The Missionary Review of the World — May 1895
PALACE, BA~GKOK, SIA)I
MISSI'ON'A'RY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XVIII. No.5.-01d Serie.5.-MAY.-VOL. VIII. No. 5.-NMJ1~.
SOME HINDRANCES AND HELPS IN EVANGELIZING LAOS LAND.
The great hindrances to the spread of the Gospel and the conversion of men are the same in all ages and all lands. " The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God j neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.". "And men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." "The God of this world hath blinded the eyes of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them." These statements are as true now as when Jesus and Paul uttered them, and in them are still to be found the chief obstmcles to the triumph of the Gospel. Not caste and the slave trade, but the evil heart of unbelief departing from the living God j not Buddha or Confucius or Mohammed, but Satan, the enemy of God and man-this is still the J ebus that holds out against the Son of David, this still the Goliath whom He must meet and slay. And as the most obstinate difficulties, so the highest encouragements of the mission enterprise are the same to-day as at the beginning. It was the truest missionary instinctthat led Judson, when some one wrote to him inquiring what were the prospects for the evangelization of Burmah, to reply, "Bright as the promises of God." The cause of missions will always be at its best when the" Go ye" and the" Lo, I am with you always" of Christ outbulks and outweighs every other encouragement in the esteem of Its supporters. But while all this is true, it is true too that each field presents difficulties on the one hand, and sources of encouragement on the other, which are to some extent peculiar to itself. In these, not in geographical situation or climate or productions, lie the true differentia of mission lands j and of these we must have some right conception if we are to enter into intelligent and prayerful sympathy with missionaries, and not simply to feel a vague interest in missions. The writer hopes, therefore, that it may be to the purpose if in this month of May, when so many prayers will be put up for Siam and Laos, he speaks of " Some Hindrances and Helps in Evangelizing Lsos Land. "
e<>ME BlNDltANCE8 AND DELFS IN EVANGELIZING LAOS LAND
HINDltANCES.
1. Power 0/ Ou,tom.-And, first, let him advert to the power of cus- tom among the Laos as a hindrance to the progress of Christianity. If the world were to be divided as we sometimes divide the churches in our own land, into conservatives and radicals, the Orient would be set against the Occident. Custom has power in the West, it is true j on the other hand, " old fashioned" is more often than not a term of reproach, and the love of novelty is so great that the mere fact that a thing has long been done in a certain way is counted by many a sufficient reason for beginning to do it in some other fashion. The temper of the Orient is the opposite j there the customary is the sacred; the thing that hath been is- that which shall be, and also the thing that ought to be. And in this respect the Laos are true Orientals. It is some time before the missionary can realize the force which this matter of custom exerts among them. He goes into a wayside temple j he seeks out the head priest and courteously salutes him j he is invited to seat himself upon the mat that is spread for him, and a pillow for his elbow, a jar of cool water and a cup, and a tray of the inevitable betel-nut are provided for his comfort and refreshment. After a few commonplaces on either side the real business of the hour is taken up, and that all the more eagerly because the presence of the foreign teacher has drawn every member of the monastery, ,every casual loiterer in the temple grounds, perhaps even ~~score or more of persons from the village, into earshot of the conversation. " Your reverence," begins the missionary, "is a religious man; are you acquainted with that which is called the religion of the Lord Jesus~" The answer will probably be this: " Noble doctor, we have heard of this religion of the Lord Jesus, but we do not understand clearly what it is." This the missionary feels is the very opportunity for which he has prepared himself. He has thought out his statement of Christianity j he has chosen his illustrations with great care j not only the terms he will employ, but the very tone and manner he will use j as not in the way of harsh and initiating polemic, but in that of calm but earnest reasoned appeal to heart and conscience, he sets the new system from heaven before thE> minds of those who know only the old that is of men. There is much to encourage him as he proceeds j there is earnest attention j the head priest interrupts now and then to ask a wellchosen question j not infrequently an auditor ejaculates under his breath that what the teacher says is true. The missionary ceases speaking, and awaits the reply of his fellow-teacher in the yellow robe. What will he pitch upon as the weak point in the argument ~ What will be the line of his attack 7 Listen:" Noble doctor, what you say is good j truly you speak to our hearts j but, haw pen heet paw, hoy maa" (these are not the footsteps of our fathers Rnd mothers). lifissa est! The assembly is dismi!l!!ed. The old priest's answer is conclusive to everybody except the missionary, and he departs wondering if it can really be tht an argument SI) stauch has gone to pieces on a rock Sl) small, 2. WOTship of Evil Spirits.-While Siam is called and is a Buddhist country, yet along with Buddhism there flourishes everywhere, and espe- cially among the Laos tribes, the worship of spirits. You may call them ghosts, demons, devils, genii, sprites, elves, or fairies. If you listen to the talk of the people you will at first think that now one and now another of these is what is meant by the ever-recurring word phee ; but you will come at last to the sad conclusion that if you are to find an equivalent in English, it must be something not very different from " evil spirit." For whether the phee in question be thought of as the soul of a dead man, or the presid- ing genius of a family, or the invisible guardian of some brook or cave, or the inferior deity who has special charge of some natural phenomena like rain or thunder, or some event in human life, such as the weaning of a child or the marriage of a maiden, it may become at any moment and on the slightest provocation a malignant foe. And therefore one of the main anxieties of a Laos man or woman is to keep on friendly terms with these invisible powers. It is only by degrees that the foreigner can come to understand how large a part of life this is for the people about him; for this devil cult has no temples and no priests except as every house, from the carved and gilded palace of the ., Lord of Life" to the thatch-roofed bamboo cottage of his humblest subject, is such a temple, and every man and every woman a priest or priestess of this worship. Go where you will and when you will, in city or country, by river, through forest, to the caves of the mountains, across the smiling rice fields, in wet season or dry, at rice planting or harvest, at birth or death, at wedding or funeral, when contracts are signed, when houses are built, when journeys are undertaken, when sickness or storm or drouth befalls, and you will find in charm and spell and offering the tokens of the sway of this dark superstition as to the presence and activity of spirits. And just in that word superstition lies one chief element of the power of spirit worship as a hindrance to the acceptance of the Gospel. It is not merely that for a Laos man to change his religion will surely offend the spirits of his ancestors and provoke the enmity of all those demons who have in the past been pleased by his worship ; it is not merely that the heart in which the missionary sows the seed of God's Word is already preoccupied with a rank growth of weeds; but it is the peculiar character of this religion as a superstition which constitutes it an obstacle to the truth. An historical religion can be attacked in its history; a philosophical religion can be attacked in its philosophy; but how shall we attack a superstition 1 It is fighting with a ghost. We cut it in twain only to find that the impalpable substance of which it is made up closes behind the blade and suffers no harm. Not based on reason or fact, a superstition like this refuses to yield to reason or fact. And superstition embrutes men's minds; it teaches them to count fact and fancy, truth and falsehood as of equal worth, and at last makes them incompetent to distinguish the one from the other. Much of wha.t is believed by the people is so absurd that even they themselves, when the sun shines and all goes well with them, will make jokes about the" spirits somewhat as the children of America do about the " brownies i" but let the night fall, let misfortune overtake them, and all doubts vanish. Ignorant of the laws of nature, knowing nothing of Providence; rebelling unconsciously against the" Buddhist dogma that the experiences of this life are the resultant of conduct in some previous state of existence, the Laos finds in the activity of these spirits his easiest explanation of· all theiUs that overtake him. And thus this belief and worship roots itself in every event and relation of his life, and constitutes, like the idolatry prevalent in the Roman world in. the first century, at once one chief difficulty in the way of his accepting the Gospel, and when he has accepted it, one chief source of temptation to apostasy.
3. Buddhism.-Buddhism is in Siam and Laos the most obtrusive of all facts. The missionary, as he enters the mouth of the Meinam, gets at the same moment his first sight of the red flag with the white elephant flying over a frowning fort, and of the glittering roof and spires of a Buddhist temple; and every day he spends in the land through whose gate his stj.lamer. is passing will teach him more clearly the significance of the scene that lies before him. And, first of all, Buddhism bars the way to the entrance of the Gospel into men's hearts because it is a religion of self~righteousness. Buddhism has three keywords-misery, transmigration, merit-and the greatest of these, the one most often uttered, is merit. Existence is. essentially wretched, but there is no escape from it ; nothing can stop the endless revolution of the wheel of birth and deAth j all that can be done is to make future existence less wretched than the present; and this can be accomplished only by personal merit. What we are is the result of what we have done, and what we shall be depends upon what we are doing now-this is the short creed of the Buddhist. There lies before the writer some rough memoranda of a conversation with a brother of the King of Siam. He had read the Bible, he said, in English and in Siamese, and always kept it by him. He admired much that was in it; he believed Christ to have been a good, wise, far-seeing man, and a great teacher, though not divine; he regarded Christianity and Buddhism as far superior to Mohammedanism, because the former appeal, as the latter does not, to direc1ly religious motives; but there was one thing in Christianity that he could never be brought to believe-it is that there can be any way of escape from the consequences of our own actions. " There can be. no Saviour," said he, "except as every man can save himself by doing good deeds. If any man can believe Christianity, he will no doubt be happy. I would be glad if I could believe it mYElelf j but I and ttll the higher classes of Siam hold firmly to the belief .that every man mUllt receive according to· his deeds. We cannot believe that God can be bribed to release any orie from his responsibility." And in deference to this conviction the Siamese have made"a vast investment in what they regttrd as work:s of merit. They have c8vered their land with temples and pagodas MISSION PREMISES, CHIENG MAL MISSION CHURCH, CHI ENG MAl, LAOS COUNTRY, and images of Buddha. More than half the men in the kingdom have spent some years at least in the priesthood. Not a household but has furnished one or more sons to the monastery ; not a woman but contributes to the daily support of the priests, and spends her treasured coins for gold leaf to make the idols spleBdid. It has not been enough to supply cities and villages with temples more plentifully than those of our own land are with churches; the very hilltops must be crowned with pagodas and splendid flights of stairs built to make access to them easy; the caverns of the mountains must be sought out and turned into temples for Lord Gautama. No nation under heaven can better than these Siamese Buddhists sympathize with Paul as he catalogues his grounds of confidence in the flesh, and his works of righteousness which he had done j and none knows better what it costs to say with him, what everyone must say who becomes It Christian, " But what things were gain to me, these I counted loss for Christ."
HELPS.
1. Religious Toleration. -But over against these hindrances to the progress of missions in Siam and Laos there are some helps that do not exist, or do not exillt to the same extent, in other fields. And, first, there is entire religious toleration, and that by law. The very prince whose views were quoted above began the interview in which he gave utterance to them by informing his missionary callers that he had just returned from a visit to Lakawn, a principal city of the Laos provinces, and that while there he had purchased and now wished to present to the mission a site for a mission station in that place. The same man afterward paid to the writer as mission treasurer the sum of two thousand rupees, a gift from his royal brother for the purpose of erecting a dispensary in this same city of Lakawn j and it was just this encouragement and help from the highest in the land that led to the establishment there of what has since become a flourishing station, with churc1es, schools, and hospital. And this only illustrates what for many years has been the attitnde of the ruling classes toward the efforts of the missionaries on their educational and medical sides. There are few incidents of modern missions that more strikingly exhibit the providential guidance of God than the oft-told story which reveals to us the fountain.
head of this tolerance in the influence of amissionary over the future King of Siam, then a refugee in a Buddhist monastery from the hatred of a usurper. It is because in 1845 Rev. Jesse Caswell became tutor to Prince Chow Til. Mongkut, that from the time of the latter's accession to the throne, six years later, the missionaries have enjoyed increasing liberty to preach and teach, acquire property, open schools and hospitals, and make converts. The one serious exception occurred in 1869, when the then King of Chieng Mai (the most important of the Laos provinces) put two native Christians to death. But the persecutor's hand was stayed by his OWIl death, and in 1878 the King of Siam issued his proclamation of religious liberty for the Laos States, and to-day the missionaries are as free to prosecute their work as ministers are at home.
2. Position of Woman.-Along with religious toleration, the position of wo~an in Siam, and particularly Laos, deserves to be mentioned as one of the conditions favorable to the success of missions. There is perhaps no heathen land where women occupy a better position than in the Laos States. Monogamy is the rule among the common people. There are no harems or zenanas. The women wear no veils. They are to be seen everywhere-at their homes, on the streets, in the fields, keeping stalls in the markets, worshipping at the temples. The missionary may address them as freely as he does their husbands, sons, and brothers. Though Buddhism makes no provision for the education of girls, no prejudice is felt against allowing them to attend mission schools, and the Church in Chieng Mai has more than once availed itself of the talents of her native Phrebes and Priscillas, sending them out two and two into the villages to teach the women and children especially, but the men too as they had opportunity.
3. Spirit-worship ])riving People to Christ.-Buddhism has its weak points; it has even rendered some services to Christianity. Its false cosmogony is easily shown to be false; it was the prediction by Dr. McGilvary of the exact day and hour of a coming eclipse that attracted the attention of the man who became the first convert of the Laos mission. The monasteries and temple schools have made the men a nation of readers, into whose hands Christian books may be put. The burden of maintaining the great hosts of priests in idleness, coupled with the dissolute lives led by some of them, has here and there disgusted a community with the ancient faith. The elaborate system of merit making fails to satisfy the consciences of the really earnest; the vanishing prospect of some time attaining in Nirvana escape from the weary round of birth and death sometimes appears as mere heartless mockery; and thus a man here and a woman there is prepared to welcome the proclamation of a Saviour, and eternal life through Him. And yet, when abatement has been made for all these things, Buddhism must still be pronounced one of Satan's masterpieces for deluding men's 80uls. But the writer is inclined to raise the question whether in spirit worship, as in the phenomenon of possession by demons in the days of our Lord, the wily Prince of Darkness has not overreached himself. For the worship of evil spirits is wholly a religion of fear. It brings no salve to the conscience; it makes no ground for self-righteousneRS; it offers no hope for the future, not even such hope as Buddhism gives. "What do you do when anyone dies~" the writer once asked of a group of Moo Surs, a mountain tribe whORe only religion is spirit worship. "We cry and put him in the ground," was the answer. This faith contains no single element of hope or comfort for this life or the life to come. Incantations, charms, offerings, pilgrimages serve but one endthey make the spirits propitious for the moment, and that is all. We
THE NEGBO AS.A )lISSION.ilty. &27
have heard our grandparents talk of a " dark day," when the sun seemed to shine through an inky haze. Every day is a dark day for the adherents of this superstition. They live under a pall of dread, and he who offers them a way of escape from this bondage is likely to have earnest listenel'll. Think what the Christian doctrine of God's providential care must be to such. And, as matter of fact, a large number of those who make up the Laos church have been driven to the missionaries by this very superstition. For in Siam, as everywhere, belief in spirits leads to belief in witches. The Laos man whose child has become suddenly ill, or whose buffalo has fallen into a pit, has a short and easy method of reasoning. " Thii hai befallen me because the spirits are angry with me. But why should the spirits be angry with me, who have taken such pains to appease them? Must not some witch have set them upon me 1" And who is the witch 1 Alas for his enemy, if he has one! Alas for his neighbors, if he lIas no enemy! For his suspicion of witchcraft once aroused will soon light on some hint of the witch, and forthwith the accusation is uttered. A jury of the village elders is impanclIedto hear his complaint; but the jury is as superstitious as the plaintiff, and the verdict will generally be guilty. And what will be the penalty incurred by the innocent victim of this accusation ~ He will be driven from the village, his house will be pulled down, his garden rooted up. And where shall he go? There are cities in Laos land wholly inhabited by such supposed witches, who have been herded together as though they were lepers. But some hundreds at least have gone to the missionaries for help. They have heard that the missionaries are not afraid of spirits; at any rate, the missionaries are foreigners, and a refuge may be found with them; and so they have come under the power of Gospel truth, and found Him who was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.
THE NEGRO AS A MISSIONARY. * BY THE REV. J. R. BRIDGES, SALEM, VA.
William H. Sheppard, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1865 at Waynesborough, Va. He grew up after the manner of his race, not much cumbered by cares or clothes. A pious lady said to him when a boy, " I have been praying that God may make you a Christian and send you to Africa." This boy is now a man who, after a strange experience in Africa, has been speaking to crowded houses, capturing all by his eloquence, fund of humor, and histrionic qualities. At the age of sixteen years he studied for four years at Hampton, Va., and then spent three years at the Colored Theological Seminary at Tuscaloosa, Ala., under the • The following I. a brief sketch of a most remarkable colored man, who .pent .ome time Ipeaking throul:h the South, and at the lalt meeting of thu Synod of Virginia received a mOlt enthnlluUc hearing. control of the Southern Presbyterian Church. He spent two years in Atlanta, Ga., in charge of a church, but his success was so poor that the committee under whom he was working hesitated to recommend him to the foreign work, when he proposed to accompany the late Rev. S. A. Lapsley to Congo Free State.
The Foreign Missionary Committee at Nashville, Tenn., under the guidance of the Spirit sent him, however, and February 26th, 1890, he and Lapsley sailed from New York for Africa. One was the son of an Alabama jurist, a fine type of the ante-bellum South, the other the son of an enslaved race, yet they proved kindred spirits in the Lord. LandinI{ at Matadi, on the Congo River, and going by Stanley Pool, they rea.ched Luebo, 1000 miles from the coast, where they established a sta.tion. Many are the incidents related of -Lapsley once preaching so tenderly concerning God's love for men that the women said, " If the Bakete women knew your God, they would sing to Him i" or at another time, awakened at midnight by a weeping mother, who begged him to take her dying child in his arms and" tell your God about him i" or at another time, buying from slave-traders a little girl whose mother they had slain and eaten, and had also compelled the child to feed upon her mother's flesh. At times their position was one of peril, but by using the African telegraph system they escaped. This system consists of two oblong bells welded together, which being struck with a stick produce certain notes, each meaning a certain thing. Every canoe in passing must report at each village, else these beHs are sounded and the next village is notified to look out. Once word was brought that the Mechoka, a fierce tribe, would come at night and destroy the missionaries. Instantly the missionaries had the alarm sounded,. and this message went from village to village. "The Mechoka are coming to destroy the missionaries." Armed bands came running in from every quarter, butthe enemy, taking the alarm, had fled.
While in Luebo Lapsley met some natives of fine form, high insteps, broad foreheads, and tall figures. Upon inquiry he found that they belonged to the Bakuba tribe, a people under the great King Lukenga, who, driving out all other tribes, now inhabited the most desirable region in the interior, into which no foreigner had ever entered, as the penalty was death to the foreigner and destruction to the village showing the road.
The traders and Belgian officials for nine years, and even the king of Belgium, had tried through presents to gain an entrance, but in vain. These two brave men, feeling called of God to the work, made necessary preparations. While Lapsley was at Stanley Pool forwarding the goods, Sheppard, Jacob-like, made savory messes, with which he enticed the passing Bakubas, and thus, while eating with them, he learned many words of their language. Lapsley died suddenly at Underhill, a station at the foot of the Livingstone Cataracts, and the news of his death fell like a thunderclap upon the station at Luebo. Sheppard now regarded the contemplated work as a legacy fro~ his departed friend, and it is a striking proof of the heroic faith of the man that, though alone in Africa, deprived of the man upon whom he had always leaned, he started the following day on his perilous journey. Out of forty only eight men and a small boy responded to his call for men whose hearts were strong. When he reached the first Bakuba village he was royally entertained, but no one would point out thc road farther on. They agreed that his servant should go with a trading party to the next market-town for eggs. This man re1,urning guided him to the next village, where he was kindly received, but the people were publicly warned against showing the foreigner the road upon the pain of death. Again he man- aged to get permission for his man to go to the next town for eggs, and thus reached the next village. Here he was in' a quandary. The egggame would not work, for they offered to supply his wants at home. In his efforts at cornering the home market he performed wonders at eggeating, managing to di!lpose of thirty eggs at one meal; the eggs, however, were small and he was hungry and desperate. While seeking in the woods Divine guidance, three women came from a village ahead. When they returned home he quietly followed and reached another stage on his journey.
He had now been on the road thirty days, losing it often and often unable to travel at all. At M'Boma he remained one month, unable to advance or to go back, as the rains had washed away his marks. Finally three ivory traders on their way to Lukenga's capital passed by. Sheppard sent his headman to follow them at a distance and to mark the crossroads, he with the caravan following behind. Through five villages they passed, and finally reached Bechebing, 40 miles from the capital. The traders, giving them the slip. reported at the capital that a foreigner was on the road. In the mean time the people of the village refused to receive him for fear of their own destruction. That night he spent in the woods, and the next day the king's son, N'toinzadi, with fifty warriors camc to bring the villagers and the foreigner to the king to be beheaded. They seized the people, put ropes around their necks, and then seized Sheppard's men. Sheppard sat on a stool praying and not knowing when his turn would come. In despair he called to the leader in the Bakuba tongue, and assured him that he alone was to be blamed. " You speak my language," said the prince. " Yes. " "And you have come this journey without a guide~" " Yes. " "But did you not know all these paths years ago~" "No; this is my first trip." He then consulted with his men, and coming back said, " Remain here till I return from my father."
The villagers were released on parole, and for three days he waited in anxiety and prayer, not knowing whether the issue would be life or death. The villagers passed him with averted faces, as if blaming him for their threatened ruin, and he imagincd that he could read reproaches in his own men's eyes. In the mean time the king had consulted his wise men, who decided that Sheppard was PO Pay M'Cobba, who reigned before Lukenga, and that he had passed into the body of Sheppard. The prince and other nobles were sent to bring this resurrect-ed ancestor to the capital. On their way to the capital Sheppard was received with marked honor and free-will offerings of sheep and goats. Reaching the capital, they were put in houses different from any they had seen in Africa. Each house had an attic, in which corn and ivory were stored. It was surrounded by double fences ten feet high. In the house were carved bedsteads, tables, clothes-racks, and mats. The city was laid off in squares separated by broad streets.
Three days he remained in the house, while hundreds crowded the yard. The fourth day the king received him in the great square. Escorted by four princes, he passed through thousands of children, some rolling hoops and others running ahead playing leap-frog.
On the public square a large circle had been formed of blanket cloth with leopard skins for a carpet, and there he found the aged sister of the king, his Majesty with seven hundred wives, which number, however, did not represent the full complement. The king was borne by stalwart men. He was dressed in blue robes trimmed with cowries and beads, and his crown was ornamented with blue and white beads surmounted by a white tassel. Around his neck and legs were small brass rings. He presented Sheppard with a knife which had been handed down through the reign of seven Lukengas, and upon the butt end is a seal, which has been the deathwarrant of many thousand lives. The king is nearly seventy-five years old. He will be succeeded by his eldest son, who lives in his own house, nev.er to be seen by anyone till he ascends the throne. Between the heirapparent and Mr. Sheppard pleasant messages have been exchanged. The king has granted him land, houses, and stock, and given him permission to labor among his people.
Mr. Sheppard, in an interview with the king, endeavored to convince him that he was not PO Pay M'Cobba, but the king only smiled pleasantly. The civilization of this country is far beyond any yet found in the heart of Africa. Their code of laws is simple, clear, and rigidly enforced. Polygamy is prohibited except in the royal family. Adultery and fornication are punished by death. Gambling or drunkenness entails slavery upon the man's family. No loud noises are permitted after a certain hour at night. A thief confessing is fined, but denying, he must submit to the ordeal by poison. Every third day is a day of rest from labor. Dancing consists of a movement with music, one standing behind the other, no one touching the other. They dress in flowing robes made of native cloth. They are very particular about their personal appearance. Said a native, " Sheppard, you have no knife." "Yes, why do you say so ?" "Because your finger-nails are dirty." They only believe in an evil principle that brings storms and death. Slaves are slain to accompany their dead to the spirit-land. One thousand slaves were buried with the king's mother.
ON IDOLATRY. "THOU SHALT NOT-" S31
Mr. Sheppard obtained liberty to leave after promising to return in twelve moons. While in London he delivered a lecture in Exeter Hall, and was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an honor conferred upon Mr. Stanley when he returned from Africa. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, evolved from a Virginia negro through the power of Almighty Grace, is our hero.
ON IDOLATRY. "THOU SHALT NOT-"
BY THE LATE REV. SAMUEL MATEER, OF TRAVANCORE, INDIA.
Among the Ten Commandments uttered amid thunders and lightnings and awe-inspiring signs by Jehovah Himself from Mount' Sinai, and engraven by His own finger on tables of stone as of perpetual obligation on all mankind, the second commandment is very full and express and particular. Its importance is thus evident, and the design that the injunction should not be violated, as if the fact that men would ill every possible way seek to infringe or evade it was present to the Divine mind, which, no doubt, it was.
The first commandment refers to the object of worship-none other but the true and living God, the same who chose the Israelites and l;evealed Himself to them as His peculiar people for the preservation of His revealed truth and the ultimate enlightenment of the nations, and who brought them up out of the land of Egypt and established them in the Holy Land. The second refers to the manner of worship : it must not be through images or visible representations of any kind or under any form. Idolatry denotes the worship of the Deity in a visible form, whether intended to represent the true God or false divinities. The meaning is so plain that Roman Catholics habitually omit this in all catechisms and summaries of doctrine, and to help them in so doing, they do not count it in the number ten, but divide the last commandment into two to make np the total of the Ten Words spoken of in Scripture. But in India we can refer them to the ancient colony of Jews in Cochin as authorities for a genuine copy of the Law, for as God committed the New Testament to the keeping of the Christian Church, so He committed His oracles of the Old Testament to the guardianship of the Jews, who also have been faithful to their trust; as testified by our Lord and His apostles; and our preachers sometimes relate to the Romanists a story of an image of St. Anthony and that of one of the Hindu gods made out of the same piece of timber and regarded by the carpenters as elder and younger brothers. Roman Catholics therefore are unable to join us in open-air discussions against Hinduism, for they are at once confounded by being charged with their image-worship.
Idolatry does not signify merely the worship of a material image as itllelf a living and powerful god, though e'en that is done by ignorant millions of the common people in India. There is a ceremony of COll!!ecration by which the gods are invited to take up their abode and inhabit the image. In Travancore the eyes of the image are sometimes opened by painting in the pupil on the background left by the workmen. There are some images, as the Salagram, a fossil shell found in rivers, which are supposed not to require consecration, being of themselves inherently the habitation of the indwelling deity without its being put in by any consecration ceremony. But few Hindus think of the consecration or distinguish between the image and the spiritual being represented by it. Indeed, the pantheism of India, which deifies the universe, rQgards all things as God and God as all, and declares the highest attainment of spiritual wisdom to consist in a poor, miserable, naked, half-civilized man's coming to say, "I am God." The idol is practically worshipped as itself God. It is bathed with water or milk, and anointed with oil, and carried to the sea or a river in state procession for a bath. This is one of the great periodical ceremonies in Hindu temples. The image is cooled in the hot season by water in a pot hung over it and dripping constantly upon it. It is clothed, and fed, and fanned, and regaled with the sweet scent of flowers and sandalwood. It is married, put to sleep, wakened in the morning by the blowing of the shell trumpet. Female images are said to be at times defiled; others catch cold and are sick or benumbed by enchantment. At Madura one opened the left eye to look in displeasure on a Mohammedan. And when the idol has shown itself disgracefully careless of the prayers and ungrateful for the offerings of the worshippers, it is beaten, contemptuously sat upon, broken up. or cast away. A man in Travancore erected a small temple on government land without leave. He was ordered to remove it, and delaying, a fine of a hundred rupees was imposed. He destroyed the whole, exclaiming, "What is the use of worshipping dumb idols that cannot help me in my time of need~" In the apprehension of the people in general the idols are real deities. They occupy the place of God and receive all the homage and honor He justly claims.
What said Rajah Rammohun Roy, a distinguished Hindu reformer ~ " Many Europeans feel a wish to palliate and soften the features of Hindu idolatry, and are inclined to inculcate that all objects of worship are considered by their votaries as emblematical representations of the Supreme Divinity. The truth is the Hindus of the present day have no such views of the subject, but firmly believe in the real existence of innumerable gods and goddesses who possess in their own departments full and independent power, and to propitiate them, and not the true God, are temples erected and ceremonies performed."
Only by the statements of the worshippers themselves can we ascertain whether the material idols themselves are worshipped or not. Some years ago a stone idol, a Salagram, was the subject of litigation in a eourt in Calcutta, and the judge consulted his Brahman interpreter and the Brahman agent of the plaintiff whether the idol could not be brought into the court for identification. They answered that it could not be brought in- side the court-house because matting is regarded as a conductor of cere- monial pollution, but it might be brought into the corridor of the building, which was done.
A great indignation meeting, however, was held by the Hindus of Calcutta, about ten thousand being present, headed by their leading priests and scholars. A distinguished Pundit addressed the meeting. " An idol," said he, " which was worshipped with all their heart, mind, and strength had been polluted. An object of worship was always kept in a sacred place, and for it to be moved into a court of justice was worse than sacrilege."
The next speaker said: "The God of heaven is an object of worship. He is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of things on earth, and now it occurs for the first time in the annals of British Indian history that a creature of the earth could order about a god of heaven as he liked. It was, therefore, their duty to take steps to prevent a recurrence of such sacrilege. " Here it is distinctly assumed that the idol itself is identical with the God of heaven, not a mere memorial or sign of His presence.
The natural desire of man is to see God-to walk by sight rather than by faith. To such it may seem desirable to have an image, an emblem, a reminder of God constantly before them to guide and help their conception of God, a visible symbol representing an invisible power. This might seem to some men a reasonable expedient as a first step to the knowledge of God. The Parsees now claim to be Theists, notwithstanding their worship of fire and the sun, taking these as the noblest emblems of Almighty God. The Israelites, when they worshipped the golden calf, said, " These be Thy gods (Elohim) which brought Thee up out of the land of Egypt. To-morrow shall be a feast to Jehovah." So also Jeroboam, 1 Kings 12 : 28. The Romanists tell us they only give an inferior worship to their images of the Virgin and saints. The Hindus perhaps had the idea in their mind of representing great power by the four arms of Vishnu and the sixteen of Siva and other representations.
But this is the very thing absolutely prohibited by God-any attempt to give men the knowledge of God by images or visible representations. It is emphatically forbidden in the Word of God, both in the Old and New Testaments. It is condemned by practice and precept, by prohibition and threatening. To bow adoringly to any image is a plain violation of God's law. It is not acceptable worship, but unbelief and disobedience. It is abomination and an insult to the living God. He is jealous of any attempt to worship Himself by any medium. "God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." However expedient and desirable it may seem to men to use images and pictures in divine worship, Scripture is the only standard and authority upon the subject. In the Word of God there is much about idolatry, and it is condemned and deprecated and rebuked with all the argument and scorn and vehemence of which human language is capable.
Idol worship does not as a matter of fact and experience aid men in the worship of God. It is unprofitable and useless. It does not remind the Hindus of God their Creator, Father, and Ruler, nor supply any aid or incitement to moral excellence and virtue.
" To whom will ye liken God, or what likeness will ye compare unto Him 1" ,, We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone graven by art and device of man." It is impossible to convey any conception of God by an image of anything in heaven or earth or under the earth. On the contrary, idols are deceptive, and convey false and ruinous ideas of God. " Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself." The idea of God is obscured and de. graded. Such gods have been compared to the Brocken spectre seen at dawn on one of the mountains in Germany, but the magnified and distorted shadows of the people themselves, human frailties and passions and virtues projected -and magnified upon the heavens. These gods are simply immortal men. The stories told in the vile mythology of India about the crimes of their gods and the depraving legends of their amours are derogatory to God, dishonoring to His perfections, and virtually a blasphemy of the Divine Being, who cannot lie and is of purer eyes than to look upon iniquity. The votaries of such gods "feed upon ashes, a deceived heart has led them astray. " "They that worship idols are like unto them. " Men will imitate the character of the gods they worship. Indeed, according to the highest teaching of Hindu sages, idols are not worshipped for anything but temporal benefits and prosperity. We are accustomed to appeal to the Hindus when some attempt to defend idolatry- Do these idols lead you to God 1 Do they aid you in virtue 1 Are your people godly, truthful, righteous, chaste, good 1 We appeal to their own consciences as to the general character of those who worship idols, and the abominable fables related of their gods, and can boldly compare all this with the history of Jesus Christ and the character inculcated in Holy Scripture and exemplified in the native Christians around them.
Take again the testimony of the learned and enlightened Rajah Rammohun Roy. He says: "Idolatry, as now practised by our countrymin, must be looked upon with great horror by common sense as leading directly to immorality and destructive of social comforts. For every Hindu who devotes himself to this absurd worship constructs for that purpose a couple of male and female idols, sometimes indecent in form, as representatives of his favorite deities. He is taught and enjoined from his infancy to contemplate and repeat the history of these as well as their fellow deities, though the actions ascribed to them be only a continued series of debauchery, sensuality, falsehood, ingratitude, breach of trust, and treachery to friends. There can be but one opinion respecting the moral character to be expected of a person who has been brought up with sentiments of reverence to such beings, who refreshes his memory relative to them almost every day, and who has been persuaded to believe that a repetition of the holy name of one of these deities, or a trifling present to his image or to his devotees, is sufficient not only to purify and free him from all crimes whatsoever, but to procure for him future beatitude."
Idolatry invariably degrades, belittles, and corrupts the mind. The worshippers as well as the images have eyes, but they see not; ears, but they hear not. An elaborate and debasing ceremonialism takes the place of spiritual religion. In the earliest of the Hindu Vedas we seem to find something of a monotheistic faith, and there is no mention of idols. Then came the worship of the elements, then of the deities supposed to preside over the powers of air, fire, water, and earth, then the worship of innumerable gods, and within the last thousand years the wicked and monstrous fables, the elaborate ritual, the cruel asceticism, the outward meritorious ceremonies of the Puranas and popular Hinduism, down to the worship of the cow and monkeys and snakes, of the mint and the linga-yea, of the meanest objects in creation. Monotheism is utterly lost in the multitude of divinities. It was by such degrees that the Hindus" changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them up in the lnsts of their hearts unto uncleanness." As Matthew Henry says: "Whoever thinks one God too little will find two too many, and yet hundreds not enough." Truly, their sorrows are multiplied that hasten after another God. Idolatry is utterly useless for the purpose for which it is now defended, as leading men's minds to God and His service.
Again, idolatry is not only an insufficient system of worship, but the Word of God declares that it is injurious; it is rebellion, high treason against the Divine authority. It springs from disobedience and rejection of God. The genesis of idolatry is sin in the heart.
Whatever theories may be held as to the lower animals (and the theory of evolution is far from being proved), we know from Divine revelation that men at first knew God, but fell. "Since the creation of the world God's everlasting power and divinity are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made, that they may be without excuse. Because that, knowing God, they glorified Him not as God, neither gave thanks. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator." Men shut their eyes to the light they had. They" refused to have God in their knowledge. " They were not willing that He should be King, should be a spirit and worshipped in spirit and in truth. Judged by their own natural light they are to blame. Like the rich man who hinted that the Scriptures were not enough for the salvation of his brethren without some one rising from the dead and becoming visible to their sight; like the Israelites who cried, "Make us gods that they may go before us," the frequent demand of the heathen is for a material vision of God. Show us God. Let us look at Him with our eyes and not be troubled to exercise faith in an invisible being and to exercise our hearts in spiritual meditation and loving communion.
Hence it is that the living God is the one being whom Hindus do not worship. There is not a single temple in the'whole of India to the one God. The heart that feels not the want of the living God as its proper nntriment will feed on the ashes of idolatry. Men will worship secondary causes instead of the great First Cause, the Author and Giver of all good. The fisher, we read in Hab. 1 : 16, "sacrificeth unto his net and burneth incense unto his drag, because by them his portion is fat and his meat plenteous. " So in India the implements of war, learning, arts, and agriculture are worshipped annually-the sword of the warrior, the tools of the artisan, the books and pens of the scholar, the almanac and accountbooks of the merchant. We have known Christian officers in India lend their swords and subscribe toward the cost of these ceremonies. Distrust in God and His power and grace, and reliance on the creature, are at the bottom of idolatry. "When one god is asleep another can help us," they say, "but as for you who worship but one God, when He is asleep, there is none to help you."· "One god is good for one thing, another for other things," is their doctrine. The omniscience of God is hidden from them. " Can you tell us of a god whom we can worship in the house without travelling so far and getting so fatigued~" The worship of the sun or the moon is declared by Job to be a denial of the God that is above, to whom we owe life and breath and all things. We are, therefore, specially anxious, in these days, to show the Hindus not only the folly and uselessness of idolatry, but to awake their consciences to a sense of its sinfulness and criminality before God.
Idolatry is a great sin against the majesty of the God of heaven, and is so spoken of in Scripture. Godly men would rather lose their life than yield to it. "We have no need," said the three godly Jews to the king of Babylon, "to answer thee in this matter. Be it known unto thee, o king, that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. " The early Christian martyrs were asked but to cast a pinch of incense into the fire before the image, but would rather die than do so. Were they right? Certainly-rather die than deny the God that made us and loves us and redeemed us by his dear Son Jesus Christ.
Therefore it is that God has so often and so warmly declared His displeasure against idolatry. God must rule the universe, there is no other way possible. God is love, but He must love righteousness and hate iniquity. "My glory will I not give to another, nor My praise to graven images." He cannot transfer His supremacy to another, else the world would perish, righteousness would perish. No sin is more offensive to· God than thus to rob Him of His glory and give that glory to the finite creature. He is provoked to wrath by the rejection of Himself and perversion of His gifts to evil. " My bread which I gave, the fine flour and oil and honey wherewith I fed thee, thou did set before the imagel!l fora sweet savor." "I gave Israel the corn and the wine and the oil, and multiplied unto her silver and gold, which they used for Baa!." "The idol is a shameful thing." "It is an abomination to the Lord, an iniquity which shall be visited upon the third and fourth generation of them that hate Him." It is ingratitude, contempt, and rejection of God's rnle and dominion.
The Israelites were ordered to destroy all images and not to intermarry with idolaters. Idolatry in the nation was to be punished with death, and three thousand were slain for the worship of the golden calf. " If ye shall go and serve other gods and worship them, then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them." For their idolatry and crimes the Canaanites were destroyed from the face of the earth. The Jews themselves suffered many national disasters, and ultimately a long captivity as a punishment for their idolatry.
Again, idolatry is in Scripture classed with the grossest sins, as one of them and leading to them. Neglect or abandonment of God must lead to sin. It is a fruitful source of superstition and vice. " Images," said Augustine, " are of more force to pervert the soul than to instruct it. " The gods that men invent are suited to their taste- " Gods changeful, passionate, unjust, Whose attributes are rage, revenge, and lust."
Gods not abhorring sin and easily pardoning vice, pleased with an external ritual without the veneration of the heart, under the power of their worshippers by their offerings and incantations. None of the Hindu deitiel!l represent any virtue.
Fearful cruelty and crimes which it is a shame even to speak of usually accompany idolatry. Its chief seats have always been cesspools of immorality and vice, and its allurements sensual pleasure. Missionaries are often at a disadvantage because they are unable to explain to a general audience the horrors of evil with which they are acquainted. In India almost every large temple has numerous priestesses engaged in vice, religious courtesans. These are spoken of as the servants and the wives of the god. We have known a melancholy case of a young woman who had been for some time under Christian instruction, but became irregular in attendance, and, when asked the cause, confessed that she was about to become the twenty.first wife of the god Bhuthanatha-" the wife of a stone," said she j "that is, the wife of anybody that wishes. Who can help me," she mourned j "it is settled by the gods, and I must submit to my fate."
It is all this indulgence in sensuality and pleasure that attracts and retains the worshippers, as it did the Israelites formerly. Idolatry exercises no restraint on vice, but rather encourages it. "In heathenism we can do as we like," some tell us, " but if we become Christians we must keep the ten commandments." The very carvings on temples and idol cars are often abominable, obscene, and bestial. From idolatry sprang human sa.crifices, formerly pra.ctised in India, the hook swinging, not yet effectually put down by government, and other sanguinary rites, widow burning and throwing of children into the idolized Ganges, weary penances, and toilsome pilgrimages. From idolatry and its distrust of Almighty God springs the resort to evil spirits for pretended divination, sorcery, magical arts, and demoniac possession. In the Tamil tractate Subhradipam, written by a native Christian, an argument against Hinduism is adduced from the fearful imprecations and magical charms and rites sanctioned by it for the destruction of enemies. Hence sorcery as well as sensual lusts are usually associated with idolatry in Scripture. " The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like, of which I forewarn you that they which practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Lastly, it is but reasonable, as it is certainly scriptnral, to declare that idolatry is fatal to the souls of men. The Word of God declares the future punishment of idolaters. Everywhere in Holy Scripture it is spoken of as destructive to the souls of men. We must either give up the inspiration of the Word or accept the lost condition of the world. God says that men are perishing, and there is but one way of salvation for them. " This is life eternal, to know God," and men do not care to know God or to retain Him in their knowledge. What multitudes have withIn the last century heard the preaching of the Gospel and rejected it! Idolaters are under the" power of Satan," and many expressly worship devils as more prudent and profitable and more urgently necessary than the worship of God.
Ve read in Rev. 9 : 20 of those who "repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which neither see, nor hear, nor walk." So idolaters need to repent of this sin, and few do so.
Observe the connection in 1 Thess. 1 : 9, 10 between idolatry and the wrath to come, from which Jesus had delivered the Thessalonian converts, " Ye turned unto God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come."
See also Rev. 21 : 8, " For 1,he fearful, and unbelieving, and abomiooble, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Thus if we accept the testimony of Holy Scripture, and view idolatry in the light in which we are told God views it, we cannot rest; with the poor, cold, feeble, inadequate argument for missions that some are now resorting to, that the heathen must somehow be saved by the mercy of God, but
RAILROADS IN TURREY
we should add to their happiness and spiritual privileges by sending them the Gospel. That principle is one of mere philanthropy. No! They are living in sin, and to a great extent, in India at least, knowingly and wilfully, against the law written in their hearts and consciences, in the love of sin. They are responsible and guilty. They have such acquaintance with duty as is essential to accountability. They cling to heathenism even after hearing of God. They need therefore the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and not only from love to our Blessed Saviour and from obedience to Him, but from love and compassion to millions of perishing souls, should we send the Gospel to rescue them from their misery and danger. May God prosper the glorious work !
RAILROADS IN TURKEY.
BY REV. DR. HENRY H. JESSUP, BEIRUT, SYRIA.
It is well known that the present ruler of Turkey, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan, is in favor of the material improvement of the Empire. He is a friend of railroads and wagon roads, and more has been done during the eighteen years of his reign in this direction than in all preceding reigns.
The accompanying sketch map has been prepared to show the various railways already built, and others under construction and proposed.
I. The Jaffa-Jerusalem Railroad, about 50 miles long, of standard gauge, constructed by a French company. This is eminently a sentimental railway, as it can hardly be expected to pay dividends to the stockholders. It may pay the employes and running expenses, and thus be saved from collapse. The tourist and pilgrim seasons are short, and during the greater part of the year it resembles the railways to the American mountain summer resorts during the winter. The last Arabic official journals just received from Beirut deny that this railway has been purchased by the Rothschilds, but add the somewhat remarkable news that the French company have asked permission from the Sultan to extend the road to the Dead Sea and Jericho. As Jerusalem is 2600 feet above the sea-level, and the Dead Sea is 1300 feet below it, there is a descent of 3900 feet in about 18 miles. A Swiss cog-wheel road could be built without difficulty in these days of engineering triumphs, but the question arises cui bono? The few hundreds or even thousands of poor pilgrims who go down to Jericho and the Jordan annually would never compensate the company even for running expenses, especially as the majority of the Russian pilgrims, in their superstitious devotion, come to Palestine with a vow that they will walk all the way from Jaffa to Jerusalem, to Jordan, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and back to Jaffa. The Dead Sea, with its salt and bitter waters, would seem, in a poetical sense, to be an appropriate place to " end" a railway which is said to be already a financial failure.
The Sultan has recently annexed to the Turkish Empire the district of Kir Moab (Kerak), southeast of the Dead Sea, where the sheikhs of the MajeUa Arabs have so long defied the government and levied blackmail upon travellers. A wagon road has been surveyed from Kerak to the Mezraa, on the southeast shore of the Dead Sea, and a steam launch is said to be prepared to run between the northern shore and Mezraa. As a military convenience to the Turkish garrison holding Kerak, this is a wise arrangement, but hardly enough to give business to the Jericho extension of the Jerusalem Railway.
A far more encouraging piece of news comes by the last Arabic journals of October 16th from Beirut, that the Jaffa Railway Company have asked of the Sultan a " concession" for building a breakwater and harbor at Jaffa. No tourist to Palestine can ever forget the perils of landing at Jaffa. It is proposed to build a stone breakwater enclosing a port large enough to admit steamers, and to extend the railway to the harbor.
II. The Haifa-Damascus Railway. A firman was given some years since to a native Syrian for the construction of a railway, standard gauge, from Haifa, under Mount Carmel, through the plain of Esdraelon south of Nazareth, via Jezreel and Bethshan to the Jordan south of the Sea of Galilee, thence northeast through the land of Javlon to Damascus, with a branch into Houran and east of the Jordan.
This concession was sold to an English company in London, who surveyed the road, let its construction to contractors, and a few miles of track were laid southward along the Kishon. Then came a sudden halt. The work stopped. The Syrian concessionaire sued the company for a heavy amount, and this with other suits is said to amount to some £80,000 sterling. The engineers in Haifa, having received no pay for seven months, seized all the plans and surveys of the road, and, according to reports published in the Lisan el Hal journal of Beirut, in September, were about to leave for London to prosecute the company. There has been gross mismanagement somewhere, and the whole enterprise is imperilled. It had proposed to continue the road eventually from Damascus to Baghdad.
III. The Beirut-Damascus Railway. The concession for this road was obtained four years since by a Syrian Mohammedan gentleman, Hassan Effendi Beihum, and by him sold to a French company, which has owned the Damascus Diligence road since 1860, and has also just completed a fine breakwater and harbor in Beirut at a cost of about $500,000. This road consists of three divisions: 1. From Beirut to Damascus. This crosses the Lebanon range at an elevation of 5000 feet. It is a narrow-gauge road, and has a third cograil on the steep grades. It pass@s northwest of Shtoreh below Zahleh, thence east to Wady Yehfofeh and Zebedany, and down the valley of the Barada (t1l.e Abana) to Damascus. This road will be open for traffic within a year.
2. The Damascus-Honran brauch. This ruus south of Damascus to the vast wheat region of Bashan and Houran, and is to terminate at Bozrah or Mezeirib. It is already finished and open for traffic. It will protJW)te the pacification of that turbulent district and provide a cheap outlet for the splendid wheat harvests of Houran, besides increasing largely the area of cultivated land. It will also be used by the Hajj pilgrim cara- van on the first stage of its progress from Damascus to Mecca.
3. The Damascus-Aleppo-Birijik branch. This is under survey, run- ning from Damascus northeast to Nebk and Kuryetein, thence northwest to Hums and Hamath, thence to Aleppo and northeast to Birijik on the Euphrates.
This is a part of the future inland mercantile and military trunk rail- way from Constantinople to Damascus. It passes through a fertile region now almost wholly abandoned as pasture land to the Bedouin Arabs.
IV. The Mersin-Tarsus-Adana Railway. This road was built some years since by an English company as the beginning of a through line to Mosul. It is completed only to Adana, and its extension eastward is among the uncertainties of the future.
V. The Constantinople-Angora-Cresarea Railway. This road is com- pleted to Angora, and is under construction to Cresarea, with the expectation of its ultimate extension to Diarbekir, Mosul, and Baghdad. It will, no doubt, connect at some time with Birijik and Damascus.
VI. The Smyrna-Ephesus-Aidin Railway. This is already extended 70 miles east of Aidin to Serai Kowy. through the finest fig-producing region in the world. It will, no doubt, be extended still farther eastward.
VII. The Constantinople and Bulgarian Railway. This is the connecting link between Constantinople and Western Europe.
The advantages of railway communication in this great Empire will be very great.
1. Large tracts of fertile land now lying desolate through insecurity will be brought under government control and settled by the peasantry now crowded into the mountain districts for mutual protection. The -great wheat region of Houran and Bashan and the vast trans-Jordanic pasture lands now claimed by the Bedouin Arabs will be gradually restored to cultivation.
The line from Damascus to Aleppo borders a district of great fertility, now desolate or sparsely settled and at the mercy of the Mowali, Hadideh, and A 'nazi Arabs. Mount Lebanon is crowded with villagers who earn a scant subsistence from their rocky terraces, but are afraid to venture out upon the plains. This railway will encourage settlers, enable the goverp.- ment to protect them, and thus benefit the whole land.
2. It will make travel more safe and economical. A box of Bibles now Bent from Beirut to Mosul (the ancient Nineveh) goes by caravan, and is
GROWTH OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN JAPAN
a month on the passage, and during the winter is liable to injury and delay from pouring rains and impassable roads. This is true of other routes, and increased facilities will increase opportunities for good.
3. It is to be hoped that increased means of intercourse will tend to bring the different tribes and nationalities of this motley and much-divided empire into a better acquaintance with each other. The Protestant communities of Asia Minor have little to do with those of Syria and Palestine; and yet they are under a common civil organization, with a common wakil or civil head in Constantinople. If the future Evangelical Church of the Empire is to be a unit, and co-operate for the common weal and the spread of the Gospel, the people must know each other, and send delegates to each other's conferences. Railways will make this possible. At present it is out of the question.
THE GROWTH OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN JAPAN.
BY REV. A. D. HAIL, D.D., JAPAN.
The Protestant division of the Church in Japan has passed through two periods in its progress, and is now in the initial stages of its third period. These may be loosely characterized as the periods of preliminary resistance, relaxation of resistance and revival, and reaction.
The first period embraces the time from 1859-72. To the missionaries of this period Japan was a Jericho, around the walls of which the powers that be, under severe penalty, forbade the priests the privilege of even "blowing their horns." The swaggering Samurai not only "looked daggers," but carried them, and that, too, with a purpose. Indeed, the threat was made that should the Christian's God Himself come to great Japan, even His head would be cut off. The whole chrysanthemum country was completely combined against Christianity.
When the Roman Catholic form of Christianity reached the high-tide of its great success several centuries ago, it drew to itself the attention of the Buddhists. They bQgan a series of persecutions and oppositions which were not terminated with the supposed extermination of those Christians. When our pioneer missionaries came they had, accordingly, to live in an atmosphere of suspicion and hatred generated by the same persecuting power. They found edicts everywhere on the government bulletin-boards against the faith they had come to propagate. The first teachers employed often proved themselves to be government spies. One man hired himself to Dr. Hepburn in order that he might find a favorable opportunity for assassinating him, and was disarmed only by the impression made upon him by the good doctor's uniform Christian kindness. Not quite twenty-five years ago several thousand Catholic Christians, still secretly maintaining their faith, were discovered and subjected to a cruel imprisonment, many of them in the neighboring city of Wakayama.
When the edicts were first taken down by the new government, it was only that they might be renewed by itself. The masses feared Chris_ tianity. and the rulers hated it. So late as 1872, when an inquiry was made of the Governor of Kobe (Hyogoken) whether a native bookseller would be permitted to sell the English Bible, the reply was given that any Japanese who sold a Bible knowing it to be such would have to go to prison.
By the close of 1859 the American Episcopal, Northern Presbyterian, and Dutch Reformed churches had missionaries upon the ground. One of Commodore Perry's sailors, a Baptist, came in 1860. The A. B. C. F. M.
and C. M. S. entered the field in 1869. The total number of missionaries at the close of 1872 was 28. During the first period, up to the time of the organization of the first church, 10 persons only had received baptism, 5 in Central and 5 in Southern Japan. The first convert, the teacher of Rev. James Ballagh, was baptized by him in 1864. The first church was organized March 20th, 1872, in Yokohama, consisting of 9 young men baptized on that day and 2 middle-aged men who had been previously baptized.
With 1873 began a new era in the progress of Christianity. The attitude of the rulers began to change. An embassy left Japan in December, 1871, making the round of the leading Western nations, returning in 1873. This body was composed of men of such ability and social standing as to have much weight and wide influence. The country began to wake up from its Rip Van Winkle sleep of ages. The edicts against Christianity were taken down, and the hundreds of Roman Catholic Christians were released from imprisonment. Various national reforms were undertaken, the Gregorian calendar was adopted, telegraphs, railroads, daily papers, postal treaties with West ern nations, school systems, prison reforms, and many other improvements began largely at this time, and so the Mikado's empire began to move into line with the great nations of the world. With this year also new missions began to be established, and 29 missionaries came which more than doubled the force already on the ground. At this time also the Committee on Bible Translation began its work. In the 55 missionaries on the field at the close of 1873 ten missions and 8 different bodies of Christians were represented. This second period closed about 1887. The .missionaries on the ground had increased in number, from 1873-78, to 99 ; 1879,122 ; 1882, 138 ; 1885, 183 ; 1887, 253. The converts numbered in 1873 about 125(?) with two organized churches. The number of baptized believers had increased in 1876 to 1004; 1879, 2965 ; 1882, 4987 ; 1885, 11,678; 1887, 19,825. During this period occurred three important and helpful events. The New Testament translation was finished November 3d, 1879; (The committee engaged in this work to its close were Rev. S. R. Brown, D.D., Rev. D. C. Greene, D.D., Rev. Dr. McLay, and Rev. J. C. Hepburn, M.D., D.D.) This was about five years and six months from the time they began it. Another important event was the conference of missionaries held in Osaka, April, 1883. Although every Christian body was represented and all the burning questions of mission polity were warmly discussed, yet the sub-base of a common love to our common Lord was the undertone heard through it all. The inftuence of that meeting for good still lingers, and has specially contributed to subsequent Christian comity and fellowship.
There was also about this time a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit and an uplift of the spiritual life of the Church. It spread throughout the entire country. It entered the Christian schools, and delegates from these went to the various churches to exhort them to do great things for Christ. The triennial convention of the Japanese brethren, which is one of their fixed in~titutions, was that year pervaded by such a spirit of prayer that they found it difficult to follow their prearranged programme. It was truly a Pentecostal time, and one in which the Holy Spirit's power assumed a new meaning. This served to give a good direction to the preaching services in the churches and the Christian addresses in the theatres and other places during those days. It also served to prepare the Church for the third and terribly trying period upon which it was soon to enter.
With 1878 Japan began to swing to the other extreme in regard to their treatment of things Western. A nation whose intensity of feeling against Christianity and Western peoples isolated them for three centuries, has in the continuity of its past a potent instrument for either good or evil. With this in the hands of a designing priesthood the politicians become mere puppets, while true patriots and Christian Japanese leaders have their inftuence greatly circumscribed, and also as members of the" body politic" must have their own feelings more or less colored by it.
The schools were the first to feel the effects of the reaction. The attendance dropped from 10,297 in 1888 to 8758 in 1889-90 i in 1890-91 was another drop of 1861, leaving the enrolment for that scholastic year 6897. The year 1893 shows an increase of 253 over 1892, but less by 2305 than in 1887-88.
During these years there has also been an annually decreasing number of adult baptisms, dropping from 6884 in 1888 to 3636 in 1893. The number of exclusions have annually increased during this time from 161 in 1888 to 636 in 1893. The adult baptisms for these years run as fol. lows: 1888, 6884 i 1889, 5007 i 1890, 4431 i 1891, 3718 i 1892,2731 ; 1893, 3636. The number of exclusious for the same time are: 1888, 161; 1889, 286 i 1890, 355; 1891, 322 i 1892, 573; 1893, 636. There has, however, during these years been a net increase of 11,884, the membership by years being, 1888,25,514; 1889,31,181; 1890,32,380; 1891, 33,390; 1892, 35,534; 1893, 37,398. In these reactionary years the contributions of the Japanese Christians amount in round numbers to about 500,000 silver yen ;* to thc close of 1893, from 1888, the sum was 428,6~8.44 yen, the largest contributions for one year having been made in 1891. The organized churches increa~ed in number from 221 to 365, or 144 during these last five years. The number of theological students, ministers, and Bible-women has steadily increased. The present number of theological students is 367 ; native ministers, 206; unordained preachers and helpers, 665 ; Bible-women, 279.
One reason for the annual increase of exclusions and decrease in the number of baptisms since 1888 is the fact that the Church has come to a better conception of the Christian life. They have become more careful in the instruction of catechumens and increasingly particular in insisting upon the maintenance of Christian character.
This straightforward, silent, steady growth of the Church finds its solu- tion in the fact that it has a life derived from Christ alone, or rather in the statement that Christ still lives in and sustains His saints.
Spiritual, like all other forms of life has within it such a mystical, in- visible element that its growth can be known only by the peculiarities of external manifestation.
A disappointment is sometimes felt by missionaries and others that the developing life of the Church and of the individual Christian does not manifest itself in forms that are in the line of those to which they have themselves been most accustomed. The unreasonableness of such a dis- appointment ought to be evident with but little reflection. In the West, where we have so many different denominations developed, each under trials and difficulties peculiar to itself, and where each one has stood for the emphasis of some one important truth overshadowed by others, there , has come in time to be a common denominational consciousness, so much so that we can even speak of different types of piety. In, America we have very distinctly marked types, such as the Quaker, the Methodist, the Old Presbyterian, and the Episcopal. In Japan the Church has not become so thoroughly denominational, and so its type of life partakes more of national and racial peculiarities. The kinship of the general life of the Church to that of the West is indicated by that literature which is so help- ful to all Christians everywhere. Thomas a Kempis's "Imitation of Christ" and Stolker's "Christ's Image" have had a large sale; with them also Bunyan's" Pilgrim's Progress" is immensely popular, and un- bounded delight is taken in following pilgrims from the cross and the wicht-gate through the whole way to the wide-open gates of the celestial city.
Prayer, providence, and the Word of God have been markedly con- spicuous in their relation to Japanese Christian life. Shortly after the opening of the country to foreign intercourse, about 1857, Dr. S. Wells Williams and the Rev. W. E. Style, of Shanghai, went to NagasakLt At that time the United S~tes gunboat Powhatan was in port, and on the • A yen is somewhat less than a dollar. t Rev. Dr. Stont, Osaka Conference Report. occasion of a visit of the officers to the governor of the city, they were invited with the chaplain, Rev. Mr. Wood, to join the party. In course of conversation during the call the governor said that Japan was now open to trade with other nations, and the Japanese would be glad of anything the foreigners might bring them except two things-viz., opium and Christianity. The remark was noted, and on the return of these three gentlemen to the vessel they talked the matter over. It was plain to them that the governor did not know what Christianity really was, but had formed his opinion of it from Roman Catholicism in the country in former times. They therefore resolved that they should try to bring about the introduction of true Christianity, and wrote letters to the Boards of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches in America, urging the sending of missionaries to Japan. The answer to the prayers of these men and their letters were the first missionaries sent out in 1859. Subsequent events have shown that for the onward movement of the Church in modern missions God had struck the hour of the Church's opportunity. "The isles were indeed waiting for His law." In these early days there was a large number of Japanese with whom the missionaries first came in contact who could read Chinese Bibles and tracts, and these did a good service in sowing the seeds of spiritual life.
As an instance in point we have the well-known case of General Wakasa, who commanded the littoral guards at Nagasaki in 1854, when an English fleet suddenly made its appearance in that harbor. It was his duty to prevent the landing of foreigners except at a designated spot. In his rounds he saw a New Testament floating on the waters and fished it out. From a Dutch interpreter he learned its nature, and afterward obtained a Chinese translation of it. He began reading it immediately. After Dr. Verbeck came to Nagasaki he received a request for instruction from this general, who was living two days'journey in the interior. Owing to feudal restrictions the general could not go in person, but sent by a messenger passages of Scripture for explanation. In time he was ripe for the reception of Christ's appointed ordinance. Dr. Verbeck, on May 20th, the day of Pentecost, 1866, baptized two members of this his interior Bible class-viz., General Wakasa and Ayabe San, his brother. The general translated portions of the Chinese New Testament into easy Japanese for the women of his household, and they too were instructed in the way of salvation. A daughter and female servant were baptized in 1880 at Nagasaki. They reported that the general died a most triumphant death. The servant's zealous service for her spiritual master has resulted in the organization of a church in Saga. A granddaughter of Wskasa has become a Christian, and in 1890 a grandson entered the Doshisha College,bringing with him, and presenting to th~ school, a large English Bible given to his grandfather thirty years before, but which they had been obliged to conceal for years on account of persecution.* Dr. Ver- * Dr. Gordon, .. American Missionary In Japan." beck states that "by the close of the first period of mission work many thousands of volumes of Chinese Bibles and other ChristIan literature had been circulated. These were obtained mostly from the Presbyterian and London Mission presses at Hongkong and Shanghai. The faithful authors of this literature were little aware that while working for the salvation of China, they had been, as it were, writing with a double-pointed pen and working for Japan as well."
There is no mission in Japan but that can in some place or places in its history point to signal instances of the initiation of spiritual life and labor to the seemingly direct inspiration of a conjunction of these three factors-prayer, providence, and the pure Word of God. Prayer at the time of the providential opening of Japan preceded the coming of the first missionaries with Chinese Bibles. Prayer preceded the organization of the first Church in Japan, just at that moment when God's providence opened the country in 1873 to wider Christian effort. Prayer and the translation of the New Testament preceded the revival of 1883. There has for the last year been an unusual spirit of prayer in the churches, while more than 13,000 Japanese Christians are enrolled in the Scripture Readers' Union, and this just preceding that inscrutable providence within which is infolded a dark war cloud big and black with wrath. Has not the Father thus been rooting the life of His people in the living Word that they may firmly endure the coming storm ?
There has from the very first been a spontaneous tendency of the life of the Church toward uniou. Our Lord counted upon the oneness of His people as one of the most apposite of apologetics. In the Saviour's sad. dest hour the solidarity of His saints was His supremest solicitude. " Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also that believe on Me through their word: that they all may be one, even as Thou, Father, art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us : that the world may believe Thou didst send Me." It might have been feared, in view of the many years of feudalism that existed in the land, with the consequent tendency to clannishness thus generated, that the various bodies of believers would carry the " clan spirit" into their various denominations, but there has been but little of this. The consummation of the promptings of the Spirit in the direction of union. and fellowship has become a fixed hope and prayer with Japanese Christians. Indeed, the greatest checks to union have come from our constituencies in the West. In the earliest years of the work, in September, 1872, the three Presbyterian bodies then in the country and the A. B. C. F. M. missionaries agreed upon a basis for the organization of their churches. '" "The plan," says Dr. Gordon, "of forming simple churches of Christ failed at the time, largely (must it be confessed?) because some people couldn't count converts so easily; but the good tlpirit of the convention has followed these missions down to the present time."
• .. American Missionary in Japan." Yet the union of churches in Japan has not wholly failed, and with the splendid nationalistic feeling in the country and the continued development of the spiritual life of the churches, it is a mere question of time when other unions will be effected. There are now two united bodies in Japan. The English, American, and Canadian families of the Episcopal household unite in building up the Nippon Leikyokwai. Four missions are represented in this work. It has 4 bishops, 3 arch-deacons, 91 missionaries, 61 theological students, 21 native clergy, and 5157 members. The other united body, Nippon Christo Kyokwai, has seven co-operating missions representing one Scotch and five American Presbyterian churches. It has 140 missionaries, 105 theological students, 62 ordained ministers, and 11 ,200 members.
With the union of the various Methodist bodies and of all the orthodox bodies holding the Congregational polity, the 23 missions in Japan would be engaged in building up but four branches of the Church. " Desire for union is strongest either in the newly converted or in the mature Christian. An intermediate stage of experience is the best soil for the growth of the denominational spirit."* With the more marked maturity of the • Church, therefore, may we expect that its oneness may become more and more manifest.
The unfolding of the life of the Japanese Church adds one more illustrative fact to the truth that it thrives even under trials. Its dangers have not dwarfed, but have deepened its life. Spiritual life is not one of God's hothouse plants. The life of Christ's body, the Church, has its wilderness temptations and Gethsemanes, as well as had its great Head. Persecution has played a painful part in the work-imprisonment, the pressure of public sentiment, and other forms of it peculiar to Japanese social life. The son of a man who was assassinated JIllany years ago for his supposed sympathy with Christianity became a Christian. He writes: "One day when I returned home from school my mother informed me that if I did not renounce Christianity she was going to commit suicide that very evening. My father had been assassinated because he was supposed to have been a believer in Christianity, and his friends told me that if her son became a Christian the stain on the father's name could never be washed away. It was a terrible trial, but I asked for a little respite that I might reconsider the claims of Christianity. I said I was willing to abandon it if I could see that it was not true. So it went on. They used every means in their power to change my mind, but the unseen hand was above us and led me. After three months I got permission to go to the government college in Tokyo, and a year after I entered the theological school in Kyoto. . . . My mother is now a Christian rejoicing in the faith."t A Buddhist priest baptized by Dr. Verbeck suffered in various prisons for five years. A teacher of Rev. O. H. Gulick was put in prison for his faith • Dr. Gordon. t Dr. Gordon, " American Missionary In Japan." and died there. There have been threatened disinheritance, boycotts, imprisonment of sons at their own homes, the stoning of Christian preach- ing-places, and lately a cowardly and cruel working of the nationalistic feeling against Christians j but whatever the form of trial, they have borne it as a whole with a prudence and patience that places them in the long roll of those worthies who from the beginning have suffered for Christ.
There are numbers of Christians who have given up lucrative employments from the conviction that these were inconsistent with the Christian life-wholesale sake brewers, renters of houses for immoral purposes, the manufacturer of theatrical costumes and furnishments, and others. There are those serving in the ministry receiving far less than they could obtain in government employ.
A girl who makes 90 cents a month manufacturing paper match-boxes keeps the Sabbath, though it means a loss of 12 cents a month from her scant wages. There are other instances of a similar kind. Missionaries whose work necessarily puts them into the closest and tenderest relations to the Japanese Christians could recount many cases of personal sacrifice, patient cross-bearing that would be a source of helpfulness to all who love our Lord. The life of the Church, as it has grown and shown itself in Japan as a whole, is a grand nineteenth-century evidence of the truth and power of Christianity.
Of course the life is not yet a perfect one, and there still are things criticisable by pastors and others, else there were no further need of either, but better than this is it ours to see Christ back of it all.
The developing life of this Christian body is its safeguard in these days when so many loose Western theologies threaten it. The creation by the Holy Spirit of a Christian consciousness through the common experience of the fulness and fitness of Christ to meet the spiritual hunger of the human heart and to heal "all its diseases," is that which increasingly tends to hold the Church true to her great Head. A Buddhist priest who became a Christian, when giving his household Hotoke San to a missionary, said that two years before becoming a Christian he gave up the worship of this idol, " but I never knew how dear it was to me until, in accordance with my vow, I bowed before it for the last time in worship. No human being can tell what a lonesome heart I had during these two years. I had given up the only object of worship I knew, and there was no other to take its place j but since I have known Christ I have never known what it is to be lonesome-hearted. "
As there are" flowers that bloom in the sunless depths of the sea," so this sweet common experience of Christ in the heart is the flower that continually grows in the depth of this Church's Christian life, no matter what storms sweep the surface above it~· Hurtful theologies cannot stand before the soulful satisfaction found in the spiritually presen1; Saviour.
This is the direction which the Church's apologetics are beginning to assume. An eloquent Japanese pastor, at the recent twentieth anniversary
DR. GORDON'S RELATION TO MISSIONS
of his church, said: "Our early apologetics took the direction of the nature of the God we worshipped as compared with the prices of dried wood the idolators worshipped. We were soon met with the popular reply from them, that we do not worship the wood, but only what these images represent. We then took up the superiority of Western morals and progress, for in those days we supposed that the Western people were about all of them Christians, and everything in their civilization was good j but we finally had to weaken on that line. At last, after trying the whole round of evidences, we come back to the argument from Christian experience. We can stand before our adversaries and tell them of our hearts baptized with the Holy Spirit, with a rest of soul as deep and broad and beautiful as a quiet sea in a still night reflecting the stars of heaven. "
Other features of the growing life of the Church readily suggest themselves, and can be only mentioned. This intensifying Christ-life has caused confessions of sin and restitution, the reconciliation of enemies, a purer family life, lives of faith, and the founding of institutions thereon that have been as marvellous as that of Muller's Bristol work. Indeed, the one thing the Buddhists now fear more than anything is the life of the Christian Church, and they are now duplicating in a mechanical way every institution that is the dynamical outgrowth of the life of the Church.
DR. GORDON'S RELATION TO MISSIONS.
* BY REV. H. C. MABIE, D.D.
If I were to express in one word Dr. Gordon's relation to missions, I should say that hi, interest in missions was integral; it entered into his very spiritual personality ; it was but the natural breathing and outcome of his being; it was no form of service that was put on as a garment; no perfunctory performance; no line of duty taken up hecause he had been elected to fill some official position. Missions with him, as with the God who instituted them, and with Jesus Christ His Son, who by His atonement made them possible, were constitutional. He could no more think of missions as geographically limiting his thoughts, his heart, his life, his enterprise, than you could think of there being limits to the sympathies of our Lord Jesus Christ. I suppose it to be the very essence of the heart of God that He yearns over humanity as a whole, longing with infinite tenderness to impart His own type of being, His own type of life, His own type of blessedness, to His creatures. It proceeds from within, as does the heat of the sun. So was Dr. Gordon's relation to the work of missions; it was born in him by the Spirit of the living God. He was in his natural birth the descendant of a parentage missionary in spirit. The • From at) tj,d<lre•• delivered at the funeral, Boston, February 5th. very name which his parents gave him in the old birthplace in New Hampshire was indicative of the spirit that had ruled in the ancestral home in admiration of the foremost martyr of this missionary century-Adoniram Judson. So also, in connection with his conversion, there seemed to be transmitted to him and implanted within him the very essence and genius of this relation to the whole earth in the spirit of his honored and saintly name8ake.
Dr. Gordon's Bible was a missionary Bible from Genesis to Revelation, not merely containing a passage or two in the form of explicit command, such as " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" -but the entire Book, the volume as a whole, the complete oracles of the Old and New Testament, were missionary, from the" In the beginning" to "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." And so whatever his point of departure in his Rtudyor meditation on the Divine oracles, they were ever saying to him, "This is too good, too Divine to be kept; it must be shared with the entire family of mankind." And so Dr. Gordon's preaching was evermore missionary preaching, because missions are the interior of the Bible, the essence of the Gospel, the reincarnation of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit among the nations, and he could not expound these words without exhaling a missionary spirit.
Dr. Gordon's world in which he lived was a missionary world. He found himself a denizen of a goodly city, indeed, of a noble commonwealth, of what we are fond of calling the most exalted nation on earth; but Dr. Gordon regarded himself far more than this, even a denizen of the planet; the entire earth was his home, his parish; and so these artificial missionary limitations that we are wont to form called home and foreign, because of our shortness of view and our failure to take in the great Divine perspective, which so often affiict the minds of God's people, never affiicted his mind. Those of you who have heard him speak of missions will remember how he was wont to say that the best prayer-book in the world is a map of the world. " Go," said he, "into the closet, and spread out this prayer-book before you, and then draw a line round some portion of the world, and pray, if you can, 'Thy Kingdom come.' Nay, rather, get the entire globe before you, and hover over it in the spirit of the Holy Ghost, who brooded over chaos, and brought light out of darkness, order out of confusion, salvation out of death, and you will pray aright." This was his attitude toward the world in which he lived.
History, in its ongoings, as Dr. Gordon viewed it, was missionary history. He was not a man sailing over a trackless deep without chart or compass, with no desired haven in view. History was not to him a confused mass of accidents, as it is to the materialistic thinker of our dayan insoluble riddle-a hopeless tangle. The history of the world, as he viewed it, started from a beginning and went on through the middle to the end, in an orderly way, and the end was a glorious and Divine consummation. The one last word that escaped his lips WaS "Victory I" He believed that this was assured in history. His faith swept the entire perspective, and hence it was that he saw great mountain peaks in that wondrous landscape where some of us, perhaps, see only hillocks, if we see even these. His view of history was simply the successive stages of the plan of human redemption, with its glorious culmination.
" The great world's altar stairs That slope through darkness up to God."
If some thought at times that his view of proper mission work was superficial or pessimistic, I bid them think again. If some think that he emphasized unduly what he regarded as the great and immediate duty of the Church in this present age-viz., to preach the Gospel "for a witness" -let them think how long, how ardently, how profoundly he pondered the words of the Lord–for His words they are-" This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." What Dr. Gordon meant by the" witnessing" is not that superficial post-boy, flash-light method of Christian enterprise which some imagine. * What it is let his own tremendously earnest and concentrated efforts-which burnt out the fires of his lifetestify. He meant all that Jesus Christ meant when He said: "To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the Truth." Christ's personal ministry, from the manger to the throne, he believed to be but a witness-the beginnings of things, not the consummation of them-the foundations only of the eternal kingdom that God was to rear. He meant all that the Apostle Paul meant when he spoke of his consummate privilege " to testify the Gospel of the grace. of God j" to" finish his course," a life-work that in the Divine plan had a beginning and a completion.
Dr. Gordon was profoundly moved in respect to missions because he believed that the Holy Ghost-the Third Person of the adorable Trinitybeing the soul of the Christian Church, was likewise the soul of its most characteristic' work, Christian missions. The Holy Spirit, and therefore his spirit, could not rest until it can:ied out what was hinted on the great natal day of the Church-the first Pentecost. Hence it was that Dr. Gordon's thought respecting missions was simply coincident with and exactly commensurate with the attainable spirituality and spiritual service of the Church of God in this age. Missions in his mind were the birth * That there are those who entertain such a view we do not dispute, but such was not Dr.
Gordon's conception of the witnessing. He did indeed believe that, however thorough and effective this period of witnessing among the nations might be, It was ouly preliminary and relatively Ineffectual as compared with what the period of world-harvest to follow the Lord's return will be. This with him was, however, chiefly a matter of programme of the Divine plan of operation. In his mind .it neither warranted superficiality of present-day effort, nor landed him in pessimism. Rather it afforded his basis for the most triumphaut optimism-the only basis for it which he saw In RevelatioD. On this basis he was at least always a pro-millennialist. (See Dr. Gordon's" The Holy Spirit in llIieeions," Ilrst chapter.) of the Holy Ghost~· and hence he could not preach as he did, or think as he did, or write as he did, concerning the Holy Ghost's administration of His Church, without thinking of the most heroic application of service in behalf of all pagan peoples, wheresoever they may be found, destitute of the Gospel. With his large outlool~ on the world, we can appreciate that characteristic hospitality which Dr. Gordon entertained toward all forms of Christian enterprise. Some of us are wont to choose for ourselves the forms of mission which we prefer to do, and we sometimes say, "I will do this," and "I won't do that," but he never thus spake in respect to any aspect of Christ's work on earth. He was naturalized to all Christ's work. To him that work was a circle, not an arc. It was globed. Hence he was as much at home in alien cities as in his own Boston, at the "Vorld's Missionary Conference in London as some of us saw him-easily king of missionaries, as he was imperial among pleaders for missions, the one man without whom no single session was thought complete till his voice had been heard. Hence it was that in Edinburgh and Glasgow and throughout Scotland he was welcomed everywhere, and fitted into the relations and voiced the missionary interest of these people just as naturally as if he were addressing his own prayer-meeting here in Clarendon Street Church. So their testimony was, " He fed us with the finest of the wheat. ,. He enlarged their horizon in respect to the world, and gave them a relish for its conquest. Hence it was that in Paris, with the McAll Mission workers, he was not only welcomed, but eagerly sought for. Hence it was that in our own land he was sought on all platforms where missions were to have a peculiar and effective advocacy. Hence it was that the Student Volunteer movement, the great conferences at Northfield and Ocean Grove and elsewhere regarded his presence and his addresses as indispensable. Hence his favor for the Salvation Army movement, which he commended and cheered when almost all men set it at naught. Hence it was that in the stables of street-car drivers, on the wharves along shore in Boston, or in refuges of the lost, he was everywhere welcomed as the supporter, advocate, and brother, vitally linked with all these organizations of any and every name.
But who shall tell what our beloved brother was to the American Baptist Missionary Union-our counsellor, our inspiration, our pride j none so meek as he. I may be allowed to say, without disparagement of any one, that all through his official relations to that body, through so many weary years in our committee rooms in this city, he often surrendered opinions of his own respecting ways and means in deference to his brethren, whom he was always ready to think of as more to be considered than himself. He was always ready to take the field for us, and was the bulwark of that organization. How this noble church has stood by him and followed him, till at length they only wanted to know his thought and they would anticipate it! There was with him no pulling of people's door-bells to extract from them unwilling offerings j no passing around nertously, hat in hand, to beg for Peter's pence; but rather he quietly exalted the lofty privilege of giving, and reminded of the blood mortgage on all men to redeem the world.
Since I came into this building this morning, I was approached by a young man, a member of one of the young people's societies here. " Excuse me, sir," said he, "but I must tell you what occurred here at our Monday night prayer-meeting. It was discussed what we shoqld do to express our feelings on this occasion, and at length it was resolved-and do you wonder at it-that we would do what he would have liked us to do. There is a great debt upon the Missionary Union; we will make an offering toward its extinction. And in a few minutes we had collected between four and five hundred dollars-gathered with the loving thought that that would have been our pastor's desire." 0 brethren, talk of inB.uence, and power to bring things to pass! It is that unspoken inB.uence which tells-it is what we are far more than what we 8ay, that carries our people. It is what he was in his majesty, his Christly simplicity, that has made his people yearn to be and do. It is that which causes this audience to-day to heave like the billows of the ocean-its main desire to be like Him.
It has been said over and over again, "How can we get on without this brother, in the family, in the church, in the Missionary Union, in Christendom ~ How can we spare him~" Shall we not rise to the heavenly view-point and look down upon it as God does, for this we must do, if we are to stand under this sense of loss? Shall we not remember the words of Him who said-even concerning Himself, the Master of all discipies-" It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come?" God in His providence has demonstrated that it is expedient for us that our brother be taken. He says he can be spared from this side, that he may be glorified on that side ; and God has settled that j it is expedient that he be taken. What, then, we ought to say is this: not how can we get on without Dr. Gordon ~ how can we get on without our pastor 1 how without the chairman of our committee ~ how without him in these Christian assemblies ~ but rather this: how can we get on without those compensations in grace which God's Spirit and providence will give to us if we shall have sanctified to us this inexpressible loss ~ That is what we cannot afford to get on without. We ought to settle it in this house to-day-every one of us-that with God's help we will not get on without that-that compensation, that transmitted bleesing, grace, and power, which may come to us, especially upon the ministry of the land. We draw no denominational lines here to-day. May there come upon the ministry of the world the baptism of fire in connection with thie departure! Oh, that the spirit of Elijah may fall upon Elieha-not !!imply upon !!ome !!ingle man toward whom the Church, in the deep, dark days before them, may reach forth dimly to find as a suc_ Ce!!SOr ill the pastorate, but upon ten thousand ministers of Jeaus Christ-
KEV. ADOLPHE MABILLE. 355
psstors of sll churches, the ministry of all denominations, by whatever name designated, upon united Christendom. Nay, I will not draw the line more narrowly than he would-upon the circle of entire pagandom as well as upon entire Christendom-that there may come such an anointing, such an outpouring of the Holy Ghost, as will be indicative of that great and final world Pentecost toward which his thoughts were forever bent and on which his eye was forever fixed.
REV. ADOLPHE MABILLE, * OF THE FRENCH PROTESTANT MISSION IN BASUTOLAND.
BY ABBIE P. FERGUSON, SOUTH AFRICA.
It is as when a standard-bearer fainteth. The Basuto Mission of the Paris Society in South Africa has suffered a great loss in the death of Rev. Adolphe C. Mabille, now almost a year ago. He was the heart and centre of a great work, one of the most wonderful in its results in South Africa. Dr. Moffat used to speak of it as the most successful of missions.
Mr. Mabille was in his fifty-eighth year, and we had looked forwarll to years of usefulness for him, but he has fallen in the thick of the fight. He was a most intensely active man. One of his fellow-missionaries said of him: "It is of no use to relieve Mr. Mabille in his work, for as soon as he is relieved in one thing he finds something else to do." He had a wonderful helpmeet in his wife, the daughter of Dr. Casalis, one of the pioneer missionaries in Basutoland. The Basutos say of her, "She is our mother, she was born in our land, she is one of us, and what she says is good." And she has unbounded influence among the people.
Mr. and Mrs. Mabille began the work of training evangelists during a time of war. Coming back to look after their people at Marijah,t they were detained there, and while the war cloud hung heavy about them they gathered a few young men and taught them how to help others. Out of this small beginning grew the Bible school at Marijah, from which hundreds of young men have gone forth to all parts of South Africa as teacher!'! of the Word. During all these years Mr. Mabille has given much time to this work, often taking a class at six -in the morning. A small class of young men have gone on to a fuller theological training. and these have been, in fact, under Mr. Mabille's instruction. Indeed, Marijah has been a centre of great activity, with its theological class, its sixty Bible students and seventy .normal students. One great secret of the success of this mi!'!sion has been, under God, the training of the native ChriEltians to work among their own people. I have heard Mr. Mabille say: "Our native .. Mr. Mabille had II church of 1600 communicants and 600 inqulrel'l and OTeraaw work in 16 outstations.
tOrMorija. Christians can help their own people much better than we mIssIonaries can. They know their difficulties and the way to their hearts. "
There are twenty out-stations connected with the Marijah Church, each under the care of a native evangelist, and it was Mr. Mabille's aim to place such evangelists all over Basutoland, until every heathen should come within sound of the Gospel. These twenty evangelists were directly under Mr. Mabille's care and oversight. Twice a year they came up with their church-members to Marijah to a great spiritual feast. These have been never-to-be-forgotten scenes, when hundreds of the Lord's dear people have gathered on the green hill-side around the table of our Lord, and have shown forth His death until He come. Too many for even the great church to hold, they have stood under the blue of the sky, with the grand Maluti Mountains looking down upon them, reminding one of the innumerable company.
Mr. Mabille has always been the life and centre of these gatherings, laying his hand in baptism upon those gathered out of heathenism, breaking the bread of life, speaking words of reproof and exhortation. There were always special meetings for the evangelists, when they reported concerning their work, and received special instruction and counsel from their spiritual father. Mr. Mabille was much used in bringing souls to Christ. I shall never forget seeing a multitude of heathen filling the Marijah Church, many of them under deep conviction of sin, and how wisely Mr. Mabille and his helpers led many of them to accept Jesus as their Saviour.
The printing of a monthly Basuto paper and of Basuto books, which were sent out to all parts of South Africa, made many demands upon Mr. Mabille's time. The printing was done by natives, who required careful superintendence. Mr. Mabille had willing helpers in his fellow-missionaries and in his own family, but a heavy burden of responsibility rested upon him.
Though such a busy man, he was the joy of the home life. Every day after the mid-day meal he and Mrs. Mabille took the time to go away and pray for God's blessing upon their sons and daughters, and God gave them the desire of their hearts. All of their children were converted, and two sons and three daughters were missionaries, working hand to hand with their parents.
Mr. MabiIle had a rare gift of song, and every evening the family gathered around the organ to sing. To us who listened it was a great treat, as each member of the family took his or her own part, sometimes to music of Mr. MabilIe's own composition. We shall never forget how our souls thrilled as we listened to the rich, deep tones of his voice. This gift was a great power among the native students, whom he trained in singing and playing on instruments, like the sweet singer of old. And he has gone, this grand, gifted, courteous man of God, whom every one loved, and whose rule of love was felt all through the Basuto Mission. " God takes home His workers, bnt the work goes on. II His daughter, writing in March, said: "To us the year until now has been one of great joy and peace, in spite of dear father's great mental fatigue. He had done too much and felt very tired. The doctor said if he did not leave the work at once he would not answer for the consequences. The Lord arranged everything for the best. The Home Committee said one of our missionaries was to go with the Zambesi expedition, who go to Mr. Coillard, as far as Mafeking, in Bechuanaland. So father and mother were ready in a week to go. Then strength was given to Louis (Mr. Mabille's son) to take up for a month father's great work-his lessons, printing-office, and church. So ali was arranged, and now we are asking God to bless their journey and to bring back our loved ones to us well and able to resume their work."
At first he seemed benefited by the journey. He attended the Basuto Mission Conference, though he could be present at the meetings only by lying on a couch. There it was arranged that he should have the assistance of his brother-in-law, Rev. Alfred CasaIis, as well as of his son Louis. Then he visited his eldest son at Leribe (Mr. Coillard's old station), all of the Mabille family gathering there, united for the last time.
Mr. Mabille preached in the Orange Free State on his way home, where he arrived, seemingly none the worse for the journey. He suffered very much from rheumatic pain, and when the doctor was called, he pronounced him very ill. Mr. Mabille expressed the desire to live, especially that he might revise the Basuto Bible. He had just finished an English Basuto Dictionary, the work of twenty years, but he soon realized that the end was near. He sent for the Bible students, the Basuto chiefs, the normal-school boys, and said good-by to them. He spoke very earnestly to them, dealing with them as at the very gate of heaven. He pleaded especially with the paramount chief, begging him to be reconciled to God.
Sunday, May 20th, 1894, was a glorious day, full of the veryatmosphere of heaven. Those about him felt that death had no power over the child of God. The first hours of the day he spent praying for each of the catechists, schoolmasters, and elders of his district (about 150 in all), and the students of the Bible school who are in the work. When those about him wondered that he could remember all the names so well, he said: "Oh, you know I have prayed for them so often by name I" When he heard the church bells he said: "Glory, glory, glory in the highest heaven I" and then, "Jesus, I also am one of Thy worshippers." He said during the night before : "You do not know all the struggles my study has witnessed. I have wanted to be small-smaIl-small, that He should take away all the pride and self-love. "
His daughter writes of the privilege it was to sit beside him and receive his last messages.
A young trader wanted to see him. "Yes," he said; "let him in ; I have a lovely message for him." After talking earnestly to him, he said: "I wish I could imprint upon your heart the conviction that Christ
THE LEPERS OF THE WORLD
is your Saviour." Afterward he clapped his hands joyfully, exclaiming, " Bravo! bravo! they are going to reach the Zambesi." His thoughtlil were with the mission party that he had escorted on their way.
At the evening tide it was light. He slept in Jesus to awake in His glorious presence. On the lOth of the next month he would have completed thirty-four years of service in Basutoland. " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord."
THE LEPERS OF THE WORLD.
Few realize how numerous are the sufferers from this most terrible malady. Miss Kate Marsden, whose life is devoted to the mitigation of their sufferings, is preparing a chart, designed to show at one view the real prevalence and spread of leprosy in various countries. From the minimum figures already supplied by government medical returns and other reliable sources, she reckons that there are 1,300,000 lepers in the world. China alone is said to have more than 600,000 j Japan, 200,000 j and India at least 100,000. But Miss Marsden would rather understate than overstate the case in her earnest endeavor to move the practical pity of the Christian public.
What an awful aggregate of sorrow and suffering is represented by those figures! Who can estimate the value of every Christian effort made to alleviate their pain and grief and to stay the progress of the dread disease ~ Leprosy, the greatest disease of medireval Christendom, is identified, on the one hand, with a disease endemic from the earliest historical times, 1500 B.O., in the valley of the Nile j and, on the other hand, with a disease now commQn in Asia, Africa, South America, and the West Indies, and in certain parts of Europe and the islands of the sea.
Egypt is generally regarded as the country from whence leprosy came. It was endemic among the Hebrews when they migrated from there. During the Middle Ages it was estimated that there were about 20,000 lepers in Europe, and every considerable town had its "lazar house." Owing to strict legislation, it is now found only in small isolated coast districts of Norway, Russia, the Riviera, Spain, Iceland, and some islands. It is common in all the countries of Asia, and in most of the coast districts of Africa. The West Indies and South America (the Guianas), Malaysia, and many of the islands of the sea also have numerous sufferers from this dreadful disease. The essential cause of leprosy is unknown, but it is generally found among people who live on the sea-coast and live largely on fish (often putrid), and who intermarry closely. It is not now believed to be contagious. Comparatively little missionary work is being done for lepers. The Moravians have a "leper home" in Jerusalem, and work among those in South America and elsewhere. The Mission to the Lepers of India is doing a glorious work among the lepers of India, Burma, Ceylon, and Japan. There are also hospitals for the lepers of Europe, of Madagascar, and South Africa, and missionaries are laboring among those in various other parts of the world. Little can be done for the poor lepers' bodies, though their suffering may be lessened, but their souls may be cleansed and saved, and the work among them is a certain one, which shonld call forth our deepest sympathy and most hearty support.
INTERN ATION AL DEPAltTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D "In Darkest Afrioa." to the road, so that one has to climb over great masses of fallen trees. This BY R. H. MILLIGAN. is, perhaps, the most exhausting part of the travel; but climbing over such EFULEN MISSION STATION, BATANGA, places i8 infinitely preferable to crawl- WEST AFRICA, March 12, 1894. ing under on all fours. On starting out the first morning we shrank from On July 17th I started for the inte· the cold water and tried to avoid the rior, and returned to Batanga after four mud, but after slipping and falling sevmonths, looking, I imagine, rather pro- eral times we became bold, and when fane, having been neither shaven nor we had walked an hour we came to a shorn for fi ve months. deep stagnant pond that must be cross- ed. I cannot swim in clear water, but There were two white men besides I saw that I would have no difficulty myself, Rev. A. C. Good, who has in swimming here, so I plunged in with charge of this expedition, and who has the others, but we were able to wade been in Africa for ten years, and Mr. all the way over. Just after this a Kerr, a new arrival. We had twenty- heavy rain fell, drenching us through. five native carriers, making in all This was a dreary outstart, but not twenty-eight persons. White brethren unfortunate, for afterward we walked and black friends stood gazing with without timidity, fearing neither mud strange thoughts as we stretched along nor water, nor height nor depth, nor the beach a short way and suddenly any such thing. disappeared into the forest. Noone would think of making this On such a journey toward such a journey for fun. There is great disland none can forecast even the near comfort in walking all day with much future. We were five days in going mud in one's shoes, especially when seventy-five miles, walking from 7 A.M. gravel is added. It is also uncomforto 4 P.M. each day. All the way was table to get up for several successive through deep forest, the trees much mornings before daylight in the cold taller and closer than in American for- bush and put on clothes wet through ests, and made more dense by a thick and through. Yet the road is not growth of enormous vines, all which worse than I expected, nor is it so together make it strangely dark, and rough as to be a great hindrance to our depressing as the Dismal Swamp. work. Any reasonably stro.ng man im- pelled by worthy purpose will find it The road is a po;)rly beaten path, easy enough. which carefully avoids the hills, keeping down in the lowest parts. The natives Four months later Mr. Good and mydislike climbing, but they have no aver- self returned from the interior to Basion to mud; one passes through every tanga, passing over this road at its variety of it and every depth. The very worst. For two months I had road often lies in the beds of streams. been sick with a severe fever that left The part of the traveller that is above several ailments behind, which made it ground is kept cool and wet from the necessary that I should, as soon as I dripping shrubbery that meets across was able, go to Batanga for medical the path, and as if this were not suffi- treatment. It was near the end of the cient, he has to wade many streams. wet season. For many weeks the rain On the first and last days the road passes had fallen almost night and day. The through native gardens, which are never cleared, but the immellBe trees are simply felled, and that without regard forest was flooded. The streams had be- muscle was stiffened and sore, but we come rivers. The rivers had spread had to walk much faster than before, far over their banks, making wading not knowing how far we were from necessary, and beyond were marshes Batanga. which we must reach that which were yet worse. The bridges night, for we had only food for one had all been swept away or buried un- more meal. We walked twenty miles der the water, and others built for tem- . that day, in spite of stiffness and soreporary use. The permanent African ness, but my courage was never so bridge is bad enough, but these tem- taxed before by any physical effort. porary bridges were unspeakably bad, At last we emerged from the forest consisting of a single line of poles tied into the sunshine, which never seemed end to end with rupe uf vines, and so bright nor the sky so blue. Batanga. usually several feet under water. shone like the Celestial City. Our toilet There is also one vine stretched across was in woful shape. Mr. Good had a few feet higher that one may hold received a severe hurt on the way. In with the hand. This latter vine is jumping 07er a deep place he had fallusually rotten, so one must hold it en upon an upright stick. At this late carefully aJ;ld let it go as soon as he be- date I can afford to smile, although at gins to lose his balance, as it will likely the time I turned pale; I thought he yield to the slightest strain. But what- was killed. We twisted his coat into ever other faults these bridges have, a knot over the sore, and bound around they are not especially treacherous; him two strips of bark several inches they make no fair' promises of support, wide, which formed two large bows, and one never starts out upon them extending more than a foot on either with any expectation of reaching the side. Moreover, he had torn his trouother side without sounding the depth sers at the knee so badly that he could of the water. In one place where this only keep the lower part by tying it to upper vine chanced to be strong enough his leg with vine. Add to this that we to bear our weight, the poles beneath were both lame, and besides bore the us, which were three feet under water, general marks of seven days' walking suddenly came to an end, leaving us through mud and mire, and you may to go a short distance on the upper vine imagine the effect. I do not speak of alone, hand over hand, until our feet my own apparel. I could not see that came in contact with another pole. In so well. Our appearance altogether one day we crossed as many as nine was fearful and wonderful. Our such streams with adjoining overflowed friends beholding said: .. Whence come lands and marshes. We were seven ye ?" We replied: "From going to days on the way. I was weak from and fro in the earth, and from walking fever and walked only four miles the up and down in it." tirst day, the next day eight, the next We reached Mr. Good's home first, twelve, and the last day over twenty where I sat down to rest, but in a few miles. On the last day, immediately minutes was unable to walk, and was after starting and before our blood was carried to Mr. Godduhn's home, one in proper circulation, we reached the mile farther, in a hammock. " Slough of Despond," deep with wa- And why illl this hardship, some are ter. We had difficulty in finding the asking, this exposure and peril of life, road. Mr. Good moved about in search, this isolation in the dismal interior of but I not knowing the roads moved Africa, or this madness, as certain of very little, remaining in the cold water our friends have called it? Only obeto my waist, and sometimes to my dience to a Master who thought tit to shoulders, for more than an hour. For say, "Go ye into all the world and the tirst time I felt evil effects from preach the Gospel to every creature." this. Before we had gone far every Is it not strange that even some Christians should seem to question the wis- beads and brass and bells. The men dom of this command or of obedience also wear ornaments, but not in such to it? I am weary of the opposing excess. Both men and women take arguments of many, even my friends, great pains with their hail', doing it up based upon our peril of life or the de- in the strangest and dirtiest way con- pravity of this people. I came not for ceivable. A common style is to build love of these, but in obedience to the it, with the aid of strips of bamboo, above command, and their depravity into three hard ridges several inches makes the command more imperative; high, running from the front to the and as for fear of hardship or danger, back of the head. Each ridge is mount- I am sure that no two things are more ed with a close row of common white incompatible than Christianity and shirt-buttons. Sometimes a card con- fear. If Christianity is anything, it is taining as many as six dozen is sewed courage. When in the French Revolu- on above each ear. The ridges of hair tion France was beset with foes on do not always run fore and aft. They every side, " cannon to right of them, are often in circles built up like a story- cannon to left of them, cannon in front cake and iced with buttons. Some- of them," and all were prostrate with times a kind of splash-board is built despair, the great Danton in thunder- out behind, running from ear to ear, to tones that filled all France called on hold more buttons. This latter style men "to dare, and again to dare, and prevents their lying to sleep in the or- without end to dare," and every son of dinary way. They must place the neck France arose and braced himself for on the wooden pillow, and let the head battle. His words are an echo of what hang over. The hair once arranged re- Christ has always s1id to His followers. mains undisturbed for several months.
Daring is an essential of all successful It forms a convenient place for wiping living. Surely Christianity ought to their hands or knives. After dressing be as strong a motive-power as patriot- it grease is smeared over which in the ism. Hardship ought not to be named; sun melts into the hair, some ot it our life is a small thing, the cause alone usually passing through and running is great. down the back. No matter what color In this interior we found a peculiar this oil is on going into the hair, it al- people indeed, called the "Bule." ways comes out black.
Our station is at the beginning of a The women, moreover, wear a strip countless populace extending far in- of monkey-skin or goat-skin an inch ward. On our first arrival a multitude wide-trimmed with buttons, of course of beggars surrounded our tent, beg- -across the middle of the forehead; and gars everywhere as thick as leaves in besides all this, they have bangs all autumn, insisting that we divide our around the head consisting of loose hair little stock of goods, which to them strung with beads of all colors. With seemed fabulous wealth. No corner this glittering headgear and with brass was too private for them to enter, nor and beads hung over the whole body, could we keep them out but by main the women make an appearance alto- force. Persuasion failed utterly, and gether unique in this world, if they be all a priori arguments were vain. We not like to things sometimes seen in soon came to the use of practical a pos- windows of toy-shops or on Christmas teriori arguments applied with a boot trees.
or other convenient object. We have, no doubt, come among 8 In appearance they are tall, well- desperately wicked people. Borrowing formed, and graceful. The men wear from Hume's estimate of Henry VIII., small loin-cloths. The women wear one might say that a catalogue of their nothing but a few haudfuls of grass, vices would include, perhaps, all the but thAY are loaded wit;.h ornaments of evils incident to human nature. When I first arrived among them I wrote a with the palaver. At the time of shoot· letter to a friend with the superscrip- ing yesterday we were holding our tion "Bule Land," but afterward, usual Sunday service. The man Who knowing more of this land, the super- had stolen the woman was present. He scription seemed a caricature too pro- heard the firing and knew what it fane, and that of my next letter was meant, and thought it was in his own " Chaos," for this is the very home of town, yet he showed no concern, but all disorder. They have reversed the sat calmly through the service. The whole moral law and every righteous people whose men have been killed are maxim. The plough they have beaten on the warpath to-day, determined to into a sword and the pruning-hook into kill a number of people, they care not a spear, and every man's hand is whom. Another palaver is going on in against his neighbor. the town nearest to us. A woman, who said that her husband was so homely There is no other law than the law of that she could not live with him, C'lme selfishness, which reigns supreme. to our station, met a man from another There is no word in their language for town and eloped with him. Her peoservice, they have not the idea. Mr. ple followed a few nights ago and kill- Good has been giving many of them ed a woman. We do not know how medical treatment. They take it for long this will continue. The people of granted that this also is selfish. They the town near by keep up a loud noille will sometimes get angry and scold if all night to let the enemy know that fresh bandages are not gi ven them they are watching. often. One man came and told that his wife was very sick, and asked what Last week Mr. Good and I visited a Mr. Good would give him if he would town one half-day's walk distant, where bring her for treatment. Another was we spent two nights. We found the in great distress, saying that his little stormiest people I have ever seen or daughter was dying, and that a man in heard of. They quarrelled almost a neighboring town had agreed to buy without ceasing, each quarrel involving her in marriage, and had already paid all the men and women of the town. some goods which would have to be re- During the day it was carried on in turned if she died. This latter made the street, becoming worse at night his grief truly pitiable. when they scattered to their houses, the men yelling and the women scream- Their wealth is chiefly in the shape ing their rage from within, loud enough of wives. These are usually stolen at to be heard over the town. There is first. Then follows a big palaver. no lack of matter for copious quarrel· The people of the offended town will ling even among this remote people of come at night and kill some one of the the forest. The occasions are so abun· town where the woman is. The enemy dant that many palavers are not settled, will return and kill one of them. And but are displaced by others. The occaso it goes on-killing in turn until the sion of a large quarrel the day we arthief pays for the woman, or until either rived was that a certain man's hen laid town stop that they may fight another an egg in another man's house, which enemy. Such a palaver has just begun latter man kept the egg. The town in one of our towns. Two days ago was rent in twain. The whole com- (Saturday) a man who lives near by munity is astir; they conspire together; stole a woman from a town some miles deep calleth unto deep; the sky dark· distant. The offended people came in ens; the mountains roll down their arms yesterday, but finding it hard to threatening thunders; hoarse rage is reach the town where the woman was, echoed back; but suddenly strange they killed two men in a town close to quiet falls on all the places-it is time us, which town belonged to another to eat. When eating is finished another tribe and had nothing whatever to do palaver cries out for attention, and the of Freemasons in A.merica, in whose former one is "laid on the table, ", surpas~ing antiquity I can now believe There was not an idle hour in which to that they include Solomon and perhaps resume it before we lefto It is still un- Noah. settled, and liable any day to deluge the valley with blood. Ngee is the native word for gorilla, and is also the name of a certain man We are used to noise. The people in each town, who is the head of this dance in the street almost every night, society and who takes the character of often through the whole night, to the a gorilla. This is also a benevolent somusic of several wooden instruments, ciety, protecting its members from the which they pound furiously, and all power of witches. Ngee may be called keep up a continual yelling such as is a witch-doctor or a devil-doctor, it you only heard in heathendom. Their please, able to kill at will or to cure heads are cracked, but not their lungs. any disease: He has a profound knowl- And with this unfortunate combina- edge of witches, and is a potentate tion of cracked heads and uncracked among them, saying, "Go, "and they go; lungs they make our nights hideous or, " Come," and they come. When in enough. character he will come into the town at any time, roaring like a gorilla, but One day I had thrust upon me the loud enough to be heard at any finite pleasure of seeing a woman perform distance. A.ll women and children the native dance. The woman is a and uninitiated men fiee for their queen. She often comes selling pota- lives. If one of these see him thus toes. This day she was carrying a bun- in character, they will take sick and dle rolled in leaves. She opened it and die. The dire truth is that they Inshowed me a coil of snake, which she deed die if it be known that they was taking home for her husband's have seen him. We suspect they are dinner. There were four other women poisoned. A few nights ago there was with her, all queens and, with herself, a Ngee dance in the nearest town. Mr. wives of one man. They all talk at Godduhn, of Bat&nga, was with us, once; those not talking are laughing, and he and I went through the town. some doing both at once, and at the The chief who lives in the first village same time running about through the followed after us, full of wrath, and house asking for everything they can threatening us with every calamity if find ; but this particular woman insist- we dared look upon the sacred scene. ed upon showing me the Bule dance, We passed on, however, and having which consists of a series of fiendish turned our light very low, we entered contortions. The whole body is in the village where Ngee was holding rapid motion, especially the shoulders forth with many of the initiated. The and stomach. One would think that women were of course hidden in their the body was without bone or solid part. houses, but We have reason to believe She accompanies this with imitation of that they were looking through the the music of their several wooden in- cracks. What woman wouldn't? It struments as weird as the dance itself. was very dark, but we could still see Both music arid dance belong to the un· these weird, black forms in every under world; neither of them should human shape gliding swiftly about in ever have reached upper air. She imi- all manner of strange motions, dancing tates all the instruments at once, and to the discordant sound of the instru· dances on, heedless of perspiration and ments spoken of above, and all shriekdecorum. ing like hobgoblins. The place smelled of sulphur. We soon became conscious But the most hideous of all their that Ngee was approaching. He dances is the "Ngee" dance. The growled hideously and roared in tones Ngee Society is a secret order corresponding in many points to the order such as I would not have supposed where no reason is conceivable unless a could come from man or devil, and love of the lie itself. The only sexual changing from shape to shape. immorality that they consider wrong is the unfaithfulness of a wife, but the "If shape it could be called, that shape had restraint put upon this sin is slight, none, and upon other immorality no restraint at all. They believe in God, but their Diltingui8hable in member, joint or limb." belief is unliving, a vague idea that has no fear in it, and hence no moral force. He flashed his knife about us fiercely, One day when I was returning from but seeing that we were not to be preaching in a certain town, it chanced moved by all the powers of darkness, that several women who had heard the he retired for a time. We turned up preaching were following along the our light and sat down. The novelty way. One of them called to me, a of the lantern overcame their antago- woman in whose face was not even a nism, and they danced freely about us, trace of innocence. She said: .. If God their motions more demon-like than is so good, why does He not give me ever in the dim light of the lantern. more food 1" I replied that the wonder But Ngee did not yet give up all hope was He gave her any, that God only of oVercoming us, or it may be that his promises to take care of good people. purpose was to initiate us. He brought She said that she was a good woman, a the bones of his ancestors-of his grand. very good woman. I looked at her for father or his grandmother perhaps- a moment, wondering what a very bad and placed them in a heap before us, woman would look like. I asked if Shaking the grinning skull at us, and she had never done such and such dancing about them with roaring and things, mentioning their commonest incantation. With look as innocent sins. She had never done any of those and ignorant as we could command, we things, but had always been a model took the bones up and handled them of truth and purity-such a woman, on curiously but respectfully, looked on a the whole, as is not found outside of little longer, and then departed, having Africa. I turned to the other women seen enough. present and asked them if this woman had spoken the truth. To my surprise It is said that after writing the .. In- they all agreed with her, saying that ferno" Dante looked as if he had been they had never known her to do any in hell. I do not know whether I after- of those things of which I had spoken. ward looked so, but I certainly felt as I then said: "Now, you say that you if I had been there. are a good woman. God says you are a bad woman. Who tells the lie?" She The belief in witches is perhaps the replied; without hesitation, "God." strongest prevalent in this country. Again I was surprised, but it was easy History gives us abundant testimony now to defeat her since she had called that this has always been one of the God a liar. Imagine, then, how near most cruel and enslaving beliefs that the abyss a people live on whom the have ever entered man's mind, and greatest of truths, that of a living God, here as elsewhere it is prolific in tor- has no moral force. ment and misery. I am told that among them are men But this subject is too large to enter called "tiger.men," whose custom is upon here. to hide in the bush and spring like tigers upon passing women and chil- As I know more of these people I dren, cutting them to pieces. find greater depths of depravity than I had thoup:ht of. One sometimes won- It is such a people whom we have ders whether man cannot indeed de- undertaken to tame by the Gospel. It scend to the depthS of the witches in .. Macbeth," to whom" fair is foul, and foul is fair." They will answer the most ordinary question with a lie, is not yet too late. "If there are Demon Possession on Missionary Fields.* depths in man as deep as hell, there are also heights as high as heaven. Are There are observable among men not both heaven and hell made out of gradations of intellect. Is there anyhim 1" Christendom may well ask thing unreasonable in the supposition why it is that they have not heard the that there are other intellects in the Gospel centuries ago; but let none ut- universe of higher powers than man P ter reproach nntil himself does his Does the creation necessarily top out duty. Three of us labor here alone with the human· family? Did what- ever force made man exhaust its powamong a people of urenakcnhoewd nthneumdebpetrhs~ ers when it made a human being? a people who have of depravity and misery, where the 2. If there be other higher intelliworm dieth not and the fire is not gences, must they all be necessarily good, or may some of them be malevoquenched. We are calling for help. Their de- lent and evil f pravity calls loud-calls louder to us S. If there be such higher intellithan to our fathers, and Christ's com- gences, good or bad, or both, have they mand, though long neglected, has not any means of influencing the human become a dead letter. The harvest mind and life? Bold, bad men of falls ~o the ground for ripeness, and great intellectual force do here influthere IS none to help. The work is not ence their fellows to evil. May some easy, but I prefer it to any other I have unseen higher intelligences also lead ever done. The Gospel in which we men into error and crime? trust, in which is all our hope, is here These are questions with which the Old and New Testament affect to dperaol ~ put to the severest test, and is not found and about which they are very wanting. It is said of Mohammed, that when a nounced. Is there anything contrary boy, lying one night in the open field, to reason in the way they deal with an angel came in his sleep, and remov- them? ing his heart, wrung out of it all the Explain the Bible narrative as we evil, which fell in dark drops to the may, it distinctly recognizes certain ground. I can think of the streams and phenomena as being superinduced by rivers of this land running red like energy exercised over the human body crimson with their escaping sins, and and mind by unseen spiritual forces. this people still unclean; but we know Is there anything that can be identified a simpler way and more effective, even as the same class of .. possession" as the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is the that described in the New Testament? power of God. From these hills that This is what Dr. Nevius undertook to now resound with the noise of this vio- answer in the volume just from the lent people we purpose to proclaim the press, through the kind offices of Mr. life and death, the example and the Henry W. Rankin, to whom he comprecepts of Him whose voice is not mitted the manuscript just before leavheard in the street, who breaketh not ing for China, where, presently after the bruised reed nor quencheth the arrival, he died. smoking fiax, and who died for the But this is not all which interested sins of the whole world. And this we Dr. Nevius. He wanted to ascertain 0; do in the strong hope that in a time not * Demon Possession and Allied Themes be- far distant the smoke of their torment ing an Indnctive Stndy of the Phenomena onr shall no longer ascend to darken the own Times, by Rev. John L. Nevins, D.D., forty sun, but the listening heaven shall hear years a missionary to the Chinese; with an Infrom ten thousand voices the glad troduction by Rev. F. F. Ellinwood, D.D. shout, .. Gloria in Excelsis." Chicago and New York: Fleming H. Revell Company. $1.50. whether the same kind of power exer- Chinese, their Present and Future: cised by Jesus Christ and committed Medical, Political, and Social" (1891), by Him to His disciples is applicable says he examined many cases of al- to similar cases if found to exist in our leged "possession" in China, and as- .IllY. He had a far more definite pur- serts that mania, dementia, and hysteria pose than that of a mere contribution are sufficient to account for the cases to the occult science of our time. He he had either seen or heard described, grappled with the question, What ought and he considered any who believe in to be the attitude of the foreign mis- demoniacal possession "superstitious sionary to this class of phenomena in and too credible." But Dr. Nevius heathen lands? Must they be relegated furnishes testimony which, he definitely to pathology or psychology, or dealt avers, and many will concur with him, with as spirit-product, to be exorcised cannot be explained by these causes, in the name of the same Jesus who and he gives some striking cases of commanded like spirits to come out of strong, healthy men, never ill, and men and to cease to torment them in never depressed in mind or body, who His day? Shall the missionary treat were subjects of this sort of double ex- them with the ammonia-bottle or the istence at intervals.
Bible? The practical point, however, is the In order to settle this as far as possi- missionary one, of how to attempt to ble for himself, and to furnish datil for deal with these cases. Dr. Nevius others to do likewise for themselves, he affirms that many cases have been took great pains, by personal investiga- cured by prayer to Christ or in His tion and by correspondence with other name, some very readily, some with missionaries in all parts of China, to difficulty; but, so far as he had been gather the fullest possible testimony able to learn, this method of cure had from experience and from reliable testi- never failed in any case, however stubmony concerning these alleged cases of spirit possession. He carefully sifted born and long continued, in which it the mass of material he had thus collated, and as carefully attempted to had been tried; and in no instance had analyze and classify it; and whatever may be thought of the evidence-and the malady returned if the subject beopinion is sure to be diverse-we have here an important contribution to the came a Christian and continued to lead bibliography of spirit-phenomena. The distinction of the volume consists in a Christian life. the facts as testified to by Chinese competent to observe and state them. A reaction against the gross mate- How they arc to be accounted for is a separate portion of the treatise. Of rialism of our times is sure to come, this much the author is convinced, and the occult is quite a8 certain to be thrown out of perspective when it is taken in hand seriously; and this vol- ume will therefore be of value to Chris- tian people wishing to follow a careful and conservative investigator. as all who knew the author recognize him to have been. [J. T. G.] that whatever was meant by demo- niacal possession in the land of Judea in the times of Jesus Christ, exists to- Shall Missionaries be Sent to Foreign day in China phase for phase. He Fields in Faith that the Funds will gives further testimony of Bishop Cald- be Forthooming? well as to the precise similitude with these of evil-spirit possession in va.rious This question has been a vital one parts of India. with some Christian workers for some Dr. Robert Coltman, Jr., surgeon in while past. The Church of England charge of the Presbyterian Hospital, Missionary Society, seven or eight Teng Chow Fu, In his work, "The years ago, determined that God must in some way take care of suitable men then in the Contingenc:y Fund. The definitely called to this work, and re- year 1894-95 began with about £4000 solved to send all such forward, funds to the good, the surplus on the special or no funds. They have recently contributions to clear off the previous issued a tract showing the development year's deficit. The Society, therefore, of their work in the seven years they after the immense development above have pursued this policy, in which they illustrated, is only £6000 worse off than say: it was seven years ago. And within " 1. The total number of missionaries the same period, a mortgage of £20,000 (not counting wives) has increased as on the Children's Home has been paid follows: Clergymen, from 247 to 344 ; off. On the other hand, it is important laymen, from 40 to 82; women, from to remember that very large savings 22 to 193. Total, from 309 to 619, or are due to the fall in the value of sil- just double in the seven years. (The ver. Had the Indian exchange re- Estimates Committe~ give a larger mained where it was, a much larger number, but they have not deducted income would have been needed."
some recent deaths and retirements.) "2. The increase in some missions is especially, noticeable. West Africa (including Yoruba and Niger) had then Reasons for Taking Part in morts to 11; now 43. East Africa (including Save the World.
Uganda) had then 26; now 58. The BY REV. EDWARD WEBB, LINCOLN UNI- Mohammedan lands, Egypt, Palestine, VERSITY, OXFORD, CHESTER COUNTY, Persia, had then 17; now 63. India PAhad then 133; now 222. China had then 30; now 85. Japan had then 14 ; l. Because" God so loved the flJO'I'ld. "
now 53. 2. Because it is the command of " 3. It was at the end of 1887 that Christ.
the new plans for associated evangelists 3. Because Christ Himself, as the first were formed. It was at the same time great model Missionary to the flJO'I'ld, that the large extension of women's leads the way-we should follow Him.
work began. Since 1887 medical mis- 4. Because salvation is provided by sions have much developed, and the Him for the flJO'I'ld.
number of medical missionaries have 5. Because He has given us the Gos- more than doubled. pel in trust for the flJO'I'ld.
"4. Since 1887. the p1'oportion of the 6. Because if we are not faithful to Society's expenditure on home organi- our trust, the flJO'I'ld will perish in its zation and administration, relatively sin.
to the direct expenditure on missions, 7. Because, if by our unfaithfulness has diminished. In 1887 the home and neglect the flJO'I'ld perishes, we charges cost 2s. 8td. out of each pound shall be adjudged guilty.
sterling spent. In 1893-94 they cost 1;1. Because if we are faithful to our 28. 2d. out ot each pound sterling trust, the flJorld will be saved, and the spent. reward will be ours.
" 5. In 1887, there were four honor- 9. Because Christ has taught us to ary missionaries. In 1894 there are say, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be over seventy honorary. done on earth as it is in heaven."
" 6. In the year ending ~Iarch, 1887, 10. Because no one, without active the General Fund income was £200,- interest in the foreign missionary work, 777. In the year ending March, 1894, can sincerely make this prayer.
it was £237,797. 11. Because foreign missionary work "7. The year 1887-88 began with has brought to the Church In return a £10,500 to the good, being the balance boundless blessing. 12. Because to stop all this work for work and exchange accounts of experithe world would bring upon the Church ences. There were besides five foreignparalysis and death. born missionary children. The mis· sionaries represented work in various 18. Because Christian love is essen- parts of India, China, Japan, Bulgaria, tially world-wide; it utterly refuses to be Hawaiian Islands, Siam, Turkey, and limited. West Africa. These are all receiving gratuitously the medical service of the 14. Because this world-wide love in- faculty and the free use of all the remecludes and fosters love for our own dial agencies of the institution, which country. Dr. Henry Foster has built up through forty years and presented to a board of . 15. Because the plea that to save our trustees composed of the senior secretaown land is to save tke world, has force ries of the leading missionary societies, only when the Church at home fs active to be held in perpetuity for the rebuildin saving the world. ing of the impaired health of missiona- ries. The outright gift is valued at 16. Because home missions had made $500,000, besides not less than $20,000 little progress when, by direction of annually of what may be classed as the Holy Spirit, foreign missions were eleemosynary expenditure. The superbegun from Antioch, in Syria_ intending physician, the Rev. C.. C. Thayer, M.D., and his wife were for a 17. Because, if there is a good reason term of years missionaries in the Turkfor one church or one member of a ish Empire, and as the head of the instichurch neglecting it, there is the same tution are in full sympathy with the for the whole Church. benevolent intent of the founder.
The three non-ethnic religions of the The twelfth annual meeting of the world that in spirit and work are ag- International Missionary Union will be gressive, diffusive and missionary, are held at CliIton Springs, N. Y., June Buddhism, Mohammedanism, and 12th-19th. All foreign missionaries, Christianity. The first, from humani- whether in service or retired, are recogtarian motives only; the second, with nized as members and entitled to free a prevailing political object. But the entertainment. All missionaries pur- Gospel of Christ is spread from su- posing to attend are requested to notify preme love to Him, as the chief and im- Mrs. C. C. Thayer, Sanitarium, Clifton pelling force, and also from love for the Springs, and to name topics they wish world. discussed. Ail information will be gi ven by the Secretary. The prospect is of a Let us, by all means, love our own large attendance, and eminent names country, even as Christ loved His native are already enrolled, such as Dr. H. H. Palestine. In His spirit let us labor Jessup, of Syria; Dr. Blodgett, forty and suffer for it. Let the spirit which years in China; Dr. Jacob Chamberlain moved and inspired the great Apostle and Dr. Boggs, of India; Dr. Amerto the world, whose motto was, "To man, of Japan; and Secretaries Bald· the Jew first, but also to the Gentile," win and Barton. be onrs. For the love which reaches out to the Gentile cannot pass by ~he J. T. GRACEY, Pre8ident, Jew. Rochester, N. Y.
A goodly company of missionaries are REV. W. H. BELDEN, Secretary, " up for repairs" at that great mission- Clifton Springs, N. Y. ary centre, Clifton Springs. One day recently the Sanitarium arranged that these missionaries should dine together in the spacious dining-room of that noble institution, and a social was held in the parlors in the afternoon, at which thirty missionaries gathered to talk over the40
CHU-LA.-LANG-KORN, THE KING OF SIAM, AND HIS SONS. PALACE ENCLOSURE-ENTRANCE TO TEMPLE
FillLD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
III.-FIELD OF MONTHLY. SURVEY.
BY D. L. PDmSON• .Siam and Laos,* Malaysia,t Buddhism,t Lepers.§ THE LAND OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT. lation of the country is estimsted at. about 6,000,000, largely interspersed BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHillF. with Cbiriese. The people are not taU, aTe inclined to tatness; with faces broad' Siam has been, in comparison with and fiat, with, small noses and wide India and China, unknown to modem mouths, and they wear a stolid and sulcivilization. Commerce found little len aspect. 'The type of race is moditbere to attract trade, and, until witbin fied Mongolian, mixed with Chinese and the past quarter century, there has been Burmese. In the extreme south the but little literature which trea.ted of inhabitant8are quite distinct and have that Malayan penil,l8ula; and, as to the migrated from Sumatra; they are Mos- Laos country, it was even more a part lem in religion, and politically indepilDof the great unknown. dent 6f Siam,under rajahs or sultans.
Siam is about 1000miles long, and at Education Is at its lowest level among its widest less than one third of that the'Siamese, and woman Is wholly un· measurement. In the north are great taught, though her domestic estate is mountain districts, rich in fauna and fiora, streams and waterfalls; and the much above the aVllrage condition ·ot lowland,;! produce ample rice crops, the main dependence of the people. Three women in the Orient, and notably hi principal rivers constitute its river system, the Menam, the "motber of wa- toIndia; but. when education is brought ters," being the great highway of inter- bear upon thl'se people, they prove course and the stream on whose banks by no means lack.ing in native ability. Bangkok, the capital, the Asiatic Venice, stands-or, as we might say,fioats- A cuyious cust~m is insepllr~ble from so large is the proportion of inhabitants the exercise of hospitality. The areca living upon its water streets. nut is mixed with lime and 'certain other ingredients, a· compound which not Most of the travel is by boats, but in only blackens, but· rapidly destroys the cases where they are not available, by teeth, and yet this. mixture is chewed elephants, which carry a saddle shaped by both 'men and women, and the richer like a sawbuck. class serve it in gold boxes.
Bangkok has a population. verging The government is an absolute mon. on half a million; and the whole popu, archy, and it is not long' since the lion. ors paid to the Siamese .king. were: aI, * See also pp. 8 (January), 219 (March), and most Divine. There Is no hereditary nobility, and the king himself is elected 321 (present issne). Literature: .. Historical by certain officers. Some. sixty smaU Sketches of Presbyterian Missions:" "Slam provinces have each a ruler, aU subject and Laos as Seen by American Missionaries :': to the king. The late king and his "Siam," Mary L. Cort;" The ·Land of the successor, Chulalangkom, .have, proved Wbite Elephant," Y. Vincent. very able, .educated, and erilightened monarchs, who abQlishEld the CUB· t "India and Malaysia," J. M. Thobnm, toni of bowing lik.e beasts "on all fours," and bade. their courtiers stand D.D.; "A Winter In India ;md Malaysia," before:thein Hkemen.. 'From theacccs- M. V. B. Knox, D.D. sion' of· M8.ha"Mong-Kut" in.18S1, there has been more contact with the outside :I: "The Light of ~Ia and. the Light of the world and more real progress than for World," S. H. Kellogg, D,D.; "Short Chapter~ centuries before. on Bnddhism," .J.. H;. 'TitcOmb;, "Buddhism,',' Rhys Davids: "Buddhism," Sir Monier Will, ams.
S See p. 358 (present Issue). ". The Lepers of Our Indian Empire," W. C. Bailey: "Work Among Lepers." Missionary operations have never been ever opened in this country. Among vigorously carried forward, owing to the first fifteen scholars three were the paucity of laborers. The country daughters of the nobility, and all proved is open in a remarkable degree, but the equal to the boys in the acquirement of whole missionary force in Siam and the knowledge, so the school proved a suc- Laos country does not exceed thirty- cess, and other natives were induced to Jour, including women and the medical send their children also. One of the force (excluding wives of missionaries). Laos princes called to see the school. He had on a coat, pants, and hat, but The missionaries of the American was in his bare feet. The people are Board sent out in 1831 and 1832 were very much darker colored than the afterward removed to China. Since Chinese, but have the same straight 1847 the entire native population have black hair. They cut it short, and been under care of the Presbyterians of comb it d la mode parted in the middle North America. But the whole of the -men and women all the same. The New Testament and part of the Old, priests shave their heads, and wear san· with a beginning in Christian literature, daIs. Their garments are all made of were the fruit of one decade of years, yellow cloth. It is the sacred as well and now the whole Bible is accessible as royal color. There arc thousands of to all who read Siamese. The" Pil- the lazy vagabonds supported by beg· grim's Progress" was among the early ging. They make a very good living, products of a Christian press, which has however, as no one is allowed to refuse proved a grand instrument of evangeli. them what they ask, somewhat after zation and education. Parts of the Bi- the style of certain priests in America. ble have also now been translated into They are all servants of the idol god the Laos dialect. For seven successive Buddha, and at death expect to enter years the accessions to the Church in upon an eternal sleep. They live alone the Laos country were constantly grow- in monasteries upon the temple ~rounds. ing, from 110 in 1887 to 303 in 1893. The mother church at Chieng Mai, after .. At a certain season the kmg celesending out eight colonies, has an adult brates worship and gives gifts to the membership of over 700. priests. He visits the temples for nine days. At such time he may be seen in From 18407 to 1851 aU mission effort his royal barge upon the river. His was hampered by the hostility of the boat, over 150 feet long, with 84 row· king; on his sudden death, and the ers, all dressed in uniform, and keeping election of Maha·Mong-Kut, who had perfect time with their paddles. The studied with an American missionary, boat is beautiful, beginning with a and proved a catholic·spirited sov- bird's head and ending with a fish's ereign, the work began to take root, tail, all covered with gilt and Siamese though it was thirteen years before the carving. There were banners of crimfirst convert, Nai Chune, yielded to son and gold, and tassels of Yak hair. Christ; and the simple faith of the na· The king sat in state uuder a small cantlve Christians has given much hope to opy near the centre ,of the boat, and the missionaries. was almost hidden by curtains of cloth of gold. We saw him plainly When The effort was early made to raise he passed from his barge to the temple up a native ministry and to establish under his glittering golden umbrella. schools for girl8, as well as boys, to He was dressed in shining raiment and whom native custom had confined these sparkling with jewels, but had left his advantages. crown at home, as it is far too heavy to wear with any degree of comfort. I A well·known traveller writes: never saw a more imposing procession. There were perhaps a thousand boats .. Rev. Dr. Samuel R. House and his upon the river; eighty of them, filled wife were at one time the oldest Pres· with princes, nobles, officers of rank, byterian missionaries in Siam, and had soldiers, priests, etc., with their serunder their care the fir8t girls' 8chool vants, were counted as his special es· cort. The whole ceremony was for the perpetuation of Buddhism and the wor- ship of idols.' The people, however, worshipped the king as though he, too, were a god. There was music and shouting, and on either side of the river, in the floating houses, there were altars erected and tapers burning, while the people clasped their hands and bowed themselves as the king in his glory to earth in form of white elephant, passed by." birth, etc., and ending with his funeral pile and miraculous consumption. In the following paragraphs little else is attempted than to make a few The doctrines of Buddhism; bIlef notes on the condition of the land 1. Vacuity, unreality, illusiveness of and people, and to give short extracts nature. from competent authorities. 2. This nihilism levels all barriers of caste, nation, etc. Polygamy prevails to a fearful extent, 3. Final object, Nirvana, or deliver- with the inevitable degradation of ance from pain and illusion. Rotation woman. of metempsychosis then being broken, the soul is not born again; even desire Half a century ago all foreigners were of existence lost. excluded, but now all Christian coun- 4. Its four great truths are; Pain, its tries enjoy treaty rights. The present origin, its annihilation, and the way king subscribeS liberally to educational to such extinction. and missionary enterprises. Buddha actually sways the people of Siam. Its sacred fanes are among the Dr. Dean organized in Siam the first costliest in the Orient. One is estichurch of Chinese Christians in all Asia. mated at $800,000 and has 900 images The first zenana teaching ever at· of Buddha, one of which is 150 feet tempted in the East was by missionary long and is inlaid with pearl and overwomen in 1851, among the thirty wives laid with gold. The sacred literature and royal sisters of the king of Siam. in the Pali is written on slips of palm leaf, and the four hundred principal Buddhism is a most obstinate foe to works embrace 4000 volumes. Gospel conquest. It is a State religion, "Buddhism is evidently losing its and conversion is virtually treason. No hold upon the minds of young Siamese. man can hold office till after three Indeed, many of the older nobility, such months in the priesthood. While this as the Regent and others, are said to is the nominal attitude of the govern- have but little faith in it, but are ment toward foreign faiths, as a matter obliged to keep up appearances to some of fact no Oriental government has degree. The majority of the common made a closer approximation to a catho- people, and the women of all classes, aro lic toleration. still firm in the faith and constant in their works of merit; but there is un- As to Buddhism, it is a very subtle questionably a coldness in certain quarsystem. It is so complex and philo· ters. The present king, before assumsophical, that it has taxed the greatest ing the reins of government, according minds to explore and represent it. It to custom, spent some time in the is a mixture of apparent absurdity with priesthood. This, it is said, he would exalted ethical teaching. The most gladly have avoided, had not the custom satisfactory work I have seen upon been so inexorable, and the prejudice Buddhism is Sir Monier Williams's su- in its favor so strong. perb volume, one of the series of Duff The son of the Minister of Foreign Afmissionary lectures. fairs spent four years in England, part of the time at Oxford. He was there, Buddhism is the religion of the fol- however, without any proper person to lowers of Fo, whose tenets, introduced direct his studies or control him, and about A.D. 66, are called after Buddha, after spending a mint of money for his (to know-inteUigence). father returned, talking fluently upon horse·racing, dog-fighting, dancing, Buddhists hold that countless Bud· theatres, operas, and all plays and dhas have appeared to save the world, among them one in the present period -namely, &kyamuni, or St. &kya, held by some to be the ninth incarnation of Vishnu. His legendary history is in twelve sections, beginning with his being in the fourth heaven, descent sports; but his knowledge of the sci- than anything else. These calculations ences appeared to be small. He pro- are printed at the royal press, and pubfessed to have lost his faith in Bud- lished under the king's seal a short dhism, without having adopted any- time before the opening of the new thing better, and was averse to entering year." the priesthood. His father was indif· ferent upon the subject, but his grand- Buddhism has no place for atonemother was determined that he should ment, acknowledges no creator; the follow the ancient custom. She said souls of men are ancestors'/ all birds-and he was her favorite, and all her earthly beasts represent souls of departed relagoods were laid up for him; she accord- tives. ingly betook herself to weeping, day and night, until the young man was The white elephant is said to represent obliged to relent. Usually the shortest some king or hero. Death may usher time that anyone can spend in the priest- the soul into the body of a white ant or hood is three months. He agreed to elephant. enter the priesthood for tltree days; but stipulated that, contrary to the custom All males enter the priesthood for a of the priesthood, he should have his time, and live as celibates. regular meals in the evening, with claret. It is also reported that many of the ris- The Siamese believe in acts of merit, ing nobility have relinquished Bud· and seek to accumulate them. dhism. It is to be feared, however, that infidelity will succeed. The great The darkness of the future is terrible, preponderance of European influence, according to the confession of an aged outside of the missionaries, is in that priest himself, who with all his virtues direction. and austerities could see only a blank despair ahead. " Phja Krasap, a nobleman of rank and superintendent of the royal mint, Nirvana seems to be a condition in was at one time the only man in the which all attributes or quality, all dekingdom who had any scientific knowl- sire or emotion, or action or sense, is edge ,worth naming. He was also a gone. Buddhists maintain that a soul philosopher of some ability, and has so sublimated exists, though everything been denominated the 0 hunder Sen of that can be predicated of a soul has Siam. He discarded Buddhism as at passed away. One is reminded of an present taught and practised, and be· illustration which a Western college lieved in a Supreme Being, who pos- professor once gave of transcendentalsesses a kind of personality and is capa- ism, When pointing to a sand-bank full ble of hearing and answering prayer. of swallow-holes, he said, "Imagine That Supreme Being he combined with that bank all washed away, and the the correlation of forces, or rather made swallow-holes still remaining, and you that the instrument of the Supreme have transcendentalism." Being in carrying out his designs, and claimed to find this belief revealed in The thing that is plausible in Budthe Buddhist Scriptures. But few of dhism is its ideal, not its practical mothe Siamese know anything about the rality. The Buddhist decalogue is in Copernican system. The Brahman as- most respects commendable, and so far trologers calculate the eclipses with resembles that given by Moses at an tolerable accuracy, and give the time earlier date, that one naturally queries When the sun in his apparent course in whether the wonderful spread of the the heavens reaches the equinoctial and truth in Daniel's time did not reach solstitial points. This is done more in India, and give to Daniel's contemreference to the times of their festivals porary, Gautama, some of his principal ideas. The Decalogue, according to Rev. N. A. McDonald's work on Siam, is as follows: I. From the meanest insect up to man, thou shalt kill no animal what- ever.
18911.] ll'lELD OF' MONTHLY
II. Thou shalt not steal. "4. The way to the suspension ofsuf- lII. Thou shalt not violate the wife fering: By the eightfold noble path- Right belief, right resolution, right of another nor his concubine. speech, right deeds, right life, right IV. Thou shalt speak no word that ideals, right thoughts, right memory, is false. right meditation. V. Thou shalt not drink wine nor •• The last of these clauses is the foun- dation of Buddhist ethics. Evidently anything that may intoxicate. ethical law here is not founded upon VI. Thou shalt avoid all anger, ha- the dictates of a higher power, nor is there anywhere the suggestion of a law tred, and bitter language. VII. Thou shalt not indulge in idle or of universal harmony, or necessity, by which the individual is led forcibly to vain talk:. follow a line of conduct which suits VIII. Thou shalt not_covet thy neigh- the universe. The difference between bor's goods. ~ood and evil conduct, roughly stated, 18 the effect upon the individual him- IX. Thou shalt not harbor envy, nor self. Good conduct in a small way pride, nor malice, nor revenge, nor the produces relative happiness in life, and desire of thy neighbor's death or mis- advance of station in the round of ex- fortune. istence; in a large way it becomes the X. Thou shalt not follow the doc- motive-power toward the highest aim, trines of false gods. the resolution into the all, the Nirvana. This doctrine of suffering concentmtes This illustrates the ineffectiveness of all serious attention upon the Ego, and laws, however good, if there be no lov- for the Buddhist this metaphysical term steps out from the franJe of an ing and sentient law-giver. In a world abstract system, and assumes a reality which" created itself" (" Pen Eng," so strong, that everything without as the Siamese say), and whose supreme fades at times into utter insignificance.
being has no attribute nor emotions, To find the Ego is praised as the best end of all search; to be friends with laws will be observed or not according the Ego is the truest and highest friendto the disposition of men. The proof ship. The Ego spurs to good; through of all systems lies in their power to the Ego one knows one's self, and the change the downward tendencies of Ego watches and protects. The Ego is the ultimate refuge, therefore it must men. The practical morality of the be held in check, as the dealer holds a Siamese may be judged by the fact that noble steed. One's own Ego must, the nameless sins of Sodom-the un- first of all, be securely founded on natural affections depicted in the first good. After that others may be in- structed. chapter in the Epistle to the Romans- .. This may, perhaps, be regarded as are fearfully prevalent even among the the most characteristic point in Budpriesthood. dhist ethics. It is a spiritual egoism, Professor Maurice Bloomfield says : whose existence and development are hostile to and exclude practical selfish- " Buddhist ethics is joined directly to ness by its very existence. Forgivethe doctrine of suffering, as we may ness and the love of enemies is exaltcall it. This is the very corner·stone ed, but the impulse is less from the of the edifice. It is designated with heart than from the head; it is from schematic regularity as the fourfold that knowledge which kills desire, and doctrine of suffering, being presented leads to Nirvana. " again and again in four statements which form a close sequence. "1. The truth of suffering: Birth is THE TEA.CHINGS OF' BUDDHA. AND suffering, age is suffering, disease is CHRIST COMPARED.
suffering, union with what is not loved HISTORICAL DIFFERENCES. is suffering, separation from what is loved is suffering. Buddhism• •, 2. The origin of suffering: The thirst after existence which leads from birth By the doctrine of Karma a man is to birth, and to the desire for lust and power. bound hand and foot to the inevitable consequences of his own acts. " 3. Suspension of suffering: Giving np the thirst for existence by cutting Buddha always described himself as off all desires. self-made. Buddha came down to be born on bodily life as the highest of boons and earth in a rich and princely family. loftiest of aims.
Buddha declal'ed that all enlighten- Beware of action, as causing re-birth, ment and wisdom were to be attained and aim at inaction, indifference, apathy, by his disciples, not through him, but as the highest of all states. through themselves and their own intuitions. Every man is saved by his own works and by his own merits. Buddha died peacefully among his friends, suffering from an attack of in- What shall I do to inherit eternal exdigestion, at the age of eighty, and tinction? leaving thousands of disciples. Ohri8tianity. Buddha is dead and gone forever, or lives only in the doctrine which he left. Christianity demands the suppression Ohristianity. of selfishness. Christianity says: Fight and over- In Christ alone there is forgiveness of sins. come the world.
Christ constantly insisted that He Christianity teaches: Expect a new was God-sent. earth, a world renewed and perfected, in which righteousness is to dwell for- Christ was sent from heaven to be born on earth in a poor and humble ever. state. Bodily existence is subject to only Christ had all the treasures of knowl- one transformation. edge hidden in Himself, and made The body of man may be the abode known to His disciples that He was Himself the way and the truth. of the Holy Spirit of God. Present your bodies as living sacri- Christ died in agony an atoning death, suffering for the sins of the world, at fices, holy, acceptable to God, and exthe age of thirty-three, and leaving pect a change to glorified bodies hereabout one hundred and twenty disciples. after. Work the works of God while it is Christ rose and is alive forevermore. day. DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES. Become as little children, and when Buddhism. you have done all, account yourselves Buddhism demands the suppression unprofitable servants. of self, with the one object of extin- What shall I do to inherit eternal guishing all consciousness of self. life? Buddhism says: Shun the world and withdraw from it. Another writer says: Buddhism teaches: Expect a never- .. To the Christian, the chief quesending succession of worlds forever tions of the future turn upon the fate coming into existence, developing, de- of Buddhism, and the prospects of caying, and reviving, and all equally Christianity. Can Buddhism retain its full of everlasting misery and change. hold upon the people amid the inevita- ble enlightenment? It is admitted to Bodily existence is continued in six be one of the purest of false sYiltems, conditions, through countless bodies of its ethical code almost identical with men, animals, demons, etc. our Decalogue. Gautama, the origina- tor, appears to have been a man of rare The body can never be the abode of disinterestedness and purity of charac· anything but evil. ter, contrasting strangely with the las- civious grossness of Mohammed. But Look to final deliverance from all the whole philosophy of Buddhism is an impractical dream, futile and ineffec- tual. It lays no strong and cheering hold upon the hopes of the life to come. It lacks inspiratIOn and high prompt- ing, affording no • mark for the prize of his high calling in Christ Jesus,' which quickened Paul to all endurance and all effort, revealing no • eternal weight of glory,' no fellowship of God part to different authorities and in part here or hereafter, no eternal career of to basis of calculation. The 2,284,880 culture and growth and delightful ac- Christians include nearly a million and tivity, no joy of eternal love. but in- a half of Roman an~l Syrian Catholics stead of these a mere endless dream iu and about 800,000 Syrian Jacobites. In which all sin will be bleached out of 1890 there were in India proper (excluthe soul. but with it all thought, feel- sive of Burma and Ceylon) 559,661 ing, and moral quality. It gives no Christians, of whom 182,722 were comimpulse, and lacks moral power. It municants. Including Burma and does not,corrupt, but it leaves all the Ceylon, 671,285 adherents and 223,941 natural corruption of the heart to go communicants. These have now inunchecked, which in the end leads to creased to over 700,000 native adherents I much the same result. and about 250,000 communicants for all India. " Buddhism. so plausible and so negative, will be hard to dislodge, and for NOTES FOR THE MONTH.-D. L. P. this reason great fruits have not yet been gathered in Siam. A people well The estimated area of Siam is 190,000 fed and proud of their garden land and square miles, about equal to that of the their respectable religious faith are less New England and Middle States, or one easily moved than impoverished and and one half times as large as the Britperishing races ; but Siam must yield ish Isles. The population numbers up Buddhism before the progressive about six millions, and consists of tendencies of a practical age. If not 2,000,000 Siamese, 2,000,000 Laosians, Christianity, then scepticism will take 1,000,000 Malays, and 1,000,000 Chithe place of the shadowy and soulless nese. dream that now entrances the people… Roman Catholics began mission work Oorreotion and Explanation. in this country about 1662, but soon became corrupt and a great hindrance Rev. D. F. Watkins writes to correct rather than a help to the cause of pure statements in the March Survey: .' Rev. Christianity, since the Siamese judged Mr. Thompson brought Bibles here (to all Christians by the Romanists among Mexico) in 1827. Portions of the Scrip- them. The first attempt to reach the tures in Spanish also found their way into Siamese with the Gospel was made by this country at an early date after their Mrs. Ann Hazeltine Judson, when, at her home in Ragoon, Burma, she transpublication (1823). . . . There are about lated a catechism and some tracts into a dozen churches and congregations in Siamese in 1819. Mrs. Gutzlaff was the Territory of Tepic with two or- the first missionary who resided in dained native pastors, helped by faith- Siam, but she only lived there one year, from 1830 to 1831. The American ful local preachers. The llethodist Board established and maintained mis- Episcopal Church, South, has also good sions there from 1831 to 1849. The work in three cities in Sinaloa and in American Baptist Union began work in Bangkok in 1833, but since 1835 have three places in Sonora, also at La Paz, confined their attention to the Chinese Lower California. OUf statements in Bangkok and the vicinity. The were based on the fact that there are Presbyterians of the United States no Protestant foreign missionaries sta- (North) entered the field in 1840, and have continued laboring successfully tioned here. A seeming contradiction with but a slight interruption until the iu our April issue needs a note of ex- present, and are the only society now planation. On pages 269, 291, and 293 the statements are made that there are in India 2,284,380 Christians, of whom 592,612 are native Protestant Christians, again that Protestant communicants number 250,000 and adherents 700,000, and again that communicants number 182,722 and native Christians 559,661. These seeming discrepancies are due in working among the Siamese and Lao· was granted, and he regained his throne.
sians. The prospects of the work are Later on the kingdom came under the exceedingly bright, seemingly only lim· power of Siam, when French aid was ited by lack of men and means to take again called in, and the protectorate advantage of the fields already white recognized 1863. Pray for an open unto harvest. In 1894 there were la- door and men and means to enter into boring among the Siamese 22 mission- Cambodia and Annam.
aries, including 8 ordained men, 1 phy- sician, and 5 unmarried ladies. These were assisted by 23 native helpers, In- cluding 1 licentiate and 18 teachers.
Communicants numbered 317, of whom Malaysia consists of the lIIalay Pen- 12 were added in one year; 307 pupils insula (Lower Siam and British colo- attended 13 day -schools, 555 were in nies), Sumatra, Java, Celebes, Molucca, Sabbath'school, and the number of in- and other small islands under Dutch door patients treated was 2800. The rule, Borneo, divided between the more important and promising work is Dutch and English, the Philippine Is- carried on among the Laos tribes of the lands under Spain, and numerous other north. Here 31 missionaries (10 or- small islands, some of them controlled dained, 3 medical, 6 unmarried wom- by Portugal. New Guinea is some- en) are stationed, assisted by 1 ordained times added, but more properly belongs nat~ve and 50 other helpers. They to Australasia. The total area, 830,000 have established 9 churches with 1590 square miles, and the estimated popu- communicants, of whom 289 were add- lation, 35,000,000, of whom two thirds ed in a year. Pupils in the 6 day- are in Java. The prevailing religion schools number 370, and in Sabbath- is Mohammedan. In Singapore and schools 475. the adjacent country there are laboring representatives of the Church of Eng- land, Presbyterians and Plymouth Brethren of England, and the Ameri- One of the unoccupied fields of the can Methodists (North). The British world Is neighbor to Siam. OarnlJodia, and Foreign Bible Society from this with an area of 40,000 square miles and centre sends out Bibles and tracts in a population of about 800,000 Siamese forty-jive languages (200 languages are and Laos people, 30,000 Malays, and said to be spoken in the city), and has 100,000 Ohinese and Annamese. Cam- colporteurs going to Sumatra, Java, bodians are more honest, but scarcely Borneo, Celebes, and the Philippine less indolent than Annamese; women Islands, in which last place they are are fairly respected and independent; the only missionaries. In 1890 there instead of earrings they often wear were 83 missionaries laboring in the wooden or ivory plugs in the lobe, Dutch East Indies, most of whom are which thus becomes distended to a connected with the Reformed Church monstrous size. Society of Holland, the Netherland, The early history is obscure. Con- Ermelo, Dutch, Mennonite, Rhenish, quered by the Annamese toward the and Utrecht societies. Statistics of sta- close of the seventeenth century, the tions, missionaries, and communicants southern portion was set apart for Chi- are very incomplete, the Encylopredia.
nese who had fled from home for politi- of Missions gives 198 stations and 32,767 cal reasons, and this became Cochin communicants; this is, however, a very China. In 1787 the king of Cochin incomplete record. In Java there is a China, being dethroned, appealed, native home and foreign missionary so- through French missionaries (Roman ciety founded in Batavia in 1851. This Catholic), to France for aid, which is now operated from Amsterdam_
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
The March of Events. by the Chinese forces that hover around it. The climate is inclement. Imag- Official ad vices received at Wash- ine a large army tramping through the ington announce that the powers of snows of Maine and New Hampshire, Viceroy Li Hung Chang, the Chinese and we have some of the conditions of the Japanese forces, and, moreover, the Peace Commissioner, embraced negotia- Japanese army has not the clothing or tion upon four points. His credentials the shelter that an army in New Engread simply" to negotiate," but he was land might be expected to have, neither clothed with full powers to effect: can it get much support from the coun- 1. The independence of Korea. try through which it is travelling. It 2. A money indemnity. is not the first time that an army has found it a very different matter to push 3. Cession of territory. the war within the enemy's borders from what it was to gain victories on its 4. The readjustment of treaty rela- own or a neutral country's soil. Ja-· tions between the two countries in re- pan, of course, shows no fear as yet, gard to commercial relations, extra-ter- though there is seen a lack of.enthusi- ritorial jurisdiction, and other matters asm over the war which a tew months ago was not apparent. There is no previously covered by treaties which seeming haste on the part of Chinese have been terminated by the war. envoys. They are evidently confident This information discredits the cir- that the longer the delay the smaller cumstantial statement sent out March will be the .indemnity. There is cere tainly at present some ground for the 121h, purporting to give the text of the prophecy which was made by good auconditions agreed to by China in ad- thority in the fall of 1894-that the vance. These conditions are said to nearer Japan came to taking Pekin in include the cession of certain specified 1894 the greater her victory, an<J the farther she was from Pekin on January territory and to prohibit the cession of 1st the greater her misfortune. But all other territory, and to limit the indem- this may have changed ere this reaches nity to $250,000,000, payable In gold. America.
March 25th the news came from Tokio "One event in connection with the war should fill the Christian world with that a young Japanese, Kogama Roku- rejoicing and prayer for God's blessing nosuk, had shot the viceroy in the cheek, upon the Word. In an almost unex- and the bullet entered below the eye. plainable way Japan has lately been The wound was not thought to be dan- opened to the Bible as never before. It shOuld be known that in the past misgerous, and the would-be assassin is re- sionaries and Christian teachers have ported a lunatic. The Japanese with been forbidden to enter the barracks or one accord deplore the fanatic's act, to present Christianity in any way to the soldiers. A Christian young man and the probable result will be favor· who became enrolled in the arm.y could able to China in the peace negotiation. keep his Testament with difficulty, and Indeed, later it was announced that was likely to suffer much persecution an unconditional armistice is granted by at the hands of officers as well as men. A few months ago a young man who the Japanese emperor. last year graduated from the Baptist Ai to Japan and the war, Rev. J. L. theological school, on being enrolled, Dearing writes in The Watchman: had the greatest difficulty in keeping his small copy of the Gospels. Now all " The war wages steadily on. The is changed. Those in authority are nearer view of affairs gives little en· doing everything in their power to have coura~ement of the speedy issue which the Testament placed in the hand of AmerIcan and English papers report. every ioldier. The private secretary The accounts in the daily vernacular of Count Ito aided in forwarding a press, which may be expected to make large number of copies of the Testaout as good a case as possible for the ment, to be distributed through tbe Japanese, lead one to think that the navy. Prince Komatsu, who is at the Japanese army is advancing very slow· head of the Imperial Guards, asks that ly toward Pekin and is greatly harassed 10,000 copies of the New Teatament b6 fwrniihed for every office! and man in may not seem strange to those who are the Imperial Guard. They are the accustomed to think of the sympathy picked men of the empire, he says, and of a Lincoln or a Washington, but It should be the model men of the army. one thinks of the usual luxury of an He wants everyone to have a Testa- Eastern court, and how unusual such ment. Free permission has been given conduct is on the part of an ElIStern to the agent of the Bible societies to monarch, it will be easier to conceive distribute Testaments and to hold reo the high place that his Imperial Maj. esty, Mutsu Hito, is winning in the lIgious conversation in the hospitals of hearts of his people by the sympathy the army, among the Chinese prisoners, and love that he is showing, and one and in the barracks throu~hout Japau. can better understand what an inspira- How much this means it IS hard to reo tion he is to the entire army." alize. We cannot believe that this general permission to do a work here- From other sources we learn that the tofore forbidden cOll}es wholly from a American Board of Commissioners for new love for the Bible. Other forces Foreign Missions has received from are doubtless at work, but the fact that Hiroshima, the military headquarters the Bible is thus circulated may tell above referred to, a statement and ap· wonderfully in the advancement of the peal relating to Christian work for the Master's kingdom through the new and army, showing that, for the firllt time widespread reading which these thou- in history, a pagan nation authorizes the sands of copies will receive. We may employment of native Ohristians a8 army well pray that the understanding of chaplains! Ten missionaries and six· many may be opened. It is unques- teen Japanese workers have been des· tionably true that the war will forward ignated for the special work. for soldiers Christianity in Japan as well as Korea at Hiroshima. Encouraged by the and China. Korea has been opened as sympathy and weighty influence of never before to Christian teachin~. Christian officials high in rank, the 10- The slur which has often been heard lD cal committee have obtained permission Japan, that Christianity would make to send a number of Japanese evangel· one disloyal and destroy one's love for ists to the front as Cluistian workers for the Emperor and for one's country, has the army, and it is hoped that permis. been effectually stamped out by the sion may be secured for a missionary to loyal attitude of all Christian people. accompany or follow these Japanese. The activity of Christian people in seeking to supply the needs of the An appeal is issued asking for $1000 army, as well as in prayer for the at once to use in the missionary work army, has brought Christianity before contemplated in the Japanese army. the people in a very favorable light, The appeal is signed by seven well· quite in contrast with the inactivity of known brethren, with Bishop Evington at the head, and a new door seems open the Buddhists. for Christian effort which it is to be " Reference ought to be made to the hoped may be promptly entered.
attitude of the Emperor toward the In stran~e ways God may use this war. The subject is little dwelt upon war to promote the spread of Christian· by the home paper, perhaps because it is not understood, but it is a fact, never· ity in these lands. theless, which makes him a great ex· ception among Eastern monarchs. Soon Purushotam Rao Telang, a Brahman, after the war opened he removed his in the December Forum, makes the fol· court from the luxuries of his Tokyo lowing remarkable admission in regard palace to Hiroshima in West Japan, to Christ,ianity: "Here, in justice to that he might be nearer the seat of war the missionary, I must say that he has and able to encourage the troops as done much to lift the pariah, socially they embarked for the war, and also and mentally, by opening schools and oversee the return of the wounded and educating those who became converts. prisoners. There, in plain, temporary The structure of ,Hindu society and r60 quarters, he has remained, taking a deep interest in everything that concerned the war. He often goes through the hospitals and sends the band to play for the invalids. Only a few days since he was found walking in his garden in the clothes of an ordinary solaier that he might, he said, more fully appreciate the condition of his soldiers at the front. Such action on the part of an Emperor ligion – built on caste – is such that there was desperate fighting, 1500 men there is no such help for the pariah as having been killed or wounded.
the Christian missionary has brought to ., Then the diplomats and the Papal him." Nuncio, Mgr. Macchi, intervened and Another war threatens between Chili a peace was arranged. and the Argentine Republic, which "During the fighting all of the forwill draw in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador as allies of Argentine against eign legations were exposed to the fir- Chili. One thing feared by the people ing. The United States Legation was here is that Chili's first step will be to in a particularly dangerous situation. put a heavy body of troops into the centre of Bolivia, which can easily be "Mrs. McKenzie, wife of the United done by the railroad, and thus step in States Minister, narrowly escaped being between all the allies and chastise each shot. More than fifty refugees sought one separately at leisure. an asylum in this Legation. The only means of communication with the out- side world since Saturday has been over the lines of the Central and South Drought and locusts have caused American Telegraph and Cable Comwidespread famine in Eastern Equa- pany. All other lines were closed."
torial Africa. Villages have been de- Dr. Gracey sends the following letpopulated and mission schools and ter from a well-known source: churches have been closed. Many natives are selling themselves and their SEOUL, KOREA, February 7, 1895. children into slavery to obtain food_ I give you a great piece of news- The missionaries in Ugogo, Mpwahwa, Bishop Ninde had an audience with and Mamboia have joined others in an the king of Korea on the 4th inst. The appeal for aid. king expressed a desire to see the bish· op on January 31st, but he had already Mr. McKenzie, United States Min- gone to Chemulpo. He returned and ister to Peru, telegraphed the State was received in auillence. This is the Department March 21st, that, after first time episcopacy stood In the pres- three days' fighting, an armistice had ence of royalty in the bermi~ nation.
been arranged between the insur- Dr. Scranton [Methodist Episcopal] and gents and the government troops, Dr. Underwood [Presbyterian] accom· and that over a thousand dead and panied the bishop, and they understood wounded were left lying in the streets the hearty words of thunks His Majesty of Lima. Later some sort of an agree- uttered to the bishop in behalf of the ment was reached by the belligerents, Americans for their interest in Korea.
and peace was restored. A provisional "There are many, many Americans in government is reported formed with Korea. We are glad they are here.
Senor Candamo as Provisional Presi- Thank the American people, and we dent and Minister of Foreign Affairs. shall be glad to receive more 'teach- The New York Herald says: "Presi- ers.'" This is a wonderful utterance.
dent Caceres surrenders the government There are no Americans worth men- and retires to Ancon. Nicolas Pierola, tioning in Korea except "teachers,"
the leader of the revolutionists and and to tell the bishop to tell "the formerly President, will go to Chorillos. American people" to send more seems Caceres took refuge on board the Chil- to me to be opening the door wide on ian cruiser El P'l'eaidente Pinto. its hinges. The king and many of his .. This change in the government is people believe in Americans, and want the results of the three days' battle in to get as much of their" civilization"
Lima. The revolutionary forces, led from them as possible.
by Pierola, entered the city at dawn To-day I was asked by a representa- Sunday morning, and for three days tive of the foreign department here to receive two hundred students into our ditional pledlSe suggested by this devout mission school. It is not likely they man of God were added? We can im- agine the deeper feeling with which have this number ready, but it does each one would say, ' It meaw mY8elf, mean they want to avail themselves of ()1' my earthly p088essions.' One vow of our school. This Is a time worth living this kind would be worth one thousand in Korea. of the other, which is hedged in on three sides only. The word' if ' leaves Student Volunteers. the other wide open toward the world. Like Gideon's band, the little company An additional pledge is suggested of three hundred would be worth more for battle than more than thirty thoufor the Student Volunteer Movement, sand. by a prominent friend of missions and "These new Volunteers would be a generous giver. We print the com· like the tine wheat and the unblemished munication : sacrifice, which was required in the Old " A widely known and useful clergy- Testament religious rites. Now, no man of our .Church, who has made a less than then, God is mocked when study of Presbyterian and other church solemn vows are broken, or when immethods, made a suggestion recently, perfect sacrifices are brought to His on the Student Volunteer Movement, altar. "
that challenges and will bear consider- In the last issue we gave place to ation. If put into practice, it would insure such a purification of these the communication of Mr. S. F. Wilwould-be sons of Levi as could not fail kins, President of the Howard National • to bring down an abundant blessing on the churches. Bank of Boston, as to the" extra cent· – "Speaking of the imperfect pledge a-day plan" for raising money for the which these young people take upon cause of missions. Mr. Wilkins is not themselves, he added, 'I would find no only very earnest about this scheme for fault with the pledge, if it would go on and say further," If the way is not open- habitual and systematic contributions, ed for me to go to the foreign field, I but he exemplifies his principles by in· promise to live on the same amount, in closing fifty dollars, which we apply to this country, that I would receive were our Student Volunteer Fund for sup- I engaged in missionary work, and consecrate all that I possess over and above plying the REVIEW to proposing and that amount to the maintenance of the intending missionaries. To this plan foreign missionary work." , of Mr. Wilkins we call attention with "It was not said in jest, but in sol- emphatic commendation. emn earnest, and was the result of much observation and careful consideration of the plan that is rcgarded as simple Vivekana.nda. and easy to take up or let go. There is no question but that many who are Last winter no little stir was created counted as Student Volunteers have an in some of the northern cities by the earnest purpose to push on till they lectures of one Vivekananda. a Hindu reach the end they have professed to aim for; but these, as a rule, would monk, who was a delegate to the have gone out, almost certainly. with- World's Parliament of Religions. This out having made any previous public same Hindu has since published his declaration. views regarding missions in India in " It is no less true that most of the rank and tile of the movement are not different papers and magazines in this qualified to carry out their profession, country: and many of the thoughtless, and it would be better that they should or those whose prejudices were against not vow, than vow and fail to perform. foreign missions, were led to suppose Crowded meetings and the enthusiasm inspired by members, with impassioned that missions in India were a failure. appeals, are responsible for forcing, It would be well for such people in our from not over-strong natures, declara- own land to read the comments of the tions they would not make under other newspapers of India, Hindu as well as circumstances. " For these and other reasons would Christian, on the character and views of this same Vivekananda. His Hindu· it not be well, and would it not be an inspiration for the Church, if the ad· ism is repudiated. and it is stated that such a system as he gave forth in this both ways. The lantern and some one country is unknown to orthodox Hin- to read the l"cture must be secured 10.'
dus; and his description 8f mission- cally. Whenever possible, the slides aries is generally pronounced as most are sent so as to arrive a day or two in unfair. It now appears that he was at advance of the date on which they are the outset an actor in the Calcutta the- to be used, and they should be returned atre. He afterward joined the Brahmo the day following, packed in accord- B'omaj, and preached their faith. He ance with the directions on the box.
soon repudiated this, differing from hil!! It may be well to add that Mr. Grant's brethren as to any belief in God. This own hints on giving an exhibition may is the man who has posed before Ameri· be had in printed form, by application can audiences as a learned and able ex- to him. Our illustrations on Siam in ponent of orthodox Hinduism.-The the present issue were kindly lent us by Missionary. Mr. Grant.
Apropos of the above, it may be add· New books on Missions still con· ed that the Calcutta missionaries do not tinue to appear, and some of them of favor the scheme of the Rev. J. H. Bar- high excellence. The Pacific Press rows, of chicago, for a course of lec- Publishing Company publish "The tures to be delivered in India on .. Com- Story of Pitcairn Island, and the Mutiparative Religion." It appears that neers of the Bounty," written by Miss the influence of the recent Parliament Rosalind Young, a native daughter, of Religions has tended rather to foster and it is well done. The marvellous confidence, already too arrogant, on the way in which the Word of God withpart of the mndus, in their own relig- out any living preacher won its way to ion and opposition to Christianity. The the heart of the whole community is a great business of Christians in regard unique testimony to the power of the to India is to preach the Gospel in all living book, and it is well that the story its simplicity and glory, and leave the is fully told by one who knows all the Hindus who hear to make their own facts. The proceeds of the sale of the comparisons. We have had serious book go to the new educational institudoubts from the beginning as to the tion now building on the island. expediency of any such" lectures" in the heart of Asiatic idolatry and false faith. Michael Coates sends gratifying news from the South Africa General A most helpful way of creating and Mission as to the work of God in SWRfostering interest in missionary subjects zieland.
is by magic lantern lectures, illustrating Mr. Baillie with Mr. Coates and wife the daily life of the people, their occu- visited the new station," The Welpations, religion, places of worship, the come," and found the work going for· physical features of the country, public ward, and the natives flocking to the buildings, and the mission work. Such meetings. The Sunday before their illustrated lectures on India, China, and visit it was difficult to find room for Persia may now be had by applying to the people. Klass, the owner of the W. Henry Grant, 53 Fifth Avenue, farm, was converted and baptized duro New York. Each set is composed of seventy or eighty views, with a map ing their stay. The party several time!! and two missionary hymns. A' manu- visited the klng's kraal and held school script lecture is sent with the slides. there for the young king, a boy of About an hour is required for reading about nineteen and his two brothers. the lecture and showing the pictures. l1r. Coates writbs: " We believe there A charge of $2 is made each time the is a work going on in the heart of the slides are used, in addition to expressage queen. lam told she prays often. We heard her speak about Jesus and ask questions about the Bible. She has promised she will shortly tell all her people to learn and to pray. The king is very firm in his belief that their ideas about spirits and snakes are right, being compelled to deny a share in the but all his movements are watched by distribution to any whose income Is the native doctors, who are anxious over £100 a year. The work done by that his mind should be kept -in a state this "book fund" has been immense of darkness. and of vast benefit.
" If the king goes to wash, his medi- A Presbytery has been formed in cine man accompanies him, so that the connection with the United Presbyte- rian Mission in Egypt, one of the most water may be doctored and no evil promising missionary enterprises in the spirit hurt him. When lately the king world. This presbytery has recently shot two men in a fit of anger, his held its annual meeting at Suit al Lebu, witch doctor had to come immediately on the Upper Nile. Americans, visiting Egypt now in increasing numbers, and give him medicine to make the an- often show their interest by their gifts. A gry spirit depart, and the remedy was late letter from Cairo says that Mr. Whitelaw Reid, of the New York to paint the eyes of the king with a Tribune, who has just left for Suez, en black concoction, telling him also not route for Jerusalem, sent in a check for $500 for mission work, with a note in to leave his hut for three days. I was which he witnesses to the excellence of very much surprised the other day the work being done all through Egypt by this mission. when the king told me that the white people simply existed to give nice things The Proposed Medioal Missionary 001- to the nati ves. The king is very fond lege. of speaking to us, and I trust that be- The first payment of $5000 toward fore long his mind will be enlightened. the purchase of the John Stephenson We have had the king's own brother at church twice; he also comes frequently to visit us and is very pleasant and nice. He told me that when he got to know more about Jesus he would believe in Him.
.. Five of the king's sisters with their attendants were present at church, and listened most attentively to what was said, for which we praise God, as we feel sure that the words spoken in church are carried home and repeated again to the queen. "
Rev. Frank S. Dobbins will send to estate at New Rochelle, N. Y., was anyone writing him (at 1420 Chestnut made by the International Medical Mis- Street, Philadelphia) for it, a list of sionary Society early in March. The " Some Two Hundred of the Best Mis- second payment of $70,000 is due May sionary Books. " The list includes only 1st, and the third payment of $15,000 books now in print and on sale and must be made September 1st. easily obtainable. The property, comprising twenty Thirteen thousand copies of the list acres, and forming one of the most are now out in circulation, and a new beautiful sites to be found on Long edition of five thousand is just issued. Island Sound, has upon it a large white stone mansion built in the form of a cross, and measuring 115 feet in length, Mrs. Charles H. Spurgeon, still inside of piazzas. and 72 feet extreme residing at Westwood, London, con- breadth, about 60 feet average width.
tinues to supply ministers of small It has four complete stories. It is pro- means with good books. During 1894, posed to arrange the upper floor as a 8403 volumes were thus distributed, dormitory for male students, the third mostly works by her lamented hus- floor being devoted to lady students.
band. Among the recipients were 183 The ground fioor, containing eleven Baptists, 72 Congregationalists, 105 rooms. will be used for purposes of in- Methodists, 63 Episcopalians, and struotion and administration, While the 6 Presbyterians; £882158. 7d. was con- basement will afford all needed con- tributed. Mrs. Spurgeon says that she venience for boarding, culinary pur· has had more applications from the poses, and laboratories.
Episcopal clergy than she could fill, The former owner, John Stephenson, spent over $400,000 upon the building weeks will also be arranged for prospec- and grounds, but the executors, being tive missionaries, during which instruc- interested in the project, bave given tion will be given in emergencies and $35,000 of the lowest market price- the Bible, and the students will have $125,000-reducing the cost to only opportunity for practical work at the $90,000. A mortgage of $50,000 can mission dispensaries of the Society.
be readily obtained upon the property, The charge for board, residence, and but the promoters of the college trust instruction for ten weeks will be $50.
that the people of God will not permit This course will extend from the mid- this to become necessary. They have dle of June to the end of August.
about $10,000 promised toward the sec- Recently a very valuable addition to ond payment, and much earnest prayer the Society has been made by placing has been and is being offered by the on its Board the Rev. D. M. Stearns, of managers, students, and others that the Philadelphia, one of the ablest and scores and even hundreds of noble soundest Bible teachers of the present young men and women now clamoring day.
for medical education for mission ser- vice may be accepted and trained as they desire. Rev. Dr. Steel, of Sydney. The gift of $1000 will provide resi- dence for one student in perpetuity, Among our ablest editorial correwhile $5000 will provide re8idence and spondents we esteemed the late Dr. board for nine months and medical edu- Robert Steel, of Sydney. A memorial cation for one young man or woman in tablet to him, of Carrara marble, ;has perpetuity. The donors may name been unveiled in St. Stephen's Church, their gifts as scholarships, "In Memo- Sydney. The inscription reads: riam," and for the use of students of their particular denomination. Sacred to Tbe basis of the institution will be the Memory of :THE REV. ROBERT STEEL, D.D. evangelical and interdenominational, Born at Pontypool, Monmouthshire, England, and the trustees will represent, as 15th May, 1827.
equably as possible, the denominations Died at Sydney, New South Wales, 9th' in accordance with the gifts made from October, 1893. and for the same. Minister of St. Stephen's Church for 31 years. The Rev. S. L. Baldwin, D.D., Sec- Third Moderator of the General Assembly.
One of the first Couucillors of St. Andrew's retary Methodist Mission Board, 150 College. Fifth Avenue, New York City, is the President of the Interim Theological facnlty present treasurer. of the Presbyterian Church of New Sonth Since January 1st, 1893, Dr. Dow- Wales. An earnest and eloquent Preacher of the kontt, the Founder and Medical Direct- Gospel.
or of the Society, has received commu- A faithful and Warm-heaned PSBtor. nications from not less than 400 young A Wise and Far-seeing Church Statesman. men and women in our various colleges and schools, who desire to obtain medi- A Popular and Instructive Lecturer. An Enthnsiastic Social Reformer. And an able and voluminous Contrihntor to cal education for mission service. If the Literature of the Day. the building is secured, it is intended In his daily Life to form the first class of first year students of 40 or 50 -both sexes-and be- he endeavored to show himself an example to his Hock. In his intercourse with his Ministerial Brethren he was ever a Pattern gin the regular course about September of Courtesy aud Forbearance, and iu his dealings 15th next. The course will be four with those outside his Denomination, he was a years of nine months each session, with privilege of graduating at the end of Model of Manly Frankness and Christian three years. A summer course of ten Charity.
" 0 for the tonch of a vaniShed hand, And the sound of a voice that is still 1"
GENERAL lIUSSIONARY INTELLIGENOE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY BEV. D. L. LEONARD.
Extracts and Translations from Foreign faith that had led many to righteous- Periodicals. ness of life ; but as yet confession of BY REV. C. O. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, Christ is not made unto 8al1Jation. We MASS. have now to prophesy to the wind, and the spirit will come from the four quar- lNDIA. ters of the heaven, and they shall then -" Mr. Redman took me last even- live. In a few years we shall, please ing to visit a memorial to Sadhu Hira God, be able to say, ' And they lived, Nand Shanthi Ram Advani. The in· and stood up upon their feet an exceed· scription in English on the monument ing great army.'" – Rev. ROBERT was that he was' born March 6th, 1863, CLARK, in Church Mi88ionary Gleaner.
and died on July 14th, 1893.' 'Do not -" A More Liberal Christianity for be weary in well-doing.' 'The ,world India. It is an exceedingly interesting passeth away and the lusts thereof, and fascinating study to trace the dif- but he that doeth the will of God en- ferent currents of thought that ripple dureth forever.' On the top of the over the Hindu mind one after another.
monument was the Christian cross, the Many of them are very evanescent in Hindu trident, and the Mohammedan their character and their effects. Some crescent. He founded and for a time of these waves of thought just touch taught in the Brahmo Somaj Union the surface and leave the abysses un- Academy in Hyderabad. He was touched; but there is one current of greatly interested in the education of thought which is quietly but surely en- girls, and taught some of them him· tering the Hindu mind and stirring it self. He was the editor of a native to its depths, and that is Christian newspaper, the Barowati, and advo· thought. In many minds it awakens cated every scheme of social reform. sympathy, in others aversion, in some At the time of the cholera epidemic he intense hatred. Numbers would like a wen(personally wherever the pestilence Christianity robbed of its strength, was most virulent, and gave medicine more accommodating to the ways of to the sick and comfort to the dying. men, or, to employ the usual term, a He never spared himself, and he gave more' liberal' Christianity. The Par- his labor, his time, and his money with- liament of Religions is to some extent out any human reward. He was a na- responsible for this latest ripple of tive of Hyderabad, and his whole heart Hindu thought. Hindus and Bud- seemed filled with a measure of the dhists have been welcomed in Ameri- spirit of Christ. But he never became ea; they have proclaimed to delighted a Ohristian. On his monument appear audiences the lofty morality and tran- two English texts from the Bible, scendental philosophy of their sys- which are surmounted with the em- tems ; Christian men and women have blems of the three great religions in listened with delight to their eloquent India, which are antagonistic to each denunciations of Christian morals, and other. have regarded the testimony of these " Full long has the Christian Church men as superior to that given by mis- been prophesying in India to the dry sionaries. The Christian public in bones, as God has commanded us to America and England are prepared to do. These bones are now coming to· take these men at their own valuation.
gether in the form of humanity. But The pUblication of the report of the there is as yet no life and no confession WorId's Parliament of Religions has of !Jhrist. There is apparently the given ' liberal' editors the opportunity
1895.J EXTlACTS .AND
of having their say. The editor of the prevail must emphasize the facts of Metlwdi8t Times cven is quite prepared sin, of alienation from God, of return to accept the Hindu at his own esti- to God through Jesus Christ. Take mate, and heartily endorse his senti- these away, and Christianity will be ments. Mr. Hughes says: 'How ter- deprived of its power. But the heralds ribly just, for example, was the follow- of Christ in this land will not cast away ing bitter cry of a high-minded Brah- their shield of strength. Their work man: •• Oh, that the English had never is agitating the minds of men; it will set foot in India 1 Oh, that we had continue to agitate them till the people never seen a single European face 1 ·of India shall have fairly faced and Oh, that we had never tasted the bitter adequately answered the question, sweets of your civilization, rather than , What think ye of Christ? ' "-Ha1"lJUt it should make us a nation of drunk- Field.
ards and brutes I'" This rhetoric is – We take occasion to commend the , terribly just,' and is to be accepted as Ha1"lJUt Field, published by the Methtrue because it is the 'bitter cry of a odist Episcopal brethren of Madras, as, high-minded Brahman I' But is there in point of mildness, breadth, and any truth in it? We have no doubt soundness, a magazine that leaves the' high-minded Brahman' would be nothing to be desired. delighted if every missionary left these shores to-morrow. Mr. Hughes ap- -The Madras Mission of the Ameri- parently agrees with him. The en- can Board, as quoted in the Ha'I'fJUt dorsement of such exaggerated rhetoric Field, says: may lead Hindus to think that Chris- "In view of the many accessions to tians who can so write are' liberal :' our community, an inquiry concerning but such foolish writing can only the motives of the new converts in be- weaken the Christian sentiment and in- coming Christians is a very interesting fluences that missionaries are trying to one. The opprobrious epithet of ' rice spread. Missionaries who live in the Christians' is not so frequently hurled midst of the people cannot accept at missions as it once was, so that we these representatives of the Hindu and can study the question more calmly.
Buddhist religion as fully and ade- It Is evident that as intelligence grows quately describing these religions; they among the people, and as the Christian do not endorse their wild and extrava- community multiplies, a greater vari- gant rhetorical statements. Hence the ety of motives and higher ones become people of America and England are possible and common among those who liberal and progressive. while mission- are accepting Christianity as their aries are narrow, puritanical, unpro- faith. The relative number is growing gressive. of those who are disgusted with the " The only 'liberal' Chris- hollowness of Hinduism, and 'are at- tianity that will be approved by many tracted by the truth and divine excel- is a Christianity that will deny the de- lence of Christianity, and for that rea- pravity of the human heart, and there- son embrace it in the face of many per- fore its need of regeneration ; that will secutions. We rejoice also in seeing rob Jesus Christ of His Divinity, and many, perhaps the larger number of set Him up as a peerless man among our accessions, drawn to us by family men. and therefore deprive Him of His ties. Their relatives were already redeeming love. Will such a Christi- Christians, and were being richly bless- anity be of any use in India? Will ed by their new faith. Their pleas, the followers of such a Christianity their example. and the solid blessings ever take the trouble to send out am- which Christianity brought to them, bassadors in any numbers? We trow and their refusal to marry their chil- not. The only Christianity that can dren to non-Christians, Were the all-
MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
powerful motives with this class. And is the power of God unto salvation. this motive through ties of blood and And it is no uncommon experience of kinship is to grow, for some years at the missionary to receive men whose least, out of proportion to all others, motives are so low and Whose minds and become the vastly preponderating are so base as to disqualify them from factor in the conversion of India to any true Christian life, but whose Christ. children, when they themselves have passed away, adorn the faith and ex- "The thirst for education and ad- perience the joys which their parents vancement is another growing power never knew." which draws the people. Many a young man, with the hearty consent -Mission jubilees are commencing of his Hindu relatives, now casts in to rain in India. The fact is suggeshis lot with us because it is the only tively instructive. The contrast with way open to him for education and the olden times, which were not better, promotion, with which blessings our is admirably encoura.ging. The Basel faith is becoming more and more iden- German Mission Church at Calicut, tified in the minds of the masses. And which has arrived at this joyful and many families also thus join us in or- patriarchal age, teaches, both in its inder that their cbildren may be edu- ception and by its later success, two cated. A great many still become distinctly important facts. The birth Christians from less worthy motives of the Church at Callcut was instruthan these. They are poor people suf- mentally due to the English civilians, fering injustice and cruelty at the hands Dr. Buchanan and Mr. Conolly. Its of village headmen and their heredi- parentage emphasizes the essential imtary masters-suffering as none but portance of the Christian layman in the poor Hindus do and can. But they counsels and efforts of the Church. Its learn of the missionary and Christian- maturity accentuates the wisdom of its ity, and sopn come to regard them as policy in its complete discouragement friends of the oppressed and the de- of caste."-Ohurch Mi88ionary InteUifenders of the poor. So they flee to gencer. them for protection, and when they find that they have not lied in vain, -" A notable Brahmo Somaj lecture they and their descendants are found on ' The Hindu Conception of God' was among the stanchest friends of the given on the 19th in the Town Ha)) to cause and the most devout disciples of a crowded audience by Babu Protap our Lord. A few come from more sor- Chandra Mozumdar, the leader of the did motives than these; but beyond Somaj. Tha.t conception, be told his telling all plainly that we offer no finan- hearers, had its best realization in the cial inducements of any kind to any Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The one, and can give them no promise of only point at which his utterances cessation of earthly troubles, we feel it might not have been the utterances of our privilege and duty not to scrutinize a sufficiently eloquent Christian mistoo closely men's motives; for we sionary was where-without explainhave learned not to expect high mo- ing, however-he declared that the tives from an ordinary Hindu, and we Christian conception of the Holy Spirit have learned also that a man's religiou'.! was' just too definite.' What a Chrisstatus in the future will depend, not so tian missionary Mr. Mozumdar would much upon the character of his pre- make t But the Lord of the Harvest Christian motives, or the absence of knows best." -Ibid. any serious motives, as upon the faithfulness and heartiness with which he -" The Irawaddy, like the Ganges entered Into the new relations and and the Brahmapootra, colors the sea llstellS tQ!l!ld 4qbibefj that Gospel which for many miles from its mouth. The coast lief! rlLther low, and is covered
EXTRACTI!l AND TRA]i8LATION8
with thick jungle, 80 that you see noth- find there is not a word in that treaty ing of Rangoon itself until you have to support the claims put forward in swept round into its harbor. But long the Chamber of Deputies by Ministers before, when yet miles away, you see, of Foreign Affairs answering interpella- out of the dark green mass, a glitterin~, tions. It is silent on the subject of a flashing tongue of flame shoot upward protectorate, and it only grants a privi- to heaven. Ascending like a fiery pil- leged situation to France in respect to lar, it disappears one moment in the diplomatic relations with foreign Pow- shadow of a passing cloud, and the ers, but not in respect to trading or any next moment flames out again more other relations. They stand on the brilliant than before. It is the' Golden letter, and, they aver, on the spirit, Pagoda,' the Sway Dagon, which is which was more distinctly expressed thus gleaming out far over the sea to in the Memorandum annexed to the greet us. "-Rev. O. FLEX, in Allge- treaty. They would not sign the treaty meine Mi8&01WJ·Zeitschrijt. unless M. Patenotre accepted the Mem- MADAGASCAR. orandum, which is not the less valid because M. de Freycinet shirked read- -The following statement, from the ing it to the Chamber of Deputies when Ohronicle, shows on the highest friendly he represented the treaty as a victory, authority, French, Catholic, and Jesuit, and asked for its ratification. how thoroughly inequitable is the present attitude of France toward Mada- "The Jesuit Father regards the gascar. Hovas as an intelligent and an interest- ing people, and well aware of the evil -" The Paris correspondent of the consequences of war with a great Euro- J)aily News recently sent to that paper pean power. But they will go to war the subjoined testimony as to the pres- if they are bullied, and a sentiment ent position of the French in Madagas- which would engender future trouble car from Pere Caussegue, a gentleman must spring up in the case of their well known in that island as one of the being defeated. If the French Govern- senior and most able members of the ment act with firmness and moderation, Jesuits' Mission. We fully endorse trying to conciliate and to be fair. the Pere Caussegue's view of the situation; Hovas are sure to become attached to it is strikingly true. France. The Jesuit complained to-day "Father Caussegue, of the Jesuits' to a writer on the staff of the Temp8 of Mission to Antananarivo, bas returned the number of usless French function- to France. He thinks the French aries quartered on the Hovas. Why wrong in ascribing aggressively hos- not send, instead of the fifty soldiers tile intentions to the Hovas. They who form the Resident's guard, six have no wish whatever to break the married gendarmes. and doctors, en- peace, and if they are procuring arms gineers, schoolmasters, and schoolmis· from England, it is only to make, tresses? They would be truly work- should they be obliged, a defensive use ers for civilization. A grand palace of them. They are terrified at the ut- has been built for the Resident, and a terances of M. de Mahy and other per- big barrack for the soldiers. The Jesuit sons of intemperate speech in the Cham- Father longed to see hospitals in their ber of Deputies. All that is said there place, and a few hundred thousand about Madagascaris printed at Antanan- francs devoted to benevolent institu- arivo. It does sound alarming to per- tions. Such an expenditure would be sons who are not used to French par- a premium of insurance against war, liamentary oratory, and it makes the which would cost millions, be a cause Queen and ministers scan closely the of military weakness, and bring France text of the Patenotre Treaty and the no return worth speaking of. There Memorandum annexed to it. They are English and Norwegian missions at
GENE:RAL lIlISSIONA:RY INTELLIGENCE
A.ntananarivo. Father Caussegue says out for more." -Ohul'c7& MiasiMWl1"Jl of them that if their relations are not InteUigence1'. intimate with the Catholic missions they are civil. The English and Norwegi- English Notes. ans do not attack the Catholics. The open and violent enemies of the latter BY JAlIlES DOUGLAS. are French. As to the Sakalavas, who are not yet Protestantized, the Jesuit London Mi8Siona'l'1J Society. – In an Father holds them to be an inferior able article on " The Story of the Lonrace, refractory to civilization. They don Missionary Society," Dr. Horton are fearful thieves. The Rovas are shows that there has been no decline really a fine race, and in time to come in the quality, the devotion, and the will be the governing one of the island." achievement of the missionaries. For example, in the last quarter of the cen- -As the two extremes of Christian tury there is the splendid story of New opinion in France, M. Saillens and Guinea to match that of cannibal Tahiti M. Caussegue, a Baptist and a Jesuit, and Samoa won for Christ. Africa concur in deprecating the overbearing presents a similar record-" the eleven policy of their government toward martyrs, gathered one by one,and laid Madagascar, we may regard the case in the lonely graves to possess the land as closed with all the judicious. M. about Tanganyika," forming a titting Caussegue, we observe, while acquit· sequel to the glorious courage of Vanting the Protestant missionaries of all derkemp, Philips, and Moffat. So hostility against the Catholic, does not with China. Dr. Horton, however, as condescend even to mention the charge an Englishman is not quite satisfied that they are plotting against France with the review. "Is it creditable," herself. He evidently does not think he asks, "to England that nearly all this worth notice. our best missionaries in the London Missionary Society have been Scotch- -" Moral ideas seem lacking among men or Welshmen 1 What is it in the the Sakalavas in Madagascar, though England of to-day that saps the herotheir neighbors, the Hovas, are Chris- ism in youths, and drifts them into tianized to a large extent. They say: smooth respectabilities instead of pas- • To lie, a sin? to rob, a sin? to get sionate heroisms 1" drunk, a sin? to aid wars, a sin? What is sin? That is some idea of Tien-Men and King.shan.-Dr. Grifyou white men, not ours. Let the fith John sends an inspiring and length- Hovas accept new ideas and customs. ened aocount of a journey through We are not such fools, or deceived so these districts. We note one or two easily.' Yet there il:l a conscience in items. "At one of our prayer-meetthem, and it may be awakened."-Pel'i- ings," he says, "it was my privilege odical A.ccounts (Moravian). to hear a remarkable prayer offered up by one of the Christians of Pan-tsze-Nau. -" Last November 21st, the birth- The Christian is a man of nearly sixty, day of the Queen of Madagascar, the and a convert of not quite three years' first pocket edition of the revised Mala- standing. Neither in China. nor out gasy Bible was issued. The books are of China have I listened to anything in clear type, neatly bound, and sold in the shape of reverent, earnest talking below cost at one shilling, so as to be with God that has impressed my mind within the reach of most. Thi.. vocket as that prayer did. The truth must have Bible is esteemed a great boon, and become very real to that brother, and when the consignment reached Anta- very precious, too, for otherwise it nanarivo, there was a great rush to se- would have been impossible for him to cure copies. In a few days every copy hold communion so intimate and loving was sold, and the people were crying with his Father in heaven."
ENGLISH NOTES
Dr. John reports large additions in shade of view and practice. As one of the district of King-shan. Besides 66 themselves expressed it: .. Drawn as already baptized, there are on the books we are from all classes and grades of 136 candidates for baptism. .. There society, we try to perpetuate in our is," he says, " something extremely in- midst the very differences that charac- teresting in the whole movement. It terized us before we entered the fold gives one an idea of the possibilities of Christ; but what has become of the connected with missionary work in bond of fellowship that is in Christ China, and especially in this province. Jesus? Is it not strong enough to . •. Our great need just now is more break down all petty barriers of an ar- men." tificial society? We want more of Ohurch Mi8sionary Society.-In H. union and fellowship, more of sympa- E. P's notes in the Ohurch Missionary thy and Christian love, to weld together Intelligencer, attention is called to two into a homogeneous whole the varying defects in Indian Christian life : First, and discordant elements of our comthe prominence given to matters of munity."
only temporal concernment; and, sec- Kerak, Palestine.-This town, which ond, t.be lack of thorough Christian is some 700 feet higher than Jerusalem, oneness. It seems odd that a Christian is the scene of a hopeful mission. A convention should have been held for great work is being done among the no higher purpose than" to deliberate Moslems of the place, who seem on the on such subjects as .the educational most friendly terms with the workers needs of Indian Christians, their indus- there, and who are very open at pres- trial and commercial pursuits, the es- ent to the preaching of the Gospel.
tablishment of a family pension fund," Kerak is adjacent to the Bedouin tribes etc., but such is the information tele- of the great Syrian desert, who come graphed from Lucknow. In Madras thither to trade, and is within three the subject of .. thrift" has been eager- days' journey of the Arabian frontier.
ly canvaesed ; but better still the first It is felt that there is a loud call to meeting of the" Native Christian Gos- make Kerak a strong mission without pel Propagating Association" has been delay.
held in that city, at which Mr. S.Jagana- Bapti8t Missionary Society, North thum told "how wonderfully the Lord Ohina. – We understand that great was helping the earnest members of it in bleSSing has accrued from the Baptist propagating the Gospel to the multi- mission work in North China. Around tudes of both Christians and non-Chris- the three mission stations in that region tians, and thus accomplishing the only there are now from 80 to 100 small object of the Association, which is to churches, with a membership varying make known the only way of salva- from 6 to 60.
tion. " Dacca,lndia.-The Rev. R. Wright The want of homogeneity among na- Hay has had a warm welcome on his return to his much-loved mission work. tive Christians is doubtless due to the A Mohammedan gentleman, whom he very imperfect assimilation of the spirit has known for years to be under imand principles of the Founder-a fruit- pressions of the truth of the Gospel, ful cause of separation among brethren has committed himself by being bapat home as abroad. The grave·clothes tized. Concern for his family had long of caste hamper the movements of the held him back from the path of open Divine faith in India. At one extreme discipleship. are the conservative native Christians, paganized in customs still; and on the other, there lire the Anglicized few who Lower Congo.-Times of refreshing assert their liberty, while intermediate are reported from Underhill Station, is a motley group of ev-ery oonceiVl.lble· Lower Congo River. Two lads have
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTEJ,LIGENCE
been baptized, both of whom made a The Presbyterian Ohurch of England. good confession in their baptism; and -Much interest is felt in the appoint· there is besides a class of fi ve inquirers. ment of the Rev. W. B. Douglas, B.D., Tidings of a good work of grace in the as assistant in the Puerto College of Upper Congo have also arrived. The the Irish Presbyterian Spanish Mission. work at Bopoto was commenced four "Mr. Douglas," says the Missiona1'1/ years ago, but the seed sown is now Herald, .. is not only an accomplished beginning to yield the promised har- scholar, but seems to be on fire with vest. the true missionary spirit which is so much needed for working for Christ in Oeylon.-A revival of Buddhism in this land of Romish superstition and this island has developed a strong op- ignorance and degradation." For three position to Christianity. It is a time years he has been chaplain at the Rio for the workers in patience to possess Tinto mines, being stationed at Huelva, their souls. The Rev. Walter D. Han· where he preached regularly, and su- kinson contributes an admirable article perintended the large Spanish schools on the situation. Much is contrary for the children of Rio Tinto workmen. 'lnd the reverse of hopeful, but "the Lord sitteth above the floods." The A Visit to Jam-tsau..-This place is fierceness of the opposition has aroused interesting because of its associations interest in many. Mr. Hankinson and with William Burns. The Rev. J. L. his native preacher received during a Milne, B.D., has been visiting it along few weeks hundreds of visitors. "We with Mr. Wynd, a missionary in Japan. feel very thankful," he says, "that so Good congregations were had at the many have come within our reach, for services held. Among those visited ever since I came to the district the was an old saint who was found sitting Buddhist preachers" (one a very bitter against her doorway, reading Matthew hater of God) " have been stirring the 6. "Yes," she replied, in answer to . people up." The opposition in ques- Mr. Wynd's inquiries, "yes, she does tion has been accentuated (thanks to often think of the Lord, and is glad she Chicago) by the arrival of Mr. Dharma- soon will meet Him; and when she Iles pala, who was representative of the awake at night, unable to sleep, her Buddhist religion at the Parliament of prayer is for the work in China." Religions. THE KINGDOM. Wesleyan Missiona1'1/ Society.-The Aylilf and Fingo Memorial Church, -This is the entry made on the rec- Peddie, South Africa, was opened on ords of the Leicester Church when November 1st, 1894, amid great rejoic. Carey's decision to resign his pastorate ings. The name Ayliff is of historic in order to go to India was announced: interest, being associated with the work "No business of importance, except and name of the Rev. John Ayliff, who that in January our pastor gave us no- first brought the Gospel to the Fin- tice that he should leave us in March, goes more than half a century ago, and having engaged to go on a mission to laid a solid foundation on the ever-dur- BengalI, in the East Indies. " ing rock. The original Aylilf Church, Peddie, was built about 1840; and a -It is said that the words, .. Reserve striking evidence of the progress made the cots for the two most uninteresting since those days was afforded by the babies," always accompany the check presence of a thousand persons at the which Miss Helen Gould sends each opening of the new church, among year for the support of two beds in the whom were many ordained ministers Babies' Shelter connected with the and other office-bearers; descendants of Church of the Holy Communion, New original Fingo refugees. York City. -The American Mes8enger relates aged by what the missionary societies this incident: A foreign missionary re- have done and are doing in carrying the cently told of a woman who, on a Gospel to the whole world.-Rev. F. M. school-teacher's salary of $1000, lived Rains. on one half, and with the other half supported a substitute in China. She -The Peninsular and Oriental Steam- then felt that she was really two per- ship Company, commonly known as sons, and carried out her lifelong de- the P. and 0., is the oldest and one of voted desire to be a foreign missionary. the largest steamship corporations In She received a letter every week from the world. It commenced a mail ser- her substitute, prayed for her by name vice to the Spanish peninsula in 1837 every day, and realized the truth of with the Siberia, a wooden side-wheeler what a friend of hers had said-namely: of 516 tons and 180 indicated horse "This teacher serves the Lord twenty- power. This company's fleet now con- four hours a day, and thus practically sists of 54 steamships of 221,807 tons lives the life of the angels, who serve and 225,650 horse power, and 22 steam Him day and night; for at the antip- tugs and launches, the largest and most odes her SUbstitute is working while powerful steamships of the company she sleeps." being the Australia and Himalaya, each 6900 tons and 10,000 horse power. The -A missionary among the colored P. and O.'s receipts from passengers in people in North Carolina relates that 1893 were $4,655,880; from freight, $5,676,480; and from the government after he had bee!B. absent from his field for contract services and conveyance of troops, $1,841,940. The total expendi. for a few weeki, and at the first prayer- tures were, in round figures, $10,885,- meeting, they all thanked God for his 000. In the course of twelve months return, and one brother prayed: "0 this company's steamers traverse a dis- Lord, we thank Thee for our beloved tance of nearly 2,600,000 miles. pastor, and we pray Thee to bless him. -The records of a certain church in o Lord, make his head an inkstand, Massachusetts in 1805 were" enriched" by the addition of these words: "Reand his tongue the pen of a ready writ- 8olved, That we will not allow any er." Still another brother prayed that preacher the use of the pulpit to solioit he might "mount the Gospel horse money in support of missionaries." and ride into the sea of truth." It is But very soon came along a pastor who in this same church that when they brought that people to sound repentgive out a hymn they say, .. Let us ance, faith, and good works. now mangle our jangling voices in a hymn of praise." -Much of this is owed to Christian missions: "The farmers have a new -This gigantic enterprise of saving market. China and Japan find that the world has stimulated Christian peo- flour is now as cheap· as rice. The ple to their largest and best endeavors. mills on the Pacific Coast are grinding More attention has been given to organi- night and day to supply the market. zation and thorough preparation for the A new steamship line is proposed from work in hand in the past few years Portland. Flour is only one of a thouthan ever before. We have come to sand articles of commerce that will be understand that an army, however great, required by a Christian civilization. will be weak unless thoroughly organ- Future trade will make the new Northized. Out of the desire to save the west to Asia, what the North Atlantic world, and the determination to be thor- is to Europe."-North and West. oughly organized for the work, have grown up the various missionary socie- -The Evangelist affirms and proves ties which are making heroic struggles that "last year it took the average against the kingdom of darkness and sin. Lift up your eyes and be encour- Presbyterian twelve days to get one ings embraced 1158 young people who cent out of his pocket for the annual were brought under the inftuence of o:ffering taken in the churches for the Gospel teaching. Some young men re- greatest and the grandest work that is quested her to teach them English, before the Church to-day-that of for- which she consented to do upon their eign missions. Think of it I Less than promising to attend her Bible class."
one mill a day in response to the pow- -There are 4 Methodist womenerful (1) appeal, the ringing (1) sermon Mrs. Knowles, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Mess· from the past or before the offerings more, and Mrs. T. J. Scott-who have were taken." And the worst of the been in India thirty-dx, thirty-five, matter is that" the average Presbyte- thirty-three, and thirty-one years rerian" is no worse than the bulk of his spectively. ecclesiastical neighbors-in fact, is better than most of them. -The Friends' Woman's Foreign Missionary Society has 202 auxiliaries, WOMAN'S WORK. with nearly 4000 members, who raised $35,982 last year. They support 41 -The Woman's Board of MiSSions, missionaries and 20 native evangelists· representing the Congregational church- or Bible readers; and 5 schools with es in the Eastern States, received, in 296 pupils. Meetings for worship were 1894, $101,898 in contributions and held in 1894 to the number of 691. $24,551 in legacies, making the total receipts $8329 less than in 1893. It YOUNG PEOPLE. supports 5 missionaries, 16 day-schools, and 8 Bible-women in European Tur- -The College Young Men's Chriskey; 5 missionaries, 1 assistant mis· tian Association is assuming great imslonary, 1 boarding-school, 12 day- portance. Among the 85,000 young schools, and 3 Bible·women in Central men connected with our higher institu· Turkey; 16 missionaries, 1 assistant tions of learning, less than one half are missionary, 3 boarding·schools, 26 day professing Christians. The work beschools, and 35 Bible-women in East· gan in 1857; in 1877, 25 Associations ern Turkey; 24 missionaries, the Ameri- had been organized. At the beginning can College for Girls, 5 boarding- of 1895 there were 440 Associations in schools, 50 day-schools, and 8 Bible- American colleges, with a membership women in Western Turkey; 13 Bible- of 25,000.
women in Bulgaria; 15 missionaries in -A Christian Endeavor Society in India; 5 missionaries, 1 boarding- Moreton, Eng., has become a slave- school, and 3 day-schools in :Mexico; holder. One of its members is a mis· 1 boarding.school, 1 day-school, and sionary in Amoy, where her interest 9 Bible-women in Austria. The Eu- was greatly roused in a young Chinese phrates College has 232 girls enrolled, girl whose parents were going to sell 38 of whom are in the college proper. her for a slave. The mission tried to -Miss Lawrence, of the Japan Mis- induce the parents to give her up to sion of the American Methodist Protes- them, but they would not unless the tant Church, is evidently a busy wom- full market price of $15.50 was given. an; for she, .. in addition to her school The missionaries did not have the duties, is engaged in evangelistic work, money, so they appealed to the.Moreton having in the last quarter, with the society, which has raised the money, and help of 0 Yaso San, conducted 50 therefore become the owner of the girl.
meetings for children, taught 12 Bible -Each week the Golden Rule prints classes, 14 Sunday-school classes, at- in a prominent place "the best news tended 27 evening meetings, and made item." Theile two are among recent 88 visits. The various children's meet. ones: " Oharlestown, Mas8.- The First Bap- to the borders of unkindness to make tist society reports three fourths of its them.
members pledged for a penny a day AMERICA. for missions. Literature is sent each week to different parts of the West. United States.-The will of Henry One hundred hymnals were sent to a Keney, of Hartford, Conn., leaves at missionary in Nebraska; and, when the discretion of the executor about the news came of the suffering there, $800,000 for the purchase of the park the church was canvassed, and 5 bar- in the northern part of the city, to be rels of clothing and 2 large boxes of known as Keney Park. Also $424,250 dry provisions went to the same mis- is left in specific legacies, which in- sionary, the express company kindly clude the following: Trinity College, shipping them free. $25,000; Hartford Hospital, $50,000; "Santa Oruz, Oal.-There are 25 En- Hartford Orphan Asylum, $50,000; deavor societies in the county, and one Old People's Home, $50,000; Park of the smallest-a society of only 26 Church, $30,000; Hartford Charitable members-gave most to missions the Society, $2000; Union for Home Work, last six months, the amount being $10,000; City Mission Society, $10,- $91.25 ; and led the six months before 000; Good Will Club, $30,000, and the with $115. This is the Chinese society Wadsworth Athemeum, $25,000.
of Santa Cruz. Within the last six -During the last twenty years the months another Chinese society has New York Society for the Prevention been organized, and it already stands of Cruelty to Children has cared for second on the list in giving." over 230,000 outcasts, a very large pro- -R. Wardlaw Thompson, of the portion of whom would otherwise have London Missionary Society, sounds a been criminals to-day. During the note of expostulation in the ears of the past year 9078 complaints were reyoung people in the March issue of ceived, of which 3770 were prosecuted; The Ohronicle: "It is in connection there were 3730 convictions, and 5459 with the desire for direct correspond- children were rescued from destitution ence with the mission-field. A consid- and vicious surroundings.
erable and increasing number of re- -Moody the evangelist wields an in- quests now reach the Mission House fluence not surpassed by many men, but from the missionary secretaries of Moody the organizer and fosterer of in- Christian Endeavor societies asking for stitutions is vastly more puissant. Take the names of two or three missionaries the single case of his Chicago Bible In- in each part of the field with whom we stitute, of whose graduates this state- may enter into personal correspond- ment is made: "There are 41 pas- ence, and who would be likely to send tors of Congregational churches, 27 of us three or four times a year a letter Presbyterian churches, 25 of Baptist about their work. Such requests give churches, 24 of ::IIethodist Episcopal evidence of a most kindly feeling, and churches; 32 are city missionaries, 12 if they could be gratified they would are home missionaries, 12 are Young doubtless result in stimulating a con- Men's Christian Association secretaries, siderable amount of personal interest in 11 are missionaries under the American missionaries; but those who write have Sunday-School Union, 10 are Sunday- little conception of the burden which school missionaries under other boards, they are unconsciously laying on the 14 are pastors' assistants, 75 are evan- shoulders of the missionaries." And gelists, 41 are assisting their husbands then he easily goes on to show that in in pastoral or evangelistic work; there most cases it is next to impossible to are 61 foreign missionaries, 15 in India, grant such requests; so much so that, 10 in China, 9 in Africa, 5 in Turkey, 8 though unwittingly, it is l1nr~aeonl!ble in Japan, and so on; also 13 under ap- 394 GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. (11ay pointment for the foreign field. At Christian college planted in that region present there are nearly 300 young men and well endowed.
and women in connection with the In- -The Christians (Disciples) have stitute actively engaged in work in the hitherto been behind many of their different missions and in house to house brethren in missionary matters, ·but for visitation throughout the city." two or three years past their energy and -A second Conference of Foreign enterprise have made great advances.
Mission Boards met in the Episcopal Their leaders know how to use the Church Mililsion House, New York, press, and last year was started Ths February 14th, and was attended by Mi8lJionary Voice, devoted to world- representatives of 16 societies in the wide evangelism, which is decidedly United States and Canada, besides sev- bright and breezy. Surely that great eral missionaries and other persons un- denomination, numbering nearly a mil- officially interested in missions. Papers lion, ought to have its missionaries in were read upon such topics as The the field by the hundred and the thou- Japan-China War; its Strategic Sig- sand.
nificance to Missions; Industrial Mis- Canada.-The United OhurchMonthsions; How far they Have Developed ly has the following item: "In 1845 in Foreign Lands; Self-support in Mis- the Presbyterians in Canada had one sions; The Proposed National Church missionary about to enter the field. In in India; Motive in Missions, etc. Two 1895 they have 34 ordained missionsessions were held, and arrangements aries, 68 unordained preachers, 84 catewere made for a meeting in 1896. chists, and many others engaged in re- -Booker T. Washington, of Tuskee- lated work. In 1845 the sum of $1000 gee Institute, seems clearly destined to was available for the foreign mission be a wise leader for the freedmen. His enterprise. Last year the Presbyteutterances to the last one smack re- rians in the maritime provinces expendfreshingly of good sense. Not poli- ed $34,779, and the western section extics, but hard work on their part, is to pended $105,881, making a total of solve the .. negro problem." Or, as $140,660. Of this the women's soci- Mr. Washington puts it: eties contributed $48,661."
"Immediately after the war we be- -Mr. Tyrrell's late explorations :in gan at the wrong end. We began our distant North have, says the Oana- working to get to Congress when we dian Presbyterian, brought to light yet should have been working to get land. another field for the labors of some de- At Tuskeegee we teach the students that voted Christian missionary. On the it is better for them to spend their time Kazan (or Ptarmigan) River he :Cell in and strength in becoming the leading with a tribe of Eskimo, who have be- carpenters, contractors, truck garden- come separated from their brethren on ers, dairymen, in this town, instead of the coast to whom they originally be- being too anxious to make stump longed, and have become an inland speeches or go to Congress." tribe. These inland Eskimo have not -Marcus Whitman was only a mis- intermixed witlt. the Indians, but live sionary, be it known, but yet he saved exclusively among themselves.
the vast and fruitful Northwest coast EUROPE. of the Pacific to the Union, when all our statesmen, the Websters, etc., es- Great Britain.-The United Presby- teemed it not worth having, and were terian Church of Scotland has a total about to hand it over to Britain. And membership of 188,706. The mission- the indications now are that through ary income during the year 1893 was the liberality of Dr. Pearsons and others £33,543, besides £4639 subscribed for his name will be linked forever with a zenana work. The European staff consists of 71 ordained, 15 medical, 8 lay -The same magazine gives this evangelists, and 31 zenana mi88ion- among the hopeful signs of the king- aries; who are 888isted by 19 native dom: "Let anyone pay a visit to Ox- pastors, 127 evangelists, and 567 other ford or Cambridge and live for a few agents. There are 102 congregations, days among the undergraduates. He with 165 out-stations and 18,460 mem- will find a stream of true and godly bers, almost double the number of thir- men coming up year by year, far be- teen years ago. In Jamaica 10,692 are yond anything in past times-which to be found. There are 401 members stream is largely fed from what some- in Trinidad and 898 in Tokio. Old regard as irregular agencies, such as Calabar has 461 members; Kaffraria, children's special services, mi88ions 3311; Rajputana, 521; Manchuria, among school-boys, the new summer 2176. The work in Manchuria is work- camps, etc. The supply of laborers of ed in harmony with the mission of the the best cl888 for both home and for- Irish Presbyterian Church. eign fields promises to increase both in -A Scotch minister declares that quantity and in qUality. The Student Scotland could easily spare 1200 clergy- Volunteer Missionary Union is growing men and $1,000,000 a year, and yet be apace, and looks like becoming the perfectly well cared for in spiritual most effective of all agencies for enlistthings. That may all be very true; ing workers for the Lord's vineyard." and yet it too often happens with ministers, as with other men, that those -The London Missionary Society is who cau "easily be spared" are of no preparing a feast of fat things to spread great value anywhere under the sun. before its friends, September 21st-27th At least, may they never be sent to the next, in commemoration of the thrillforeign field. ing beginning just a hundred years be- fore. At the last accounts the Cente- -The Free Church of Scotland has nary Fund, with £100,000 as the aim, 5 stations for Jewish work-3 in Eu- had reached £49,134.
rope and 2 in Palestine. Fifty-eight ASIA.
Christian agents, among them 5 or- Islam.-Mi88ionaries must mind their dained missionaries, 2 licensed preach- p's and q's in Turkey, as we learn by ers, and 3 medical men are employed. this from the Miasioruury Herald: About 1000 children attend their schools "Among the conveniences used by daily. Dr. Shepard, a missionary physician at -Since the opening of the Operative "intab, was a telephone extending Jewish Converts' Institute in London, from the hospital to his home. Dr. 922 persons have been admitted; 70 Shepard is so highly esteemed in Ainhave become missionaries; 23 parochial tab that he can ordinarily do as he clergymen; 13 ministers of other de- likes. But in this case as soon as the nominations; and many others have wire was stretched a complaint was obtained high positions in other kinds lodged with the government against of Christian service. this unlawful thing. It has been found that a telephone is the 'petty abhor- -Our British brethren have a way, rence of the Sultan,' and so the sus- which seems strange to us, of rolling picious thing was put under an injunc- up large sums for missionary purposes tion and reported to Aleppo lind thence by sales of work. A recent Intelligen- to Constantinople, and from the central cer had a table which tells of 861 sales government came the imperative order held last year, with receipts in the dif- to 'confiscate,' paying full price and erent counties of the realm· ranging costs. The machine was packed up from £3 in ib.e Isle of Man to £2276 in and turned over to the government for Middlesex, and a total of £21,551. its full equivalent, and, in the terms of the State Department, 'the incident is of that country, and commenced work closed.' " in 1869.
-But even the Grand Turk has a India.-English physicians give medsoft side to his nature, and on occasion, ical assistance to 14,000,000 natives in now and then, is liable to do something one year. positively handsome. A case of this kind occurred last January, when by -A missionary writes thus of the His Dread Majesty an iracU was issued poverty of the land: "It is, doubtless, to the American Girls' College at Scu- true that there are from forty to fifty tari, a document the most sacred possi- millions of these people who are chronible, which bestows certain rights and cally on the verge of starvation, and privileges irreversibly, and places the are rarely able to satisfy the cravings institution under the especial protection of appetite. It is well known that the of the government. average per capita income of the peo- ple of this land is only about $7. If -" Among the Syrians the fetters of this be the average, what must be the custom are almost as strong as those of minimum 1 To missionaries who live religion. The rule of the Fez cap proves among the people it is a constant source this. For a prince as for a menial, there of wonder that the people can live at is no other head-covering. No law pre- all on their income. I know of many scribes it, and yet all Syrians wear it, who, during several months of even a whatever their creed. The long, flow- very good year, enjoy only one meal a ing garments, which have been worn day, and that a very miserable one." since the time of the prophets, and which make one of the simplest expres- -Eighteen native ministers in the sions of dress, have been abandoned by Northwest Conference of the Methodist the majority of Christians. A Syrian Church have volunteered to relinquish hesitates before he adopts the European their salaries, and trust entirely for costume, but public opinion forbids their support to the contributions of him to adopt the European hat. The their own people. same remarks apply to the izzar or body covering. This white sheet is the sym- -Mr. Hazen writes from South bolof Oriental exclusiveness, and cus- India: "Last year our women 'at their tom in Syria sternly prescribes its use. weekly prayer·meeting asked for 100 The izzar sometimes reveals some olive- additions to the number in our station, tinted faces of much beauty, lit up by and the Lord gave 200. Encouraged a pair of clear brown eyes, to which its by that we have all taken hold and whiteness forms a pleasing contrast. asked for 300 this year, and we have Sometimes, also, when the hands are got them. We asked for 15 souls in occupied, the izzar is drawn into the Manamadura village, and we have got corner of the mouth and held there by them. Of their own accord and witha set of pearly teeth. The izzar is a out any stimulus from us they have useful covering, which excludes the dust maintained a daily prayer.meeting here and sun, though it fills the streets with for three weeks from this inga thering. " a dull, harsh pallor." -The progress in the Laos Mission -The (Jltristian World learns with in all its departments is an inspiration. regret that Rev. Dr. Bruce, of Persia, There are 4 mission stations and 3 outwho is well known as one of the most stations. "So complete and joyful devoted missionaries of the Church Mis- have been the successes," that there sionary Society, has resigned his posi- was no room for discouragement; intion after thirty-six years· of ser~ice. deed, the only discouragement is the Dr. Bruce was practically the pioneer limited number of workers for the conof Christian work among the Moslems stantly increasing work. Last year a new station was established and 5 new workers sent out. In the past eleven
GENERAL MISSIONARY
months 289 have been received into the Europeans, 1.-Lutheran Mi88ionary church. "Record of defeat is not Journal. heard. It is victory in every quarter." -The Indian Witneu of January -This item from the Intelligencer re- 12th gives these statistics of the North lates to a perplexing question in India, India Conference: "Paid workers, and the last sentence indicates that the 1606; probationers, 19,823; full mem- Hindu is not lacking in at least one of bers, 11,126; adult baptisms in 1894, the constituent elements of human na- 5262; children, 2817; Sunday-schools, ture: "The question of burial reform 1071; Sunday-school scholars, Chrisis one which we would fain see our tians, 18,102; non-Christian, 21,202; Indian fellow-Christians seriously con- native Christian community, 39,327; sider. The revered A.L.O.E. was Christian boys and girls in school, 10,- buried in December, 1893, at her own 185; non-Christian, 9793." request, without a coffin. The funeral of the Rev. F. Sandford, of the Delhi -Alas! that Miss Taylor's Thibetan Mission, cost only about five shillings, Mission, after months of sunshine, and so in many places missionaries are should pass under the storm-cloud. It striving to dispossess the minds of con- is not possible at this distance and with verts of the notion that a Christian's the meagre statements at hand to parfuneral ought to cost a quarter's in- cel out the serious responsibility for the come, which it now often does. A girl at least temporary breaking up of the seriously told a lady missionary not party by the resignation and departure long since that she should like to die at of most of the members; though it a certain place mentioned, 'because looks much as if the leader, though full there the girls were so beautifully of energy and determination, was yet buried, in lovely white coffins just like wanting in sweet reasonableness and ladies'-of course not at the expense of other qualities essential to leadership. their relations." It is to be hoped that Mr. Polhill·Tur- ner, of the China Inland Mission, whose -There are 10 women of the English aid she has sought and secured, will be Baptist Society at work in Calcutta able to restore harmony, and that in zenanas, with 9 schools under their due season these pioneers of the Gospel care, and an average attendance of may be able to enter the Closed Land. about 500 scholars. In addition to these there are 7 other schools in the China.-While recently on a. tour villages that lie to the south of the city, among the missions of this empire, Mr. with 220 scholars, giving a total of 16 Baring-Gould was impressed by "the schools and about 720 scholars. great influence of medical work, the heroism of the women, and the devo- -Mr. Chandler, of Madura, reports tion of many of the converts." that the 8 churches comprising the "East Church Union" of that city re- -Taking advantage of the presence ceived into fellowship during ten of scholars at the government examinamonths of the last year 186 new mem- tions in Wuchang, Nanking, and Chengbers. tu, among some 40,000 young men up- ward of 60,000 copies of books, tracts, -During the five months ending Oc· etc., were distributed. tober 7th, since its re-opening, the Dispensary in Guntur was open 13:3 days. -Dr. Griffith John, writing from a. During that time 1914 patients made place some days' journey farther inland 4556 visits. As to class, the patients than Bankow, says that the people were: Eurasians, 5 ; native Christians, "appear to take as little interest in 290; Brahmans, 156 ; other high castes, Peking and Canton as they do In Can- 257; Varsgas, 47; 8udras, 637; Pa- ada and Wales." He has been making a most successful tour in places where riahs, 396; Mohammedans, 125, and no European missionary, but only cate- God, and telling him their own experichists, have hitherto labored. At Pah- ence on similar occasions. So the idol tsze-Nau, Tien.Men, Tsau-shih, and was chopped up and set fire to, as well Mau-kia-po the mandarins were frIend- as all idolatrous papers, etc. Then we ly, the opposition was silenced, and sang a hymn and had prayer. The idol many converts were baptized. At the was destroyed in the presence and with last-named town the ancestral hall was the full consent of Li's wife, grown-up cleared and used for service. Out of son, daughter·in-Iaw, and other chil- 200 candidates for baptism, 66 were dren, besides two married daughters baptized, coming from 14 villages. who had returned upon a visit, and a There are candidates for baptism in 12 good many neighbors-no one raising a more villages. dissenting voice."
-Says the North Ohina Herald in an -The North China Mission of the article on " China Unmasked" : " Such American Board reaches 440 cities, a system of internal rottenness has been towns, and villages. The working laid bare that even her best friends are force is composed of 87 missionaries forced to shake off the dust of their and 76 native helpers, among whom are feet against her, and to admit that the 3 ordained native pastors. The Gospel present process of being ground in the is regularly preached at 43 places. mill is, perhaps, the best thing which There are 27 day schools in the mission, could happen to her. To such a pass with an aggregate of 454 pupils. The has official corruption come that noth- total number of young people under ing short of a complete upheaval and instruction is 1510. At the various dis· breaking down of old systems seems pensaries and at the Williams Hospital practicable. Patching up is worse than in Pang-Chuang the medical work has useless. China has been patched up been carried on. too often, and corruption has thriven in consequence. The opportunity has -Mrs. Isabella Bishop had some arrived when a general sweeping and most perilous and painful experiences garnishing is possible, and the truest during her recent travels in Korea, friends of China will not wish to see Manchuria, etc. "She was sent out of the besom stayed. The entire govern- Korea at a moment's notice by the con· mental gamut must be ulilltrung and suI without money or clothes. The retuned. The Emperor of the future, British Minister's wife at Pekin gave if he desires to shed some lustre on his her some clothes. She was in Man· heavenly origin, will have to surround (,,huria with the Scotch missionaries, himself with some rather more heavenly and shared their perils at the time of advisers. " Mr. Wylie's murder; was nearly drowned in an inundation; her bed -Miss Kolkenbeck, of Sz-Chuen, was wet for three days, and she has had gives this incident: "A man named a bad form of malaria ever since. She Li-wan-uen came to us for medicine, was nearly captured by pirates; broke and pressed us to visit his home. After her arm through the overturning of a dinner he asked us how he was to WOf- cart ; was turned out of Pekin with the ship God. I told him. that the first other European women," etc. She is thing would be to destroy his idols. now in Siberia. , How am I to do that? ' , Put; them in the fire; they are only wood.' 'Shall ]apan.-The Kyoto Training School I do it at once?' 'Certainly; the for Nurses is very happy over the fact sooner the better.' So he immediately that its nurses are so popular in the stood up on a stool, and got down his military station at Hiroshima. They god. Our Christian coolie and servant have been very successful, and have spoke, encouraging him to trust only in borne the strain of the work better than any others who have gone there. At last advices a request for more nurses trouble in Tokyo. Their peace ideas faU bad been received, and the whole senior to fit the state of affairs in Japan. Some class were anxious to respond, but it of the students in their school showed had not been decided how many should sympathy with the war, and gave help go. This success is a fine indorsement to the destitute wives of soldiers who for the school and those connected with bad gone to the front. Difficulty arose it, both foreigners and Japanese.-Lij'6 and the students were dismissed. The and Light. consequence is a complete separation -The Red Cross Society of Japan of all their converts from the missionsends 6 physicians and 12 nurseil with aries.
each transportsteamer conveying Japan- -'Mr. Pettee writes in the Japan ese troops to Korea and China. The Weekly Mail of February 9th, that humanity of the Japanese in their con- 6 evangelists are to be sent to minister duct of this war is doing mOle to break to the needs of the Christians in the down the walls- of Chinese prejudice Japanese army. High officials were than any other outside influence. Three opposed to this concession, but "as hundred years ago the Japanese rav- soon as they were convinced that this aged Korea and plundered its people, was the request of no narrow sectarian- and as a trophy of victory the ears of ism, but the earnest plea of devoutly 3600 victims were brought back to patriotic Christian men of every name Japan. To-day Japan is at war again, they quickly yielded and affixed their but with what a different spirit I seals to the papers. Rev. Miyagawa, -Rev. Henry B. Schwartz, presiding of Osaka-sometimes called the Chryelder, Hirosaki, Japan, says: "Weare sostom of the Japanese pulpit-Princireaping the first fruits of treaty revision pal Honda, of Aoyama College, and in a very great improvement in the Messrs. Aoki, of Kobe, Terada, and passport system. As Y(IU do not know, Yamanaha have been selected as 5 of we have not been allowed to travel in the 6. This event, coming so soon Japan except with a passport. In these after the permission to distribute unrepassports the proposed route of travel strictedly portions of the Scripture in had to be exactly laid down, and in the garrisons throughout Japan, the those palts of the empire where the letter of Lieutenant-General Katsura, passport regulations were strictly en- in Manchuria, promising extra protecforced, no deviation from the described tion to all sincere Christians, and the route was allowed. Now we can get recognition of the superior work of the passports for a year's time, on which Christian nurses of the Red Cross corps, we can travel anywhere at any time in promises much for the advance of the whole empire; and, best of all, the Christianity in Japan. "
, scientific' and 'health' clauses are -In the orphan asylum of Mr. Ishii entirely omitted from the application at Okayama are now gathered 301 orblanks. phans. They carryon a printing-press with 4 presses, and 38 persons are em- -Several of the leading Christians ployed in the office. Thirteen boys are are alive to Japan's missionary duty learning to be barbers. A home for toward Korea, and are planning for discharged prisoners has been opened, missionary service there. It is note- where there are 11 persons employed in worthy that Buddhists are moving in making mats. There is also a carpenthe same direction, and have already ter's school. Sixty-two girls are in the sent a priest to Seoul to examine the sewing-classes, and 111 are learning cotsituation. He has devised a scheme, ton-weaving. Thirty-six are studying very fine on paper, which will cost blacksmithing. A farming colony of $10,000 a year.
~The Friends' Mission has had 30 has just been started. The children work all day, and study at night from formed; there are no more swamps, five to nine o'clock. no more jungles. Besides the build- ings of the station, which look some- AFRICA. thing like a Dutch village, there is a causeway, and a foot-bridge, which is -Great Britain owns in Africa an the astonishment and delight of the naarea of 2,570,000 square miles, almost tives. These works, which are the reequal to that of the United States. sults of a patience and tenacity which it would be difficult to imagine exactly, -And yet Dr. Zahn, mission inspec- are certainly an image of the progress tor of Bremen, concludes that with the which the work of God is making growth of French and Belgian posses- among the Barotsis.-Journal deB Missions, and those of other Catholic pow- sions FJvangeliqueB. ers, after all Protestant peoples will control, at least in West Africa, much -They have had deluges of rain in less th~lll half the area. Zanzibar this autuUlll. Fancy nine and a half inches of rain in ten hours! It -The world is likely soon to look to was still pouring when the mail left. this continent for its supply of gold. and they call these the" lesser rains" ! ! ! For several years the output of Califor- -Central Africa. nia has scarcely risen above $12,000,000 annually, but in Africa the amount has -In connection with the recent Italgrown from less than $10,000,000 in ian campaigns into Abyssinia, an arti- 1890, to upward of $22,000,000 in 1892, cle of peculiar interest appeared in a and to nearly $SO,OOO,OOO last year. recent issue of the Churchman from the pen of Professor G. H. Schodde, enti- -Before returning to his home In tIed" The Hermit Christian Nation of West Africa, Prince Ademayiwa gave Africa." He calls attention to the noa lecture In Liverpool on "The White table fact in this land "Christianity" Man's Fire-Water and its Effects on the has had an unbroken history from the African Race." He said that while early centuries, hnd only this" Switzer· Englishmen have officials appointed to land of Africa" was able to resist the see that their "fire-waters" are sold fiercest assaults which the Moslem pure, the African has to take what is could make. sent him by unscrupulous men, is little better than poison, and is frequently -Mr. Pilkington writes concerning used for mixing with paint, like tur- the languages of the Lake district of pentine! Mid-Africa, Luganda, Lusoga, Lem- yolo, Lahama, etc., that they are dia- -Khama, the Christian king of the lects of the same language; and has, Bamangwato tribe, has recently paid a what he terms, vague hopes of being visit to Cape Town, having never be- able to make a dictionary on the prinfore been so far away from his home. ciple of roots which would combine all He was very much affected by the these dialects. He also has reason to tokens of respect received while there hope that a single Bible will do for all from the whites. this region.
-Lealuyi, the station founded by -An interesting departure, initiated M. Coillard hardly two years ago, on by the Leipsic Mission, is the expatriathe banks of the Zambesi, is situated tion of Tamil converts (pariahs), with on a little hill, raDled only a few feet their families, into British East Africa.• above the valley; it used to be an ex- These are intended to aid largely in the ecrated and detested place, wheresorcer- construction of the mission buildings, era were burnt, and at the time of the in view of setting free the European inundations it was haunted by innu- agents for the Illore direct evan~elistic merable swarms of insects and legions work. pi reptiles. Now the isJaJl.4 is traWl-
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1888
THE RELATIONS_ OF MISSIONS AND COMMERCE
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XI. No. 12.-Old 8eries._ _DECEMBER, _ _VOL. I. No. 12.-New Series.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
THE RELATIONS OF MISSIONS AND COMMERCE.
BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D., NEW YORK.
[Read before the late General Missionary Conference, London.] PAUL at Ephesus encountered not only the general opposition of'
tile world, the flesh, and the devil, but he had special trouble with an unprincipled craftsman. At Philippi, also, he found a stock company making merchandise of a half-demented girl whose conversion inter- fered with their business. And from that day to this, human rapac- ity has again and again thrust itself across the path of philanthropy and beneficence.
We do not forget that legitimate commerce has been a great factor in the development of civilization and even in the progress of the gospel.
The growth of the early Church followed the liues of trade across the Mediterranean, and on the Continent of Europe Latin Christianity penetrated the forest homes of stalwart races where Roman arms and merchandise had opened the way. Secular enterprise has built the great Christian cities of our Western hemisphere, and opened mission fields everywhere in the chief islands of the sea. The California of to-day could not have been created by missionary effort alone, and the magnificent spectacle of a British Empire in Southern Asia, with its Bible, its schools and colleges, its law and order, its manifold en- lightenment and moral elevation, could not have existed but for the long and sometimes questionable career of the East India Company.
But there is no universal law in the case. Civilization, even in its rougher forms, has not always preceded the missionary move- ment. Often it has pr<ved a hindrance. Throughout British Ameri(ja, mission stations have followed the factories of the fur traders ; but in Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, and Madagascar, mi?siollflry ,labor 11as led the way~ Qenturies.ago, also, missionaries fron;J, Ireland and Iona, pene~rating not onlyEn~land and. Scotland, putmany pm.'- ,tions.of the Continent, were unattended. by secularenterprise"q,nd yet .their.inflnence Wa8S0 strong and deep that Europe and the. world have ,feltlt Il.nd.rejoiced i:nit ever since. Those hordes of Nortbmen whom Br i. t a i n -could,." n. ot. r e si-s~t. , .n or the armi!.)s of C-4~r- lElma-gne con q-ue r or eveD.: ,~ " " .~ check, were tamed at last by the simple, aggressive influence of the gospel, unattended by either military or commercial power.
Three things have been found almost universally true: first, that the gospel has always elevated the character and established the power of our civilization in whatever lands its influence has reached. More than once has it been confessed that England could scarcely have retained her Indian possessions but for the conservative influence of those Ohristian missions which measurably restrained the injustice of rulers, while it promoted the enlightenment and the loyalty of' native princes and peoples.
The second principle, which is generally true, is that the first contacts of commerce, and especially during the period of rough adventure and lawlessness, are evil. Whether adventurers have gone before or have followed the missionary, their influence has caused a blight. Whale-fishermen in Tahiti and Hawaii, convicts in Tasmania, kidnappers in Melanesia, slave traders in Oongo, opium dealers in China, and whiskey venders among the Indian tribes of North America-all have proved a curse.
It is impossible to exaggerate the hindrances which have been thrown in the way of the gospel by these influences. And the distinctions which are made in our own lands between the Ohristian name and the wrongs and vices that prevail in the general community, callnot be appreciated by those who s.ee us at a distance, and mainly on our worst side. Judging from the wholesale classifications of their own religious systems, they naturally identify the name European or American with the generic name of Ohristian.
Moreover, while here at home most men are under conventional restraints, adventurers in distant mttrts, removed from influences of home, too often give loose rein to their lowest instincts, throw off allegiance to Ohristian influences, and become hostile to missionaries and to missionary effort. They are hostile because the high principles and clean lives of missionaries carry with them an implied condemnation of their own shameless vices.
I wish it were possible to feel that governments, as such, had ·been wholly free from wrongs to inferior races. But there is no one of the so-called Ohristian nations which can cast the first stone at another. All have been guilty, more or less. These facts become more serious when we consider that to these nations our lost world chiefly looks for the blBssed gospel.
The early American colonies had Ohristian missions for one great motive in their settlement. There it might have been expected that commerce and evangelization would proceed hand in hand, and that William Penn's beautiful drea:nl of brotherhood would be realized, but although we have had in the last 250 years three heathen races on whom to exercise our gifts-the Indian, the, African and the Mongolian-we have abused them all, and each in a different way. Our record is sad snd disgraceful, and we are in no mood to read lectures to other Christian nations. But we are ready to unite with them, heart and hand, in any measures of amendment.
There are consolations in this dark history, as there are in the coolie traffic of the South Pacific. One is, that all this time the Christian Church, or at least portions of it, have realized the wrong, and have done what they could to save the people from destruction and lead them unto eternal life. There have never been more beautiful exemplifications of Christian love than those which were exhibited by Moravian missionaries through all the early history of our dealings with the American Indians. And thousands of our own people have followed their worthy example. Never in the whole history of martyrdom has one seemed to follow so nearly in the footsteps of the vicarious Redeemer, and so to fill up the remainder of His suffering even unto death, as the saintly Patteson, who literally died for the sins of unscrupulous kidnappers, of the Caucasian race.
A third principle is, that improvement generally follows as commerce becomes established. There is much comfort in this. The fi1;st rough adventurers are at length followed by a better class. Homes are established by Christian merchants; fathers who are solicitous for the moral atmosphere which surrounds their children, exert a wholesome influence; the missionary is no longer sneered at, but is supported; vice that was open and shameless is fro.wned upon. The church and school have arrived. In many a land where the first wave of our civilization .seemed to cast up only mire and dirt, order, intelligence and religion at length prevailed.
There was a time in San Francisco when the courts of justice were paralyzed, and when the right-minded citizens felt constrained to send to Hawaii for a missionary to return and establish a Christian church in his own land. Even saloon-keepers joined in the call, alleging that without a church and Christian institutions no man's life was safe.
In all new mining fields, whether in America, or Australia, or South Africa, the first contact has been demoralizing, and yet in those same settlements, when order had been established, when the Christian family had arrived, when a church and a schoolhouse, and a Christian press and Christian influence had obtained a footing, all was changed. And dark as the problem of civilization in Africa now is, and urgent as may be the duty imposed upon us to save the present generation, we do not hesitate to prophesy that European civilization in West Africa a-half century hence will be full of life and light. Even at the worst; we are by no means disposed to hand Africa over to Islam, which in all these centuries has done so little for the heathen tribes-which, by degrading woman, has tended to destroy the family, and, therefore, the State, ~nd which has depopulated every. country that it has ever controlled. The only hope of Africa. is in our Christian civiliza- tion.
But if missions are to prosper in the future, it will be important to promote a more just sentiment toward inferior races. The time should soon come when races like the American Indians, or the Maoris of "flew Zealand; should be allowed equal natural rights with Caucasians.
The time should soon come-if missions are to be a success-when might shall not make right, but weaker nations shall be treated as one European nation would treat another. The time should soon come when treaties with a country like Japan shall not be made and en- forced mer6ly for the convenience or profit of the great Powers, but shall have the same regard for even-handed justice as if the Japanese navies were thundering at our gates. The time should come when all commerce shall be so regulated that it shall not curse the nations with which we have to do. We have often counted upon improvements in inter-communication as factors in the advancement of the human race and as agencies of Redemption, but of late we are sometimes rather appalled than cheered. For example, the fond hopes which we cher- ished five years ago in regard to the opening of the Congo, have been sadly clouded over. And the fact that the Congo State is under inter- national control would seem to render it a proper subject of considera- tion in this International Conference.
Allow me to call special attention to this subject. Whatever may be thought of the propriety of discussing here the abuses that may exist in the colonies of separate European powers, there can be no doubt of our privilege and duty in this case. The Valley of the Congo is com- mon ground, and moreover, it is a vast mission field. Directly across the path of our progress in the evangelization of the Dark Continent lies this gigantic evil of the liquor trade. At the very gateway of our missionary enterprise crouches this hydra, whose hideous proportions no flight of poetic imagination can exaggerate. I need not give the statistics nor discuss the details which have become so familiar, but success or failure in African missions is concerned in this issue. The toils and sufferings of our brave missionaries appeal to us. How can we continue to send our heroic Hanningtons, and Combers,andPark- ers, and yet neglect the very first duty which we owe to Africa? The honor of the Christian name is at stake. Those who persist in.ign<1l'ing thed~inction .between· so-called Christian. nations I,tud the Christ~n Church, arear,raigning the Ohurch for neglect in. this matter., ~~y: are parading the'conservative infiuellce.:of Isla~, all the· beat: hope ai AIi'iea, and are eUl'sing the daytlmt our Christian civilizatio;!ildistllrhed it&: reign. – .; ,0'" , " ,'"",, "
Raeems desirable to treat this question ou broad gJ:ounda,whi(lh..~iU enlist,thesympathiel!lofth~ larg.est possible.oonstituan~J. Thejs~e hefore;Uis is n!)t thetemperanoequestiou with: ,which-.manl otusc BE"6 accustomed to deal. It has all the enormity of systematic cruelty to" children; it is a conspiracy by representatives of civilizcd nations against simple tribes of men who know not what they do. On such an issue the humane and pitiful of every name-Protestant or Catholic, Christian or unchristian-should unite their common protest.
The proofs that the rum traffic among the African tribes tends to destroy all other departments of trade, are so numerous and so well known that I need not dwell upon them. It is enough that this ac- cursed evil blights all hope of the present generation, that even those who had begun to gather about them the comforts of civilization have gone back to barbarism-that women who had learned something of modesty have again discardetl clothing that all their resources may be expended for drink. But the evil is not confined to the present; it incapacitates the people for future commerce al!d thrift; it casts a , blight upon those whose hopes have been turned toward Central Af- rica as a great field of true commerce. Never before has Christendom made so gratuitous a concession to the sordid gains of a few unscrupu- lous blsiness firms-one which involved so great a cost to national honor, to the fair name of the Christian Church, and to the best in- terests of millions of mankind.
No doubt great discouragements beset this question, and many whose sympathies are really touched are nevertheless hopeless of results. We may be very sure that the representatives of the liquor traffic are quietly but effectively exerting their influence to thwart every effort 'made in the interest of humanity. I am informed that at Washington an agent is employed by the" liquor interests," whose whole time and energy are employed to baffle all attempts supposed to conflict with their busmess.
But, on the other hand, what are some of our encouragements to , effort? " First, the fact that so much has already been done to arouse public sentiment on the subject. I refer to the various public meetings which have been held in London, and especially to the formation of a work- ing committee representing the Missionary Societies of Great Britain. , Second, that the constitucncies represented here are so vast and may' be so influential. Mr. W. T. Hornaday, of Washington, D. C., has pertinently'asked: "Who are the more powerful, the traders who de- sire to enrich themselves out of the palm oil purchased with gin, or the Christian nations which were represented at the Berlin Conference, with their 388,000,000 of Christians? America has sixty-five foreign missionary societies, Great Britain seventy-two, and the Continent of Europe fifty-seven, not including those of the Roman Catholic Church. Are thoy not strong enough to cop.. with th.. rum traffic on the . Congo?"
A third encouragement is found in the fact that a united movement by the Christian Church is in the line of true commercial interest.
All enlightened statesmanship should be on our side. The Royal African Company, tradiug on the Niger, has already restricted the rum traffic on that river as a matter of business policy; as the only hope, in fact, of promoting legitimate commerce. .
Fourth. We find encouragement even in the counsels of the Bel'lin Conference. Count De Launy of Italy, Sir Edward Malet of Ind'ia.
Mr. Kasson of the United States, and Count Van der Straten of Bel- gium plead for restriction. And the Conference itself finally adopted a sort of compromise, by expressing" a wish that some understanding should be arrived at between the Governments to regulate the traffic in spirituous liquors." Even the representatives of France and Ger~ many, though not voting for restriction by the great Powers, expressed the belief that "the Congo Government, in any measures which it might deem it wise to adopt, would find the Powers ready to co- operate to this end." 4nd the Congo Government, represented by the King of the Belgians, is more than ready to do all that the sentiment oj the nations will sustain him in doing. .
Have we not, then, great reason to believe that a united plea of all Christendom would be listened to by the contracting Powers? I say a nnited plea, for separate national movements are considered wellnigh useless. Each Government would feel that its own individual action would only cut off its subjects from the profit of the trade, and throw it into other hands, without at all diminishing the devastations which we deplore. It must be an international movement to be successful.
The same Powers that made the original treaty can revise it, and we represent those Powers.
But the strongest consideration which presses upon us is found in a most touching appeal which comes from an unexpected source. A, line of action has been suggested, providentially and significantly, by a Mohammedan prince in West Africa. I marvel that so little heed has been given to his words. The Emir of Nupe, speaking for his own dominions, sent many months ago the following stirring message to Bishop Crowther of the Niger Mission: "It is not a long matter," runs the appeal, "it is about barasa (rum).
It has ruined our country; it has ruined our people very much; it has made our people mad." And then, in the name of God and the Prophet, he beseeches Bishop Crowther to ask the Committee of the Church Missionary Society to petition the Government to prevent bring- ing barasa into his land. May we not consider this an appeal not merely to the Church Missionary Society but to all missionary societies in this Conference, and to the ~hurches which they represent? Has not this Mohammedan prince struck a keynote for this great occasion? What particular measures shall be adopted it is for the wisdom of this great body to decide. May God direct its councils!
MISSIONS IN THE LEVANT. .887 –
And what if we should .not fully succeed? Let us suppose the very worst: yet one thing is certain, at least, the reproach of the Christian name will have been removed. It can no longer be said that the Church -is sitting at her ease while the powers ,of darkness seem to triu~ph.
And lastly, there is one great power supreme over all1 which we may believe is wholly on our side, and to that our petitions should arise as with the voice of one earnest and importunate soul. Africa is a vineyard which God has given to His Son for a possession, and the cause of African missions is a vine of His own right hand's planting. Let us pray, therefore, "that the boar out of the wood" shall not waste it, I and H the wild beast of the field" shall not devour it.
MISSIONS IN THE LEVANT: THEIR PROBLEMS, METHODS AND RESULTS.
BY REV. EDWIN M. BLISS. 1. THE PROBLEMS.
THERE are few departments of Christian work that 4ave to meet such shifting problems as foreign missions. Weare accustomed to the rapid mar~h of events in our own land, but too often have an idea that while we are moving others are standing still; or else we lose sight of distances of time as well as space, and imagine that changes which, even in the keen air of the West: have taken generations, should be accomplished in the East in a few decades. It is one of the most difficult, albeit one of. the essential, elements in a sound judgment of our foreign missions that we recognize, and correctly estimate, the changing phases of the problems they have to meet.
When American missionaries first entered the Levant they encountered a dominant false faith, a corrupted Christianity and Judaism. Islam, proud of its past success, was copfident of its superiority and assured of its ability to meet the rush of Western civi~ization, and either conquer or utilize it. The Jews, reserved, clannish, returned the contempt of Moslem and Christian with a hatred intensified by the repression of centuries. The Christian, guarding jealously the relics of the conquest of the early Church, looked with disdain at the offspring of the barbaric West who came to teach them Christianity! The problem of missions in the Levant, fifty years !;tgo, was to establish themselves, secure a foothold.
That foothold has been secured. Evangelical Christianity has established itself on a firm basis and is recognized as a permanent factor in the life of the whole region.
Thus its relations have altered. Islam recognizes a foeman worthy of its steel. The Christian churches are beginning to think they have a friend rather than an enemy. The Jews alone remain unchanged, 'apparently unaffected, and Am~rican missions have turned from them to the small element of original paganism that has until recently been hid from sight among the mountains where the relics of the Hittite Empire have lain ~o long buried.
The question of Ohristianity V8. Islam is attracting the earnest con- sideration of the world as never before. Not to ~nter into the general discussion, it is sufficient to say that the question in the Levant is essen- tially different from that in India or Africa. In Africa, Islam has practically free scope for all its efforts, unhindered opportunity to use the means by which it achieved its early successes. As a religion, it is unquestionably superior to fetichism, and when it has only fetichism to meet, it will always win the day. In India, too, it has almost un- limited sources to draw from, and if hemmed in on one side, can easily spread out on another. In the J.Jevant it has exhausted its re- sources. Its aiID now is, not to advance, but to hold its own against both outward attack and inward decay. Shrewd, farse'eing men have recognized the irresistible advance of Western civilization, and have . sought to find some means of assimilating it to the precepts of the . Koran. Others, with perhaps a keener sense, have declared the two absolutely incompatible. Isillm must conquer civilization, or be con-, quered by it. Hence have arisen two opposing parties, young Tur- key and old Turkey, and .ninisterial crises gain a new significance, when we realize that they are by no means merely political, but are the outcome of contests that, little by little, are disintegrating the whole . fabric of the Oaliphate.
In these contests evangelical Ohristianity exercises an important, though not always perceptible, influence. It shows few converts. Its work is still preparatory-sapping and mining, rather than direct assault. Were there religious liberty for Moslems, what might be we can hardly say. When, under the pressure of Europe, Imperial " Hatts " declared freedom of conscience for the Sultan's subjects, it was the Ohristian sects that the Turkish Government had in view. To this day, no man can turn from Islam without incurring loss of every- thing. The problem of missions in the conflict with Islam is how to work so that when the break comes, as come it must, Ohristianity shall be able to hold the ground. In order to do this, it must be quick to see opportunities, wise in their use, pati~nt while results seem very small.
Evangelical Ohristianity in its relations with the corrupted Ohristi- anityof the Eastern churches has passed through several stages. At first it was hailed with gladness, being looked upon as a hopeful means of securing freedom from the oppression of the Moslem Government. Soon it appeared, however, that the immediate result was to under- mine and destroy the influence of the hierarchies. and the whole power of the priesthood was hurled against it. The influential lay element was also hostile, not so much because of its sympathy with and respect for the ecclesiastical, as because in the course of these centuries church life has become so welded with national life as to be practically the same thing. He who left the Ohurch left the nation, and every heretic was so far forth a traitor. To understand this fully and give no undue blame to the opponents of Protestant missions, it is essential to study the history and organization of the Eastern churches. It will then appear: that our great problem has been to show that a man could be an evangelical Ohristian and still remain an American historian, Greek, Oopt or Bulgarian. Here came the sharpest contest. There are few more interesting studies in the history of missions than those that show the growth of peace through strife. Over and over again have the Saviour's words been proven true, " I came not to bring peace, but a sword," and yet by the sword has peace been established. Thefirst missionaries said to the native churches: "We have come not to establish a new church, simply to help you in your own church life." They soon found that impossible. In the face of persecution and excommunication they were compelled to form a new church, organize a Protestant Ohristianity. The immediate problem was thus changed. This must first be put on a sure footing, establish its distinctive character. The gospel preached was largely, of necessity, a gospel of separation. Now again there is III change coming. The Protestant Ohurch is recog– nized as a distinct power in the land. Still very inferior in numbers, its influence is out of all proportion to its size. Its opponents cannot fail to recognize this, and many are already calling a halt, considering whether alliance is not better than war. In this there is both hopa and danger. Dividing partitions are breaking down, and many hith· erto unapproachable are coming within the reach of evangelical ideas. On the other· hand, pure Ohristianity has ever suffered more from diplomacy than from persecution. It is well to say, as is being S/1id again, "we have no interest in a Protestant Ohurch as such; our effort . is for a Christian life, by whatever name that life may be called." But is a true, enlightened Ohristian life possible in connectior.. with the old communions? An ignorant Ohristian life is undoubtedly possible, but can the same be said of an enUghtened Ohristian life? Are the old churches capable of reformation, or have they become so affected by the dry rot of an ignorant ecclesiasticism that the only thing possible is to tear down, gently if possible, lest the dust of ages rise in such clouds as to choke the workers and build up a.n entirely new edifice? If so, what shall the edifice be? How far shall Western wine be put into Eastern bottles? Will the true evangelical American be an American still, with his old national traits the same, only purified? or will he he something as different from his old self as the American is from his English, Irish or German ancestor of a few generations since?
Then, a.gain, there are all the problems of social life. What are· the relations that should exist between evangelical Ohristianityand the existing social customs of the people? How far should each community be left to work out its own problems? How much guidance andinfluence may be advantageously used to direct aright and at the 'sametime ' not check that normal natural growth, without which life has no gen- ' uine, permanent character? Such questions come up by the score in every mission station. The problem is not so much" How to reach the masses," but "How to guide them." The age of simple evangelism has passed; the era of growth is well under way, and the problems before a mission's annual meeting, whether in Egypt, Syria and Persia, or in Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece, are the sa.me that perplex the learned convocations of, scientists, philosophers, theologians and philanthropists in Europe and America.
Evangelical Ohristianity in its relations to Paganism furnishes a somewhat new problem for the Levant. It has been popularly understood that 0hristianityand Islamism had so permeated the. whole region that paganism, pure and simple, had been crowded out. Later investigations, however, have' showu amQng the mountains, south and west of Antioch, and along the Persian border, large communities which, while nominally Moslem, are really pagan. The Misairyeh of Northern Syria are the lineal descendants in.race and religiou of the Oanaanites who fled before Joshua, and the Yezideesof Kurdistan probably keep up the rites of the Oarduchi that harassed Xenophon and the ten thousand. Both classes are as yet almost absolutely inaccessible to any Ohristian influence. Holding to their ancient faith with a pertinacity that is wonderful, yet compelled by a relentless oppression to cover their belief under the forms of a hated religion, they have developed a power of deceit and dissimulation that probably has no equal in the historyof any race. Defying all investigation, punishing treachery or apostasy with instant death, they seem impregnable to approaches of allY kind. There is something almost fascinating in their gloomy isolation, which has repelled all Ohristian workers except.the sturdy Scotch Oovenanters,who, with persistency not less dogged thall their own, but a faith that lays hold on the power of the Highest, have commenced an attack. Their problem is sim.ple, but not the less difficult. They drill, not through rock, but adamant.
None of these problems, however, are greater than that of infidelity. It is one of the strangest things in nature, that light and air, in themselves so essential to health, when brought in contact with what has been kept in darkness, so often bring not health, but fermentation and decay. The first result of exposing the errors in old beliefs is the shaking of all belief. The Moslem reads the Bible~ loses his faith in the Koran, and is apt to doubt the validityof the Bible, too. ,To his mind, each disproves the other. What, then, shall he believe? Too often nothing. The Copt,Greek, Armenian, Bulgarian; 'finding that the Testament does not indorse the practices of a church hallowed byages :of implicit faith,. jumps at the conclusion that the creed at thefounda- tion of those practices must also be wrong, and casts overboard all
¥IRACLES OF
creed; or rather, because au Orieutal.canIJ.ot live without one, mak~s a Greed of creedlessness. The spread of infidelity through the Levantis appalling, and many a time does the missionary, whether onthe sea- board or far inlaud, stand dismayed to find that it has gained a foot- hold where he least expected. To go into detail is unnecessary. .Every pastor and teacher knows what the problem is. Varying, perhaps, iu some of its forms, it is essentiall.f the same, whether in America, Europe,Asia or Africa. Here home and foreign workers join hands•. The pastor who feels that he knows but little of the per- plexities of work abroad, to whom Moslem and Nestorian are but vague individualities, knows that an infidel is much the same whether he wear hat or turban, be clad in the somber hues of the West or the brighter colors of the East.
This is but a sketch, a glimpse such as the pebble might gain of the . bottom of the ocean as it skims the surface, touching but here and there. There has been no attempt to state the problems in full; simply to outline their nature, in the hope that sympathy may be developed and prayer directed. The great work is one. He helps most who sympathizes most, and he sympathizes most who understands best.
THEMIRAOLES OF MISSIONS.-NO. VIII. [EDITORIAL.-A. T. p.] SYRIA.
SYRIA presents another of the unmistakable signs of the superna- tural power at work in the great field of missions.
Asaad Shidiak was the secretary of the Maronite Patriarch. When the lamented and beloved Pliny Fisk, after kissing the lips of the dy- ing .Levi Parsons, in Alexandria, himself returned to Jerusalem to follow his friend, within two years, he wrote, in his last hours, a fare- well letter to Dr. Jonas King, and while Messrs. Bird and Goodell sat by his pillow and listened for his dying words, he passed away, mourned even by weeping Arabs. About this time, over sixty years ago (1825), there was a remarkable state of religious inquiry. There was moving in Syria the same Power that moved there at the first Pen- tecost in Jerusalem, and afterward in Oesarea and Antioch. Men were pricked in their hearts and came to the missionaries to learn the truth, peing convinced of the shallowness and emptiness of their own relig- ious systems. At the same time rose the persecutiug spirit, which for more than a quarter of a ceutury interfered with missionary work in Syria. The Sultan issued his firman to all the pachas of Western Asia prohibiting the circulation of the Word of God, and the Maronite con- verts had to face death like the martyrs of the first centuries.
Asaad Shidiak, the secretary of ·the Maronite patriarch, and after- ward the tutor of Jonas King, was employed to copy Mr. King's fare-
"892 THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS. " i[DEiO
well letter from Pliny Fisk. And he attempted to answer it.· As he reached the last page of his reply, like a flash o.f lightning the truth struck him. He saw that he was arguing against his own reason and conscience and opposing the higher teaching of the divine Spirit. He was intellectu,ally honest, and, seeing himself in error, was candid enough to acknowledge it and surrender himself to his convictions. The heart makes the theology, and h,is heart gave up the rebellious attitude which had led him to depart from the living God. He dared to say that he saw himself in error and openly forsook it. 'rhe Patriarch tried persuasion. He wrote him patriarchal epistles, and sent him enticing, and then mandatory messages; he promised him official pro- motion, he sought to bribe his conscience to compromise with his con- victions; then he threatened him with excommunication and all the terrors of the Church's indignation. But it was all in vain.
He sought to win and to warn him by personal interviews, but in- effectually. Then Asaad Shidiak's marriage contract was annulled, but even against the beguilements of woman's love, the convert proved heroically steadfast. Twenty of his relatives conspire against him, and by force deliver him into the patriarch's hands, and by the patriarch he is cast into prison. He is confined to a cell, loaded with chains, and tortured daily with cruel scourgings. The people are allowed to visit him, to revile and mock him, and to spit in his face as they had done with his Master before him. His own kindred joined in this cruel per- secution, and not only would not interpose to secure his release, but opposed it.
Once they led Asaad Shidiak out of his dungeon and placed before him an image of the Virgin to be kissed by him in token of homage . and recantation of error. The alternative was a vessel of burning coals. He chose the burning coals, pressed them to his lips, and with a scorched and blackened mouth returned to his cell. At length they built up entirely around him a wall, leaving but a small aperture .through which he could get breath, and through which they could pass him enough food to keep him alive, and so prolong the sufferings of the starving man. His body wasted and became a skeleton, but his mind was invincible. His heroic spirit defied them to break the cord of love that bound him to his Lord. They killed the body, but after .that had no more that they could do ; and. before that body gave up the ghost, Asaad Shidiak, the Maronite martyr, had proved to them . that they could not subdue the spirit of one whom the Lord had led into the clear light of His own truth and the fellowship of His dear Son. Syria had once more sealed with martyr's blood the testimony of Jesus I
THE MEN FOR·
THE MEN FOR MISSIONARIES.
BY REV. PROF. DELAVAN L. LEONARD, OBERLIN, O.
AND the women as well. Through long years the cry for more men has been painful almost to agony. For lack of laborers the Master's work has languished everywhere, while much more than half the world has lain altogether untilled and desert. But, now at length, we be- gin with joy to behold hundreds offering themselves, ready to go even to the ends of the earth. And hence, it may not be amiss, indeed, there is special need to remember, that though numbers are indis- pensable, the spiritual quality and the intellectual caliber of the heralds of the Cross are a matter of even greater moment. For, after aU that has been said to the contrary, the idea is still by far too common, that the choicest of the sons of God must be reserved for regions where the gospel is already well established, and that if only possessed of piety, anybody will answer for the frontier or the foreign field. Whereas, the task .of exploring and pioneering, of founding and building, of gathering and moulding, is such and so great, that the mediocre, the thin-blooded the white-livered, the dull-eyed, are certain to fail and prove a hind- rance, and only men of nerve and mettle, of force and fire, of large ca- pacity for planning, and leading, and inspiring, can at all meet the de- mands of the case. And, in particular, the mission field has bound- less room for 1. The man 1cho loves. That is, through the combined operation of grace and nature,has a genius for loving-goes after people heart foremost -and thus readily wins confidence and affection. What continual cheer and manifold benediction arise' in a face and voice overflowing with kindness and sympathy! The missionary must love men as others love gold or glory, pleasure or power-with a passion. He must love all men, great and sntaIl, white and black, cleanly and unkempt, and'especialiy the bad, even to the non-churchgoing and the outrageously wicked. Concerning publicans and sinners, harlots and saloon-keepers, instead of passing them by as outcasts and hopeless, his cry must be, Lord, show me how to teach and win! Love effectually smothers disgust and fear of failure.
With a life evidently so pure as to be above all suspicion of countenancing the least of their evil-doing should be joined such a spirit and demeanor that the worst shall feel instinctively that they have found a friend and ., helper•. Love finds slight place for frowns and rebukes, and.nonE) stall 'for -scolding and fault-finding., -. . .
~. ,The man who -prays•. , ,As Jesus did, who had no need totrav,et or ,climb to the place ofcoznmqnion,but liye!l every hou~.asin-theinupe . diate p~eseReeQf His F~ther,_aRd preathed.pont4lu31ly the,atJIl~phflre Y-of;:de'V'otion~ There IS special Ileed that. th~ missionary pray in t:w.sUe~p ~~t, fune~tsense,· because the task on hand for him is so . arduous, that " only heav~nly 'w~om and might will ate all avail. 'l'he, v:.ery high~st of merely human h&lp~ are ridiculously inadequate. Not tQ speak of the immeasurable mass of ignorance and superstition and moral corruption which overspreads the heathen world, the human mind by sin is so dark- ened, the heart is so stained and scarred, the will is so perverse, that the . same invincible forces are required which in ancient days opened blind eyes, cleansed lepers, stilled the winds and waves; and brought dead Laz-' arus forth from the tomb. In such a desperate case there is no help or hope but in resorting to Him for whom nothing is too hard. It were fool- ish and insane to attempt the regeneration of Utah, or Mexico, or India, or Japan, except in the name of the Lord of Hosts, and in firm reliance on the sweet promise, "My word shall not return unto me void."
3. The man who sees. Perceives clearly things unseen and invisible to most. Too many walk habitually only in that carnal wisdom and prudence from which the best things of the kingdom are hopelessly hidden. Fear and unbelief are stone blind; ,at least have eyes only for difficulty and danger. To the soul sluggard there is always a lion in the street. At first Elisha's servant beheld only the Syrian host encompassing the city, but at the prayer of the prophet his eyes were opened, and then he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. A sharp vision for heavenly helps is an indispensable part of a missionary's furnishing, for without it he cannot attain unto that faith "which treads on impossibilities," and hesitates not to venture out at God's command, not knowing whither, or caring to know; Only this celestial sight is able to discover in the foundation and scaffolding the dust and din of the building process, the sure prophecy of the fair temple in due season to stand complete, or in the actual and external of the individual, of society, or of the church to-day, the divine ideal steadily advancing, and some time without fail to be revealed. Not to see things invisible is to have slight call to be a standard-bearer in the Lord's host.
4. Tlte man who 10a-its. Or, is divinely patient, because confident in God and hopeful, sure that righteousness sits upon the throne. "He that believeth shall not make haste." Our Lord was strangely calm, was never excited or in a hurry; and there is great need that His ser- vants keep cool and preserve their equanimity, that the judgment be not seriously deranged by the sudden and fierce onset of some impetu- ous emotion. It is so easy to fret because of evil-doers, and to wax impatient because the wheels of the kingdom move so slowly. There is constant call for that gospel temperance which is continence or 8e1£- control. Time is indispensable in healing inveterate evils. Good in- stitutions grow only by slight increments. And the over-fiery is bkely to work even greater mischief than the sluggard. To speak unwisely and rashly may be worse than not to speak at all. One needs to master the situation and thoroughly to understand the fa.cts in the case-needs to gain a place in the confidence and esteem of menbdore he is in a condition to do much toward setting things to rights which have gone all awry.
5. The man who rustles. A term in frequent and honored use upon the frontier, but not yet received into the dictionary. Waiting is not' the only virtue, and it lies hard by a vice. A rustler is one who is up early and at it with all his might, full of masculine vigor, and of enterprise and tact. He does not sit with folded hands, waiting for good things to happen, but exerts himself to the utmost to make them happen. To rustle for souls is to go out after them, hunt them up and lay hold of them, and in the same heroic fashion to make sure of congregations, money, or whatever else is required; patience and modesty, and passive endumnce are well in their place, but there is also large room for push and dash, and Ohristian strategy and the wisdom of the serpent. The servant of the Lord is not allowed always to follow the Fabian policy, or to fight simply upon the defensive; it is also for him to set forth npon campaigns of aggression, carrying the war into Africa and making fierce assaults.
6. The man 1()7w sings. Literally and figuratively, playing included, sings with the lips and with the heart, and with the understanding. The missionary should learn how to. sing songs in the night of sorrow and of peril and of pain, as Paul and Silas did in the Philippian' prison. His heart should be trained to sing continually for joy and to praise God at all ·times. He should also possess full appreciation of the mission and value of the service of song in the house of the Lord. Few, indeed, are the congregations which hold the hymn-book in sufficiently high esteem as an instrumentality for salvation and sanctification. Sankey the singer, for usefulness in evangelistic work, follows· hard after Moody the preacher. Not to be able to sing, and even to play, is to be burdened with serious defect.
7. The man 1J)ho laughs. Yes, he, too, has a mission. It cannot be doubted that too many of the good and earnest are simply pained and shocked, oppressed and cast down in the presence of unusual difficulties and of gross outbreaking sin. Some find no resource in days dark and disastrous but in hanging their harps on the willows, and no relief but in tears. But such are by no means always the wisest and best among the saints, and are not likely to be most successful in their work. Aud, indeed, is there not a more excellent way? What will be lost or put in jeopardy by cheerfulness and smiles without and within, by bearing with equanimity and good-nature what cannot be helped? It is wise to search for the bright side, and even for the lndicrous side, .of evil events, and to laugh at calamity and laugh away fears. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, and not only to the possessor, but also to all hIS neighbors. Verily, it is well to "rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice/'
THE RELIGIOUS STATE OF FRANCE AND THE MCALL MISSION
THE RELIGIOUS STATE OF FRANOE AND THE McALL • MISSION.
BY REV. R. M. SAILLENS, PARIS, FRANCE.
I. THE position occupied by France during the last three cen- turies in the religious world is one of peculiar interest. France was, before the Reformation, the stronghold of the Papacy, "the eldest daughter of the Church." It was here that the movement of the Crusades originated; here, also, that the monkish orders, for the most part, were created and had their greater success. From this fair land the Holy See drew the larger part of its revenue. It is no wonder, therefore, that when the" heresy" broke out, the Church put forth her most strenuous efforts to retain France in her obedience. She spared nothing in the endeavor, and she succeeded, by the acuteness and cruelty of a pope's niece, Catharine de Medicis, ~nd of her wretched sons. But she succeeded only in a measure. Protestantism was van- quished, but not destroyed, as it was in Spain, Italy and Flanders.
It remained as a thorn in the flesh of kings and popes; it remained as a leaven, which silently but surely worked the whole nation into a new spirit; it remained as a check upon the clergy, which never was able to recover its former power in this country, and has ever been obliged to watch over its own members, the ignorance and immorality of whom were proverbial before the Reformation.
The action of Protestantism has been more direct still. In the bosom of the Roman Catholic Church movements have been produced which owed their origin to the influence of the gospel. Such men as Pascal, Arnaud and Fenelon could not have arisen in a land wholly given up to popish rule. Unconsciously to themselves, the Jansenists were the timid, but true, successors of the Reformers. Pascal wrote his Pensces and his Provinciales by the light which the Huguenot martyrs had kindled.
Another result of the French Reformation was the Revolution of 1789. That great event might be defined: the fruit of Protestant seed fallen in Papist soil. There was in it a strange association of the spirit of liberty with the spirit of fanaticism, as if Loyola and Voltaire had combined in the effort. Jacobinism is the name which history has given to that monstrous combination. But all that was good in that glorious and dramatic movement can be traced back to the gospel influence. The father oithe Revolution, Jean Jacgues Rousseau, whose writings did more than any others to prepare and inspire it, :was It Prot- estant. The man who began to sound the aTarm, and was the first to set his timid hand 'against the old edifice, Necker, was also a Prot- estant.* Alas! that Protestantism should 'have been so weakiy repre- • He was a. Protestant also, the 'man whose v~ry name l"e~ll" th'; Reign 'Of Terror, a.~d Who seemed to ha.ve been born tor that day of blooq~heq anq re'verige~Ma:mi. Such are *he lessons of history I seuted! Who knows what the Revolution would have brought forth ifthe Protestant churches had then been faithful and courageous; ahd, claiming for themselves the honor of having originated the movement, had claimed also the privilege of leading it onward ! .
In another respect, also, France stands apart from .other Latin nations. She has been closely allied with the Protestant world by her theology and by the ties of blood. Scotland, Switzerland and America are in a great measure the daughters of Oalvin. Huguenots and Puri- tans are almost synonymous terms. No nation, except the Jewish people, has sent out so many of her sons to all parts of the earth to become' a blessing wherever they have been. France has, by the Revo- cation of the Edict of Nantes, impoverished herself for many long ages; but her poverty has made the riches of the world.
For all these reasons this country deserves love and compassion.
She is not Protestant, and yet Protestants must feel that she is some- what their mother. She is not Romish, for her Romish neighbors dread her liberal and revolutionary spirit. 'ro sum up in a few words: France has, three centuries ago, rejected evangelical Ohristianity, but she has retained a taste of it, which makes her uneasy and restless forever.
Yes; this is the cause of her constant agitation, so singular in a race '" which is remarkable for its natural patience and fondness of routine.
She has seen the light, and unconsciously gropes in the dark, longing to see it again.
II. There have always been some attempts mad'e by the French churches to evangelize their own people, especially during the last sixty years. A blessed revival of religion, which took place toward the year 1830, resulted in the formation of several native societies and agencies for general evangelization. The English Methodists, at the same epoch, sent over to France some devoted men, among whom was Mr.
Oook, whose name became a by-word III the south of France. The Baptists of America also were drawn toward France. They sent a mis- sionary, Mr. Willard, who formed half a dozen native evangelists, each of whom has been working with some success. The Baptist churches which were thus created are now about twelve in number, with a mem- bership of eight or nine hundred, all made up of former Roman Oath- olics. They still retain their connection with the American BaptIst Missionary' Union.
But the success of _those societies and agencies was greatly hampered by the want of liberty, or even toleration. The Methodist evangelists in the south of France, and the Baptists of the north, were constantly prosecuted and :tined for holdIng meetings, for distributing books, etc., etc.· Some of the noble pioneers of those times were sent to prison more than once.' Their converts shared in the reproach and p.ersecu- tion whiehthey endured. They did not hold large and public meetings, but 'Were bound by the law to meet only in private hou~es: aJ?d with no more than twenty people. Their reports, if .they wrote any, could only speak of weary tramping from village to village, from farm. to farm; of a soul being converted here and there. Honor to those, our worthy predecessors! Much of the fruit which we gather to-day is due to their patient~ ignored, silent sowing, in suffering and in tears.
But 1870 brought us, after the dark hours of defeat and shame, the glorious sunrise of liberty.· In a marvelous and une~pected way the Lord sent us the help which we needed· to make good that golden opportunity. No one should have thought that an English pastor, who had passed middle life, and who spoke French but imperfectly, would become the most successful evangelist of France in these times. And yet, no doubt, Mr. R. W. McAll had been prepared by God Himself; and his whole previous course as an architect, and then as a minister, was only God's training for this, his special life's work.
When, on Sunday, January 17, 1872, Mr. McAll opened a little shop in one of the streets of Belleville, for the preaching of the gospel- in answer to the urgent appeal which had come to him from an ouvrier,* he could not possibly foresee what a large tree would grow from this little .root. But he came in a most propitious time, when the ground, recently fnrrowed by the terrible plow of foreign and civil war, was ready for the seed of peace and hope; he came, not with a new panacea, not with some grand scheme of social regeneration, but with the old remedy which had never been applied, with the old gospel, so new to those poor people! His aim was not great in men's opinion: he came not to save a nation, but to save souls.
Three principles, at the outset, were adopted by him, and have never ceased to be at the basis of this mission. Their combination is, we believe, the cause of its success.
The first one is: Nothing but Ghrist. Ohrist and Him crucified is the only attraction, the only theme, tne only aim. No paid choir, no high-flown rhetoric, no scientific or literary entertainments, are used to draw the people together. "Oonferences sur l'Evangile" are the words painted in large letters on the outside of the halls. It would have been easy to gather very large audiences by other means, but it would have been impossible to retain them. The Ohurch cannot com- pete with the world on the world's own ground; David is very clumsy (and what a blessing he should be so!) in Saul's armor. There are in Paris plenty of concert halls. Ours are gospel halls; they are never opened for another purpose than to make known, by word or by song, the love of God through Jesus Christ.
The second principle on which this Mission is built is Oatholicity. On its platforms ministers and members of aU denomination!! are equally at home. Each church has a right to claim the Mis!!ion ft,!! her • The whole "tory of the beginning of the l{i81'1ion, from the pen of Dr. l{eAIl1:timself, will be found in the book, .. A Cry from the Land of Calvin and Voltaire." London: Hodder & StoUirhton, Paternoster Row. own. We recognize the right and proclaim the duty of every Christian to preach the gospel, and we offer him an 'Opportunity to do it. The Mission chooses its agents without any regard to their ecclesiastical tenets, but solely on account of their evangelistic powers.
This principle has secured for us the hearty co-operation of every true minister and every true church of Christ in France. The, Re- formed, the Free Church, the Methodists, and the Baptists, have vied witI-J each other in offering their help, in wishing us success. And it hal' secured also the sympathy of the Christian world at large. It has not been one of the least results of this Mission; that it has brought to- gether Christian men and women whom ecclesiastical prejudice kept hitherto separate. We have seen, more than once, on the platform of one of our humble halls, clergymen of the Church of England-yea, eveh deans and bishops-side by side with Quakers and dissenters.
The last fundamental principle of this Mission is what I will term, for want of a better word, its lay character. Ministers are laymen, and laymen are ministers, when they speak in the McAll Mission. Both are witnesses of the same blessed fact. The people would not accept any other kind of preaching: they will leave the room if they are not interested, though a· doctor of divinity may be speaking, and will applaud a workingman who takes their hearts by his words.
I firmly believe that the success of the McAll Mission is due, under God, to the adoption and carrying out of the three principles which we have thus briefly defined.
III. The word success has agam come under my pen. I hasten to explain what it means. .
In a country like this, success means small things in appearance.
Everything has to be done, and as the most important part of the edi- fice is the foundation, which 'is never seen, so the most important part of our work lies in the preparation of the conscience and the heart- the first having slept so long that it is dead.
Peter's success was great when, in a single day, he led 3,000 to Ohrist from among the worshipers of Jerusalem. But Paul's success was as great, and the importance of his work for the world at large was perhaps greater, when for two long years he spoke in "the school of one Tyrannns," in the heathen city of Ephesus-and yet, in all probability, those two years' efforts brought to Christ a compara- tively small number of converts. .
The McAll Mission numbers at present 25 stations, or mission halls, in Paris ;11 in the immediate suburbs and 79 in the provinces, making a total number of 115. Some of these are opened every night, but the greater number are nsed only on Sunday, a.nd two or three times dur- ing the week. Adults' and children's meetings, Bible classes and mothers' meetin~s, dispensaries, young men's associations, all these and .
other methods of work are carried on, 900 THE RELIGIOUS STATE OF PRANCE AND TBE-lrICALL ~SSION. [DEC•• The aggregate attendance !luring last year, in the 17,000 meetings which have been held, has been 1,114,233. The number of people who are under gospel influence through these mission halls, who a.ttend more or less regularly and may be said to be favorably disposed-people who formerly were freethinkers and indifferent to their religious interests-can be safely estimated at 50,000.
But these figures only represent the superficial results of the work. Among those thousands, many hundreds have truly accepted Christ as their Redeemer. In everyone of those 115 mission halls, the visitor will see, generally sitting on the front rows of chairs, people remarkable by their cheerful countenance, the tidiness of their dress, though they be poor, and the true home feeling which they evidently have. Who are _these? The scoffers, the careless, the evil-doers of yesterday. And- these are not the only ones. In the splendid halls above, many are singing the praises of the Lamb, who learned, sitting once on these same chairs, to love the music of His name. If space allowed, we could tell many a touching story. We could speak of lives renewned, homes made happy, deaths that have been made victories.
Yes, the work has been encouraging, and continues to be so. But we have now come to a point where, in order to secure the results which have been acquired, and to make this missiol} a greater power for good, a new and important step must be taken.
The converts must be cared for. Gospel meetings, Bible-classes, and societes jraternelles do not any more suffice them. The Lord has instituted ordinances, by which the members ot His body are to be visibly united to Him and to each other; no human institution can take the place of the Church. Experience has shown that the converts (as a rule) will not join the existing Protestant churches. Many of them shun the very name of Protestant, which the past wars of religion have made very unpopular in some parts of the country. The mode of worship adopted in most of the old churches is cold and solemn; it contrasts with the simplicity and homeliness of the McAH meetings. This seems to be a case in which, according to our Lord's teaching, new wine cannot be put into old bottles.
And yet the converts are there, remaining in a state of spiritual infancy, having scarcely any influence on the masses which, if they were formed into a body, they might draw to themselves more easily than we can. Our own conscience presses us on the matter. Many generals have lost their conquests by advancing in the enemy's country without securing the land behind them by strong garrisons. Weare anxious, in order to go forward, to establish a solid basis of operation. But how shall it be done without touching the principle of eccle'!liastical neutrality, which has, hitherto, been one of the _caus.es of success? After much prayer and consideration, the following order has been adopted, and has begun to be put in operation; ,A Christianchnrch will be organized in every station where there is a sufficient" number of converts. The hall, however, will not cease to be opened to the general public, and no change will be made in, its aspect which would give it an ecclesiastical appearance.
Each church will be placed under the care of a minister of one denomination or other. That minister may be, at the same time, the pastor of "one of the older chnrches; in that case the mission church will be an annex of hIS own. But it will not always be so, and the directors of the mission may themselves appoint, in agreement with the denominational bodies, a minister whose time and strength will wholly' belong to the. mission, either as evangelist or as pll:stor of the newly formed flock.
It is expected that every denomination, either by their individual members or by their missionary associations, will help to support these. small churches until they are able to support themselves, so that the MeAn Mission, as such, will continue to give its whole energies, and to' spend its whole resources, in carrying the gospel to places which, as yet, have been nntouched.
The scheme has been submitted to our friends and has met with their approbation. One or two of our halls in Paris have already been appropriated to different deriominations: one of the largest and most successful, Salle Baltimore, on Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, is on the point of becoming the center of a Reformed congregation, with a young pastor attached to it who has already been working several years with uS as an evangelist. One of the Free Churches, with her pastor,Rev. A. Fisch, at her head, has voted to give up her present locality and to adopt as her chapel 6ne of our mission halls, sharing the rent and expenses with us. Our Methodist brethren also desire to enter into the scheme, and in their last visit to this country the Rev. A. J. Gordon, D.D., and A. M. Murdock, D.D., President and Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Union, have cordially accepted an arrangement by which one of the MeAll missionaries will become the pastor of a Baptist church to be formed in one of the halls of the Mission.
This plan has seemed to us the only one by which we could meet the requirements of our converts without founding a new sect. These churches will be nurseries. Elementary teaching, such as they could not get elsewhere, will be given them. Their organization will be very simple. But as they will grow in numbers and develop in knowledge, it is' expected that they will unite more and more closely with the several denominations with which they will be connected, while retaining a filial regard for the mission from which they will .have sprung. A brotherly feeling will also bind them together; having the same origin, the minor points on which they will differ will not suffice to create antagonism between them. This will be a new fact in the' history of Missions.
1'HE STATESMANSlnp OF
And something more may be expected. These churches, formed of converts from Romanism, will draw to them their former coreligjon. ists. Evangelists will rise from among them-men better acquainted than we Protestants are, with the language that the people want to hear. And these missionary churches, infusing as it were new blood in the veins of the old French Protestantism, may, by the blessing of God, become in the cOining storms the refuge of every true heart, the hope and the salvation of France.
THE STATESMANSHIP OF MISSIONS.
BY J. M. LUDLOW, D.D., EAST ORANGE, N. J.
[This paper was written for and published some time since in THE HOJIiILE'l'IC REVIEW. It presents, in a fresh and truly masterly mauner, one feature of the mission work of the Church which has seldom been presented-certainly never more eloquently-and We olfer no apology for reproducing it in our pages, for which we have the esteemed author's cordial assent. In future numbers of the REVIEW his facile pen will sketch for our readers the career of sQveral of our Missionary Heroes.-.T.M.S.] OUR purpose in this article is to emphasize and illustrate an element of power in the propagation of Christianity which is not ordinarily taken account of. Merivale gives a good summary of the causes of the early tri. umph of the Church: (1) External evidence 01 the truth-fulfillment of prophecy, miracles, etc. ; (2) Internal evidence of the truth-satisfying the sense of man's need; (3) The holy character of believers; (4) The political help given by Constantine, etc. To these aU Christians will add (5) the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost, making the Christian ages a perpetuation of Pedtecost. But one oC the reasons which Gibbon gives for the spread of our religion comes nearer to our topic, viz. : The organization of the Church as an institution especially adapted to the building of the Christian commonwealth in the heart of the secular empire of Rome, and its spread among various peoples. From the first missionary projects of the Apostles, down through the centuries to the founding of the latest modern mission, the Church has displayed marvelous political foresight, tact and enterprise, fulfilling the injunction of its founder, "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
The expression, "Statesmanship of Missions," occurred to the writer while attending a conference of missionaries at one of their stations in the heart of the heathen world, listening to the explanation of their projects, and witnessing the magnificent results already attained. The impression was irresistible, that these men were not simply a band of devoted teachers and preachers, but statesmen, as worthy of the name as were the representatives of European governments at the time assembling at Const(tntinople, 01' those old empire-builders whose astuteness.is praised on the pages of history. This conviction was confirmed a few weeks later, while standing upon the deck of a Mediterranean steamer, in a group of English officers who were discussing the vexed problem of the Ottoman rule in the East. Said one of them, who has since reached highest distinction for military and diplomatic ability, "The American missions alone are doing more for the satisfactory settlement of the Eastern question than all our governments."
By statesmanship we mean especially that sort of wisdom which recognizes the natural movement of great peoples due to racial tendencies and historical culture; selects geographical points of advantage, the location of centers of greatest influence;· adopts the most ellficient methods of persuasion-now addressing the common individual in the s.ubstratum of society, and again approaching those in authority; appreciates the subtle influence of language, impregnated, through translations of Scripture and the pUblication of works on Western science, with Christian ideas; and estimates shrewdly the varied abilities and adaptation of the men who are selected for special fields and forms of missionary work. In emphasizing this human clement of mission- ary power, we do not overlook the supernatural force in Christianity to which all its triumph is ultimately du·e; fOl' the question will constantly arise, Whence did these men acquire statecraft? They were educated in no school of diplomacy. They never sat at the feetof the Charlemagnes, Suleimans, Bismarcks and Gladstones of political control; yet they have seen farther than these masters into the swirling mysteries out of which empires have emerged. As of the Great Master, we ask, "Whence have these men wisdom, having never learned?" There is but one reply, Where the Mastel' found it-through communion with the divine Spirit.
Foremost among the statesmen of the world we must rank the Apostles. Stand upon a housetop in Joppa to-day, and. gaze out at the steamers of England, France, Austria, Italy, Spain-all Christian lands-which dot the sea at your feet. Then recall the vision which Peter had on one of these housetops; how he foresaw the gathering of the Gentiles, and, in spite of the exclusiveness of his Jewish habit of thought, began to lay the beams of the ne·w kingdom across the borders of aU nations and kind reds and tongues I The first mission projected by the Church at Jerusalem showed a spirit of enterprise worthy of the Catholic faith which prompted it. Antioch was the chief center of influence on the Eastern Mediterranean. In this old capital of the Seleucidre mingled the tides of Asiatic and EUropean civilization. It was also a chief seat of paganism and immorality. Through the grove of Daphne roamed emperor and senators from Rome, princes and generals from the East, astrologers, soothsayers, scholars and adventurers from all lands. JuvenaI, describing the influence of Antioch upon the empire, said that the "Orontes poured itself into the Tiber." Into this distributing reservoir of current thought and life at Antioch the Apostles put the clarifying, life-giving element of the gospel. . From Antioch the great missionary Paul worked out upon the high way of travel. Cypru~, Ephesus, Corinth, Athens, Rome, were kindled with the sacred flame from his Caith. Mark occupied Alexandria. Others penetrated to Odessa and Babylon and the banks of the Indus. The rule seems to have been, "Strike for the centers." This displayed not merely preaching zeal and love for souls, but immense enterprise, and, at the same time, genius sufficient to direct it. The prophecy of what has since come to pass was the light within their great souls, and they planned deliberately for world-conquest. And so wisely did they plan and work that Justin Martyn pictures the opening of the second century thus: "There is not a nation, either of Greek or Barbarian, or of any other name, even of those who wandel' in tribes and live in tents, among whom prayers and thanksgivings are not offered to the Father and Creator of the universe in the name of the crucified Jesus." Fifty years later, Tertullian said: "We have filled every sphere . . . cities, castles, islands, towns, the exchange, the very camps, the plebeian populace, the seats of the judges, the imperial palace and. the forum."
We know but little of the details of Church extension in the ages immediately succeeding the Apostolic. The results, however, show the same careful, systematic and far-aimed scheme of operations. The statesmen who directed the empire were matched by the ecclesiastics;:indeed, .twdatter adapted the machinery of the secular government to the use of the Church. Gradation in authority, division of fields of labor, strictness of internal dis- cipline, a definite policy for aggressive work against the outlying paganism, soon ,attracted the attention of men to the fact that there was a real com- monwealth of Christians which was commensurate with the imperial do- main. And when the empire fell to pieces there remained the marvel of a compact, unimpaired, spiritual kingdom, maintaining its secular form, with but a single rent-that made by the Latin and Greek schism. Did the early Church absorb into itself the best political genius of that age? or were the devotees of the new religion especially endowed with such genius for their work, as, at the beginning, a few fishermen were gifted with such transcend- ent ability? This is one of the questions which secular historians have not answered.
Medireval missions may be dated from the career of Ulphilas, the" Moses of the Goths." To reach those vast and widespread nations so as to perma- nently affect them with the gospel, it was necessary to create a written language for them. The capacious intellect which grasped the problem was joined with as remarkable energy of purpose in solving it. Prof. Max Mul- ler gives this deserved tribute to the great missionary: ,. Ulphilas must have been a man of extraordinary power to conceive, for the first time, the idea of translating the Bible into the vulgar language of his people. At this time there existed in Europe but two languages which a Christian bishop would have thought himself justified in employing, Greek and Latin. All other languages were still considered as barbarous. It required a prophetic sight, and a faith in the destinies of these half-savage tribes, and a conviction also of tile utter effeteness of the Roman and Byzantine empires, before a bishop could have brought himself to translate the Bible into the vulgar dialect of his barbarous countrymen." Gibbon cannot withhold his admiration of this virtual framer of Gothic civilization. " The rude, imperfect idiom of soldiers and shepherds, so ill-qualified to communicate any spiritual ideas, was im- proved and modulated by his genius; and Ulphilas, before he could frame his version,was obliged to compose a new alphabet of twenty-four letters, four of which he invented to express the peculiar sounds that were unknown to the Greek and :Latin pronunciation. The character of Ulphilas recom- mended him to the esteem of the Eastern court. where he twice appeared as the minister of peace; and the name of tMoses was applied to this spiritual guide, who conducted his people throngh the deep waters of the Danube to the land of promise."
The dramatic scene in which Odoacer, the conqueror of Italy, bows his huge form in order to enter the humble cell of Severinus, the evangelist to the tribes of Pannonia and Noricum. there to take counsel regarding the policy of his l'ule, may be taken as one illustration from hundreds in which the statecraft of those dark ages learned at the feet of the greater wisdom imparted to the builders of Christ's kingdom.
The mission of St. Patrick in Ireland reveals the same super.eminent ability. With profound knowledge of human nature, he studied the peculiar character of the Irish people, established schools for the training of com_ petent teachers and preachers, shrewdly brought Christian truth into debate with reigning Druidism, antagonized piracy and slave-dealing, destroyed superstitions. The town and the See of Armagh are to-day the monument of his far-sighted policy. Kildare is still the memorial of Bdgid's .. Cell of the Oak," or training-school of women, as Derry is that of Columba's " m~wl'Y, ·whetke~ iss~ WHIJWl ~f ,4QVf(j}~~ wen who 'QroOke the power of the ancient paganism in the North, both of Ireland and Scotland, long before Augustine arrived on the southern coast of England with the peculiar dogmas of the Church of Rome. It was no blind enthusiasm, but transcend- ent genius, that built in the far North the institutions of lona and Bangor, the latter of which had at one time between one and two thousand students, attracted .from every part of Europe, and who were sent back to be the planters of a new order of affairs in France, Germany and Switzerland, The England of to-d!ly, independent in its faith, owes much more than ordinary historians admit to the sagacity of the eady British Christians, whose hearts felt the prophetic touch of that wisdom which has made Protestant Christen- dom the dominant type of the world's civilization.
Augustine's mission to Kent is credited with being one of the masterpieces of statecraft in its era. Gregory, who inaugurated it, had, before he was made pope, attained such repute for diplomatic ability that he was chosen to be the arbiter between emperors in the strife of theil' subtle ambition.
The English Winfred, afterward Boniface, the Apostle of Germany, a worthy compeer,of Charles Martel. The latter might hammer the Northern nations to pieces, but it needed the genius and enterprise of the former to remold them, to organize society after the new model, and thus conserve the conquests of the sword. It required amazing executive ability to organize and give permanent operation to the monasteries which sprang up at every advantageous point amid the forests of Germany. Well does Maclear say: "The Sees of Salzburg and Freisingen, of Regensburg aod Passau, testified to his care of the Church of Bavaria; the See oC Erfurt told of labors in < Thuringia, that of Buraburg in Hessa, that of Wurzburg in Franconia; while his metropolitan See at Mentz, having jurisdiction over Worms and Spires, Tongres,Cologne and Utrecht, was a sign that, even before his death, the German Church had already advanced beyond its first missionary stage."
Of the abuses of the monastic system we are well aware. Many of the inmates of monasteries would have developed a healthier piety in private homes, and been more useful in the ordinary circles of social life. Too often the exclusive duties and narrow studies of the monks ~enerated fanaticism; while their herding together, and consciousness of power through organiza- tion, led them to courses which were disgraceful to themselves and hurtful to society. This is true, however, chiefly of monasteries when not sanctified by the missionary spirit, but where men were led to seek seclusion for' its own sake, in city cells or caves in the desert. On the other hand, the insti- tution, when used as an agency for the dissemination of Christian truth among paglLns, was one of consummate wisdom. Instead of leaving solitary heralds of the Cross to make their way with only the proclamation of gospel doctrines, the monasteries brought the practical exhibition of the superiolity of Christian civilization to those who had been ignorant of it. In the midst of pagan hordes, living in semi-barbarism, rose the walls of a commodious, .often stately, pile, planned by the best architectural skill of the age. The members of the brotherhood were not, as a rule, the aged, the weak, the, timid, but the young and energetic. Hundreds of monks-at Fulda, under the great-hearted Sturm, oyer four thousand-were gathered into the new . community. Forests were cleared, waste lands drained, useful arts practiced and taught to the pagan natives, the fine arts cultivated, and learning pur- sued in all branches then open to inquiry; while, most prominently, religion was exalted as the promoter of all this thrift and beneficence. Montalembert I does not throw a false color into his picture when he says of these monks, that simplicity, benignity, and joy.transformed. their exile from the worId into a paradise of G~d. They brought not barren Christian dogma., but Christian life, however far from pedect, into the very midst of the godless degradation of paganism; and, as a. fact, they leavened far and wide the entire lump.
Coming to modern missions, we find no less brilliant illustrations of our theme. It is too soon yet to trace the wisdom of the workers fully in the results of their wOl-k, since the revived interest in it dates almost with the century. Lord Lawrence, while Viceroy of India, reported: "Notwithstanding all that the English people have done to benefit India, the missionaries have done more than all other agencies combined." The same may be said of the opening of all pagan lands to Western civilization. The missionary has been a far larger factor in the problem than would be measured by his strictly gospel work.
One of the most beautif'11 monuments in India was built by Sarfojee, the Rajah of Tanjore, to the memory of Schwartz, who died in 1798. These lines may be taken from the epitaph which'the Rajah composed: ",To the benighted, dispenser of light. Doing and pointing to that which is right; of Ble~sing to princes, to people, to me.
May I, my father, be worthy thee."
Well might the Rajah call Schwartz his father, for when the old Rajah, his real father, was dying, he called for the missionary, and, putting his hand upon his son's head, said: "This is not my son any longer, but thine, for into thine hands I deliver him." By his practical counsel, Schwartz really kept the crown upon the young prince's head. He quieted revolts among his people, as when 7,009 rebels, who had refused to hear the government, said to the missionary: "You have shown us kindness. • . . We will work for you day and night to show our regard." When famine desolated Tanjore, and the people were taking their revenge upon their rulers by refusing to sell them provisions, and when no threats from the authorities availed, Schwartz was able to secure within two days 1,000 oxen and 8,000 measures of grain. The British resident wrote home: "Happy indeed would it be for India if Schwartz possessed the whole authority."
After the English victories in Burmah, in 1826, a grand military reception was given to an Amet'ican lady. Sir Archibald Campbell, the conqueror, welcomed her in person r.t the head of his staff. At the dinner given to the Burmese Commissioners this lady was accorded the seat of honor. This was a tribute which the British authorities rendered not alone to the personal heroism and consecration of Dr. and Mrs. Judson, but in recognition of the importance of their work as beariJ;lg upon the civilization of that country. It was not the mere zeal of an enthusiast that kept Judson at his post for seven years in Rangoon before he could claim his first convert. His soul was balanced by the weight of a grand project, whose accomplishment he foresaw through all the darkness of atheism supported by the throne. So clear was it to him, that he could abide the horrors of the prison and the stocks while the seed was decaying, as it were, in the soil, to bring forth the glorious harvest which others should reap. The statesman-eye of Daniel, in Babylon, caught the luster of coming empires with scarcely more clearness than did the prophetic soul of Judson discern the future of Burmah, when alone he gazed upon the temples at Ava and exclaimed: "We stand upon the dividing line of the empires of dat'kness and light. 0 shade of Ah-ranhan, weep over thy falling fanes;. retire from the scenes of thy past great- ness. A voice mightier than mine, a still small voice, will ere lon~ sweep away every vestige of thy dominion." Never did greater prescience guide an ambassador to, a foreign court than when this solitary man wrote in his journal: "Weare penetrating into the heart of one of the great kingdoms of the world to make a formal offer of the gospel to a despotic monarch, ' and through him to the millions of his subjects." To-day the king of Burmah sends his princely children to sit at the feet of the successors of Judson, and learn the deepest lessons of both secular and celestial wisdom.
Beirut, in Syria, is called the "crown-jewel of modern missions." It was taken from the bed of Moslem degradation, cut and set by the deliberate planning of a handful of American Christians. As late as 1826, Beirut was a straggling, decaying Mohammedan town without so much as a carriageway through it, a wheeled vehicle, or a pane of window-glass in it. The missionaries who came to it were persecuted by authorities and mobbed by the populace. Some were driven to the Lebanons; others fled to Malta. There they matured their plans, chimerical to all but the eye of faith. They projected Christian empire for Syria, not the gathering of a few converts. Schools, colleges, printing-houses, churches, Western culture in science, art and religion, were all included in their plan. They retumed to Beirut bringing a hand-press and a font of Arabic type. Night after night a light gleamed from a little tower above the mission building-a prophetic light seen out on the Mediterranean-where Eli Smith, and, after he was gone, the still living Dr. Van Dyck labored in translating the Bibleinto Arabie. When, in 1865, Dr. Van Dyck flUng down the stairway the last sheet of "copy" to the compositor, it marked an era of importance to Syria and Asia Minor, to Egypt and Turkey, and all the scattered Arabic-speaking peoples, greater than any accession or deposition of Sultans and Kh'edives. There is nothing more eloquent than the face of the venerable translator, in which can be read the making of the grandest history of the Orient.. The dream of the exiles has been ,accomplished. Beirut is to-day a Chl'istian city, with more influence upon the adjacent lands than had the Berytus of old, on whose ruins it has risen. Stately churches, hospitals, a female seminary, a college, whose graduates are scattered over Syria, Egypt, and wherever the Arab roams; a theological seminary, a common-school system, and three steam-presses, throwing off nearly a half-million pages of reading-matter a day; a Biblehouse, whose products are found in India, China, Ethiopia, and at the sources of the Nile; thes~ al'e the facets of that" crown jewel" which the missionaries have cut with their sanctified enterprise.
Across the Mediterranean, answering to the college at Beirut, stands Robert College, just above the fortification built by the Turks when they invested Constantinople. It was founded in the practical wisdom which foresaw its influence upon the surrounding people. Weare not surprised at the statement of those resident in Bulgaria, that the rapid development of that people into a compact nation, "with destiny in its eye," is due to the education of so many young Bulgarians at the American College on the Bosphorus. These men have returned to their homes to assume positions of control in every department of life. They are the advisers of the nation and the executors of its will.
David Livingstone, the Apostle of Africa, ranks among the foremost statesmen of modern times. Sir Bartle Frere, the diplomat, says of him: "No man ever attempted, on a grandel' or more thorough scale, to benefit and improve those of his race who most needed improvement and light. In the execution of what he understood, I never met his equal for energy and sagacity. Every year will add fresh evidence to show how weH-considered were the plans he took in hand, and how vast have been the results of the
WORK IN
movements he set in motion." Florence Nightingale says: "He was·the ·greatest man of his generation. There are few enough, but a few statesmen. He stood alone, the bringer-in of civilization, or, rather, the pioneer of civHization, to races lying in darkness. Learned philologists from Germany,not at all orthodox in their opinions, have told me that Dr. Livingstonewas·the only man who understood races and how to deal with them for good."
Shall we not put Marcus Whitman among our American statesmen? He labored humbly among the Nez-Percez Indians in Oregon before the.Rocky Mountains were regarded as passable for civilization. His practIcal eye saw n • • • In those continuous woods, Where rolls the O~egon. a.nd hea.rs no sound. Save his own dashing •••"
the untold wealth of soil and mine and commercia] advantage, while the professional statesmen at Washington were incredulous of their value, and were negotiating their disposal for some fishery rights in the North Atlantic. His far-vision alone caught, across the Pacific, the gleam of ships cOI,l1ing from China and Japan. Clad in bearskins, he appeared not only before the American Board, but among the magnates of the capital. He brought with him no formal credentials, and. needed none. His earnest, patriotic conviction was attested by his mutilated face, some parts of which had been frozen off by the sevel'ity of his passage over the mountains, "our natural Western boundary;" as was then believed by our most astute politicians. His wisdom was attested by his arguments, and the basis of international treaties was changed by them. Perhaps to Whitman, more than to any other man, we Qwe our possession of that vast and exhaustless territory south of latitude 49, now included in Washington and Oregon. His monument, which graces the town of Whitman, in the County of Whitman, is a meager tribute to the sagacity and patriotism of this great pioneer statesman of the Northwest, who there fell a martyr at the hands of our country's enemies.
But, to fully illustrate OUI' theme, the Statesmanship of Missions, we would have to recite the entire history of these evangelistic movements dur·· ing the eighteen centuries since the Founder· of Christianity first com· missioned the builders of His kingdom. Take down your old volumes of. missionary l'ecords of thirty 01' forty years ago. Read the stories of solitary labors, of the conversion of little handfuls of men here and there over the heathen world. They awakened but little attention at the time of their first publication. Then take the map of the world to-day, and locate these apparently common-place scenes. Behold! they are the centers, not only of religious light, but of the dominating forces that make for mod€1'll civilization!
Doubtless the missionaries were wiser than they knew, but they also knew that they were wise. A writer, speaking of the scattering of the early Church by persecution, describes the disciples as cinders piloted through the ail' by Providence, kindling Christianity where they fell! But the cinders were each a man with glowing brain, as wen as with ardent love and quench-. less devotion. each one himself kindled by the All-wisdom that sent him forth.
MISSION WORK IN CATHAY.
BY REV. GILBERT REID, CHI-MAN-FU, CHINA.
The progress of missions in China is great, increasing more and more as the .yea~'s pass by. Forty-five years ago there were only six nativeChriltians of the Protestant faith. Increase by the same proportion the next forty.five years as during the last, and there will b~, not 38;000, as we now- find, but·· , over 180,000,000 actual communicants. Looking on the whole field, beyond the limits of one's own denomination, and we find stations scattered along the coast, up the Great Riv~r, and far and wide in all the interior.. N()ta. province but has some/converts to Protestant Christianity. Our society may be weak this year, but another has never been stronger. Hope ever comes from the whole, not from the part. Thirty-six societies are l'epresented in China, with upwards of 490 male missionaries, over 200 unmarried female missionaries, and nearly 200 native ordained ministers.
Great as is the progl:ess, great-awfully, solemnly great- is the need. We can say that the ·Chinese Empire has opened her doors; but what is meant by the Chinese Empire? A writer says that China has 300,000,000 of people, and then adds that China has eighteen provinces. His first use of the word "China" is synonymous with the Chinese Empire, and his second use with China Proper or the eighteen provinces. These vast regions outside the eighteen provinces are ov~rlooked in the general calculation, Manchuria, with a population of upwards of 12,000,000, has one treaty port and thl'ee mission stations, those belonging to the Scotch United Presbyterian Missions. Mongolia, extending over a vast extent of desert, and with an estimated population of 2,000,000, has only one missionary, the indefatigable worker of the London Mission, Rev. James Gilmour. Tibet, with upwards of 7,000,000, and IIi, with 2,000,000, population, are both tightly locked in from all foreign and missionary impression, except as meeting Russia to the north, and Great Britain to the south. The island of Formosa has been advanced to the position of a province, has three treaty ports, and a very successful mission work carried on by the Canadian and English Presbyterians. The island of Hainan, still a department ef the province of Kwangtong, has now one treaty-port, and one mission station of the American Presbyterians. Such ends the border land of the Chinese Empire.
As to the condition of China Proper, wha.t do we find? Of the eighteen provinces only two have no pel'manent mission stations, Hunan and Kwang-si. The former has a population of some 20,000,000, and is visited by members of the China Inland and London Missions, but is as yet too hostile for permanent settlement. Kwang-si, with a popUlation say of 7,000,000, had for a short time a station belonging to the American Presbyterian Mission, but owing to a serious riot the missionaries were driven away, and have not since been able to secure the needed protection and residence. The provinces of Knei-chir, Yunnan, Kiang-si, Gan-kwong, Kansnk, Shen-si and Honan are occupied by missionaries of the China Inland Mission alone, though the Canadian Presbyterians are soon intending to open a station in the hostile province of Honan, Missionaries may now travel in all parts of China, and preach the Word, though residence in particular places, and especially the provincial capitals, is generally subject to great opposition. It is, however, a matter of congratulation that of all the capitals only five are at this time unoccupied by missionaries-those of Kwang-si, Kiang-si, Hunan, Honan and Shen-si I To a portion of this success we are indebted to the China Inland Mission alone.
In such an enumeration as we here attempt to give, we should not overlook the labors of the Roman Catholic missionaries, who have prepared the way for Protestants in most of the interior. In fact, we fear if the Roman Catholic priests had not first gone into the interior on the basis of the French Treaty of 1860, which especially referred to the French priests, all Protestant missionaries would have been able to do but little, except.by way of travel. Now, following the precedent of the Roman Catholics, Protestants may
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AND LAY WORK IN THE 19TH CENTURY. [DEC'-
reside in 'the interior, and may purchase property in the name of the Church.
The very heroism and persistency of the Roman Catholic missions in China.
should check our inherent sectarian prejudice, and induce us to applaud the good wherever found. '
Great favors h3.ve already been bestowed on the cause of Christianity by the toleration and protection from the Imperial Government. That much of this is directly due to the mediation of foreign powers is not to be denied; and yet the Central Government, while resenting much of the past treat- , ment of the stronger nations, is in no way inclined to reverse its attitude toward either foreign missionaries or Christianity. Coming down to the lower officials, who ha'e control of the many districts and departments of the eighteen provinces, there is oftentimes a glaring disregard of imperial orders in regard to Chl'istianity, and this spirit is largely intensified by the antagonism of local residents. As Christian converts increase in number, we may expect frequent persecutions in certain sections. The need in China is truly great, but we must count the cost before accepting the call.
The way for preaching the simple gospel, for the practice of medicine, for the curing of the opium habit, is open in many places throughout China; and it is for the Church to seize the opportunity when it comes and in the way it comes. We may not realize all that our preconceptions would feign mark out, but the best plan is to commit all our ways unto the Lord, and He will direct our paths, Possessing our souls in patience and running with pa- tience, we cannot, as servants of the kingdom, fear defeat or in reality be overcome.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AND LAY WORK IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. BY A. WOODRUFF, ESQ., BROOKLYN, N. Y. PERHAPS there is no more encouraging feature of the century in which we live. for guaranteeing a hopeful and progressive future, than the numerous forms of Christian organization which now invite, if we may not say engross, the attention of men and women, especially in so-called Protestant countries. We propose here and now to show that our much cherished Sunday. school system has not only borne an important part in developing these organizations, but has really been the parent of them, and united them more or less intimately with the growing principle of lay labor, thus reviving the fundamental principles of the New Testament. The aspirations that have incited good men in all ages to be the prompters of lay activity, and the many who claim to have formed the first Sundayschool, furnish good evidence of the value of the Sunday-school system itself; and the fact that so many of these claimants arose about the end of the last century marks that period to be the time of the inauguration of the movement which the World's Sunday-school Convention, in London, in 1880, decided it to be.* Accepting this, shall we not also be obliged to accept as the outcome of the Robert Raikes system, the definition of the Sunday-school system to be primarily the teaching of the Bible by laymen in classes of six or seven, more or less. The :flowingand ebbing of the 'oceanic tides are scarcely more apparent thal'l the rising and falling of spiritual reforms by influences and instruments wielded by the divine hand in accomplishing His momentous purposes in the moral elevation of our race. We will claim the Sunday-school as one of these instrumentalities, and the closing of the eighteenth century as the '" See" Centena.ry Memorill,l of the EsiIl,QUs'lment of Sunda.y-scp.oo!s," ebbtidc, in England anu America, the flood to which is the lay teaching of the nineteenth century, as will be shown later.
All along the line of Christian history there have been both men and times that have clearly indicated reforms, in Church and State, which seemed to give gleams of hope that a permanent day was soon to dawn. But these partial hopes have been revived only to be more or less clouded; not until the year 1800, when the influence of the Sabbath-school first began to be felt in England and America, was there anything to prevent the relapses that had so often darkened, not to say dissipated, the expectations which imme_ diately followed the face-to-face teaching and preaching of the primitive Church.
A glance at the history of that day would indicate a darkness that could only be penetrated by some new luminary; and if this light was to be permanent, it must be kept so by a more widespread teaching of the new Testament than the schools of learning had hitherto furnished. True, the gospel had been faithfully preached by many most efficient teachers, but only in important centers; and Church history had not developed an almost costless theory, which, like the first teaching of the gospel, should be commensUl·ate with the wants of the entire race. We shall endeavor to show that this achievement has been accomplished, and may, in a high, natural, and important sense, be attributed to the Sabbath-school organization of the nineteenth century.
What could be more natural than that the immediate fruit of this teaching to the masses should revive a missionary spirit, which is the glory of our cf'ntury; and that this struggle of men and women to bring souls to Christ, should give to the general proclamation of the truth a power that it never had before, and create a sympathy that would not rest until every individual bought by the blood of Christ was brought within its influences.
Nor is it but natural when this sympathy of the pew with the pulpit, and the masses with the Sunday-school teacher is once created, that the funds should not be wanting; stimulating, not preceding, the personal moral force, the lack of which would make money a curse instead of a blessing for the accomplishment of every reform of the Church, if we should not add, of the State?
May we be forgiven for pausing here a moment to complain of our good magazine writers, of the statisticians or statistical writers of our age, of the professors of learning, nay, of the Church at large, in that the Sundayschool is ignored by them, its teachers held to be a non-commissioned band; although it is one of the greatest of moral forces, holding in its hand, in England and America alone, 16,000,000 of teachers and pupils. If the critical scholar shall, as we have said, claim that to other causes may be attributed the moral force which we have attributed to the Sunday-school, we will imperatively demand that they show us these causes and their capacity to do it; and if this can be done successfully, then we may not close our Sunday-schools but will add to them their better theories of lay labor.
While we are thus pleading for the greatness of our organization, let us not overlook the fact that it has grown out of the simple command, "Go teach!" and not" Go organize!" The first was insisted upon by Christ and His apostles, and the latter was left to such organization only as should preserve the spirit or the first great commandment; and obedience to this command is the only guarll.ntee of its capability of univerl!!al expansion. Nor can it be denied that such is the educative power of teaching that the Sunday-school has furnished tn its reflexive influence the broadest and the best, if we may not say the most effective, college of Christian teachers in this century that the world has yet produced.
Glance at the one million of voluntary Sunday-school teachers, bending over the pages of the Bible with the immediate obj~ct of bringing its sacred truths into contact with fifteen million pupils. Grant thatJt may be rightfully claimed that, without fhe theological seminary and the ordained ministry, as this country enjoys them, the world would,sink back into unbelief, infidelity and barbarism. Still, we maintain, that without this spiritual host, the home and foreign missionary societies could not maintain their present standard, much less furnish a ministry commensurate with the wants of the race.
But perhaps we should more clearly present the intrinsic value of this movement by enumerating the increase in the missionary societies it has begotten since its influence has begun to be felt. At the beginning of the century there were seven missionary societies; now there are 147, not to count many of the smaller ones.
But the reader is ready to inquire, Have not other causes beside the Sunday-school produced all this?
As we have admitted above, other centuries have had Bible teaching, more or less effective in given localities; but may we not justly claim that the1'e has been no such uniform progression as that which we now behold, and which we attribute to the institution whose results we are here reviewing. Holland, Germany, Sweden-in short, all the countries of Europe-have had more or less of a preached gospel; but, until the latter part of this centui'Y, it may be doubted, if not disbelieved, that there has been any ascertainable ratio of progress. This was not from the want of general intelligence, nor even adequate civilization, but from a want of zeal produced by efficient lay teaching.
But if we contrast mOi'e specifically the moral conditlOn of England and America in the year 1800 with their pi"eSent condition, and state the change which, if rightly claimed, have been the fruit of the Sunday-school, we shall have before us the grounds of encouragement, which will not only enable us to anticipate what the Sunday-school is yet to be, both in its home and foreign work, but also the help that it shall give to every other religious enterprise which shall bless the future of our race.
While at the demand of the Sunday-schoolcommunity, England organized her British and Foreign Bible Society for the supply of Sunday-schools with Bibles, she has taken in tUt'll some of our Sunday-school improvements and adopt.ed our public school system, and, in general, the improvement in her institutions has been little less than our own; we shall only have space to chronicle the noble inventory applicable to our own country.
We have taken the accumulated corrupt populations of the old world and made of them a country that, morally, will favorably compa1'e, if we may not say, greatly transcend, any country in the world. We have peopled a territory equal in extent, and nearly equal in population, to any other civilized country, and elevated it into a free Republic, with institutions of leaming equal, if not superior, to any other on the globe. We have transplanted the seedling-s of liberty from eur Eastem border on the Atlantic to the Pacific slope, and there placed the Sunday-school, the State, for the occupancy of future millions. Our Sunday-schools have originated seventy-five per cent. of the churches in the Westem States, there to develop and guarantee the fut~re perpetuity of our nation. In the hour of trial these W ('stern States sent the fo~ce necessary to help the East in working out the problem of the freedom of more than four millions of slaves. We have also tra.nsfe:.ored our Sunday-school system to other States and natiOns, and now there are: In Germany, 3,000 Sunday-schools, with 30,000" teachers and 300,000 scholars; Italy, 200 Sunday-schools, with 850 teachers and 12,500 scholars; France, 1,100 Sunday-schools, with 4,500 teachers and 115,000 scholars; Belgium, 57 Sunday-schools, with 160 teachers and 2,350 scholars; Switzerland, 1,500 Sunda,y-schools, with 6,522 teachers and 97,890 scilolars; Spain, 100 Sunday-schools, with 400 teachers and 8,000 scholars; Portugal, 30 Sunday-schools, with 100 teachers and 1,000 scholars; Holland.. 1,291 Sunday-schools, with 3,800 teachers and 141,640 scholars; Bohemia, 90 Sunday-schools, with 260 teachers and 2,875 scholars; Mora,via, 38 Sunday- schools, with 60 teachers and 1,423 scholars; Sweden, 500 Sunday-schools, with 18,000 teachers and 200,000 scholars; Denmark, 300 Sunday-schools, with 2,000 teachers and 25,300 scholars; Russia, (German population), 23 Sunday-schools, with 438 teachers and 6,017 scholars; Brazil, 21 Sunday- schools, with 35 teachers and 518 scholars; Chili, 255 scholars; Uruguay, 11 Sunday-schools, with 40-45 teachers and 700-900 scholars.
While this has been accomplished, we have survived the Civil War ar,d treasured up its fruits sufficient to show the world that, whatever the cost, the right is to succeed until itl:! final triumph. Our missionaries are laboring side by side with all the missionaries in the world, and many, if we may not say the majority, of them, together with our home ministry, have found their spiritual birth and culture in the institution for which we are pleading; and with the help of our Sunday-school education the theory of missionary labor has been revolutionized so that nations are being born in a day.
If there is ground for what we have said above, though it be vastly less than we have claimed for it, who will deny that there is that in it which no other system holds, for loving personal appeal from heart to heart; and that it presents for a well-founded future, the 'progressive steps toward the mil- lennium, for which the world is now praying and laboring as it has never done before.
Admit, if we must, that all our assumptionS are wrong and our hypotheses entirely false, yet tell us, ye Churcb militant, is the multiplication of schools of learning, is the clearer declaration of systems of theology, are the elo- quence and thundertones of the modern preacher, or the propagandisms of Church and national reforms comparable to this movement of a mighty host all along ,each division of the family of man, organized in executing the commission of our Great Commandei- that shall demolish the lines of "national pride, and wipe out the bitterness of denominational demarkation, and shout the rallying cry of "Peace on earth, goodwill to men," in every household in the world?
Once more only will we appeal to our friends, at horne and abroad, and ask them what they will do before this century shall close to bring the Sunday- school within the reach of every tribe of man, nay', of every hamlet, which is yet without this gospel influence for }Vhich we have been pleading? Shall we not earnestly and affectionately bring our supplication before Heaven, and into the condition which revelation has assured us shall secure an answer? , Are we prepared to make the corresponding sacrifice? Do we believe in its possibility? Shall means and measures be forthcoming from a convic- tion firm and abiding that anything sbort of what we have specified, if not rendered, will leave us under the doleful reproach, "Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye did it not untoque" I
TRANSLATIONS FROM.FORElGN MISSION_ARY
TRANSLATIONS FROM VARIOUS FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CRAS. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
PROTESTANTISM EXPOSED!
THE Christliche 'Welt contains the following gem taken from an Italian paper published neal' Naples: .. Catholic Christians, living in the truth proclaimed by Christ, are liever intent on calumniating Protestants. But Protestants calumniate the Catholics in every way., Protestants are liars by natnre. Each one makes for himself a law which pleases his passions; by means of ,lies they gaic access to Catholics. Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they use deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; their month is fnll of cursing and bitterness, as is written in Rom.'iii : 13. Protestants are liars when they affirm that the Catholic faith is not that of the Apos_ tles, when they paint black the Inquisition, when they charge the Catholic Church with shedding blood on St. Bartholomew's night, and with revoking the edict of Nantes. What the Protestants are is stated by Paul in Rom.' i '29. Protestants are to be compared with mad dogs which run through fields and canse much danger; they curse all they do not understand; they are clouds without water, trees without frnit ; lilthy as waves of the sea; they 1Iy about like a meteor which rapi'Aly disappears and leaves nothiug but darkness; they are teachers of a church founded. on polygamy and robbery; their religion is based on murder and treachery; tbey are enemies of Christ and cynically trample on His religion. What is written, Matt. xxiii : 33, applies to themthey are serpents, a generation of vipers. They have no firm doctrine: the teaching in London diJrerd from that in Berlin. They believe what tbey like, and each one acts according to his pleasure. Under their smUe they hide the kiss of Judas; their individual reason is tileir law. They are ravenous wolves under the cloak of a lamb. They have spread themselves by means of the dagger and murder_ lies and vices, crime and deception, blood and immorality. They make their reason the judge of revelatioc'; their Christianity is anti-Christianity. This is a true picture ofProtestantism. Flee from their devilish art, by meaus of which they seek to turn souls away from the Church 1"
Surely, if Protestants henceforth do not know what they are this journal is not to be accused_ ,But the best is yet to come, The next number of the same journal says.: "Martin Luther, the chief originator of the sect of the Protestants, throughout his entire life sus- tained the most intimate relations witl< the devil, from whom he received his unhallowed doctrines. The devil slept with Luther, he helped him in his studies, and. even ate with him. Respecting Calvin and ZWingIi, we know similar tilings. There exists, in recent times, a sect of devil-wor- shipers, which has no other origin than in the so-called Reformation."
The Yearly Report of the Pilgrim Mission of St. Chrischona, near Basel, in Switzerland, for 1887, gives the outlay of the mission at 128,955 fmncs, or $24,501. This Mission house trains young men of different nationalities and denominations, mostly artisans, for Christian work III Europe, America and other parts of the world_ The Berliner Missions-Berichte says: "A new thought has lately Imtered. into our mission work, namely, that we owe the heathen in our newly occupied colonies more affection, more attention and more labor, than we owe those among whom the Lord has so visibly opened the way for us and blessed our ~ol'k among them. I cannot acknowledge the justice of this demand. The missionary cause is a reichsunmittelbare Sache_" This phrase has a technical value in Germany, which needs explanation. Under the Empire, which was dissolved in 1806, the many princes of Germany were divided into two classes, those who, though exercising sovereignty over their own people, were themselves the vassals of other princes, and those who, whether their work was less or more, owned no superior except the Emperor. These latter were. reichsunmittelbare Fursten, "princes holding imlllediately of the ·Empire." So the writer of this maintains that missions depend immediately on Christ, and not on Chl'ist through William II. "The cause rests upon the comtnission and Good Samarit~n love of our Saviour, who will havll ~ll. men saved and brought. to thQ knowl'edge of the truth. Into this holy world of love no element of subordinate rank ought to be introduced, such as the question of the suzerainty or protectorate of the German Empire."
The Missions-und Heidenbote, of Neukit'chen, for April, 1888, gives the following account of Roman Catholic missions in Eastern Africa: .. Until lately We had to do with two different Roman Catholic missions. The one is the so-called • Congregation ot the Holy Ghost and of the Sacred Heart of Mary,' commonly called' the Black Fathers.' They number some fifty missionaries, working at seven central stations, none of them very far removed from the coast. Besides missionary work strictly 80 called, they also carryon a general work of culture. Especially are they devoted to the care of the sick. The other Roman Catholic mission is that of the' African Algerian :liissionarie.,' commonly called' the White Fathers.' They have advanced their stations far into the interior, and set them as widely as possible apart. As it appears, they limit themselves mainly to proper missionary work. "unhappily, we do not know the number of their laborers.
.. As we learn from the journals, there has come on the field a new German mission of the Roman Catholic Church, of which a column of thirteen priests, besides artisans aud agriculturists, is already on African soil. As we learu, the south of the Germau possessions in Eastern Africa is assigned to them, while the Kilimandjan region 1s to remain under the Brothers of the Holy Ghost. Results are yet to come. So mnch is clear, the Roman Church is bestirring herself mightily to lay her hand upon Eastern Africa. As yet evangelical missions have the precedence; will they maintain it! Let us accept this question as a serious question of concern for us, too I ..
The Heidenbote reports the number of the Herrmannsburg stations in Barsutoland as being 23, with 10,273 members or adherents. Last year 1,251 pel'sons were baptized; 1,678 scholars attend school.
The NOl'wegian missionaries have found themselves able to reoccupy in Zululand four of the five stations which they had been obliged to abandon in ' consequence of the Zulu War, besides three places in the so-called Zulu reservation. In Natal they have now, instead of one, three stations. The number of preaching-places in the whole territory is twenty, served by fifteen missionaries and ten evangelists. Four hundred souls have been won.
Madame Jaques writes from Spelonken, another district of the same French-Swiss mission: .. Those of our Christians who are a little remote from the station and live surrounded by their pagan relatives, are doing au admirable work, and are truly faithful in their vocation. It is grand to see how, little by little, one after the other, the members of a numerous family are drawn to the worship, come a second time, find pleasure in it, and end by giving themselves once and for all to the Saviour. It is evidently the exhortations of ~he first converts of their households; It is, above all, the instruction given by example, which first speaks to the conscience of the others and brings them to the desire of being enlightened on the question of salvation."
M. Jaques writes: .. Yakobo Maloungana has turned to Elim; I have resumed with him my work of translation. We are now on the 11th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The translation of this book is much more easy than that of the Epistles. As the Gwamba have had at all times much to recount, their lauguage lends itself most happily to recitals, while, as soon as there is occasion for a demol)stration of principles where reasoning plays a great part, one finds himself in the presence of a real embarrassment. This is what I have more than once experienced in translating the Epistle to the Romans, in which the argumentation of the apostie is sometimes so condensed. In· twenty years from now, when we shall know our language to the bottom, and shall have Gwambas, who will be able to render some rational account of it, we shall be in condition to make a more faithful translation of our sacred books. In order that it should be absolutely exact, it is necessary that our vocabulary should be enriched with a number of new words. at present absolutely lacking to it, such as are needed to express the most elementary notions of morals and of psychology. Thus, you would search in vain in Gwamba for a term corresponding to .. truth," but yon find a profusion of words destined to express the ideas offallieluxid, deception, seduction, etc., a fact which indicates that our natives are ouly too little strangers to the practice of tl!ese sad vices."
The Finnish MIssionary Society, whose mission in Gwamba land, in Sou~h western Africa, dates back twenty years, labored there twelve and a half years before being able to report a baptism. A year ago the number of baptized Christians was 80. Since then, by the blessing of God, it has more than doubled, being now 165. The last year's income of the Finnish Society amounts to 107,478 Finnish marks. Reckoning a Finnish mark at 16 cents: this is equivalent to $17,196.48. __ ,. '.
The Cape Colony Synod of the Berlin Mission in South Africa gives the following report of operations from Sept. 29, 1886, to the same date 1887: Baptized, 50; confirmed, 9; .died, 17; communicants,601. ..
The following, from Missionary Voskamp, of the Berlin Society, gives a. vivid picture oi a great Chinese city: "We hired a bearer and proceeded through the endless confusion of the narrow, diTty streets of Canton, throngh the evil smells of a many-thousand-year-old decaying cultnre, on past all the innumerable shops and idol temples, halls of justice and idol altars, past all the numberless human forms, poor and rich, well and sick, vested with silk or cOTered with rags, painted with vermilion or oonsumed with leprosy, which flood the lanes of the giant city of Southern China, out through the pet nun, the great iron Northern gate, through several streets of the suburbs, past scattered hutB-llnd now the great allUVial plain of the Nort~stream delta stretches before our eyes. A purer air breathes over the land and encompasses us after we have escaped the exhalations whieh rest, suft"ocating and heavy, upon the city of the million souls• .. In the schools aud on the crossways, where the passing wayfarers were resting in the tea-hust, we sought opportunities to preach the Word of God. Often we fonnd them, often we waited in vain. Hanya guest listened an instant, then silently took up his bnndle and went on his way. There was nothing in the proclamation oC the Word that engaged the man's interest. Companies of heathen hungry for salvation, and hanging upon the 1Ips oC the missionary, were not to be found in the mountains; such. we may well say, are not to be found anywhere in China. The Lord alone knows where a seedcorn of eternity sinks into a human heaTt. The man takes it with him; often it sinks out of reach or is choked by the thorns and briers of heathenism, yet often, after the 11I>8e of years, it shoots up again into the light. At one tea-hut, which was covered with the leaves of. the fern palm, there gathered around us a great company of women. They were burdened with stones out of the neighboring quarry, at the same time carrying their infants on their hips. They laid oll" their loads and listened. I was greatly deligbted with the attentiveness with which they received the Word. Some also asked very intelligeut questions ~ •Sir, if we are not to worship idols, how shall we pray to the Heavenly Father" A heathen, sitting near, disturbed us by his unseemly witticisms. The language is rich in such equivocal turns. People do not understand the reference, and are taken in by the seeming harmlessness of the phrase. The helper explained to me the more Usual of them. Theyopen a Tiew into the hideons depths of heathenism. Often young children may be heard prattling them, as they have heard them from their parents.
There are few Protestants so bitterly set against the Roman Catholic Church that they would· not be glad to include her in, a comity of· arrange- ments for a partition of missionary work among the heathen. Unhappily, however, Cardinal Lairgerie, Archbishop of Algiers, seems to be the only Roman Catholic prelate interested in missions who instructs his missionaries not to establish themselves within a certain considerable distance of any Protestant station. In general the temper of Rome is only too well ex- pressed by this quotation from Friedrich Prippe, given in the Evangelisch- Lutherisches Missions~Blatt for April, 1888. "Missionary activity among all peoples is doctrinally an exclush'e right of the Catholic Church. Every other missionary activity, therefore, presents itself as an encroachment upon the exclusive right of the Catholic Church." That is, it is better that the heathen should be lost than be Christianized bya Protestant. Such mutual strife between those who acknowledge the same God and Saviour is sad'
. indeed.
Herr A. Gehring, of Trichinopoli, in South India, writes in the Missions- Blatt, describing a girls' school: .
.. I wish I could only present to the friends of missions at home the little brown-faced company, in their variegated, becoming costume, with their ornaments in nose, ear~, hair, and wherever else they can tlnd a lodgment. EYen the poorest cannot alford to be wholly without them, although, to be sure, all is not gold or silver that glitters. You at once become aware, by the expression of the ehUdren's faces and their whole demeanor, that they belong to the higher classes. When the, heathen girls have attended school awhile they lay Bside, in ~ mea~)lre, their sjlyncs!l to'lVBJ"ds.tb.6. missionary and become more approachable, and I am inclined to think that the Christian inftuenee makes itself noticeable in their general appearance. At Ilrst they are often greatly-diSinclined to learn the Christian lessons, but it seldom occurs that they utterly refuse to give their iuterest to the Christian instruction. On the contrary, the heathen children often shame the Christians by their animated answers. And how touching it is, when these children, with their hands laid over their eyes, join in the school,prayer, and with their Christian fellow·pupils repeat' Our Father who art in hea~en'. It Is certain, that here many II seedcorn is sown, and even though these children, forced to it by their parents, continue to bedaub their foreheads with the ashes, marking them as votaries of Vishnu or Siva, at least Christianity is no longer a strange thing to them, and the folly of heathen. ism no longer unknown; and while in general it is the women who cling most tenaciously to heathenism, even when the men are careless of It, it cannot but be that such heathen girls, hrought up in Christian schools, will in later life be …uch more cordially affected towards Christianity."
Herr Gehring brings a serious charge against the Roman Catholic missionaries of South India, which ought to be looked into, for it is either a grievous calumny 01' a crushing accusation, "In the surrounding Roman Catholic congregations it is customary for girls, before their marriage, to grow up without any manner of instruction. They know about as much of Christianity as a newborn child. When marriage seems to be impending, they are sent a few weeks to the catechism class, and there learn by rote the so·called mantrams, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Ave Maria."
Referring to the accompanying table, which shows that in forty-five years the number of TamilChristians connected with the Lutheran mission hasrisen from 1,400 to 14,000, the Missions·Blatt exclaims: "What are our 14,000 Christians compared with the 14,000,000 Tamils who are yet heathen? How dark is still the night of heathenism in those millions oC heathen souls I" Yet the rate of increase-tenfold in forty·five years-is most gratifying. Of these rates of increase, the vital factor in the question, Canon Taylor, in his article, "The Great Missionary Failure," seems to ~ake no account whatever. He computes how many thousand years, at the present absolute annual increase, it would require to overtake even one year's addition to the popula~ tion. But he entirely passes over the fact, shown by Sir William Hunter, to whom he refers again and again, that from 1872 to 1881 the population increased 11 pel' cent., and the native Christians 64 pel' cent; At that rate it will not take a geological reon to do something effectual for India. An -eminent Semitic scholar has remarked to me that accuracy is a quality which Canon Taylor never came near. That may explain his saying that Sir WH– Ham Hunter allows half a million Hindus as eligible material for present missionary effort, ,whereas he allows jifty millions!
The Missions·Blatt gives one of the oldest missionary prayers known. It was found written on the first page of the first church book of Tranquebar, of 1707, written by one of the earliest missionaries. It is as follows: "0 thon exalted and majestic Saviour, Lord Jesns Christl Thou Redeemer of the whole human racel Thou who through thy holy apostles hast everywhere, throughout the w)1ole wori,d, gathered a holy congregation out of all peoples for thy possession, and hast defended and maintained the same even until now against all the might of hell, and moreover assurest thy servants that thou wilt uphold them even to the end of the world, and in the very last times wilt multiply them' by calling many of the heathen to the faith I For such goodness may thy name be eternally praised, especially also because thou, through thy unworthy servants in this place, dost communicate to thy holy word amoug the heathen thy blessing, and hast begun to deliver some souls ont of destructive bllnduess, and to iucorporate them with tbe communion or thy holy Church. Behold, it ill thy word; do thou support it with Divine power, so Gliat'by thy power many thousand souls may be born to thee in these missiou stations, which bear the names of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, souls which ilfterwards may be admitted out of this earthly Jerusalem into thy heavenly Jernsalem with ever- iasting and exultant joy. Do this, 0 Jesus, for the sake of thy gracious prorillseand thy holy merit, Amen." .
The Journal des Missions EvanglUiques, in remarking- upon the greater
OIi.GANlZJi:l> MISSIONARY WORK
ease with which a missionary field is reached now than a generation ago, . observes: "We know that It requires about tweuty days to accomplish the 6,000 marine miles Which divide , the English coasts from Cape Town. The railway which joins this city with Kimberley has been pushed out some 6rO miles, a pas.age of about twenty-four hours. Nothing easier, as we see, tb!ln to go from Paris to Kimberley, In the heart of South Africa; it requires but twenty-1Ive days and from 1,500 to 1,600 francs. But less than thirty years ago M. and Madame Mabille have had I'voy- age of 104 days between England and Cape Town, and they found it to require 1Ifty days, including . the necessary preparations for a wagon journey, to go from there to Lessouto. To-day the Zambezi Is hardly farther off than was, forty years ago, the country of Mashesh-in the Transvaal. Only on reaching Kimberley do they harness up the heavy wagon which transports the missionary to Kazungula, where we cross the Zambezi to enter into the country of the Barotsls."
It has been already mentioned that. as tue French Government, since tak- ing possession of the Gaboon, has forbidden the American missionaries to . teach anything but French in their schools, these have found it necessary to solicit their Frer;.ch Protestant brethren to send them out teachers, which they have done. The editors of the Journal remark: .. The reception given to our friends at the Gaboon, a!) well by the authorities as by the American missional'ies, has been excellent. The latter have themselves written to thank the Society for the pains which j,t has taken to secure and send out these auxiliaries of French speech, the introduction of whom had become an absolute necessity, involving the vet·y existence of the mission. Thus our young people have found at the stations true friends, with whom they are happy to be fellow-laborers."
One of these young gentlemen, M. Virgile Gacon, who found in the American mission a more rigorous rule of total abstinence than is com- monly thought necessary in France, writes: .. Mr. Good haR explained to us In full the importance which here belongs to the question of abstinence. The matter is not difficult to comprehend: when once a black man has tasted alcoh61, it Is too late to say to him, Stop. At another time I sha11 be able to write at length on this 8ubject. For now this one fact will suffice. There is near here a "Village, which will soon be entirely destroyed. The cause is 'water-of-Iife,' em-t-de-vie, or rather, water-of-death, In many places 'men have been known to die a few hours after having drauk these drugs. purchased at high price. He who follows such a business is unworthy of the name of civilized European."
M. Brandt, of the French mission in Senegal, touches upon a loo well- known fault of the African character: "At every moment I am baffled against their iuertla, their lack of reflection, aud above a11 the mobility of their impressions. If I ask of my scholars to enumerate to me the distinguishing marks of a truly Christian child, they will give them with marvelous preCision, but a. to actiug agreeablJ thereto, no one dreams of it. They have rather a superabundance of those ready-made phrases, those expressions so beautiful in the mouths of those who really feel them', but so cold when com- ing from those who are not touched by them, and which may be called the pafcia of Canaan, ,'Many words and few deeds,' is something of which I have often to remind them."
II.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK.
Society for Promoting Ohristian Knowl- nance of bishops and clergy for the Colonial and edge. Pounded 1698. Missionary Dioceses in the training of candidates for holy orders, and in preparing native students TRIS society Is the Bible and Prayer- Book for lay missiou work. It devotes a portion of Socf,etyof the Church of England. During the its funds to aid medical missions in the East, year It circnlated 588,907 of these books or por- and for the training of medical missionaries. tions in over 75 languages, at a cost to thc This latter plan n()w includes the training or society's funds of over £10,000. It is a Tract female medical missionaries for the spread of and Pure Literature Society. During the year the gospel among the women of India. Five works of religious and other sound literature thousand pounds have been voted dUring the were sold to the amount of £78,730, aud books year for the extension of medical missions, and £2,000 toward the endowment of the Sees of to the value of £8,805158. were granted free to Perth,W. A., Bathurst. and Ottawa; £1,000 churches, mission rooms, schools, etc. It is a ,Jli88i07la1"!l Socf,ety, and assists in the maintetowards, a Clergy Endowment Fund for the Primitive Methodist lfissionary So-. diocese of Perth, and £900 for the maintenance ciety, of students in mission seminaries and boarding- schools' in the diocese of Madras. Twenty- FORTY-FIFTH report for year end- three stUdents of various nationalities are main- ing March, 1888: tained in theological colleges in preparation for holy orders, and forty-four natives are also The gross income of the General Fund for being trained for lay mission work. the past year has been £17,868 18. 10~d" and tlie gross expenditure £13,187158. ~., Besides this its noble Training College at leaving a balance in the treasurer's hands Tottenham involves a considerable expense. It of £4,680 68. 7d. But £500 of this balance is , expended during the year £7,955 to erect 109 money the committee will have to repay in buildings for church purposes. Its efforts as an a short time, and £2,500 more is money held Emigrant's Spiritual A id Society are extensive. for a special purpose, so that the balance, strictly speaking, is £1,680 68. 7d. The total amount of grants in money and , The gross income of the African Fund for books made in the year ending March 21st,1887, the year has been £2.584 148. 9d., and the gross expenditures £2,134198. 7d.; leaving a wag '£41,667 178. 4<1., including the charge on balance of £449 158. 2d. This balance will, of cGurse, be expended in a month or two the SOCiety's funds for Bibles and Prayer-books from the audit. sold below cost price. The society's liability for grants promised amounted at that time to The districts have sent £617 58. 2(,l. less to nearly £74,000. The society's income from all the General Fund this year than last, but sources was £35,l1R 58. 5d. The grants voted £805 178. 7d. more to the African Fund. for the various branches of the society's work in the year much exceeded its income, aud its British and Foreign Bible Society. assets have been reduced £7,320 98. ABSTRACT of the report, 1888: Society for the Propagation of the Gos- The issnes of copies at home and abroad pel in Foreign Parts. have been the largest the society has ever known. The total number of Bibles, Testa- ESTABLISHED in 1701. Report of ments and Portions' has been 4,206,032. This is an increase beyond the issues of last year the year 1887 : of more than 273,354. Of the total issues 2,293,393 copies Were sent from London; ovel During the 187 years of its existence, the 1,312,639 from the depots abroad. Society's work, which began in 1702 in the Receipts: The gross total, £250,382108. 5d United States and the West Indies, has been The expenditures, £224,823 98. 9d. This pays the deficit of last year, £10,021 178., and extended to Newfoundland in 1703, to Canada leaves a balance of some £15,000 in the treasury. in 1749, to the West Coast of Africa in 1752, to Oolonial and Oontinental Ohurch So- Australia in 1795, to the East Indies in 1818, to ciety. South Africa in 1820, to New Zealand in It139, to INCORPORATED in 1887. Report for Borneo in 1849, to British Columbia and Bur- the year 1887-88: mah in 1859, to Madagascar in 1864, to the The special object of this Society is to Transvaal in 1873, to Japan in 1873, to China in .. supply clergymen and catechists and teachers to British residents in the Colo- 1874, to Fiji in 1879. n ies, on the Continent, and in other parts of the world." Archdeacon Wilkinson, D.D., The following comparative statement gives preached the anniversary sermon. The report is voluminous. The receipts for the the amounts received under the several items, year, if we understand the statement, amounted to £41,695 138., including balance into which the Society's finances are divided, in at the beginning of the year.
1886 and 1887 : Pilgrim Mission of St. Ohrischona.
COLLECTIONS, SUB- 1886. 1887. THIS mission is located near J3asel in SCRIPTIONS, AND £ 8. d. £ 8. d. SWitzerland. From the yearly report we DONATIONS. 77,72513 3 learn that the outlay of the Mission for .1887 13,0551l! 10 was 128,955 francs ($24,501). This, Mission- General Fund…. 75,764 6 5 house trains yonng men of various nation- Special Funds … 13,408 2 1 10,323 12 5 alities and denominations. chiefly artisans, 25 0 0 for missionary work in Europe, America LEGACIES: and other parts of the world. General Fund…. 7,652 2 2 3,954 7 4 Special Funds … 200 0 0 4,680 19 5 • Bibles, 869,061; Testameuts 1,938,097; Portions 1,898,874. RENTS, DIVIDENDS, Etc. : General Fund.. . . 3,552 8 3 Special Funds. .. 5,134 16 0 Gross Income of l £105,71114 11 £109,765 5 3 the SociAty f – It will thus be seen that the gross receipts for 1887 exceed those of 1886 by £4,054 : that the General Fund received a total larger by £5,035 than in 1886. of which £2,672 were under the head of LegacIes, and £1,961 under ,the head of Oollections, Subscriptions, and Donations, and that the Special 'Funds show a decreasennder each head, which amounts to £981. Fiji Island Mission. SIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, we give the latest statistics of this FROM the paper read before the Confer- marvelous mission: ence at London by Rev. John Calvert (see The McAll Mission nnmbers at present l!5 pages 656-00 of this REVIEW) we gather the stations, or mission halls, in Paris,l1 in the immediate suburbs, and 79 in tb,e provinces, ' latest facts re.pecting this marvelous mis- making a total of 115. Some of these are openeil every night, bnt the greater number ~on. I are used only on Sunday, and two or three times during the week. A.dults and child- .. With only 9 white missionaries, we have ren's meetings, Bible classes and mothers' meetings, dispensaries, young men's asso- 3,505 native preacMrs; 56 ordained, who take ciations, all these and other methods of work are carried on. full part in the work of the ministry with the The aggregate attendance during laat English missionary, 47 catechists, 983 head year in the 17,000 meetings which have been held, has been 1,114,233. The number of preachers, with 1,919 ordinary local or lay people who are under gospel infiuence through these mission halls, who attend preachers. There are 1,268 chapels and more or less regularly, and may be said to befavorubly disposed-people :"ho, formerly, other preaching places; 28 English church were freethinkers and indifferent to their religious interests-can be safely estimated members, 27,097 full native, church mem- at 50,000.
bers. These are Well cared for by 3,480 de- Hebrew Ohristian Work in New York.
voted cloiss-leaders. There are 40,718 schol- REPORT to Jan. 1, 1888: ars in our 1,735 day and Sunday-schools, This work is under control of Rev. Jacob Freshman, a converted Israeliteand Rabbi's taught by 2,526 teachers; and 101,150 at- son. The Center is 17 St. Mark's Place, New York. Preachin~ in German anil English tendants on pUblic worship. The jubilee of every Saturday afternoon, English services Sundays and Fridays. No statement of fithe mission was lately held. Fifty years nances is appeniled. The property has been boughtand paid for and is without debt, save previously there was not a Christian in aU the $10,000 first mortgage. It is essentially a faith work, Mr.and Mrs. Freshman having Fiji; then not an avowed heathen left. no salary. In our jndgment it inspires con- fidence to print a full account of all receipte Cannisalism has, for some years past, been and expenditures, and we commend this suggestion to friend Freshman, wholly extinct, and other immemorial cus- toms of horrible cruelty and barbarism have disappeared."
Bahamas Baptist Mission,.lBB7•.
REPORT 81 stations, 14 sub-statIOns, 1 mlS· sionary, 98 evangelists, 148 baptisms during the year, received otherwise 58; number of members, 4,161; Sabbath-school teachers, 396; scholars, 4,027. Amount of contributions not given.
The Finnish Missionary Sooiety.
THIS mission of this society in Sonthwestern Africa dates back 20 years. It was over twelve years before a baptism waR ,eported. The pres- ent number is 105. The last year's income of the society amounted to 101,478 Finnish marks, equivalent to $17,196.48.
Basel Mission Society, Basel, Switzer- United Methodist Free Ohuroh (London).
land. THIRTY-SECOND report, 1888.
RECEIPTS: £ 8. d. Ordinary Receipts., . . . . . . . .• . . •. 9,849 13 9 THE latest and, most anthentic statistics of Miscellaneous and Special……… 519 17 7 this Interesting mission are furnished by Rev. Commemorative Fnnd. . •. . . . . . . . 905 0 0 Foreign Local Receipts. . . . •. . . . . 9,753 9 4 H. W. Hulbert in the two valuable papers given by him on the Basel Mission In our October and TotalIncome. . . . . . •. . . . . . . . 21,O'JIl 0 8 Deficiency on the year……….. 426 18 10 November issues. We give the snmmary as follows: , To·day the Basel Society has four fields of £21,454 14 6 £ B. If: labor, East India, China, Gold Coast, and Cam- EXl'ENDITURES: Home Expenditure …… , …..•. 3,978 9 4 eroons and Victoria in West Africa; 44 sta- Foreign Expenditure. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,722 15 10 tions 79 ordained male European laborers, 31 Foreign Local Expenditure…… 9,"53 9 4 day European lay workers, 85 female European £21,45414 6 laborers, 577 native workers, 19,98ll adherents, Bible Ohristian Missionary Society (London). 9,497 communicants, 207 schools and 7,486 schol· THIRTY-SEVENTH annual report, ars. The annual income of this society is 1888: £36,000, of which the native converts contribute The statis~ical tables show that the Society has at present 126 missionaries, 742 local £778. preachers, 390 chapels, 119 preaching places, 10,552 members, 254 on trial for membership, MoAll Mission, Franoe.
FROM the admirable paper of Mr.
Saillens, the assoCiate of Mr. McAlI, given in this number of THE MISand in the Sabbath-schools, 2,990 teachers, and different villages ; from four villages they w~ the first-fruits. 21,310 scholars. There is an mcrease of 16 Total of baptized Christians …•••…•. , •• 1145 Received from other missions. ••. •• . .• . •• 11 local preachers, 13 chapels. 13 preaching places, Children of Christians….. .. …………. 230 39 memhers, and 589 scholars. Newton Abbot 586 Died ………………………………. 16 is not included in this year's returns, the Con- Excluded ………………………….. 14, Emigrated and joined other missions ference of 1887 having decided to unite that (with their children) ……………., 101 mission to the Torquay Circuit, or these tables -131 would show larger totals anti. increases. Present…. .. .. .. … .. … …….. …. 455 RECEIPTS: £ 8. d. Oolonial Missionary Society. By Home Contributions……… 4,397 19 10 " South Australia………….. FIFTY-SECOND annual report, 1888; .. Victoria…………………. 493 10 9 .. New Zealand…………….. 2,0~8 5 2 This Society repl'esents the Inde- pendent or Congregational Churches. 114 10 1 £ II. d. £7,094 510 Balance from last year … , .. … 307 0 4 DISBU1ISElIrENTS : £ 8. d. CASH RECEIVED. To Balance, with Interest…….. 598 3 3 " Home Disbursements…•…. 3,685 13 7 Annnal Subscriptions……….. 670 12 3 .. South Australia………… .. 47210 9 Donations…………… …….. 111 Z 6 .. Victoria………………… . 2,237 10 10 Congregational Collections….. 675 3 9 .. Queensland …………….. . 25 0 0 Sunday-schools, Boxes, etc….. 20 14 8 .. New Zealand…………… .. 232 5 1 Repaymeats(Passagesaccount) 190 8 6 .. China…………………… . 526 13 4 Dividends on Stock.. ………… 32 • 5 Legacies……………………. 2,610 15 8 Total Disbursements.. ….. 7,77'11610 Jubilee Fund, Winnipeg ac- Total Receipts.. ……….. 7,094 5 10 count…………………… 250 0 0 £688 11 0 £4,868 2 Foreign Ohristian Missionary Sooiety. JUBILEE FUND.
ABSTRACT of thirteenth annual re- £ II. d. To Balance from last year…..• 473 15 7 port, October, 1888: Receipts to date (including £750 SUJ(KARY OP WORK AND WOBKBBB. from Legacies to Society).. 1,964 0 8 Dividends on Stock…………• 38 16 8 .. Nnmber ofmissions, 6; stations, 24: male £7,344 15 0 missionaries, 24; Cemale, 13; helpers, 22; EXPENDITURES. whole nnmber of paid workers, 59; additions £ II. d. during the year, 798; net gain, 588: nnmber Grant from Legacies to Jubilee under the care of the society. 2,473; children in Fund……………………. 750 0 0 Grants to Churches, Stations, Sunday·school,2,689; In day-school, 880. . and College.. .. •.. .. .. .. … 1,905 14 8 Voyages and Outfits…… …… 195 14 6 PINANCES. Rent of Office, Attendance,Gas, .. Total receipta for the year $62,767.59. Of etc……………………..• 51 0 8 Salary of Secretary ………..• 350 0 0 this sum $2,670.40 was received from the sale of Postages, Carriage, and Inci- securities, and $2,100 "Was returned on invest- dentals …………………. 26 Z 2 Printing, Paper, and Advertisements. Deducting these amounts leaves $57,- ments…………………… 38 4 10 997.19 as the contributions of churches, Sunday- Annuity for Gift of £1,000 …… 38 16 8 Deputations, and Traveling sch,ools and individuals, This is an increase of charges ………………… 24 10 6 817,437.84. Aside from bequests the increase is Deposit Account (H. W. & Co.). 1,000 0 0 $10,035.74. The total expenditure amounts to Balance……………… :. 487 18 1 $60,092.66. With a single exception there has £4,868 2 1 JUBILEE FUND. been an increase in the receipts each year from £ II. d. the first. In the last six years the increase has Deputations, Expenses, and been fivefold. Hundreds of churches and Charges. .. .. ….. . . .. .. .. … 131 2 0 Printing, Postages, etc.. … …. "1 0 SChools are fsIling into line each year. The re- Purchase of Stock………….. 2,044 7 6 Loan, Winnipeg account…….. 250 0 0 ceipts from the Sunday-schools amount to $15,- Balance……………….. 47 2 Z 662.gJ against $10,573.08 last year. This is an £7,344. 15 0 increase of fifty per cent. The interest and en- American 'Arcot 'Mission in Connection thusiasm of the superintendents and teachers with Refornled Dutch Ohurch.
are constantly increasing. The work among THIRTY-FOURTH report, 1887: the ehildren is by far the most hopeful feature of SUJlJlARY.
our home work. Additions to members in 1887, 245; but, as an offset to this, there was a. decrea.se of "Please note that our Woman's Board does not contribute to our treasury, as in some other societies. A. McLEAN, Secretary."
Bethel Santhal Mission.
PASTOR A. HAEGERT, founder and director, Bengal. Report of 1887-8. Summary. Married, ·13; confessed faith in Christ and "Were baptized, 34. They came from eighteen 223, leaving a net increase of only 22. A instead of taking them. from my report.. This large par,t of this loss is accounted for by !tatistical table is madeup from reports sent to the erasure of the names of persons who the Stated Clerk from the various Presbyteries. have ceased attending church. and is iuaccurate in many respects.
The.present status of the Mission: 8 mis- "J. L.SECOR, Secretary." sionaries, 7 assistant missionaries, 3 native We are in doubt now whether the p~tors, 185 native helpers, 8 .stations, 56 $11,212.63, which we stated as conout-stations~ 23 churches, 1,755 Church mem- tributed by the Woman's Board of bers, 00 congregations, 5,508 the aggregate Foreign Missions, is embt'aced in the of native Christians, 6 Christian boarding figures given above. schools, 5 Anglo-vernacular schools, 8 Hindu girls' schools, and 84 primary schools, Woman's Foreign Missionary Boards and chiefly in the villages; making altogether Work in the United States.* 103 schoolS, with a total attendance of 2,765 scholars, of whom 1,699 are boys, and. 1,066 I. Woman's Union Missionary Socigirls. ety. Organized 18tn.
EVa.IU!;elical Lutheran Ohurch in the Miss S. D. Doremus, 'Correspondiug Sec- tary,54 East 21st street. New York. U. S. (General Synod). This Society is Rupported by 27 Auxiliary 8U)l1lARY. Societies. The reported income for 1887 was $37,346.69. It conducts work in Calcutta, MISSIONARIES in the field: Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Allahabad and Cawnpore,India; in Shanghai, China; and in Yokohama, Japan. The sumR Unangst, Rev. and Mrs. Wolff, Miss Dr. Kugler contributed for the support of their work at mission stations amounts to a considerable and Miss Dryden. total, nearly $10,000.
Whole number of native gospel workers. 11i7 The report contains no summaries of Baptized members…………………. 10,256 a.orents and other facts. . Net gain during the year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r~6 Communicants………… .. …. …..•.. 5,316 Miss Hook, of Calcutta, says: "During the Sunday-schools (regularly organized) …. 8 past year tllere has been a revival of Christ- Sunday-schoo! scholars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. – 890 ian literature. New books, papers aud Congregations or~an~zed in 1887 . . . . . . . . . 8 tracts have been written. and an immensely Prayer-honses buUt ID 1887.. . .. . •… .. . . 14 large number of the old ones have been sold Whole number of schools……………. 158 and distributed." Teachers. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. ••… . .. .. 184 Pupils io all the schools ……………… 3,886 Dr. Reiffsnyder, of Shanghai, conducta a Candidates for the ministry. . . . . . . . . . •. •• 12d very prosperous medical work.
RECEIPTS. The organ of the Society is The Missimtary Link. It is published monthly. The Cor- For the work in India and Africa, from all responding Secretary of the Society, Miss S. Bourees, $25,249.50, as follows: Collection at D. Doremus, is the editor. The .. RoOm .. of General Synod, $71.26; American Tract Society, this Society is 41 Bible House. $100; from the Southern Church, $493.72; Publicatiou Society, $1,500; Woman's Missionary II. Woman's Board of Missions. (Con- Society, $3,987.65; from individuals, Sunday-' gregational.) Organized 1868. schools aud churches, $19,090.87-$10,903.13 less than called for' by the Board, and indorsed by Miss Abbie B. Child, Home Secretary No.1, General Synod. To make up this serious defi- Con!(regational House, Bostou, Mass. ciency an appeal was sent to pastors and Sundayschools, from which only partial responses had Three Women's Boards of the Cougregatioual been received np to date of report. "An urgent Church co-operate with the americau Board, call for reinforcement comes from India and namely: The Woman's Board of Missions, with Africa, and the Board promises to send addi- headquarters at Boston, the Woman's Board tional men as soou as possible." of Missions of the Interior. with headquarters at Chicago, and the Woman's Board of Mis- Oumberland Presbyterian Ohurch. sions of the Pacific, centering at San Francisco. The last has just organized an Oregon and IN our last number (page 845) we erred in giving the receipts of this .• We are indebted to Mrs. Dr. J. T. Gracey, Society for 1887-8. On application to Buffalo, N. Y., for the preparation of this the Secretary we received the follow- entire matter relating to Womau's Foreign ing correction: Mission Work. So extensive ha.s the work become that we 'are obliged to confine the .. Tle receipts in our work last year were as exhibit in this number to the United Statea. follows: In the next number we hope to give the For foreign missions ……• '" .•….. 815,265 97 work of the Canada and the .European For home missions………………. 27,672 59 '".S. ocieties.-EDS. Total for the year……….•…..842,988 56 "Your mistake doubtless occnrred by your taking your figures from the statistical table .in the back part of the Minutes of the Assembly, Washington Territory Branch. This Pacidc Africa, Mexico, and among Indians and Cblll~ Board was not organized 'till 1872. The three in this conntry. Boards had contributed to the general work 01 the Prudential Committee at the time of the 1. Woman's Foreign Missionary Society 01 seventy·dfth anniverEsry of the American the PreBiJyterian Church. Organized 1870. Board, $1,270,000. lIliss S. W. Du BOis, 1,334 Chestnut street, On January 11, 12 of this year, the Woman's Pbiladelphia, Home Secretary. Board celebrated its twentieth anniversaryin Mt. Vernon Church, Boston. Mrs. S. Brainard Pratt, This society has 2,725 auxiliary societies and in ber "Twenty Years' Review," said: ·'In lIands, and supports 183 missionaries, 8 of whom 1868 we began with seven missionaries, four are physicians, 27 zenana visitors, 84 natl"8 ot whom have continned through all these helpers, and 165 day and boarding·schools. Its years at their labors. In 1888, we can number income last year was $150,000, making a total of 171 missionaries who have been under onr care, $1,647,618 since its organization. twelve or whom have died, others withdrawn, and now we have in active service 102 mission- 2. The Woman's Board ol.Missions qf the aries and 132 Bible women. Twenty years ago Nl»'thweBt, organized 1870. It has 1,522 auxilithe Board had no school buildings of its own to ary societies and bands, supports 71 misSionaries, which to send its ·seven teachers. Time 4 of whom are physiCians, 57 native teachers will fall to tell how one after another day and and Bible readers, and 102 day and board:ngboarding·schools have been opened and build- schools. Its receipts last year were $102,499.87, ings erected, houses, hospitals and dispensaries and its total contributions $726,277.35. built, which have been like little glimpses of America, nay, more like the very gate of heaven 3. Woman'8 Board of Foreign .Missions, New to the thousands ot girls whom they have shel· York, organized 1870, has 900 auxiliary societered, telling in langnage which all may read, ties and bands, supports 41 missionaries, 32 that American women are stretching out belp- native helpers, 22 schools, and its income last Ing hands to their sisters of every nation for year was $65,544.35, a total since its orgaDtzalove'88au. tion for foreign work of $430,346.
.. 'rhe Board's drst fields otlaoorwere Chilla, 4. Woman'. PreBbyterian SOCiety, Nl»'tkern Ceylon, Turkey and Zululand. They have added New Yl»'k, organized 1871. This society has 220 to .these India, Persia (1870), Japan, Spain, .subordinate organizations, and support. 5 mis· Mexico, Austria, Micronesia, West Central and sionaries, 13 native pastors, 49 schools and East Ceutral Africa. scholarships, and its income last year was $10,413.36, a total durin~ its existence of $120,812. "In 1810 the Woman's Board welcomed Its drst daugbter, the Philadelphia Branch; now it has 6. lWJman's PreslYyterian Board of MI,'8iom twenty-three brauches, comprisnlg 1,700 aux- qf the Southwest, organized 1877, headquarters Uiaries and circles. One more glance backward. at St. Louis. It has 376 societies and bands. Its income last year was $7,193.18, making a What bas it cost, this work of twenty years r total since its organization of $28,968.58. It has several missionaries under Its care, and scholar- Last year the receipts amounted to $123.240,45, ships in many count.ries. and for the twenty years, in money paid Into the Treasury, $i79,457.·23. 6. Woman's NorlJi, PacVlcPreabyterian Board of Missions was organized last year (l88i), and " The Woman's Branch at Boston supports 110 has for its home field the Synod of Columbia. missionaries and 121 Bible women in its various There was some regret at the separation of this . missions. The receipts for the year ending territory from the main society and at the multi_ December 31, 1887, were $12il,2Z9.45. plication of the number of societies, bnt as the step Wl,S taken with the approval of the Presby- "The Woman's Board of the Interior has tery and Synod, all concur, and wish an In- 1,500 auxiliaries, and supports 62 mission- creased efficiency for these workers. We are .aries. Their income last year amounted to sorry not to be able to give the number of $51,171.40. The Woman's Board of the Pacific auxiliaries, but the society is not yet in condi- bas 75 auxiliaries and supports 3 missiouaries. tion to report, Its Income last year was was $4,045.38, Mrs. B. Douglas of Chicago, TIl., thus sum- "Life and Light, the periodical of the Wo- marizes the women's work of the whole of these man's Congregational Board, reports a circula- societies: tion of 15,451. This Board also issues a paper "Number of Women's Boards and Socie- for the cbildren, called M't88Wn Day-Sprinu, which has a circulation of over 17,000. Tbese ties for work among heathen women, in papers are published in Boston, the former at the Presbyterian Charch, North…….. 6 60 cents a year and the latter at 25 cents." Number of auxiliary societies and bands connected witb them………………. 5,743 III. Woman's Boards, Presbyterian Number of missionaries supported by them on the foreign field……………. 260 Church. Number of native assistants………….. 158 Number of boarding and day-schools….. 820 THE missions of the several Presbyterian 'Woman's Boards are in Syria, Persia, India, .. In addition to these larger items, we have Siam, Japan, Korea, Papal Europe, Southwest aided in the building, furnishing and sapport of schools, hospitals, orphanages, training-scbools for nurses, asylums, aud dispensaries; have translated books into: foreign languages and pri~ted them; have built a boat for African of concerning the operations the ladieli'·soeie- waters: have supported a Mexican newspaper, have met all expenses connected with onr work ties in connection with their general society: at hllme, and have paid unappropriated into the "In reply to your card I wonld state, that in the treasury of the Assembly's Board, five per cent. of. our receipts for cohtingent expenses con· Sonthern Presbyterian Chnrch there was contrib- nected with our special work. uted last year by Ladies' Foreign Missionary Societies, $20,732.71. The number of these .. The whole amonnt raised for these pnrposes societies contributing was 457. In 1874 the by the women of onr Chnrch since the organiza- contributions of these societies amonnted to tion of the first SOCiety in 1870, is $2,934,021. $2,111.50:" in 1878, $10,107.54. Since 1874, Adding to this the many thonsand dollars given when the contribntions of the societies be- to specific objects outside of the regnlar esti- gan to be reported separately from the other mates, and the legacies paid into the Board receipts, the total amount contribnted by them direct from the estates of Presbyterian women has been $185,682.34. The societies have in (one of >'hich is the largest legacy they ever re- general had no association witl, one another: ceived), amouutin~ in all to about $5CO,000, we Within the last year Presbyterian associations have raised during these nearly eighteen years have in some cases been formed." over $3,500,000. V. Reformed Presbyterians. The two periodicals published by these so- cieties jOintly are Woman's Work for Woman. THE REVIEW last year reported the formation and Our MissionF'ield, and Ohildren's Work . for Ohildren, and both are self-supporting. of two Presbyterial societies. We have endeav- 7. 7heWoman's Board Of the Pacific Islands, 1871 <Presbyterian). We have no report of this ored to ascertain something further abont them, society, and can do no better than to refer to TUB RRVlEW for December,1887, page 785. bnt have nothing. A note from Rev. R. M. Som- IV. Woman's Work in the Presby- erville, New York, Sept. 13, 1888, says: terian Church in the United States "We have no women's missionary societies, (Southern). except in connection with individual congrega- There is no separate organization of the tions, and there are no pubUshed reports or tbeir ladies of this Church for the conduct of foreign work. We are indehted to the Corresponding work." . Secretary of Foreign MiSSions, Rev. 14. H. Houston, D.D., 113 N. Charles street, Balti- VI. Women's Board of Missions of more, for the following response to our inquiry the United Presbyterian Church.
Organized 1879.
Miss Margaret Shaw, Recording Secretary, Pittsburgh, Pa.
This is a joint home aud foreign missionary SOCiety, and the following table, thongh contsin- ing matter extraneous to our purpose, is too val· uable to mar, so we give it entire : COIdl'ABATlVE SIDOrABY 011' STATISTICS.
– – – – – – – – – 1883. 1884. 1885. 1886. 1887. 1888. Presbyteries Represented……………. . '0 ….25 .. ··32 56 Presbyterial Societies…..•………….. 16 41 43 Congregational. ……………………. . 33.; 34.5 :l99 469 5:;2 675 Members Reported ………………… . 10,593 11,007 12,071 13,585 15.~ 17,529 CONTRIBUTIONS.
Foreign Missions ………. '.' ……… , .. $7,546 $8,365 $10,177 $10,763 $13,803 $15,619 Home Missions ………………….. .. 4,304 4,2'J7 4,924 5,650 5,835 5,363 Freedmen's Missions ……………… .. 2,082 2,103 2,788 6,'06 17,316 3,215 Church Extension ……… ' …………. . 906 860 1,096 2,121 1,188 2,108 Congre~ational Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,819 12,438 12,970 Otber Objects. 4U Ministerial Relief….. …… ………. 371 Ot'phans' Home… .. ……………… 4,379 Miscellaneons ……….. ;…………
Total "Other Objects " ………….. 10,839 12,528 10,732 4,120 5,812 5,192 Total. …………………………. $25,731 $28,082 $29,767 $3s,749 $46,395 $44,467 Boxes NOT included….. …… ……….. 6,310 :Miss Shaw says: and retrenchment of work in Egypt. where " Comparing this with report of previons year, schools which had been in existence many years we find that 2,005 have been added to the mem- have actually been closed for want of funds. bership·, while there has been" failing off in contributions of $1,961. We had hoped to have ".T¥ Women's Missionary Magazine, pub- $50,000 to report thIS year, and had there been lished by a committee appointed by the General tlie growth there Itas been for several years MiSSionary Society, thongh making its tlret apback, this would have been the case. pearance in August, 1887, is on a caBh basis, with .. A. deep and prayerful interest ha& pervaded a steadily increasing 8Ubscription Jist. Many the whole Church, and especially in regard to tbe kind words and subscriptions bave been received debt 'i:estlng on the :Board of. Foreign· Missions for it from persons of other chnrches as well as our own,·' Report, of the MFiavyeIW, 1o88m8e:n*'s Foreign Missionary Organizatio' ns of t, he Presb, )rterian ' Chure,b, Co the yoor ending lIl'
.CD .CD .; .t.o,- ~ .~ 8i..~,-0il. t ti ti i ~".":"e~ := .E os &" ! " . ~ ~" ~" ~ – -iil – -z– c::lo"S ~.t. >C<D ~"t>"< Woman's Foreign Missionary Soclety of the Presh. Ch., Phila….. $149,640 $19,821 2,382 91 Woman's Preshyterian Board of 221 – 133 Missions of the Northwe.t …….. 82,472 15,412 1,522 0 68 49 Woman's Board of Foreign Missions of the Preshyterian Church, New york ……………………… 62;544 12,407 1lOO 76 Womau's Presh. Foreign Mission- 41 30 ary Society of North'u New York. 10,413 0 118 14 5 13 Woman's Preshyterian Board of Missions of the Southwest…….. – -7,21-7 ,–5-03- – – 4-7 – – – -8 – – – -7 – – – -0 – $312,286 $48,143 4,969 319 254 183 VII. Women's Board of Foreiin Mis- at Chittoore, India, together with two caste sions of the Cumberland Presbyte- schools at Vellore. Their organ, The Mission rian Church. , Organized 1879. Gleaner, is puhlished once in two months at 26 Miss S..C. McClurkin. Correspondine: Secre- Reade street, New York, for 25 cents a- year. tary, Evansville, Ind. During the year the Society has sent Its lIrst This Board supports work in Japan, Mexico and among North Americau Indians. Its in- medical missionary. A young Chinese lady come last year was $1,920.87. The children's paper of the society is called The Missionary graduated in New York, offered herself to the Ba1lnBr, and has a circulatiou of 3;600; price, 25 cents. And they conduct a department of Woman's 'Board and was accepted, and is now their own in The Missionary RecO'l'd, the general missionary oigan of the Church. As no sum- in Amoy, China. mary of the work is given in their Eighth Annnal Report, we cannot make one up, hut during Miss Y. May King, M.D., is a native oC China, the past year 120 new societies and hands have been organized, and the total now enrolled is but brought up from the age oC two years in the 822. They have printed and purchased 10,552 leallets during the year, and the Secretary has family of Dr. McCartee, for many years a medo written ],m5 letters. They have no separate periodical•• ical missionary in China. She is the lIrst woman VIII. Woman's Board of Foreign of her nation, as far t.S known, to obtain a med- Missions of the Reformed (Dutch) ical education in this country,and attaining the Church in America. Organized 1875_ lIrst honors of the institution at which she pur- Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. Ho'well, 36 sued her studies. Her prospects for usefulness East 70th street, New York. are great, and she already asks for funds to It now has 200 auxiliary societies and bands. During the twelve years they have made 350 start a dispensary and hospital. In India the life members. The total receipts in that time amount to 3126,874. For 1887 they raised $17,- Society has work at Vellore, Tindivanum. Arnee, 544.81. Their report states that, "The Woman's Board has assumed the support oC the girls' Chittore, Wallajah and Madanapalle. In Japan, schools established by Synod's Board, and it is not probable that the womeu ofoor Church will at Yokohama and Nagasaki,while from Tokyo, as ever enter upon work disconnected, or npon the forming of schools other thau those established ,a center, Japanese women are sent forth to read by the Board oC the Church." the Bible and gather women into the churches. The sum of $5,500 has beeu annually pledged for the support of three seminaries, one at The" Jonathan Sturges" Seminary, at Nagasaki, Amoy, China, one 'at Yokohama, Japan, and one is fairly started with fourteen hoarders; th.e. oFrodremroefcthhainstiaca.bl lree.asIotnbsewleonhga8vteot~oo.vlanr.y In China the "Charlotte Duryea" School, at Amoy, has had forty women in attendance. The girls' school at Kolong·See has had ahout lIfty pupils. The Children'S Home is a new branch of work organized during the year. Many cases of cruelty towards girl children having come to the knowledge of these ladies, they, in connection with three friends of the English Preshyterian Mission, determined, if funds could be raised, to establish a home where children might be taken in,and cared for. They suc,ceeded in raising bEl- tween six and seven hundred dollars, and ha,'e started this beneficial work. Whil~ nothing so far has' been asked of the B,oards towards 'its support, yet work of this character must apPlllll unresistingly to the hearts of mothers In the home land. '
A day-school started on the island of ADioJ' I.
an9tber neW.feature of the work for the y!lllf•.. IX. Reformed (German) Church in the Africa, on the Congo; in Obln., Swato1V Nlngho; Japan, at Tokyo, Yokohama; United States. Rev. A. R. BartholotIlew, Secretary, Potts- France and Sweden. At the annual meeting, a novel feature ville, Pa. The Secretary of the Board of Foreign was introduced, in the form of questions. to be ans:""ered as follows: First question, Missions for this Church says the wo'men of What IS the testimony of missionaries in the Church do not print any report of their regard to the importance of our Society' work. They· co-operate with the General Second question, What is left undone in the' .Society, but in what form we cannot say. foreign field' Third question. What re- mains to be done in the home·field t Fourth X. Woman's Foreign Missionary So- question, In What ways may our work in the foreign field be appropriately enlarged t ciety of the Evangelical Lutheran The following. relating to the drink trallle, Church of the United States of an,d specially bearing on the Congo, where thiS Board supports work, was adopted : America. Organized 1879. " Whereas, The exportation of intoxicants Miss M. H. Morris, Corresponding Secre- into heathen lands is frau!:'ht with untold tary, 406 N. Greene ~treet, Baltimore, Md. evil to the natives, and is one of the most serious obstacles to the work of evangeliza- This society has a Board of Home and tion in those lands; Foreign Missions. .The Corresponding Sec- retary's report for the year gives the fol- "RESOLVED, That this Woman's Baptist lowing statistics: Number of Wom..n's So- Foreign Missionary Society enter its protest cieties, 379; Young People's Bauds, 67. against the continuance of this tralllc ; Total, 436. Number of members, 10,613; honorary members, 1,106; life members, .. RESOLVED, That we recommend to the cir- 166. Total members, 11,874. The total cles represented in this organization to pe- amount of money raised for the year is tition Congress to prohibit the exportation $14,197.88. Of this amount $6,425 was for of liquors from thi~ country to heathen Foreign Missions. The Lutheran Mi8sianary lands, and that this be done before June 15; Jaurnal, a magazine of the Church, has five 1888." pages under the direction of the women, and it has about fourteen thousand sub- 2. Woman's Baptist Foreign MiBBionary scribers. Society Of the West. Organized 1871.
The Society has work in Gunthoor, India, Mrs. A. M. Bacon, Corresponding Secre- consisting of ten day-schools, with nineteen tary, 3112 Forest Avenue, Chicago, Ill. native teachers and 618 pupils. These schools are under the care of Miss Dryden, The total receipts of this society last year who received from the English Government were $44,846.12. It has also an invested the' position of Superintendent of Girls' Medical Fund of $3,335.88, through which Schools in Gunthoor. In 1886 Miss Kugler, four medical women are preparing for for- M.D., was appointed their first Medical eign work. It conducts a" course in Christ- Missionary to Gunthoor, where a dispen- ian Doctrine," a .. prepltratory course for sary was opened in 1886, and an effort made candidates," in which four ladies graduated to raise fifteen thousand dollars for a hos- during the year, and eight others are en- pital. Part of this money has been secured. rolled. Besides the countries in which the Zenana work is carried on with the help of Boston Baptist Society labors, this society eight native assistants. Two of these help- supports work in Liberia, Africa. It has ers devote all their time as Bible readers in sent 46 women to the foreign field. the dispensary. Bibl~ women have 109 schools, with 3,850 Miss Susan Kistler has jnst been appointed scholars, of which 1,133 are from heathen to the work in India. homes; 246 baptisms are reported by them. They conduct a "Home for Children of Mis- XII. Baptist Women's Boards- sionaries" in this country at a cost of $1,21;9.37. Northern Convention. Their periodicals are: Helping Hand, 1. Woman's Baptist Foreign Mi88ionary which paid its own way last year and passed Society. Organized 1870. over to the general treasury $1,646.63 ; The King's Messenger to Heathen Lands also Mrs. O. W. Gates, Corresponding Secre- published as a monthly for young people. tary, Newton Center, Mass. LilUe Helpers, its predecessor, was pub- lished at a small loss of $249.09 last year, Last year the rallying cry was "$70,000 and has now been supplanted by King's or more," and their receipts were $75,369.47, Messenger. being an advance of $13,000 over the pre- vious year; $10,000 of which was an advance 3. Woman'8 Baptist Foreign Missionary from' donations. 2,633 churches contribute Society Of the Pacific Coast. to this fund, with 1,243 circles, 32,973 contributors, 616 Bands, with 14,120 members. This society has been organized during They support work in Burmah among Karens, Shans, Eurasians, Chins, Kachins; in the year, and, of course, has no published India,.a.mong the Telugus, and in Assam; in report. XIII. Executive COmmittee Woman's HONEY. 818,512.21 20,'1117.63 Mission Society. Auxiliary to Under appropriation: Southern Baptist Convention. ~ Domestic Missions, inclnding Indian 8,053.28 4,573.15 President, Miss M. E. McIntosh, Society and Colored Work, ………….. . 49,049.06 Hall,S. C. Foreign Missions…………….. ..
Secretary, Miss Annie Armstrong, 10 E. Specials seut throngh Treasury: Fayette Street, Baltimore, Md. Domestic, including Indian and Col· This society has been formally organized, ored……………………….. . we believe, within the year. The Ladies' Foreign………………………. . Auxiliaries, however, to regular Southern Specials reported but not sent Baptist Convention Missionary Society, contributed during year ending May I, 1888, as through Treasury……………. . follows: Boxes: Arkansas•.•.•..•••••••.••..•……• $24196 Domestic……………………. .. $128,989.99 Colored………….. ' •.. ' …….. .. 20,922.01 Indian ……………••••…… '…. . 19,900.85 Foreign…………………….. .. 1,873.34 Florida……………………….. . 432 2'1 Total Value of Boxes.. ………. $171,686.19 Georgia ………… ; …………..• 1,811 83 Total in Money …………….. , . 100,985.33 ~~tsi~~i:::::::::::::::: ::::::::::: 1,722 11 205 28 Total for 1887-88……………… $272,671.52 1,167 95 : ~~I:~:~~~::::::::::::::::::::::: 54120 XVI. Woman's Foreign Missionary 3,01555 Society of the Methodist Episcopal *North Carolina ………………. . 1,238 67 South Carolina……………….. . 2,14766 -tTennessee (division of receipts Church. Organized 1869.
not reported) … .. ……….. . MrR. H. B. Skidmore, 230 West 59th Street, Texas (six montus).. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . 411 75 *Virgiuia.. ……… ………. .•… 2,61850 New York.
The work of this Society is conducted by Total ……………………. $15,554 73 twelve co-ordinate branches.
XIV. Free Baptist Woman's Mis- The administratIOn of the Society is in an sionary Society. Organized 1873. Executive Board, composed of three dele- gates from each branch, that meets aimn_ The Secretary, Miss K. J. Anthony, of Providence, R. I., kindly furnisbes us a few ally. This Society is independent, in tha.t it items in lieu of the annual report, which is not published at the time of our going to selects it own missionaries and disburses ita press. own funds, subject to ratification by Mis- The Woman's Society supports Miss Combs, Miss Butts, Miss Hattie Phillips, sionary Board. Mrs. Smith, Miss Ida Phillips, and Miss Bacheler. The last two are in America at Its home work is represented by 4,383 present. auxiliary societies, and 115,228 members, The work of this society is located in with 8,524 life members. The amoun.t of Bengal, India. money raised the past year was $191,158.13. These ladies do not publish a separate paper, but conduct a department in both The receipts for the year ending October, Foreign Mission Jaurnal, Richmond, Va., 1888, will be more than $11.000 advance on and The Baptist Basket, Louilwille, Ky. this. The Society has made an advance in its receipts each year. The whole amount contributed to October, 1887, since organi- zation is one million six hundred and eighty tlwusand dollars. '
XV. Woman's Auxiliary to the Board The work is organized among young la.dies of Missions of the Protestant Epis- and children. copal Church. Organized 1871. One hnndred and thirty missionaries have Miss Julia C. Emery, Secretary, Room 21, Bible House, New York. been sent out to foreign fields, of whom Miss Emery informs us that their annual re- twenty-four were medical missionaries, and. port is in the hands of the printer, and she graduates of medical colleges. About sevkindly favors US with the following: enty-five missionaries are now in the variou'! SUMlIIARY OF YEAR'S WORK, 1887-88, miSSIOn fields. The Society has work in Ja- Accomplished in 48 dioceses and 12 missionary jurisdictions, by 48 diocesan and many parish pan, Korea, China, India, Burmah, Bulgaria, branches and individual members of the Woman's Auxiliary. Italy, Mexico and South Amerlca. Itaims to do : I. Direct evangelistic work: 1. Through ladies sent out by the Society from the United States to labor in foreign fields as missionaries.
2. Through native Christian Bible women, who visit the homes oi the women and reach *Not connected with organization, but them in all possible ways, whether in the kindly allowing statistics to be printed for information. city or village.
-t Only partial account received of $473.,95. II. The society does indirect evangelistic work:
MISSIONARY WOII.K. [DEO••
1. By establishing and sustaining day and This vigorous Society was organized in boarding-schools. 1878 at Atlanta, Ga., and has just celebrated its first deCilde. The movement was new 2. Through benevolent agencies, such as among Southern women, who, bj education orphanages, medical work among women, and associa.tion, are eminently conservacarried on by American aud native Christ- tive, and at first many stood aloof, but sigian physicians, and the establishment of nal success marked their efforts, and a.t the hospitals and dispensaries. close of the first year a good, strong organi- zation was reported. Each sncceeding year a. By creating a native Cllristian litera- has marked an advance, until now their home work is represented by 2,399 auxiliary ture. societies and 56,783 active members. Some Work has been organized amnng the Ger- 338 new organizations have beeu added dur- ing the year, with 553 ·members. They report man Methodists, and this is represented by 104 auxiliary societies, and 2,614 members. 750 childrens' bands, wi~h m.907 members; Societies have also been organized in Germany and Switzerland. In Germany, 33 but these are included in the aggregate ; auxilia.ries, with 487 members, and Switzer- Life members, 1,250. The Secretary says: land, 14, with 497 members. The amount .. The growth of the work is of secondary contributed by "oth American and Euro- importance compared with the spiritofmispean GermanI! last year, 1887, was $3,005.71. sions that has been kindled in the hearts of not a few." The Heatlwn Woman's Friend has a circulatiou of 20,293, and has not only been self- Woman'8 Missionary Advocate is the offisupporting from the beginning, but from its income many millions of pages of miscella.- cial organ of the Society, and has a circulaneous literature for gratuitous circulation has beeR printed. The Society, in addition tion of 12,000. It is self-sustaining. It is to its annual contributions, has raised an published at Nashville, Tenn., for fifty cents endowment fund of ~.OOO for the establish- a year. The Society prints and distributes ment of a zenana illustrated Christian a large amount of literature, over a million paper in India. The first copy appeared in of pages havmg been scattered the past 1884. It is now published in four of the lan- year. guages of India, and about five thousand copies are issued every month. A German The foreign work is represented by 22 mispaper has also been established, and has sionaries (1 medical and 1 trained assistabout 1700 subscribers. A large number of ant), 43 teachers and assistants, 7 boardingleaflets, hoth in English and German, are is- schools, 19 day-schools, and 862 pupils; hossued annually. pital, 1 ; Bible woman. 1.
The Society OWns real estate amounting CHINA.-The reinforcements sent to this to about 5250,000. field the past year strengthened the hands and cheered the hearts of those who had, Full statistics of foreign work cannot be through much sulfering and toil, held the given, but in North India, in addition to the posts of duty assigned them. Sickness and missionaries employed, there are over 40 overstrain told heavily on that faithful band assistant miSSionaries, zenana tea.chers ; 194 of brave workers. Two ladies who went Bible women, 115 native Christian teachers; out in the spring were received as from the while in South 'India, 188 Bible women are Lord, and greeted with the words, "You employed, with 103 native Christian teach- have come to save our lives." Thedevelopers. ment of the work and its ever-widening cir- cles have absorbed the new laborers. and There are in the boarding and'day-schools there is urgent need for further reinforceover 8,000 pu pils, and over 3,000 zenanas mcntj. regularly visited. MEXICAN BoRDER,-The work in this field In China there are 38 day-schools; in has grown steadily, and now extends on both Japan, 12; inBulgaria,l; in South America. sides of the Rio Grande, with more invita- tions to entel' wide-open doors than it is posn ; in Mexco, 11. while in Italy and Korea sible to accept..
there is work which is not tabulated. Laredo Seminary is growing in strength 1ledical work is carried on in Korea, China and infiuence, Miss Holding attended the last annual meeting of the Board,and spoke and India, where there are hospitals and eloquently of her work, stating the immedi- dispensaries. There are three homes for ate need for more room to accommodate the homeless women, and three orphanages. pupils. Her request was sorrowfully re- The Society has homes for its missionaries fused, because of other obligations that in all these fields. must be met. She did not turn away dis- pirited, but, with cheerflliness and faith XVII. Woman's Foreign Missionary that grasps the promises, said: "I have trnsted God for it, and will get it," and she Society of the Methodist Episcopal did. How? We IIca.rcely know, only that Church, South. Organized 1878.
President, Mrs. J. Hayes, Baltimore, Md. Mrs. D. H. lIlcGarock, Oorresponding Sec- retary, Nashville, Tenu.
ORGANIZED MISSIONARY
the money came to Miss Holding in small 40 Mission Bands, and a membership' of special gifts, sanctified by love and prayer, and' the house was built, It is finished, has 3,000. been dedicated, and the beautiful" Hali of Faith" stands as an object lesson to tbia pu- We cannot find in their report the exact pils of trusting God for all things. amonnt of money raised by this Society for BRAZIL.-The college at Piracicaba knows no law but that of progression. It has been 1887, but conclude it to be a little over five subject to changes the past ye.r, owing to the removal of missionaries ; bllt Miss Watts thousand dollars; the amount for the pa.st writes: .. The college has passed the crisis brought about by these changes, and there four years is $15.222.65, and tbe report adds, will be an advance movement." .. The receipts of the past year are above Rio College, in the capital city, is beautifully located on a spur of the mountains any previous year." overlooking the waters of the bay, and far enough from the crowded center to be free The organ'ofthe Society, Woman's Misfrom yellow fever. No case has ever occurred there. sionary Record. is a twelve-page paper. pub- Miss Bru,:e has encountered many difficul- lished in Pittsburgh at 50 cents a year. This ties and much opposition from the Government officials in her persistent effort to paper has been established tbree years. and tound a first-cbss institution, but has at last has a circulation of 1,7po. and meets all exsecured the necessary license and opened the college, . penses, most of the labor given to it being INDIAN TERRITORY.-Harrell Institute, at gratuitous. . Muskogee, has passed through a successful year. Faithful and efficient teachers have The first work adopted by the Society exsupplied every department. The influence, both Christian and educational, of this in- clusively its own was a girls' school in Yokostitution is extending to distant tribes, and more room is needed for boarding pupils. hama, Japan. This school now nnmbers VALUE OF PROPERTY OF WOIllAN'S BOARD. 60. Four of the girls taught bere have been China …………………………… $57,200 assisting the missionaries this past year. Mexican Border…………………. 35,000 Brazil. .. . .. .. …………………… 45,800 The Society employs three missionaries. Indian Territory………………… 15,500 Work has been commenced in Wagoya; Japan.
XIX. Friends' Missionary Society.
Total. ..•………•……………… $153,500 Esther Tuttle Pritchard, Dearborn Avenue, Chicago, Ill. The contributions of this Society for 1887 The work of this Society began in 1881. amounted to $71,379. The amount given in Since that time other societies have been formed, with a membership of 3,892, and in table is $69,7~, but the explanation is made these years tbe amount of $27,840 had been raised. They have done mnch valuable that $1,650 was sent direct to the field, and service in stimulating the raising of money~ These societies were entirely separate, and including- this makes the total named. have had no bond of union, except that they were of the same denomination; but the Their receipts sinceorganizationaregiven need of a general organization was felt, and so representatives of these societies were in the following table: apPointed to meet for this purpose, and in March last (1888) 70 delegates met in Indian- RECEIPTS SINCE ORGANIZATION. apolis and organized" The First National Missionary Conference of the Woman's Am't rec'd for fiscal year 1878-9 $4,014 Z1 Foreign Missionary Societies of Friends." " .. 1879-80 13,775 97 The aim of this conference was to adopt .. u " u ,.. 1880-1 19,382 10 some basis of co-operation among the ten 25,609 44 independent missionary organizations of " u u 29,647 31 Quaker women. 38,873 52 1881-2 52,652 12 This was accomplished by appointing a 51,588 76 General Superintendent (to be elected an- 1882-1J 50,092 63 nually) over each of their three depart- "1883-4 69.729 65 ments of work: 1. Junior and Juvenile 1884-5 Work; 2. General. Literature; 3. Systematic 1881Hl Ohristian giving. These superintendents .. .. 1888-7 are to elect their General Secretary of that work annually, a two-thirds vote being 1887-8 necessary to elect. The name under which ,these general secretaries shall act shall be Total ………………………$355.345 '17 Woman's Foreign Missionary Union of Friends. XVIII. Woman's Foreign Missionary Their relation to missionary boards of the Society of the Methodist Protestant yearly meetings wasd iscussed, as to whether they should become auxiliary, and turn Church; Organized 1879. their collections over, or maintain their orga,nic individuality as women's societies. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. A. Mil- Their decision wts to be independent, reler, Pittsburgh, Pa.
This Society was organized nine years ago. It now has auxiliaries in seventeen of the Annual Conferences of their church. They now number 3W Auxiliary Societies, with cordirig their conviction" that the separate school In. Up to this time over five hun_ form of organization by the societies is the dred different Chinese have been in the providential channel of women's work in school, and ail have been taught more or mission fields." less of the English language. The first Sabba.th after the school was opened a Sab- The figures are as follows: Number of bath-school was organized, which has had a separate missions,4. Tokyo, Japan, Indian session every Sabbath evemng from that Mission, Mexico City, and Matamoras, Mex- time to this. Fifty-nine have professed ico co-operating with Friends' Missionary faith in Christ and joined the church. Many Committee in four missions, viz., Ramallah, of them are faithful to their duties, and are Palestine, Monsourich, Syria, Mexico and living up to the light they receive. They Alaska. have paid, as tuition, and in subscription to the property and in collections for missions, Number of missionaries….••..•.•• 8 $2,545.88.' They have paid $770.58 more than Number of schools …..•…….•••. 4 the native helper has cost. Then the Board Number of churches …………… I has property in this great city of the North- Congl'egation at Tokyo, attendance from west, free of debt, worth at least $16,000." 35 to 50, not yet united in membership with Friends. The enrollment of the day and Sunday- Pupils in schools………….•…. 241 school has been 60, with an average attend- Receipts for 1887. . . . . . .. . . . ••• $11,288 ance of 30. The Board has recommended One of these eight missionaries has sailed, opening a mission in China. and Miss Butler will be associated with the Methodist missionaries in Nanking, China, The work in Africa has met with some ob- until the Church founds a Chinese mission stacles by war, which scattered the people. of its own. The mission in Tokyo has been At Rotufunk a Girls' Home has been built; especially prosperous, and accounts of con- and is now occupied. versions have been "received in the India Mission. XXI. Christian Woman's Board of The li'riends' Missionary Advocate, which Missions (Disciples). Organized is a private enterprise, yet is indorsed and supported by the societies. It is published 1875. in Chicago at 415 Dearborn street, at 50 Mrs. S. E. Shortridge, 358 Home Avenue, In- cents, and is ably edited by Esther Tuttle dianapolis, Corresponding Secretary. Pritchard. This Board is represented by 697 auxillaries, an Increase over last year of 168; a membership XX. Woman's Missionary Associa- of 12,849, an increase of 1,840 ; missiou bands, 272, an increase of 117. The income amounts to tion of the United Brethren. $26,226.01, an increase of $1,500. The auxili- aries are distributed through 27 States and Mrs. L. K. Miller, President, Arcanum, Territories, District of Columbia and Jamaica. Ohio. It should be remembered that this society is both home and foreign. It has work in Jamaica Mrs. L. R. Keister, Corresponding Secre- and in India. The women of this society have tary, Dayton, Ohio. organized children's banes to the number of 272, a !(ain of 117. The Thirteenth Annual Report of This association has been in existence the society will be found in Missionary Tidings, thirteen years. They have branch societies the organ of the society, published at Indian- in every self-supporting conference, and in apolis, Ind. many of the mission conferences, and report 41 branch societies and 315 local, with an XXII. Woman's Missionary Society aggregate membership of 7,555, life mem- bers, 336, and 77 children's bands and 22 of the Evangelical Association. young ladies' bands. The summary given is as follows: 't missionaries, 't native mission- Mrs. W. H. Hammer, Cleveland, O.,Corre- aries,5 day-schools, with an attendance of sponding Secretary. 192; church membership of 706; value of property, $26,000. This Society conducts work both at home aud abroad-at home in Oregon and "lse- Woman'8 Evangel is the organ of the where, abroad in Germany and Japan. society, published at Dayton, Ohio, for 50 cents. Work is supported in Coburn, Ger- The following are the footings of their many, with two appointments and thirty statistical report: Auxiliaries. 78; mem- , pupils in Sunday-schoOl. The Board has bers, 2,048. Income, $1,654.39. It conducts authorized commencing work in Berlin. work in Germany a.nd Japan. Eighteen Five years ago they sent a missionary to Children'S bands raised $120. work a.mong the Chinese in Portlapd, Ore- 1I"0n.· The Rev. M. Sickafoose, their mission- The organ of the missionary society of ary, !aye: .. When the Board began the work this Church is The Missionary Messenger, we had nothing, not even a member of any published at Cleveland, 0., and the ladies church, to assist in the work. We had to conduct a department in i~. pay $25 a mOQ.t4 for a hOnse to 40ld the
1888·1 CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
III-CORRESPONDENCE and GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
INTERESTING letter from J. Hudson tion, and obtained three, who represent Taylor, of the Chinese Inland Mis- churches in Plttslleld, Mass., Detroit, Mich., sion: and St. Paul. M'nn.; and subsequelltlyeleven others from Canada, representing Belleville. [In sending us this letter, Mr. H. W. Frost, Toronto, Galt, Hamilton, and Stratford, vol- unteered and were accepted. a friend of Mr. Taylor's who jourueyed with The expense of the journey to China, estihim in his whole A,,,erican tour, adds the mated at $250 each, has been provided by contributions gi ven at Northfield, Clifton following facts: .. 1111'. Taylor sailed from Springs Sanitarium, and other places, u.nd from the whole l'roceeds of the sales at our Vancouver by the Batavia on his way to meetings of mis.sionary literature. The mis- sionaries now going out have their support Yokohama and Shr.nghai, Oct, 5th, expect- provided or promised for the next year, and will correspond direct with the individuals ing to rea.ch Japan the 17th and Shanghai a or churches whose representatives they are. From what f have seen of the :nlsweek later, from which place the 14 mis- sionary spirit in the States and in Canada. I feel sure there are many others who can. sionaries proceed inland, the 7 ladies to the not themselves go out to the field who will be glad to have a representative there.' training-school at Yang-Chan, and the 7 goen- Will you pray for much blessing on this tlemen to the school at Gan King."-EDS.] first hand of fourteen workers from this side the Atlantic, now joining us for our Ulland SS. Batavia, ! work, and ask that ten times as many may soon follow their example! VANCOUVER, B. C., 5th Oct,., 1888. f Yours very truly in Christ, EDITORS OF THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF J. HUDSON TAYLOR.
THE WORLD.-Knowing how deeply interested India.
you are in the cause of China'S evangeli- [THE following highly interesting letter was written to Mrs. Rev. B. -zation, IwilJ send youafew lines before sail- L. Herr, of Tarrytown, N. Y., who has kindly consented to its publica- Ing from this port to-day. tion in our REVIEW.-EDS.] Most unexpectedly to me, God has opened l HOL:MWOOD, COONOOR, NILGIRt, HILLS, INDIA, June 8, 1888. f the way for a band of recruits to proceed to My Dl!:AR MRS. HERR: You will see by the China. and 14: young missionaries from date that I am up here in the delightful sanita- rium so generonsly provided last year, where I the United States and Canada are now am gaining steadily, though slowly, in strength. It is always a pleasure to me to write about my on board this vessel. Quite a considerable work. I like to share its joys and its I.rials with others. But I hardly know where to begin. number are wishful to join us, but eight who Perhaps. as yours is a ladies' circle, some of my experiences among the women here will interest are accevted are unahle to leave immedi- you as much as anything I can write.
ately, and our time has not allowed suffi- As yon donhtless know, my department is medical work; but it i. totally unlike home cient correspondence with the remainder to medical work. The diseases themselves are, in many cases, different from any that euter into enable us to definitely accept or decline home practice; then, too, the native ideas of diagnosis, hygiene and drugs are often much their offers. As a tentative measure, to harder to combat than disease.
deal with these cases and to facilitate com- For instance, it i. almost impossible to eon- Tince even an Intelligent native that burning is munications, an Auxiliary Council has been not a sovereign remedy for various ailment•• formed, to meet In Toronto, though some of They led a blind man to my dispensary one day. Hi. eyes had been injured hy an accident, the members reside in the States and some and the substance of both eyes was completely gone ; ~et bis friends, with his CuU consent, ha4 in Canada. Mr. Alfred Sandham, of the Willard Tract Depository, Yonge Street, Toronto, Is the Honorary Secretary. He will receive and forward to China the con- tributions promised for the support of the band now going out, and any other moneys sent for the furtherance of the work; and the Council will with due care accept suit- able candidates and make arrangements for their joining us in China from time to time.
This work really originated at the Niagara Believers'meeting. I had the opportunity of speaking twice on the subject of Missions there, and then left for Chicago, as pre- viously arranged with Mr. Moody. But 1I:lessrs. Reginald Radcliffe, George B. Stndd and R. P. Wilder, subsequently spoke on the same topic, and the feeling so deepened that when it was ascertained that $250 would support a lady missionary in Inland China, and 8300 would sustain an evangeli~tic brother, support for eight new workers WILS put Into the hands of one of the Secretaries of the Conference. Mr. H. W. Frost, of Attica, N. Y. In consequence, I appealed for workefs a~ 1I:1r. jIloody's AUjrust Copvepf brallded his baek elear from the neck to the bathing the hot skin, and moistening' the wai~t. The scars were about an inch wide, and parched lips, etc., then inquired if the from one to two inches apart, and this to restore child-born seven days before-were living. sight t I have not infrequently been asked to One of the women answered indi!ferently, cure large festering burns, inflicted on little .. Yes, it's alive yet." I asked where It.was, children for iudigestion, convulsions, teething and 8he replied, "Oh, it is in tlu;re," pointtroubles, etc. Another remedy, applied in ex- ing to another room. U but never mind the treme cases, consists of making an incision in baby, it is not worth while to do anything the scalp, generally nearly circular, lifting up for it; it is nothing but a. girl!" the whole integument. depositing strong drugs beneath it. and then replaCing the integument. I I went in at once, and found the poor little have not been able to learn all the compound thing lying on a rough cord bedstead, with used iu these cases but know that stramonium only one thickness of thin cloth beneath it.
is one of them. A .ery commOD belief is, that a It had never been washed, and for four sick person must be entirely without food or days had not beeh fed, and every tiny bone drink until he or she begins to improve, and was visible through the drawn skin.
there are cases where tbe patient actually dies Physician though I am, my eyes filled for lack of proper nourishment. A strong paint with tears. as I took up the little skel.
is that bathing is very injurious, Bnd SO an un- eton. I did what I could to save, but …
happy patient will lie day after day ill thi~ bot merciful Father took the little soul to where climate without a bath or a change of clotbing, it would be loved .and developed; even nntil the odors are most sickening. Custom though it had been" only a girl," and as l forbids that the mother of a newborn cbild thought of the blessed change I thanked shall have food or driuk for three days. and no Him that mye!forts had been unavailing, water must touch her person for at least nine The mother died a few hours later, but I days; and the child. itself, in some castes, must wonder if you ladies, in your relined homes, not be washed until a week old. can imagine the death scene in India! No Among tbe more ignorant classes, a patient sooner did they learn that death was near, who is delirious is looked on with aversion aud than neighbors began to swarm in, until the fear, and the treatment is a violent beating, "to miserable hut had llwenty or thirty in it, all drive out the demon that possesses ber." In vying with each other in groaning, shriek.
one case of protracted delirium I actnally bad to ing, smiting the chests and screaming. In Bet Ii watch for two nights to prevent a beating vain J showed them that the noise wru. tor· and death, which I am sure would have resulted. ture to her poor brain, and that her head Well, theu, here Is my work, and not an easy began to roll from side to side again. I one. to meet and combat these and a hnndred could not keep them even from throwing other equally harmful notions, day by day; argu- themselves full weight onto her poor chest, in!!:, where I can obtain a hearing; instruct- laboring harder and harder to give her ing wbenever prejudice does not prevent tbe re- breath, and when I wanted to give a few ception of instruction; reproving, when that drops of medicin!", but failed because her seems necessary; and insisting, when the weI· jaws were already set, I turned cold and fare of a patient demands that. faint to see her own mother strike her to In a certain way the natives have un- compel her to swallowl I saw that I could bouuded confidence in my skill, and will do no good, and, as the strain was too severe throng to the dispensary formy medicines; to be borne unnecessarily, I left her two but when J run athwart their ideas, some· hours before she died, but the scene haunted times 1 have to be very decided, and once or me for months. But my experiences are not twice. in critical cases, I have been obliged all sad; they are dsUghtful when I succeed to say, when some old midwife has persist. in relievmg sulfering, and many a time I ently interfered with my work, .. Either you have felt repaid for my. separation from must send tilat woman home, or I shall go." home and friends when I have been the When I can concliate a midwife and let happy means of saving the life of a woman her help me, I always do so; but they are whom no one else but myself was allowed to the class that is most jealous of my inllu. see. Sometimes, too, I lind a comical side to ence. and most determined in opposing me a medical missionary's life, as for instance and my methods. when they brought a little girl to me, who I shall never forget (I wish I could) one was so terrilied at the ~ight of my watch experience that I had: I was called up at that it was half an hour before she would midnight to see a woman in the last stage. let me come near her.
of puerperal fever. I told the friends before You ask about the difllculties of my work, I went that I could do nothing for her, It but I think you will read some of them, at was too late. least, in what I have already written, though However, I arose'and started; I found her only one who has tried it can know the tossing and muttering in a delirium that trials involved in working constantlY amid rau into stupor and then death. I did such ignorance, lilth and degradation. In lI'pat l could to make her I'Olllfortable, adqition to this, I have 1)&d till! triq,ls of in. competent assistants, and, worst of all, my ter I wish to approve-" the neClessity of ignorance of the language. Clloser and more active fellowship among disciples." His plan of promoting the spir.it This latter I hope to overcome, though of unity seems to be the wise step. And I my three months' illness has hindeJ'cd me would add, if such an inter-denominational sadly. However, I shall resume study next committee should be constituted, tbat its week, I hope, and, as the Board has kindly first work could not be more important than granted me a year of freedom from medical to send out advisory recommendations that work, in order to study, I hope next January similar local committees be formed in tbe to resume practice witt. proper helpers and diJferent mission fields among the missionwith a fair command of Telugu. aries. In this way tbe interests of the en- tire world would be quickly placed in the My work is not especially hindered by hands of those who are most able to advise. caste, as I :have it fully understood that I It would certainly be the incarnation, so to speak, of an idea of uniou both at horne and work for an, and in times of danger the abroad.
proudest Brahmin will admit me to his wife, We who are out in the field, in close comeven though my feet have just trodden the bat with tbe enemy, see the need of cofloor of a pariah's dwelling. This is a great operation, unity, sympathy, as we never comfort to me, and I appreciate it more as saw it before. While eJforts in that direc- I see how caste interferes in all other de- tion have been pushed further in Japan partments of mission work. than in any otber field, yet a great deal of those eJforts have appeared to better ad- I think I have written enough to show you vantage on paper than in any practical apthat my especial task is not an easy one plications. To see ·the churches at borne but it is a fascinating and delightful one isolated from each other in co-operation after all, and I am very happy in it, and ex- and· sympathy is certainly painful. If this pect much more happiness when I can be so, what must we say when these churches converse with the poor shut-in women endeavor to propagate the same spirit of freely, and if I can ever feel that through ostracism and dissensIon ~mong heathen me one of them has been led into the light converts t of life it seems to me that it will give me a thrill of joy almost unendurable, for that is 1 should consider it one of tbe most prothe grand work for Which I am in India. It pitious signs of this closing century that a is pure satisfaction to me to relieve physical great International Assembly should he suffering, and a work that is sadly needed held to give us some basis of union and coin this fair,lost land; but to reach a lost operation. While the London Conference soul and lead it to the One Physician is joy has generated such a spirit of fellbwsLp, unutterable and incomparable. let tbat spirit be fostered still in some manifest way which shall ultimately crown And now, I do not know if I have told you this closing age with a fuJI realization of just what you wanted to know, but if you or the Saviour's prayer, that his disciples may any of the ladies of your circle will ask me be perfected into one. Then may we hope any questions, I shaH be very glad to reply. to begin to say of the heathen: And may I ask as a favor that after this letter has been read in your meeting you Will U His sov'reign mercy has transformed unite in a prayer for the Telugus, and es- Their cruelty to love; pecially fe»:' me, the only medical missionary to the Telngus in our Society? Pray that I Soften'd the tiger to a lamb, may have strength, spiritual and physical, The vulture to a dove I" and that I may be allowed to win many of the Telugu women to Him who is their Morocco, Saviour aud ours. LETTER from our correspondent, With the prayer that your· circle may Rev. E. F. Baldwin: have its share in this work, and may be blessed in its efforts to interest others and MOGADOR. Oct. 3. 1833. to aid in fullllling the promise of the Father There are a few items of news from this field, to the Son, .. Ask of me,and I shall give thee which will be of interest to the readers of THE the heathen for thine inheritance,' I am, REVIEW. We have been occupying this post only a few months, having come from Tangiers, in Very sincerely, your sister in the work, North Morocco, where we were several years. EMMA J. CuMMINGS, M.D. We were delighted to find the door wide open at first. Those who have any experience or BAP,4LTA, MADRAS PRES., INDIA. knowledge of Mohammedan fields will know the difficulties that beset workers in them, and Japan, how thankful we were to find little opposition here. However, as 800n as the Lord began to LETTER from Rev. E. Snodgrass: work, the evil one showed his objectiollll to having his kingdom invaded. ::lHoNAI, JAPAN, Sept. 24, 1888. EDITORS MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: I was greatly interested iu a letter of Dr. Pierson in the September REVIEW written from Loudon concerning the great World ,",'onference. One item especially in his let- We baptized our first convert here a few on work in China, and another is hoping to weeks after we arrived. He was converted as leave for India in November next. he listened for the first time to the gospel which was spoken in the the open air. This My heart was gt'f'atly moved by the a!lshonld enconrage workers among Moslems, dress you gave at Mildway, the SUllday the dUllcnlty of whose- conversion has passed after the Conference, and the longing to do Into a proverb. The native Governor attempted something, more than ever betore, took posto arrest this young man at once, snd he has session of me. This the reading of your since been in mnch jeopardy of life and liberty. .. Crisis of Missions," greatly increased, and Upon my baptizing another man, a convert also the effort of which the inclosed papel' from Mohammedanism, a few days ago, the speaks is the outcome. A deal' friend. an first One I mention was at last arrested. The invalid, who would go abroad did health same night, another, an inqnirer, was thrown permit, Is joining me in the work. Already Into prison. Instant and earnest prayer was we have several members, and we are hoping made for them by us, we claiming Peter's re- when we have the inclosed paper printed to lease as a precedent, and asking that they might send it broadcast, and that hundreds of be set at liberty that night. This the Lord did Christian girls will join our rauks. for us, and great was the joy when they came knocking at the door where we were accus- Will you pray for us, that the hearts of tomed to hold our meetings. many of our members may be moved to go out into heathen lands. and that they may The conversion of Abraham, the last convert go forth, .. strong in the power of the Lord" f mentioned, was the silver lining to a very dark cloud. We received word a few days since of Yours faithfully. the departure to be with Christ of Miss Caley, MARION E. LASRI'1"1'. who was one of the most valued of the few workers for Christ in Morocco. She was on CHRISTIAN GIRLS' llISSIONARY UNION. the staff' of the North African Mis8ion. The same day that we received tbese tidings we This Union is fOl'med with the purpose of were visited by this man, Abraham, to whom banding together Christian girls, with the Miss Caley had given the Gospel of St. John, object of stimulating definite prayer and in Arabic, some montbs ago in Larache. He sustained effort for specific missional'ies had worn the book out by constant reading, and and their work, and also to plead the needs thereby had been led to Christ. He had also of the foreign mission field. It is earnestly been reading to many others on his journeys as hoped that none will join but those who a cattle dealer. Several in one city and others have definitely given themselves to the elsewhere, he claimed, had received the truth. Lord and are longing for the spread of His Thns God is working. We trust the readers of kingdom. THE REVIEW will pray unceasingly for this neglected corner of the mission field. The desire of the few who have started this Union is that from time to time mem- The opposition that has been aroused of late bers may be led by the Holy Spirit to conhas almost shut the door of opportunity here secrate themselves to God for service in the for openly speaking of Christ io the streets or foreign mission field. With such missionshops. I am abont leaving for a journey in the aries a constant correspondence will be kept interior. up, and interesting items of news will be forwarded to each member of the Union at Ohristian Girls' Missionary Union. the beginning of the month.
[THE following letter to our asso- Of the original fifteen members of this ciate will explain itself. It is one of Union, one is already in. China, and another has given herself for foreign work and hopes the many outcomes of Dr. Pierson's to leave tor India in November. visit to England and Scotland, subsequent to the rising of the Mission- It is purposed to raise a fund by the subary Conference in June. The scheme scriptions of the members, in case at any time a member of the Union, feeling led of here proposed is admirably conceived, God to devote herself to foreign work, should and we earnestly hope that the be without the means of carrying out her desire. The Union would then faU back upon this "Christian Girls" of America, as fond to help their sister forward, It is therewell as of England and Scotland, will fore proposed that each member lay aside, .. on go and do likewise.-J. M. S.] he first day or the week, 3d," to be forwarded to the treasurer each month. And as the Union .. 94 LANSDOWNE PLACE, BRIGHTON, l will be conducted in s simple manner, there Aug. 10, 11l88. i will be no working expenses beyond printing and postage, which will also be covered by this DEAR DR. PIERSON: About six years ago subscription . a little .. Missionary Pr~yer Union" was formed amongst my pupils and governesses. We are anxious that the association &nd work Oneot the little band, ayearafter,entered of the Union should be bright and warm, there- fore propose that the snbscriptlons be sent in by the 20th of the month, togethel' with any_inter- esting items of miBsionaIT intel1lpnce Iatelf received; and the next monthly report will pass who 41 years ago became a firm adherent of on such itelllll of nc.ws to each member, in order that the iuterest be personal and sustained. the evangelical faith, and has been ever WhUe it is most desirable that the fund of the since its best known and most widely hon- Union should grow, ready for demand to be made upon it, in case of need, let It be an under- ored defender. . stood thing amongst us that this being the Lord's work, we ask no one but the Lord Him- Mikail Mesbaka was born on Mt. Lebanon, self for money, for" the sUver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts;" lit the May 20, 1800. His father was in the service same time gladly receiving IIny gift that may be the outcome of the Lord's own promptings. of the famous chieftain and ruler of Leb- A card will be sent to each member on anon, the Emir Besheer. Soon after his joining the Union, containing the general subjects for prayer and praise: Special birth the family moved to DeiI' el Komr, the requests will be sent each month in the re- port, and members wishing such inserted seat of the Lebanon Government. As a lad must forward them to the secretary before the 28th of the month. he was wide-awake, anxious to gain knowl- The thought in the minds of those who edge. From his father he learned arith· formed the ·nucleus of this Union was spe- cially to arouse and maintain an interest in metic, bookkeeping, and his father's trade, foreign missions in the hearts of Christian girls; at the same time the names of any that of a !:,oldsmith, which he was obliged to ladies willing to become "Associates" will be gladly received. The amount of sub- take up upon the loss of his ancestral do- scription from these we leave to themselves. mains. His love for mathematics was As this is above all a Union for prayer, it is hoped that those who join it will system- aroused by his desire to be able to foretell aticaUy lay before the Lord the ~neral and special needs of the mission field at eclipses as some of his learned JeWish large, and of our own particular interests in it; and so shall a blessing redound to neighbors were able to do, and when his each one who thns pleads. uncle came to visit them in 1814 from Dami- Oards of membership can be obtained by inclosing two penny stamps to the Secretary etta, Egypt, a mau learned in mathematics Christian Girls' Missionary Union, 94 Lans- downe Place, Brilrhton. and natural sciences, he took lessons from Syria.. him in the elements of astronomy, geog- HIGHLY interesting letter from raphy. algebra, natural philosophy and the Mrs. Mary Pierson Eddy: higher mathematics, in which he ever took BEIRUIT, Aug. 14, 1888. Travelers to Damascus mourn that this keen delight. At the age of 17 he went to city of such historic interest has become transformed into an ordinary modern capi- Damietta, Egypt, as a clerk, and acquired tal, with new shops and houses and broad streets and markets; as, for instance, that some property there. During this period narrow street called" Straight," mentioned in Scripture, has been changed into a wide he attended a wedding where music was new carriage road for a great part of the way aerose the city, and the old markets, provided, and some one present asked his with their appearance and odor of a dim and fabulous antiquity, are being displaced opinion about an air that was played. Be- by arcades, rivalling those of European cap- • itals. fore he could reply, one of the bystanders But during the last month, to one inter- said, .. 0, he is a mountaineer, he knows ested in the revival of Christianity in its early home, Damascus has lost something nothing of music I" SO keenly did he feel of greater value than all its antiquarian treasures. This ioss it has sustained in the the sting of this remark that the next day death of Dr. Mikail Meshaka, sometimes called the" Luther of the Easter… Church." he began the study of music under the best Ouce a bigoted follower of the Greek Ortho- POX Church, and enemy.of Protestantism, instructor he could find, and became not only a proficient performer on many instru- ments, but an author of a work on the music of the East. In 1820, on account of the plague, he left Damietta and returned to Mt. Lebanon. After holding for seven years positions of honor under the Emir Besheer, he was taken ill. During the five mo~ths of his confinement his thoughts turned to the study of medicine, and on recovery he commenced with intense earnestness to study it with an Italian physician resident in the town. In 1831 he was present at the siege of Acre with the army of Emir Besheer.
Later he went with the Egyptian army to Damascus, thence to Hums, where he re- mained for a time acting as physician to the troops among whom the cholera was raging. As the couutrywas in an unsettled state, owing to the invasion of Ibrahim Pasha, he retired to Damascus to pursue his medical stUdies there under experi- enced physicians. .
The year 1845 found him again in Egypt whither one of his instructors had gone, studying with him, and in the Medical Col- lege in Cairo. After eight months he ob- tained his degree and at once returned to Damascus to begiw his true life work. At this point too, the transforming power Qt the simple story of the Cross entered Lis Ufe An exhaustive essay on Eastern tuuela and entirely changed its whole current. already mentioned. A historY'lf Damad" ….. Thenceforth in season, out of season, he to illustrate its present places of inte1'""t. spoke, wrote, and lived Christ. In 1870 a. This has been translated into Germa.n and stroke of paralysis deprived him of the use published in Berlin. Another of permanent of his right arm and confined him to his interest, describing popular beliefs in regard room, but for eighteen years he has daily to "the evil eye," H good and evil omens.'" received the visitors who were attracted to and other Oriental superstitions. A bistory him by bis eloquence, his learning, parti- of the early civil wars of Syria, and a hiscularly his stores of information respect- tory of the Druzes. ing Oriental history and customs, his zeal in behalf of his countrymen and for the ad- He was for many years American Vicevancement of true religion. Consul in Damascus. With his different visitors he could converse upon their favor- Two months before his death, some of the ite topics with ease, being versed In theolmembers of our family paid him a visit. En- ogy, medicine, rhetoric, mathematics, bottering by two long narrow passages they any, astrology, astronomy, chemistry, music emerged from nnder a vine-covered door and architecture. He was also versed in into the open central conrt of the house, silk culture and silk 'weaving, and in the with)ts marble pavement and large foun making of the fiJagree work of the gOldtaint and were soon ushered into a, long smiths, for which Damascus is famous. room; at the upper end of which, on a low divan, sat Dr.'Meshaka, dressed in richest TaU and commanding in appearance when of Damascus silk, who for 18 years was young, his vigorous constitution carried not able to stand and receive his guests, him safely through his checkered career to but was wont by his genial manner and his 89th year; and when death came his uncourteous salutations to make them wel- dimmed eyes had never known the need of come. The raised upper half of the room glasses, his hearing was unimpaired, and where he sat was in Oriental style, deorated there yet lingered on his cneeks a ruddy with elaborately intricate mottoes in Per- glow, which his long years of helpless consian seript, carved woodwork and mirrors finement had not effaced. He was an Indesunk in the walls. Before him, on an inlaid fatigable student of the Bible. His oft-remother-or-pearl book holder, in the form of peated saying was, .. We are here to prepare an X, was a book which he was studying. for heav,en. Our only rule and guide to Around him on the walls hung various Arab another world is inits pages. Let us, thereinstruments of musie. Another room in the fore, study it to learn the ways of its inhouse, his favorite place, which he wished habitants and the nature of the life we the party to visit, Was an Oriental room, should pursue here, to fit us for an entrance adorned with rugs and ornamental devices, there." He called the Bible .. the pillar of and with a tiny fountain playing in the our faith," "theruleof our guidance," Uthe deeply recessed window. Now (hat he has mirror of God's will." His funeral was atgone, it seems strange to think of that tended by hundreds to show him honor. spacious home to which his three sons had Thousandsfrom near and far have lamented each brought their brides, and where their his death. Many eulogies, in prose a.nd families were reared, without its venerable poetry, have been written and published in his own country. patriarch and head. As an author aud controversialist, Dr. Syria has lost one of its most eminent scholars, Damascus a noted citizen, and Meshaka accomplished what no one else Protestanism a staunch defender; but his could have done in the early days of Protest- works still live to establish truth and conantism in Syria. He was the author of 14 fnteerror; his example still endures to in- books and pamphlets-seven of which were spire the youth of Syria; and when the hison controversial subjects. One, a reply to tory of .. restored Christianity in the East" the Greek Patriarch, Maximus, giving the shall be written, then, in bold outlines will history of his conversion to Protestantism, appear, with the name of Asaad Shidiak, entitled" Reasons for Obeying the Gospe!." '1 the martyr of Lebanon," the name of Another,.. ProofsofEvangelical Doctrines," Dr. Meshaka; one of whom sealed his brief .. A Reply to a Friend,…. A Vindication of testimony to the truth with his blood,like Stephen; the other, like Paul, for many one Accused of Forsaking His Church." or years was permitted to be a witness for Jesus with pen and voice. his other works we may mention a .. Higher Arithmetic," and an" Almanac for a Cen- Barmah.-The Burmans seem tury," beginning with the year 1870, with more ready to hear the gospel than copious tables, to harmonize the diverse ever before. Twenty-nine were bap- reckonings of days, months and years in tized in June, or half as many as were current use in the East amongst Jews, Greeks, Copts, Mohammedans and Occi~ reported for the whole of 1887, dental Christians; also all theappea.rances of the heavens and eclipses for the century.
1888.J INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D., OF THE "INTERNATIONAL MIS- SIONARY UNION."
Vernacular Languages and. Literature Conference of Missionaries in Meiico last February, was the demand for of Mexico. THERE lies before us as we write, a the establishment of missions con- printed form of eight pages, which ducted in the vernaculars of the is of much more than ordinary inter- country, and the use of these ver- est. It is entitled "Yacuic iyec naculars in printed form for Scrip- Tenonotzaltzin in Jesu- Christo Que- tures or other literature. The prose- nami Oquimo Ihcltilhuili in" San cution of work in the vernaculars Lltcas." It is the first form of the seems to have not met with special Gospel of Luke, being published by favor, and so far as we can learn private subscription, at the press of was rather summarily dismissed, with the Methodist Episcopal Mission in the reading of a single brief paper by the city of Mexico, in the Nahuatl a brother who was interested in the or pure Mexican language. It has dissemination of Spanish literature.
been revised by a competent hand, How far this indicated that the mis- from an old Jesuit translation into sionaries on the ground were simply this language, which, so far as we not informed on the subject of these know, is the only fraction of the Janguages, or their mature judgment Scriptures extant in any of the na- after thorough canvass of the sub- tive tongues of Mexico. The edition ject we cannot say, but if ever they now issuing is only a small one of a have carefully studied the matter, , thousand copies, and is made as an they have managed by some mas- experiment to test the demand for terly inactivity to keep out of the and usefulness of such publication public press of the United States of the Scriptures, or portions thereof. their data or their discussions. We Nahuatl, or Mexicano, is a living are not disposed to champion the use language, constantly undergoing the of these vernaculars, because we changes incident to speech used by have not satisfactory data upon large numbers of people, and is sub- which to reach a conclusion, but we ject to the friction of a foreIgn civili- have considerable doubt if those who zation, both old, in the Spanish form, have to do with the matter, have and new in" the English, with which themselves, with care and patience it is brougbt into contact through investigated the subject. '
commerce with the United Stutes and There are a few facts to be borne Europe. This language is further in mind, howevel', in making up a subject to modifications arising from judg-ment of the propriety of this ex- local separations of the people using perimental edition of Luke in :Mexi- it. The old Jesuit Gospel has, there- can.
fore, needed not only doctrinal re- 1. 1'[exicans, not Spaniards, rule vision, but retouching- to eliminate Mexico to-day, and the grave ques- archaisms. How well all this has tion arises, what relation has this been done, and how useful this ver- fact to the literature we ought to nacular "portion" may prove, even seek to produce. Mexicans are not if fairly well done, are points upon only the governing race in Mexico which we venture no opinion at tbis now, but are likely to be such for a writing, and upon which few pel'SOIlf; long time in the future. The hope can throw much light. of a progressive civilization is linked One of the topics which received up with them. Nobody would ex- some consideration at the General pect progress and modern ideas, po· litical, social, or religious, as repre- chism for the use of priests, by sented by Protestantism, to be en- Paredes Caroch y Castano, appeared, hanced by displacing the native, for and in 1865 Gastelu published a small Spanish rule. Juarez had not a drop catechism at Orizabo, in Maya (1). of Spanish blood in his veins. Diaz, In 1869 a catechism in Nahuatl or, the present Chief Executive of the Mexicano, was published at Chimal- Republic, is nearly a full-blooded popoca. In 1878 Ripaldo issued his Me~ican, and" the George W ashing- " Catechism of Christian Doctrine" in ton of the Republic, Hidalgo," was Mexican. Nor was all this confined part Mexi~an. These native Mexi- merely to religious literature. They cans dislike, some say "cordially paid large attention to the study of hate," the Spanish language, which the natives tongues and to their was forced upon them by their con- development. As early as 1595 querors as politically their national Ringon published his "Grammar language. Thlil bulK of the native and Vocabulary of the Mexican Lanraces are prej udicea against acquir- guage," and this was reprinted as ing it, and exhibit toward it the most late as 1885.· In .1714 Pacheco pubopen hostility, and among themselves lished "Arte del Idioma Tarasco," do not speak it, nor do they teach it and that was reprinted by the Govto their children. ernment in 1886. Tarasco was spoken over a large territory in West Although the old Spaniards forced Central Mexico. their language with their civilization on the natives of Mexico, they In 1863 a spelling-book in Otomi were shrewd enough themselves was published at San Jose. In 1880 carefully to study the native lan- Cabellero published a " Grammar of guages, compile grammars, lexicons, the Mexican Idiom," in Mexican and easy reading books and catechisms, Spanish, on the Ollendorf method. from which the priests could orally It was dedicated to Altamirano. In teach the people in their own tongue 1886 the Government printing-office in which they were born. It is said published, at Cordova, a reprint of a that they published the first book work in Zapoteco. ever printed in the New World in 15~9, and that was in the Mexican lan- In the very learned work of Manuel guage, and for purposes of religi- Orozco y Berra, published in Mexico ous instruction of the natives. In in 1864, entitled "Geografia de las 1544 they printed another such book Lenguas y Carte Etnografica de Mexfor religious instruction of the Aztec ico," we have a colored map, show- Indians in their tongue. In 1544, also, ing the ethnological and philological a book was published at Cordoba, in distribution of the Mexican races. Aztec, for the instrllction of Indians; The names of the tribes arranged in and in 1546 Molina's" Christian Doc- catalogue occupy ten pages, but the trine" was translated into Mexican. names of the languages occupy less It is shown thus that three centuries than five. These sixty-nine lanago these priests saw the importance guages are divided by him into eleven of using the vernacular languages families, though he gives a long list for indoctrinating the people. Nor (over sixty) of idioms outside of the does it appear that they have ever general classification. The two leadintermitted the use of this means. ing families are Mexican and In 1834 Perez published a catechism Othomi. in the Otomi language, which was indorsed by the Government sys- Among the latest general native tem of instruction. In 1840 "Ex- wort,s of great value on Mexican ethtracts of Doctrine," a smaller cate- nology and philology, is that of Mr. Francisco Pimental, entitled "De- scriptive and Comparative. Table of the Indian Languages of Mexico, or great as the total Indian population Treatise on Mexican Philology," pub- el the United States and Territories, lished in the City of Mexico. A large including Alaska I chart, some 16×24 inches, accompanies this work, which, besides the It is, therefore, with no slight classification into four orders of these pleasure that we greet these eight Mexican languages in the text, pre- little pages as the promise of the full sents a graphic view of them in the Gospel of Luke in Nahuatl, or what form of philological trees, named, is, technically speaking, Mexican, numbered and colored, so as to enable which is not a generic term, but the one at a glance to see the relation of title of one of the languages, per any language to its group or to the haps the greatest, certainly at preswhole. ent the most widely spoken, in the Republic of Mexico. A careful study of the geographical distribution of the languages in which Whether Spanish ought to be these publications, previously refer- pressed on the native races by misred to, were made, shows them to sionaries is not beyond debate. The have been mainly contiguous to the people dislike it. They have not City of Mexico. The Mexican or Uf,ed it except as compelled to do so. Nahuatl, indeed, commenced at a Mr. David A. Wells pronounces it point opposite Southern California, "a language not well fitted for the swept south through ten degrees of uses and prog'!'ess of a commercial latitude, with a width varying from nation, and which will inevitably fifty to one hundred miles, till south constitute a very serious obstacle in of the city of Mexico, and then across the way of indoctrinating the Mexithe continent, with an average belt of can people with the ideas and methpel'haps one hundred miles. It pen- ods of overcoming obstacles and doetrated among the other languageil ing things which characterize their along the coast again to the borders great Anglo-Saxon neighbors." of Guatemala. Otomi was one of the greater languages, covering a terri- English will press more and more tory perhaps one hundred and fifty into Mexico, as it has into all the miles each way, lying directly north territory we acquired from Old and west of the City of Mexico, and Mexico; and it has done that, not even a little south of it. The City of merely because it has become the Mexico was on the borders of these national language since we incorpotwo languages, though located in rated the Territory, but because it Nahuatl or Mexicano territory. is the "language of commerce of North America," and Mexico is com- Latham, speaking of the Nahuatl, ing into close and closer commercial or pure Mexican, says: "It is pre- relations with us. eminently an intrusive tongue. It is probably spoken beyond its original There is, perhaps one may aml'm boundaries in every direction, some- with safety, more liability of English times (as in Central America) in iso- displacing Spanish in Mexico than lated patches." It is the vernacular there is of Spanish displacing these of the Valley of Mexico, and of the "Mexican vernaculars among the nainterior on either side of that Valley, tive races. Not more than one-sixth and is probably spoken by three mil- of the total population of the country lions of people-possibly more. To is European, including Spaniards. give the gospel, therefore, to the peo- It may be a fair question whether ple speaking this language in their the short cut to the native populaown vernacular, is to give the wrltten tions is, after all, through the Spanish gospel to a population ten times as language. Perhaps it may be through these vernaculars, perhaps through the English language. Missionary Training for WomeD. called of God to a special work, need a special training for that work, do BY MRS. LUCY RIDER,MEYER. not also women, called of God to their special work, need a special ONE of the things, unknown in the training for that work? And at the bottom of all really effective religiOUS religious world till very lately, is work must lie a thorough knowledge of the Bible. Cavah'Y, artillery, the Missionary TrainiBg-school. Let even light infantry, must know some- thing of the use of powder. us look at it. I hardly need bring illustrations of First of all, is special training the fact that this broad, basal knowl- edge of the Word of God is not posneeded for women having the mis- sessed by average Christian women. No, not even by the Christian women sionary work in view? This question who are very actively engaged in religious work. It would be marmust be answered. Life is too short, velous, indeed, if it were. We are not ready to claim such startling the call from the whitened fields is superiority for woman, as to assert that, without stimulus or direction, too urgent for us to spend time and she arrives instantly at a point reached by our young men only after thought and money on anything but a long course of study. The Lord forbid that I should ignore, or in the the absolute necessities of Christian slig-htest degree depreciate, the blessed illumination of the Spirit of equipment. In answer: There are God on the page of His Word, but people are not born with a knowledge hundreds of women, yes thousands, of the Bible, nor are they-I speak reverently-born again into it, Neiunder the auspices of the Church, ther does anyone, untrained, know how to 8tudy the Bible. The power devoting their whole lives to religious of concentrated, critical study cornel' always and only by long and careful work, and hundreds more are press- discipline.
ing on, many of them young and in- Next to this great need of knowing more of the Bible, comes the need of experienced; and, whether for good knowing the best methods of work. The old way of training schoolor ill, they will soon be in the field. teachers was to thrust them out alone into the actual work of teach- These women are to deal with the ing, and let them learn by the hard- est, through their own blunders and most precious interests of time and failures-a painful process to the teacher and all expensive one to the eternity. Can the question be asked unfortunate childl'en upon whom she experimented. But the Normal whether they need special prepara- schools that have sprung up all over our land tell of a better way in secution for their work-preparation lar teaching, a way in which theory and practice and kindly criticism go which can only be secured in a tech- hand in hand. And if the work of a. nical school? / First, as to a knowledge of the Bible.
Everyone must agree that something of the same broad and deep knowl- edge of the Bible as a book, which we endeavor to give our young men in our theological seminaries, could not fail to be of utmost value to our C~ristian workers among women.
Apart from the many occasions when such knowledge would be needeu tor use, it is fundamentally necessary in the character of the worker. It is a foundation stone, the absence of which may not indeed overthrow the whole super$tructure, but cannot fail to render it weak and unsym- metrical. But while we plead for this foundation stone in the training alike of our young men and young women for Christian work, we do not fail to recognize the marked dif- ference in their work. We believe that there is, and that there must always be, a difference. But if men, secular 'teacher is too responsible to accommodate a family of forty-eight.
be entrusted to novices, what shall but already its capacity is overtaxed, we say of the religious teacher? and arrangements ar!! in progress for Testimony as to the need of special mOl'e room.
preparation might easily be accumu- Though the school has only com- lated. Mrs. McGrew, M.D., of India, pleted its third year, 106 different says: "Such preparation would be young women have been in attend- invaluable to our missionaries." ance. Twenty different States and The venerable Dr. Butler says: Territories have been represented by "The idea seems to me to be of these students; and, whileltheschool divine origin. It would be a great is nominally Methodist, yet the class- help to those going to the foreign room work being undenominational, field. even as physicians. The work five different denominations have had would be in much safer condition adherents among our pupils. Mis- with trained missionaries. With sionaries trained in the school are such training ladies would be ten now at work in Chicago, Arkansas, times better prepared for their South Carolina, Indian Territory"
work." A student of the Chicago Utah, India, Japan, Africa, South Training-school writes back from America, China and Korea.
Japan: "Tell the girls they can't But it is in our financial support realize how much good their Bible that the hand of God has been over study is going to do them." Another us with richest blessings. The school student says:' "Many, many times I is poor, never having had, even dur- find my experience at the school a ing all its building, a larger donation right-at-hand aid in some emer- than $3,000, and not many so large gency." as $1,000. Students pay $3.00 per But the best argument that the week for all expenses, and this makes Christian world feels the need of the school self-supporting, so far as special technical training for mis- running expenses are concerned. All sionaries is the succe~s of the schools our teachers and lecturers give their that have been established to meet services without salary, which makes this need. The writer may be par- it possible for us to give tuition free.
dOll.ed for believing that the Chicago Five teachers and assistants reside in Training-school is the one best known the building (with all the students), in the United States, and that a brief and devote their entire time to the description of this institution and its school. In addition to their work, methods may be of interest. This we have a large list of lecturers, in- school 'has been in existence three cluding some of the best known years. It was established largely by teachers and ministers of the coun- the exertions of private individuals, try. We gratefully recognize the and has never been organically con- special blessing of God, in thus pro- nected with any missionary society, 'viding volunteer service which it though on its Board of Managers are would be impossible to secure other- representatives from, the Chicago wise, without the expenditure of City Missionary Society, and from several thousand dollars annually.
the Woman's Home and Foreign The money needed to erect and Missionary Societies of the Metho- furnish the building has come by dist Episcopal Church. A charter voluntary contribution, as the wants was obtained in 1886, and the first of the school have been made known.
rented house being found Insufficient, A monthly paper, The Message, pub- a central and convenient lot was pur- lished at the school, has b('en the chased, and a large building was principal means of communication erected upon it. This building will with the public. It is from this source-also, voluntary contributions and for which she needs special prep.
as the LOTd shall move the hearts of aration. His people to give-that we look for Then, very prominent in the plan the money necessary to give us the enlarged accommodations that we of school discipline, is the systematic need. The school has never had a putting into practice of the things dollar of endowment, nor has it ever paid a dollar of salary. learned from day to day. All kinds of religious work are done by the The course of study pursued in the school is definite, and a diploma is pupils in the mission fields which a. given for completion. It is technical in character, no literary branches re- great city furnishes in such sa~ abundance. Can anyone doubt the value of such pl'actical contact of the worker with the work? Is it not far betterthat the tlrst attempts at work ceiving attention. There are three should be done under the eye of an great lines of study: 11't, The Bible; experienced teacher, where mistakes 2d, Methods 0/ teaching the Bible can be pointed out and better ways and doing religious work; and 3d, suggested, while lull and rich sym- Nursing and Elementary Medicine. pathy is given, rather than to sub- The Bible is studied, first as a whole, ject the young worker to the terrible and then book by book, with analysis test of being thrust out a thousand of each. Lectures are received on miles from a helping hand perhaps, Bible Interpretation, that we may be to struggle and suffer alone? And guarded against the vagaries that not only is this the only merciful have done so much, lately, to bring way for the missionary, but it is the all lay work into contempt; Old Tes- only safe way for the Church. A dis- tament and Church History, and tinguished foreign missionary says: Christian Doctrine. In methods we "If there were any way of testing have general instruction in organ- missionaries in similar work at home, izing and carrying on work, with a before they are sent out, it would be little innocent modified homiletics, a most satisfactory plan. Every fail- such as the making out of analyses ure involves great expense, discour- on the Sunday-school lessons, and ages many pel'sons at home. and preparing prayer-meeting talks. We induces tl'ouble and perhaps discord have also instruction in house-to- in missions and societies,"
house visitation, the management of We tlnd that the training we give children's, young people's and cot- answers this other incidental but tage meetings, temperance, revival most important end-it tests, both and kindergarten work. Miss Isa- physically and spiritually, the mis- bella Thoburn, fifteen years a mis- sionary candidate. We believe that sionary in India, has been with us this alone would justify the existence the past year, and has given valuable of the school, and that it would be aid in this department. We pay the part of true economy for mission- special attention to Sunday-school ary societies to supportit for this end work, our course being a very good alone, if there were no other means normal training in that line. We of support.
have also class instruction in singing The practical work of the students, and elocution. though taken by way of training, is The third department of our work, found to be of great value to our nursing and elementary medicine, is overworked city pastorll. During a intended to prepare the students for single term of seven months 4,386 re- the emergencies that may come upon ligious calls were made, 750 opportu- any woman in the home, but which nities for prayer or Bible reading the Plissionary will in~vi4tbl;y meett were embl'aced; many coI.versioI.l'I were known to have taken place; may well each ask ourselves, Wha.t large numbel·s of children were is my personal relation to this movetaught in industrial and Sunday- ment? Have I any duty toward schools, and many people were this line of work? Is it not the spebrought for the first time within the cial duty of everyone in these daYIiI to reach of Christian influences. Ingen- watch for opportunities to turn the eral, we may say that the influence of flow of young lives into channels of our large body of students at work in special religious and miSSIOnary the city mission has been great, and work? How greatly the efficiency has contributed not a little, we may of even the ordinary home worker in modestly believe, to the establish- church and Sunday-school would be ment of the order of "Deaconesses" increased by a year of special trainin the Methodist Church-an order ing in Bible study and religious which finds its first members, by the methods. A year in such a school way, in the "Deaconess' Home," would "finish off" a Christian girl's which is a direct outgrowth of the education better than a year in Euschool. rope. Many of the training-school students are such because of a word But the school is a stimulus, not to fltly spoken by teacher or pastor. the home work alone. Several of And are there not many others who our pupils, soon to go to the foreign might by word of ours be led in such field, would never have found their a school to a revelation and inspiraway there but for the influences of tion that would invest life with new the school. The school is-if it is meaning? How many a woman in possible to separate the ideas-more a our land, measurably-perhaps most Bible than a missionary enterprise. sadly-free from home ties, is soul- Young women are welcomed to it weary for an object in life. In the who wish to know more of the Bible Romish Church snch women throw and methods of teaching the Bible, themselves-and their fortunes, if whether they have the missionary they have any-into the arms of the work in view or not. But as they omnivorous convent. Why should study the Bible and the field the mis- there not be a conesponding, even if sionary spirit grows. The wider, a more intelligent, devotion in our deeper knowledge of the Word of Protestant churches, where the spe- God must produce a great increase of' cial consecration of a life means not a missionary zeal. Jesus Christ, re- living death, but a life of special joy vealed centuries ago as the Incarnate and privilege? Word, appointed His Apostles, first that they" might be with Him," Upon us may ·be laid that other and second, that He "might send blessed duty-and duty is always them forth" (Mark iii: 14). The se- privilege-of doing with the means quence is not one of mere accident, God has put into our hands, what we but of deepest necessity. Whenever may not do with our lives. The cost we "draw near" to Him, revealed of training a worker in the Chicago to-day by the living Spirit in the school is only $100 dollars per year. written Word, He will "send us How better could business men or forth." The Bible training-school busy women duplicate their lives for movement, drawing men "near" God and the missionary cause than by a better knowledge of Christ, by supporting students in such a through the history of Himself given .school? in the Bible, is of deep significance in the present remarkable era of mis- And above all let us recognize the sionaryactivity. hand of God in the movement. Let us acknowledge that the" tree" so IJ.l closing tl1is brief djscu,ssion, w~ "fqll qf sap" is His, ~d JI~ will direct our relations to it-whether Hovey, "Manual at Theology. II pp.
we are to go or send, whether we are 00-104.
to give His Word or give gold. God 8. Chapter IX. Providence.
gives the dominant thought of the 9. Chapter XII. Man Needs a Saviour.
Pamphlet… Life of Christ," Rev. J. L.
centuries-nay, in these rapid days, Hurlburt, M.A.
almost forthe decades, and happy are 10. Chapter XIV. The Person of Christ.
they who heal' His watchword at this Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- time;' "THAT THEY MAY BE WITH ject-Person of Christ.
ME," and" THAT I MAY SEND THEM Hovey, "Mauual of Theology;" pp.
190-207. .
FORTH." Pamphlet, " The Person and Character Prepa.ratory Study for Oandidates of Christ," T. Armitage, D.D.
AMONG THE BAPTIST LADIES. 11. Chapter XV. MediatoriaofficeofCbrlst.
THE Woman's Baptist Foreign Mis- Hodge. "Systematic Theology;" Vol.
sionary Society of the West has II, pp. 455-461.
taken in hand a correspondence Hovey, "Manual of Theology;" pp.
207-234.
course of study in Christian doctrine. Pamphlet, .. The Way of Salvation."
It is conducted by Mrs. H. W. Bar- 12. Chapter XVI. Atonement.
bel', Ph.M., of Fenton, Michigan. It Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- is so unique a movement, and one ject-Atonement.
which may inspire others, if not to Pamphlet, "The Sin Bearer," Horatius Bonar,D.D.
imitate yet to emulate, that we ven- Pamphlet, .. Can I be Assured of Salva- ture to take the space to reproduce tion Y"
tb.e lessons and readings of the cur- 13. Chapter XVIII. Regeneration (Repent- riculum: ance and Faith).
LESSONS. READINGS. Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- 1. Chapter I. The Being of God. ject-Regeneration.
Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- Hodge, .. Systematic Theology;" Vol.
ject-Existence of God. Ill, pp. 31-36.
Hovey, "Manual of Theology and Eth- Hovey, .. Manual of Theology;" pp.
ics :" subject-Existence of God. 242-263.
2. Ohapter II. The Bible a Revelation. 14. Chapter XIX. Justification.
Hovey, .. Manual of Theology;" sub- Northrup, Lelltures on Theology; sub- ject-The Bihle from God. ject-Justification.
Hodge, .. Systematic Theology," V01. 1, Hodge, "Systematic Theology;" Vol.
pp.lM-166. III. 116-125, 141-145. Hovey, .. Manual of Theology;" pp. Broadus, pamphlet, .. Three Questions as to the Bible." 2S3-272. Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- 15. Chapter XXI. Sanctification. ject-Inspiration. 3. Chapter III. The Attributes of God. Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- 4. Chaptel IV. The Trinity. ject-Sanctification. Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- ject-Trinity. Hodge, .. Systematic Theology;" Vol.
III, pp. 2l<!-226.
Hodge, "Systematic'Theology;" Vol. Hl'vey, .. Manual of Theology;" pp. 1, pp. 442-448. 273-299. 5. Chapter V. The Deity of Ohrist. Nortl).rup, Lectures on Theology; sub- 16. Chapter XXIV. The Church. ject-The Deity of Christ. Pamphlet, .. The Origin of the, Bap- Hodge, "Systematic Theology;" Vol. 1, pp. 483-488, 495-510. tists," G. B. Taylor, D.D. Hovey, "Manual of Theology;" pp 1'12-190. 17. Chapter XXV. Baptism.
Pamphlet, " The Position of Baptism In the Christian System," H. H. Tucker, D.D.
18. Cbapter XXVI. 'l'he Lord's Supper.
6. Chapter VI. -The Deity of the Holy Pamphlet, "Close Commtinion," Alva.h Spirit. Hovey, D.D.
Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub. 19. Chapter XXVIII. The Resurrection. ject-Deityof the Holy Spirit. Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- Hovey, .. Manual ,of Theology;" pp. 235-242. ject-Resurrection.
'1. Chapter VII. Purpose of God. Pamphlet," Stateof Man afterDeath," Northrup, Lectures on Theology; sub- ject-Divine Purpose, A. Hovey,D.D. 20. Chapter XXX. Heaven and Hell, E.evi>w ILlld Examination,
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS. ~
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
SYRIA.. partridge upon the mountains. But SIXTY-SEVEN years ago Pliny Fisk if a building can be hired, and a and Levi Parsons were sent to Jeru- school established, the Maronite, the salem to begin work among Jews, Jew, the Druse, the Mohammedan, Mohammedans, Druses and other the Greek, the Roman, the Protest.
sects. They soon found the Holy ant Chl:istian, are safe within their City not the best center of opera- own walls, and can there, and there tions; so the headquarters of the only, preach and teach their faith.
mission-field were moved to Beirut. The cost of these schools in the Since those days Central Turkey has interim is only from five dollars to become a field for missionary labor- ten dollars a year. In the South the ers from many societies. In all the cost of a boys' school would be but a evangelical schools there are about few dollars a month. In the college 120,000 children, and some $00,000 tuition is eighty dollars a year.
has been contributed during the one Modern missionary work in Syria year from all these churches. The began in 1821. In 1841 Beirut was language spoken is Arabic, and the made the central station. It had the missionaries have translated, and, advantage of being on the seacoast, through the mission press at Beirut, and was a mission station only two have given the Bible to one hundred years younger than Jerusalem, hav- and fifty millions of people, whose ing been occupied in 1823. The prin- sacred language is the Arabic. Mr. cipal stations are Beirut, Sidon, Whiting, going to China to labor as Tripoli, Zahleh and Abeih, with a missionary, sent back to Beirut for eighty-six outstations. Across the Bibles for the millions there who country, east of Beirut, on the spurs speak the Arabic. of Lebanon, is Zahleh, consecrated India has fifty millions who read by the life and death of Rev. Gerald the Koran in Arabic, and who, if F. Dale in 1886. North of Beirut is Christianized. must get their Bible Tripoli, also an important seacoast literature from the mission press of station with outposts; special effort Beirut. Persia and Egypt also make was made for a school building there large demands upon this source, this a few years ago. Southeast of Beirut, tree of life, whose leaves are truly also on Lebanon, is Abeih, where the forthe healing of the nations. Syria educational department is a promi- is the land of the Bible, washed by the nent feature. South of Beirut, Sidon, Mediterranean, the Lebanon Mount- on the seacoast, like Damascus, ains running through it; its plains, claims to be the oldest city in the its mountain slope~, filled with vil- world. In Syria there are over a lages and rich in historic interest. million of people. Not only are the In regard to what has been done eyes of all the world turned to Syria, by the Presbyterian mission: first, the but the feet of all races stray to its educational work. Sixty thousand soil. The religions are as various as children are in these schools in the the races. The False Prophet has the Turkish Empire; and experience has most numerous followers, and Moshown that, in Syria, the school is hammedanism is the dominant rethe only way to begin the good work. ligion. The Sultan of Turkey rules the land, and owns personally enor- In the midst of a population so mous estates in the various provinflammable, so riotous, open-air inces. Syria has many Sundays. preaching is an impossibility. A '1'he Druses observe Thursday, the small thing might excite a crowd Moslems Friday, the Jews Saturday beyond endurance; the massacre of and Protestants Sunday. Arabic is 1860 was begun by the shooting of a the spoken language of the majority, ture, mathematics, natural sciences, though there are as many languages Turkish, English, French and ..Latin as races. Arabic, being also the re- langua.ges, mOl'al science and biblical ligious language of Mohammedan- literature, medicine and surgery, etc.
ism, and missions being to the Mo- There is a hospital, with dispensary hammedans of Syria chiefly, much and pharmacy. The whole work is of time and labor is devoted to the conducted on Protestant evangelical study and printing of that language. principles, and the Bible is the text- At Beirut in 1886, 19,331,750 pages book. Rev. George E, Post. M.D" of of Scripture were printed. Since the th!! Syrian College, says there is con- press was established there, about nected with the College a Young 350,000,000 of pages of God's Word Men's Christian Association; that of have been printed-" enough to cover the 180 students of the institution, 120 a carriage-road around the earth are connected with this association; at the equator." . The tracts printed that of these nea.rly half are active at Beirut were 1,702,500 during the members; and that the remaining same year. Steam and hand-presses ha.If represent the various Oriental are kept running from daylight till sects.
dark, and are unable then, with fifty The Jesuits tried to keep pace with employees, to supply the demand for Protestants at Beirut as to college, ap- the truth. The work of bookbinding, paratus, library, and even by free tui- etc., is carried on to a great disadvan- tion, and for the first time translating tage in the present building. Econ- the Bible into Arabic, but higher and omy and convenience demand a much scholastic, not popular, Arabic. They larger and better-planned building, could not sell the Bibles. As it was or the work will falI far below the possible to get masses said for souls needs and demands of the time. for five cents, people elsewhere sent The Arabic is the religious lan- to the Jesuits to get masses said, and guage of 200,000,000 of people. What they kept the money and gave the a. lighthouse Beirut is! and how fal' Bibles to the prie~ts instead. The the Beirut Arabic Bible may go! priests had no use for them, and sold Wherever Mohammedanism is found. them for nomina.l rates. One case is In Beirut there are one church and known where bigoted Papists thus six preaching places. The total num_ got hold of the Bible in Arabic from ber of church members was in 1886 their own priests and found the error 281; of these, 155 are women. of their belief by reading them; So There is a presbytery, ca.lled tbe God used the very method used by Presbytery of Beirut and Mt. Leba- the Jesuits to defeat the Protestant non, and the effort is to be ma.de to cause as the way of making more have tIle native pastora.tes self-sup- Protestants! .
porting. The Mohammedans are not THE JEWS.
idle; in Beirut, each adult Moslem .. TM Jew first. "-Rom. i : 16. was obliged by government to give " Give to him who gave the Bible; a dollar toward building the new mosque. Think from whence it came to yon: Do you love yool precious Bible P The Syrian Arabic College of Bei- Then restore it to the Jew."
In 1884 wa.s first brought to the rut was established in 1865, and the attention of the religious world the regular course began in autumn of rema.rkable Jewish-Christian move-'
1866. The medical depa.rtment was ment in Southern Russia, under the added in 1867.' 'fhe langua.ge used leadership of a learned and piou~ law- is exclusively Arabic, the common yer of Kischneff, Joseph Rabinowitz; tongue of Syria; the course em- and since then we have, from time to braces Arabic language and litera.- time, had accounts of the growth and development of this communion. heart in hisJewish brethren, a.s thw boa.IIted Jts adherents are as yet compara- of their noble descent from Abraham, Is&a.c, tively few, but the movement has and Jacob, and were proud of the wisdom which the law, received from Mount Sinai, attracted attention everywhere as a gave to them; and who, on the other hand, factor of great importance in Christ- saw through their stubbornness and their ian missions. The baptism in Berlin proclivity in good and prosperous timesto of the spiritual leader of this move- desert the living God, their heavenly Fatlrer, ment indicates that the development and choose for themselves new gods, namely, the love of money and the sover- is healthy and in the right direction. eignty over their brethren through science The original thirteen theses of this and mammon. communion, published in the official 10. The man who unites within himself "Documents," issued by this Society all these characteristics, we have, after a thorou~h examination of all the books of in Hebrew and German, represent the hi:tory of our people. the children of the faith and animus of these earnest Israel, found in the one Jesus of Nazareth, souls. They read as follows: who was killed at Jerusalem, before the dest~uction of the last Temple. 1. The present moral and material condition of the IsraeJitish brethren in Rnssia is a de- 11. The wise men of Israel, among his cayed, distorted and disconraged one. contemporaries, could not yet understand and grasp his doctrines and his salutary 2. Under the circnmstances, to sit in lazy idle- purpose, which was his aim in regard to ness would signify to give consent to the entire his Jewish brethren, this namely, that he ruin to onr Israelitish brethren. laid stress upon the observance of the mandates of the law that touch the head 3. In order to better our circumstances, and hearts, and not on the trilling features we cannot look to our rich people or their of outward acts and deeds. But we, the money for help, nor to our Rabbins with Jews. who live in the year 5644. we can their dQctrines, nor to her writers with with a certainty say, that this Jesus sought their reasoning, for these are all bent on ouly the true welfare of his brethren, and their own benefit, and the welfare of Israel offered peace to bis whole generation. is not their object. 12. Therefore, the power of our 10Te for 4,. Nor must we seek a refnge in leaving our Israelitish brethren compels us to keep our birthplace, Russia, in order to emigrate holy, and to fear the name of this Jesus, to the land of Israel, and just as little in an our brother, and, with all submission of amalgamation with the native non-Jewish heart, we should learn his holy words population of Russia. spoken in truth and love, as they are re- corded and explained in the Gospels, we 5. It is our duty to seek hope and assist- should impress them upon our brethren ance here in Russia, through our own ex- and the children in school; we should reertions, with all our heart, with the assist- ceive the Gospel books as blessed into our ance of the Lord (Jehovah), the only one houses, and join them to all the holy writ- iugs which have beentransmitted to us as a who can help. blessing from our wise men in all genera- 6. The material conditions of the Jews tions.
cannot be improved, unless it is preceded by 13. We confidently hope that the words of an improvement of the moral and spiritual our brother Jesus, which aforetime were status of the people. spoken to our Israelitish brethenin justice, love and mercy, may take root in our hearts, 7. In order to bring to rights the moral and may bring to us the frnit of righteous- condition, there is need of deep-seated re- ness and of salvation. Then our hearts newing of a spiritual regeneration. We will turu to love the true and the good, and must throwaway our idols, the love of then, too, the hearts of the people and the money as such, and in its place must make government will be turned in good will at home in our hearts·the love of truth as toward us, to give to us aid and succor such, and the fear of evil as such. among the other nations, who live securely under the shadow of European laws, which S. In order to attain such a regeneration have been given and written in the spirit of we need a helper, a physician, whose person our brother, who gave his life to make the and medicine have been found reliable. world blessed, and remove evil from the earth. Amen. 9. In order to find such a person we must look among the descendants of Jacob for a The treasurer, the secretary and man who loves Israel,and who has given his life for the sanctification of God's holy one of the missionaries of the British name, and for the sanctification of the law and the prophets; a man who is known to all Society visited Kischinew in the the inhabitants of the earth on account of the purity of his soul, and his love for his people, the children o~ Israel; a man who, on the one hand, recognized the greatness of spring of 1886. It was because of movement has spread not only to their visit then that the Conference other parts of Bessarabia, but even was held at which the new Hebrew to the capital of Russia; and we Christian Church was formed, and hope will go on, along with kindred the new movement inaugurated. At movements, till through Israel, all the. close of the Conference, M. shall know Jesus and His redeeming Rabinowitz turned to the secretary of love.
this society and gave him the follow- When Mr. Rabinowitz visited Eng- ing exquisite parable: land lately he was received at the A few foolish people driving in a four- Conference H:(lJ, Mildmay, and pubwheeler happened to lose a wheel. Finding licly welcomed by Mr. J. E. Mathiethat the car moved along heavily, they son and Rev. J. Wilkinson. About looked about and found that a wheel was foul' years before, Mr. Wilkinson saw missing. One of the foolish men jumped down and ran forward in search of the miss- in a newspaper some mention of what ing wheel. To everyone he met he said, Mr. Rabinowitz was doing, and acor- "We have lost a wheel; ,have you seen a respondence ensued; there being an wheel? have you found a wheel?" One earnest desire to see one another, a wise man at last said: .. You are looking in meeting took place in Berlin in Augthe wrong direction. Instead of looking in front for your _heel you 'ought to look ust, 1885. The first interview was behind." That is exactly the great mistake very touching: at the words" Wilthe Jews have been making for centuries. kinson," "Rabinowitz," in true patri- They have forgotten that, in order to look archial fashion, they fell on each forward aright, they must first look behind aright. The four wheels of Hebrew history other's necks and wept and kissed may be said to be Abraham, Moses, David each other. Having a great desire a.nd Jesus. The Jews by looking in front, to consult Mr. Wilkinson, Dr. Saphir, instead of behind, have failed to find their and other friends, and to meet Chrisfourth wheel. Thank God, that" THE SONS tians in England, Mr. Rabinowitz came to London after Christmas 011' THB NEW COVENANT" have found the especially to be introduced to the friends at Mildmay. The meeting Supreme Wheel-JESUS. Abraham, Moses a.nd David are but beautiful types and symbols of Jesus. They were, and still are, the repositories of His energy; they were, and are still, moved and managed by Him, as had therefore been arranged that truly as are the Cherubim and Seraphim. they might give to their brothel' the Thank God, we have found our Brother right hand of fellowship. Mr. Jesus, our all, .. who of God has been made Rabinowitz had already addressed unto us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctifica- several gatherings of his Jewish tion and redemption"; from whom alone we have found divine light, life, liberty aud brethren, and very touching it was love, for the great here. and the greater to hear him preface an address to a hereafter. And now, with bright eye and number of Jewish children with the jubilant heart, we are looking forward to words, "My dear little brothers and the pulsing splendors of His appearing.
This parable was the crown of the sisters."
Conference, and has in it the divine Mr. Rabinowitz, speaking in his and human evolving energy of own language, and his interpreter Christ, which is destined to fill the being Mr. Adler, told how, after world and eternity with the highest years of study of the Holy Seriptures, life and bliss. his eyes were opened to see that Jesus, of whom Thus by Christian prayer and par- the new Testament testified, is the Messiah for whom all true Isrselites were looking. He told able the new movement was inaugu- how, long ago, he was in the habit of reading the rated, which has been placed before Old Testament with his Jewish brethren; how the world in a pamphlet entitled, at St. Petersburg. Constantinople, and other "The First Ripe Fig," by Professor 'places he had songht to improve their position, Delitzsch, of Leipzig, and in an ad- and to obtain for them equal right~ -with their dress entitled, "The Everlasting Na- fellow citizens. At one period he hoped much tion," by 'the Rev. Dr. Saphir. The from the liberal disposition of Alexander II., but all hopes in this direction were 1!C&ttered to the winds by the, outrages in Bulgaria, by the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they Russo-Turkish war, aud by the persecution that believe, notwithstanding all they broke out in Moscow. He turued his thoughts have gone through, that God will be then to colonizatiou, and, visiting Palestine, was faithful to them, and that He has deeply pained as he beheld the indignities to still some purpose in regard to them. which, at the Wailing Place in Jerusalem, his Unfortunately, Christian and Gentile brethren were subjected. Here also, as he was with them are synonymous terms, standing on the Mount of Olives, the conviction and what they who believe in Jesus was forced upou him that the Jesus of whom he as the Messiah have to show is that had read in the New Testament, was the Mes- they have so accepted Him, not alsiah. Then it was that the words of our Lord, though they were Jews, but becau8e .. Without me ye can do nothing," came home they were Jews. As Jews hear, first, to his mind. On returning to his native place words from the Pentateuch and the many Jewish brethren visited him, and with Prophets, and then from the Gospels these on the Sabbath he read the portion of the and Epistles, they cannot but feel Old Testament appointed for the day, and then that in all there is the same voice, some portion of the New. Testament, expound- the same language, the same Lord. ing it to them. Many ofthem came to think of Jesus as he did, and then, feeling that, in order Now from ice-bound Siberia comes to convince them that he had indeed accepted the intelligence of a gospel movement Jesus as the Messiah, he should be baptized, he essentially of the same character as went to Berlin for this purpose. Some thought that in Kichneff in Bessarabia. It that then he would become a Christian, but he has been assuming considerable promtold them that he was a Jew still, only that he inence during the past two years, but had received Christ into his heart as his Saviour. only lately has reliable information been secured concerning its nature Another text much impressed on his mind and prospects. It is also a movement about this time was, "If the Son shall make you Christward among the Jews of Westfree, ye shall he free indeed." After his bap- ern Siberia, originating, strange to ism he thought the Jews would not call upon, say, entirely independently of that him as they had done before; but even more under Rabinowitz. The leaderin the came, because then they saw that he was really enterprise is Jacob Zebi Sheinmann. in earnest in the matter, and they argued that He is a Polish Jew, who, twenty as he had always taken an interest in his breth- years ago, through independent ren, and by his efforts secured them some thought, came to the conviction that advantages, he must mean well. Some few, the" Messiah, the Son of David," was however, opposed him, and wrote letters to the thE' true Saviour. The open avowal papers against him, but this soon died out· of this conviction gave mortal offense Having given himself to the study of the New to the strict Chasidim or Talmudic Testament, he taught openly and publicly, and Jews of his country. They first exalso published his sermonS and pamphlets in the communicated him, and then, on the Russian language, these being circulated by the oath of four perjured witnesses, sethou$and. Many then began to. see that it was cured his condemnation on the charge a good thing to be a Christian, and asked for of perjury; whereupon, he, with baptism. Thus he showed that there was life other unfortunates, was transported amongst the Jewish people, though they seemed to Siberia. He took his faith with to be wrapped in death, aud now they needed a him into exile, and did what he could place of worship, a liturgy, and several other to awaken in those around him a things, about which, indeed, he had come to faith such as filled his heart. Baving England to consult his friends. Above all, they been an almost unheeded vox clamanneeded that passport, the Bible, which God tis for fifteen years, he providentially Himself had provided for them, but which they became acquainted with th~ work had so long neglected. And this he prayed his of'Rabinowitz. Among uncalled-for Christian friends to help to give to his Jewish mail matter at Tomsk, where he brethreu.
Mr. Rabinowitz is a type of the God-fearing Jews who believe in Scripture and love their nation, and who in that way are prepared to re- ceive Him who is the center of Scrip- ture. In sending missionaries to the Jews there is a foundation on which to rest. The Jews, as a people, can- not forget that they are children of
PROGRJl:Si AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLlCTIN
was engaged in business, he found a. sway of Talmudic prejudices as are copy of the pamphlet called Bikkure those of Eastern Europe. Then that Teena, containing the public confes- power among missionary agencies, sions and two sermons of the Kich- Delitzsch's Hebrewtranslation of the neff reformer. He saw in the latter's New Testament, is being constantly work the realization of the dreams of called for by these Jews. The British his exile, and at once entered into Bible Society, which publishes this correspondence with Rabinowitz. book, has established a depot at They exchanged documents concern- Tomsk, and the book is being eagerly ing their doctrinal views, and it was read and studied, but no distinct J ewat once discovered how entirely in- ish-Christian organization has as yet dependent of each other they were. been effected.
Sheinmann calls his pamphlets Kol The first of some special services kore bamidbar (Voice of One Crying for the Jews in London was recently in the Wildel'ness). His sentiments announced for St. Mary's Church, and ideas, as also his methods of Whitechapel. Bills were distributed gospel work. have a most remarkable warning them against attending; So similarity to those of Rabinowitz, counter-attraction was started in the showing that the hearts and minds form of an address by a popular of both must have virtually gone Jewish lecturer, and a delegate from through the same process in finding the Jewish Board of Guardians was their Redeemer in Christ. This new placed at the door of the church to movement'is yet in its formative pe- take down the names of those who riod. But indications abound that entered. Nevertheless, the audience even more effectual work may be of the Jewish lecturer was about looked for than has been done in twenty, whereas 150 Jews listened Southeastern Russia. The Jews of with the greatest attention to a dis- Siberia are not so entirely under the course in the church on Isa. i: 18.
VI.-PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
". A.frica. -The attention of the civilized world section that brave German, Emin Bey, lifter seis now so intently fixed upon the rapid march of curing the confidence of the natives, Is believed to have firmly established himself, (or the purevents on the eastern coast of Africa, that a pose of suppressing the horrible traffic. It is a condensed notice of the African situation, as it section with which communication from the now appears, will interest our readers. For east coast is almost impracticable. Trying to fiud Emin, Stanley ascended the Congo and the supposed commercial advantages. Englaud and Aruwimi, one of its branches. Disinterested Germany have secnred from the Sultan of Zan- and competent judges believe that betweeu the zibar large grants of territory. Those of the headwaters of the Aruwimi and Wadeiai, his former embrace nearly one million square miles objective point, just north of Lake Victoria Nydirectly opposite the Island of Zanzibar, and ex- anza, he fonnd his way blocked, and was comtending several hundred miles to the northwest pelled to make a wide detour to the west, from and into the interior of the continent. This terri- which to move eastward by a more northerly tory is practically controlled by the British East route. The possibility, if not probability, is African Company, which has all the powers inci- that this is true. If it is, there has not been dent to a thoroughly equipped government. The snfficient time to hear from him. It is the ex- German claim o(more than 740,000 square miles, pectation of the British African Company 'hat consists of a triangular section lying north of the Stanley will yet march from Wadelal, Emln's British claim, and of a much larger territory lying center of power, southeasterly to the eastern to the south of that claim. Outside of these there coast, strengthen British prestige and possesis a French claim amounting to about 700,000 sions, and perhaps establish a New African Free square miles. Adding these together. of the State nnder British protection. With this hope- 4,500,000 square miles of Africa not ruled by fnl view of the African Situation, as it now is, foreign power, more than one-half 18 lU the we must wait patiently until we have something Sahara. In the heart of Africa, on the Great besides mere conjectnre.-New York Evan- Lakes, and for a long 'distance north o( them, we gelist. find the slave trade, whose horrors lind ravages extend over a vallt rel:ion of country. In this -The completion of the survey for the new miSSionary may help to eonvlnoe railroad past Livingstone Falls greatly in- Mwanga that the English and GerIllBllB do creases the importance of the work of the not, by their annexations of territory, mean American Baptist Mission steamer on the to remove him from his throne, or to punish Upper Congo. The Henry Reed is the hi~for the murder of Bishop Hannington. only means for carrying the missionaries and maintaining the mission stations in China.-The China Inland Mission won a the great Central African Valley, as t,here new interest among us the past summer by are yet no means of public conveyance. A the presence of its leader, the Rev. J. Hudcompany has been formed for maintaining son Taylor. He was heard at Northlleid the steamer and its mission ~ork, which and elsewhere with much interest. His last year raised $1,127.99 by means of one words were greatly reinforced by his life of dollar life memberships and ten cent annual self-sacrifice and devotion to the cause. memberships. The income of this mission the past year is put down at £33,000 sterling. The large -A note from Mr. Reading, in West Africa, Humber of one hundred missionaries left says: .. The Evangelical Missionary Society of Great Britain last year to reinforce the staff Paris have sent two more French teachers to already at work. The number at present is our West African mission. Mons. Lesage and given at 294. They have come from ~nd's Presnet sailed from Antwerp on the 19th Jf End to John O'Groat's, from Ireland, from March and reached Gaboon on the 16th of April. Wales, and from Sweden and Norway; and They will be stationed at Gaboon, and will be- they have been enabled to cover ground, gin teaching immediately. All the instruction though of course very inadequately, in no must be in the French language, but religious fewer than fifteen provinces of China. For exercises in the schools are not prohibited. No 22 years the work has been carried on under attempt is made to interfere in any way with Mr. Taylor's direction, and he estimates purely religious gatherings, and the gospel is that over 4,000 souls have been converted as freely ta~ght throug!)out the colony, in any through this agency. A few medical mislanguage, as it is in Paris. The labors of our sionaries are at work, and others are studybrethren are being blessed, and the future pros- ing in Edinburgh. There were no fewer pects of the mission are assuring. than 600 applications for service during the last two years, from which a judicious .. The brethren in our West African mission choice was made. Accepted candidates are are rejoicing in the continued presence of God's urged to pursue speeial stUdies for a time, Spirit. There is now no hindrance to the and a home has been opened at Cambridge preaching of the gospel, and at some of the sta- for those who are able to go thither for a tions great interest IS manifested in religion. course of study at tae university. The Batanga church is in the northern part of the field, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. From his own letter to us (see "Cor- Frank Myongo. At the ~ommnnion season in respondence," page 931), Mr. Tay- Aprillhirty-three adults and eight infants were lor secured fourteen additional mis- baptized. Not more than half the people who came could get admittance to the church. The sionaries from the United States and inquiry class numbers 120." Canada, who sailed with him on his -It is announced that the Marquis of Salis- return early in October. bury, the English Premier, has directed the British Consul-General at Zanzibar to use England. – The Society for the all his inllueuce with the Sultan to induce Propagation of the Gospel held its him to exert his power against the three annual meetings during the sittings slave traders who have attacked the Afri- can Lakes Company at the head of Lake of the Lambeth Conference, and sev- Nyassa. On the tenth of August the Sultan sent a special messenger to check these eral foreign bishops gave addresses. There- slave-traders, and some good may be hopcd port stated that the number of ordained mis- for from this movemeut. sionaries, including nine bishops, on the So- ciety's list at the present time. was 596. -Uganda. The latest tidings from Mr. There were also in its various missions Gordon, the English Church missionary in about 2,000 catechists and lay teachers, Uganda, were dated March 7, at which time mostly natives, and more than 400 students all was quiet. The mission boat had been in its colleges. The Bishop of Japan said taken away and a watch ~et upon Gordon's the attitude of the educated classes toward nlovements. Though Mwanga, the king, Christianity there perhaps might best be was more friendly, the natives were forbid- described as an attitude of respectful hesi- den to attend any services, and the sale of tation. Bishop Smythies said that from his Christian books had been stopped. The king experience in Africa he was more than con- had invited another member of the Church vinced that missionaries must in every pos- Missionary Society to come to Uganda, and aible way keep away from every aet of cir- Mr. Walker had left Usambiro, March 31, to cumstances which would inve.ilt them with join' Mr. Gordon. It is believed that the the character of civil officers. I'r&noo.-The Annnal Report of the Societe ian missionaries, by the immediate estabdu Nord gives the following statistics with lishment of a Hindoo theological college I regard to Protestanism in the north of Of course these are hopeful indications. A France: In lS07 there were in the 9 depart- wide-awake heathen nation is a more promments coveredby the work of this Soc¥ty S ising field for missionary effort than one Protestant churches and 5 pastors,1Ivith that is sound asleep. about 10,000 nominal adherents. Now, there are 52 pastors and 145 places of worship, of -The Church Missionary Intelligeneer which S4 are temples, and nearly 30,000 ad- draws attention to a curious illustration of how herents. the East and West are reacting on each other. Mr. Hackett, at Allahabad, lately gave a lecture (lermany.-The Gustavus Adolphus Soci- on "TheAryan·VedicReligion." ItwasmostIy ety of Germany, which aims specially to taken up with an account of a catechism put establish Protestant churches in Roman forth by Pundit Raghunath Rao, the Dewan of Catholic countries, during the last fifty-six Indore, as a short catechism of the Aryan-Vedic years, has erected 1,398 church and 691 religion. "Our friends in Scotland will perbaps school bUildings. It reports immediate be flattered, but certainly astoniShed, to learn need of 314 more church buildings. that it is taken word for word from the Shorter Catechism, so familiar to all dwellers north of the India.-A brief statement of the compara- Tweed I Only it consists of some 20,000 questive progress of Protestant missions in tions and answers, those relating to our wrd India and Burmah during the thirty years Jesus Christ being omitted. On this being extending from 1851 to 1881, and of the pointed out to the Dewan, he defeuded his comagency by which that progress ha9 been pilation ou the ground that the truths were comlargely made, are here collated from Sir mon to both, and he wished to use a formulary William Hunter's recent address before the that might, as far as pOSSible, commend itselC to Indian Section of the Society of Arts, and both Christians and Hindus. It may perhaps be will interest our readers. During the period considered one of the most remarkable plagiaalready named, the stations of Protestant missions in those countries advanced from risms on record." 222 to 601-nearly three-fold: their congregatious from 267 to 4,lSO–more than jifteen- -As to the value of the work perfold: the number of native Protestant Christians from 91,052 to 492,882-more than formed in India by the first Protestjive-fold: and the number of communicants from 14,661 to13S,2M-nearly ten-fold. The.se ant missionaries-Carey, Ward and large advances are the results of a large increase in the number of native ministers- Marshman-a native Hindu paper an agency which is the chief, last and only hope under God for the conversion of any says: "They created a prose verheathen nation, and to the securing of nacular literature for Bengal, they which missionary effort should be largely established the modern method of directed. A native Protestant Church has, popular education, they gave the first we are happy to say, grown up in India, grand impulse to the native press, largely supplying its own staff of laborers. they set up the first steam-engine in It will SOOIl. beeome quite able to do so. India, and in ten years they trans- During the thirty years already indicated, lated and printed the Bible, or parts the nnmber of ordained native ministers in- thereof, in thirty-one languages." crea.sed from 21 to 575-or twentY-86.>en-fold: a.nd the number of native lay preachers -The Presbyterian women of India raised from 493 to 2,856-nearly siw-fold. last year in their missionary societies and Boards, in cash and missionary boxes, -Hindooism is waking up in India, with a nearly $8,000 for home missions. spa.smodic and convulsive twist which is more like a sign of death than of returning Italy.-Signor Sonzogno, the proprietor life. Christianity has made such inroads and able editor of a leading daily newspaper that the old religion begins to feel weak in of Milan, Italy, recently made the startling its knees, and to realize that it must fight announcement of his intention to becomea for its existence, or at least for its old-time full-fledged and active Italian Bible Society influence and power. Publications in its by issuing a popular edition of the Bible in defense are now extensively circulated. A halfpenny numbers-a price which would Hindoo Tract Society in Madras noW issues bring it within the reach of nearly every large monthly editions of leaflets, in which man, woman and child in Italy. This an- Christianity is assailed in a way which indi- nouncement has great significance when cates that it is felt to be a dangerous thing. viewed under the light of the fact that the A large pnblic meeting of the Hindoos of new Penal Code makes the priest responsible Madra.s was recently addressed by a popular for his ntterances in public and private; speaker, who urged the necessity of com- not to the Pope, but to the State. Signor bating the successful aggressions of Christ- Sonzogno has the candor to announce that this new enterprise has not been undertaken in the interests of any Church, or of reli- gion, but simply as a commercial enterprise, Which, besides being financially profitable to himself, Will also promote the good of Italy. PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN.
lap.D.-According to the Japan Weekl,l1VaU, in North and South Kafirland and Zuthe Japanese publicists are earnestly discussing luland; they are educational and evan- gelistic. From the remarkable misthe propriety of an omcial adoption of Christian- sion station of Lovedale, Kafiryouths ity as a means of perfecting their civilization and go forth all over the country. A of maintaining a moral standard among the Lovedale register has been published, people. It ia said, also, that many high omcers tracing the career of over 2,000 former of the government are in favor of such a step, pupils. In Central Africa, the. wellnot because they believe in the Christian religion, known Livingstone Mission belongs but because they believe its adoption would to this Church. Its dangers and diffipromote the best Interests of the country. culties demand the prayers and sym- pathy of all interested in missionary Iladagasc.r.-Mission Schools. The Cfhron- work. In the New Hebrides Mission icle of the London Missiouary Society has seventeen missionaries are at work. an interesting article on the elementary In South Arabia, the Keith-Falconer schools as organized and carried on by the Mission is now fully equipped, with agents of that society in Madagascar. Dr. Paterson in charge, and the Rev. The growth of these schools has been ex- W. R. W. Gardner as ordained mistraordinary. Twenty-five years ago they sionary. In the Lebanon Mission, a numbered 7, with 365 scholars; in 1886 small beginning of five Protestants they numbered 1,005, with 102.747 scholars. has grown to a community of 135, a church membership of 86, with 1 pas- Some at these schools. however. are under tor, 6 lay preachers and 28 teachers.
the care of the Friends' Foreign Missions, The Ladies' Society of the Free which co-operates heartily with the London Church of Scotland carries on work Society. The several provincesare divided in Calcutta by means of a Christian into districts, and each district bas a meet- home or boarding-school, in which Ing-house. used both as a church and school- are ninety pupils, a day-school for house. Most of them are built of adobe, Hind u girls with 100 on the rolls, and with thatched roof, and are very plain zenana work. The same kind of work buildings, with mud fioors. The school -is carried on at Madras, and, to a outfit consists of a few lesson sheets and smaller extent, in Bombay and Nagtext-books for the ·teacher's use. The pore, and also in Santalia, Poona, and pupils, however, provide tnemselves with Berar. a primer, a copy of the New Testament, the native Christian newspaper, a cate- a South Sea Islands.-This island of Rarotonga, chism, grammar and geography. There are six standards according to wnlch these which has in such wonderful way provided schools are regularly examined by their superintendents. The teachers are sup- missionaries for New Guinea, Is still keeping up ported in part by the natives. The object of these schools is to teach the children to its record of devotion to the missionary work. read the Bible, and in this they succeed, and so these schools become the chief An appeal to the churches on that Island for reauxiliary to the direct preaching of the gospel. The coming generation of the Inforcements Is never made in vain. Though Malagasy will have as a foundation not only an ability to read the Scriptures, but their brethreu are made martyrs, more than also a fair knowledge of gospel truth. enough helpers Immediately volunteer to f111 Scotiand.-An extremely interesting their places. The last report comes that six bird's-eye view of the missions of the native teachers of New Guinea had just b~en Free Church of Scotland i!J given by ordained at Rarotonga. They were fully Professor Lindsay in the monthly equipped, and were to leave for New Guinea in magazine of that Church. The mis- September by the John Williams. sions in India, to which 70 per cent. of Thibet. – Destruction of Roman the Church's funds and agents are de- Catholic Missions. The region in eastvoted, are in five centers-0alcutta, ern Thibet bordering upon China, Madras, Bombay, Poona, and Nagpore. Each may be described as a nu- in the provinces Szchuen andYuncleus of Christian higher educational work, surrounded by a circle of ver- nan, has been occupied by Roman nacular and more purely evangelistic effort. Native congregations exist in Catholic missionaries since 1846, and all the mission centers, and the pas- the missionaries have been steadily tors are paid partly by the congrega- pushing forward into Thibet proper. tion and partly by the society. The In 1865 the mission at Bonga was de- South Africa Missions are carrif.'d on stroyed, its houses burned, and the missionaries having been driven from that place established themselves on the Chinese side, where they felt tolerably safe. It now appears that during last autumn these mission- aries were severely persecuted, their houses burned, and only two of the nine centers remain untouched. The bitter antipathy toward Christianity aorritled exclamations from all parts of on the part of the lamas. The acts of the great Metropohtan Opera-House. She violence are said to have been done told ot two sisters, Mormon girls, one sixdirectly under the eyes of the Chinese teen years old and the other fourteen years authorities, who took no steps to old, whom she saw in a squalid condition, punish the persecutors. both with babes in their arms,and bothgirls the wives of their own father. Another Turkey.-A delightful surprise awaited the case mentioned was that of a man who had members of the European Turkey Mission married, besides a wife outside his family, at. the annual meeting in June last, as they his own mother, his grandmother, his recounted the progress in their several sta- daUghter, and his granddaUghter-alI these tions:-the number of communicants dou- wives living at the same time. The Nabled in one station, and relatively large ac- tional Union will take steps to ameliorate cessions in others, the increased attendance the condition of the Mormon women as tar in the college and high schools, the earnest- as lies in its power. ness of native Bible-women in commending the gospel alike to children and to adults, -The two volumes containing the prothe enlargement and success of the mdus- ceedings of the London Missionary Contrial school, and generally the new life and ference wi1l consist of about 600 pages each. activity among native Christians. But the Arrangements are being made for issuing event of the year wM to follow a month the volumes in this country at a. very low later in the dedication of a church edifice price, probably less than seventy-five cents at Sofia, the capital of the principality. a volume. At such a rate there ought to The services were attended by a iarge and be a very large circulation ot these records interested audience; among others.. on in- ot the most remarkable missionary gathervitation. was His Royal Highness, Prince ing of the century. The volumes shonld be Ferdinand, who, on leaving, presented the iIi the h&nds ot all clergymen and of ~he church with five hundred francs as a token friends of missions everywhere. of his goodwill. The whole scene, so in contrast with the bitter opposition of a few -Receipts of Missionary Societies. We years ago, might well fill the hearts of the regret to note a very material decline in missionaries with thanks~iving and praise, the receipts of the Presbyterian Board of and inspire them and the entire evangelical Foreign Missions (North), and of the Methocommunity with new hope for the future. dist Episcopa.l Missionary Society, during the first half of the current fiscaJ year, United States.-City Ev~geliza compared with those of the corresponding tion. Frank Russell, D. D., one of the months of last year. The deficit in the secretaries of the Evangelical Alli- tormer Board amounts to $92,910.88. The missions are a.lready complaining. and the ance, says, in Our Day: secretaries are alarmed. One of our oldest and most faithful missionaries in Syria .. Churches covering more than a million and asks. .. What shall we brea.k up? Our a half population are united as never before in village schools (about the only things that household visitation, whicb, unlike a canvass, can be stopped) are the very life of our has in it the element of permanence. Visitors work. They keep the doors open for the from the churches co-operating in a community preaching of the gospel when people other- wise would no~ come." Surely neither of are interblended as to denominational lines, these great denominations will go back on each becoming acquainted with a little field their splendid records I of scarcely more than ten dwellings. It.!s estimated that there are more than 25,000 church -A Magnificent Gift. Mr. Daniel Hand, members engaged in this activity. The city of of Gnilford, Conn., has given $1,000,000 to Brooklyn is organized into fifteen branch alli- the American Missionary Association for the ances, with an average tI) each of over 50,000 education of poor colored people in those states population. Baltimore, under similar organiza- in which slavery existed in 1861. tion~ has published a large pamphlet made up from statistical returns of the work-a kind of -W. E. Blackstone, Esq., of Oak Park, religions directory of the city. Buffalo, Roches- Illiuois, h.,.s made a donation of $3,000 (about ter, Oswego, Ponghkeepsie,Kingston, Newburg, Rs. 9,000), for erecting a Ladies' Home at Mat- tra. He desires that this home shall be not only and many other places, are well organized, while a place where women workers may reside, but more than 100 towns, West and South, are mov- where they may be trained for the work under ing in the same line." competent leaders. There are hundreds of widows residing at Mattra and Bindraban, and -Mormons. At the Woman's Christian thonsands of female pilgrims visiting these Temperance Union, in New York, lately, shrines annuallY, so that the opportunities for among the speeches was an address by work for women are very many. Mrs. AngieF.Newmann, who has charge of the work among Mormon women. Her graphic description of the shocking condi- tion at the Mormon women in Utah elicited Atrlea.*-A correspondent at Gaboon writes: steamers cau then find tnll employment on the .. At the spring C?mmunion 25 were added to Upper Cougo imd Its branche. In bringing to the Kangme church and 8 to the Benita church; Stanley Pool the rubber, gums, spices, ivory, 84 were added to the Batanga church at the and agricultural products of the valley, which ssme time. The sceues at these communion are wanted by the civilized world. The raU: seasons are wonderful. Crowds attend and road also will be an important factor In comgreat Interest is manifested. Candidates for merce. because it will bring to the markets of membership are mauy, but none are admitted the world large supplies of articles which are until they have gone through a long course of now obtainable ouly In limited qnantities. instruction In the Catechism and doctrines of Christian missions ~hould pre-empt the Upper the church. The relations of the missions with Congo Valley iu advauce of commerce, since It the authorities in the French part of the field is well known that the introduction of trade, are good. Everything appears hopeful. Two with its corrupting influences. and, above all, its or three more laborers are needed." deadly liquors, makes mlssiouary work among any people more dimcult. The time to push -Arrivals on the Congo.-Mr. C. B. and Mrs missions iu the Upper Congo Valley is now.- Glenesk, of Aberdeen, Scotland, for the A. B. M. BaptiBt Miss. Maaazine. Union. Misses Kartson, Anderson and Svenson, and Messrs. Anderson and Rangstrom, all -Hope for the .. Dark Continent." The of Sweden, for the Swedish mission here. All fnture of Africa is a subject now attracting the arrived per steamship Alrikaan, at Banana, on attention otthe civilized world. More and more the 12th of May. will the leaders of civilization attend to the problems which are raised by the opeuing ofthls You will have heard, possibly, of the death of vast contineut to modern commerce. The rail- Mr. Shoreland, of Bishop Taylor's party. Died road and the telegraph will soon stretch across on a vessel on which he hoped to work his way the land, steamships will follow all its great home. rivers to tlie head of navigation, and every salubrious province will iuvite emigrauts from -TheIssue. Prof. Dl'ummondsays, the older parts of the civilized world. Civiliza- tion'is at last beginning to feel its mastery of "The plajn issue is now before the the world, and to see that the natural resources world: Is the Arab or the European of the earth must all be brought uuder its couhenceforth to reign in Africa f Africa trol. The slave-trade, and the various prac- tices of savagery, must soon come to au eud the is claimed by everybody and belongs world over. It will not be long before it will be to nobody; and in the meantime seeu that the good health of the whole world is depeudent upon the good health of all its parts. Arabs pour into it from North and Decency, thrift, morality, religion, commerce, the arts of civilization will follow the railroad East with the deliberate purpose of and the telegraph, contending In new couutries as in old with the lower and bestis! elemeuts of making a paradise a hell." civilization. The various missionary societies of the world are calling the attention of their -New developments on the Congo. The respective governments to the fact that civiliza- omcers of the Congo Free State are contin- tion in Africa is worse iu its effect on the natives uing their explorations of the Upper Valley, thau their aboriginal savagery. Whatever may and find the products of the country rich ann be the result of Stauley's raid into the heart of varied beyond expectation. Immense planta- Africa, he will be followed finally by those who tions of bananas, oil-palms, maize, manioc, pea- will represent the higher Interests of human life, nuts, beans, etc., were encountered, and the aud they will work for something more than the supply of these articles which may be obtained makiug of money by whatever means. The for commerce is practically uulimited. It is rum-trade, the opium-trade. the slave-trade iu said to have been settled that the Mobangi is the Africa aud Asia are crimes of civilization quite lower course of the river Welle, discovered by as much as of barbarism.-Ohristian Register_ Dr_Sohweinfurth; and so a large part of the Soudau comes iuto the valley of the Congo, and -Christian influence in Africa' in another will find the natural outlet for its products generation will be a great power,and weare through'that river. The engineers who are sur- not !lontent to hand that country over to veying the route for the railroad past the Liv- Islam. As the work is more extended new iugstone Falls report that, after full survey, the adverse influences may arise, but we must construction of the road from Matadi, below the welcome the sympathy and help of all Christ- Falls. to Lukunga River is easy_ The road will iaus_ Old systems of religiou must be bet- run ilome distauce south of the river Congo. ter understood, as they have to be met, and all commerce must be so regulated as not The survey ot the whole route to the Pool will to curse the nations. Hopes cherished of the opening of the Congo have been clouded be completed duriug the summer. The con- by the liquor traffic. The Congo is an inter- struction of this railroad will mark a new era lu the development of Central Africa. Fleets of • Not till after the foregoing pages had been cast did we decide to add 16 pages to this num- ber, In cousequence of which we are able to give additional matter, althoul'h not exactly iu our usus! order.-EDi. national mission field, but at its gates sacred classics of China, and' the religious crouch that hydra-headed monster, and the bent of the Chinese people is indisputabie. martyrs of the Congo appeal to us not to A vocabulary fit for the conveyance of neglect the ma.tter of drink. The issue be- Christian ideas is already in use; the an. fore us is not the temperance question only, cient cult of China supplied terms descrip_ but a conspira.cy against the children of those races. It blights in the bud 0.1 the tive of the attributes of God; Tauism prohopes of the Christian Church and the best vided a psychological nomenclature; Budinterests of mankind. The representatives dhism enriched the language with meta.- of the traffic are spending all their energies physical and religious terms; and the euly to contend against mission· work.-F. F. Nestorian and Roman Catholic missions im- Ellinwood, D.D. ported into China the familiar terms of -Strangely mixedtidings comefrom Nyassa Christian theology. Lastly, China having Land. In the midst of all the commotions subjugated all the aboriginal tribes in her the missionary work seems to be going for- vast territory, and having now been laid ward with vigor. At Bandawe 1,179 young open to the civilization of the West, is playpeople were present in the schools at the ing a part in the East similar to that of closeo! the term, one-third of these being Rome in early times in the West, and is a girls. There are 38 native teachers at work, peculiarly promising center for Christian IIond Dr. Laws, of the Scotch Free llhurch operations. Mission, says that, at the rate the work is going forward. the next generation of the France.-A large number of young ladies Tonga people would have nearly received a of high social position are endeavoring to Christian education. Among the Angoni, get the Sunday morning delivery of shop 'Work was progressing peacefully both in the psrcels abolished in Paris, and are pleading northern and southern regions. At Chirenji, also for a whole holiday on Sundays for the Which is on the road between Lakes Nyassa employees of the large shops. and Tanganyika., the people, though under arms in defense of themselves from the -The Breton Mission. A recent issue ot Arab slave-traders, were listening to religi- Le Tremetois contained a contribution by an ous instruction. Dr. Cross' says: .. Nothing astonished me more than to see over a hun- English lady, entitled, "A Trip to Tremel." dred young people every morning come After referring to the many natural attractions creeping through the hole in the stockade of Brittany, the writer points out that not only surrounding the school-room, and beginning is that province of France easily accessible to the day's lesson." English people, but that liviIJg there is very cheap_ CalliIJg attention then to the Breton -By request of M. Goblet, the French Yssion, of which Pasteur G. Lecoat is director, Admiralty has ordered the men-of-war in she says: East African watersto chaseall slave-ships, "M. Lecoat has translated the whole Bible '0no matter under what ftag they maybe, and into the grand old language. And "be is pro- pursue with especial energy any which claiming the glorious gospel as far through may he fiying French colors. Brittany as it can be taken with the aid oC but Chlna.-The United Presbyterian Magazine two schoolmasters, three colporteurs. and one tor September (Edinburgh) has an article on evangelist; and that in the face 011,800 priests China and the Gospel, by Dr. Williamson of and twice as msny nuns, He is even trans- China, which is of interest to American mitting it to the many thousaud Breton laborers readers from the hopeful view it takes of the in Havre and Jersey. This untiring paateur present condition of China as a mission field. finds in Mme. Lecoat an invaluable coadjutor. rhe recent proclamation of the Chinese :Many a destitnte orphan finds in her a mother Government has secured the protection of tender and true. Not only is her house a verinative Christians in the exercise of their table orphanage ; she has near it a hospital, unreligion, and the article shows that this act der her charge. And at length she has the wish of government merely" crowns the mani- of her heart-a echool for girls, needing only told preparation made by Providence for furniture and a mistress's salary to become a the conversion of China to Christianity." seminary of true evangelical Christillnity and inrhis preparation is fourfold-educational, dustrial training." moral and religious, philological, and politi- cal. The competitive system of government About £36 per annum will be required as appointments, in vogue since the first cen- lIalary for a teacher. The mission has land for tury of our era, ha.s led to the use of a common spoken language over a great part of a. large room, but about £350 is needed before the empire_ Schools are multiplied all over the building can be erected. The lady con- the country, and" there is no mission field cludes: in which there is such a large proportion of the people who are able to read." The " It is impossible for one who loves the Lord Iouthority of conscience is taught by the to stay at Tremel without becoming deeply in- terested in the Bre tou Mission. And it has none of the draWbacks that from time to time stagger a critical mind in some other missions. (1) No extravagance. There is literally no use- less or careless expenditure. (2) No worldlll poaition to maintain. Here the example of Christ and his first missionaries Is Collowed too represented by the twenty-six letters of the nearly Cor that I 3. No tnainceritv or overprQ/usion. Absolute honesty and downright English alphabet, twenty-four letters of the straightCorwardneBs permeate its every ramill.- cation." English phonetic alphabet are captured aDd Ha1'l'aiJa.-From Molokai, an isiand of the made to do service in·this new English pho- Hawaiian group, comes the news of heroic self-sacrifice .on the part of a Catholic netio alphabet; and we then have one priest, Father Damien, a Belgian by birth, and now in the prime of life. Ever since simple alphabElt taking the places of forty ISTd, this missionary has devoted himself to the care of the lepers who live at the east or more, and becoming available as the end of the Island. With his own hands he has constructed for them wooden houses, to written language of 200,000,000 of people who replace the huts of gra.ss in which they formerly lived. He has, in addition, built have no written alphabet, because they them a chapel. During the fifteen years of his stay,on the island, his attention to the don't know just how to use one. We have sick in all the stages of their terrible malady has been unremitting. As a result, he never had a gushing confidence in .. Fonethimself is now a leper, and is doomed soon to die. Another heroic priest, Father Con- iks," but we are constrained to hope for rady, has recently sailed from San Francisco to care for him, and eventually to take his valuable results from a scheme considered place. practicable by an Oriental scholar like Mo.>; India.-The Calcutta correspondent of the London Times reports two prominent cases Miiller. and heartily commended by the exhibiting the evils of Child-marriage and Madras Times. the urgent need for reform. In one case a girl-wife, aged eleven, was branded with ltaly.-A further expulsion from Rome of red-hot irons by her mother-in-iaw. In the other, a girl, aged eleven, of good position, Capuchin Nuns and "Sisters of Perpetual was found by the police dead, her throat having been cut with a razor. Her husband Adoration" is being carried out by the alleges that she committed suicide, but the matter is being investigated, These barba- Italian Government. the communities in rous customs are accepted apathetically, without the faintest attempt at amend- several convents having had notice to leave ment. the city. Rev. J. McDougall, of Florence, -The telegraph reports the volnntary writes of .. several men of considerable burning of a young Indian widow on her husband's funeral pyre. No marvel if a power" who lately have left the ranks of woman prefers death to the sorrows and penalties of such a widowhood. Rome and joined the Free Italian Church.
-The Bombay Guardian recently pub- One of them is attracting crowds to the lished a literary curiosity called .. The Indian Phonetic Alphabet," which includes, gospel bv his eloquence at Hisa.. Roman in one view, what is essentially a Roman alphabet for all the languages and vernac- priests are, by a recent Act, no longer ulars of India, nearly every Indian sound being represented by a Roman letter. More allowed to preach sermons which assail the than one hundred and fifty languages and dialects are current in India and in British political institutions of Italy. They are Burmah, with their 256,000,000 of people, and very angry about this, but the Protestants the distinct alphabets of those countries, many 01 which are very elaborate, outnum- regard it as a step towards religious equalber all others in the world. Some forty different alphabets, or syllabic systems. each ity. ' having ,from two hundred and fifty to five hundred combinations are used to represent Japan.-Women in Japan are more respectthe sounds of the 150 languages, and more than 10,OOOdiffersnt signs and types haTe ed than in any other Oriental country. Two been elaborated from the original alphabet to represent the fifty simple sounds-all vears ago a society was organized among that the combined Indian vernaculars con- ;a;in. 'As these simple sounds cannot all be thewomen, whose members agreed to read portions of the Scripturesoaily, and to pray for each other. This society numbers 2,500 members, who are scattered all over the country. At its last annual meeting in Tokio many addresses were made toan a.udi- ence of 3,!l'JO persons. A" Soclety for the Promotion of Woman's Education" has been orl(anized during the past few months, and the nobility of the land have pledged sub- stantial support-the Prime Minister and the Governor of Osaka each contributing $10,000. The Japanese women of Osaka. have organized a Women's Christian Association.
At a recent meeting in the Y. M. C. A. hall, the audience, composed entirely of women, numbered 1,000. The women and many of the leading men of Japan have beenbrought into active work for temperance and social purity through the efforts of Mrs. Leavitt, the" Around the World Missionary" of the American W. C. T. U. The liberality of the Japanese Christians is far beyond the aver- age churchesof America,and so faithful are the native preachers and teachers, that if all the American and English missionaries were recalled from the field the /:Ood work would still be carried on."-Miu M. j. Olokey, Pres. oj the Women's MiBS. Society oj the United Pres. Ohurch. Jerasalem.-8ome things a.re being said by requesting the HOTa Government ·to carry about Jerusalem which it is not pleasant to hear. .. In 1885-6," says Dr. Merrill, .. I as- out their own law, with the assistance of a guncerta.ined tha.t there were 130 shops or places in Jerusalem where liquor, chiefly boat on the East Coast to back up and support wine and arak, wa.s sold. The shops were kept byChristia.ns or Jews." "The use of the native governors there, and to watch liquor among Mohammedans," he adds, "as well as every other class of the inhabitants, against any attempts to bribe them. This plan seems to be increa.sing, and the fact causes missiona.ries, t …a.chers, and others who are was formeriy pursned with success on the Zaninterested in the welfare of the country, great anxiety." zibar coast, when the slaves were taken from -" The Judson Centennial Year" may be the British Indians. observed by those who wish to honor the memory of the great America.n missionary, New Gulnea.-In a recent letter to a friend, by contribnting to the America.n Baptist Missiona.ry Union in three wa.ys : Rev. James Chalmers, writing of a visit paid to 1. To the Judson Centennia.l Fund of the various mission stations along the south $100,000, for the enla.rgement of the mis. sions, in individua.l subscriptions of not coast, in charge of native South Sea Island less tha.n $1,000. 2. To the fifty per centadvance needed in the income of the Mis- teachers, gives a cheering report of the progress siona.ry Union. This atrords an opportunity to those who do not feel able to give $1,000 of the gospel amongst the cannibals. Speaking at once. 3. To the Judson Memorial Chnrch in Mandalay, Burmah. The first $1,200 to- of a village named Vagavaga, he says: "There ward this was given by an old Bnrman Woman baptil'led by Dr. Jndson. $3,000 are is a change seen even in the appearance of all still needed. the natives. They were a wild cannibal lot a. -The first permanent American mission station was e"ta.blished in 1835 by Messrs. few years ago, Mr, Pearse asked one of the Perkins and Grant, of the American Board, a.t Oroomiah, the chief town of the Nes- natives if they eat man, and was answered, 'No. torians. They found the people without printed books, possessing only a few manu- no eat man now, all fellow missionary now.' script portions of the Bible in the ancient Mid nnknown Syriac, Few men and but In the evening, at seven, a bell rang, and soon one woman could read. Not theological error, but idleness, va.graacy, drunkenness, hymn·singing was heard; they were having formalism, superstition, prevailed. In eourse of time, the spoken language was evening prayers. You cannot realize it-savwritten, schools established, tile Bible translated, churches gathered. After a.ges, cannibals, murderers, now seeking to eleven years' toil came the first spiritual revival. Many others have followed. All worship God. It was strangely pleasing to hear 'the work of the American Board in Persia was in 1871 transferred to the Preshyterian an old hymn tune iusuch a place. • • • 1 had Board. In the churches are now numbered nearly 2,000 communicants, and in the a good time at South Cape. I got refreshed in schools, 2,500 scholars. visiting the stations with the New Guinea Madagascar.-Mr. Sturge asserts that" tm lately the importofslaves from Mozambique had teachers. At Savaia, where, only a short time been stopped and the slaves liberated; but the Hova Government has now entered upon a ago, there were cannibal feasts, there are three retrograde or renegade conrse, and seems to be fast relapsing into the savagery af the past." catechnmens and six who can read well, and all But one statement closely affects Great Britain. With reference to the concubinage slave trade the people friendly." on the East Coast, it is even more disgraceful, as almost all the real owners are British subjects, -In the British protectorate of B~chuana Christians, and often bighly educated. In Its details, too, I think that possibly it is the more land, God's Word is gradnally but surely gaining cruel slave trade of the two. This slave trade could easily also be checked in a week or two grouud. Heathenism is slowly being uprooted, and superstition overcome. God has revealed Himself to these poor people in many ways, and their minds and hearts are being awakened to realize that God is the Lord. At Kanye, espe- Cially, has the power of the living God been manifcsted. The native chief, Kbame, at Sho- shang, prohibits the manufactnre of Kaftlr beer, and does not allow liquor to be brooght into his country by the white man. On the latter p,oint he is very firm, aud ouly recently expelled two men, who had been trading in the land for many years, for endeavoring to introduce that detesta- ble brandy, contrary to the law of the conntry. The chief's son at Kanye has also recently stop]led the selling of brandy to his people.- L • .M. 8. Chronicle.
-A New Hospital.-The Rev. R. Wardlaw Thompson, foreign Secretary of the London Missionary Society, calls attention to the hos- pital in connection with the medical mission at Antananarivo, which has been condemned on sanitary and other grounds as no longer fit for use. It has become imperatively necessary to erect another in a more convenient Situation, and an appeal is made for a new hospital by the mem- bers of the Friends'Foreign MisslOn Association. The responsibility of maintaining and mana- ging the medical mission in Mada~ascar devolves on the Friends' Foreign MthiessmionedCicoaml mmiitstseie~' nbtuot so great is the value of the missionaries of the London Missionary So- ciety, and to the people nnder their care that the SOCiety regnlarly contributes one-thh-d of the annnal cost of maintaining It, a.nd urges their friends to assist in providine: the funda for the Rew hospital.-Tlie London CIIrl8titJ1I.
!!TATISTIC8 OF Till!: WORLD'!!
VII.-STATISTICS OF THE WORLD'S MISSIONS.
Woman's Work in the Reformed Ohurch. lose hellrt and faith P Who can read it and ~ot be glad and grateful P IT may stimulate the good women of our And yet this is not the measure of the power church to know something of the growth and oPJlortunity of the Church of Christ In thiB land. Leaving out the Romau Catholics, the, amongst them of the spirit of giving to Foreign net iucrease was 574,861 communicants. This is at the rate of 4.35 to each church, 6.6 to each l!rIissions. From 1874, when the first contribu- minister, and 1 to every 21 communicants. An average of ten to each church would by no tions of Ladies' ~ssionary Societies were re- means be an extravagant expectation. That would give a net increase for the Protestants ported, these girts have been as follows: churches of 1,320,000. This is the number ·we might have had this year; it is the nnmber we 1874…………….. $2,111 50 may have for the year to come. 1875…………….. 4,455 33 1876. . . . . . . . . . . •. . .. . 8,817 85 Population Statistics in Japan. 1877. .. . .. .. •. •.. . . . . £,625 78 1878…………….. 10,107 54 THIll Loodon and China Telegraph, referring 1879…. ..•. ……… 8,81551 to recent publications on Japanese statistics, 1880…………….. 10,03136 says that on January 1, 1885, the Japanese Em- 1881…. . . . .. …….. 10,608 0600 pire had a population of 37,868,987, or an average 10,984 of 99 Inhabitants to each square kllometer, 1882…………….. which is about the same average as Italy, and 1883……… …….. 13,053 74 much more than that of Germany. But if the 1884…………….. 12,47063 large area of Yezo and the Kuriles, with its 1885…………….. 16,030 111 small population, be deducted Japan, proper haa a population of 131 to the square kilometer 1886…………….. 16,653 89 while Great Britain had only 114. For various 1887…………….. 18,406 74 reasons peculiar to the country and the people 1888…………….. 20,7'02 71 the distrlbntion of the population i~ by clusters. Total In llrteen years, ..•.. $137,782 34 In eight administrative districts the density Statistics of the Ohurc-hTehseoMf"tuhseWUnnairtye. ~ reaches 220 per square kilometer, for these in- clude the fertile rice plains and the most pro- States. ductive fisheries. Japan is a country of small peasant cultivation, rice being the principal THill Independent has again been at pains to staple, and hence the mountainous districts are very thinly inhabited. The average number of gather, so far as possible, the statistics of the persons in a household is 4.91, while In Germany it is 4.7; but in urban households the averege is Christian Chnrches of the United States. It much smaller than in the country or than thosII of European cities. Notwithstanding the denhowever, says that In not a few instances the sity of the population, the small nnmber of pop- ulous towns is very striking. Only five have a figures are given for former years. For some population exceeding 10,000, viz.: Tokio, 902,- 837; Osaka, 353,970 j Kioto, 255,403; Nagova, denominations, such as the branches of Plym- 126,898, and Kanagawa, 104,320. Six only have a population between 50,000 and 100,000. This onth Brethren, it.is not possible even to get esti- peculiarity in distribution is due to the circum- stance that Japan is not an industrial but an agmates; they refuse to give information. There ricultural country. Another pecuIisrity is the proportion of the sexes. There were 19,157,977 are hence thousands of Christians who are not males and 18,711,110 females, sO that, reversing the rule In Enrope, the males preponderate. enumerated by our contemporary. It says: This is said to be due to the tact that there is a great preponderance of female mortality between .. Our summary shows that there are 138,885 15 and 40, Japanese statisties on this subject churches, 94,457 ministers, and 19.790,323 mem- being wholly different from those of European bers in this country. These totals, which are countries. At the date of the census there were rather under than over the exact figures, are big 8,898 Japanese abroad, their distribution being with meaning. One hundred and thirty-nine as follows: Corea, 4,356 j China, 2,068 j America, thousand churches founded and maintained for 817 j Russia, (mainly Eastern Siberia), 671; the worship of God I More than ninety-four Great Britain, 264 j France, 164 ; Gel'ftlany, 129; thousaud ministers set apart for the declaration and the remainder in othercountries or on the sea· and exposition of the doctrines of Christianity I Almost twenty millions of souls baptized in the -The Central Baptist says: .. The history faith of Christianity I These areeoquentfacts. of the work in Cuba shows that it has been They are witnesses of a living faith, an earnest scarcely less than miraculous. Six churches, spirit) and a consecrated life, For these facts numbering 1,100 members, have been estabtell or sacrifice and effort and costly endowment-, lished in two years. In the Sunday-schools which are not the symptoms of unbelier and there are 2,500 teachers and pupils, and in godlessness. Unbelief has been in the world longer than Christianity; it came to the country more than a century ago ; but it has no facts like these to speak for it."
The net gains for the year were 6,434. churches, 4,505 ministers, and 774,861 communicants. These facts are eloquent, too. They show that the long-predicted decline of Christianity has not yet set in. Christianity is still increaSing her churches, her ministers, and her communicants. Every year many thousands of her communicants and hundreds of her ministers are swept away by death; but her numbers do not.fail. She gathers in converts and educates ministers, and fills all the gaps, aud has a large excess. The excess this year is 4,500 minister", and 775,000 communicants. This means an addition to the force of ministers of about 87, and to the number of communicants of 14,904 every week. More than seventeen new churches were orl!:anized every day of the year.
Every dllY saw seventeen churches, twelve ministers, and 2,129 communicants added to the forces of Christianity In the United States. This is the story which our statistics tell. Is it not a sublime story P Who can read it and the day-schools 500. And all this at a cost church houses built, 27; cost (ra.ised by ot only $5,762. But there Is urgent need for missionaries on their fields), $21,486.40 ; total .. house of worship in Havana, now. Diaz pleads for it in the name of Christ. Let not mission fund expended on the fields, PII,- his pleading be in vain." 508.57.-Examiner.
-Rev. A. J. Holt, State missionary of the -The Missions to Seamen ha.s 41 mission Baptist Church in Texas, reports the follow- vessels and boats daily carrying the divine ing summary of the year's work: Mission- message on board ships. If this non-paroaries, 130; days labored, 22,222; stations chial agency were to cease, in many cases supplied, 600; miles traveled, 111,625; ser- none would deliver the message of salvamods preached, 11,564; addresses, 16,582; tion.-The Living .Church. baptized, 3,689; received into mission churches, 4,642; churches organized, 154; -The total income ot the United Presbyterian prayer-meetings organized, 349; Sunday- Church of Scotland during the past year amolIDtschools organized, 265 ; pages of tracts dis- ed to £368,009, or £5,536 less than in the pretributed, 460,839; religious visits, 24,247; vious year. The membership of the church on the 31st of December last was 182,170, being an increase of 107.
Native Foreign Com· Contri- Work· Ad- muni· Schol· butions. herents. cants. ars. ers. FIELDS Oll' LAlIOR. – – — — — —— — — • No. of Stations Native Workers. Schools Or- Or- Lat. dained. dained. 1,393 £ Cellon…………… 78 16 1,276 10,937 3,277 271 1~,637 90 In ia ……………. 79 49 8,445 2,~ 80S 19,716 China……………. 10 50 24- 54 1,149 1,5M Western Africa….. 26 17 4 1,234 45,704 11 625 88 West Indies, Hondn- 13 90 7,243 1,4« 43 ras and Bahamas. 11 South Africa(Trans. 15 1 684 15,145 5,160 51 5,011 774 vaal) …………… 32 – – – – -12 – – -6 – 218 -7-,02-1 -1-,31-7 – -26- -1-.85-9 – -7-0 Totals…………. 236 123 127 5,359 88.401 14,834 752 53,141 £2,466 • Exclnsive of sums raised and expended at the several stations.
-Rev. James Johnston, Secretary of the day-schools, with a membership of 318,000. and Centennial Missionary Conference, makes a curi- a teaching force of 33,340 ; number of preachers ons calculation in his work on "A Century of 3,262. The value of church property is 810.3118, Christian Progress," just published by James 361. The estimated annual increase of member Nisbet lie Co., London. He makes an elaborate ship with churches is 47,600. The number of incomparison of the increase of populaGion stitutions of learning which have been received during the last hundred years, with the re- is twenty-nine-five universities, nineteen colspective increases of Protestants, Roman Cath- leges, aod five institutions; but there are some fifteen or twenty from which no report has been olics, and followers of the Greek Chnrch, and received. the result is very striking. Protestants in Europa Rome. – With a less popul&tion than man., have increased, according to this showing. other large cities, Rome has no less than SO from 37,700,000 to 134,000,000, or nearly fourfold; cardinals, 35 bishops, 1,469 priests, 828 candi- dates, 2,832 monks and friars, 2,215 nons, etc. Roman Catholics from 80,100,000 to 163.000,000, These ligures are, of course, very much lower or twofold; and the Greek Chnrch from 40,- than those of the days of the temporal power ; 000,000 to 83,000,000, also twofold. Mr. John- yet, during that regime there was more immor- ality and crime in Rome than in any other Euroston draws from this preponderating vitality of pean city, and even still over 100,000 of the in- Protestantism the most hopeful augury of its habitants cannot either read or write. These future victory. facts speak for themselves, and dispose once for all of every Rornish claim in regard to the civiliz. -According to the Directory of the ing power oCthe Apostacy. Roman Catholic Church for 1888, there are, in England and Wales, Roman Oathollo Missions. 2,314 Catholic priests to 1',728 in 1875, and these preside over 1,304 churches, chapels and stations. Scotland has 5 bishops, 324 priests and 237 churches and chapels. The Roman Catholic MR. JOHNSTON alBo contributes a valnable popUlation in 1887 is given as 1.354, appendix to the Handbook of Foreign MiBriotII, 000 in England and Wales, 326 in published by the London Religious Tract So- Scotland, 3,961,000 in Ireland. To- ciety, au •'Roman Catholic Missions." "It will be getherwith the colonies, the number seen from the table given below,.. says the Muof Catholics under British rule is rionary Herald,"that, although Roman Catholic 9,682,000. missions have been carried on from two to three -The Disciples ot Christ for 1888 report 6,{S7 h nndred years and in some instances are qnite churches: 620,000 communicants; 4,500 Sun- vigorous, they are !1I111 matched by the foreign missions of Protestants, whieh began, on a large Romanista have presented a variety of motives seale, less than one huudred years ago. There to induce men to become adherents of their faith, are in the Romish Church a large number oCmis- and that the submission to baptism has been in sionary societies, but they are all under tho many places the only prereqnisite to enrollment direction of the Propaganda at Rome. One as a Christian. Their roll of converts includes of the most marked methods of prosecuting large numbers who know and care little for any work is by the establishment of missionary col- form of Christianity. The notion which is enterleges,ln di1ferent parts of Europe, for the train- tained in many qnarters that the Romanists Ing of men for particular fields of missionary are prosecnting their missions with marvelous work; such as the Chinese College at Naples, the energy and snccess will be a good deal modified Central African Seminary at Verona. It must by the sight of the following table. " be borne in mind that, from the beginning, * SUMMARY OF ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONS.
(Taken from tables in Missiones OatlwlicllJ, 1886.) In.-China Re~ions Oceanica Africa DIVISIONS. India. Peninsula China. adjacent and and its Is- Total. –e-tc-. – – – – – -to-C-h_ina.. -A-me-ri-ca-. -lan-ds-, e-tc.- —- Adherents …………… 1,183,142 674,317 483,403 77,~ 114,845 210,000 2,742,961 Churches and Chapels…. 2,677 1,668 2,429 360 200 7,561 European Missionaries.,. 996t 342 471 …..4.1..6 180 417 2,822 Native Missionaries….. 378 2111 752 93t 1,779 . ……. …..2.0..5 954 4,504 Elementary Schools…… 1,566 25,219 …….. Elementary Scholars….. 64,357 . '2i:i66 . ……. 110,742 "Deducting those returns which cannot be fairly classed under modern missionary work.
t There seems some obscurity in the table from which these figures are taken, poslflbly from some of the returns not distinguishing native from European missionaries. The numbers are combined in the total (1,089) under the column for Europeans. It is probable that there are rather more native and fewer European missionaries.- Handbook of B'ln'eign MiB8io1l8, p. 841.
-Jesuit M1ssions.-A recent issue of the by Pius IX. lind forty-three by the present pon- Etudes Religu'Ulle8 contains some statistica of the ti1f. Of the cardinalS, four are Romans, twentynumber and distribntion of the J esnit mission- eight are Italians, and twenty-nine are of oxtmhe.r aries abroad at the commencement of the present nationalities. During his pontificate, Leo year. The numbers are those of the varions has established the following new offices: One orders of the priesthood, priests, coadjntors and patriarchate, nineteen arcbhbishoprics, fifty- .. scolastiques," but in every' ease the number of seven bishoprics, thirty-four apostolic vicarates- one apostOlic delegature, eleven apostolic prepriesta is more than twice that of the other two fectures. In all there are now thirteen patriorders put together. In the Balkan Peninsular archs, 185 archbishops, 752 bishops. On the first there are forty-five Jesnit missionaries; in of January of the present year there were 728 Africa, and especiallyEgypt, Madagascar and the archbishops and bishops of the Latin Rite, fifty- Zambesi region,223; In Asia, especially Arme- six of the Oriental Rite, 318 titular archbishops and bishops, twenty without title, and five pre- lates nullius dioecese08. The whole Roman hierarchy consists of 1,254 persons.
nia, Syria, certain parts of India and parts of -A.merican JIIissionaJ')' Association.-Last China, 699. In China alone the number is 195, statistics: Receipts, $320,953; expenses, $328,788. In the 58 schools in the South, all of French nationality. In Oceania, inclnding , there are 9,896 pupils. There are in the the Phllippines, the Malay Archipelago, Austra- South 131 churches organized by this Asso- lia and New Zealand, the number is 270; in ciation, with 8,056 members. Four new churches have been organized. There are America, Inclnding certain specified States of 18 schools among the Indians, with 580 puthe Union, portions of Canada, British Hondn- pils; five churches, 13 missionarie., 397 ras, Brazil and Peru, 1,130; the total number of church members, and 11,091 scholars. Among the Chinese 17 schools aud 1,131 pupils, and J esuita scattered over the globe in purely mis- three new missions. Thirteen women's sionary work being 2,377. These are of various State organizations join with the Associa- nationalities, but the vast majority are French. tion in the work. The ASlIDciation now has 136 churches, 115 missionaries, 8,452 church -London Ti1M8. members, 972 being added during the year, -The Ghararsha Colea, the official paper and and 17,114 pupils in Sunday-schools. $226,- year-book, issued by the authorities at Rome, 000 were expended in the Southern field; $8,920 in the Chinese missions, and $48,967 has been published for the year 1888. Accord- among the IndIans. Ing to it Leo XllI is the 263d pope since St. Peter. The number of cardinals is sixty-one, of -The Minutes of the British Wesleyan Conference state that there are 545,290 whom five are cardinal bishops, forty-three are members at home and abroad, and 48,951 on trial; ministers fully ordained, 2,225; on cardinal priests, and thirteen are cardinal dea- trial, 263; with 364 supernumeraries. The cons. As the whole college of cardinals consists Australian Church numbers 79,135, and the of seventy men, there are only nine seats va Canadian 200.479. During the year 40 minis- te·rial probationers were received into full cant. The oldest cardinal is Dr. Newman of connection, 4 of whom are Hindus,l Chinese, England, whose age Is eighty-eight; the young- 3 Africans, and 1German; there are 263 j uni- est is Cardinal di Renda, who is only forty-one. ors still on probation, The local preachers Of the present college, eighteen were appointed number 15,657.
EDITORIAL NOTES
VIII.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
[BY A. T. P.] THE following letters to the editors obtainable for a few cents. It shows, in we answer in the REVIEW as matter striking contrast, the annual expenditure of of interest to the general readel': the United States and Great Britain for for. eign and home missions, education, sugar "I have been very much interested in and molasses, iron and steel, cotton and readinl' the articles on a • Crusade for Mis- woolen goods, bread, meat, boots and shoes, sions,'!ll the October REVIEW. I have some tea and coffee, ministerial salaries, liquors, maps for pulpit and associational work, but etc.; and, in additiou, gives a diagram of the wish to make myself something up to date. popUlation of the world according to relig- Have you any printed maps or diagrams. ions faiths, each square on a larger diagram statistical or of countries, in the form of standing for one million people. pamphlets or leaflets that I could enlarge mto large wall maps, or any other new and In addition to all these we would have a valuable information that I can utilize that chart of comparative increase in the number you can furnish me with? I wish to do as of societies, translatiolls of Scripture, mis- Dr. Pierson suggests, start a' Crusade for sionaries and workers, scholars in schools, Missions' in my own vicinity. expenditures for missious. etc., from the be- "Yours fraternally, C. L." ginning of the century to the present date, so far as any approximation to accuracy can In response we beg to say. that in all at- be obtained.
tempts to reach the public mind on mis- It might be well if, besides all these, there might be also a chart to show comparative sions, if we can at once attack the citadel supplies of mInisters, teachers, etc., at home and abroad, with the relative sizes of their of thennderstanding through both Eye-gate respective H parishes"; dividi!lJ:' the whole nnmber of souls to be reached, equally, and Ear-gate, our success will be doubled. among all the workmen.
We advise the use of maps, charts, com- If ail these, except the general wall map, could be made so as to be ~upported in one parative tables of population, expenditure, frame on separate rollers, so as to be pulled down ~uccessively as the speaker needed etc., made large enough to be seen at· a them, these charts themselves would make a most startling and powerful exhibition of distance.
First of all, a map of comparative religions ought to be prepal'ed. For this a model may be found in the front of .. A Manu"l of Mis- sions," prepared in 1854 by Dr. Jno. C.
Lowrie, and published by A. D. F. Randolph & Co., New York. Of course since 1854 very important change~ have taken place, which necessitate changes in the coloring of the map. But that map will be found an excel- the truth, and would themselves speak elo- lent basis for the construction of a large quently to the public mind, heart and conwall map which presents at a glance the science. comparative condition of various countries If it be asked, how can these be procured, as to religious beliefs. we answer, make them for yourself. It re- Next, we advise a wall chart of compara- quires very little mechanical skill, and: if tive populations. This might be made by you lack ability, get some one to do it for upright columns of different heights. Tak- you under yonr personal supervision. This ing,for instance, Siam, as a basis or limit is a work that no man can do for another. of measurement, with eight to ten mIllions, The very labor of COllecting and arrang- this might be represented by a column four ing the facts, by which the work is done, is to five inches high, i.e., one-half inch to the itself the greatest source of blessing to the million-then the other countries could be man who does it. No accurate statistics arranged in order, until we reach India and can be obtained. Figures as well as facts China, which would be represented by col- are constantly changing. But if the man umns from ten to fifteen feet high. Of course will study the subject, and as fast as he gets these columns should be represented in the hold of facts and of accurate fignres emsame colors as those which on the map ex- body the results in his charts, he will find hibit the religions prevailing in those lands. himself fast becoming an authority on mis- In this way, at a glance, the eye would take sions, correcting not only his own mistakes in the comparative numbers of people under and misapprehensions, but those of others the control of each great nation, and the asweU.
relative extent of Paganism. Heathenism. It behooves us all in studying missions not Mohammedanism, Papacy, Greek Christian- to be impatient of results. The field is the ity, and Protestantism. world, and we have but a lifetime in which Next we would have a wall chart of com_ to explore it. Of course, we cannot conparati1!e expenditures, of which there are duct the exploration in person, and must abundant models, none of them better than depend in great part on others'labor and that published in colors by the Baptist MIS- results of their researches. Statements will sionary Union, Tremont Temple, Boston, and often be made that are incorrect, and by repeating them we shall be led to propagate Burns Thomson, and the wonderful Iltol'7 error; but as errors are exposed we must of Wil1iam A. B. Johnson in Sierra Leone, correct them, and so approach nearer aud now out of print. But it must be remem_ nearer to absolute correctness and exact- bered that we have made no mention of the ness. We must not claim for ourselves or life of Robert Moffatt, of William C. Burns, others infallibility, but only that we are of Dr. Goodell, of Dr. Duff; of the story of .. philosophers," lovers of wisdom and seek- William Duncan in British .Columbia, the ers after truth. But we may do much to missionaries in the Fiji Islands, the work in belp each other, and as we learn facts and Madagascar, nor of John Williams in the gather exact statistics, we may make them South Seas, and a host of others. We have available to otbers wbo are on the search taken five almost at random, because they like ourselves; Every pastor must be a mis- happen to have possessed peculiar charm sionary, and not expect all his work of col for us, and are representative of work' done by godly and educated men, refined women, lating and comparing to be done for him. medical missions, and the uneducated, con- What a man does himself is like his own secrated mechanic. ILl'mol', made for him and in which he moves As to the histories of mission work, it is easily and familiarly-he has proven it, and hard to separate it from lIiography, but we it is like a part of himself. A. note-book venture to give five more books which cover with divisions for various classes of facts, wider territory, viz: "Ten Yea~son the Eu- and' in which, under its own department, phrates,"byWheeler; "Among the Turks," each new, well-ascertained fact is entered, by Hamlin; "A. Century of Christian Pro- will soon become a thesanrus of informa- gress," by Rev. Jas. Johnston; Warneck's tion, and of more value than any compila- " HIstory of Christian Missions," edited by tion that can be made for us by the most Dr. Smith; and the Ely volume. But here, again, we have not even mentioned Goodell's skillful bands. The facts one gathers and .. Forty Years in the Turkish Empire," both assimilates to himself and his uses, he can a biography and a hIstory; .. Medical Mis- always command, and itJs these that make sions," by Dr. John Lowe; "Our Indian Mis- him ready, even at short can, to advocate sion Field," by Miss Rainy; " Foreign Missions," by Dr. Anderson; Christlieb'! the great cause of missions. noble little book on the same topic ; "Siam," by M. L. Cort; "The Cross and Dragon," Ly The second letter is from Balltsore, India: B. C. Henry; "The Handbook of Foreign .. REV. A.. T. PIERSON, D.D.-I have recently Missions," by the London Religious Tract become a reader of your most excellent Society; or, Dr. Thompson's grand book Oil HEVIEW, and it has increased my appetite U Moravian Missions." .tor such reading. The object of my writing now is to ask if yon will kindly take the There are five other books We advise every trouble to name in the REVIEW what you man and woman toread, each in its way un. reg-d.rd as th~ five most valuable books of surpassed, as bearing on missions in general, nlissionary bIography, and five others, most seeking and savin,. the lost, viz: first and valuable, of the history of mission work. foremost, Hodder's "Life of the Earl of "Idare say that you will find it difficult to Shaftesbnry" ; then, the" Life of Jerry Mc- choose from a mass of material that is so Auley," published and widely scattered by rich and the request I make might be the New YOl'k Observer; Belcher's biography rath~r unreason..ble for one within l'e..ch of of Whitefield; "Memoir of Mary Lyon"; j'mbhc libraries. But in a far-off station, and the" Life of William E. Dodge." But Sllut up to one's own library, with money we are conscious that in naming these, we for buying and time for reading both very are possibly passing by others equally de- limited, It becomes a question of no little serving of this honorable mention. importance how the limIted time end money can be best invested. In doing this, I dare WE have been lUuch impressed say you wiJI confer a favor on many others with the consecrated men and wo- situated like myself in heathen lands. men of Gl'eat Britain. We have met few such in our own land, who U HARRIET P. PHILLIPS." lay wealth, position and influence, ab- To answer such an inquiry is not so easy solutely at the feet ofJesus. There are as to propose it. The field of missionary many noble merchants and princely biography is fertile and luxuriant in the givers here, who combine singular amplitude and magnificence ot its products. Nowhere in the wide range of literature is commerClal talent and tact with lib- there to be found combined so much of the romantic and the real, the highest attain_ erality. But England and Scotland ment In character and the hIghest achieve- present not a few who have aban- ment in practical life and work. We ven- doned busmess, practicality, that ture to name five biographies of surpassing interest, without attempting to accord to them liuch supreme excellence over all ethers, viz.: "Life of AdoniramJudson," re- centlyedited by his son; "Fidelia Fiske," by Rev. William Guest ; "David Bramerd," new edition, recently edited by my colleague, _ Dr. Sherwood i "Seedtime m Kashmir," a memol1' of W. Jackson Elmslie, M.D., by Dr.
NOTE!!
they may work for Christ. Campbell of a bishop who is well-known for his dislike White, of Glasgow, declines election of cant and his skill in snubbing those who practo Parliament, because he will not tice it. .A pious lady of his diocese was illushave his work among the poor of trating the doctrine of special providence by a that great city interfered with by ease in her experience. An aunt of her own public engagements; the Earl of was setting out on a sea voyage, when she felt Aberdeen helps the tenants on "a warning from on high." She obeyed the' his lands to become owners of their warning and did not sail. Next day the ship own houses and farms; the Provost was wrecked and all the passengers perished. of Aberdeen subordinates everything '.. Was not that saving of my aunt's life a clear to his duties as a Christian and his case, my lord, (jf divine providence 1" "1 canwork for Christ. Lords 'Radstock not say," replied the Bishop, "for I do not know and Kinnaird and their families, your aunt." Jas. E. Mathieson, Esq. ; Hugh Mathes<n, Esq.; A. H. Moncur, ex-Pro- We would call attention to the vost of Dundee; Alexander Balfour, Shaftesbury Institute for Girls in Lonof Arbroath; Mrs. Drummin Stew- don. Two ladies, disguised as factory art, of Logie, Forres; Mrs. Mary girls, visited the low theaters, music Watson, the Countess of Cairns, halls, gin palaces and streets fre- Sir T. Fowell and Lady Buxton, quented by this class in the West Sir John and Lady Kennaway, Sir End, in order" to become acquainted Arthur Blackwood, Robert Paton with their habits and associations, and Mr. Charrington, Miss Annie and learn how best to meet their McPherson-these' are a few of the needs." hundreds of men and women in the British Isles who are giving time, Since the publication of "Only a money; influence, personal labor to Factory Girl," in June, 1887, contriall sorts of missionary enterprises, butions, unasked, have poured in home and foreign, and to city evan- from all parts of the kingdom, gelization. London is the greatest amounting to over £2.000, and an Incenter of Christian work on this stitute for West End Factory Girls .globe. God has many devoted ser- has been established. In the little vants in the United Kingdom, who book, "Rough Diamonds," will be sound no trumpet before them and found an account of the work carried whose very names we hesitate to on there. Four hundred pounds a print, so modest are they in their year is required· to meet the current work for Christ. expenses, including rent and taxes, and about £200 to start a Country THERE is a tendency nowadays to Training Home. measure missions by mercanti.le and monetary standards. The question THE Rev. Griffith John, the eminent "Do missions pay?" is a character- missionary of Hankow, declines the istic American inquiry. How much honor of this year's chairmanship of does "each convert cost" '! If this the Congregational Union of Great method of computation is to prevail, Britain. In substance he says': "I per.haps it would better be carried am doing a great work so that I canfurther, and we might ask how much not come down. Why should the some of our modern products of our work cease, whilst I leave it, and "high civilization" at home are come down to you?" Not many worth to society. years since our Senators at Washing- ton were surprised when Dr. Henry The logical basis of :Mr. Chadwick's recent H. Jessup, of Syria, declined the apargument was the monetary value of saving a pointment of United States Minister human life. Every human being in the land is to the Persian Court. Few, if any worth, he says, £150. But is this really so f foreign missionaries would exchange places with an emperor. They es- :Mr. Cha4wick mliht relllemb,r the lltory told teem it their highest privilege to preach the gospel to lost men.
EDITORIAL
IT is proposed to hold a World's ,I MEMORIAAf. Sunday-school Oonvention in London in 1889, from July 1-4. The repre- REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON •. sentation to be from America, one to every 100,000 of population, or about BORN AUG. 9, 1788. 600 delegates, and appointments to DIED APRIL 12,1850. be made only from well-known Sunday-school workers This is the day MALDEN. HIS BIRTHPLACE. of world's conventions. THE OCEAN, HIS SEPULCHRE. IT is vain to talk of lack of money to prosecute missions, while the CONVERTED BURMANS.AND thousand millions spent for strong drink annually stands in contrast THE BURMAN BIBLE with the 5,000,000 spent for foreign missions. The fact is, Indulgence HIS MONUMENT. and Mammon are the idols of our boasted nineteenth century civiliza- HIS RECORD IS ON HIGH. tion-like the Baal and Ashtoreth of the Phrenicians of old. It was stated DR. CAIRNS said,at thePan-Presbyat the London Conference that the terian Alliance in London, that one annual keeping of 100 race-horses for way to reach the masses of the peo- the races, inclusive of interest on ple is by the collection-box, which is their purchase money, equals the en- both democratic and aristocratie, tire annual inCOrlle of the London permitting all who will to takevolun- Missionary Society! tary part in the support of the gos- pel. We feel like adding, that if the THE "American Board" has a collection-box were the only way of grand and heroic history to look supporting the gospel, the aristoback upon. We rejoice in its noble cratic feature ot pew rents, oftenrecord, and not least, that the stand times extravagantly high, might not taken against the Second Probation, repel so many who belong to the or postmortem theory, has not alien- democracy. ated gifts fl'om the treasury. The more we !>ee and hear of these specu- PROF. DRUMMOND, at the World's lations about the supposed preaching Conference on Missions, while reto spirits in prison, the more we are ferring to Africa as a mission field, satisfied that the "Eternal Hope" has no foundation in Scripture, and asked the question: "Is it right to is delusive and dangerous. As Dr. Noble, of Chicago, well said : "There go on against what seems a proviare two things we may do-work for dential barrier against a European men's salvation while we know there missionary living there at all?" 'is a day of gractl, or hope for a day of grace for them in the next life and We should earnestly deprecate the so neglect them now." For myself, abandonment of destitute fields be- I have no doubt which, for us and cause they are regarded unhealthy. them, is the only safe course to pur- If the element of personal risk is to sue. be considered, why not enlarge the scope of the risk and take in not only THE centennial of the birth of health but all exposures to life and Adoniram Judson was observed at liberty? How soon, under the operathe Baptist Church in Malden, Mass" tion of such a principle, would mis- August 9, and a tablet was erected, sionaries begin to decline to go anybearing the following inscription: where unless assured of immunity from all personal danger!
Nothing is sublimer in missionary biography than the devotion of men and women who, for Christ's sake and that of perishing souls, have dared climate, cannibalism, persecution, she set in motion and regulated the poison and death. Where would have delicate mechanism of his being, nor been the 30,000 living Karens, and the other 20,000 now asleep in Jesus, had would he allow it to be displaced by Judson retired before Burmese fever and persecuting intolerance? How the costliest chronometer. Were the about Krapf in Africa, and David secrets of all hearts revealed, we Livingstone, forty times scorched in the furnace of African fever; how might find that behind many a life about Mrs. Grant in Persia, and the devoted Stoddard, Pliny Fiske, Dr., that has come with observation, that Bushnell, Coleridge Patteson and Harrington, Dober at St. Thomas- has been conspicuous for great useand the splendid heroism of the Moravians among the African and fulness in winning souls, there lay Syrian lepers? some obscure, unobserved, undemon- THERE were added, on profession of faith hearly one thousand sonls a week, on an strative influence like the secret average, during the year ending May 1 last. to the <:hurches connected with the Presby- sacred touch of this poor, uneducatterian General Assembly. North. The total numlier added on examination is given a,t ed old nurse I All we have to do is 51.062. to abide in our calling, however We hear much congratulation ex- humble, but abide with God. pressed upon this result. Yet let us remember that this great Church re- Popery "Puts Eetween. " ports aboJlt three-quarters of a million communicants. This is a gain 1. ITSELF as mediator between of about one for every fifteen com- heaven and earth. municants. In other words, it takes fifteen disciples a whole year to bring 2. Priest between sinner and God. one soul to Christ! How long, at that rate, would it take 20,000,000 3. Auricular confession between Protestant Church members to over- penitent and mercy. take the unevangelized population of the globe? At that rate we should 4. Penance between offender and have but 2,000,000 converts a year godly sorrow. for all Protestant Christendom I 5. Mass between believer and right- eousness in Christ.
6. Indulgence between him and self-denial.
7. Tradition between him and Scrip- ture.
8. Purgatory between him and heaven.
9. Celibacy between priest and home.
10. Good works between believer and justification.
11. Extreme unction between him and death.
12. Saints and Virgin Mary be- tween him and prayer-hearing God.
THE religious impulse of the whole Errata.-On page 414 of June numcharacter and career of the late Earl ber, sixth line from top, it should of Shaftesbury is directly traceable read: to Maria Millis, his pious old nurse, who before he was seven years old, On a continent, equal to two-andtaught him of Jesus, and at whose a-half Europes, they have covered ~ side he learned the prayer which he never failed to use till his dying day. territory as large as all the United Neglected by his own parents, the States except Alaska. etc. Africa evangelist of Parliament owed to has about 8,500,000 square miles. this evangelist of the nursery the Europe about 3,400,000. The Congo first lessons he learned in the school Free State reaches a territory of of Christ. The watch she left to about 3,150,000 square miles, about him, he wore on his person as a re- as large as the United States, excluminder of the sacred touch by which sive of Alaska.
In the same number we erred in giving credit for the admirable arti- cle on The Insufficiency of Buddhism to Principal D. H. MacVicar, D.D., '; instead of to his worthy son, J. H. ' MacVicar, B.A.