missionaries. ernment schools. It is the most power- Many of the native assistants are not ful of all weapons with which to smite practitioners, and the" etc." after hos- Hindnism. It is the most paying of-all pitals covers very subordinate establishforms of missionary effort, since the ments. school fees go far toward meeting school expenses. It supplies us with a large 5. Sunday-schools have grown much proportion of our' best preachers and in number and popularity. In 1881 teachers, and it prepares the way for there were only 1867 schools, having many reforms. The remarkable change 61,688 scholars; in 1890 there were 3503, of sentiment passing over the more in- with 135,565 scholars. fluential classes of society on most social and domestic questions is mainly 6. A comparison of these results with owing to its influence; and of these, the census returns of the government, femRle education is the most important. so far as yet ascertained, are interesting The increase of girls' schools, of houses and corroborative of the general acopen to instruction, and of openings for curacy of the missionary reports. The lady missionaries is distinctly trace- government census for India gives the able to the education given for some Protestant foreign agents, male and time in Anglo-vernacular schools for female, as 1686; the native Christian boys more than to any other source. agents, 4288 ; and the total Christian population, including Europeans, Syr- ians, Roman Catholics, and Protestants 6S 2,159,781 ; and of these, 559,661 ar; and pernicious domestic and social cus· Protestant native Christians-goodly toms relating to the status and influ.

numbers, doubtless, in themselves, but ence of women are rapidly changing.

small in comparison with 279,684,203 of Christianity and Hinduism are now in the splendid empire; the larger number deadly conflict, but the issue cannot be only 0.77 of the whole, and the latter uncertaiu.

0.20.

But there are some features of Chris- tian progress of which none of these fig. -Miss Margaret W. Leitch is author· ures take account. They cannot be tabu- ity for the statement, which may well lated, but they are of immense impor. make the saints of Christian lands to tance-probably, indeed, as significant blush, that there· are in North Ceylon of success as the tables are-and they 2700 native Christians, gathered into 22 deserve a much higher place in the esti. native churches, the majority of which mation of professing Christians than are entirely self.supporting. The native they receive. Christians not only support their own 1. BeRides the avowed and baptized pastors and a number of resident work- adherents to Protestant missions, there ers as evangelists and Bible.readArs, are Dlultitudes who have an intelligent and give to the support of the Bible So- knowledge of the great truths of Chris· ciety, Tract Society, and to educational tianity and more or less believe in institutions, but they also support 13 them. There is also an inner cirole native missiQ71aries, whom they send out containing a large body of secret disci· of the peninsula to labor in the" regions pIes. Every missionary of experience beyond," As a rule they are accustomed knows of imch or has heard of them. to give one tenth of their entire income to Their number of course cannot be ascer· the service of God. Those who reoeive a tained, but it ~as been estimated by salary give one tenth of that amount.

those whose opinions are entitled to Those who are farmers give one tenth deference as probably equal to that of of the produce of their fields or gardens, the avowed believers. and the firstling of the flock and of the 2. Again, anywhere, but especially in herd. The women daily set aside one India, more than individual conversions handful of rice in aid of their foreign are to be taken into account. We are mission work, diminishing the amount engaged there in the most stupendous of food which the family was accustomed enterprise the Church of God has ever to use day by day by this quantity.

undertaken, not excepting the conver. And an English Church missionary sion of the Roman Empire. It is being tells a similar story of giving which done. But much that is done is not costs: .. You know about the Bhalaj been. Probably more bas been accom· church being seated by a widow there plished that is not seen or tabulated in memory of her husband. Another than is. It i~ certain that the whole member of the Bhalaj congregation has system of popular beliefs, superstitions, offered to erect a pulpit (a table and and customs springing out of them are desk have hitherto been used). Last changing and giving place to opinions, Monday I visited a member of the Na.

sentiments, and usages more or less riad congregation, who is ailing, and be- Christian. Polytheism is giving place fore I left he handed me 50 rupees to .to monotheism. Transmigration theo. be used in connection with the Nariad ries of the soul are losing their strange church. A member of our church in power. Caste is weakening. Brahmani_ Anand here sold a piece of land 8 week cal inftuence is waning. Christian con. or two ago, and brought me 25. rupees- ceptions of morals and of a future life a tenth of the price-to be used for the are spreading; Rnd all the rAstrictive good of the church." D. L. L.

GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE

VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD.

Extraots a.nd Transla.tions from Foreign tinctively Lutheran, it was welcomed Periodioals. by the Church, which was then glad of its aid against rationalism. As this foe BY lIlilV. C. C. STAllBUCK, £NDOVXR, lIUSS.

receded, the ecclesiastical and doctrinal THE CONTINENT. senso grew stronger, and in 1845 the -The Rev. William Boyd, in the Lund Society was formed on a strict U. P. Record, describing the Vaudois Lutheran basis. In 1854 it came into valleys, givos a new impression of them. connection with the rigorously Lutheran He says: "The valleys are extremely Leipsic Society. In 1856 the Fosterlands- beautiful. The vegetation is rich. sliftung was formed for both home and Shrubs and flowers, confined to the foreign missions, and one that is both.

conservatory with us, grow luxuriantly the Lapp Mission. This represented in the open air, and all around on the a more free church tendency; but since terraced hills are vineyards, in which I the formation by the Waldenstromians saw red and white grapes hanging in of the Swedish Missionary League, in luscious clusters." The Scottish Pres. 1881, it has assumed a position nearer byterians, instead of aggravating the that of Lund. In 1874 the Church of divisions of Italian Protestantism, by Sweden herself organized a missionary setting up churches of their own, more board, whose six members are chosen wisely help the Waldensian Church. In by the Quinquennial Convocation, the the same magazine he also says of the archbishop also being ex.officio presi.

Free Church of France: "Thill chul'ch dent, and a permanent secretary having -fonndedin 1848, when the Eglise Re- the immediate direction. Lund and formee, from which she seceded, rejeot. the Swedish Society have fused them- cd by a large majority her ancient Con. selves in this. The Fosterlands.stiflung fession of Faith-has not advanoed in remains distinct, though friendly and number or in influence as was at first co-operative. The Tamil Mission is expected. But the principles for which still in connection with Leipsic, and the she contended have advanced. and that Swedish Society retains its distinctness in a very remarkable degree. I don't in the Lapp Mission..

think the Synod of the Eglise Reformee, -Missionary Charles E. Faithfull, of if it were to meet now, wonld repeat the the Seamen's Rest, 38 Quai du Port, vote which led to the disruption, more Marseilles, France, publishes from time than forty years ago. The wave of to time attractive reports in fac.simile, rationalism has subsided. A very large the last including three months' work. majority of the French clergy are now We make some extracts: "January 2d. decidedly evangelical, and the same can Was our annual jete. Abt,ut 60 sailors be said of the members of that church, present, representing several nationaliwho number about half a million peo· ties. One of the French pastors presid. pIe, While it is admitted that the happy ed. and other friends gave valuable as· ohange is in no BmaH meMure due to sistance, making the soiree pleasant and the influence of their lesB imponapt instructive. After music, recitations, sister." and refreshments, brief gospel addresses –The earliest Swedish missionary so- followed in French and English. By ciety was formed at Gothenburg in the kindness of the director of the 1829. The Swedish Missionary Society McAll Mission, Ml". Lenoir, it was held (absorbing the former) was formed in in his fine hall next door. It pleases Stockholm iu 1835. Though not dis. God to try our faith in the mattel" of

EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIO;NB

means; several times lately a few pence his family with the necessaries of life, was our only visible fortune, but on every he went to the Bishop of Wilna, who occasion help came in trme to meet all showed him great kindness. .. The reclaims. • Jehovah jireh! '-With mul- sult has been the establishment of a titudes the world over we mourn the de- concurrent Lutheran and Greek miBBion parture of dear Mr. Spurgeon, in whom to the Jews in Wilna. I lose a personal friend and subscriber. -Februa.,ry. Profiting by the visit of Dr. -The Rev. L. G. Hasse, of the Mora- Loba and Mr. Reveillaud, of the MeAl! vians, who within a few years ha'Ye rs- Mission, a special service was held; sub- acquired legal reoognition in Bohemia ject, 'The Greatest Voyage in the World.' and Moravia, where they now have five Both friends spoke powerfully, and with congregations, writes: ,. This whole evident appreoiation, on the sailors' part. locality teems with reminiscences and A noteworthy fact the local papers traditions of the Ancient Brethren's kindly announced the meeting free of Church. Almost every name is familcharge.-Again this month it has been iar. Here among the hills of Reicheour privilege to help on their way either nau, the Unity of the Brethren was ingoing or returning missionaries labor- stituted ; some one has cut the figures ing in India or China.-March 20th. Mr. 1457 into an old fir tree which stands C. Cook interested the sailors by pris- on the hillside at Lhota. Here the first on experiences. 31st. Visited the Aus- synod assembled; here, at Brandeis, tralian liner; a Christian sailor is on was the last hiding-place of Comenius. board; he takes with him a parcel of This neighborhood is the cradle and the books, besides some New Testaments. grave of our ancient Unity of the Breth- The reading-rooms continue to be well ren." frequented; 5195 visits have been paid during the past four months, of which – " Old Catholic Congress at Lucerne.- 3911 were French, 592 English, 505 The second international congress of Scandinavian, 113 Germans, 12 Dutch the Old Catholics, which took place at or Belgians, 5 Greeks or Italians, 12 Lucerne in September, was an event ol Spaniards or Portuguese, 45 Russians, mOfe than ordinary interest. Not only 1 Swiss. The hospital has been visited wefe the Eastern churches, which stm regularly. Please pray for the sick claim to be Catholic, represented by in. ones, who for the most .part are doubly fluential dignitaries, but the invitation worthy of pity, as, in addition to their was extended to the Protestant churched physical sufferings, they are frequently of the West. The Reformed communtreated far from wisely or well. I know ions of Germany and Switzerland were of one who has teen there for more specially asked to send representatives, than three months with a broken leg, and the gathering at Lucerne also inand for five week!! he had not a drop of cluded bishops of the Church of Engwater wherewith to wash his face and land and notable English Nonconformhands. The French, as a rule, fea1.' water ists. The Russian Church sent a promiin sickness. . .. . nent ecclesiastic, who was spoken to • very plainly by some of the English "As to the gold and sil ver, I have visitors on the subject of the Stun.Ust only to thank the Lord and His servants perpecutions. He listened to their refor the comparatively liberal supplies, monstrances quite courteously, but always more at this time of year, owing seemed unable to understand the Brit. to the customary visits to the Riviera ish ideas of religious toleration."-Misand Switzerland." sionary Record (United Presbyterian, Church of Scotland.) -From Russia Mr. Friedmann writes, in Jewish Intelligence: "A Jewish rabbi PALESTINE. applied to me for instruction and baptisin. Being unable to provide him and -To the sons of George Foy, whether they are still found within the COIU-

GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE

munion dating from him or not, noth. oult for some to abandon the many ing is more gratifying than the revival forms find oeremonies to whioh the peo- of missionary zeal within it on distinot- ple in this oountry have been acous- ly evqeli081 lines. Those Christians tomed for so many oenturies. We now whom we call Ritualists are doing a vast number thirty.seven members, besides amount of most excellent work. Yet, as five birthright members. We hope, as The Christian well remarks, it is good to the new-born babes reoeive physioal hold up, against some reoent rather growth and strength, that they may alarming reorudesoences of mere sacer- grow spiritually in the Christian re- dotalism, the recent growth of numben; ligion.

and zeal in the Sooiety of Friends-a "In the days before the Friends swiety whioh has ministers, indeed, began mission work here, many of our but has neither" clergy" nor" laymen." people were thieves and robbers. They One of the most beautiful missions of often fought and troubled each other the Amerioan branoh of the sooiety is and their neighbors; but now all is the Eli and Sybil Jones Mission in the changed. The people oome quietly to Holy Land. This has established a the meetings, and there is no need for monthly meeting at Ramallah, north of aTtns. Although the good ohanges are Jerusalem (held by Ewald to be Ramah slow, they are sure, and we oan be en- of Samuel), from whose epistle to the oouraged for the future. The ohanges New England yearly meeting we give seem like the new moon-not easily some extraots. It is signed by two desoried at first, yet as it approaohes Arab olerks of meeting• the full, oan euily be seen by the weak- • •• DEAB FBIENDs: • Graoe and peaoe est eyes.

be multiplied unto you through the .. Although far separated from you in knowledge of God and of Jesus our body. yet we feel that we are spiritually Lord.' The many blessings which have united. Our oountry, language, and been given us by our heavenly Father oustoma greatly differ from yours, yet through you oonstrain us to send you 'by one Spirit we are all baptized into greeting at this, the beginning of a new one body, … hether we be Jews or Gen- year. We realize that you are sending tileR, whether we be bond or free, and of your sustenance to this far· off land, have all been made to drink into one to elevate us, both temporally and spir- Spirit: itually. Not only this, but you have " Finally, we ask you, when you pray, given and are giving for our benefit your not to forget us who are connected with very selves. Those of your own hon- you in the bonds of Christian love. We ored membera have oome to us. First, especially ask you, in the meeting now we would mention the sainted Eli Jones, assembled, to lift up your hearts to the who, with his noble wife, was the only high and true God; to ask Him to founder of the mission. The good work riohly bless His work in this country, so well begun by him only eternity will where our Saviour Jesus Christ lived reveal, and the blessed memory of those and died, and to make this mission 8S a dear people of God in this place. will minaret upon a high hill, to slline out ever remain and be transmitted to our and bleBS all around. May the graoe of children and children's children after God be with youa11. In behalf of us. They are now saints in glory; but Ramallah Monthly Meeting of Friends I others of your numbE'r are walking in in Palestine. Your brothers in Christ, I their footsteps and have taken up their •• SALBl!llII: SAADU, . work. " CLEAII AUDI, ., Spiritual worship beoame wonderful " Clerks."

and beautiful to our people as they were carefully guided to an nndersl.anding of -If every member of another denomi- its meaning, although it was very dun- nation who is of Quaker desoent would

EXTRACTS AND

Bend 'one dollar to William T. HU88ey, days were like the spring oi Europe. North Berwick, Me., this exercise of The health of the people and the prod. .. natural piety" WOUld. we are Bure, uce of their fisheries were both good. bless both the giver and the receivers. In this land of perpetual hardship every mitigation is a matter of specia.! thank. MISCELLANEOUS. fulness. The grippe. it is true, visited the people, but was fatal in only a few -" When it is a time like that night cases. on the Sea of Tiberistl, when they labored in vain, who knows bot that, as -The Moravian congregations in yonder the Stranger on the shore called Jamaica are beginning to develop spe- to them, 'Cast the net on the right side cial interest in their East African Mis- of the ship!' 80 the Lord is already sion. The Presbyterians of Jamaica making ready the hour when the nets have long been specially connected with shall be found full and more than foil, the United Presbyterian Mission in and the word shall pUR, as in John, ' It West Africa. Perhaps these are the is the Lord!' Who knows, moreover, first·fruits of a mighty refluent influ· how the Lord will uplift the hearts of ence from the children of Africa upon His servants, having already prepared the motherland. for them the meal upon the shore. at which they may rejoice in His pres. -The quiet little Moravian Mosquito ence, and all questions sink into silence Mission is changing it1l face. "The before the one joyful consciousne88: Mosquito Reserve is no more the little • It is the Lord!' He was with them in laud, still and far from the 'World, in • the nigbt of waiting; He will be with which our missiollaries were the only them in the dawn of blesaing."-The authority. More and more is it coming Very Reverend Superintendent WJ:BNIIB, into the circle of the world's commerce. in Evangelisch·LutMrisclies Mi.tsionsblaU. This, in 80me respects, has its evil aides ; but it lays out a wider range of respon. -Great uncertainty has been felt over sibility before our Mission as the Lord the final rellults of the great abundance gives into our hands an ever wider and of Christian labor in Jamaica. Even more important field of activity." the present writer, after spending ten years in the island, knew not what to -" What David Livingstone is to the say at the end. It is therefore encour. tribes of Africa, Henry Martyn is to the aging that Bishop Romig, of the Mora. people of Persia. These clever Moham· vians, says: "We find the black people medans could argue point by point in owning land and hooses, a number of favor of their own religion ; but the fact small pe!8!nt proprietors, industrious, of this noble, Belf.8!lCriiicing life, so like honest, and God·fearing ; acquiring and the Christ he came to commend, either practising, year by year, those habits convinced them or sent them away of steady application; intelligence, and bsmed. The fact that so few were con· self·reliance so essential to Bucce88 in verted under Martyn, and that so few the black or white man. Among their have been won since, shows what a dim· . number to·day are lawyers, doctors, cult task the Church has before her. clergymen, and schoolmasters, talented, This work is not to be done at our ease, successful and respected members of with the mere surplus of onr wealth and their professions." The Moravians and the fragments of our time. It demands Presbyterians have been especja.!ly suc. all the ellergy, and faith, and prayers of cessful here in developing solid char. the Church. It is a dead lift, demanding acter among their people. the redeeming grace of the Almighty God working through man doing his -The Moravian brethren report that best. The Church of Christ is slowly the Greenland winter and spring of 1891 awaking to this fact…- The Ohurch were uncommonly mild. Some of the Manthly.

GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE

THE WORLD AT LARGE. For the Church's marching orders see -Dr. Paton says it is demonstrated Matt. 28 : 19, 20, and passim.

by figures that in the South Seas ~ soul –As the .Mis.~ionary Ilerald reminds is ssved for every $5 expended upon us: .. Eighty-Ii ve years ago the directors missions. of the East India Company placed on -These are the words of David solemn record : • The sending of Chris- Brainerd, with reference to his toil in tian missionaries into our Eastern posbehalf of the Indians, and they cOLtain sessions is the maddest, most expensive, the secret of his success: "I cared not most unwarranted project that was ever where or how I lived, or what hard· proposed by a lunatic enthusiast.' A ships I went through, so that I could few months since the Lieutenant·Govbut gain souls for Christ. While I was ernor of Bengal ssid: • In my judgment, asleep I dreamed oC these things, and Christian missionaries have done more when I awoke the first thing I thought real and lasting good to the people of of was this great work. .,11 my desire India than all the other agencies com· was for their conversion, and all my bined.' "

hope was in God. " -All this happened only a hundred -A recent visitor to Northfield and years ago : A bishop of the Church of Mount Hermon, Mass., writes thus con- England said he had in his diocese a cerning what he saw: .. As one looks very good clergyman, but one who was around he must be impressed with the VfAry eccentric, and gave as proof of it massiveness of these foundations on the fact that the said clergyman actually which these great schools are estab· believed the Indians of North America • lished-the massiveness of the faith and could be converted! Three years after energy of one living, loving, and devot· Carey had arrived in India the Assem. ed layman ; and one asks himself the blyof the Church of Scotlanddenounced question, 'Suppose evel1/ layman and the scheme of foreign missions as "illuevery clergyman were equally devoted, sive," "visionary," "dangerous to the what would be the results to the church good order of society," and as " im. of Jesus Christ 1" proper and absurd to propagate the Gospel in heathen lands so long as there -The Moravian Church, after ten was a single person in Scotland who was years' provisional admlliistration, has withoutthe means of knowing the way finally assumed permanent control of of life."

the Protestant Lepers' Asylum at Jeru. -In a clarion call for a crusade in be· salem. half of the world's evangelization Canon -Things old as well as things new Farrar expostulates: .. If all the inhab- have a place and a value; therefore reo itants of the globe were to pass by us in call this : It is related of the Duke of long procession, two thirds of the whole Wellington that when he was in India innumerable multitude would be fetish many friends of missions would ask worshippers, or fire worshippers, or him, "Do you think, Duke, that we are idolators, or followers of Confucius, or making progress here? Do you think . sunk in the thinly veiled negations of India will ever be Christianized?" The Buddhism. Would this have been pos- old duke was wont to draw himself up sible if the Church had retained the and answer, "What do I think of mis· fervor and enthusiasm of her early faith sions? Will India ever be Christian· and had sent forth not merely an iso.

ized? What is ihat to me? Tell me lated preacher here and there, like a Paul, or a Boniface, or a Columba, or a the marching orders." Xavier, but·· an adequate number of laborers into fields already white unto " • Forward!' the captain's cry ; the· harvest ?" Theirs not to make reply, Theira but to do and die." -A missionary in Japan protests fluence of these truths to lead them to vigorously to the Missionary Herald abandon their old evil practices. I find against the use of the term heathen as that this plan answers better than any applied to the non-Christian peoples of negative teaching could possibly do."

Asia, and appears to make out his case. -This is Stanley's story of what one This is his language: "The Japanese Bible accomplished: "In 1875,. Miss are very sensitive over this word. It Livin~tone, the sister of David LivinglIeems to them an offensi ve and rude stone, presented me with a beautifully term, a word of inferiority or even of bound Bible. On a subsequent visit to contempt. It was from our English Mtesa I read to him some chapters, and Bible, doubtless, that it came so widely as I finished it flashed through my mind into use. Yes; but go to the Revised that Uganda was destined to be won for Version, and not one single passage in Christ. I was not permitted to carry the New Testament can be found with that Bible away. Mtesa never forgot this word in it. Christ and His disci- the wonderful words, nor the startling ples never used it. They spoke of na- effect they had upon him ; and just as I tions with respect and hope; never of was turning away from his country to heathen, pagans, outsiders. The revised continue my explorations across the Old Testament, too, has largely done Dark Continent, a messenger who had the same. Our new Bible is pretty well travelled two bundred miles came to me cleared up, so far as the word heathen is crying out that Mtesa wanted the book, concerned. The worst people in our and it was given to him. To-day the so-called Christian civilization use this Christians in Uganda number many • word most freely. Gamblers, hard thousands; they bave proved their faith drinkers, pharisaical moralists, and low at the stake, under the knobstick, and politicians cannot ring changes enough under tortur9 until death." on it. 'The heathen Chinese,' • the heathen Jap,' are the words of human -A Greek Christian in Turkey has beings who never had a noble thought sent to the treasury of the American toward the people of another nation, Board a draft for $1820, and wrote in nor a spark of true patriotism. So that the letter which conveyed it : "Feeling I would raise the question: Isn't it time that God has placed me under g~eat that we missionaries part company with obligations for blessings bestowed, I those who roll the word heathen under have decided to keep a part of the sumR their tongues as a sweet morsel of con- He has given me as a trust to be admintempt? Shall we Christians at home or istered for His glory, and a part I send in mission fields be courteous in preach- you to be used as herein directed" ing the gladdest tidings on earth, or This man became a Christian some years ago, while at Constantinople. He not?" Query.-Will not the same plan work has done much evangelistic work, enas well in Christian lands? Dr. Paton tirely at bis own expense, has been does not tell the cannibals to whom he the object of protracted persecntion, has ministered so successfully what has been often iu prison, and from the errors of teaching they must avoid, nor first bas calmly faced the probability of does he dwell even on the sins which losing all his earthly possessions.

they commit. But rather he tells them -Eugene Stock. of the Church Mis- that Jesus offers them full redemption sionary Society, after a wide observation from sin, and calls them to abandon sin of the facts in the case, is thoroughly and serve Him. Bishop Patteson, labor- convinced of "the unwisdom of trying ing among the same people, said : ,. I to create missionary interest by getting don't even tell them that cannibalism R parish or a SundaY·Rehool to support or taboo is wrong. I simply teach them a catechist in India or II child in a Mel- great positive truths, and trust to the in- anesian boarding-school." He repudiates " the idea that. missionary interest. AMERICA. is fostered at all by the plan of thus con· centrating attention upon one spot and United States,-Surely, groBS merone individual;" and affirms that·· had cantilism and materialism are not unione half the energy expended in get- versal even among wealthy Americans, ting a few pounds together for a local for the Oongregationalist is able to reoord object. been used to tell of the vast these as among the events of a siugle needs of India or Africa, and to band week: "John D. Rockefeller has added the praying people together to meet $1,000,000 totheendowmen&of theUniand read and pray and stir one an- versityof Chioago, to which, wit.hin four other up, the results would have been years, he had previously given $2,600,- much better." 000. Dartmouth College has been the reoipient. of $180,000. Miss Mary Gar- -The Medical M'18sionary Record of rett has given $400,000 to endow the New York has prepared with great care Women's College of Medioine at Johns a list of all the medical missionaries in Hopkins University, Baltimoro, while the world. It contains the names of Gammon Institute, in Georgia, haa just 359, of whom 74 are women, and only become tho legatee of an estate valued those poasessing full medical qualifica- at $750,000. Mr. George W. Vanderbilt tions are included. The Presbyterian has given' his art gallery building, Church of the United States has 48 ; the valued at $100,000, to the American American Board has 32 ; the Methodist Fine Arts Sooiety of New York City." Church, 30 ; the Church Miasionary So- The totalis$2,430,000," made known to ciety, 25 ; the Free Church of Scotland, the world within 168 hours." 20; the United Presbyterian Church, 10; and the Church of Scotland, 8, and -Perhaps, all things considered, Dr. the Presbyterian Church of Canada the Daniel Kimball Pearsons, of Chicago, same number. The United States has among living givers approaohes nearest 173 ; Great Britain, 169 ; Canada, 7 ; and to the ideal. Within five years his Germany, 3. As regards countries occu- benefactions have reaohed a round millpied, China has the largest number- ion, and in his giving he makes a spe- 126 ; India, 76 ; and Africa, 46. cialty of spurring others to open their purses. "I'll bestow this-sum on– -Bishop Levering, when asked how college, or theological seminary, or hosit came about t.hat the Moravians were pital, if you will secure this other sum so noted for their self-denial and activ- within a given time," ity in missions, replied: ., When the converts join the Church we try to get -It is estimated that it oosts well-to. them to realize that they are joining a do people in this country $125,000,000 great missiol1ary society." yearly to support oharitable institutions. while about $500,000,000 are invested -The Lutheran churches of Christen- in permanent buildings, where the dom sustain 40 missionary societies on ueedy are cared for, Add to this one 22 fields, occupied by 700 stations, 1000 item in the paragraph preoeding; add missionaries and 4000 native helpers, in also the cost of all our academies, col. charge of 210,000 members; 1600 com- leges, theological seminaries, eto.: to mon schools, with 60,000 pupils, and 25 this add the oost of our prisons, hoshigher institutions. Annual income pitals, etc. ; add also what we pay for and expenditures, $1,200,000. There tea and coffee, for fashions and all manare 20 institutions for the training of ner of personal indulgence-not to name missionaries, and the circulation of mis- tobacco and liquor; and is it not clear sionary periodicals is nry large. So that our 65,000,000 expend a hundredstates Professor W. Wackeroagel, of fold more upon themselves than they Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., in do upon the 20 times 65,000,000 in the the Lutheran Observer. world outside? -The American Institute of Sacred like an educational plan-but by an Literature, of which Dr. W. R. Harper earnest Christian woman, who pitied is president, has students in 15 differ- the children of her sex who were being ent countries, including Korea, Hawaii, sold as victims of the lust of agents and Burma, AfI8am and Bermuda; 3000 are miners. fur traders and adventurers. It enrolled in the Hebrewand Greek depart- would be impossible to exaggerate the ment, and thousands more in the English importance of Christian iniluence in elementary and advanced Bible study. checking evil in Alaska, or the heroism -It is estimated that the public and of missionaries of various denominaprivate hospitals of New York City con- tions who are pushing their work up to tain 11,000 beds, and during a year min- the gates of eternal ice in Bering Straits…

ister to between 50,000 and 60,000 pa- -In justice to the smaller denomina- tients, at a cost of $2,500.000. In addi. tions, as, indeed, also some of the larger tion, at the 50 or more public and pri- ones, it should be borne in mind that vate dispensaries upward of 664,000 they have but few men of wealth in persons receive annually medical or their membership, and hence their mis- surgicalllid. At least so much is done sionary societies receive but little or in the metropolis to solve" the problem nothing from bequests-a source whic):J.

of sickness." Rev. George S. Baker, supplies to the stronger societies a large pastor and superintendent of St. Luke's part of their income.

Hospital, states these facts in the -Our Baptist brethren rejoice at the Ohurchman. prospect of raising $1,000,000 to cele. brate the centenary of foreign missions. -There are now 4 Jewish-American John D. Rockefeller has contributed papers which favor holding synagogue $50,000; James B. Colgate, $10,000; services on Sunday. Upon this subject Charles L. Colby, $7000, and J. Lewis the Jewish Tidings says: "The other Crozer, of Philadelphia, $5000; while Jewish journals will soon fall into line, from one Baptist church $25,000 is exfor they certainly cannot long oppose pected for this same fund. the inevitsble. The sentiment of the majority of the Jews of America is un· ·-Chaplain McCabe puts two things questionably in favor of the introduc- together in this fashion: "The total tion of Sunday services, and come they income of the Roman Catholic propamust. " ganda in 1891, with all the world to collect from, was $1,271,947. The in- -The Boston Seaman's Friend So- come of the Missionary Society of the ciety dates from 1827, has an income of Methodist Episcopal Church for 1892 nearly $10,000, and has recently pur- was $1,269,483. Only about $10,000 chased a piece of property for its uses, of this came from our foreign miBBions. paying $32,000 in cash and giving a An increase of $3000 more in our in. mortgage note for $40,000. Vessels are come, and our Methodist Missionary So. visited and religious services are sup- ciety will pass the Roman propaganda. plied, as well as meals, lodging, etc. But, in justice, we ought to add to what the parent society raises all missionary The British and Foreign Sailors' So- offerings, such as the Woman's Foreign ciety raised over £21,000 (including the Missionary Society and the Woman's Bums raised for local purposes), and the Home Missionary Society, and Bishop Mi88ions to Seamen's Society (English Taylor's work. This brings the grand Established Church) raised £28,000 during the last fiscal year.

-Said Dr. F. F. Ellinwood recently: total up to more than $1,8oo,OOO-far be- " The beginnings of faithful work among yond the highest sum ever reached by the the Indians of Alaska were made, not Roman Catholic propaganda. We are by government agents-though the gov- fully half a million beyond Rome in ernment has now undertaken something our annual offerings." WOMAN'S WORK. Mount Lebanon, Baalbec, Tyre, etc., -The first woman's foreign mission- also schools for the blind and a staff of ary organiiation-the Society for Pro- 31 Bible.women, hareem visitors, and moting Female Education in the East, Scripture readers. The number of of England-was founded in 1834. The schools is 29, with the highest entry of first woman medical missionary was Dr. 3500 pupils. The sum needed for the Clara Swain (Methodist Episcopal), who maintenance of these various agencies reached Bllreilly, Northwest India, in . is £6000 per annum.

1870, and the work in which she was a – The Ladies' Association for the Suppioneer i~ now carried on by not less port of Zenana Work and Bible-Women than 75 of her sex. in India and China, in connection with -At the 32d annual meeting of the the English Baptist Missionary Society, Union Woman's Missionary Society (the occupies 22 stations in India, with a staff oldest in the United States), recently of 56 zenana visitors and assistants, and held, the treasurer's report showed the 160 native Bible.women and schoolreceipts for the past year to have been teachers. There are 64 girls' schools. $54,505 and the balance for 1891, $1398. RepresentativllS are to be sent this The expenditures for 1892 were $47,581, year to China. The expenditure was leaving a balance of $8322. £8600, and an increase of £1200 is urgently called for. -Of the $1,000,000 centennialoffering proposed by the Baptist Missionary ~Herr von Donner, of Hamburg. be- Union, the Woman's Society undertakes lieving his wife's recovery from a danto raise one fifth part-$200,000. gerous illness to be due to the skilful treatment of Dr. Michelsen, a woman -The Society of the Methodist Epis- physician, has given $500,000 to found copal Church has.12 hospitals and dis- a woman's hospital in her honor in that pensaries, in which, during the last year, city.

some 35,000 women have received care. EUROPE. A girl, a Hindu waif, once in the Bareilly orphanage, has since received a medical Great Britain.-According to a cataeducation, and is now in charge of the logue recently published, the library of woman's department of a government the British Museum contains copies of hospital. This society has promised 2700 different editions of the Bible, and Bishop Thobum to raise the money re- complete Bibles in about 90 tongues. quired to educate 500 girls, at an annual cost for each of $10. -Yct again does Saul appear among the prophets, for the London Times -The Society of the Reformed (Dutch) comes to the defence of missionaries in Church maintains a library committee China. It says: "The only real interwhich has in charge to loan to auxilia- preter of the thought and progress of ries a missionary library of some 50 vol- the West to the millions of China is the umes. Books can be kept two weeks. missionary; and when we remember A catalogue is printed, giving the post. that European knowledge of China is age of each book. Every copy loaned derived almost wholly from the works contains that most impressive chart with of missionaries, we may fairly say that :figures, "A Mute Appeal in Behalf of these men stand as interpreters between Foreign Missions." the East and the West. As to the char- ity, we can only answer that China had -The Daughters of Syria Society, no efficient hospitals or medical attend- of London, formed in 1860, has a ance until the missionaries established training institution in Beyrout, with them, and,in truth, she has no other branch day schools for Mohammedans, now; and when her great men, such as Druzes, Jewesses, Oriental Christians, Li Hung Chang and Prince Chun, are in and Protestants, in Beyrout, Damascus, serious danger, they have to go to the despised missionary doctor for that effi· dence of the pUblic. Some of the solcient aid which no Chinaman can give diers are doing a grand work in the them." mission field abroad, others are labor- ing in every city and town in the king- -If one is of the opinion that Britons dom, others again in villages: Laborare only selfish and greedy to possess houses, training.schools, coffee.houses, the earth, let him examine almost any prisons, public institutions, are reaping number of the London Ohristian and the bllnefit of the organization of the learn better. Entire pages are covered Church Army." with the names of all sorts of benevolent enterprises, and a banking firm -During 1892 the Board of Examiners in a single issue reports donations reo of the Propagation Society (S. P. G.) ac· cei"ed for no less t,han 116 societies cepted 15 clergymen and 15 laymen for which minister to the poor, the sick, mission work, and with regard to destithe distressed, and the heathen. nations, the 30 are distributed thus: 11 were sent to Africa, 2 to Newfoundland, -In the year 1833 the Rev. M, Jen- 4 to Canada, 3 to the West Indies, 2 to nings, a curate in Norfolk, gave an Australia, 2 to Corea, and 6 to India. apple-tree to the wife of a farmer in whose house he was lodging. When it -The Church Missionary Society has was planted, she promised that as long been holding meetings to agitate for a as she lived she would sell the apples large increase of non-ordained persons and devote the proceeds to the Society in the field. The key-note was struck for the Propagation of the Gospel. This by Mr. James Monro,late chief commispromise she faithfully kept for fifty-nine sioner of the Metropolitan Police, but years, during which time the tree only recently engaged in mission work in failed to bear a crop twice. Of the India, who suggested that the mission. exact sum received no account has been ary call was not to a select few among kept, I?ut it is known to exceed £50. the clergy, but was to the whole Church -to the laity as well as to the clergy. -Quoth the Evangelical Churchman One result of this exclusion of the laity (Toronto): "It is said, on the author- was that the number of missionaries ity of the priest in charge, that at the had been very much limited. It had shrine of the great heathen god at Cal- also created the impression in the minds cutta, not long ago, a sum equal to of the natives of India that laymen had $1,500,000 was given in one day as the nothing to do with religious teaching. devotions of the people to their god. He thought that the society would have Yet England, with all her wealth, can to follow up its scheme of associated lay only raise $5,000,000 ina whole year for evangelists by one of associated female missions, although she spends $600,000,- evangelists. 000, it is said, for drink. The very heathen shows us the spirit of sacrifice." -The East London Institute for Home and Foreign Missions was found· -The Salvation Army idea is taking ed in 1872 to train men and women for root. The London correspondent of the mIssIonary service. Upward of 3500 South~ Churchman writes: "The work have applied, coming from upward of of the Church Army is growing with 30 countries and from almost every dethat calm, quiet growth that means so nomination. Of those accepted, 120 are much. It is growing as the Church now in the midst of their course, and grew, as the oaks grow, with the roots about 640 have entered upon their work deep down in the soil. There is no sud- in the service of 30 societies. What den, gourd.like shooting up, no wild nobler monument is possible to the extravagance; all is solid and real. The founder, H. Grattan Guinness? men are carefully trained and proved, and are winning their way to the confi- -Colonel Evans, of the Salvation Army, explains in this way the phenome, nal success which has attended that or- at Kaiserswerth has 664 deaconesses, 192 ganization : ., The real moving, heart- , probationers, and 16 deaconess pupils.

stirring, soul.saving power has been the One of the deaconesses is a native of fire of the Holy Ghost. It is this fire Arabia.

that has enabled the weakest to face and -The persecution of the Jews in Russubdue the most brutal and vicious. It sia has had one admirable (?) result. It is this fire burning in their souls that is reported that some 30,000 of them have has made the prison.cell a palace and been forced by their misery to become the darkest dungeon a mansion of light. Christians, and they are kept corraled With it they have been able cheerfully apart from other Jews, under strict to bear poverty, hunger, suffering and watch and instruction, for fear they will trial. This, and this alone, is the hid- apostatize. den, secret, vital force that has placed the army where it stands to-day." A Moscow merchant has become the godfather of 400 Jews who have The Continent.-Light in a dark been baptized to awid persecution.

place. The Missionary Church of Bel- He promised to remember in his will gium has 25 pastors and 20 other agents, every one who should be certified to have who provide for 28 congregations and 63 received the sacrament once a year, Sunday-schools, and carry on evangel- and only two have so far reported them- istic work in 100 localities. They also selves.

have about 40 halls, and hold an aver- The March of Civilization.-Tramcars age of nearly 8000 meetings a year. are to run -erelong in the streets of Their growth varies from 500 to 600 con. Thessalonica. The concession has been versions every year. These are mostly obtained by Hamly Bey, a local Crmsus. _ among the poor miners and working- men, who give liberally and show great ASIA.

activity. Still it is impossible for them Turkish Empire.-Robert College, to meet all the expenses involved, and Constantinople, has issued its 29th anearnest appeals have been made to Eng. nual report, which is full of cheer. land and this country. Any persons in- The bulk of the expenses of the college terested in the work may forward funds was met by the students. The number to Mr. Louis Bichsel, 114 West Twenty- of pupils increased from 159 the prefirst Street, New York. vious year to 194, embracing 12 nationali- -The Berlin City Mission Society is ties, the Armenians, Bulgarians, and more successful than ever in its sermon Greeks being most largely represented. distribution. The weekly edition is now The number of Turks in the college will 130,000. Of these 18,000 are used in continue to be small so long as the gov- Berlin among those whose work does erDment maintains its hostility to fornot permit them to attend the church eign and Christian schools; but Presiservices; 67,000 go to other parts of dent Washburn believes that the time Prussia; 25,000 to other German coun- will soon come when this policy will be tries, and 6500 to other parts of Europe. abandoned. A new science hall is al- The Dresden Society publishes an edi- most completed, a professorship of tion of 12,000 each week, of which about chemistry and mineralogy has been es· 1300 go to other countries than Saxony. tablished, and a flourishing Young Men's Christian Association has been organ- -The Deaconesses Mother House at Kaiserswerth recently celebrated its fifty- ized.

sixth anniversary. There are now 63 -Dr. Balph, of Kessab, Asia Min<!r, mother houses, with more tban 9000 sis· holds a clinic in the morning. One day ters in 2800 fields of work. The total a man brought his wife to have the docincome was 8,000,000 marks during the tor treat her eyes. He asked him if any past twelve months. The original house one had treated her before. He replied, " No; I took her to a physician, and he an infidel's disfigurement of the classi.

asked me to pay two liras (about $9), cal work of Mohammedan theology. Bu t and I told him I did not want to waste in the end he was led to open the book so much money on her. Why," he con- and read a few lines, which so impressed tinued, " 1 would sell Iter for half. that him that he read on, and then expressed amount." his astonishment that there existed -If to be "mad" is a sure indication among infidels a man who apparently that" the gods" are about to send de· understood Beidhawi as well as an or· struction, it looks much as though the thodox doctor. time of " the sick man" was short. It is pleasant to read this in the London India.-Rev. W. H. Ball says that 90 Ohristian Leader: "The censorship in per cent of native converts in India are Turkey over the religious press is be. won by native preachers, men of won- derful eloquence.

coming intolerable, and Her Majesty's -The Rev. Abdul AU, of Banda, a representative has declared that the lineal descendant of the prophet Mo· Christian Scriptures must be admitted hammed, has died after more than intact. The censors have been erasing twenty years' loving and successful ser· , J~w' and 'Hebrew' in all places, vice in the Gospel ministry. He gained and inserting the word' Christian' be· converts from all classes, his first confore sinners, ,thus: 'Jesus came into vert of distinotion being a learned the world to save (Christian) sinners'- Maulvi. Another of his converts was as if no Turks could be sinners." And, one of the Maharajah's pandits. No further, the shocking intelligence comes journey was too difficult, if only he that a Mohammedan mob has burned could win the inquirers to whom he the fine new college building of the went to Christ. American Board at Marsovan. -A native paper of Bombay-the Dny. And why should not redemption be uno.daya-calls upon any person who brought in part by the locomotive? has found in any of the Hindu sacred Scarcely had we read of the completion books the thought that God hates sin, of the railroad from Joppa to Jerusalem to point out the passage, quoting chap. before we are informed that another is ter and verse. It says that it knows no under way from Acre, under Mount Car. utterance affirming that God desires mel, through Esdraelon, past Cana and that man should be saved from sin and Nazareth, across the Jordan, and thence made pure in heart. north to Damascus; that a French com· pany has broken ground for a third -There are more missionary socie- from Beyrout aoross the Lebanon range ties represented in India than in any to the same city; and, finally, that a other country of the world; there are Belgian company will soon build' a more missionaries, more sohools, more track from Samsoun, on the Black Sea, churches, more communicants, a wider to Ceyas, on the Mediterranean. thus opportunity for every form of Christian opening up the heart of Asia Minor! endeavor, the use of every weapon of Let His Serene Highness look out for Christian warfare, the application of the engine. every Christian principle. And well -Professor Fleischer, who died a few may it be so ; for the population num· years ago, was an uncommonly fine bers 288,000,000, and the idols wor· Arabic scholar. One of his works, an shipped 330,000,000. And besides, In· edition of Beidhawi's" Commentary on dia is under the especial care of Chris· the KOI."an," was submitted to the Sheik. tian Britain.

ul·lslam at Constantinople, the highest -Hindus show their piety in build· of all Moslem dignitaries, who consid- ing hospitals for mosquitoes, snakes, ered it beneath him even to glance at . and scorpions, but allow their wives and mothers to' die a do~' s death when at- react upon their thonghts and charactacked by disease, rather than expose ter." them to the touch, or even gaze, of a physician. -The editor of a Madras yernacular newspaper, himself" an astute, stanch, -T. G. Scott, of the Bareilly Theo- and orthodox Brahmin of a renowned logical Seminary, pleads with his Meth- priestly family," takes thlS gloomy view odist brethren to send him $20,000 for of the situation: "We entertain no enlargement: " The call ii for pastors more any hope for that religion which and. evangelists. In the history of this we consider dearer to us than our life. seminary 200 preachers have been sent Hinduism is now in its deathbed, and, out, but we now should send them out unfortunately, there is no drug which at a much more rapid rate, and here is can be safely administered into it for the deadlock. A Moslem college close its recovery. There are native Chrisby has been lately endowed with a sum tians nowadays who have declared a terwhich makes $20,000 look paltry; and a rible crusade against the entire fabric of Hindu temple is being completed at a Hinduism, and many men of splendid cost of some $2,000,000." education are also coming forth, even from our own community, who have al- -The Dublin University mission to ready expressed a desire to accept Chris. the diocese of Chota-Nagpore has settled tianity; and should these gentlemen in Hazaribagh, a town of 30,000 inhab- really become first Christians, and then itants. A number of buildings belong- its preachers, they will give the last ing to the military station, abandoned deathblow to mother Hinduism, because by the government ten years ago, have these men are such as will never turn been made over to the mission for a their backs from the plough after having nominal rate, and will serve the mem- been once wedded to it. Every moment bers for dwelling-house, hospital, dis- our dear mother (Hinduism) is expected pensary, chapel, and school. to breathe her last. This terrible cru- sade is now carried on by the native -The Missionary Herald of the Pres- Christians with a tenacity of purpose byterian Church in Ireland, referring and a devotion which in themselves defy to the fact that the missionariel! in failure." Gujarat ancl Kathiawar mourn over a want of vital godliness, a lack of spirit- -The famous Hindu god Lingam is ual progress, and the comparatively low now owned by an English gentleman, standard of morality among the con- who paid a sum equal to $13,000 for it verts, well says: "The converts have at an auction sale of East India relics been steeped in heathenism, with its in 1888. This image stands but 121 uncleanness and abominations of all in~hes high, but, small as it is, it is well kinds, from their earliest years. Their worth its weight in first-water diatastes and connections and habits ",nd monds. The base is of pure hammered beliefs have all been moulded by hell- gold, and around it are set 9 gems-a thenism. They have centuries of hea- diamond, ruby, sapphire, chrysoberyl, then teaching behind them. Even when cat's.eye, coral, pearl, hyacinthine, garthey see and believe the truth they can- net, emerald, and moonstone. The not in a moment shake off all the past apex, which is in the shape of a pyra. and attain the same strength of char- mid, is encircled with a plinth set with acter and purity of heart and charity of small but very fine diamonds. The spirit as those who have always lived pinnacle is a topaz in the shape of a in ",n atmosphere laden with Christian horseshoe, the centre being a cat's eye truth. The Dheds, from whom many of exceeding brilliancy. of our converts are taken, are the outcasts of Hindu society, the lowest of the When the last king of Delhi was exlow, and their degraded position must iled to the Andaman Islands, his queen seoreted this idol, and it 'Was nev'lr seen people are flocking in much mo,e rapid.

again until recent research brought it to ly than the missionaries can reoeive light. them. Last year the increase of con- -A Methodist church was organized verts was from 8000 to 10,500. If the about a year ago at Quetta, Afghanistan, olergy were doubled in number, and the and a new house of 'Vorship has since native agents multiplied by three, there been dedicated. would still be too much for them to do. The candidates for baptism are kept in -How far that little candle throws his the catechumenate for two, and even as beams! That is, what a world of good many as five years. can be accomplished in the Orient with a ridiculously small sum of money. China.-A miRsionary writes: "One Thus Bishop Thoburn finds that for $10 day we went to visit the giant Buddha each, boys and girls can be maintained of Foh.hsiang. At a height of Bome 600 for a year in boaraing-schools in the feet from the ground great niches have Northwestern Provinces, and he calls been cut out in the solid rook of the for enough to start 1000 on a course of mountain, in all of which are idols, and education. in the largest of which sits the Buddha himself. He is wade of the u~ual straw -This is a sample of how the heathen and clay, painted and gilded, and is no Hindus give, at least at Neyoor,. in the less than 100 feet in height. His feet native State of Travancore. We must are 12 feet in length, a toe-nail being premise that, in order to gain a certain the size of a man's head." privilege, he was ordered to be weighed in gold, and this gold made into coins -A Chinaman came to a missionary to to be distributed to the Brahmins. On ask for baptism. When asked where he the morning when the ceremony was had heard the Gospel, he answered that performed the Maharajah visited the he had never heard the Gospel, but had royal temple, where he spent some time seen it. He then told of a poor man at in worshipping the idol and repeating Ningpo, who had once been a confirmed prayers. He then retired to his palace, opium-smoker, and a man of violent put on his royal apparel, and armed temper. This man had learned about with a shield and sword, again went to the Christian religion, and his whole the temple, where there were assembled life was altered-he gave up the opium all the Brahmins of the State. 'fhe and became loving and amiable. "Oh," king then walked round the scales three said the candidate for baptism, " I have times, prostrated himself before the sa· not heard the Gospel, but I have seen cred part of the temple, and, receiving it. " permission of the priests, he mounted the scales_ Gold coius were put into -At a meeting of Chinese womell the other side until the Maharajah, with held at Winchow, a missionary read shield, sword, and all his ornaments, some extracts from the autobiogrose high in the air. This ceremony, raphy of John G. Paton, missionary to in which the king was •• worth his the New Hebrides, and suggested that weight in gold," cost 200,000 rupees, or prayer be offered for the degraded peo- £20,000-all given simply that the ruler ple of those islands. Afterward the of the State may have the privilege of women came bringing a contribution, seeing the Brahmins at their food. But which they had taken up of their own even then he is not allowed to eat with accord for Dr. Paton's work, saying, them, as he is considered to be of lower "We must think not only of those near, caste than they. but also of those afar off, for they also are our brethren.' , -Rev. H. G. Downes, of the Propaga.

tion Society, diocese of Madras, states -The records of the Medical Mission- that the outlook is most hopeful. The ary Association of China ,,-h.()'Y ~l}.at l!}6 foreign mIssIonary physicians have this though it is ten times more diffi· labored among the Chinese since 1834. cult for a Chinaman there to earn a dol. lar than it 'is for us in this land. The -The Chinese Recorder has some in. giving of that company for ten years ag· teresting statistics on medical mission. gregates $23,703. Thus even the China· ary work. In 1890 there were in the man is not altogether of the earth empire 61 hospitals, 44 dispensaries, earthy. and 100 mediaal students; the patients treated in one year heing 348.439. In -The China Inland Mission, laying 1891, in Shanghai alone, the number of foundations for solid and permanent patients treated was 56,933. work, is about to expend in Chefoo, a treaty port in Shantung province, £5000 Dr. J. G. Kerr, during his nearly forty in the cunstruction of a collegiate school years of work, has made this record: for boys and girls, primarily for the Over 1,000,000 attendances to the sick benefit of the children of its missiona· and suffering; over 35,000 operations ries, of wh0ll.l there are now 172, and in performed; some 30 volumes of medical order to save the cost of sending them to and other works translated; besides the Christian countries to be educated. But training of 100 or more native Chinese the children of other missionaries will as mediCal missionaries. For twenty be received as well as those of mer· years the desire of his heart has been to chants, etc., who object to patronizing see a lunatic asylum established in Catholic scb ools. China. To build and equip this will cost some $50,000, but when once started Japau.-A Japanese by the name of it will be almost. if not altogether, self· Jujii Ishii, who is termed the Oriental supporting. George Miiller, has an orphanage of Okayama, with 207 children in it-146 -Can these bones live? Yes, when boys and 61 girls. SOlDe are learning the Divine Spirit blows upon them. to print, some to be barbers, some to And a missionary of the Methodist New weave, and more than 170 are learning Connection records this marvel, which to make matches. There is a kinder. may well rebuke unbelief and lead us to garten for those under seven years. expect to see great things in China: English and agriculture will be taught. " But the whole village have renounced the boys, and the girls will be taught the gods of their fathers, and removed all the important work which will make every vestige of idolatry from their them good housekeepers. In Nagoya homes, and are ready to sweep away many children were left orphans by the from their midst all trace of a worship earthquake, and Jujii Ishii took them of which every other hamlet, town, and and started another orphanage. city in the empire has its monuments, and to have only a house for the wor· -This is the testilDonyof Dr. DeFor- ship of the living and true God. Prac. est, writing from Sendaf: .. That a wide tically, Tsai ChiI' is a Christian Village. Christian influence is coming in every- It is said that every family is, or inclines where throughout the empire is a fact to be, a Christian family. We have 44 of no doubt whatever. It is safe to say members (30 men and 14 women), and that the thirty years of missions in 'the remainder are either candidates, Japan, together with contact with Chris. linquirers, or hearers. " They propose to tian nations, has resulted in a wider build a church upon the site of a ruined and deeper Christian spirit in the govheathen temple. ernment, in education, in public opin- ion, in family life, in sO!,ial standards, -The Reformed { ncch) Church in than could be found at the end of the America has a body of disciples in third century in an empire that had be. Amoy numbering 968, who contributed come confessedly Christian." during 1891 the sum of $3382, or at the average rate of about $3.50 each. And

The Missionary Review of the World — October 1891

'722 THE COMING AGE OF MISSIONS

MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.

VOL.,XIV. No.lO.-OldSeries.–OCTOBER.–VOL. IV. No.lO.-Nc'W Series.

THE COMING AGE OF MISSIONS.

[EDITORIAL, A. '1'. P.] We stand on the threshold of a new century of missionary enterprise. The time is coming when the Church of God will look: back to the present age of missions as we now look back to the feeble beginnings of a century ago, with astonishment and shame that believers in Christ could ever have stood on so Iowa plane in respect to their debt and duty to the lost.

We now marvel that William Carey should have met persistent and even malignant opposition from professed ministers of Christ, and even from brethren of his own denomination, in his scheme for a world's evangelization ; and that for ten years his own enthusiasm and consecration should have been so nearly stifled by the atmosphere of indiffereFlce and resistance which he was compelled to breathe. We read with surprise the assaults of the Reverend Sydney Smith; we see him sharpening most keenly the arrows in the quiver of his wit, to shoot into that" nest of consecrated cobblers" whom he meant to " rout out" by the sting and smart of his unsanctified ridicule; we hear him, with a sarcasm and irony that verge on profanity and blasphemy, mockingly portraying the heroism that lcd holy mcn and women, of whom the world was not worthy, to seek a home amid cannibal savages; hinting that they might, at least, furnish for travellers, stopping at thol'le " hospitable shores," a "slice of cold missionary." We read with amazement the speech of Charles Marsh in the House of Commons, remonstrating against the sending of missionarics to India, lest thcy should disturb thoso beneficent systems of religion and morals devised by Providence for the welfare of the people of Hindniltan ; and we rccall with even greater surprise the arguments of an orthodox ecclesiastic in the Houso of Lords, who undertook to demonstrate that the command of Christ did not apply to the evangelization of India! We cannot understand now a condition of things a hundred years ago, when there was scarce a missionary soeiety in Protestant Christendom, and when the Church of God doubted if it did not deny the obligation to go into all the world with the Gospel witness to all nations; when scarce a thousand pounds a year were Bpent upon all the missions of the Reformed churches, and a mere pioneer band of workers, mostly Moravians, made up the entire mission force; when there were no missionary periodicals j when the" Monthly Concert" was but eight years old j when no entrance had been made into Japan, China, Siam, Africa, Burmah, Papal lands, or Mohammedan territory, and when there was so little interest in foreign missions that the task seemed hopeless of making even a beginning.

We are far ahead of the starting point of a century ago. We have left away behind Widow Wallis's little parlor at Kettering, with its dozen humble Baptists and their dozen pounds sterling j and great Exeter Hall is too small for the monster meetings of one society, and the Crystal Palace has been talked of for the great anniversaries. But we are far from the goal, the reasonable goal, toward which we should promptly press; and if we grow in grace and knowledge as we ought, no goal that is now in sight will satisfy us j it would only become a new starting-point for a new goal, as yet too far off to be visible now.

We have been long meditating upon the coming age of missions, and looking forward hopefnlly to see in the immediate future some radical changes made in the methods of prosecuting missions j and, at risk of seeming visionary, chimerical, or even fanatical, we boldly outline on these pages some of the features which we believe we discern in the future prosecution of a world's evangelization. Once more we write large that word ENTERPRISE as the true motto of the Church of Christ. The world ought not to put us to shame in manifesting more zeal for that which perishes than we do for the unfading crown and heritage. Obviously, if we are to make any approach to the ideal age of missions, all real radical advance must begin with the individual disciple. We can never convert or consecrate people in the mass j souls come one by one into the kingdom, never two at a birth j and so also is it that saints climb to loftier heights. When every true believer regards himself as one with his Lord in the enterprise of missions j when he seeks to inform himself thoroughly and constantly of the needs of the world and the progress of the work j when he follows for himself the great campaign, notes the strategic points and the position of the forces j when he studies to keep tra~k of the world-wide field as he would trace day by day the movements of his country's forces in an enemy's territory-then the first granite block will be laid for the coming structure of a thoroughly organized work for God. The ignorance that prevails begets indifference as its natural offspring. Yherever there is true piety, knowledge will kindle zeal.

Then we need individual and systematic prayer for missions j definite prayer that has alio individual objects, that takes up one field at a time and one missionary at a time, and intelligently pleads with God for that field and work and worker. We knew a devout reader of the Missionary Herald who was wont to make every p'articular missionary thus a subject of prayer by name, and who read that nohle record of events that he might follow the development of each laborer's work by intelligent supplication. Nothing gives the China Inland Mission more strength and heroism than the knowledge of its hundreds of workers that, each week in the mission rooms, every scattered member of that great band is remembered by name in prayer, and with mention of any circumstances that specially environ him or her.

From such intelligence and prayerfulness in the individual every other result which is needful will naturally develop. The man that knows the field, and prays for the workman, is the man that will find hiB alms going out as his prayers go up. It will be natural to give and to give systemati- cally, liberally, and proportionately, when mind and heart unite to unloose purse-strings. And so will come family life pervaded with the missionary spirit. Children will be begotten for God, and suck in missionary mIlk, and learn missionary prayers, and talk the dialect of missions; the divine alphabet will be among their first lessons, and self-denial for Christ and souls will be among their earliest habits. We shall have consecrated cradles, family altars with fires kindled from above, family boards where simple diet displaces extravagant luxuries, and family life where the spirit of missions is cultivated for Christ's sake and in Christ's name.

And so, likewise, must we have a new church life when the individual and family life is renewed and quickened. It will be easy to give, and . pray, and send laborerll forth, and go forth ourselves, when the training that begins at the cradle, and gets iti true bent even before birth in a con- secrated parentage, prepares the church-member for co-operation in missions.

But in this editorial it is our desire to hint at least a few directions in which church enterpri&e may push the work of missions. Looking back- ward and then forward, it would seem that now, on the eve of William Carey's centennial, we might expect greater things from God and attempt greater things for God than even Carey dared expect or attempt. Worldly enterprise combines" dash" and" push," and on a bold scale of daring ven- ture undertakes colossal schemes for worldly profits. Why should not the Church take a risk, if such it be, and venture somewhat for her Lord?

1. If we discern rightly, the coming church will be essentially a mis- sionary church distinctively, educating its membership to intelligent and systematic participation in the work of witnessing to all men. To give and to pray will be as much a part of church life as to go to church meetings or the Lord's table. No member will be in good standing who takes no part in this loyal obedience to Christ's last command.

2. Every church, in the coming age of missions, will have a distinct field to culti~ate abroad as well as at home, and a double pastorate, a minister or missionary on the foreign field as well as for the home church, &nd the support of both provided for as equally a part of the financial administration of the church. It would not be surprising if there should be an apportionment of missionaries to each church on the basis of its numerical and financial ability, so that for every fixed number of members a missionary should be sent forth. It will then be reckoned, a reproach to any church to have three hundred communicants without at least one laborer representing them abroad. We have long believed that a living link between the home church and the foreign field is an essential condition of true missionary zeal. It brings the two closer together, and supplies a bond of mutual sympathy; and so far is it from diminishing interest in the general work, it rather increases it. In our own pastoral experience we have found that to have a missionary supported by a church in a particular station makes every other missionary and his work dearer, and helps the whole cause. But we look in the coming age of missions to see the churches united in great enterprises for God.

1. For example, why should there not be a grand Society for Regions Beyond, representing all denominations, whose office would be to explore new territory, to apportion laborers to unoccupied fields, to act as a eommittee on comity, and interpose to prevent friction, overlapping of work, and clashing between societies and workmen ~ 2. Why not a Pioneer Bureau, to receive and guide newly arriving missionaries, instruct them in the peculiarities of climate, local diseases and their preventives and remedies, and, in brief, prepare wurkers for intelligent occupation of new fields, and so prevent needless waste of life, and hundreds of serious blunders ~ 3. We look for a great .Education and Sustentation scheme, which shall provide for the training and support of missionary candidatel, and which shall provide for a part of their training on the field. As it is, no doubt time and strength are wasted in part in the curriculum of study. There ig a general preparation which the college and seminary can give; but there is a specific preparation only to be had on the field itself; and some of the wisest missionaries have said that if the latter half of the candidates' training could be had where he is to labor, under control of resident missionaries, they could secure greater fitness for the work to be done.

4. We see no reason why there might not be a Millsionm'Y Transportation Society, owned and supported by the Church, to transport without cost missionaries and supplies, and become a means of mutual communication, as well as to furnish passage for workers who need rest. If Pastor Harms's poor people at Hermannsburgh could build the Candace to carry their workers to the field, cannot the whole Church provide transport for its mission band?

5. Why might we not have a great Society for Christian Literature, providing not only Bibles, tracts, and religious books, but setting up pnnting presses wherever needed, and supplying in the vernacular the needed helps to popular education ¥ 6. We look, in the coming age, to see godly women representing the (Jh~rch upon our great Boards of Missions, partly for the infusion of their counsel and spirit into the work, and partly for the quickening of their own interest in the general prosecution of missons by a personal participation in its conduct. At present we have women working on their own boards, but in separation. 'Vill not the time come when there will be no separatc women's boards, but instead a union of men and women in the adminiRln.ttion of the whole work Y 7. We look lor a more thorough trial of missionary colonization as a means of evangelization; iamilieli going in a group, representatives of arts and trades establishing a Christian community in the midst of papal, pagan, and Moslem communities for mutual encouragement, protection, and co- operation; where the main business shall be proclaiming the Gospel, but where, as with Paul, the trade shall be the means of support.

8. Volunteer missions will form a feature of the coming missionary age. ' Men and women will go at their own cost to labor for a longer or shorter time in the field in co-operation with the missionaries, assisting in estab- lishing 8('hools, dispensaries, hospitals, preaching stations, and printing presses, and giving personal aid and comfort so far as they may, gathering facts and receiving inspiration from personal contact with the work and workers; and then returning to give intelligent, sympathetic aid in the support and advocacy of the enterprises of the foreign mission field.

9. We look for systematic and practical co-operation between all denomi- nations on mission fields, the elimination of unnecessary doctrinal and ecclesiastical differences and peculiaritieli, the avoidance of all needless waste, whether of men or money, and the presentation of a united front before the great mallses of unsaved souls, as another of the features of a greater missionary epoch, if it shall ever come.

These are some of the features of that nobler and more consecrated church activity in behalf of a dying race for which we look and hope in the near future. vie can see no reason why every evangelical church should not regularly IlIlpport at least one preacher, teacher, or evangelist on the foreign field ; and include in current annual outlay the estimate of the cost of the support of such worker, thus having a local field outside of the home church, and a living link with the great body of the unevangelized. We can see no reason why there should not be an accepted basis of apportionments and proportionments; every church upon a certain basis, agreed to as equitable, appointing one man or woman to go to the field, who shall be morally bound either to go or to furnish a substitute. The Church thus becomes a recruiting office, and drafts for ,the Master new soldiers to serve in the army. VIre see no reason why denominations should not act in concert to promote great common ends, and save all the needle8s outlay now involved in separate action and adminiBtration. While not jealous for any particlllar modo or plan, w feel very deeply 80licitous to see the spirit of holy and consecrated enterprise infused into all our missionary work; to seo the Church .taking up the causo of the Master as though there were faith in His leadership and confidence in the ultimate triumph of the Gospel. This result, we again affirm, with unalterable confidence, can be reached only by a searching self-scrutiny and a devout and most prayerful fellowship with Him whose we aro and whom we serve. The world waitS and He waits for a new spirit of thorough surrender to His will, and for a new epoch of enterprise in missions. How long shall this waiting of ages be in vain ~ THE FAITH ELEMENT IN MISSIONS.

BY A. J. GORDON, D.D.

This subject, so admirably treated in a recent article in this REVIEW, may' be worthy of still further consideration. No doubt the work of the Gospel in foreign lands is exposed to the same danger as that work at home -the danger of becoming mechanical and perfunctory. One of the most alarming symptoms of our nineteenth century Christianity is the secular symptom-the tendency to substitute other forces for the original motive- power of the Church, the ever-present Holy Spirit. Faith is the coupling by which we become attached to this Divine motor, and unless we are abso_ lutely sure of our spiritual connections, we cannot be certain of our spiritual successes. We accept the sentiment which the editor of this REVIEW quotes from the Bishop of Ripon: that" the story of Modern Missions is a con- tinuation of the Acts of the Apostles, with all its essential supernaturalism." But there could have been no Acts of the "Apostles without the faith of the apostles j it was because they wrought in God by the IIoly Ghost, that as they went forth and preached everywhere the Lord worked with them j and since what gave them pOW1lr can stiII give us power, therefore we urge more faith.

As to men.-Where can we get the missionaries to occupy the fields now white to the harvest ~ We find but one direction in Scripture con- cerning this question, " Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest." The choice and commis- sioning of His evangelists the Lord has reserved entirely to Himself. Woe to the Church if she shall rashly undertake the enterprise of manufacturing missionaries either by her sacerdotal or by her educational machinery. Mere hand-made ministers, thrust forth from under the fingers of the bishop, and mere school-made ministers, fashioned by the training of the college, are alike inadequate for executing the great commission.

Without the call of God vain is the culture or the consecration of man. Unless, therefore, we can be assured that the Holy Spi1'it is really 1'ecruiting, the Students' Volunteer Movement may prove injurious. We strongly believe in this movement j but the very enthusiasm and magnitude of it constitute such a call to prayer as has not till lately been heard-prayer to the great Head of the Church that none shall be suffered to go without His appointment. Would it be rash to say that the deficiency of missionaries is due most of all to the deficiency of prayer in the Church, that the Lord will send forth laborers ~ And not only the deficiency of missionaries, but the maladjustment of the ministry to the needs of the world. The same constituency which has seven thousand ordained missionaries on the foreign field has a hundred and twenty-seven thousand ordained m£nisters on the home field. While many a labOler in CLina and India has a parish of millions or hundreds of thousands, three or four pastorR are often found in a single little New England village, jostling and elbowing one another in their attempt to do a work which is only sufficient for oue. All this indicates but too clearly that the" Shepherd and Bishop of souls" is not haying sole direction of the diocese of the world. 'What humiliation and prayer to God this unhappy state of things calls for! Certainly, if the Saviour bids us pray that the Lord will thrust forth laborers, He binds Himself by this very injunetion to send laborers and to place them where He would have them.

Here then is a large demand for faith j not only in asking, but equally in recelvmg. The same Scripture which enjoins us to ask, reveals the ascended Lord as bestowing. "When He ascended on high . . . He gave so.ne apostles, and some evangelists, and some pastors, and some teachers." But what a fine spiritual discernment it requires to recognize His gifts when He has sent them! Natural sagacity and business prudence are not sufficient here. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the hcart." It requires a very diseriminating faith to read the Divine credentials of applicants for service. vVe have often thought that the history of rejeeted missionary candidates would make a most interesting book j not lcss interesting than the history of rejected manuscripts, out of some of which such literary fortunes have been made. A venerable secretary opened this subject slightly at a recent conference, touching on it just sufficiently to remind us that some of the most eminent and successful laborers on the foreign field were at the outset refused a commission by their boards. It is a historical fact that William Milne was denied an appointment as a missionary, and was !lent out to China only as a servant to Dr. Morrison, asking that he might be a hewer of wood and a drawer of water, if only he could reach his longed-for field. And yet Milne, from being a servant, became such a master-missionary that history speaks of him as .. that excellent man, whose talents were surprising, whose labors were incessant, whose whole life was devoted to his Saviour." We could mention several missionaries of the very first rank in our day whose experience has been similar-rejected once, twice, or thrice before getting their appointment. Nowhere is the discernment of lin cnlightened faith more demanded than in the examination of candidates. The prayer, "Lord, send forth laborers into Thy vineyard," needs to be supplemented by another; "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show us which of these Thou hast chosen." In this important decision there is great danger that the physician's certificate may outweigh the Master's credential, and the college diploma outrank the Spirit's call. Experience proves that the decisive qualific'!ltion is not to be found in cultul'e or in the absence of culture j in physical health or the absence of physical health j in great natural talents or in the absence of great natural talents. Probably the truest criterion is in the deep, serious, unshaken conviction of a Divine eall in the heart of the candidate himself. With such conviction the most unprepossessing applieants have often proved mighty under God as missionaries of the cross; without it those of the highest talent and culturc have proved a failure. Who can deny, then, that it is a real test of faith, whether one can recognize God's gifts to the Church when they are bestowed ~ Businesll sagacity may discern the marks of sound common sense j culture may discern the marks of sound learning. But with both these eyes wide open, one may be unable to recognize a missionary whom God has sent, unless there be also the vision of an anointed faith. We remember a candidate who came before a certain board five years ago, confessing that he had neither academic nor theological training, but requesting that he might occupy some subordinate place, if only he could satisfy his deep sense of duty by going to the foreign field. When asked what qualification he had in the absence of those above-named, he replied that of one thing he was sure, that he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It must be confessed that this last remark was deemed by some an evidence of eccentricity, which rather damaged than helped his case. By the closest squeeze, however, he was passed. He is now in charge of an important station, and such a missionary that during the first four months of the present year he reported three thousand converts baptized at his station. Such instances should admonish us to join prayerfulness to discretion and faith to prudence, lest haply we be fonnd rejecting those whom God has ~hosen.

As to money.-Thc problem whieh so taxes and tries our missionary boards-that of getting the money to support the work-may have a relation to faith of which we have little thought.

Christ is the Chief Bishop, who appoints the missionary evangelists and pastors j is He the Chief Treasurer, who supplies the missionary funds ~ Practically there is a very wide difference of opinion upon this point. " And Prudence sat over against the treasury watching the expenditures, to see that Faith did not overdraw her account, " would fairly state the financial method of many missionary committees. "Faith in the work of preaching the Gospel, indeed j but in administering the missionary exchequer, sound business principles if you please!" So have we often heard it ; and we do not dispute the wisdom of the saying.

TIut here we are conducting the King's busiuess, let it be remembered; and iu its transactions are no over-drafts of faith ever allowable ~ May the promises of God never be taken as collateral in this business ~ Is the Lord's Rervant forbidden to hypothecate the bonds of the everlasting covenant as a security for a missionary contract when he has no funds in the hank ~ The enterprise of missions is peculiarly the Lord's work, and as such has guarantors and guarantees back of any human. He who says, ., All power is gh'en unto Me in heaven and in earth; go ye, therefore, and teach all nations," by the very act of sending us binds Himself to support us. Rev. John Wilkinson, who as a missionary to the Jews has" purchased to himself a good degree and great boldness in the faith," states it thus: "If we allow the Lori! to do what He pleases with us and by us we shall get the greates~ blessing and He will get the greatest glory, and He will bear all the expenses of His own work. If a master send a servant to a shop for a shilling's worth of anything, he makes hiIr!self responsible for the shilling; and shall it be thought for a moment that God will not pay for all the work He acknowledges as His 1" If, then, we are assured that the Head of the Church has committed a certain piece of evangelizing to us, is it presumption for us to draw on Him at sight for the funds to accomplish it ?

We are not dealing here with a sentimental theory, but with a most practical question. Is a missionary board justified in enlarging its work to the extent of many thousands of dollars when it has not the money, either in hand or in sight, for meeting the added expense? Sound commercial prudence would answer most emphatically, "No! determine the Elxtent of your business by the amount of your capital." But desiring the opinion of experts on the question, we consult a few eminent spiritual financiers to get their opinion: Pastor Fliedner, of Kaiserwerth, gives us an inventory of his vast workorphanage, seminary, deaconess' house, asylum, etc.-and when we ask how he manages to support it all, his answer is, " We live by grace; and the gracious Lord of the heavenly treasury knows how to furnish us every year with so many under-treasurers of every rank and age that to the question, , Have you ever wanted?' we must joyfully answer, ' Never.' "

Pastor Gossner single-handed scnt into the field 144 missionaries; including thc wives of those married, 200. Besides providing outfit and passage, he had never less than twenty missionaries depending directly on him for support. How did he raise the necessary funds ¥ Read his life and learn. The answer can be best given in a ~entence from the funeral address spoken over his open grave: " He prayed up the walls of an hospital and the hearts of the nurses; he prayed mission stations into being, and missionaries into faith : he prayed open the hearts of the rich and gold from the most distant lands."

Pastor Harms and his single church of poor peasants at Hermannsbnrg did a foreign missionary work almost equal to that of any of our largest societies, sending out and supporting 357 missionaries in "thirty years. We read the story with astonishment, and ask again, " And how did you get the money for all this 1" His reply tells us only that the Divine draft, " My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory," was promptly cashed whenever presented. It is so artless, the way in which he jots down his busine~s transactions with the Lord. " Last year," he writes in 1858, "I needed for the mission 15,000 crowns, and the Lord gave me that and 60 over. This year I needed double, and the Lord has given me double and 140 over." "I needed," and" my God shall supply all your need /" No mention of what he had as a basis for his enlarged undertaking, but only of what he mUlt have, making that the schedule of his expectation from God.

These noble lives constitute a kind of latter· day exposition of those memorable words, " When I Rent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything 1 And they said, Nothing" (Luke 22 : 35). "But remember," we hear some one say, "that our missionary boards are not operating under the commission in Matt. 10, with its command to provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in the purse, to heal the sick, and cast out demons. Very true. Nevertheless, there is a lesson for us in that Scripture, and there is instruction to be gained from these histories just cited. In the missionary enterprise let our prudence at least be "mixed with faith." Tax the .churches more, but trust God a hundred times more. Carey's maxim is right in the logical order of its clauses: " Attcmpt great things for God, expect great things from God."

We believe that when God, by a clear providence, opens some" wide and effectual door" before a missionary society, it is not presumption to enter it, though there be not a penny in the treasury for meeting the expenses. It is sad to think how easily we shelve great missionary demands which come before us with the concession that they are reasonable, but with the conclusion that they are not practicable. We hear that call of the Shanghai Conference of 1890 for 1000 men and women immediately for China; the importunate request of Dr. Clough for 25 men and $50,000 at once, that the nnsurpassed opportunity in the Telugu land may be embraced; the stirring appeal of Bishop Thoburn, made at Northfield and elsewhere, for a mighty lift on his field in India, that the present emergency may be met; and we cheer the missionaries for the heroism of their demand without blushing, as we ought, for our cowardice in counting those demands impossible. The paradox, Verum est quia impossibile, which Tertullian uttered concerning doctrine, it is time for us boldly to apply to action, saying, "It is practicable because it is impossible ;" for uuder the dispensation of the Spirit ollr ability is no longer the measure of our responsibility. " The things which are impossible with men are possible with God," and therefore possible for us who haye been united to God through faith. Since the Holy Ghost has been given, it is not snfficient for the servant to say to his Master, "I am doing as well as I can," for now he is bound to do better than he can. Should a New York merchant summon his commercial agent in Boston to come to him as quickly as possible, would he be satisfied if that agent were to arrive at the end of a week, footsore and weary from walking the entire distance, with the excuse, " I came as quickly as I could?" ·With swift steamer or lightning express at his disposal, were he not bound to come more quickly than he could? And so with the power of Chlist as our resource, and His riches in glory at! our endowment, we are called upon to undertake what we have neither the strength nor the funds of ourselyes to accomplish. The enterprise of evangelizing the world is peculiarly the Lord's. Therefore in the crisis of missions which is upon us, is it not time that we cease to layout God's work according to our ability, and begin to layout God's work according to God's ability?

The one consideration that the Lord is rich, and that in the work of the world's redemption He has taken us iuto partnership with Himself, so affects the missionary problem, that what were the height of folly in secular business may be the height of faith in Divine business.

We have watched with the deepest interest an experiment of enlargement which came under our own observation. A missionary treasury taxed to the utmost for years to meet. the demands upon it was assessed at one stroke an extra $50,000 annually for a new work which the providence of God seemed to enjoin. Seven years have passed since the un· dertaking, and yet the treasury has kept just as full through all this period, notwithstanding the extra draft, as during the seven years previous. Certainly this outcome does not seem like a Divine admonition not to do 80 again j but rather like a loud invitation to repeat the experiment upon the first new call. And now, when the bugle is sounding for an advance along the entire line, we do well to mark the significance of such experiments.· Our Lord does not say, " Be it unto you according to your funds," but, "Be it unto you according to your faith." If He sees that we trust Him for large missionary undertakings, He will trust us with large missionary remittances. If, on the contrary, we demand great things of God as a condition of attempting great things for God, we shall be disappointed; for that is not believing, but bargaining. "Said I not nnto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God f' (John 11 : 40.) Shall we reverse this ord.er, and believe only according as we have seen the glory of God ~ If so, He will give us little credit for our faith. Most significantly is it written, " Many believed on His name because they saw the miracles which He did j but Jesus did not believe in them" (John 2 : 23, vd. Greek).

As to methotls.-Tn the naturalistic drift which is now sweeping the Chnrch into its current, we cannot emphasize too strongly the supernatural elements in the work of missions. If the preaching of the Gospel shall make a powerful impression upon the heathen, it will not be by what is human in it, but by what is superhuman. There has been no change of method since the day of Pentecost. The Gospel is still to be preached " with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven;" and the Lord is pledged still to work with His servants, " confirming the Word with signs following." Therefore all supernatural phenomena appearing in connection with the missionary's work should be emphasized, not ignored. There are few minds so stupid that they do not reason from effect to cause. If the effects attending missionary effort are only such as can be traced to natural causes, the mind is very likely to rest in such causes without being carried further. Teaching, doctoring, civilizing, mechanical and agricultural training are all good, and not to be depreciated in connection with missions to the heathen. But the evidential value of such works is very slight, unless acc6mpanied with miracles of regeneration and wonders of moral transformation.

Of this question of the supernatural in connection with evangelical labors among the heathen, we have space to speak only of a single phase-viz., the one about which thete has recently been considerable discussion in missionary magazines.

The late Professor Christlieb, of Bonn, in hill powerful chapter on miracles, after defending their perpetuity and present possibility, says: " The work of missions is outwardly, at least, more extended than it ever was before. In this region, therefore. according to our former rule, miracles should not be entirely wanting. Nor are they. We cannot, t.herefore, fully admit the proposition that no more miracles are performed in our day. In the history of modern missions we find many wonderful occurrences which unmistakably remind us of the apostolic age. In both periods there are similar hinderances to be overcome in the heathen world, and similar palpable confirmations of the WORD are needed to convince the dull sense of men. We may, therefore, expect miracles in this case." * He then cites many instances from missionary history in confirmation of this view, especially instances of bodily healing in answer to the prayer of faith.

Is there anything in this paragraph of Professor Christlieb which is worthy of our consideration ~ Hostility to his view is sufficiently pronounced at the present time not only in such conservative and guarded criticisms as those of Professor Tyndale on the Prayer Cure, but especially in the severe animadversions of some high evangelicals upon the same point, whose motto seems to be, " Allopathy or homreopathy. as you like, but no theopathy. " "Palpable confirmations of the Word are needed to convince the dull sense of the heathen." It is the palpable confirmations that are most direct and obvious. Something must be done to persuade the heathen of the beneficent character of Christianity, as well as mnch said. Hence medical missions, hORpitals, surgery, nursing. Blessed and true servants of Christ are they who go forth to the heathen with snch ministrie(! as these. If only as they are bestowed npon the hlind, and the lame, and the leprous, they do not take their eyes from Christ, and fix them upon human benefactors or benefactions. At home or abroad this is the difficulty with all secular helps to Christianity.

An eminent missionary lady in Burmah recently gave us the following chapter from her experience. In one of her tourR she came upon a village where the cholera was raging. Having with her a quantity of the famous antidote, Perry Davis's Pain Killer, she went from house to house administering the remedy to the lick ones, and left a number of bottles to be Ilsed after she had gone. Returning to the village some months after, the missionary was met by the head man of the town, who cheered and delighted her by this intelligence, " Teacher, we have come over to your side; the medicine did us so much good that we have accepted your God.' , Overjoyed at this news, she was conducted tc the house of her informant, who, opening a room, showed her the pain-killer bottles solemnly arranged in a row upon a shelf, and before them the whole company immediately … Modern Doubt aud Christian Belief," p. 332. prostrated themselves in worship. This apotheosis of mustard and pepper does not move us violently to denounce the nse of all medicine as tending to idolatry. W 0 believe that all the help possible should be derived from medicinal remedies. But the instances are numerous enough in which medicine can go no further, and the doctors surrender the case with the confession that they can do no more. In such instances God no doubt often interposes in answer to believing intercession and restores the sufferer. Here is the peculiar sphere of the prayer of faith for the sick, in which, we boldly say, the healing ministry of Jesus Christ should not be despised. For now it is possible, since the hand of man bas failed, tbat tbe hand of tbe Lord should be recognized, and glory won for ilis name. Missionaries are naturally shy of revealing their experiences in this field, if they bave snch, owing to the opprobrium attaching to so-called "faith-healing." But the writer, from the fact of his views on this subject being known, has had the honor to be much confided in by missionaries, especially those of the China Inland Society, who have made successful use of intercession for the sick. Their testimony as to the impression of supernatural cures upon the heathen is very strong.

May the writer be allowed to give two illustrations out of many from his own experience! An opium-eater of the most desperate stamp came into Mr. Moody'S evangelistic meetings in Boston in the spring of 1877. His case was one of long standing, in which the coils of habit had closed about him tighter and tighter each year, every medical help, every human remedy having utterly failed. None present will forget his pitiful cry as he rose up in the meeting, and begged to know if there was any hope for him in Christ. Prayer was offered in his behalf, and he was led to accept Jesus as his Saviour and Healer. He came the next day with the glad tidings that his appetite was gone. Mr. Moody, knowing how much more powerful is experience than assertion for proving that Christ is " mighty to saye," put this man upon the platform night after night, to tell the story of his healing. It was "a palpable confirmation of the Word," not to be gainsaid, and the effect was irresistible upon the great audiences who listened.

The other case was almost identical. A stranger, rising up at a revival meeting in our own church, the marks upon his person confirming the testimonyof his lips, confessed that he was a long suffering victim of the opium habit, who bad spent all his living upon physicians, and was nothing bettered but rather made worse. Here also, upon the offering of prayer and the surrender of the sufferer to Christ, the cure was instantaneous-at least, so t.he patient has al ways claimed. Fifteen and ten years have passed since these respective experiences. The men on whom the cures were wrought are exemplary members of the church, with whom we have maintained a conRtant acquaintance, and they solemnly testify that from the moment of tllCir appeal to the Great Physician they have been absolutely delivered from their former plague.

MISSIONS THE TRUE PRAYER·GAUGE

Now in a great missionary field like China, where the victims of the opium habit are numbered by millions, why should not such demonstrations of the risen Saviour's healing power be frequently witnessed ~ And why should the testimony of such occurrences to the supernatural character of our Gospel be ruled out of court by evangelical Christians ~ We have given this one line of illustration of the faith element in mis. sions for a purpose. Is it not possible that the Lord, in self-defence, may be reyiving His supernatural working in the Church ~ When, in modern times, has there been such a widespread tendency among Christian scholars to eliminate the supernatural from Christianity as now ~ A few more conquests of advanced thought, and God will have been abolished from His Word and from His work. We do not speak unadvisedly. In the doctrine of inspiration, in the doctrme of miracles, in the doctrine of prayer, in the doctrine of prophecy, in the doctrine of regeneration, and in the doctrine of resurrection, how, more and more, in the teaching of the learned, is the Divine element minimized, and these transactions reduced to natural processes! The tendency is so quiet as to be ignored by easygoing optimists; but it is so unquestionable as to occa..ion serious alarm among thoughtful observers. If it shall be so that the doctrine of the supernatural shall cease to have a home among high scholars, then, as has been the case constantly in the history of the Church, it will find a domicile among the unsophisticated and simple-hearted Christians, who, because they know no better than to believe the vVord of God, will make bold to pray for rain in time of drought, to pray for healing in the time of sickness, and to pray for regeneration in time of ruin. And because our de- 8upernaturalized Christianity is likely to be transferred to the foreign field, there is so much the more reason why missionaries who hold to the simple Gospel should appreciate and emphasize the Divine phenomena of our holy religion.

MISSIONS THE TRUE PRAYER-GAUGE.

BY REV. CHAUNCEY T. EDWARDS, COUDERSPORT, PA.

" I do desire to say. gravely and earnestly, tltat my missionary life has been successful so far as 1 have been prayerful, and non·,uccessful so far as . I have been lax in prayerfulness." -A Missionary of the American Board.

" Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." This is a true missionary incident. The friends of the paralytic were, in fact, missionaries. The best .r thing they could do for him was to bring him to esus, and the faith which led them to do this be(ame instrumental in his saving and healing. Just so the Church's best work for the world is intercession, and the Church's best years have always been years of prayer. As the Gospel more and more affects politics and all progress, the eye of faith can trace in everything the influence of prayer. From the breaking down of the East India Company to the founding of the Congo Free State-two events that enlisted the mightiest intellects and interests of this generation-the spirit of gracious supplications, it is hardly too much to say, has been more plainly the ruling power than in any other thirty years of history.

That rare little book, " The Still Hour"-which is, perhaps, the richest work of its lamented author, Professor Austin Phelps-quotes a letter of Sir Fowell Buxton's on a parliamentary vote important to West India emancipation: " ·What led to that division? If ever there was a subject which occupied our prayers, it was this. Do you remember how we desired that God would give me His Spirit in that emergency j how we quoted the promise, , He that lacketh wisdom, let him ask it of the Lord, and it shall be given him j , and how I kept open that passage in the Old Testament, in which it is said, ' We have no might against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do j but our eyes are upon Thee '-the Spirit of the Lord replying, 'Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's'? If you want to see the passage, open my Bible j it will turn of itself to the place. I sincerely believe that prayer was the cause of tkat division j and I am confirmed in this by knowing that we by no means calculated on the effect. The course we took appeared to be right, and we followed it blindly."

To be sure, these are not testimonies of missionaries, but they are none the less missionary, and all the weightier as being from outsiders.

Mission work brings out the fact that many more events are answers to prayer than we commonly believe. For instance, an English missionary (Rev. James Main, quoted in the Foreign Missionary, January, 1884) thus describes the look of a Chinese audience: " When I used, at home, to speak of ' the heathen,' I meant by the word men who had never heard the Gospel. The look in the faces of the Chinese crowd made me realize for the first time that it meant mnch more than this. In consequence of their not hearing it they have lost all capacity for understanding it. That look made mil feel that to the heathen the Gospel is not only a new, a strange sound, but that it is an unintelligible sound, and that every conversion will be a miracle. " If we believe thus, we may be ready to head the column of converts in mission reports, Answers to Prayer; for every convert is a Samuel (1 Sam. 1 : 27), a paralytic who has been carried by true friends into the presence of Jesus.

1. Dr. A. J. Gordon's remarkable book, " The Twofold Life," is full of testimonies to the power of prayer. Passing by the witness he quotes of Christmas Evans and W. C. Burns and Jonathan Edwards and a host of others, let us hear him tell (p. 37) of David Brainerd: "Brainerd had many seasons of this uncommon renewing of his spiritual life through prayer and fasting; and, in summing them up, President Edwards records this noteworthy conclusion: 'Among all the many days he spent in secret prayer and fasting, of which he gives an account in his diary, there is scarcely an instance of 01'1,6 which was not either attended or soon followed with apparent success, and a remarkable blessing in special influences and consolations of God's Spirit, and very often before the day was ended.' .And we may add yet more. The record of these fastings and prayers of Brainerd, and of the power of God which followed, written only for himself, but wisely published by Edwards after his death, has brought rich blessing to the world. William Carey read it on his shoemaker's bench, and asked, 'If God can do such things among the .Indians of America, why not among the pagans of India ~' Henry Martyn, the thoughtful student in Cambridge, England, read it, and was moved by it to consecrate his life to missionary service in the East. Edward Payson pondered it, and when twenty-two years of age wrote in his diary, 'In reading Mr. Brainerd's life, I seemed to feel a most earnest desire after some portion of his spirit.' Considering the vast results which have followed the labors of these servants of God, who shall say that Brainerd has not wrought more since his death than in his life ~ And who, looking at the great sum total, can question whether or not it is profitable for one to wait upon the Lord with prayer and fastin~ and intercession for the renewal of his spiritUal strength ~"

II. At the London Missionary Conference it was told that Toronto Methodist women had a weekly prayer-meoting, where a record was kept of special petitions and their answers; and, said the speaker, Mrs. Blackstock, "I am afraid that some of you would be astonished to find how many answers to prayer are recorded in that book." vVhat associations connect with the name of the China Inland Mission but those that belong to the glory shadowing the mercy-seat!

The story of the recent experiences of the Church Missionary Society of England is well known: "Its first Day of Intercession was appointed for December, 1872. The day was spent in prayer offered distinctly and definitely for more ruen." It was followed by more offers for service than it had ever received. In the five years following" it sent ont 112 men, whereas in the five years preceding 1873 it had sent out but 51." In 1880 special prayer was offered for money, for which there was great need. In a few months $135,000 was raised" to wipe off the deficit; and this was followed by $150,000 specially contributed for extension, as well as by other special gifts and a substantial advance in the ordinary income." In the latter part of 1884 men were sorely needed, and a day was appointed to pray for them. The previous evening Mr. Wigram was summoned to Cambridge" to sec a number of graduates and undergraduates who desired to dedicate themselves to the Lord's work abroad." More than a hundred university men met him, and he returned to the prayer-meeting next day to prove to his colleagues the promise, " Before they call, I will answer."

III. If this is true at home, much more, or at least more plainly, is it true in heathendom, where" night brings out the stars." If a topical index were wanted for that lively little monthly, Brazilian Missions, it could almost be found in Paul's phrase, "the Word of. God and prayer :"

for the stories that fill it belong to one or other of these closely lelated topics. This is largely true of the great missionary magazines whose view is wider and more varied.

In the week of prayer in 1887 native Christians in Campanha (Brazil) are I:Ipecially earnest in praying for the rapid progress of the Gospel. Be- fore the week is out the fanatical town of Canna Verde, eighty miles away, sends for a preacher; and the article (in the first uumber of Brazilian Missions) telling of it is headed" A Whole Village Becoming Protestant."

In 1872 missionaries and English residents in Yokohama and the very few interested Japanese kept the week of prayer with great solemnity.

English and American sea captains who were present wrote, "The prayers of these Japanese take the heart out of us." As the result the first native church was organized March 10th, 1872, the beginning of Japan's marvel- lous Christian history. * Who has not read the" White Fields of France"? Every record of the MeAll Mission cannot help showing how the work is all in answer to prayer, and so pervaded by the spirit of prayer that the converts at once form the same habit; witness the pathetic testimony t of that Lyons woman, seventy-five years old, and no longer able to work, who said she prayed God" 80 much, so violently, and without ceasing that He would cause her to be received into the hospital for aged persons, that He an- swered her."

IV. It is part of the blessed simplicity of Christian life in heathen lands that everything, little and large, is made a matter of prayer. In the last of November, 1887, a Brazilian boy presented by his brother anxious re- quest for admission to the Sao Paulo Presbyterian School the following term. No money was available, and the missionaries could only exhort all parties interested, to believing prayer. "Day before yesterday (January lIth)," says Brazilian Missions, "came a letter dated November 21st, from a Christian lady, who, unsolicited, sends $200 to ' support a student'

in our schools. " I A Presbyterian missionary, Miss Thiede, writes from a village in India:t "I trust the Lord will allow me to build a school-house and a house for the catechist, though I have no means for them. He kindly enabled me to build a small house which shall accommodate the missionary when he visits this station, but will now be a shelter for me. . . . The ~ord wonderfully helped me, though I had to pray most earnestly for everything-for workmen, for wood, for bricks, for money. I got it all !"

The very next letter in the same magazine is from Miss Edith Blunt, who writes: " A few new doors have been opened to me in direct answer to * Foreign Missionary, Sept., 1885. t American McAli Record, Oct., 1888.

~ To Winnan'8 Workfor Woman, Oct., 1886., prayer; that is, while going toward my field of labor I have asked the dear Lord to take me to some house where they have never heard the truth, or where He would want me to go; and invariably a pressing invitation has come, and the vVord has been sung and expounded. "

At the May anniversary of the China Inland Mission, in 1883, Dr. Mackcnzie told how he and his colleague, Bryson, prayed day after day for two months fqr a hospital in Tient~in; and then, by means of a remarkable cure wrought through prayer by skill for the wife of the Viceroy, Li Hung Chang, that statesman was led to offer a temple and an income for the now successful hospital.

At the annual meeting of the American Board in New York (1889), Secretary Alden presented a paper on the place of prayer in mission work; a paper which for varied interest and suggestiveness is remarkable even in missionary literature. It includes the testimony of twenty-six missionaries as to their experience in this matter. The words quoted at the beginning of this article are from one letter. Another, writing of all sorts of work in Constantinople, adds, " But the point I wish to emphasize is thi8-it is my sincere conviction that opposition was overcome and the fruits of labor bestowed in answer to prayer-persevering prayer-offered in faith by the ladies of the executive committee in Boston, and by our constituents in New Britain and New Haven." Another writes of apparently fruitless prayer for revival offered in the Doshisha (Dr. Neesima' s school in Kyoto) from the week of prayer to the middle of March, when the praying band had decreased to half a dozen. Then" on Sabbath, March 16th, 1883, in the afternoon and evening, an invisible influence struck the school. None of the teachers knew of it till next morning. But of about 150 young men then in the school, very few closed their eyes in sleep that night. Almost every room was filled with men crying to God for mercy."

V. Let us turn to" darkest England." Not milch is said in public of the work of the late John Ashworth and his" Chapel for the Destitute" in his town of Rochdale, Lancashll'e. Yet his" Strange Tales from Humble Life" have been circulated by the million, and for simple, heart-reaching power are hardly excelled among the records of Almighty grace. The characters with whom he dealt may be imagined from the fact that a drunken, dirty fellow, who had been persuaded by his wife to attend the chapel, began swearing at her for bringing him to such a place, for" all the scamps in the country were collected together, and it was a disgrace for anyone to be seen among them !" ""Ve could as soon have thought of old Nick going to chapel, as Niff," was said of the villain who became the subject of the story" Niff and his Dogs." Drunkards and rogues, the despairing and the destitute, infidel and invalid, men, women and children were reached and brought into marvellous light.

Says the biography, " Mr. Ashworth commenced the work with a firm conviction that God would open up his way, and send pecuniary help to [.ny amount or aIly extent that might be required, withot+t either ilnniversary sermons or public collections. He belip,ved in answers to prayer, and had good reason for so doing j and to him it was at all times in his arduous undertakings a great source of strength and comfort to know that hundreds throughout the land were daily remembering him and the Chapel for the Destitute in their petitions at the throne of grace. The very thought of it gave him joy j and for sixteen years, without any solicitation on his part from any human being, the necessary funds have been supplied. " The prayer of faith, rather than the disbursing of fundi, was the power and characteristic of all his work. It is the atmosphere, tho spirit of all his" Strange Tales." In the prefatory note he writes, ., I am a tradesman, and make no prett<nsions to literary ability. If He whom I desire to serve condescend to use me as a medium of good to others, my earnest wish will be realized. To Him my prayer has been, ' Hold Thou my right hand.' "

One of these tracts is entitled" A Wonder j or, the Two Old Men i" and this is the story of it: "An old man of eighty-three, only twelve months a pardoned sinner, earnestly, and in the best way he could, urging an old man of eighty-five to trust in Christ, is such a wondC!' as falls to the lot of few to witness. Here knelt two men whose lives had been one long course of open iniquity, producing untold misery, sorrow, and suffering in their families, and, probably, by their example and precept, having been tho direct cause of many going down to the regions of despair. Yet these two have fonnd mercy and forgiveness! 'Ve repeat, It is a Wonder /" Not many months afterward Mr. Ashworth was the means of saving the older man from the home and th;l dread of the pauper-the workhouse. " When the old man saw the money paid down, and heard my promise to find him another home, he lifted up his head and gazed in my face with a look of inexpressible thankfulness. He wept like a child. exclaiming, 'God has done it! God has done it! He yeard me pray et neet, and sent yo to help me awt 0' me tronble. He's done more nor I expected i aw'l praise Him as long as aw live! ' "

It would be hard to say how many such records of answered prayer are to be found in Mr. Ashworth's writings. In none are they more frequent or striking than in the testimony of six pauper invalids, of whom he says (" My Sick Frier,ds"), " I leave them with a conviction that though they have unitedly been in pain, affliction, and helplessness for one hundred and sixty-five years, yet they are among the happiest creatures in this world. They may go down to their graves in silence, but they have taught a lesson to thousands i and that lesson is, that IIeaven's brightest beams can pierce the darkest cloud."

VI. In a region in England, missionary enough to be the diucese of Bishop Selwyn, the Christian genius known as Sister Dora lived her devoted life. Not more nurse than missionary, not less heroic than any other missionary, through fourteen years she kept her consecration unbroken, her chcerfqlnesR qndaunteq, her strong will alwals ~entle! her faith always tri· umphant by personal communion with her Lord_ Of all the saintly biography with which the Church has been enriched in the last ninety years, no life is more fascinating, none more redolent of the heavenly" vials full of odors" than the life of this hospital nurse in the" black country." Says her biograpber, " She spoke unreservedly to ber householu upon the absolute necessity of constant private prayer, and expressed openly her own strong conviction that no blessing could attend the hospital unless those who worked in it fulfilled their duty in this respect. It was literally true that she never touched a wound without lifting up her heart to the Giver of all virtue, and asking that healing might be conveyed by her means. . . . The striking feature of her prayers was the strong faith which animated them. . . ' At night, when the ward was quiet, she might often be scen kneeling by the bed of some . • . sufferer." Once she undertook to save a young fellow's mangled right arm when amputation had been pronounced necessary to save the patient's life, but when amputation mcant paupeIism to his family. Night and day for three weeks the case was in a suspense that was terrible. But she saved the arm; and the surgeon, who had been in no good humor over the case, but" without whose leave, be it remembered, she could not have done this, . . . brought the rest of the hospital staff' to show them what. might be done,' as he said." '" IIow I prayed over that arm!' she used to say afterward." "Vhat wonder the man went by the name of " Sister's arm."

Lnther draws a beautiful parallel between Paul's entreaty with Philemon for Onesimus and Christ's intercession with the Father for us, adding, " For we are all IIis Onesimi, to my thinking." The great Missionary " who went about doing good" is the great Intercessor; and from Pentecost down He has stamped that characteristic on His work. If a man believes himself Christ's Onesimus, he will have no doubts about prayer in His name. If one prayer ill answered, every prayer must be. Whether we can trace the answer or not is of small importance. If, however (and this with reference to the controversy suggested by the title of this paper), we can historically connect the providence of God, and the promise of God, and the prayer to God, who can reasonably doubt THE POWER OF GOD IN ANSWER TO PRAYER?

" 'Tis the fire that will burn wha+ thou canst not pass over, 'Tis the lightning that breaks away all bars to love, 'Tis a sunbeam, the secret of God to discover, 'Tis the wing David prayed for-the wing of the Dove."

THE following letter cannot fail to interest sincere and prayerful disciples: DEAR DR. PIERSON: I thank you very earnestly for your words in the March number of the MISSIONARY REVIEW concerning prayer. You seem to feel your way into II world wl1erein manl hav~ b~e~ trying to enter.

PROPOSAL FOR A PRAYER UNION

When I was in the north of England ag deputation for our London Missiouary Society, pleading the claims of China (with which I have been connected for twenty-five years), consultation and prayer were carried on in a friend's house up till midnight, and a written agreement was entered into to pray God to raise up one hundred of the best missionaries for our society. Since then ProfeRsor Armitage, along with other leading ministers, has been led from on high to bring out a solemn appeal for consecration and personal service; and there is a great spirit of waiting on God concerning this matter. You will thw; see that the point I now wish to submit to .you is not one which I dare approach lightly. A leader in one of our largest London churches lays down very solemnly this position: that any amount of good preaching is insufficient unless there be some definite action taken. I venture now to plead for a part of your REVIEW definitely devoted to forming and encouraging a prayer union, so that any of God's people, upon whose hearts it is laid to pray very specially for any great public matter concerning His kingdom, might have an opportunity of stating their case, giving their reasons, encouraging each other in a conquering faith, waiting for and recording answers j and, in general, dealing with God in a direct and definite manner. Your editorial wisdom wou!d direct how far it would be well to go into particulars.

But, for the sake of an illustration, let me refer to the opium traffic. At the present time throughout England the hearts of God's people ar& being moved as perhaps never before, so that the will of God may be thoroughly known and carried out. It is believed that if the Christian conscience were once thoroughly aroused, it would prove to be such a power as no government could resist. The first important matter is to spread information, and, as a matter of fact, information has been widely spread. But gain seems too much for godliness, and the flesh too much for the Spirit, so that individual and national sin, according to many, cannot be put away. In fact, there is, in some minds, a complete despair. Surely if " the regions beyond, of prayer," once became a part of common Chris· tian life, there would be such a keen sensitiveness to God's touch that the opium victims would startle men's minds j fearful prejudices against the Gospel, created by the traffic, would bring us down in humiliation, and the fact that a shadow between God and His people exists, would rouse to such concern as would give no rest till the evil was put away. Such a matter might well be a subject for definite believing prayer. Christians are, perhaps, a feebJe folk in regard to "orldly power, but this may drive them the more earnestly to seek God.

Some who are of little usc otherwise may at least prove the power of prayer. God can use tools of the poorest nature to spread abroad impressions of what is right.

This matter is one which may possihly receive more attention in China. The same request has heen made so' that missionaries and native converts may. be united in this hallowed bond. The more such ideas can gain

MOHAMMED AND MOlIAMMEDANISM

ground, the more help we shall have against the materialism of the age; and there may be some very great matters cODcerniDg God's will which may become clear as we agree to pray about them-e.g., how far mission- ary work !Should be evangelistic, missionaries only settling down as far as is really necessary; and whether fixed salaries are wise or unwise, etc.

The proofs of prayer given in the China Inland Mission and in the move- ments of the C. M. S., which began in prayer at Keswick, might be more definitely known than they are; also the proof of God's hearing prayer in the progress of woman's work, of which the foreign secretary of the L. M. S.

lately made a striking utterance at the monthly meeting for prayer held at the mission house. Yours faithfully, LONDON, April 7, 189l. J. SADLER.

MOHAMMED AND MOHAMMEDANISM.

BY REV. HENRY RICE, MADRAS, INDIA.

For the last twelve hundred years or more that struggle between the East and West which has ever been the centre of all history has takeu the special form of a struggle between Christendom and Islam. There is not a nation in Europe or Asia which has not had its share iu the great conflict. The struggle still goes on. The more we feel the prominent palt which the struggle between Christendom and Islam has borne, and is bearing, in the general history of the world, the more deeply we feel the importance of a right understanding of Mohammedan history. In considering the life of Mohammed and the effects of Mohammedanism, one cannot help touching on questions which are theological. Through the whole history, both of the man and the nation, the religious element underlies everything. Mohammed was a conqueror and a ruler, but he was such only because he declared himself to be a divinely commissioned prophet. His immediate followers founded the vastest empire that the world ever saw, which, though it soon split asunder, has maintained a theoretical unity ever since. But that empire was not, strictly speaking, the dominion of a nation or of a dynasty, but of a religious sect with which the acquisition of political power was a religious principle. In the Mohammedan system there is no room for national distinctions; religious belief stands in the place of nationality. Every fellow-believer is a fellow-countryman. There is no dis~inction between Church and State. In Islam the Church comes first in fact and in idea; the State is simply the Church in its unavoidable temporal relations. In every Mohammedan country the whole civil and social fabric rests on the groundwork of a divine law once revealed. In everything the spiritual element comes first, and the temporal element is a mere appendage.

The primary faet, then, to be ob~erved is that Mohammed was a man who founded a temporal dominion, but who grounded his temporal domin- ion solely upon his claim to be a divinely commissioned teacher of religion. He taught a doctrine; he founded a sect; and the proselytes of that sect went forth, in the name of their new faith, to conquer the world. Every Moslem was, as his first duty, a missionary; but he was an armed missionary. In this the religion of Mohammed forms a marked contrast to the two religious systems which had gone before it. Judaism proclaims itself as the divinely given code of a single nation, a system which does not refuse proselytes, but does not seek them. Christianity proclaims itself as a divinely given system of faith and morals, addressed to all mankind, content to make its way among mankind by moral forces alone, leaving the governments of the world as it finds them. Mohammedanism also proclaims itself as a divinely given system of faith and morals addressed to all mankind, but to be enforced by the sword. It is a system which, in its perfect theory, would require all mankind to be members of one political society. Each, again, of these three great monotheistic religions has its written revelation. Herein consists one of the most marked distinctions between the three. The Mohammedan accepts nothing as of divine authority except the personal utterallces of his prophet, taken down in his lifetime. With the Jew and the Christian the actnal discourses of Moses and of Christ form only a portion of the writings which he accepts as the sacred books of his faith. As to the main facts of Mohammed's life there is no reason to detail them, for they are well known. But we think there can be no doubt as to his sincerity, and as to the honesty of his fait1:l in the truth of his own mission during the early stages of his career. It is impossible to conceive any motive, except faith in his own missior , which conld have borne him up through the contempt and persecntion whlCh he underwent as long as he abode at Mecca. The mere fact of his lapse, followed as it was by his recantation, seems decidedly in favor of his sincerity. It is the act of a man, believing in himself and in what he taught, but whose faith failed him for a season in a moment of temptation. But his mere belief in his own mission would not prove that mission to be divine; it wonld not cven prove the work which he undertook to be a work tending to the good of mankind. That the early teaching of Mohammed, in the days of his first preaching at Mecca, was directly for the good of the men of that time and place there can be no doubt. His moral and religious teaching was imperfect, but it was a measureless advance on anything which his hearers had heard before. Whatever Mohammed may have been to the world at large, to the men of Mecca of his own time he was one who spake of righteousncls, temperance, and judgment to come, one who taught in the midst of debasing idolatry that there is one God, and none other than He. Every man who at this stage accepted the teaching of Mohammed was at once raised to a higher level in the scale of moral and religious beings. The strivings of heart which led Mohammed, in the face of 8corn and persecution, to preach to an idolatrous city the truth and unity of God could never have risen from any low personal motive. We may even venture to say th!it it Was a move- ment from God Himself.

One of the most difficult thillgs is to find out the exact amount 01 knowledge of Christianity which Mohammed had at any time of his career. It is certain that while still at Mecca he Was oil frielldly terms with thll Christian King of Abyssinia; and it was in his domilliolls that his early fol. lowers sought shelter from persecution. Some means were, therefore, clearly open to him of gaining a knowledge of what Christianity really was j but it seems likely that he never came across the genuine text of the New 'Testameut or its genuine teaching in any shape. The one Christian doctrine he seems to have thoroughly grasped is that of the miraculous birth of Christ. But on all other points Mohammed's notions of Christianity seem to have been of the vaguest kind. His ideas of the life of Christ are borrowed from the stories of the Apocryphal gospels, and he emphatically denies the reality of the crucifixion. When he confounded the Angel Gabriel with the Holy Ghost, and represented Christians as looking on the Mother of Christ as a person of the Trinity, he must surely have misconceived what Christianity was even in its corruptest form. We cannot wonder that. he cast away such doctrines as these with indignation, nor that he confounded the Christian doctrine of the Divine sonship with the idolatrous belief in the danghters and other satellites of God which it was his special mission to overthrow. We cannot blame Mohammed for rejecting Christianity in the shape in which it seems to have appeared in his eyes j but we cannot acquit him of blame for rejecting Christianity through not taking pains to find out what it really was. If this neglect was owing to spiritual pride, to an overweening confidence in himself. as not only a divinely commissioned, but an absolutely infallible teacher, we may see in this failure to seek after the truth with all his heart and with all his strength tne Drst step in a downward career. The flight to Medina was the beg~nning of Mohammedanism as part of the history of the world j but it was aho the beginning of a distinct fall in the personal character of its founder. The preacher of righteousness now appealed to the sword. Had he not done so, it may be that his religion would have died out. But, looking at the man's own moral being. from the moment of his appeal to the sword he fell away from the righteousness of his earlier days. lie stooped from the rank of a religious teacher to the rank of one of the ordinary powers of the world. He put on the character of a statesman and a warrior j he exposed himself to the temptations which beset either character, and he learned to practise the baser as well as the nobler arts of both. IIis policy was now of the earth, ~arthy; in becoming a ruler and a warrior he became a man of craft and of blood.

One aspect of the prophet's life we cannot pass over without notice. What Fronde says of Henry VIlt is yet more truly to be said of Mohammed, that he ought to have lived in a world from which women were shut out. It is useless to defend the sexual laxity of Mohammed by saying that he was neither better nor worse than the usual morality of his age andl country. The preacher of a religious reform ought to rise above·the usuali morality of his age and country j and Mohammed, at one time of his life" showed that he could rise above it. The youth of Mohammed, according: to all evidence, was a youth of temperance and chastity, and not a breathl of scandal rested on his married life passed during twenty years with Ii woman old enough to be his mother. The manners of his country allowed both polygamy and concubinage j but no rival, whether wife or slave, ever disturbed the declining years of Kha<!ijah. A man who had so long lived a chaste life could surely have prolonged the effort, if only for the sake of keeping up his own dignity a~d consistency of character, and should not have proclaimed for himself exemptions from the laws which he laid down for others. Yet in Mohammed's relations to women we cannot but see a distinct fall, both from the standard of the Gospel and from the standard of his own early life. One of the oldest charges against Mohammed is that he promised his followers a paradise of sensual delights. Nowhere is the contrast between the Gospel and the Koran more strongly marked than in the veil which the Gospel throws over all details as to the next world, when compared with the minuteness with which the Koran dwells on its, rewards and punishments. And this charge of holding out sensual promises; to his disciples is one that cannot be' got over except by the startling apologetics of certain Mnssulman doctors, who assert that the" houris" of Paradise are to be taken figuratively.

We hold, then, that Mohammed, from the beginning to the end of his career, was honestly convinced of the truth of his own mission, but that he gradually fell away through not taking due pains to find out the real nature of the Christian revelation. When the first downward step had been taken, the other steps of the downward course were easy. The prophet of truth and righteousness, the assertor of the unity of God against the idols of the Kaaha, sank to the level of an earthly conqueror, extending the bounds of his dominion by the sword. He died while waging war to force his own imperfect system on those who, amid all the corruptions of Christianity of those days, still held truths which he had rejected and blasphemed. The real charge against Mohammed is that, after the Gospel had! been given to man, he fell back on the theology and morality of the Law. The effects of his life and teaching on the world at large have been in close analogy to his own personal career. In his own age and country he was the greatest of reformers. He founded a na~ion, and gave that nation a religion and a jurisprudence which were an immense advance on anything it had as yet accepted. He swept away idolatry j he enforced the practice of a purer morality ; he lightened the yoke of the slave ; he even raised the condition of the weaker sex. If he had done nothing else than remove the frightful practice of burying female children alive, he would not have lived in vain in his own time and nation. But when his system passed the borders of the land in which it was so great a reform, it became the greatest of curses to mankind. The main cause which has made the Mohammedan religion a blighting influence on every land where it has been preached is that it is an imperfect system standing in the way of one more perfect. Islam has in it just enough of good to hinder the reception of greater good. When Mohammedanism is preached to a tribe of savage heathen, its acceptance is in itself an unmixed blessing. But it is a blessing which cuts off almost all hope of the reception of a greater blessing. The heathen, in his utter darkness, is far more likely to accept the faith of Christ than the Mohammedan in his state of semi-enlightenment. In all lands wherfl Islam has been preached it has regulated and mitigated many of the evils of the earlier systems; but in doing so it has established them forever. The New Testament nowhere forli>ids slavery; it can hardly be said to contain any direct prohibition of polygamy. Preached as the Gospel was to subjects of the Roman Empire, among whom frightful licentiousness was rife, but among whom legal polygamy was unheard of, there was no need to enlarge on the subject. The principles of Christian purity would of themselves, without any direct precept, hinder polygamy from beeoming the law of any Christian land. But Islam,by the very fact of restraining and regulating the license of its own native land, has made polygamy and its attendant evils the abiding law of every Mohammedan people. As Professor Fairbairn has well said, " A religion that does not purify the home cannot regenerate the race; one that depraves the home is certain to deprave humanity. Motherhood is to be sacred if manhood is to be honorable. Spoil the wife of sanctity, and for the man the sanctities of life have perished." The Gospel nowhere forbids slavery; but it lays down precepts whose spirit is inconsistent with slavery, anll which have, after a long struggle, succeeded in rooting out slavery from all European and from most Christian lands. But Islam, by the very fact of enforcing justice and mercy for the slave, has perpetuated the existence of slavery among all its disciples. Christianity, by giving no civil precepts, has remained capable of adapting itself to every form of government and every state of society. But Islam, by attaching the civil power to its religious head, has condemned all Mohammedan nations to abiding despotism; and by enjr)ining the toleration of the unbeliever on certain fixed conditions, it hinders the e~tab­ lishment of religious equality in any land where it is dominant. "Christianity waged no direct war against these social evils of antiquity, but it killed them much more effectually by breathing into the conscience of the world truths which made their continuance impossible. It girdled the tree and left it to die. Change the climate, and you change the vegetation. "

Let it be granted that, in all heathen aI?-d even in some Christian lands, Islam in its first and best days appeared as a reform. Still it is a reform which has stifled all other reforms. It is a reform which has chained down every nation which has accepted it to a certain stage of moral and political growth. As such, this system of imperfect truth must ever be the greatest hindrance in the way of more perfect truth. Because Islam comes nearer

THE ARMENIAN PROTES'],ANT ORPHANAGE OF BROOSSA

to Christianity than any other false system, for that very reason it is, above nil other false systems, pre-eminently anti-Christian. "It has reformed and lifted savage tribes; it has depraved and barbarized civilized nations. At the root of its fairest culture a worm has ever lived that has caused its blossoms soon to wither and die. Were Mohammed the hope of man, then his state "rere hopeless; before him could only be retrogression, tyranny, and despair." The life of every great Mohammedan nation has died away. ·Wherever Mohammedanism has come into contact and conflict with Christi:m civilization it has succumbed. It is incapable of progress beyond a certain point. It has lost the" dew of its youth," and is destined to wane before advancing light and growing knowledge. In India we may look forward to the time when the bigotry and fanaticism of its sixty millions of Mohammedans will melt away before the warmth and genial influence of Christianity.

TIlE ARMENIAN PROTESTANT ORPH.A.NAGE OF -BROOSSA, IN ASIA MINOR, TUl~KEY.

BY M. BAGHDASARIAN, SECRETARY OF THE PROTESTANT ORPHANAGE.

Asia Minor is the fairest portion of Turkey, and one of the finest countries of the world. It is a peninsula, and is bounded on the north by the Black Sea, on the south by the Mediterranean, on the west by the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmora, and the Dardanelles, on the east by Armenia and Koordistan.

The country is very mountainous, and many rivers pass through the most picturesque valleys, flowing into the Black Sea as well as the Mediterranean. The soil is very fertile, and produces every kind of vegetables. fruits, and corn. Asia Minor is considered the or(~hard of Constantinople.

The prcsent condition of this vast country stands in frightful contrast to its great and glorious past. It was once the seat of riches and learning, and some wonderful events in secular and church history happened here. The still remaining ruins of the ancient cities of Nicea, where the Nicene Creed was composed in the year A.D. 321), and of the seven churches testify of the splendor and wealth of its former inhabitants. Desolations, storms, and terrible judgments of God have, however, converted that dear country into a great wilderness.

The population of Asia Minor consists chiefly of Turks, Armenians, Greeks, and Jews. The Turks are the most unchangeable people of the world. Their habits, customs, dresses, manners, character, ideas, and aspirations are almost the same as they were centuries ago. when their ancestors came to conquer the country. They always think of a general massacre of all Christians existing in Turkey, and blame their fathers for not having accomplished it in the early era of the empire, while nobody would have interfered with their destructive work. The Armenians are a people spoken of very often in the Bible. They have a glorious past recorded in the history of the ancient world and nations, and belong to the first Oriental Christian Churcll, which is, un- fortunately, fallen to decay, and represents now but a very low form of Chris- tianity, being entirely deprived of the influence of the evangelical prin- ciples of the Gospel. Pomp, ceremony, and priestcraft support the religion, which exerts very little influence over the daily lives of the people, and can afford little or no comfort, in their experiences of privation, suffer- ings, and toi!. But they are good farmers, prosperous merchants, and able professional men, and have a great future. Being very religious, and having always an open heart for the Truth, the Armenians accepted with great pleasure the Gospel when it was sent to them in the beginning of the present century from the Christians of the New World. My father, Bagh- dasar Russian, of Bithynia, was one of those Armenians who at once converted themselves to the Protestant faith, and leaving everything, like the apostles, on they went as the first Armenian missionaries, preaching the Gospel in the towns and villages of Asia Minor and Armenia, and establishing the first Armenian evangelical churches, and that, of course, amid great and continual persecutions and sufferings.

" By their fruits ye shall know them" is the divine criterion given us to be used whet we jndge those who profess the true faith of the Gospel j and, guided by that principle, you can judge of the Armenian Protestants of Turkey. When we adopted a scriptural creed, it would have been ground for a serious imputation against the sincerity of our Christian profession had we looked with indifference on the many objects around us that -called for active self·denial and the persevering labor of Christian love and .charity. But such was not the case; and among the fruits of the Reformation in Turkey will, no doubt, be reckoned the Armenian Evangelical Charity Mission of Broossa.

Broossa is an ancient city and the capital of Asia Minor, only a round ihundred miles from Constantinople, nestling at the foot of snow-capped lIount Olympus. Its population is about 80,000, of whom 20,000 are Armenians, GOOO Greeks, 4000 Jews, and the remainder Turks.

It has passed through many political changes, and has been nearly destroyed at various times by fire and earthquake; but it has survived all these disasters, and is, with its fine climate, hot and cold springs, large Oriental bazaars and beautiful marble tombs of the sultans who resided there from 1825 nntil the capture of Constantinople, one of the most important cities of the East.

During 1874-75 Asia Minor was the scene of a terrible famine, caused by a long continued drought, and many thousands of peoplo starved to death. When the calamity was at its height, the city of Broossa was filled with refugees j and seeing the terrible condition of the little children who {)ame to the city in search of food, the heart of the writer's brother, Gregory Baghdnsarian, who then was professor in a seminary at BrooBsa, was moved to gather in these poor little orphan children; and this was the beginning of the Armenian Evangelical Charity Mission at Broossa. A HQme for Orphan and Destitute Children was at once established, and hundreds of poor children who had beeu bereft of horne and parents have lbeen since received in its sheltering arms, and trained for Christ and useful IJii.ves. Later on a boarding and day school, too, were added to this institution.

The Tnrkish Government recognized this Armenian Evangelical Orphan Asylum, with its educational branches, and sanctioned it by granting the usual Rukhsatname-permit-in which tbe title" Dar-ush-Shefakai Sharikiye"-Oriental Charitable Institution-is attached to it.

A committee composed of Protestant brethren, with the resident American missionary keeping the treasnry, is, ever since its establishment, ,duly guiding this good work. The late B.ev. Sandford Hichardson was the ;first treasurer of the orphanage; and in his last statement he says, ,. You ·can say to your friends that we regard the ~rphanage as eminently Chris- ;tian, and auxiliary to our evangelical work."

The Broossa Orphauage is now fifteen years old; it has been established °iby entirely voluntary contributions, the first donation of $300 being gen- ,erously granted by the late Rev. Adolf Sarasin, of Basel, in Switzerland. :Later on a few German and Swiss prominent clergymen and editors, the Basel Mission Society, and the London Turkish Missions' Aid Society have ,espoused the cause of the Broossa Orphanage, and recognizing it as a neces- :sary 'and usefnl institution in the East, recommended it warmly to the sympathy and support of the benevolent throughout the world, and helping hands were stretched toward us to carry out the work. More than six hundred children, coming from fifty different parts and places of Turkey, and belonging to different religions and nationalities, have been admitted into the orphanage during the last fifteen years, and many others passed through tha boarding and day schools, enjoying a strictly evangelical education.

The Broossa Orphanage was often inspected and illl'estigated by competent hodies, one of which was composed of the Revs. T. W. Brown, D.D., Secretary of the Turkish Missions' Aid Society of London, Alexander Thom- :son, D. D., agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society of Constantinople, :and Joseph Greene, D. D., one of the veteran missionaries of the American Board in Turkey, and two Armenian Protestant pastors of Constantinople. 'They were much pleased with what they saw, and gave a long report, in 'which they say, " We have great pleasure in bearing our testimony to the perfect discipline of the schools, and to the thoroughly intellectual training, both in general knowledge and in Divine truth. Mr. and Mrs. Baghdasarian seem, indeed, to have succeeded to no smail extent in attaining their high ideal of so conducting the orphanage as to render it a pure and happy Christian home." Another official inspection took place last year, in September, when the Twenty-fifth Annual Assembly of the Evangelical Pas- .

tors of the Bithynian U uian W&s held in Broossa. In th4;)i. statement they say, "We have carefully inspected the whole establishment, and are much pleased with the order and th'l excellent training of the children. We with fuJI confidence say that the whole orgal)-ization of the institution serves one distinct purpose, which is to impart to the children the love of God and the truths of His salvation."

Charity is an indi8pensable branch of the grand work of the Christian Church and her mission in the wide, wide world. The Roman Catholic Church uuderstallds this well, and domg accordingly, their mission is very successful and prosperous in the East. Actually, they possess in Turkey, comprising Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor, Armenia, and Koordistan, 12 hospitals with dispensaries treating yearly 100,000 people, 30 orphan abylums and other charitable institutions, fiO boarding and as many day schools, with 20,000 pupils belonging to all nationalities and religions of Turkey.

The Gospel is to he preached to all creatures, but especially to the poor, because they need it the most, hear its good tidings gladly, and accept willingly the com.fort and consolation it offers them through Jcsus Christ, the only Saviour of the world_ Though there are so many colleges, high schools, and seminaries in Turkey under the care of the American Doard, yct in and for the whole of Asia Minor it is the Broossa Orphanage as a Protestant charitable institution that receives homeless and destitute children irrespective of creed and nationality j and we could admit hundreds of them at once if we could only feed and dress them; but we at present are hardly in. a position to care for those who are already under our shelter, for whose sake the writer is in America, endeavoring to awaken the sympathies of the philanthropists and the benevolent Christians of the New IVorld in 1>eha1f of our charity mission in Asia :Minor j and in case that my humble " voice from Mount Olympus" would reach some noble hearts to move them in our aid, we intend to erect a large chapel in the orphanage, and to establish a small hospital with dispensary, as we most indispensably need these three things, which will, no doubt, be a means of great blessings to the country. We are convinced that no more effective means can be employed for the extension of the Redeemer's blessed kingdom and the temporal and spiritual welfare of the vast population of Asia Minor than the establishment of such charitable institutions. Only Christian, active, energetic, and sacrificing love will be able to conquer the hearts of the people, making good all their damages and healing all the cvils occasioned by misgovernment and oppression.

We need to conceive of mlSlllOns as pre-eminently God's work; and, therefore, as ours only because it is God's, and we are HIS co-workers, permitted to share with Him in this supreme privilege. The power and energy are, therefore, not human. but Divinc, and in any and every cxigency we have only to appeal to Him, take new courage, and gather new confidence, and take steps, never baokward, but always forward, for God never calls a r(!trellt.-[En. ]

THE WHITE FIELDS

THE WHITE FIELDR.

BY A. WOODRUFF, ESQ., FOREIGN SUNDAY-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, BROOlrLYN, N. Y.

A look at them retrospectively and pruspectively, through the'medium of the Sunday-school movement of the nineteenth century, presents gratify- ing signs of promise to the intelligent beholder.

All along the line of history, from the time when the churches of Asia Minor received St. John's admonit.ion, to that of the introduction of the Hobert Raikes period, near the beginning of the nineteenth century, there was a rising and falling, an ebbing and flowing, of spiritual life and pros- perity, answering to the faithfulness or unfaithfulness with which the youth of nations have been tanght in the truthR of revealed religion. The Sun- day-scllool ml)vement has lifted the pall of unbelief that hnng heavily over the English.speaking nations at the commencement of this century, and although recent awakenings have begotten a religious liberty that has given birth to countless religious organizations, each one of them will, if we are faithful to the teaching of the inspired record, prove a strengthening timber in the one Divine edifice.

It will be the aim of this article to describe the methods by whieh the Foreign Sunday- school Association seeks to reenkindle these spiritual fires, faintly glimmering from previous centuries, and in our own times so rapidly spreading as a ground of future hope; /lnd, to show their fitness, to prevent relapses, and assure a near future and one more permanent and enduring than any that has gone before.

The Foreign Sunday-school Association is a growth, not a formation; an influence more than an organization; a power rather than an instrument. The interested inquirer who accepts these definitions desires to know, then, by just what means it accomplishes results.

It may not be easy to exactly separate influences so subtle as the spiritual fruits of religious education and labor, and we may not be able to say just what has been accomplished in the past twelve months; but we can tell what has been done in connection with it and as a part of it ; what results are transient and belonging to the past, and what, are promising to be permanent for the future. How to bring revealed truth into sanctifying contact with the masses of mankind, especially children, is the question of questions, and will continue to be such until the stream of time shall be lost in the ocean of eternity.

The field is boundles~ and ready for reaping; and the reapers, whom we will call letter-writers, must be indefinitely multiplied until the ground is covered. Our association comprises about forty-would that we eonld say four hundred 1-of these workers, and divides them into four parts or groups, each of which takes a quarter for investigation. This investigation is aided by mi~sionary reports, travellers' letters, magazines, colporteurs, 13ible agents, streams of commerce, etc., and by it they are enabled to dis. cover somehow and somewhere an indefinite number who will accept from strangers a friendly greeting, and respond to their letters if written in the ,spirit of the Master who· commands, "Go ye to every creature."

Once a week one of these committees meets to report how their letters 'or IDessllges have been received, and to prepare again others, with small gifts and helps, hoping always for better and better success, the results showing generally that the seed has fallen upon good ground.

Once a month the four committees meet to show to each other the aggregate of results, and vote supplies as they are recommended by the different committees. It is not our purpose to establish schools that shall be called our schools in the sense of depending permanently upon us for support; we seek rather to lead the Christians living in those countries to engage in Sunday-school work.

We try to have the schools as rapidly as possible pass even beyond self-support, and become themselves propagating centres of religious influence, The help we give looks forward to that goal.

As a slight illustration of this correspondence, we subjoin the following extracts from two or three letters received from Austria, China, and Madagascar: Pastor Daniel Nespoe, of Nesslau, Moravia, Austria, writes as follows: " I am glad to tell you about my Sunday-school, for one likes to speak and write about that which he loves. I will give you the lights and the shadows, the advantages and the needs. " We can show but little spiritual life. Rome, the dark power, exercises everywhere a dreadful influence. If it should be Letter in our parish, the Sunday-scho,o,I must help us. About twenty years ago I saw that in our scattered parishes only a well-o,rganized Sunday-schoo,l could help us ;and bring an inner spiritual life in our families, and so into, our congregation; therefore I did not delay, after I knew the benefits of the Sunday- :scho,o), and foundlld first a Sunday-school in Nesslau; to-day we have 6 schools in our parish, with 21 teachers and 325 scholars. " In all our Sunday-schools not only children attend, but all grown-up youths and maidens; in short, all sons and daughters, without distinction of age. They go to Sunday-school until they are married, and the sons come after they have served their threc years in the army. All our Sunday·schools are held in the afternoon between two and four o'clock, and are everywhere well attended; in some the parents come with the children~ and listen attentively as the 'Vord of Life is explained by the teacher$, We use the International Lessons in all our schools. But now I will' .101~ you of the needs of our Sunday-schools. First, we have so few whole :Bibl!~ f. we need more. . . . Then we need hymn-books-the poorest chi~d Q,ugh,t to, have one. One of the chief needs of the Sunday-schoo,l is that the necessary means are lacking for me to visit each of the six Sunday-schools at least once a month; to be present at the instruction, to incite the children" 1.e ~a.t:~l),ts~ al.ld tei«hers ~hm:ns~)ves, and impart the neceRsar.y adv~c~ and instruction. Can you help us in any way ~ Pray do; but, above all, I ask you to pray to the Lord, our true Saviour, for our congregations in Moravia and Bohemia, and bear also our Sunday-schools on praying hearts. "

The Rev. William Key, of the China Inland Mission, in the province of Shansi, north China, thus writes: " When your letter came we were at one of our out-stations, of which we have six. You will be pleased to know that the Lord is blessing our labors, and we have had the joy this year of baptizing twenty-nine con- verts. I am sure your' Sunday-school Guide and Hymn-Book' would be II great help in the out-station work. In a new district like this, that has only been opened four years, the teaching of the converts partakes more or less of the Sunday-school line of things.

"Here at this station we have II Sunday-school, where, as a rule, we have about a dozen men. My wife has a class with the women, in a separate room, at the same time.

" Although our scholars are men and women, we ha"e to treat them in much the same way as home children. We get them to repeat hymns and verses of Scripture, and then tell them some simple Gospel story.

" Here in China, as at home, we find the Gospel is ' the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.' r know casefl where the bare 'Vord has been blessed in leading souls into the light. " At S–, one of our most promising stations, the leading elder, who is to be made pastor shortly, was converted through reading the Gospel of Mark. He was then a. Buddhist priest in a temple!

.. I would ask your prayers for the work of this dist!ict, especially for the native workers, that they may be all taught of God, and thus be able to teach others."

Mis~ Mary T. Bliss, of Faravohitra, Antananarivo, Madagascar, recently wrote the following letter: " I am interested in your society, and I should think it may do a good work in stirrirg people up to realize the great importance of Sunday-school work in all its branches.

" When I first came here fourteen and a half years ago there was only one Sunday-school in Antananarivo; it was held in a central place, and children from all parts of the city were welcome. I do not quite know why, at that time, there was not a Sunday-school in connection with each church; perhaps it was felt to be scarcely necessary, as, of course, Scripture forms the basis of much of the teaching in our mission schools, and so many Bible classes are held dtuing the week, some by ladies for women or children only, others by gentlemen for men and youths, or for any who choose to attend.

"Then another difficulty in those days arose from the fact that there were so few Malagasy suitable to superintend and carryon such a work ; the missionary gentlemen have to be away in the country preaching, their wives are often prevented by family reasons from undertakiug Sunday work, and the single ladies were very few at that time. About ten years ago though the churches were suddenly roused to take an interest in Sunday-school work, and one by one they formed their own schools, 80 that now each of the ten city churches connected with our society has its own school, and, I believe, all the .suburban churches and those of the nearer villages also. Then away in the country districts, schools (no doubt many of them very small and feeble) might be counted by the score; and even in far-away military stations and out-posts, Christian commanders, or governors, or their officers form Sunday-schools and do what they can for the families of their followers and the heatben tribes around them.

"Quite recently I heard from an officer who was formerly one of the best teachers in the' school I superintend, and he tells me that they have succeeded in gathering together four hundred Lakalana children from the thoroughly heathen tribes surrounding their military post on the southwest coast. Again, I am to-day sending off a parcel of testaments and hymnbooks to help in the work being done by a young friend who was also connected with me in Sunday-school work here, but a year or two ago he llad to accompany his father, who was appointed as governor, to a place in the northeast. They at once began Christian work, and built II church at the cost of $700 ; but, unfortunately, it has lately been destroyed by fire. I mention all these facts to show you how this work is spreading in Madagascar. We formed a Sunday-school Union a few years ago, but the Malagasy never seemed to care for it, so it has gradually died II natural death. We were premature, I fancy, though we hoped it would have strengthened the schools.

" Two or three of the schools here are held in the afternoon, but most of them immediately after the morning service, lasting from an llOur to an hour and a half. Primary classes properly conducted are unknown here; little children are among the scholars, but I fear the teaching is beyond them as a rule. For one thing, we have no pictures or anything to make the teaching attractive to them, and we have no suitable teachers; the little ones are obliged to be left to the native teachers, and they do not understand the art of instructing the little creatures. Few of our schools have more than one European to help them, and the large majority not even that one; so, you see, we are crippled, however good our intentions may be. I often wish I could turn my attention to the' tinies,' but then I have to teach their mothers and grandmothers, who think themselves above being taught by any but the missionary. Our school is exceptionally favored though in the kind of teachers we have, many of them having been edncated in our L. M. S. College; they are men of good family and position, too: one tbe Foreign Secretary, another the Minister of Educas tion, and three others members of the Cabinet.

" I see you ask for the number of Sunday-schools we have here, but I think you will understand that I cannot answer the question. As to methods of working, they are of thc most simple kind. I fancy most schools have two adult classes, one for men and one for women, and the children are divided into classes according to their number and the teachers available. The session opens with singing, reading, and prayer; then about half an hour is allowed for the teaching, and afterward all are assembled and questioned on the lesson taught, and a short address is given. Outline lesson helps are published, monthly magazine-Good Words-and are pretty generally used, I think, except in the distant places. Lesson helps for translation and Scripture pictures especially would be most valuable to us if your society can give any assistance in this way. I should not ask for them, only you request a statement of our needs.

"In conclusion, may I ask your prayers for our work here ~ We so long for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all churches and schools here; and sometimes we think our prayers are to be answered, for among the young people especially there has been a decided work going on during thc last two years or so.

"I shall be very glad of any hints and suggestious as to the better management of our schools."

To quote from Rev. Dr. R. S. Storrs, in his speech in behalf of our society at the reccnt State Sunday-school Convention in Brooklyn: "A Sunday-school is an eminently practical institution; it is not ornamental, it is not formal, it i& a working instrument for the purpose of teaching Christian truth, and to inspire Christian usefulness." And again, " It is not altogether for the direct benefit conferred upon others, but partly for the reflex influence upon those who perform the work, for we always gain by giving; and where we are sending good influences upon others, they come with redoubled influence upon our own hearts, so that we desire to send the Sunday-school into foreign lands where it is not."

In this connection a member of our society writes: " We have urged these Christians to start mission schools wherever a place could be found to hold one; and the idea has been so carried out that it is no longer an experiment. "

" From year to year the importance of this kind of Gospel work among the children has grown on the part of our correspondents all over the world; their letters have bronght accounts again and again of whole families brought to Christ through the influence of a child, who first learned of Him at Sunday-school."

"These schools are held in many places in private houses, and are under the superintendence of a colporteur or Bible-reader, in some cases under that of hard-working miners; and in some they are carried on by ladies." In the past year, by diligent inspection of the ground, earnest co-operation and ceaseless letter-writing, we have received 80me six or seven hundred letters from correspondents scattered in different parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Mexico.

Our association has assisted in organiz!!!.g and sustaining Sundav.schools in many conntries, and distributed 180,000 Sunday-school papers in differ- ent languages, and over 45,000 books for Sunday-school libraries.

During the past ten years we have translated and published" Christie's Old Organ," by Mrs. Walton, in some fifteen different languagcs, and " Saved at Sea," by the same author, in nearly as many. while such books as" Tip Lewis and His Lamp,"· ': Alone in London," and" A Candle Lighted hy the ·Lord," etc., have each been translated and printed in one or more foreign languages, making altogether an aggregate of 45,000 volumes.

We have had such frequent. reports of blessing through the reading of these books and papers that we are convinced that the money spent in their publication has been most wisely expended. Sunday. school statistics of 1889 show in continental lands, in Asia, Africa, Mexico, South America, and the West Indies, about 20,000 Sunday-schools, with between 70,000 and 80,000 teachers, and over 1,300,000 scholars.

If we add to these figures a percentage for the ten years left to this century, the year 2000 will dawn with a world sprinkled with Sunday-schools, giving cheerful promise of coming triumph, and a shout of harvest home!

As it has been successfully contended, the Sunday~8chool has been the spring of all this lay activity, this activity which has made possible the gigantic mil!.sionary movement which characterizes the times in which we live; and is it not clear that in this movement around us there is signified a permanency that has not pertain.ed to any that has gone before.

But although we point to 18,000,000 of English-speaking people as the force now gathered in this department of labor alone, to say nothing about those that are marshalling in outside fields, we wish to point to an element of power in it which no previous pp.riod of the world's history has even surveyed, much less enumerated.

Stupendous as these movements are, the last half of this century has given birth to a sign of the times which as a star of hope already begins to shine brightly above and around the whole spiritual horizon.

Wherevcr we turn our eye of faith, it is woman who dissipates the darkness still remaining, and sheds no flickering light upon the future of our race. Modestly unpretending, but nobly strong, her banner points steadily forward to the day when the promise shall be fulfillcd that all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest.

In her lies a source of strength which, when united with missionary assistance at home and abroad, forbids the sceptic to doubt that there is a consummation at hand and almost in sight which assures that our harvest shall not be uncertain or endlessly distant. Not uncertain if our cherished institution shall retain the characteristics which a hundred years have given it, and an its lost spiritual life be revived with a Heaven-in8pired ardor; not distant if the churches continue to send forth the right leaders in a genuine spiritual crusade to rescue the sacred soil from the deadly pollutioll '. of sin, unbelief, and death.

SUMMAS MEEKHA OF MOSUL

[The preceding article was written to follow another, " Sunday-school and Lay Work in the Nineteenth Century," printed in the REVIEW, December, 1888, page 910. We regret that the publication of this was so long delayed, that it borrows little light from the former article.-ED.] SHEMMAS MEEKHA OF MOSUL.

BY REV. T. LAURIE, PROVIDENCE, R. I.

If the tree is known by its fruit, then we may learn the value of missions from the character of their converts. It has been the privilege of the writer to enjoy the acquaintance of a number of the converts in western Asia, Tannoos el Haddad and Rahil Ata in Beiriit, Pastor Apisoghom and Der Vartaness in Constantinople, and others elsewhere, but with none was he brought into such intimate relations as with Shemmas (Deacon) Meekha of MOBUL Yonan, a Jacobite millwright of tllat city, had a son born to him in 1816, and when the plague carried off nearly 40,000 victims there in 1828, Meekha, the son, recovered from it to find that the same disease had made him fatherless. He sought relief from the burden of his sins through faflting and confession to the priest, but with such small success that he was led to study the truth for himself. This was not so easy,' for at sixteen years of age he could not read; and when he sought to learn, his associates mocked him, quoting the proverb, " Baad rna sar shab, yereed yikra el kelab" (" After he grew up he wanted to read"). Yet he got the son of a priest to teach him the Syriac alphabet, and after his day's work was done, spelled out by lamplight a tolerable knowledge of ancient Syriac, while thus blindly groping after truth. God sent to Mosul Rev. Joseph Matthew, an evangelical graduate of the college at Cottayam, in southern India, on his way to Mardin to be ordained as bishop, and from him Meekha received such help in the Syriac that he was soon able to interpret his friend's sermons in that language into the vernacular. Dr. Grant was sent at the same time to Mosul, and aided both Meekha and the bishop after his ordination as Mutran (Metropolitan) Athanasius. Meekha was teacher of Arabic to Rev. A. K. Hinsdale, and was as earnest in learning the English as he had been in mastering the old Syriac ; so that when, after the death of-Mr. Hinsdale, he became the teacher of Arabic to the 'writer, he was able to derive a good deal of help from the English library of the mission.

One Sabbath, as we sat alone in the upper room conversing of Christ and redemption, he moved his seat nearer and nearer, till, grasping my hand, he said eagerly, " Do come with me and repeat these good words to my people, and I will interpret them, for they never heard truth like that !" It was delightful to see his Christ· like interest in the good of others. The result was a Bible class every week in that same upper room, where numbers were brought in by him to hear the truth that he enjoyed so much. If from that class came several members of the little church formed November 3d, 1851, it was through the loving labor of him who knew so well how to set it before those who had been brought up under the same influences that had moulded him till then.

May 26th, 1844, the lesson was the close of Matt. 12 : 46-50, and as he said, "How would Christ be grieved to-day to see you turning from Him to other intercessors. He would ask you, Did you think that I did not love you, or that I could think more of my mother than of you when you come to Me for salvation ~ Did Mary die for you, or the saints give their life fQr your redemption ~ Why, then, do you doubt my love, or bold back from the welcome with which I long to receive yOll~" the class swayed like a field of grain before the wind, and even gray-haired men were in tears.

Some charged him with introducing schism into an ancient church, be- cause he preached the truth, and offered to double his wages if he left the service of the mission j and when afterward we increased those wages a lit- tle, his voice choked as he asked if we doubted his devotion to the Gospel.

It was a great sorrow to him that our mission was withdrawn from Mosul in 1844, but 8till his lamp shone brightly at home, and his letters witnessed for Christ as far as Aleppo and Beirut. From the first he was the leader in the little church j and when the Assyrian Mission was also broken up in 1860, the church was able to stand alone through the grace of God so manifest in him. 'fhe Papists have made the most strenuous efforts to crush it out. All that money, French political power, splendid church edifices and pretentious schools could do has been done to drive out the truth from Mosul, but the little church stands like a rock through the firm scriptural faith of this one man. Two at least of the hymns in the Arabic hymn-book published by the Syrian Mission are from his pen, and he left among his papers an unfinished Syriac MS., whether a translation of Bun- yan's "Pilgrim's Progress" or an original work of the same sort, I am unable to say.

Re had long been in feeble health, and suffered from the great heat of Mosul, which rises in July to 117° in the shade. One needs to keep this fact in mind as he reads in one of his letters, " Pray that God wonld keep me from sloth, and make me perfect in His service. I long to impart to . others that knowledge of an atoning Saviolir which God has given me. How can I describe the greatness of my obligation for this grace! I grieve to see so many without Christ. Pray that I may have grace to instruct and they to believe j and yet, should I bring the whole world to Him, that would be the work of His power and grace, not mine. Of Him and to Rim be glory forever."

In another letter he says, "I think I know something of that sweet word of John, there is no fear in love j and I know that nothing can

1891.J 'fHE :BRAVE MOUNTAIN GIRL

separate me from His love. I try to lead men to Christ. Some aprrove my words, but yield no fruit, yet I hope that if the grain of wheat fall into the ground and die it will not remain alone."

These last words he once repeated to the writer after one of our repeated bereavements in MOBul, half afraid to renew grief, and yet longing to console.

He wrought at his old trade till the gift of a set of watchmaker's tools from Mrs. Thomas A. Davis, widow of it former mayor of Boston, enabled him to change to that business, for which he harl such an aptitude that after cleaning an old brass clock for another, and I think without knowing that such a thing existed, he made a wooden one for himself, and so prospered in his new calling that he was known in his last days as Meekha el saati (the watchmaker) and no longer as Meekha el nakkar (the millwright), his former occupation. This fact sheds light on the origin of our family names in all languages.

-He became constantly more feeble, till he peacefully fell asleep June 14th, 1881, and the church, deprived of its living leader, insisted that he should be buried in the church building that they might be constantly reminded of the Gospel he taught them while alive, though he would never consent to be pastor of the church. He left a widow and nine children, several of whom are church-members. One of his six sons is a manufacturer of watches in French Switzerland, and another is in the same eity with the writer, while two are in the old shop in Mosu:.

Rev. D. W. Marsh, D.D., who belonged to the Assyrian Mission, writes of Meekha, "His mind was clear, with splendid acuteness and strength, and was very receptive of truth. He was a thinker rather than an actor j but by unswerving probity among a most dishonest people, Christ-like gentleness among violent men, and steadfast loyalty to Christ and truth, he bore testimony for God."

It will be a long, long time before the memory of his intelligent and consistent piety ceases to be a mighty power for good in all that region. .

THE BRAVE MOUNTAIN GIRL.

Rev. John C. Mechlin, Salmas, Persia, writes concerning Mrs. J. N. Wright, of whose death our readers have heard: " At one time a missiop.ary party had been into the heart of the moun- tains of Koordistan, and returning, had brought with them several families of their helpers and several boys and girls who were coming down to the- plain to attend school. Among this n~m her was Shushan Oshannah, the – daughter of one of the mountain kashas (or pastors). Somewhere on the way down to the plain the muleteers made a plot to plunder the party. The time came, the signal was given, and the people, finding that they were unable to defend themselves, fled and hid bebind the rocks, leaving their baggage to tbe tender mercies of tbe muleteers. But they did not all flee. One brave mountain girl stood by tbe mi!'sionary, and did not quail before tbose wild, rude men. She stood ber ground; she shamed them; she argued with them; she pleaded with tbem until they gave up tbeir plan to rob and leave the party tbat they had promised to carry safely to the plain. Gradually the rest of the party came forth from their hiding-places, and in course of time went on their way. But the courage of that brave mountain girl had saved the party from robberJand perhaps from much suffering. And when we realize the rudeness and wildness and lawlessness of those people, we can then understand how much bravery it required to meet them and to thwart tbeir wills.

"Her bravery and beauty made ber famous among the mountain people, and a nepbew of the Nestorian patriarch asked for ber for his wife. She refused, as she was afraid to trust berself in the hands of such a lawless man. She did. not love the man, and that was reason enough for her; but they brought such pressure to bear on the parents that they were compelled to flee to Persia for safety. Their flight being made known, forty horsemen pursued them to the Turkish frontier. But they made good their escape, and reached Oroomiah in safety. But the danger and the trouble connected with this offer of marriage broke down that wonderful nerve, and she was never so brave as in her girlhood days.

" In Oroomiah she met kind friends, and was also at one time a teacher in the Tabriz school.

"Iu December, 1885; she was married to Rev. J. N. Wright, of Salmas, Persia. She was a loyal, devoted wife, and tried with all her soul to fill her difficult position. She bad just returned from her first visit to America (less than seven months), and she had, seemingly, a brigbt, happy future before ber.

"But one black eloud was hovering over her. Why she had such a fear none ever knew; but she was full of fear for the life of her husband. She felt that some one wanted to kill him. No attempt was ever made, and we know no reason why she was so afraid. But many a time, when some stranger came to see Mr. Vright, she would enter the room, lest some harm would come to Mr. Wright. It was with this same purpose that she was in the room at the time when she. was so brutally assaulted. She feared the boy whom Mr. Wright had dismissed would take revenge on him for his dismissal. But she was the object of his hatred and of his revelige, though she had done him no harm, nor had she personally rebuked him for his sin. Mr. Wright did that. Mrs. Wright only rebuked the sin-abetting woman, and she fired the wrath of the boy against Mrs. Wright.

" After Mrs. Wright's return from America, the rumors of approaching cholera reached us, and it was remarkable the depressing effect that it had . on her. She seemed to see in that disease some great evil for her.

" She was frequently speaking of the precautions necessary to ward off

1891.J EXTRACTS FROM LETTER FROM HASSAN BOTAN

such a disease. She told several of her friends, and also her husoand, that ,he would not live until another winter came. She did not know how this death would come, but she believed she would die erelong. Her great fear was death from cholera, but she never dreamed of such an awful death as was in store for her. And when she was struck down by the murderous knife, she then felt that she would not recover. This presentiment came many weeks before her death, and she firmly believed that her days were few.

" Several times she had said to near friends, ' How nice it would be to die at the age of thirty-three, the age at which Christ died! I do not want to live past that time.' She had expressed herself in similar manner to her husband some time before her death. She said she loved her home and her children, and did not want to leave them; but still it would be so nice to die at the same age at which her Saviour died. And, strange to say, she was in her thirty-third year when she died. The Lord had need of her, and called her home."

TRACTS FROM LETTER FROM HASSAN BOTAN.

BY REV. F. G. COAN, TURKEY.

There is certainly enough in the ignorance, cruelty, poverty, and wickedness of this people to call for faith-an unbounded faith in the power of God and His Gospel that can reach even such as these. If there is a needy field in the world it is here. The power of Rome has been supreme here for centuries, but it is on the wane. Even this people cannot always be duped, and they long for something better.

One thing that impresses one out he·re is the collapse of the Government. It has lost its hold and forfeited all right to its privileges.

The country is a fine one, with splendid resources; Persia is poor in comparison. The mountains are well wooded and fnll of coal, silver, and iron.

At times one feels that if once he got out of here nothing would ever indnce him to come in again, and again is ashamed of such a thought, and feels as if he mnst cast in his lot with these wretched creatures, and could never leave them groping without a ray of hope save in the blessed Gospe.

We are never idle. Crowds are always here for medicine or from curiosity, and at morning and evening prayers. Alexander, who seems greatly changed, usually gets a crowd about him at noon and preache8. Individuals can always be seen and a seed sown. Then there is the visiting of the sick.

Of one thing I am certain : any labor e~pended here is going to give fully as good a return as in Oroomiah. Josip, son of Malip Pettoo, in Tiyari, who is true blue, and a splendid specimen of a man every way, is a

7G2 '1'WEN'ry "EARS OF REPUBUCMHSM tN FRANCE

Christian; and Berkhoo in Dihi and Hannoo in Botan are Christians who would honor any church, men of deep piety and consecration. Alexander has been, in regard to cholera, as abject a coward and great a fool as one could find-perfectly terror·stricken when the word is mentioned. He came near" lighting out" the other day when he heard a man was sick in Hassan. Well, Hannoo, who is a splendid fellow, got hold of him (after all we could say that was like water spilled on a goose's back), and in an hour had so impressed him that he came smiling to the tent and said he was ready now to die, and had no more fear. Poor fellow! when he-Hannoo -came in Wednesday night, bareheaded and barefooted, black and blue with the cruel beating he had received at the hands of the ruffian Roords, and with arms and feet swollen with their tight bands, it broke me all up. " Why," he said, " it is nothing j wasn't it au' for Christ 1" He sat there and preached to those Roords, who were there to slay, in such a way as would melt a heart of stone. I don't wonder Sherroo said, " You had better pray, Hannoo." He did pray, and, when through, the robbers slunk off and left them. W ell, you can see what material there is here j can we refuse them the Gospel ~ Dr. Wishard may go as far as Vau or return to Mardin and take up Arabic, but he has given up Oroomiah. It is now eight months since he has slept in a bed or sat down with ladies; and I don't wonder he is ready to settle down. It has been a great pleasure as well as of great benefit to be associated with him.

TWENTY YEARS OF REPUBLICANISM IN FRANCE.-Rev. J. C. Bracq, from Paris, now at Philadelphia, in his address, in New York, February 16th, said: "We suffer from being seen by you through English eyes. It is practically impossible for Englishmen to understand us, and fairly represent our condition and prospects. Then we suffer from misrepresentations through that syndicate known as the Associated Press. Amerieans have been told that the hybrid republic is a failure, that we have shown fickleness, incapacity, and corruption. Look at the facts calmly. You will see that the work of the Republic has been constructive and beneficent j first, of organization, prosecuted in face of foreign jealousy and clerical opposition. The civil and military service was reorganized, forts built, arsenals filled with the best materials j a navy only second to England j territory doubled through colonial extension j 7500 miles of railway and 10,000 of canals constructed; art, science, agriculture, and education extended j common schools furnished with better buildings and teachers, the expenditure raised from 24,000,000 to 140,000,000 francs, ·and illiteracy reduced from one thirteenth to one twentieth j higher schools and universities enlarged, and women put nearly on apar with men; sociological questions considered, and not a little accomplished in the better housing of the poor, in political equality, and in establishing the freedom of the press. We have had to contend against the earnest and honest opposition of Legitimists, who hold to the divine right of kingly rule j Orleanists, or constitutional monarchy, and Imperialists of Jerome and Victor Bonaparte types. Those who lived formerly on court favors have opposed us. Specially we have had to contend with the clerical party, demanding privilege, while the Republic advocated equality. Ignorant friars who had taught in schools after old, traditionary methods, were angry when required to submit to examinations the same as other teachers. Crucifixes, pictures, prayers, and Romish worship were no longer tolerated. As here to· day, so there, the cry of " godless schools" was raised. There is really more of the ethical element there than in American schools. Over-zealous nuns were removed from hospitals. The Romanists have compared their condition to that of the Christians under Nero. Opposition against the government increased. After a little General Boulanger came to the front and waxed bold in his attacks. His groundless calumnies at last were exploded, and his unprincipled associates exposed. The success of the Exposition showed that France was not powerless. The vindication of the ministry restored quietness, and France, for the fifth time in nineteen years, expressed confidence in the Republic. Some monarchists, and eveI]. priests, became moderate republicans, convinced that this form of government had a permanency and value. Carnot is a noble, patriotic man, and Madame C. an excellent woman.

" France has passed through a more radical change the past two decades than did England in the seventeenth century. It now has a government , of the people, by the people, for the people.' Woe to them who stem its tide ! We have made mistakes. We have shown unwisdom, at times, in finance. We had 20,OQO,000,000 of francs debt after the Pru8sian war. Six weeks ago, when a new loan was called for, the people were ready to take si xteen times the amount. We see real estate depreciate, so does England and New England. The virgin soil of Western wheat fields floods ns with products at cheaper rates than we can fix. The phylloxera has devastated our vineyards and· enemies have said it was a scourge for our sins. Is it a fair generalization ~ " France tires of abstract discussions which crowd aside practical, urgent needs. The Monarchists have had three factions in parliament. Moreover, the common people did not understand the real significance of the political abuse ventilated freely in the press, which before had been gagged. They are learning that' thief' in popular and political parlance is not the same word.

" Our great danger now is that of materialistic infidelity and its legitimate outcome, not from Roman Catholic democracy-a contradiction in terms. There is improvement in thought. Students are no longer Vo"Itaire followers. The McAIl Mission and similar agencies more carefully guarded than mission work here are reaching the creedless and churchless. Christianity will be the salvation of France."

EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS

EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FORELGN PERIODICALS.

BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.

-At a meeting in London, reported in the Anti- Opium News, Donald Matheson, Esq., president of" The Society for the Suppression of the Opium Trade," remarked: "As regards China, the opium vice seems to have settled upon the vitals of the people, and it will be most difficult to break it off. A great authority has stated that if this goes on for fifty years the empire will be in ruins. As the Chinese emigrate largely, wherever they go-in the straits about Singapore and in the South Sea Islands -they carry the vice. According to a recent issue of L'Eglise Libre, of Paris, the French colony of Tahiti has become infected, and the ravages have been terrible both there and in the Marquesas Islands. There have been various edicts forbidding the trade, but smuggling is only too easy, and the natives seem unable to resist the deadly influence of the drug. The French Government, however, has now absolutely prohibited the introduction of opium. Surely we will not allow France to put England to shame 1"

-" A recent census of church attendance in Aberdeen showed that there were present at the morning services in the city 26,785, being over 1000 less than the attendances on a similar occasion thirteen years ago, although the population has meantime grown from 95,000 Ito 122,000."- The Ohristian.

– " The Irish Presbyterian Church is now in a very satisfactory condition. It has 558 congregations, with 81,716 families and 102,725 communicants. It has also 1008 Sabbath-schools, with 8909 teachers and 103,255 scholars." -The Ohristian.

-The Ohurch Missionary Intelligencer for June says: "Was the hundred and third psalm the right passage of Scripture with which to open the annual meeting of 1891? One might easily have thought the fortysixth or fifty-sixth more suitable. Many grave anxieties had marked the year to be reviewed that day; and we have by no means come to an end of them yet. But there is nothing like the anniversary to put things in their right places. In the preparation of the report, in the arrangement of the speakers, the work as a whole, at home and abroad, has to be considered and its progress set forth ; and then our controversies and perplexities are seen in their true proportions. They are not small, nor light, nor unimportant; but other things are seen to be larger and weightier and more important. We can conceive of a friend coming to Exeter Hall on May 5th, 1891, full of thoughts about a certain bishop and the sources of his income, and wondering what could induce Mr. Fenn to choose Psalm one hundred and three at this particular moment j and we can imagine him listening to the report and the speeches until he is constrained to cry, , Yes, that is the right psalm-" Bless the Lord, 0 my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name !" , " It is seventeen years since that psalm was read at the anniversary. The immediate cause of its being then chosen was, as in the present year, an unprecedentedly favorable financial account. But there were other special causes for thankfulness. Henry Wright had been a year and a half in office, and his ardent spirit had already set the society's feet upon the path of development and extension. ' The coming year,' said the annual report of 1873-74, , presents three special directions for expansion-Japan, Northwest America, and Ea~t Africa' -all three of them fields that had specially enlisted Mr. Wright's Rympathies. It is worth while comparing those three missions in 1873-74 and 1890-91. At the end of 1873 we had three missionaries in Japan, two of them just arrived j three missionaries in East Africa, two of them just arrived j and seven in the Northwest American territories just referred to-i.e., beyond the province of Manitoba-thir- teen in all j and now we have in the same fields ninety-seven missionaries. The expenditure in those fields was then about £6000 a year; it is now over £30,000 a year. Again. in that same report, the committee' rejoiced to announce' that eighteen missionary candidates had been accepted. In the past year the number has been eighty. Of the eighteen, six were University graduates, and the committee' could not refrain from express- ing their deep thankfulness to Almighty God for that indication of increasing interest in missionary work in the universities.' In the past year the university graduates accepted have numbered twenty-four. Then, if one glances over the pages of the detailed reports on the missions for 1873, one is struck by the absence of name after name which now enlists all our sympathies. No Frere Town j no Chagga, or Mwapwa, or Usambiro; no Uganda; no Cairo, or Jaffa, or Gaza, or Baghdad; no Calcutta or Allahabad Divinity School j no Gond Mission j no Bheel Mission; no Beluch Mission; no Sukkur or Quetta j no K wan-tung, or Fuh-ning, or Chu-ki ; no Fuh-chow or Ning-po College j no Osaka, or Fukuoka, or Tokushima, or Tokio, or Hakodate j no Ainu Mission j no Blackfoot Mission; no Eskimo Mission j no Hydah Mission j no Kwaguth Mission; one medical mis8ionary in Kashmir and one in China j no Christian sisters laboring in East Africa or Palestine or Japan. Truly if the one hundred and third psalm was suitable in 1874, how much more in 1891 1"

Yet" we feel that our gratitude is due to the Archbishop of Canterbury for taking occasion, in his speech on the 5th of May, to remind us how little we had to boast of. The spirit which had dictated the thankful language of the report, and had led to ihe choice of psalm oue hundred and three for reading, was, it is true, not one of vain-glory, but of heartfelt gratitude for mercies felt to be nndeseryed. But still the archbishop did well to remind us that although the 230 missionaries of 1874 had grown to be 440 now, they ought to be a great many more. 'I am thankful,' he said, 'to that meeting which lifted up its voice and said suddenly, Youmust send out a thousand more.' The moral of the report, he reminded us, was not, What a splendid game we have played! but, Follow up, or you will not win the goal."

As to the controversy which has lately agitated the society, the Intelligencer says: " Now to us it seems that if ever stress was laid upon trifles in controversy, it is laid upon them in a recent document entitled the Primary Charge of a Certain Bi8hop in the East, and that if ever sound principles were being contended for, they are being contended for by the Church Missionary Society in the country to which that charge calls attention. Bnt yet, even in a controversy like that, and still more in the minor differences that arise from time to time among onrselveR, we do need to stand, as it were, upon Olivet and watch the ascending Lord, and fix our eyes ou His returning, which, as the archbishop. says, ' will come some time, and may come any time,' and thus to put ourselves into the right attitude for judging what are absolutely essentials and what are relatively trifles. The Archbishop of Canterbury is not the only one among us who i~ conscious of ' a sharp pang going through him' when he reads of Chinamen observing that Christians abuse one au other, and saying, ' We can do that without becoming Christians.' . . . The archbishop gave the society not only his own presence and countenance j he brought with him an unexpected visitor, the Bishop of Minnesota. We imagine that this was Bishop Whipple's first appearance at the C. M. S. anniversary j but the greeting he received told him of the honor in which we English churchmen hold the' Apostle of the Indians,' as our president termed him. "

EAST INDIES.

–Periodical A.ccounts for June introduces the valuable testimony of Mrs. Bishop (formerly Miss Bird), given publicly in London, to the value of the Moravian work in Tibet. She records her earnest conviction that on no account should any thought be entertained of giving it up because of present apparent paucity of results.

"Leaving Kashmir, Mrs. Bishop went eastward into Ladak or Little Tibet. Hcre she found Mr. and Mrs. Redslob and Dr. and Mrs. Marx at Leh, the capital. She pitched her tent in the mission compound, spent the nights in it, and by day enjoyed the hospitality of our missionarieR. We do not wonder that their letters tell us that to them her visit was an intellectual and spiritual treat. They showed her everything connected with their work-the church, the little hospital, which is the centre of Dr. Marx's mission work, the large school for boys, and the small one for girls.

"Mrs. Bishop spoke very appreciatively of Samuel, one of the most advanced of the Christians. He is a man of noble birth, who has suffered much for his adherence to Christianity. His ancestral castle near Leh was razed to the ground. By all manner of inducements he has been tempted to renounce his faith, but remains firm. 'I do not know anyone anywhere,' said Mrs. Bishop, 'who follows the Lord Jesus more devotedly than Samuel.' She described the converts in general as ' quality, if not quantity.' Owing to the pains taken by the missionaries to instruct them in the Scriptures, they show a striking enlightenment. They are able to reason with and confute Buddhist adversaries, who bring all manner of objections to their faith. The)! are still a semi-nomad people, but in winter they settle in their houses near the mission compound, and have the advantage of seeing the simple, godly lives of the missionaries.

" No gulf of caste, or wealth, or luxurious living divides these from their converts. She said the missionaries' wives are saintly ladies whose godly example the Tibetan women see and follow. Noting their high tone of spirituality, she asked the missionaries how, seeing they were so cut off from Christian privileges and so surrounded by the evils of Buddhist heathenism, they maintained their spiritual life. They answered that they founel it necessary to spend an unusual amount of time in the reading of God's Word and in prayer. To the question how they managed to be so cheerful and hopeful, though seeing so little tangible result of forty years' sowing in tears, Mr. Heyde of Kyelang replied in similar terms to his colleagues at Leh: 'Weare where the Lord has placed us, and it is all right, and that keeps us cheerful.'

" From Leh Mrs. Bishop accompanied Brother Redslob into Nubra, a mountainous country to the north, through which the NuLra and the Shayok rivers flow down to the Indus. Crossing the Dega Pass, 18,000 feet high, the two travellers descended 5000 feet iuto a lofty, populous valley, full of villages along the banks of the streams. Here and there along the steep sides of the valleys almost inaccessible rocks are crowned by monasteries. These are Buddhist, of course, for the whole of Nubra is Buddhist. Mrs. Bishop had ample opportunity of observing how re- spected and beloved was her travelling companion. Both in the villages and in the monasteries they were warmly received j in the latter, indeed, their welcome was often deafening j for the lamas would go to the top of the highest towcr and blow their six-foot silver horns, which can be heard three miles off. So noisy in its heartiness was their reception, that they had occasionally to request a cessation. EI'erywhere, as is the invariable custom on such tours, tracts and portions of Holy Scripture were given to the people. While crossing the broad Shayok, Mrs. Bishop made painful experience of the perils which attend ~hese journeys. Her horse fell, and she was not only plunged into deep water, bu~ had a rib broken. She attended to the injury herself, and did not even let her companion know its extent. .

"Between Leh and Kyelang she travelled over the de~ert plateau of Rupchu with only one or two attendants. Though the region is traversed by wild Tartar nomads, she was not afraid, for she bore a letter of intro- duction from Brother Redslob, and its fame preceded her. For his sake she had the wildest welcome. Now and then horsemen would come dash- ing up to inquire about their friend. How is he? When is he coming?

His name seemed a talisman far and wide ; and Mrs. Bishop had ample proof of the influence exerted over a large area by our missionaries, and of the respect and love borne to them by the people.

" Truthful, hospitable, independent, kindly and helpful, these Tibetans are, next to the Japanese, the most pleasant people Mrs. Bishop has trav- elled among. But pleasant as they may be, their morals are so terribly corrupt that nothing but the cross of Christ can sweeten the auominably bitter fountain of their life. Like her friends the missionaries, she longs for the time when the welcome and the love accorded to them and to her for their sake shall extend to their message, and to the Master and Lord whom they are serving in those Buddhist lands.

" She found Kyelang an oasis in a moral desert. She briefly described the missionary compound, with its friendly church, mission-house, its guest chamber, surgery, library, and the printing-room, whose little primitive lithographic press is always hard at work sending forth the Scriptures as fast as they can be translated. A tract on sin, a very necessary subject for a Buddhist population, was passing through the press during her visit.

In summer the converts are away during the week, high up the mountain slope, 13,000 feet above the sea, attending to their agricultural and pastoral pursuits j for the winter they come down to their houses near the mission compound.

"She was present at the Tibetan service. It was attended by about forty people, some Christians, some heathen, and she noted with approval the loud responses and the hearty singing. She found she was able to fol- low the liturgical parts of the service in the English Moravian hymn-book.

Even at Kyelang it is still sowing-time. There are not many Christians yet. A Buddhist abbot remarked to Brother Heyde, • I will tell you what you have done here j you have given Buddhism a resurrection. ' So it is ; all religion had almost died out j but the coming of the Christians has stirred up even the Buddhists to zeal. Brother Heyde considers this a hopeful sign.

.. In conclusion, Mrs. Bishop pleaded warmly that there might be no thought of giving up the mission, which, she said, was one of the noblest she had seen. It may be expensive, but the expense is warrantable. The results are indeed at present apparently small i but she shared the faith that this work of hope would yet bear abundant fruit. As already stated, there is an encouraging side. The converts gained are' quality, if not quantity. ' The language has been acquired; both the learned and the colloquial Tibetan are now doing service for Christ. The written Word has preceded the spoken Word on the highways of Central Asia, and when Chinese Tihet is opened to foreigners, as assuredly it will be some day, the Moravian Mission is ready with all appliances to enter in the name of the Lord. "

-Mr. Shawe, on his way to the mission, passed through ~rinagar, the capital of Kashmir. He thus describes it: " We entered the city at sunset, the best possible time for seeing what has been termed the Venice of Asia. The last rays of the sun glancing 011 the picturesque houses, with their windows of lattice-work and many-colored balconies, and on the silver and gilt roofs of mosques and palaces; the heavy wooden bridges j the river itself covered with boats of all sorts j the throngs of people in their brilliant cloaks and white turbans engaged in eager conversation or noisy bargaining-ail this formed a scene of dazzling brilliancy, which made a lasting impression on me. "

-The Sailors' Magazine for July reports from Karachi (at the mouth of the Indus) through Mr. D. A. Lukey : "The ~eamen's Rest in Karachi is situated near the quay, and is only about five minutes' walk from the steamship landing. The building erected this year is in dimensions 80 feet in length, 22 feet wide, with an eight-foot veranda all round. The building site was gi'en by the Karachi Port Trust, and the building paid for by public subscriptions, costing about 3000 rupees. The Rest has been newly furnished with 55 new arm-chairs, six round tables, two long tables, three new hanging lamps, also new organ and new furniture for the supcrintendent's apartments. Bishop THOBURN came to Karachi and formally opened the new Rest in March.

" Already llIany evidences for good have been witnessed from time to time, and very many testimonies of the saving grace of God could be mentioned. One night a sailor came into the meeting, and by his manner showed that he was unaccustomed to such gatherings. He, however, took a seat, and not long after tears were seen falling down his cheeks j his heart had been touched into tenderness by the Word of God. This sailor repented of his sin that evening, and gave his heart to God. He became a leader among his comrades on board 8hip, and taught them the best he could the way of salvation. On his return to England he gave himself up entirely to the work of the Lord, and is now leading men to Christ. Every sailor conve~ted removes a stumblihg-block out of the way of the heathen."

-The Rev. Arthur W. Prautch, American missionary in Bombay, says, as quoted in Devastation of India's Millions: "It has been remarked to me by strangers, 'How very quiet many native children are!' Yes, they are very quiet j but what will the harvest be ~ Of course these drugged European aud native children will grow up with an awful craving for opium and stimulants, and will soon make shipwreck of life. "

-The Annual Report of the Malayalan Mission, Trevandrum District, Travancore (S. W. India), connected with the London Missionary Society, says: "One Brahman lady said, 'The Brahmans also will become Christians; the time for that is approaching.' "

The report considers at length in an appendix the question of the recent republication of an antiquated prohibition against the erection of churches near native shrines. It remarks that scarcely a site could be found in the kingdom which might not be forbidden on that ground. If the Maha- rajah perseveres we should suppose it probable that the intervention of the imperial government will be ultimately invoked. The right of a native prince to favor his own religion will never be disputed, but his right to persecute the religion of the empress is not likely to be long allowed.

-The Missionary Intelligencer for June continues Sir Bartle Frere's article on the adaptation of Christianity to all forms of civilization. We quote the following: "You have in India a great civilized population, four times as numerous as that of Christian America, as numerous as all the populations of Europe, excluding Russia. They are quite as advanced in all the arts of social life-I may say they are more advanced-than were the populations of Europe in the time of our grandfathers, before the great French Revolution and the outburst of modern mechanical invention. They have practically had nothing to do with Christianity till within the last half century. But every other religion in the 'world is there, and has been long represented on the grandest scale-idolatries more varied than the popular superstitions of Greece or Rome; a full third of all the Mohammedans in the world, and every form of esoteric religion, philosophies, mysterious and secret creeds without end.

" How does Christianity fare in the face of all these powers of the air? Is it forced to give way? Is it silent-inoperative? Is it powerless, or put to shame?

" I speak simply as to matters of experience and observation, and not of opinion; just as a Roman prefect might have reported to Trajan or the Antonines; and I assure you that, whatever you may be told to the contrary, the tcaching of Chrililtianity among 160,000,000 of civilized, industrious Hindus and Mohammedans in India is effecting changes, moral, social, and political, which for extent and rapidity of effect are far more extraordinary than anything you or your fathers have witnessed in modern Europe. Presented for the first· time to most of the teeming Indian communities within the memory of men yet alive-preached by only a few scores of Europeans, who, with rare exceptions, had not previously been remarkable among their own people in Europe for intellectual power or culth'ation, who had little of worldly power or sagacity, and none of the worldly motives which usually carry men onward to success-Christianity has, nevertheless, in the course of fifty years, made its way to every part of the vast mass of Indian civilized humanity, and is now an active, operative, aggressive power in every branch of social and political life on that continent.

" We hear continually of the ambition and rapacity of Russia; but we are apt to forget that there is a power urging Russia on to subjugate and civilize her barbarous neighbors which is more potent and more persistent than worldly ambition or cupidity, and that is the religious duty of Christianizing and civilizing. Anyone who, in estimating the forces of Russian aggressive movement, left out of view the impulse derived from religious convictions among the leaders of national thonght-that it was a national religious duty to extend to all barbarians around them the blessings of being within the pale of the Russian Church-would leave out of calculation the most energetic element of the motive power. This notion of doing good to the conquered is, moreover, an element not traceable among the motives of Assyrians, Romans, Saracens, or other conquering non-Christian nations.

" We are not now arguing an abstract question of right or wrong. The d(lsire of con~uest is probablr one of the most powerful 311q universal o~ human instincts. 'Vhat we are now considering is how this universal instinct is modified by peculiarities of religion; and what I wish you to note is, that in the case of our own nation and of the Russian-two of the great conquering Christian nations of modern days-considerations of which we can distinctly trace the origin to ChTisti~n morality add greatly to the effective force of the natural instinct, while they elevate and humanize it in a manner of which no trace is to be found in the action of the great conquering nations of other ages and creeds."

INDIA.

-The Marathi Mission laments that, just as cheering prospects for the work are opening, there comes (as reluctantly given as received) an order for heavy retrenclment, for a reduction of 25,433 rupees below indispensable necessities. " Our hearts are saddened as we look upon the fields white for the han'est, while we are not able to thrust in the sickle, and to listen to calls from every quarter to which we are in nowise able to respond. Will not the friends of mission work in India help us in this emergency? Donations, large or small, will be thankfully received by any member of the mission."

-It will be remembered that in the High Court of Travancore judgment has been given in behalf of Mar Dionysius as metropolitan of the Syrian Church against Mar Athanasius, who has considerable sympathy with Protestantism. The two majority judges are Brahmans; the minority judge is " Mr. Ormsby, a European barrister and a doctor of laws, possessing many years' experieDce as an appellate judge in Travancore." He seems, as a Christian, more likely to have an interior sense of the case than his colleagues, nnless, indeed, his Protestantism may have been thought to incline him to the Athanasian side. The .Madras Christian College Magazine thinks that the majority decision has a rhetorical warmth which hardly speaks well for its impartiality. Perhaps, however, it is only the difference of national temperament.

-It appears that all the Hindus have not been included in the opposition to the bill raising the age of consent to twelve years. Two or three enthusiastic meetings of natives have given emphatic approbation to it.

-The Indian Witness of April 11th, speaking of Manipur, says: " The political development of the Indian Empire has not yet altogether passed out of the period of upheavals, submersions, and catastrophes. V{e are hardly established in what geologists would call the tertiary period, and affairs have not yet become so stratified and settled that we may rest entirely free from fear that some unexpected rift in the surface formation may set free a flow of lava from the subterranean sea that will bury all the moral, intellectual, and political deposits of the nineteenth century."

The comforting reverse, "The native Christians of India are so increasing in number that they begin to feel each other's presence," of which it gives various examples.

– " Delhi itself is," remarks the Calwer Missionsblatt, " a striking in- stance of the desperate reaction of heathenism in India." Many such sad- dening experiences probably await us in the immediate fnture. " The lion is stung at last," says a Hindu. "If he did not feel your darts he would still lie dormant." On the other hand. a fakir alld saint near pelhi have pecll baptize~! .. …. . -The Canadian Baptist brethren among the Telugus mean work. They lay upon the conscience of their home churches the immediate duty of sending out 52 men, and lady missionaries as the work demands. They also ask if Canadian Baptists cannot raise $2.50 a member, seeing that the so much poorer Moravians raise $7 a member. Those provoking Moravians! It is plain that we shall either have to massacre them or imitate them.

-The North India Methodist Episcopal Conference reports for the last year 980 full memb(Jrs added, 2935 probationers, 1256 adult, 1051 infant baptisms, 28,400 Sunday scholars-au increase over the previous year of 3367.

-During the Baptist Quarterly Meeting of December, 1890, at Ongole, Teluguland, 363 were baptized. At the final Sunday meeting 1671 were baptized.

– " Of every six infants in the world, one is born in India; of every six orphan girls, one is wandering in India; of every six widows, one iii mourning in India; of every six men that die, one is passing into eternity from India. Think of it, and give India a part in your prayers. "-Children's World (C!. M. S.).

-All the Irish Presbyterian missionaries in India have thus far been university men, drawing a salary of £350 each. Now (says the F. C. J£onthly) it is proposed to begin the" Jungle Mission, " employing lay agents paid something more than £117 each.

-The Missionary Record (U. P.) for May has a communication from Rajputana: "The Pr lsbytery on Thursday spent a long time in considering the basis of union for the proposed United Presbyterian Church of India. A large number of Presbyterian missions are at work in India, and there has been a growing feeling at home and here that the churches created by them should be united into a comprehensive whole. The difficulty lies, not so much in differences among themselves, as in the tremendous size of the country and the great variety of languages in use among its 250,000,000 of inhabitants. Presbyterians are to be found from the extreme north to the remotest sonth, and how they are to be united into one well-nigh passes the wit of man. The proposals of our Presbytery are practicable, and remove 80me of the greatest difficulties which the scheme of the Presbyterian Alliance creates. It was decided to recommend the formation of four great Presbyterian churches-for Bombay, Madras, Bengal, and North India respectively-between which there might be a federal union. • . . We should belong to the North Indian Church, and should have, among others, as sister presbyteries, the American Presbyterians of the Punjab and Northwest Provinces, the Canadians of Central India, and the Ohurch of Scotland working among the Santals."

-The Rev. T. It. Waltenberg, in the C. M. Intelligencer for May, describes a movement in Madras, whose object is " the preaching of the gospel of Islam and the conversion of Hindus, and, if possible, Christians, to the faith of Mohammed. The young men who go out preaching are, on the whole, very friendly toward us, and try to live lives-at any rate, aa far as we can see them-akin to those of Christians. They are free fro~ the prejudices of the old-fashioned Mohammedans, and practically preach a Mohammeda~ism w~ic4 is uearer Ohristianity thiltll. was preay"~q by their co-religionists heretofore. To say the least, the sword has been cast aside for the word, though not the Word of God. They claim to be at one with the Unitarians of America and England." It must be, then, that they explain away the sensual paradise of the Koran.

-The Rev. Ernest Droese, quoted in the Ohurch Missionary Gleaner, says: "If the missionary dwells on the love of God as seen in the Atonement of Christ, the Moslem will listen with an expression of cuntempt, and his features will seem to say, , Nonsense! blasphemy!' the Hindu with a sceptical smile, as if to say, ' Who will believe that ~ There is no such love to be found, either with man or God.' But the hill man will listen with awe, as if he were about to exclaim, ' What do I hear ~ 0 God ! is it thus that Thou lovest man ~ , "

-The Indian Witness says: " We hope to see the day when the ordinary' Mission Report' wiU be an extinct form of literature, found only in museums or on the shelves of archreological societies. But that day has not yet dawned; and since it is still the fate of unfortunate missionaries to prepare annual reports, we commend the Report of the American Marathi Mission for 1890 as a model worthy of imitation. The report gives that broad, general, and well.arranged presentation of the work which meets the requirements of the statistician, while it is not wanting in detailed accounts, showing the various processes by which the mission docs its work. . . . The most encouraging item in the report is that which shows that the rate of increase is rapidly rising. The report laments the necessity for retrenchment, occasioned by reduction in appropriations from America. But less money sometimes means more work done and of a better quality.

" The mission occupies six districts in the Bombay Presidency. There are 113 out-stations, in which 323 native agents are at work. The entire Christian community numbers 3826 ; there are 134 Sunday-schools having 4836 scholars, 2865 of whom are non-Christian. The mission began its work in 1813.

"The Marathi Mission is one in that bright circle of missions with which what is commonly caIled ' The American Board' has encircled the world. When the religious history of the nineteenth century is written, the sacrifices and achievements of this great societv will form one of the brightest chapters in the record. "

M·ISCELLANEOUS.

-Rev. De Lacey Wardlaw reports from Brazil, with just satisfaction, that most of those clauses of the new constitution persecuting the Catholics, and especiaIly the priesthood, against which he had energetically protested, have been struck out.

-The Oanadian Church Magazine remarks that the Good Friday offerings are now very largely devoted to the work of evangelizing the Jews, " That they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites."

-The Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention complains that, for the year ending April 30th, 1891, it has received from the churches $33,000 less than its disb.usements~ and $76,955.96 less than i~s. lleeds, -The Christian states that six Swedish officers of the Salvation Army have been detailed to work among our Scandinavians.

-The Rev. William Howell, commissioned by the S. P. G., has labored for eleven years at Sabu, Borneo. The number of baptized persons has increased from 70 to 790.

-Mr. Ziock, Moravian mlsslOnary in Mosquitoland, was lately visited by an Indian named Kaila, of a neighboring tribe, on the Kruta River in Honduras, noted, even among the heathen, for their singularly evil characters, especially as poisoners. Kaila declared that Divine visions had warned him to solicit the preaching of the Gospel, under the threat that if the people did not give up their evil ways the whole country should be laid waste. Mr. Ziock sent Christian companions back with him, but the people refused to hear him, and repaired to one of their profligate funeral wakes. Raila followed them, but being driven away by jeers, retired with words of warning. The lightning falling on the house, scattered the guests and consumed the building. Soon after a vast tidal wave swept the whole coast, and blotting out Kaila's village, destroyed every place in it except his own. The fame of this Divine visitation, it is hoped, may result in wide opportunities of evangelization.

– " Being very tired, I went up to my room about a quarter past nine; and, as Thimann tells me, the conversation turned upon me, and he remarked that I was very happy in this work. 'Yes,' replied our Jewish infidel host, 'I have noticed that he is a happy man, and that all pious Christians are happy. 1 wish I could believe and be so.' "-Mr. S. VIL- KINSON, lJantzig, Service for the King.

– " One day the officials of the Canadian Government summoned the Indian chiefs, David Landon among them, to meet on Sunday for business. David replied, ' No ; the Head Chief in heaven says no, and so do 1. ' "~ Children' 8 World (0• .M. S.).

-The New York Sailors' Home, 190 Cherry Street, belonging to the American Seamen's Friend Society, has had, during the forty-nine years of itl existence, 115,443 boarders, and during the past year 1364. During the past year the society has published 56,400 copies of the Sailors' Magazine, and 118,200 copies of the Lifeboat for Sunday-schools. The seventeenth annual presentation to the cadets of the Naval Academy took place on Sunday, June 1st, 1890. In a class of thirty-four men, twenty-five chose the Bible out of the four volumes submitted to them. Of Mr. R. W. Ropes, president of the society, who died October lOth, 1890, it is said: "He Was simple in his habits, wise and generous in his benevolence, sincere in his faith, useful as an officer in the Church and in several charitable organizations. As the president of this society he was punctual, earnest, and faithful, always showing a deep interest in its work."

-" Much has been done of late for the intellectual and spiritual improvement of the men on our naval vessels. Twenty years ago the library of a man-of-war consisted of a Bible, a prayer-book, an almanac, a dictionary, . and one or two works on navigation. Now many of our ships have a library of a thousand or more books. Libraries of 300 books have been ordered for each of the new vessels now in process of construction."

'1'74 tNTERNATtONAL nEl'ARTMENT

II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.

EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.

Lapses in Mission Lands. lJ. T. G.] Once Christian always Christian ease. Some of the people blamed him seems to be a foregone conclusion in for doing a good deal of harm in this the minds of many people about com· way, saying they still believe in such munities converted from heathenism. things.

They do not bear in mind that human Another case is given of a youth of nature essentially tends toward the eighteen years of age, son of an elder in moral and religious attitude which we the Church. from whom were recentl'y mean by heathenism. Away on the taken sections of bamboo filled with frontier, in the sparse settlements of the charcoal of certain leaves, used formerly wilderness, or in the worse atmosphere to bewitch young women for the pur- of the mining or lumberman's camp, we pose of seduction, and he was using know how those sharing the heritage of them for a similar purpose. A recur- centuries of Christian influences find it renee of hef1then dancing and singing difficult to maintain spiritual life, and among young men who never knew real how frequently, as communities as well heathenism also has become prevalent.

as units, they lapse into superstitious Reviewing all this, the missionary beliefs or outright disbeliefs. What says:" It seems quite evident to me wonder, then, if there should be an ag- that each generation of these natives is gravation of this tendency in native born with a strong heathenish tendency, Christian communities who have a her- and it needs wise dealing to counteract itage of uncounted centuries of supersti- this, and instruct them in the principles tion and low morals in their veins. But of the Bible." Some of the missions this is not enough reckoned with, as an in India have found their native Chris- essential part of the foreign mission tians secretly obstrving the heathen work. Even when peoples fire convert- ritual of marriage, and also prematurely ed, they will long have need to be kept marrying their daughters. The very in touch with the most vitalized Chris- heart and soul of Hinduism is in this tians of the home lands. They cannot child-marriage custom. The Baptist be left to isolation. They must not be Mission in Delhi hf1s had the discourag- abandoned. The brain and heart of ing experience of seeing a large part of these Christian communities may, for a their convert~ of recent years. who have hundred years to come, be in the been baptized from the Chumar (leath- churches of the Christian lands whence er-workers) caste,lapse into heathenism.

the Gospel was sent to them. The work The whole body, a thousand or more, of caring for these native communities have been lpd away by a wily ascetic, is not one that can be finished as a con· who first induced them to merely in- tract job. dulge in some innocent observances Take two illustrations. The New without giving up their Christianity.

Hebrides islands have seen Gospel tri- When he had gained influence over them umphs, and have long been recognized he led them back to Hinduism. The as Christian. But the old sediment of Society for the Propagation of the Gos- heathenism is not easily got quit of. pel had a similar experience the year An illustration is given in the Free before. ,Cases of individual defection Church of Scotland Annual Report of a of a prominent character have elsewhere man who died last year, who had pro- stirred whole communities of late in fessed Christiani.ty for several years. It India.

was found afterward that he had reo Turning from this to "Greenland's tained three sacred stones wherewith to icy mountains," the Moravian missiona- raise storms, make rain, and bring dis. ries are depressed with the condition of things among a people who" have borne form of organization, its establishment the name of Christian for more than a of missions, the extension and conduct- hundred years." They say that the ing of its operations, its preservation Greenlanders live ~he old thoughtless, from dangers which were often im~i­ thriftless life, thinking only of the pres· nent and great, Ilnd to be in its pres~nt ent, while the" distrust so deeply root· circumstances an(l prospects, eminently ed in their nature sometimes makes a child of Divine Providence.

them look on Christianity itself in the Very interesting is the stor.yof the light of a European importation whose way in which young men were led to adoption on their part tends to the ad- consecrate themselves to personal work vantage of the foreigners living in their for the heathen, and seek guidance and land." They are not so conscientious as help in the enterprise; the steps were they formerly were. The seal fisheries taken for giving them that which they have greatly failed them. Sealing de- sought; great encouragement came from veloped robust character. Fishing is responses to appeals that were made; their substitute, and European luxuries the churches were stirred as by a breath have come in. They grow indolent. from heaven when the first missionaries They arc obliged to wander far from and their heroic young wives were sent home to gain a livelihood; but this seat- forth; Mrs. Norris, of Salem, made her tercd and even isolated condition does contribution of $30,000 to the founding not foster their spiritual training, ann. of foreign missions, and the opposition the missional'ies' influence is more diffi- to a charter of incorporation for the cult to maintain. The people lapse in Board was finally overcome in the Massa- moral qualities. The men are less care- chusetts legislature.

ful about maintaining their families and The form of constitution given to the aiding relatives. They fall into distress Board was providentially the best th[t and increasing dependence of missionary could have been adopted in the circum- assistance. They will not all remain stances of its origin. It is, by its char- Christian under present conditions. ter, a self.perpetuating corporation (now They will lap3c. It may require more of 241 members), and thus possessed of wisdom than has yet been evolved to great stability; but, dependent upon keep them from becoming paupers or the contributors to its funds for all its pagans. means of action, it is amenable to pub- Thus much have we written to call at- lic sentiment, which finds expression tention to the fact that the most intelli- not only in contributions and the press, gent and vital Christianity of the world but also in the public meetings of the will not have got quit of the responsi- Board, in which thousands of honorary bility of leadership and supervision for members constituted by donations have generations among peoples who have all rights of discussion, making proposi· only half a century or so of Christian tions, acting on committ(les, etc., equal· inherited tendencies and appetences in their make.up. The very methods of the Eighth Annual }leeting of t.he International earning a livelihood among a semi- Missionary Union. The plan of the Union nomadio people are against their deyel_ meetings inclndes one historical or other exopment in civilization and Christian position of some of t!w general missionary culture. societies. The first was that of Dr. Mudge on the Methodist Episcopal 1IIissionary Society.

Notes on the American Board.* The second was by Rcv. J. Hamilton Taylor, treating of the Jioravian Missions. They were BY REV. GEORGE w. WOOD, D.D., GENESEO, presente d t.o the rcoders of the REVIEW in 188V, 1890. This is therefore the third in the series. N. Y. Ve arc sorry to be OJJigcd to omit some points of the able opening of the sketch, as pre- 1. The history of the American Board sented by one who, besides being long in active shows it to have been in its origin,_ its service abroad, was for eighteen years one of the * This paper was presented and read before secretaries of the Society. Iy with corporate members. The annual speech, nowhere else surpassed, is oftell meetings lasting through three days, de- heard on its platform j and the spiritual voted exclusively to the interests of the atmosphere was frequently such as for- Board and of foreign missions, and held merly to have given rise to the saying in different parts of the country, have that "no place or occasion takes one been ror many years usually the most quite so near to heaven as an annual largely attended of religious or benevo. meeting of the American Board." Marlent assemblies in our land, and most vellously has it been guided and guarded successful in arousing enthusiasm. Itis in times of great public excitement, believed that no decision has ever been and steadily, amid all drawbacks and voted by the corporate members that was changes, it has been carried forward in not in harmony with the feeling of the an ever advancing work. large majority of honorary members and friends of the Board present at the meet· Eleven years after its formation the ing, and also throughout the country. first corresponding secretary, describing the sending forth of the first missiona- The executive administration is com· ries, when eight or ten thousand dollars mitted to a Prudential Committee of ten were needed within a fortnight, and but or eleven members, partly carefully se- five hundred were in hand, pictured the lected clergymen, but more than one perplexity of the new Prudential Comhalf consisting of eminent laymen. mittee in that day of small things, and These serve without pay (except from their resolution, after hesitancy, to go the Head of the Church), devoting sev- forward trusting in God, and added: eral hours to a regular weekly meeting " Upon the principle then adopted-of (on Tuesday at 3 o'clock P.M.), and often following as Providence leads-trusting to to occasional meetings, giving careful the same sovereign Providence, with assiduconsideration to all matters coming up ous attention to the proper means for the now from missions in all parts of the needed supplies, have the operiltions of world, as presented by secretaries, the the Board ever since been conducted." treasurer, and the editor, who are pres· From this princi~e the Board and its ent, but without a vote. The pressure executive administration have never deupon them is often very onerous, but is parted; and wonderfully has it been cheerfully borne. When, from want of justified in so doing. means to meet the exigencies of the missions, it is needful to make special ap- 2. Omitting other references to provipeals for aid to the treasury, it is their dences of far-reaching significance, let privilege, often grandly exemplified, to me invite attention to the Divine leaderset an example of large personal offer- ship in the choice of fields for its misings. What wisdom is required in deal- sions. The first missionaries were sent ing with questions at home affecting the in the directions to which the Spirit of work abroad, and the many that arise in God in their hearts drew them, and an the foreign fields, only those intimately unseeing hand by new events guided acquainted with the missionary work them. In the first decade the special can duly appreciate. If a missionary or responsibility of American Christians other person feels aggrieved by any for evangelization of the aborigines of action or non-action of the Prudential our own continent was practically ac- Committee, he can take an appeal to the knowledged. The conversion to Christ Board, which elects the committel' and of Obookiah and three other waifs who executive officers at its annual meetings, had drifted from the Hawaiian group to and reviews their action. The reports this country was a call from heaven to made to these meetings, and special care for the lowest condition of humanpapers read to them, embody discus- ity as found in the beautiful islands of sions of missionary principles and prob- the Pacific. Marvellous were the effects lems of the highest value. Eloquent of missionary exhibition of the Gospel of love there. Naked, brutish, warring, pagan savages were reached and elevat- favored with high qualities of character ed into peaceful, decent, orderly, read- in the first missionaries and the directing Christian communities; thus dem- ing agency at home. Of its distinonstrating the moral unity of the human guished foreign secretary at that date, race, and that barbarians are not to be the venerable senior secretary of the Christianized by a method of previous Church Missionary Society in England, civilization, but are most easily civilized Henry Venn, said to me in London in through an awakening of their moral 1863. " To no other human source am I nature by the power which is found indebted for so Illany valuable suggesalone in the Gospel given to them. The tions in respect to missions as to your picture of such moral and social trans- secretary, Dr. Anderson." The latter formations as were wrought not only was indeed not at all points infallible; against greatest difficulties from the but what other name is there in the natives, but also from opposition and history of modern missions to place vices of ungodly agents of foreign com- above his as an adept in the science of merce, fascinated many Christians, who missions and a leader in conducting became supporters of these missionary them? The missionaries of this Board, efforts while they were less interested in being the earliest, also set a standard other missions. In this way important for others, so that American foreign help was brought to the general mission- missionary character in general comary treasury that would not have been mands throughout the world the highreadily given if sought only for the work est confidence and respect for its energy, undertaken in fields which yielded less purity, and practicalness, as, in the striking results, and these gained at a words of the late Earl of Shaftesbury much greater cost. But other classes of often repeated by him, " a marvellous mind had a special interest in the his- combination of piety and common toric and Bible lands of the East, and sense." in a conflict of the Gospel with the mightier forces of ancient compacted 4. By the system of mission organizasystems of false religions which reign tions which has been wrought out, unity, over the vast populations of a heathen, stability, and safety are in a high de- Mohammedan, corrupt Christian and gree secured, with freedom of personal Jewish civilization. Thus step by step action under its proper responsibility the Board was led on by a wisdom not to associates in the field and the direct. its own, and sustained in its diversified ing power at home which furnishes the work of blessing among barbarous tribes means for needful approved expenditure of Indians on this continent, savages of of money appropriations; and by keep- Polynesia, Micronesia, and Africa; in ing in view the spiritual aim as supreme, the missions beyond sea since trans- and harmonizing as far as possible differred to other missionary agencies, and ferent views in regard to methods of the widely extended and gloriously suc- gaining it, the missions of this Board cessful system of operations which it is have a high repute for wisdom and sucnow carrying on in 80utheastern Eu- cess in their plans of evangelization_ rope, Asia Minor, and ancient Assyria; Aiming so to deal with native agencies in India, China, and Japan; in Austria as to develop self-support, self-governand Spain and Mexico; and which it ment, and self-propagation in the Chrishas enlarged in Africa and Oceanica_ tianity which they seek to establish, they are among the foremost in the ex- 3. In the development of its missions hibit which they make of attainment in it has providentially been given to the this regard. The Board does not admit American Board to take the lead among an obligation resting on it itself to American organizations in grappling carry the Gospel to all dwellers in the with difficult questions of missionary fields to which it conveys the light of policy. In doing this it was singularly Divine truth; it recognizes time as an essential element, and fields for occupa- Girls on the two shores of the Bosphorus ; (the Presbyterian inRtitutions at Beirut tion at home and abroad by native con- and in Persia); the Central College at verts as an indispensa.ble factor in the Aintab, und the one for girls at Marash, solution of the great missionary prob- in the Central Turkey Mission; Eulem. Hence the Board has urged on its phrates College and the Mardin School missionaries the ordination of native in Eastern Turkey; Anatolia College pastors, and arrangements to draw in ancient Pontus ; the Samokov School churches formed at chief centres of in Bulgaria; the College at Honolulu in population into active evangelistic the Pacific; the Doshisha in Japan; operations as early and widely as possi- the Jaffna College in Ceylon, and the ble. Thus in concert with the Hawaiian high schools or call eges for both sexes Board it extends its operations over the in all tl,e missions, and at nearly every North Pacific; and we have the pleasing station occupied by resident American spectacle of lately Christianized savages mlsslOllaries. It is now settled that by giving nearly $1,000,000, of which al- the preaching of the Gospel in the vermost $200,000 has been directly for for· nacular languages, and by Christian eign missions; and who have sent more schools and colleges adapted to the peothan seventy. five of their church·mem- ples and the times, is the world to be bers as foreign missionary laborers saved. among other peoples who are such as they themselves or their fathers were. 6. When, in 1857, the Reformed In other missions the same principle is (Dutch) Church, and in 1870 the New exemplified to the great benefit of the School Presbyterians withdrew from the churches adopting it, even when very American Board, they declared it to be weak. from no dissatisfaction, but under a constraining sense of duty for the greater 5. Discussions and experience have advancement of the cause for which the brought nearer to each other some who Board exists. In mutual love and conwere once far apart in their judgment as fidence a partition of missions and to the place to be assigned to education property in them was made. In estiamong missionary agencies. It has been mating results of the work of the Board, abundantly proved that while merely account should not be overlooked of the secular education' awakens mind and Amoy Mission in China and the Arcot overthrows confidence in false religions, in India, belonging to the Reformed it fails to reform morals, and generally Church; of the West Afric~n, the Syria makes infidels, not Christians. Left and Persia, and several North Ameridestitute of education, a Christian com- can Indian missions transferred to the munity is unstable, always in danger of Presbyterian Board; the Indian misfalling into grievous error, and with too sions, from which the American Board little power of influence for good. There withdrew in the Southwest, now cared is need of common schools for all, and for by the Southern Presbyterian of higher schools for limited numbers; Church, and the Dakota Mission, which but these all thoroughly Christian, and, the American Missionary Association as far as possible, at native cost. The received in exchange forits field in West church, the school-house, and the col- Africa. lege must be seen together in their true order and proportion. The press m'lst 7. The achievements of the missions find and create readers. The Bible and of the Board, in the value of results ale.n intellect – awakening and guiding ready attained, and especially in the re- Christian literature must go into all lations of these to the future, who can habitations. Hence have grown out of adequately set forth? Twenty.five unthe missionary enterprise the Bible written lauguages reduced to writing; Rouse on the Golden Horn; 'Robert the Word of God and a considerable College and the American College for Christian literature given in these to barbarous tribes; and the same, and ennobling motives and action, which far more, in the tongues spoken and read transcends in value all the cost of carry- by the great nations-Mohammedan, ing it on. The. gain in its gifts back to pagan, and nominally Christian, for the its supporters and to the home interests evangelization of which its missionaries of our own land is too various to be labor; the influence of 33,000 communi- here specified, and exceeds any measure cant members in 360 churches, and more thl1t can be made of it. ths.n 100,000 attendants worshipping statedly at about 1200 preaching places 8. The history of the American Board, (exclusive of Hawaiian churches and as of all missionary organizations, is a congregations, which would add several continual proof that growth is the law thousands more), and of a missionary of life, and that, as in the family. in- force of 195 men and 313 women in the crease necessitates augmentation of ex- 22 missions, occupying 1116 stations penditure, while further progress brings and out – stations, co – operating with help. Thus while the total expenditure whom is a nati ve force more than four last year was $762,946, the sum of native and a half times this number, and em- contributions for all purposes is report- bracing 694 native pastors and preach- ed as $117,494. The receipts from all ers ; the value of the educational sys- sources enabled the treasurer at the an- tem, which includes 82 training and nual meeting to announce a balance in theological schools, in which 4325 young hand of $848.44. men recei ve instruction, besides colleges mentioned above not under the care of When comes the need, then comes, in the Board; girls' high schools, 52 in answer to the cry of God's people, the . number, enrolling 3218 pupils; common providential supply. A mark of prog- schools numbering 930, and having 34,- ress is seen in this, that wh'3reas in 500 pupils, making a total of 43,000 per- years gone by a legacy of $60,000 was sons under Christian instruction (not followed the next year by a large falling including additional thousands in the off in receipts, lately a $1,000,000 be- Hawaiian Islands) ; the worth to human- quest, wisely appropriated, has stimu- ity, science, material interests of society, lated to increase of contributions from and the kingdum of God throughout the the churches, and a second one from world of this agency of Divine power another wealthy friend, which has yield- and grace for blessing to the world ed over $600,000, is producing the same abroad and at home, is beyond the com· effect. Embarrassment from an en- prehension of a finite mind. The Ely larged work now ceasing to have this volume on " Science and Missions," by Apecial source of support, and the de- Dr. Laurie, is a rich treasury of illustra- mands of success, appeal urgently at the tive facts; the pages of the Journal of present moment for a new standard of the American Oriental Society frequently general giving, which. it is hoped will be present striking evidence; the annual adopted. reports of the Board, the Missionary Herald, Life and Light, and other publi- The gratifying advance which signal- cations, are filled wHh instructive and izes this epoch in missions is due large. thrilling narrations; special presenta- ly to the remarkable uprising of women tions, like those of Dr. Andrew P. Pel1- in their behalf. Of the income of the boJy, in extended magazine articles, and Jast repOl'ted year more than $169,000 speeches of Drs. Mark Hopki:ns and was given to mission work for women R. S. Storrs have exhibited wHh sur- by the three Women's Boards auxiliary passlllg eloquence the indebtedness of to the American Board. The new con- our age to the missionary enterprise in secration of women in all forms of ser- especial connection with this Board, for vice in which they can be useful to the high ideals of character and impulse to cause of foreign missions, and home evangelization as well, is a peculiarity and wonder of this, the new missionary age. Is it not one of the brightest. signs of promise for the speedy triumph man with ample means, who might of the kingdom of Christ in all the have lived comfortably at' home, moved earth? by the inspiration received from the life One other point must not be passed of Henry Martyn (God's leagues are unnoticed. It is the providential as- linked), without companionship or hu- signment to the constituency of the man support, he plunges among fanatio American Board and to American Pres- Arabs to lift high the banner of the byterians of the greatest, most difficult, Cross, till by sunstroke, which came and, in some aspects, most glorious of more like the kiss of God than His curse, missionary achievements to be accom- the banner falls from the dying hands plished-the conquest to Christ of the which had borne it through forty years wide domain which is under the present of apostolic ministry. It falls a chal- political domination of the Moslem. lenge to all Christendom to take it up Why is this? Is it because in the Con- and carry it farther, till placed where gregational and Presbyterian American this great leader would have chosen to traits of character are found those which plant it. We pause for breath in this can wait as well as work, can hope kodak glimpse at so splendid and so '.mder disappointment, patiently endure 'saintly II career. We must, however, and persevere under heaviest discour- admit the following from the Punjab agement, conciliate and win when open lIfission News: attack would be madness, and by weak- " His is a memorial that will not per- ness can be made strong? God knows. ish, for the heart holds on to it as well But how great is the honor, how mo- as the mind; his is an example that mentous the responsibility, which are cannot cease to stimulate, for it makes put upon those who have been thus se- its appeal to what in men is highest and most enduring; his a friendship lected! based on foundations and bound with cords which last forever; and his a work that must go on, and in which all Christians must bear a part till the re- Bishop Thomas Valpy French. [.T. T. G.1 turning Master Himself proclaim it fin- ished. He was a teacher as ready to Bishop French died at Muscat on learn from his pupils as to instruct June 14th, 1891. That consecrates them; a general now strenuously fight- afresh the Arabian peninsula to Christ. ing in the dusty ranks, now beckoning Following the Keith Falconer alabaster the whole Church forward to scenes and box, it lends an aroma to the east shore deeds of arduous heroism; a man whose firm convictions left the widest Christian of the Red Sea sympathies unchecked; a bishop who . "More fragrant than Arabia sacrificed, magnified not himself but his office, yet never abated his loving interest in And all her spicy dcserts in a flame. " Christian work and in workers on lines Bishop French was born the first day not identical with his own; a Highof the year 1825 in an English rectory. Churchman in the truest sense of the word, he kept clear himself, and strove Educated at Rugby side by side with to keep others clear, of Romanizing and Sir Richard Temple; gaining honors sacerdotal entanglements. His preachthere, and later at Oxford University; ing was of the Head of the Church, whom founding a missionary college at Agra, he adored, not of the body of the Church, which he loved. The Church, in the India; heroically defending native Chris- • Punjab at any rate, can never forget tians during the Sepoy rebellion ; found- him."

ing a frontier mission at Dera, and then a divinity college at Lahore; and agli.in, Fifty Years a Missionary Secretary.

in 1877, founding the bishopric of La- -The Society for Promoting Female hore ; remaining Bishop of the Punjab Education in the East in England is the for ten years; resigning this position, oldest organized society for carrying on while beloved and never more effective, work among the women of the Orient.

an old man at sixty-six years of age, a It commenced its work in India as early liB 1834, and its work now extends to province of Satsuma, compelled the Ceylon, Japan, Straits Settlements, South Koreans to make the china and to inlind West Africa, the Levan~, Egypt, the struct the Japanese in its manufacture. Holy Land, Turkey in Europe and Asia. Thus it is to-day-electric lights and Miss Webb, the corresponding secre- telegraph, foreign ships and war tactics tary of the society, has given fifty con- foreign postal and school systems for~ secutive years to the work; and we be- eign dress and wines are readily adopt- lieve this is an event for which there is ed. And the world looks across the no parallel in any society. Wisely has water in amazement" and exclaims 'Be- hold, a miracle! A nation is ch~nged she administered its affairs, giving al- in the twinkling of an eye from a state most II lifelong devotion to the blessed of semi-barbarism to the full splendor work of helping to uplift the women of of civilization! ' the world. She has seen wonderful "But the nation has not changed. changes. From a few gathered in the New clothes don't make a new man. schools at first, she can now look at II Social life is just as impure, the mar. multitude of 20,000 gathered in the riage laws as loose, passions as unvarious schools, with a multitude hav- bridled, and their beautiful etiquette ing gone out, etc. covers as many sins as of yore. The The society is celebrating this her whitening of the outside of the sepulfiftieth anniversary by presenting her chre does not prove that it is not full of with a token of their personal regard, dead men's bones and all uncleanness. and also making special effort to in- No longer do the people ook on the crease the society's funds by raising a adopted things as foreign. They have worthy jubilee offering. become Japanese. They are an intelli- MRS. J. T. GRACEY. gent and keen-sighted people. Love Is Japan Fickle ?-Miss Susan A. Searle furnishes, at our request, the fol- of country is strong in them, and, lowing ,. Few facts about Japan" : readily recognizing what will benefit " During the last thirty years no one country has been so ceaselessly under Japan, they adopt it. Just as quick to the public eye as has Japan. And yet very few people understand the Japan- see what will weaken her, they will have ese. The first Mikado ascended the throne 660 years before Christ, and from none of it. This is the reaBon that the that time to this there has remained an unbroken succession, though what may , treaty revision' has been so unsuccessbe called the war of the roses threatened at one time to break the direct line. ful. The people understand that the Never has Japan been conquered. Never has any nation so nearly obliterated basis on which foreign nations mean to Christianity within her borders as did Japan 200 years ago. Catherine de revise is pure selfishness, and they will Medici. in the fearful massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve, signally failed as not consent to become the prey of forcompared with them. eign avarice. In the seventeenth cen- "Quick to see the advantages that would accrue to them, they employed, tury, when Romanism was introduced in A.D. 287, Korean teachers to instruct them in Chinese literature anc11anguage, by the Jesuits, it found a ready hearing, and to-day Chinese is the classical language of the people. From Korea also and gained many friends. Notunaga, they learned the use of the potter's wheel. The art of making Satsuma the greatest of the Japanese lporrodps~ ware is a lost art in Korea, because when favored them. They were given the Japanese conquered Korea they brought all who understood the art to erty at Kioto. At one time in Nagasaki ~a.pan, and, .plantin~ a colonr ill. the there was not a heathen temple. AI.

ready the eyes of the Jesuits gleamed exultingly as in imagination they SIIW these beautiful islands under the con- trol of the Roman See. But the dream was never realized. Seeing the danger, those in authority so quickly quenched the fire and so effectually removed the traces of it that to all outward appear- ance it were as though it had never bcen. Do you censure Japan?

., But it is an uneasy hour. The crisis is upon them. About three fourths of the people are Buddhists, and the priests are trying to strengthen themselves."

The American Board Mission in Japan.-Miss Abbie M. Colby, of Japan, kindly favors us with the following about the Japan MissioD: of the A. B. Q. F. 1:,[. i " Probably no mission has called more Japanese call it the best meeting ever loudly for re-enforcement than this. held. Certainly it was the best one of And because of this earnest appeal, it recent years. was felt best to be exact in the require- ments. A paper was prepared by the 0< , During the meeting It serious ques- chairman of the Mission Committee on tion about raising $GOO came up. Sev- the kind of new missionaries needed. eral plans were proposed_ Among the It reads: • The main requirements of a delegates present was a 74 inch man in candidate for work in Japan are (1) his stocking feet, " the tallest ChristiRn spirituality; consecration to the point in Japan," who led a movement to raise of self-sacrifice_ (2) Ability to get along the money on the spot; and in thirty minutes $528 had been obtained. It is with a sensitive and patriotic people. hoped the rest will be given by some This means willing to help, and not who were not present. This represents anxious to be bosses; no forf'igner can much self-sacrifice.' drive the Japanese. (3) Intellectual strength. Of course health and com- " I have also had news from the anmon sense are of prime importance. nual meeting of the Women's Mission- ary Society, held in Osaka, in the Y_ M. " 'In some respects foreign work C. A. building, which holds about 2000. grows harder in Japan each year; and This was well filled. The women wastthereforeforeign missionary service here, ed no time, two or three starting to pray to be economical, should be immediate.' at once." 1 have a report of this year's annual meeting of the native Congregational Church The Rev. Wellington J. White, misin Japan, extracts from which will be, sionary, of Canton, China, was killed by perhaps, interesting: accident at Elmira, N. Y., July 27th_ " 'In addition to the business sessions, Rev. Mr. White, Mrs. White, their intensely interesting meetings of various three daughters, a little girl friend of kinds were held-one theatre meeting the children, and a nurse girl, were ridand two private sessions of the workers, ing in a carriage in Elmira, N_ Y. While Japanese and foreigners, to tell each crossing the Erie Railroad an express other how to work more efficiently. train struck the carriage, instantly kill- Great plainness of speech marked these talks, but all in the best of spirit. Those ing Brother White and the oldest daughmissionaries who display the most sacri- ter, Lillian, the little friend, and also fice, especially in touring, and who live the nurse girl. Mrs. White was SIIPmost like the Japanese, were held up by name as models. posed to be fatally injured, but is still alive, with a bare possibility of recovery. " 'A few of the points elaborated The two girls, aged three and seven, are were: We ought to have more faith in our talents as God-given. We should doing well. We have no words for our give ourselves to men as well as to God. own feelings, much Jess to voice the gen- Preach the simple Gospel; not envy eral wave of grief that this event has scholars, nor be abashed before them. caused to swell over this land and other Keep out of debt. Keep in the spirit of prayer. Let there be greater frank. lands. ness between missionaries and Japan- All those who were at the last annual ese. Let the missionaries do only those kinds or that kind of work which each meeting of the International Missionary can do best. Some evangelists (Japanese) are too lazy. Be a magnet. Let us Union will recall the ability with which have individuality based not on one's ],fr. and Mrs. White contributed to it. own wisdom, but on allegiance to Christ. Let us evangelists (Japanese) who re- Cheery, practical, consecrated. they lent ceive $10 salary a month live on one an inspiration by their personal preshalf that amount, and give the other half to the work. Then ask the mis- ence and their platform power. Little sionaries to make further sacrifices in thought Wflg there that these gladdening order to get nearer the people. Work and helpful ones were so soon to enter with, as well as for the poorest. Bring your baggage to my house and stop with into a cloud-even the cloud bright me when you come to my city. I,et the with the presence of the Lord_ living God into your hearts. Keep your faces turned heavenward. From the secular press we Jearn that Mr. White was forty-one years of age, a " 'Prayers were earnest, speaking, forcible and practicable. The spirit all aon o~ A1?ne. White, chief of the Eri(j ~4rough Was moat e~cellellt~ Some Bridge builders. He was graduated at Holy Virgin, Queen of Apostles, and Amherst College and Union Theological Succor of Christians." The brief has Seminary. Tho New York Tribune said: been fcrwarded to Brussels, accom.

"Mr. White and his family had been punied by a special letter from Leo XIII.

home on a year's vacation from their. to the King of the Belgians, couched in work in China. nnd W81·e about to re- terms of the warmest affection and adturn for another period of ten years. miration. They had had httle rest during the year, as both were in great clemand all over the country to leeture upon mission work, and they became unusually popular in their line of lectures. Mrs. White was an -That is a very true remark in the especially interesting talker, and bad ad- Seventy-fifth Annual Report of the dressed churches, Sunday schools, mis- American Bible Society that "the resion bands. and other societies as far west as Minneapolis, all through New Eng- ports of this society present a most im- land, and in Maryland and Washington. pressive history of missions. We have She made her lectures brilliant with anecdotes and personal experience~, and tried to find time and space for a proper never in a single instance posed as a review of this grand society's work, and martyr to seclusion in the mission field. to express our congratulations on the She and her husband had made them- occasion of its diamond anniversary. It selves masters of the Cantonese dialect, works so quietly, with such dignity, and were especially fitted to do prac- avoids all sensational presentation of tical Christian work among the Chinese.

They had had several tempting offers to itself, that its vast enterprises do not remain in the United States, but Mrs. become as popularly known as they de- White said, , Our hearts and souls are serve to be. There lies before us the Gospels in the language of the Sheetswa, committed to tbe missionary field, and we must go back.' "

They were to sail for China from San which they have just completed, trans- Francisco September 10th. lated by Rev. B. F. Ousley, of the American Board Mission in ED.st Cen- tral Africa, a language never written be- -The Rev. Dr. John Inglis is dead! fore 1885, allied to the Zulu, but with Who that knows what missionary work peculiarities of its own. This will open means will not be sadly intere~ted? the evangel by text to some 200,000 or Thirty-three years "In the New Heb- more of people in tbe Dark Continent."

rides /" What a fascinating book, the -Mission work among the boys of story of his life, as told in a volume London is being carried on by the bearing the title we have emphasized. Rugby School Mission. It takes the The Free Church of Scotland has a roll form of furnishing homes and institutes of grand missionary names, but that of for these boys. The field of activity is John Ingli~ shines with a lu~tre all its mainly in the west London district. own.

-In spite of the breezy discussions -And now, 10 ! the Congo Free State of the past year, and the omens of evil has been "consecrated to the, blessed which many discern, foretokening great- Virgin Mary." This is done to rescue er contentions, it has been a good year the millions of AfricD. "from the dark- for Presbyterian foreign missions. The ness and superstitions of paganism." grand total of the gifts of the Church This is the way the papal brief reads: for this cause stands at $942,690.64, the .. It is in response to the petitions of largest sum ever given for foreign mis- eminent Belgian Catholics, both clerical sions in any year since the reunion of and lay, that the Pope has taken the the churches. The various organiza"

step now announced, by whi~h his holi- tions of the women of the churches con- ness places the entire State of the Congo tributed $336,224.78, more than one !.luder the special pr~tectiou of the Most third of the whole sum.

EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS

III.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.

The following letter is from a beloTed These men go out three Sundays in friend, who accompanied Dr. Gordon every month and preach in surrounding and myself in the brief tour of missions villages, where there are either Chris- in Great Britain in 1888. Her ad- tians or inquirers, so that there are eight dresses, so simple, unaffected, childlike, services held each Lord's day in villages moved the great audiences everywhere distant from three to fifteen miles.

with unique power. Though not meant These preachers willingly give their for publication, we cannot withhold this time, and are often out three days at a charming letter from our readers. time. I pay their travelling expenses.

C. I. M., WENCHOW, CHINA, Jan. 20, We meet once a month, when they re- 1891. port and change districts. The Lord is blessing their labors.

My DEAR DR. PIERSON : It has been on We have just suffered a heavy loss in my heart for a long time to write to the death of one of our most earnest and you, and only pressure of work has pre- faithful evangelists. He came in from vented; for I have often thought of you his district last Thursday suffering with and dear Mrs. Pierson, and have follow· bronchitis. He would not rest until his ed you in your tour of 1889-90 through son had gone off to take his place, say.

my native land with much interest, and ing that, as there were many who were was often reminded of that blessed and calling out for the Gospel, some one remarkable missionary tour which we must take it to them. The son, who is made together in 1888. one of our unpaid local preachers, had Alas! how much has happened since gone but a few hours when he said to then-that little company scattered and his youngest son, ,. The Lord is calling divided. One, my dear husband, rest- me home. I see heaven open; oh, so ing from his labors, and now in the lovely! You have not been earnest presence of the Lord; another, Rev. enough; you must be warmer-hearted, James Scott, of Impolwene, witnessing and live n.earer to God." He then said, for the Lord in South Africa; you and " Sing a hymn;" and as they ended the Dr. Gordon continuing your labors on hymn he quietly breathed his last, only behalf of missions; while I am here, one day after his return from his sta- trying, however feebly, to do the will of tion. We mourn his loss, for it is to my God. such men that we owe in large measure The past year has been one of many the prosperity of the work. We can do trials. So much of persecution, sick- but little compared to them; and if we ness, and death has surrounded us that are only permitted to train one such at times the heart seemed almost faint, worker for the Lord, our life would not and one was often tempted to think the be in vain.

road too long and the burden too heavy. A few weeks ago we had our preach- And yet the Lord was ever nigh and ers' quarterly meeting; and as I looked ready to help in every hour of need, so upon the twelve native preachers pres- that when troubles pressed, one had but ent, only four of whom were paid, and to lean the harder to find out how strong two of those supported by the natives He is. "Not one good thing hath failed themselves, my heart welled up in praise of all which He hath promised." to God as I thought of now and the day During the past year we have made when we first entered this city. Then steady but slow progress, for many new not a soul had heard of the God who doors have been opened to the Gospel; made them.

and I hflve been able to form a band of In one district about forty miles from seven unpaid local preachers, who have here a number of bright, earnest lads ~l,~red so~e of t4ese oven doors, l1~vEl bEletl COBVer~ed~ a~il, ~t has b!le~ laid upon our hearts to try and do some- they naturally look to me for guidance.

thing to fit them for future service. We The church is under the care of a native took the matter to the Lord and asked pastor, who was brought up in our boys'

Him to provide the needed funds for school years ago, and is a very earnest, their support. He has sent the answer godly man.

in l gift which enables us to begin with' Yours very sincerely, five boys. Our pll>n is to give them two GRACE STOTT.

years' education and Bible training, and then let them return to their homes and It is true, undoubtedly, that the Hindu their farm worK, and, while earning converts to Christ have as yet come their own living during the week, preach almost entirely from the humbler and in the villages on Sundays. Miss Bards· micl.dle classes, so to ~peak. But, as we ley, who accompanied me to China last contrast the two Brahman's prayers that year, will take up this branch of the we here present, we can perceive eyiwork, while Miss Whitford, another dence that the Christian spirit has beyoung sister who accompanied me, takes come, in a measure, pervasive of the entire charge of the girls' school. We moral atmosphere, even of the highest stj.J.I keep up th(, uumber to twenty. five, caste. and for everyone who is married out, there are three or four applications to The Brahmans have been in the habit fill her place. of offering the first prayer of the two for ages: "May humanity fare well! We have a small home for poor old May the lords of the earth rule the same olind Christians. There are ten at pres. in the ways of justice. May Brahmans ent, besidelil two old widows; and duro and cows ever prosper. Mayall relig. ing this cold weather one feels very ions become bappy. May the rains fall grateful to be permitted to help these in· season. May the earth be fruitful. POM of the flock. May th~ country be without troubles. May Brahmans be without fear." There is a good work going on at a place twelve miles from here.' One of The second short but remarkable our Christians, a silversmith by trade, prayer was offered by a well-known who was once an opium smoker. opened orthodox but liberal-minded Hindu on a shop there last year. Wherever he an occasion when he was about to degoes he must preach; and as his own liver a lecture on Marriage Reform in a shop was a small one, he rented a place Christian church: "Our Father, we be. at his own charges, where he conld seech thee to teach us the truth, to help preach on Sundays. He does all the us to love and wor!!hip the truth, and preaching himself. and now there are to walk according to the truth, for Thou about thirty persons who attend regu- art the truth. " larly. This man has been very much used of God in opening up work in sev- -By way of in81igurating the eff?r~ eral places, and spares neither himself nor his means. which has been resolved upon to raIse A good deal pf my time during the $500 ~0e0n0teansarav special fHud to celebrate last three months has been spent in vil. the of the English Baptist lage work, where we have had many op. Missionary S(~ciety, the treasurer of the portunities of spreading the Gospel. At society, Mr. V,'. R. Rickett, ~f Lond?n, has just intimated his intentIOn to give $25,000.

one place, where we spent a week, there -In 1890 there were 494 American are six or seven families seeking after M E foreign missionaries who had the truth. Indeed, we find it difficult ~apdolo~Syetoa~ftuettshferooWfmowmthhaoenmc'sh1nF2ro2crhea~ergseninMintihsteshieoUnenamirty– to enter all the open doors. Society. These show an lllcreas~ of 86 American missionaries and aSSIstants, Will you ask disciples to pray that milch wisdom may be given to me? or nearly thirty per cent. There is no male missionary here, and

THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS

IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.

BY J. T. GRACEY, D.D.

Persia, Arabia, Turkey, Mohammedanism, and the Greek Church.

These words stand for what an infini- west and the borders of the Tigris val.

tude of facts relating to the history of ley, to the remote frontiers of Afghan- the human race, as well as to the istan and Beloochistan. The surface is chances and changes which have be- largely a plateau with high mountain fallen the kingdom of God upon earth! ranges, but the southern portion is a And, taken together, they are fairly plain, and upon the southeast is a large representative of all the events which expanse of desert. The population is have transpired in Bible lands not only, heterogeneous, exhibiting thc effects left but, with an exception or two, of those behind by the multitude of masters, but connected with the course of all the the bulk is composed of Turks, Persian great empires of antiquity. And to Mongols, and Arabs about the Persian think that over all the vast area they Gulf, besides Koords, Armenians, Nes- cover, for long centuries the Cross as a torians, Jews, etc. Nearly 2,000,000 are symbol has been supplanted by the wandering tribes. Of courqe Islam is crescent! the ruling religious force, but some PEIRSIA. 70,000 nominal Christians are found.

In order to kindle our interest it is The Nestorians, in particular, gathered only necessary to recall that this is the about Lake Oroomiah, are a feeble rem- land of Cyrus and Darius, of Ahasuerus nant of a church which once numbered (Xerxes?) and Esther, and of Susa, millions, and with wonderful zeal car.

Persepolis and Ecbatana, and that the ried the Gospel throughout Central Asia early inhabitants were of Aryan stock, and to India and China. But there fol- and so in origin related to the Greeks lowed degenerate days, as well as perse- and Romans. Zoroaster and the fire- cution from the Moslems, by which they worshippers were Persians, and the were well nigh annihilated.

Wise Men who came to worship the in- As far back as 1742 the Moravians fant Saviour, while Parthians, Medes, sought, though in vain, to carry into and Elamites were present in Jerusalem Persia the light of evangelical truth. In to behold the wonders of Pentecost. 1811 the sainted Henry Martyn pene- This people rose to fame when Cyrus trated the country from India, bearing captured Babylon, and his successors his Persian translation of the New Testa- pushed their conquests to the lEgean ment, but died within a year. In 1834 and beyond; but in later days it was the American Board opened a mission their hard lot to be subjected in succes- among the Nestorians which, since 1870, sion to the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Sel- has been in Presbyterian hands, and has jukian Turks, Mongols, Tartars, Af- grown to 6 stations, 65 out-stations, 55 ghans, and Ottomans. The ruling Shah missionari'ls, of whom 20 are ordained, feels the touch of modern ideas, gov- and 243 native helpers; 31 churches erns, for an Oriental, fairly well, and with 2267 members, 188 added last through a ministry on the European year; 283 schools with 3290 pupils.

model, and has introduced banks, gas, Upon this Persian mission $83,662 were telegraphs, street railways, etc. expended last year. In 1869 the Church His dominions cover ahout 700,000 Missionary Society sent Rev. R. Bruce square miles, and his subjects number to begin work, and now has Ispahan not far from 8,000,000. From the Cas- and Baghdad as main stations. The.

pian modern Persia extends to the Per- Propagation Society sent its agents to sian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, and from Persia in 1882. Within a half century Ararat as a bulwark at the extreme north· not less than 75,000 Bibles, or portions thereof, from the press of the American time within the scope of their opera.

Bible Society alone, have been distribut· tions was embraced the entire known ed. and in these 6 languages -Persian, world. Mohammed died in 632, and Turkish, Arabic, Syriac, Hebrew, and two years later Damascus fell; Alexan- Armenian. dria in 640 ; Persia the year after, with ARABIA. Baghdad in due season reaching the With this name are indissolubly linked zenith of its gloi'y under the Caliph Edom and Uz, Ophir and Sheba, the Haroun al Raschid (immortalized in the Wilderness of Wandering, eighty years " Arabian Nights," which, if Persian in of the life of Moses, and two years of literary origin, are intensely Arab in in- Paul's life; but most of all the region spiration and spirit), and by 711 Spain for which it stands holds the site of had become Saracen, to remain such Mecca and Medina, and gave birth to nearly 800 yeal's, or until delivered theFalsePropbetand his Book. Itsarea under Isabella. During those halcyon is some 1,200,000 square miles. and con- years the Arabs were among the fore.

stitutes a vast peninsula. extending into most in the civilized world for knowl- the Indian Ocean. After 4000 years of edge of medicine, mathematics, gram.

travel, trade, and warfare this land is mar, and rhetoric, and various useful but little known, and yet the fact is well arts, such as the tempering of steel.

established that it is not all a barren And hence it would seem to be a gross waste, as we are wont to think. About mistake to ascribe Ara.b dominion wholly 'one third of the surface lies upon three to the sword as a cause instead of. in sides next to the sea, and consists of a great part at least, to the wondrous plain varying in width from a few miles power of mind, of intellectual genius.

to one hundred, and then a long stretch As yet next to nothing has been ac- of mount1tin ranges which rise abruptly complished, or even been undertaken, from the coast side. Another third lies for the redemption of Arabia from the toward the southeast and is desert in- degrading thraldom of a false faith.

deed, with surface divided between The country is inaccessible, the climate drifting sands and rocks. But in the is torrid, and Oriental ideas and prac- centre and farther north is found a large tices with the lapse of the centuries be.

tract fairly well supplied with streams come strangely fixed and unsusceptible and fertile soil, and able to sustain to change. And besides, as everywhere, quite a population fixed and residing in so also here, the combination of truth villages and cities. Of the 8,500,000 or and error fashioned by Mohammed easily 9,000,000 inhabitants, not more than one gains a giant grip upon a certain quality fifth are nomad Bedouins. of mind and hea.rt which it is difficult Arabia made her capital impression exceedingly to shake off. Mr. and Mrs.

upon human history through the tre- Keith Falconer projected, under the mendous and unsurpassed and really auspices of the Scottish Free Church, a sublime enthusiasm and zeal and daunt. mission to South Arabia in 1885, and less vigor with which her sons took up two years later Aden was occupied by the teachings of their greatest repre- them with combined Bible and medical sentative, and in two or three genera- work, but a few months after he laid tions carried the Koran from the Atlan- down his life a sacrifice to his faith and tic to the Indus, and made an impres- zeal. Other toilers have followed since, sion so deep and so broad that after 1200 and the mission is maintained. A second years their language is spoken by 80,- undertaking in the same region was set 000,000, and the cry, Allah Akbar, is on foot in this country not long since echoed by one eighth of the earth's by Professor J. G. Lansing and others, population. Arab merchants penetrat- and tW() missionaries have been dis- ed to China and interior Africa, to the patched thither, and a third, by the Eng- Baltic and northern Siberia, and at one lish North Africa Mission, has begun labor for the Bedouins in the extreme Asiatio Turkey. Though themselves north, with Homs as a oentre. So, not stalwart Moslems, it has always been yet has" the gold of Sheba" been given their policy to tolerate other faiths, and to " Him," not yet have" the kings of not less than 13,500,000 in the empire Sheba and Seba" offered" gifts." are nominal Christians, and principally TURKEY members of the Greek and Armenian ohurohes.

brings us yet nearer to Bible lands What was sorrowfully said of Persia and themes, since it covers among the and Arabia must be repeated here, that rest Palestine, Phmnicia, Syria, Asia hitherto upon the Mohammedan part of Minor, and Babylonia, with ita Ur and the population but a slight impression Haran, and hence was the home of every has been made. For a follower of the patriarch, prophet, or apostle named in Prophet to abjure his faith, even yet, Holy Writ. It was nearly 700 years ago after all the reforms, is to sign his death.

that the Ottoman Turks began to make warrant; aud therefore missionary toil their prowess seriously felt in the oivil. has been expended almost entirely upon ized world ; in 1452 Constantinople fell the ohurches whioh name the name of before their vigorous assault; the olimax Jesus, but whose truth is so lamentably of their power had been reached when mixed with error, and whose religious under the walls of Vienna, in 1683, their praotice is so remote from the New hosts were utterly routed by John So. Testament standard. When these have . bieski. Ever sinoe the decline has oon· been reformed and their spiritual life· tinued, aooelerated in this oentury when thoroughly quickened a beUer chance Greeoe oonquered her independenoe, by will be found to catch the ear and win the results of the Crimean War, and the the heart of the Turks. The first mis.

various aohievements of diplomaoy and sionaries entered the Ottoman Empire arms in days more recent. There is a in 1823, when Goodell and Birrllanded larger and a lesser Turkey, and henoe at Beyrout under commission from the the boundaries are not easily defined Amerioan Board, and later followed with acouracy. Thus Tunis is a de- others to occupy Constantinople and pendent'yof the Porte; Egypt pays trib. western, central, and eastern Turkey.

ute; and though in Arabia a long, nar· Upon thisfieldthisSooietyexpended up· row strip lying upon the Red Sea is ward of $207,000 in 1890, and has gath- politioally Turkish, the vast interior ered to date 117 churches with 11,709 owns no outside ruler. Acoording to a members (1367 added last year), 46,000 medium estimate the Sultan is civil and adherents, 464 schools of all grades, with religious lord over about 1,500,000 20,226 under instruction. The native square miles, and a population of 35,. contributions have reached $43,474 an- 000,000. And these may be divided nually. The principal stations are 19, thus: Europe, 100,000 square miles with with 311 out·stations. The missionaries 10,000,000 inhabitants; Asia, 700,000 number 177, with 791 native helpers as square miles with something more than auxiliaries. In 1870 the Syrian field 20,000,000 inhabitants, and Africa (in_ oentring in Beyrout was transferred to cluding Egypt and Tunis), 600,000 the Presbyterians, and is now held by square miles and 6,500,1100 inhabitants. them at 20 points with a force of 3ll And this same monarch, whose magnifi. American and 205 native toilers. The cent seat is upon the Bosphorus, sways churohes are 26; the members, 1658 ; the the sceptre over a mixed multitude of additions last year, 103; schools, 130 ; jTurks. Greeks, Bulgarians, Armenians, soholars, 6214; native oontributions, Arabs, Roords, Ciroassians, SyJians, eto. $7658. The Beyrout printing.press is Of these the ruling race constitutes but a mighty instrumentality for the Gospel.

a minor fraction, numbering, say. about From it issued in 1890 in A.rabic and 1,500,000 in European and 4,500,000 in other languages 76,000 volumes and 23,. 746,000 pages, of which 14,217,000 were members of the human family who hold leaves of the word Of life. During the that" God is God, and Mohammed is year 31,000 copies of the Scriptures, his prophet. " complete or in parts, were distributed. In all Syria, with Palestine, some 30 The astonishing successes and vitality societies are engaged doing preaching, of the religion of the Koran may well be teaching, and hospital work at 150 deemed the scourge of God upon His points, with 200 missionaries and 600 people in the Oriental churches and native helpers. Palestine is largely left their successors ever since, in Asia and in the hands of British societies. in Europe, visited because they lost the spiritual power of the Gospel, and had MOHAMMEDANISM. but a name to live in Jesus Christ, be- cause they fell into such grievous follies The three countries which have passed and sins, suffering the pure Gospel to in rapid review, covering in the aggre- be 110 grossly defiled with doctrinal error gate an area about equal to that of the and heathenish practice, expending United States and containing about the their strength not upon the spread of same number of inhabitants are, of the kingdom to the ends of the earth, course, overwhelmingly Mohammedan. but in endless disputes and quarrels and But the spiritual domain of Islam is schisms among themselves. But though vastly larger both in territory and ad- thus far effort for the conversion of Mosherents. This form of faith, once ag- lems has been, upon the whole, quite gressive beyond precedent, is not yet by barren of rf'sults, yet genuine converany means effete or eTen in decrepi. sions haTe by no means been unknown. tude, but is still steadily enlarging its In India in particular and in Africa boundaries, especially within the Dark and even in Persia scores and hundreds Continent. The northern half is al- have heartily embraced Christianity, ready overrun, a territory 2000 X 3500 and in Turkey, too, a few have faced miles in extent. death for Jesus' sake. Christian schools contain thousands of Moslem children From the Straits of Gibraltar almost and youth who cannot but be largely to the mouth of the Kongo it holds the leavened by the truth. But probably Atlantic coast and upon the eastern side the Bible printed in languages which to Zanzibar, with centres of influence Mohammedans can read-the Arabic yet farther south in Mozambique and more than any other, their sacred even in Cape Colony. Thus over two speeoh, in which the Koran is given-is thirds of the periphery of Africa the the mightiest leTerage yet employed. Prophet of Arabia is re'l'erenced, and The preparation already made is so 70,000,0(10 appears to be a consenative manifold, so extensive, and so thorough estimate of the number of his followers that great things for the Gospel may any found dwelling between the Mediter- day occur within the realm of Islam. ranean and the equator. But Queen And for this grand consummation let us Victoria is monarch over more Moslems diligently labor and fervently pray. than the Sultan himself, since in her Indian Empire alone she has 50,000,000 ! THE GREEK CliUBCH, Add to these the hosts of others of the same faith in Siberia. Central Asia, called also the Eastern Church. This Afghanistan and Beloochistan, Western is defined to be the church of the coun- Ohina, the Malay Peninsula, and the tries which were formerly Greek-speakvast Indian Archipelago to farthest Java ing, or which were comprised in the -distant 1000 of longitude east of Mecca Greek, GrIDco-Roman, or Eastern Emand 1600 east of Cape Verde, the latter pire, as well as of the countries evangela vast stretch of almost 10,000 miles- ized from it, as the Russian; or the and a total of 200,000,000 is not too large Church. or group of local and national to name as denoting the sum of the churches. which accept the See of Con. stantinople as their ecclesiastical head, guages !tre spoken. The various" Chris. like the Armenian, etc. The full name tian" sects are full of bitterness and is "The Holy, Orthodox, Catholic, hate each toward the other, and are kept Apostolic, Oriental Church." Its begin- at peace only by Turkish force. The ning dates, at least potentially, from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is divided founding of Constantinople, in 326 A.D. off into several sections, and these are A rivalry soon sprang up between the parcelled out among the Copts, Greeks, two cities, and also naturally betw3en etc. their bishops. The breach was widened by differences of language, and more, by For many centuries the Armenians the division of the empire into the were either independent or, at least, a Western and Eastern. In due season distinct people, fixed within definite followed the Great Schism, and finally boundaries; but in 1604 they finally from Rome came the act of excommuni- lost, like the Jews before them and the cation. Poles in later times, their national ex- istence, and ever since have been scat- The differences of doctdne and prac- tered far and wide through all the lands tice existing between the Greek Church of the East. and its rival, the Roman, are fewer and less fundamental than the resemblances. One peculiar phase of Christian phil- The former rejects the idea of the Pope anthropy is exhibited at Aden by the as universal bishop; in Russia the state Keith Falconer Mission, in the fact that and the church are in closest union; last year not less than fifty African slaves the ofliciallanguage is Greek instead of were rescued by purchase from their Latin; the priests may marry, though Arab masters and adopted, and at a cost but once, and only upon bishops is celi- of £1650. bacy obligatory, and the people may receive the wine as well as the bread at The University of the Great Mosque the sacrament. But the ruling spirit is of EI Azar, in Cairo, i!l resorted to by substantially the same; the departures more than 10,000 Moslem students, not from the simplicity and purity of the only from Egypt and Turkey, but from Gospel are fully as many and as serious, Algeria and Morocco, the Soudan, Darlike worship of images, asceticism with foor and Zanzibar, Arabia, Persia, Turmonastic vows, the necessity of confes- kestan, India and Malaya. Nothing is sion and penance, and the dogma, ., No taught except the Koran and the literasalvation outside the Church." And lit- ture relating to it. tle prospect appears of its further sprClld except as Russian arms or diplomacy The number of adherents to the varimay extend the area ruled by the Czar. ous minor bodies in the Oriental Church is stated to be as follows: Armenians, The number of adherents of the 3,000,000; Abyssinians, 1,200,000; Nes· Greek Church is notfarfrom 85,000,000. torians, 300,000 ; Copts, 200,000 ; Jacob- Of these about 58,000,000 are found in ites, 300,000 ; Maronites, 200,00 the Russian Empire; in the Turkish Empire, 10,000,000, consisting of Greeks, -Among the most teIling speeches at Bulgarians, Armenians, Nestorians; in the late meeting of the Church Mission- Roumelia, Servia, etc., 6,000,000; the ary Society was that of the Episcopal United Greeks of Austria and Poland, Bishop of Minnesota, who said that he 4,000,000; the Church of Greece, 1,300,- was .. glad to notice that the report 000 ; Russian Dissenters, 1,000,000 ; and said not a word about the hardships of various smaller sects. miRsionaries. It is no harder to go to Africa to preach the glorious Gospel It is stated upon good authority that than to dig for gold." in Jerusalem over forty different lan-

GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELUGENCE. '791

V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

Organized Missionary Work and Statistics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard, Bellevue, O.

-The Anglican Communion embraces about 6000. The nation is responsible all Christians in full communion with for 105 tribes and fragments of tribes, the Church of England, and so is com· but in 17 only does it supply accommoposed of these parts: The Church of dations for all the children of school England proper, with its 38 biRhops and age; in 52 one half are stilI schoolless ; 24,090 other clergymen; the Protestant in 24 about 90 per cent are neglected; Episcopal Churoh of the United States, while in 16 no provision at all is made. 61 bishops and 38000lergymen ; Church of Ireland, 13 bishops and 1807 clergy. -The Young People'S Society of men; Church of England in Cllnada, Christian Endeavor is evidently, in its etc., 24 bishops and 1300 clergymen; origin and surprising growth, in the best Church of England in Asia, 13 bishops sense providential. It meets a spiritual and 713 clergymen; Church of England need widespread and deeply felt. It in Africa, 13 bishops and 350 clergy. numbers 16,274 local societies at the end men; Church of England in Australia, of 10 years, and a host of 1,008,980 21 bishops and 269 clergymen; Episco. members, a growth in" year of almost pal· Church in Scotland, 7 bishops lind 350,000 members and of 5261 organiza. 266 clergymen; scattered, 9 bishops and tions. No less than 30 evangelical de· 120 clergymen: a total in round num- nominations are represented in it ; the bers of 200 bishops and 32,600 clergy. Presbyterians havi.ng 4019 societies; tho men. Congregationalists. 3545 ; the Baptists, 2381 ; the Methodists, 2860 ; the Chris· -The Church of England must be set tians (Disciples), 801, and so on. Sodown as one abundantly blessed with cieties exist in almost every State and material resources. For, ·according to territory; 768 in British America, 120 retUl"llS recently presented to Parliament in England, 82 in Australia, 30 in India, by the ecclesiastical commissioners, the 12 in Turkey, and 7 in China; in all in aggregate income of the establishmAnt is foreign countries, 307. And, best of all, £5.753,557, or $28,767,785, of which from its members 82,500 last year joined nearly the whole is derived from endow· the churches represented. ments antedating the beginning of the eighteenth century. And to thIS must -According to these figures, Cape be added the enormous sums expended Colony is heathen and barbarian no in the construction and repair of longer. In size it is equal to some 5 churches, etc. The membership of this States like New York, and holds a popu· church cannot be far from 15,000,000, lation of about 1,500,000, of whom about and the gifts for foreign missions ap. 350,000 are Europeans. The Dutch Re· proximate to $3,000,000 annually. formed Church naturally leads in num· bers with a membership of 203,776 ; the -Though by no means so much as we Wesleyans follow next with 110,250 ; the could wish, Congre8s is doing something Church of England, with 79,126; the Insubstantial toward solving the Indian dependents, wit.h 39,829 ; Presbyterians, problem by ar::propriations for schools, 23,786 ; Moravians, 14,012 ; the Rhenish which have steadily grown from $20.000 Society, 13,159, and Roman Catholics, in 1877 to $1,842,770 in 1891. Of this 14,012. The total church-membership sum the contract schools (under the care is nearly 528,000. The mission stations of the churches) receive $570,000. In are 621, and the out·stations 1744. the government schools are found pro· vision for 17,000 childrAn, soon to be – The Chinese in America are not en· increased to 20;000, and in the others tirely forgotten as to their spiritual well being. In Boston, for example, as far back as 1876 a school was opened for the fourth time' for $100,000 to be paid their benefit, and the work has grown in five annual installments. until now 8 large ones are f(mna; in them at least 600 of the 1000 Chinamen . -General Booth lliakes the announce· receive instruction, and 50 have bll€n ment that he has already received $50,. received into the Boston churches. And OUO more than the $500,000 he asked for, then, in return, one school for 3 years and besides, has a pledge for $50,000 has given annually $125 to support a additional, and so is at liberty to begin mi~sionary in Hong.Kong ; and recently the execution of his colossal social.re· a special offering amounting to $114 was form scheme in behalf of the poor of the made to maintain a native preacher in cities of England. that same city. -The principal missiop.lI.ry work in -·The Wesleyan churches of England Palestine is done by the English Church have a membership of 424,303, and the Missionary Society, which has a Euro- Foreign Missionary Society, at the las; pean force consisting of 9 ordained, 3 annual meeting, reported expenditures lay, and 7 female missionaries. The last year of £132,885. Work is carried native clergy number 8, with a total of on in India, China, West Africa, the 72 lay helpers. The stations are Jerusa. Transvaal, British Honduras, the Ba· lem, Jaffa, Gaza, Nablous, Nazareth, hamas, as w!)ll as in Europe. The prin. and one east of the Jordan. The num. cipal stations are 363; out.stations, ber of baptized is 1428, of whom 455 are 1572 ; missionaries and assistants, 338 ; communicants. A little over 2000 pupils other paid agents, 2163; and unpaid are in the schools. The Society for agents, 4334. The chUl'ch.members are Promoting Christianity among the Jews 34,772 ; the probationers, 5250 ; and the also has stl/otions at Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Sunday.school scholars, 65,083. Safed, with a force of 4 ordained mis· sionaries and several assistants, about -·The Missionary Society of the 20 of whom are Christian Israelites. Primitive Methodist Church (England) reports an income of £11,099, and an -Friends of Italy will hear with de· expenditure of £10,477. Aside from light of the diffusion of the Scriptures this there was the special income of the in Rome. It is said that during the African fund, amounting to £3313, with first six months of 1'890, 21,000 copies an expenditure of £2263. The work of of the pUblications of the Bible Society the society is carried on entirely in Af. were sold in Rome and its environs. An rica in the Kaffraria Mission at Aliwal, especially encouraging circumstance is North. An increase of 150 members the introduction of the Bible into Ital· is reported. The Zambesi Mission had ian schools. Schools where other Ian. entailed considerable cost, and some guages are taught have, it is stated, reverses have had to be encountered; adopted the New Testament as a read· but the party sent out by the Board ing book. have croBsed the river, and are now en· gaged in real missionary work. -Offerings are asked by the Prot· estant Episcopal Church to sustain mis· -The Livingstonia Mission of the sions in 13 missionary jurisdictions and Scottish Free ChUl'ch (the first one 34 dioceses, also among the Indians and founded in Central Africa) dates from among the colored people in our land, 1875 ; and now, at the end of 15 years, as well as missions in China, Japan, about the three great lakes, Victoria, Africa, Hayti, and Greece; to pay the Tanganyika, and Nyassa, Protestant salaries of 16 bishops and stipends to chUl'ches alone. have 44 stations, 121 1000 missionary workers, and to support missionaries, and 1800 adult converts. schools, hospitals, and orphanages. The Free Church alone is expending Five hundred thollsand dollars are asked $20,000 annually, and this year asks for for this year. -The Presbyterian Church of Canada is held by 21 men and 31 women-52 in reports a membership' of 160,102, and all-with the aid of 68 ordained and 144 additions upon confession last year of unordained nati ve preachers -a total 10,128. The receipts for home missions force of 439. Of its 75 churches 18 are wer.e $142,000, and for foreign missions self·supporting, and in them are 41,841 $115,525, of which latter sum $40,000 members-an average of 550 and over- were from the woman's societies. In 6 of whom 6113 were received last year.

missions (New Hebrides, Honan, For- The principal stations are 14, and the mosa, Central India, Trinidad, and ou t·stations 534. In the 422 schools among the Indians in Western Canada) 5292 ara taught. Out of the depth of are found 31 ordained mIssionaries and their poverty the natives contributed 22 teachers; 9 women (in all 7 trained $1048.

for medical work), 2 ordained native -The Baptist Burman Mission will pastors, 52 native preachers, and nearly always be linked indissolubly with the 100 other native helpers-a total force name of Judson, and only God can say of 216. The churches are 65, with how much of its prosperity is the fruit 3950 members, and the schools 98, with of his prayers. and toils, and pains. It 3800 pupils. is composed of 21 stations and 614 out· -The Presbyterian Church (North) stations. The working force includes reports 12 missions in foreign lands, 134 missionaries (of whom 88 are worn· with 108 principal stations. The mis· 'en), and 530 native preachers (141 of sionaries number 598, of whom 348 are whom are ordained), a total of 763. Of women. These are assisted by 1228 na- the 542 churches the surprisingly large tives, 193 of these being ordained; and number of 44'7 are self.supporting, and thus a total force of 1826 is found. Of they have a membership of 29,666, 1976 churches there are 377, with 28,494 joining last year. The contributions members; and the additions last year were $48,499. The schools number were 2875. In the schools 27,813 pupils 466, and the scholars 12,250.

are instructed. The native contribu- -The Methodist Episcopal Church tions amount to $49,423. (South) expended last year upon its for.

-This same branch of the Presbyte- eign missions $219,940, which amount rian Church has in West Equatorial Af· was divided as follows: Mexico, $93,- rica what is known as the Gaboon and 676 ; Japan, $48,822 ; China, $46,056; 'Corisco Mission, extending along a and Brazil, $30,936. In these lands it coast line of 250 miles, and at one point sustains 76 missionaries, 26 of them into the interior 210 miles. Within this women, as well as 99 native preachers.

area are contained 7 stations and 15 out· The membership of the mission churches stations, a missionary force of 8 ordained is 4944.

and 4 unordained men, with an equal -The Churchman accounts for the number of women (24 in all), 7 native prominence of the work of the American preachers, and 17 other native helpers; Board in Japan by saying that Congre. 9 churches, 1147 members, 108 additions gational churches, with a membership last year, and 1158 children in Sunday. about equal to that of the Episcopal schools. The 7 day schools are much Church, send annually to foreign mis_ hindered by the civil authorities, who sion fields twice as much money as Epis. compel the exclusive use of French. copalians send to the foreign and do- mestic taken together. -·The American Baptist Mission to the Telugus can no longer properly be termed the Lone Star, but has become -In Utah there are 85 mission schools the bright and morning star among all in 78 different tOWIM!, employing 172 mISSIOns. In it the wonders of grace Christian teachers, and educating 6500 continually abound more and more, It pupils, three fourths of whom are from MOl'mon families, The Young People's $25,000,000, while the regular receipts Society of Christian Endeavor is repre- and expenditures of the l<lst five years sented in Utah by 23 organizations, have averaged not far from $700,000 a representing 750 members, of which 11 year, exclusive of native funds received are in Salt Lake City, containing 350 and expended in the field; 475 churches members. have been organized, into which have been received on confession of faith not – Of the 1,100,000 Lutheran communi- far from 110,000 souls. cants in the United States, about three fourths are Germans. The remainder –The Society for Promoting Female are Scandinavians, English, etc. In no Education in the East was formed in fewer than 12 languages do Lutheran 1852, and combines Zenana schools with pastors preach the Gospel in this coun- medical work. Its income has now try. The total number of ministers is reached $55,000 ; the number of Euro- 3692 ; .:Jhurches, 7948. pean agents is 70 ; the schools are 66 ; in them 4000 receive instruction, and in -There are 92 Chri8tian churches and 3 normal schools 130 more are trained chapels ,in the city of 'Tokio, Japan. The to teach. In 1889 there were 283 infirst one WaS erected only 25 years ago. patients and 18,782 attendances at the hospitals; and 932 were visited at their -This example of growth from a homes in part by 12 female physicians, small and "accidental" beginning made with 180 native workers, of whom a large in 1869 is not so very unsatisfactory. proportion are excellent Christian As far baok as that, in Madura, India, a nurses. city of 60,000, two lines of Zenana work were started-the educational and the British"Poreign Missions. By Rev. James medical-and at the close of 1889 there Johnston, Bolton, England. were found engaged in service at the ditferentstations, 40 Bible women; 1438 China Inland Mission.-In celebratnat,ive women under instruction; 3890 ing recpntly its twenty" fifth anniversary, houses had been visited during the year; the total force of missionaries and IIBSOand 71,929 persons had heard the Gos- ciates in Cbina on January 1st was repel message from these native Christian ported at 409, since augmented by 70 women. Thus we are beginning to real- more work.ers. From the time of the ize the import of that verse in the mission's inauguration, 4500 natives Psalms, .. The Lord gave the Word, and have been baptized and 93 mission stagreat was the company of the women tions opened, Last year the income who published it." amounted to £28,361. The beloved founder and director, the Rev. J. Hud- -During the 81 years that have Hon Taylor, is at present in China, elapsed since its organization, the where, says his deputy, the Rev, J. W. American Board has sent out 651 or- Stevenson, it is computed 900 large dained missionaries, 48 physicians un- cities are yet untouched by the heralds ordained, and 151 other missionary as- of faith. sistants-a total number of 850 men, During the same period it has sent out PrimitiTe Methodist Missionary 1233 women, of whom il91 were unmar- Society.-For its African Fund the ried-a total of men and women of 2083. year's income has been £3313, and the The force now in the field numbers 200 receipts for other branches of foreign men and 333 women distributed over 22 missions £11,099. The nobly conceived mission lields-4 in the Turkish Empire, Zambesi Mission undertaken by the 3 in British India, 4 in China, 2 in Japan, society is thus far crowned by the ar- 3 in Africa, and 4 in papal lands, The rival of the pioneers, who hope to begin receipts into the mission treasury from active operations in October next. donation~ and legacies aggregate about Moravian Missions.-By the rescue tive ordained missionaries, 1202 ; and of 1500 souls from heathenism in the native preachers, 4365. Church·mem.

conrse of the past year, the nnmber of bers are given at 67,797 ; native adher.

converts reaches nearly 90,000. The in. ents, 276,521 ; with 377 Sunday.schools come was £8866 in 1890. There are 135 having 22,881 scholars; also 1643 day stations of the missions in Greenland, schools, attended by 63,873 scholars.

Labrador, among the North American The year's income from the mission Indiang, in the West Indies, America, stations, including school fees, was South Africa, Australia, Northwest In· £22,433. A bright feature in the so- dia. Thibet, and Alaska; the congrega. ciety's record was the intelligence that tions numbering 87,263, of whom 40,000 its agen La preach the Gospel in no less are British subjects; of European and than 1200 Malagasy churches. In con- native missionaries, 355 are employed tn gratulatory language the Rev. R. Ward· the several fields. In 113 Sunday· law Thompson, foreign secretary, spoke schools are some 15,000 scholars, and in of the distinct growth of Christian charac.

the 235 day schools 20,629 children are ter seen in the converts, and likewise of under instruction. Four young Mora· the resolve of the directors to maintain to vian missionaries are on their way to the the uttermost of their power the stations newly established station on Lake occupied. Before the centenary of the Nyassa. society' B foundation in 1894 the directors hope to send out 100 additional mis· The London Missionary Society.- sionaries. In this wish they seem to At the annual meeting of the Ladies' have been anticipated by four promi.

Auxiliary for Foreign Missions the year's nent ministers in the younger ranks of receipt of £7293 was announced-an in- English Congregationalism issuing a crease of 2582 over the preceding year. missionary manifesto, in which th.. con.

The auxiliary has 39 lady agents, 19 of stituents of the society are entreated in whom are in India, 15 in China, 3 in earnest terms to dispatch 100 more Madagascar, and 2 in Samoa. Upward laborers into the harvest field without of 8000 scholars are taught in their 150 waiting for the guaranteed fuuds. This day and boarding schools. with which appeal, exhibiting a spirit of enterpris.

288 native agents, chiefly belonging to ing courage, ought to command prayer- India and China, are connected. The ful thought. To realize it, something entire school attendance in British India like £40,000 of an increase per annum was represented in 1888-89 by 2,901,160 will be necessary, which means thor.

girls snd 5,580,996 boys. A glorious ough.going liberality if the funds of ex· future was predicted for China by Miss isting institutions remain uninjured.

Mann, from Swatow, if the women of A telegram reporting the death of the that land could be won for the Master, Rev. James Gilmour, M.A., at Tientsin, in effecting which, women doctors and the devoted superintendent of the Mon· native Bible women were the principal golian Mission, has caused widespread need. regret. By his charming work " Among The ninety-seventh anniversary of the the Mongols" he was endeared to a large society has been held in Exeter Hall, section of the Christian public.

when it was stated that the year's in- come realized £114.293, an encouraging London Society for Promoting growth on the receipts of the preceding Christianity among the Jews.-It ap- year, though behind the current expendi- pears that the society has 130 agents, of ture by a sum of £14,597-a deficit whom 78 are Christian Israelites. The partly due to the rise in the value of silo stations are 38 in number; 6 being in ver in India, and a decrease in legacies. England,. 18 in Europe, 6 in Asia, and 8 The society's English missionaries num· in Africa. By the society's aid the Jews ber 159 ; female missionaries, 39; nil.· have the Scriptures in their own hand, together with a Hebrew translation of Baptist Missionary Society.-Markthe New Testament. It has circulated ed vigor has characterized the anni- 170,809 complete copies of the Old versary proceedings of this venerable Testament; 415,896 parts of the same, society. in spite of a debt of £10,500, and sold or given away 221,112 copies which stands against it. The honored of the New Testament. In the United secretary, the Rev. A. H. Baynes, is not Kingdom there are about 5000 Christian easily daunted. Lack of means rather Israelites. Last year's income was than of men is the regretted difficulty.

£36,768. The Rev. T. Lewis and R. D. Darby, of the Congo Mission, delivered thrilling British and Foreign Bible Society. addresses, illustrative of the power -No less than 4,000,000 copies of the which the Gospel is exercising over the Scriptures, whole or in part, were cir- tribes along the Upper Congo. United culated last year by the society-an in. preparations are being made for the crease of 130,000 over the year 1889. celebration of the society's centenary, Though the total income was £217,148, next year, which will doubtless bto sig- the expenditure exceeded it by £14,435. nalized by memorable gatherings. The Altogether the society has issued 95 ver· society's treasurer, Mr. W. R. Rickett, sions of the Scriptures and circulated of London, has just contributed £5000 120,000,000 copies in 300 languages. to open the subscriptions toward the On account of the enlarged openings for sum of £100,000 which the Baptists have the distribution of the Bible. a strong pledged themselves to raise. An in- endeavor is being made to improve the come of £7992 was received in 1890 for society's returns. the Ladies' Zenana Society, whose staff is shortly to be enlarged.

Church Missionary Society.-Never has this great organization had more The Wesleyan Missionary Society.

prosperity in all departments of its -In the mission districts occupied by operations than in the course of the past the society, the secretary says that the year, notwithstanding the occurrence joy of harvest is almost overpowered by of some vexed questions of mission- the loud calls for reapers. Reports of ary policy on the Niger and in Palestine. growth come from France, Germany, The Divine blessing reached a climax in and Austria. Ceylon afforded proof of the historic meeting.place in the Strand, aggressive Christianity, taking hold of London, in May last, on the occasion of thousands of the natives. From the Ind- the ninety·second anniversary. Over· ian field rose a note of sadness on ac- flowing audiences assembled. The year's count of limited resources, preventing income was £247,737, and the payments the missionaries grappling with the de- £239,208. Missionary achievements in mands for the message. South Central East and West Africa, Mid-China, South African missions had been much dis- India, the Punjab, and other fields were turbed by the rush to the gold.mining narrated in glowing terms by missiona- regions. Stations on the coaRt of West ries on furlough. As the writer hinted Africa were happily in a flourishing con_ in the June number of the MISSIONARY dition. Progress was announced in the REVIEW, Bishop Tucker is making a hur- Honduras district of Central America ried visit home from Uganda. A pub- lind in the Bahamas. The year's income lic reception has been accorded to him, was £122,072 against an expenditure of in which he graphically stated the obsta- £132,885, making a total debt with that cles in the way of direct progress in of 1889 of £19,377, mainly due to the Uganda, and spoke of the methods about increased cost of sustaining existing sta- to be pursued in extending the Master's tions. In an optimistic vein the chair- kingdom and glory throughout Mwan- man remarked on this discouraging ga's dominions. statement, that he preferred success, in face of a diminished income, to a large- the sixth annual report of this noble ly increased income coupled with barren organization every proof is afforded of missionary labors. The Rev. John Wal- the philanthropic aid, admirable manton, Senior Secretary of the Wesleyan agement, and progressiveness achieved Foreign Missionary Society, has just re- by its founder and controllers. The tired on a supernumerary grant, after a statistics are astonishing. In 1890 upworthy career of ministerial toil, half of ward of 411,691 women were treated by which was spent on distant shores. the lady staff, as compared with 280,694 in 1889. More surprising was the pro- Zenana Bible and Medical Mis- portional increase of in.patients in the sion.-The supporters, chiefly ladies, hospitals, represented by 8159 women, are rejoicing over a year of progress over against 3603 in the previous year. marked by total subscriptions amount- This is an unmistakable sign of the aping to £17,500, the largest sum received preciation in which the fund's endeavors since the formation of the society in are held by the native women. The 1852 : 260 missionaries and assistants medical staff consists of 13 lady doctors, (an increase of 16), 2120 Zenanas under 27 assistant surgeons, and 204 pupils at visitation (an increase of 740), 73 the various medical colleges and hosschools (an increase of 10), and 29 sta- pitals. It is strange to hear of a school tions. Pupils in the schools and Zena- of medicine having been opened for nas numbered 6034, having increased Hindu women to study anatomy and by some 1800. Bible women visited in kindred subjects. The charitable fund 939 villages (an increase of 534), and in in England has not commanded the as- 2789 houses, making 1600 of an addi- sistance which it demands, and, on the tion. There were 2 hospitals and 5 dis- other hand, the liberality of wealthy pensaries, with five lady doctors in at- Hindus requires to 'be cultivated in tendance. The in-patients for the year order to make so worthy an institution had been 326 (an increase of 43) ; out- a national blessing. patients, 6963 (an increase of 1300); and dispensary attendances, 22,056, Mission to Lepers in India.-In an showing an increase of 1274. At Ben. effective, economical, and devoted manares the foundation of a new hospital ner this British Society is extending had been laid (the gift of a lady), and its operations. It has in India over 20 another at Lucknow, as a memorial of centres of activity. It asks but £6 a Lord Kinnaird's mother. Miss Leitch year to support one leper, and £20 for has made an eloquent plea to British the same period to furnish a Christian ladies for more sacri fice, stating that if teacher to any of its asylums. The outthe natives of India are to hear the Gospel side cost of building a home is estimat- 'in the present generation, not less than ed at £:110. It is said that the lepers 5000 additional missionaries are needed, are touchingly susceptible to Gospel inwhich the society sustained by appeal- fluences, lind lately a Burmese mising for £30,000, that its income and work sionary remarked that their conversion might be doubled. The Misses Leitch, was the best means of propagating the recently accepted for service abroad by Gospel throughout India, inaf'mueh as the mission,have doubled their subscrip- the example of the patience under suftion of £200 this year. Of the 140,000,- ferings of the victims to leprosy every- 000 women and girls in India (according where producecl a strong impression. to the last census), only a very few have been reached by the missionaries of the The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.-Among crOSR. its special features during the past year, besides the splendid income, are the Lady Dufferin's Fund for Medical extensicn of the episcopate by the con- Aid to the Women of India.-From secration of the first Bishop of Chota India has resulted in the adoption of a Nagpur; the actual commencement of minute which recognizes the undoubted -the mission to New Guinea, and the value of educational institutions, in- Bishop of Bloemfontein's enterprising cluding the need of a visible connection operations in the enormous tract of between these and evangelistic labors. country opened up by the British South It further recommended that, in view of Africa Chartered Company. With the evangelical benefits not keeping pace eight bishops there are 660 ordained with those following the departments of missionaries on the society's lists. education, there was a loud call to give These embrace 127 natives, laboring in the former more time and energy than Asia, and 29 in Africa. At the various previously. A limited sum was voted missions were about 2300 lay teachers, for education, beyond which any funds 2600 students in the society's colleges, received were to be apportioned to evanand 38,000 children in the mission gelization. Both vernacular and medi. schools in Africa and Asia. At the cal mission work in India were reOf- 190th anniversary of the society, the ganized and extended in 1890. Bishop of Derry observed, in his sermon in St. Paul's Cathedral, that in British Very gratifying accounts were given India 40 years ago there were 113,000 of the six missionary colleges in India followers of Christ; some 20 years later and South Africa. At Lovedale and 318,000; and now over 2,000,000. At Blythswood, in Africa, the buildings this rate of progress, he surmised there were about to be enlarged. Free Church would be from 36,000,000 to 40,000,000 missions are being commenced in East Christians in India in 2091. Central A1:rica by the inauguration of a New Lovedale in the country, lying be- Anglo-Indian Temperance Associa- tween Mombasa and Victoria Nyanza, tion.-This vigorous agency, helpful in the funds for which are contributed by many phases of Hindu life, is better Scotch directors of the East African known in India than abroM. In the Company. The results of mission work last winter campaign above 100 meet- in 1390 show that 523 adults were bap. ings were addressed, attended by aggre- tized, oi whom 95 were in India, 229 in gate audiences numbering 200,000 per- Caffraria, 184. in Natal, 12 in Li.vingsons. It is rejoicing in the decreed stonia, and 3 in the New Hebrides, and abolition of the out-still system, the 173 admitted on profession. The chilclosing of 10,000 liquor shops in Mad- dren baptized were 731, and the candiras, and their diminution in the Pun- dates for baptism or full communion jab. The evils of the traffic in India numbered 1788. Students and scholars were lamentable and a great hindrance in the 6 colleges and 307 schools were to mission work. Connected with the returned at 22,131 ; of these, 1275 are association are 77 temperance societies, university undergraduates. There were 32 of these being officered by missiona- 26 stations and 198 branches, G895 naries. The young Indian gentlemen tive communicants, 67 ordained misstudying in the English universities are sionaries, of whom 52 were Scottish; 7 reported to be abstainers. licensed native preachers, 11 medical missionaries, 58 European professors The Free Church of Scotland's and teachers, and 439 native teachers; Foreign Missions.-Most encouraging 217 artisan catechists and Bible women, reports were presented to the Assembly making a total Christian agency of 799. in Edinburgh on the position of its mis- Probably the Free Church has no equal sions in Europe, the British colonies, in the number of missionaries which and foreign landlil, to the latter of which she supports or sends forth. The area our present referenco is confined. The and stations over which her flag is unstorm of a year past respecting the al- furled include India, with 7 principal leged failure of educational effort in and 75 branch stations; Kaffraria, with 9 principal -and 63 branch stations; but on this point Captain Lugard speaks Natal, with 3 principal and 24 branch loss hopefully_ He apprehends that the stations; Livingstonia, with the famous intrigues of the Roman Catholics for Bandawe headquarters, to which 23 court favor may provoke disturbances branches are attached; New Hebrides, eventually. For the safe navigation of with chief stations at Aneityum and the great lake, the committee of the Futuna, having 6 branches; Syria, with Church Missionary Society have dis- principal Etation at Shweir and 7 patched a steel boat. It is expected that branches; South Arabia, with the a larger craft will be sent on in a few Sheikh Othman station. In the course months.

of the past ten years the sum raised for A Loss to the Niger Mission.-News mission work outside the United King- to hand of the death of the Rev. J. A. dom has increased from £38,735 to £94,- Robinson, a co-leader with Mr. Grah_am 385 per annum-a bright index of the Wilmot Brooke, of the recently underconsecration of the Free Church to mis- taken mission to the Upper Niger and sionary obligations_ the Soudan, will be received with regret, Baptist Missions in China.-Dr. mote especially following the serious Glover, of Bristol, and the Rev. T. M. troubles in connection with this hazard- Morris, of Ipswich, have returned from ous enterprise. He lent much assisttheir miilsionsl'y tour through China. ance to' the Church Missionary Society They speak in glowing terms of the in their late Niger inquiry. For the character, magnitude, and success of tbo cause of Mohammedan missions in that work of missions in that empire, and part of Africa, Mr_ Robinson gave up a particularly of the flourishing Baptist brilliant career and a large income at centre at Shantung. Their appreciation home. His attainments as a Cambridge of the worth of missions had been graduate were unusually promising. heightened by the visit. Here and there His personality recalled the figure of were failures, which only had compara- that scholarly and saintly missionary, tive significance in face of the promis- the Rev. Marsham Argles, who died a ing outlook of Chinese missions. Dr. few years back in the service of the 0;- Glover urges the importance of occa- ford Mission to Calcutta. Mr. Robin_ sional visitations to the stations abroad son was a man of inexhaustible energy, for mutual encouragement. and yet of such modesty that it-was with difficulty he could be persnaded to ac- The Call to Uganda.-Gratifying cept the post of joint leader of the misresults are attending Bishop Tucker's sion.

flying visit to this country. The 40 Ngamiland.-Now that this large termen required for Uganda and interven- ritory is under British protection, a ing mission stations are forthcoming. fresh opening ill offered to missionary Gifts are as freely being made. With' enterprise. Since Moremi s death, last the aid of the missionaries the native November, the government of the coun- converts of Uganda may become as use- try has been in the hands of Dithapo, the ful in spreading the faith as the possi- chief headman, as a kind of regent, as- bilities of the country are illimitable. sisted by other headmen. His weak- The sacrifice of the lives of Hannington, ness and unpopularity have been detri- Parker, Mackay, Hunt, Dunn, and like mental to the interests of the Towana.

heroes is bringing forth fruit~not im- nation, in consequence of which the probably the story of the Madagascar natives have begun to lean on Mr.

-mission may be repeated on the shores Strombone, of the African and General of Victoria Nyanza. Bishop Tucker Exploring Company. He is an oracle states that the quarrels of the Protes- to the natives, who take no steps of im- tants and Catbolics have ceased to exist; portance without his counsel. Very shortly Techome, a youth of 16, will -There is no marked decline in the come to the throne. In character he is African slave trade, according to current shy and unprepossessing, though cred- blue books. It seems to be diverted ited wibh ability, and may possibly fill rather than reclutJed.

the position in a satisfactory manner. E very missionary tells us that no He is a half-brother to Moremi, being a peril that beset him was half so great Bon of Leshulatebe by Khama's sister. as the chilling influence of surrounding He is not a Christian, but, like Khama, heathendom. We should pray that in a strong teetotaler. For two or three that stifling atmosphere they may be years his reign will be subject to the kept in the fresh air of the influence of guardianship of Ditha{lo and the head- the presence and power and peace of men. The company alluded to, repre- tho Lord Jesus Christ.-Rev. H. G. sented by Messrs. Rtrombone, Hicks, Moule. and Nicolls, has obtained valuable con- cessions, and may not unlikely urge the Rev. Dr. Narayan Sheshadri, tho friends of missions to extend their in- famous East Indian convert and preach- fluence in that <uarter. In the vicinity er, whose turbaned head and imposing of Ngamiiand are the wild tribes of the presence in his native Indian dress Namagua._ Dltmara, Bakwena, and others. attracted so much notice in tho Evan- The company's agent, Mr, H. O. 'Buckle, gelical Alliance, etc., died on the Circas- is due in England. sia on July 21st, atsea, on the passage to Miscellaneous. – The North African Glasgow, and was buried at sea. Tho Mission funds are much below receipts loss of this man will be very keenly of the corresponding period last year.- felt in the missions in India. Dr. She- Grave charges of mismanagement have shadri was a very keen-minded Brahman been mad'e against the directors of the priest, who, when converted, became Baptist Congo Mi8sion.-It is contem- the founder of a community of native plated by the LOllllon Missionary So- Christians, and has done as efficient work ciety to dispense with their district .as any maninHindustan. Hehad such deputation agents. The society is sec- a command of English and. was so highonding a pri vate appeal for a re-enforce- ly educated thab both in his own eountry mento! 100 mi~sionaries.-TheRev. Sil- and in Great Britain and the United vester Whitehead, formerly of 'China, States he was among the most eloquent has been appointed a secretary of the of men.

Wesleyan Missionary Society.-Thrill- It is a highly creditable fact that the ing accounts have arrived of the extraor- contributions of the Methodist Episco- dinary hardships endured by the mis- pal Church for Home and Foreign Mis- sion party of the Primitive Methodists on sions have during the last ten years an- their journey across the Zambesi, and of nually increased about $50,000. This M. Coillard's timely SUllcor of the gallant is separate from the income of the little hand. Work has been initiated at Woman's Board. The increase over the station. Strange to say, this new the corresponding eight months of last missionary campaign is causing a revival year, to July 1st, is $124,000. There is of home missionary work.-Messrq. Har. little doubt but thatthe$1,250,000appor_ ris and White, of the mission to the tioned will be raised this year, and the Central S:Judan, have completed a pre- Woman's Society will add a quarter of liminary missionary trip on foot from a million or more for foreign missions !Tunis to Gabes, a rlistance of 200 miles. to that.

They write of the hospitality accorded Out of Debt- Let us Keep Out.-For to them by the Arabs; who are in great the second time in a quarter of a cenneed of the Gospel and medical skill. tnry-once in 1887 and now again in The two friends are at Tripoli making 1891-unlesB all signs fail, the Missional'rangoments for an early march inland. ary Society will be out of debt on No- vember 1st, 1891.