The Missionary Review of the World — January 1901
THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
Old Series. } JANUARY. 5 New Series. VOL. XXIV. No.1. 1 VOL. XIV. No.1.
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
We are now solemnly compelled to confront the work of a new century. We need, first of all, a new vision and revelation, both of our opportunity and our responsibility. Christ is the Light of the World, but so is His Church. This is impressively brought to view in 2 Cor. iv: 4-7. Satan is represented as blinding the eyes of unbelievers, lest the light of the glory of the Gospel of Christ should shine unto them. The exact conception is, lest the illumination, the enlightening influence of the glory ef the Gospel, as reflected and transmitted through the believer, should reach them with its irradiation. In the same passage we are taught that He who comman~ed the light to shine out of the original darkness hath shined in our hearts to produce this irradiation in us, and make possible this illumination of others. And further on, we are taught this additional lesson, that one of the greatest proofs, both of the power and grace of God, is found in thus making possible that so frail and unworthy a "vessel of earth" should both be able to bear or contain such Divine splendor as a revelation to itself, and also bear forth, or convey such glory as a revelation to others. 'The lesson of this significant passage is that the highest privilege of a believer is to receive, reflect, and transmit the glory of God as revealed in' Christ throngh the Gospel. Practically that glory will never shine in the hearts of men unless it comes to them through believers, as mirrors or transmitters of God's grace.
With this new century we confront a new crisis in missions, and the question if{, Who is to meet it, and how is it to be met? At least four factors combine to constitute this a new and critical emergency in missions, quite beyond any previous one in importance and appeal; those factors are the vast unoccupied area, the entire inadequacy of the army of occupation, the lack of a proper standard of giving, and the lack of a proper spirit of prayer on the part of the Church at large.
I. Devout students of missions urgently appeal in behalf of immense areas and populations thus far unreached or neglected. Two great Oriental empires are each a world in itself. India and China contain half the total population of the world. Yet, what has so far been done among these seven hundred millions is comparatively insignificant. When, in 1865, J. Hudson Taylor organized the China Inland Mission, eleven vast provinces of inland China had no resident Protestant missionary. Notwithstanding the hundreds of missionaries in India, the Decennial Conference of Bombay, in 1893, appealed to the Christian Church at large for help in meeting" an opportunity and responsibility never known before." Each of the great native states has been occupied by a missionary or two, but many smaller states have not yet been entered even by a single preacher, teacher, or healer, Nepal alone being shut to the Gospel. Bengal has a non- Christian population vaster than the whole population of the United States, and Bahar has but thirty missionaries, one-half being women, for twenty-five million souls.
LANDS TO BE POSSESSED.
Besides India and China, five great distriqts are as yet totally unreached by Protestant missionaries; three of them in Asia, one in Africa, and one in South America: 1. There is the vast territory of inner and lower central Asia, including Tibet, and reaching over the entire heart of that vast continent. Tibet is not therefore the only unoccupied country in Asia, but only a small part of what Coleridge called the ".vast undone."
2. Upper Asia, or Russian Asia, is an immense field over most of which only Greek priests have access to the people.
3. Arabia, with its nomadic tribes and shrine of the false prophet, is practically unreached. There are only four stations on the border.
4. The Sudan, reaching from the Kong Mountains to the Nile valley, three thousand miles in length, east and west, has a population greater than that of the United States, and estimated at from seventy to ninety million, held under the Crescent's sway.
5. The central portion of South America, the Amazon basin, with millions of natives, is still marked by paganism or has only a corrupt papal system, as bad as paganism.
II. We need to feel the inadequacy of our present working force and working funds. The laborers are few. Protestant Christendom represents two hundred million members, identified with the reformed churches, yet has less than fifteen thousand missionaries, one-third being unmarried women. With these are laboring a force of about fifty thQusand native ministers and helpers, less than one-tenth of
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
whom are ordained. If we liberally estimate the number of the total force at work for Ohrist abroad at sixty-five thousand, we have one laborer for about twenty-five thousand souls. Surely it would be a small thing for the Ohurch of Christ to supply one missionary for at least every fifty thousand of the unevangelized.
l'he gifts of the Ohurch are sadly, inexcusably small. The late Dean Vahl, who erred on the side of caution in his estimates, reckoned the total income of missionary societies in 1891 at less than fourteen million dollars. Yet, year by year, embarrassment with debt is the almost universal fact with missionary societies.; and, as a consequence, the fatal cry of "retrenchment" compels expenses to be cut down, in some cases, one-third. This means nothing less than the stoppage and blockage of all advance and aggressi ve movements; and, still worse, the actual abandonment of advantages already gained, as if an arm] of occupation were forced not only to halt, but actually to give up strategic points, occupied after much loss of blood and treasure, and to retreat in the face of a jubilant foe.
THE WEALTH OF THE CHURCH.
There can be no apology for any lack of ample gifts to the cause of missions. The Ohurch can no longer say, like Petet, "Silver and gold have I none." Of the wealth of the world a very large proportion is in the hands of Ohristian disciples. One of the most important deaths in 1899 was that of a merchant prince who had for years been prominent, not only in business circles, but in Ohristian circles also. His wealth was colossal, reckoned by scores of millions of dollars. The death of such a man was the fall of a commercial giant, and huge interests were involved. This man was identified with evangelical enterprises and known as an active Ohristian. Much interest was naturally concentrated on the provisions of his will. It was found that, out of a total of about seventy million dollars, embraced in his bequests, all but about one out of seventy, went to the family, friends, and servants, the sum total of benevolent legacies being about one million dollars.
Without judging any man's case, since to his own Master he standeth or falleth, if the published account be trustworthy, it will appear what vast powers were lodged in one man wherewith to build up or strengthen the missionary work of the world. One-seventh of this vast sum left to the cause of God would have nearly doubled the amount which that year went to the support of the missionary societies of America, Britain, and Germany. But what an immense uplift would have come to the entire work of Ohrist at home and abroad, had the terms of this legacy been reversed, had the sixty-nine millions gone to benevolence, and the million been distributed among the heirs! Yet, in apostolic days, disciples sold their entire possessions
antI brought the price and laid it on the altar of service, so that there was no need unmet, and there was" meat in God's House."
We can not withhold our deep conviction that the principle of the believer's stewardship in property needs to be reexamined in the light of the Word of God. Immense sums, in the aggregate, lie like a dormant power, in the purses even of God's poor. I,eaving out of account all the resources and responsibilities of the wealthy, if the little that God's poorer saints possess could be so administered as to economize for His cause what now runs to waste, a great river of beneficence, never dry but always abundant, would overflow with blessing to all mankind. From time to time God gives us the secret biography of some poor saint, like that needle woman of Norwich, Sarah Hosmer, who out of a few dollars a week five times saved enough to put a native convert of Armenia through a theological school and prepare him for the Gospel ministry; or like that crippled rheumatic widow of Dr. A. J. Gordon's church in Boston, who, having a small income of twelve hundred dollars, saved two-thirds of it for God, and for herself and her son reserved only the other third! There is no greater reproach to the Church of Christ than her low standard of giving. It is a shame that God's cause should ever have to make even an appeal.
SOME OF OUR POSSIBILITIES.
III. We need to learn a lesson as to the possibilities of proper effort. A singular example of the effectiveness of energy, self-denial, and prudence in human enterprise is found in that episode of Canadian history, known as the Red River expedition, about which few, even of Englishmen, know. When the mercurial and excitable people of Northwest Canada, the French and French halfbreed of the population, refused to concur in that transfer of the Hudson Bay Company's proprietary rights to the Canadian Government, which they constrned as hostile to their interests; when they rebelled and actually took up arms, erected a provisional government with Louis Riol at the head, and gathered six hundred armed men to sustain the dignity of the new republic; when, furthermore, they proceeded in defiance of all justice and righteousness to put to death, after sentence by a mock tribunal, a British subject, Scott, for no worse crime than opposition to their rule of usurpation-all hope of amicable adjustment was gone, and no alternative remained. The Canadian Government must punish such rebellion and vindicate rightful authority. But Fort Garry, where the insurgents made their stronghold, was twelve hundred miles from Toronto, and but half this distance could be crossed by any railcar or steamboat; the rest of the way lay through a pathless wilderness of forest, through which ran a chain of lakes and rivers, with perilous rapids and precipitous falls, and on such waters
'rllE OUTLOOK FOR THE TWENTIETll Cr:NTURY
no boats larger than an Indian canoe had ever yet been seen. An adequate force must make its way over such a region with all the needful equipment of modern warfare and suitable provisions for a long journey to and fro.
Lord Wolseley, as he is now known, was the officer who undertook to lead this band of soldiers against the rebels in Fort Garry. He both organized and commanded the Red River Expedition, and won himself a high reputation for skill and persistence. This has been pronounced to be the one solitary example of an army advancing by a lengthened and almost impracticable route, accomplishing its task, and returning home without the loss of a single life either in battle or by disease.* Twelve hundred fighting men he led, and they had two hundred boats, besides artillery and provisions for two months. To pass along the great lakes until they reached Thunder Bay in Lake Superior, was a comparatively easy task. But it took six weeks to get from Thunder Bay fifty miles to Lake Shebandowan, toiling up the steep ascents to the ridge of the watershed. Then they rowed along the chain of small lakes, disembarking at the portages.• and carrying on their shoulders what they could not drag across the intervals of land. Before they got to Lake Winnipeg they had thus disembarked nearly fifty times, and performed these lauors. Yet they did the work, and after three months they reached their terminus. Twenty-five times were the stores unshipped and the boats drawn ashore while going along the Winnipeg River, to avoid the numerous and treacherous falls. No spirituous liquors had been dealt out, and not only was no life lost, but order perfectly reigned, and the fort was evacuated on their approach without firing a gun.
What results might crown mission enterprise if into our spiritual service more of such daring, energy, persistence, and heroism were introduced!
THE SUCCESS OF FAILURE.
IV. We must learn, too, the success of failure-that we are to do our work as unto God and consent to seeming defeat if it be His will. The section of Isaiah from which our Lord read at Nazareth, Luke iv: 16-30, announced His whole mission, its Divine character, and His special endowment and enduement for His work; and this passage, couched in such terms in the first person singular, and so remarkably fitted to be His utterance when He first opened His mouth in His capacity as a prophet, and in His own village, reads and sounds as tho it were expressly written for this very occasion, as indeed it was in the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. It is, however, very noteworthy that of that section of Isaiah's prophecy, the great burden *McKenzie's "America," 418.
is THE SERVANT OF JEHOVAH. Seventeen times the expression," My servant," "His servant," "Thy servant," or, the "Servant of Jehovah," occurs, and often coupled with such phrases as "Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth," "My Messenger," etc.; and yet, this same Servant is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, abhorred of the nation, imprisoned, judged, led as a lamb to the slaughter. What a lesson on service! In visage marred more than the son of man! All outward signs being symptoms of defeat and discouragement! Judged by human standards, His life was a FAILURE. He labored in vain and spent His strength for naught. There was not a token of success, that could be discerned by a world's standards of judgment. But He was, nevertheless, Jehovah's Servant, doing His will, even in His suffering, triumphant, and in His defeat and death, victorious. To Him it was and is given to raise up the tribes of Jacob, to be the true Isaiah-God's prince; before Him all kings are to fall down and worship, and He is to be for salvation to the ends of the ear.th.
We have only to turn to the Apocalypse (v) and see how God's "lion" king is a slaughtered "Lamb." The pangs of travail, in a sense, have already lasted two thousand years, and not yet does He see the satisfying result that shall fill even His Divine "souL" But the day is coming, and prophetically already He sees it and is glad.
A WORKINGMAN'S THREE MOTTOES.
Some years ago in a workingmen's magazine, in Britain, a Ohris· tian mechanic wrote an article on his "Three Mottoes." They were, "I and God," "God and I," "God and not I." The paper was a simple history of the three stages of his service as a disciple: First, when he conceived of the work as his own and asked God's help; then, when he thought of the work as God's, and himself as a coworker in it; but the last and most restful and successful stage, when he saw God as the one Great Worker and himself as only an instrument, taken up, fitted for service, and used in God's way and time. Noth· ing is more needful than for us to feel that we are simply and only tools in His hand, and the highest perfection of a tool is that it is absolutely ready for the workman and perfectly passive in his grasp. When we learn this lesson, that it is His yoke we take on us and His burden that we bear, we cease to feel any of that care which implies a responsibility we can not sustain, and an anxiety we can not endure. There is an ability we do not possess, a strength we can not command, a result which we can not control. Obedience is ours, and only obedi· ence; He assu mes all responsibility, both for the command and the consequences.
V. The old lesson needs constant reiteration, that no large success is possible in God's work without the mind of Ohrist.
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Modern history has furnished a marvelous example of a Christian hero in Gen. Charles George Gordon, the lamented martyr of Khar- tum. The four great laws of his life were these: 1. Absolute self- oblivion; 2. Absence of all pretension; 3. Utter indifference to worldly honors; 4. Complete absorption in the will of God. And he lived. by these laws with strange fidelity, even to tearing out pages from the manuscript of his would-be biographer, who, in giving the story of the Taiping rebellion, unduly eulogized him; and to melting down his gold medal, that the starving operatives of Lancashire might have bread.
It is obvious to all spiritual-minded disciples that a higher type of piety is the one pressing need of our day. 'rhe new reformation needful is not only doctrinal, but above all ethical, spiritual, practical. We need more Christlike Christians. Worldliness dims the vision of the unseen, and paralyzes the grasp of faith and hope upon the verities of God's true Word, and chills the very heart of love. Selfishness is the dearth of all true godliness and the death of all true benevolence. It is a melancholy fact that the standard of holy living God has set up is no longer the practical model adopted, or even accepted, by the average disciple. We have used the emphatic word, accepted, for the most melancholy feature of it all is that the Scriptural pattern is virtually disallowed as no longer fitted to, or binding upon, disciples of our day. When attention is called to the astounding contradiction between our Lord's injunctions (as in Matt. xvi: 21-26) and current types of Christian character and conduct, we are told that this teaching was for the apostolic age, and is not appropriate for the time now present; that such pri,nciples make monk~ and nuns, recluses and ascetics; that we are in the world and must not be sour and gloomy separatists like the Pharisees; that if we would win men, we must mingle with men; and that our esthetic tastes were given us to indulge, not to crucify, etc. The modern wine-drinking, card-playing, theatergoing, horse-racing, party-giviug disciple, extravagant in dress, in house appointments, in whole style of expenditure, cultivates luxury on principle, and takes ease on the soft couch of selfish pleasure, with a conscience void of offense. The Bible is not a book for to-day in all these austere views of life. Self-denial has had its day, or may be in vogue for heroic missionaries, but it is out of date in Christian lands. It is not only lawful, but commendable to hoard great wealth and leave great fortunes to one's heirs. Houses full of expensive furniture and garniture, are not thought of as "the things that make a deathbed terrible," even when the luxurious liver sees millions dying of spiritual famine. Surely unless the Lord Jehovah has abdicated his judgment seat, or reversed His judicial decisions, there is a day of destiny ahead, where the modern" disciple" is going to be put to shame!
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
THE PERSECUTION OF CHINESE OHRISTIANS.
BY REV. HUNTER CORBETT, D.D., CHEFOO, CHINA.
Missionary of the Presbyterian Board of the United States (North). 1963.
Almost immediately after the queen dowager usurped the" dragon throne," in September, 1898, bitter and relentless persecution of Ohinese Ohristians began in the Shantung province. Armed men went from village to village in search of Ohristian families. Houses were forcibly broken into; grain, furniture, dishes, cooking utensils, bedding, clothing, and everything that could be carried off, seized. Even doors, windows, and roof timbers of the houses were taken. Oattle driven off; clothing in some instances was stripped from the backs of Christians, and the people left in cold winter weather in utter destitution. Any who locked their doors or tried to protect their property were savagely beaten and compelled to flee for life. Heathen neighbors and relatives were warned that if they received or aided the Ohristians they would meet with similar treatment. '['he families connected with the Roman Catholic Ohurch were first attacked. Soon, however, Protestant families met with the same treatment. Offieials were deaf to all appeals for justice or mercy. They refused to arrest rioters or protect the persecuted Ohristians. One officer, who had been friendly to the missionaries, admitted that in consequence of secret instructions from headquarters he was helpless.
One official, who was appealed to for protection, angrily replied to the Christians: You have brought all this misery upon yourselves. You have allowed yourselves to be deceived by the foreignQrs. You have embraced the depraved and hateful foreign religion, and by so doing you have provoked the righteous indignation of the Boxers, who, stirred by patriotic motives, were constrained to inflict upon you the punishment you so richly deserve.
Earnest appeals from John Fowler, Esq., U. S. consul at Ohefoo, secured many official proclamations, speaking in high praise of the Christian religion, and of the protection due to all loyal Ohinese subjects, etc. One Boxer leader, who was not only a terror to the Ohristians, but to all peace-loving and law-abiding people, told the Christians that they were simple people in not understanding that the proclamations were meant solely to blind the foreigners, whereas all intelligent Chinese understood the true meaning to be the very opposite of the language used. Subsequent events have proved that he had the key to the situation.
The anti-foreign governor, Yu Hs'ien, took advantage of the excitement which followed the murder of two Oatholic German priests, and the seizure of the Kiao-chou port by the German admiral, encouraged and fostered the organization since known as the Boxer or " Great
THE PERSECUTION OF CHINESE CHRISTIANS
Knife Sect" movement. (The latter so-called from the long and broad heavy swords used by the Boxers.) Imperial proclamatious were published, calling on the people everywhere to organize for self- protection. 'rhis met with a most enthusiastic reception. Boxer leaders traveled over the country organizing and drilling recruits, living at the expense of those who enlisted. The leaders claimed to be acting not only under imperial sanction, but also to be aided by invisible spirits, who would make them invulnerable, and aid in exter- minating or driving off all foreigners, and either killing or compelling all native Ohristians to recant. Boxer flags and banners were seen wherever this sect was organized. Four large characters were written on each flag, meaning protect the Manchu dynasty and destroy foreigners. The whole province was rapidly drifting into a state of anarchy, endangering not only the life and property of native Ohris- tians, but also of foreigners, whether missionaries, railroad men, miners, or others. Through the remonstrance of foreign ministers at Peking the governor, Yu Hs'ien, was removed. He went immediately to Peking, where the queen dowager received him with distinguished honors and special reward. Subsequently, against the strong protest of the foreign ministers, Yu Hs'ien was appointed governor of the province of Shansi, and during the few months he has been there has gained the notoriety of securing the massacre of probably one hundred foreign missiollaries, and the almost total extermination of native Christians.
THE MASSACRE AT TAI-YUEN FU.
A trustworthy Chinese, who for nearly two years has been con- nected with a printing press at Taiyuen fu, the capital of Shansi, has returned to Shanghai, and gives the following account. He says he saw with his own eyes the mission buildings on fire, and the pitiable picture of ruthless massacre of missionaries and native Christians.
He says early in June, in obedience to the governor's command, Boxers began to scour the whole country, seizing missionaries and converts to the number of several hundred, all of whom they brought to the provincial capital for slaughter. Men, women, and children were assembled at the great gate of the governor's yamen, and entirely surrounded by the governor's troops, so that none co~ld escape, and at the governor's command were all massacred. The heads of the missionaries were subsequently hung up at the various gates of the city, and their mangled bodies were thrown into a large pit outside the city, and covered with earth. Governor Yu Hs'ien notified the empress dowager of his wonderful success, and claimed the reward promised. Later he had the honor of entertaining the empress and her court for a time after the flight from Peking.
Rev. Ting Li Mei, pastor of two country churches, which pay the entire salary of the pastor, was arrested July 7th at his home one
hundred and thirty miles southwest of Chefoo. The following morn- ing the officer charged him with being a disturber of the peace, which simply meant that he was a Christian leader. The officer commanded him to be thrown on his face, and in the officer's presence to be beaten two hundred blows with a bamboo club. 'rhis was done in the most brutal manner; subsequently some of the attendants, who witnessed the beating, told him that the beating he received was almost as severe as one thousand blows given in the ordinary way.
The officer told Mr. Ting that instructions had come from the gov- ernor at Chinan fn that he must compel all the Christians to re- cant; if they refused, their houses and churches would be confis- cated, they would be regarded as disloyal subjects, and given no protection from the Boxers. POl'
days Mr. 'ring was kept in prison, and every effort made to induce him to recant and promise to have nothing more to do with Chris- tianity. He told his tormentors again ancI again they might kill him, but he could not deny Jesus who gave His life to redeem him.
His patience and firmness made such an impression on his fellow- prisoners that one man became deeply interested in the truth, and began to pray and seek salva- tion. Finally Mr. Ting was released by order of the governor in response to an appeal from the REV. TING LI MEl. United States consul. The officer warned him that if he did not leave the district under his jurisdiction, and never return either to live or preach there, the consequences might be serious. Other leading members of the church in that district were also beaten. Many fled in the night, and after nearly four months are unable to return in safety to their homes.
In the P'ang-chuang district twenty-three out-stations have been attacked by the Boxers. The churches were either locked and sealed by the local authorities, or burned or pulled down to the foundation.
All the preachers, teachers. and any connected with the mission have been compelled to flee or pay heavy fines – some have mortgaged all their property to raise the money. One preacher has remained in
THE l>ERSEOUTION OF CHINESE CIIRI8T1ANS
his hiding-place three months, and still does not dare to venture home.
The church and schoolhonse at the village of Ta Shin T'au, near the German territory, was burned in September, the homes of the Christians broken into and looted, and all the Christians compelled to flee to the Germans for protection. The church there pays the full salary of the pastor, and also the school teacher. All the Christians there are holding fast to their professions.
At T'aitsz Chuang, fifteen miles from Ta Shin Tau, the Boxers took forcible possession of the church and made it, for a time, their headquarters. Not only the Christian families in that town, but in all CHINESE CHRISTIAN REFUGEES FROM eHIHLI, HONAN AND SHANTUNG PROVINCES.
the surrounding villages, have had their houses looted and everything either carried off or destroyed. A few have escaped so far by paying heavy fines. For nearly two years the Christians in that district have been kept in constant terror, and have had to watch their houses and fields night and day, fearing hostile attacks. Again and again the Christians have been compelled to flee for their lives to the neglect of their farms and means of livelihood. The official was constantly appealed to for protection, but his sympathies were all with the Boxers. Of late the Christians feared to even report their losses to the officer, as his underlings everywhere circulated the word that the officer had received instructions to compel all Christians to recant. They felt their only safety was to keep away, or flee if the officer sent to arrest them. A few days ago word came that the Boxer leader in that
district had become so daring and violent that everybody, Christians and heathen, feared him. German soldiers, dressed as Chinese, went in the night and arrested him, and handed him over for execution, and in a day or two he was decapitated. His brothers and sons, however, seem ready to take his place, and are breathing out rage and revenge on the Christians. They have beaten one man so that his life was despaired of.
A FA~nLY OF MARTYRS.
Rev. Wang Chao Shang lately left Shantung to accept a call to the Second Presbyterian Church at Peking. Early in June a son, a young lad, was seized by the Boxers, who tried to compel the boy to deny Jesus and burn incense and worship idols. He refused and in consequence was beheaded. When his father heard the sad news he said it was the faithful Christian teaching of the boy's mother that made him faithful unto death. A few nights later the Boxers went to the home of Mr. Wang, set his house on fire, and all the inmates fled for their lives. In the darkness the family became separated. The father, two sons, and a little daughter remained together and endured the terrible siege of two months under almost constant shot and shell. Mrs.Wang, a daughter-in-law, and her infant, a daughter aged eighteen, two small nephews, and the father of Mrs. Wang escaped together and found temporary shelter near one of the city gates. The father of Mrs. Wang, named Tsung, a man seventy-six years of age, went to the market to buy food; on the way the Boxers met him and called out, "Are you a member of the Catholic Church?" He replied, "No." One said, "He is an old man, let him alone." Mr. Tsung called out, "I am not a Catholic, but I believe and trust in Jesus, and am a member of the Church of Jesus." He was beheaded and his flesh cut in slices on one of the .main streets of Peking. Mrs. Wang and all who remained with her tried to flee into the 'country for safety and begged food by the way for several days. Finally the Boxers overtook and arrested them, and in the presence of a great crowd attending an open-air theater all were beheaded, and their bodies hacked all over with heavy swords. Mrs. Wang was the last killed. The Boxers seemed disposed to spare her life. She called out, "I believe in Jesus with all my heart and trust Him for the salvation of my soul; do you not want to kill me, too?" She also died for the truth. She was a well-educated woman, and from a child has known and loved her Savior. She has done a grand work as teacher for missionary ladies learning the language. Her father was baptized in 1866, and was one of the first converts connected with the church at Ohefoo. The two nephews are reported to have been spared and adopted by two brothers who are soldiers..
Rev. Teng Ying, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Peking, with his entire family, consisting of nine persons, were massacred.
THE PERSECUTION OF CHINESE CHRISTIANS
The Boxers burned the Presbyterian church June 18th. The same day the Boxers went to the home of a Christian family named Tu living near the church. The father, mother, daughter, aged fifteen, daughter in-law, aged twenty, a son named Tu Teh Ping, aged eight, and a little girl, aged three, were all seized and their arms bound with ropes behind their backs. They were taken to a temple outside the city wall. The Boxers pretended to be able to tell all who were truly Ohristians by seeing the sign of the cross on their foreheads. All except Tu Teh Ping and his little sister were pronounced worthy of death. .They were all beheaded, and their flesh cut in slices. 'fhe two children were pronounced ownerless and offered to anyone who wished to take them. A soldier took the boy, and soon afterward gave him to another man, who took him to his uncle's home. After the siege the little boy came to the missionaries, who sent him to Ohefoo to meet his older brother, an earnest Ohristian young man, a student in the Tung-chou college. It is not known what became of the little three year old girl. A few days later the grandfather of these children, a Ohristian man aged seventy-two, was bound with his hands and feet together, swung on a pole, and carried by two men to the same temple, where he was massacred.
The fate of Miss Newton's schoolgirls has brought sadness to mauy. Miss Newton feared there might be an attack upon her TU TEH PING AND TU TEH WUN. scbool, SO sent all to their homes Tllese are the only two surviving members of a Christian family massacred at Peking.
in the city, or to places provided for them, thinking they were safer there than any other place. Four of the Chinese lady teachers and many of the pupils are known cer- tainly to have been massacred. Only six of a school of about thirty pupils are known to have escaped death.
The school for the blind, under the care of the Rev. W. H. Murray, has been blotted out of existence. The Boxers broke into the com- pound, and savagely killed everyone, thirty boys and five girls, and burned the buildings.
At first the Boxers as a rule took their victims outside of the city as criminals are taken, and killed them there. Later the taste for blood and rapine grew. Indiscriminate slaughter, rohbery, and arson marked the track of these demoniac bands. Armed men went everywhere throughout Peking, seeking for Ohristians, and any who had been connected in any way with foreigners. Neighbors were found everywhere ready to act as guides and assist in plundering and carrying off all they could, while the Boxers were beheading and setting the houses on fire. It is said the Boxers would call to men, women, or children they might meet or see on the street: "You are members of the foreign (or devil's) church, are you not?" If they showed any signs of fear, or tried to escape, they were killed at once. Many who were not in any way connected with foreigners or the Ohristian church are said to have been killed and had their houses burned.
Ohin Tsai Ohang, a young man connected with the American Methodist Mission at Tsun-hua, one hundred miles east of Peking, escaped to Ohefoo, and testifies that no sooner were the missionaries compelled to flee for their lives, near the end of June, than the hosvital, church, schoolhouses, and missionary dwelling-houses were all looted and burned. Miss Liu Wen Lun, a teacher in the girls' school, and her widowed mother were seized by the Boxers. All were surprised that the teacher showed no signs of fear. She was given her choice either to recant or die. She replied: "I can never deny my precious Savior. You can kill me, but you can not compel me to deny Jesus and worship false gods." Her body was hacked from head to feet in a shocking manner, and then thrown into a dry well. The mother is supposed to have been killed at the same time. The Ohristians all fled to the hills, hoping to hide from their enemies. They were pursued, however, as tho they had been wolves, and only those who were able to flee beyond that district, escaped death. One colporteur was taken to a temple, beheaded, and disemboweled.
The Peking and Tientsin Times of October 13, contains a sad account of merciless cruelty inflicted on Ohristians living in towns and villages within a radius of a few miles distant from Peking. Rev. Tewkesbury, of the American Board Mission, went with an escort of twenty of the United States cavalry, to visit places where converts were known to live before the Boxer trouble broke out. Some of the poor Ohristians, as well as their non-Ohristian relatives, were found to have been buried alive, others were burned at the stake, and others were first saturated with kerosene oil and then set on fire.
A Ohristian, who narrowly escaped with his life, came from Manchuria. He testifies that no sooner had the missionaries been compelled to flee from Mukden than the two hospitals, where thousands had received free treatment, were first set on fire and afterward every building connected with the missiona.ry work of the Scotch United
THE PERSECUTION OF CHINESE CHRISTIANS
Presbyterian, and Irish Presbyterian missions, were utterly destroyed.
The fine Roman Catholic church was surrounded by Boxers and impe- rial soldiers. The church was set on fire, and not one of the many refugees, who had fled for safety to the church, were suffered to escape.
It is said a Roman Catholic bishop, two French priests, and two sisters of mercy perished in the flames. All the native converts, both Cath- olic and Protestant, who failed to escape early from the city, are said to have been massacred. In one center in Manchuria, where there were a great number of church members, it is said a high official had all the converts from far and near brought into his presence. A great crowd of imperial sCfldiers and Boxers, armed with swords, sur- rounded them, like bloodthirty tigers, waiting to be allowed to spring upon them. The officer told the Christians they could now choose between life and death. If they renounced Christianity and promised never again to have anything to do with foreigners and their religion, he would spare their lives and protect them; if not, he would regard them as rebellious subjects. Alas! they were overcome as by panic, and promised to comply with the officer's command.
The same thing happened in some centers in the Shantung prov- ince. Some of those who recanted claim that it was only with the lips, while in their hearts they could not deny Christ. Others claim all the authorities demanded was that they should promise to forsake the foreign religion, and in making the promise they felt in their hearts that the Christian religion was not a foreign one, and they iutflnded to hold to the truth, and believe in their hearts, even tho they can not make an open profession at the present time. One man said, his parents were both nearing eighty years of age, were feeble and unable to flee, and in the face of death he could not with a good- con- science either attempt to flee and forsake his parents, nor could he !'lee them massacred; consequently his father's name was given as his rep- resentative of the family, and they were reported among those who have recanted. The governor, in reply to a remonstrance sent by the United States consul, said, this recantation was only intended to be temporary and a means of saving life. There will be some perplexing questions for the Church to settle in dealing with those who under various circumstances have compromised their Christian faith. Many of the members paid monRY to the yamen runners who were sent to search them out, and left the yamen men to make whatever reports to the officer they saw fit. .
Surely these people need the prayers and sympathies of God's people. During the long siege of more than two months in Peking there were three thousand and fifty-six Chinese converts associated with the white people exposed to constant danger. Mr. R. E. Bred'on, deputy inspector-general of Chinese customs, wrote since the siege: " As to the native Christians, many of them were men of a class far
superior to that from which they are generally supposed to be drawn. They supplied willingly all the labor we had and without which we could never have held out. Their missionary teachers led them in every work and in many positions of danger. 1'I1:yexperience of the legation siege has raised very considerably my opinion of the missionary and of the native Christian, and the influence of his religion on him." Both the British and American ministers and others speak in high terms of the native Christians, and how much they did to save the situation. The many who remained faithful unto death ~ive a pledge that a day of glory will soon dawn on China.
NEW MISSION PROBLEMS IN CHINA.
BY REV. ARTHUR H. SMITH, D.D•.• TIENTSIN, CHINA. Missionary of the American Board, 1872.
The great cataclysm in the Celestial Empire has for the present put a period to:almost all missionary work in the provinces of Chihli, Shantung, Shansi, Shensi, Honan, and Manchuria, besides greater or less parts of others. Each one of these is as large as many European kingdoms, and the whole region affected can not be less than two-thirds or threefourths of all China, even if it be true that any portion still remains undisturbed. The treaty ports of Tientsin and Niu-chuang were defended by foreign troops, and escaped destruction. Several Roman Catholic cathedrals were fortified, and held against all efforts of the Boxers and Chinese soldiers to take them. But so far as is known to the writer, with the exception of two missionary houses, which escaped owing to special local conditions, and which were looted, tho not destroyed, there is only one Protestant mission station from the Yellow River on the south to the Great Wall on the north, which remains uninjured-that in the little village of P'ang Chuang, Shantung, where an arrangement between the local Boxers and one of the ex-church memblrs saved the property, but not the church members from attack. It will be long before the immense losses which have been experienced can be so tabulated as to present any general idea of their scope, and when this has been done no adequate conception of the devastation wrought will be conveyed. Of this we shall hear more fully as time goes on. It is the object of this paper to draw attention to certain new questions which arise from the present unanticipated and unexampled conditions, tho it will not be possible to make an exhaustive list, but only to specify classes of problems. It is exactly forty years since Protestant missionaries, of whom Rev. Henry BIodget, D.D., of the American Board, was the first, entered Tientsin, and through it the great field of which it is the natural gate.
The processes by which the ordinary mission station is opened vary widely, but there is still a general similarity. In some instances large
NEW MISSION PROBLEMS IN CHINA
cities are occupied on general principles, in others special openings lead to the selection of cities, towns, or even villages which would not otherwise have been thought of in this connection. Of the former prin- ciple Tientsin, Peking, and Paoting-fu are specimens. Of the latter, the city of T'ung Chou, the trade center of Kalgan, the mining center of 'luang Shan, and three villages, one in Ohihli and two in Shantung, which have been chosen within the past twenty-five years by the English Methodist New Connexion Mission, by the American Board, and by the London Mission, in each of which mission houses have been erected, chapels and schools provided for and conducted upon a large scale, and with not a little success. In the case of Kalgan there has been found great difficulty in making missionary work strike deep roots, partly for the reason that the people are largely strangers coming from other and often distant places, planning ere long to return to their homes. Their preoccupation and their utter indifference have made it hard to impress them. In this respect tbis semi-city is a type of other places which have long been held, faithfully worked with very moderate results,and are now suddenly visited by the destructive cyclone, obliterating every external trace of missionary occn pation.
READJUSTMENT OF ~nSSION STATIONS.
What shall be done with Kalgan is a question which the Americ~n Board will soon be called npon to face, and it is easy to perceive that it is a question with two sides. Upon its wise decision in such a case will depend the missionary hanest for a long period of years. It can not be doubted that every mission carrying on work on a large scale, has problems of the same kind to be met, not only in regard to the locations of stations, but out-stations also, many of which, once chosen, are often abandoned only with great difficulty. Another phase of the same matter is the relative adjustment of the several stations to one another. In some instances, owing to special causes, these stations are found to have been located too near to one another for .. freedom of action, their territories inconveniently overlapping and intersecting, causing embarrassments never contemplated at the outset.
The principal bearing of this matter, however, relates to the readjustment of the respective fields of different missions in such a way as to have the whole area occupied without the present deeply lamented duplication of force, an amplification and exaggeration of that just mentioned as pertaining to stations of the same mission. If the diffi- culties in that case are often real, in the case of sister missions they are far more so. Once the territory has been occupied, often in a peculiarly" providential" way on each side, it is almost impossible to divide the territory so as to give mutual satisfaction. This should have been done at the outset by some provisional arrangement, how- ever much in ontline, su bject to revision at intervals. As a rule this
has not been the practise in the past, with the result that lapse of time has emphasized the diffieulties of duplication of forces, waste of money, of time, of labor, and worse than all, of Christian fruit, for the lack of a business sense of the fitness of things, in which the children of this world are often at a great advantage over the children of light. Now that all mission stations have been destroyed, the Lord affords a golden opportunity for the rearrangement of fields and points of occupation. This ought not to be difficult, in view of the unanimity of the socie- ties as to the desirability of the result. The conference of secretaries in New York ought to afford a medium through which much might be accomplished in this direction within a short time, after full con- ference with all the representatives of the different missions con- cerned.
NEW BUILDINGS AND MISSION HELPERS.
A second general class of problems relates to the style in which and the scale upon which work is to be recommenced. It has often been felt that the number and cost of buildings has been uncon- sciously, because gradually, made greater than desirable were a new be- ginning possible, and there are perhaps few mission stations where improvements could not be-made in many directions in the line both of efficiency and economy. In those missions where there has been felt to be a too free use of money-if any such there are-now is the time for a revision of the scale of salaries of all sorts, and for definite steps looking toward a movement to self-support in the near future. The fact that, owing to the complete destitution of the church members, nothing can now be done in the matter, may make it all the easier to arrange for a new plan, whenever the circumstances of the church render it feasible. A cognate difficulty which must now be met is the decision which of the former mission agents are now to be dropped from employ- ment. Ohanges of this sort have their embarrassments at any time, but a natural crisis is the opportunity which ought not to be left unimproved. The mflmbership of the churches has in some cases been reduced by more than a third, and even by a half, through deaths by violence, or directly resulting from perllecution. The ques- tion of what allowances are to be made for those who have suffered in this way the loss of members of their immediate families, is by no means an easy one. In some cases considerable sums are or may be at the disposal of the missionary for this end. Rightly to employ them so as not to do more harm than good, and so as to avoid stirring jealousy and dissatisfaction among the recipients of assistance is a task for angels. This is rendered the more difficult because in many cases the foreign missionary is unable, owingto the disturbed condition of the country, to visit the field himself, but must work through others Who 11re themselv~s but human, alld liable to be overborne by the ur~ent
claims of those whose acts do not entitle them to be recognized as in full Christian standing.
REINSTATEMENT OF CHRISTIANS.
This leads to the mention of another highly complicated class of problems arising from the necessity of maintaining unimpaired the purity of the Church, while making also allowance for the weakness of human nature under terrible strain. By the edict of the empresH dowager of July 21st, 1900, all Christians were virtually required to recant from the Christian faith. The governors-general of the central provinces did not, it is true, so interpret the edict, but the governor of Shantung did so, and proclamations have been everywhere issued in that sense. The result is that Christians were subjected to a strain above that which many of them were able to bear, some of long standing and tried fidelity giving way beneath the heavy burden. What ought to be the principle in dealing with cases of this sort, and are they all to be treated as on the same footing? There are many cases in which there is reason to suspect that a church member has displayed a wholly un-Christian spirit, and haR taken vengeance upon his persecutors, as well as upon those who were not in any way identified with the Boxer movement, by getting them punished as such. The line between the satisfaction of justice and the thirst for vengeance per se is often by no means an easy one to trace, and the missionary who suddenly finds himself with a tangled crop of such cases on his hands, has need for the wi.sdom which is at once pure and peaceable.
Another danger even more pressing and insidious is the almost irrepressible lust for loot, which the lawless circumstances of the time beget in the Chinese Christians, in which the distinctions between mettnl and t1lum are too insubstantial to be traceable, resembling the meridian of a place, which, tho it is well known to exist, can not be found by any but an expert, and is not felt as a need by any one. When one considers the way in which foreigners of all ranks and conditions have been drawn into this deadly vortex of loot, it is not surprising that it is hard to keep the native Christians free from its contaminations. The sight of opportunities which may make them independently rich for life, puts a fearful strain upon the Christian character of the best, but it is not too much to remark incidentally that the Chinese have appeared to withstand the temptation quite as well as those with far greater advantages from the Christian lands of the West, whose compendious theory has often been that since the Chinese fired on the legations it is quite right to lay hands anywhere upon anything one can get.
This leads us again to the relation of the missionary himself to some peculiar opportunities to help his flock in ways wherein
they need his assistance. The siege in Peking was no sooner over than the location of the many hundred Christians, more than a hundred of them school-girls, became a pressing question. Not a mission building of any kind remained in the city. But there were dwellings of the rich Chinese and Manchus now deserted, into which it was easy to effect an entrance, and which were found in many cases to be filled with valuables not yet looted by the neighbors, or the roving soldiery. Acting upon the advice of the legations, some of these dwellings or "palaces" were occupied in this way, and in some cases the property (considered by the only available authority to be confiscated to the foreign governments) was sold for the benefit of the Chinese Christians. All the Manchu princes having been engaged in the attempt to exterminate foreigners and drive them out, the assumption, under such law as alone existed, of their possessions for the purpose named, commended itself to some missionaries as right and wise. Others may have judged differently, but the concrete case affords an illustration of the new problems sprung on the foreign pastors of Chinese flocks. So also the use to be made of the property in detail, and the manner in which the numerous claimants on his care shall be looked after, and the chasm between the temporary exigency and the restoration of permanent relations bridged over, tax the wisdom, the faith, and the patience of the most experienced.
MISSIONARIES AND THEIR CRITICS.
It should be added that the innumerable differences of opinion arising from the circumstances of the missionaries in China, has made everything relating to them an object of publicity to an unexampled extent. Many of their critics have been intelligent and kindly, but far more have indulged to the full the American talent for assuming to know everything about a subject of the mere outlines of which no knowledge has been acquired at first hand. What is to be the relation of the faithful missionary to critics of this sort? They abound in the local press of the Far East as well as in the journals of the United States. Answers in full to all their statements it is impossible to give, nor is it worth while. The American people are no doubt inclined to be superficial, but they are not unfair nor unjust. When the truth comes to be known, it will be seen that Christianity in China has been a disturbing force because it is and must be so everywhere, and not through the. mismanagement of Protestant missions. Meantime we can leave the result with the Lord of the Harvest, whose servants we are. But it can not be too often nor too earnestly asked of every Christian that he will pray to that great Master to guide His children aright, and so illuminate them that these and all other problems may be settled to His honor and to the advancement of His Kingdom upon the earth.
IN THE LAND OF SADDLE-BAGS
IN THE LAND OF SADDLE-BAGS.
THE PROTESTANT PEOPLE OF ApPALACHIAN AMERICA.* BY REV. WILLIAM GOODELL FROST, PH.D.
President of Berea College, Kentucky.
On a modern map we see a well-defined territory, comprising the western portions of the Atlantic states, northern Georgia and Alabama, and eastern Tennessee and Kentucky, which may be said to constitute one of the natural grand divisions of our continent. This region has great diversity of climate, altitude, and surface, but it has all one striking characteristic-it is a land of saddle-bags. One great limitation confronts its inhabitants-they can travel only on horseback. It requires more effort for the average American Highlander to reach the capital of his state than for a resident of Ohicago to visit London.
It seems like a surprising geological oversight that this territory has no kindly arms of the sea, no inland lakes, and no navigable streams. The lack of waterways renders it more inaccessible than any mountain district in Europe. Bridle-paths following the course of streams, and circuitous wagon roads threading the "gaps" and traversing the larger valleys, form its only avenues of communication with the world.
But this condition of affairs was not so evident to new settlers in America four and five generations ago. To them all "the western country" was a wilderness, and no maps existed which could reveal the difference between western New York, with its lakes and the great coming Erie Oanal, and western Virginia. Besides, the first settlers found very good valley land in the Southern mountains-ample domains for the first generation. It was only with the increase of population that it became necessary to cultivate the thinner soil and steeper sides of the" knobs."
This then is the un written history of the first comers. There were the Scotch-Irish, most numerous of all, with their well-known characteristics of temperament and principle. And then came the English *The record of Protestant emigrations from Europe to America is necessarily obscure and defective. They did not go out with a flourish of trumpets. The Huguenots of France melted from sight, taking with them tbe brain and nerve of the nation, and were scattered over both hemispheres. Germany had its evictions and shiftings of population. England and Scotland have been continuously drained. But these great movements have been inconspicuous. Secrecy was often necessary to safety, and when the great cause seemed to fail protesting churches and households acted independently and resolutely, and set tl;eir faces toward some land of new promise. They disappeared before the face of the oppressor, and fulfilled a Divine purpose in a new and larger world. The Mayflower company is an example, most fortunately put on record, showing the trials and ~aspirations of the families of a Protestant exodus whose limits no historian has yet defined. It is the purpose of the present article to show how one great stream of this Protestant migration has been lost in the wilderness for thrice forty years.-W. G. F.
dissenters (Cromwell himself once engaged passage to America). '1'he town and family names of the west counties of England which were most concerned in the ill-starred uprising of "the Protestant Duke" Monmouth are to be found to-day in eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. The German contingent was much smaller, and came mainly through the southwest valleys from Pennsylvania. The Huguenot strain made its mark in men like John Sevier in Tennessee.
Many of these ad venturous exiles tarried for a generation in the coast colonies, and then "went west" under the same great impulse which affected all Americans after the Revolution. A smaller number seem to have found their way almost at once into the hills.
The influence of slavery showed itself in the first half of this century in driving many of these liberty loving families into the mountains, and in walling them up there with a barrier of social repulsion. The line between mountain and lowland came to represent diversity of type and ideas, animosity even, and so made more effective the isolation of the mountain folk.
OUR CONTEMPORARY ANCEOO'ORS.
And now what has been the unwritten history of the descendants of these Protestant dissenters in the obscurity of their mountain home during the last hundred years? The answer must be that, compared with what has been going on in the great modern world, nothing has happened to these solitary dwellers in the hills. They took into their mountain valleys the civilization of the colonial period -and that is the prevailing type among them still. To understand the mountain people of to-day one needs a little historic imagination. With this he will perceive that most of what a superficial observer would call their faults are really honest survivals from the times of our forefathers. The colonial dialect, with its strong Saxon flavor, and scores of words like brickety, sorry, soon for early, pack for carry, etc., is one of the first discoveries. As we become more intimate with them we find that unlettered dames can repeat long ballads from the old Scotch and English anthologies-ballads which refer to "the Turkish lady" and other subjects of Crusading times, with odd variations to adapt them to their far-off American home!
And the colonial condition of arts and sciences still survives here in large degree. Splint. bottomed chairs, such as went to the attic in western New York fifty years ago, homespun bedcovers which are coveted by fashionable ladies to-day, grease lamps, burning lard with floating wick, hand-mills which turn out a delicious grist for breakfast cornpones, blacksmiths who can also tinker clocks, extract teeth, preach, and" raise a crap "-these are a few of the externals which lead us to characterize the mountaineers as "our contemporary ancestors! "
IN THE LAND OF SADDLE-BAGS
Passing beyond externals we find a colonial hospitality, a colonial disregard of the sacredness of human life, and a colonial religion of literalism and fatalism. And it is here that we find sad divergence from the Protestant characteristics of the earlier time. Pioneer conditions prevented the maintenance of the educational standard so essential to Protestantism. Preachers were scarce, and they could have meetings but once a month. They had the civilization of the colonial period, but that civilization did not include the common school, the division of labor, or the full idea of toleration. Preachers were scarce and they began to "put up with" men who had little or no education. This was the fatal fall, for Protestantism without intelligence is impossible. No Protestant people has ever been so des- A MOUNTAIN STILL IN KENTUCKY MAKING aPPLE-JACK.
titute of educated leaders. That a man should not know the meaning of Easter, and preach upon the story of Queen Esther on Easter Day, is more amusing than harmful perhaps, but when he begins to boast that he preaches without study, and without" taking thought," so that when he gets up in the pnlpit "the devil himself don't know what's a-going to be said," we cannot smile. It is no wonder that such men neglect" the weightier matters of the law" and give their main efforts to obscure and controverted points. A solemn debate as to whether the" Missionary Baptist" or the "Southern Methodist" is the only true church has occurred within a few miles of Berea. Resolutions denouncing missions as unwarrantable interferences with the" decrees" of Providence, and Sunday-schools as unauthorized by
Scripture, are passed by ministerial conventions every summer. Of course these views are not held by all the numerous denominations in the mountains, but those who do profess a belief in missions and Sunday-schools too often fail to contribute to the one or sustain the other.
And meanwhile the people are without the true incentives of the Gospel. It is pathetic to find an intelligent young teacher complaining that he can not find out what Christianity is, or what the Lord really wants of him, altho he has listened to preaching more or less all his life. And it is still more pathetic to find an aged woman who has brought up a large family of children, faithfully training them ill the best of all the traditions with which she is acquainted, and who yet says with a quaver in her voice, "I haint never heard no call of the speerit. I haint nary sign that I'm one of the elect."
The morality of the mountain people, too often quite separable from their religion, is greatly varied, tho on tpe whole much better than would be expected. Their conventionalities are not the same as those of our towns and cities, but they have moral standards to which they adhere with rigid insistence. In one valley it sometimes happens that the leading families remove, as did the Lincolns, to some western state, and society collapses. The tales of extreme degradation told by travelers may be true, but they need not be accepted as typical.
These then are the striking characteristics of this great population: First, the absence of the distinctively modern idl3as and habits of thought. Second, a survival of many customs and ideas which belong to past centuries. And third, a certain pathetic shyness mingled with a proud sensitiveness as they realize that somehow they are at a disadvantage in the presence of "strangers," or "furriners," as visitors from the outside world are often called.
THE RECORD OF THE MOUNTAINEERS.
Altho thus isolated from their fellow-countrymen, the mountain people have contributed their sbare to our national greatness. A number of writers have recently been rescuing from oblivion their Revolutionary record. In the same county where Berea College now stands Daniel Boone was besieged in his fort by a company of Indians under command of a British officer, and summoned to surrender in the name of King George. It was a horde of stalwart hunters from Tennessee, Kentucky, and the Carolina mountains who administered a crushing defeat to the British forces at King's Mountain, and set in motion the current of events which culminated at Yorktown. In the war of 1812, New Orleans was defended by men with long rifles from the hills whose powder horns were filled with stuff of their own manufacture, the saltpeter having come from caves in the mountains.
In the Civil War their services were stilI more marked. '1'he great
IN THE LAND OF SADDLE-BAGS
mountain region was not tenanted by slaveholders. Its inhabitants were not the" poor whites" degraded by competition with slave labor, but a self-respecting yeomanry-really the best middle class the South possesses. They owned land and had the independence of spirit which belongs to possessors of the soil. Neither the northern nor the southern leaders seefn to have taken account of the mountain element, but they were speedily reminded of it by the action of West Virginia in seceding from secession, and the vigorous opposition of eastern Tennessee simply showed the temper of the whole region. Union soldiers .were actually enlisted in the mountains of Alabama and the Carolinas. Kentucky was held in the Union by its mountain counties. And the transfer of 200,000 fighting men A PRIMITIVE HOME OF A MOUNTAINEER.
from th~ forces counted upon for the Confederacy, to the Union side, was a mighty make-weight in the scales of civil war. Every movement of the Confederates from the east to the west was hindered by this island of loyal sentiment. The Union soldiers who in other parts of the South were guided by the faithful Negro, and assisted in their escape from southern prisons by his friendly aid, received like services from the mountaineers. Their loyalty is the more to be admired because it was loyalty in the immediate presence of the enemy; a loyalty that cost them dearly in the breaking of cherished associations, the destruction of property, and the sacrifice of many lives. And it is a service to the nation which has never been fitly commemorated nor recorded. The mountain regiments had no badges, poets, or his-
torians. They dispersed to their scattered homes aud it is only at the fireside that their deeds of valor find commemoration to-day.
It is to be remarked that for many mountain men the war was an education. '['hey were carried out of the narrow circle of previous experience and brought into contact with men from other sections, and returned to their homes with larger ideas than their fathers or grandfathers had ever had.
That the native vigor and capacity of these people has been"obscured but not extinguished is shown by the record of those few individuals who have made their way to the region of larger opportunities. Stonewall Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Admiral Farragut (whose mother's name was McIven), Munsey, the great Methodist orator of Baltimore, Rev. George J. Burchett, of Oregon, Commander Maynard, of Spanish war fame, Parson Brownlow, Col. Robert Clay Crawford (" Osman Pasha") are examples of the sterling abilities of the mountain people.
BEREA AND EDUCATION.
It requires but little reflection to discern the great value of this vigorous, liberty-loYing, Protestant population in the heart of the South. It is a population more purely American than can be found in any other section. It has the unjaded nerves which can steady the nation's thought, as well as the giant frames which can accelerate the nation's industries. If it can be touched with education it will be an element which will contribute largely to the success of every good cause.
The present writer was brought in contact with the mountain people by accident in West Virginia in 1884. Some years later he was providentially called to the presidency of Berea College, and he has felt that he was specially commissioned for befriending our countrymen in Appalachian America. The question of the means and methods by which the unfavorable c~nditions of this vast region shall be overcome, and the native strength and character of the people developed, is an important and perplexing one. It is a piece of educational and Christian work unlike almost any other which can be mentioned.
Berea's program for the mountain population is based upon a few principles which, tho often neglected in such work, seem well nigh self-evident.
In the first place, we are undertaking to reach them as friends rather than as missionaries. Our great analogy is the work which has been done in pioneer communities in the West. While the West was passing through the" stump and log cabin" period, it received substantial assistance from the older and richer portions of the land. The West had a liberal sprinkling of educated leaders, and abundant ties of family and commerce with the East, so that its development was natural and rapid. These educated leaders and these lines of acquaintance with the outside world the mountain region lacks, and
iN THE LAND OF sAflDLE-BAGS
it is our effort to supply them. Everything which promotes acquaint- ance with that which is best in the national life will help them in the most effective way.
A second principle is that we should seek to develop and encour- age all that is best in their present life and surroundings. We should not impose upon them our ways of thinking, in a wholesale manner, but build upon the best 'elements of their own life and thought. Weare encouraging the lireside industries which are so well adapted to their present con- dition, and trying to make them proud of their best examples of log architecture. The exchange of honest homespun and substan- tial log houses for flimsy "fac- tory" and wretched board shanties is not always to be commended.
We shall not seek to set them in motion toward the great cities, but try to show them how they may enjoy all that is possible of comfort and culture where they are.
This implies a great deal of careful adaptation in all our work. We can not bring them the courses of study or methods of a northern school, but must, at every point, inquire for the stand- point of the learner and the actual circumstances and conditions in A MOUNTAIN BOY. which his new knowledge is to be Dressed In a suit of homespun linen.
applied.
AnOther part of our program is to work in an undenominational way. Berea Oollege was led to this position by its providential history, and we have every reason to rejoice)n it. Like Hampton, Berea was aided in its early struggles by the American Missionary Association, which was then a nonsectarian society. There has been a growing feeling that the activities of Ohristian people ought to be carried on more largely in a cooperative manner~that there is a waste of money and of moral power when different religious bodies carryon separate activities, ignoring, and often opposing one another, amon~ a scattered
population. Weare seeking to cooperate with all Christian churches and to emphasize the great principles of Christianity on which all followers of our Lord agree.
The fact that Berea was founded with signs and wonders before the war gives it an influence and an opportunity which are altogether uniqu e. It was the outgrowth of the anti-slavery sentiment of the South. Gen. Cassius M. Clay noted the circumstaJ)ce that the moun- tain people had land but did not have slaves, and he located a strong- hold of free speech among them. Rev. John G. Fee was the prophet of the enterprise, and the men who mobbed and persecuted him so uniformly came to violent deaths that he was regarded with supersti- tious awe. Prof. J. A. R. Rogers supplied the educational element, and the school :speedily acquired a momentum which evcn civil war could not interrupt.
The college early took the ground that the only test for admission should be one of character, and has for thirty years admitted colored students on the same basis as white students. Last year out of a total of some seven hundred stndents about one hundred and fifty were colored. This of course implies no social compulsion. No student is forced to associate with any who are distasteful to him. But the in- stitution welcomes all alike. White and colored students do not room together. In the literary societies colored boys are frequently e lee ted to ofJke t, on their merits."
There has been no tend- ency toward intermar- riage. These arrange- ments make no more disturbance here than in the great schools outside the territory which was cursed by slavery. And it is a good element in the education of any Southern boy to have him see his colored brothers A MOUNTAIN GIRL ARRIVING AT BEREA.
treated like men. Much She wears a homespun U Unsey" dress and a. to the surprise ·ofmany "boughten" jacket.
good people this arrangement has never produced a collision or a scandal. And the relations of the two races are more friendly, pure, and satisfactory in the sphere of Berea's influence than anywhere else in the Sonth.
1901.J IN THE LAND OF SADDLE-BAGS
A brief description of our actual arrangements for trying to carry out the principles above outlined may be more interesting and sug- gestive than a statement of the principles themselves.
Our largest department is the Normal, training teachers for the new and struggling public schools. We have just called to the head of this department Prof. John W. Dinsmore of Nebraska.
Next in importance comes the Industrial Department. We have not had means nor occasion for opening so many forms of industry as at Hampton. Our girls have sewing, cooking, and nursing; our young men have printing, carpentering, and farming. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is exceedingly practical. The m.ountain people were the best hunters, and have exterminated the game. Their next resource was lumber, and they have cut deeply into the forests. They must now be taught to get a living out of the land, and to preserve the forests, which ought to be a source of perpetual wealth. Our Prof. S. C. Mason has just returned from a sojourn in Europe, where he has studied the methods of forestry and mountain agriculture, and he will be in position to make suggestions which will enrich every household in Appalachian America.
Besides the departments already named, we have a regular Academy and College course, and the students in these courses are actively engaged in religious work in the college and its vicinity.
BEREA EXTENSION WORK.
Most marked of all adaptations for this peculiar field is the" extensian" work, carried on by traveling libraries, horse-back lecturers, and tent meetings, which cover a wide region. Great industrial conferences like those held at Tuskegee are impracticable for the mountain people. We gather five or six thousand of them for one day at commencement time, where we present them with a full program, but we cannot entertain such a congregation over night, nor can they be long absent from their homes. But. the extension work reaches them in their homes, and is specially valuable in awakening an interest among those who are not yet sufficiently enlisted to undertake a long journey for the sake of attending any conferences. The extension work brings to them what the social settlement brings in a great city, "not alms, but a friend." A tent meeting will begin with an hour of Bible exposition; after a recess there will be an hour on some phase of education. In the afternoon the first session may be given to a farmers' conference, and a second hour to domestic science. At night the young people will gather for singing-school, which will be followed by a sermon or a stereopticon lecture which will bring the great world into their little valley. We must be careful of each word spoken at all of these extension meetings, for it will be cherished and talked over, and our fellow-laborer who speaks to the same people five years later will have it repeat(Jd to bim as eQm(Jthin~ important!
A BEREA STUDENT AND HIS MOUNTAIN SCHOOL.
We feel that the work is just in its beginnings, though it has gone far enough to bring us great encouragement. When traversing a new road we are naturally on the watch for the most comfortable house in which to spend the night, and when we find a home distinguished for its good fences, ample porch, and inviting interior, we are very apt to find that the father or mother of the household was a Berea student in former years.
'1'he atmosphere of political conventions and court-house crowds, as well as of teachers' institutes and Sunday-school gatherings, has been improved over a wide area by the influence of Berea students.
No one can ride a hundred miles through this region, up and down the banks of streams, preach to the rosy-cheeked and stalwart young men and women who gather at "early candle light," and enjoy the hospitality of the great fireside, without realizing that it is an urgent matter that these Protestant people should be made sharers in the better elements of modern Christian civilization. The present writer would not be justified in taking time from his immediate engagements to prepare this article if it were not with the assurance that he should thereby enlist more prayers and support for the enlargement of such a work. In many localities there is an opportunity to exert a molding influence now which cannot be ex-erted five years hence. Relentless change is knocking at the door of every mountain cabin, The reck·
CYRUS HAMLIN AS I KNEW HIM
less vanguard of civilization easily corrupts a people whose morality is not grounded in intelligent religion. It is an urgent necessity that we establish Sunday-schools in advance of the lumber camp and the coal mine. It will make a prodigious difference in 1920 whether Berea had a thousand students in 1900 or only five hundred. If we can quickly gather a large multitude of these young people, though we hold them but a single year, we shall teach them what education means; we shall give them a better idea of religion, and shall send them back with hope and an upward trend in their lives. 'fwenty years hence their children will begin to come to us and they will come from homes which can give a more intelligent cooperation. After that, progress will roll on with its own momentum. No Christian enterprise can yield more sure and swift returns. If we do as mnch toward giving them" a start" as we have done for an equal population in the West, the mountain people will help us and our children in every good cause.
CYRUS HAMLIN AS I KNEW HIM.
BY REV. GEO. W. WOOD, D.D. Missionary of the American Board in Turkey 1838-1886, It was at the clos3 of A.D. 1842, that after a three weeks' conflict with police authorities in Constantinople, I obtained a permit for removal of household goods from Pera to a dwelling in Bebek, five miles north on the Bosphorus. Presenting it to the proper official of the village I was informed that it limited my residence to three months. "But," said he, "this is good for three months, and after that God is merciful." It sufficed for seven and a half years.
My location at Bebek was for general missionary work and special assistance in the Mission Seminary in which Mr. Hamlin had been alone three years as its founder and conductor. The cordial reception given by him and Mrs. Hamlin to me and my wife made our relations of the pleasantest from the outset and increasingly as time went on. Mr. Hamlin I soon found to be a marked personality, of various and strong qualities of mind, heart, and will-power which drew from me admiration, confidence, and readiness to do my utmost in cooperation for carrying out his plans. Deferring to my preferences, as well as expressing his own, he put me entirely at my ease in reference to my position and work in the boarding-school of twenty-five Armenian youths, leaving me free for occupation as I. chose except in the hours to be devoted to classes for whose instruction I became responsible. Too busy, both of us, for much social fellowship it was a delight to ~e, in the brief intervals allowing it, to draw him out in conversations which he made rich with anecdotes, reminiscences, flashes of humor, incident111 exhibit§ of /!:cgurl!:te all-d e4tended readin~ and ~cholarship,
and results of keen observation of men and things. A typical Amer- ican he easily became a cosmopolite. Thoroughly Christian in mo- tives and aims, with a simplicity and naturalness at the pole opposite to all pretension and cant, he made himself, in a good sense, "all things to all men." The ease with which, without loss of dignity he made himself familial' with the lowly, and with no affectation or em- barrassment put himself on an equality with those' of high' station, was perfect. Himself an embodiment of intensest energy, it was often a most interesting spectacle when his resistless economy of time was confronted with oriental waste of time. His resourcefulness of expedients seldom proved deficient; and visitors were gratified and profited while their host not only entertained them, but kept in mo- tion wheels of school and per- haps outside mechanical opera- tions of which they were not conscious.
The combination in Mr.
Hamlin was indeed wonderful of patience and self-control with a natural quickness of temper that sometimes overcame him, but which seldom led to any regret- table result. In his "My Life and Times," he has himself put on record occurrences ludicrous and illustrative: as when a poor Greek woman came and demanded of him pay for two hens that she CYRUS HAMLIN .AT EIGHTY-SEVEN. had lost and which he must have stolen becanse he was then the only man of Christians in the village that ate meat in Lent. He reasoned the case with her until she became satisfied of his innocence!
In the cases of his righteous wrath falling on a drunken Greek, who was beating his wife to death in the street adjoining Mr. Hamlin's dwelling, and his encounter with a Turk who was mercilessly beating a Greek boy only ten years old, and his sudden turning upon foUl' or five other Turks whom at the moment he saw coming down upon him, and so berating them for not coming to the rescue of the boy that, confused and alarmed, they begged him to let the offender off promising that he would not do so again, we see what, however nnsuitable to an apostolic missionary, was honorable to human nature and the marvelous quickness of thought that providentially extri- cated the missionary from extreme danger. "I do not justify myself in such things," he adds in comment on the story; "I have always been of quick temper, and it ha,§ frequently betrayed me into aots
CYRUS HAMLIN AS I KNEW HIM
. like this. But I do not remember any bad consequences following them." I have to add to this confession that I can not recall ever having seen him angry or especially indiscreet. "The neighbors were glad that I took the law into my own hands," he said.* In the new and strange mixture of things in which a newcomer like myself had to learn his bearings, the impression on me continu- ally deepened of the good fortune which at that time had placed Mr. Hamlin just where he was to do just what he was called to do. He was treated by all classes of persons with utmost respect, and yet all manner of false and foolish things were current in common talk con- cerning him. His inventive genius and ability of achievement made him to be regarded as the greatest SheHan (Satan) in Oonstantinople. Of other missionaries also, but particularly of him it was believed by many that when a convert declared himself, a likeness of him was drawn, and if he afterward drew back the missionary would fire a pistol ball through it, or otherwise perforate it, and the man would sicken and die. Mr. Hamlin's electrical machine and chemical exper- imellts, etc., were used to make Protestantsl By fixing his eyes upon an Armenian or Greek he could obtain a complete mastery over him 1 As a heretic and soul destroyer he was feared and hated. But for his help to the sick and poor, his social kindnesses, his integrity and varied benefactions, he was revered and loved. Not educated a physician he became practically the one free doctor to the poor in Bebek. In a severe visitation of cholera he was incessant in alleviating distress and saved numbers of lives by his personal care of persons attacked. It was my privilege to assist in some of those cases, when I marveled at the patience and perfJistence with which he persevered and the success in instances in which there seemed at first no ground for hope. One of a different sort is illustrative of his personality. In the dreadful heat of the summer vacation of 1848, one morning word reached Bebek that a scholar had been seized the night before at his home in Hasskeuy. I accompanied Mr. Hamlin in a visit to the place. Arriving we found the young man dead, the body exhaling a sickening odor, a panic-struck crowd gathered outside, the house deserted, no one doing anything. Mr. Hamlin instantly took action, called for rough pieces of boards and tools, with which a casket box was made. Then, no one but myself responding to his call for aid, he and I dropping a handkerchief wet with vinegar before our faces, went into the house, put the body into the rude coffin, nailed it as closely as possible, brought it to the door, and delivered it to those who were then willing to receive it and attend to its burial. The impression on the people was deep and abiding.
It was no wonder that Mr. Hamlin's pupils could not enough ·"My Life and Times," pp. 217-219.
praise him; whatever might occur in his dealings with them, they were in no doubt of his real desire for their welfare. His name was proclaimed far and wide in the capital and reached remote distances in the" Lands of the East." No school had so high a reputation for giving a solid education and the formation of character as "Mr. Hamlin's School." Detractions, religious bigotry, and ecclesiastical tyranny, advertised it, arrayed fierce opposition, but could not destroy it.
The pupil~ were generally eager to profit by its advantages. Some were in it with approval of parents and relatives; others were exiles from home and friends because of their being in it. Writing to America about a year after I had joined him, Mr. H. made the following statements: During my residence at Bebek I have given instruction to about forty individuals, of whom nine have been the sons 01' proteges of priests,t four the sons of bankers, ten the sons of artisans-jewelers, watchmakers, etc.-eleven the sons of merchants or of persons in mercantile employments. It is a singular and interesting fact that almost one-fourth of the young men who' have been or are now connected with us, come directly from under the ecclesiastical influence. Although we have always considered the ecclesiastical power and influence directly opposed to us, and the great barrier to our access to the people, yet in proportion to its numbers no other class has sent so many students to our seminary. This would seem to indicate a real confidence in our operations, which their ecclesiastical relations would compel them to repress, but their social relations, their desire to promote the welfare of their children, oblige them to make it manifest.
The efforts to destroy the seminary were such that its preservation often seemed well nigh miraculous, especially when its bitterest enemies were suddenly turned to become its friends. A vicar of the patriarch had been intensely hostile, and on being removed from office sent a protege to it. A vartabed who was secretary to the patriarch, on receiving charge of one of the principal churches in the capital, for a considerable time helped his preaching by sermons and sketches of thoughts with which at his request he was secretly furnished by Mr. Hamlin. A vartabed from the interior who sought and received instruction from both Mr. H. and myself, became an object of persecution by the patriarch, went to Beirut and Aintab, and did much to help forward the evangelical movement in that regi.on until his death.
There were long seasons of excitement when not a few Armenians desired interviews with missionaries, but feared to be known to have them. The seminary proved a strong attraction to- such because calling there might be attributed to some secular motive. A year ending in 1843 was spoken of by Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin as a "year of a thou- t In the Armenian Church all priests are married; vartabcds are preaching monks who do not marry, and from them bishops are seJected. Priests can not marry a second time. Bence the ~aying: "Happy the woman who is the wife of a priest."
CYRUS HAMLIN AS I KNEW HIM
sand visits." After the removal (Nov., 1843) to the property subse- quently bought by the American Board for the enlargement of the school the number of visitors increased. Far from a slave to system Mr. Hamlin nevertheless sought earnestly to maintain regularity in school exercises; yet sometimes this became impossible. Take one day as an example. In June, 1845, at breakfast time I received WOld of a gath- ering or you!lg men from the city ill Mr. Hamlin's study-a large room with a beautiful outlook on the Bosphorus. _ Going over I found twenty young and older men there who had come to spend the day, and others were also expected. Many of them we had never seen be- fore. It was an Armenian feast-day, and instead of going to wine shops or elsewhere to make it a day of pleasure, they had come to heal' what we could say to them. Accordingly, taking an Armenian New Testament in hand, I stayed a couple of hours with them, answering their questions and expatiating, as I was able, on the vital truths of the Gospel way of life and Christian duty, while Mr. H. looked after the school-room and prepared to give us one of a series of addresses on "The Evidences of True Christianity," making it eminently practical and adapted to his auditors. As he was about closing at noon fifteen others came in. They expressed great aisappointment at being late. Mr. H. suggested that I conduct a second service. This being warmly seconded by the guests I returned at the end of an hour, and gave them a sermon on the iext, "My Kingdom is not of this world," to an audience, including the school, of nearly eighty persons. After this the time was filled to five p. m. with continued discussions of themes which had been presented, and we received evidently sincere thanks for what we had done for them.
Mr. Hamlin's ability of work seemed almost without limit. While doing, in teaching, preaching, private intercourse with individuals, and manual mechanical labor, what hardly any other two men could accomplish, the light from his study window was often visible until near or after midnight, when he was using his pen in correspond- ence 01: preparing matter for publication. To the latter he was im- pelled, as other members of the Constantinople station also were, by the demand created by the awakening of mind on religious topics among Armenians and to some extent among Greeks and other nation-_ alities, and a necessity of meeting vehement assaults made upon us. ,These, soon after the seminary was opened, came especially from French Jesuits and Lazarists who, in a series of booklets and tracts, charged upon Protestantism everything base and criminal. To counteract the bad impression made by these and set forth evangelical truth, the station approved of Mr. Hamlin's writing a book on "Papists and Protestants." 'l'his he did with the vigor, skill, and effectiveness characteristic of him. Later he became author of valuable tracts, the longest of which, on the Mediatorship of Ohrist, was both
controversial and deeply spiritual. Besides these at a stilI later date he reviewed a book published 'by the highest authority bf the Armen- ian Church. Mr. Hamlin speaks as follows:* I wrote besides a pretty severe criticism on a book by Archbishop Matteos Catholicos of Etchmiadzin. The translated title would be: "The Good Man and the Good Christian." It was a weak, windy thillg, full of contradictions, anachronisms, misstatements, heresies, libels, and I did not spare him. His own people did not reverence him greatly and they laughed at the predicaments I thrust him into, I showed him up as a heretic to his own church. It broke entirely the hurtful influence of his book.
Other important publications of Mr. Hamlin I must pass without notice. His contributions, together with those of other missionaries, are acknowledged by all intelligent and candid Armenians as of greatest service in saving the Armenian Church from being captured by Rome and by promoting enlightenment and spiritual religion in it.
lt was during the time of my association with Mr. Hamlin that an evil, which, from the opening of the seminary had troubled him, became to us intolerable. Tho mostly from well-to-do families, yet, from persecution when not originally poor, more than three-fourths of the students could not keep themselves decently clothed. At length the idea was broached of establishing a workshop in which they could earn the necessary means for a respectable appearance and the great evil of dependence on charity be escaped. Mr. Hamlin easily obtained aid from English friends in the capital for starting the enterprise. The pupils came readily into the idea. lt soon became a success. Various forms of indust.ry were introduced. The tax on Mr. Hamlin's time and mechanical ingenuity was not small, as for a season he gave an hour in the morning, another hour in the middle of the day, and a third hour toward evening to working in the shop. This he regretted but felt to be compensated by the good effects on health and the quickness with which the students became expert in their industrial employments. I rejoiced with him in the pleasing transformation which came upon the whole appearance of things in the school.
Following the anathema pronounced upon all evangelical believers by the patriarch and the bitter persecution to which it led in 18{6, aid came from the Christian world which met necessities for relief to outcasts from business for the period until the Evangelical Armenians were made a distinct civil organization. But after that triumph was gained the boycotting of them made their situation one of deplorable difficulty. How to secure work by which the poor evangelical brethre~ could live and support their families called forth from Mr. Hamlin thonght and endeavor which led to his taking some *Page 253 of "My Life and Times."
CYRUS HAMLIN AS I KN EW HIM
, others than st~dents into his workshop,his helping individual iinder- takings, and finaJly to the obtaIning of a firman ftom the government for an American mill and bakery independent of all guilds in Con- stantinople. .
The story of the difficulties overcome, of doubt on the part of missionaries and at the Mission House in Boston, the first success in giving remunerative employment to the needy Armenians, the honor to American bread by its superior quality and always overweight, the enforced great enlargement of operations to meet demands of human- ity at the hospitals and military camps of the Bosphorus during the VIEW OF ROBERT COLLEGE FROM THE BOSPHORUS.
Crimean war, the laundry enterprise which became an invaluable boon to suffering soldiers and many poor employees, providential deliverances from plots of unprincipled enemies, the results in aid of the church and school-house building, and the interesting of Mr. Robert of New York in the founding of an American College at the Ottoman capital under superintendence of Mr. Hamlin, reads in a simple narrative of the facts, like a romance. But the limits of this article forbid my dwelling on what occurred after my return to America in 1850. In 1852, having been elected by the American Board to an official connection with its home administration, I could not controvert the action of the Prudential Committee as to the use of money from the board's treasury, while I had sympathy with Mr. Hamlin's action and
strong confidence as to its outcome in his doing what was without precedent and parallel as a missionary. His industrial schemes did vin_ dicate themselves. Their benefits in relief of suffering humanity were incalculable. When the accounts were finally settled a profit of $25,000 appeared, of which every cent went into a fund for aiding church erection. Not a dollar remained in his pocket.
It occurred by the action of the Prudential Committee that in 1863 and 1864 I spent more than a year in Turkey in assisting missionary labors in the capital, visiting out-stations and attending annual meetings ofthe Syria, Central Turkey, and Western Turkey missions. At that time the Missionary Seminary had been closed at Bebek and Mr. Hamlin was occupying the edifice with Robert College. The conferences I had with him were frequent and free. Be was still the missionary in spirit, and he made a visit with me to an out-station fifty miles from the capital. We discussed missionary problems, in regard to which we differed only in the extent to which certain views were to be carried out. After six years of further service in America, and returning ill 1871 to resume for fifteen more years the position of a missionary, I was present on the memorable Fourth of July of that year, to join in congratulation at the formal opening of RobE;lrt College in its completed beautiful edifice on the splendid site overlooking the Roumeli Castle.
It was a day of gladness and thanksgiving, of recognition of a wonderful history of human agency directed and supplemented by Divine Providence in bringing to visible sight of all passers through the Bosphorus a significant emblem of the future in its relation to the past in the mutations of human affairs.
To all who ask for a fitting monument to Cyrus Hamlin and Christopher H. Robert, to endure through coming ages, we reply: Behold it in the Temple of Science and Christianity towering above the symbols of barbaric force at their meeting-place in the central point of contact among the nations!
The Board of Trustees of Robert College have recently issued a most interesting and attractive pamphlet descriptive of the history and work of Robert College. Copies can be had from the secretary, Rev. Edward B. Coe, D.D., 42 West 52nd Street, New York. The College has been doing a noble work for nearly forty years, and has already exerted a strong influence in bringing new light and life into the Levant. Its aim from the first has been to give a thorough unsedarian but Christian training to the young men of many eastern nations. Already over 2,000 such men have been educated there, many of them having attained high positions in their native land. The opportunities and needs of the college are constantly increasing. The trustees are asking for three new professors-a head of the preparatory department; a professor of commercial branches, and a physician and surgeon who shall have charge of the physical health and training of the students. These appointments $0 call for an increase in the endowment fund. The library and scien- tific departments are also in need of increased facilities.-EDITORS.
OF STUDENTS, REPRESENTING FIFTEEN NATIONALITIES, NOW IN ROBERT
Beginning at the left, front row, the nationalities are: American, Egyptian, Scotch, Turkish, Russian, Georgian, Israelite. On the second row, beginning at the left, are ,Greek, Anstrian, Polish, Dalmatian; and in tbe tbird row, Armenian, Canadian, English, and Bulgarian.
, PAUL, TH~ APOSTLE OF BANZA MANTEKE.
BY REV. HENRY RICHARDS, BANZA MANTEliE, AFRICA.
" I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." When you see the effect o£ that power on the heathen, it becomes still more real and glorious to you. Some have asked, What kind of Ohristians the Afri- cans make, if they really give up their heathenism and become civil- ized ? We have 1,500 church-members at our station, and, as far as I can judge, we have as spiritual and devoted a church as you will find anywhere. Of course, they are not perfect; if they were we should have to send them over to America and England to preach, but as a whole they compare favo~ably with any other body of Ohristians.
When the people began to turn to Ohrist in large numbers we felt that if the Gospel was to spread extensively in Africa we must train young native Ohristians for the work of taking it to the masses of heathen all around, else we should never be able to reach them. When I was in America ten years ago I asked for funds, and started a school to train these young preachers. We have now fifty earnest and devoted preachers and teachers, some of them men of great power, and all of them have won many souls. Most of the 2,000 people that have been baptized at our statioll, have been brought in by the native Ohristians themselves; we missionaries have about as :much as we can do to teach converts, translate the Scriptures, and carry 011 the medical work. It is a principle with us not to do what we can train the natives to do for themselves. In 1891, when we opened the training school, the people had' no literature of any kind, no grammars, and no dictionaries. They did not know how to read or write, but as soon as they became Ohristians they wanted to learn, and we taught some of the most intelligent and most earnest men at our training school.
In the Kongo region the line between heathen and Ohristians is very marked. In fact they are called, in the native language, the children of God and the children of the devil. The heathen call themselves children of the devil. Some of our Ohristians have suffered martyrdom-some have been poisoned, others have been shot -but they are wiiling to suffer persecution for Ohrist. There was one man, the son of a chief, who did all that he could to oppose the Gospel. We have Ohristians in over fifty villag es, and this man would go into those villages to disturb the meetings. He would take his drum and some wine, and begin to dance to call the people away from the service. The weak ones would sometimes go and join in the dance. The sound of the drum seemed to electrify them; it reminded them oi heathen times. Sometimes when this man, whose name was Nloko (meaning" a curse "), could not draw the people away from
PAUL, THE APOSTLE OF BANZA MANTEKE
the meeetings, he would come in and Girive the people out by making a great commotion. We did not know what to do with him.
At that time the railroad was not opened, and everything had to be taken into the country on men's heads. The government was having a great deal of war material taken into the interior, and found it difficult to secure carriers, so they passed a law that even missionaries could not get carriers without permission of the state. When we wanted porters we had to hire a kapita (head man), and have him registered, and then he would go and press other carriers into the service. This chief's SOl1 did not want to be a carrier. So he came to our station, and offered himself as a kapita for the mission. We engaged him, and A PREACHING SERVICE TN THE WOODS, BANZA MANTEKE.
when he went on the road he often took our Christian carriers with him.
Our Christians always have meetings when they are on the way. I have seen them come into camp so tired out that you would think they would immediately lie down and sleep, but after a little rest, they would gather together, and one who could read or preach would be chosen to expound the Scriptures. As a rule they began by singing and prayer. The heathen sometimes go away and make a noise, but the Christians go after them and talk to them about spiritual things. In this way our kapita heard the Gospel from the carriers and from the people at the station. No heathen can come to our station and go away again without hearing the Gospel. I wish that could be said of all our home churches. If a heathen comes to the
station they surround him, and he must hear the Gospel before they let him go away. Our kapita heard the Gospel, though he hated it, and went on opposing Christ as much as ever.
Banza ~anteke is ten miles south of the Kongo. The river is four miles wide, rapid, and rather dangerous to cross. There was difficulty in getting carriers enough on our side of the river, so Nloko decided to try the other. One day, when he had crossed the Kongo to get carriers, and had failed, he came back to the river, having used up all his cloth which serves in place of money. He expected to find a canoe man there to take him across. There was no canoe and no man. He called, but could get no answer. The sun was setting, and he thought of the alligators there that carry off many people who go down to the river for water, or to bathe, or to fish. There are also snakes, panthers, leopards, and other wild animals in the country.
The man became greatly frightened, and was hU'ngry, too. What was he to do? As he stood there all alone, the thought came to him: "Those Christians say that God answers prayer. I will pray." So he prayed and said, " You see how I am situated, God. I am here alone, and don't know what to do. Those Christians say you hear prayer. Can't you help me?" He had never prayed before, but when he opened his eyes, the first thi~g he saw was the canoe man coming toward him. lie was greatly rejoiced. The canoe man came along, and Nloko said to him, "I have nothing to pay you." The man said, "Never mind. GiYe me the cloth 011 your shoulders, and I will take you across." Nloko broke down as he thought of how God had heard his prayer, though he had always been fighting against Him, and he began to shed tears. It takes a good deal to make those strong men cry. 'rhe canoe man said," What are you crying for? I will take you across all right." "Oh, man," cried Nloko, "it isn't that; I cau't tell y()U why I am crying, for you wouldn't understand." He couldn't bear the thought that he had fought so hard against the very God who had heard his prayer, and helped him in his distress.
When he reached the other shore he started homeward, and on his way he gave his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, for he had heard the' Gospel and knew the way of salvation. He reached home, and went to sleep. Next morning at six o'clock the people gathered together for worship, and he went into the schoolhouse to worship with the others. He said, "I am a Christian now." "Oh, no," they replied; "go away." Nloko-" the curse "-a Christian! The man who always disturbed the meetings and tried hard to destroy the work! No! None of them would believe in him, and he did not know what to do. He went to other towns, and said, " I am a Christian;" but no one received him. At last he went to a place called Viaza, about three days' journey away, where he had some relatives, and after he had
been there some months, a report came that he had gained some con- verts. I confess that I and others were skeptical, but I sent for Barnaba, one of our best and most experienced preachers, and told him to go over and see what the work at Viaza was like. He went, and stayed for a year. He wrote back: " Yes; I believe the peo- ple are real Christians."
Converts in a new distrIct are kept on probation for about a year before they are admitted to baptism. After waiting a year we went over to Viaza and examined fifty candidates. We re- ceived twenty of them, and organized a church, which is to-day a strong, self-supporting Christian church.
Nloko was baptized. There was now no longer any doubt about his conversion. I gave him the name of·Paul-because his experience was so much like that of the apostle. He came back to our station and after working there a little time, was received into the training school, and remained there for nine months. By that time he was able to read and expound the Scriptures with wonderful power. The people did not know how he learned to read, and when I asked him he said, "When I became a Christian I took a little schoolboy into my house. He tanght me the letters, and then the syllables, and then I found I could read." The man seemed to be full of the Holy Spirit. While he was at the training-school he preached on Sundays and at other times, winning a number of sinners. Nine months is as much as our students can stand at one time; then they go out and work for a year, and afterward come back to the school. Paul asked to go to Kinkanza, a town some eight miles away, the largest town in the district. For years we had been trying to get an entrance for the Gospel there, but withont success.
Monday morning is the day when the native preachers come to give a report of their work, when we examine candidates and attend to church matters. One Monday a preacher who had been going over to Kinkanza regularly for some time, refused to go any longer. He said: "I don't mind their meeting me, as they do, with guns and kni ves; I don't mind their knoeking me abou t and kicking me, as they often do, but now they mock at and curse the name of Jesus, and I . can't bear that. I don't want to go there any more." That was where Paul wanted to go, so we sent him there. He went over to the town and said, "You know me. Let me come here and teach you." They said, "We liked you before, but we won't have you now, and no one must receive you." Paul was not so easily discouraged. He came to me and asked for a tent. I gave him an old army tent that I had, and he took it and put it up outside of the heathen town, right in a path by which the people went in and out. He stayed there for some months, but there )Vere no converts. It was the height of the cold season, and he suffered much from the cold and dampness, and some-
MR. RICHARDS AND SO:ME OF THE N_~TIVE PREACHERS AT A MONDAY
Paul, "The Apostle of Banzt! Manteke," is seated in the front row, the fourth from the right.
PAUL" THE APOSTLE OF BANZA MANTEKE
times from hunger-going two days at a time without food. When I heard of it I told him that he should take care of his body, which is a temple of God's Holy Spirit. But he was so eager to win souls that he did not want to take time to go for food. '
After some months one man came and said that he would be on the Lord's side. He went into the town and said to his wife and friends, "Now, I am a Christian." At once they rejected him, and his own mother cursed him. 'rhe heathen believe that if you become a Chris- tian you will bewitch them. He came down and said to me, "Paul has been teaching me, and I am a Christian. I want to come to the station and live here." " No, no," I said; "you must go and tell your own people what God has done for you." He said, "They will poison me." I said, "Never mind. Go back.," The man went back and put up a little honse near Paul's tent. Soon another man was converted and did likewise, and then another, and another. By and by there was quite a little settlement around Paul's tent. "Now," said Paul, " we must build a chapel in which to worship God." So they built quite a substantial building, large enough to hold three hundred people.
They were very anxious that Mrs. Richards and I should go over and see the work, but we were expecting to go home soon, and I said that we could not. But one day several big strong carriers came with hammocks, and said, "Get in here." Mrs. Richards got in one, and I in another, and they ran the whole way with us-eight or ten miles.
The meeting-honse was soon full of people, waiting for us to preach to them. When I had finished I said, "Now, Paul, go on just the same as if we were not here. I want to see how you do." So after the serv- ice Paul began the school. There were grown-up people and little children, all together-classes here and there, all around. One boy, who just knew his letters, was teaching the letters to a class. An- other, who knew syllables, was teaching syllables; another was teaching little words, and another sentences. Those who could read fairly well were teaching the more advanced pupils to read. I was surprised at the perfect order, and at the use he made of those teachers-thl'
best he conld find.
Paul was not contented when there were three hundred church members there. He sent out teachers to other towns, and his people paid them, and there are converts there. We usually take the best of the first converts-they are almost always the strongest-and send them out at once to preach the Gospel. One day Paul said to me, "I would like to go across the river where I used to get carriers. I think of them all the time." All that Paul seemed to think of was souls- he dreamed of souls, and how he could win them. I said, " Paul, don't you think there are plenty of heathen towns on this side of the river that have not heard the Gospel? The Swedish missionaries
are working across there. Let them go on, and reach those people." " But," he said, "they are not getting at them. I want to go over there and preach."
One day, a little later on, Paul came and said, "Teacher, they want a preacher across the Kongo, in the town of Yongo." I wrote to the Swedish missionary near there, and said, "The people at Yongo want a teacher, and if you can send one do so; if not I must send one." The reply came: " We have been tr,Y.ing to enter that town, but they were very bad people, and would not receive us. Now there is a change, and as we hear that they want a preacher, we will send one." Not long after this Paul went to some other town across the Kongo, and sent some teachers there, and soon converts were gathered in. Dr. Leslie has since gone over there, and has baptized a hundred converts. Before this we had to pay to cross the river; but now the canoe men are Christians, and they say, "If you are going for trading purposes, you will have to pay-Christians as well as heathen; but if you are going to preach the Gospel, we will take you free."
Altogether Paul has to-day over five hundred Christians-church members-that he himself has been the means of bringing to Christ. They are now collecting material to build a larger and more substantial meeting-house at Viaza. Of course, we have not many Pauls. He is a born preacher, full of the Spirit, and there is no man's prayers that seem to help me as much as his. As one of our missionaries said, "Paul seems to lay hold on God, and won't let go till he gets the blessing he wants." I am astonished at the man's power. If it is announced that Paul is to preach, the people will Cfme to hear him, when they will not listen to the other preachers.
Paul's converts resemble him very much. They are all in earnest and above the average. Nearly all the Christians near the Kongo were thinking about the heathen across the river. They said, "Those people don't know anything about ..fesus, and we are saved. What shall we do ?" They held a meeting and fifty of them decided that they would leave their houses and cross the Kongo to preach the Gospel. They took some food with them, and stayed among the people three days, preaching and teaching Jesus. Now there are twenty church members in those towns, and the work is spreading. Probably Paul has more than six hundred church members to-day. God is still using him in His work. He preaches the Gospel of the Cross. That is what breaks down the heathen. There is no power on earth like the story of the Cross of Jesus Christ proclaimed in the power of the Spirit.
PAUL'S CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION AT HIS SETTLEMENT OUTSIDE THE TOWN OF
SOME MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES IN CHINA.
Most of the readers of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW have probably already seen in the daily press and in denominational magazines numerous accounts of the siege of Peking, the flight of refugees, and the massacres of missionaries. The story is a heart-stirring one, and will pass into history as the record of Christian heroes of 1900. We reproduce here extracts from various letters and articles which give ·but a fragmentary report and a vague idea of the sufferings experienced and the heroism shown by Christian missionaries in China during this crisis. These will be followed by other narratives concerning the experiences of native Christians and missionaries who have not counted their lives dear unto themselves, but have endured to the end.-EDITORS.
A WOMAN'S EXPERIENCE IN THE SIEGE OF PEKING. * By Miss Nellie Russell, Missionary of the American Board.
Wednesday, August Bth.-Words fail me to attempt anything of a description of the horrors of that night our homes were burned, and of the awful experiences of the few Christians who managed to get to us during the next three days. Frida,y, June 8th, we foreigners left our places and all got together at the Methodist Episcopal Mission, about a mile from here. We had twenty American marines to protect us. On Wednesday evening, June 12th, at about seven o'clock, some one rushed .in and said the outer chapel was all in flames. This had been set on fire by the Boxers. It was an awful night, flames lighting up the city in all directions. The next day our people commenced to barricade the place. Trenches were dug, spikes driven into the ground, and barbed wire put all around the church. As we expected to make a stand in the church, great care was taken to make it bullet proof. We took stores into the church and a lot of food for our Chinese.
The night of June 14th was horrible beyond description. For about two hours thousands of voices could be heard in the southern city yelling at the top of their voice, "Kill, kill, kill." The rest of the sentence we could not hear clearly, but we well knew what it was. If that insane mass had had a leader and come in upon us that night, not a foreigner would have escaped.
On June 19th, about ten o'clock, a letter came from Major Conger saying that the ministers and aU foreigners had been ordered out of the city at twenty-four hours' notice. At once we said, "It is a scheme of the Chinese to massacre us all," and then and there prayed that the ministers might not fall into the trap.
The next morning an order came from Captain Hall giving us twenty minutes to get ready to leave the church and go to the legation. Can you see us that bright June 'morning-seventy-one men, women, and children (foreigners), followed by seven hundred Chinese Christians, guarded by American marines, walking that mile with our arms full of our earthly belongings? This was about one o'clock in the afternoon. About four o'clock the same day the first attack on us here was made, and the bullets fell like rain for a few moments.
The next few days we all had to fight fire, the ladies forming iii line for passing back the pails, pitchers, wash bowls, tin cans, flower pots, etc. The Chinese seemed determined to burn us out, and it was not till all about us was burned that they gave up that time.
• Condensed from Record 0/ Christian Work.
SOME MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES IN CHINA
From June 20th to July 17th we had daily and nightly attacks. Sometimes they lasted for three or four hours, sometimes only half an hour; sometimes on all sides at once, and then again from only one side. One night we had a terrible thunder-storm, and all the time we had a furious general attack. The soldiers on the wall said, "It seemed as tho all hell had broken loose."
While I am writing bullets are falling in our courts and striking against the wall. One just struck_about ten feet from the window near which I am sitting in the ball-room of the British legation. When the cannon were turned on us, then indeed our hearts grew faint. Besides the hundreds of thousands of bullets, it has been estimated that two thousand eight hundred shot and shell have fallen in our courts. Four hundred fell in one day, and yet not a man was killed by them, tho many have been hit by bUllets.
Later, 8.30 P.M.-Sharp firing at present, and we can hear the bugle blowing. It may mean we are in for an attack to-night, as there has been more or less firing all day.
'Ve ladies have made thousands of sand bags. They are made of cloth, silk, satin, velvet, legation curtains, table-cloths, sheets, etc. These have saved many, many precious lives. The walls around the legation are about fifteen feet high, and now doubly strong.
August 9th.-'Ve had a fearful night. Three sharp attacks and then incessant firing all the rest of the time. The Chinese said at first that in two days we should all be in their hands, and it is now two months. But it has not been by might or power of man, but of God. Can you think what it means to feed over three thousand people a day, and no time to prepare for such an experience as we are having? 'rhere were within our barricades two small foreign stores and a few Chinese grain shops. The only meat has been horse meat until yesterday, when a cow was killed. Then we have rice and graham bread, butter once a day, no milk for tea or coffee, and sugar so much a day. As a rule people have kept up fairly well as to health. One of the great providences is the cool summer. I have never known anything like it since I came to China. It has been our salvation. Also the lack of rain has been a blessing. There has been just enough, but not the terrible downpours day after day of the rainy season. It is simply impossible to enumerate the mercies of these awful weeks. Our hearts are full of thanksgiving. Twice the officials have sent word that the Chinese Christians must be given up, and twice they have received a fitting answer.
Sumday night, August 12th.-We are in the midst of a furious attack. We have to stay indoors, as the bullets are too thick for anyone who is not on dut.y to be out. A letter came from the Tsung Li Yamen tonight saying that to-morrow Prince Ching and Prince Tuan desired audience with the ministers. The latter is more responsible than any one else for all this trouble. He openly said he expected to line his cart "with the skins of foreign devils."
August 13th.-Last night was simply beyond words. About seven in the evening it was bad, and grew worse and worse, till three this morning. Then we had a let up of an hour or so, and then they started in again. It is simply wonderful that tens of thousands of bullets could be fired and only one killed. Our first month here many of us did not think of undressing.
AUfJust 14th.-Last night WaS the plOet horrible of all. Can you
imagine six or seven hours of bullets by the thousands, five machine guns all working at one time, and with it the cannon and bullets of an enraged enemy? About two A.M. we heard the distant roar of our troops and now shells are bursting in the city on the east side, and our troops are reported within three miles. It seems almost more than we can endure. Now our relief is in sight our physical strength is gone.
Wednesday, August 15th.-Yesterday afternoon the first of our relief party reached us. Words fail me to tell of our joy. God has more than blessed us, and wonderful has been our preservairion.
THE SIEGE OF TIENTSIN.
By Robert R. Gailey, Secretary of the International Y. M. C. A. at Tientsin.
For a week we lived in the cellars of Gordon Hall, the largest and best built structure in Tientsin, and that without even the necessities of life. The fact that our little baby was ill made it doubly hard, especially for Mrs. Gailey, but God did not forsake or leave us, and to-day we have many things to thank Him for, even while in straightened circumstances. We have no hesitation in saying that unless God had heard our prayers, the little force in Tientsin guarding the settlement could not have with- stood the attacks of the enemy.
Early on June 17, the Chinese opened fire on the gunboats at Taku, and by 2.30 that same afternoon the first shell was fired into the settle- ment at Tientsin. My, how it did shake us all upl I had just gone up town to see about Mrs. Gailey moving up town for a few days, and just as I was going into the house of a friend to make plans, this first shell went whirring, sputtering, splashing through the air. My wife and baby were three-quarters of a mile away, and these shells were going right down in that direction. As soon as I"got in sight of home, Isaw Mrs. G. coming with the baby, and Mr. Lowrie, carrying such things as they could pick up in their hurry and fright. It seemed a long way up to the Gordon Hall that hot and memorable day, as we hurried along, hugging close to the houses and walls to get a little cover from those terrible shells that were flying over and about us. Exhausted in breath, but strengthened in prayer, we came into the Hall, and we were ordered to go down to the cellars. It was dark and damp. There were frightened, squawking, gabbling Chinese women and crying babies by the dozen, all rushing down into these cellars, and there we were without beds or food, and the night coming on, and with the constant firing making it dangerous to go outside. But by 4.30 the firing ceased, tho there was a good deal of "sniping" by the Chinese, and bullets were singing over and around the place all the time. Food and beds were carried in, and by dark we were in some sort of shape for the night. I took my "watch" with the others, and it was a novel experience to be walking ahout with a Winchester rifle, on the watch for intruders, and hearing the" snipers' " bullets singing and striking about in the trees or against the wall. After eight days of such life it grew pretty hard for Mrs. Gailey to care for the baby, and he did not seem to improve, yet grew no worse, apparently, so we decided to make a change to some other place, even if it was not so well protected. Mr. Cousins, the president of our Association, prepared a place on his upstairs enclosed veranda, which was quite good enough, tho a little exposed to spent bullets, yet we decided to take the risk and get a better place. We got good food here, and soon felt much better. We.got on the.protected sideofth_eholls.e when the shells bezan to come,
SOME MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES IN CHINA
and we did not go to the cellar after we left Gordon Hall, tho the firing was just as heavy. Finally, on the 5th of July, the tug" Fawan" came up, and a big" lighter" (freight open boat) was prepared for the people and their personal baggage, which was greatly reduced on account of space. By kindness of Captain Bagley, officer in command of the allied forces, we were given a place on the tug which was quite comfortable. The ride down the river was so restful and quiet, tho we could hear the bombardment almost all the way down. Dead Chinese bodies in the river still gave signs of the dreadful fighting .of a week previous. We left Tientsin about 11 A. M., and reached Tong-ku by 6.30 P. M.
A TERRIBLE JOURNEY TO HANKOW. * By Alex. R. Saunders, China Inland Mission, Ping-iao, Shansi.
Our street chapel inside the city (p'ing-iao) was first attacked. The doors, windows, furniture, and books were all piled on the street and burned. They then came to our mission compound and, after breaking down a portion of the wall, they looted the place. We took our four children and without even dressing them, carried them to the yamen. On arrival there we were told that the official could give us no protection, and it would be best for us to leave P'ing-iao at once. After some further talk it was thought best that we should go under official escort to T'aiyuen fu, and a start was made at daylight. On Thursday afternoon, the 28th of June, we got within seven miles of T'ai-yuen fu, where we met a convert who told us that we had better not go there, as the large compound of the Sheo-yang mission had been burned the night before, and Miss Coombs burnE;ld to death.
We turned southward again and set our faces toward Lu-ch'eng hsien. Our party was composed of, in all, fourteen persons, including six children. Soon after daylight on Sunday we reached a village, where we hired donkeys on which the ladies and children were to ride four miles. When we had gone about half that distance we were met by a band of nearly two hundred men, who had come out from the village just ahead of us, and who robbed us of all we had, donkeys, silver, and goods, and taking even the clothes we were wearing. Most of us were left with only a pair of Chinese trousers on, the upper half of our bodies being entirely unprotected from the awful burning of the July sun.
The people of one village would follow us to the boundary of the next, stoning us, and throwing hard lumps of clay, and beating us on the back and head with sticks and bricks; and this was kept up almost incessantly from village to village for the whole of three days. In one village Mr. E. J. Cooper was dragged to the outside village by a rope, and left by the roadside as dead. The first two days we had nothing to eat, and no one would even give us water to drink, and we were compelled to drink of any water we came to, and sometimes it was only a dirty, stagnant pool.
We reached Kao-p'ing hsien, north suburb, about noon, and being extremely hot we could walk no more on our blistered bare feet in the burning sand, so we lay down under a tree untilit became cooler, Early next morning, Mr. Cooper and I went on to a village a mile distant to hire a cart, on which Miss Rice, who could walk no further, and the * Condensed from the London Times.
children could ride. We had in our possession seven hundred cash, equal to about fifty cents, and leaving two hundred of these cash with Mr. Jennings, we took the remaining five hundred to pay for the cart. Passing through the village to the farther end, where the inn was, we were overtaken by some men; one of them gave me a sharp blow with a stick and snatched the money from us, the others drove us on with sticks out of the village, and separated us quite from the rest of the party. Misses Huston and Rice were now left behind, and it being impossible for us to go back to their help, we deemed it best to push on to Tseh-chou fu, the nearest city, twenty miles off, and ask the officials there to send a cart back for them. We learned afterward, when Miss Huston rejoined our party at Honan, that Miss Rice was beaten to death by the roadside that day. Miss Huston also received very serious injuries which resulted in her death, nearly a month later, just two days before we reached Hankow. Two of our own dear children died of fatigue and want, and were buried in Honan. Mrs. Cooper and Miss Huston died in Hupeh, after terrible suffering, and their bodies were sent on to Hankow by the officials.
CAPTURED BY CHINESE ROBBERS.* By the Rev. W. E. Godson, Church Missionary Society, Ningpo, Che·chiang.
T'ai-chou, Mid-China, July 16th, 1900.-Lal:itFriday I was going from Hai-men in a boat with my cook to Sugyiao, when about ten lit from Raimen we suddenly ran into a lot of armed men who, seeing me, made a rush for the boat. They were all armed with guns or swords or spears, and seeing that they meant mischief, I jumped into the canal and swam across, hoping to make my way back to Rai-men.
A respectable man the other side of the canal helped me up from the canal, but just as I reached the road a robber rushed up with a gun, snatching my watch and chain. While he was putting it in his pocket, seeing the coast looked clear, I made a dash along the road.
My clothes were of course wet and hindered me from getting up much pace. The fellow who had my watch dashed after me and sprang on to my back, bringing me heavily to the pavement, himself rolling into the paddy-field. I rose again and made another dash for it, but after going about fifty yards the road suddenly ended, and there was nothing for it but to plunge into the canal, which was about thirty feet wide, and swim. At the other side three respectable-looking Chinese stood, and one helped me out. Instead of letting me go, however, he held on to my clothes, and in a very short time several robbers came up. In the struggle everything was torn from me except a singlet and one sock. They fastened a thin rope around my neck, tied up my left hand, and led me off. Then my trousers were given back to me.
Going about a hundred yards they came to a halt, and more robbers rushed up crying out, "Sah! sah!" (killl kill!). One fellow pointed his gun within half a yard of my chest, but I seized the muzzle and turned it to one side. Re did not fire. Two others, murderous-looking ruffians, made a very determined rush to get at me with their swords, but were restrained by seme of the others. One fellow struck me heavily in the ribs with his fist, another immediately after in the stomach, and then * Cond'lnsed from the C. M. S. Gleaner, t A Ii is about a third of a lPil'l. another on the head with his flat hand. During this some of them were fiercely crying out, "Kill! kill!"
I very soon discovered that they believed me to be Monsieur Lepers (a Roman Catholic priest), and there was none to prove that I was not. H they asked me once whether I was a Roman Catholic they asked me fifty times. At last we came to a little place named San-kae, where they took me upstairs and gave me pen and ink and paper to write a note 10 Mr. Thomson (C.I.M), of Huang-ien, which they did not send.
About 6.30 a man named Nyun arrived, and I saw at once that he was superior to those with whom I had so far dealt. He asked me various questions, but did not tell me who he was or what he had come for. Then they brought me a small Chinese coat, and we walked down and had a meal. This Mr. Nyun then escorted me to a boat, into which they helped me, and others then got in and we rowed away. None of them appeared to have any weapons of any kind.
We arrived at last at 'O-dzing, and they took me into a house where as I passed through a room I saw a Christian almanac hanging against the wall, and I began to feel that perhaps after all I was in a place of safety. Arrived upstairs I saw two Christian Chinese books on the table, and then the truth came out. A man had gone over to 'O-kying-fu's place and told his people about my capture. They had immediately written a letter to Mr. Nyiin, telling him of what had happened, and asking him to do his best to help me. With this letter they sent another to my captors, saying that unless they released me at once they would send over a thousand men to rescue me and burn the house down in which I was detained, and that fifty armed men were all ready to start. MI'. Nyiin, with eight or nine China Inland Mission Christian members, immediately hurried over with this letter and effected my release.
HUNTED BY CHINESE MURDERERS. * By Dr. G. Whitfield Guinness, China Inland Mission, She·ki·tien, Honan.
Shae-ka-tien, Honan, Tuesday, July 16th or ntn.-This may be the last time I can write to you. I sit in the dust and dirt on the floor of a barn. For three days we have been rioted, and have fled to three different spots to escape the awful wrath of the people. The native Christians have done their best, but one thing after another prevented our getting off. Last night we were just starting in the dark when the Pao-kia-ka arrived. He seized what luggage was left from the debris and made off with it. We have been provided with some native tea and a little bread. We lay still and prayed. We are tired, yet rejoicing. I will not add more. We shall meet yonder in heaven.
Friday morning-.Yesterday, while we were having a little food at dinner time, suddenly the trap~door to our room opened, and the owner of the house said, "Quick, fly; the Pao-kia-ka (chief of police) are coming with knives to kill you."
We snatcbed up baby, clambered down the ladder, and climbed up over a ten-foot wall, dropped the other side and crept in close to a wall, sat still and prayed. In a few minutes we heard a man climbing the wall, and thought we must be discovered. A voice sounded: "It is all right; he has gone!" So once more we were spared, and returned with hearts of praise to the dirty old attic.
* Condensed from the Regions Beyond.
No mandarin cal'es, or will help; and the Chen-t'ai (brigadier-general) has sent a Kao-shi (proclamation) saying we must be killed! It is the sixth day of riot, and we still lie on the dusty floor. The ladies are worn and sick. We have no extra clothing, and day by day living in a temperature between 90° and 100°, and lying flat on the floor, you may imagine our condition of deanlines, and all 'four in one room with a baby. The Lord grant it may soon be over.
They finally succeeded, with the help of a Chinese Christian, in securing a cart and going to the river. There they obtained a boat and for a fortnight lay hidden in it on their way to Hankow, where Dr. Guinness writes: Hankow, August 8th, 1900.-A month ago our station, Shae-ka-tien, was rioted, burned, and destroyed. Fifteen days we were in hiding and had daily wondrous escapes; fifteen to sixteen days journeying south, through grave dangers and anxiety, but, through God's blessing, we have escaped.
Every station in the province is rioted. Everything I have is gone, except my Bible, a shirt, trousers, socks, and shoes I had on. We could not change clothes and had all four to live in one room for thirty days. We had to pay 400 taels ($350) to escape. It was worth it to save five lives, foul' adults and one baby. No Christian could travel with us, but God made four heathen act on our behalf. Praise the Lord, the snare is broken and we are escaped!
FROM CENTRAL HONAN TO SHANGHAI, * The Flight of Three Ladies of the China Inland Mission.
On the third day after we left Hsiang-hsien, July 11, a band of robbers attacked us. Several men came running after us, saying that they were sent from the official to stop us; then in a minute or so, one or two hundred people gathered round us. These men commanded us to get down, and they soon robbed us of all that we had, even to some of our clothing, our hats, Bibles, handkerchiefs, etc. They had swords and pistols, and used us very roughly. Then they took us back to the robbers' village, and we had to stand on benches and let them look at us. Presently two kind men in the village came forward and commanded the people to let us go, and we went on for one mile toward Chao-kia-kou, when we were stopped again, and two of the same robbers came and commanded us to tell the people that the horses in the carts were theirs. We refused to do so, and they said that they would take off our heads. One of the robbers ordered Miss Petterson to kneel down and have her head taken off. She smiled, put her hand on the shoulder of one of the robb~rs, and looking up into his face, said, "Yes, we are not afraid to die, but let us speak a few words to the men who are escorting us first." Then the two robbers looked at one another, smiled, and went away without touching us. One of them said, "You can not die, because you are devils." Then the crowd had us sit down under a tree, to have a little rest, after which they asked us to sing a hymn, and 'W'e sang "Jesus Loves Me." They had heard that foreigners had some kind of a telescope, and thinking we had one hid upon our persons, they tried to get us into a house, so that they might search us, but we had sent our servants to the official of the village, and he arrived just then and commanded the people to disperse at once. Just before he a,rrived, Miss Pet- * Condensed from China's Millions.
SOME MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES IN CHINA
terson fainted away. We begged the people for a little water, and after conSidering a little, they brought some for her to drink, and for us to bathe her head, and she revived somewhat, but lost her voice for the whole day. We had to carry her to the cart, and the officialtook us back, the second time, to the robbers' village, and we stayed in 'an inn, where the landlord was very kind to us. After this a man, who had been a Christian for but one month, hired a small boat to take us down to Chao-kia-kou. The people were continually stopping us, and the boatmen would not take us any further. We were alone for a while, so we prayed 'to God to guide and deliver us, and a short time afterward two Christian men appeared. They took us to a Christian family, and gave the woman two hundred cash, and told her to take care of us, and that if there was'anything more to pay they would give it to her when they came back, so they left us there. The people were raging, and wanted to see us. There were forty or fifty men outside trying to pull down the house, but they could not. and they said they would get more men and come back in the night and pull down the house, and kill the foreign devils, so the Christians took us that night to the home of a heathen man who was willing to have us.
Shortly after this a Mr. lang, a member of the Chao-kia-kou church, came to us and told us he would have no rest until we were safely in Shanghai. That night he took us to the river to get us to T'ai-ho-hsien, twenty-six miles distant, the two heathen men escorting us.
After this the officials escorted them on from place to place. Many days they had to walk twenty to thirty miles, finally reaching T'ai ho, where Rev. Mr. Malcolm warmly welcomed them, and there the officials provided boats all the way to Chin-kiang. In crossing the lake they were shipwrecked, but finally reached Shanghai in safety.
OUR ESCAPE FROM LU-AN.* By Rev. Archibald Glover, China Inland Missionary at Lu·an. Shansi.
A mock trial was gone through, and we were brought in guilty. When morning broke, we were ordered into our litters, and taken to a place outside the village. The road was lined on either side with spearmen, and nearly every male carried some implement or weapon. At a given signal they then fell upon our litters, and fought like wild beasts over our baggage. Before the melee I jumped down with Hedley, but dear Flora (Mrs. Glover) with Hope were literally buried under a heaving mass of human ferocity. I never believed she could possibly come out alive. To my amazement she presently came out, and little Hope with her, pale and disheveled, but perfectly calm and uninjured.
Amid fiendish noise and fighting, the spoiling of our goods went on till all was disposed of. The people then went off, leaving us, to our Sllrprise, alone and untouched.
We were presently surrounded by a following of evil men from Hantien, all of whom were armed with agricultural implements. For several hours we sat by the roadside, hemmed in by these people, who freely discUElSed our death, sharpening their instruments on stones before our eyes. At last the long suspense was ended by their suddenly seizing us, and with cruel violence tearing the clothes from our bodies. Flora and Miss Gates were stripped of their upper garments; the dear children had nothing left to them except their combinations, while I myself was stripped naked, * Condensed from The Christian, London.
everything save my socks and a flannel binder being taken. Again, to our surprise, they went no further; no attempt was made to take our lives. though I do not doubt that they longed to do so. P'ao-ri gave me a pair of old pants, and some one in the crowd threw me a beggar's coat of filthy rags, and in these I went till I got to Kao-p'ing, where the rags were exchanged for an old gown of an official.
Then we tramped to the U ang-fang hills, and here we crowded together and were soon asleep, despite the bitter cold. The next day was Sunday. The sun soon became hot, and we had no shelter from the heat on that mountain height. Our thirst became intense, and the heat at last unbearable. At last we reached the river, thick with yellow mud, but to us as sweet as the purest well-water. We lay down to rest under the trees in a cemetery near by. Soon a mandarin's procession came out, and passed by the spot where we were lying. They turned to see who we were, and in a few minutes a cart was at our side, with an official and two yamen runners, who told us at once to enter it, as they had been sent by the Lu-an mandarin to find liS and take us to Kao-p'ing, from whence we ",ere to be sent on to Hankow, where we arrived Monday night, August 13th.
THE LESSER WIVES OF POLYGAMY.* BY M. C. CHRISTELLER. Missionary of the French Evangelical.Mission in~Basutoland, Africa.
Among the natives who have Biblical knowledge, and to whom the communicant members give good witness, there are always in each district two or three women, called "lesser wives," whom by the dis·· cipline of the church, the missionary can not admit to baptism. These women have the unhappy lot of counting only second or third among wives of their polygamous husband. Our church refuses to acknowledge that such women are legally married. To be baptized they must obtain a separation from their husbands, and return to their kindred. Thus each time that the missionary has before him lesser wives, he asks himself in distress, how the Church ought to act with regard to these victims of an anti-Christian social state.
The missionary has no wish to favor polygamy. He sees every day its ill effect; no family life, continual disputes among the wives of the same man, hatred between the children of the same father, endless wranglings over questions of heirship. But, on the other hand, he sees this lesser wife whom God has called; she leads a blameless life, no one has anything against her; must we, because her husband is a polygamist, refuse her admission to the Church?
She may, it is true, be baptized on condition of leaving her husband; but the husband must consent, and as the lesser wife is often the preferred one, the husband refuses to let her go. Also, the lesser wife may really love her husband. Must we, in such case, crush her life? It is true that the black's love is not usually that which Christian whites call by this name, but it is sometimes seen. Harder still for such a lesser wife is the fact that in leaving her husband she must needs give up her children, for by native law the children belong to the man; they repre· sent the cattle given to the parents of the woman at the time of the contract. Now the native woman, first and foremost, is mother. Must we • Translated and condensed from the Journal des Missions.
THE LESSER WIVES OF POLYGAMY
counsel her to do violence to the rights of blood in order to enter the Church?
What becomes of the lesser wife removed by the Church from the protection of her husband? She returns to her kindred, and if they are still heathen, they receive her very ill, knowing that her husband may yet corne to claim her. If she finds a new husband, so much the better! But suitors are rare; she is a divorced woman, and parents dread for their son a marriage with her, for the question remains, to whom shall the children of the second marriage belong? In a state where the law often hangs on a whim of the chief, even the children of the divorced wife by a second husband may be claimed by the first husband. He has rights over them because he has given cattle for this woman. The lesser wife thus finds it hard to marry again, and if no one asks her in marriage she runs sad risk of becoming a saraburabu, i. e., a lost woman. Thus the Church, in order to snatch her from an evil social state, may lead her into a worse state. Knowing all this, ought we, in spite of all, to advise the lesser wife to leave her husband?
Some missionaries do so, convinced that it is the only way in which the Church can work against polygamy, and bring the polygamists to conversion. It is very rare to see a polygamist in the prime of life converted. Polygamy, far from diminishing, tends to increase. The great number of wives which would be a crushing burden for a white man, considering only the question of food, is the riches of the black. The more wives he has the more fields he tills, and the more money he makes. As long as the non-Christian black man can live easily, he will marry many wives, and when the missionary tells him that the Gospel forbids polygamy, he will bring up particular Bible texts to prove the contrary, and will comfort himself by saying that he is no worse than the patriarchs.
A graver reason in my judgment, for refusing baptism to lesser wives, is that their position is far from favorable to the development of the Christian life. Besides being mixed up in unceasing quarrels, the first wives charge them, in the hope of winning their rights, with using magic spells. These are matters that can only be told in the private ear, and that show heathenism in its true light, as a system of diabolical evil. But do not the first wives themselves, whom we receive to baptism, also live in perpetual disputes? And, to be consistent, ought we not to shut out from the Church all except the wives of monogamists, since polygamy is so unfavorable to a Christian life?
In brief, must we make a crime of her state in the lesser wife who behaves well? Must we force her, if she would be baptized, to break with her husband? What would Jesus do, in the presence of these poor women whom the Church repels? What would St. Paul do? How is tbis viewed by Christians at home who study missionary problems as these arise in heathendom?
We need to find out some way of acting which shall agree with the Gospel and no less with the needs of the human conscience; more and more the lesser wives are unwilling to forsake their husbands. They continue for years among the catechumens, then they grow wearied, and turn back to heathenism; they are then forever lost for the Kingdom of Heaven. Others, urged by their husbands, go to knock at the door of churches which do not lay on the lesser wife, who has but one husband, the blame that belongs to her husband, who has several wives. Christian friends in Europe might aid us much by their counsels.
EDITORIALS.
Forward. quality of Christian and mission And Jehovah said unto Moses, Wherefore ary literature is growing with recriest thou unto Me? speak unto the children markable rapidity; individuals and of Israel, that they go forward.-Exodus churches are doing now what it xiv: 15. formerly took whole denomina- Prayer was never intended to tions to accomplish. At horne the take the place of action. God does not promise to do for us that which outlook is not dar~, but there is we should do for ourselves. no room for self-gratulation or in- From a human standpoint there is much that is dark about the out- activity; "there is yet much land to be possessed," and "the King's business requires haste." * look of this twentieth century after the birth of Christ. As Chris- tians we have reasons to be Present Conditions in Foreign Lands.
ashamed that the Church is so far The present outlook is hopeful from perfect, that there is no land from a missionary standpoint, in which can yet be called thoroughly spite of the difficulties and tasks Christian, and that the Gospel has which face us. God is breaking not yet been preached throughout down barriers and opening' doors, the whole world. On the contrary, while the Evil One is continu- multitudes of professing Christians ally seeking to impede the progress are trying to serve both God of the Kingdom. The light of Christ and mammon; so-called Christian is shining out, and darkness is countries are largely dominated by gradually passing away.
unscrupulous self-seekers, who fear Never were there greater oppor- not God, nor regard man; civilized tunities for missionary work. In nations are arming themselves to Africa the governments are friend- kill their enemies, and vice and ly, and the country is progressing dishonesty are rampant; no land is in civilizatiuIl. The opening of the fully evangelized, and there are Sudan, the building of railways still corners of the inhabited earth and telegraph lines are helping to where no ray of Gospel light has prepare a highway for the chariot entered. of God. With returning peace in But we are not discouraged. South and West Africa will come The unacomplished ideals of the a revival of missionary work.
Church are but incentives to greater In India thousands of people are and more persistent and prayerful manifesting a practical interest in efforts. "Our God is marching the Christian religion, and many on." The inspiration of the Ecumen- who have become disgusted with ical Conference has not yet passed idolatry wait only for instruction.
away, and it will yet bear much Young men and women seek for fruit. Christian zeal, fellowship, Christian training, and multitudes and cooperation are increasing in of children could be taken into the body of Christ. Never was schools if only there were sufficient there so much money, and never accommodations and teachers.
before were there so many men, The great famine has opened the proportionately even, devoted to hearts of the people to their Chris- missionary work at home and tian benefactors, and. has brought abroad; the evangelizing forces are thousands of children to recei ve steadily increasing, the amount and Christian education.
EDITORIALS
In China, while many mission- faith in Christ and His worship aries have suffered martyrdom, thousands of native believers have and service, according to the Gosgiven their lives and suffered the pel standards. Even Spain is loss of all things for the sake of awakening somewhat to the dan- Christ, the sealing of their testi- gers of Papal dominion. mony with their blood has not been without effect in China and in Mexico, Central and South Amer- Christian lands. The heroism and ica, where Romanism has so long faithfulness of the great company held sway, are not quite so negof martyrs will yet bear fruit. Mission property has been destroy- lected as formerly. Heralds are ed, but in the reoccupation of the field many advance steps will be proclaiming the truth, and multitaken to secure a greater economy. tudes are seeking and accepting There will be a reconstructed China, and a regenerated China. Christ. Dr. Warneck, of Germany, one Christianity in Japan has passed the crisis of her intellectual unrest, of the foremost missionary writers and is seeking a deeper spiritual of the day, said in a paper read beexperience, and a vital union with fore the Ecumenical Conference: the living Christ. The nation presents fewer barriers to Christian "One hundred years ago missionprogress, and old cults show signs of giving way to the Gospel of ary results, so far as statistically Christ. There is, however, still danger of rationalism and materi- capable of statement, amounted on alism replacing the old superstitions. This young and growing a large estimate to 70,000 Christian prodigy calls for our prayers and our help. converts. To-day the number ex- In Korea remarkable spiritual ceeds four millions, and this numawakenings are reported in many places, whole communities turning ber is augmenting from decade to to God, and living in marked contrast to their heathen neighbors. decade, like capital under com- Siam, in the Laos States, reports similar awakenings and purity of pound interest. The number of faith and life in native Christians. heathen now baptized in a single Mohammedan lands still persecute converts from Islam, and deny year is as large again as the whole liberty of conscience and worship, but even these barriers are being number of Christians in 1800. Evleveled to the ground before the onward march of faith and works. erywhere the work is broadening Arabia is being occupied in important centers, and Turkey, Per- out of the defile into the plain. sia, and North Africa show signs of progress. The work done is but the seed of * In Papal Europe-Italy, Austria, coming harvests." France-there is an unprecedented revolt from Romanism, and a turn- President McKinley on Ohina. ing of priests and people to simple Those who have been influenced to believe that the missionaries were the chief cause of the Boxer uprising in China, may find that part of the president's message re- • ferring to this subject illuminative reading.
The president quotes in evidence the placards which appealed to the people all over the empire to resist foreign advance in all forms. He says these were "aimed at no particular class of foreigners; they were impartial in attacking every- thing foreign." These were appeals to superstitious beliefs of the peo- ple in most cases, and His Excel- lency affirms were "mendacious and absurd in their accusations, and deeply hostile in their spirit." He says the Boxer movement rap- idly developed and became alarm-
ingly aggressive, "with the col- Monday.-Prayer for a better realization of spiritual truth and a better estimate of lusion of many notable officials in· spiritual realities; a clearer vision of the redeeming Christ, and of the actual need and cluding some in the immediate the Divinely intended glory of the world which He redeemed. councils of the throne itself." Tuesday.-Prayer for a Church which, The message, discussing the ori- through faith in Christ, and by the indwell· ing of the !;Ioly Spirit, shall be wholly gin ofthis anti-foreign feeling, says Christian, doing God's will and winning the world to Christ. it" lies deep in the character of the Wednesday.-Prayer for such Christian Chinese race and in the traditions character and life as shall be pleasant in the home, honored in business relations, wei· of their government." It says that corned in the neighborhood, helpful in the church; personal religion being thus manithe Taiping rebellion in the first fe.ted in its rightful attractiveness.
instance and the subsequent open- Thursday.-Prayer for right relations in society and the nation, with the Golden Rule ing of the ports to foreign trade obeyed as between man and man, and all social and political action guided by justice disturbed the homogeneity and and good will-the Christian ideal.
seclusion of China; and that the Friday.-Prayer for all international rela· tionship" and all international action, that foreign aotivity along the coast they may be based on the Christian prin- ciples which apply to the individual-the and up the river basins, and even reign of the Prince of Peace.
in remote districts, introduced for- Saturday.-Prayer for all missionaries, and all missionary organizations, that being eign ideas. The telegraph, railway, wholly inspired by Christian devotion and wholly guided by Christian wisdom, they and steamboats, the merchant and may speedily and triumphantly fulfil the Savior's last command. the missionary, penetrated year by Sunday, Jan. lSth.-Appropriate sermonsyear farther into the interior, and became to the Chinese mind "types of an alien invasion changing the course' of their national life, and fraught with vague forebodings of disaster to their beliefs and their self-control. "
The newspaper correspondents, the despatchers of cable messages, The American Highlanders.
and others who cried out against We are glad to presentt.his month missionary operations as the chief an account of the condition -and causo of these disturbances, have needs of the mountaineers of the had their bad half hour, and those Appalachian Range in America, whom they misled will come back and the work that Berea College, to calmer judgments, under the Kentucky, is endeavoring to do • guidance of those who, like the for them. Berea is undertaking chief executive, are in possession large things, and consequently its of the facts, and are candid enough needs are great. An endowment to impartially state them. There fund has been started successfully, is this to be thankful for, that this but the need for money for current message will get a far wider read- expenses is pressing, President Frost being obliged by illness to ing than any other document could, remain at home this winter. On and will correct the false judgment an average every forty dollars con- formed by many under the sensa- tributed opens the way for the tionalleadership of a mischievous admission of a student at Berea.
At present the number of students journalism. ** is beyond the capacity of the build- ings and equipment, and the num- A Call to Prayer. ber of applications far exceeds the The Evangelical Alliance sends present possibilities of the college. out the following suggestions for the week of prayer at the opening The plan of furnishing work to of the new century: students brings a threefold benefit, Sunday, January 6th.-Appropriate ser· mons and services in helping the students in self-sup- port, in training them industrially.
and in adding to the present equip- ment of the college. *
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS.
FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE PROTESTANT ARABIA, THE CRADLE OF ISLAM. Rev. S. M CHURCHES. By Stephen L. Baldwin, D. D. Zwemer, F.R.G.S. Introduction by Dr. 12mo. $1.00. 272 pp. Eaton & !dains, James S. Dennis. Maps, diagrams, and New York; Jennings & Pye, Cincinnati. illustrations from photographs. 8vo, 434 pp. $2.00. Flemlllg H. Revell Co. About fifty pages of this volume With all respect to the author in are given to a comprehensive his- his statement that "there is no dearth of literature on Arabia," torical survey of foreign mission- one who has sought for recent in- formation concerning the Arabs ary organizations, including those and their home, could heretofore find little or nothing on the subof women, in Great Britain, on the ject, unless it be a few scattered articles on North Africa or Arabian continent of Europe, in the United peoples. This book immediately comes to the front. One who has States, and Canada. An-other chap- traveled over any of the ground traversed by Mr. Zwemer, can best ter is on the mission fields of the appreciate the incidents recounted, and scenes described. All is deworld. Portions of the book are lightfully picturesque and ac- curate. not up to date in data given, but Every chapter in the book seems in the main it is accurate. essential to its completeness, and the illustrations are unique and The discussions of the first eighty- most instructive. The typical Arab of Yeman, so familiar to eight pages are on principles which those who have been in Arabia; harbor and castle of Muscat, the underlie missionary work of the ever' prominent " Ezra's Tomb" on the Tigris; the public khan, the Protestant churches, false and true churning of butter, all bring vivid- ly before us the life and scenes in conceptions of missionary work, this little-known peninsula. The Mecca Cerulficate is a rare and incall and qualifications of mission- teresting document, and the maps, ancient and modern, are the cleararies, and methods of missionary est and most accurate of any ac- cessible to the general public. administration at home and abroad. The general division of the sub- It is for this part of the work ject matter of the book is very happy. The first part deals with that Dr. Baldwin has peculiar and matters of general interest-the geography, history, and people eminent qualifications. His years -giving general information of great value and accuracy. The latof service in China, and in the sec- ter part has to do with Islam and Christianity in Arabia, and anyone retariat of the Methodist Episcopal omitting to read the whole volume, Church, have furnished him thor- will miflS pmch. Music1 medicine, oughly with information, and his position as general secretary of the Ecumenical Conference on Foreign Missions, assures his catholicity.
This volume is a valuable contri- bution to general missionary liter- ature, and deserves a wide reading.
It will brush the cobwebs out of the minds of a good many people about foreign missions, and commend them by its strong common sense.
There is nothing sensational about it, but it is informing and inspira- tional. The author is right in say- ing: "The missionary idea is at the root and foundation of the Christian Church. Its whole spirit and life is missionary, and it must carryon the missionary work as the great function for which it was Creatt;lQ,." **
folk lore, archeology, commerce, Mr. Walton has gathered his facts on missions directly from mishistory, politics, religion, all are sionaries, and so treats the work fairly. treated upon in a way to convey Such being the scope and general valuable information in a most character of the volume-what are its excellences? All interested in interesting way. No reader can Occidental trade with the East will find here a very concise and forcefail to find something in the book ful statement of commercial oppor- tunities, and dangers, while Amerwhich will make it valuable to ican statesmen can profit just as much as members of Parliament him. It should find its way into from the author's trenchant criti- cism of lack of proper alertness. libraries, public and private, but The map, despite slight inaccura- cies, is illuminating beyond any those interested in the progress of that the reviewer has seen. B.
the. Kingdom of God will give it an especially hearty welcome and care- ful reading. w.
CHINA AND THE PRESENT CRISIS. With notes CHINESE MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES. Trans- on a visit to Japan and Korea. By Joseph lated and illustrated by Prof. Isaac Walton, M.P. With a map of China. Taylor Headland. Bvo, 160 pp. $1.25. Crown 8vo, i-xii, and 319 pp. $2.00. Samp- Fleming H. Revell Co. . son, Low, Marston & Co. Imported by Charles Sribner's Sons, New York. Children are by nature much the same the world over. They were The author's avowed purpose in born to play, and to imitate their writing this book, only two-thirds elders. They are always interestof which has to do with Ohina, is ing, bnt never perfect. In Ohina, "to promote the upholding and as in other lands, the children have extension of British trade in the their nursery rhymes handed down Far East." He poses "as one in from generation to generation, and possession of the best and most whether enigmatic or simple, foolaccurate information carefully col- ish or funny, are entertaining to lected from the best-informed men young and old. They reveal much on the spot." While Mr. Walton of the habits, education, and enhas succeeded partially in realizing vironments of the O:linese children. his aim, information gathered more than a year ago is hardly up to-date This edition of Chinese nursery and throws no light upon the rhymes is most artistically propresent crisis. Moreover, whatever duced, and rhythmically transhe may have learned, he certainly lated. The illustrations consist of has recorded no information con- drawings and photographs showing cerning Ohina which has not the children of the Celestial Empire already been better exploited by in almost every conceivable condi- Lord Beresford, Oolquehoun, and tion and occupation. We imagine Archibald Little, or else found in that this is an expurgated edition British blue books and American of Chinese child songs, but it has consular reports; and as a chron- many features peculiar to the Chiicler of travel he can not compare nese, and many others common to with .lfrs. Bishop, who h3s written our own "Mother Goose." The so charmingly of all these coun- rhymes refer to animals, insects, tries. birds, people, food, the parts of the body, actions, professions, etc. While Ohina is only indifferently treated, and, tho Indo-China, Other verses are suggestive of Ceylon, and India are merely China and heathenism, such as touched upon, the Japan section contains some facts that are not generally known, and the pages on Korea are well worth reading. Unlike Norman and Lord Curzon,
those on "Little Small Feet," "The These chapters should bring home Pagoda," "The Great Wall," "The to our hearts a greater sense of how Rice Seller," "Pulling the Saw," much women of Christian lands etc. Every child will be delighted owe to Christ.
with the book, both rhymes and England has done much already, pictures. One of these represents but still more remains to be ac- 1,700 Chinese babies. .. complished. "The real remedy" is THE WRONGS OF INDIAN ·WOMANHOOD. Mrs. Christ and His Gospel, which must M. B. Fuller. Illustrated. 12mo, 302 pp. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co. be carried to Indian women by their Christian sisters. Every man and The women of India are among every woman who has the inter- the most secluded, neglected, and est of these women-more sinned wronged of all the women of against than sinning-at heart, the world. They have less liberty should read this book. First know, and less opportunities for intellec- then do. ..
tual culture than those of most other lands, and yet they wield a RECOLLECTIONS OF A MISSJONAUY IN THE GREAT powerful influence on Hindu life WEST. Cyrus Townsend Brady. Portrait. 12mo, 200 pp. $1.25. Charles Scribner's and thought. If it were not for Sons, New York.
the retarding influence of wives A home missionary's life is no and mothers, many men of India sinecure, but it offers an unusual variety and little opportunity for would forsake their idols and false drowsiness. These characteristics doctrines and practises. are well reflected in Mr. Brady's MrS". Fuller, who has recently exceedingly interesting and attrac- died in India, was an unusually able tive little book of "Recollections."
They abound in humor and pathos, and devoted missionary. She made in wit and in wisdom. No one a careful and thorough study of the will be troubled with drowsiness condition of India's women, the while reading them, but will find causes and the remedy. No other fresh interest on every page. The glimpses of work on the frontier book on the subject approaches it will create new interest in the in value and interest. As Ramabai characters found on those needy says, "The world needs such a book fields. Mr. Brady is an Episcopa- to enlighten it. Indian lian of Presbyterian antecedents, who has been truly used to bring women themselves do not realize blessing to individuals and to com- the depths of degradation they are munities. ..
in." THE CONQUEST OF THE Sroux. Third edition. By D. C. Gilman. Illustrated. 12mo, 86 Mrs. Fuller lifts the curtain and pp. $1.00. The Hollenbeck Press, Bowen- Merrill Co., Indianapolis, Ind. lets us see the awful degradation which characterizes the life of mil- This little book of about one hun- lions of our sisters in India, degra- dred pages well deserves the favor dation not only sanctioned by cus- which it has received from the tom, but upheld by their religious Christian public. It relates mainly beliefs, and connected with temple to the more recent phases of the service and idolatry. Child-mar- " conquest" of our most powerful Indian tribe, now resident in the riage and enforced widowhood and Dakotas, by the representatives of their results; the zenana and its the Congregational, Episcopal, and prisoners; llluralis, devadasis, Presbyterian churches, with espe- nautch girls and other women of im- cial prominence, fitly given, to the work of two sons of the first mis- pure life connected with Hinduism; sionaries, Rev. A. L. Riggs, and infanticides, etc. These and other Rev. J. P. Williamson. Each of subjects are treated fully and frank- the seven chapters is of thrilling ly, and give ;;,ome slight idea of the interest, and the fifteen excellent illustrations lend an addit.ional **" wrongs that need to be righted. charm.
CHINA IN OUTLINE. J. T. Gracey, D.D. 64 pp. A STUDY OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. W. N. (Paper.) 20c.• Clarke. 12mo, 268 pp. $1.25. Charles Scribner's Sons. New York. Here is China in a nutshell. A condensed description of the coun- CHRIST AND MISSIONS. Rev. John' Smith. try, people, history, customs, relig- 12mo, 181 pp. Robert Bryant, 44-50 ions, missions, and the present Aldersgate St., London, E. C. crisis-all this with maps, diagrams, statistics, and a list of IN THE SIEGE OF PEKING. W. A. P. Martin, recent missionary martyrs. The D.D., LL.D. Illustrated. 12mo, 190 pp. pamphlet is offered to young peo- $1.00. Fleming H. Revell, New York. ples' societies at 10 for $1.00. Copies may be had from the author at 177 TYPICAL WOMEN OF CHINA. Translated from Pearl Street, Rochester, N. Y. a popular native work by the late Miss A. C. Safford, of Soochow. Edited by John THE SITUATION IN CHINA. Robert E. Speer. Fryer, LL.D. 192 pp. Illustrated. Kelley 12mo, 61pp., paper. 25 cents. Fleming H. & Walsh, Shanghai. Revell Co. CHINA IN OUTLINE. J. T. Gracey, D.D. Map. There are few writers as clear and 16mo. Paper. 20c. Rochester, N. Y. forceful as Robert E. Speer. He is thorough and accurate, but also THE OUTBREAK IN CHINA: Its Causes. Rev. clear, convincing and picturesque. F. L. Hawkes Pott. 8vo, 124 pp. 75c. He refrains from expressing prema- James Pott & Co., N. Y. ture judgment, but gives much material which is valuable in forming THE MAKING OF A M,SSIONARY. (China.) an opinion. .The book consists of Charlotte M. Yonge. 12mo, 2~8 pp. $1.00. a chapter on "Missions and Poli- Thomas Whittaker, New York. tics in China," reprinted from Mr. I:Speer's book, together with an VERBECK OF JAPAN. Wm. E. Griffis. 12mo, introductory chapter on recent 375 pp. lllustrated. $1.50. Fleming H. events and the present situaticlll. * Revell, New York.
JAPAN AND ITS REGENERATION. Rev. Otis BURMA. Max and Bertha Ferrars. Large Cary. 8 vo, 116 pp., paper. Is.6d. Stu- quarto, cloth, gilt top. $15.00. E. P. dent Volunteer MlssionaryUnion, London. Dutton & Co., New York.
The excellent text-book on Japan PANDITA RAMABAI. Story of Her Life. Helen has already been noticed in these S. Dyer. 12mo. Illustrated. $1.25. pages. The British edition is accompanied by an outline course of FROM THE FIGHT. Amy Wilson-Carrmichael. study by Tissington Tatlow. There 8vo, 62 pp. Illustrated. 28. Marshall is certainly no better text-book on Bros, Keswick House, Paternoster Row, Japan for mission study classes. It has already proved exceedingly London. useful in student circles. WITH NOTE-BoOK AND CAMERA. Edith Bar- FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE LAST HALF CEN- TURY. Arthur T. Pierson, D,D. 8vo. ing-Gould. 8vo, 140 pp. Illustrated. 18. 420I)p. $1.50. Funk & Wagnalls Co., N.Y. 9d. C. M. S., London.
The chapters of this book deal ENGLAND, EGYPT, AND THE SOUDAN. H. D. with some of the remarkable relig- Traill, 8vo, 242 pp. E. P. Dutton & Co., ious and philanthropic movements of the last 50 years-for example: New York. The Keswick Movement, Faithwork, Anti-Ritualistic Movement, CHRISTIANS IN KHAKI. Jessie Page. Marshall Bible Schools and Conventions; Bros., London. Women's Work; Church Union; Student Uprising; Independent SIGN OF THE CROSS IN MADAGASCAR. J. J. Missions; Living Links; Work for Soldiers; Missions to Lepers and Kilpin Fletcher. 12mo. $1.00. Fleming Work for Children. H. Revell, New York. Monthly Missionary Bibliography. REPORT OF PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 1900. 2 CHRISTIANITY IN THE XIX. CENTURY. Geo. C. Lorimer. 8vo, 652 pp. $2.25. Ameri- vols.,8vo. Washington, D. C. can Baptist Pu blication Society, Phila- delphia. THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT. The Philippine FORWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE LAST HALF Islands. G. Waldo Browne. 12m0, 152 pp. CENTURY. Arthur T. Pierson. 8vo, 420 pp Dana, Estes & Co., Boston. ,1.Q(j. Funk & Wagnalls Co., New yorl!:. PARADISE OF THE PACIFIC. The Hawaiian Islands. G. Waldo Browne. 12mo, 230 pp. Illustrated. Dana, Estes & Co., Boston.
CHINAMAN AS WE SEE HIM. Ira M. Condit, D.D. 12mo, illustrated, 233 pp. $1.50.
Fleming H. Revell Co.
TUSKEGEE, ITS STORY AND WORK. Max B.
Thrasher. Introduction by Booker Wash- ington. 12mo, illustrated, 215 pp. $1.00.
Small, Maynard & Co, Boston.
SOULS IN PAWN. Margaret B. Robinson.
12mo, 308 pp. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co. _- – IRENE PETRIE, MISSIONARY TO KASHMIR. Mrs.
Ashley Carus-Wilson. Hodder & Stough- ton, London. LIFE AND WORK OF EDWARD S. LAWRENCE, JR. ltargaret Wood Lawrence. 8vo, 519 ft~-';ell ig~.strated. $2.00. Fleming H.
CATHARINE BOOTH OF THE SALVATION ARMY. W. T. Stead. 12mo. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co.
MEMORIAL SERVICE TO THE PAOTING-FU MAR- TYRS. Pamphlet, illustrated. Burlington, N.J. REVIVAL OF THE PRAYER SPIRIT. Arthur T.
~~~r:c,:;., ~:~~~~~'. 5c. Funk & Wag- ECUMENICAL HYMN OF MISSIONS Words by J. S. B. Mansell. Music by R. H. Wood" mall. Copyri~ht by S. M. Travis,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
AMERICA. following: Rations should be issued only when succor is indispensable. When allot- What the During the nine- ments are made in arid districts1 an ample Red Cross teen years of its supply of water for irrigation and domestic has done. existence under the requirements should be permanently pro- vided_ Carefully selected, well-trained farm- leadership of Miss ers and field-matrons should be appointed to Clara Barton, this organization has furnish industrial education in allotted lands. seen service in no less t,hau 18 fields, Marriage should be regulated and protected with Galveston tidal wave supply- by law, with a system of registration secnr- ing the last call for relief, and in- ing property to legal heirs_ The expensive cluding the Mississippi floods, the machinery of the agency should be discon- Johnstown disaster, the Russian tinued when Indians have become self-sup- famine, the Armenian massacres, porting citizens, and several should be dis- the Cuban reconcentrados, the continued at once. This conference believes Spanish-American war, etc. Nearly that Indian legislation should be so shaped as $3,000,000 have been dispensed for to secure as soon as possible the abolition of the saving of life and the allevia- the Indian bureau. tion of suffering. There is greater need than ever The Indian One of the best of for Christianizing influences, and a Conference at the eighteen con- new missionary spirit should be awakened in behalf of those just Mohonk. ferences on Indian passing from the old superstitions. affairs was that Intercollegiate In the twenty-three held at Mohonk last October. Y. M. C. A. years since the Col- The duties of the future include lege Young Men's a revision of the lease system, Christian Association was started which at present allows absentee as an intercollegiate movement, landowners to fall into vice with more than 3,000 young men have the proverbial ease of those who been led through its influence to have idle hands. Trustworthy enter the ministry. The American recordR should be kept of marriages, and Canadian Students' Associabirths, and deaths, with reference tion movement is represented in to the transmission of lands. It is 624 societies in institutions of learnalso high time to do away with ing, and has between 33,000 and agents and the relics of the reserva- 34,000 members. Its mission study tions where they are no longer classes are attended by an average necessary. Last year 17 agencies of about 4,210 men and women were named by the commissioner students weekly, and more than that might be closed forever, and ],500 student volunteers have enthe Indians left to their own de- gaged in foreign work. Its volunvices, but, in spite of his recom- tary Bible classes number 12,000 mendations and the efforts of many students engaged in daily devotiondisinterested people, none of these al study. Over 35,000 persons have were done away with, and the In- been "converted" through its indians living upon them are still strumen tali ty. under tutelage. The platform is as follows, somewhat abridged: Theological T h I' e e years ago Students' the In tel'- Sem- The conference offers its hearty and unanimous approval of the statement of the In- Convention. ina I' y Missionary dian commissioner that it would be better Alliance gave way for the Indian if he had be€'n treated from the beginning as an individual subject to the to the Seminary Department of laws of the land. the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. The first triennial con- Further meaSures urgently needed are the vention of the new organization was the largest convention of theo- logical students ever held. The
Statistics of the Missionary Societies of the [These tables include only Missions to non-Christian and non-Protestant peoples, and so they omit the United States, The figures are derived almost wholly fr~m annual reports, and relate in the main possible blanks, and hence where official figures were not at hand, conservative estimates have been Mission1y Income. 1Iissionaries. Nat. Helpers.
ci ~ ..0… ~'" . .,; '~'""~ .,j ci 00 "" "Q) .,j o~ .Zoj~'" "'N ….,.~ 13 rotr·:.~. Q) Q) .!'"': ~S .'~- " , Q) NAMES OF SOCIETIES. 0 Jj'~~ ..Aoj~" .'0"1 1»3 i:: ;83~0 '0"1 .~…, 0 "0 " ..o..j ""0'- 0 <lj —– — — – ———— American Board ……………….. 1810 $737,957 156,957 166 17 170 186 239 518 Baptist Missionary Union……….. 1814 543,493 490,493 171 26 174 118 1,404 3,209 Southern Baptist Convention ……. 1845 140,102 7,095 41 0 40 13 29 104 Free Baptist.. ………………….. 1833 24,445 475 71 .8 8 6 6i Seventh-Day Baptists …………… 1847 4,220 500 11 2 2 0 15 Christian (Disciples) ……………. 1875 157,063 12,952 47 8 25 15 22 80 American Christian Convention …. 1886 8,571 140 60 3 2 7 5 Protesta~t Episcopal. …………… 1835 357,890 16,715 39 12 28 29 85 382 Society of Friends ……………… 1871 43,737 2,051 15 4 13 33 12 101 Lutheran, General Council ……… 1869 18,751 60 4 4 1 137 Lutheran, General Synod ……….. 1837 48,600 7,6'71 12 0 6 6 0 468 Methodist Episcopal ……………. 1819 1,333,695 15,358 238 23 218 219 463 4,2G4 Methodist Episcopal, South……… 1843 373,209 21.251 61 7 62 57 92 227 Free Methodist…………………. 1882 14,233 92 41 5 4 0 13 Methodist Protestant …………… 1888 13,537 998 41 5 0 6 15 Wesleyan Methodist……………. 1890 7,000 30 2 1 0 3 Presbyterian…………………… 1837 903,133 18,634 234 5~ :?53 180 170 963 Presbyterian, South ……………. 1861 176,000 7,523 61 8 55 37 15 98 Cumberland Presbyterian ………. 1820 29,079 1,427 92 7 7 7 21 Reformed Presb. (Covenanter)…… 1856 29,136 73 10 6 1 50 Reformed Presb. (Gen. Synod) …… 1836 6,000 180 20 2 6 0 45 Associate Reformed Presb., South. 1874 7,982 1,000 40 3 3 7 4 United Presbyterian ……………. 1859 136,871 23,868 35 10 32 36 44 750 Reformed (Dutch)………………. 1832 147,21-1 16,704 31 5 31 27 31 349 Reformed (German) ……………. 1878 34,229 3,950 91 8 4 8 32 German Evangelical Synod ……… 1883 16.406 72 5 1 0 72 Evangelical Association…………. 1876 8,500 1,050 20 2 0 8 25 United Brethren ……………….. 1853 18,000 1,100 19 2 21 3 6 9 .. Canada Baptist….. …………. 1873 60,844 1,300 22 1 21 15 10 252 Canada Congregationalist ………. 1881 9,000 12 2 2 0 4 Canada Methodist. …………….. 1873 137,745 3,274 79 6 78 0 36 42 Canada Presbyterian …………… 1844 151,210 44 19 40 66 5 270 84 130 787 — —- — – – – – – – Twenty other Societies …………. -5-5 21 — 417,907 – 4,200 – 1-50 — Totals ……………………… 6,114,759 817,008 1,442 373 1,419 1,220 2,725 13,375 – —
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
United States and Oanada for 1900-01.
work done in non-Catholic Europe, while covering that in behalf of Indians, Chinese, and Japanese in to 1300, though sometimes the year includes a part of 1899. The aim has been to leave the fewest made, based upon former reports.) ,; .0..0, ,; oj /:! ".,:,:0.:0: .:: 0 ce.S .>.".<, ~00 ~~–'- 00 .0.0. oj co: j Countries in which Missions 3~ 00" 00 ~~~ -0 are Sustained. .::oj '8" oj re_,a .o::Z·~ .0:: .,. ..,,, " " … E°-<o'~l 0 Africa, Turkey, India, China, Japan, .0 ~o"o S ….:I .0:: "00 Micronesia, Mexico, ~ain, Austria. S 00 ~~ Burma, India, China, apan, Africa, "'"" 0 0 <Ii 0 France, Spain. """" I:: 000 Q China, Japan, Africa, Italy, Mexico, <1 Brazil, Cuba. – – – – – – – – —- -.- —– —— India (Southern Bengal). 1,296 1,370 51,699 4,523 147,345 1,280 59,G71 China (Shanghai). India, China, Japan, Turkey. 5,086 1,604 134,512 8,539 300,000 1,445 37,297 Japan (Tokyo, etc.). Africa, China, Japan, Haiti, Greece. 327 268 6.537 1,341 16,000 45 1,278 Mexico, Alaska, Jamaica, China, 91 18 819 92 1,831 95 3,358 Japan. India (Madras). 21 2 51 0 200 7 213 India (~Iadras), West Africa. China, Korea, Japan, India, Africa, 197 141 2,700 730 6,000 24 1,780 Bulgaria, Mexico, South America. 23 27 344 26 800 2 51 China, -!apan, Mexico, Brazil. India, S. Africa, St. Domingo. 575 237 5,851 269 17,000 105 4,520 Japan (Yokohama). Africa (Sierra Leone). 178 54 1,713 433 4,443 41 1,558 India, China, Japan, Korea, Africa, 152 212 2,460 63 5,368 116 2,719 Syria, Persia, Spanish America. China, Korea, Japan, Africa, Greece, 402 432 6,862 575 19,164 213 6,014 Italy, Mexico, Brazil. 5,425 695 91,821 5,726 260;564 1,202 40,349 Japan, Korea, Mexico, Indians. Northern Syria, Asia Minor, Cyprus, 505 135 9,958 581 17,500 30 1,504 China. 27 15 luO 30 261 5 280 India (Northwest Provinces). Mexico (Tampico, etc.), 31 26 371 116 1,000 2 135 Egypt, India (Northwest Provinces). India, China, Japan, Arabia. 9 2 20 0 40 1 20 Japan (Tokyo, Sendai, etc.). India (Central Provinces). 1,858 1,289 37,820 4,442 100,000 702 23,929 Japan (Tokio, Osaka). China, West Africa. 274 149 4,074 64~ 11,000 21 733 India (Telugus). Africa (West Central). 53 14 888 120 2,500 3 200 Japan (Tokyo), Indians. China, India, New Hebrides, West 77 11 310 43 800 14 730 Indies. 55 17 1,500 20 3,000 8 320 21 14 302 34 800 4 90 907 298 8,379 889 25,000 298 20,910 474 253 4,597 269 11,000 187 6,79~ 62 53 1,930 344 4,000 2 190 87 17 1,200 0 2,000 11 1,106 37 21 8~0 85 2,750 1 8 60 63 4,500 200 8,000 5 400 321 75 4,346 543 10,000 89 1,518 11 3 35 0 100 2 170 241 140 7,989 785 23,900 10 1,350 444 120 3,500 0 8,000 160 7,500 1,127 – 212 2,538 – 241 – 6,000 – -12-0 13,569 — — — —– — — 20,644 7,987 400,496 31,681 1,016,386 6,252 240,263
meetings were in the Fourth United convention, and to send forth the Presbyterian Church, Allegheny, delegates with a world-wide vision.
Pa., Novembe!' 1-4, and 47 semin- JOHN GOWDY.
aries in the United States and Can- Methodist The W 0 man's ada were represented by 187 dele- Women and Foreign Mission- gates. Missions. ary Society of the Dr. Wilton Merle Smith on the 11. E. Church is first evening sent forth those ring- ing words of Emerson, "1Vhat you among the foremost for vigor of are speaks so loud I can not hear administration and amount of re- what you say," and they became a ceipts. Its thirty-first anniver- challenge to every man for a re- sary was celebrated in Worcester, newed and complete consecration. Massachusetts, October 24-28th. Similar addresses were delivered 'l'he last year's receipts reached by Bishop Thoburn on "The Con- $414,531, an increase of $54,192, and straining Love of Christ," by Chan- $118,720 were already pledged tocellor McDowell on "The Best Man ward a $200,000 twentieth cenfor the Most Destitute Fields," and tury thankoffering. The number by Robert E. Speer on" That Christ of missionaries is 219, and 30 were may have the Preeminence." sent out last year. The 4 publica- tions reach an aggregate circula- A fitting climax to such a gath- tion of 80,877 copies. ering was a special emphasis on foreign missions. Mr. J. Campbell Canadian Some years ago the White delivered the address, "The Episcopalians Episcopal Church Claims of India." He was followed and Missions. of Canada began to by Mr. Ewing on "The Claims of India Upon You." Africa was rep- cooperate with the resented by Bishop Hartzell, and Wyckliffe College missionary orvery intense was the soul-searching ganization, and later became asthat went on in many hearts as sociated with the Church Missionthat great, strong man stood there, ary Society of England. Its 15 orhis whole body shaken with sup- dained representatives, besides pressed emotion, pleading for men. wives and certain unordained men, "Many a night I've looked up into are found in China, Japan, Palesthe clear sky and cried for Men! tine, South America, and among Men!! I find scientists seeking for the Eskimo of the far North. There bugs, men going into the heart of is besides a Board of Foreign and the country to plant coco planta- Domestic Missions which is not in tions, but day after day and week sympathy with the C. M. S., though after week, I scarcely see a mis- an effort is being made to bring the two into cooperation.
sionary. 0, for men!" The feel- An Arctic Says the Greater ing was only intensified by the ad- Conference. Br'itain Messenger: dress that followed on "The Claims " A missionary con- of China," by Rev. Harlan P. ference was held at St. Matthew's Beach. Mission, Fort McPherson, in the Before the day was closed men Mackenzie River Diocese, on the went off by themselves for the last two days in June. It was in greatest struggle they had known, the uttermost parts of the earth, at and not a few returned to offer one of the most remote posts in the their lives for foreign service. The British Empire, within the Arctic final address by Mr. Mott was well Circle, at the time when there is calculated to gather up and crys- perpetual sunlight, in almost trop- tallize the various influences of the ical heat, notwithstanding the high
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
latitude. All the clergy of the dio- Progress At a recent meet- cese were present, with the excep- in Brazil. ing of the Synod of tion of one. The Rev. 1. O. Stringer Brazil, in which the had traveled over 200 miles froJIl missions of the Presbyterian his station in the Arctic Ocean in a Church, both North and South, boat manned by Eskimos. The are joined, the 4 presbyteries hith- bishop had come in the Ella Ya erto existing were divided into 7.
nearly 800 miles from an opposite Ten new churches were reported as direction, picking up the Rev. and having been organized since the Mrs. Spendlove on the way; and last meeting, and the total mem- the absentee, the Rev. T. J. Marsh, bership had increased from 6,000 to would have had to travel more probably 7,000. Since the last than 1,000 miles. It was the in- meeting, 3 years ago, 400,000 milreis trusion of the French priests among have been contributed by the his people that prevented his pres- churches, which, at 5 milreis to the ence." dollar, is equivalent to $80,000.
Conditions of In my travels in EUROPE. Success in B I' a z i I s eve I' a I Expansion A recent writer es- Brazil. things became clear to me. First, in of Great timates that during Britain. the century now order to do successful work among the Indians, we must, with the drawing to a close, Gospel, teach these people a civil- land has been added to the British ized way of living. This they can Empire at the average rate of 2 not learn from their Brazilian acres for every second of time. In neighbors, and our mission should the year 1800 the Empire was therefore, if possible, include a few only 6 times as big as the United farmers and tradesmen. Second, Kingdom, while in 1900 it is found the Indian missions must be kept to have become just 96 times as big. far enough inland to be out of easy Roughly, the increase has been from reach of the rumseller and Brazil- 2,000,000 square miles to 12,000,000, ian trader in general. This can and this growth of six times the only be effected by either going far area in 1800 has been going on all from the river, or by asking the over the world.
government for a reservation from Is England It is perhaps when which all undesirable people shall Degenerating? a nation is least be excluded. Third, the mission conscious of its stations should aim to become weakness, and when men are glory- partly self-sustaining, producing ing in the outward achievements their own staple foods, not only to of commerce and political status, reduce the cost but also to furnish that a rude awakening is given employment and practical instruc- them by those who have a deeper tion to the natives. Fourth, there insight into the affairs of mankind must be a central station from and the Divine government of God.
which the interior work can be in- Dr. Horton said recently that the telligently directed, sustained, and apparent motto of England for aided. For this purpose no place some time past has been "fast on the Tocantius is better suited living and deep drinking."
than Carolina. It is the only place Dean Farrar made a similar in- which has regular mail communi- dictment some time ago as regards cation, and is easier to reach, by England. Principal Fairbairn has way of Maranhao, than by river shown that the great advancement from Para.-Geo. R. Witte. of the empire has been achieved iu a century which, in the main, with the work in caarge of 154 clergymen and others. The Church has been a century of peace. No Sailors' Mission, formed in 1837, has 52 British and 18 foreign staone can doubt that at the present tions, 91 churches for sailors, 46 pastors, and upward of 70 other time the tide is flowing in precisely missionaries. Eesides, the Deep Sea Fishers' Mission has 15 vessels the opposite direction in England, kept busy diffusing medical aid and religious influence. These 3 mainat least with a large class of im- tain 200 stations, at an annual cost of $500,000, and reach 1,000,000 men. perialists. Livingstone A memorial fund A somewhat like criticism of Ger- Memorial has recently been many, in all its growing strength, in London. started in England for the purpose of a comes from a scholar of the highest suitable building for Livingstone rank, Professor Beyschlag, of College, the English Medical Mis- sionary Training Institute under Halle, .who in pointing out the" ele- the principalship of Dr. Harford Battersby. The college was founded ments of weakness in modern Ger- seven years ago for the purpose of teaching missionaries how to care many," writes as follows: for their own health and how to treat simple diseases. It has now There have been other periods in outgrown its original quarters, and the history of Germany when a has purchased Knott's Green, Leylower type of morality prevailed; ton, for its future home. This but there has been none other that building is well adapted to the has been so characterized by a needs of the college, and would "spurning of all the sacred posses- make a very suitable memorial to sions of the inner man." Denial of David Livingstone. The amount the existence of God and mockery required to pay for the property of His word are not now, as in and repairs is £6,000 ($30,000). It is former generations, the timid con- a thoroughly worthy object, and fession of a few shipwrecked souls. one to which we hope that many It has now become the cold-blooded friends will be led to contribute. conviction of hundreds of thou- Send contributions to Dr. Harford sands throughout the empire, and Battersby, Livingstone College, is in many circles considered the 133 Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, acme of culture and education. London E. C. There can be no more terrible sign of the times than that a man like North African This organization, Nietzsche, that man of depravity, Mission. formed in 1881, is who used, or rather abused, his fine devoted almost exmental abilities only to mock at everything that gave man stabil- clusively to work among Moslems, ity, until he finally passed over and lays especial emphasis upon from an ethical to a physical lunacy the educational and medical side of -that such a man could be glori- evangelism. A few weeks since a fied as the protagonist of the farewell meeting was held at Devonhighest type of culture in this shire House, where 19 missionaries "land of t):J.inkers and authors." were present, who were returning to their labors, and 4 who were Tho England may not be in such speculative errors as regards relig- ion, its temporary devotion to material aims without reference to spiritual standards, almost inevi- tably leads to identical results with any thorough going materialism. -Bombay Guardian.
British ·Within the United Work for Kingdom 3 societies Sailors. devote themselves to the well-being of seafaring men: The Union for British and Foreign Seamen dates from 1818, and has 82 institutes, reading-rooms or homes,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
going out for the first time, almost Foreign mission fields…………….. 17 at once. The mission employs Principal stations………………… 156 about 100 missionaries in all. An Out·stations. . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 636 encouraging statement was made Members in full communion………. 41,867 by Mr. E. H. Glenny, the secretary. Candidates. .. .. . . .. . .. …. . . .. . . . . . . . . 13,667 Attendance at 8 colleges and 890 schools………………………. 56,135 Foreign mission income received in Scotland……………………… £113,209 Received at stations abroad…… …. 62,533 The Zenana Bible and Medical For missions to the Jews…….. … … 9,097 Mission of London has recently sent out eleven new lady mission- Total. ……………………….. £184,889 aries to India. These are only sufficient to fill the most pressing The Passing Year by year for 130 vacancies. Sir Charles Elliott presided at the farewell meeting, ofthe years the Moravian October 9th, and Dr. Hanson gave the valedictory address. " Harmony." Church has sent a vessel to the stormy coast of Labrador to carry out and bring away missionaries, to take out provisions and mission The United The launching of stores, and, in short, make the Free Church this new ecclesias- of Scotland. tical body, formed, one communication of the year happily, not by between that bleak missionary division, but by union, is a matter for rejoicing aU the Protestant outpost and civilization. The first world over. The strength of the uniting bodies is indicated by the vessel so employed was named the following statistics of date December 31, 1899: United Presbyterian Harmony; it has had two succes- Church-ministers, 637; congregations, 594; communicants, 199,089; sors, each of which bore the same Sabbath-school scholars and teachers, 114,806. Free Church-Min- name. The third Hm"l'IlOny became, isters, 1,149; congregations, 1,112; communicants, 200,089; Sabbath- a year or two ago, too old for such school scholars and teachers,.l68,- 159. Total for the new organiza- a voyage, and a substitute was tion, 1,786 ministers, 1,706 congregations, 495,178 communicants, chartered. But this year that is 282,965 Sabbath-school scholars and teachers. judged unnecessary. The outgoing missionaries are traveling by the Allan Line to St. Johns, and thence by mail-boat to the coast.
Foreign Mis- Of course, the for- German Press The German Press sions of the eign work shares on Missions. is again on the war- United Free in the union re_ path against Chris- Church. ferred to above, tian missions, and it is an unhappy with these statis- sign, that the readers will put up with such flagrant absurdities and tics as the result: untruths from their newspapers, and will not rise up against them. Ordained European missionaries…. . 128 European medical missionaries.. ….. 49 No. 404 of the Volkszeitung occu- Woman's Society missionaries……. 106 pies itself with the yearly report of our (Berlin) Society. The paper, European evangelists…………. … . 50 quite correctly, gives the number of the souls belonging to our con- Total European agency. . . . . . . . . . . 888 gregations in Africa and China at Ordained native pastors……. ….. .. 35 37,293, but calls this "result of an Native licentiates ……………….. , 18 activity of 76 years," pitiable. Native evangelists.. ………………. 539 Apart from the fact that our mis- Native teachers………………….. 1,080 sionaries first went to the heathen Woman's Society teachers……….. 533 in 1834, so that we have only been Bible women…………………….. 52 laboring about 66, not 76, years, the paper seems to have no inkling Total native agency…………… 2,230 of the history or the nature of
Christian missions. The begin- tered for some time, and found its nings of missions are everywhere expression last month in the open- hard, and show little success. It ing of a building in St; Petersburg has been reckoned that at the end for the" Society for the Moral and (,f the first century there were at Physical Development of Young most only 200,000 Christians in the Men." An organization patterned whole world, altho to-day Chris- after the Young Men's Christian tianity has prevailed over a third Association, and encouraged by part of mankind. Our missionaries Mr. James Stokes, whose interest for' Africa have had to do much and benefactions, it will be remem- preparatory work. We have re- bered, made the splendid Associa- duced eight languages to writing, tion work and building possible in and published books in them. Fur- Paris. Mr. Franklin Gaylord, who thermore, in this time 74 stations established the Paris work, has have been founded and developed been assisting in the direct,ion of by our missionaries in Africa and the organization. Prince Olden- China, on which there are standing berg and other Russians prominent dwellings, churches, and schools, in official life are directors. The stations of a permanent money czar is deeply interested in the value. This makes it foolish for organization. the journal to say that in China last year 540 persons were convert- ASIA. ed, but that to convert them 140,- 000 marks ($27,000) were spent. In The Palestine There is really room our report it is expressly stated of the Future. for hope that Palesthat 92,000 marks were spent on important buildings in Canton and tine will again be- Tsintau. This leaves 48,000 marks come a country" flowing with milk for current expenses; and these and honey." It produces corn, have not been laid out merely for wine, and oil freely. But for" the the 540 converts, but also for the unspeakable Turk" it would be a instruction of over 500 school chil- land of plenty, while the 13,000 pildren, and 341 catechumens, besides grims, and 2,000 money-spending a large literary activity. We mis- tourists who already visit it ansionary workers have patience, we nually, are enough to give it a know that all beginnings go slow. commercial start. Its growing When our society had been labor- trade amounted, last year, to $3,- ing 33 years, our congregations 500,000, of which the exports were numbered only 2,000 souls. To-day about $1,500,000. It has no harbor, they number almost 40,000. That but one could be made at J afi'a, and is, they have multiplied twenty- this would greatly facilitate trade fold. How high the numbers are in connection with its railroad. likely to run in 33 years more, if The best of the agriculture is in the God's grace keeps up the same rate hands of religious, benevolent, and of increase, friend and foe can national communities. Its largest 'easily compute. – Del' lJfissions- export is soap. It exported last Freund. vear $385,000 worth of oranges, ~hich went chiefly to London. The A movement look- The Turk will soon have to stand aside and let this land develop. If Y.M. C.A. ing toward the es- Germany builds the Euphrates Valley railway there will be a in Russia. t a b lis h men t of tendency to disrupt the strong- holds of Mussulman stagllation. work for the young As a sphere of influence Germany men of Russia has been fos-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
has Asia :Minor and Syria west of del' manfully protested against the the Euphrates and within a line lax interpretation of caste. An drawn northwest from the sources explanation of the motion was of the Euphrates to Scutari. Russia finally made which practically insisted that the railway should at enables one to interpret it as he no point cross the Euphrates; and will. The motion thus amended, Russia claims as her sphere of in- runs as follows: fluence Asia :Minor, Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, and Persia to the east '''No person who breaks the of the Euphrates. law of Christ in the observance of caste, can exercise an office in Better have been Taught at Home. the Christian Church.' -Of 44 Armenian students who came from the Central Turkish "What divides the missionary missions to America for theolog- societies in this matter, are hardly ical education, only 4 have return- varying apprehensions of caste, ed to become permanent pastors nor yet different principles in rein their own land.-Rev. F. JV. spect to its treatment. It is rather practical difficulties that divide. McCalhm~. :Many have implicated themselves too deeply with this demon, or per- What Persian A few months ago haps their predecessors, in a time Doctors Do. Dr. 'Vhite, of Yezd, when they did not recognize it in its dangerousness. Now they do Persia, was asked not know how to get out of the to treat a young man who was suf- blind alley. They fear a dangerous fering from severe abdominal pain. crisis, and thence it is easy to under- The native doctor had given him a stand, as lpen's minds work, that daily dose of shot in order to they try to make out the embarrasstraighten any kinks in the bateel! sing thing less dangerous than it Curious accounts are sometimes is." given of the operations performed in the hospital. On one occasion the The Impotence The famine in India doctor was said to have made a cut of Secular has led to some from the knee to the ankle, and Education. s t l' an g e revelathen looked in with a telescope!- tions. Among them Mercy and T1'uth. is this: Many natives who have Caste :Missionary Froh- been educated in England, and have in India. meyer (Basel M. S.) corne in closest touch with 'Vest- ern civilization, possess great in his report of the wealth. Yet not one of them, it is South Indian Conference, says: said, has done anything to. aid the starving millions of his fellow- "The commission had proposed countrymen. This has been left for that no Christian who observes England and America. 'Vhile caste shall hold an office in the British doctors have risked life, Church, and all permitted means and worked themselves almost to shall be used to expel this unchris- death in ministering to the tian institution out of the Chris- plague-stricken, native physicians tian congregations. Thereupon educated in English schools have arose a sharp dispute. . refused to wait upon them. Educa- tion and civilization do not make "It was especially the leading men merciful, and self-sacrificing, 'Vesleyans, Messrs. Findlay and and self-forgetful. Christianity Haigh, who adjured the assembly alone does this. not to lay any such yoke upon the necks of the congregations. On the other hand, the aged Dr. Scud-
Native The true token of it undertakes to dispense with the teaching of an alien religion.-The Education in the weakness of Harvest Field.
India. Hinduism is that Missionaries In Gujerat, Rajpu- as Famine tana, and Central India has so long Sufferers. India, the deaths of neglected to provide herself with at least 10 mission- aries have occurred in connection an adequate protection against the with the famine relief work of this year. So far as human eye can see, subversive influence of a Christian these deaths were directly due to overwork, hardship, and exposure system of education! But now it endured in self-sacrificing effort to save the starving famine sufferers. would seem that the old reproach Others there are at the present hour quite worn out with hard of Hinduism has passed away; de- work and the terrible burden of sympathy and anxiety which they fenders of the faith have come for- have carried so long. The heroic'" work the missionaries have done ward and constituted themselves in connection with this unpar- alleled famine of 1899-1900, is a board of guardians for native beyond all praise. They have not spared themselves at any point.- educational institutions, and are Indian Witness.
resolved to vindicate the honor of The First In an article deal- Converts are ing with the positheir religion by saving parents Usually Men. tion of women in the necessity of sending their Burma, in a mis- sionary magazine, the writer says: children to schools of unacceptable "It is a significant fact that, when the Gospel is first preached in denominations. . . . So loyal an Burma, the converts are men gen- erally; as women are taught to read endeavor as that of the Council they become Christians. In the older churches, in Rangoon and of Native Education can not Moulmein, where schools have long been established, the women in the but claim our sympathy, but congregation may predominate; while in the new districts, the we confess to some doubt as to church members are principally men. They meet for worship on the precise character of the motive the Sabbath, while their wives and daughters are at home working, or which has inspired it. Such a in many cases, planning some dese- cration of the Christian Sabbath. movement will demand patience As soon as a heathen woman learns that a church disciplines a man for and sacrifice, and can only hope to whipping his wife, she takes advan- tage of this circumstance, and does succeed if it is able to ri val Chris- all she can to vex her husband."
tian missionary work in intensity of conviction, and is actuated by deep feeling. It must be galling to the narrower patriotism to be com- pelled to assent to a system of edu- cation which militates against the national religion. But patriotism is not strong enough to fight the battles of religion, and the struggle at issue is a conflict of contending faiths.
Chri~tian missions may await thE'
action of the council with uncon- cern; if this council on this work be of men it will be overthrown.
Two possible maneuvers, how- ever, must be guarded against.
There must be no attempt on the part of the council to secure aid for native institutions irrespective of their efficiency, and there must be no interference with the liberty of any school that imparts a sound secular education debarring it from the receipt of a grant in aid, unless
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
The Reformers According to mis- missionary teacher, who barely in China. sionary Fladd, in escaped with her life from her post the Basel j'l'iagctzin, into the interior to safety on the coast, writes in a private letter of we have less occasion than ,ye had the place where the roof was burned supposed to regret the present de- over her head and her life was in feat of the reform plans of the danger from the mob, and the sol- young Emperor Kwang Suo "For diers, and the peril of midnight altho Khong Ju "Yei "-the emper- flight near hostile villages. "That or's chief adviser-" owed the best night, as we were fleeing from Wei of his thoughts on reform to his Hsien, as I looked back and saw intercourse with Chriotians and to the flames rising behind me, I the reading ;)f Christian books, yet thought, these flames will kindle a he was in no way inclined to ac- wonderful work for God in this knowledge this. To be sure he place and then how glad and happy appeared to be kindly disposed we shall be. I am more than ever toward the Christians, but in his anxious to go back and begin work heart he hated Christianity, and, again, and Wei Hsien and the peoin fellowship with influential men ple there are dearer to me than ever in Japan, was forging projects before." against it, and indulging the hope that when he should once haye A Humane We must not, even come to the helm, he might be able Chinese in China, judge all to exterminate the detested sect. Official. by the many. Itis Letters from Japan have proved this beyond dispute. said by some Swedish missionaries who escaped from the province of "In his view there was only one Shensi, that the governor of the means of deliverance for China; province, upon receipt of the edict Western culture and sciences with of the empress dowager to kill all Confucian morality as the founda- the foreigners, was moved to tears. tion. Therefore, much as, in one He concealed the edict. and immeaspect, we lament that his plans of diately issued proclamations favorreform have been stifled in the able to the foreigners. He offered germ, even after the emperor had safe conduct to the missionaries set them in motion, yet we can not even beyond the borders of his but say, that such a reform move- province, and it was due to his ment on such a foundation would kindly services that the missionahave brought China no blessing, ries escaped. To thus aid the desand Christianity no advancement. pised foreigners at great personal Possibly the miscarriage of his risk shows an appreciation of their plans may have opened the eyes of services and worth, and an unselthe man, and given him to see, fishness truly rare in a Chinese that all hangs on God's blessing, of official. which plainly he made no account; and that without a Christian foun- The Opening The Roman Cathdation, it is no longer possible to of Tibet. olic Bishop Biet, help the Chinese commonwealth." vicar-apostolic of -Rheinische BeTichte. Tibet, is authority for the state- Women as In their readiness ment that the strict laws which Heroines. to resume work in have closed that country hitherto on pain of death again!'t all white perilous districts in men, and especially against mis- China, the women are not a whit sionaries, have been repealed, and behind the men. Here is what a that henceforth religious liberty is
vouchsafed in the land of the Message to the Apostles, and the grand lama. The New York Tribune explains this astonishing Message of our Lives." Among news on the basis of the hostility which for centuries has existed other papers were the following: between Tibet and China, holding that the Tibetans see in this move "Conditions under which the Work has at this juncture a fine opportunity Been Carried on, " by Dr. D. C. Greene; H The for injuring their hereditary foes, Progress of the Work," by D. Thompson; one of whose chief defenses has " How Far is the Ground Covered by Existbeen the position of "the forbidden ing Agencies," by Rev. G. F. Draper; H Woland," guarding against intrusion man's'Vork," by 11iS8 Julia Dudley; "Spirtheir western frontier. If Tibet itual Life of the l1issionary," by John Scott, has thrown in her lot with civil- D.O.; "Methods of Evangelistic Work," by ization, the control of China by the Rev. Walter Andrews and Rev. A. Oltmans; great world forces will be doubly •. Preaching the Gospel," by J. W. McCollum; easy. •• Christian Work in the Liu~chiu Islands, 11 by R. A. Thompson; .• The Ainu," by Rev. John Batchelor; "Statistical Comparisons," by D. S. Spencer; "Bible Study for the Mission- ary," by Dr. A. D. Hall; H Schools and Col- leges," by Dr. 'Vainwright and Miss Searle; " Theological and Evangelistic Training Schools,l' by Dr. Learned: .. Training Schools for Bible Women." by Miss A. B. West; H The Prayer Life of the 11 issionary," by Dr. Ben- nett; "Educational Classes and Christian- ity," by Prof. E. F. Clement; "The Student Class," by G. III. Fisher.
Great Growth In our station this The conference throughout was in Korea. year we have bap- notabJe for the abJe presentation of tized 78 1 people, timely topics, and the friendly and animated discussion of the themes and received 1,944 as catechumens. presented. Through the courtesy There are many more waiting and of Rev. E. S. Booth, principal of anxious to be baptized who would the Ferris Seminary, Yokohama, have been had it been possible for we shall be able to publish later us to cover our field properly. some ofthe best papers read at the These people gather in 179 out-sta- conference. tions. We have now 14 helpers, 8 of whom are supported by the The Tide After a marked de- Koreans, and 2 more will be sup- Again Rising cline in the number ported just as soon as the missionaries in charge have the men to in Japan. of Christian conrecommend. For example, I have verts in Japan, the in my district 3 helpers, 2 of whom are almost entirely supported by most recent statistics show a the natives, and 1 is entirely sup- change for the better. In the 4 ported by the foreign funds. This years from 1888 to 1892 only 6,000 people are ready and willing to sup- were baptized, and after that the port another man, and will do so churches were stationary, their just as soon as I have some one to numbers in some cases even derecommend.-REV. GRAHAM LEE. creasing. But in 1898 there was the remarkable increase of 41,000 adults Missionary The second general baptized in the evangelical church- Conference conference of Prot- es, 24,000 in the Russian mission, in Japan. estant missionaries which has shown great activity under Bishop Nicolas, and 52,000 in Japan, was held in the Romish Church, which in Tokyo, in the last week in Octo- 'Jounts children along with adults. ber. The attendance was large The evangelical missiolls are clearly beyond expectation. Rev.Dr. Davis in the ascendant, and especially the was elected president, and on tak- Presbyterians and Congregationaling the chair delivered an inspiring ists, who number about 11,000 adult address on "Our Message to the members each.-Nordisk Missions Nation and to the Church; Christ's Tidskrift.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
AFRICA. or handicrafts. The Cornish miner A Mission During a recent who goes to work at Kimberley or Blotted Out. visit to Sherbro, Johannesburg, does not wield the hammer and turn the drill as he did when he inspected at home.. In the new lands he finds the churches at York Island and a new environment, and discov- Victoria, and another in course of ers that he can do very much erection at Bonthe, the Rev. E. H. more by directing the labors of the EIwin, secretary of the Sierra Leone two or three, or half-a-dozen na- Mission, could not find even a trace tives that are allotted him. And of the church at Bendu, an old sta- the same holds true, to some extion of the C. ]1. S. Mr. Elwin tent, of all the skilled labor that wrote on May 10th: "There is no England sends us. The brain of sadder place on the West Coast. South African industry is at pres- Ye walked among the ruins of ent covered with a white skin, and hundreds of dwellings, among apparently will long continue so. which were several big trading fac- But its brawn is covered with a tories, and all is now desolate, black skin, and there is no immediburnt, and waste. The place which ate prospect of a change.-L. M. S. two years ago was populous and Chronicle. flourishing is now utterly deserted, as tho it had never had an exist- The Railway The annual report ence. This is due to the Mendi to Uganda. on the progress of rising." the Uganda rail- Native In spite of the way up to March 31st last, was Population in strong stream of published in August. A year pre- Africa. European i m m i – viously the permanent alignment grants that flows had been marked out to the 418th steadily into South Africa, the mile; and during the year under blacks are increasing faster than review the survey of the remain- the whites. The Fingoes in the ing 164 miles was completed, while Transkei are not only prosperous, earthworks (except on a portion, but probably ten times as numer- 12 miles long, of the Kikuyu In- ous as they were 60 years ago. cline) were made ready for the rails The Zulus, in Natal, have doubled up to mile 420, an advance of 108 their numbers in 20 years. In 30 miles. During April and May, 1899, years the Basutos have quadrupled, the plate-laying was carried rapidly overflowing into the Orange Free from mile. 279 to N airobi (mile 326), State and the Cape Colony. The which is to be the headquarters of Bechuanas are probably 4 times as the railway. Here a month was numerous to-day as when Dr. Liv- spent in laying sidings and trans- ingstone was a missionary among ferring materials for workshops, them. Dying out at the touch of etc., and it was not till October civilization! Yhy, the natives of that the rails reached the top of South Africa were never so tho- the Kikuyu Escarpment at mile roughly alive. And this vitality of 362. At this point it had been the natives may mean the perma- arranged to provide temporary ex- nent enrichment of the empire, if pedients for lowering materials of we are wise enough to use it. For all kinds, as well as locomotives the native is absolutely indispen- and rolling-stock, down the slope; sable to the development of South but owing to the war in South African industry, whether it be Africa, long delays arose in the mines or manufactUres, husbandry sending out of machinery, and the
inclines were not completed till popo and Zambesi, even to the May of last year. On October 30th shores of Lake Nyassa. the "rail-head" had reached to 452 miles from the coast, while ad- ISLANDS OF THE SEA_ vance gangs were working up to the 490th mile. The Kanakas A remarkable work of Queensland. among the Kana- Verily, The Holy Spirit can kas from the South Moslems can turn the hearts of Seas, was commenced some 15 years ago by Miss Young, and since then be Reached. the Mohammedan over 1,000 have been baptized. The work is carried on on some 50 Hausas toward plantations. A good many who came from the islands heathen, Christ, as well as the hearts of the have gone back with the knowledge of Christ, and from time to time heathen Batoro, and He will if we touching letters are received from places where they are witnessing. ask with faith. Yes, and why not The languages being so numer- ous, the teaching is carried on in also the hearts of the Mohammed- English or a sort of "pigeon Eng- lish," and it is surprising how well ans in Egypt and Palestine and these natives get hold of the Gospel.
Persia? Indeed He is doing it. The government regulations as to the Kanaka laborers are strict. ""Ve are warned to exercise great The "boys" are to come quite vol- untaril» or not at all, an infringecircumspection in what we write. ment of this meaning a fine of £500 and forfeiture of the ship. After The adversaries of the Gospel are three years' service they are to be returned to the exact locality from ever watchful to find a pretext for which they were brought, and if they die here, their wages are to go opposition. We have seen an into a government controlled fund and not to the planters. They are Arabic translation, printed in well fed, clothed, etc., and not al- lowed to have strong drink sold to Egypt, of Lord Salisbury's speech them. If they are willing to learn to read and attend meetings, they relating to missionary work in have every opportunity of coming to a knowledge of the truth. Mohammedan lands, spoken at the There are a large number of S. P. G. Bicentenary meeting, and aboriginal Australians in the north of this colony. Increasing attenwe can imagine the use to which it tion is, I believe, being given them by government and by missions. will be put in the valley of the -C. H. PARSONS, Queensland.
Nile. In Palestine and Persia our missionaries have to be ever on their guard lest occasion should be given for hindering the work. But God does gi ve signs of His power and answers to His people's prayers.
Let us therefore pray on, pray always, and not faint. The parched land shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water.-C.
M. S. Gleaner.
Wellington Seminary.-Little do Cannibalism Rev. Frederick we appreciate how widespread is the influence of this institution for in the Prtton, son of Dr. civilization and godliness, which has well been called the Mt. Holy- New Hebrides. John G. Paton, who oke of South Africa. In addition to the hundreds and thousands of has spent seven young women trained within its walls, its missionary society sup- years on the island of Malekula, ports 9 missionaries, and during the last decade has sent more than one of the New Hebrides group, 50 to toil for Christ in Kimberley, Johannesburg, beyond the Lim-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
where cannibalis,m in its worst terror. I then found that this spoon was only used at cannjbal form has long prevailed, gives a feasts, and the chief dug his share out of the cooked body with striking account of present condi- the aid of this spoon. That ac- counted for the fine polish, as also tions: for the fear of the natives.
Cannibalism exists on every Some of the native custoins are island that is not Christian. It horrible. In many parts of Male- prevails on the islands of Tanna, kula people who are ill are just Santo, Oba, and Malekula. It is to buried alive when their friends tire be seen in its worst form on the of them. I recall a particularly island of Oba, where the people gruesome incident, where a man seem really fond of human flesh. who had been stunned in a quarrel On the east coast of my own island was buried where he fell. Just as it is not so bad as formerly, but in the man was regaining conscious- the north it is more common, and ness the dogs, who are al ways the people in the center of the prowling about, succeeded in island are wholly cannibals. Mur- scratching through the shallow ders are quite common among the grave, and the man arose and went natives, and the white men are home. The poor wretch, whose occasionally killed. In the latter appearance in his village caused a cases the murderer is generally great commotion, was never sub- " hired," so that blame does not sequently in complete possession of attach to the actual inciter of the his senses. crime. Traders are rarely killed merely for the purpose of plunder. Transforma- What a transfor- Attacks upon missionaries are com- tions in mation! Fifty mon and all of us have to become accustomed to being in more or less Samoa. years ago wild danger. Generally, tho, the plots have proved abortive. After some huntsmen and fishyears' residence among the natives the white man gets a good name ers, now active planters, zealous and is made a friend. But this influence is confined to the neighbor- artisans; fifty years ago dreaded hood where the white man lives. cannibals, now teachers and preach- The cannibalism of the New Hebride3 is partly religious, and ers of faith and love. Fifty years, since the introduction of pigs, these animals to a great extent have indeed, are for the individual man been substituted for human beings; but still cannibalism is regarded a long time, but for a whole people with religious significance, the people believing that by devouring they are a small section of its hisa man they secure a triumph over his spirit. tory. This section of Samoan his- Yet these cannibals have many tory begins with a brilliant initial, good qualities. I have slept in famous cannibal villages and have the solemnly celebrated advent of always been well treated. During one trip inland I was sleeping in a John Williams, and concludes with cannibal village that was specially famous, tho I did not know it at the conversion of the little people, the time. Drums were beaten all night at intervals to warn against and its passing over into the Gerattacks by hostile tribes. In the morning I made friends with the man colonial government, which chief by giving him a present of salt, matches, etc. In return he there is hope will prove a genuine gave me a spear which had been handed down by nine generations blessing for the island tribe. of chiefs, and also gave me a beautifully polished and carved wooden Herr von Bulow, however, atspoon. Hearing that I had been to this inland village, natives nearer tacks not only the missjpnaries but the coast laughed, not believing me. I showed the spoon, and they fled in also their work, because, forsooth, , sup e I' s tit i on, ancestor-worship, drunkenness, and immorality, are still to be found in the islands.
That the Samoans are far from having become perfect Christians, is assuredly true. Human weak- ness is so deeply bred into the flesh that even we Germans, who look back upon a Christian development
of thirteen centuries, can only be- ary Society for the Kongo Mission. It was pioneer work that specially think ourselves with sadness of attracted him, and commanded his liberal support. Mr. Arthington's our own imperfection. Yes, there sympathies were not, however, are yet weak men enough in Samoa, confined to Africa. He engaged and supported 2 missionaries among a among the aboriginal islanders, as tribe in Northern India, and aided others in South America. His gifts well as among the white settlers. for missionary and charitable pur- poses during the last 25 years, Many of these latter exercise an through one source alone, exceed £70,000, and what was given beyond evil influence upon the former, and this it is impossible to say.
therefore for the sake of the prime- Robert Arthington lived in a val population of Samoa it is much most simple and frugal way– almost like a hermit-but he has to be wished that all the white em- been greatly used of God in the disigrants were Christians faithful to tribution of his property for the their creed in word and ad.-Zeit- extension of missions and benevo- schrift fur Missionskunde. lent work. During the last two years of his life, Mr. Edward DEATH NOTICES. Singleton, of Teigmnouth, had in- timate intercourse with him, and Imad-ud-din Rev. Moulvi Imad- says that his last act was to con- firm his intention of giving £20,000 of India. ud-din Lahiz, D.D., for a convalescent home for women, and a new wing to the infirmary at was one of the Leeds. This money was paid the treasurer 29 hours before his demost remarkable of all the converts cease. His last words were, "My Lord. " We expect to make some ever made from Mohammedanism. further reference to the extent of his gifts in the Lord's name, for the He was formerly an eminent Mo- encouragement of other stewards hammedan moulvi, and afterward of the Lord's property.-A. T. P.
a fakir. After his conversion he Dr. E. W. The Rev. Dr. Ed- Gilman, ward ·Whiting Gilbecame a very powerful defender of New York. man, senior secreof the Christian faith, and led many tary of the Ameri- Mohammedans to Christ. His auto- can Bible Society, died at his home, December 4, from heart disease biography was written in 1886, and and debility incident to age. He was a brother of President Gilman was translated from Hindustani by of Johns Hopkins University. He the late Rev. Robert Clark, who was born in Norwich, Conn., in baptized him, April 29, 1866. Bish- 1823, was graduated at Yale in 1843, op Milman, of Calcutta, ordained and later from Union Seminary. him deacon, December 6, 1868, and After filling pastorates at Lockpriest, December 18, 1872. He was port, N. Y.; Cambridge, Mass.; examining chaplain for Bishop Bangor, Maine, and Stonington, Milman for Urdu candidate~, and Conn., he was called, in 1871, to be afterward under the Bishop of secretary of the American Bible Lahore. In 1884, the degree of D.D. Society, and for most of that time was conferred on him by the Arch- had been the senior secretary. Dr. bishop of Canterbury. He passed Gilman was a man of accurate away on August 28, 1900, at Amrit- scholarship, of methodical habits, zar, North India. Extracts from his of fine literary taste and ability, of biography will be given in our next marked industry and fidelity. Beissue. sides numerous reports and official papers for the Bible Society, he Robert The death has re- wrote from time to time papers in Arthington cently occurred, at reviews. articles in encyclopedias, of Leeds. Teignmouth, of Mr. and several monographs specially suggested by the lessons of Christ- Robert Arthington, who for a long period was a I es- mas and Easter. ident of Leeds. He was 76 years of age. Mr. Arthington was an eccentric man of great wealth, and greatly interested in missionary enterprise. He gave large sums of money to the London Missionary Society for work among the Awamba tribes. near Lake Tanganyika, also to the Baptist Mission-
The Missionary Review of the World — November 1900
DBACON AT BANZA MANTEKE CHURCH
M,SS,ONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
Old Series. } NOVEMBER. New Series. VOL. XXIII. No. 11. { VOL. XIII. No. 11.
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF BANZA MANTEKE.* BY REV. HENRY RICHARDS, BANZA MANTEKE, KONGO STATE, AFRIC. Missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union.
When Stanley made his famous journey of nine hundred and ninety. nine days through the Dark Continent from Zanzibar to the mouth of the Kongo, he met thousands of people, not one of whom knew even the name of the I.1ord Jesus Christ. When I heard this I immediately felt a desire to go and tell some of them that there was a Savior. A mission was organized in 1878, called the Livingstone Inland Mission. The idea of this mission was to establish a chain of stations from Matadi to Stanley Pool, and then put a steamer on the upper Kongo, plant stations along the banks, and preach the Gospel to the people. Two missionaries were sent out to plant a station at Matadi and, if 1)ossible, sixty miles beyond, or to go all the way to Stanley Pool. They succeeded in planting a station at Mpalabala (usually spelled Palabala), on a hill sixteen hundred feet high, about ten miles above Matadi, and six miles sonth of the Kongo.
I went out in 1879 with some others to plant a station fifty or sixty miles beyond that, and to explore as far as we conld. After many days we succeeded in reaching the bend of the Kongo river, sixty miles beyond Mpalabala. Our provisions were exhausted, and we were all down with fever, and started to return. We reached a place, about ten miles from the river, called B za Manteke. The people seemed friendly and willing to have us stay among them. I did not see the use of returning when we had promised to establish a station beyond Mpalabala. 'rhe other two missionaries said that it was impossible to stay, as our provisions were exhausted, and we had but one small tent. I said, " We can build a small house in two days." We built a house with long grass, and I agreed to stay there.
I did not realize my lonely position until the others had left me, and I found myself in a strange country, among a strange people, speaking a strange language. I did not know it at that time, but • This name is more correctly spelled, as pronounced, Mbanza 1I1anteke, but we use the ~ore familiar method of spelling.-EDIToRs.
there were wild animals, such as panthers, boa-constrictors, snakes, and other creatures, in the neighborhood, and I had only a canvas door to my house. The rainy season began to come on, and I found that the rain fell inside the house as well as out. The only way I could keep my bed dry was by hanging a waterproof sheet over it. One night I was surprised to hear the cry of a goat, and next morning found that one had disappeared. A panther carried off a goat every night for a week, but I did not know what it was until the natives showed me the footprints, and made me understand by signs that it was a large fierce animal that had been robbing me.
At once I had to deal with the natives, for there were with me some black men from the Kroo coast, and we needed food. The natives saw that we had no provisions and kindly brought some for sale. But I could not speak to them, as I knew nothing of their language. They had no books, or dictionaries, or grammars, and I had no interpreter. In place of coins we used cloth, spoons, knives, beads, etc., for barter. The natives' would bring food and lay it before me and say, "Mundele, somba dia." I did not know what that meant, but I would hold up a piece of cloth and measure off a portion and look at them. They would shake their heads disapprovingly to show that that was not enough. Like other people, they tried to get all they could. I would measure off a little more, and look encouragingly at them for approval, until they gave a nod of assent to show that they were satisfied. Then I would tear off the cloth and they wQuld take it, while I took posession of the food. Thus the bargain was concluded.
LEARNING TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.
But this sign language would not do. I must learn their spoken language. I began by taking a notebook and writing down phonetically everything that I heard. I noticed that the natives always addressed me as "Mundele." I thought that must mean" white man," aud found it to be right. When they brought food they would say "Somba,". which I thought meant "to buy." They would bring a bunch of plantain and say, "Somba dinkondo." I would write, "Mundele-white man, somba-to buy, dinkondo-plantain." In this way I soon had my notebook full of words, phrases, and sentences, and began to use them. I made many mistakes, and the people would often smile at the way I put their words together, but I did not mind that, for I had to speak their language or no language at all. This was the begi-nning of the literature of the Kongo.
By and by I wanted to study the grammar of the language. I began with the nouns, but could not discover the plurals, as I expected to find the change at the end of the word. One day a man brought me more than one bunch of plantain, and said, "Mankondo." I
THE WONDER1l'UL STORY OF BANZA MANTEKE
noticed the change in the word and thought that must be the plural form, and wrote it down, "di, singular; ma, plural." "Nsusu," was "fowl," so I thought the plural must be "mansusu," and said, "Twala mansusu." 'rhey laughed and said, " No; Zinsusu." I thought that perhaps they had two plural forms. But" koko" was "hand," and I found that "moko" was "hands." " Kulu" was "foot," and "malu" was feet." I soon had sixteen classes of nouns, and found that these pre- fixes not only denoted singular and plural, but governed the whole sen- tence. Adjectives, verbs, and other parts of speech must have this prefix.
"Fi" is the diminutive form, so that "finsusu"
would be "a little fowl."
" Abiza" means "good,"
so if I wanted to say "a good little fowl," I would have to say, "Finsusu fiabiza." "Finsusu fiabiza fina kuna yi fiame"
would mean," The little fowl over there is mine."
Then I wanted prep- ositions, but could not find any at first-in fact, they have very few. I wanted to tell the young boy who was cooking for me to kill a fowl for me, but did not know the word" for." All I could say was, "Go kill fowl HENRY RICHARDS AND MRS. RICHARDS. me." One day the boy said, "Ngianda ku vondila nsusue?" I noticed the suffix "ila."
"Vonda" meant "to kill," but what was "ila?" I found that when used with a verb it meant the same as our preposition" for."
Then I learned other forms. "Isa" is the causative; "tonda"
is "to thank ;" "tondilla" means "to thank for;" "tondisa" "to cause to thank;" and "tondisila," "to cause to thank for." I found sixteen different forms of verbs, and from those verbs we can form nouns. By prefixing" lu" to the verb tonda-to thank-and chang- ing the last vowel from" a" to " 0," I have" lutoudo "-gratitude. I 820 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD. [November tell the people they have no lutondo, and immediately they know the meaning, tho I have never heard the word. Thus the Kongo language is no mere jargon, but a beautiful language with quite as many inflections as the Greek. It is quite evident that these people must formerly have been in a higher state of civilization than now. They have descended, not ascended.
THE PEOPLE-THEIR CUSTOMS AND RELIGION.
Then I began to study the people-their customs, their religion, their ways of thinking. Some things I discovered without any difficulty. They were evidently for the most part suffering from the disease called kleptomania. They would steal anything, whether it was useful to them or not, and then deny the theft with a look of perfect innocence. A chief came down one day with his great men to my house. There was a knife on the table. When they had left, however, the knife had been taken from the table and the key out of the door.
I often heard noises in the village at night and in the daytime. One day I went to see what was going on, and found a great company of people with a sick woman o~ the ground in the center. The people were dancing and yelling, and the witch doctor, with his big, fantastic headdress, was commanding the evil spirits to go away and the life to retul'll. I asked what they were doing, and they said, "Tuvutula moyo" (" We are bringing back life "). After they had gone on with this performance for some time they took the sick woman up and began to swing her violently, telling the life to come back and the evil spirits to go away; but instead of the life coming back, they often drove out the little that was there.
I found that they attributed sickness, and death, and all their woes to witchcraft. I told them that people could not bewitch each other, but that sickness, and death, and all our woe came from sin. But they would not admit that they sinned. I would include myself, but while they were perfectly ready to acknowledge that I had sinned, or that those of ot1ler tribes had sinned, they said, " We have not sinned." Here at home if you tell people they are sinners no one feels hurt, for sin has a technical meaning-; but if you tell them they are bad people they do not like it. On the Kongo, however, we have to say, "Yon have done wrong; you are a bad people," and they deny it.
Then I wondered if they knew anything abont God. We were in a beautiful place, and I would ask them, "Who made all these fruit trees?" They said, "Nzambi." I said, " Where does Nzambi live?" They answered, "Kunazulu "-" in heaven." Then I asked, "Who made you? Who made everything that we have?" They replied, "Nzambi, the great Nzambi." I said, "Why do you not worship Him? Why do you not thank Him?" They answered: "Oh, He does not care for us. He does not love us. He has made everythi~g and gone far away, and does not concern Himself any more about us." I said, "He does care for us; He loves us all." They answered, "If He loves us, how is it that we get sick and die?" Then I told them about creation; how sin came into the world; that our first parents sinned, and we inherited a sinful nature from them; so that sin is the cause of sickness, and death, and all our woes. But I could not get them to admit that they had sinned, or that God was good, and it seemed to me absolutely necessary to show these two things before going on any further. I therefore began to teach them from Genesis and Exodus, and went on until I had given them an outline of the Old Testament. One day, as I was speaking about the goodness of God, a man stopped me and said, "Do you say God is good, and that A VILLAGE SCENE, BANZA MANTEKE.
He loves us ?" " Yes, I do," I replied. Then said he, "Which is the stronger of the two, God or the devil?" "God, of course," I said. "Then," said this man, "why does not God destroy the devil?" Another time when I thought I had almost convinced them of God's goodness, I pointed to the fruit trees and other beautiful things around us, and said, "Surely God is good." A man stopped me and said, "You say God is good?" "I do." "Then," pointing to jiggers,* "Who made the jigger?" So I found that these people were asking questions not at all easy to answer.
For four years I continued in this way, and then went home. After a year's rest on furlough, I was about to return, but one thing troubled me very much, the people seemed to be without a conscience.
*The jigger is an insect which gives the people great trouble. These pests burrow under the toe nails, and make a bag there, and when they are not taken out, they go on making more bags, until the toe comes off if it is not taken out, and it is quite a common thing to find a native with one or more toes missing.-H. R.
I mentioned this to one who had had great experience in Ohristian work, and was advised to preach to the people the Ten Oommandments-to utter the thunders of Sinai at them, since it is law that convinc'3s of sin. "That is true," I thought, "I will go back and translate the Ten Oommandments."
TEACHING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
After reaching my station, the first thing I did was to translate thecommandments and read them to the people. At once they admitted that they were good, and I thought that they would soon find out they had broken them, and that they were sinners. But one day, when I had finished explaining these commandments to a company of people, they said, "Yes, they are all good, and we keep them." I said, "How can you say you keep these commandments? Take the first commandment, 'Thou shalt worship God only.' You do not worship God at all. Do you keep that commandment?" They replied, " We do." I said, "Take the second, 'Thou shalt make no idols.' You make them. How can you say that you keep that commandment?" They said, " We do." There was a man in the company who had stolen from me many times, but I was fortunate enough to have caught bim twice. I pointed to him and said, '" Thou shalt not steal;' have you kept that commandment?" "Yes." "How about that hammock that you stole from me?" "But," he said, "you don't call that stealing, do you?" I said, "How about the peanuts?" "But," said he, "you don't call that stealing, do you?" Then he said to the people, "Do you see that? This white man is making me out a thief, and ruining my character and reputation." He became angry, and all the people grew angry, and went away. I thought, " What can be done with a people like this?"
I went on in this way for more than six years, but saw no results. My wife became very ill, and had to go home. After she had left I was taken ill with hematuric fever, that has carried off so many of our missionaries. I began to think: "What is it all for? Perhaps my wife will die on the way home, and I may die here. If I get better I would better go home." But while I was recovering I had time to consider the matter. I thought, "Perhaps the fault is in myself, after all." So I began to study the Scriptures to see why it was that in the early days, when the apostles preached, the people turned from their dumb idols to serve the true and living God, and did not do it now. I thought, "Have we not to do with the same Gospel, and the same Lord, and the same Spirit? Why, then, do we not see conversions to-day as well as then." I read again the great commission which had sent me to Africa, and thought, "What is the Gospel? Gospel is not law. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Ohrist."
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF BANZA MANTEKE
So I began to see that I had not really preached the Gospel. Then I looked to find out the secret of the apostles' power. In reading the last chapter of Luke's Gospel I was struck with the words, "Tarry"ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." It seemed very wonderful to me that those apostles who had been sent out to be preachers throughout Palestine, and were given power to cast out devils and heal the sick, and who had seen Jesus die, and again after his resurrection, were still not to preach the Gospel immediately. Jesus had already died for the world, and the world was perishing; yet they must wait for power. I think that they were disciples of a high order; yet they needed this special power, and if they needed it then I needed it now to preach the Gospel to the heathen in Africa.
PREACHING THE GOSPEL WITH POWER.
I read in the first chapter of the Acts, where Jesus says, "John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. . . . Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me." I began to see that it was necessary for me to have this power from on high, and then to preach the Gospel to the people. I cried to God for this enduement, and was willing, as far as I knew, to make any sacrifice to receive it. Then I looked to see what the apostle preached as the Gospel; and noticed that Peter spoke to the people of the crucifixion of Christ, until they felt that they were murderers, and cried ou t, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and be. baptized." Paul also says to the Corinthians, "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." I had not preached Jesus and Him crucified. The people knew very little about Jesus.
After prayer and thought, I came to the conclusion that to preach the Gospel I must make known to them the incarnation, the life, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension, of the Lord Jesus Christ. So I decided to translate to the people the Gospel of Luke, and to speak to them from that. It took me four days to get through the introduction, but when I' read to the people the account of the birth of Jesus, they were at once interested to know that the Son of God came down and was born, just like their own babes, and grew to boyhood and manhood, and went about doing good. They were delighted with the character, with the love and sympathy of Jesus, and I soon had a congregation. It is the Gospel that attracts.
(To·be concluded.)
MISSION WORK AMONG THE JEWS.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
The Christian Church has been slow to recognize the special claim of the Jews upon us for evangelization. "Beginning at Jerusalem," was the emphatic phrase of our I,ord in His last command, and it was the emphatic historic fact in the obedience of the early church. The ten days' prayer meeting which preceded Pentecost, was literally at Jerusalem; there was the first great outpour of the Spirit, the center and source from which the Gospel message was borne on the outflowing stream of witness; there was the first Christian church, the mother of all churches of Palestine and of the world, truly entitled to the inscription upon St. Peter's at Rome, "Omnium ecclesiarum, urbis et orbis, Mater et Caput."
God did not mean that Jerusalem should circumscribe and confine Gospel effort, and, when the tendency to centralization was too strong, diffusion was made necessary by the persecution that scattered believers throughout Judea and Samaria, to the borders of Syria, and beyond; and then, ten years or so after the Pentecostal outpouring, missions to the Gentiles began formally, under the distinct call and separating choice of the Spirit as heard by the church at Antioch. But it is very noticeable that even when Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, undertook his mission to the Gentiles, everywhere he went he appears first of all to have sought out the Jews, as tho Christ's command were perpetually before him. At Salamis" they preached the word of God in the synagogs of the Jews" (Acts xiii: 5). At Paphos the only notable incident recorded centers in a Jewish sorcerer, Elymas, an Arabic Greek equivalent for" wiseman"; they "found" lUIn, but were" called for" by the Roman deputy Sergius Paulus. Arriving at Antioch in Pisidia, they "went into the synagog on the Sabbath day," and therc taught, and, only when and where rejected by the Jews, did Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles; and let us note the very wordi1 used: "It was necessary awt the word of God should first have been spoken unto yon: but, seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, 10, we turn to the Gentiles " (xiii: 46).
Even this has but a limited application, pertaining to that locality. For, driven by Jewish violence from the Pisidian Antioch to Iconium, Paul and Barnabas "went, both together, into the synagog of the Jews" (xiv: 1). Here again the unbelieving Jews stirred up opposition, and, after a long time, undertaking to stone them, they drove them to Lystra and Derbe, where there appears to have been 110 synagog, and where Paul and Barnabas were for the first time brought face to face with a heathen population.
In the second mission tour almost the first tarrying point of Paul
MISSION WORK AMONa THE JEWS
and Silas was at Derbe and Lystra, wherll they found Timothy, son of a Jewess, evidently seeking Jews first of all. At Philippi, no synagog appears to have existed; yet there is a significant hint of a place by the River Gangras, where was a customary assembly for prayer, and it was on the Sabbath. The number of Jews at Philippi was too small for a synagog; but, like Ezekiel by the Ohebar, Daniel by the Tigris, and Jesus by the Kidron, these few Jews had a partiality for proximity to streams of water, and so they resorted to the river banks for Sabbath prayer meetings under the open sky, and there the foundation was laid for the first European church.
At Thessalonica there "was a synagog of the Jews, and Paul, 'as his manner was, went in unto them and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." Driven out again by Jewish envy and assanlt, Paul and Silas came to Berea, and here again they" went into the synagog of the Jews" (xvii: 10). At Athens there was of conrse no synagog. But, so soon as Paul reached Oorinth, his first "find" was Aquila and Priscilla, two Jews, with whom he abode, and there also he "reasoned in the synagog every Sabbath." Again driven from labor among the Jews by their opposition and blasphemy, he said, "Your blood be upon your own heads: I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles." And yet, is it any accident that it is added? "he departed thence and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, … whose house joined hard to the synagog. And Crispns, the chief ruler of the synagog, believed on the Lord with all his house." Paul seems still to have kept as near to the Jews as possible, and wrought among them individually if he could not collectively. At Ephesus again it is definitely recorded that Paul "himself entered into the synagog, and reasoued with the Jews" (xviii: 19). 'l'hese seven cases are very clear in their repeated lessonthe first witness everywhere was to the Jew. There might be a judicial abandonment in one place, but there was a gracious invitation in the next; and at the last when the curtain falls upon the apostle at Rome, we find him turning his lodging into a synagog, for, while under guard, he "called the chief of the Jews together," and first of all sought to reach them.
This historic emphasis has a solemn meaning, and it may explain the reason why larger blessing has not followed the Church in her evangelizing work. As a body she has neglected this DWl1le order of beginning at Jerusalem, and obedience is always the key and gauge of blessing, and not only the condition of Divine approval, but the organ of further revelation and illumination.* God's approval can scarce be expected where His commands are not complied with. The Jew presents in many respects the most attractive and hopeful field of missions. He has of all unconverted classes the * Compo John vii 17, and xiii. 17.
most in common with the Christian. He believes the Old Testament, and cherishes it as the inspired and infallible Word of God, and he has, besides, the Messianic hope. He parts company with us only at the Cross, and with regard to the New Testament Scriptures. To meet him at the Cross and constrain him to follow the Crucified One to the Sepulchre, and see Him risen, ascended, and coming again, seems a less difficult task than to overcome all the superstition and idolatries of heathens who hold with us scarce any common ground.
Few persons really know how fruitful, in comparison with the men employed and the means expended, have peen missions to the Jews~ Efforts at their evangelization have been so scattered, sporadic, irregular, and ill supported, that most ordinary believers will be surprised to know that even so much has been done, and more surprised at the obvious signs of God's blessing upon it. Gradually the whole mass of Jewish population is being permeated by Gospel witness. The late Dr. Delitzsch estimated the number of Jewish proselytes in all the churches at one hundred thousand. Over two hundred and fifty converts or their sons are ordained clergymen in the Anglican Church, and more than twice as many in Nonconformist churches in Britain, in America, and on the continent. Indeed, one writer estimates the number of Jewish-Christian preachers in Europe alone as over six hundred. Yet in all the earth not over two hundred and fifty missionaries are laboring among the Jews.
That God has purposes of grace concerning the " Jews," is as plain as are the prophecies of the Word concerning them. This people presents features absolutely unique in human history. Their experience suggests paradoxes-a bundle of seeming contradictions without a parallel, and to be explained only by a Divine plan-the wheel within the wheel-the diverse motions with one direction. We may put these seven paradoxes before us, and ask in a new sense whether God "hath deaH so with any nation" besides.
They are scattered among all nations, yet absorbed by none; They have been despoiled for centuries, but not destroyed; They have been systematically robbed, yet they command riches; They have been persistent patriots, yet kept out of their own land; They have been everywhere a hissing and byword, yet do not conceal their Jewish stock. They have been hated by all peoples, yet a controlling power. They have no local center, and yet preserve national unity.
It may therefore be accounted one of the "birth hours" of the century when there was a distinct stride forward on the Jewish ques- tion. It was an event of no small magnitude therefore when, in 1809, there was founded" The London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews." This is the oldest and largest of all such organi- , zations in the world, and probably larger than all the other societies
MISSION WORK AMONG THE JEWS
together which have in view the conversion of the natural seed of Abraham into the spiritual seed of the Messiah. Originally meant to reach Jews in London, twelve years later it took in Poland, where Jews were found in greatest numbers, and, shortly after, the home land of Palestine itself, so inseparably linked with Jewish national history. The society now partially occupies three-fourths of the world field, Europe, Asia, and Africa, having its missions alike in lands Papal or Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, and Mohammedan. Of late years stress has been laid in its work, mainly on countries where the Jew is not otherwise so likely to be brought into contact with Christian teaching.
In connection with this parent society, it is interesting to note that its work has providentially expanded, until its staff comprehends one hundred and seventy-four missionaries, exclusive of wives, and of that staff nearly half are Christian Jews; and the work carried on is seven-fold, including the evangelistic and pastoral, the educational and medical, and the dissemination of Bibles, Prayer-books, and tracts. This noble society has distributed nearly two million copies of the Old and New Testaments, or parts thereof, and nearly five million missionary pu blications. It is to this organization that we owe the first translation of the New Testament into Hebrew, in 1817, and into Yiddish, in 1821. In fact, nearly all existing missionary literature for the Jews is due, directly or indirectly, to this source; and this society claims to have led the way in establishing English medical missions, in 1824.
No student of missions who has a proper conception of exact obedience to our Lord's "marching orders," will doubt that when missions to the Jews were thus incorporated organically into the work of the Church, it was the natal day of a new epoch.
In estimating results, one thing must be remembered. As Mr. Williams says,* while in other cases converts remain of the same nationality as before conversion, and their children after them, the Jews have no distinctively Jewish country where all the inhabitants are professed Jews. They are still the people of the dispersion, homeless, men without a country. A converted Jew is naturally absorbed by marriage or adoption into a Gentile people, from which in the next generation his family becomes indistinguishable, save perhaps by the name, until all other trace of Jewish ancestry is lost. Hence to tabulate results becomes increasingly difficult. As nearly as facts can be ascertained it is believed that upward of six hundred and fifty pass from Judaism to Protestantism every year.t Those who care to trace these threads of Jewish lineage in Christian communities need only to note the recurrence of names such * Mission to the Jews, p. 55. t The Jews and their Evangelization, Gidney, p.105.
as these: Sir Julius Benedict,Prof. Benfrey, Sir M. Oosta, Disraeli, Heine, Herschell, Mendelssohn, Mauder, Palgrave, Rubinstein, Salvador, Biesenthal, Wolff, Hellmuth, Simon, Hyacinthe, Oapadose, Miiller, Edersheim, Montefiore, Alexander, Schereschewsky, Saphir, Stern, Meyer, Benoliel, Ewald, Friedmann, etc.
The power truly to convert Jews seems to be one of the highest triumphs of grace. If we compare the epistles of Ohrist to Smyrna and Philadelphia, in Rev. iii, we shall see that to these two only He speaks in unmixed praise. But the promise is richer to Philadelphia than to Smyrna: for, whereas the synagog of Satan shall not prevail against Smyrna, Philadelphia is assured of a more positive conquest over some of the Satanic synagog. 'This church is to win over some of these troublesome Jews to "fall on their faces and confess that God is in her of a truth." It would seem that this is the" open door" set before the Philadelphians; that this church was to be the means of bringing to the obedience of faith even some of her greatest adversaries, the Jews. And it is certainly a notable fact that no churches have been more signally blessed with Divine marks of approval than those that have been most active and zealous in the evangelization of the Jews.
A very prominent birth-hour of the century was that when the first conference of Zwmsts met at Basel. It is too soon to forecast the possible issue of that event, but Zionism challenges to-day the attention of all lovers of Israel and believers in prophecy. When, in the closing days of August, 1897, two hundred and fifty delegates met at Basel, Switzerland, one of the leaders designated it the "First Jewish National Assembly" that had assembled for over eighteen centuries. Its professed object was" the realization of the old hopes and aspirations of Israel," and its "program" embraces four items: Settlement in Palestine, national centralization, and consolidation, and the sanction of governments for the practical working out of these plan'l. A second and similar congress met on August 28, 1898, with nearly treble the number of delegates and representatives, from points as remote as India, Russia, and North and South America, and South Africa. Nine hundred associations were there in the person of their delegates, representing one-fifth of all the Jews in the world. A third such conference met, also in Basel, in August, 1899, and meanwhile Dr. Herzl, the president, had been received by the .German emperor in special audience, and had been decorated by the Sultan with the star of the Nishan-i-Medjidie, or 'I'urkish Knighthood, and so Zionism is compelling even governmental recognition. A fourth Zionist conference* was held in London in August 1900, attended by great numbers.
* See page 796, October number.
THE BOXERS IN MANCHURIA
THE BOXERS IN MANCHURIA.
BY REV. JOHN ROSS, MUKDEN, MANCHURIA.
The Boxers evolved out of the" Volunteers," armed and drilled by the orders and under the fostering care of Yu Hsien, the Manchu governor of Shantung. Last autumn their aggressive action became so disagreeable, that the ministers in Peking drew to them the atten- tion of the foreign office. Only by the murder of the Rev. Mr. Brooks, of the S. P. G., did the matter assume such serious propor- tions, that the governor was recalled and replaced by Yuen Shihkai. The change made no difference to the Boxers, who were evidently pro- tected by secret orders from the empress. Like an Alpine avalanche the movement grew and spread, carrying devastation and fear on its way to Peking.
Despite the common-sense tenets of Confucianism, the Chinese are great believers in magic. The Boxers practised magical incan- tations and gymnastics, which were to make them invulnerable to bullet or sword; they could therefore face the foreigner and drive him into the sea. Their emissaries spread everywhere. From Tientsin they went to Chinchow, the Irish Presbyterian Mission, and hence to Hai-cheng, near Niuchwang. In the latter place large numbers of young lads, shopmen, and others, joined them. The drilling exercises and incantations were of such a character as to upset the nervous system. Several became insane, with the result that the local author- ities forbade the practise. When the Boxers appeared in Mukden, .the viceroy issued a stern proclamation against them, calling them "rebels," and threatening anyone found practising their drill with imprisonment and punishment. A few days thereafter a second proclamation of a much more favorable nature was issued, styling them" soldiers." Formerly the viceroy was very friendly toward the missionaries. After this second proclamation he manifested an entire change of disposition. The change was ascribed to orders from Peking.
The Boxers, thus given a free hand, increased by thousands daily, and openly practised their drill in the most public places. Friendly officials went by night to the missionaries and urged them to retire to the port for the time. The ladies and children were first sent away. 'rhe city was in a state of the greatest commotion. On Sunday, Pastor Lin delivered a most powerful sermon to a large and intensely excited audience, exhorting them to stand fast to their profession at all costs. Next day the three remaining missionaries, who had been urged by the pastor and the session for some time to leave the city, as not only themselves, but the Christians would be safer, departed in the early morning. The city was in the hands of the mob. The following day the railway was cut up and the premises of
the Bible Society destroyed. Immediately thereafter our houses and hospitals were first looted, and theu burnt to ashes. 'fhere was a large hospital for men most admirably furnished for every kind of medical work and instruction. A large woman's hospital with two lady doctors was also remarkably well equipped. There was one large house for four, or, if need be, six lady missionaries, and four houses for the ordained and medical missionaries. A splendid church, seated for nine hundred people, was burnt and razed to the ground. Half a dozen chapels throughout the city and several schools were destroyed. These all belouged to the United Presbyterian Ohurch of Scotland. In the west end of the city, the Irish Presbyterian Ohurch owned a missionary house and a house for lady missionaries, a small church, and two chapels in the main streets. We had also a printing establishment with three hand presses. The value of all destroyed, including the total belongings of the missionaries, can not be less than $75,000 or $80,000 (gold). The native Ohristians have lost largely. A number of business men belonged to us, and their business premises and goods are reported burnt. Rumor reports many of our prominent and most useful members murdered. With the stories of havoc we have some items of good news. The newly ordained pastor of Tieling, Ohang, in every wayan admirable man, is said to have been on business in Niuchwang, and so escaped. The house of Pastor Lin, in Mukden, was accessible only by the gate which opened into the church compound. It is said that when the church was being demolished, he leaped over the wall into the compound of another Chinaman, and escaped. Far more valuable than all the property destroyed are the lives of these two men. With them it will not be difficult work to reorganize the scattered remains of our flourishing church.
Had the people been on the side of the Boxers, not a single missionary could have escaped; for they were all in the interior, and had to go for days through a country where ther(l was no possibility of protection, had the people sought their death. The viceroy and all authority were temporarily overwhelmed. Order, however, was soon restored, and the sudden torrent of revolution was again just within limits. The respectable classes and thinking men were rendered powerless. But their influence will soon again be supreme. But for the universal belief that the empress and her corrupt government willed the destruction of all foreigners-including the native converts, who are regarded as allied to the foreigners-this undercnrrent of rising in Manchuria would have been impossible. It is difficult to imagine any reason why this dreadful calamity should be other than a very brief check with only temporary evil results. Nay, our firm belief is that He will compel the" wrath of man to praise Him," by making this also established and extend His Ohurch.
PROBLEMS OF MODERN MEDICAL MISSIONS
PROBLEMS OF MODERN MEDICAL MISSIONS.
BY ERNE" ST w. GURNEY MASTERMAN, F.R.G.S., DAMASCUS, SYRIA.
Medical Mlssioriary of the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews.
It is too late in the day to begin pleading for the prt'nciple of medical missions. They have been long recognized as a method of mission work which commends itself on these main, bnt surely suffi- cient, grounds: (1) The Divine example and command (Mark i: 34; Luke x: 9, and Acts x: 38). (2) Oommon sense, and (3) Practical experience. With respect to this last, a world-wide traveler, who has examined missions in all lands, says: "One may say, that of all the agencies now in use in the world in heathen countries, it (i.e., the medical mission) is the most efficient in bringing those people who are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, to know that" the Dayspring from on high hath visited us," and to guide their feet" into the way of peace." And with regard to work among Moslems, a mis- sionary of twenty years' standing writes from Palestine: "For the present, aggressive work among the Mahommedans seems scarcely possible except through the channel of the medical missionary." Such is the gist of most that is written on the subject. While no one in real sympathy with missions can fail to acknowledge the impor- tance of this branch of the work, there are others who readily support medical missions from their philanthropic side, tho perhaps uncon- vinced of their spiritual good. As the total number of medical mis- sious in the field increases-there must be between six and seven hundred engaged by various Protestant societies at the present time- a growing periodical* literature is being developed, devoted exclu- sively to the reporting of medical mission news. Altho in some ways this may have advantages, it has the disadvantage that it to some extent withdraws from the notice of the readers of general mission papers a great number of very interesting reports, which could not fail to deepen missionary enthusiasm. Anyone reading the special medical missionary literature regularly, can not but be struck with the infinite variety of work included under even this subdivision of missionary effort. It is no more correct to lump all medical mission- ary work into one kind than it is to imagine, as many have done, a missionary as a man with a large white hat preaching in the open air to a group of black and semi-naked savages. But amid this variety a careful reader will observe several prominent questions constantly obtruding themselves, and affording room for great differences of *Among monthly medical mission papers may be mentioned Medical Missions at Home – and Abroad (London), The Double Cross (Philadelphia), both unsectarian, and Mercy and Truth, the medical missionary paper of the Church Missionary Society (London), Among quarterly or periodical papers may be mentioned The Quarterly Paper, and The Students' Magazine of the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, Medical Missions in India (Ajmere), China Medical Mission Journal,. St, Bartho!Qmew'~ Uos:pita! Medical Mission Journal, etc.
oplllIOn. Not only in the widely separated fields, but often within a narrow circle, these problems are subjects of much discussion and friendly contention between various workers. Of course, it goes withoutsaying thai no two medical men would work a mission on exactly the same lines, but there are some points on which a considerable section of medical missionaries have come to a fairly unanimous-opinion. It will be my endeavor here to very briefly indicate some of the discussed points, and to give what it seems to me is the general opinion among those who, like myself, have been engaged some years in medical mission work in Syria and Palestine. It has been my privilege not only to work at three different stations myself, but I have a pretty intimate acquaintance with the details of work in at least a dozen other medical missions belonging to various societies and denominations.
The points to which I wish to refer are: (1) The preparation and training of the medical missionary. (2) The relation of the religious to the medical work in the mission field and the question of ordination for medical missionaries. (3) The kind of work most useful, that is, whether" dispensary," "hospital," or " itinerating." (4) The question of fees, "self-support," and" private practise."
TRAINING A MEDICAL MISSIONARY.
1. The preparation and education of the medical missionary. Is it necessary to state here that the first preparation for a medical, as for any other missionary is, that he should be a truly converted man, grounded in faith, called of God to the work, and thoroughly consecrated? Now given a man at the beginning of the medical career who seems all this, what should be his preparation for this special work? In answering this, I fear, I must at once acknowledge that I can only speak from experience for Great Britain. But there, at any rate, I have been persuaded from considerable experience, both as a student and in the field, that the best preparation is a full thorough course at one of the ordinary educational centers and, unless impossible for financial reasons, as an ordinary medical student, free from any external obligation to take any special branch of medical work. Altho we have some admirable institutions for training in connection with medical schools both in London and Edinburgh, those who need pecuniary help, I am strongly of opinion, that when possible, even if it is a "pinch" financially, a student would be wise to take his course as an ordinary medical student. He will in this way more thoroughly take part in the life of his fellow students and have, I believe, more chance of influencing them for good; he will undergo a more thorough training in character, by that exposure to, and resisting of, those temp- tations which beset all medical students, than he can have in any
pROBLEMS OF MODERN MEDICAL MISSIONS
institution, and in consequence will be the stronger and better man; afterward and lastly, he will be far better able at the conclusion of his studies, when he views life from his position as a qualified medical man, to judge of his fitness and his call to the mission field. A five years' curriculum is now the minimum in Grea,t Britain, and as another year at least is all but essential for experieuce after qualification, six years practically mnst elapse before the student who begins to-day can be ready to go abroad. At the average age at which medical studies are begun (say eighteen or nineteen) a young man is not usually in a position to be sure of his own mind, and not a few cases have occurred of those who by incurring liabilities when they began medical studies have felt in honor compelled to take up medical mission work for a time after qualification, altho their inclinations had quite changeda considerable proportion of all missionaries retire after a short time in the field from a discovery that they are not suited in various ways to the work; the position of such a man who has had a medical training at the expense of a religious society is a difficult one, and yet it would be more dishonorable for him to continue in work for which he has no heart. In connection with this, however, that for those who take up medical work fit fI more mature age, especially after some experience of practical mission work, the risk is much less.
Not ouly should the expecting medical missionary have a thorough training, but he should have the best obtainable-the best medical schools, the best appointments afterward (house surgeon and house physicianships), and if possible the highest diplomas. The man who goes abroad with all the best honors his medical school can confer, silences forever the insinuations of the worldly-and perhaps unsuccessful-that he is taking up medical missions as a "living "-as a profitable position. As a matter of fact, this policy has been largely followed both in London and at the Universities and no inconsiderable share of the honors have fallen to the lot of expectant medical missionaries. The very highest degrees and diplomas, and the highest University and Oollege honors, are found among some of the past and present medical missionaries. Examinations are, however, in medicine at any rate, small affairs after all; the great point is that the medical missionary's training needs to be thorough, more thorough than that of the average doctor, and it is also essential that a man should have some experience of practical work before sailing-the more extensive, within limits, the better. I would not think two years spent in hospital flppointments or private practise at all a long time. It must be always remembered that the majority of medical missionaries must be consultants and specialists as well as general practitioners, and his position may be entirely unaided or he may be the helper and teacher of a number of less highly trained native practitioners.
Together with all I have writteu above, it must not be forgotten
that a mere medical man will not be of much use as a medical missionary. Some experience in Christian work-the more the betterand a thorough acquaintance with the Bible is a sine qua non. If, too, the candidate for this work is a student of languages as well, so much the better, for the language or languages of the country to which he goes will absorb a large share of his attention. He will often be expected to learn languages as speedily as his ministerial colleague, whereas he will not be allowed a fraction of the time, and very probably his whole tastes and inclinations are scientific rather than linguistic. If possible, the first year in the field should be passed in the study of the language chiefly, and at a place where the newcomer is free from all medical responsibilities. The ideal thing is for this year to be spent at a station where there is an established medical mission, so that the new work may be watched, and even assisted, without responsibility. This ideal is, I fear, seldom carried out, and in my experience time for properly acquiring the language is scarcely ever allowed. A newcomer seldom realizes the necessity, and missionary committees should insist on this point. There is a paragraph in Dr. Lowe's book on "Medical Missions" which I, in my inexperience, strongly objected to when I first heard it from his lips thirteen years ago, bnt which to-day I thoronghly indorse. It runs as follows: " We attach so much importance to the first year being kept almost entirely free for the study of the language, that we strongly recommend that his full medical and surgical outfit should not be supplied till he has passed his examin?tion in the vernacular. Experience proves that if at the close of the first year a good beginning has not been made in the acquisition of the language, after progress is slow, and the missionary's usefulness suffers irreparably during his whole future course."
Other essentials are good sound health, an energetic and hopeful disposition, a controlled temper, and broad interests.
RELIGIOUS AND PROFESSIONAL WORK.
2. TIle relation of tlte religious to the strictly professional work is a very important point, and often a difficult one to adjust. There are many, specially in the home lands, who think that the medical missionary is simply a doctor who is employed to treat the missionaries and their families, and to gather together audiences for the clerical missionary to address. This is even done in some cases abroad. Now this is surely a false position. The deputation of all the religious work to the clerical missionary is not only bad for the medical man, as taking away from him the work which is of a distinctly religious character, and therefore quickening to his spiritual life, but it is a failure to utilize the medical mission to its fullest extent; for the medical missionary has a personal influence which he can not depute to another. A few words read or said by him, will be listened to with
1900.J PROBLEMS OF MODERN MEDICAL MISSIONS
a respect and attention they will never receive from a stranger. 'l'he medical man must take a distinct and fair share in the religious work of the mission. He can not do the whole of the mission work-certain duties will fall to his share and, in the larger stations, other duties will fall to the share of his clerical colleagues. If working together in fellowship of hearts they can strengthen one another's hands immensely, and each can make his colleague's work more useful. Whether medical missionaries should be ordained to ordinary ministerial work is a moot point, and one depending upon: (1) The character and gifts of the medical man; (2) The character of his work (e. g., in a large station where there are several ordained ordinary missionaries it can seldom be necessary); and (3), on the amount of special education received before medical studies.
That medical men entering mission work should be definitely set apart for the work there can be little doubt. Their positio~ should, it seems to me, be that of the seven first deacons chosen by the early church (Acts vi: 2-4), but in the multiplied organizations of the branches of Christ's Church to-day we have nothing quite equivalent to that. In the S. P. G. (Church of England), and the Universities, mission ordination is common, and of the four medical men who are now missionary bishops, two were previously medical missionaries under these societies. In the Church Missionary Society, however, it is exceptional; of their fifty medical missionaries only four are in orders. The following is the C. M. S. Committee's expression of opinion on the subject: "That this committee, believing that every case should be dealt with on its own merits, and insomuch as nothing hinders any lay missionary of the society from engaging to the fullest extent in all such spiritual work as is consistent with the order of the Church of England, are of opinion that it is not desirable as a general rule that medical missionaries should be in Holy Orders."
In the Presbyterian societies a considerable proportion of the medical men are ordained presbyters; others are admitted as presiding elders. Half the Presbyterian medical missionaries I know in this society are ordained to the ministry. In those churches where laymen have complete liberty to take part in any services, and administer, on occasion, the ordinances, ordination for medical men is naturally unnecessary. A medical man should not be ordained- (1) Unless he is quite sure of the nature and call of medical mission work, for his position, should he retire in the prime of life to his native land, would be a very an,omalous one had he been ordained.
(2) If he is sure to have a clerical colleague of his own nationality, and his own way of thinking, or if he onght to have such a colleague for the work's sake, and his ordination is made an excuse for thrusting upon him double duties unassisted.
(3) Unless he has had a previous theological training, considerable
theological reading, or at any rate an arts degree. Altho a qualified medical man might on that account be excused a long course of study, he should not be ordained without some special preparation.
If he is in a small station with native workers under him, if his studies and gifts are in that direction, and if he is sure of his calling, and sees every prospect of making medical missions his life's calling, then he may do well to be ordained. But, here again this can not be recommended if it means a course of theological study extending over several years, and especially such studies must never be taken just after the medical course is completed. If not taken before the medical, they better be entered into after a few years abroad, when the medical knowledge has consolidated.
THE MOST USEFUL MEDICAL WORK.
3. The kind of medical work most useful for advancing missions. As a nIle, the work consists of three branches: Dispensary work with home visits, Hospital work, and Itinerating. As the first is common to practically every medical mission, nothing need be said here regarding it. With respect to number two, the Hospital, I will quote two brief extracts.
"The universal opinion of those in the work seems to be that the value and efficiency of their work is in direct proportion to the presence or absence of a hospital."-The laie Dr. Roberts, of Tien-tsin, in Medical Missions at Home and Abroad.
"While dispensary work and itinerary are important features of medical missionary work, still the hospital will be the field in which the richest harvest will be reaped, and therefore the establishment of a hospital should, from the first, be kept in view and accomplished at the earliest opportunity."-~Medical Missions. By the late Rev. ;Dr. Lowe.
Such views as the above are almost universal among those best informed in medical missions, and I do not think I am expressing an exceptional opinion when I say that except, perhaps, in very extraordinary circumstances, it is not worth while starting a medical mission at all if it is not intended, as the 'Work develops, to open some kind of hospital for the seve/'cr cases. To those unfamiliar with the subject, the thought of a hospital sounds very formidable, but when we consider the cheapness of food, buildings, land, rent, etc., in most of the lands where there are great openings for medical missions, things appear in a different light. Practically, we are astonished to find how cheaply medical mission hospitals can be kept going. Thus, for example, Dr. A. Neve, of Kashmir, narrates that the food, per annum, for each of his adult patients is only £2 lOs. ($12) per head-that the cost of dressings, bandages, etc., for over 2,000 operation cases was but £17 (about $82) for the year, and that for £100 ($480) pel' annum he paid seventeen hospital servants and dressers. This is a type of what may
PR.oBLEMS .oF M.oDERN MEDICAL MISSIONS. 8~7
be done in most parts of the far East with care and economy. In these lands expenses are higher, but £8 to £10 ($40 to $50) is quite enough, per annum, for the usual expenses of ordinary cases under hospital treatment. It will thus be seen that so small a sum as £100 a year would, in most parts of the world, be enough to keep going quite a respectable hospital, and the small increased cost would probably quadruple the usefulness .of the medical work as an evangelistic agency. Altho modern hospitals, built on the latest approved scientific patterns are, of course, most desirable when funds are at hand to construct them, they are more of the nature of a luxury in all but quite nncivilized lands. Perhaps some of the finest work, medically and evangelistically, has been, and is being done under the strangest conditions, while cases have occurred where the erection of an elaborate hospital has hindered, instead of helping the work. This was remarked to me by a world-wide traveler, much interested in missions in all lands, who had found it his impression after a long tour of mission stations. When hospitals are erected, everything should be dQne .on as quiet and economical a scale as possible, cQnsistent with gOQd sanitary arrangements, as too much elabQratiQn is apt tQ give the natives an extravagant idea .of the resources .of the missiQnary society (a CQmmon errQr I), and in some cases it may simply excite QPPQsitiQn. The mQney forthcoming fQr missions is also far tQQ little to allow of any extravagances.
ItineraUn,q is undQubtedly a very important branch .of most medical missions, especially when carried Qnt around abase hospital. In large districts, where the medical needs are great, the ideal medical mission is .one prQvided with two medical missionaries. One of the two is always, in suitable seaSQns, in charge of the itinerary, while the other is at the central hospital. Few men could spend all their lives traveling, and for a man's own professiQnal experience it is better that the wQrk should be varied. Itinerating dQes not mean a day here and a day there, bnt a series of visits of some days. In shorter visits than this, little physical gOQd can be dQne, and the medical man figures rather as a charlatan than as a real curer .of disease. If a man pitches his tent fQr a week or ten days he may be able tQ cure a number of minor ailments, to dQ a good many minor .operations, and encourage the severer cases (by the success in the lighter .ones) t.o c.ome under treatment at the hospital. Village work is most encQuraging as an evangelistic agency. The cQuntry fQlks, especially after the work is done in the evenings, will gather in numbers round the camp and discuss religiQus or any .other questions till far int.o the night. Such wQrk has proved mQst successful in India and China. In Syria and Palestine it would, but for the harassing .obstructions and suspiciQusness of the Turkish .officials, be the chief way .of evangelizing the country. The climate, the customs, the whole
character of the village lif~, combine to make this a grand openingitinerating might, in different parts of this land, go on for eight months out of the twelve without interruption. It is carried on to a great extent, and only the fact that the present medical missionaries are also so busy at their stations and are usually in units, prevents it being more developed.
4. Should fees be taken from patients at medical missions? I think I am representing the opinion of by far the majority of the medical missionaries in this land when I say that here at any rate we think they should. We feel that all who can pay should pay, and that it is better to take even quite a small fee than none at all. Perhaps in some things the work in Syria and Palestine is different from that in other countries, and it may be that some reasons have no force in other fields, but as a whole there seems to be a growing opinion among medical missionaries in all lands, that purely gratuitous work is not satisfactory. This latter view is, however, ably defended at some length by Dr. Atterbury.
REASONS FOR TAKING FEES.
(1) The people value the medical and surgical treatment much more; they are much more likely to drink the medicine if they have paid something for it.
(2) To pauperize people who can pay is degrading to their selfrespect and a moral injury. One of the most experienced medical missionaries in this land once made to me the following strong statement: That he believed that all the good ,done by some gratuitous missions in this land was more than connteracted by the moral injury done to their characters by pauperizing them.
(3) The people learn to look upon attendances at the services as something done in lieu of payment; thereby hypocrisy is fostered, and the religious instruction is put in a false light. The preaching and reading of God's Word should be laid before them as an extra privilege, instead of as a disagreeable necessity. The Gospel is preached to them without money and without price, but that is different from bribing people to listen by offering them surgical and medical advice for doing so.
(4) Indiscriminate gratuitous medical attendance is most unfair to the other practitioners. There is no reason-indeed snch a course would be a serious mistake-why a medical missionary should confine his work to the poor, for the rich and educated in heathen and Mohammedan lands are just those whom it is most important that he should reach, particularly as other branches of the mission may leave them untouched, but it is manifestly unfair that he should attend such people for nothing.
(5) In missions where work includes a fair proportion of the well-
PROBLEMS OF MODERN MEDICAL MISSIONS
to-do, a considerable amount of money may be raised by fees for the benefit of the mission, and often the purely rnedical work may by this means be entirely self-supporting. In Ohina even whole hospitals are supported in this way. In this land several of the medical missions receive sums of from one to two hundred pounds per annum in this way. It is suggested by Dr. Atterbury, in the article referred to, that all that is given ought to be given voluntarily. From my experience in this part of the East I would say that such a line of work would be most unpracticable. It is contrary to common sense and common experience. The best able to pay are often those most unwilling, and to encourage them in their meanness would be only doing them harm. Some of my most grateful patients to-day are those whom I have insisted upon their paying something to the "poor box" before I would operate upon them.
But does the taking of fees not hinder the preaching of the Gospel? If properly conducted, I think not. It may, under some circumstances, and with some minds, and especially if not properly organized, but if this line of work is systematically pursued from year to year the people soon learn to conform without much trouble. That it is somewhat more trouble than a happy-go-lucky way of treating all for nothing is undoubted, but I venture to say it will end in making any given work much more respected and less liable to opposition. In countries, too, where Western medicine is in its infancy, it will pave the way for native Ohristian practitioners to establish themselves as no gratuitous work can do. As regards privatepractise among foreign residents and visitors, there is much difference of opinion. The majority of British societies discountenance it, that is, they make it a rule that all fees so taken should go to the medical mission. Other societies have for long allowed private practise. It seems to me that, tho a man may be really just as consecrated any way, a medical missionary should be a man who gives his whole time, his whole life, to medical rnission work just as does an ordained missionary, and this implies that what he earns in that time belongs to his society. It is impossible for a medical missionary to make anything of an independent private practise, and do all it is possible to do in the medical and evangelistic parts of his work. Private practise is very exacting, and if carried on to any great extent, must distract the mind from the paramount call of the mission work. Another objection is, that it puts the medical missionary in a very different position to his ordained colleague, who is not expected by secular work to supplement his income.
To all the questions raised here, there are, undoubtedly, other answers, and perhaps many more experienced men will take quite opposite views. It will be objected to that much that is here written is somewhat idealistic; it is true, much here is my ideal. That none come up to it on all points, and yet do excellent work, is no reason
however against holding a high ideal, specially as suggestive to the ever-increasing numbers of young 'men being called and "thrust forth" into the great harvest field. For such men, let me add that to be called to follow the Master's footsteps as a medical missionary is one of the highest privileges this earth can afford.
THE MISSION OF HAWAll.
BY REV. ORRAMEL H. GULICK, HONOLULU.
This picturesque little country, now a territory and an integral part of the Great Republic, presents many most interesting points, both in her history and present conditions.
A remarkable witness to the power of the Gospel has that little kingdom been which, for three quarters of a century, has been permitted to stand alone, her autonomy acknowledged, the decisions of her" courts of admiralty and of jurisprudence respected by all the mighty nations of earth.
The recognition of a party of national rights among the nations of Christendom, the goal for which Japan, has striven the past thirty years, and to which she has fully attained only in the closing year of the century, little Hawaii attained in 1842, when by the treaties with England, France, and the United States, the autonomy and independence of the island's government was acknowledged by those great powers. The oriental civilization of Japan, with the ages of culture, the subtilties of art, and her facilities of manufactures and commerce, all did not avail so soon to impress the nations of the West with her fitness to be entrusted with the lives and properties of their peoples, as did the peaceJul and teachable spirit of these so lately benighted islanders, who were guided by the enlightened counsels of the humble missionary. Not by might, nor by force, but by the quiet and peaceable spirit little Hawaii stood respected and happy.
These little spots, which lift their lofty peaks in the bosom of the vast and lonely Pacific, have in this nineteenth century been t.he theater of mighty Gospel triumphs, and the infant nation, both in the social and miniature national life, has been at once an example and an inspiration to Japan. If Hawaii, with her dusky sovereigns, her small commerce, her miniature society, without an army or a navy, with a tiny but orderly community of church-going, school-keeping people could command the respect of the world, why could not Japan secure a like recognition? The unconscious influence of a bright and shining star of the tenth magnitude has been of unmeasured power upon Japan.
The great mission of Hawaii for the past fifty years has been, and for the twentieth century will be, the exercise of a Christian influence upon the two mighty nations of Eastern Asia. With the seer and the statesman, William H. Seward, we believe that, "The Pacific Ocean, its shores, its islands, and the vast regions beyond will become the chief theater of events in the world's great hereafter."
Our mid-Pacific islands are destined to a unique place in the economy of the interests of that mighty theater. There is no such tropical half-way haven to shelter for a day or a week the ocean grayhound of the Atlantic. The vast width of the Pacific is indicated by the fact that, when the six days' voyage of 2,100 miles westward from San Francisco to Honolulu has been accomplished, there remains to the trans-Pacific steamer an additional voyage of 3,000 miles, or as great a distance as from New York to London, ere the snow-capped summit of Fuji-yama greets the sight, or the encircling arms of Yokohama Bay welcomes the ocean traveler.
During the past twenty years not less than eighty thousand Japan– ese have landed at the port of Honolulu, about sixty thousand of whom may to-day be found upon those islands. The surging billows of Asia's mighty nations touch and break upon the. shores of Hawaii. The mission of Hawaii has been clearly marked out by the God of nations. Japan's needy thousands who land on these sunny shores, here, as never before, feel the influence of a Ohristian people. Here the placid Buddhist, the benighted Shintoist, or the cultivated Oonfucianist,may feel the sunshine of Gospel light, and acquire the hope and inspiration of Ohristian life.
Man is the great study of the wise man. No greater varieties of the race have ever before been so commingled and shaken together as now on the Hawaiian islands. The five principal races there grouped together are the Polynesian, Japanese, Ohinese, Portuguese, and Anglo-Saxon.
The brotherhood of man, the fact that of one blood God has made all the children of men to dweli together upon the face of the earth, seems to be one of the lessons to be taught on Hawaii. And there is no spot where the race question is being more happily solved-none, where a man is more regarded for his inherent qualities, rather than for his race affinities; none where the races mix with greater harmony in social, business, and political circles.
Long before the immigration of the Japanese had commenced, the Ohinese had come in numbers to these islands. Many of these by their industry and thrift have made themselves homes, acquired a competency, and surrounded themselves with families. Among the twenty-two thousand Ohinese upon these islands are some veryestimable citizens. The younger portion of the Ohinese community, especially the young people who have received their birth and education upon the islands, have imbibed many of the ideas and much of the spirit of the nineteenth century. During the past six months the Chinese reformer, the famous Leung Chi Tso, the photograph of whose pleasant face is reproduced in The Outlook of July 7, 1900, on page 534, for whose head the empress of China is said to have offered the sum of $65,000, has been lecturing to his countrymen in Honolulu, among whom he has found many willing, intelligent, and interested listeners. God only knows what the twentieth century is to bring to China. But we see at the close of this century, that the peoples who have despised each other, as the Briton and the Boer, the Chinaman and the European, are in the Providence of God being led to respect each other. The Boer is not likely to be swept out, nor the Chinese empire to be easily divided among the hungry nations.
THE GREEK OHURCH OF RUSSIA. -II.
BY BUDGETT MEAKIM, ESQ., LONDON, ENGLAND. Author of "The Moorish Empire," etc.
The manner in which the Russian Church displays its activity can be described iu no more complete or authoritative way than in the words of that able writer, Connt Leo Tolstoi,* confirmed on every hand by all that I, myself, have been able to observe or ascertain.
"The endeavor to force upon the people those form nlas of the Byzan- tine clergy, marvelous to them, and senseless to us, concerning the 'frinity, the Virgin, the sacraments, grace, and so forth, embraces one province of the activity of the Russian Church; another function is the encouragement given to idolatry in the literal sense of the word, the veneration of holy relics and holy pictures, the sacrifices offered to them in the hope that they will hear and grant prayers.. I will start at the beginning, with the birth of the child. When a child is born we are taught that a prayer must be read over the mother and child in order to purify them, for ~ithout that prayer the mother remains unclean. For that purpose, and facing the iconst of the saints, whom the common people simply call gods, the priest takes the infant in his arms, reads the exhortation, and by that means he is supposed to cleanse the mother. Then the parents are instructed, nay, even ordered, under penalty of punishment in the event of non- compliance, to baptize the child, that is. to let the priest immerse it three times in water, while words intelligible to none present are read, and still less intelligible ceremonies are performed, such as the application of oil to different parts of the body, the cutting of the hair, and the blowing and spitting of the spom~ors at an imaginary devil. "All this is necessary to cleanse a child and make a Christian of him. Then the parents are told that the child must receive the holy sacrament, that is, he is to swallow, in the form of bread and * "The Kingdom of God," Walter Scott, 1894, p. 74.
t The author prefers the spelling eikon, which is that used in Russia and Greece. It is there pronounced ekon.-EDlToRs.
THE GREEK CHURCH OF RUSSIA
wine, a particle of the body of Christ, by which means the child will receive the blessing of Christ, and so on. Then we are told that as the child grows it must be taught to pray, which means that he must stand before boards on which the face of Christ, the Virgin, and the saints are painted, bow his head and body, while with his right hand, his fingers being folded in a peculiar manner, he touches his forehead, his shoulders, and his stomach, and utters certain Slavonic words, the commonest of which, those which all children learn, are 'Mother of God! 0 Virgin, rejoice! 'etc. Then the child is taught that he must repeat this-that is, make the sign of the cross-w henever he sees a church or an icon. Furthermore, he is taught that on a holiday (holidays are either the day on which Christ was born, or the day of his circumcision, or that on which the Virgin died, or when the cross or the icon was brought, or when some enthusiast beheld a vision, etc.), he should array himself in his best clothes, go to church, buy candles, and set them up before the icons of the saints, give to the priest memoranda bearing the names of the dead who are to be prayed for, secure bread with triangular pieces cut out of it, pray repeatedly for the health and welfare of the czar and bishops, as well as for himself and his own affairs, and then kiss the cross and the hand of the priest. • . . He is also taught that he must perform his devotions once a year, which means to go to church and tell one's sins to the priest . . . and swallow a spoonful of bread and wine.
In daily life the observation of the following rules is enjoined: to eat no meat and drink no milk on certain days, to say Te Deums and Requiems on certain other days, to invite the priest to one's house on holidays, and present him with money; and to take from the church several times a year boards on which are painted the images of the saints, and to carry them in napkins through fields and houses. Before death a man must without fail receive a spoonful of bread and wine, and if there be time, be anointed with oil, for this insures his welfare in the future life. After his death his relatives are told that in order to save his soul, it is well to place in his hand a printed prayer; it is also a good thing to read a certain book over the dead, and for his name to be mentioned in church at stated times. But if anyone wishes to take special care of his soul, this creed teaches that the greatest amount of happiness may be secured in the next world by bequeathing money for churches and monasteries, thereby obliging the saints to pray for one. According to this faith it is also well to visit monasteries and kiss the miraculous icons and relics. These are believed to impart a peculiar holiness, and to be near these objects, as one must be in kissing them, placing tapers before them, crawling under them, and repeating Te Deums to them, greatly promotes salvation."
In case it may be suggested that notwithstanding all this degraded formality and superstition, there is a real undercurrent of truth on which the people may be spiritually nourished; that this is merely an ancient form not worth while to abolish, while the essence of the truth abides, the Count emphatically states that this is not the case. "Nothing else is taught. Men write about other doctrines, and discuss them in the capitals, but among the hundred millions, this, and only this, is taught."
As a specimen of the actual teachings supplied by the Russian Church, it will be sufficient to quote from the most widely circulated of the authorized books of prayers. One, containing thirty-one prayers-with instructions for gennflections and the folding of the hands in the sign of the cross, the beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, and canticles for holy days-carefully explains away or creates exceptions to most of the commandments. Under the head of the first, permission or rather instruction, is given to worship also human beings and angels; contrary to the spirit of the second, the worship of pictures is inculcated; as an exception to the third, swearing is permitted in obedience to legal authorities; as an addition to the fourth are enumerated thirteen greater and numerous lesser holy days, with fast days, including every Wednesday and Friday. The fifth is made to include the emperor, their native country, the pastor and clergy, lists of civil authorities to the length of three pages, military officials and masters, even to the extent of justifying slavery. Manslaughter even is sanctioned in a righteous cause, as in war, and the sheltering or liberating-of a murderer is connted an infringement of the sixth, and so on. "This is not a secret proclamation distributed clandestinely at personal risk, but one the disobeying of which is pnnished with penal servitude."
THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS IN RUSSIA.
On my arrival in Russia one of the most striking figures I met with was the parish priest, clad in a long gray robe close-fitting to the waist, but with full skirts and wide sleeves; apparently suiting personal tastes as to headgear, tho they need nothing else to make them conspicuous, their uncut hair makes them still more so. Many remind one strongly of the conventional pictures of Ohrist, others of some creature of the squirrel type, while others again look merely unkempt. I think I never saw a wider range in the degrees of refinement and benignity evinced by the faces of anyone class, for while some are aIr that one could desire or expect, others look little removed from tramps. In several cases among the monks, and also among the nuns, I was attracted by a sweetness of expression not to be surpassed, and one felt that certainly behind it there lay something more than the average Russian knows of.
The religious orders in Russia are two, the monastic or "black" clergy-so-called from the hue of their dress-who are either unmarried or widowers, and who alone can attain ecclesiastical preferment,* and the "white" or parish clergy, who greatly envy the power and comparative luxury of the monks, by whom they are in their turn despised as ignorant and common. Unfortunately they are .. In accordance with the Russian system of official rank, metropolitans have the rank of generals of the first class; archbishops that of lieutenant-generals; bishops that of majorgenerals.-B. M.
1900.J THE GREEK CHURCH OF RUSSIA
open to both these charges, for their opportunities of improvement are small, and little is expected of them. As teaching forms no part of their duties, there is no necessity for them to learn more than may be required for the perfunctory performance of the rites by which they make their living. At first, according to the custom of the primi- tive church, they were men selected by the members from among themselves as ministers, on account of spiritual qualifications, and ordained by the bishop if making full proof of their ministry, but when the ecclesiastical seminary founded for the education of their sons produced a steady supply of candidates, the custom of heredity developed, and when, later on, caste was introduced with a new administrative system, by its being decreed that sons of priE:lsts should follow their fathers, there grew up a close corporation which ulti- mately included the daughters, who had therefore to marry priests. As every candidate for the "white" order must be married, it became part of the duty of the bishops to arrange matches for the daughters of priests, whose living passed to the son-in-law. And as of all castes a religious caste is certain to become in time the most corrupt, the evil consequences of compelling men of every'character, willing or not, to take upon them the care of souls, became too apparent to be overlooked, and the baneful law has been repealed, but Russia has suffered deeply from it, and suffers still from its traces.
One of the saddest features about the Ohurch of Russia to-day is that its priesthood wields no influence for good, and on the whole entirely fails to secure the respect of its members. Russians no more expect their priests to set their moral or intellectual fashions than they expect it of their tailors, and as a tailor may dress himself as he pleases, so bng as he dresses his customers to their satisfaction, so in the popular estimation a priest may choose any line of conduct, so long as the rites they hold to be all-important are duly performed at reasonable rates. The Russian idea of the priesthood is that common to all pagan religions and to Judaism: a mediating class whose necessary service it is to enable the masses to worship by proxy. While their hands are kissed in the church, in gorgeous vestments, in the village in their every-day clothes, they are nobodies, and chiefly busy themselves with getting all they can out of their parishioners by working on their credulity and superstition. Of the two it would be hard to say whether they or their charges are the more to be pitied, and it is very certain that no radicl11 improvement can take place in the spiritual condition of the Ohurch of Russia till the priesthood is raised to a decidedly higher level.· Already there are signs of improvement in this respect, and the government seems to perceive the need for intellectual advance in any case. Hitherto the peasantry have been as accustomed to see their priest drunk as one of themselves, and the prohibition of second marriages for the clergy has been a fruitful
source of immorality. With laymen it is only the fourth time that marriage is prohibited; only the second and third occasions are disapproved of. Parish priests often live iu real poverty, and seldom know what luxury means.
THE RUSSIAN MONASTERIES.
At first I used to visit whatever churches lay in my route, to study their styles and services, but I soon discovered as great a sameness among them as would be found in average English places of worship, and this was also the case with the monasteries and convents, which, beyond their general arrangement, do not differ greatly in detail from the living-apartments of laymen. As a rule they consist of a number of barrack-like, whitewashed buildings, surrounding au open space, in the midst of which are the church und graveyard. Sometimes, as in one or two I saw in the Crimea, monasteries may be found dug out of the hillsides, a series of caves and passages, presumably of anterior origin; at other times the summit of some lofty rock is perched upon, as I have seen them in the Caucasus. Besides the not uncomfortable quarters of the monks or nuns, as the case may be, there is always a pilgrim hostelry, where lodging is free to all.
All Russian monks are of the Basilian Order, and the monasteries are inhabited by four classes: 1. Probationers, in black gowns and leather belts; 2. Novices, promoted to wear the morik's costume (notably the sleeve, and the kukulion, a black cylinder hat, with the brim at the top) but not yet under vows; 3. Monks, who add to this dress a long mantle, who are under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, by breaking which they even lose all civil rights; and, 4. Ordained monks, deacons, or priests.
From reader to patriarch the orders of the Russian Church number eleven. The rule of the order is community of goods (except in the case of secularized monasteries), all being under a mitred prior or archimandrite, or, in the larger institutions, under an elected council. Men are not allowed to take the vows before they are thirty-five, and women not before thirty. Neither are obliged to bequeath their property to the institution. There are at present in Russia one hundred and forty-two monasteries and convents, and two hundred and four private institutions of similar nature. In the south tbe monks are of a more contemplative disposition, and are chiefly drawn from the educated classes; in the north they are more active, and to a larger extent recruited from among the peasants. The monks have always taken with them tools and books, and set a good example in CUltivating both soil aud mind. Sometimes they maintain schools for learning and ecclesiastical art, as the painting of icons, etc. All have works of charity in hand, such as hospitals, refuges, etc. At one of those I visited they kept a life-boat, and at a
THE GREEK CHURCH OF RUSSIA
convent in the Ural the nuns added the making of candles for churches to needlework and the preparation of sacramental bread and icons, for which last they had a large, well-fitted school. They also managed their own farms, but when they took to horse-breeding the Synod objected. In some parts whole villages exist by icon-making.
The interiors of the convents, not so numerous as the monasteries, I had expected to be closed to my sex, but found no difficulty in obtaining admittance, and being most courteously taken round, which speaks very much better for their condition here than does the necessity for so much secrecy and rigorous exclusion among the Romanists in their institutions. I found that, on the whole, they differed little from the monasteries, except that the cubicles partitioned off in the dormitories wore a neater air, with white covers on the sofa-beds and tables, and were enlivened by nuns engaged in needlework which set off their dark attire. This consists of a dull black dress of no special shape, very badly cut, with full skirts sweeping the ground, and belts of similar stuff, sometimes striped with blue or white, apparently alpaca. Some tie their plaited hair with blue or black ribbons, some wear mantillas, and others -black velvet sugar-loaf brimless hats fitting over the ears, and round the nape of the neck, but cut out in front for the face, the edge being trimmed with black fur; others, still, wear black head-capes, tied behind the head with strings. Their faces are generally pleasant, but some look worn and some sharp, and some, to be seen in the streets and at the church-doors collecting, look shabby.
Once I found a singing-class proceeding in the refectory, forty-four nuns standing round a long table, taught by a plain-clothed layman with a violill. At each of two long tables with forms, were forty-eight pewter plates and wooden ladles, while mats were laid in the middle for the bowls of cabbage soup and buckwheat' porridge which were brought in as we left. On one lay a sort of auctioneer's hammer, and in the middle of the room was a desk from which tbe Gospel is read during meals. Of course the walls were adorned with icons and portraits of the czar. For our delectation, which they achieved, they sang some wonderfully sweet, soft airs, but the very respectable bass produced made me look around in vain for other males than the teacher, whose month was shut. I had heard the awful depths to which the men in Russia can train their voices, but· I was not prepared for this. Bass voices are greatly prized, for sometimes one deep voice will make the whole church resound, and as some go to the C below the stave. western voices fail to be appreciated. There is no instrumental music, but operatic and other singers are sometimes engaged for the choirs. At the requiem for the late czar in the Temple great votive at Moscow, the voices engaged numbered several thousands.
To judge from the gorgeous character of some of their religious buildings, vestments, icons, etc., and from the number of street collecting boxes-I counted eighteen once outside a chapel, and they may be seen affixed to posts near every church or icon in the streets, besides which several plates are passed around at a service. for different objects-the Russians must be very generous givers, and, as with us, special -Sundays are set apart for special objects.
THE PILGRIMS IN RUSSIA.
Another strong point of the Russian is in pilgrimages undertaken to distant monasteries and shrines, not only in Russia, but also in Greece and Palestine. It was in the latter country that I first made the acquaintance of the Russian peasantry, high booted and wrapped in padded cloak, whether men or women, and always filthy. It was not long before Easter, and the ample Russian hostelry barracks at Jerusalem already began to be crowded. On the Mount of Olives they have erected a lofty but unornamental tower from the top of which it was hoped that the Great and Dead Seas could both be seen, but the hope has proved vain. Just now a legend is in course of fabrication that this is the actual spot from which the Savior ascended; indeed, I was shown a stone close by with regard to which a suggestion was made that it might have served as His last resting-point on earth. This will doubtless reach the succeeding generation as an assertion. But almost all the pilgrims are drawn from the peasant class, by far the most religious in Russia. Every day they throng the reputedly holy churches, leaving their baskets and tools at the door, and I have seen few more interesting sights in this country than whole families so wandering round, rudely clad in homespun, with shaggy locks, and feet bound up in rags, their features and wondering gaze betraying an astonishing simplicity, such as one marvels to find yet in Europe. The nearest parallel I know is to be found among the blacks enslaved in Morocco. In brief, it was most pitiable to observe the reeking crowds who streamed through the monastery catacombs to kiss successively the wrappings of seventy-three corpses of reputed saints as they lay shriveled up in their coffins; with the exception of one who had buried himself to his chest to restrain his passions, whose body still stands there. On entering, each had holy water sprinkled on his or her head: from a brush, and down below drank water from a hollow cross, giving something each time, of course. The credulity of such a class is absolutely boundless.
Despite the importance of the question, space will not here permit me to deal with Russian persecutions beyond remarking that it is not so much religious as financial interests which lead to this, and that while the poor in the country may often be made to suffer for their nonconformity to state-established rites and contributions, the well-
FORTY FACTS FROM CHINA
to-do classes in towns seldom do so. To quote Mackenzie Wallace once more: "The parochial clergy, with their customary indifference to things spiritual, and their traditional habit of regarding their func- tions from the financial point of view, are hostile to sectarianism chiefly because it diminishes their income by diminishing the number of parishioners requiring their ministrations." .
The exact relations of State and Church in Russia would be hard to define in few words, but the two may here be taken as one, like those of Mohammedan lands, a constant source of weakness to both.
Both have the czar for figurehead and agent, as well as for director, and the arm of the law and its weapons lie at the disposal of either.
The press may be said to perforce steer clear of both unless willing to praise. Religious questions are never discussed in the newspapers, and seldom if ever in public. Such discussions as do from time to time arise concerning the church and its teachings are exclusively historical or ceremonial, and the arguments on either side are based, not on the Scriptnres, but upon decrees of ecumenical councils, the writings of Greek "fathers," and the records of ancient icons.
"Russian ecclesiastical literature is entirely historical, homiletic, or devotional." The result of this is stated by the same authority to be that" Russians as a rule take no interest in church matters, and not a few of them are so very' far advanced' that they regard religion in all its forms as an old-world superstition, which should be allowed to die as tranquilly as possible." God preserve them from such a condition and enable us to do our duty to them!
FORTY FACTS FROM CHINA.
BY REV. WIlL ARTHUR CORNABY, SHANGHAI, CHINA. Editor of the (Chinese) Missionary Review.
It seems to be proven: 1. That for more than a year the empress dowager has been chief Boxer, and that there is no particle of evidence "that the movement has grown beyond her control," except in the sense that Prince Tuan has apparently assumed chief control on some points.
2. That the whole ~rogram includes the massacre or expulsion of every foreigner from every part of China except the treaty ports, and if possible from the treaty ports themselves.
3. That so far, the anti-foreign party is gaining nearly all it wanted.
4. That the campaign has only begun, and that the date fixed for decisi ve operations is the ninth day of the ninth moon, or October 31; this date having been fixed in the early spring of the present year, and was found engraved on a tablet dug up by the Boxers, and dated
(doubtless by a recent hand) in the Ming dynasty, which ended in A. D. 1644.
5. That all this has appeared in print some months before the summer outbreaks began, and that after events have confirmed it.
b'rhat Peking is the last place in China for a representative of Western nations to gain any idea of the signs of the times. 'rhat in all great movements of late years, the Western ambassadors have confessed to being completely taken by surprise.
7. That there is no place so favorable as Shanghai for the gaining of accurate information.
8. That, availing themselves of certain exaggerations by journalists resident in Shanghai, but unconnected with the Shanghai press, the Chinese ministers of London and Washington have done their utmost to discredit" everything that comes from Shanghai," so that even the utterances of consuls-general on most obvious facts have been discredited.
9. That the verdicts of Chinese ministers abroad on political and religious matters have been listened to with a deference which would be comical to residents in China, were it not so tragical toward those who represent the political interests of Western nations and the sacred interests of the Kingdom of God in China.
10. 'l'hat we are having to pay dearly for the feting of Li Hung Chang, his sometime secretary and others, and that the protest of the Scotsman on the latter point was anything but too strong.
11. That the alleged incentives to present outrages have been: (1) The historical sack of the Summer Palace by the British, a generation back. (2) The seizure of Kiao·chou Bay by the Germans, etc., etc. (3) The South African war, and the supposed helplessness of Great Britain. (4) The rough treatment of natives by foreigners, inebriated and otherwise, at the treaty ports. (5) '1'he taking up of lawsuits in country places, by Roman Cath- olics, and those who either ape them, or who bring political machinery of the West to bear in opposition to them, to the destruction of the general peace of the. neighborhood.
(6) The fact that while Christians may be persecuted for their Christianity, some who attach themselYes to certain churches, may thereby gain the power to persecute the non-Christian populace around them, and have done so.
12. That an immense amount of harm is being done, in fostering Chinese pride by the continued pUblication of maps of China with England in the corner to show how big Chin~ is.
13. That an untold source of irritation to the Chinese authorities has been the pUblication of maps of China marked with "spheres of influence," or even of " China as divided among the Powers," in West- ern newspapers.
14. That the movement is primarily anti-reform (certain of the above facts being mixed up in the matter).
15. That it began in the dethronement of the emperor, who wisely and vigorously advocated reform. '
16. That it continued in the martyrdom of Chinese reformers of high grade.
. 17. That Western nations (partly withheld by international jeal- ousies), did not even protest at the massacre of China's choicest sons.
18. That all the while, and assisted by such indifference, plots against foreigners generally were maturing.
19. That the outrages against Protestant missionaries have arisen because they have not only been foreigners, but foreigners actively promulgating reform principles and practises.
20. 'fhat had all Protestant missionaries been ideal in policy and practise, it would have done nothing to avert the present long-drawn crisis.
21. That native papers, protected by Western names, but under the minimum of Western control, abound in such terms as "foreign insolence."
22. That the same native papers are eagerly translating skilfully conceived anti-missionary articles from the secular or "religious"
press of the West, proving, for instance, that missionaries are unscrip- tural in not fleeing to another city when persecuted in that which they have made their own; or pointing out that by thus fleeing (at reiterated consular directions-not quoted), they are disloyal to their profession, and "hirelings," indeed.
23. That, on the other hand, the stock anti-missionary sneers cur- rent among omniscient wine-bibbers here, and their interviewers of the globe· trotting class, are considered too antiquated for any anti- Christian native editor to publish.
24. That when a man writes an -article on China and commits him- self by saying" Yangtse Kiang river," his utterances lay claim to as much deferential reading and quotation in the West, as those of a man who wrote upon Francc and discourses upon "cafe au lait with milk."
25. That a man who writes a book on China, and says, "When you want to dine out, or your wife wants to go to church, etc.," his authoritative opinion on mission work is at least as valuable as that of a man who says, "I know not a note of music, tho my wife plays the piano," and then proceeds to state his" strong convictions" as to the latest Handel festival, denouncing soloists and orchestra alike.
26. That the preceding couple of facts do not seem to be generally considered in the West among newspaper readers and book scanners, for editors and publishers still accept such compositions, and the reading public seems inclined to regard such utterances as final.
27. That it is no joke to be a missionary in China just now, and that local British love of fair play recognizes this to be so.
28. That the ancient words, "Put not your trust in princes" may have a modern application in the case of Chinese viceroys, even the best of them. • 29. That it is the decided opinion of consuls-general that no lady will be allowed to go up the Yangtse to any but a treaty port, under the most favorable conditions, till next year at least.
30. That should the empress dowager or Prince Tuan change the capital for a former capital in Shensi or elsewhere, the crisis may be prolonged indefinitely.
31. That the sorrows and sufferings of native Christians, at the best. are, and will be such, as to claim our daily prayers.
32. That the ultimate issue of the whole matter lies between God and the devil, and that the stronger will win.
33. That, meanwhile, Satan is as busily taking advantage of the heart-divisions of Ohristendom everywhere, apart from sectional divisions of the Ohurch, quite as much as any high places Manchu has been taking advantage of the international jealousies among the West- ern Powers.
34. That with an eye a little more acute than a camera lens, we may see the world to be in anarchy, tho that anarchy is not painted red as it happens to be iu North China.
35. That while God can a:ff~rd to smile (Psalm ii.) at the vain con- spiracy of the heathen, He does not smile at any anti-Pentecostal con- ditions under which Ohristians may be living.
36. That every Christian is most sacredly bound to be a missionarv, either at home or abroad. • 37. That no missionary, at home and abroad, has any mission what- ever apart from a Pentecostal union with God and the godly.
38. That our Lord's last command was not "Go," but "Tarry for this."
39. That a generous love to the whole Chinese nation, Boxers included, is our duty, and may be gained by abiding in loving gen- erosity supreme.
40. That the above items are liable to be republished here on the spot, and that the writer had that contingency in mind when he wrote them.
FUTURE MISSIONARY POLICY IN CHINA.
A NOTABLE CONFERENCE OF MISSIONARY SECRETARIES.
BY REV. ARTHUR J. BROWN, D.D. NEW YORK CITY. Secretary of the Presbyterian Board for Foreign Missions.
Now that immediate danger to the further destruction of missionary life in China has probably passed, stupendous problems of reconstruction confront us. Nevel' before in all the history of missions have such difficult and delicate questions called for an answer. The work of the largest mission" field in the world is paralyzed, many stations have been abandoned, and the missionaries are fugitives in the port cities, and in Korea and Japan, while at home the expediency of the whole missionary enterprise is being challenged, the boards are urged to send no more missionaries to China, and some people frankly say, that in any event they will give no more money for missionary work in Ohina.
In these circumstances every board has a heavy responsibility. In order that we in the Presbyterian Board might have sound counsel, we first sought _the opinions of the missionaries themselves. So we cabled to those assembled in Ohefoo, asking them to hold a meeting, consider the policy that ought to be adopted, and wire us their judgment. Providentially, there were about forty Preshyterian missionaries from China in this country on furlough. We selected eight
FUTURE MISSIONARY POLICY IN CHINA
wise, devoted men, representing all our missions in China, brought them to New York at the expense of the board, and 'spent many profit- able hours with them, listening to all that was in their hearts, after the months of thought and prayer which they had naturally given to the subject. Nor was this all, for we wrote to all the other mission- aries from China now in the United States, explaining that while it was impracticable for financial reasons to Lring so many to New York, yet ,we desired their opinions too, and requesting each one to freely write any suggestions. Thus we did everything in our power to ascertain the views of the devoted missionaries themselves.
Realizing, however, that the questions before llS were common to other boards similarly situated, all the boards of foreign missions in the United States and Canada, having work in China, were invited to send delegates to an interdenominational conference in New York. The invitation was cordially accepted, and September 21 thirty-two delegates assembled in our board rooms, representing nearly all the leading Protestant bodies of America. In this conference also the entire ground was traversed, step by step, including a docket embrac- ing thirty topics and sub-topics. The conference was of extraordinary interest and value. While the discussions were free and the opinions not always unanimous, yet harmony prevailed to a remarkable degree. The session began with a season of special prayer for Divine guidance, and never was prayer more plainly answered. We separated, feeling that we had been greatly helped, that our vision had been clarified, and that we were prepared to submit clearer jndgment to our respective boards.
The main lines of policy agreed upon by both missionaries and board representatives (for with oue minor exception practically identical views were expressed in the two conferences), and which will now be voted upon by the boards concerned were as follows: 1. While the uprising in China has, .of course, had a restrictive, and in some places a deeply injurious present effect on missionary operations, there is no adequate ground for discouragement, and the work ought to be,. and must be resumed at as early a date as may be practicable and wise. There is no disposition to be reckless in reopening stations. We do not underestimate the possible consequences of premature resumption of work. The servants of the Lord must be sensible. But not for a moment are we discouraged. Clear, strong, and unanimous was the note of both conferences that God will overrule this disturbance for the furtherance of the Gospel, that just as the most successful era of missionary work in India followed the mutiny of 1857, so will a new day for China date from the Boxer riots of 1900, that not only should every destroyed station be rebuilt, but that plans should be made for reenforcements and increased expenditures, in order that the Church of God may seize the coming strategic
opportunity to win China for Christ. The missionaries in particular were united and enthusiastic in the conviction that a large number of new missionaries will be needed next year, and that the young men in the theological seminaries should be encouraged to apply for appointment.
2. In view of the public interest in China, the frequent denial of the validity of the whole missionary enterprise, and the fact that the missionary, cause now has the attention of the country as never before, it was unanimously agreed that we should adopt an aggressive policy at home. A committee was therefore appointed to prepal'e a joint letter to the American churches, reaffirming the Divine authority of missions as of supreme and perpetual obligation, emphasizing the true significance of the present situation in Ohina, and summoning the churches to special gifts for the reestablishment and enlargement of the work, and to the observance of the week beginning October 28th, as a week of special prayer, with memorial services for martyred missionaries. It was also voted that the letter should include reference to the noble fidelity of the Chinese Christians under the awful persecution to which they have been subjected, commend them to the sympathies and prayers of God's people everywhere, and heartily indorse the appeal of Minister Conger and representative missionaries in Peking, for relief contributions, the conference holding that these Christians were worthy of a generosity similar to that which has been extended to the famine sufferers in India. We hope that this letter will be read from every pulpit in the United States and Canada, and made the subject of Sabbath sermons, mid-week devotional meetings, family prayers, and such other services as may be deemed advisable by the pastors concerned.
3. Sympathetic consideration was given to the embarrassment of the missionaries who are crowded in the port cities, with only the scanty clothing they happened to be wearing when they fled from their stations, and forced to pay high prices for rent and supplies. Is the interruption of work likely to be so long continued that they should come home? Both furloughed missionaries and board representatives felt that a general recall to America was neither necessary nor expedient. Such a return would involve an enormous expense, for our Presbyterian Board alone has over 150 Ohina missionaries still abroad. It would destroy the continuity of the work, leave the Chinese Christians to unrelieved suffering and disaster, and the remaining mission property to be still further damaged. It would make it impossible to resume the work if, in the providence of God, such resumption should be practicable within a few months. The home church would be unfavorably affected by such a general withdrawal, naturally construing it as an admission of defeat, and indefinite postponement of missionary work, and in consequence diminishing gifts,
FUTURE MISSIONARY POLICY IN CHINA
while as the usual term of service iu China is about eight years, so many furloughs now would meau that eight or nine years hence most of the missionaries in China would need a furlough, and so another general exodus would be necessary, thus practically subjecting thfl work for an indefinite period to alternations of vigorous effort, and more or less completp. inaction. All agreed therefore that, except where conditions of ill health or nervous strain render an immediate return necessary, the missionaries now on the field should await devel- opments in Korea, Japan, and such China ports as may be safe, in anticipation of an early resumption of the work, the care and reconstruction of the mission property, and particularly the guidance and comfort of the Chinese Christians, who otherwise would be left to the wolves as sheep having no shepherd. The suggestion was made that missionaries who may not be able to returu to their own stations might temporarily assist other stations or missions. .
In like manner, there was general agreement. that while each board must determiue for itself when missionaries on furlough and new missionaries under appointment should leave for their respective fields, such missionaries should not anticipate an indefinite delay in this country, but should hold themselves in readiness to sail at such dates as might prove practicable in consultation with their respective boards. Some of these rested, vigorous ml!n may be needed at once to relieve their North China brethren who have been exhausted by the awful experiences of recent months.
4. Much time was given to the question of indemnity. Eight boards reported definite knowledge of destroyed or damaged property, in some instances to a very large amount, while most ofthe other boards anticipated losses. Not all saw alike on this question. There was, moreover, unanimity in the conviction that it would be highly unbecoming in the followers of Christ to manifest a mercenary spirit and make exorbitant demands upon the Chinese, especialll as corrupt officials would probably squeeze the required sums out of the innocent villagers, and count themselves lucky in getting off so easy. After full discussion, vote was taken upon the motion that: (a) When the governments shall ask for information as to claims for indemnity, such claims should not include suffering, loss of life, or interruption of work, but only the actual value of destroyed or injured property, and the extraordinary expenses incurred inconsequence of the troubles, and (b) in exceptional cases, for loss of life which has destroyed the means of support for wife and children.
The question being divided, (a) was carried unanimously, though one delegate did not vote. On (b) a majority held that in such cases a claim might reasonably be made on behalf of an otherwise destitute family, though a minority felt that not even then should a money value be placed on missionary life, and that the care of dependent
relatives was a proper charge on the home church. It was unanimously voted that claims for indemnity should not be presented by individual missionaries directly to the civil authorities, but only through their respective boards, and that it was inexpedient to appoint an interdenominational committee to collate and present these claims, but that each board should act for itself.
The thought here was not to interfere with the liberty of any missionary, but rather to relieve him and also the government. Several hundred missionaries are involved. They are widely scattered. While a few are so situated that they might effectively push their own claims, a large majority would be under great disadvantage in conducting the necessary negotiations. Nor must we forget the embarrassment to which our government might be exposed. The State Department has been exceedingly kind, and no member of the administration has ever even hinted at the annoyance of which Lord Salisbury complained in England. Nevertheless, we can readily see what delicacies would be involved if so many individuals were to be pushing indemnity claims with varying degrees of vigor and with widely different ideas as to what objects should be included. Moreover, experience with Oriental governments hardly justifies the belief that the indemnity will be paid within ten days! While the negotiations are pending, how are the missionaries to be carried? They must have immediate reimbursement for the extraordinary expense which they have incurred. Manifestly the boards must stand behind the missionaries, promptly meeting their necessary and pressing obligations, and then deal with the government regarding the indemnity. The boards are better able to bear the burden of delay than the individual missionaries. In the Presbyterian Board we shall follow the analogy of our annual estimates, ask each individual and station to make out a schedule, have it voted on by the mission, and then forwarded to the board in New York. In this way the vexed question of indemnity can be handled in an orderly and prudent manner. We shall avoid demands which might subject the whole missionary enterprise to criticism, and we shall not embitter the Chinese by taking what might be be deemed unfair advantage of them.
5. The conference was not disposed to allow critics to define the relation of the missionary to the civil power, especially as those critics do not ordinarily distinguish between the radically different practises of Roman Catholics and Protestants. It was felt that this would be a good time for the Protestant missionary bodies to put themselves on record. As such a paper could not wisely be framed amid the hurry of a conference, a committee was appointed to draft it, and to report at the annual joint conference next January. Meantime, the Presbyterian missionaries unanimously declared it to be their rule not to apply to the civil authorities unless absolutely necessary, and that
FUTURE MISSIONARY POLICY IN CHINA
they had repeatedly refused to make such appeals when they might reasonably have done so. 'rhe Hev. Dr. A. A. Fulton, of Oanton, stated that he had not appealed to the civil authorities half a dozen times in twenty years. The Hev. A. M. Ounningham, of Peking, had appealed only twice in eight and a half years, and then simply to transmit information; the Rev. P. W. McOlintock, of Hainan, only once in eight years; the Rev. Dr. J. N. Hayes, of Suchou, once in eighteen years; the Rev. J. H. Laughlin, of Shantung, never in nine- teen years. And the missionaries stated that they believed themselves to be fairly representative of the practise of American Protestant missionaries in Ohina.
A significant indication of the attitude of the boards was given in the vote on a request that had been cabled from Ohina to several boards, asking them to protest to Washington against the proposed evacuation of Peking by the allied armies and the reinstatement of the empress-dowager, as disastrous to missions. Some of the missionaries thought that such a protest should be made on the ground that the withdrawal of the armies and the reinstatement of the empress would be construed by the Ohinese as a victory for them, destroy the moral effect of the occupation of Peking, and perhaps lead to the renewal of trouble. The interdenominational conference, however, unanimously voted to take no action. Some of its members had decided convictions as to what the government ought to do; but they held that it was not proper for missionary workers, as such, to proffer unasked advice to the government in a matter so distinctly within its sphere, nor were they willing to go on record as saying that an armed force is necessary to missionary interests anywhere. While several of the misflionaries felt that the instigators and leaders of the uprising should be punished in the interest of future security, the majority declared that this question also belonged to the government, which was understood to have it under consideration, and that any demand on the part of missionaries or boards was to be seriously deprecated. The power of the sword has not been committed to us, and the civil magistrate to whom it has been committed should, in our judgment, exercise that power on his own initiative and responsibility.
On May 15, the Presbyterian Board adopted a declaration of principles of comity, and expressed to its sister boards its cordial willingness to cooperate in any practical measures to carry them into effect. The suggestion was made that a providential opportunity had now occurred. Manifestly the conference could not take final action on such a question, but it unanimously adopted the following resolution: It is the judgment of this conference that the resumption of mission work in those parts of China where it has been interrupted would afford a favorable opportunity for putting into practise some of the principles of mission comity which have been approved by a general consensus of
opinion among missionaries and boards, especially in regard to the overlapping of fields and such work as printing and publishing, higher education and hospital work, and the eonference would commend the subjeet to the favorable consideration and action of the various boards and their missionaries.
Each board will immediately inaugurate a vigorous foreign missionary campaign among the home churches. In the Presbyterian Board, we are urging the missionaries from Ohina now in this country to avail themselves of the public interest by freely contributing articles to the religious and secular papers, and to place all practicable time at the home department secretary for addresses. We are calling upon the churches not only to maintain their usual gifts but to provide a large fund with which we can meet the extraordinary expenses incurred during recent months, and in due time rebuild the ruined stations and enlarge the work. We propose to divide this estimated special expenditure into shares of one hundred dollars each, and endeavor to place them with churches, societies, and individuals, such shares to be in excess of ordinary contributions and of the fifteen per cent. increase required for the maintenance of the regular work.
It will thus be seen that the steady tone of both conferences was distinctively hopeful. All felt that the American churches are now being brought into new relations with the unevangelized races. They must no longer regard foreign missions as simply one of many causes calling for collections, but be led to recognize the world-wide preaching of the Gospel as the great work for which the Ohurch is set. May we not confidently rely upon the prayers of all the friends of missions as we now summon the churches to go forward in the name of the Lord of Hosts?
Very tender was that part of the conference in which report was made of martyrdoms. Only two boards represented were thus bereaved, but they have lost heavi1y. The American Board announced the massacre of one man and two women at Pao-ting-fu and the entire Shansi force-five men, five women, and five children. The Presbyterian Board mourns the death of three men, two women, and three children at Pao-ting-fu-a total for both boards of eighteen missionaries and eight little ones. Oonsidering the large number of American missionaries in Ohina, and the magnitude and violence of the outbreak, this is a comparatively small numerical loss. But when we add the European missionaries who also ascended in that tumult of fire, the list lengthens to appalling proportions. None who knew them can scan that roll of martyrs without feeling that the soil of Ohina has been forever consecrated by the blood of God's saints-" of whom the world was not worthy." May God show the shining of His face through the cloud of sorrow, and may He grant to those who remain a new spirit of love and power for the Master who Himself tasted the bitterness of death for us all!
A NEW CRISIS IN 'rilE NICARAGtJA MISSION
A NEW CRISIS IN THE NICARAGUA MISSION.
BY REV. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, BETHLEHEM, ,PA.
Secretary of Missions for the American Moravian Church, North.
What is now called the Department Zelaya of the Republic of Nicaragua used to be called the Moskito Coast, or Reserve, nominally ruled by a native chieftain under a rather shadowy English protectorate.
The Moskito Coast, so named from one of the tribes of Indians there dwelling, was discovered by Columbus in 1502, changed hands many times, bnt was finally made an independent reservation, with Bluefields as its principal town. Here, especially during the present century, the trade fell more and more into the hands of Americans, so, that it has sometimes been called a suburb of New Orleans.
But for three and a half centuries after its discovery nothing was done for the spiritual and moral welfare of its original inhabitants, until in 1848 the Moravjan Church began missionary work there. The wonderful history of this mission was told in THE REVIEW for March 1893 (p. 225). Suffice it now to say that after the hardships incident to all pioneer work, and after the usual long period of discouragement, a wonderful awakening took place; the chieftain himself was converted, and the Moskito Reserve became practically a Christian state under the direction of the Moravian missionaries, and the work was fast spreading among the still heathen Indians in the interior. There are thirteen mission stations in charge of thirty-six missionaries, with over five thousand two hundred converts. The people owe all their civilization to the work of the Moravian missionaries, as no other church works among them.
The work is stil1 being prosecuted as vigorously as possible, but under ever-increasing difficulties, for in 1894 a heavy blow was dealt this noble mission. In that year the Nicaraguan Government, which had long been casting yearning eyes upon this prosperous little state, seized possession of this strip of land, and by the right of might, incorporated it into the Republic of Nicaragua.
Mauy previous attempts to do this had been made, but had been frustrated by the representations of the British and American consuls. Now, however, the United States declined to interfere, and wonld not allow England to do so, and consequently the evil deed was consummated. From a political and governmental point of view, this action might have been followed by good results, if Nicaraugua had been a Protestant Anglo-Saxon state, but as it was, and is, a Roman Catholic Spanish-Amcrican state, the worst fears were entertained for the future welfare of this flourishing mission work, and these fears have been fully justified.
Altho religious liberty was nominally guaranteed, there have none the less been constant difficulties since then, which in June of this year have culminated in a blow at the very life of the mission.
To understand the force of the blow that has fanen, some preliminary explanations are necessary. From the very beginning the Moravian missionaries, while nsing the native language wherever possible, in the towns and Creole communities labored to build up an English-speaking community, realizing that this was the language best adapted under the local conditions to elevate the people both in matters pertaining to their developmei,t in civilization and in matters pertaining to the welfare of their souls. The results have been such as to cause the Spaniards (i. e. Nicaraguans) to testify, that "the Moravians have enlightened the people too much; " "they have taught NATIVE SCHOOr. CHILDREN IN FRONT OF THE MORAVIAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL HALL, BLUEFIELDS, MOSKITO COAST, NICARAGUA.
These children are among hundreds who have now been deprived of a good education by the tyrannical law passed by the Nicaraguan Government, which has caused the closing of the l1oravian schools.
the people to act every man according to his conscience." The Englishspeaking portion of the people is the working and thinking part of the community-the substantial and reliable part.
The Spanish or Nicaraguan element is composed on the one part of officials-all unmarried men-and on the other of a changing multitude of women and girls of a low type. Since 1894 this element has done its worst to drag down the morality of the community and to leaven it with iniquity. One of the safeguards of the people was their English language, which shut them off from these worst elements. The ellemies of the Protestant missions soon perceived that
A NEW CRISIS IN THE NICARAGUA MISSION
the heaviest blow could be dealt by attacking the language used in the Moravian schools. The first step was the requirement that Spanish must be taught in the schools. '1'he Moravian Brethren met this demand, and so successfully that the government inspector in 1898 expressed his surprise at the progress made, and felt constrained to recommend these schools to the protection of the state. But this was not what the Jesuitically inspired government wanted, and so this year a new school law, designed especially for Bluefields, was promulgated on June 5th. It says in effect: Considering that the laws of instruction for the Republic have not yet been applied in a proper way within the boundaries of the Department of Zelaya, for reasons that are well known (? ?), and that now the moment has come to let this department enter into all its privileges (sic I), either by granting public instruction free of charge or by making the existing schools conform to the official program in a special manner, the president resolves: That private schools which exist in this department, or may hereafter be established, must strictly conform to the program drawn up for the official national schools. Any violation of this law will be punished at the first offense with a fine of fifty dollars, atJ-the second of one hundred dollars, and at the third, with the closing of the school.
The "official program" is, that Spanish must be the vehicle of instruction; English may be taught only as an extra branch, and religious instruction must likewise be ruled out of the regular school plan, and may be allowed only as an extra branch.
In order that there might not be the slightest doubt as to what was meant by the law, the inspector of public instruction, Dr. Luna, visited the mission on June 15th, and explained to the missionaries that he would inspect the schools on Monday, June 18th, and if there was any deviation from the official program; if the teachers did not give all their instruction, make all their explanations, ask all their questions in Spanish; and if the scholars did not answer in Spanish, then the missionaries as responsible for the schools would be punished as violators of the law. He had been sent to Bluefields with special orders to enforce the law in Bluefields.
The superintendent of the mission asked him, how it conld be expected that English-speaking children could, at a moment's notice, be turned into Spanish-speaking children? He simply answered: "It is the law."
Under the circumstances the missionaries had no alternative. It was impossible for teachers and pupils to speak Spanish. To wait to be fined would simply put them into the position of lawbreakers, and so, with sorrowful hearts on Sunday, June 17th, 1900, anllouncement was made, that the Moravian schools in Bluefields would have to be closed.
On Monday, June 18th, the law was published in the streets of
Bluefields, that anyone refusing to send his children of the ages from six to fourteen years to the national schools, would be fined from five to ten dollars per day, or be imprisoneu.
And what are these "national schools"? A straggling establish, ment, which runs and stops like a watch out of order. It calls itself "The Christopher Columbus College," is conducted in a good-sized building, which, however, can not begin to hold all the children who have been attending the Moravian schools, and is closeu whenever there is a rumor of war or revolution. Therefore, as the temple of Janus in Rome was scarcely ever closed, so the Christopher Columbus College in Bluefields is scarcely ever open.
It had been closed for many months, and even when the law closing the Moravian schools was published, it was not yet in working order. While the English-speaking children went to school day after day, the ill-clad Nicaraguan children were a public nuisance on the streets. About the 7th or 8th of June it was opened with an attendance of , possibly thirty or forty children.
The better Nicaraguans themselves do not like to send their chil- dren, and especially their daughters, to this school, because of the immoral influences to which they will be subjected. The teaching staff of the school is nothing but a bogus affair; the aim of the insti- tution seems to be to prevent the rising generation from coming out of darkness and ignorance. The naive remark of one of the govern- ment officials, when asked a certain favor, reveals this most strikingly. He replied: "I could do it, if I wanted to, and I would gladly do it; but if I diu, don't you know, I would be accused by the government of acting in the interests of the people, and not for the government! ."
The question will naturally be asked whether it will not be possible to transform these schools into Spanish schools. The Moravian missionaries raise the following objections to such a course: The English language through fifty years of training has become the mother-tongue of the people. It has become their spiritual possession. To try to teach in one language in school while the children speak another and a better language at home is a hopeless undertaking. Besides, the Spanish language would shut them out from all the treasures of Protestant literature. But the great practical difficulty would be to procure the necessary teaching force. Where could a sufficient number of good Protestant, Spanish-speaking teachers, male and female, be procured? In round numbers, about six hundred children.and young people were being instructed in these Moravian schools, including the advanced school.
For the immediate present this blow will not affect the preaching services of the church, but the future looks very dark indeed. The people seek to avoid the compulsory school law, for they will not send their chiluren to a school which they despise, and the government
inspector seems satisfied with having closed the Moravian schools, and is not as yet taking very earnest measures to compel the children to attend the miserable national school. But what will become of these children? Without the careful training to which they have been accustomed they will inevitably degenerate. A gentleman, not a member of the church, said to the superintendent of the mission: The blow is hard to bear, for what will become of our children? Without the Moravian schools we do not know what to do. We here in Bluefields do not know any other parent than the Moravian Ohurch. All that we possess of civilization we owe to her.
It was hoped that the baneful effect of this pernicious and malicious school law would be confined to the schools in Bluefields, but the Jesuitical intrigue goes on, and the same Dr. Luna, who closed the Bluefields schools, has now closed the Moravian mission sc~ool in Magdala on the Pearl Lagoon, a station possibly some six or seven miles up the coast north of Bluefields. Magdala is now worse off than Bluefields, for the so-called government school in Magdala is more wretched even than the apology for a college in Bluefields.
So, too, the school at Twappi, another station on the ooast, some thirty-five or forty miles north of Bluefields, has been closed in spite of all protests. The missionary in charge, a German by birth, learned English in 1898 in order to be able to minister unto his people; learned the Moskito tongue sufficiently well to meet the needs ·of the older Indians in 1900, and with these proofs of his linguistic ability offered to learn the Spanish language as quickly as possible, if he might only be allowed to continue his school. Altho there is absolutely no other school there, and altho the children must now run wild on the savanna, because the missionary could not at once teach in Spanish, the school was closed.
'I'here does not seem to be any doubt but that eventually every school will be attacked. The Moravians have in this field fifteen schools with eight hundred and sixty pupils. It is clear that the government aims at the destruction of the schools, not at the improvement of the education of the people.
The animus of the entire movement is further revealed by the attitude of the Nicaraguan papers. Altho the schools in Bluefields were closed because Dr. Luna refused to make the slightest concession, yet the Bluefield Nicaraguan papers in abusive editorials strive to make it appear as if the Moravians had closed their schools out of disloyalty to the government.
In addition to these internal troubles an external disaster has befallen the town and mission. A terrible conflagration devastated Bluefields on July 31st, sweeping away the principal business portion of the town. While none of the millflion QuUdings were destroyed by
fire, yet several had to be torn down in order to stay the progress of the flames; among these were two of the elosed school buildings.
These are sad days for the Moravian missionaries on the Moskito Coast. One writes: We are going about as people weighed down by a heavy load, and often our eyes fill with tears as we look across the street, and our gaze is met by the closed doors and shutters of the school houses. The town seems dead without the noise and laughter of the many hundred children going to and from schooI. Perhaps some good Christian people in the States (United States) will sympathize with us in our affliction, and will pray with us the petition we have taught our children to pray: "Give us soon our daily schooI."
Further comment seems useless. The narrative speaks for itself. May the King of the Kingdom open a way out of all these difficulties, and 80 overrule this apparent evil that His coming may be hastened! '1'he supplications of God's people are entreated to this end.
'fHE NEVIUS METHOD IN MISSION WORK.
BY REV. D. Z. SHEFFIELD, D.D., PRESIDENT TUNG CHOU COLLEGE, CHINA.
The term "Nevius Method" has been employed to designate a type of mission work, that is believed by its advocates to have reached higher results than have been reached in the use of what is denominated the" old method." The central feature of the" new method" is the developing of the native church to a status of self-government and self-support, without the use of foreign money in sustaining the leaders of the native church during the period of its development and organization. It is claimed that this method has great advantages over the more usual method of mission work. It largely prevents the growth of the mercenary spirit, so dangerous to the life of the Church, in laying its foundations under new and strange conditions. It stimulates the entire membership of the local church to direct Christian work, without thought of remuneration. It develops natural leaders in the Church, who direct the worship, and take pastoral interest in the membership. In accomplishing these results it is thought to lay broad and sure foundations for the expanding Church of the future.
Dr. Nevius gave account of his work some ten or twelve years after its inception, on the special lines which he commends; not long enough, as has been proven by events, to fully test the soundness of his methods. A careful study of his chapters reveals the fact, not quite comprehended by himself, that the rapid expansion of this special work was not the result of a new method, but of the new conditions, the fact that he was operating among a people, a portion of
THE NEVIUS METHOD IN MISSION WORK
whom he had been instrumental in saving from starvation during a serious famine, by the use of foreign money. This act of benevolence had won for the missionaries the confidence of the people, and given them willing ears to listen to the teachings of Christianity. It should be remembered that similar rapid increase in native converts through famine relief was realized in other contiguous missions, and that too while employing the" old method" rejected by Dr. Nevius. In a country liable to periodical floods and famines, it is easy to understand that such an act of wide compassion from the representatives of Christian civilization, would operate powerf1;llly to break down prejudices, and open the way for the ready acceptance of Christianity, not indeed because its higher spiritual ends were grasped, but that its spirit of ready ministry to thc needs of men was appreciated. For some years following the work of famine relief missionaries of all boards, whatever might be their methods of work, found it a matter of great difficulty to select from the many applicants for church membership those who were actuated by the deeper motives of a real religious faith. The conditions were most favorable for the multiplication of converts, but most unfavorable for the work of sifting between the true and false.
With a rapidly expanding work springing up in remote and scattered cities and villages, without a body.of trained native assistants, Dr. Nevius may be commended for his method of setting up religious services, appointing local leaders, the best men at hand, and working out for their use a ritual of worship that could be followed with little knowledge. But there were elements of weakness and danger in the simplicity of this method of worship which Dr. Nevius did not sufficiently appreciate, and failed to guard against. The leaders of these incipient churches, like the m~mbership, were imperfectly trained in Christian knowledge, and nndisciplined in Christian experience. Without more careful religious instruction than such men were fitted to give, it was quite impossible for the converts to grow in the Christian life in a vigorous and healthful manner. Dr. Nevius discouraged preaching as a feature of regular worship. He justly felt that these leaders had not received sufficient training in Christian knowledge to be able to speak from Sabbath to Sabbath to the edification of the listeners. But while this was true, he ought to have kept the fact clearly in mind that from the beginning preaching from the lips of men thoroughly familiar with Christian truth, and gifted with language to express their thoughts in forceful and convincing words, has been a chief means for winning men to the Christian faith, and for building them up in the Christian life. Dr. Nevius made no adequate effort to supply this lack. Not only does his method of work make against the importance of carefully selecting and thoroughly traiuing men for the work of Ohristian leadership; he speaks directly against
this form of work, regarding his early labors in theological training, measured by its results, as ill-timed and disappointing. From an experience of thirty years in the theological training of native Christian workers, the writer wonld express the conviction that Dr. Nevius' conclusions in this regard need most careful revision. He placed high value upon native Ohristian workers if they were reliable and efficient men, and it should be remembered that in conducting his work, he always employed in the use of foreign money from two to four assistants. If a few such men were necessary to him in his special work, why might not a few more be necessary to other men in conducting work under different conditions, or on wider lines? His conclusion, based upon an imperfect experience, was that there was more of evil than good to be realized in the use of foreign money for the education and later support of native Ohristian laborers. Many other missionaries from a wider experience, and in more advanced stages of work, have reached the opposite conclusion, that by careful selection of Ohristian young men, with thorough training, especially watching over the development of the religious life, and wise supervision of work in later years, men may be produced whose services in the work of building up the Ohristian Ohurch are of the utmost value.
Dr. Nevins argues with much force against the danger of placing novices in places of religious responsibility, before they are fitted to discharge the duties of their office; and yet in carrying out his system of work he set novices in the high positions of leaders of the little churches, called upon to discharge the leading duties of pastors, with very limited quaIifications for such leadership. If the status of these men had been regarded by them as only provisional and transitionary, with better trained men beginning to appear in sight to take the place of leaders, the case would not have been so serious, but these men regarded themselves as the permanent heads of the little Ohristian communities, the honor not to be alienated so long as their services were acceptable. They were head men in the church as there were head men in each village, and their removal would usually be a delicate and difficult matter. Thus little companies of Christians were brought together with a loose organization, with leaders of worship that stood directly in the way of the introduction of cultured men.
Still further, this plan operated against native self-support, when these words are rightly understood. 'rhese untrained leaders received nothing for their services, aud these companies of Ohristians had no developed habits of giving. A cultured native pastor who should give himself wholly to the work of edifying the worshipers with carefully prepared sermons, and employing time that could be spared ftom study in pastoral ministry, must be supported in his office by the gifti! of the church or churches. Thus, the native leaders opposed a
cultured pastorate, as it gave their coveted place to others, and the Christians opposed it as it was expensive. The missionaries who now have this work in hand state that in taking it over from Dr. Nevius it was found necessary to reorganize the work, placing trained preachers or pastors in charge of several of these church centers, and by constant careful ministry slowly grounding the minds and hearts of the members of the churches in the deep and permanent things of the Christian life.
It has been assumed by some that in the use of the old method there was no proper effort made to stimulate the native church to put forth efforts at self-help. The truth is that as a rule missionaries are thoroughly alive to the importance of developing self-support among their converts. It is further assumed that where native workers are supported with foreign money, the native church is failing to give as it ought to do. The facts are that in general native churches are giving more in support of work in their midsts in proportion to their means than are churches in Christian lands. The foreign money, which is used in the support of native workers, is use4 for evangelists, missionaries, natives numbering many thousands behind whom there is no native church to give support, and would be compelled to turn to secular employment if foreign assistance were withdrawn.
According to the logic of this discussion, if the principles of the defenders of Dr. Nevius' method are correct, the use of foreign money in the support of native agents is an evil that ought to be cliscontinued. The natural way to accomplish this result is to discontinue their employment. But this is a step that many missionaries believe would be a serious setback to their work, causing a loss to the native church of just the men who are best fitted in knowledge and spirit to give direction in the hard conflict with heathenism, and to give wise instruction in the spiritual training of the Church. The theory underlying the support of the" Nevius method" in mission work is that foreign money spoils a native Christian laborer. This theory is supported by an appeal to experience, but it is called in question by a long list of successful missionary workers, whose methods of work have underlying them another and broader theory, that consecrated Christian money never spoils a consecrated Christian worker. They urge that it is not a question of method but of men. If by wise methods of Christian training true men can be produced, with good culture and high purpose, then it is well to set them to Christian work in the use of money secured from whatever source, trusting that as they build their lives into the native church, its membership will in time respond to appeals that are made, and gladly do their part in developing a living aggressive Christian Church among their people.
A DEFENSE OF MISSIONS IN OHINA.* BY REV. JAMES S. DENNIS, D.D. Author of " Christian Missions and Social Progress," etc.
To the statesman and diplomat, in their worried hours, unless they are gifted with remarkable poise, insight, self-restraint, and breadth of historic vision, the temptation is strong to hastily place a burden of responsibility upon the missionary enterprise that does not properly belong to it. Meanwhile the irrepressible critics of the enterprise are seizing the opportunity to depreciate the work of missions in general, and in particular to administer a volume of patronizing scolding to the missionary in Ohina.
It is usually intimated that the consul, the trader, and the diplomat, having won their way and established their position, are acquiesced in by the Ohinese with a measure of tolerance, but that the missionary, on the contrary, is a hopeless outcast, who has" not even reached the rank of a necessary evil." This is an amazing assertion when we note the fact that missionaries were in Ohina under the auspices of the Roman Oatholic Ohurch over five hundred years ago. Modern evangelical missions began in the first decade of the present century. If any foreign residents, therefore, have" won their positions" in Ohina, they are the missionaries themselves.
The preaching of the missionary is another grievance which is apt to be dwelt upon at some length in these adverse comments. It is usually represented that it is calculated to overthrow Ohinese morality, and liable to prove the destruction of the state and the ruin of society. Ohinese morality sounds well; but it may safely be said that, in all respects where their moral standards are not in direct conflict with the commandments of God, they are fostered and sustained by missions. It must be confessed, not specially, moreover, to the discredit of missionaries, that they do teach that lying, stealing, licentiousness, adultery, and murder are wrong. They do not patronize and condone infanticide, and they deprecate slicing, quartering, and torturing living victims; nor are they in favor of extortion, bribery, mob violence, and looting. They know a better way to treat innocent little girls than to inflict upon them the agonies of foot-binding, and thus maim them for life. Yes, in these and sundry other matters, they venture to suggest that Chinese practise, at least, will bear revision. It may be said that these things do not fairly represent Chinese morality. Is it not clear, however, that what a people practise for centuries, regard with more or less complacency, and in some instances with popular approval, offers a fair sample of their practical morals, altho it may not have been sanctioned by the authority of Oonfucius?
In some instances the critic seems to give away his case and yield the main point of his contention by an acknowledgment that the Ohinese care little for Christianity. The Chinese are not, strictly speaking, a religious race. They are a law unto themselves in morals, and look to their emperor officially, at stated times, to go through the ritual of il1tercession in their behalf. So far as they have a controlling religious cult, it consists in the worship of their ancestors. Idolatry is common, gods abound, and superstitions-strange, pervasive, dominant-control * Condensed from an article in the American Monthly Review of Reviews (September).
The whole article is well worth a careful reading.
A DEFENSE OF MISSIONS IN CHINA
their outward life and inner experience to an almost incredible extent. The average Chinese is indifferent to Christianity per Be. It is to him one more superstition, which he can regard with unconcern. The con- tention, therefore, that the missionary per Be, is an object of loathing simply because of his religious teaching, or as a representative of Chris- tianity, must be made in the face of acknowledged evidence to the con- trary.
Moreover, China has already assimilated at least three strange religions-Buddhism and Mohammedanism, both the result of missionary propagandism, and Taoism, a philosophical intruder. Christianity has been handicapped both by malignant slander and by its association with the foreigner. The campaign of venomous literature has been constant and indescribably virulent. Government. documents teem with vile charges; private tracts and placards of the most fiendish import have been allowed free circulation by the authorities; Chinese gossip has reveled in the exploitation of the horrible customs and the dangerous ideas of both foreign and native Christians.
It is then, the missionary, not as a religious teacher, but as a maligned and accessible foreigner, who allures the Chinese mob. His church, his school, his converts, are all regarded as part of his entourage; and, unfortunately, the converts are especially attractive as objects of attack, because it is generally quite safe to smite and slay, and loot them in the absence of any efficient protection. The causes of this hatred of foreigners are not only immemorial antipathy, intensified, in the present instance, by the exciting clangor of lies resounding throughout the empire. More specifically and directly, they are found in the increasing aggressiveness of the foreigner himself, in pushing trade; in developing new facilities of communication; in launching industrial enterprises; in intrusive prospecting of the natural wealth of the country; in supplanting native resources and economic methods, and in an all-round hustling scramble after the spoils of China-in all of which he shows scant respect for native predilections and superstitions. The unbearable climax of the whole business, alarming and humilating to the government and irritating to the people, was the recent political encroachments of European nations upon Chinese territory. The missionary, through no fault of his own, has been compromised even in this, since it has not safeguarded the living to have the dead appropriated as a stock-in-t,rade for purposes of political aggrandizement.
The whole diplomatic body, in fact, has been the supreme object of Chinese insult and outrage. The attempt, therefore, on the part of those who are offended by missions to seize the occasion and make a scapegoat of the missionary is clearly indefensible and unfair; altho not in all instances with a deliberate animus.
Much is made, in many of these articles under review, of the alleged thrusting of missionaries into the empire under the shelter of coercive treaties, while at the same time the Chinese government is browbeaten into protecting them from mob violence. None of these treaties, of course, were liked by the Chinese; and every clause, especially those referring to open ports and trade concessions, was the result of a measure of diplomatic pressure. To ignore this, and make it seem that the civilized governments have, in any exceptional sense, introduced Christianity and Christian missionaries into China by compulsion, is to give a misleading impression. They simply safeguarded interests which it
was not wise to neglect. It is now, and has long been, an indisputable fact that Christianity is an officially recognized and tolerated religion in China-as much so as Buddhism, Mohammedanism, and Taoism.
It has been coolly asserted, in some of these arraignments, that" his (the missionary's) presence in the interior of China is, in itself, a viola- tion of a solemn compact." Upon what is this bold charge founded, and is it true, in view of existing edicts and treaties? In the Treaty of 1860, between China and France, Art. 8 reads: It shall be promulgated throughout the length and breadth of the land, in the terms of the Imperial edict of February 20, 1846, that it is permitted to all people in all parts of China to propagate and practise the" things of the Lord of Heaven," to meet together for preaching of the doctrine, to build churches, and to worship. . . . It is, in addi- tion, permitted to French missionaries to rent and purchase land in all the Provinces, and erect buildings thereon at pleasure.
The favored-nation clause of the British, German, American, and other treaties, secures to the citizens of those countries the same concession. It has been so understood and interpreted for a generation, having the sanction of usage, as well as the official assent and practical confirmation of the Chinese authorities, who have, upon different occasions, acknowledged and acted upon it. To hold up the British, American, or European missionary to contempt because, under these conditions, he takes up his residence in interior towns, with the consent of the Chinese authorities, and, in peaceable, law-abiding fashion, teaches..,his religion, conducts his school, establishes his hospital, and ministers in other kindly ways io the welfare of those who accept his teaching and love his person, is manifestly indefensible and gratuitous.
The fact that Protestant missionaries, when occasion requires, appeal to their consul is sometimes spoken of to their disparagement. But it should not be forgotten that the consul, by official appointment, exercises the function of mediator, lawyer, protector, judge, and, in a certain sense, lawgiver on his behalf. The foreign citizen is explicitly directed in the treaties to invariably appeal to the consul when it is necessary that he should have official relations with the authorities. Unless this fact is taken into consideration, the appeal to consular intervention may be' misunderstood and misinterpreted by an outside observer.
The spirit in which Christian missionaries have entered China is beyond criticism. They obey the command of One whom they love and serve, and who has the right to send them there. They seek the good of tho Chinese; they enter upon a life of toil, sacrifice, and danger, with the unselfish purpose of giving priceless gifts to an alien race. They offend no law of courtesy, kindness, manliness, or honor in taking up their residence among the Chinese to teach them the truths of Christianity, to introduce facilities of education, to bring the blessing of healing, and minister to them in other helpful and humane ways. There is no need to apologize for this attitude toward humanity; would that it were more common in the world! When Christ sees fit to ask the pardon of the human race for His ministry in the Incarnation, then His missionaries may ask forgiveness for entering China. No Chinese ever has been or ever will, by any legitimate missionary method, be compelled to embrace Christianity.
This liberty is an indisputable human right, and is, by common consent, one of the chief insignias of civilization. There is no source of
ERRONEOUS IDEAS CONCERNING MISSIONS IN INDIA
authority, human or Divine, which assigns to any government the right to suppress or withhold liberty of conscience in religious worship, so long as the laws of universal morality and justice are not violated in the use of that liberty.
Christianity can not enter China without reforming it in many radical ways. These throbbings of a higher life, these half-conscious thrills of destiny, are pUlsing in some of the best blood of China; and, as is already true in Japan, they will contribute a measure of capacity and solid worth to the public service of the state which in tilne will act a decisive part in molding the national destiny of one-fourth of the human race. Let us not be dismayed by the present phenomenal international experience in the Far East! It means clearly: Hands off China merely for purposes of conquest, partition, or political aggrandizement; hands on China to secure at least the decencies and necessities of orderly government, the observance of treaty obligations, the "open door" to trade, civilization, human intercourse, and religious liberty.
ERRONEOUS IDEAS CONCERNING MISSIONS IN INDIA.* Is it not commonly supposed that missions are by this time fairly universal, and that all India is, so to speak, parceled out into parishes? How many people realize the fact that an English officer, for example, may be statkned for many years in the country before he is ever in the same town with a missionary or native Christian? The writer has lived in a district of two hundred and fifty thousand people, where there was no resident missionary, and only six Christians, and none of them natives. The reason for this apparently strange fact is that missions are generally strongest in large centers of population, such as Delhi and Benares, whereas the policy of government is to mass troops in cantonments removed from the vicinity of native cities. Even when, as at Lucknow, the two coincide, cantonments are well outside the city, may be four or five miles off, while the mission buildings are generally in the heart of it. As it is a most unusual event for the ordinary Anglo-Indian to penetrate into a city at all, he or she may live for years within a few miles of a large mission station and never even know of its existence, unless it is deliberately searched for. Again, language is an immense obstacle to intercourse between Anglo-Indians and the native popUlation. The Hindustani usually talked by ladies and officers of British regiments is a jargon just sufficient for ordinary domestic purposes, but useless for holding a conversation with a native Christian, or following intelligently the service or sermon in a mission church.
Again, is it not commonly supposed at home that provision is made by government and various societies for the spiritual wants of the white population? The fact being that the chaplains are so few in number that there are very many fair-sized stations without any. A civilian, an officer in the staff corps (the native army), or a planter may be for years entirely cut off from any" means of grace." The diocese of Calcutta is about three times the size of England, and contains only fifty-five clergy (apart from missionaries). When the neglect of church-going among the Anglo-Indians is deplored, the fact that a very vast number have no churches to go to must be borne in mind. Is it a wonder, then, that the • Condensed from the Church Missionary Intelligencer.
standard of spirituality should be low, and that many so-called Christians, finding their own hold on their faith gradually slackening, should not be deeply interested in the efforts to propagate it among the heathen?
Do we all realize, too, the social conditions of life in India, for herein lie many difficulties in the way of intercourse between missionaries and official society? Let us suppose the common case of an official coming to a new station. In due course of time he or his wife calls on the missionaries in the place as on other residents. The ordinary calling hour is from twelve to two, just a missionary's busiest time; so as he is forced, as a rule, to return the call in the afternoon, when all "society" is riding or driving, the would-be acquaintances probably never meet. If the missionary be then invited to tennis or dinner, the most ordinary forms of hospitality, he very likely declines the invitation on the ground that he has no time for such functions, and as he makes no advances in return, all intercourse dies a natural death. A lady, particularly if newly arrived from home, may express a wish to see something of the missionary work, with the idea that there is at least something picturesque and romantic about it, and is surpris.ed and disappointed to find not a venerable person preaching under a palm tree to a crowd of attentive hearers, but a very ordinary-looking clergyman, in an ordinary house, teaching a class of young men in semi-English dress, or a school full of as ragged and squalid looking children as may be found in Bethnal Green or 'Vapping. 'Vhen she comes into contact with the "native. Christian" in the person of her own cook or bearer, and discovers that, tho a Christian of perhaps several years' standing, he has not yet attained perfection, and still relapses occasionally into his heathen sins of untruthfulness and guile, the disillusion is complete, and the discouraging report goes home, "Really, missions are very disappointing. I do not believe they do any good at all! "
Is the fault all on one side? Does the missionary always try to make it easy for outsiders to understand his work and enter into it? The writer was amused once at an account given her by a lady missionary of a visit she had paid to one of her own calling in a strange place. She was surprised at being received with a frigidity which was quite alarming, but mentioning after a little desultory conversation, that she was also a missionary, she was amused to see her hostess' features instantly relax, while she heartily apologized, saying, "I had no idea you were a missionary. I thought you were a globe-trotter!" If any globe-trotter, writing his" impressions of India," as most seem to do nowadays, should have but scanty praise for the missions in the great city where this good lady labored, might not an explanation be easily found in the treatment apparently meted out to those of his class!
HOW ROBERT COLLEGE WAS BUILT.* BY THE LATE REV. CYRUS HA~LIN, D.D., LL.D. Founder and formerly President of Robert College, Constantinople.
The history of the founding of Robert College is so complicated and composed of so many wholly unexpected episodes that I shall not attempt to sketch the whole of it. It occupied the period from 1860 to 1869. I will begin with 1863, when I purchased the second site of the cullege, *Condensed from The Northfield Echoes.
HOW ROBERT COLLEGE WAS BUILT
the use of the first having been forbidden. I agreed with the proprietor of the land to pay the money when I should get leave to build the college on that spot. I did not propose to buy a second site and then fail of building. In the process of time we obtained permission from the grand vizier, written in his own hand, and supposed that that was final. I paid the money-$7,500-and went to break ground for the foundation. "Ve had been at work only a few days when two officers from the Sublime Porte came and said: "There are certain formalities still to be gone through with, and your work must be delayed." ""Vhat formalities?" I said. "We do not know." "How long shall I be delayed?" "Perhaps a couple of weeks." The delay lasted a little over six years.
I went to Mr. John P. Brown, the United States secretary of legation, who could always find out the secrets of the Sublime Porte, and he told me that Abbe Bore, the chief of all the Jesuit missions in the East, had incited the old Turkish party against the idea of having a college built there. He had also secured the influence of the French ambassador, for Louis Napoleon, then emperor, always favored Jesuit designs abroad; and the French ambassador had engaged the support of General Ignatieff, the great Russian ambassador. This was somewhat alarming. Indeed, it looked as tho it was impossible for me to proceed. The American ambassador declined to do anything on the ground that he was there to preserve the rights of commerce, but had no official business in regard to colleges. The great English ambassador, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe had been withdrawn, and so I had absolutely no influence whatever. ""Vell," I said, "at any rate I have God and right on my side, and I am not going to yield this question so long as I live."
Mr. Morgan, the New York banker, came to Constantinople, and I invited him to the college site. He was charmed with it and said, "I am sure Mr. Seward, our secretary of state, does not know what this scheme is, nor what a magnificent position this is for a college. Vrite out what you have said to me, and as soon as I reach New York I will go directly to Vashington and see Mr. Seward." He did so, and Mr. Seward called on Blacque Bey, the Turkish ambassador at "Vashington, and had a talk with him. The result was that he wrote to the grand vizier: "I have had an interview with Mr. Seward, the secretary of state, on that college question. I am sure it is for the interest of your Highness to settle it in a sense favorable to the Americans, or by-and-by it will become a thorny question."
I wrote to the Protestant vekil, and told him how Aali Pasha, the grand vizier, ought to reason on the college question, and the reasons why the prohibition should be withdrawn. Among other things, I said, "If his Highness does not yield the point now, the time will come when political complications will compel him to yield a great deal more than we now ask." I knew nothing of any political complications then, but I had seen so many questions settled in that way that I believed that ultimately it would be setHed. I asked the vekil to let the grand vizier know that he had received such a letter, and he might have the reading of it if he wished. He read it and said, "That letter contains important con"iderations which will receive due attention." Nothing, however, came of it.
Not long after this Admiral Farragut visited Constantinople. Never was the Turkish community stirred up as Farragut's coming stirred it. The most absurd stories about him traveled among the common people.
Boatmen and fishermen asked me if it was true that the great admiral had fought a terrible battle lashed to the mast and that three thousand riflemen fired at him and couldn't hit him. I told them he had fought a great battle lashed to the mast, but how many riflemen fired at him I couldn't tell; certainly no one hit him.
My little boy Alfred came into my study one morning and asked me to take him down to see the great admiral, and after some hesitation I promised to go early the next morning. We went and found him alone. "'Vho are you?" he said, "and what are you doing?" I told him briefly, and began to tell him about this college question, but he said, "I have no diplomatic mission here whatever, sir. I am sorry the Turkish gov~ ernment should treat you so, but I can do nothing for you." A moment later the door opened, and the man, as I think, sent by Divine Providence, came in, his hand outstretched. "Good morning, Admiral Farragut. I am glad to see you here with Dr. Hamlin." He was an Armenian physi~ cia,n, Dr. Seropian, who knew Farragut. He then went on to say that I had already opened the college in an old seminary building of the A VIEW OF ROBERT COLLEGE, CONSTANTINOPLE.
American Board at Bebek, and added, "It is the only real college that ever existed in this empire, but it is in very contracted premises, and your excellency has COllIe here to get him leave to build the college, as he has a right to do." "I have just told Mr. Hamlin I have no diplomatic mission here whatever; I can not do anything for him." "Just for that reason," persisted the doctor, "you can do everything. You are to have great dinners of honor given you by the pashas. To-night you are to dine with the grand vizier. Just ask him why that American college can not be built. Then when you dine with the other pashas, ask them the same qum;tion. That is all, admiral."
I was surprised at the aplomb with which the doctor told the admiral what to do. He took it in good part, however, and said, "Anybody may ask a king a question; I have no objections to asking the pashas questions. I will do it." In the meantime people had been crowding in between us, and the interview stopped.
A few days after, a kiatib of the Sublime Porte came and sat down by me on the deck of a passenger steamer, and in a whisper said, "I want to ask you a question, Mr. Hamlin." "Very well, sir." " Did
your government send your great admiral here to settle that college question?" I knew then, instantly, that the old admiral had asked the question and made a good deal of excitement in the Sublime Porte if all the kialibs knew it. I made an evasive answer, and the incident passed away without anything coming of it. Nothing had come of anything.
About three months after Admiral Farragut was there, our minister, Mr. Morris, who had become very friendly to me, altho he could not do anything for me, sent his messenger boy to my study with a letter. I opened it and read these words: I congratulate you, Mr. Hamlin, on the termin'1tion of your long contest with the Turkish Government. I have just received a note from his highness, Aali Pasha, saying: "Tell Mr. Hamlin he may begin the building of his college when he pleases. Nobody will interfere with him. And in a few days he will leave the irade (the imperial permission), coming right out of the sacred breast of the sacred successor of the prophet.
It almost took my breath away. I could not believe it. Ve had never asked for the imperial permission. I had lSaid that if money would bring it, ten thousand dollars would be well expended. Never the slightest hope of having that sacred and imperial permit. I went to Mr. Morris, but he could not explain it, as no communication on the subject had come from our government, nor had any come from the British Government. Nobody could explain it, and for a time the public believed it to be a hoax. People said to me, "Those ambassadors are not your friends, and when you have spent your money on that building they will lay you out." " Well," I said, "I shall spend my money on that building as soon as possible;" and I went to work. Nobody interfered, and the irade was given, and a magnificent one, because in it, it sets forth that his Majesty, out<>f his great esteem for the great American repub· lic, and wishing to do something which would evince his esteem, granted the permission so and so for that college, and placed it moreover under the protection of the United. States, so it ilS a United States institution. As soon as I knew that, I set the American flag on it, and it is the only institution of the kind in Turkey that has ever been allowed to hoist the American flag. We finished the building, and occupied it about the middle of May, 1871. The college was publicly opened July 4, and Mr. Seward, who visited Constantinople at that time, altho a mere wreck physically, made one of his grandest speeches at the dinner. * Now the mystery was all to be explained. Our embassy had not an inkling of the real cause, or, if they had, they never intimated it to me. But not long after Seward's visit, one of the Turkish cabinet called to see the college. He made a very particular examination of the building, and then said: "I have a higher estimate of English education than of any other. I have some little grandsons that I intend shall be educated in this college. " We went up into the tower, and as he turned to go down he said, "Ah, Mr. Hamlin, we never would have given you leave to build your college in this place if it had not been for that insurrection." I said, "What insurrection? the insurrection of Crete?" "Why, of course," he said. "What had an insurrection more than a thousand miles south of us in a little island to do with the building of a college • The college has now over two hundred students (men), and with its imperial authorization has protected the opening of six or seven other American colleges-two of them, at Marash and Scutari, for women.
here? " " Oh," he said, with a nod at me and a knowing smile, "oh, we understood that perfectly well. You know that just as that insurrection was troubling us most, your great Admiral Farragut came here, and when he came the Greeks gathered around him and solicited his interference on behalf of Crete; and they said he promised it. Worse than that, he promised to sell them one or more of your terrible monitors!" He mouthed that word "monitors" as tho it was something terrific. "'Ve did not like that, but we showed your admiral the greatest honor that was ever shown to a man of his rank; and at his first dinner, given by the grand vizier, a dinner of seventy-two covers, to which the very highest officers of state, and of all the embassies, were invited-and everybody knows that at a diplomatic dinner no diplomatic question can be introduced-right in the midst of the dinner he says to the grand vizier, , Your highness, I would like to ask your highness a question_' 'Very well, admiral.' , I would like to ask why that American coUege can not be built.' There was a diplomatic question thrown right on the table by the greatest admiral of the world to our grand vizier, and the whole table trembled.
"'Vell, our grand vizier is never thrown off his perfect official balance, and he replied with the greatest suavity, 'There have been difficulties, admiral, but they are all smoothed away.' The admiral did not say another word. The next dinner was given by the minister of the navy, and it was the flame thing there. It was the same with the Seraskier Pasha and the Mohlier Pasha; and I suppose if our pashas had gone on giving him dinners up to this time, it would always have been the sam€> thing. Then we understood it. He declared everywhere that he had no diplomatic mission, and we saw no diplomatic mission but one, and that was this college; and if he had only stayed here, the college would have been built right off. He went off suddenly, and then we began to breathe easily. When we reached home those letters were published in the New York papers. They were translated and sent to us, and we saw that those letters were to prepare the American people, so that when the government should sell one or two of those monitors to the Greeks, the people would say, 'That is all right;' so we said, 'Better build a hundred colleges for the Americans with our own money than to have one of those monitors come to Crete!' 'Ve had been told that this was going to be a thorny question to us, and we began to feel the thorns. We had been told that diplomatic complications would arise that would make us grant a good deal more than was asked "-quoting the very words that I had written to the grand vizier-" now we saw the political complica. tions, and so we concluded to give you that imperial' volition' crodi, which we never give, and to place the institution under the protection of the United States, as the greatest compliment to your government. So," he said, "that all came to pass;" and with infinite satisfaction he added, "and we smoothed it all over."
Vhen I learned how all this came about, then I understood those verses in the first chapter of First Corinthians, where the Apostle Paul says: "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and things which are despised hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.. ~'
EDITORIALS
EDITORIALS.
Missionary Martyrs in Ohina. T. W. Pigott and wife, Sho-yang. Dr. Simpson and wife, Tai-yuan fu. The list of those who are known G. W. Stokes and wife, Tai-yuan fu. to have been called to lay down their Ii ves for Christ in China has BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. been increasing daily. Over seventy men and women of the Protestan t G. B. Farthing and wife, Tai·yuan fu. missions seem beyond doubt to have been murdered by those whom AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, they went to save, and others are yet to be heard from. Most of the C. V. R. Hodge and wife, Pao-ting fu. other missionaries are now in places Miss M. Mackey, Peking. of safety, and others, reported dead, F. E. Simcox and wife, Pao-ting fu. may yet return with reports of G. Y. Taylor, Pao-ting fu. hardship and sufferings. We give herewith a list of the Protestant soc. PROPAG. GOSPEL. missionaries whose death has been reported up to October 1st. With H. V. Norman, Yung-Ching. few exceptions the reports of deaths C. Robinson, Yung-Ching. have been confirmed. Miss R. Ford, Tai-ku. Mr. Whitehouse and wife, Tai-yuan fu.
AMERICAN BOARD. These men and women with num· bers of children have gone to be E. R. Atwater and wife. Fen-Chou fu. with their Lord, who taught us that Miss R. Bird, Tai-ku. as "He laid down His life for us, D. H. Clapp and wife, Tai-ku. so we ought to lay down our lives F. W. Davis, Fen-Chou fu. for the brethren." Their blood Miss A. Gould, Pao-ting fu. calls not for revenge, but for new Miss Morrill, Pao-ting fu. sacrifices and devotion of time, and Miss Partridge, Li-man. money, and life to the carrying of Horace T. Pitkin, Pao-ting fu. the Gospel to these millions of C. W. Price and wife, Fen-chou fu. Chinese already left too long to G. L. Williams, Tai-ku. grope and grovel in ignorance of the way of life.
CHINA INLAND MISSION. A Visit in the China Inland Mission Home, London. B. Bagnall and wife, Pao-ting fu. Mr. A. Barrett, We could not think of corning to Miss E Burton, Kiai-tisin. London without a visit here. And' Mrs. E. J. Cooper Ho-tsin. here we are in the midst of the very Wm. Cooper, Lu·cheng. guardians of the mission work- Miss Desmond, Shanghai. where prayer unceasingly ascends Miss Dobson, Ku-Chou. for China. There are, perhaps, Si-chou. about 24 of the missionaries now in lYIiss Eldred, Yang-Chou. the horne. And at this date WOl Miss Heaysman, Kuh-u. know of 23 missionaries and 10 children who have been massacred. Miss E. G. Hurn, Sih-chow. Of these 23, 12 were in Shan-si, 3 in Miss M. E. Huston, Lu-cheng. Chih-li, and 8 in Chih-kiang. Be- Miss S. A. King, Yang-Chou. sides these, 29 missionaries in Shan- K. E. Langren and wife, Huen-nen. si have for some time been unheard Miss Manchester, Ku-chou. of, and the suspense is terrible. G. McConnell and wife, Ho-tsin. Miss Williamson, who is in charge Shansi. of the home, can hardly refer to S. McKee, Ta-ning. the martyr-band in China without Miss M. R. Nathan, Ta-ning. an outburst of uncontrollable emo- Miss F. E Nathan, Sih-chow. tion, as she knew everyone of these Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Peat, Lu-cheng. saintly souls who have been ac- Miss H. J. Rice, Hsiao-i. counted worthy to suffer for His Miss Hearell, sake. Ku-Chou. Miss Sherwood, Chang-Shan. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson Taylor are Miss Thirgood, Ku-Chou. D. B. Thompson and wife, Chang-Shan. G. F. Ward and wife, Ping-yang. W. W. Wilson and wife, Kiai-tisin. A. W oodrofi'e, BRITISH BIBLE SOCIETY.
W. T. Benyon and wife, Tai-yuan fu.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY. ALLIANCE.
C. Blomberg and wife, Sa-la-tsi. Mr. and Mrs. Couldberg, Shansi. Mr. and,Mrs. Parsons, Shansi.
SRO-YANG MISSION.
Miss E. A. Coombs, Tai-yuan fu. Miss Duval, Tai-yuan fu. A. E. Lovitt, Tai-yuan fu.
still in Switzerland, where he is re- pended, and yet all in good order cruiting, quite unable to bear the and combining substantial and full knowledge of the facts, and esthetic qualities in due proportion. mercifully kept from access to the It pleased God to provide in a re- newspapers, so that he learns the markable way for the building and true state of affairs only gradually its full equipment by special gifts, as the Lord sees he can bear up so that no mission funds were di- under it. His sympathies are so verted from their purpose. Here quick and intense that however returning mission-families, and strong his simple faith, he could those who are compelled to rest not but feel the acutest suffering awhile, find all the conveniences from his long and close identifica- and cordialities of a home-life. The tion with the work. whole atmosphere is one of prayer. On the wall of the conference hall At morning prayers I read John a map of China is painted in colors, xv, from verse 16 to close, where with all the stations plainly mark- the whole passage seemed written ed, and there, as the various mis- for this emergency. Our Lord fore- sionaries are prayed for by name, warned His disciples that they the individual stations are pointed could expect no better treatment at out, so that the mind is greatly the hands of the world than their assisted even in fixing localities. Master before them, and that it would be a proof of their unworldly One of the most beautiful ar- character and conduct, and of their rangements of this Home is the identity with Him that they should large underground apartment, ex- be hated without a cause, and per- tending under the whole premises, secuted as He was. The universal for the reception and storage of the feeling among the friends of mis- luggage of missionaries, and of sions here is that altho this out- boxes of freight, etc., that are de- break in China may decrease the signed to go forth to Ch'nese mis- , number of forthgoing missionaries sion stations. So thoughtful have it will increase the quality of been the projectors of this home those who go, leading to more of that special facilities for moving the true martyr spirit. and lifting heavy boxes to the level of the trucks have been devised, so 'l'he true facts as to this Chinese that human hands are spared need- horror can not be known until the less exertion and exposure to in- smoke of the conflict has passed jury. away. Rumors of the most contra- dictory character continue to come But nothing so adorns this home in, even here at headquarters, and as the habitual attitude of prayer- we must wait patiently for final ful waiting on God which prevails and certain information. here. God is honored, His Word and will enshrined here, and there This home is a model building for is a constant endeavor to have all its purpose and has accommoda- things, even to smallest details, de- tions for about 40 guests, and often termined according to the pattern 50 dine here. It is built most sub- showed on the Mount. The Home stantially, is practically nearly is, of course, sustained by volun- fireproof by reason of the stone tary offerings, and some of our staircases and floors, etc. Every- readers will be disposed. we doubt thing is plain, sensible, economical, not, to have a share in the blessing but with due regard to comeliness of maintaining such a refuge and and comfort, and the furnishing is rest for self-dedicated disciples. aS,near as may be perfect in adap- tation ; no money recklessly ex- A.T.P.
1900.J EDITORIALS
Prayer a:ad Oonference on Ohina. liabilities are being heavily in- creased, and a staggering debt will Missionaries and missionary sec- be accumulated. retaries have already had a most helpful conference on the situation A Japan Missionary Oonference. in China, the account of which is published on page 852. They call The last week in Octobel' will also upon Christians everywhere to be of special interest to all Prot- unite in a week of special prayer estant missions and missionaries for wisdom and courage, October in Japan. A General Conference 28 to November 3, with memo- of Protestant Missionaries will be rial services for the martyred mis- held in the city of Tokyo, October sionaries and Chinese Christians. 24-30. The committee representing Let us all, with one accord, unite various mission bodies have issued in asking special guidance and their provisional program, which, power for the suffering and service from its personnel, is a guaran- which lies before us. ty that the various phases of mission work will be intelligently We are astonished to learn that and adequately presented. The some seem disposed to divert their committee asks for "earnest and foreign mIsSlOnary gifts from continuous prayer to God for His China, on the supposition that the blessing upon the work of preparauprising has for the present dimin- tion, and for the presence and power ished the necessary expenditures of of the Holy Ghost in all the meetmissionary boards. Just the re- ings of the conference; that every verse is true. Missionary salaries representative may come thormust be continued. Chinese help- oughly prepared spiritually "and ers must be maintained, as they mentally for the work of the conare destitute and persecuted. More- ference; that the results of the conover, extraordinary expenses have ference may greatly redound to the been incurred in the effort to rescue glory of God, and the more thormIsslOnaries. The traveling ex- ough and rapid evangelization of penses of missionaries forced to the whole of Japan." hurriedly leave their stations, the high prices which they were com- When it is remembered that there pelled to pay for rooms and sup- has been no general conference in plies in the overcrowded port cities, Japan since the Osaka conference the personal needs of families sud- in '83, and that the intervening denly turned out of doors, with seventeen years have formed an only the clothing they happened to epoch-making period in the politicbe wearing at the time, the large al and commercial history of this amount of mission property dam- country, it will be seen that the aged or destroyed, all combine to possible important results of this make new and enormous demands conference are immense. upon the boards. Donations Received For we believe that Christians wish to stand by the missionaries No. 220. Harsingpud, India, School .. , .. $15 00 in this emergency; that if ever the No. 221. India Famine Fund………… ~ 65 beloved workers at the front needed No. 222.'~ 3 00 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • support they need it now. This is U a time when all givers should not only maintain but increase their No. 224. ………… 300 gifts, if possible. Unless we at home No. 225. .. ………. 100 do this, the resources will be di- No. 225. Water Rtreet Mission………. 3 00 minished at the very time when No. 225. Chinese Christians…………. 3 00 ERRATA.
Aug. REVIEW, p. 607, line 10, for Monangese read Mombasa. . p. 608, line 7, for June read January. p. 628. for J. T. Gracey, read Lily Rider Gracey
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS.
THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE WORLD IN THIS the obligation of doing so supreme GENERATION. By John R. Mott. 8vo. and overruling. Cloth, $1.00; paper. S5c. 237 pp. Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Mis- How can the Chur.ch be aroused sions. New York, and Student Volunteer Missionary Union, London. (38.) to set about this work which is her This little book was originally chief business? Such a book as projected to justify the watchword of the Student Volunteer Move- this, proving convincingly that the ment. But sentiment has changed greatly on this subject in the last task assigned her is well within her few years, and few are to be found now who will deny that the Church strength helps to answer her. The can evangelize the world in this generation, if she wishes to do so. organization of the Student Volun- Even these few wiII abandon their doubts if they will read this book. teer Movement, with the title of A good deal of the opposition to the watchword which has been en- this book as its watchword, and countered in the past, sprang from loose use of language or careless its multitude of young men and thought. Some, who in one breath condemned the phrase, in another women interested in missions and used.it because they could not find a better or another, and seemed looking forward to missionary unconscious of their inconsistency. Mr. Mott cuts the ground from service, has helped. Fresh knowlunder such men by his opening chapter of definitions. Four chap- edge of the world, the growing ters are devoted to showing how feasible the project of evangelizing evidence of the inability of mere the world is, one to the factors essential to its accomplishment, material civilization to uplift the one to the difficulties in the way, and one to the use of the phrase as people of the heafhen nations, the a watchword. and another to the obligation to attempt it. growth of spiritual devotion and A great deal of study and corre- interest at horne, contribute to the spondence have gone into this book, [lnd Mr. Mott's sober and careful same end. But even so the Church statements and generalizations wiII give anyone who sets out to over- is not aroused to do this thing. throw them a good deal of trouble. How shall she be aroused? The "T Every candid reader will admit that man who will answer that question he makes out his case. e can evangelize the world in this generation will be the prophet of his time. if we want tn. Do we want to? That is the question. vVe may Mr. Mott's book clears the ground want to in an academic sort of way, or conditionally; but we do not for him. What lies essentially want to in a vital way, counting involved in the very nature of Christianity and in the Divine command and commission, is in this book drawn out and vindi- cated on grounds of experience and reason.
One bright sign is the spirit of hopefulness and confidence found in this little volume. Mission- aries, old and young, are strangers to despondency, and venerable leaders of the Ohurch at horne are as aggressive and eager as the young men who have gone out themselves upon the missions. A generation with the worId view and the temper of hope is growing up.
Perhaps that generation wiII do the duty which this one has neglected, and wiII crown itself with the glory of crowning Christ among all peoples. It can if it will. But so also can this one. It is each gen- eration's duty, and it may be any genera,tion's privilege. S.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
AMERICA. ready for service; while last year 12 deaconesses were at work, with The Old How strangel y 13 probationers, and 1 candidate in World in mixed in these last training. These consecrated wo- the New. days are the races men are blessing the sick and the poor in various parishes in New of which the human York City, Baltimore, Washing- family is composed, and how ton, Harrisburg, York, and Cin- strangely is the Orient affecting cinnati. the Occident both for evil and good I As a single illustration: In Cumberland The Cum b e r- Plymouth, Mass. (and thus hard Presbyterian land Presbyterian by the landing-place of the Pil- grims), are two Congregational Missions. Church sustains churches, of which one, composed mission work wholly of Americans, has for its pastor Rev. Haig Adadourian, an among the Indians and the Chinese Armenian from Tarsus, Asia Mi- cf California, and also in Mexico, nor; and the other, composed of China, and Japan. In the field Italians, is under the watchful care last named are found 6 ordained of Rev. Pietro Pitacci, of noble missionaries, 3 of them with wives, birth in Italy, and formerly be- and 7 other women besides. longing to the Noble Guard in St. Peter's at Rome. United The United Pres- The Oldest Next year will be Presbyterian byterian Ch urc h Home diamond jubilee Missions. carries on missions Missionary year of the Congre- Society. gational Home Mis- in Egypt and in sionary Society, Northwest India. The report, just and plans are already being formulated to raise a large sum of money published, shows that in Egypt during next winteJ;' for a worthy celebration. The society was or- work is carried on in 9 principal ganized on April 1, 1826, and was the first of the societies for home stations and 218 sub-stations by 50 work. Formerly it embraced the Presbyterian work of the same missionaries and 480 native workkind, and 5,500 churches have been organized by the society, of which ers. Of the missionaries, 18 are 1,500 are Presbyterian. The diamond jubilee will be celebrated ordained, and there are 10 unnext June at the annual meeting in Boston. married women and 4 medical mis- Lutheran The Lutheran sionaries, 2 male and 2 female. Deaconesses. Church, G e n era I There are 50 organized congrega- Synod, organized a Deaconess Board in 1889; by 1895 tions, all having native pastors, was able to report the opening at the Baltimore headquarters of a and there are 116 other places mother-house, training school, and hospital, and 6 trained deaconesses where regular services are held.
The total number of communicants is 6,379. In India, the section bordering on Cashmere and includ- ing Lahore and Rawal-pindi, there are 11 missionary districts, 60 sub- stations, 58 missionaries, and 269 native workers. Of the mission- aries, 17 are ordained, 24 are unmarried women, and there are 2 female physicians. There are 19 organized congregations, 6 of them only having pastors. The number of communicants is 6,136. In the Egyptian mission there are 18! day
schools with over 14,000 scholars, ice, happy combination of prayer and in India 114 day schools with and praise, personal testimony and something over 6,000 scholars. reports of various Christian enter- The Egyptian mission is particu- prises. larly interesting because of the remarkable successes in the de- The list of the speakers included velopment of the native church, many of the best known names in the opportunities for reaching the the country. The aggressive, evan- Mohammedan population, and the gelistic pastors were represented by extension southward with the Prof. Graham Taylor, of Chicago; opening up of the Sudan. The Rev. Warren G. Partridge, of Cincollege at Assyut has 513 boarding cinnati, Ohio; Dr. J. F. Carson, of students and 106 day students, with Brooklyn, N. Y. 'Rescue and other a staff of 3 foreign and 11 native mission workers included S. H. teachers. Of the students, 494 come Hadley, Charles N. Crittenton, from Protestant families, 104 are and Major George. H. Hilton, of Copts, and 14 are Moslems. New York; Mrs..E. M. Whittemore, of New London, Conti. ' Among Educational It is well worth evangelists were Ferdinand Schiv- erea, of Long Island. Dr. Jas. M. Progress ofthe while just now to Gray, of Boston, Mrs. Penn Lewis, of England, W. R. Newell and Dr. Negro. glance at the prog- Alexander Patterson, of Chicago, gave Bible lectures. Rev. H. W. ress the negro has Pope, of New Haven, Conn., and Rev. A. A. Pfanstiehl, of Highland made educationally. Prof. Du Park, Ill., spoke on work among young people. Bois, a negro alumnus of Harvard, The keynote of the convention and now a resident of Atlanta, Ga., was that God would pour out a spirit of united prayer for a wave supplies the statistics. He has of blessing, such as would affect not only individuals and local combeen able to find 2,414 negroes, in- mittees, but also the country at large. Perhaps the most prominent cluding 235 women, who have result lay in the emphasis placed upon compassionate love as a motaken degrees from institutions of tive power in Christian life and service. every sort. So far as he could Literature Recent messages relearn, all of these have been self- Needed. ceived by the Inter- supporting, and letters from half national Committee Young Men's Christian Association of them report an average assessed from its representatives with the army in China and the Philippines, valuation of real estate of $2,500. report the supply of good reading matter to be inadequate to meet The fact must be taken into con- demands from the three hundred or more stations of the army. sideration, that the negro has had Gifts in quantities to enable the secretaries to send supplies to every little time and small means since post should be sent at once. Books, late numbers of standard illustrated his emancipation for self-advance- ment, and there is plenty of hope for the future, if only the white man will treat him fairly.-Spring- field Republican.
A Good The Convention of Convention in Christian Workers, Chicago. recently held under the auspices of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, was one of the most representative gatherings of the kind held for several years. It was not altogether for Bible study, but in addition to this considered helpfully many branches of Christian life and serv-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
papers and magazines, are specially while the annual expenditure for desirable, and will be forwarded these wards of the nation amounts to about $100,000. without further expense to the The Census The total populagivers if sent with express or of Cuba. tion of Cuba is f~eight prepaid to the office of 1,572,797, including International Committee, Young Men's Christian Association, 3 815,205 males and 757,592 females. West 29th St., New York City. There are 447,372 white males and 462,926 white females of native birth. Bishop Hare This devoted prel- The foreign whites number 115,760 males and 26,458 females. There are and ate bids fair to 111,898 male and 122,740 female negroes. The mixed races number the Indians. match Bishop 125,500 males and 145,305 females. There are 14,694 male and 163 female Whipple as an Chinese. The popUlation of Havana city is 235,981, and of the Province " apostle" to the red men. In his of Havana, 424,804. The population of the' Province of Matanzas is 202,- broad field of South Dakota 6 white, 444; of Pinal' del Rio, 173,064; of Puerto Principe, 88,234; of Santa and 15 Indian clergy, with the help Clara, 356,536, and of Santiago, 327,- 715. Of the total popUlation of the of 50 nati~e lay assistants, hold islllrnd 1, lOS, 709 persons are set down as single and 246,351 as married, services every Sunday at 80 sta- while 131,787 live together by mu- tual consent. There are 85,112 tions; there are 10,000 baptized widowed persons. Of the total population, according to citizenpersons in a population of 25,000; ship, 20,478 are Spanish, 1,296,367 are Cuban, 175,811 are in suspense, over 6,000 have been confirmed, 79,526 are of other citizenship, and 616 are unknown. The Spanish by and there are to-day 3,200 living birth numbered 129,240. Of the children ten years of age and over, communicants, whose annual gifts 49,414 have attended school. Of the total population, 443,426 can for charitable and religious pur- read and write, and 19,158 have a superior education. poses amount to $6,000.
The Among the denom- Presbyterians inations that have and the engaged resolutely Indians. and prayerfully in Indian work, the Presbyterian Church st:tnds prom- inent. A missionary to the Iro- quois, occupying a reservation near Tonawanda, N. Y., asserts that there are nearly as many of these living yet as in the days of Brandt and Cornplanter, of whom about 300 belonged to Pre s b y tel' ian churches. The Dakota Sioux, who were removed to their present loca- tions after the New Ulm massacre Hawaiian These islands are of 1862, now assemble from 1,000 to Home peopled by mixed 1,500 strong every autumn, to cele- Missions. races. Hawaiians brate together the Lord's Supper. of pure native blood The Nez Perces, to which tribe the are only a little more than one-fifth great war chief Joseph belonged, of the population. The most nu- enroll 500 adults in their Presbyte- merously represented nation is rian churches, and this year they Japan, its emigrants being two- have been sending out missionaries fifths of the people. Chinese, Por- of their own to the Bannocks of tuguese, and northern Europeans southeastern Idaho. One-tenth of and Americans are each consider- the Presbyterian horne missionary ably less than one-fifth, while the force is at work among 32 tribes, mingling of races in families adds
another element in the process of cants, 1,033, of whom 146 were adfusing very diverse peoples into one ded during the year. The average national life. In one girls' school, attendance'at Sunday-school, 1,074, for example, 117 were enrolled. and at prayer·meeting, 780. Two Of these, 50 were pure Hawaiians, thousand two hundred and forty- 13 Chinese, 4 Japanese, 3 whites, eight copies of the Scriptures, and and the remainder mixed blood. 30,000 religious publications were Among the 60,000 Japanese, 12 distributed. Contributions from evangelists and 1 woman Bible fields were $5,868, and school fees, reader are working, and Dr. and $1,619, making a total of $7,487. Mrs. M. L. Gordon, late of Japan, Three hundred and thirty-six Protare soon to take the superintend- estant, and 254 Roman Catholic ency of this work. Rev. E. W. pupils attended the 19 mission Thwing, who, with his wife, has schools. been laboring for the last nine years in China, has taken charge of the Letter from The following let- Chinese missions in Hawaii. Ecuador, S. A. ter, recently pub- Hawaiian The Christians of lished by the most Foreign these islandt;! are popular and influential bishop in Missions. not content with Ecuador, has caused a great com- motion throughout all the republic. merely sustaining Such statements, which so contra- missions at home, but for nearly dict the whole teaching and history half a century, in connection with of Rome, can not but cause surprise, the American Board, have been en- and we wait to see whether he is gaged in missions abroad. The really sincere, or if it be not some Hawaiian Board now maintains 3 new device to throw the people off missionaries in Micronesia, and 3 their guard, especially the Liberals, in the Marquesas. It is expected and thus advance the cause of the that the training school at Kusaie church. The government has made will furnish teachers and preachers much of it, circulating thousands for the Marshall and Gilbert groups, of copies. It has doubtless had a -but Hawaiian missionaries receive quieting effect, and seemingly benefunds from home for the support ficial results, coming, as it has, of these native laborers. The last just at the time when it has been annual report says that" after the expected an army from Colombia Spanish occupation Ponape is more would invade Ecuador. The strang- Protestant than ever, and the Ger- est part of it all is, that the invaman occupation is hailed with joy." sion is supposed to be fostered by The distance from Honolulu to Po- the church to overthrow the Libnape is about 1,400 miles, and to erals in Ecuador, and establish the K usaie about 300 miles further east. lost prestige of Rome.
Canadian Last year 36 mis- MR. VICAR-GENERAL: Presbyterians sion fields, with 90 Before leaving the city, I desire to recom- mend once more unto you the rule of conand French preaching stations duct which I have arranged for our clergy under the present circumstances. Our priests Evangeliza- and 14 colportage ought to hold themselves aloof from all polito ical parties. They should not enlist in any, tion. districts were occu- be what it may, or by whatever name called. To cooperate in any manner with the Colom- pied by 29 ordained bian invasion, would be a crime against our native country; and we as priests ought missionaries, 18 evangelists, colpor- never to sacrifice our native land to save the religion. Patrie ~ism is a Christian virtue, teurs, and students, and 20 teach- and as such is very becoming for the clergy.
ers, a total staff of 67. The average attendance over ten years of age was 2,283. Number of communi-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
The invasion will not contribute anything to 71,500; of native Christians 270,600. the good of religion, and even if it should it The number of baptisms during would not be right to cooperate in it, for we last year was 19,415, of which 8,478 ought not to do wrong in order that good were of adults. The society has may come from it. I deplore the civil war in 2,139 schools and seminaries, with Colombia, and I condemn all that would tend a total of 104,197 pupils, of whom to break the strict neutrality between the 683 are in the higher grades pretwo republics. paring for service in the church. The remainder are divided between Our ministers ought to work for peace; the sexes in the proportion of 71,- and I as bishop impose upon them the duty 000 boys to 32,000 girls. The mediof working to this end. War is a Divine cal work reports 11,557 in-patients, scourge, and the church commands us to and 641,006 visits to out-patients. consider it as such. $50,000 for The directors of the I well divine that for my mode of thinking New Work. London Missionary I will be called a heretic, impious, and apostate, and I expect that my enemies will arm Society have rethemselves with this letter as a positive proof ceived an offer of £10,000 from Mr. that I am a Liberal and an enemy of the cause Robert Arthington, of Leeds, for of God, but I will never change my opinion. the purpose of commencing mis- In my diocese I am bishop, and it is not my sionary work among the Awemba parishioners'who direct me, but I am the one tribes, to the southwest of Lake who counsels and guides them. If it appears Tanganyika. The society has acthat I am in error, let them appeal to the cepted Mr. Arthington's gift, the pope, before whom they can accuse and de- expenditure to cover a period of nounce me. In all that pertains to religion twelve years. and its interests I am the one who directs and teaches those under me, and I condemn The "Victory" Coffee House, revolutions and civil war as the greatest of opened eighteen months ago in social evils. Until now I have suffered in Peckham, by the Rev. Russel Finpatience, and in silence, the calumnies and lay, vicar of All Saints, North outrages of those who make use ofcivij war Peckham, has proved suoh a sucto defend, as they say, the religion. Now I cess that he proposes to start four protest and demand from my priests obedi- more establishments. These will ence and subjection to the direction of their be combined coffee-shops and lodgbishop. May God, our MaRter, guard you. ing-houses. For the latter there is great demand. FEnERICo, Bishop of Ibarra. The Heroes "The Moravian EUROPE. Still Living. Missions in the far The Church This greatest of north," says the L. Missionary missionary organi- M. S. Chronicle, "are still heroic enterprises. In the February num- Society. zations carries on ber of the Missions Blatt der Bru- work in West Af- dergemeine is an account of an adventurous evangelistic journey rica, at Sierra Leone, Y oruba and on the coast of Labrador, perthe Niger territory, Eastern Equa- formed in a sleigh drawn by a torial Africa, including the coast team of dogs across tracts of meltdistrict at Mombasa and Uganda, ing snow and ice. The Esquimaux Egypt, Palestine, Persia, Northern were found in scattered settlements Arabia, or Southern Mesopotamia, of a few families; for the mission- India, Ceylon, Mauritius, China, ary's lodging and church snow huts Japan, New Zealand, and North- had to be hastily erected, from the west Canada and British Columbia. At 541 stations 1,238 missionaries a and 6,839 native laborers are en- gaged, making total of 8,077. Of the missionaries 412 are clergymen, 146 laymen, 349 are wives of missionaries, and 331 unmarried women. The number of medical missionaries, male and female, is 85. The number of communicants is
roof of which water poured as from The Czar and In 1808 Alexander a spout; ice-cold streams had to be his Finnish I. took Finland waded, and half-frozen rivers and Victims. from Sweden and bays crossed. Food, of course, was promised the people scarce, and if the missionaries had not had the good fortune to kill a local government and all their forreindeer on the homeward journey, mer rights and privileges, only both men and dogs might have changing suzerainty from Sweden starved to death." to Russia. But Nicholas II. has determined to Russianize Finland. Statistics of The annual report Self-government has been removed; Moravian of the Mission Finns no longer have their own Missions. Board of the entire army; Russian must be taught in Brethren's Un it Y the schools, and many of the former studies discontinued; and what is has come to hand. From this it yet more repugnant, the Greek appears, that in spite of the turn- Catholics were set at work to prosing over to the Danish Lutheran elyte the Finns from the' Lutheran Church of the Greenland Mission faith. Little wonder is there that with its 6 stations and 1,630 souls, last year 15,000 Finns came to the gains were so great that the America, and that arrangements net loss in membership is only 773. have been made with a steamship There are now 131 stations with 60 company to bring 55;000 more. out-stations in 20 different coun- Canada and the United States will tries, served by 240 brethren and secure a desirable accession to their 213 sisters, together 453, or 22 more popnlation in these liberty-loving, than last year, who have in theip thrifty, and Christian Finns. charge 95,424 souls. The total membership in the home provinces A Sharp The pope has adon the Continent, in Great Britain, Rebuke to dressed to his coand in America is 32,280, of whom His Holiness. religionists a letter, 25,000 are communicant members. in which he deplores The Det Norske Mis- the success of Protestant missions in Italy and in Rome itself. It is a Norwegian sions Selskab is the curious and an instructive docu- ment, tho it contains statements Missionary chief embodiment that are manifestly untrue. Evan- gelical work is declared to be "the Society. of Norwegian mis- attempts which sects of all kinds from foreign places are making to sionary zeal, and spread among believers the poison of negation and error." Evangelhas work in Zululand and Natal, ical teaching is classed with "the depravity poured forth 'daily from and also in Madagascar. In this books, professional chairs, and theaters," etc. But under the very great African island its represent- shadow of the Vatican, there are crime-blackened districts which the atives gave themselves first to the Romish Church never touches, and which would never be evangelized evangelization of the Hovas, but but for the loving efforts of Chris- tians "from foreign places." One since have entered the country of district, for example, San Lorenzo, within sight of the gorgeous Church the Sakalavas on the west coast and other wild regions. In all the fields are found 49 ordained mis- sionaries and 4 unordained, 3 phy- sicians, 5 deaconesses, and 6 female teachers; besides 70 ordained natives and about 1,800 other native helpers. By these 40 sta- tions are held, and 943 congrega- tions. The schools n urnber 980, and the native Christians about 55,000.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
of St. John Lateran-is sodden than 2,000 students have been upon with vice and crime. Murders, its rolls. The present value of its attempted murders, bloodshed, property in Constantinople is prostitution, and drunkenness $187,700. flourish, and the only ray of light that ever penetrates this fearful Beirut In this city are place comes from a small Baptist mission hall which is planted in the as a Mission located the Americenter of the district. The" pilgrims" who visit Rome, and who, Center. can Arabic Press, according to Leo XIII., are shocked at the spectacle of Protestantism a great printing in the Holy City, would do well to leave the beaten show track, and establishment, from which, since examine the festering sores of Rome. They would then perhaps the completion of the new transbe still more shocked at the presence of such a life at the center of lation of the Arabic Bible, 1860–65, "Apostolic Life." The impudence of these papal letters is amazing. not less than 600,000 copies of the Against their assumptions we place one significant fact with which a Scriptures, in whole or in part, contemporary supplies us:-In the United Kingdom, the proportion have been issued; and also Beirut of murderers is 6 to every million of the inhabitants. In Germany it College, of which one has said: "I is 11. These are Protestant coun- remember when the instit~tion tries. But in Hungary the proportion is 67 per million; in Spain 83 began with a class of 6 pupils, all per million; and in Italy, 95 per million. Comment is needless.- charity students. It is interesting London Christian. to·day to see 420 students assembled at ev~ning prayers, and to hear from the officers the report that the college this year receives from paying pupils about £4,000, and that its students come from Asia Minor, Armenia, Persia, Greece, Syria, Palestine, Cyprus, and Egypt. The demand for the Eng- lish language in Egypt is sending large numbers of Coptic and Mo- hammedan youths here for a thorough English education. Be- sides, the schools in the villages ASIA. of the region adjoining are gen- What Robert This noble monu- erally flourishing. The American College has ment to the wise Mission have ·about 90, and the Done. foresight and conse- British Syrian Mission 52, and the crated energy of two missions cooperate with per- Cyrus Hamlin was formally opened fect harmony, as they have since in 1863, and has always had within the founding of the latter society its walls students from as many as in 1860."
10 or 15 different nationalities, Lebanon This House of Hospital Mercy has bee n chiefly Armenians, Bulgarians, for the Insane. erected aft e r d e- Greeks, and Turks. A list is given signs approved by of 389 graduates, of whom 12 have mental specialists in Great Britain become preachers, 88 teachers, 50 and America. There is 1 large adgovernment officials, 14 judges, 12 ministration block, which includes editors, 36 lawyers, 37 physicians, offices, medical and business super- 20 army officers, 10 civil engineers, intendents' residences, and stores; 2 large hospital buildings, or cotand no business men. This indi- tages, containing room for 20 pa- tients each; and a nurses' home. cates, in part, the far-reaching influence of the' college among the different races of Turkey. More
There are about 34 acres of land, in the fifteen years have been more and this is being utilized, as far as than 1l,OCO,000 rupees, equivalent possible, for cereals, etc. At present to more than $3,000,000. This supthere is room for 40 patients, and ports 235 hospitals, wards, and disthe hospital is being filled up pensaries, all of which are officerod rapidly with the most needy cases. by women, and all the patients are from the native women of India. Education Says the United During the year 1899, 1,519,990 in India. Pre s b y t e l' ian: women and childrenreceivedmedi- cal aid in these hospitals, which "There are four are under the care of 33 foreign kinds of schools in India. First, lady physicians of the first grade, there is the government school. It 73 assistant surgeons, 271 hospital is entirely under government man- assistants; and practitioners of the agement; it is supported by the third grade are employed in many fees paid by the st.udents and by departments of the work. The regrants from government funds. It port states that, includi,ng nurses is pledged not to give any kind of and compounders, 354 Wbmen are religious instruction in any of its at present studying medicine in the classes. Fancy a school teaching medical colleges and schools in the nothing of God! having no men- various provinces of India. tion of Him in any of its textbooks! Second, there is the aided Aid for Famine The Christian Her~ school. This is a school controlled Orphans. ald, with the greatand managed by some corporation est enterprise and or person. It is supported by the fees of the students, money con- energy, is urging upon the attentributed by the managing body, tion of the Christian public "a and a grant from the funds of the plea for 50,000 homeless orphans," government. Such a school must made so by the current famine, conform to all the rules of the uni- constituting" the greatest missionversity ideals, but it may give what ary opportunity of the century." religious instruction it pleases. "Living expenses in India are Most of our mission schools are of light. Thirty cents a week will this class. Then there are inspected clothe, feed, and instruct a child, schools, which are inspected by the and $15.00 will suffice for a whole government, but which receive no year." In a very brief note, Pungovernment grant. The other class dita Hamabai writes: "I am glad is that of independent schools, to say the Lord has given to me which has no connection with the nearly 1,400 girls by this time. university." Please pray for me."
The Lady From the year 1884 The L. M. S. The annual report Dufferin Fund. to 1888, the Earl of in Travancore. of the Travancore Dufferin and A va District Commitwas viceroy of India.. His wife, tee in connection with the London Lady Dufferin, became deeply in- Missionary Society, for 1899, preterested in the relief of the people, sents many encouraging features. and in 1885 established a fund, The baptized community rose from which bears her name, for the 28,738 at the close of 1898 to 29,901 medical aid and relief of the women at the close of 1899, while for the of India. The fifteenth annual re- same periods the adherents, includport of this fund has recently been ing baptized persons, numbered published, and makes a most inter- 00,250 and 03,142 respectively. The esting showing. Its total receipts contributions of native Christians
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
increased from Rs. 26,343 to Rs. mission also maintains a very use- 27,703-a gain of Rs. 1,360. ful medical branch and an active literary department, which sold The From the annual 189,779 books and tracts during the year and realized thereby Rs. . Basel Mission report of the Basel 34,030.
in India. German Evangel- Heroism of The Spirit of Mis- Chinese sions(Episcopalian) ical Mission for last year we learn Christians. has this to say as to that it was represented by 78 or- the Chinese Chris- dained and unordained mission- tians now passing through the fires of persecution: "The conduct of aries and 4 ladies working in India, the native Christians has been an inspiration to their teachers, and at 23 stations situated in South should be an inspiration' to Chris- tians everywhere. They have met Canara, Coorg, the Southern Mar- death without flinching, giving their lives for the faith as truly as athi country, Malabar, and the did tne martyrs of the early days. How many of them have borne Nilgiris, and by 16 missionaries at witness to the sustaining power of our Lord may never be known, but home. It also had 623 native their memory and their example will ever be cherished in the China agents doing its bidding as pastors, that is to be."
evangelists, and catechists, colpor- A Celestial Writing from Superstition. China, one of the teurs, Bible women, schoolmasters missionaries said: and schoolmistresses, and the "I would go out itinerating this week, but the Dragon-boat Festinumber included 138 non-Christian val, a national holiday, is in full blast in this part of the empire, schoolmasters. Its work was car- and in the North the Boxers are tearing up the railroads and perseried out amid a population of cuting the nat:'ve Christians. One of the dragon-boats was in sight slightly over 6,000,000, while the yesterday on the river. It was a rowboat in the shape of a great number of its church members and yellow dragon. It had two dozen rowers, who kept pretty good time catechumens was nearly 15,000. It to the beating of a hideous gong, while a man in the prow and a maintained 154 schools, training woman in the stern went' through fantastic gyrations, accompanying and boarding, theological, day, themselves with heathenish yells. All this is in memory of some Chinon-Christian and infant, and these nese worthy who cast off the bur- dens of life by seeking a watery various institutions were attended grave, and the hideous ceremonies are to honor his deed and worship by nearly 10,000 pupils, of whom his spirit."
6,304 were non-Christians. Two of these schools, at Tellicherry and Mangalore, were exclusively for Brahman girls, and it is worthy of note that in them Scripture sen- tences and Bible stories are taught and expounded to the pupils. In Canara, the principal industrial establishment was the weaving factory at Mangalore, the maga- zines of which were overstocked during the year. The reason assigned for this is that the country "is flooded with cheap English weaving which is not so strong as ours, but looks pretty and is cheap." Malabar is well furnished with mission industrial establish- ments, there being weaving fac- tories at Cannanore and Calicut, with branches at Tellicherry, Chombala, and Codacal, and tile works at Calicut and Palghat. The
'l'HE MISSIONARY REVlEW 011' '1'H:El WOltt.D
A Specimen A Chinaman, whose especially if they use the footways. Case. name is Tang, was I have myself received both when recently seized by in Chinese dress-on one occasion by a well-dressed Frenchwoman, Chinese soldiers and bound. A who begged my pardon when she sword was held to his throat and saw I was an Englishman. During he was asked, "Are you a believer my twenty years of business life in in Jesus Christ?" He answered, the city of London, and my work " Yes, I am a Christian." He es- among the poor there, I never saw caped death, and when afterward anything to equal the cruel and he was asked how he could witness brutal treatment that Chinese reso boldly when his life was threat- ceive at the hands of the foreigner. ened, he said: "I have just been No parallel would be suffered for a reading how Peter denied hiR Master moment in any European or Amerand afterward went out and wept ican city. Then it is wondered bitterly; and how' could I deny why the foreigner is hated, or why my Lord?" This man was not a the Chinese wreaks his 1engeance niember of a Christian church, al- on them when he gets a chance I" though three times he had applied for membership. He had been re- Rome in According to the fused baptism, on the ground that China. last volume of the he had not sufficient knowledge of Christian faith to be received. Missiones Cath- And yet some claim that there are olic(£, published in 1898, there were no genuine Christian converts. 609,360 Chinese Catholics. In the province of Pechili, where the main How There is no single troubles now are, there were 112.- 790; in Manchuria, 51,830; and in Foreigners cause, but there are Shantung, the province where the murder of German Catholic mis- Treat the divers and various sionaries led to the seizure of Kiao- chau, there were 31,410. This same Chinese. causes, for the cur- church claims a strong mission in the Peking district of China. Ten rent eruption in years ago the stations numbered 322, now there are 577. In the same Eastern Asia. And this incident, time the number of Christians has increased from 34,417 to 46,894. occurring in Shanghai, given by The number of baptisms for the year is reported as 2,322, with 6,505 " Veritas" in The Christian, will catechumens. Statistics are even provided of the annual number of indicate one not often mentioned: confessions, these having risen from 23,464 to 31,417. " My wife was recently eye-witness The Last Year The Spirit of Misto a Parsee riding in his trap in a of Old China. sions puts the mat- main street. The traffic was con- ter well when it says, referring to Bishop Graves' gested, as it often is; immediately requesting that the departure of new missionaries under appointin front of the trap was a large ment for China, who were expect- ing to go out this month, should truck of cases from the dock drawn be delayed for the present-dis- organized as is the work, and unby six coolies, they in turn waiting for the road to clear before them.
The Parsee took the whip from his driver and lashed the men terribly over face and neck. I myself saw a young man driving a dogcart and very fast pony. An elderly China- man was crossing the road quite away from the trap, when the driver struck him with the whip across the face. It is no uncom- mon thing to see foreigners kick or strike the Chinese in the streets,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
settled as are present conditions, party, the Rev. A. E. Richardson, the bishop has abundant confidencQ has been invalided home, and only in the future. "Out of the present 3 are now left-Bishop Tugwell, confusion," he says, "will come Dr. Miller, and Mr. Burgin.
peace. When all is settled there A The num ber of will be a chance of better work than we have ever dreamed of. Great Mission pupils who have Tell young men and women to stand ready to step in and do it." School. passed t h r 0 ugh It is evident that the last year of the old century is also the last year Lovedale from its of the old China. beginning is 640. Of these 66 have become ministers or missionaries; 52 evangelists; 710 teachers; 352 tradesmen; 22 magistrates; 5 jour- AFRICA. nalists; and 44 clerks. Indeed, Lovedale pupils are found in all. A Christian This item relates walks of life-in law, literature, Prince. to the Episcopal medicine, science, and in the colo- mission in W est nial administration.
Africa, with Bishop Ferguson (col- ored) in charge. One of the mis- ANew The Blantyre Mis- sionaries in Liberia, Prince Massa- Hymn-Book in sion Press has just quoi, has opened a school in his East Africa. finished pri n ting native district, Gallinas. It is for the Dutch sec- known as the Royal School of Gal- tion of the Livingstonia Mission a linas, and at present has branches new hymn-book in the Chinyanja in the two towns, Ghendimah and language. It contains over 200 Juring. His work has been cordi- hymns, and a number of psalms ally received by the people, and he pointed for chanting. Many favor- hopes to spread it to other centers. ite hymns will be found translated On a recent Sunday he conducted for the first time in this new collec- service in the court-house at Ghen- tion, so that this fresh contribution dimah, in accordance with his cus- to the worship of. the African tom when he is in the town on Sun- Church will be a valuable adjunct days. f When he announced the to the praise of other native opening of the school, the people churches besides those for whom it cheered vigorously. It is expected is primarily intended. Local hym- that the school will be entirely self- nology is growing. In the Mang'- supporting. arija or Chinyanja language alone J. C. M. S. The little band of there exist as many as 6 different 0 h u r c h mission- hymn-books-2 with music in the Mission in aries who, under sol-fa notation, the others with Hausaland. the leadership of words only.
Bishop Tugwell, recently set out to The Music A native Christian begin missionary work in Hausa- Problem in hymnology has not land (West Africa) has met with Livingstonia. yet be gun to s e rio u s disappointments. The . appear, nor have party reached Kano, the capital of any native tunes been adapted to the country, in safety, but were Christian use. Among the Angoni, refused permission to settle there. Mr. Fraser says, attempts have They had had to return a week's been made to intI:oduce a few chants journey to Gierko, where the Rev. after the native model into the serv- Dudley Ryder died of dysentery on ice. Some Angoni songs are cer- June 1st. Another member of the tainly very pretty, and should with-
out much difficulty be applied to deed, that the specimens of their Christian words. The same applies work we have seen would do credit to several of the melodies that one to any of the large printing firms hears on the Lower Shire and Zam- at home. Altho the copies of the besi rivers. One of these in fact is New Testament and of the whole an old Jesuit hymn in praise of the Bible, which have such a ready sale, Blessed Virgin, that has descended are sent out by the British and from generation to generation since Foreign Bible Society, many the day when the Mission of the smaller books are printed at the Society of Jesus flourished in the mission press. Middle and Upper Zambesi. Several years ago one of the Blantyre THE ISLANDS. missionaries adapted Yao words to this melody. A similar melody A Good How changed from from the Lower Shire was also Word for a century ago! It fitted with words, and forms an New Zealand. is the opinion of evening hymn still in use. Vith the gradual advance of civilization, Rev. Ed ward which has replaced the old native Abbott that New Zealand is in canoe by the steamer and heavy many respects the most advanced barge, the old canoe song seems of the governments of the world. fated to disappear. This would be In that colony women have had a decided loss to the music of the right to vote always, and on Africa, for no more harmonious all questions they vote on absolute accompaniment could possibly be equality with men. The governdevised for the gorgeous sunsets of ment owns and manages the railthe Zambesi than the distant chant roads, parcels express, and the teleof a crew of canoe men. Rudyard graph and telephone services, as Kipling could find poetry in the well as the post-office. If in any cranks and throttle valves of an town there are not as many chilocean liner, but the Lower Shire dren as will justify the founding of steamer service still lacks its poet. a school, the children are carried -ChrisUan Express. to and from the nearest school free on the government railway. The Industrial One of the most re- government also carries on a bank- Teaching in markable of the ing and life insurance busines~, and a trust business, such as is managed Uganda. developments in in our country by a trust company. Uganda last year Old age pensions are provided for, that insure old people against was the organization of an indus- want. They must have reached a trial mission, now a recognized certain age, and have lived a fixed part of the work of the C. M. S. number of years in the colony, be- Some "boys" between the ages of sides being free from any stain of fourteen and twenty years have criminality and without any pri· been accepted as apprentices, and vate income. The country has also regularly indentured on articles of a system of compulsory arbitraagreement signed by the Katikiro tion. for the Waganda, and by the bishop and others for the society, for Giving Once Rev. C. W. Abel, training in handicrafts of civilized Unknown in of K w at 0, New nations. In addition to learning New Guinea. G u i n e a, deelares the various branches of the building trade, the boys are taught the that previous to the art of printing-so successfully in- holding of the May meetings he had never known a New Guinea
1900·1 GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
man give another man a present which he went all the idols were without expecting an equivalent destroyed, and the names of 102 for it in return; a gift being regard- persons who desired Christian ined by the natives as so much in- struction were received. vested capital. On the other hand, he knew a man whose wounded leg The Salatiga Mission in Central the missionary had bound up, and Java reported a Christian commuwho still waited close by; when nity of 599 at the end of last year, asked why he was waiting, he re- in addition to 70 persons who are plied that the missionary had" for- not yet baptized, but had definitely gotten to pay him!" It was a great united themselves with the church. thing to have introduced the cus- This society is working among tom of giving, for the natives now the Mohammedan Javanese. Thirmade gifts for mission work, know- teen adults and fourteen children ing that they would not get any- were baptized during 1899. The thing in return. missionaries are assisted in their work by 13 native helpers, and 10 In the I The emancipation teachers. The number of childreb in the day schools is 251. East Indies. of the Javanese is likely to be the First Native The first Protestant fruit of their rapid evangelization, Protestant Filipino clergyman and hence the Dutch Government Filipino is Nicolas Zamora, discourages Christian missionary Pastor. of Manila. He was efforts among these twenty-five recently ordained millions of Mohammedans. Such to the ministry of the Methodist is the unanswered charge made re- Episcopal Church by Bishop Tho- cently at a missionary conference burn. The Rev. Mr. Zamora is a held in Java. The Dutch have son of Paulino Zamora, who, six- been for just a century and a half teen years ago, procured from a in possession of this colony, and ship-captain a copy of a Spanish the latest report we know of gives Bible. When it was known that 26 missionaries, 20,000 native Chris- Paulino possessed this Bible, he tians, 4,000 pupils in the schools, was arrested through the instiga- and 40,000 cases treated medically tion of the priests, and, without a last year. Many a Hollander sharp- trial, was sentenced to banishment ly criticizes the government for its on an island in the Mediterranean oppression, or rather suppression, Sea. He did not return until after of the Javanese, and what investi- Manila was taken by the Ameri- gation we have made reveals a vast cans. His son Nicolas, a graduate field for reform. of the Roman Catholic College at In the island of Nias, near Suma- Manila, had also' studied the Bible, tra, the baptisms go on. There were lately 380. Missionary and through constant correspond- Krumm, who is stationed on the west coast of that island, has bap- ence with his father had imbibed tized 61 heathens during the year 1899. His church will soon number Protestant principles. He decided 100 souls, while 150 others are under instruction. In January he made to become a clergyman in the a journey to the south of Nias, where the people have a very good Methodist Church, and has proved name. His expectations were more than realized, for in the village to to be a speaker of no mean order.
These facts are confirmed by the Rev. Francis Wesley Warne, D.D., who was recently made missionary bishop to India. When the two bishops, Thoburn and Warne, reached Manila, they found Nicolas
Zamora holding services in seven Guinea. The members of the so- different places, with an average weekly attendance of about 600. ciety in Malua include the king, Now that he is a deacon his influ- ence among the Filipino people and his humblest subject, "One in will be all the greater, as the natives are, like all peoples in that Christ Jesus I" Says Commander part of the world, impressed by any rank-social, political, or eccle- Tilley, Governor of American Sasiastical.-The Outlook. moa: •• The London Missionary So- The Census Guam had a popu- of Guam. lation of 8,661 per- ciety has done a wonderful work sons on January 1, in Manua. At the time of the 1900. Of these, 5,249 lived in the capital city of Agana. In the dis- arrival of the first missionary the ttict of Agana are five villages, which with their populations are: natives of this group were canni- Aniga, 146; Asan, 255; Tehungan, 200; Sinahana, 144, and Oarolinas, bals, and it was dangerous to land 90. The five towns on the island outside of the district of Agana, on the islands. Now nearly every with their totals, are: Agat, 744; Sumay, 566; Umatta, 236; Morizo, inhabitant of Manua is a profess- 491; Inarahan, 518. Of the total population of the island, 3,128 are ing Ohristian, and all the hillsides males over seven years old, 3,680 are females over seven years, and resound morning and evening with 1,853 are children under seven years. Governor Leary says nothing hymns of praise to God. I about the state of health on the island, bnt from his requisitions say without hesitation' that the for medicines and surgical supplies, the natives are evidently patroniz- missionaries have done a wondering the naval medical officers with an astonishing variety of com- ful and noble work among the naplaints. tives of the South Seas. Through Good Tidings There are 9 socie- from Samoa. ties of Christian their faithful service these islands Endeavor in the are now prepared to take advan- Samoan Islands, with a membership of nearly 1,000. The native tage of good government, and will pastors speak much of the blessing received through the movement. advance wonderfully in civiliza- The inhabitants of one island collected $90 to send the Gospel to the tion in the next few years." heathen. Most of those who joined the first society, started in the MISCELLANEOUS. island of Malua in 1890, have since offered themselves for mission Only a An American work in distant out-stations and Synonym writer some years the large heathen island of New for Missions. ago pointed out that the division of Ohurch History headed .. The Spread of Christianity" is only the history of foreign missions under another title. Let those who deem missionary work to be an experi- ment of modern times alone, bear in mind that "foreign missions have been in progress from the day of Pentecost to this hour." There is nothing in the entire range of the world's history more note- worthy than the growth and spread of Christianity, from the gathering of the few at Jerusalem, through the Roman world to Me- dieval Europe and the New World; and in that progress there is the assurance that the religion of Jesus will Ultimately reach every nation and people of the earth. "Of His Kingdom there shall be no end."
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Onesided Missionary J ohan- the spirit of successive ages. If it Pictures. nes Johnson in the impresses, it is also impressed. It Nordisk Missions- is not always and everywhere pre- Tidskrijt remark5 that when he cisely the same. Its history shows reads the descriptiom of mission- action and reaction, the same as ary results in other countries, as secular history. If it advances too given by various English and far in one direction, as has often American magazines, he is obliged happened, the correction comes in to conclude either that the coloring due time. The revival of the is pretty heavily laid on, or, that eighteenth and nineteenth centur- there is a heavenwide difference ies was a mighty movement, one of between missions in Madagascar the mightiest that ever blessed the and elsewhere. "Here=everything world, but some of its accompani- has the stamp of incipiency, and ments were not salutary. The the lack of a Christian past is to be present may beaperiod:of reaction, noted everywhere, both in the life to be followed by another Nviyal of the congregation and of the of apostolic power and fervor. D~ indi vidual; there Christ's noblest spair has no place in the Christian's flowers spring right out of the breast. Christ was the greatest of heathen soil. Here the mission- optimists. His spirit is upon His aries have to train themselves in people, and it can not be that He the good old lesson, 'Despise not has accompanied His' Church the day of small things,' and this in through the trying vicissitudes of the sense that they themselves have nineteen centuries to desert it in the same weaknesses and struggle the twentieth. Wherefore let us be against the same impediments, per- of good courage, and expect that a sonal and social, as at home; there conquering Church will go on to everything is bright, and there is other and even greater conquests.
intimate and perfect agreement in Whatever betide, however dark the unity of the spirit among the outlook, two things are certain laborers." It is easy to draw the -that the future is Christ's, and true conclusion. that He is in present control of all The Bright It is stated that of things for His Church."
Side to be·· 1,000 volumes of Missions Says Dr. George Remembered. travel which Dr. as the Century Smith: "Stated Edward Leigh Pell examined in the preparation of his Closes. b r 0 a diy, the latest book, "The Bright Side of Humanity," scarcely 200 dwelt at churches of the Reany length upon the virtues of the people whom they profess to de- formation at the close of the ninescribe, while most of them faithfully mirrored all the vices in sight. teenth century spend annually "The Bright Side of Humanity" is the first serious attempt that has from £3,000,000 to £3,250,000 in sendbeen made to present the distinguishing noble traits of all races. ing missionaries and Bibles to non- Christians, as against £10,000 at its beginning. They send out above 6,500 men, two-thirds of whom are married, and 4,000 unmarried women, against 150 men only a hundred years ago. Then there Optimism is In the Homiletic was not one convert from the in Order. Review Dr. Carroll dark races ordained to· preach to says: "However it his countrymen the unsearchable may be, the Church, we must re- riches of Christ; now there are member, has ever been affected by ul?w<trd& of 4,000. Then there were
hardly 100 native Christian work- adultery, but by the Divine eners; now there is an army of 68,000. abling. Then there were about 7,000 native communicants; now there are THE .JUDGMENT OF SINNERS.- nearly 1,500,000, of almost every tribe and kindred and tongue all (a) The mercy of God is wider round the globe. Of all the results, than the heavens and the earth. the most significant are these two- (b) God will forgive every posthe number of women missionaries sible sin when repented of, exand the host of native mission- cept that of giving companions to aries." the Creator, as do the Christians. who believe in a Trinity of gods, The Growth of An Eng Ii s h ex- and who, with the Jews, deny the Medical change says: "The Divine mission of Mohammed. Missions. interest taken in These are the unpardonable sins medical missions, which have no remission, neither in this world nor in that to come, manifesting itself in books of trav- except by embracingIslam.-C. M. el, in comments of the press, in Intelligencer. speeches and sermons, and, best of all, in offers of service from medi- The " Haystack Meeting" a cal men, is one of the most conspic- "Failure."-How st,range that of uous features which meet the eye the men who, in 1806, gathered under and ear in contemplating the atti- the haystack near Williams College tude of the Christian public toward for prayer, and so brought the missionary work at the present American Board and American time." missions into being, only one actu- ally set his foot upon heathen soil, A Moslem (a) There is no while his career was but brief and Sermon. power or will excep- unnoteworthy. ting the power and Temperance The good condition will of God. (b) All beings in Among and good behavior heaven, earth, and hell are His' Soldiers. of the troops in slaves, without any form -of free South Africa is recwill, as the term above implies. ognized as largely due to the fact (c) No created being can conceive that they have had no strong drink. a thought, or translate a thought General Kelly, L.A.G., said lately into action, except by that unique to a newspaper correspondent: power and will. "This campaign has been run en- tirely on teetotal principles, and (d) Therefore the rebellion of the experiment has proved wonder- Satan was in accordance with the fully successful." Divine will and by the Divine power, for His own high purposes. DEATH NOTICE.
(e) Man likf'wi&e (whose every sin F. H. KrUger, We are very sorry has been foreordained) has no of Paris. to record the dechoice in the matter of evil; he cease of F. Hermust of necessity commit the full number of transgressions allotted mann Kriiger, the eminent profesto him (which arc more than the sor of the Parish House of Missions. hairs of his head), and this, because Professor K r ii g e r' s missionary no one can resist the Divine will; Chroniques in the Journal des Misand just as absolutely as a person sions had for years rendered it an can not move his hand or foot, ex- important missionary authority. Cf'pt it be granted him by God, so Knowledge, faith, and love were he can not steal, lie, or commit so blended in this excellent Chris- tian as to qualify him equally as a missionary writer and It Biblical commentator.
The Missionary Review of the World — August 1898
OF THE EVANGELICAL MILITARY CHURCH IN
Cay. Capellini in civilian dress in the center of the lowest row. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOT.. XXI. No. 8.-0ld 8eries.-AUGUST-VoL. XI. No. 8.-New Series.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMEN'l'S OF THE HALF CENTURY.- SYSTEMA'l'IC UHRIS'nAN WORK AMONG SOLDIEHS.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
No work done among soldiers has for us morefascinatillginterest than that of Cav. Luigi Capellini in. RODle, Italy, which we had opportunity personally to investigate in 1890, when we visited the chapel of the "Evangelical Military Church," founded in 18'72 Ly this eamest man of God, and which has, therefore, just past its first quarter ccntury.
He who has thus been at the head of this enterprise for twenty-five years-and whose work so strangely s},nchroJlizes with that of MeAll in Paris-is characterized as "the soldier>!' friend," as Ilis fellowworker in France was known as " the frien<l of le8 ((3UVl'ieI'8." From its inception this project was essentially Italian, and both in its promptings and methods intellsely personal. Signor Capellini "lives, moves, hreathes, and has his being ,. ill hi:,; work for the soldiers. To help, teach, and in every way Lefrielld them; aLove all, to introduce them to the tl'lle knowledge of the Captain of their salvation, is his master passion. His fitness for the service for whieh he has such a consuming passion shows tllat he has Leen raised up of God for it; that it is his divine mission, and he is an apostle-one sellt of God. Many young men of the Italian army have throngh him become good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and have elld med hardness for lIis sake.
But little has been pnblisht as to Capellini's great mission, but the brief" memorials" are doubly interestillg and suggestive to such as have been at the chapel services in thc Etel'llal City, ana have seen the ardor of this consecrated teacher and the responsive ferror of the absorbed audience which giycs such eager ear to his appeals.
Capellini was born of popish parellts and bred in Homish errors. His father died when he was a boy of ten, and his Illother sent him to schoolundel' priestly control, where he stayed till he ",as eighteen, when he was strangely led to enlist in the army. ~ short time aftel', ill strolling through the streets, he pickt lip some leaves of the New'l'esta- • This periodical adopt" the Orthogrllphy of the following Rult', recommended by the joint action of th£ American Philological A.socialion lind the Philological Society of England ,-Change d or ed final to t when so pronounced, except when lhe e affects a preceding sound.-PuBLlSllERS.
SPIRITUAL IHOYEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
ment. They proved to him light in darkness, liberty from uondage, awl life from the dead. Let allY who undel'Yalne the power of the living Word note this new proof of the use God makes of Ilis own book. Capellini froll! that day knew that justification and salvation come by faith alone, without human merit or priestly mediation, and at once he became a, free man in Christ Jesns.
Of course, he had to meet opposition: his companions tried ridicnle and threat. They sneered at him as a fool, and railed at him as "a Protestant." They wamed him that the Bible is a bad book and is forbid dell ; bu t this drove him to study it the more that he might filld out why it was a proscribed book. He longed for evangelical tracts, something, "some lllan, to guide" him in his inquiry after truth. One day he came upon a man who was giving away just what he wanted. 'rhis man was Angelo Uastioni, Miss Burton's Bible colporteur. lIe won his confidence, and that very evening Capellini and Castioni were together, like Philip alld the eunuch, and the Italian ~oldier went on his way rejoicing that he had enlisted ill the army, Hince that was God's way of bringillg him to the light of life.
Pity for his comrades led him to seek to bring them out into a larger place of faith in the great sacrifice, and soon he saw them taking from their necks the medallion images of the Virgin, worn as a charm, antI stndying the forbidden book; and not a few were converted. Miss Burtoll furnisht him with 'restaments alld tracts, and he lIsed all his available time ill opening IIp the treasures of God's Word to as man}" of his comrades as he could gather about him in the barracks. Soon after, the command of a detachment, sent in pursuit of the brigallus, made him his own master, and Capellilli had religious conferences with his JIlen unhindered. Morning and evening they had readillgs and prayers in commOl1, and those who at first were ollly hearers of the Word, became doers of the Word, and then distributors of the Scriptures among the scattered peasantry on mountains, plains, and lowlands about Puglia and the Abrnzzi. 'I'hen came the war with Austria, in 1866, and then the men went forth, all having Bibles in their knapsacks, and, as opportunity afforded, the commander and his regiment read the Scriptures and prayed together.
'rhe thonght was thus born in Capellini's mind that, by the agency of cOllverted soldiers, God's Word might be borne into every city, village, hut, and hovel, and from this came ill a little time the wider conception realized ill j he military church.
While at Parma, Capellini was attackt by cholera. His soldiers never left him. They repaid his ministries, reading and praying at his bedside, and interceding with God for his restoration. As strength returned to him, he felt that he must learn more of the Gospel that he might do 1110re for men, and he sought the help of Rev. Henry Piggott, at Paclua, at the same time enlarging his own holy effort in
SYSTEMATIC CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG SOLDIERS
behalf of soldiers. Then, as Rome became free, he felt that there his headquarters must be, because there was the main rendezvous for the military class.
Difficulties and dangers found him undaunted. Turned out of doors, he made the street corners his meeting-places. Crowds hung upon his words, but his money was exhausted. But God stood by him. Rev. 111'. "~aite, minister of the American Union church, and later, Rev. Leroy Vel'llOIl, of the Ameriean M. E. church, came to his help, until the Wesleyan :Vlethodists assumed the support of the work, provided a meeting-place, and paid Oapellini's saJary.
Easter, 187;3, witnest the first celebration of the Lord's Supper, and Whitsuntide th~ second, when of the 200 persons present, 45 were communicants. The Roman Obse/'ve/', chief organ of the Vatican, now thundered against this" proselytizing of the soldiers." Persecution began to lay bare her red right arm, and soldiers were deprived of their" Protestant" books, and there were even arrests and imprisonments. Oertain converts were arraigned, but refused to renounce their faith, and were dismist with warnings to let alone evangelical meetings and Protestant books. A report was sent to Prince U mbertosince King of Italy-giving names of converted soldiers, and a council was called to consider how this work could be stopt. Prince Umberto concluded the council with these memorable words: "See that no political plotting goes on under ({ religious garb, but do not hinder the men from fulfilling the duties of theil' religion."
Our space does not allow us to trace in detail this fascinating story, which has a charm seldom rivaled in any tale of Ohristian heroism. On Ohristmas day, in 1873, Admiral Fishbourue presented, in behalf of English soldiers, two chalices and accompanying vessels for the encharist, and the flagon bears the inscription: "From the soldiers of England to the evangelical soldiers of Italy." And such was the eageruess of the men to be present at the Lord's Sn pper that they stayed in Rome at their own cost, paid for snbstitutes, if on duty, or slept on benches in the chapel, if too poor to hire lodgings.
For the conduct of the military church, a deacon was chosen from every corps and from the hospital attendants-the latter to look after sick soldiers. It is interesting to notice how this hospital deacon, Basato, met the priests and nuns bearing the consecrated host and wafer to a dyillg man. They bade him remove his cap and bow his knee, but he calmly answered: "I worship God alone, and not a god made of .flour." This exposed him to persecution, but he bore it meekly.
From time to time classes are discharged, having served their time, and those who have received evangelical tl'Uth are sent home with ample supplies of good books to give away, and so this military church is a recruiting office for the ranks of the soldiers of the Oross.
SPIRITUAL MOYEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
During the legal period of service the troops are brought under the teaching of Capellini, alld then retul'll home to disseminate the precious truths they have leamed, and become an evangelizing power in the entire country of their birth. '1'he chapel at Rome is a receiving and distributing reservoir through which the Italian soldiery pass.
In 1875 the meetings were transfel'l'ell to a larger chapel in Via Bottighi 08cure, where It library was started, etc. When the same year the military church kept its second anniversary, 250 soldiers and 105 communicants were present, and, as on former occasions, every participant took away a Bible as a memento.
The soldiers, who as cOllverts return to their homes, have to meet persecution. Some have to leave their homes, and even the neighborhood, and flee to some other place, stript of everything except their faith. Yet conversions go on at Rome, and the work of witness everywhere where the" elect dispersion" are scattered.
On one occasion the church was much disturbed by the colonel of the Bersaglieri, who, by pretenses of various sorts, found ont who were evangelicals, and took all their books from them. Capellini complained to the general in command, and the result was again a vindication, for it was fOUlld that these Protestant" perverts" were in no tcay transg1'essing their duUes as soldiers 0.1 Italyy' and a religion that makes better men and more loyal soldiers may find toleratioll evell ill the Italian army. As a colonel said, when told that the whole regiment was tUl'lling Protestant: "Better the evangelical meeting than the tavern or brothel."
The whole history of these twenty-five years is full of romantic reality, but abounds with examples of the power of the Word of God, and of the God whose Word it is. How often have officers, who have forced the men to give up their 'Testaments, read a few pages, out of curiosity, and found salvation! Once a soldier, who had frequented the meetings alld accepted the Looks, gathered his comrades by the Tiber and threw the books into the river. Many fell short, however, and were pickt up on the bank, and again led to the knowledge of God. The name and address of the military church being on the cover, this also drew the men to come to the meetings, so that some of them witnest that they had" becOllle disciples of Christ by meaDS of a New Testament saved from the water." Again a host at a taVel'll found on the dead body of a victim of accident a CapelIini Testament, which he stole glances at and begged he might keep.
The heroism of Capellini could be learned only at the Cross. In the army of Italy all shades of opinion are found, from atheism to ultramontanism, and acts of intolerance are inevitable from those who, because they believe nothing, persecute believers, or from those who, because they believe something, will allow no one to hold ~ny other doctrine. And so between the infidels and the bigots the poor
SYSTEMATIC CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG SOLDIERS
soldiers run a perpetual gauntlet between two rows of enemies, both armed with clubs, that al'e as merciless as the iron flail of Talus.
Again, the com"ert is in constant danger of imposition as well as oppo- sition f!"Om some officer, as when a private, Luigi Fares, for a month was kept 011 duty so constantly that he bali not a night's rest in bed.
Perhaps the greatest discouragement of Capellini is the constant depletion of his church membership by the return of soldiers to their homes. In the autumn of 1880 the soldiers' church had but twenty left in Rome, alHI six regiments, with 7,200 men, hali not among them one Protestant. In 1881, 400 registered hearers of the previous year were transferred, and only 37 communicants remained. Yet the same nntiring, persistent evangelism! Capellini antI his evangelists and colporteurs station themselves at the fountaills where all have to go for water, and there lead thirsty souls to the well of living waters; oc they go away to more distant encampments to gather in recruits for the army of the Lord. And, when the soldiers leave Rome, as active a correspondellce as is possible is kept up with these scattered members of the flock, who are often as sheep among wolves. Tracts, Testaments, and books are diligently and at all times scattered in every direction, and blessed are they who, like Mr. Hawke and Mrs. Hobertson, have the privilege of supplying the seed for such wide sowing.
'rlw results of this work can not be tabulated, but the first eight years' labor showed an aggregate of 730 registered converts. What could be shown if all the fruits of tbe work of the subsequent seventeen years could 1)e presented also! AmI what of the unhistoried distribution of the Word of God alld of the living epistles!
Before we conclude, let it be ad lied that, tho Cay. Luigi Capellilli isa minister of the 'Yesleyan Methodists, who support his work in the main, the soldiers of the military chureh are not reckoned as Wesleyalls, but are ellcouraged to joino the evangelical body nearest their homes, and all evangelical communities are gainers by the undenominational work done ill Home. Will not Christian visitors go and see for themselves the Hoble work done in Via delle Coppelle No. 28 ? Will not Christian givers send hel p ill the Lord's name to Luigi Capellini, whose address is No. 14 Via Pozzo delle Cornacehie, Rome, and so become sharers in his noble work?
In 1879, Leo XIII. took alarm and ordered the monks and nUllS in the military hospitals to carry out among the soldiers It more aggressive propaganda, and the Bibles were stolen from under the pillows, and e"eryeffort was made by threat and bribe to induce them to return to popish books and priests, bu t in vain.
In his new report, 1897, Cav. Luigi Capellini writes: " In one of the meetings, among the young men attentively listening to the preaching of the 'Yord, I noticed a young corporal of cavalry who made a strong impression upon me by his intelligent air and the atten-
56fi SPIRiTUAL MOVEMENTS OF THEl HALF CENTURY
Mon which he paid to the sermon. My second son, Alfred, a student at the University, who goes to the services, and sometimes takes my plac~ when I am absent, went up to him and invited him to come up to the house. Here we found that he is the nepnew of the pope-Count Pecci. His open countenance, his loyal and frank way of speaking, convinced us that tie was really seeking the truth, and I gave him a Bible and some hooks. His uncle, the pope, had made him one of his' Guardia Nobile,'- but he had to serve under the king as an Italian subject. He not only continued to attend the services as long as he was in Rome, but he also brought with him many of the men under him, thus becoming himself a propagator of the truth."
Later on in his report, Signor Capellini says that in order to stop or neutralize his work, the priests have instituted organizations called Catholic Military Clubs, providing for the soldiers amusement, cigars, a.nd tobacco, and Catholic books. Among these latter was one called 'Errors and Heresies of the Protestants/ in which ridi0ule was cast upon the services of the military church. It was important that something should be done to meet this dangerous innovation, so Car. Capellini opened schools in which the uneducated soldiers might be taught to read and write, and provided rooms with books and writing materials for the use of the better instructed. This prorision has been highly appreciated by the men, awl the work has gone forward all along the line.
'YORK A)lONH THE SOLDIERS OF INDIA.
The" Prayer Room" movement and Soldiers' Christian Association in India is another of the comparatively ullknown forills of Christian service among those who follow the profession of arms. W. B. Harington is the founder of this really great enterprise, that has been so singularly oWlled and sealed of God.
If anything has been a public scandal it has been the British soldier in the land of the H1ndlls. His life, character, and environment have to a surprising extent been the theme of pri vate and public comment for twenty-five years. So dark, so sad has been the picture drawn that there hare been not a few who have contended that there was It fatality about his evil-doing, and that the combined influences of climate, diet, army life, separation from home influence, and the contagion of a vicious atmosphere, both perpetuate and extenuate a low type of morals. The Christian sentiment of the world has been shockt-nay the ,,-orst of it is that so Illuch so-called Christian selltiment has not been shockt-when It life of shameless debauchery has been defended, and unlawful lust been provided for as tho lechery were a necessity! and eren a cOllspicuous Christian woman has been found to justify the sacrifice of her own sex 011 the altar of this modern unchastity.
We are glad to be able to paint a very different picture, and show how much has been already clolle to help British soldiers to learn the
SYSTEMATIC CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG SOLDIERS
victorious power of the Christ-life, and so to walk in the Spirit as not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh. We do not designedly pass by any other good work done in promoting sobriety and chastity, by the army Tem· perance Association and army guilds, etc., when we refer somewhat at length to the nohle effort of Mr. Harington, which was first begun in 1859 in Oudh, and has for more than thirty-eight yeal'S been spreading throughout India, and even to Cairo, Mauritius, and Singapore.
.For many years :Ir. Haringtoll has met the British soldiers five times a week, in barracks, camp, 01' 011 the line of march. 'l'hirty- SOLDIERS' PRAYER·ROOM AT MOOLTANI INDIA.
eight years ago, three soldiers of the 54th Hegiment, quartered in Oudh, carne over from camp to the tent of lVIr. Harington, where he was occupied with the matter of hutting British troops, and askt that they might use for devotional meetings, every evening, a small building he had just completed for an office. And now MI'. Harington has, with government sanction and aid, secured, and in fact, erected, in nearly every military center throughout India, a Soldiers' PrayeJ'- Room. So manifest were the blessed results attending his earlier efforts that, as a matter of the" Department of Public Works," with which he was connected, it was deemed the most economical use of the public fuuds to provide at least one place in every British cantonment, where the soldiers may find a reading-room, writing. room, and a meeting-place for Sunday and weekday assemblies for prayer and praise. MI'. Harington has planned these buildings, their size, shape,
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
and fittings, and they are places which the soldiers can call their own. In 1868, the governor-general ill council declared that such rooms "shall be considered one of the recognized requirements in the barracks of every British regiment or considerable detachment of troops;" and thenceforth the government undertook the provision and mailltenance of these prayer-room buildings with fittings, furniture, lighting, warming, cooling, etc.
Mr. Harington has also formed in every cavalry regiment, infantry battalion, and nearly every battery of royal artillery, in service in India, a branch of the Soldiers' Ohristian Association. 'rhe diminution of vice and crimc has been remarkable. The loss of good conduct badges. the trials by conrt martial with imprisonment and other penalties, have comparatively ccaRt, and the physical and moral health of the whole army has been vastly improved. The governors, judges, magistrates, and statesmen, who have been most eminent in Indian affairs, have been the foremost ill their testimony to Mr. Harington's work and given their aid in it ; alld frol11 officers: chaplains, and men, he has had warm and entlmsiaHtic support in his self-denying and successful labors. Government aid rlid not coyer such items as Bibles, hymn-books, libraries, papers and magazines, wall texts, and table covers and table lamps, clocks, musical instruments, etc., so that for the proper prosecu tion of the work donations are constantly needful, and the more as the work rapidly expands. Printing, stationery, postage, traveling cxpenses, etc., need also to be met by special gifts.
In 1895 the number of prayer-rooms was 89, of which 30 were garrison or depot, 5 cavalry, 19 artillery, 35 infalltry, and the average expelJditure was but ten pounds allllUally for each room. Up to the end of 1889 Mr. Harington met to a very large extent out of his OWll purse the needs of the work. Since retiring from service-having reacht the age limit-he has given his entire time and attention to this work, and hence has beell unable to bear the finallcial burdens as he did when in goyernment employ.
The work which is before Mr. Harington and his helpers is nothing less than winning soldiers to Christ The Word of God, prayer, praise, personal contact, all wholesome restraints and loving constraints, are the weapons which have proved not carnal indeed, but mighty to the pulling down of the strongholds. The motto which is to be found. conspicuous in the prayer-rooms, " Jesus only," well defines the basis of trust and the object of effort. " Joined in prayer-joined in the Word-joined in His work,"-this is the practical bond and secret of unity. The work is carried on as under the eye of the great Commander. Knowillg Mr. Harington personally, we have no hesitancy in commending this work to the sympathy, prayer, and pecuniary aid of every true lover of the soldier and his
8.] SYSTEMATIC CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG SOLDIERS
welfare. 'l'he Soldier's Bible and Prayer Union (with the Soldiers' Magazine as the common organ) was started ill ·1886, aIld is now thereiore in its twelfth year.* THE SOLDIERS' CHURCH IN ADEN.
Of the work among t he soldi ers in Aden there is not space to treat.
Under the charge of Dr. John C. Young it progresses promisingly. Dr. Young, who went to Arabia under the Keith Falconer mission t o work for Arabs, writes: "When I came here five yeaI'!! ago, I found that the non-Anglica n soidiers were without a place of worship, and that no services of any kind were carried on. Having obtained liberty from the home committee, services w ere started, and continued for four years, in the la rgest room of the principal hotel in A den. On the fifth anniversary, h owever, we entered our n ew c hurch. Since then we have n ever had a smaller congregation at the evening service than 100 soldiers, and last Sabbath there were twice as many soldiers a.s the government r eturn declared there are of non-Anglican soldiers in the whole garrison.
"Many have declared that they have been spiritually helpt. One man, who had been promoted through bribing his senior non-commissioned officer, after conversion handed me £10 to send anonymously to the man he had wronged, and, having given up his stripes, declared that he never felt more happy in his life. Nearly a year after he wrote, telling me of the r eal joy he felt, and how now he could speak to his fellows with a clear conscience.
"At the prayer-meetings on Wednesday nights there are sometimes more soldiers present than at 'parade service,' when the men are forced t o attend. The vestry of the church is used by the soldiers' Ohristian association, 'and there is a meeting of some sort every night. ' "
AT THE OPENING OF THE roN KEITfI FALCONER MEMORIAL CHURCH, ADEN, ARABIA.
• Address, W. B. Harington, Gen. Hon. Secretary, S. C. A., Totland Bay, I sle of Wight, England.
THE SUPREME NEED TN MISSIO:"l WORK
THE SUPRHlVIJ1J ~E}m IN MISSION WORK.
BY REV. (lEO. H. C. )IACGREGOR, ~l. A., LONJlOX, ENGLAND.
Throughout the whole missionary worl(l there is at present a very deep sense of need. In every report of every society this finds expression; in every letter of every missionary this is reyealed. Opposed as our missionaries are by the gigantic aud growing masses of heathenism they feel orerwhelmingly their own helplessness. The power of evil is so terrific, and the forces of evil are so active, that they are apt to despair. So from every mission land the cry of the missionaries comes to our ears. And what do they cry for? Not mell, not money, but prayer. Even above the urgent cry, "Come over and help us," and God knows they have enough reason to utter that cry, we hear the words, "Brethren, pray for us."
This longing on the part of our missionaries for prayer is 11 most blessed sign. If the call of the missionaries is responde(l to by the home churches, and we really get down on our faces before God in prayer, we lllay see in these last days the mightiest outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the world that the Church has ever witnest.
In this deepened sense of the need of prayer which is flOticeable on every side we have a token that the Church is entering into full sympathy with her Lord. For the Lord Jesus has all along told 118 that the snpreme need of missionary work is prayer. In His first utterance on the subject He made this plain. "When He saw the multitudes He was mored with compassion for them, because they fainted, and were scattered about as sheep haring 110 shepherd. 'l'hen saith He unto His disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore." Before" Go," before" Give," comes" Pray." This is the Divine order, and any attempt to alter it will end in disaster. Prayer is to missionary work what air is to the body-the element in which it Ii res. Missions were born ill prayer and Can only live ill the atmosphere of prayer. Tlte very first duty of n church in organizing its forei!l,n missionary work 'is to (/waken, maintain, (tnd sustain, in its members the spirit of prayer.
REASONS WHY PRAYER SHOULD BE PR~;EMINENT.
1. Prayer keeps us cOllstantly in mind of what the true basis and the trne character of our missionary work is. He who prays for missions never forgets that the work is God's, that he is aiding in the Divine enterprise of missions. Prayer puts God first. It reminds us that He is the snpreme worker. It remil1ds ns that lIe is the snpreme director. It reminds us also that only ill so far as we follow the line of His will can we have true success, and it inclines us to wait Oil God that He may reveal His will to us. How important all this is, especially to our missionary committees and missionary boards. Weare often tempted to take the manage- ment of the work into our own hands. The carrying on of a mission involves so many business details that unless the church is simply full of prayer, men will be tempted to forget God, and will try to do God's work in their own way. Prayer, therefore, keeps the eye toward God, the ear ever open to His voice, and brings the heart more and more into sympathy with His purpose.
2. Prayer supplies the means by which the needs of our missionary work may be met. 'fhe first great need of missions is men. If the harvest-field is to be reapt we must have laborers. But how are these laborers to be secured? Surely by prayer. Is not this what the Lord told us? "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the hanest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest," The surest way to get missionaries is by the throne of God. Appeals to God will man the fields nlOre quickly and more efficiently than appeals to man. In the evangelization of the world, the missionary prayer-meeting is a greater force than the missionary public meeting. A praying church never lacks missionaries. If missionaries are not forthcoming to carryon the chrch's missionary work, it is a sure sign that that work has not the place it ought to have in the church's prayers.
The second great need of missions is money. 'rhe apostle puts the two together when he says, "How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? " Money is needed. How is it to be obtained? By prayer. The silver and the gold belong to the Lord, and in answer to believing prayer He can bring it. forth f.!Om the purses and the pockets of His peoille. And He will often begin with those who are praying. 'i'his is what we have to learn. 'feach yonI' people to pray for missions, and you have already taught them to give to missions. People will always give for ~he support of a work which has a real place in their praye!s. If our missionary committees and boards were only half as anxious about having the prayers of our people as they are about having their gifts, if they took as much pains to stimulate prayer as they take to stimulate giving, our missionary treasuries would be full to overflowing.
3. Prayer meets needs in connection with missionary work which can be met in no other way. This is a matter to which I invite most serious consideration. Have we ever realized how much has to be done in connection with our missionary work that can only be done by prayer? I believe if we realized this we would realize the urgency of the question more.
(1.) We appoint a committee or board to manage our foreign missionary work. How can we secure that the committee will.act wisely, and will jndicionsly employ the means put at its disposal? Only by prayer. Nothing else will secure that the men we appoint are kept in touch with God so that in the work the Spirit of God as the Spirit of wisdom shall rest on them.
(2.) We imite mea to be our missionaries in the foreign field. How shall we secure that the right men go forward? What provision shall we make that they may be men full of faith and of the Holy Ghost? 'Ve send these men out into the heathen field. How shall we preserve them against discouragement, against faint-heartedness, against unbelief, against laziness? Only by prayer. Nothing else will do it. The best men that can be obtained for this service need to be continually upheld, and a church has 110 rigltt to send out any man 1tnless she is }Jrepm'ed to uphold him by prayer.
(3.) We gather out from among the heathen through the work of our missionaries groups of men and women, and bring them into the fellowship of the Christian Church. But how are we to encourage them, and keep them true? Only by prayer. Our missionaries can not do it. 'rhey may be far away. Our money can not do it. It is not money they want. Needs like these can be met in no other way than by prayer. This is an absolute necessity for the proper carrying on of missionary work. If it is to prosper it must be steeped in prayer.
THE CHARACTER OF THE PRAYER NEEDED.
Let me say at once it must be prayer which costs us something. We must not in this matter offer to the Lord our God of that which costs us nothillg. 1. Prayer for missions must be intelligent. Many pray for missions whose prayers are practieally valueless because of their ignorance.
They have a zeal W this matter, perhaps, but it is not according to knowledge. Theil' service is not a reasonable service. How can our prayers be supposed to be real, if we will not take the trouble to inform ourselves about that for which we pretend to pray? Mission- ary prayer burns hotly only when fed with the fuel of missionary information. Prayer must be based Oil knowledge. The knowledge which leads to true missionary prayer is twofold.
(1.) It is the knowledge of the principles of missions, that is a knowledge of what God wishes to be done. This can only be obtained by honest, earnest, prayerful, long-continued study of God's Word. There God's will is revealed. What it is we must discover, for he can not pray aright for missions w_ho will not take pains to discover God's thoughts about them. (2.) It is a knowledge of the facts of missions, that is knowledge of what God is actually doing. 'This is to be obtained only by pains- taking study of missionary literature, and diligent attendance at missionary meetings. He who has not sufficient interest in this work to desire to hear what has been done will certainly not have sufficient interest to lead him to pray for the doing of it.
THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF SPAIN
2. Prayer for missions must be definite. What is true of study in general is true of missionary study. We should endeavor to know something about every mission, and everything about some missions. While we endeavor to keep ourselves informed as to the course of the movement over the whole field, we should have a special interest in some particular corner of the field. The missionaries working there should be known to us by name. We should, if possible, make their personal acquaintance. IVe should make them our personal friends. Their names should be household names with us. Every scrap of information about them should be welcome. The geography, the history, the ethnology of their fields should be studied. Then they will have a special place in our prayers. Our prayers will 1e definite and, growing in definiteness, will grow in power.
3. Prayer for missions must be intense. We must learn in this matter to labor in prayer. But what is implied in this laboring in prayer? It implies our getting into sympathy with the mind of Christ. It implies that we look on the perishing multitudes with the eye of Christ until His passion fills our hearts, and the burden of their souls becomes a burden we can hardly bear. It llleallS that we see them fainting for want of the Bread of Life, scattered and torn as sheep that have no shepherd. It !Ileans that there is bome in upon our hearts a new sellse of their danger, a sense of their awful loss in knowing nothing of the Christ. It llleans, too, that by the Holy Ghost there is poured through our hearts such a tide of the love of Christ that we yearll for those lost souls, as He yearned for the lost world. And then we kneel to pray, to labor, to wrestle, to agonize in prayer that laborers may be sent forth, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, to gather in these multitudes to the fold of Christ.
THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF SPAIN.
llYCHARLES E. FAITHFliLL, MADRID, SPAIN. Pastor of Chamberi Evangelical Mission Church, Madrid.
Spain is a country comparatively little knowll aUll still less understood by foreigners in general. 'l'he difficulties ill the way of securing accurate information are particularly great in the case of the missionary, for, with rare exceptions, he is confined to a section of the community that ill 110 country fairly represents either its virtues or its vices. An occasional glimpse into other strata awakens a conviction that the usual opinion, as to the general condition of the Spanish people, is not so hopeless as some hare depicted it. That the door opened to the pure Gospel in 1868 was of God, mnst be evident to the most superficial observer, tho it was brought about by political intrigue as the outcome of well-nigh exhausted pati~nce. The fact that in almost every place where this Gospel has been carried by true messengers of the Oross, whether men or women, there has been a response resulting in the formation of churches in most of the important cities, is as pregnant with instruction as with hope for the future. Spain's religious condition is the true key to its moral status, for the religious standard of a country gives the tone to its morals and even to its customs.
The Romish Church, that many have supposed, erroneously, to be on the decline, still holds the consciences of the women with a firm and pitiless grasp, and, externally at least, a large majority of the men of the upper and middle classes; tho, in the case of the women especially, this does not necessarily indicate deep religious VIJj;W AT EL ESCORIAL-THE CELEBRATED MONASTt:RY IS 'J'HE DISTANCE.
sentiment. Nevertheless they form a potent factor in the religious element of the nation, strongly influencing the men, who, for the most part, have no religion, or have not either conviction or courage to take an independent stand. The power of the confessional, and the terribly deadening influence of a worship based upon a lie, must bear their poisonous fruits in the daily life. Doubtless some secretly adore the Savior, and others look above and beyond the grosser forms of Romish worship, and seek to adapt their lives to Ohristian doctrines, so far as their limited knowledge permits, but these dare not express their convictions, knowing full well the consequences. To the few who have had the courage to leave the Roman Ohurch, braving all for Christ, merciless intolerallce has been meted out, and practically all 8ympathy with snch, even to the alleviation of physical sufferings or snccor in old age, is systematically and determinately withheld. Imagine a country devoid of hospitals, orphanages, almshouses for aged poor, or for disabled soldiers and sailors, or kindred institutiolls jol' an!! but llomftn Catholics! This is the deplorably sad condition to which Spain has been brought by the so-called Christian Romish Church after eighteen centuries of Christianity. When it is remembered that the majority of those declaring themseh'es to be evangelical Christians are exceedingly ]Joor and almost devoid of influence ill the" upper circles," this monrnful picture is com- plete. What a field ib this for Christian philanthropy 1 The task of the missionarv is, indeed, a coutinuous via dolol'osa, a daily struggle with various el~ments, spiritual, moral, legal, and social, in order to retain OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERI EVANGELICAL MISSION, MADRID.
what has been left of the so-called liberty of worship, that in practise has become, with few exceptions, only toleration.
Take, for instance, "the law as to civil marriage. Notwithstanding the fact that, according to the statute, every citizen has a right to be married without ecclesiastical intervention, the Homish Church is ullceasiug in its efforts to influence the civil authorities so that almost endless difficulties are placed in the way of obtaining the necessary documents, which, for the poorest, cost at least six dollars. In addition to this she stigmatizes civil marriages as concn binage, thus intimidatillg many, and puttillg hindrances ill the way of the free exercise of conscience.
A member of the Chamberi church was recently married without a priest. His father, a fervent Homanist, at first withheld his consent, and when he at length yielded, the judge before whom he went to make his declaration, officiously did his utmost to dissuade him, appealing to the reltgious sentiment ill order to hinder his son's marriage. 'l'his is the general attitude of the authorities in a land where respect for private conviction is a scarce commodity, and where, in consequence, submission to such is at a premium. I am sorry to add that, even in the highest circles, bribery is most common and an easy mode to overcome difficulties and evade the law.
Thus much for the darker side of the picture. When, in 1872, my attention was drawn to the suburb of Madrid, known as Chamberi, education, even primary, was sadly lacking. So far as memory serves me, there was but one 8rohool in the district, and that entirely under ecclesiastical control. To-day there is here a numerous and flourishing churroh; schools for boys, girls, and infants were opelled, and have been maintained ever since, abou t eight thousand children having past through them thus far. A great change has resulted. Schools, both higher and primary, public and private, paying and gratuitolls, have sprung up on all hands. Still our numbers do not diminish, tho the small fee charged at the commencement has twice been raised, and will yet be further increast 80 as to assist in supplying the teachers' salaries and other expenditures; A Roman Catholic lady, who visits the family of two of our teachers, related a conversation which she overheard in one of their schools, to the effect that more thoroughness was needful, as the instruction in the Protestan t schools was acknowledged Oil every hand to be so superior. When I add that our first aim is the spiritual well-being of the scholars, and that the eight Spanish teachers are all decided Christians, the preceding remark is sufficiently explained.
'Vith increast education there has, of course, resulted the usual mingling of good and evil. Since the literature of Spain, especially that read by the lower classes, is almost exclusively of the most deleterious character, there seems to be little immediate fruit for good, except ill the case of those who have come under daily Christian instruction ill Protestant schools. The reading propensity, too, would seeIll to be Illllch less developt than ill more northern lands, for tho Madrid can boast of a splend id national library, with a large and comfortable free reading-roulIl, I have rarely found more than a few individuals enjoying its privileges. DOli btless some rather above the artisan class, and especially students of the various universities, avail themselves occasionally of the ad vantages offered, but rather from necessity than from love for readillg.
The love of pleasure is the clll'~r hindrance to real seriousness of thought, and so long as the national pastime is in the bull-fight, a radical challge, either ill character or temperament, can scarcely be expected. Notwithstanding the very grave condition of affairs generally, the carnival this year was exceptionally brilliant, possibly with the idea of divertillg the people's attention from the real state of things. The following translation of an address delivered by the cardinal archbishop of Valladolid, will let further light into the two- sided question under consideration: "All acknowledge that the actual situation of Spain is the most critical that our country has past through in the present generation, and can only be compared to that which preceded the French invasion at the beginning of the century. All know that we are in danger of a tempest from without, and that within a volcano is roaring under our feet. Not- withstanding, we hear of more preparations for public diversions than usual, noisy preparations for feasts, battles of flowers, bull-fights, maskt balls, and the like; a paroxysm of the foolishness of carnival as out of place as it is exaggerated. In its nature carnival is a barbarous custom, nearly always immoral, and frequently sacrilegious and impious, especially so in these days of so much mourning for our insulted coun- try, in addition to the grief of the Spanish mothers, whose sons have died in Cuba, and who, from the solitude in which they weep, can hear the loud laughter of vice as well as so much blasphemy. It appears as if the people were to be diverted to prevent them realizing their condition, to be intoxicated with pleasure that they may not feel, to bring them down to the level of the Roman decadence. 'Ve see, with the most profound sorrow, that it is intended to make the carnival this year more uproarious and, on that account, 1Y/01'e i1nnwral than ere'!'. How can this phenomenon be explained? If we look at it from a natural point of view, it is repugnant to all delicate sentiments to make so much ostentatious merriment in a country and at a time when so many tears are being shed, and where there is likely to be cause for many more. More sensible have been the places, sadly few in number, that have happily agreed not t6 celebrate the carnival this year. The money dissipated on this ostentatious luxury might be used for food and medicines for our poor soldiers, or it might help to construct machines of war, which would contribute to make our flag respected. We ought to reflect upon the repeated warnings which God has given to us, for has not the Lord's prophet said, 'The earth is desolate because no one considered?' "
As to the political situation, we know not what a day may bring forth. The national pride, piqued by the Marquis of Salisbury'S late speech, in which he referred to moribund nations, has found expression for its wounded feelings in the press. One local paper, El lmpal'cial, expresses itself in a leader as follows: " A country that has sent across the Atlantic to Cuba ten times more f301diers than England despatcht to America to sustain her sovereignty in what are now called the United States, and tho surprised by a war with the stranger, and weakened by other surprises not less painful, still confronts the risks without vacillation, has still many ages to live. This nation may be weakened by such a struggle, but, thanks to a strong ('onstitution, it will recover. At the present time it is certain, as Lord Salisbury asserts, it is without eminent men or true statesmen; but is it, therefore, logical to suppose that we shall not again have any? Other nations have past through analogous periods, including the one whose destinies are now directed by his lordship, and he is not able to affirm that its administration at one time was not as corrupt as ours is at present. These are passing cir()um.sta,nces in the lives of nations, but tJ.1~ permanent, the great national mass, the soil from which springs the sap that nourishes the state and its organisms, has inexhaustible force. This has been proved many times, and it will be proved again."
This extract must suffice to illustrate the general feeling, and tho the not doubtful issue of the present struggle is freely discounted by Spaniards, olle thing is clear, they are determilled to lose with honor. May the outcome be for the furtherance of the Gospel, both in this peninsula and in the present Spanish colonies.
Before closing, it may be of interest to trace briefly the progress of Gospel effort since the year 1868, in which year it was my privilege to enter the field shortly after the event of September, known here as La Glo1'iusa. Simultaneously several others, stirred by the remarkable events that culminated ill the dethronement of Isabella II., commenced, in various ways, to make known the true and only way to God. Halls were rented aJl(l transformed into temporary preaching centers; the Scriptures were freely distribu ted; schools were opened; the British and Foreign Bible Society and su bsequently the Religious Tract Society of London, began organized work. Nor were the British Isles alone in this Christ-like invasioll, for GermallY and America, and later on Switzerland and Sweden, all contributed their valuable quota of men and women, who have devoted talents, tillle, and means, some of them without any remuneration, to extend the kllowledge of Jesus Christ as the only Savior, the one mediator between God anp man. As the result of labors carried on in France and Switzerland previous to the revolution, a few Spaniards were ready to enter the open doors, and these were quickly reenforced by others as the fruit of efforts of God's servants, many of whom are now fallen asleep. Of these one recalls with joy, mingled with SOITOW, such names as Gladstone, Gould, Corfield, Lawrence, Fenn, alld Blamire, and of Spaniards, Carrasco, Cosid6, Ruet, Castro, Alomo, and Blanco, all personally known to the writer, and with whom he had hearty fellowship, and, in different measures, cooperated in the one work during the seventies. The band that is left is small, indeed, comparatively. Here in the capital, with well nigh half a million inhabitants, the Protestant churches number but /0117', with a minimum of ministers scarcely aided by either evangelists, city missionaries, or Bible readers. Is it not time for a more extended movemen t, and Illay we not expect soon to reap still more tangible fruits to the large amonnt of precious seed sown in the faith, and with many prayers and tears? These are qnestions which we are continually asking ourselves, and that are constrned into the earnest supplication, "Breathe, 0 Lord, upon these bones."
I have referred to the suburb of Chamberi, where the work was commencer1 by me in 18'13, and where the beloved and honored Albert Fenn subsequently devoted his best, both of talents and years, to its extension and deepening. Now, once more, as its responsible guide, I have the double satisfaction of entering upon his labors and seeking to go forward; but-where are the workers? Besides myself there is but one other laborer, a German lady, who for many years has filled an important sphero among the women, and yet the whole district, saturated, as it must be, with Gospel teaching, is open to us. One of the two male teachers lends me occasional aid in the services, as also a worthy carpenter, whose consistent walk for years must tell for good; but the whole past~ral work connected with a church of over one hundred communicant members, the supervision of schools, containing four hundred children, guidance and arrangement, besides C01'- respolldence, etc., all devolye upon l1le. Well may one cry the brief but powednl petition, "Lord, help!" Of fruit it scarcely behooves me to speak, but to His glory be it said, there is a continuous stream, A GROUP OF CHURCH MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBERI MISSION.
Pastor Cllas. E. Faithful! on last row to the left (with a high hat).
albeit small, of manifested blessing. and not a year passes without additions being made to the little company, despised, indeed, of men, but dear to Him who purchased them with His b100d.* May the perusal of these lines result in further prayerful interest and increast practical effort in behalf of a country so deeply interesting both for its historical past and for its continued and apparently ever increasing misfortunes. We see but one remedy: full, unequivocal freedom of COil science, so that the glorious Gospel of the blessed God may be 1l1aced within reach of every creature. For the first we pray, while seekillg daily grace and wisdom to accomplish the second.
* One gl·eat cause for satisfaction and thanksgiving has been the recent acquisition of freehold property, admirably sitnated for chapel and school premises, of the approximate value of $10,000, vested in an English company and registered in accordance with the Spanish law, so securing them in perpetuity to the Gospel. 'I'rue, the buildings an' insufficient, and have required to be adapted, and they still n<'ed alterations and enlargement so as to suit them thoroughly to the purpose for which they are destined. I confidently look to Him, who has provided hitherto, to give me, through His people, the $3,000 thllt would enable me to IIccomplish this, and thus complete what haS been so well begun,
DISSATISFACTION WITH BRITISH RULE IN INDIA
DISSA'l'ISFAOTION WrrH BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.* RY REV. ROBERT A. HUME, D.D., AHMED NAGAR, INDIA.
The English government in India is, in my opinioll, in its main lines, the best government on the face of the earth for its sitnation, i. e., an immense empire of mixt and somewhat hostile races, sn bject to a foreign power. Indians are not able to rule their lalld. In wisdom and mercy God put it into the hands of the British, who have the gift of governing far and away beyond any other people. Ameri- cans could not have administered India nearly as well. The English rulers of India, as a body, are the most capable rulers ill the world.
Most of them are selected after a difficnlt competitive examination, mental and physical, after which they receive special trailling.
India was once a land of wars, intrigues, grinding taxation, tyranny of castes, famines with hardly all effort to ameliorate them; plagues and epidemics mostly left to run their own course, ignorance, and separation from the world. English rule has made it all empire of intemal peace and order; laws 011 the whole wise are generally justly administered; magnificen t high ways, railroads, telegraphs, and post-offices promote cOlllmunication and prosperity ; commerce and trade are multiplied; education is fostered and increast; sanitation and health are yastly improved; harmful customs al'e gradually abolisht; taxes, tho high, .considering the poverty of the people, are clecidedly less than in non-English times, and are collected honestly and considerately. As for the recent famine, nowhere was sneh a gigantic distress dealt with so heroically and successfully.
All these great and palpable advantages are more or less appre- ciated by all Indians. All appreciate the order. Of all classes the traders are best satisfied, for they have 110 canse for complaint, and have great ad vantages. The educated classes appreciate the higher elements of civilization. The govel'lllllellt is most helpfnl to the lowest elasses. 'rhe farmers, who form the bulk of the people, have no occasion for dissatisfaction, and are not dissatisfied, save when complaillt is matle to them of the expensiveness of the government.
* Having been askt to write upon the causes and results of dissatisfaction with English rule in India and the remedy, I feel great hesitation in doing so, especially in an All1erican missionary magazine. Describing the situation in such an organ will not help either Englishmen or Indians to ramedy their weaKnesses, nor eri~ble American Christians to help them to do so. The only reason why I write is one supreme missionary consideration-to try to help American Christians to realize. through the situation here, their own increast responsibility in connection with the evangelization of this great empire.
Whatever fitness I may have for writing on this subject is due to the following facts: I was born in Bombay, and, tho an American citizen, yet I have spent the larger part of my life here, where I have been a missionary tor twenty-three and a half years.
At times I have edited an Anglo-vernacular paper, and have read Indian papers. I have twice been a delegate to the Indian National Congress. I have traveled over much of the country, and have acquaintance with Indian leaders. Sometimes I confer on such subjects with intelligent Indians. I venerate the queen, have very high respect for the English admin· jstration of India, and most earnestly desire its supremacy.–R. A. H, . Ignorant people everywhere consider any taxation a sort of oppression. Yet there is dissatisfa.ction, and more open expression of it. 'rhe two classeo to which dissatisfaction is practically confined are, to some degree, the educated classes, and to a large degrce the Brahman caste. 'rhe Brahman caste, as a whole, is more or less dissatisfied because it sees its own former prerogatives gradually, but certainly, lessened; and because, as the most devoted to Hinduism, it sees that religion losing hold on the people. Without any direct intention of the rulers to produce such a resnlt, BritiRh influence involves the decay of Hinduism.
THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DISSATISFACTION.
1. The saying of our Lord, "Ye can Jlot serve two masters," covers the most important cause. ~With all the very great services which the British rule has rendered, and is rendering to India, and with all the earnestness and devotion of a splendid body of rulers, who honestly pay much regard to India's welfare, and who greatly promote it, it can not be said that they have an eye single to India's welfare. What is good for Englishmen and for British trade is a consideration which constantly presses its claim, and which often confuses and pushes aside the consideration of what is best for India. It is a law of God that" it is better to give than to receive," and Christ says, "blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth;" there is, therefore, really no conflict between what is best for India and what is best for England through Englishmen ill India.
A few of the noblest and most clear-headed of British rulers have seen this. Bnt in the main such a standard is not considered" practical." 'rhe result is, what neglect of any divine principle always is, injury to those who disregard it; here it is growing dissatisfaction with an administration which is, in the main, magnificent. Human nature everywhere shows that any degree of selfishness is shortsightedness, which brings its own penalty. Tho parents have done ten thousand self-sacrificing acts for them, if growing children see thJse parents more or less selfish in their dealings with them, it inevitably produces alienation. It is the old and world-wide tendency to a strain between the mother country amI her colonies; in India much increast by differences of race and thought.
Illustrations abound. 'rake the annexation of Burma. That was not an unjust, sanguinary, nor costly war. The annexation is good for Burma and fo], the world; it has some advantages for India. But it was the promotion of British trade and influence, not the safety or welfare of the Illdia taxpayer which was the controlling consideration. However, it was not the English trader, but the Indian taxpayer who paid the bill, on the plea that it was done for India's welfare. The British became involved in war in Egypt, and took Indian troops there. India is deeply interested in having British influence powerful in the Suez Canal. But who believes that it was solely Indian interests that made India pay all the bill for her troops which were sent to Egypt? All such things rankle in the hearts of intelligent Indians, and are taken advantage of by Indian demagogues.
2. Again, while the higher officials are a superior class, there are not a few white-faced men in India who are not high-toned, and whose conduct is very exasperating to Indians. The average English soldier thinks of all Indians as " niggers," and tho officers generally keep them apart and under control, yet every now and then soldiers maltreat Indians, and rarely get adequate punishment. For example, an intelligent, reforming Brahman family tries to give its ladies education and other privileges like English ladies. While these Indian ladies are out for an evening's walk some British soldiers meet and forcibly ravish them. Had the family tried to bring the soldiers to justice, it would have ad rertised to the world their sad shame, and also it would have been impossible so to prove the offense against particular soldiers as to secure their punishment. Therefore, the family, and those who know the grievous offense, bottle up their anger. But when can they feel aught but hatred in their hearts?
3. Race differences create a very great deal of difficulty, for which often neither side is much to blame. Tho I was born here, and tho I have lired here twenty-three years and a half in intimate relatiolls with many Indians; tho I am much attacht to the country and the people, and live for them; tho many feel great attachment to me, and some would die for me, yet I feel more and more how difficult, perhaps impossible, it is for the Indiall al~d the European or American thoroughly to understand one another. Take one simple and very common cause of misunderstanding. As a practical man, the occidental always has in mind, and often ill speech, an " ·U~·" i. e., he says and thinks, "I will do so and so, If things turn out as I expect, or stipulate." As an idealist the Oriental knows 110 "1/" from anyone promising anything, or from whom he thinks he should receive something. He expects unconditionally that which seems to himself the ideal, even tho conditions are doubly entered in writing in a bond. A European says to a Hindu, " I will help you, if I can." Let the best of reasons prevent the European's helping that Hindu, the latter usually thinks, "You promist to help me, and yon did not." A missionary society employs agents for years. As in America, it never considers itself under obligations always to do so. Heavy reductions in grants make it absolutely impossible to continue to employ them all. '1'hose who are dropt, more or less consider that there has been a breach of faith. '{'he Indian government makes a proclamation, "We do not wish to retain ChitraI, and will not do so unless certain things occur." Doubtless the government thought those things did occur, and so it retained Chitral. Indians and frontier tribes say, "The government broke its solemn pledge." About some things the Indian is most sensitive and the Englishman indifferent, and vice I'ersa. The races are often hurting one another's feelings without knowing it.
But there is one thing in the Englishman which above all irritates the educated Indian. It is the more or less assumption of superiority, and often the dispfay of discourtesy or insult on account of race and color. The educated Indian's presence in the same railway compartment is usually more or less resented. If he tries to ape the European or offellrls some social sentiment, he suffers affront. For what he eonsiders similar service, or better service-usually, ill truth, some element of worth is wanting which the Indian can not see-he gets less pay.
Above a11, in comts of justice he thinks, and with some reason, that color often affects the decision. If an Indian should kill a European, there would be short shrift for him. If an Englishman kills an Indian-and English soldiers far too often do kill ulloffending Indians, not maliciously, but carelessly, and even high-handedlythen he was temporarily insane or drunk, or had sufficient provocation, while the Indian was suffering from enlarged spleen, and. died from a trifling push or blow.
Take a recent instance, where good ground for ill-feeling was aggravated by Indian lack of acquaintance with some English ideas and practise. A petty newspaper publisht an irritating and probably slanderolls report about an English officer. The latter went to the publisher's office and demanded the writer's name. The publisher declined to tell. Other demands were refused in a tone which excited the officer, who then and there thoroughly caned the publisher. Many Indians stood by, but none dared to interfere. The publisher went to the highest local IIHiian magistrate for a summons against the officer. He prudently referred the complainant to the highest local English official. 'rhe latter felt em barrast, consulted another English official, and declined to even issue a summons, on the ground of grave provocation. This course was not wholly due to race consideratiollS. 'rhe English officials said: "The aggrieved officer could not institute legal proceedings against the publisher without govel'llment sanction, which would not have ueen given for action against such an insignificant sheet. In England itself an officer could and would only vent his indignation by c!lllillg the publisher. '['he aggrieved officer here did just what he would have (lone in England. Had he done nothing such papers might think that they could slander English officers with impunity. The least said, the soonest mended. It is best to dismiss the application." From his standpoint the English magistrate thought he was hardly influenced by race considerations. The officer who did the caning was transferred, possibly with a wigging. But how many Indians will ever imagine that it was anything but the grosse8t injustice, solely due to race prejudice?
4. With all its excellenee English rule in India is very costly. 'rhe highl:'st officials receive large incomes. The pension-list is large, growing, and expensive. 'rhe British army in India is paid for by India. All expenses of sending troops and officers back and forth from Englan(l are paid for by India. All expenses of the port of Aden~ which commands the southern entrance to the Red Sea, and is, in some sense, the gate to India, is paid for by India" to protect her." Practically all :English officials, who in England itself manage the relations of England and India, are paid for by India.
Despite this heavy expense, it is economy to India, rather than the possible alternative of Russian or any other foreign rule, or inevibble anarchy and misrule without foreign control. Nevertheless, if English rule could have an eye single to India's welfare in the matter of expense, it would add to its value and lessen growing dissatisfaction on this score.
5. The increasing dissatisfaction is also due to much disregard ot God by Englishmen. That religious considerations have little weight in determining their general policy and in the dealing of Ellglishmen with Indians, is indicated by the well-known fact that tlH~ average Englishman does not think well of the missionary's occupa~ tion. "What reason have we to meddle with people's religion anyway?" Sunday is often desecrated and little observed with religious motives. -The liquor and opium traffics are largely settled on considerations of income. "The British soldier mnst ordinarily be unmarried; he is bound to satisfy his lust; practical government requires this to be the basis on whieh harlots mnst be managed."
'1'hose who believe ill the absolute certainty that the disregard of God causes a loss of respect, eyen among men, need no argument to prove that the too common absellce of religions and Christian motives in many Englishmen, alienates Indians from them.
6. '1'he way in which too many Indians meet these failings of Englishmen, instead of diminishing, increases the difficulty. Very few Indian newspapers understand the whole sitnatioll, or are fair. Afraid of using plain speech, too many of them abound in innuendoes and mean thrusts, and lip loyalty with profest horror at " what would happen if the people were not so yery loyal, despite such grave cause for dissatisfaction." Ignorant editors write as if they knew cocksure what should be the policy of government 011 economical, political, and other difficult subjects. All fair-minded men recognize that it would be helpful to all parties, if there could be some authoritative exponent of true national feeling 011 many subjects. With this ideal all Indian national congress was organized, to meet annually at Christmas in different parts of the empire. The ideal is nohle. But the institn tion with such a grand name falls very, very far below its: name. The delegates usually number thousands. The whole management is with a handful, who decide everything that is to be said or' done. There is no real discussion of any subject. Votes are unani~ mOllS. The thousands raise their hands to vote for what is proposed' by the management, whether they have understood what was said or' not. If the English pay little thought to God in their policy, stm less do most of the complaining Indians in their dissatisfaction with, the ruling class. Not a few of those who express dissatisfaction are selfish demagogues.
':'. 'rhe entire cause of dissatisfaction does not lie with the rulers, 01' with irreligious Englishmen. Even missionaries and Indian Christians have a'part in the matter. 'rhe Brahman sees that missionary influence surely and steadily causes a decline of Hinduism and Brahmallical prerogati-es, and that missionary influence is connected with and strengthens English sway. Naturally this causes dissatisfaction with even English rule. Also afew missionaries and some unlettered and un wise Indian preaehers are irritating ill public preaching and writing. Nevertheless, I am confident that well-informed Hindus and Mohammedans would say that medical missionaries, most educational missionaries, and not a few administrating and evangelistic missionaries are more trusted and beloyed than any other foreigners. And the considerable and growing Indian Christian community is the most loyal section of' India. They do not regret the decline of Hinduism. They understand and apPl'eciate the Englishman better, and the civilization and opportunities he brings.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A!IERICAN CHRISTIANS.
Now for the moral of the whole. There is but one problem and difficulty anywhere in the world: the failure of men to regard God's laws. Every problem in life is but a problem of human brotherhood under the guidance of a divine Father. And there is but one remedy: the Christian motive. In applying the Christian motive the American missionary has anauvalltage over even the English missionary. Great Britain has sent a magnificent army of men and women as missionaries to India. Deservedly they ha'e great influence. But even over them the American missionary has an ad vantage. He has no secret or open political considerations in all his relations with India. No Indian taxes go to pay for any state church of his. No farthillg of Indian taxes goes to his country. Only an immense amount of American money and a thousand edncated and benevolent American men and women COllle from there "ith a desire to help India. As a rule, probably American missionaries, for natural reasons; feel somewhat more of freedom and ease in social relations with Indians. Indians generally think of the United States with the greatest respect. This position of ad vantage creates a responsibility on American Christians to sellJ Christianity to India.
Even British missionaries here feel and express a need of American mISSIOnaries. 'rhe latter are no better than the former. But erery people have their own characteristics, and by these help others. I venture to' give one illustration. When the memorable coming out of the Free Church from the Scottish Establisht Church took place in Scotland, all Scotch Presbyterian missionaries in India had to decide with which party they would cast their lot. The Scotch missionaries in Bombay, who had always been connected with state support for the clergy, had a long consultation with my father, who was then a missionary in Bombay, as to whether ministers could be free and true in their consciences, amI yet be dependent for their support on churches and congregations. 'l'he American missionary, with expe· rience of free churches in America, could and did help them in an especial way. He joineJ their presbytery, and became an elder in the first Free Church in Bombay, in order to encourage and aid the movement which has since developt such noble proporti()!1s. I believfl that well-informed British missionaries here would, with one voice, attest that the American missions of all denominations are among the most wisely administered and the most successful in the lanel. As Scotch missions excel all others in the higher education, so American missions have their special excellences. In self-support and in some other directions, British missionaries here would express a need of the cooperation of American missions. This mutual helpfulness of different nationalities places an additional responsibility on American Christians to maintain mission work in India.
Another, tho lower, reason places American Christians under obligations to do their part in Christianizing India. In very truth, this country is closely connected with the United States economically. American silver has lowered the value of the rupee to everyone of the three hundred millions of this poor lanJ. Our prolific wheat crops affect every Indian farmer, and make it harder for him to live. Onr cotton lowers prices for the Indian cultivator. Our kerosene is coming to light all the villages of the empire. And shall we excuse ourselves from gi ving spiritual light?
Yet sometimes some American Christians say, "It is England's business to evangelize India; let ns leave that to English Christians." 'l'his is a provincial short-sighted view. It is not the spirit of the apostle to the Gentiles which would lead American Christians, whose first missionary operations were in India, to say, "Weare debtors to the Chinaman and African, but !lot to the Hindu." It is not the counsel of men like Dr. Barrows, Dr. F. E. Clark, MI'. Wishard, Mr Mott, and the bishops of the American Methodist Church who have visited India that this country needs less, but more of American mis-
A TYPICAL MISSIOX IX AFRICAN TROPICS
sionaries. I hope that the considerations presented above may help American Christians to realize more fully their responsibility and their opportunity. '1'he more of Indian dissatisfaction with English influence, the greater the respollsibility on American Christians to apply the only efficiellt remedy, Ilamely, THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST.
A '!'YPICAL }fISSJON IN AFRICAN TROPICS.
BY FREDERIC PERRY XOBLg,* CHICAGO.
'rhe Calabar mission is a little sister in the household of faith, and may be taken as an example of a typical field in African tropics. It lies at the corner of Guinea's gulf between the Nigel' delta [7'0 m. west] and Kamerun mountain [35 m. east]. The Calabarese, now numbering about 90,000, stand ethuically, geographically, and linguistically between the Bantn and the Sudanese Negro. Their speech is the Efik dialect of lbo, a language of fine capacity. '1'he people had in 1845 advanced ill civilization, traded largely with Britain and other districts, and spoke English fairly, some of the chiefs also reading and writing it. They were anxious to have their children educated, and were not unwilling to heal' Christianity. British influence then extended only a call non-shot ashore, bn t to-day Calabar is a British possession.
From the begilllling (1823-34) of Scotch mission~ among the Jamaican negroes, the Illost Ilotable trai t of the COIL 'erts was a desire to send Christianity to Africa. From the moment of emancipation, the friends of Africa cherisht the belief that Jamaica would supply Africa with missionaries. In 1841, when the Jamaica Presbytery had for two years claspt the project of an African mission to its heart, Buxton's book on the slave-trade initiated action. '1'hen Jamaica educated Scotch sentiment, received inviting assurances (1843) of property, protection, and welcome from Calabar for any missionary, and resol ved to undertake the mission independently. Waddell, the Carey of the Illovement, a missionary of the Edinburgh Society, returned to Scotland to found a new organization, and resigned from the old one. '1'he brave, however, emboldened others, heroism prevailed, and the Secession church adopted Jamaica's child (1845). 'rIle Students' Missionary Society accepted this as its first mission, and iuitiated a student-volunteer movement. The theologues add rest six public meetings each, and contributed $500. Scotchmen and Jamaicans, blacks and whites, men and women, husbands and wives, clerics and laymen, the carpenter, the printer, and the general utility- * Author of "The Missionary Occupation of Africa." Fleming H. Revell Co ~lr. Noble wishes us to state that in his previous article (p. 419, June) he purposely designated the early settlers in South Africa Dutch Presbyterians, not Dutch Reformers.-En. man, and the educator, and the preacher, all found representation in the seven missionaries. The devoted band reached Calabar (April 10, 1846), Eyo, Eyamba, and other chiefs welcomed it sincerely, and day dawned for darknE'ss.
The natives had a dim idea of a Supreme Being, but believed strongly in spirits and sacrificed to them, sacrifices being offered also to the shades of ancestors. Family life was patriarchal, slavery mitigated by cnstom, but human sacrifice of the propitiatory and yicarious class prevailed. Society comprised slaves and slaveholders, and two kinds of law existed. One Was Egbo or secret-society law; the other, family law. Egbo ruled the country, but for private advantage. 'rhe weak, the poor, the enslaved had no helper. The people were keen traders, their markets were like beehives; and fair farmers, tho a few smiths and weavers were their ROle artisans. The towns were miniature republics, rudely federated by Egbo, and inhabited by courteons, hospitable folk. The chief must enter the shadow-world with a retinue of slain slaves, else he would there be nobody. 'rhe mother of twins was exiled, and the children murdered. Trial by ordeal occurred frequently.
A successful beginning was made. Schools were opened, preaching accomplisht through interpreters, and a Bible-lesson in Efik printed. Converts were being won, tho for long none appeared. First must come the creation of social conditions ill which Christians could live. Atom by atom, blow on blow, consecrated ingenuity and hopeful persistence sapt pagan practices. Sabbath observance was insisted 'on. Soon ab"tinence from Snnday labor became a silent confession of 'Christianity, and led many to identify themselves with the mission. :The early fifties were formative, critical years, and the work was fortunate in its workers. Waddell, Goldie, and Anderson made Calabarese history by driving ont rank superstitions and horrible cnstoms. Human sacrifice was abolisht as early as 1850. The drgradation of woman had been previously confronted by an object-lesson in the marriage of two negro missionaries (1848); now two natives entered into Christian wedlock, the first regular marriage of the Calabarese. The slaughter of twins and the banning of the mother ",.ere presently attackt, and, tho the mission was boycotted by tabu, native opinion indorsed the fresh effort ill hehalf of the sacredness of life and disregardcd Egbo. Preaching had prepared the people for humanitarianism, and humaneness prepared them further for the gospel of womuu, the slave, and the child. Ultimately the punishmellt of a substitute instead of an actnal criminal was annulled, and trial by ordeal was shattered. In 1853, after seven long years of !:lowing and sifting, the nucleus of a church was formed in two communicants. But the tyranny of custom was the cement of society still, and some persecution occnrred in 1854. The church, however, grew in numbers and strength. It constrained Christian slave owners to regard serfs not ItS chattels, but as servants; to pay and aid them; and, as early as practicable, to abolish slavery and free the bondman. In 18% the mission triumphed over the cnstolll of trials by ordeal, and opened new fields. 'Vorkers came and workers went. Among newcomers Baillie's buoyancy, medical lore, and tireless zeal made him a pioneer. Among the departing, broken health compelled Waddell, the father, philanthropist and statesman, to retire (1858). lIe had made the Calabar of the past into that of the flltUl'e, amI at his departure a native church of 21 members gave $350 to the home-church.
This epochal year closed one era and opened allother. When Calabar's Constantine, Eyo, died, the Gospel's triu mph received amazing demonstration. Not one drop of blood was shed, and his sons took the oath on the Scriptures. The jllngle of paganism had been largely cleared a,ud foundations laid; now, courses were to be reared. Conquests of the grosser superstitions mllst be clincht by the blest drudgery of teaching, preaching, and industrial training. The building of a chnrch at native expense and a new chief's abolition of Sunday marketillg assisted the missionaries. Christian women won the right to wear decellt dress. In 1868 the widows of chiefs broke the cHstom that they must mourn llntil fnlleral rites, often delayed one, three, or even seven years, were consummated. The years 1862 and 1868 gave the Calabarese the Efik New and Old Testaments. Bnt dark clonds obscured the SllIlllY skies. The mission walkt long in the valley of death-shades, new crises confronted it, and the work was too heavy for the toilers, yet no reinforcements came. :Mrs. Baillie's dying words, "Nothing would be more unjust than to attribute my death to the climate," and her husband's cry, "0 Africa! Africal I have wisht to spend and be spent for thee," breathed the spirit of Christ; but volunteers were wanting.
In 18,0 native agency had so grown that it did ., fully half the work, at the cost of little more than one European." This fact, the deadliness of the climate and the repeated deaths of Europeans, led to experiment. Eighty negroes of our southern states were educated in American colleges, but proved unavailable as missionaries. Accordingly the principal agents are as far as feasible recruited from those who have for some time resided in Jamaica, whose climate and latitude are little less tropical than those of Calabar; (tnd, instead of importing half-baked negro ministers, ignorant of Calabal'ese languages, from America or the Antilles, an Efik milli~try is reared from native converts. This system has proved capablc of indefinite expansion, the 1Iati ye ministry is full of promise, amI dlcerillg signs of developmen t presen t thelllsel ves.
Remarkable activity caHle in 18,5. Exploration was vigorously pnsht. The l)ro~ress of Calabar aroused fresh courage. The ordina~ tion of the second native pastor seemed to start the church on a new stage, for it agreed (1879) to aim at supporting its Efik agents without foreign help. This assumption of respollsibility promist well for the future. Moreover, Christian teaching had so shot Calabarese society through and through, that the leading citizens agreed with the British consul that Egbo assaults on women, human sacrifice, murder of twins and expulsion of the mothers, ordeal, and widow-imprisonment should by the law of the land be recognized as crimes, and be punisht accordingly. This treaty, the consul confest, conld not have been but for the coming of the mission only a generation before. What had not God wrought!
Forward became the cry, tho 1881-82 proved years of trial. A visit from Scotch deputies brought the Efik church into brotherly fellowship with the Jamaica and Scotch church, and markt another epoch. Edgerly, the Livingstone of Calabar, explored districts unvisited by Europeans, alld through Scotland's bairns, obtained a muchneeded missioll-steamer. Calabar has neither beast of burden nor road, amI waterways afford the chief channels for travel. The steamer enabled the mission to avail itself of river-roads and pelletrate to regions beyond. A station ,ms opened 100 miles above the ocean, and for the first six months its pioneer was more a contractor than a missionary, a backwoodsman rather than a cleric. He built children's rooms, dispensary, houses, and store; felled forest alld thicket; healed the sick; Illade roa<ls; preach t; taught, and reduced the language to writing. Of course he broke down. The church demands too much from its agents, and. gives too little. With each missionary it ought to send at lcast one artisall_ But another way than the Lord's WHS being prepared. in the wilderness, for however far inland. the Bible has penetrated the bottle has preceded it, and Biafra Presbytery "is convinced that to end it [the Americo-European liquor-traffieJ woul(l do more for Christ's cause than to double her missionaries; ,. yet notwithstanding this the outlook was neyer brighter_ In no period have volunteers been 8{) nnmerons as since 1890. A Lovedale hm.! been fOllnded, native industries are to be created and pusht. and Christianity is to be promoted by industrial culture as well as by educating the head and rectifying the heart and spirit. Captious criticism may carp at the church having so few adherents, and still fewer cornmunic:tnts, but critics must remember that the deadliness of the climate, the four centUJ'ies of demoralizing contact with Europeans, and the native sillfullless made Guinea as difficult a mission-sphere as any. 1'l1e abolition of hoary evils; the in breathing of high hopes and ideals; the purification of society; the bringing of men into fellowship with God in Christ; the Gulf-Stream CUl'l'E'l1ts of blessed influence and human betterment which flow from the life of the lowly N~za)'ene iuto the livp-s
1898.J WORK OF THE MCALL MISSION IN NICE
of Calabar's wretched children; the change from the miasma of heathenism to the health-giving atmosplwre of Christianity – these are among the far-reaching and subtle consequences which have followed the transplantation of this Scotch flower of missions to the mangrove sW8~mps. The callny, spiritual Scots! They built for the eternal. The story of Calabar is olle of toil, suffering, and heroism, bu t likewise a story of marvels and victories. The little sister has done what she could. She has hroken the alabaster box of self-sacrifice, and its fragrance has perfumed the whole house. They who waged the happy strife and warred with evil to the hilt have seen of the travail of their souls and are glad.
WORK OF THE McALL MISSION IN NICE.
Nice, the far-famed pleasure and health resort, is also the scene of much active Christian work. * The McAll Mission has Jor mallY years had an evangelist here; anrl the work has Ilot been withon t trne spiritual results. III the ward for incurables in the city hospital there now lies a young paralyzed woman who was led to simple faith in the Gospel throngh hearing it preacht at these' meetings. She has remained faithful through trials and persecutions, tho isolated from all Protestants ill the hospital, to which she was obliged to go, being an orphan and ullahle to eal'll her living. 'J'wice a month she is allowed to be wheeled to the 'remple Evangelique. where she listens to the preaching of His Word.
One of the most regular attendants at the weekly" Conferences :f:vangeliques" is an elderly FrellC~h willow, who always sits in one of the front rows. When quite young she lost all faith in the priests and the Roman Catholic Church, and profest no religion, but always retained a belief in God. 'rhen, seized in latter years by a painful, supposedly incurable disease, she was attended by an ]:uglish doctor, to whom she said oue day: "You have relie"ed my body; I wish you could do the same for my soul." Through him SOllle Christian friends visited her, gave her the New Testament, and talll her of the McAll meetings, which were held neal' by. She read the Testament earnestly, attended the services, awl listened most eagerly to all the preachers said. A few Illonths later she wrote, sayillg: "I have given myself to Jesus, aJ](I enjoy such peace." The following spring (about foul' years ago) • Besides the English, Scotch, and American churches, there is a French Protestant church, which is crowded during the season, and which has a large Sunday-school and various other branches of work. The Young Men's and Young "'omen's Christian Associations are also represented here, and every second Sunday afternoon a service is held ill Italian in the chapel adjoining the French church. A small congregation of Baptists meet in a little hall, where French evangelistic meetings are carried on three times a week. There are also services for Italian laborers. in a hall opened for them, a sailors' home, a Protestant hospital, and Bible distribution by an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. she was admitted to the church. She prayed for strength to be given her, so that she might attend the meetings regularly. Her doctors were surprised at the improvement in her health. She wrote to all :the members of her family telling them of her cxperience; and spoke ,to those abont her of the joy the Gospel had brought her. She had to ;suffer persecution in differen t ways. The thing that hurt her most, lperhaps, was the remark made by some that she had sold her soul to ,the Protestants for so many francs. It is a common saying, both in France and Italy, that 500 francs is given by Protestants to buy over ;a person to their religion. So firmly is this believed, that some have applied to pastors, saying that on these terms they are quite willing to change their religion. Undaunted by misrepresentation, this lady has continued to witness for Christ, and has been greatly cheered by the way in which her brother-a freethinker-has received her testi- mony. "If religion had been set before me like that," he said, "I ',would neyer have refused it." lIe now gladly reads the Gospel.
Other instances might be given of blessing received. Only to day a woman, who has not yet joined the Protestant church, but was until recently a fervent Roman Catholic, now passing through a time of severe trial, said: "If it had not !leen for the consolations received in .th~t hall through the Gospel, I should have gOlle mad. Now, I thank ,God for my tron ble, as it has brought me neal' to Him. When feeling 'very sad, I pray, and then I go away happy and singing."
In connection with the mission there is a small society, called ," Societe d'Activit6 Chretienne," composed of those who sign a very ,simple confession of faith, and band together to do something to ad- vance the cause of Christ. Once a month the members meet together for prayer and meditation on God's Word. Some of the members visit among the people, leaving traets, lending Testaments and books, .and inviting to the meeting8. One Illan went amollg the cabmell, and after giving Gospel papers to them 011 the stands, received the addresses of many who said they would be glad to be visited in their homes. Recently two young mell have undertaken to distribute among the postmen a monthly paper especially prepared for them.
There is, besides, a reading-room for soldiers, open every day from 5 to 9 P. 11., except on Sundays. This is much appreciated by the meli. Direct evangelistic work can Ilot be carried on here, as it is against the law to nse suell places for spreading either religious or political movements. 'fhis hall has been kindly placed at the disposal of two young ladies who conduct a Sunday-school there. The number of children who attend it is most encoUl'aging; over 40 names are on the roll. Both Italian and FJ'ellch children attend, so that the teaching has to be carried on ill both htnguages. The families of the children are visited, ancl then it is fonnel that frequently the texts and truths learned in the t;chools lu~v~ b~en repeat~d to the parents.
THE ISLAND OF CUBA AND ITS PEOPLE
n.-MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT.
THE ISLAND OF CUBA AND ITS PEOPLE. * Cuba is about 760 miles in length; and the breadth at the narrowest part, near Havana, is from 30 to 36 miles; at the widest part in the east, 125 miles. If Cuba was translated to the latitude of New York, and Cape Maisi the eastern extremity were laid down at Sandy Hook, Cape San Antonio at the west would be in the vicinity of Chicago. The distance from the northwest coast of Cuba to the Florida mainland is about that from New York to Albany, while our fleet at Key West is as near HavaLa as Poughkeepsie is to New York. The area of Cuba is 45,000 squre miles, or about equal to that of Pennsylvania.
The eastern end of the island is the source of the mustering and march of the insurgents. From hence the raiders have proceeded with their long processions of cavalry through all the provinces, and Havana o £~ … …… ~.,.
M X has seen the light of the flames that consumes the substance of the island, in spite of the large Spanish army and the trench lines with detacht forts at short intervals, known as "trochas," drawn at various points across the island.
Cuba, in form a thin irregular cresent, has a coast line of 2,200 miles, or of nearly 7,000 miles if all indentations are included. About half of the north coast is open, and an equal portion of the south, affording many fine harbors capable of easy defense. The country is in general mountainous, and this physical feature has enabled the insurgents to maintain their struggle against overwhelming odds in the way of numbers and military resources. The mastery of position have been the Cuban rebels in their mountain retreats. The Cubitas range, in Puerto Principe province, is the seat of whatever there is of the insurgent government. The Spanish hold the cities and coast towns, as the insurgents are helpless wherever the guns of a warship can be employed, or large bodies of men be massed. The mountains give the varieties of climate and products which make portions of Cuba remarkable• • Coodenst from The Watchman (Boston).
MISSIONARY DIGES.T DEPARTMENT
The rivers are many rather than large. The lakes are few and mostly near the coast in proximity to the great marshes or everglades. The lowlands and rolling slopes worn from the mountain chains compose four-fifths of the area of Cuba, and the rich soil makes the productive capacity of incalculable value. Two crops of cereals are often obtained in the same year.
Considering its tropical position, the climate is mild. The seasons are divided into the dry and the rainy, the latter extending from May to November. Humidity averages over 80° at all seasons. The mean annual temperature at Havana is 78°; for the hottest month 81°, coldest 70°. January is the coldest month, August the warmest. The dry season is delightful, and the hottest period is redeemed by refreshing ocean breezes. North winds prevail, the annual rainfall is forty inches, and hurricanes are not infrequent. The foliage is green at all seasons.
Rich ore deposits are known to exist. Copper occurs in the extreme eastern and western departments. Bituminous coal of fine quality is found in large quantities in many parts. Marble is abundant. Gold has been found, but Cuba does not promise to become a Klondike. Iron ore making a super quality of steel is mined in the province of Santiago de Cuba, and other classes of ore are found awaiting development.
The great wealth is in the agricultural products, chief of which are sugar, tobacco, and coffee. The first sugar plantation was establisht in 1595, but the industry did not assume importance until the present century. In addition to heavy taxation, the trade has of late years suffered severely from beet-sugar competition. The war has practically ruined the crops for three years past. Tobacco is indigenous and its quality famous. Coffee does not hold an important place commercially. Maize, peppers, yams, and sweet pototoes are raised for home use. Almost all the tropical and sub-tropical fruits grow freely, as the pineapple, orange, plantain, banana, fig, and pomegranate. Cocoa, cassava, honey, and wax are produced for domestic consumption and export. The dense, uncleared forests-13,000,000 acres-abound in tropical and other valuable woods, including mahogany, ebony, cedar, and granadillo. There are over thirty species of palms, and the botanical catalogue gives 3,350 indigenous flowering plants besides those introduced by Europeans.
The communications are poor, whether by road, rail, or boat. The roads, as a rule, are mere trails, almost impassable in the wet season. Government has built perhaps 175 miles of paved highway, the chief stretch being the sixty miles from Havana to Pinal' del Rio. Outside the cities the universal passenger vehicle is the" volante," a two-seated carriage, swung low by leather straps from the axle of two large wheels, with shafts fifteen feet long. The shaft horse is led by a postilion, whose horse is also harnest to the carriage with traces. The conveyance is comfortable and safe. Merchandise, when not sent by rail, is usually transported in heavy carts drawn by oxen or mules.
The railway lines comprise about 1,000 miles of track, controlled by ten companies. In addition, sugar planters have built numerous narrowgauge branches to connect their estates with the main lines. The land facilities for travel and transportation are far from satisfactory. There are frequent coastwise and foreign steamers connecting the coast towns. The telegraph system is under government control, and wires connect all the principal towns and villages. Telephonic communication is, as yet, confined to Havana and suburbs, and controlled by government.
THE ISLAND OF CUBA AND ITS PEOPLE
Each of the six provinces bears the same name as its chief city, and is divided into judicial districts. Pinar del Rio is the famous tobacco region; Havana province yields all the various agricultural products of the island, and is the principal manufacturing center; Matanzas is a cen- ter of sugar production, and one of the richest and best developt portions of the island; Santa Clara was one of the first settled, and has large sugar plantations and factories; Puerto Principe is mountainous and largely forest and cavernous; Santiago de Cuba abounds in the products of the other provinces, and exceeds all in mineral riches, yielding gold, cOpper, iron, manganese, mercury, zinc, asphalt, marble, alabaster, rock crystal, and gems.
There are 112 cities and towns on the island. Havana, the capital and only city of any considerable size, has a fluctuating population commonly put at 200,000. Matanzas has 5O,000,Puerto Principe 40,000, Cienfuegos 26,000, Cardenas 20,505, Sagua la Grande 14,000, Manzanillo 9,036, Guan- tanamo 9,000, while only one or two of the others reach 6,000.
The religious condition of Cuba and the various forms of Protestant missionary effort among the Cubans are thus described by Rev. George Lester in The Review of Missions: In Cuba flagrant desecration of the Sabbath, gambling, brutal and degrading sports, and the exposure of indecent prints, are only the out- ward and visible signs of moral degeneracy which is deep and widespread. A writer who is by no means unfavorable to the Roman Church has said: "Whether it be from want of rivals or merely from force of time, the Catholic Church in Cuba has fallen from its high estate." It wants the wholesomeness which is essential to vigorous combat with worldliness and lust, and the" love" which endureth all things. It is the tool of the State, and its priesthood is a butt for the ribaldry of every scoffing wit. Its altars are served chiefly by foreigners; it is a rare thing for an educated Cuban to enter its ministry.
It is only a few years ago that liberty of worship was granted by the revised Spanish constitution. Now, altho sympathy with evangelism is not yet forthcoming, toleration is the word of the written law. In a hundred ways which priestly ingenuity can devise, religious liberty may be interfered with, but the law professes to afford protection. Protestant teachers have only to toil on in the patience of hope and the labor of love, and the Cuban, who is indifferent to religion, rather than averse to it, will come to know who are his true friends. Beginnings have already been made, of which the most successful was the work of Pastor A. J. Diaz, in Havana. (Already described in these pages.) The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has a station in Havana. The premises consist of a small hall and dwelling house in Concordia, in the northwest quarter of the city, where the population is chiefly of the artisan class. The work has suffered many vicissitudes, and but for the grace and mercy of God, and the loyal devotion of a faithful few, would ere now have come to naught. In spite of many discouragements this mission church shows sign.:; of life and hope, and is worthy of the support and sympathy of all who pray for the evangelization of Cuba.
The Jamaica Baptist Missionary Society has had a mission in Cienfuegos for several years. The results have not been encouraging, and it is not improbable that the station will have to be abandoned. The Presbyterians of Mexico have had one or two small missions in Cuba; and there is also an Episcopal mission in Matanzas.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
A good work has been done by the distribution of the Scriptures and Gospel tracts. There is now but little that can be called persecution, altho considerable prejudice exists, and insult and petty annoyances have frequently to be endured. The priests are keenly sensitive, "doubting whereunto this thing may grow." The well-known tactics to which the zealots of Rome resort in order to harass and hinder the evangelist are plied without mercy; but for all that, "a great door and effectual is opened" in Cuba for the preaching of a present, free, and full salvation.
What is done in the way of Protestant missions in Cuba should be done on a large and generous scale. Small hired halls in out-of-the-way places neither attract the Cuban, who is a lover of the spectacular, nor do they suggest to him the idea that these evangelists mean to stay. With every mission set up there should be arrangements for a cemeterya strange suggestion to those who do not know Cuba; but to such as do, an adjunct regarded as important to success in this island as are schools in India and dispensaries in China. As far as possible, Cubans should be employed as missionaries to their countrymen. There is a strong sentiment of fellowship in the Cuban mind; there are patriotic ambitions in which no foreigner can fully share. And in all labor and underlying all. plans of service there must needs be a strong, fervent, and triumphant expectation of success. Protestantism, not as a mere theological negation, but as a spiritual energy is, under God, equal to the splendid task of saving Cuba.
EXODUS OF. PRIJ<JSTS F.ROM THE CHURCH OF. ROME. * BY J. MURRAY MITCHELL, LL.D.
It is pretty generally known that many Roman Catholic priests are dissatisfied with their Church, and not a few of them have lately quitted it. But prohably not many are aware of the extent of the dissatisfaction and the far-reaching consequences that are likely to arise from it.
The society has been in existence for a good many years, but at first F.rench Protestants were slow in coming to its support. They were very doubtful of the real conversion of the "converted priests." It was known that not a few Roman clerics were anxious to leave their Church if they could secure a livelihood when they did so; but the motives of at least some of them seemed questionable, and it was thought that any considerable influx of such men would be hurtful to the Protestant churches, and might seriously damage their reputation. Assuredly the present tendency to abandon the Church of Rome has not been, to any appreciable extent, the result of proselytizing efforts on the part of F.rench Protestantism.
But the tendency is undeniable. The society we are referring to is very chary in giving pecuniary assistance to those who apply for it; but during the last ten years it has aided more than sixty priests in abandoning Rome. The difficulty in knowing what work the ex-priests can take up is exceeding great. Many, we believe, turn to manual labor-driving cabs and the like; others find employment in shops and offices. Those who have been aided by this society have generally become pastors, evangelists, missionaries, or teachers. Two are now police commis- • Information gathered largely from the report of the society for Oeuvre des pretres convertls (work of converted priests).
EXODUS OF PRIESTS FROM THE CHURCH OF ROME
sioners. Others are in places of business. But to a large number of applicants the society has only given fitting advice, not granting any pecuniary aid.
The report of 1897 contains a list of sixteen priests and monks who have received pecuniary help from the society. One of these has deceived them-only one; and that is apparently about the annual proportion of unsatisfactory cases. It seems to us singularly small. The committee of the society" evidently exercises great caution in judging of the char- acter of applicants.
Equally interesting with these reports, and, if possible, more so, is a monthly periodical called Le Chretien Franr;ais, which is edited by "a group of priests and ex-priests," the director being the ex-Abbe Bour- rier. Each issue contains eight large quarto pages. Everything is written with French vivacity and incisiveness. In some of the papers which are sent by men still in the Church of Rome, the tone is one of great sadness; the writers are like captive birds beating themselves to death against the bars of their cage; others from men who have quitted Rome, pour out the song of triumph: "The snare is broken, and we are escaped."
One of the most striking things in the periodical appears in the third number. It is a long extract from La Ve'r'ite, a Romanist paper, strongly opposed to the movement. We quote a few words: "There have always been unhappy defections, but they were isolated. To-day the evil is greater than ever. It is not merely single cases which we have'to deplore. Certain general tendencies are showing themselves; a collective movement is perceptible. Briefly, if we are to believe the sad information that reaches us, there is forming here and there among the clergy an apostate party. Our Catholic priesthood, so firm and united up to the present time, is shaken; and there is a movement, tho still concealed, towards Protestantism. Not only last month did six priests take their seats as prospective pastors on the benches of the faculty of Protestant theology in Paris, but at least four others have entered as students in the Protestant faculty of Montauban. All this at once! But it is not the whole. Others are ~xpected to follow. Then here comes a list of sixteen priests who have become Protestant pastors, and are settled as such in various places. "
The following paragraphs also indicate the present state of unrest in religious circles in France: "The Church is in alarm. Various signs of impatience and even of revolt are showing themselves among the younger clergy. The profes- sion of faith made by various priests who have lately left the Church, is full of noble evangelical zeal and pious candor. Some still remain in their parishes with their people, who continue to support them. Others enter the evangelization societies." So wrote the Abbe Chabonnill while he was still in the Church of Rome. He has now left it.
The following statement by M. Philippot is as new as it is cheering: "There is a most interesting class of men-the freethinkers. I used to visit them only as a matter of politeness. I thought them people with- • out faith or law, and shunned all religious conversation with men. But several of them have said to me: 'Ah! sir, what we want is a religion that speaks to us about God, and in which we pray to God.' Another, in speaking of the Gospel, said: 'That is my religion.' And I have reported to me a saying which, in the mouth of a freethinker, is sublime: 'In the sermons of the cures there is One who is never mentioned-that is the F'ather."
It is strongly asserted in the reports of the society that experience *The president of the society is the well-known Eugene Reveilland, and the director and treasnrer is L, J, Bertrand, whose address is Neuilly, Seine.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
has proved converted priests to be much more efficient evangelists, in many cases, among the Roman Catholic population than Protestants usually are. When we read the letters addrest to the Chretien Franr;ais we can quite believe this. The iron has entered into the souls of these men, and they testify both of the wretchedness they have personally felt and of the great deliverance which God has wrought for them and is ready to work for others.
It appears certain that the earnest men who have already abandoned, or seem on the point of abandoning, the Roman communion, will not be simply absorbed in Prench Protestantism and leave it unaffected. It does not become us to point to what may appear defective in Prench Protestant theology and life, but we have become deeply interested by communications in the Chretien Franr;ais, in which there is an earnest effort to show that in various things which Rome has materialized and grievously perverted, there is yet an element of truth which ought to be earnestly sought out, purged from Popish corruptions, and restored to the churches of the Reformation. This line of thought is exceedingly important, and we shall wait with some anxiety, and much hope, for its coming developments.
" Semen est sanguis Christianorum," as Tertullian said of old. The blood of the" noble army" of Huguenot martyrs was not shed in vain. LU'l-ts Deo!
THE WORLDWIDE DECLINE OF ROMAN CATHOLIQISM.
During the month" of October and November of last year an organized mob of Roman Catholics attempted to break up Protestant meetings in Manchester and other English cities. When they made an attack on a Methodist church, the Methodist Times of London bade them beware, and very pointedly let them know that the Englishman's right of free speech must not be infringed upon by the followers of the pope. It also publisht the following article, which has opened the eyes of many Englishmen, who had been dazzled by Papal splendor at Rome and on the continent, and who were inclined to think that because the Roman Church had a long history it was growing in numbers and power. The Converted Catholie (New York) also makes the same statement.
One of the greatest delusions of our time is the notion that the Roman Catholic Church is prospering, and especLtlly that it is making rapid strides in Great Britain and the United States. The actual fact is that the Roman Catholic Church alone of Christian churches, is declining all over the world. As recently as 1890, the late Cardinal Manning prepared a series of notes in relation to the condition of Romanism in England. In these documents he states that there are a million and a half of Roman Catholics in England to-day, but that only 200,000 of them are English. Of the rest, we may add, 100,000 are Prench, German, and Italian; 1,200,000 are Irish. Now all these were Romanists before they came to England, and so represent no increase whatever. The apparent growth of Romanism in this country (England) is almost entirely due to an immense Irish immigration. If tile Irish and Continental Romanists returned to their own countries, Romanism in England would disappear. In a speech delivered last month at the annual reunion of the Guild of our Lady of Ransom in Liverpool, Canon Murnane, the well-known temperance reformer, made the following statement about the bulk of the Irish who had crost the Irish Sea: "When some fifty years ago the Irish famine sent hundreds of thou-
THE WORLDWIDE DECLINE OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM
sands of the most loyal, the most pure-hearted and zealous people in the world into the great industrial centres of this country, one would naturally have hoped for a great future fol' the Catholic Church-for the wished-for conversion of the dowry of Mary. But, alas! what was the result? Their people-these people who came here under such auspices, with such faith and strengt.h and manhood, were to-day the loafers round the st.reet corners, the disgraces and the scandals of the cities and towns."
This honest and courageous priest ascribes the pitiable condition of Irish papists to intemperance, which he is so bravely combating, but the fact in which we are interested is that the immense Romanist increase is almost entirely due t.o Irishmen, and their transfer from Ireland to England has, on the authority of Canon Murnane, not been attended by the results naturally anticipated from so great a migration; 200,000 English Roman Catholics out of a population of 30,000,000 is significant.
Further, Ireland has lost 3.000,000 of Irish Romanists by emigration since t.he beginning of the century. A million of them have been retained in England, but 2,000,000 have crost the Atlantic and been lost in the immense Protestant majority there. The result is that not only has Romanism utterly failed to increase relatively to the increase of the population, but there are literally and absolutely 2,000,000 fewer Romanists in the United Kingdom than a hundred years ago.
Across the Atlantic Rome has not gained what she has lost here. According to the census of the United States for 1800, the total population was 62,622,000. These were distributed as follows: 5,794,000 non- Christians of various sorts, 7,193,000 Roman Catholics, 49,630,000 Protestants. We have read in Roman Catholic newspapers and in reports of Roman Catholic meetings, statements to the effect that if Rome had only been able to retain in the United States the children and the grandchildren of the Irish and other Roman Catholic emigrants from Europe, her adherents to-day could not number less than 25,000,000, and probably many more. Instead of gaining in the United States, as journalists so vainly imagine, Rome is to-day poorer by at least 20,000,000, as the result of the existence of the vast Protestant community. Indeed, Romanism is losing ground in America so steadily that during the twenty years her adherents decreased from 12 per cent. of the population to 11.5 per cent. So manifest is this that not many years ago a Roman Catholic layman in Boston said: "vVe shall hold our ground for a while, but we understand that in the fight of a hundred years we shall be whipped."
Let us, in conclusion, state in statistical detail the astounding fact that Romanism in the United Kingdom of England and Ireland not only fails to keep pace with the population, but is absolutely much less numerous than fifty years ago. In 1841 there were 6,958,737 Romanists within the Four Seas, 28.8 per cent. of the population. In 1891 there were 5,047,307, constituting only 14.9 per cent. Relatively, therefore, they are only half as numerous as fifty years ago, and absolutely there are to-day 1,911,430 fewer Roman Catholics in this Kingdom than in the earlier years of the queen's reign. The Roman Catholic Church is the only Church that has lost ground both relatively and absolutely during the present century.
If we look at the rest of the world it would appear that from every standpoint and by every test Romanism is continually going down, down, down. Take, for example, the area of the planet dominated by the Greek, the Roman Catholic, and the Protestant Church. Relatively
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
the Greek Church occupies 18 per cent. of its surface, the Roman Catholic Church 28 per cent., and the Protestant Church 36 per cent. Take again the popUlations of countries under the sovereignty of races representing those three sections of the universal Church; 128,000,000 are ruled by representatives of the Greek Church; 242,000,000 by representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, and 520,000,000 by representatives of the Protestant Church. Take once more the languages especially identified with the different faiths. Spanish is spoken by 42,000,000, French by 51,000,000, Russian by 75,000,000, German by 75,000,000, and English by 130,000,000. If it were necessary to enter into further detail, it could be shown that the wealth of Protestant countries far exceeds that of Roman Catholic countries in all respects.
It is interesting to add one other statistical fact. In Greek Church lands 2 per cent. of the popUlation are educated, in Roman Catholic lands 10 per cent., and in Protestant lunds 20 per cent. These figures would be yet more impressive if we had space to quote similar figures with respect to the beginning of the century and to the era of the Reformation. Until the present century the facts were completely the opposite. Romanism was far m8re numerous in all respects than Protestantism. But Romanism is now continually dwindling, while Protestantism becomes more numerous, more widespread, and more prosperous every decade.
How is it that an immense delusion to the contrary is widely spread in England and America? It is due to one simple cause. Romanists hang together and act together. At all elections they vote in solid blocks in the interests of their own communion and in obedience to the pope. When Protestants have learned to be as loyal to Christ as Romanists are to the pope, the unnatural victories of Romanism will end forever.
CHRISTIANITY AND HEATHENISM IN AFRICA. * BY REV. DONALD FRASER, LIVINGSTONIA, BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA.
We live amid lurid contrasts. Here are villages in which religion seems to be almost the predominating element, from which the sound of hymn-singing is continually going up. But over there not many hours' journey off, is unrelieved, suffocating paganism, and the sound that rises from the villages in the evening time is the chorus of ribaldry. I have been living in these contrasts for the past few weeks. The last days of the old year were spent amid the joys of Christ's triumph, administering the sacraments, and speaking with hundreds of seekers after God; the first days of the new year in the horrors of heathenism, moving among a people given up to wickedness unpeakable. Now I understand better how high above the level of their neighbors the Christians have risen; but at the same time, what a mass of unbroken darkness lies at our doors!
At Ekwendeni, Elangeni, and Hora, for three Sabbaths in succession, I baptized, and I celebrated the Lord's Supper. For more than a month I had been busy every day examining those who sought to make public profession of their decipleship. They came to me in companies of from ten to twenty each morning. Old, bent mothers were there, some of them wearing the brand-marks of heathenism, over which Christ's • From The Free Chw'ch of Scotland Monthly.
CHRISTIANITY AND HEATHENISM IN AFRICA
presence had already begun to cast a sheen of the beauty of holiness. Little fellows came too, full of the rare brightness of African boyhoodjust delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And men, robust and vigorous, who had given up wives, and beer, and war, that they might follow the Lord.
Then we held the days of baptism. In the early morning you could see the people arriving from far-off villages, until a great congregation would have gathered, two or three times too large for meeting within doors. Some would be there who had come to look on, scarcely understanding what it all meant; others wistfully wearying for that day when they too should stand among the believers. Altogether fifty-eight were baptized, of whom thirty-nine were adults received on profession of their faith, and more than two hundred others were publicly admitted into the catechumen's class. But as many more were told to wait until their knowlege should be clearer, and their lives have better chance of testing. And thus we closed the year amid still gathering evidences of the Lord's triumph.
Leaving these bright scenes behind, I moved on west into Tumbuka country, to open up new territory. But scarcely had I turned my back on Hora when I began to feel the awful oppression of dominant heathenism. For a few days I stayed at the head chief's village, where we have recently opened a school. The chief was holding high days of bacchanalian revelry. He and his brother and many others were very drunk when I arrived, and continued in the same condition till I left. Day after day the sound of drunken song went up from the village. Several times a day they came to visit me and to talk; but their presence was only a pest, for they begged persistently for everything they saw, from my boots to my tent and bed. The poor young chief has quickly learned all the royal vices-beer-drinking, hemp-smoking, numerors wives, incessant begging. I greatly dread lest we have come too late. But God's grace can transform him yet.
When we left Mbalehelwa's, we marcht for two days toward the west, keeping to the valley of a little river. Along the route, especially during the second day, we past through an almost unbroken lin~ of small Tumbuka villages. At every resting-point the people came to press on us to send them teachers, and frequently accompanied their requests with presents. When at last we arrived at Chinde's head village, we received a very cordial welcome. Chinde (a son of Mombera) did everything he could to convince us of his unbounded pleasure in our visit. For three or four days we stayed there, and were overwhelmed with presents of sheep and goats, and with eager requests for teachers. Leaving this hospitable quarter, we had a long, weary march through a waterless forest, in which we saw the fresh spoor of many buffaloes and other large game, and heard a lion roaring in front. Late in the afternoon we reacht Chinombo's, and remained there for other three days. Here again we were well received and loaded with presents.
This whole country to the west is still untoucht. That the people are eager to learn was evident from their urgent requests. That they 8&dly lack God, and are living in a dreadful degradation, became daily more and more patent. I can not yet write as an inner observer.
Tshitumbuka, the language spoken there, I am only now beginning to learn. Yet the outer exhibitions of vice, and drunkenness, and superstition were only too painfully evident.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
Often have I heard Dr. Elmslie speak of the awful customs of the Tumbuka, but the actual sight of some of these gave a shock and horror that will not leave one. The atmosphere seems charged with vice. It is the only theme that runs through songs, and games, and dances. Here surely is the very seat of satan.
It is the gloaming. You hear the ringing laughter of little children who are playing before their mothers. They are such little tots you want to smile with them, and you draw near; but you quickly turn aside, shivering with horror. These little girls are making a game of obscenity, and their mothers are laughing.
The moon has risen. The sound of boys and girls singing in chorus, and the clapping of hands, tell of village sport. You turn out to the village square to see the lads and girls at play. They are dancing; but every act is awful in its shamelessness, and an old grandmother, bent and withered, has entered the circle to incite the boys and girls to more loathsome dancing. You go back to your tent bowed with an awful shame, to hide yourself. Rut from that village, and that other, the same choruses are rising, and you know that under the clear moon God is seeing wickedness that can not be named, and there is no blush in those who practise it.
Next morning the village is gathered together to see your carriers at worship, and to hear the news of the white stranger. You improve the occasion, and stand ashamed to speak of what you saw. The same boys and girls are there, the same old grandmothers. But clear eyes look up, and there is no look of shame anywhere. It is hard to speak of such things, but you alone are ashamed that day; and when you are gone, the same horror is practised under the same clear moon.
No; I can not yet speak of the bitterness of heathenism, only of its horror. True, there were hags there who are only middle-aged women, and there were men bowed, scarred, dull-eyed, with furrowed faces. But when these speak, or sing, or dance, there seems to be no alloy in their merriment. The children are happy as only children can be. They laugh and sing, and show bright eyes and shining teeth all day long. But what of that? Made in God's image, to be His pure dwelling-place, they have become the dens of foul devils; made to be sons of God, they have become the devotees of passion.
I have past through the valleys of two little rivers only, and seen there something of the external life of those who can be the children of God. The horror of it is with me night and day. And on every side it is the same. In hidden valleys where we have never been, in villages quite near this station, the drum is beating and proclaiming shame under God's face. And we can not rest. But what are we few among so many?
o men and women, who have sisters and mothers and little brothers whose daily presence is for you an echo of the purity of God, why do yon leave us a little company, and grudge those gifts that help to tell mothers and daughters and sons that impurity is for hell, and holiness alone for us!
How long, 0 Lord! how long? I send you this account of a missionary journey. Would that pen could write the fire that is in my soul! It is an awful thing to sit looking at sin triumphant, and be unable to do anything to check it. Calls for teachers are coming from every side, but we can not listen to them at present-our hands are more than full. I11.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Late Dean Vahl. "To name every thing that he wrote," says Pastor Beck, "sur- BY REV. J. MURRAY MITCHELL, passes my knowledge and power; L.L.D., NICE, FRANCE. its extent was simply immense." A work of domestic devotion; an I have received from Denmark a account of the Laps and the Lap- periodical called Den Indre Mis- land mission; a missionary atlas; sions Tidende (The News of the and, his last work, a Manual of the Inner Mission), which contains an History of Evangelical Missions*- .interesting notice of the Dean Vahl. a remarkable work, which has re- It is signed Vilhelm Beck. The ceived the highest praise from the writer is a Danish pastor and was friends of missions. He also sent long an intimate friend of him an immense number of communicawhom he lovingly commemorates. JENS VAHL. Jens Vahl (Jens is the Danish equivalent for John) suddenly tions both to home and foreign jourpassed away. "We have lost one nals, his great knowledge of lan-' of our church's highest men," guages helping him to do so. "I writes Pastor Beck. He was born may mention the following circumon November 24th, 1828, in Aalborg, stance," says Pastor Beck, "in this where his father was a military connection. On one visit I paid physician. He past his theolog- him, I found him beginning to learn ical examination in 1854 with the Russian. I askt the reason. He highest credit. Two years later he answered that he wisht to write was appointed to his first spiritual an account of the Lapland mission; charge. He was successively ap- and as an excellent statement repointed to various other places. garding it was in some Russian jour- The last of these was Norre Alslev, nal, he must be able to read it." in Falster, where for a considerable Up to the time of his death he edited numbel' of years he energetically the General Church Intelligencer, strove to awaken spiritual life in the Scandinavian Missions J ourwhat is said to have been" the most nal, and the Christian Gleaner. spiritually-dead corner of Denmark." He also traveled extensively The dean was a man of extraor- • Noticed in our June issue, p. 464. dinary mental activity. Alongwith a burning zeal for the extension of the kingdom of God, he possest an exceptional power of work. One might indeed complain that he tried to grasp too much; he undertook an amount of labor which no single man could possibly accomplish.
For many years he was a member of the Committee of the Danish Missionary Society; and, for the last ten, its president. Seven other associations are enumerated of which he was either president or a member of committee ove,r Europe, visiting Sweden, Nor- Pastor Beck, is not a short one; but way, England, Ireland, Holland, it is by no means complete (as indeed Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. the pastor mentions). For instance, Wherever evangelistic work was in connection with the Missions going on, there was the name of Atlas, there was a Forklaring (ex- Vahl well known and held in honor. planation) in three volumes, each With all this he never neglected the consisting of from 250 to 300 pages, work of the parish committed to many of them in small print; the his care; and in his occasional ab- work full of statistical, geographsence during the last ten years lie ical, and historical details, all colemployed a chaplain. In the wide lected with immense labor. And district under his care (N. Alslev), his annual survey of "Missions to with its two churches, he erected a the Heathen "-a statistical review third church with the help of friends -must, on no account, be forgotten. and without any expense to the It has regularly appeared since parishioners. 1889. The last issue, dated 1898, is now before us; it contains ?:l pages As a man Vahl was lovable in in small type, and is crammed with the highest degree; modest and figures. These annual statements unassuming in his whole demeanor; are simply priceless in value. Who never pushing himself forward, will continue them? It is an honor quite contented to remain in the to any man to follow in Vahl's shade, if only the cause of the King- footsteps. dom of God could be advanced. He exerted himself especially on behalf He now rests from his many laof foreign missions. At an early bors; but we grieve to think that on period he became connected with earth we shall not again see his the Danish Missionary Society; and face. his best and highest powers were consecrated to the cause in regard Mullis me bonis jlebilis occidit, to which" he possesst a fulness of NuZZi jlebilior quam mih'i. knowledge which, in Denmark, no other man could for a moment pre- International Missionary Union. tend to." He has also left behind him a matchless library, which con- FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. sists especially of works connected with foreign missions. The International Missionary Union has become so important a So far have I extracted, for the body, and is so well and so widely most part simply translating from known, that our readers have come the obituary notice by Pastor Beck, to expect a full account of its prowho was a lifelong friend of ceedings in this magazine. Each Vahl's. I must be permitted to add year, however, it becomes increasthat the warm words of the pastor ingly difficult to give any satisfacare not too warm. I was acquainted tory sketch of its proceedings. It with Dean Vahl for nearly twenty now numbers between seven and years; I was almost in weekly cor- eight hundred members, and is in respondence with him; and my postal communication with nearly admiration of the man went on tWG thousand missionaries. It is steadily increasing. I used to pro- entirely unique among all the mist,est against his excessive labors; sionary organizations of the world. I wish I had done so still more earn- It is the largest missionary organiestly, for they certainly shortened zation meeting regularly in the an invaluable life. world. 'l'here have been larger gatherings of missionaries in decen- The list of his ~orks, given by nial conventions on some one of the foreign mission fields, but those 1878-79 Cnshing, Rev. C. W., D.D. Italy were all of one field, and the topics considered pertained to the specific 1868-92 Dean, Miss N. J. Persia country. But this is composed of {h~~:a missionaries of all societies and de- 1876-90 Dowsley, Mrs. A. nominations and of all fields in the world, the chief attendance being, 1890 Drummond, Rev. w. J. China however, from societies whose head- 1890 Drummond, Mrs. W. J. " quarters are in Canada and the 1890-97 Dunlop, Rev. John G. United States. The breadth of view 1894-97 Dunlop, Mrs. John G. got by this conference among mis- 1891 Dunmore, Miss Ell'a sionaries is not equaled except in Mexico some of the great ecumenical gatherings of missionary workers, as 1887 Files, Miss M. Estelle Burma that in London, 1888. This is the 1884-94 Foote, Mrs. F. W. India only world's parliament of missions 1853-58 Ford, Mrs. O. M., M.D. Africa held annually. It is composed for 1888 Foster, Rev. J. M. China the most part of a new set of mis- 1888 Foster, Mrs. J. M. sionaries, each year fresh from the 1878 Fowle, Rev. JamesL. field, and its topics are selected from 1878 Fowle, Mrs. James L. conference with nearly two thou- 'land missionaries on the several 1878 Gardner, Miss Frances Japan foreign fields, who report the livest 1869-96 George, Mrs. O. L. Burma phases of thought, and give the 1898 Glenk, Miss Margerite freshest statement of operations, 1861-68 Gracey, Rev. J. T., D D. In~ia being conducted by the several mis- 1861-68 Gracey, Mrs. J. T. sions, up to within sixty days or 1889 Griswold, Miss Fanny E. Japan less of the date of the meeting. 1837-85 Hamlin, Rev. Cyrus, D.D. Turkey We present the list of mission- 1891 Hanzlik, Miss Laura C. China aries in attendance at this fifteenth 1872-96 Henderson, Miss A. S. Brazil annual meeting at Clifton Springs, New York, .Tune 8–14, 1898. 1840-92 HepburnJ. C., M.D., LL.D. { <j:::'~~ 184(}-92 Hepburn, Mrs. J. C. ., 1890 Kay, Miss Lydia J. China 1872-76 Kipp, Miss Mary Syria 1890 Knapp, Rev. Geo. P. Turkey 1883 Kugler, Anna S, M.D. India 1870 Lathrop, Miss Martha C. 1880 Lee, Rev. Lucius O. Turkey Leitch, Rev. G. W. Ceylon 1898 Lobenstine, Rev. Edwin C. China 1898 Loper, Miss Grace India 1889 Machle, Edward C., M.D., China 1889 Machle, Mrs. Edward C. " 1879 Marling, Mrs. Janet B. C. Africa 188!Hl6 Martin, Rev. Chalmers Siam 1888-86 Martin, Mrs. Chailners "
1898 Mathews,Miss ElizabethB. India 1890 McLeod, Rev. A. A. "
1887-98 Mechlin, Rev. John C. Persia 1891 Medbury, Miss Harriet I. " 1885-95 Merritt, Rev. C.W.P., M.D. China 1885-95 Merritt, Mrs. C. W. P. " Morrill, Miss Mary S. 1898 Morris, Rev. Du Bois S. 186(}-76 Morrison, Mrs. Mary E. 1891 Morrison, Miss Margaret C. YEARS OF 1888 Nelson, Rev. W. S. Syria SERVICE, NAME. FIELD. 1888 Nelson, Mrs. W. S " 1889 Nichol, Rev. W. M. 1872 Baird, Rev. J. W. Turkey 1882 Niles, Mary W., M.D. Egypt 1848-95 Baldwin, Rev. C. C., D.D. China 1882-9'J Nind, George B. China 1858-.80 Baldwin, Rev. S. L., D.D. B 1872-89 Norton, Rev. Albert B. Brazil 1874-90 Norton, Mrs. A. B. India 1872 Barrows, Miss Sarah B. BUrma 1864 Noyes, Rev. Henry V. 1890 Blachly, B. B. Mexico 1861 Noyes, Mrs. Henry V. " 1893 Blachly, Mrs. B. B. China U " 1853 Blodget, Rev. Henry, D.D. China 1887-96 Bostwick H. J. " 1887-96 Bostwick, Mrs. H. J. 1880 Palmer, Miss Frances E. Burma 1850 Parsons, Mrs. Catherine J. Turkey 1888 Brewer, Miss Mary E. Turkey 1877-83 Penick, Rt. Rev. C. C. Africa 1890 Bruce, Rev. John L. Brazil 1884-96 Phraner, Mrs. Stanley K. Siam 1890 Bruce, Mrs. John L. 1891 Porter, Rev. John S. Austria 1S86 Calder, Rev. Wm. C. Burma 1891 Porter, Mrs. John S. " 1878-80 Priest, Miss Mary Japan 1893 Campbell, Rev. Chas. D. Mexico 1893 Campbell, Mrs. ehas. D. H 1882 Reid, Rev. Gilbert Ch,i,na Reid, Mrs. Gilbert Turkey 1891 Cappon, Miss Elizabeth M. China 1888 Carithers, Rev. W. W. Am. Ind. 1893 Riggs, Charles T.
1888 Carithers, Mrs. W. W. " 1887 Simons, Miss Elma R. 1Burma 1879-89 Smith, Mrs. Amanda ~~l~a 1886-96 Cassidy, Mrs. F. A. JaI!!,n 1889 Chappell, Rev. B. 1877 Christie, Mrs. C. B. 1884 Stark, Miss Eva C Burma 1868 Cole, Rev. Royal M. 1881-90 Stimson, Rev. M. L. China 1868 Cole, Mrs. Royal M. 1881-90 Stimson, Mrs. M. L. 1898 Stone, Rev. Geo. E. " 1883-94 Cole, Rev. J. T. JaI!.an Arabia 1889 Converse, Miss Clara A. 1873 Correll, Rev. Irwin H. 1888 Taylor, Miss Ella J. Burma 1873 Correll, Mrs. Irwin H. 1890 Tewksbury,Rev.Elwood G. China 1'!88 Cowan, Mrs. Kate B. Brazil IH90 Tewksbury, Mrs. Elwood G. " 1.~92 Crane, Rev. Horace A. India 1868-73 Thayer, Rev. C. C ,M.D. Turkey 18112 Crane, Mrs. Horace A. " 1868-73 Thayer, Mrs. C. C. " 1886 Crosby, Miss E. T. Micronesia 18611-72 Thompson, Miss Mary A. China 1880 Vail, Miss Jennie S. Japan tempting to secure self-support;" "Educational missions;" "Auxil- 1878 Wagner, Miss Lillian V. India iary agencies: press, Bible agen- 1872 Walker, Rev. Joseph E. China cies, young men's organizations on 1870 Ward, Miss Grace R. India the foreign field, students, Y. 1'1. C. 1857 Wheeler, Mrs. Crosby Tu:~ey A., etc.;" "General discussion on 1879 Wheeler, Miss Emily C. phases of woman's missionary 1880-91 White, Mrs. Wellington China methods;" "Reenforcement, with 1877 Whitney, Henry T., M.D. special reference to the policy of 1877 Whitney, Mrs. Henry T. " sending forward all approved can- didates, regardless of the immediate 1871-81 Whitney, Mrs. J. T. Micronesia condition of the missionary soci- 1848-57 Wight, Rev. J. K. China ety's treasury; " "Missionary com- India ity;" "Humanitarian measures 1846 Wilder, Mrs. Eliza J. in connection with missions: fam- Wilder, Miss Grace E. " ine relief, leper work, medical work, 18.':l8-86 Wood, Rev. Geo. W., D D. TU~f-ey hospitals, and kindred work;" "The 1871-86 Wood, Mrs. Geo. W. evolution of nations, a part of mis- 1888 Woodside, Rev L. W. Africa sionary work; its effect on mission 1887 Wyckoff, ~liss Gertrude China work;" "The missionary in rela- 1887 Wyckoff, Miss Grace tion to the churches at home; in- " crease of intelligence;" "Litera- ture;" " 'Living-link' plan;" "Spe- By Societies: These represented, cial donations." The entire hour American Board, 41; Presbyterian, of the morning session each day 34; Methodist, 28; Baptist, 12; Prot- reserved for devotional services estant Episcopal, 2; Reformed brought great spiritual benediction (Dutch), 3; American Bible Society, and help to all present. 2; American Indian, 2; China Inland Mission, 1; Established Church, Friday afternoon was the wo- Scotland, 1; Lutherans, 1; Wo- man's platform meeting, always man's Union Missionary Society, 1 one of the most popular sessions -total, 129. connected with the Union. The women taking part were from ten By Countries: Africa, ",Vest and different countries, and ten women Central, 5; Egypt, 1-8. Arabia, were introduced whose combined 1; Austria, 2; Brazil, 5; China, 40; term of service represents 350 years. India, 19; Ceylon, 1; Burma, 8- One of them had spent fifty years total for India, 28. Italy, 1; Japan, in China and Japan; another forty- 13; Mexico, 5; Micronesia, 2; North eight years in Turkey; another American Indians, 2; Persia, 3; forty years in Turkey, and one fifty Siam, 3; Syria, 3; Turkey, 17-total, years in India. Among the speak- ers was the daughter of Ramabai, 129. who told in a very pleasing way of The officers for the ensuing year the work among the child-widows of India conducted by her mother. were elected as follows: President, Rev. J. T. Gracey, D.D., Rochester; At the farewell meeting on Tuesvice~president, Rev. S. L. Baldwin, day evening thirty missionaries sat D.D., New York; secretary, Mrs. on the platform. Some of these C. C. Thayer, Clifton Springs; were going out for the first time, treasurer, Rev. C. C. Thayer, D.D., and others returning after a period Clifton Springs, N. Y.; librarian, of rest, all facing their return with Mrs. W. H. Belden, Oberlin, Ohio. delight, some expecting to sail with- in the coming week. TOPICS PRESENTED.
For a few years past the subjects have been grouped geographically; this year they were presented topically. Entire sessions or hours were given to "Opportunities and demands of the fields;" "Obstacles and difficulties most imminent at this hour;" "Experiences in the work of evangelistic missionary methods; " "Actual experiences, successful or unsuccessful, in at- RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY 'I'HE the International Missionary Union 1. M. U. have heard with deep regret of the massacre of seven missionaries of I. Addrest to the President of the the " United Brethren in Christ" United States. and their native preachers, and many of the church members in Resolved, That this International their mission near Sierra Leone, Missionary Union, assembled at Africa, and the destruction of the Clifton Springs, New York, June, entire property of the mission at 1898, sends cordial greeting to the Rotofunk. Also, that we tender President of the United States, and our deepest sympathy to the misassures him of the prayers of its sionary board and the churches of members that he may receive divine the United Brethren in this great guidance and strength in the heavy affliction; that we pray that the responsibilities now upon him, and consolations of Divine grace maythat the war may be brought to a be abundantly administered to the speedy termination, with the aims relatives of our brethren and sisters of righteousness and justice secured who have given up their lives for in the liberation of the opprest Christ in Africa. people of Cuba, and a great advance in the spread of civil and religious Resolved, That we are rejoiced to liberty. hear that our government has ex- pressed its sympathy to the officers Resolved, That a copy of the fore- of the missionary board of the going resolution, signed by the United Brethren, and its purpose president and secretary of the to do all that is possible to secure Union, be immediately forwarded the rights of the mission, and the to President McKinley. reestablishment of its property, and we hope that out of all this Resolved, That we recognize the trial will come greater blessings Providential call to send mission- and freer course for the Gospel aries with the pure truth of the throughout Africa. Gospel into every island of the sea which has been or may yet be IV. The Need of the American opened to evangelical religion by Bible Society. the victorious progress of the American navy and army. Resolved, That the International Missionary Union recognizes with II. About British Consuls at Mis- gratitude to God the great work sion Stations. that has been done by the American Bible Society in all our foreign mis- Resolved, That the International sion fields; and now, when its benef- Missionary Union gratefully recog- icent work has a wider field of nizes the sympathy and help so great opportunity than ever before, freely rendered to American mis- we hear with sorrow that its imporsionaries in all parts of the world tant mission is imperiled through by the consuls and other officers of lack of funds. We beseech all the the British government, and earn- churches to rally to its support, estly longs for a closer union of and every pastor to present its heart and action between these two claims at once, and send forward great nations of a common race. as speedily as possible the offerings of the people to replenish its treas- Resolved, That a copy of this reso- ury, and enable it to continue withlution, duly signed by our president out intermission its most helpful and secretary, be sent to the Presi- work. We pray that wisdom may dent of the United States and to the be granted to those who are charged Foreign Office of Great Britain.
III. The Massacre of Missionaries in West Africa.
Resolved, That the members of with its management to rightly backed up by foreign powers. The administer its work and increas- difficulty is in presenting Chrisingly develop its usefulness in all tianity in the right light. The lands. Chinese do not see Christ as the loving, saving, helpful, uplifting Present Obstacles and Opportunities. friend. When they do see Christ as He is, He will be accepted. Notes of remarks made in the dis- cussion of this theme: J. C. Hepburn, D.D., Japan, said: The principal obstacles to Rev. C. C. Baldwin, D.D., of missionary work in Japan are: China, said: We naturally like to look on the bright side, but it is 1. The intense nationalism of the well sometimes to look on the dark Japanese and their superstitious side also. It will be at least a good loyalty to the Mikado. topic for faith. There are about a million temples in China, contain- 2. The strong anti-foreign spirit ing, say, from five to ten millions of the people, and their regarding of idol gods. Besides these we have Christianity as a foreign religion, five hundred millions manes or spir- revolutionary and subversive to its of dead ancestors and others their inherited customs. which are worshiped in or without the wooden tablets. The Chi- 3. The influence of Buddhism, nese may give up the idols, but not and the strenuous efforts made by so easily the ancestral worship. To the priests to antagonize Christiando so is a grand test and climax of ity, even adopting the methods sincere faith in God, so far as a used by Protestant missionaries in true heart surrender is concerned; their work. for the whole practise seems to rest mainly on the beautiful doctrine of 4. But the greatest of all obstacles filial piety, which is dearer to them is the natural repugnance of the than aught" else, unless we except human heart to the Gospel of Christ. the living family and worldly success. Mrs. J. T. Whitney, Microne- sia: While in-the Marshall Islands Then there is the sad discourag- (with my husband, Rev. J. T. Whiting fact that the Chinese are gross ney) I was trying to persuade a materialists, none grosser, I am native young man to go as a teacher sure, in the whole world. It is an to another island. He said: "We immense undertaking to get them Marshall Islanders are not like to look fairly at the moral and white people-we love our relatives spiritual side, and to acknowledge and our homes." No wonder he fully moral distinctions, calling said it, when he had seen so many things by right names only. An- white men who were mere driftcestral worship and materialism wood. To counteract the influence are the prime difficulties in our of these low white men was one of work from the native side. the greatest obstacles in these islands. Rev. Gilbert Reid, said: There is one important obstacle in China, Rev. J. L. Bruce, Brazil: The found not in the natives, but in our- greatest obstacle in Brazil is the selves, and that is the political char- fact that we have a strongly organacter of Christianity, owing to the ized Roman Catholic Church oppolitical complications with Chris- posed to us. The Roman Catholics tian nations. The Church is re- do not hold the simple truth nor garded as a political organization, the simple lie, but the truth mixed with the lie, or the truth perverted. Also, religion and morality have been thoroughly divorced, so that gross immorality and thorough devotion may exist in the same per- ment is friendly to missions. Two son. They think they have just states are without Christian work- what we wish to give them. On ers. Medical missions will pay as the other hand, our great difficulty well in Mexico as elsewhere, will is that we will undertake to combat speedily become self-supporting, a church by a church. and there is but one medical mis- sion in Mexico. Rev. Wm. M. Nichol, Egypt: The obstacles in the line of work Miss Emily C. Wheeler, Turkey: in Egypt are many, but let me The opportunities in Turkey are: mention these three: The learning 1. The eighty thousand orphans to of the Arabic language is diffi- bring to Christ. Fifty-two recently cult because of its many guttural converted. Generally Gregorians. sounds. The prevailing religion is 2. New villages opening never be- Moslem, and it is hard to fight fore accessible. Self – supporting. against, because it is a mixture of 3. Mohammedans inquiring, "Who truth and error. Another difficulty is this Jesus who makes these Aris the position given to woman. menians so brave?" One woman She is liable to be divorced at any wishes to unite with the church. time, and divorce hangs over her Have read the Bible. Opportunity head like the sword of Damocles. for us to pray that the Holy Spi::'it may quicken the word and they Rev. T. W. Woodside, Africa: may come to Christ. Ask the peo- There are two classes of obstacles: ple in the United States to pray first, from the natives themselves and give for this-give systemati- -the apathy, they are so content cally, so we shall spend for missions with what they have and are. Sec- asweought, and not comparatively, ond, obstacles from without, from as we do now, when shown in immoral white men, rum, and slav- inches, seven feet for liquor and a ery. The rum is the vilest kind of stuff, made of potatoes and doc- quarter of iw inch for foreign mistored with sulphuric acid. Then there is slavery, not only among sions. the natives, but also among the Rev. Gilbert Reid, China: One whitemen; Portuguese, Dutch, and Englishmen buy slaves. This is opportunity in China is found in a not only domestic, but there is also decree issued by the emperor to slavery on the high seas. Slaves are allow Western branches in all exshipped upon the high seas. There aminations. This is an educational were one hundred slaves on the opportunity. The second is the steamer on which we came home. trend of thought and policy to They, of course, are not called open up China more fully to trade, slaves, but "contract laborers." and, of course, there will be more They have contracts made out by a openings;to missions. Thirdly, the notary public, but they are fraudu- customs under English direction lentlyobtained. are to collect the likin tax in fi ve of the large provinces. Where the Rev. C. D. Campbell, Mexico: customs men go, missionaries can Mexico has twelve and one-half go. Fourthly, Americans have million inhabitants. There are one special opportunities, because they hundred thousand Christians. The are free from the suspicion of terricountry is open from end to end. torial aggrandizement. We go as The two principal railroads are in friends. the hands of Americans. The mines are going into their hands, but they Dr. Chalmers Martin, Laos: a,re not Christians. The govern- The special opportunity of the Laos Mission at present lies in the fact that the French officials on the Upper Mekeng (Cambodia) River lately, has been allowed to locate are now friendly to our mission- within its borders. They have been aries, and that the Roman Catho- hunted out with insult, abuse, and lics have not yet made an entrance violence. Here have originated the to the field. If we can strike in vile placards and tracts against this great region now, we have a missionaries so widely circulated free field; when once the Jesuits in China. The twenty million of have appeared there, the history of this province call for a large numthe past and of other countries tells ber of laborers. China must be us that our opportunity as Prot- converted by Chinese. Christian estants will be more limited, if it workers must be trained in the does not disappear altogether. field, yet a large number of mis- sionaries from western lands will Rev. G. E. Stone, Arabia: Ara- be needed to form the link to conbia is (1) A hnd of possibilities. (a) vey the blessing from the church A country much more fertile and in the West to the church in the populous than generally supposed. East. (b) The people are largely town people, not ignorant Bedouin. (2) Mr. B. B. Blachly, Mexico: Arabia is a land of opportunity. There are now about twenty col- (a) Politically, only partially under porteurs in Mexico. The great cry Turks. The interior is independ- is, send us more colporteurs to work ent. The eastern and southern from house to house. Mr. H. P. coasts under British influence. (b) Hamilton, Bible agent at Mexico People not as bigoted as in Turkey. City, said that thousands more Preaching in streets and bazaars at copies of the Bible could be circu- Bahrein. (c) Opportunity because lated if there were more workers. everything is yet to be done. Only The great cry of the people is, give three missionaries at present on us the Word of God. The Amerieast coast, and one on the southern can Bible Society must have help, coast, with the reenforcements or their society will be a thing of going out this year only nine or ten history. missionaries for ten million people. Arabia is promist for Christ, and Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, Turkey: He will give the victory. The portion of the field of the American board which calls loudly Rev. H. Blodget, D.D., China: for occupancy is that which borders The West River has recently been the eastern part of the Bulgarian opened in all its length to trade and mission, comprising a portion of the trading vessels. The Yangtsze has Albanian-a very brave and heroic been opened in like manner. These people, for whom Christianity has rivers flow through densely popu- hitherto done little good. The lated countries, and large numbers Greek Church has converted about of missionaries are needed to reach half of them; Islam has the other the multitudes of people. A half. It is a common saying that steamerhas past through the rapids they are bad Christians and bad of the Yang-tse, and the fifty mil- Moslems, but splendid soldiers. lion of Szchuan are now accessible They are now accessible to one misby steam communication. The sionary in Bulgaria. There are edunumber of missionaries there needs cated native agents ready to go to greatly to be increast. The province them with the Bible in their own of Hunan has now two resident language, and with Christian edumISSIOnaries. This province has cation they would be gladly rebeen intensely hostile to foreigners. ceived. Only a few thousand dol- No foreign missionary, until very lars are needed to inaugurate a most intensely interesting mission Quootions from Our Mail-Bag. without demanding a single new American missionary. The native The editors of this REVIEW are force is ready for the work. constantly receiving more inquiries Rev. T. W. Woodside, Africa: for information than it is possible I read a short time ago in one of the leading missionary magazines to find time to answer in personal of the new mission station at Lake correspondence. It is proposed to Moero, and there they remarked, "Now there is a chain of mission sta- select from time to time, from tions right across the Dark Conti- among questions which have a nent." Let me explain just what more or less general interest, some that means: From Benguela inland few for categorical answer or for for two hundred and fifty miles editorial comment. The space (twelve days' journey) there is not a which can be given to this is necesstation, not a missionary. There a station, with two families, then four sarily limited, and the form will days, and you come to another station; again three days, and you be varied. Queries will be welcome to a third station. From there you make forty camps, or forty comed. J. T. G. days' journey, to the little station Kavungu, of the English mission. Question i.-The impression was From there another jump of fifteen days to the Garaganze mission, made on some persons at the anwhere you find two lone men, mis- nual meeting of the International sionaries; another leap of fifteen or more days to Lake Moero, and Missionary Union in June, that this is the "chain of mission stations." These stations are mere the American Bible Society is in points, lone links, and then to the north and south are large tracts specially straitened circumstances where there is not a missionary. for money to carryon its work. Is Rev. J. W. Baird, Turkey: Sad- it correct to say that the society is der than the sway of the Turk over the holy places of Christianity is in a "crisis? " the reign of spiritual death over Answer.-There is no warrant the Eastern Church of Salonica. Tho a thriving city, it is not for using the term "crisis," if now "the faithful city," nor, as a thousand years ago, do missionaries thereby is meant a threatened finanof the Gospel take the light of the Gospel to surrounding peoples. cial embarrassment. That might There is no preaching or other means of spiritual enlightenment. have been true eighteen or twenty Education is coming in very rapidly. The Gospel can find an en- months ago, when its managers trance. To the west of Macedonia are the Albanians, a most began to be alarmed at the shrinkpromising people, entirely without the Gospel. Servia and Bos- age in receipts, and when they nia, too, need missionary work at once, were constrained to curtail their work and to appeal to the society's friends for relief. From November, 1896, to May, 1897, there was great solicitude among the officers of this noble institution. The condition of things has materially changed since then.
ItZiJ This question being thus cate- gorically answered, we take this opportunity to say that the mis- sionaries everywhere esteem the American Bible Society as an in- tegral part of the missionary agen- cies of the world. Progress on many lines of missionary work is restricted by limitation in the in- come of the American Bible So- ciety. Two years ago they were reluctantly compelled to say to the Presbyterians that they could not God will overrule their doings for If they have wronged the nation, print some Benga books which the the establishment of religious libel'- ty, and for the material good of the missionaries were anxious to re- people."
ceive for West Africa; to the Rev. Gilbert Reid: "Dr. Martin has written me that the Mayor of Methodists that Dr. Richard's Peking called upon him for sngges- tions on the future of China. Dr. Tonga Testament must remain un- Martin said: 'First, there was no danger in opening new ports; printed, and to the American second, that China should not grant, even in speech, any "sphere Board that the funds of the So- of influence." China has kept from this danger. She allows new ports, ciety did not permit them to re- open or exclusive, and concessions for mining and railroads. China print the Marshall Islands' New may be divided, but only if she Testament. But funds carne from refuses to progress.' " Pennsylvania, at Bishop Hartzell's instance, and he took the Tonga Rev. J. E. Walker, China, says: Testament with him to Africa. "It is a mistake that the Chinese More funds carne specially appro- have no national spirit. They have priated for the Benga Scriptures, a strong race and national spirit. and they also have been printed To partition China would be a very and sent forward. And now in different thing from defeating answer to appeals made by Miss soldiers fighting for an intruding Crosby, they are getting money for dynasty. If China were as adthe Marshall Islands' Scriptures, and are completing their arrange- vanced as Japan she would be a ments for putting them through serious menace to the rest of the the press. world. China civilized and not Christianized would be a terrible In the same way liberal contribu- nlisfortune. " tions are being received to meet expenses connected with the distri- Dr. S. L. Baldwin': "I do not bution to our soldiers and sailors, and the number of individual givers think there will be any partition of has increased in the most gratify- China. England has taken Weiing way, while receipts on legacy hai-wei, but her purpose is only to account also have been unexpectedly large and gratifying. But this keep an effectual check on Russia. society needs the living interest She has no desire for further terriand cooperation of the churches torial aggrandizement. Her interall the time, as a constituent part of the missionary work on foreign est is to make China a wide-open fields, as well as in this country. mart for the world; and in this, as in most other matters, America's J. T. G. interests are identical with Eng- Question 2.-At the International land's, and the interests of Japan Missionary Union meeting in June, are not different. These three a question was askt which has nations, acting together, can concome to us repeatedly, and we are trol the destiny of Eastern Asia. I pleased to give the answers made believe England will see to it there by experienced Chinese ob- that China is not dismembered; servers. The question was: "What and when the time is ripe will withis the prospect of the nations of draw from Wei-hai-wei, and see to Europe partitioning China among it that Russia withdraws from Port themselves? " Arthur at the same time. China's Answer.-Rev. Dr. Henry Blodg- government will have to be imett: "Spheres of influence are establishing. If these are to be- proved, and she must move in the come possessions of foreign nations, line of Western civilization and it will be gradually and by unfor- progress. There are some cheering seen contingencies. We may reflect signs that the movement is beginthat these western nations come, ning, and can be carried on with not to kill, plunder, and destroy. the help which will be gladly given They come to open mines and bring forth the wealth of China, for ages by Western nations. These facts, buried in the earth, for the use of in connection with the magnitude the people. They come to construct of the country and the immense railways, to spread out telegraphic population, present the greatest wires, to bring all the blessings of opportunity and the most urgent Ulodern civilizatiOI~ to the Chinese. demand of the hour!'
18~S.] FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
IV. -FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
Papal Europe,* The Papacy,t Reflex Influence of Missions.t BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
War and Missions in Spain. Religion in Portugal.
The mission-school of the Ameri- Lisbon has quite a colony of can Board at San Sebastian, Spain, British people, who sustain two was, at the outbreak of the war, churches, one an Episcopal one, the transferred to Biarritz in France, other Presbyterian. The latter hardly more than an hour's ride by carries on a very interesting work rail from the old location in Spain. among the Portuguese, supporting The missionaries had no fear of a Portuguese minister, and having any discourtesy from intelligent both a day and a Sunday-school. people, but it was thought that The Presbyterian church is located there might be turbulent demon- in an old convent. The British strations from some of the lower Bible Society also has a depot here. classes, which might be beyond the power of the authorities to The work among the Portuguese control. Rev. William H. Gulick is, in some respects, very encourwrote to the parents of all the pupils, aging. Their services are well attelling them that their children tended, and their singing espewould be returned to their homes cially is always quite inspiring. if desired; but all have approved Even before I understood their of their remaining. The school words, I used to enjoy hearing the marcht in procession to the rail- old familiar tunes, such as, "Pass way station. There was no hostile me not, 0 gentle Savior," "I gave demonstration. Mr. Gulick writes My life for thee," and others. that his Spanish colleague and When, some time ago, the Rev. wife, and one of the native teach- George C. Grubb and Mr. H. Maxers, are in the house in which the well Wright were here-the latter mission was conducted, and that speaks Portuguese like a nativethey will carryon evangelistic and conducted a two weeks' series work and conduct a day-school. of special meetings, the Portuguese turned out in such crowds every * See also pp. 321 (May), 409(June), 561, 573, night that the room was barely able to furnish even standing room. 591, 596 (present issue). An even larger work than at Lis- bon is done among the natives at NEW BOOKS: "The Spaniard in History," Oporto, where the Wesleyan J. C. Fernald; "Spain in the Nineteenth Methodists also carryon a flourish- ing mission. Space does not per- Century," Elizabeth W. Latimer; "With a mit to speak of the many strange Pessimist in Spain," Mary F. Nixon; .. Ital- and interesting sights of Lisbon, a ians of To-day," Rene Bazin; "The Story of city which is set on many hills, France," Thos. E. Watson j II France" (Po. and which presents a very striking Utica! and Social), J. E. Courtney Badley; appearance from the river. Nor " Modern France," Andre Lebon. do I feel competent to give judg- ment of the character of the REcmNT ARTICLES: •. The Crisis in SStpaatien~.f, people. They are not as licen- Fortnightly Review (Dec. '97); "The tious as I had anticipated; dirty Sp~iD," Westminster Review (Dec. '97); "" The they certainly are, and relig- RDeUmlollroafliSzpaatiin~,"n Contemporary Review (June)' iously supremely indifferent. One of France," Oontemporary rarely sees a priest on the street, Review (Mar.); .. The Albanians A Neglected P'!Ople," Missionary Herald (Mar. '98); "The Misgovernment of Italy," Fortnightly Review (Jnne); A Votcefrom Italy (Qnarterly).
t See al~o pp. 291 (April), 517 (July), 596, 598 (present Issue).
RECENT ARTICLES: The Converted Catholic (Mont.hly); "Priest and People" Arena (Dec. '97). '
~ See p. 444 (June). and no one shows them the tion proposed. It is again 'Yes' if it refers to the fearful and falter- slightest respect; in fact, a year ing of all classes, those to whom the best policy will always be that ago they were repeatedly mobbed which seems to them the best adapted to guarantee security at in the streets. The Jesuits are said, whatever cost, and the best religion that which shall have in the highest however, to be secretly gaining in degree the character of being, as it is termed, 'a government. ' Those power, as the queen and the high more anxious for security than truth, and more in love with uni- aristocracy are greatly influenced formity than with true union, see an attraction in the shelter which by them. GEORGE R. WITTE. secular Catholicism offers them at little cost. They have a dislike Protestantism in France. more and more markt for that Christianity which puts above a In response to the threefold ques- chimerical uniformity the living union which can only be formed by tion, "Is it true that Protestantism men who know how to believe and think and will for themselves. " has become in recent years more French Priests Leaving the Papacy. unpopular in France? What are The number of priests who have the causes of this recrudescence of abjured Catholicism lately, and in- unpopularity? What means should scribed their names at the Faculty be taken to overthrow this obstacle of Protestant Theology in Paris, and to ward off this danger?" causes no little alarm to the editor of the Unive1's, who gives a list of Pastor R. Hollard says (in a sym- no fewer than six defections of the posium in L'Eclaireur, an Evan- kind that have taken place in one week. The Gazette de F1'ance adds: .gelical paper): " Never has such a desertion from "Yes, and No. It depends upon what France you refer to. If it be the Catholic ranks been witnest as France taken in its mass, which none have been able to fanaticise or is going on at the present time." to frighten; that which our evan- M. Sabatier, dean of the Protestant gelists meet in the center and the west; that which in our great towns faculty, has been interviewed on assembles in the salles of the McAll lVIission; that whiCh, on the . day the subject. There never has been of the dead' presses into our cemeteries, and which discerns the dif- a time, he declares, when they have ference between the Latin rites celebrated by the Catholic priest and not had ex-Catholic priests among the words of Christ spoken in French by the Protestant pastor, their students. The work of the at the side of the grave; that which, under all degrees of culture, judges faculty, however, has nothing to do Protestantism when it knows it in the independence of the instincts with proselytizing, and whether and experiences which are peculiar the candidates for honors have to itself-if the question applies to this France, 'No,' Protestantism has been Catholics or Protestants benot become of late years more unpopular in France; rather it is the fore entering is a matter of which contrary that must be said. no notice is taken. There is an- "But if the question is askt concerning another France-that other body, however, whose special which makes the most noise and does the least good; that which mission is to lend assistance to gravitates round that section of the press to which truth and the wel- priests who are anxious to become fare of the mother country are the least concern, and the great busi- Protestants. M. Reveillaud, the ness of which is to flatter and excite the passions of the most sectarian, president, declares -that during the the most envious, the most stupid, and the most immoral-if this twelve years of its existence it has France is meant, then it is 'Yes' that must be answered to the ques- helpt about one hundred priests.
Our editorial correspondent, M.
Ruben Saillens, of Paris, writes as follows concerning recent evangel- the whole of our original burden, ever retrograding toward the abyss. ical movements among the priests Whatever its present envelope may be, the old Gospel still serves as of the Romish Church in France: the best auxiliary of the social in- stinct." "The movementamong the priests is remarkable, indeed, altho there Evangelistio Agenoies in Paris. should not be too much made of it. A few have come to Protestantism Besides the McAll Mission, which with a positive belief; otbers are holds over 60 meetings weekly in sinking into what is called 'the over twenty places in the city, there great diocese of free thought,' of are, in Paris, the following agencies which Renan was the archbishop. for the spread of the Gospel in France: "I have been able to baptize lately a young monk, who has seen La Societe Centrale.-Pastor Pfender, 46 the peril of stopping short of an Rue Labruyere, Paris. out-and-out reform. He is intelli- gent and learned; has refused to La Commission d'Evangelisation des Eglises become a student of the Rational- libre. Pastor Cordey, 35 Rue Brochant, Paris. istic Protestant faculty of theology and has preferred to earn his bread La Societe EvangeIique.-Pastor E. Ber- by a secular employment until the trand, 32 Rue de Vaugirard, Paris. Lord opens his way. I am very pleased with him and hope he will La Mission Interieure.-Pastor Houter, 7 be a means of bringing many to Rue Dragon, Marseilles. Christ. La Societe Evangelique de Geneve.-Pastor " So much for the priest. From Dardier, l'Oratoire, Geneva. the other side, from the party of unbelief, we get this striking testi- Baptist Church Mission.-Pastor R. Sailmony as to the historic value of lens, 133 Rue St. Denis, Paris. Christianity. It is from 'The Modern Regime,' by H. Taine, the Wesleyan Church Mission.-Rev. G. Whelpgreat French skeptic and positivist: ton, 4 Rue Roquepine, Paris.
" 'Always and everywhere for the Salvation Army-3 Rue Auber, Paris. past 1800 years, as soon as Chris- Paris City Mission.-Rev. S. H. Anderson, tianity grows feeble or gives way, 37 Avenue de la Grand Armee, Paris. public and private morals degen- H La Croix Bleue."-Monsieur Ludwig, 75 erate. In Italy, during the Renais- Rue Laugier, Paris. sance, in England, under the Res- Y. M. C. A.-Anglo-American Branch.-16Q toration, in France, under the Con- Rue Montmartre, Paris. ventionand Directory, man became Y. M. C. A.-French Branch.-14 Rue de a pagan as in the first century. Trevise, Paris. The same causes render him the Mission to the Jews.–Mr. R. C. Mamlock, same as in the times of Augustus 119 Rue de Rome, Paris. and Tiberius, that is to say, volup- Miss De Broen's Belleville Mission.-3 Rue tuous and cruel. He abuses him- Clavel, Belleville, Paris. selfand victimizes others. A brutal, ODuvre des Affliges….:.Pastor Hirsch, 51 Rue calculating egotism resumes its as- du Ranelagh, Paris. cendency; depravity and sensuality ODuvre de Madam d'Alencourt.-33 Mouton spread, and society becomes a den Duvernet, Paris. of cut-throats and a brothel.' ODuvre des Pretres Convertis.-Prof. L. Bertrand, Neuilly. "After contemplating the spec- Societe Fran9aise pour L'Observation du tacle near-by, we can value the con- Dimanche.-Pastor Prunier, 16 Rue Demours, tribution to modern society of Paris. Christianity; how much modesty, British and Foreign Bible Society.-Mongentleness, and humanity it has sieur G. Monod, 58 Rue de Clichy, Paris. introduced into them, how it main- Religious Tract Society,etc.-Monsieur Vastains integrity, good faith, and seuk, Depot Centrale, 4 Place du Theatre justice. In this service no philoso- Fran~ise, Paris. phic reasoning, no artistic and literary culture, no feudal, military, or Riots and Religion in Italy. chivalric honor, no code, no administration, no government is a sub- Italy has for years past been stitute for it. There is nothing else seething with the elements of soto restrain our natal bent, nothing cial, political, and religious disconto arrest the insensible, steady, tent. To trace all the open disdownhill course of our race, with content of the Italian people to the It is said that a spirit of restless- effects of the policy of Signor Crispi ness prevails among the priests of is to ignore most, if not all, of the Italy as well as among those of facts of the situation. The root of France, and that some are turning the mischief lies far deeper than their faces toward Protestantism. the entrance of Italy into the triple The Voice from Italy seems to alliance or the African colonial countenance the idea that there is scheme. It is to be found in the going on a certain drift from Rome. fact that when Italy became a free Statistics are given showing the and independent country under the membership of the Waldensian constitutional monarchy it found congregations in five of the chief itself between two active enemies Italian cities; and from these we -the Blacks and the Reds. The learn that, while 226 communicants papal party, who have for years in all are Protestant by birth, as been the active allies of the worst many as 1,331 are Roman Catholic enemies of Italian freedom, could converts. These are remarkable not forgive the men who had dared figures, and prove that the Church to deprive the pope of the temporal of the Valleys acted wisely in under- sovereignty he had abused so taking aggressive work in the plains shamefully. From the pope down- of Italy. ward every Italian of the papal party became the open enemy of The Waldensian Church in Italy his country, and bent all his ener- a- short time ago celebrated the gies to the task of making the con- fiftieth anniversary of the edict of stitutional monarchy impossible. King Charles Albert, which granted On the other hand, the Reds-So- religious toleration and freedom cialists and Revolutionists of all from persecution to the Waldenses. classes and descriptions-were just Dr. Prochet, pastor of the Walden- as ardent in their hatred of institu- sian church in Rome, who became tions which aimed at securing for known to many readers of the Ban- the country a well-ordered liberty ner during his late visit to Ameri- founded upon sober constitutional ca, was given a special audience by principles. And altho the papalists King Humbert, who has on sev- and the socialists were of all parties eral occasions exprest his interest those who were most directly op- in the Waldensian Church. posed to each other, they did not hesitate to work together for a com- The work of the Italian Evangel- mon end-the overthrow of the ex- ical Church throughout Italy, from isting regime in Italy. They were the Alps to Sicily, in regard to edi- naturally assisted in their work by fication, evangelization, and the the blunders committed by the con- education of the young, may be stitutionalists, and thus it comes to classified under three head'S, viz.: pass that less than thirty years after Italian unity and independence 29 Churches, i. e., settled congregations, were granted by the acquisition of with a membership, and with Sabbath- Rome as the capital of the glorious schools, and week-day or evening schools. kingdom, we see the country in the throes of a revolutionary move- 47 Groups, i. e.• small gatherings of believ- ment the end of which we can not ers not yet congregated. pretend to foresee. No spectacle so disheartening has been witnest 132 Visited Places, i. e., villages or hamlets in Europe for many a year.-The where there are one, two, or more believ·· . Speaker (London). ers who weekly or monthly have a visit from one of our pastors or evangelists, gathering in as many of their neighbors as they can to hear the Gospel read and explained. Romanism in England and America. the Blessed Virgin and of St. Stephen, would be dedicated. On The Catholic Directory for 1898 the board outside it is notified in painted letters that the 'holy eu- gives some information about the charist'is celebrated every morn- ing at 7.30, and that there is 'con- present condition of the Church of febsion' immediately after, on Fridays three times; and at any Rome in Great Britain. In England day and hour by previous notice. On the eve of the funeral, the body and Scotland there are 1,865,OOORo- of the vicar's deceast wife was de- posited in the church, lights burn- man Catholics, of whom as many ing round it, and prayers being said during the night; cards were as 365,000 are north of the border. sent to members of the congrega- tion, 'Pray for the soul of,' etc. Scotland has seven archbishops No wonder Cardinal Vaughan could say that many of the cultured and bishops, 421 priests, and 350 people of England held doctrines . and practist ceremonies almost, churches. A rumor ran lately that identical with the Roman Church, but that, as they had not the au-·. Cardinal Vaughan was to be called thority of St. Peter, their priest- . hood was a delusion and their cere- . to the House of Lords to look monial invalid!"
after the interests of his church In the United States we find'
there. But there seems small need "Father" Ritchie prescribing the, for such an arrangement, in view following program for the observ-.
of the fact that there are 19 Roman ance of Lent by his parishioners of'
Catholic members of the Privy St. Ignatius church: Council, 31 members of the House 1, Attend at least one church service every day, of Lords, and 75 members of the 2. Take communion at least once a week. House of Commons. 3. Say a short prayer daily at noontime. 4. Go to confession before Easter. An archdeacon of the Church of n, Abstain from food on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday until afternoon. England not long ago earnestly 6. Eat no meat on Wednesdays and Fridays. 7. Deny yourself something you like every urged all Protestants to unite to day. 8. Abstain from all parties and places of resist the Romanizing tendency in public amusement. 9. Try to save money each day, by selfmany ritualistic churches. A visitor denial, for your Easter offering. 10. Do something every day (if only to say in a northern Episcopal church in a prayer) for some poor, sick, or troubled person. Great Britain thus describes the "Father" Ritchie is rector, not service in the London Christian: of a Roman Catholic, but a Protes- "On the' altar' were two sets of seven candles, and two tall ones. tant Episcopal church. This is the At the back and above the 'altar' a representation of Christ on the church at which the "sacrifice of cross, nearly life-size, in colors, ap- the mass" tak~s the place of the parently mosaic. Beneath a small figure of the Virgin and Child. communion service as ordinarily ad- Above the choir seats a gilt crucifix, about eighteen inches elevated. ministered in Protestant churches; On the top of the pulpit a similar one. Hanging from the roof, a few and it is within this church that feet in front of the table, are suspended seven colored lamps, the worshiper finds displayed belighted. These burn day and night. On the south side of the chancel is fore him the information upon a. the'ladye chapel,' with a crucifix at the entrance and another over tablet that" a red light burning in the table. Behind a curtain at the side is an entrance to the vestry, the sanctuary signifies that the where there is a prayer-desk and a crucifix over it. On the north side blessed sacrament is reserved in of the chancel is a similar chapel, with a prayer-desk and another the tabernacle on the altar." crucifix. Near the entrance to the chancel and above it are two large marble figures, one on each side.
"A notice stated that on a certain day two large stone figures, of
ED1'l'ORIAL DEPAR'.rMElNT
V.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
Missionary Oomity for Ouba and the fields in the world have better re- Philippines. sults been shown, than where by such concessions, one Christian In case the issue of the conflict body has been left to work such a with Spain is that these islands field without interference. Macau- come permanently or even for some lay well said that in a land where a considerable period under the care cow is a sacred animal, and a wo- and administration of the United man has no right which a man is States, the open door to evangelical bound to respect, the minute partic- missions will be one of the first and ulars which divide Christian de- most natural results of such occu- nominations from each otIler, must pancy. The question is already be bewilderingly perplexing and being asked, what is the duty and absurdly trivial. We doubt, whe- responsibility of American Chris- ther a dozen denominations could tians as to Cuba and the Philippine have done anything so well, side Islands, and the First Presbyterian by side, as the Baptists have done Ohurch of Yonkers, under the lead alone on the Telugu field, or the of its missionary-spirited pastor, Church Missionary Society in Tin- Rev. G. F. Pentecost, D.D., has al- nevelly, whereas the intrusion of a ready raised $1,000 to send the new denominational body in a field first missionary. Presbyterian and already greatly blest under one Methodist, as well as other denomi- body of Christians, has often national boards are considering wrought disastrous division and what steps should be taken, confusion. Surely, these new fields promptly to occupy these islands are large enough to allow of work for Christ. for all, without clashing or undue rivalry. It has been wisely suggested, and steps have been taken to carry out Preaohing Ohrist in the Oamps. the suggestion, that there be a con- ference of representatives of the 'l'he work of Christian evangel- various denominational societies, ists among the soldiers of the to determine how the work of mis- American army is remarkable for sionary occupatiol). may best be its results in the conversion of accomplisht. If the territory is multitudes of soldiers. Hundreds large enough, it might be divided of Y. M. C. A. tents are now in use, among two or more societies, so and the religious interest is deep that there would be as little as pos- and steady. Space did not permit sible waste through overlapping or of reference to work among soldiers overcrowding. If anyone body is of the United States and other equal to the work and has special Christian lands in this month's adaptation to it, is it not wise that leader, but we hope to have a there should be general consent fuller account of this movement in that to such a Christian agency the a later issue. In the meantime, work be committed? For many many of our readers will be in- years there has been a tacit consent terested in these facts, communi- . that th':l United Presbyterians shall cated in a letter from Tampa, Fla., hold, unmolested, the Nile Valley, as to work among the soldiers: where they have done a grand work; and in a similar way the Congrega- "Probably more good is being tionalists have for fifty years been done in the distribution of the working in Asiatic Turkey. In no Testaments than by any other sin- gle operation. The men are, for the most part, eager for them and only a very few will not take them. The few individuals, such as that which first shipment of 5,000 are almost resulted in the assassination of gone. We sent 2,000 down to the Premier Canovas. We shall detransports, and the men scrambled to get them. Had we shippingfacil- mand what is our due from Spain, ities, we could have used twice as probably apology and indemnity, many. If they will carry a Testa- because the crime might have been ment, they will read it, and God will use His Word. Many of the prevented, if the government of dear fellows are rough, ready, and Spain had exercised due vigilance. kind. On one occasion we had held a service and were ready to give "Our judgment goes not with the out Testaments. The preacher who war cry, 'Avenge the Maine,' or went with us had an armful and , Remember the Maine.' An injury the men were about to crush him when one called out, 'Look out, was done us, and we ask, not that boys! don't knock the parson down.' it be repaid by blood, but that the We have evidence of the Lord's using the work on every hand. An . measure of Spain's responsibility officer has just said, 'You men are shall determine the character and doing a great deal of good, and the extent of her reparation. Reparakind you are doing will count for more with these men than preach- tion is not vengeance. We shall ing would.' " not be benefited by taking venge- ance, but, rather, injured. Our In order that the American Bible Christian character as a nation will Society may respond largely to the not permit us to take several hun- dred Spanish lives for those of the demand for Testaments for the Americans who went down in the army and navy, all who feel inter- Maine. The cry of 'vengeance' is ested should send contributions to unworthy of a Christian people. It is instinct with the reckless cruelty William Foulke, treasurer Bible of savages. Let us keep to law and House, New York, N. Y. Gospel even in war. This contest is a measure of power against power, not of hate against hate, nor of vengeance against venge- ance."
"Vengeance Is Mine," The London Tabernacle.
Under the heading, "Reparation, The rebuilding of the Metropoli- tan Tabernacle in London is a mat- Not Vengeance," the Independent ter that concerns the whole Chris- tian Church. That structure was refers to our battle cry, "Remem- unique. It was the largest place of worship in the world which was ber the Maine," and well adds: used for the purposes of a popular assembly for preaching the pure "Weare not at war with Spain Gospel. For forty years there, twice because we hate her, but because a Sabbath, audiences have assemwe love Cuba and want it to have bled larger than any other in the the blessings we enjoy. Weare bounds of Christendom-averaggrieved, inexpressibly grieved, over ing, probably, over 4,000 at each the loss of the Maine; but we are service, besides almost countless not now engaged in a war to week-day services in the interest of avenge the loss of the noble ship every conceivable cause linkt with and her brave crew. Commodore the life of the Church at home and Dewey has destroyed the Spanish abroad. There are many who think fleet at Manila; but not because of the Tabernacle should be rebuilt as the destruction of our battleship in it was, even tho the beloved Cha~les the harbor of Havana. We do H. Spurgeon is no longer with us not know and we do not believe to insure its being filled. His son, that Spain ordered the Maine to be Thomas Spurgeon, now its pastor, blown up. There is not a scintilla is doing his best to keep up the of evidence, not a suspicion, even, faithful succession of evangelical that the government at Madrid directed the captain-general of Cuba thus to make way with our ship, or that either was privy to it. Nobody has any reason to believe that the awful crime was ordered by anybody in official station. It was, in all probability. a conspiracy of a teaching, and under his guidance edifice, but it is empowered to the Church of Christ may be con- fident that his father's Gospel will somewhat reduce the dimensions, not be dishonored; but aside from if necessary. Necessarily, we are the needs of a great church still in the dark as to amount required numbering 4,000 members, all until the plans of the new build- Christendom needs such a taberna- ing are decided upon. I think we cle for the uses of Christ. Even if shall need less than £20,000, but it be found impossible to maintain 'about' that amount would be a the crowded congregations of the safe guess. Our services have been Lord's day, under new conditions held since the fire in Exeter Hall, there being also a morning meeting and greatlychanged circumstances, in the college conference hall. We the Church of Christ at large needs are now to have morning gathersuch a building, and we all know ings at the orphanage and college, with what noble cordiality the the evening meeting being con- Tabernacle has always been put at tinued at Exeter Hall. the service of the Master, and has been a center of home and foreign "It is proposed to permanently missions and every form of Chris- ceil the entire basement of the tian evangelism. Tabernacle as soon as possible, and to meet there while the super- It has occurred forcibly to us structure is being reared. We shall that the readers of this REVIEW have accommodation for nearly would gladly aid in this rebuilding, 2,000, and we shall (D. V.) see the ;and thus express a large indebted- new house growing round and .ness to the grand work and witness above us week by week." that are inseparable from this great :structure and its history. If New- Rev. A. Ben-Oliel and the Ohristian man Hall could successfully appeal :for some $30,000 to build" Lincoln Union Mission at Jerusalem. 'Tower" for Christ church in Lon- ,don, surely we shall be interested In the July number, 1897, page 'in an offering to aid in restoring I()ut of the ruins of this great fire 553, was quoted a paragraph from a building which, beyond any other in the world, has stood for Rev. Dr. John H. Barrows, origina gathering place of the common ally publisht in the Interior, and people, t.he preaching of a pure Gospel, and the radiation of a mission- strongly condemnatory of Rev. A. ary enthusiasm to the ends of the earth. Any offerings entrusted to Ben-Oliel, and his work. No comour care we shall gladly transmit without cost of exchange to the ments were made upon the extract, donors. which found its way into the De- Mr. Spurgeon writes as follows: partment of General Missionary "The Tabernacle was insured for Intelligence, like many other para- £20,000. Our claim for that amount has been promptly paid. graphs which are there quoted "The original building cost about from current exchanges. This was £32,000. The portico and walls still stand. A building committee, con- while the editor-in-chief was in sisting of the pastors, deacons, and four elders, has been appointed. Britain. On his return from abroad It has been instructed by the church he corresponded with Dr. Barrcws, to rebuild the Tabernacle, as far as to ascertain his grounds for such a judgment. He simply declined to possible, on the lines of the original enter into any controversy, but affirmed that his sources of infor- mation were such as were perfectly trustworthy, and would have been to any fair-minded man satisfac- tory. The only apparent resort therefore was to refer readers to Dr. Barrows himself.
We deeply desire that in these pages no injustice shall be done to any brother. Mr. Ben – Oliel is entitled to fair play and an impa~- tial hearing, and it appears to us supervision and instruction these women learned to make clothing for that Dr. Barrows had no right to themselves and their children. Her daughters also had large classes of make the statement he did in the Jewish children under their care and instruction, and the father Interior, if he was not prepared to gave ,frequen.t Scripture readings and InstructIOn to these various stand by it, to give his authority, classes. I often found him inter- viewing Jews, who came to his and be responsible for such a judg- home for instruction. One of these was received into fellowship by ment. A shot from a foe, conceal- Dr. Long, a minister of your church, who traveled with us in ed behind impenetrable thickets, the East. Myself and others of our company were present when the can neither be traced nor returned. ceremony was performed.
If we are to have an honorable, "I met Mr. Alley, the author of the charges against the Ben-Oliel open warfare, no man must be ac- Mission, which have been indus- triously circulated in this country cused without having an oppor- as well as in Jerusalem, and in- sisted upon his going with me, and tunity to meet his accusers face to having a personal interview with Rev. Ben-Oliel, and talking the face. Mr. Ben-Oliel and his de- matter over in a Christian spirit. This he refused to do. I then profenders complain, and we believe posed that together we would go into a careful investigation of the justly, that they can get no replies case. He declined this proposition on the ground that he did not have from Dr. Barrows, or, if any, only the money to meet the expense that such an investigation would incur. evasive ones. And now Mr. D. L. I then offered to give one hundred dollars for that purpose, a sum Miller has addrest, to the editor of large enough to meet all expenses, whereupon Mr. Alley refused to the Interior, a letter which appears enter upon an investigation upon any terms. I was forced to the to us to belong to the history of conclusion that he was unprepared to stand by his charges, true or this case, and, therefore, to be en- false. Fearing lest my memory might be at fault in regard to Mr. titled to appear in evidence. We, Alley's attitude, I wrote to Brother T. T. ·Myers, of Philadelphia, who therefore, give extracts from it, was present at the interview with Mr. Alley." (Mr. Miller then but, in so doing, pronounce no quotes from Mr. Myers' letter in confirmation of his own statement.) judgment upon Mr. Ben-Oliel and "After this interview, I carried his work, reserving for ourselves a the investigation farther on my own account, and fully satisfied decision when we have a fuller myself and others. who were with me that the charges against the knowledge of the merits of the case Ben-Oliel Mission were without foundation in fact, and were due, which we hope soon to acquire. in some part at least, to personal jealousy." Mr. Miller, who visited Jerusalem We have learned from R. Scott three times, and the last time spent Moncrieff, Esq., of Edinburgh, nearly two months there, says: Scotland, that he wrote to some "Soon after my arrival in the city, I lieard rumors concerning thirty mission-workers at Jerusathe mission referred to, which, if I had not investigated, would have lem, none of whom were aware led me to the same conclusion reacht by Dr. Barrows. I was told that Dr. Barrows had visited Jeruthat no work was being done by these people, and that the money received by them was being invested for their private use and benefit. I concluded, however, that it was my duty, before taking up a reproach against a brother, to carefully investigate the charges.
"I visited the Ben-Oliel Mission a number of times, often quite unexpectedly to the workers, and I always found them busily engaged in teaching, reading the Hebrew Scriptures, and instructing Jewish lllothers in sewing and other work. Mrs. Ben-Oliel had a large class of women, numbering as high as thirty. She had on hand material fQr dresses, alld ullder per personal salem. A letter from Mrs. Ben- sincere apologies that I was induced Oliel states that he did not visit to defend one whose conduct I now the mission, and the first knowledge see has merited severe cdnsure." they had of his being at Jerusalem was when they read his charge in The celebration of the edict of the papers. Nantes has called attention to the The following extracts are from wide influence exerted by the exoa letter, in the Watchword and Truth, from a man who signs him- dus of Huguenots consequent upon self Ephraim Navon: its revocation. The Rev. Dr. Voll- " I am a young man from J erusa- mer well summarized them in a lem, was born there of well-known recent address in Philadelphia. paren tts~ and I must say that I am sorry. have this good .man, ,,;,ho About 20,000, he said, accepted the invitation of Frederick William, is dOlllg so much good III leadlllg of Brandenburg, fully as many sought refuge in Hesse-Cassel, large Jews to Christianity, wrongfully numbers settled in the Palatinate, about 80,000 went to England, and spoken against. I know of no mis- 200,000 to Holland, and a large num- ber emigrated to America. These sionary who is doing so muc;h ~ood French refugees, he continued, have left ~ehind them many honas he is. I am one of the dIscIples ored names in our history. The great Albert Gallatin came of Huof Christ through his teaching. A guenot stock. Three of the seven presidents of the Continental Confew weeks ago I received a letter gress were the descendants of French emigrants. The loss of so from a young man, stating that he many of her best people had a dis- astrous effect on France, and the is suffering very much from perse- French are realizing this in our own time. The immediate effects cution under the rabbis, because he were the paving the way for the deists, atheists, and the French has become a believer in Christ. revolution. The prince who con- He wrote to know if I could help quered France in 1870, Emperor William I., was lineal descendant him escape, so that he could wor- of the great Admiral Coligny, and also one of the successors of the ship Christ as he wisht. As for great elector of Brandenburg, who gave protection to the Huguenots. myself, I had the same trouble in It is a very significant fact that on the staff of Emperor William, escaping from Jerusalem. I hope when he rode into Paris, were eighty descendants of those banisht that the readers of American Huguenots. – Christian Intelli- gencer. papers will not believe the wrong It seems hard to believe that statements made against Mr. Ben- such a practise as raffiing for souls Oliel, for he is an earnest worker is possible in a nominally Christian in Jerusalem. church. "The first lesson that I received Rev. Francis Borton, a missionwas from a class of children at his ary in Mexico, writes: home. I continued to receive in- Yesterday, in a Roman Catholic struction until finally I became church in Mexico, I read the fol- lowing notice: persuaded that Jesus was the Mes- Raffie for Souls.-At the last siah." raffie for souls, the following num- bers obtained the prize, and the Mr. Varley and Warszawiak. lucky holders may be assured that their loved ones are forever releast Mr. Henry Varley recently sent from the flames of purgatory.
this apology to the Rev. A. F.
Schauffier, D. D., with the request that it be publisht : "Believing the statements made to me in October last by Mr. Warszawiak that both he and his wife had been unjustly treated, and that the Jewish Mission work in his hands had been grossly misrepresented, I wrote strongly in his defense. I have now to confess that I was deceived and led to write that which reflected unjustly upon yourself, Mr. Jesup, and Mr. Anthony Comstock. I, therefore, withdraw that which was written and express with deep regret 'my Ticket 841. The soul of Lawyer was sent out as the first agent for James Vasquey is releast from purgatory, and ushered into zenana work on a large scale, and heavenly joys. began at Bombay. So writes Miss Ticket 41. The soul of Madame Calderon is made happy forever. E. J. Whately, eldest daughter and Ticket 762. The soul of the aged biographer of the late archbishop widow, Francesca de Parson, is forever releast from the flames of of Dublin. purgatory. A friend calls attention to the Another raffle for souls will be held at this same blessed Church of fact that in September issue of the the Redeemer on J annary 1st, at which four bleeding and tortured REVIEW, 1897, page 649, that is at- souls will be released from purgatory to heaven, according to the tributed to Mrs. Ingalls which was four highest tickets in this most holy lottery. Tickets, $1. To be true of Miss Fielde. It is possible had of the father in charge. Will you, for the poor sum of $1, leave that it was true of both. We quote your loved ones to burn in purgatory for ages ?-Christian Work. Dr. A. J. Gordon's narrative: Erratum.-In the April number We vividly remember, in the of the REVIEW, on page 256, in Dr. early days of woman's work in the Scott's article, 100,000,000 should foreign field, how that brilliant read 1,000,000. missionary to China, Miss Adele Fielde, was recalled by her board John Taylor, the missionary to because of the repeated complaints the lepers of Robben Island, was of the senior missionaries that in not himself a leper, as was stated her work she was transcending her in our May number (p. 333), the pamphlet on which we based the lOU sphere as a woman. " It is reportstatement being in error on that ed that you have taken upon point. to preach," was the charge rea by the chairman; "is it so ?" She re- On page 302, April issue of this plied by describing the vastness REVIEW, MI;. Cavalier makes the and destitution of her field-village Zenana Bible and Medical Mission after village, hamlet after hamlet, to be the pioneer in zenana work. yet unreached by the Gospel-and Another society, "The Society for then how, with a native woman, Promoting Female Education in she had gone into the surrounding the East," claims priority. The country, gathered groups of men, matter is unimportant, except as women, and children – whoever pertaining to accuracy. This lat- would come-and told out the Story ter society was establisht in 1834, of the Cross to them. "If this is sixty-four years ago. Rev. David preaching, I plead guilty to the Abeel's appeal in the summer of charge," she said. "And have you that year resulted in the forming- ever been ordained to preach? " of a small band of ladies, who or- askt her examiner. "No," she ganized this society, in whose sphere replied, with great dignity and of labor not only China but India emphasis-" no; but I believe I was included. This organization have been foreordained." 0 woclaims to have made.the first sys- man! you have answered discreettematic attempt to reach heathen ly; and if any shall ask for your women through their own sex, and foreordination credentials, put your to have begun 'work in India as finger on the words of the prophet: "Your sons and your daughters early as 1835. In 1842 Miss Burton shall prophesy," and the whole Church will vote to send you back unhampered to your work, as hap- pily the board did in this instance.
Book Reviews.
"The Spaniard in History," by James C. Fernald, is a new book of about 150 pp., issued by Funk & Wagnalls. It' is manifestly pre- pared hastily and briefly, but not carelessly, to throw light upon cer- . tain matters, political and econom- thetic touches of coloring left out ical, ethical and moral, which na- by his own hands.
turally are involved in the present "Whether White or Black, a war crisis. It contains twelve chap- Man," by Edith Smith Davis,* is ters, which we have read with deep a romance of reality, in which interest. They condense a large the authoress has sought to show . amount of information into a very the existing and most unreasonable ,brief compass, and bristle with caste prejudice which on the part facts. The character of the Span- of the whites prevents the true up- iard, and the rise of the Spanish lifting of the colored people of the power, and the course of conquest South into their true plane, physi- and misrule in Granada, the West cally, intellectually, socially, and Indies, Mexico and Peru, the Phil- spiritually. ",Ve are asmred that ippines and Cuba. The Spaniard the characters and incidents in the is pictorially and graphically pre- book are entirely true to life, and ;sented in the cruelties and tyran- for the most part life photographs, nies of the Inquisition, in the extor- otherwise we should infer the ,tion practised on Jews, and the ex- story to be an ideal sketch. We pulsion of Jews and Moors; in the hope the book will serve a noble injustice and robbery toward Cen- purpose and fulfil the mission on tral American chiefs, etc., and in which it is sent, tho its literary the struggle with brave little Hol- quality is not of the best. Surely land. Those who would unde,rstand no practical problem more needs Spain and the issues that hang on solution than this: How to help this war, should read Mr. Fernald's the long enslaved race in our land book. to the level of life which God Revell issues the fascinating life means for them.
story of Charles F. Deems, late Of all methods of helping on the pastor of the Church of the Strang- work of missions, none equals the ers. Like the gifted author, the Ministry of Intercession. * In his narrative is full of points. Few latest work, under this title, our men ever imprest an audience friend Andrew Murray has, to our with a more markt personality mind, led the Church to the most and a more winning originality advanced position he has yet than Dr. Deems. He was a poet, a reacht. The book demonstrates preacher, a sage, a humorist, all both the vast power of intercessory rolled into one; and withal a man prayer, but especially its vast negof beautiful missionary spirit and lect. He shows that this, the higha wide sympathy for all human est privilege and greatest weapon woe and want.' This life-sketch is of a conquering Church, lies comlike a sunrise and sunset combined, paratively unused in God's armory. for it has about it the morning Every disciple of Christ ought to promise and the evening repose. read and ponder this book. It re- Every page is readable, and the book is bound to be a favorite with veals the "Holiest of all" within intelligent people. The million the veil. Throughout the book friends of Dr. Deems, who was one of the most admired and beloved of God seems to be saying to us as to men, will be grateful for such a Moses: "Behold there is a place by' portrait of such a man, in which me," and calling us to come up and the "artist paints his own like- stand there where we speak with Him face to face, and learn to pre- vail in prayer for others.
ness," and his sons add the sympa- • Fleming H. Revell Co.
1898.J EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extracts and Translations From Foreign African tribes, and that it is Periodicals. abominable there, but that among the Barotsis it surpasses every de- BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK. scription. Robbery and rapacity, lying and cheating, unthankful- AFRICA. ness and pride are viewed as some- thing entirely natural, not even to -Missionary Muller, writing in speak of drunkenness, cruelty, the Leipsic M'is8ions-Blatt, remarks superstition, and the grossest im- that at first it seems as if it was morality. Good and evil, righteous- officiousness in the missionary to ness and sin, are distinctions with disturb so courteous, friendly, and which their religion is not in the harmless a people as the J agga least concerned. It only occupies (German East Africa) out of their itself with the position which the rest and comparative prosperity. man occupies in this world. If he Slowly, however, one evil fruit dies a chief, he remains a chief; if after another is discovered, result- he dies a slave, he remains a slave. ing from polygamy and, above all, Thence results the enormous confrom sorcery. The latter keeps the trast which subsists between the people under the continual thral- nobles and their subjects, and it is, dom of terror. Whether, as in the humanly speaking, impossible to West Indies, it is complicated with bring a chief, or, indeed, any freesecret poisoning, we do not know, man, to put himself on equal footbut not improbably. l'he Cham- ing with a slave." bers Brothers estimate the numbers that have suffered during the -The Missions-Magazin gives two thousand years of Christian the statistics of the Kongo Free history on the charge of sorcery at State as 115 stations, 684 officials, nine millions. That would be a 223 missionaries, 1,474 whites; 882 trifle to the myriads that through- being Belgians, 125 Englishmen, 91 out Africa are continually falling Portuguese, 87 Italians, 71 Swedes, victims to this charge. 61 Americans, 40 French, 37 Dutch, 21 Germans, 20 Danes. -About 250,000 slaves were set at liberty by the decree for the -The furious campaign of the abolishing of slavery recently is- Jesuits in Madagascar seems to sued by the sultan of Zanzibar. have been finally checkt. Ruin and This momentous reform is largely disorder still are found in the Protdue to the exertions of the bishop estant missions, but there seems of Zanzibar and the missionaries to be a returning confidence. Genof the Universities Mission.-The eral Gallilmi himself seems to show Chronicle. some signs of a conscience. We must, of course, be thankful for -Speaking of the French mission any approach to justice under a on the Zambesi, the Evangelisches government which is capable of the Missions-kIagazin remarks: "In Zola trial. The old antagonism bethe region where the missionaries tween the Latin and the Teutonic are now working, heathenism is races appears to be reviving, to be singularly hideous. Coillard says followed, let us hope, as Castelar that he has come to know heathen- predicts, by an ultimate fusion. ism at close quarters among the Basutos, the Zulus, and other South
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
MISCELLANEOUS. heathen unbelief. True, devout feeling gives individual certainty -The Netherlands Missionary So- to the believer; but it can be comciety celebrated its centenary last municated to others only through December. In 1797, under the just thought. A mIssIOnary, founder, Johann Vanderkemp, it therefore, can overcome the heathen commenced its operations in errol' only by remembering that it friendly relations to the London is not the errol' which of itself can lfissionary Society. Early in the bind, but some great truth enpresent century these two societies tangled with the errol', and giving jointly sent missionaries to South it its power to bewitch. He must, Africa and to Java; but the work therefore, begin with the truth was soon given up. A little later which makes the strength of the they began to work together among errol', and detach it from its false the Molucca Islands. The Nether- association. For instance, the lands Missionary Society did noble heathen pantheist takes the visible work for many years, but discon- universe of God. Heartily actent sprang up in 1858, and occa- knowledge to him that the universe sioned the formation of four mis- is, indeed, a wonderful self-exhibisionary societies, viz., the General tion and self-explication of God, Missionary Society of the Reformed and that none acknowledge this Church, the Dutch Missionary more heartily than the Christians. Union, the Dutch Reformed Mis- The earth is full of the glory of sionary Union, and the Utrecht God, and the firmament showeth Missionary Society. In 1882, the his handiwork. Divine wisdom Dutch Lutheran Missionary So- and love appear in every part. ciety was also founded. This pantheism, therefore, is not to be simply denounced as a dia- -Altho we can not, in the bolical deception. The pantheist, world of heathen culture, reckon however, is to be reminded that for a long while yet upon results the infinite and eternal wisdom in the mass for our missionaries, and goodness are not to be confused yet the final decision will come the with the perishable and imperfect more effectively, the more valiantly forms and nature of the universe they take up the combat with the in which they imperfectly express heathen view of the world, and themselves, but above which they carry it on by showing forth the are essentially exalted. spirit and power which are derived from the truth of God. Unques- Again, a missionary encounters tionably, for the right use of this a Buddhistic atheist and pessimist. spiritual armor they need the This poor man sees nothing in the technical knowledge and ability world but an endless and unmeanwhich shall enable them to trans- ing cycle of ever-recurring birth port themselves upon the oppo- and decay, out of which the weary nent's ground, to carry the war and hopeless soul can find no reinto his camp, to defeat him with demption except in an absolute his own weapons. For in spiritual negation of being. Now the miscontests also the rule holds–at- sionary may well justify him in t:1Ck is the best defense. A mis- declaring that in the whole round sionary would hardly accomplish of created things there is no abidmuch who should simply entrench ing object of desire. The Gospel himself behind the certainties of says the same: The world passeth his own faith, and refuse to make away, and the lust thereof. But any reply to the objections of the Gospel adds, what it was not
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
given to Buddha to discern: He preach the Gospel and found that doeth the will of God abideth churches throughout the world, forever-the belief in a Divine will, and this commission was fulfilled which proposes to humanity moral by the Apostles. Accordingly it is ends of abiding worth, not ex- now extinct. Since then there is hausted with this span of earthly only the pastorate, which apper- life. We do sigh under the burden tains to a single congregation, and of corruption, but we look for a rests upon a call. Besides, the misredemption to life, not unto death. sionary endowments of the Apostles Our God is love, and has appointed have not survived them. They had for his children and fellow-laborers the gift of healing, but above all, a part in his eternal kingdom of the gift of speaking in foreign God. This faith of ours is the vic- tongues. As these miraculous entory which has overcome and ever dowments died out with the Aposovercomes anew the world and its tles, the result is : the missionary anguish. And we may remind him commission has already been disthat it is this faith which has given charged. How, indeed, now that the Christian world such energy and there were no Apostles, only pascouragp, while it is this despair tors, could any man be duly comwhich has shut up Asia in such ages missioned to the heathen? Only if of dead stagnation.-From Dr. a Lutheran prince took possession Pfleiderer, in Zeitschrijt fur Mis- of heathen lands, and on the prinsionskunde. ciple, CUjU8 regio, eju8 religio, used his rights of supreme episcopate to -Dr. Pfleiderer continues:-That call pastors for his new subjects. morality which a self-complacent This, substantially, is what Gus- Japanese regards as reserved for. tavus Vasa did for the Lapps. the future of his own country has Accordingly, Lutheran miSSlOns already in fact been for 18 centuries already began with Denmark and the principle of Christian morality. Norway, colonial powers. As Dr. This incorporates into inseparable Kawerau continues: The sum total unity self-denial and self-mainte- of this view, dictated by dogmatnance, subordination to society, and ics, was this: The still existing individual independence in society. heathenism h[.s hardened itself. This unity of opposites is essentially Even if the preaching of the Aposincluded in our filial relation to God. tles has not penetrated everywhere, yet its voice has resounded through -Dr. G. Kawerau has publisht all the world. The h<Jathen have at Breslau a very interesting dis- rejected it, and now they no longer sertation, cited in the Zeitschrifi stand under the grace of God, but fur Missionsh~nde, on the attitude under his wrath. Nay, there is no of Lutheranism to missions in the recoil even from the cruel conclusixteenth and seventeenth cen- sion: How do you know then that turies. This was not merely a posi- it is now God's will to show the tion of neglect, but of positive hos- heathen the way of salvation othertility. This hostility was founded wise than through the general on dogmatics, which, as we know, means of His Providence, through laid remorseless hold on Lutheran- the natural knowledge of God. ism for a number of generations. God's righteous wrath rests upon Lutheranism at first distinguisht the heathen world. Gracious as He sharply between the apostolate and is, even so wrathful can He be. the pastorate. According to John Gerhard the specific work of the With Christian Scriver, in his apostolate is the commission to Seelenschatz, all these dogmatic dif-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
ficulties melt before the reviving man of evil passions, sanctioning breath of love and compassion to- polygamy and facile divorce, and wards the wandering brethren. himself taking eleven wives, altho This is the spring and soul of mis- his own Koran gave the limit at sions. Where there is a will, there four. Whereas Jesus Christ liberis a way. ated and exalted women as no other religious teacher had ever done, -Mr. John Ferguson, in a paper Mohammed deliberately degraded read at Colombo, and given in the woman to an animal; and in many C. M. IntelligenceI', sums up :110- places Mohammedan women still hammed's character and history, believe they are like the beasts that very tersely and accurately, as fol- perish. In Morocco they tell Chrislows: "Mohammed himself as a tian missionaries, ',Vhy preach to young man up to twenty-five years us? ,Ve have no souls; you may as of age, was very sincere, truthful, well preach to the cows.' " and pure. From that age till fiftytwo he had a pattern home with a -There is a great deal of force in good wife; while he was a devout, what is said by a writer in the Chiearnest man. It was in the last nese ReeUT'der, that a good recipe twelve years of his life, after the for becoming an enlightened exdeath of his wife, that he went pounder of comparative religion is astray. At first he was alone and this: Give moderate praise to Christ was persecuted for his notions of and immoderate praise to Gautama religion; then came great gather- and Confucius. ings of followers and success-and success ruined Mohammed's char- THE KINGDOM. acter. It seems to me that Mohammed distinctly yielded to the -0 that the new day of Christtemptation which Jesus Christ, sin- ian faith and hope and love on less and divine, cast from Him. Christ's level might dawn upon our 'All these things,' says Satan, 'I souls! 0 that we might realize will give Thee if Thou wilt fall down what it means to have a Master and worship me.' And Mohammed who died for all men! 0 that we did not say, 'Get thee behind me, might understand what it means to Satan!' He had been a prophet believe in a religion which is given teaching faith in God, submission for the whole world! Then should to His will, trust in His Providence, we come with exultant joy, with and good-will to His creatures with eager interest, with heartfelt prayprayers and alms; but now he be- ers, with overflowing gifts to recame a politician, head of a party, deem the partial failure and conand carried fire and sword to his summate the full success of foreign enemies. He put one merit or virtue missions.-Rev. Hen1'y van Dyke. before his followers, .fighting; he promised them a sensual paradise; -An article in the June number and this was secure for everyone of McCltln's Magaz'ine on the cost who died fighting and calling out: of war shows that in the 22 years 'There is but one God (Allah), and after 1793, the loss to the British Mohammed is His prophet! '-more and French people by Napoleon properly, 'apostle.' He grew to was not less than $6,500,000,000 and be a robber, assassin, and murderer 1,900,000 lives. The Crimean War of the most cruel type, treating all cost Russia, Turkey, France, and Jews (the nearest creed to his own) England $1,500,000,000 and 600,000 with vindictive cruelty. He waB a lives. The Franco-German war cost $1,500,000,000 and 200,000 lives. The estimate of the cost of the Civil War of this country for both from 341 to 891 millions, while sides is $8,000,000,000. The loss of those governed by non-Christians life in war in the world's historic receded from 613 to 608 millions. period is estimated at more than Protestant nations governed 520 7,OOO,00J,OOO men, the half of whom millions in 1890 as compared with were killed since the beginning of 157 millions in 1786; Roman Cathothe Christian era. lics 243 as compared with 154 mil- lions; and Greek Christians 128 as -The director of the United compared with 30 millions. In States Mint states that the world's other words, Christians, who conoutput of gold for 1897 will approx- stitute about one-third of the imate, if it does not exceed, $240,- world's population, govern about 000,000 in value-an increase of two-thirds of it. And this before close to 20 pel' cent. over 1896. Of the recent partition of Africa, this total the United States pro- which adds over 100,000,000 polyduced approximately $61,500,000- theists to those under the sway of an increase of $8,400,000 over 1896; Christian lands, reducing the other Africa, $58,OOO,OOO-an increase of figures to the same extent. During $13,600,000; Australasia, $51,000,000 the past 300 years the bulk of the -an increase of $6,800,000; Mexico, world's area has changed hands. $10, 000, OOO-an increase of 1,700,000; In 1600, Christian nations ruled Canada, $7,500,000—an increase of 3,480,000 square miles, and non- $4,700,000; India, $7,500,000—an in- Christians 45,619,000; in 1893 there crease of $1,400,000; Russia, $25,- were 40,317,000 square miles under OOO,OOO-an increase of $3,500,000. Christians, and only 8,782,000 under The indications for the United non-Christians. Protestant nations States are that Colorado will lead have increast their area from 727,- in the production of gold for 1897, 000 to 17,417,000 square miles. as it is estimated that it will not be less than $20,000,000. California At the end of the fifteenth cenwill follow with a product of pro- tury, when the Christian populabably $19,000,000. tion was 100 millions, there were no Protestants; in 1891 they num- -The figures which follow, taken bered 520 millions out of a total from Rev. S. L. Gulick's "The Christian population of 890 mil- Growth of the Kingdom of God," lions. France (Roman Catholic) are most significant and full of en- had 19 millions of population in couragement. At the end of the 1700 and 38 millions in 1891; while third century the number of Chris- Great Britain's population grew to tians is given as 5 millions, 10 at the the same figure in 1891 from 8 milend of the fourth, 50 at the end of lions in 1700. 'Vhen the Armada the tenth, 100 at the end of the fif- threatened England, Spain had 43 teenth, and 200 at the end of the millions of subjects, and England eighteenth. Then in 1880 the num- only 4 millions; now England has ber given is 410 millions, in 1890 as 38 millions, and Spain 17 millions. 493 millions, and in 1896 as 500 millions. During the present century In 1800 French was spoken by 31, the increase exceeds that of the Russian by 30, German by 30, Spanprevious 1800 years. ish by 26, and English by 20 mil- lions; in 1890, English was first Between 1786 and 1890 the world's with HI millions, then German population is estimated to have in- with 75, Russian with 75, French creast from 954 millions to 1499mil- with 51, and Spanish with 42 millions. The Christian-governed na- lions. MI'. Gulick states that in tions incrcast in the same period the negotiations for peace between the Japanese and Chinese the Eng- dom. In Ning-po there are 1,000 lish language was chosen as the Christians, and according to the best medium of communication. means of the Chinese, they could support 2 native pastors-a good -Nobody who watches the signs proportion, surely, and sufficient. of the times can doubt that one of But as Presbyterians, Baptists, the burning questions of the near Churchmen, and others must each future will relate to self-support on have a pastor for their own flock, the mission field, and whether there are no less than 8 pastors in abroad or at home. The Indian Ning-po, a number quite beyond the Witness strikes the key note in native church to maintain, and not this fashion: ""Ve repeat what necessary either." we have substantially urged on a previous occasion, that all new -The increase of interest among missionary enterprises to be here- scholars in Semitic literature has after commenced in India, should led to the publishing of a variety of be conducted on the general princi- literary and grammatical works in ples indicated by Dr. Ashmore. Let the Nestorian character, in Gerno foreign money be expended on many, France, and England. And any object or for any purpose ex- here again the missionary service cept to support· the missionary proves th3 handmaid of science. evangelist and to maintain the The beautiful type in which the native evangelists until native great publishing houses of Europe churches are organized, which shall are bringing out this Syrian literabecome responsible for them. Such ture, was furnisht them from the a plan will most probably involve foundry of the Presbyterian misslower progress in every direction; sion press at Urumia, Persia. but the tremendous advantage of There the dies were cut, the matrihaving the whole work on a self- ces made, and sample type cast. nourishing, self-directing, and self- The latest incident is the casting propagating basis from the very by a type foundry in New York, first, will more than compensate for the Cambridge Press, England, for the less rapid numerical devel- of a font of the same type used in opment on the ordinary plan. "Ve the Syriac Bible recently issued by suggest this, it will be noted, in the American Bible Society, with connection with all new missionary which to print a dictionary of the enterprises; for we greatly fear modern Syriac language, which the that no mission with a history back missionaries, Dr. Justin Perkins of it could muster sufficient cour- and his colleagues, first made the age to retrace its steps and com- scholars of Europe and America mence de novo on the primitive acquainted with. lines laid down ahove, even were this possible." -A Belgium commission of uni- versity men have been making an -And why no greater progress investigation as to the use and has hitherto been made is at least abuse of alcohol. They agree that in part explained by Rev. J. C. it is "never a tonic or a stimulant, Hoare, of Ning-po, China, who at a and never increases the vital powbreakfast in Oxford, England, askt: ers, but always lowers them:" that "Why are we not able to have in- "no form of distilled spirits has dependent churches in the foreign any nutritive value," and that field now as in the early days? And "the injuries of alcohol are always in reply named as one reason: the transmitted to the next generadivision of Protestant Christention." Being a scientific commis- pelled to maintain a representative sion, its words have weight. at the front.
-It is really too bad that the -An African woman came into mountain continues to be so stub- possession, by some means, of an born and recalcitrant, and compels English Bible. She and her people the poor prophet to do the travel- had heard a little of the great Gos- ing. That is, several times in re- pel; they kiijew something of what cent years, tho Rome strictly for- the book was; and the woman was bids the multitude to read the filled with delight in its ownership. Word of God, she is yet compelled But, alas! it was written in a by circumstances to supply the strange tongue, and those who same for their use, and even to could interpret it were far away. make translations into the vernac- Still something must be done with ular. Thus it was not long ago in so rare a treasure. After consulta- Uganda, and now this dire calamity tion, a day was set, notice was has befallen in both Japan and given, and, at the appointed hour, Chma. the Bible was laid on the stump of a tree in an open space. Then the -Let the churches beware! For natives began to assemble, took a movement is under way and is their places in a circle about the steadily gaining momentum, which spot, and, after waiting for a time bids fair to greatly increase the in reverent silence, quietly dissums given to missions. It is perst. Can it be doubted that the known as the "Living-link sys- Father, who seeketh those to wortern," a broad term to include all ship Him who shall worship Him direct connection of churches or in spirit and in truth, was there in individuals at home with institu- their midst, and accepted gladly the tions and workers in the foreign poor, maimed service, which was field, so far as the matter of finan- all that they had to offer Him ?- cial provision for the maintenance Gospel in All Lands. of the latter is concerned. A home church, college, or university sup- -Dr. Foster of the great Clifton ports its own missionary, or fur- Springs Sanitariurn, has discovered nishes sufficient funds to maintain that his extensive work of repaira school. A Sunday-school, Chris- ing missionaries who come home tain Endeavor society, or Epworth on furlough, is every whit as im- League undertakes to be responsi- portant as the task of preparing ble for the salary of native preacher them before they first set forth. or other worker. A man or woman desires to meet the cost of keeping UNITED STATES. a native evangelist in the field, or of supporting a student in college or -Mr. James Bryce, M.P., in the theological seminary, or of educat- Bookbuyer says: "Every time that ing a boy or girl in a boarding- I revisit the United States I am school. And the first we know a struck afresh by the enormous student volunteer will be calling on benefits which the country derives us, looking us in the face, and say- from the absence of anyone priviing: "Here am I ready to go, help to leged and dominant church, whose send me." And it wiII be very solemn pretensions tend to create unchrisbusiness to refuse. Why, it looks tian pride in one set of Christians, much as tho every church possest and no less unchristian bitterness of any considerable financial in another." strength would presently feel com- -American locomotives are cap- turing the foreign market. The Baldwin works at Philadelphia bitterest enemy came to him, he have, within two months, received would be treated with as much from abroad orders for 107 locomo- courtesy as if he were a friend. tives. Of these orders 83 came The Indians are also a truthful from Eastern China, 10 from New race, unless dominated by drink. I Zealand, 6 from Spain, 2 from Ar- have never known an Indian to gentina, 5 from Egypt, and 1 from tell me a lie. Last year I heard an Mexico. The Schenectady Loco- officer in the army say: 'I have motive Works report an order of lived twenty-one y~ars with the 38 locomotives from Japan; the most warlike Indians on this con- Brooks Locomotive Works, 5 from tinent; half the time I have been Japan, and the Richmond Locomo- hunting them, and the other half tive Works, 17 orders for the Fin- they have been hunting me, and I land-Russian state railway. Thus, have never known an Indian to tell it will be seen, the wonderful me a lie.' And every officer in the mechanical genius of this people in army will indorse this. They are building locomotives as well as in also very honest, and have a dry other lines, is fairly appreciated humor. Many years ago I was abroad, even Spain recognizing it. holding a service near an Indian village· camp. My things were -To supply the army and navy scattered about in a lodge, and of the United States, now placed when I was going out, I askt the on a war footing, very large de- chief if it was safe to leave them mands are being made on the there while I went to the village to American Bible Society for Scrip- hold a service. 'Yes,' he said, 'pertures. The brave men, who are fectly safe. There is not a white exposing their lives for country man within a hundred miles!' " and humanity, are exposed also to the passions and demoralizing in- -The extreme poverty of the fluences of war. They must be great mass of the colored people enabled to "put on the whole is a barrier to progress. It is no armor of God, that they may be uncommon thing to see children, able to withstand in the evil day, even in the coldest season of the and having done all, to stand. " year, without shoes and stockings, "The sword of the Spirit, which is and with, oftentimes, but one garthe Word of God," can at least be ment-;either a thin dress or a pail' put into their hands. Special gifts of old trousers; sometimes this are needed to enable this society to dress is supplemented by a rag tied meet this unexpected but sacred over the head, or by an old hat, and patriotic duty, in addition to these articles being the sum total its great, regular, world-wide obli- of the wearer's wardrobe. The gations, which are already much in elders are not much better clad excess of its income. than the children, tho their feet are generally incased in something -Bishop Whipple, who has that answers for shoes-sometimes known the red man intimately for one boot and one shoe, or a pair of many years, says: "The North old slippers or pieces of carpet tied American Indian is the noblest on with sundry strings. The homes type of wild man in the world. He of many are absolutely without recognizes a Great Spirit, has an any comforts whatever; in them abiding faith in a future life, pas- ignorance, vice, and superstition sionately loves his family, and will reign supreme. lay down his life for his tribe. He is the soul of hospitality. If his -The receipts of the Baptist Missionary Union fell short of meeting £1,900,000, and if all the lesser ones the cost of the foreign work by were included, the total would $68,000, after the very sharpest re- reach to £2,000,000. The receipts trenchment had been made, and of the six largest organizations are only a large bequest, available at as follows: Church Missionary So- the last hour, averted a most ser- ciety, £331,598; Society for the ious deficit. Propagation of the Gospel, £317,- 513; British and Foreign Bible -Honor to whom honor is due. Society, £229,750; London Mission- The New York VO'ice makes a most ary Society, £141,330; Religious creditable showing for Notre Dame, Tract Society, £137,123; Wesleyan the great Catholic University at Missionary Society, £132,227; Free South Bend, Ind. This institution Church of Scotland, £126,076. has 1,500 students. The Voice says: "Through the influence of the -The ninety-fourth annual re- University, Notre Dame is in Pro- port of the British and Foreign hibition territory. Father Burns, Bible Society shows that the so- one of the leading spirits of the ciety has 5,600 auxiliaries, asso- faculty, is State organizer of the ciates, and branches in England, and Indiana Total Abstinence Union. 1,860 abroad, employs 600 colpor- Father Cavanaugh is one of the teurs in foreign fields, and 500 native best-known temperance advocates Christian Bible women. Its circuin this State. Almost every mem- lation during the past year of Bi- ber of Notre Dame's faculty from bles, Testaments and portions President Morrissey down carries a reacht 4,387,000 copies, an increase knife in his sleeve for the saloon of more than 600,000 copies over the and for drink in all forms." For previous year, and 180,000 copies thirteen years two daily news- more than the largest total ever papers of this place have had stand- reported. Of this increase, consid. ing this paid advertisement: erably more than one-half was in foreign languages. The total issues LIQUOR DEALERS! since 1804 are 155,529,954 copies. Of I hereby give notice that I will the $1,109,275 expended, $536,580 prosecute to the fullest extent of was spent in translations, revisions, the law, and regardless of cost, any and manufacture of Scriptures, and liquor dealer or person who will $572,705 in grants, agencies, colporgive or sell liquor to students, or in tage, and other charges. Among any way assist in procuring it for the principal items of the year's them. work were the circulation in Russia of 55,000 copies in over50 languages; REV. A. MORRISSEY, in India of nearly 500,000 copies, and Pres. Notre Dame University. in China of 570,000 copies.
Surely, the sturdiest Protestant -The Religious Tract Society iscollege president could not do sued during its ninety-ninth year, much better than that. just closed, nearly 60,000,000 books and other publications. The com- -The bill for the annexation of bined trade and missionary income Hawaii has at last been passed by was $666,135. The centenary fund Congress and signed by President of $250,000 is approaching comple- McKinley. It is to the missionaries tion, $170,000 having been raised. and their children that we owe the The number of languages and diarescue of these islands from bar- lects in which the society has publibarism. cations, is 229.
GREAT Bm'rAIN.
The aggregate income of 24 of the leading British missionary so-, cieties for last year was almost -The Church Missionary Soci- by time and experience; but by the ety, the largest in the world, can exercise of a little patience and for- put forth such figures as these. beara;nce on both sides there ought They are only approximate, some to be no insuperable difficulty in of the missions having sent in no securing harmonious cooperation returns: Stations, 483. European and a distinct accession of Protes- missionaries: ordained, 411; lay, 127; tant influence and power." wives, 300 ; other women, 254 ; total, 1,002. Native and Eurasian clergy, -The figures which follow will 357. Native lay teachers, 5,601. give some idea of-the mission work Native Christian adherents, includ- of the Wesleyan Church: "Under ingcatechumens,230,237. Bctptisms the immediate direction of this soduring the year, 15,139, of which ciety there is a church membership 6,581 were adults. Of the adult bap- of 44,457, with 11,003 on trial. Altisms, 3,470 were in Africa, and 1,806 lowing for the disappearance from in India. The increase of mission- our returns of the German District, aries in particular fields in the last which now forms part of the Methten years is worthy of note: in odist Episcopal Church in Germany, western Africa from 11 to 44; in there is an increase on the year of eastern equatorial Africa from 26 2,298. In the missions under other to 83; in Mohammedan lands- conferences, which were founded Egypt, Palestine, and Persia, froill and are still assisted by this society, 17 to 77; in India, from 133 to 244; there are as follows: France, 1,769 in China, from 30 to 111; in Japan, members, 158 on trial; South Afrifrom 14 to 63. In addition to its ca, 47,872 members, 21,448 on trial; " regular" work, the C.' M. S. has a the West Indies, 47,184 members, medical arm, in which in two years 3,317 on trial. That is to say, there has occurred an increase of about are nearly 180,000 souls in the fel- 50 per cent. in the amount of work lowship of the churches that owe done; 800 beds have increast to their origin to this society and are 1,250; 6,432 in-patients to 9,314, and still in various ways connected with 414,000 out-patients' visits to nearly it." 600,000. – The English Presbyterian -In the annual meeting, Secre- Church has work in Amoy, Swatary Thompson, of the London Mis- tow, and Formosa, as well as at sionary Society, could say of the Singapore and Rampore Bauleah, Madagascar Mission, which he had India, with 165 stations, 153 native recently visited: "By arrangement agents, and 55 European missionwith the Paris Missionary Society, aries, 25 being women missionaries. that society has taken charge of Ten medical mission hospitals are the secular education in the ele- open, giving help and healing to mentary schools, our own mission- some 30,000 aI)nually. The Swatow aries and evangelists having, how- Hospital is the largest in all China. ever, the right of giving religious Great blessing has been granted, instruction in their schools at cer- many converts have been won, and tain specified times. Roughly a self-supporting and self-propaspeaking, about one-half of the gating church is being formed, especountry districts in Imerina, and cially in China, where the utmost two districts in the Betsileo prov- effort is being made to evangelize ince, have also been handed over the Chinese by Chinamen. There to the same society. The outcome are now 5,466 native communicants of this transfer has still to be tested in connection with the mission churches. -During 1897 the missionaries of tory to learn that this large decrease the Free Church of Scotland bap- is mainly due to a falling off in lega- tized and admitted to the church cies, and the regular means of , ],287 adults; the children baptized upport, congregational contribu- numbered 1,489. In 6 colleges and tions, instead of comparing un- 458 schools so many as 36,361 young favorably with the former year, people, of both sexes, received daily shows the substantial increase over instruction in the Bible and ordi- £650." nary text-books, English and vernacular. The number of native com- ASIA. municants is 10,232 at 42 central and 291 branch stations. They gave India. Rev. John Craig writes £23,680 as fees, and as contributions thus in the Cana&ian Baptist confor Gospel ordinances £3,245, a cerning the weather: "For the past larger sum than the congregational two or three weeks the temperagivings in Scotland. The medical ture in the house at bedtime has and surgical cases treated by the 42 been 90° or 91°, and the morning medical missionaries, Scottish and shows a fall of only a couple of de- Indian, were upwards of 145,000. grees. Doors stand wide open, ex- The total number of Christian cept when closed in the daytime agents is 1,582, of whom 1,381 are to keep out the heat. People who from Scotland. like a steady climate ought to try it here. As to the day temperatures, -Of £8,548, raised by the Free we have had it over 100Q nearly Church in 1896-98, apart from the every day for the past two weeks. subscriptions of members as citi- One day lately it was 99°, but the zens, £3,064 was spent in daily next day gave us 109° to make up relief and in building at Bhandara, for it. I suppose we enjoy a tem- India; and £4,500 has been invested, perature under 900 for a few hours yielding £135 for the support of 328 in the evening and for a few hours children, of whom 194 are boys and in the early morning. The rest of 134 are girls, for eight years. the time it is 90° or over."
– The United Presbyterian -An event of considerable inter- Church of Scotland gives this re- est to the American and Canadian port: "We have a staff of 153 fully Baptist missionaries took place last trained missionaries, with over 800 April in the ceremony of completnative workers of one kind apd ing the Nellore-Bezwada section of another under their superinten- the Madras-Bezwada railway. dence. There are 111 mission con- Construction work was begun gregations, with more than twice about three years ago from Nellore that number of out-stations. The northwards, and from Bezwada total membership in our mission southwards. The last bolt was field is 23,404, an increase of 2,376 screwed in on the south bank of over last year, tho the increase the Manneru, in the Ongole divithen reported, 1,079, was the largest sion. Nellore has had communicain our missionary history up to that tion with Madras for many years, time. For the past seventeen years but it was round-about. The dithere has been an uninterrupted rect line is to be finisht soon. We advance, the average annual in- shall then be within twenty-four crease during that period being 806. hours of Madras. As the line just The income of the foreign mission completed passes'through or near fund for ]897 was £33,666, or £9,903 Bapatla, Ongole, Kandukur, Ramless than last year, but it is satisfac- apatam, Kavali, Allur, and Nellore, you can imagine what a deep the roadside, carrying water for interest we all take in it.-Jde'm. the thirsty devotee to drink, and at night when he stops for rest, -The plague is in Calcutta. Not cooks his evening meal. – The many have beenattackt, but rumors Gleaner. of various kinds have disturbed the peace of the city. The report -It is only right for a missionary spread that inoculation was to be to make very warm acknowledgcompulsory. Consequently thou- ment of the most humane and wise sands of people left Calcutta, and treatment by the government of there have been strikes of dock- India in the great famine of 1897. laborers, cart-men, and carriage- After the famine of 1877 it prepared drivers. ,Vhile the excitement an elaborate code of directions to was at its height a poor man was officers in various departments for walking along with a piece of pa- guidance when a famine threatens, per in his hand, when he was set begins, increases, and even when it upon by a howling crowd of coo- has abated. Undoubtedly the code lies, because he was supposed to be indicates only the ideal, which in an inoculator. He sprang into the practise the government did not river, but was still pelted with realize. Butsofarasmyknowledge stones and bits of coal, and at last goes, the higher officers, especially sank before help could be rendered the Europeans-of course some by a steam-launch that went to the were not as wise and humane as rescue. others-as a body deserve the ad- miration and gratitude of all lovers -Two miles from the city of of humanity for their devotion and Lucknow is the decaying village of wisdom in this famine. Tests which Alligunj, once the home of many were in the main suitable, were rich people, and still the scene of a everywhere employed to limit the great annual Hindu festival. In danger of pauperizing the people, the center of the village, sur- and to prevent needless expense. rounded by tumbled-down build- But the fidelity, the energy, the ings fast falling into ruins, stands entire absence of parsimony, dea wretched, filthy little shrine ded- serve open acknowledgment. The icated to Hanuman, or .Mahabir, famine made me see more thaI.:. bethe monkey god. To this shrine, fore something of the awful condiat the time of the annual festival, tiqn of men, and the inability of held some time in May, thousands Hinduism to help men. In the days travel greater or lesser distances, of want, multitudes of men and some as much as fifty or even one women thought of nothing but the hundred miles, measuring their stomach, and moral considerations length upon the ground. Taking a had no place. Laziness, immoralsmall stone in his hand, the pilgrim ity, lying, cheating, robbing, were stands in the attitude of prayer most prevalent. It was common for with hands folded on his breast subordinates on relief work to rob and mutters words of prayer or the poorest in many ways, and ficpraise. Then, lying full length on titious names were entered on the the ground, he places the stone as rolls of relief works to cheat the far forward as he can. Standing govermnent. I never heard anyone up by the stone, the pilgrim goes suggest that any of this wrongthrough the same action, length doing was opposed to Hinduism, or by length, making slow progress to that Hinduism had any power to this village shrine. His mother, remove it.-Rev."R. A. Hume. wife, sister, or daughter walks hy -In the report for 1897 of the Tin- secured privileges at the Chinese nevelly District Church Council, court hitherto unknown to any the record of the thanksgiving ser- European. When he shall arrive vices in commemoration of the in Pekin "the empress dowager queen's accession, gives occasion will receive the prince, and the emperor has consented to treat his for a comparison showing the prog- royal guest on a footing of equality. He has also agreed to return the ress the C. M. S. Tinnevelly mission Prince's call and to sit at the same has made during the queen's reign. table with him at the summer palace, where Prince Henry will be The year 1837 witnest the fair or- the guest of honor. These conganization of the mission and the eessions, altho referring to mere settlement of various mission cen- nlatters of cerenlony, are considered ters. The figures are as follows: of the highest value, as breaking down the last barrier of imperial 1837. 1897', prejudiee. "
Adherents …………….. 8,207 50,797 -There are some 20 or 30 Moslem Communicants………… 114 12,U18 settlements known to missionaries Pupils under instruction .. 2,320 13,129 in South-East Yunnan. These pre- Pastors ……………….. None sent all the well-known features of Catechists. .. . .. .. ….. . … 193 50 a Mohammedan community as Native contributions …… None 522 found in other parts of the world Rs,42,383 – the mosque, the schools, the mullahs, or teachers of the faith. -The number of students en- Many of the latter have studied rolled in the Church of Scotland's from boyhood to gray hairs, and College Department, Calcutta, for can read fluently in Arabic; they 1897-8 was 636-the largest in the know little, if any, Chinese. Mr. history of the institution, and F. H. Rhodes of the China Inland more than that of any other mis- Mission, who successfully applied sionary college in northern India. for a grant of Arabic scriptures, is The number of pupils enrolled in now itinerating amongst these inthe School Department was 512, teresting communities with the making a total of 1,143 in the insti- Bible in their sacred tongue in his tution. Of these there were 41 hand. He will invite the mullahs Christian students and pupils. The to accept a copy of the complete income from government grants- Gospels, to compare the Bible with in-aid, fees, etc., reached 36,648 ru- their Koran. pees, which not only defrayed the expenditure of the native staff, but – Along the road we saw a also the damage done to the build- party of Tibetans, real live Tibetans ings by the earthquake, keeping the and Lamas, corne down for the big institution in repair, and evangel- market which is to be held in Ta-li istic agency. in a day or two. Old priests, men, women, boys and girls with short -The Rev. C. E. Tyndale-Biscoe cropped hair and strange garments, speaks of "uphill" ,york in Kash- red being the principal color, made mir. And why uphill? Because from the wool of the yak. Some of the character of the people. wore comical yellow hats with fur "When you tell a fellow he is a round. Nearly all wore a rosary liar, he says, 'Oh, yes, sir; it is quite round their necks, the beads of true!'" 'Vhen the boys of the high which they diligently eounted; sehool were first invited to play football, they declined, saying it was hard work, and they were all gentlemen-gentlemen did no hard work. Now, however, there are 500 playing football.
China. Prince Henry, brother of Emperor William of Germany, has others had a small shrine with an This is apart from the salaries of idol or a substitute inside; some the missionaries. carried other relics. The people were constantly praying. Walk- Japan. When Mrs. Mary C. Nind ing along the road driving their was in Japan, seeing the apparenthorses I saw them lifting up their ly neat, well-trained servants, she hands in the attitude of prayer and said to a group of missionaries: mumbling to themselves. There "Now, really, wouldn't you find it was an old fatherly-looking priest a little hard to go back to America with white hair and beard, dressed and live again without servants?" rather better than the ordinary To her surprise one of the older folk. The people would bow before members of the group burst into him, and he would reach out his tears. This missionary had once hands to touch their heads and gone into her kitchen in time to bless them. The parents would see her cook, filling the teakettle bring the little babies to him and with water still warm from the he would lay his hand upon their bath; and again, to see another heads.-China's Millions. cook moistening freshly-baked loaves of bread by squirting water – Mrs. S. L. Balf!.vin wants over them from his tobacco-stained Chinese churches, or missionary mouth. One of the brightest serchapels, to be built with prophets' vants she had ever employed prechambers, for our missionaries, sented frequent bills for broken men or women, to rest in after the chimneys, putting the money for; hard, long day's work, and she them in his own pocket. The same asks for a dry wooden floor in them, " boy" made a duplicate key of the a glass window, a bedstead with storeroom, which enabled him to rattan instead of board bottom, a take successive relays from the sutable and two chairs. Ten dollars gar barrel to sell for his own profit. would pay for the furnishing, and $2 would put the floor in. -The American Board has made a demand ·upon the trustees of -There are 28 Protestant mis- Doshisha University in Japan for sionaries residing in Kiukiang. the repayment of $175,000 which These 28, including wives, are 6 of was put into it as Ii, Christian instithe Methodi!:t Episcoral Mission, 6 tution. It has cast off its Christian "Brethren," 4 of the China Inland features in order to gain certain Mission, 4 of the "Voman's Foreign advantages from the Japanese Missionary Society, 2 BapG~sts, and government. It is pleasant to note 6 unconnected. They hold a gene- that such a gross breach of faith ral prayer meeting eve,-"y Friday and dishonesty has stirred wideafternoon. spread rebuke and protest among the Japanese themselves. -As an illustration of the progress of self-support in India, the – Mr. Kataoka Kenkishi, an mission of the Lutheran General elder in the church at Kochi, was a Synod: while the expenses of village candidate recently for election to congregations have advanced in the diet or Japanese parliament. ten years from $4,500 to $6,352, the Not long before election day he was receipts from the natives have in- warned that his attitude as a creased from $158 to $2,806. The Christian would be used against high school and college at Guntur him, and that unless he should rewhich in 1886 cost $2,933 and re- nounce his Christianity he would ceived only $1,071, during the past be defeated. He replied that he year cost $5,926 and received $5,002. would much rather be defeated armor of the Ephesians. His loins than to give up his religion. The are not only girt about with truth, outcome of the issue was that not but he wears a cholera belt of red only was he elected a member of flannel, conspicuous and essential. the diet, but, when the diet con- He would be a failure without the vened he was elected its president. breastplate of righteousness, and he will often add a chest· protector -The Japan Mail says: "We from the dampness. If he comes need not, perhaps, refer specially with firearms, he will have no peoto the subject of missionaries and ple to whom to preach, so that his their usefulness. Our opinions on feet must be shod with the prepathat point must be well known to ration of the Gospel of peace, and readers of this journal. It is our at the same time he must have on desire to say, however, that even shoes that will not admit thorns, though there were no abuses in this and the first indication of 'jigcountry calling for missionary de- gers' must be carefully removed. nunciation except the shocking and Above all, he must have the shield barbarously cruel abuse of keeping of faith in God, which will help him concubines in the same house with to withstand all the fiery darts of wedded wives, the presence of the the evil one, as well as the umbrella missionaries would be amply justi- to keep from the tender head the fied. It is only necessary to ask direct rays of a tropical sun. The any Japanese lady what she thinks pith helmet, so essential to the of the aid that Christianity can head, reminds one of the helmet of contribute toward relieving her sex salvation, for the head well cared from that source of bitter sorrow fur is the means of imparting the and often lifelong suffering. The dictates of the heart to a heathen answer will clearly indicate one population. But the 'sword of work, the achievement of which the Spirit,' the Word of God, can would earn for the missionary a never be left behind. Men have nation's blessing." died to translate it into three Jmn- dred and thirty-three languages of AFRICA. the world, and the right use of the Many illustrations of the long- Word has been the great power of suffering of the Anglo-Saxon are to the missionary." be seen in the British occupation of Egypt; but one of the most strik- -A Baptist missionary writes ing is the fact that in the mixt from the Upper Kongo: "Another tribunals, in a country ruled by pleasing thing about those who Great Britain, the English language have been received here as church can not be used, but only Arabic, members, is that all have pledged French, or Italian. Considering themselves to give a tenth of their the supremacy of the British in- income to the Lord. Two are fluence in Egypt, this is extraordi- sawyers, and they have instructed nary; but we may be sure that no Mr. Milne to debit their wage acother power in a similar position count with one-tenth. Both Frank would have refrained from giving and Vinda, my Lower Kongo helpits own language equal rights, as ers, do the same, and out of their Lord Cromer suggests should be allowance for rations they also give now done for the English.-Inde- weekly. One Christian left by Mr. pendent. Moody at Irebo has also exprest his desire to give a tenth, as the others -J. C. Hyde writes in Gospel in are doing. Of course, their incomes all Lands: "The African missionary dresses in a way that suggests the are small. 'Vages, in some cases, Lovedale, 12 have completed their are only half a dollar a month, and course of study, of whom ten have allowance for rations 60 to 80 cents been trained as teachers or artisans. pel' month; but so long as they give Many of them have made profession in proportion to their income they of their faith in Christ. do well. The other day one came to me with 10 cents. I askt him what -Dr. Snyder writes: "The little it was for, and he replied: ,It is church at Luebo is growing fast. God's money. I received a dollar Mr. Shephard has added thirty feet from Mrs. Clark for rearing ducks to the length of the building, and for her, and this is the portion for every seat was filled, people sitting God.' Another did the same about in the aisles and between the seats, a shirt he had sold." and standing at the door. There is a native choir and a Sabbath- – The latest intelligence from school in classes. Five years ago Sierra Leone puts the loss of life in these natives were entirely ignorthe mission of the United Breth- ant of the Gospel. And now the ren at 7 instead of 5, or 2 men church numbers nearly 200 and the with their wives and 3 unmarried Sunday-school more than that women; besides a larger number number. All give liberally to the of native laborers. Much property support of this church. Among was destroyed and the surviving my many visitors was a great missionaries were compelled to crowd one day, all drest (?) up in leave th!Ol country until the strong scanty clothes and red paint. arm of law has done its work of They brought their musical inretribution and quiet has been re- struments, and had a dance in my stored. It appears also that it was honor." not the hut tax which led to the massacre, but a mere outburst of -Rev. Simon P. Sihali, a Kafir savagery and diabolism. The July missionary on a visit to England, Woman's Evangel is a memorial in an interview in the British number and gives excellent photo- Weekly, speaks most hopefully of graphs of the martyred seven. the native races of South Africa. According to him, if they can only -At Lovedale, every Sabbath be Christianized and civilized, they morning, groups of Christian lads are well fitted to playa prominent and lasses go out to preach the part in the life of the country, both Gospel to the heathen at their own politically and socially. Theil' homes, not in waiting till they populations differ in one most sigcome. Eight companies are en- nificant respect from other barbargaged in this itinerary work. ous communities among whom white people are settled. Instead -Several years ago an Arab slave of declining in numbers, they are ship was captured north of Zanzi- rapidly increasing-a fact which bar, as it was seeking to transport shows that there is real vitality in some slaves from the Galla country, the race, and that it has a future. including a large number of chil- The Kafir students hold their own dren, to the Asiatic coast, and 64 of well in the missionary colleges, these freed children were sent to showing that the natives are cap- Lovedale to be under Christian able of culture. A perusal of this training, in the hope that some of striking interview gives a deep imthem might ultimately return to pression of the vast importance and their native country bearing the boundless promise of missionary message of the Gospel. It is now work in South Africa. reported that of the 64 who went to
The Missionary Review of the World — April 1898
EXTRAXCE TO THE GREAT BURMESE PAGODA AT
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOl•. XXI. No. 4.-0ld &ries.- APRIL -VOL. XI. No.4.-New &ries.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF OENTURY.- INDIVIDUAL LINKS BETWEEN GIVERS AND 'rUE MISSION FIELD.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
No practical problem, now occupying the wisest and best minds, is more engrossing than this: how to secure, from cheerful givers at home, a hearty and unfailing support for workers abroad, or on the borders of civilization in the home land. Great as is the need of a larger force in the field, the question pressing just now, with tremendous weight, is how to keep the laborers already in the field, and prevent disastrous retrenchment in the work already begun. On every side, and in every direction, the grand undertakings of the Church are at risk. Debts so enormous as almos~ to wreck boards representing home and foreign missions, and deficiencies so crippling to all aggressive action as to compel retrenchment instead of advance, have caused a chronic alarm and .apprehension that are paralyzing to all hopeful enterprise. It is only great faith in God that dares take one step forward and onward when the work presents such an aspect and prospect.
Devout souls stand in the presence of such a crisis in missions, with the deep conviction that it is both needless and shameful. 1'here is money enough, yea and piety enough, to remedy all these evils and supply all these deficiencies, were the money and the piety only made available. In nature, power and energy have always been present, but' have not al ways been properly applied. And so the cOllllPcting Jinks seem somehow wanting between Ohristians at home and the work and workers abroau. Dr. Thomas O. Upham has saiu,t that there is in every comrnonweatb, "a conservative hody of men who, in their freedom from passion, call estimate the just claims of tI'U th, and, in the strength of moral amI religious principle, will at all hazards do what is right." And hence," when great constitutional and moral ques- ':. This periodical ailopts the Ol'thcr;raphy of the folloiYing Rule, recommended by the joint action of the American Philolo,;;cal Association and the Philological Society of England :-Change d or ed final to t when ~() lll'ollonnced, except when the e affects a preceding sound.-PuBLISHERS.
t Life of Faith. 300 p.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
tions are at stake, the results have generally been favorable to law and truth, in consequence of the accession at the precise moment of danger of those of all denominations of persons, wro, in their devotion to rectitude of principle, have declined to recognize the coercions of party discipline, and who constitute the genuine' Imperial Guard' or 'Macedonian Phalanx,' who strike only at the moment of imminent hazard, and whose moral strength renders them inYincible."
The Church of God is the hope of all good ellterprises, and within its sacred inclosure are the very" Body-guanl of the King." There is on the earth a vast company of prayerful, intelligent, consecrated men and women, amply sufficient ill lllllllbcr, amply ellieient ill faculty, and not at all deficiellt ill either sympathy for holy activity or in self-sacrifice for its promotion; and, if this Lody of God's dcar saints could Lc brought illto yital touch with the work of lIIissiotls, money and workers would bc continually forthcoming; there would be alike men in tIle field and" III pat in God's bOllse." It is the link of connection that is lacking. The majority of Cllrist's disciples know little. of the Wf1nts of the world-tield, and lmve never cOllie to feel the needs and claims of the work. Theil' milld" a1(1 hearts, eonsciences and sympathies, have not yet Leell really enlisted. If any impression has been made lljlOIl them, it bas been occasiollal alld incidental, and hence tllC respollse has beell spasmodic alld illlplllEil'e. But in them lie the latent pos~il)ilities of yast increase ill all that aids the Lest enterprises of the Church-the 'lI/otOi' which lIel'<ls ollly proper lJ1achinery t() conllect it with tbe work to be dOlle.
When all)' temporal tlisaster, like plague or falllill(', llIakes its appeal, mOlley flolVs ill streams, alld' sOllictiIII PS in floods. The difference lies bere: the appeal in the latter ease is lou(] and strollg, echoed by every llcwspaper, ('mphasi7.ecl ill CH'l"}" ~crlllOll and public meetillg for relief. '1'he ealamity that is presellt or threatellillg Lecollies everywhere the cnrrellt topic of COllYersatiOlI. There is 110 eluding its clamorolls dem:LlH] for help, 11lld knowlc(]ge d fIlets kill(lles sympathy alld sympathy loosells pnrse-strings alld lwart-strings. Can 1I0t the perishing millions who know !lot the Gospel, be so brought practically into proximity with the millions of disciples who really love the Master, and are ready to respond to His command llll(l to their claims, as that a constallt stream of cons('cmted gifts may be secnl'ed beyond the risk of all this ullcertainty ?
In reference to this matter, we desire to put once wore 011 record onr OWll deliberate, calm, prayerful, alld mature jndglll8nt, that no OIW tking would do 1IIore to secure a jlI'Oll/jJt, })(JI"l)l{lIleld, (lliil altogetltm' 1tnprecedented advance in missiolls, than this samc plan, whiclJ the writer has advocated for more than twenty-tire years-and which has been steadily growing ill flLvor aml ill success-oj ~llJiJiorting individual missionaries in tlte field by individ1Wl contributions.
LINKS BETWEEN GIVERS AND THE MISSION PIELD
Nothing is more needed in all missionary aggressive enterprise than three grand conditions: Knowledge of the field ~l/Oork, sympathy with the worker, and pmyc!:ful interest in tlie work. When these are secUl·ed, gifts pour ill without special appeals and without cessation. One method of supplying all these conditions readily suggests itself. Any man or woman of a family that is immediately linkt to the missionary cause by the support of a missionary, will naturally come to know the field, to feel Ollcness with the worker, and to pray interestedly for the work and its progress. In repeated visits to Britain, having crost the sea -now seven times and back, and having spent a large part of the last ten ycars in Great Britain, the writer has been urollght into contact with hundreds of families that, as such, support olle or more ll'.issionaries, in some cases of their own number, and in others of the church or denomination to which they uelong. And in such cases there are uniformly found an illtelligence as to missions, a deep personal sympathy with missionaries, an absorbing interest in the work and in the people among whom it is done, a high standard of giving, and a high level of praying, not commonly met with under any otiter circumstances.
:For example a Scottish family-a poor family-gave one, two, three sons to missions. One of them became disabled, and his sister went and took his place, and two of the grandchildren followed – six from one house. Need it be said that in that household the standard of knowledge, zeal, prayer, and giving was very high? Another family-that of a Scottish knigbt-sent a daughter to India as a fully cquipt medical missionary; the effect Oll. the whole family life was uplifting, and tliat family became itself a little missionary society, with all the cOlluitions of success. Again a family-comparatively wealthy-resol ved to give, pound for pound, and shilling for shilling, to the snpport of missiollaries, the amollnt spent on home expenses. That house is the gathering-place of missionaries ancI' a school of missionary information. Both the husband anu wife can discourse of missions in any part of the world with intelligence and power. There is a family in Liverpool, whose son is in India in the Civil Seryice, but himself practically a missionary. Letters pass to and fro, allll in that home allY of us may learn of the condition, especially of Indian missions, and a habitual giving is there to be found, which sho's a world-wide sympathy. A family in London supports not one but many mission workers, wholly or in part, in various fields. A.fraJilcd list of subjects for daily prayer is hung up in plain sight, and, as each new clay comes, the subject for that day is conspicuous. Of course, giving is bound to go with such praying, and the husband and wife, each one the independent possessor of a fortune, have given np all hoarding of mOltey that they may ell rich others, and frugally avoid needless expense that they may have more to uestow.
'M4 SPIRITUAL· MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
'l'hat home is another missionary training-school. Another family of eleven sons and daughters are all engaged in mission work of some sort; the city of London is their field. One of them is training for the foreign field and has offered himself; and there again all the conditions are met, high intelligence, earnest prayer, fervent sympathy, and habitual giving. Such examples might be multiplied without limit. But these justify alld illustrate the principle, which is all we Jleed to do.
Before being confronted with these and like examples, the writer, in the year 1870, proposed to a church, of which he was then pastor, that the young men should form themselves into a missionary circle, and undertake to support a young man abroad. The proposal proved a seed in a congenial soil and took root. A numLer of the young men thus associated undertook the support of a young man who was just going to Japan and who spent years there as a most efficient and acceptable missionary and educator. Need it be said that the standard of knowledge, praying, and giving in that church rose to an uncommon level? In 1869 the sum total of benevolent and missionary offerings reacht about $J ,800; in 18,9 they reacht about $18,000, for that church was one of the best organized in the country in the matter of its mission bands and societies, from the" Rhea Band -, of the Sunday-school up to the adult organizations.
In 1883 I settled in Philadelphia. There was a large body of people, numbering ill all from 3,000 to 4,000, more or less closely identified with Bethany church and its great Sunday-school. After some few years of education in missiolls, taking up country after country and missionary heroes and heroines, etc., there was a band of several young people who proposed to go out to some foreign field as a colony, and lIon. J Jhn ,Vanamaker offered a thousand dollars for tlle pastor to go and prospect and locate the field for the colony. It was then 11l'obaLle that the entire support of this mission band would have been attempted by the church, as Pastor Harms' church in IIermannsLurg had done, so long before. The head of this mission band was a young Welsh licentiate and his wife, others who offered Leing simple artizl1ns and traelesmell. At th~t time tllCl'e was prOSCll teel to the presbytery a printed statement cOHring all tIle facts, aIHl askillg only for encouragement. It was most graciously l'eeei red, and referred to a committee to confer with the board; and the result was that it was deemed by the boarn. ullwise to eneonrage any such irmovation, and so the whole mattcr fell through. On eallllly reviewing the whole matter, there is no (lollht that there would have Leen a large shrinkage had the theory beell reduced to practise. Some of this proposing mission band woulll proLably ha1'e "gone back" when the actlUlI work was undertaken. ~0 don bt much of the glamor of enthusiasm woul(l IH1ye faded away, like Ephraim's goodness, the
LINKS BETWEEN GIVERS AND THE lIfISSION FIELD
morning cloud, and early dew. No doubt the conserratiYe policy of presbytery and the board had much worldly wisrlom back of it. But, after all reductions and deductions have been made, it still remains true that, had that church sent one or more missionaries direct to the fleld, it might have become, with the generous and enterprising busi- Hess man who has from the beginning been practically at its head, one of the main feeders of missions!
Take the Presbyterian Church as one example of what could be done by the individual missionary plan. The board needs, let us say, $1,000,000 for the proper prosecution of its existing missions. It has all it can do to get this sum, tho there is a membership of as many souls as it asks <1o11ars annually. Of course, if this amount could be equally and proportionately di vided; if each member would give one dollar a year, one-third of a cent a day, the whole amount would be raised without allY self-denial-tho that is a damage rather than an advantage. But this result, simple as it is, can not be secmed. The bulk even of Presbyterian church-members give nothing! '''hat if out of the whole denominationflve hundred churches could be found from Maine to California that would give $2,000 each to the support of a missionary abroad, keeping in touch with him by letters, studying his field, and praying Imbitually for his work? We should have the $1,000,000 and all the rest of the denomination left to work on for surplus amounts. Or, let us suppose 1,000 churches to give $1,000 each, the same result is accomplisht.
In this vast membership of about 1,000,000 there are believed to be not less than twenty thousand millionaires. In one church, of which the writer was pastor, there were twenty men or women, anyone of whom could without self-sacrifice have maintained a missionary in the field. There are no less than two hundred and jifty men in this one denomination that represent an average of ten million each, or an aggregate slim of $2,500,000,000. How few of us know what that sum mealls! If piled up, in five dollar gold-pieces, that aggregate wealth would reach th)'ce fhousanll five hundred miles into space! But, of course, we know that millionaires are not always or generally selfdenying givers. But can not there be foun<1 1,000 men or women in this whole Presbyterian Church that will each undertake, at the cost annually of $1,000, to support a missionary in the field? And what llllspeakable advantage to tIle givers! What increase of knowledge of the field of work! What increasingly sympathetic touch with the missionary and through him or her with all other fields aJ..d workers; and what a stimulus to prayer, t.o giving, to personal consecration! 'Vhat has been shown to be possible in this one denomination in the United States furnishes only an example of general possibilities if the Church of God were in dead earnest.
Eighteen centuries )uLve sped since 0111' Lord gave his final com-
24G SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HA":'F CENTURY
mission. To-day uhere remain at least 800,000.,000 of human beings to. he reacht with the Gospel message. And of these 2;5,000,0.00. will die during the year 1898, over 2,0.0.0,000 a month! At the present rate of mission prog:'ess the world willlleve1' be overtaken. III fact, at a time when every condition of the field demands advance and every condition of the Church justifies it, in seven out of ten of om missionary societies the decroe has gone forth for retrenchment from twenty to twenty-jive pel' cent! In other wor<1s, with the population increasing at the rate of 2,0.0.0,000 a month, and proportionately dying, the Church of Christ, that aggregates at least fifty million Protestant members with hoarded ,"oalth that defies computation, instoad of sounding the siher trumpet for the assemhling of the camps and tho forward march around the ark of the covenant, bids the ignominious drum of a worldly selfishness to heat a retreat; and wo rotire from positiolls, gained at the cost of hlood and of treasure, and of lives giyen for Christ; ,ye actually surrender frOlr one-fomth to one-fifth of our outposts and capturod fortrosses, and bid tho foo once more swoep hack npon tho territory claimed and possest for God!
And if ono nowadays raises the cry of alarm, amI thunders out a remonstrance; if one declares that missions have never beon in greater danger rf utter collapse through tltis lad,; (!f adequate giving, the answer, from somo fellow-believers, is ridicule, robuke, stigmatizing opithets, snch as "pessimist," "eroaker," ete.
Ono gravo cOllsideration should be beforo us as to individual resllonsiiJilit:,-. l~lItold disaster to Chnrch-work ~laS been entailed oy the withdrawing and withholding of offerings en tho part of those to whom the local church and the denomination have a right to 'look for finaIlCial snpport. A clmreh-mernber should hare very solid reasons-reasons ihat would stullcl not only the scrntiEy of an enlightened conscienee, but Lho searching inquiry of omniscience-who treats with lH'glect, indifferellce, or contempt tho mission work of the ehurch and donomination to which such individual member belongs.. A board, or other ropreseniatire committee, is hut [.n administrative body. It senus missionaries to the field under tho implied plod go of the church it represents, to stand oehilld it and to support them there; and to this implied covenant every church-member is a necessary party. '1'0 allow the missionary agency to be erippled hy an ompty troasury and half '1'('ckt by dobt, is something for ' hich, thereforf', overy church-momber is responsible, alHI will be held accountable by the Master of us all.
This plan of thus directly eonnecting home churehes, familios, and indivi(bal givers with the mission field hy these liying and personal ,r links, has beon growing in favor, and having increasing proof of Go,1'8 blossing, of late years. e lmve already >;een how that, ill connection with the Chureh 1fissionary Society of Britain, there are ahout 300
LINKS BETWEEN GIYERS AND THE :MISSION FIELD
missionaries maintained by special gifts of indiridual donors, without prejudice tlJ the general war!,;, which is a very important fact. The Presbyterian Board in this country is just now advocating a similar policy, encouraging indiyiduals to give to the support of special missions and missionaries, while they carefully caution such donors that they deem it unwise EoI' such gifts to be ,'imited to special objects in the mission i'leld, as it lias been found that interest is apt to decline, and support to be withdrawn, when such special object is no longer deemed auvisable or practicable.* Of comse, when gifts to missions are prompted by a truly Christ-like spirit, they will never be limited by too narrow a range of personal sympathies or individual preferences. The work is cosmopolitan, and demands a cosmopolitan soul behind it-catholic, impartial-universal sympathy, and support. When it ceases to he wise to pursue allY particular line of work, or to occupy any particular sphere of service, when allY form of effort ohviously lacks the divine sanction, consecrated gifts will not be withheld altogether, but only diyerted to some wiser, better channel; the work at large must never suffer because any local work fails to commend itself to our further approval awl cooperation. Otherwise we are moved by self-will and not the will of God.
We comlllend for consideration the foll0wing suggestions: 1. That every loar! r:ongl'egahnn shall at once organize with reference to the support of at least one f01'eigll 111 Isslona1'!J, to be associated with its own church life and work. Some congregations can do more than maintain one. Some may not feel equal to the support of even one; let such associate with themseln's Olle or Illore smaller churches. 2. Let eachfalllil.1j ask the question: Can we as a household support a missionary abroad? Many a family that lJas llever yet thought of such a thing as possible, will at once see that by a sIllall reduction of family outlay, or by consecratillg a certain precentage of family income, a missionary could represent them abroad. 3. Let every £ndividual Christian solemnly ask and answer this question: Conltl I not this year support a missionary? There is a man-known to the writer-who is alone in the world and spends at least $10,000 a year for his own kecping; another who pays $10,000 a year reut and has not a ch ild or dependent; another who spent $25,000 in one year's travel; another whose personal expenses are at least $15,000 exclu3i ~~e of house rent; another who, with one child, spends $1O,()00 anuually. 'rherc are others who retrench in eyery * A pertinent example of this method of supporting a missionary, and of enlisting the sympathies of a church is furnisht in the case of the late Dr. A. C. Good, who was sustained in his arduous work in Africa by the contributions of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montclair, N. J. This church askt the board that they might assume his entire support and salary, and regard him as their special representative abroad. The arrangement resulted most happily. His relation to the board was unaltered thereby, and a particular benefit. accrued, not only to that church, but to the Church at large: for never before had he allowed himself to write such full, leisurely letters. The pastor, Rev. Orville Reed, testifies to the blessed influence of these letters on the church, in the real interest awakened in foreign missions~ the warm attachment to the missionary. and the increase of prayerful giving. It was as tho the church lu.J a second" pa;)/.01' in Africa. "~_", A Life for Africa," p~. 14H, 149.
SPIRITUAL M.oVEMENTS .oF THE H.iLF CENTURY
directiQn, cheerfully and habitually, in .order tQ give, like that man who supPQrts an entire mission with its six wQrkers, paying .outfit, transPQrtatiQn, _salary, etc., .out .of his o'Wn PQcket; yet that man is not a rich man, but .one .of very moderate means, but whQ dQes busi- ness and makes mQney fQr Christ.
Mr. Luther D. Wishard is abQut tQ give a year tQ a special effQrt tQ interest individuals in fQreign missiQns. He has large qualificatiQns fQr such wQrk. TQ his life-IQng interest in missiQns is added his fQur years' visitatiQn .of the fQreign field, and SQ he is thQrQughly infQrmed .on these matters. His twenty years' service, first as CQllege Secretary, and then as FQreign Secretary .of the International Committee of Young Men's Christian AssociatiQns, has kept him in tQuch with the field, and given him wide acquaintance amQng missiQnary workers at hQme, fitting him tQ enlist the cQQperatiQn .of prQminent laymen.
He is an effective speaker, and deeply appreciates and strongly empha- sizes the vital relatiQn .of missiQns tQ the spiritual life. The Presby- terian BQard may well be cQngratulated .on securing his services. He accepts this work .only tempQrarily, and his appointment invQlves no additiQn to the bQard's executive fQrce, and nQ increase .of its adminis- trative expenditure, the entire CQst, including not .only his salary and travel, but even PQstage aud statiQnery, being met by a layman, whQ already himself supPQrts tWQ fQreign missiQnaries thrQugh the bQard, and believes that many .others might be induced to cOQperate in this way, if the matter were personally presented to them.
Alas! the Church of GQd as a bQdy is still asleep, .or, if awake, criminally apathetic and lethargic. And the Master of us all will have s.ome day an awful reck.oning with us f.or wasting His g.o.ods, and neglecting His scattered sheep, and dis.obeying His c.ommand. There is bl.o.odguiltiness t.o be required .of this generati.on. Let us abandQn the wQrk .of missiolls altogether if it be nQt Goel's work and ours by His appointment. Hut if it be His wQrk, then in the name .of G.od and .of Christ, and .of the GQspel, and .of Humanity let us do it, and dQ it with sQme such enthusiasm, prayerfulness, generQsity, sacrifice, giving of money, and giving of self, as the magnitude of the trust and the field, and the magnificence .of the wQrk and the reward, and the majesty of the Diville King and Captain demand!
The one thing which the Master i8 nQW pressing upon the attentiQn of all His disciples whQ have ears tQ. hear is the absolute necessity .of remembering, as befQre GQd, their individual duty and privilege. He sQlemnly challenges every disciple tQ face three great questi.ons, as .one whQ alone is tQ gi.ve accQunt .of himself untQ GQd. HQwever we may hide here behind the mass, .or lose .ourselves in the crQwd, at the judgment-seat of Christ everyone .of us, in awful alQneness, must cQnfrQnt these tremendous questiQns: "Hast thou wasted my gQQds ?" "Hast thQU neglected a dying wQrld ? " "Hast thQU shut thine hand and purse against thy needy and perishing brQther man?" And we need tQ meet these questions, nQW, with a practical answer which will stand this scrutiny, if we are not to be "ashamed befQre Him at His cQming."
THE CONDITION OF WOMEN IN INDIA
lIINDU WOMEN OF THE ZENANA.
THE OONDITION OF WOMEN IN INDIA.
BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.
Strange social usages have prevailed in all ages. Some of them have had their origin in differences of religion and race, others in intellectual and physical superiority, and other8 again in pure prejudice and selfishness. Whatever their origin, they have generally wrought toward evil and oppression, ho,"ever innocent their origin or specious their aim. Of all these, there is probably not one which has had a more specious origin, endured for a longer time, extended its influence more widely, affected society more vitally, or produced as large an amount of suffering and degradation, as the low status of the Hindu women.
The main features which have given it this durable, far-reaching power are, that it assumes to be based on essentially natural distinctions, to have divine sanction, and rigidly defines what all women are morally and intellectually, and how they should be treated from the cradle to the grave. How this system originated, and the causes which led to its perpetuation, may be subsequently considered. Our first aim will be to describe the actual positioll of women early in this century, when their condition, according to native ideas, first came to be adequately understood by Europeans.
Happily now more wise and humane sentiments are beginning to prevail; but we wish to show wlwt Hinduism, when left to itself, did for the vast raee which came under its rule, to excite deeper interest and sympathy in the condition of women, and to encourage effort for their emancipation.
The deepest wish of a Hindu father has always been to have a son, since sons are an hOllor to a family, daughters a dishonor and a burden. The former alone is qualified to lead the funeral ceremonies, essential for the happy transmission of the soul. 'fhe birth of a son, therefore, was a welcome event; that of a daughter most unhappy, lowering the mother in the estimation of her family and neighbors, and possibly in her relations to her husband. Girls received no education. Even the art of reading and writing was regarded not only as unnecessary, but as positively dangerous, because likely to make women disobedient and eonceitecl, and putting in their power gifts more likely to be used for misehief and intrigue than for good purposes. Here and there a learned Brahmin taught his daughter, but such instances were rare, for ignorance was considered "the ornament of a woman," and there is no record of a school anywhEre for girls, tho education for boys was greatly valued. A quasi divine authority directed, and custom-the unchallenged despot in all Indian affairs-ruled that every girl should be married before her twelfth year of age. Probably the greater number were married much earlie~, and some when mere children of five and six. Marriage was not at these early ages followed immediately by its eonsummation, but usually-and always with those of high caste-was accompanied by three conditions: (1.) Strict seclusion in the zenana. (2.) Abject submission to the husband's authority, and the mother or sister-in-law, who ruled the zenana; and (3.) Perpetual widowhood in the event of the husband's death.
Dread of caste defilement, fear of the gods, and suspicion of women were the three ruling sentiments of all heads of families. The chastity of the women was assumed to be best secured by not allowing them freedom to walk abroad or to think or act for themselves. Even in her own family, she is not free to leave the zenana and penetrate into that side of the house exclusively given over to the use of her father-in-law, brothers-in-law, ul1cles, and male cousins.
Submission to her husband was absolute, and prest to the t):tent of abjectness. She must not sit in his presence until told to do so, 1101' begin a conversation, or eat with him, or express any opinion contrary to his. Silent submission, not only to his will, but to his reproaches, and even to his chastisement, was regarded as the duty of a wife.
H the husband died, the wife became a life-long widow. Even if they were mere children, who had never lived together, or seen each other but for a moment during the elaborate marriage ceremonies, her marriage was regarded as shameful to her and insulting to the memory of the husband and his family.
Widowhood had also to be associated with life-long austerities and humiliations. It was deemed fitting that all joy and brightness should pass forever out of her life. lIer plentiful and much-loved orna- ments and bordered attire had to be laid aside, and were often vio- lently torn from her ; her head was shaven, she had but one meal a day, and was obliged to fast for two days in the month; she was sub- ject to reproach, contempt, and abhorrence, and was forbidden to be present Oll any occasion of festivity. This was the prescribed usage, tho the poor widow might be a little child or a delicate woman.
There were bu t three escapes from this inferno: prostitution, death, and the suttee. 'l'hefirst was adopted by multitudes, and the last by many, especially in the great province of Bengal.
They sometimes adopted this course in despair, not seluom as an act eminently holy and meritorious, and frequently at the pm'sua- sion of relatives, who thus got rid of what was really an encumbrance and sup- posed to be a disgrace, which by this act was turned into a family honor.
Girls being unwelcome as a family reproach, a bur- den, and a cause of anxiety if not of shame, it is hardly surprising that infanticide was common. There is every reason to think that A LOW CA~TE HINDU WuMAN. some millions annually thus disappeared. It became a system, and was hardly held to be a disgrace. '1'he facilities for it were great. The father had only to give the sign, by a movement of the hand to say" It is nothing, take it away," when the pressure of the midwife's hand on top of the head or throat, or the pan of water, or the poisoned breast, or the adjoining jungle, or river, or tank rec:eived the unwanted one.
All these eustoms were sanctioned by public opinion, and prevailed, more or less, for many centuries among a people twi~e as numerous as now inhabit the United States, and over an area almost equal to all Europe, west of Russia. They centered into the common daily life of immense multitudes, as the following illustrations will show.
The prevalence of suttee was brought to tbe notice of the government early in the century. Careful inquiry Rhowed that while it was everywhere regarded as a most sacred and meritorious deed, it prevailed chiefly among Ragputs and in the large and populous districts near Calcutta. The Serampore Mission in 1804 sent ten agents to collect information as to its prevalence witl1in thirty miles around Calcutta. They reported that more than three hundred widows had been immolated within six months.
Subsequently government inquiry showed that in twelve years, from 1815 to 1826, 7,154 thus died in the presidency of Bengal. In eight of these years, 287 Were bUl'lled in :Madras, and in nine years 248 in Bombay. In 1818 there were at least 839 suttees in British India. Child-wives were often disposed of thns, and sometimes several women thus died at one time. In the parliamentary papers there is given a list -of 61 widows, all under eighteen years of age, who thus perisht between 1815 and 1820.
A Brahmin had married forty wives. Twenty-two died before him, but the remainder all became suttees, leaving more than forty children. In another instance a Brahmin, who had married one hundred wives, died, and twenty-two of his widows became suttees, the fire being kept burning for three days.
Infanticide was yet more common and was confined to girls. It was seldom caused by poverty and want, and was most prevalent among the Ragput and other superior classes. The blue-books abound with such evidence as the following: "The far greater part of the Sharijas in Kutch followed the practise. In Kathiawar the lowest estimate was that 1,000 were annually destroyed, and in Kutch 2,000."
In many large districts government officials malie such reports as the following: " In 157 families there were 32 daughters, but 189 sons. In 13 villages, with 654 families, 429 boys and 100 girls. Elsewhere 350 boys and 90 girls. It was admitted that in one tribe the proportions were 118 boys and 16 girls; in a second, 240 and 98; a third, 131 and 61; and a fourth, 14 and 4; a fifth, 39 and 7," etc.
It was estimated, on good authority, that in Malway 'Lnd Rajputana not less than 20,000 infants were annually destroyed.
The British Government has made this practice a penal offense and used its grcat influence with the native states for its suppression; bn t feminine life is little valued, and, as the natives say," Nothing is so eaeily destroyed as a flower." Therefore, the crime, tho abated, yet goes on, as some curious facts reveal, especially this very obvious one: the government census tables for 1891 state the entire population to be 146,727,296 males and 140,496,135 females-proportions the reverse of those which nature produces.
The early age of marriage, the cruel and repressive usage to which widows are subjected, and the stern hostility to their remarriage, are among the greatest evils of India. Usage and quasi divine authority, enjoin that if the marriage of girls is delayed beyond the age of twelve, the parents neglect a great duty and commit a great sin. There were, when the census was taken in 1891, 22,657,000 widows, almost one-sixth of the entire female population. Of these 13,870 were under four years of age, 60,040 between five and nine, 174,500 between fifteen and thirty-four. The manifold evils of this state of society may be imagined, but can not be described. It offers great temptations to vice. It burdens a large number of families. It constrains wiuowers, if they marry, to take ollild wives, for oihers are not to be had, and it is 110 unusual thing for men of thirty or even fifty years of age to have wives of eight or ten.
In such a condition of society the education of women found no place; tho highly valued for men, and carried by some very high in literature and philosophy, it was, as we have said, even in its simplest elements, regarded not only as unnecessary bnt dangerous for women. A pundit here and there taught a bright and favorite cllild, but probably not one girl in 2G,000 was over in any sense educated.
0+ This was the condition female society when England, with sur- prise, found herself mistress of this magnificent empire, and when missionaries uegan their di rine 'i'e]'].;:. Tho actual condition of things eame uut slowly to be understood, and yet more slowly to be dealt with, for their hands were fnll of prossing preliminary work. Theil' course was most difficult and dangerous, and native sentiment was snspicious, reticent, and hostile to ehange. Happily, in spite of all this, a good beginning in every direction has been made, and gives great promise for the future. It is as when the sweet and gracious inflneilcos of springtime have begull siowly to work ie, nature toward the beauty alld fruitfulness of sultlmer.
By what slow and even painful processes the missionaries tried to trach girls as well as boys; how, meeting with little success, their wives tried girls' schools. and by feminine wi tchery and all mann er of gentle devices, could only induce a few small children of the lowest castes to venture all a precarious attendance; how they tried boardingschools, and finally zenana instruction-all this can not now be told. It is a pathetic story, and one full of interest and importance; a story of quiet, persistent, unobtrusive love in which angels would delight. This on ly can here be stated. Three great factors have mainly CO Iltribl! ted to the change: 1. The usages and policy of tho English r ace as a n ohject lesson to a ;;ingularly in tellectual and observant p eople.
2. The gen eral influence of Christianity as taught by lllissionaries. 3. And above all, the highest education given in a ll tho Anglo-Indian colleges and schools to the el-ite of the upper classes and castes in a ll t h e m ost important cities of the empire.
The carly meth ods employee: fo r reachin g women up to the middle ..'. . of the cCllt ury have grad ually been elllarged in a manner surprising even to the natives them- selves, and hardly expected by the missionaries.
The moyement is n ot general, but where mis- sionaries have labored for a few years, aud the kind of schools named have been active, the condition of women has been greatly improved.
For instan ce : 1. Some of the worst usages have been abolisht, or greatly restricted. Infanticide was I If prohibited in 1802. Suttee in 1829. Female education was undertaken by the government A CHRISTIAN HINDU GIRL. in 1850. 'rhe remarriage of widows legalized in 1806. The age of consent raised in 1891.
Ou questions on which public opinion rather than legislative action mu st bri'ng abollt a change, there is a markt advance. '1'he most influen tial classes are now advocating the r estriction, if not abolition, of child marriage; the encouragemell t of female cducation, morc respect, and greater freedom for women; the humane treatment of widows anu their r emarriage, and the prohibition at least of Rulin polygamy. Each one of these steps points to a beneficent revolution affecting t he happiness of many millions of women, with reflex advan- tages to the male population.
2. It is a hopeful sign that in spite of t he force of ancient cnstoms, the suspicion and distrust so general, [mel t he r estraining influ ence of large masses of the population, there is It great desire on the part of so many to respond to Christian cffort. :For instance, common seho018for girls are better attended and are often carnestly desired. Schools of a better class are here and th ere formod. Natives spontaneously form and man 'lge girls' schools. Native Christian Bible-women and Emopean ludies usually find free access to read the Scriptures, to explain Christiull truth alike in towns and villages, and are doubly welcome if possessing medical skill.
3. The greutest sign of change is in the zenana movement. No dwellings were ever more jealously guarded. No women were ever kept in such bitter, dreary ignorance. I remember the time, even in Caleutta with its immense populution, and many thousands of welleducated alld highly intellectuulnative gentlemen, with the graciolls status of Ellglishwomen before their keen and observant eyes, when no missionary's wife could have gained access to a siugle zenana to A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AT ALLABABAD, INDIA.
instruct the ladies and teach Christian truth. N ow there and else- where 40,500 such homes aJ'e open; in many of them several women as well as children are taught. N or is this all. In a large number of similar honses missionary instruction is now given by native women, and by men to their wives.
4. The advance of education will be seen from the following figures, altho all information previous to the middle of the contu"!')' is approximate only. In 1855 the Hev. J. Fordyee, the actual founder of zenana visitation, estimated the number of girls at school through- .out India to be about 5,000 or 6,000, one in every 15,000 females! In 18'78, the number was '78,6'78; in 1887, ~li3,4~S; and in the government ce11sns roport Jor 1BD! woro (Vowell):-
THE KNIGHTS OF THE BROOM
Learning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 197,662 Literate……………. ……………….. ……….. 543,495 Illiterate ………………………………………. 127,726,768 The movement for the elevation of women had its origin chiefly in the exertions of the missionaries, ana they have been the leaders in every subsequent forward movement. The advance they have made in recent years will be seen in the following table; for before 1870 lady missionaries, and the zenanas open to them, were very few.
1871 1890 Foreign Female Teachers ………………… . 370 Native Christian Female Teachers ………… . 837 711 Girls' Day Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . '" 664 3,278 Day Scholars …………………………… . 24,078 1,507 Orphans………………………………… . 2905 62,414 Zenanas visited …………… , …… , " ……. . 1;300 1,784 40,513 'rhe advance thus far made is gratifying, especially if the diffieul- ties in the way of all progress be considered.
5. But how much remains to be accomplisht!
The females under instruction are 197,662, but the illiterate are 127,72(:,000. There is but one Prote~tant lady missionary to about 190,000 of her sex! Probably not one zenana in a hundred is open to Christian visitation. Not one-fourth of the 715,000 of the villages of the empire have ever been visited by a Christian lady; or one-half the entire population ever heard the Gospel message! Yet within the range of Christian beneficence no one sphere is so vast and important as the elevation of these despised and long-suffering women.
THE KNIGH'rs OF THE BROOM.* BY RE". T. J. SCOTT, D.D., llAREILI.Y, I~DLL Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Board (North).
It is creditable to the scientific and enlightened spirit of British rule in India that, from the beginning, many officers of the government, both civil and military, have devoted much time and labor to the study of the natural history, ethnology, archeology, and religions of India. Senants of the government have thus rendered valuable aid to all iuterested in this great country. Olle of the most recent examples of such research is that recorded in a pamphlet by Mr. H. 'Greeven on the origin, history, and customs of the" sweeper" caste of India. These people are especially interesting to missionaries as repreEenting a large and most hopeful field of work. They are now yielding converts by the tens of thousands.
The people of this caste, num boring about 100,000,000 in north and central Iudia, are commonly called sweepers, from the fact that, * The title of this article is the name of a fair-sized pamphlet on the sweeper caste in India by Mr. R. Greeven (Oxon), in charge of one of the civil districts of the Northwest Provinces, into which India is divided for revenue and magisterial purposes. from time immemorial to them has been relegated the sweeping of houses and street,s, and the general removal of filth. This not very genteel employment-this battle with dirt-has gained for them the facetious title of "Knights of the Broom." These sweepers are scattered over a large part of northern and central Illdia, being settled more thickly in some places, where they often constitute a ward in the city, or a large section of the town or village, while in other places only a few houses of isolated families will be found. The caste is not always confined to the traditional work of the scavenger, for in many places they are occupied in agnculture, or are the village watchmen; some even belong to the police force, or are trusty soldiers in the queen's service. Nevertheless, on account of the filthy drudgery assigned to the caste, the books of the higher classes refer to the sweeper with loathing, and the most stringent rules have been formed 00 prevent contamination by even his shadow falling upon one of higher caste.
There is generally nothing in the appearance of this people to mark them as a low, ignoble, outcaste race. One would often be puzzled to distinguish them from the proud Brahmin priest, or the lordly warrior, with many generations of heroic blood coursing through his veins. In the northwest provinces the fairest children and prettiest women in the villages and city wards belong to the sweeper's class.
Mr. Greeven found, to his surprise, that this despised caste" possesses a military organization, follows a secret and mysterious religion, interlinkt with a poesy of tradition at once sublime and pathetic."
It is still a mystery how this caste arose. They are manifestly Aryan in race, like the proud castes that claim their most menial service, while shrinking from their touch. Their folk-lore gives an account of their origin, which traces them to the best blood of the Hindu race. The story goes that early in the Hindu history certain princesses had invited their friends to a feast, but before the guests arrived, a calf fell dead within the sacred space consecrated for the banquet. In their perplexity they disputed as to who should defile himself by privily removing the carcass. The great warrior Arjun entreated the young Prince Nakul to save them from dishonor by removing it, but when the young prince had accomplisht his task, Arjun immediately withdrew from him in disgust, swearing by the Vedas and Shasters that he never again would associate with him. This led to Nakul's. separation from his caste and retirement to a forest, where he united with a wild woman, from whom descended the race of scavengers, whose work since then has been the toil of the sweeper and remover of dirt.
After the entrance of the Mohammedan conquerors into India, the sweepers, in the performance of their menial duties for Moslem masters, gradually absorbed something of the Moslem faith and traditions, from which they elaborated another version of the manner in which they became involved in their degrading service. '1'he legend, as gathered by Mr. Greeven, ran thus: "Adam and Eve, tho clothed in flesh, were innocent as yet of the grosser needs of the body. They had no wants, save to contemplate the glory of the Almighty, singing, 'There is no God, save God.' The Lord was pleased with His handiwork, and commanded all His angels to worship Adam and Eve as their masters. All the angels obeyed save Satan, who refused, saying adroitly, 'Hast thou not taught me that there is no God save God? Thee will I worship, but none other.' Then the Almighty was angered, and sternly charged Satan to kneel down before Adam on pain of everlasting punishment. Satan was afraid, and affected to submit. Nevertheless guile and rancor were in his heart as he entered Paradise, where the seraph hosts were adoring Adam. 'Give ear, ye dullards,' cried Satan; 'how long will ye be content to continue fasting? Behold the ears of corn how they ripen and grow yellow I Shall we ever despise God's bounty? Nay, rather let us eat that the ears wither not, neither fall to the ground, serving no man.' Then Satan gave the ears of corn to Adam and Eve and all the angels, and all ate. The earthly food turned to ordure in their bodies. So it was that the earth and steps of heaven were defiled."
In consequence of all this, according to the legend, the Lord created scavengers to cleanse the earth and steps of heaven.
From these legends of the sweepers the true origin of the caste may be inferred. At a very early period in the history of the Hindus the caste system was developt. Menu, the Moses of the Hindus, about SOO B. C., laid down emite niles of remarkable severity. The repugnance of the early Aryan invaders against the aborigines is seen in a social code of bitter severity against the children of marriages with the aborigines. Menu speaks of sllch as the" lowest of mortals"- "a foul race." 'rhey were to dwell apart from others, and their shadow even was held to be defiling. 'The most menial and degrading service was .~.::siglled to them. The sweeper legends indicate that the caste arose from such infringement of the social code as forever excluded the condemned to an outcast life of great severity. Untold generations have past, hut no atonement has bridged the gulf of social degradation. As outcastes the sweepers in time organized their own caste rules and customs, and acquired a belief peculiar to themselves, drawn from many sources. From their legends various stages may be traced by which the sweepers past under the influence of other religions. In the earlier days, separated from the Hindu community, they retained much of the old helief, and praetist such ceremonies as were convenient to their situation. In more recent times, as lVIr. Greeven shows, when the Mohammedans invaded India, the sweepers borrowed from them, and wove into their belief scraps suiti.ng their fancy, so far as to be recognized as proselytes, but they never have acquired any social position among Mohammedans. Still later, when the Sikh power developt, which was a kind of Hindu military movement in northwest India, a large number of sweepers joined it under Kanak Shah, the hero of a revolt against Moslem tyranny. The martial followers of the Kanak adopted the tenets of their chief, and abandoned the menial duties of sweepers.
As stated, the sweepers have an elaborate system of their own, with secret ceremonies and esoteric teaching. 'rhey have more open ceremonies for births, weddings, and deaths. The following quotation from our author will indicate some of the caste rules of this outcaste class: "Only Lalbegis and Rawats eat food left by Europeans, but all eat food left by Hindus or .M:ussulmans. The shaikh mehters (sweepers), as lfussulmans, alone circumcise, and reject pig's flesh. Each sub-caste eats uncookt food with all the others, but cookt food alone. Only Helas refuse to touch dogs. Shaikhs and Lalbegis alone admit proselytes. No sweeper touches the corpse of any other caste, nor, within his caste, of any sub-caste except his own. While to the west of Delhi they are willing, and regard as their function, to sweep streets and burn corpses, in Benares they profess, on the authority of a legend, to abandon streets to chamars (tadners) and corpses to dams. In fact, sweepers by no means indorse the humble opinion entertained with respect to them."
These people, in some places, have a remarkable clan organization, which seems to have been adopted in this form since the introduction of British power. It consists of a curious mingling of civil and military offices, with an order of procedure in clan council, and there are establisht punishments in case of offense against the rules of the tribe. Punishments consist of (a) fines, (b) dinners furnisht by the offender to the clan, (c) outcasting in case of non-compliance with the demand for fines and dinners. • Some branches of the sweepers add to their number by making proselytes. This is especially so of those who have taken on some form of the great proselyting ::'loslem faith. One tribe, the Lalbegis, or followers of the "red prince "-a semi-mythical personage-after a long ritual at night, cause the candidate to drink a goblet of sweet- ened water, toucht in such a way by each member of the brotherhood present that the fingers are wet in the finid. This is said to inspire him with lowliness and contentment in the degrading service of his life. 'rhe convert, ge~lerally an outcast from some of the Hindu clans, is entitled to sit on the tribal mat in assemblages, and smoke the common pipe. Cases are known of higher caste persons joining them for a coveted wife.
The special point of interest in this numerous class of people at the present time, is a mass-movement among them toward Christianity in many places. And this is no hasty impulse. A third of a century ago, where now tens of thousands are turning to Christ, they seemed as difficult to reach as any caste. When I first went to India, in 18G2, an earnest missionary of the English Church Mission had been working among the sweepers for years, but with small success. His thought was that surely this people, with really no caste, and socially everything to gain, could easily adopt the new religion. After years of labor the missionary retired from India in broken health and hope unrealized. I heard that, like Paul, in the deep interest of his heart, he had said, "I could wish that myself were accurst from Christ for my brethren, the sweepers." He saw it not, but the time of refreshing came, and the labors of miesionaries among this deprest class now bear wonderful fruit. Within a few years, more than a hundred thousand souls from among them have been gathered into the Christian community. Some missionaries have hesitated to push work among them, lest it might prejudice effort among the higher castes. Others, recognizing the opening, and believing that now, as of old, it is the glory of the Gospel that it is preacht to the poor, have pusht the work among these broken-hearted, socially ostracized, and imprisoned multitudes. Many churches have been organized among them and pastors raised up. And it is noteworthy that, after all, this movement does not hinder the work among other castes, for the missionaries who are seeking these poor people secure more converts among other castes than those who shun the sweepers. Able men have been raised up from among them who, as preachers and teachers, are nobly pushing evangelism, not only among people of their own clans, but among higher castes also. Others are taking their places in respectable reI?unerative secular employment.
In the days of American slavery, the songs and aspirations of the enslaved were prophetic of the great deliverance to come. It is remarkable that the sweepers, in their outcast and downtrodden condition, have adopted an ancient prophecy of the Mahabharat, the great heroic poem of the Hindus, as in some way meaning restoration to honor and position for their tribe. The passage in the Mahabharat predicts a coming millennium for the proud Brahmins, the priestly caste. A wonderful incarnation as a" blazing Brahmin of mighty intellect haying appearfld, will destroy all things," that he may prepare the way for a new order. "Surrounded by Brahmins, that Brahmin will exterminate all the rulechas (outcastes) wherever those low and despicable persolls may take refuge." But the sweeper has read into this ancient prophesy hope for himself. For centuries the llame of Jesus and something of His teaching have been known in India apart from the direct work of missionaries. There is a tradition that a sweeper was the means of restoring to life a hero of the Sikhs, Guru Goyind Sing. 'I'he hero saint immediately said: " Come thou Savior of the world, Jesus. Under Thy sway shall flowers and betel leaf fall from heaven. All men shall gather together and cry in joy: All hail thou Ruler of t.he universe, Vanquisher of foes and fosterer of the poor."
DEVOTEES-HINDU AND CHRISTIAN
In thc millennium of the sweeper, as Mr. Greeven expresses it, "The prophecy of the rule of Jesus has been fulfilled by the empire of the British. That empire has proved as gentle and kindly as the dying said foretold." But Jesus one day will appear as the final Restorer of all things. « All shall join hands in paying Him honor. When the last stain of impurity shall have been cleansed away, all shall be alike pure and holy. The distinction between clean and unclean shall disappear. All castes shall be blended. All men shall eat together." Our author then contrasts the aspiration and hope of this lowly stratum of despised Indian humanity with the idea of the Brahmin, to whom his touch is pollution: "Thus the lordly Brahmin and the despised scavenger each in his way contemplates the approach of the millennium. Which is the fairer picture, the Brahmin gloating over the subjection and the exterminaticn of all races, except his own, or the scavenger yearning for the hour when there shall be peace and good-will upon earth, and all men shall be alike, pure and holy? "
DEVOTEES – HINDU AND CHIUSTIAN.
BY LUCY E. GUINNESS, HARLEY HO"CSE, LO:-lDON. Editor of Regions Beyond, and author of "The Neglected Continent:'
The holiest place in all Bombay is the beautiful" tank," down to whose clear waters lead flights of wide shelving steps, and where bathers and little children play among reflections of the cloudless skies and picturesque masonry. To the minds of multitudes this is a sanctuary, a shrine. Round it a group of little temples rise among odd buildings, priests' houses, pilgrims' lodgings, and native homes. From time immemorial Valkeshwar has been a sacred spot. Many pilgrims have trampt through weary journeys to reach these shining wa.ters, many anxious, clouded lives have been strained to the utmost to seek what here they seek, but never find.
Four or five fakirs, covered with filth and ashes, sit at one end in the hot sun, looking almost more like beasts than men. There they sit, almost naked, on the rough ground, surrounded by the various little pots and bowls and odds and ends which they employ for life and worship. One or two are smoking a powerful drug, which partly stupefies them. One talks to us by translation, and another, the most hideous of all, an animal-looking creature, with masses of matted hair full of dust and ashes, who seems really half insane, makes us a great oration all in his unknown tongue. Louder and louder he talks, preaching at last at the top of his voice, and pausing now and then amid his eloquence to blow shrill blasts on Ii cow's horn by his side.
"Why does he do that?" we ask our boy. "Whenever the holy man is hungry he blows his horn, mem Sahib, and the people come out and bring him food."
What must bL the character of the faith whose ideal is before us? We stand beVildered in the sunshine, trying to realize that it is not a dream-that to these men, our brothers, thie filth, this degradation, this naked idleness, is the embodiment of sanctity-and our hearts go out to India, the first example of whose greatest faith meets us in such a form. 'fhis is Hinduism, hoary JIinclnism, three thonsand years old, and rnling to-day more than two lHllldred million men and women. The spectacle before us is the Oll tcome of her teachings. This is the highest life one can lead. To their minds existence is an evil; emancipation from it in this life, and in countless future lives, is the one hope. Detach yourself from earth, go without clothes; have no home, no friends, no people; do no work; take no interest in anything at all; enjoy nothing, feel nothing, hope for nothing. Detach yourselfto do this, suffer pain, sleep on spikes, starve yourself, or eat carrion and nameless abominations; hold your arms up till they wither and the nails grow through the hand; do anything and everything to get rid of your supreme curse-conscious existence.
It is difficult for us under the influence of J esns Christ to understand and grasp this Hindu theory. 1'0 those who know and follow Him, Christ makes sheer Ii ving beautiful, life on earth a pri vilege, and everlasting life beyond the gift of God to men. But to the Hindn living without Christ-as to many, alas! in our own lands who live without Him-mere existcnce seems a curse. These poor son Is THE SACRED TANK AT MADURA, INDIA. A HINDU DEVOTEE-LYING ON A BED OF SPIKEs..
believe themselves burdened with being because they are not good enough not to be. Hence they must accumulate merit, raise themselves laboriously by weary years of good works until they can at last escape existence.
"The Hindu devotee," writes Bishop Thoburn, * "flatters himself that he can, by his penances of various kinds, accumulate merit. The word penance, to his mind, conveys no idea of repentance, but solely that of a means of acquiring personal merit. In the next place, he is possest with the idea that matter is inherently evil, and that since his union with a material body is the source of most of his misfortunes, he must make war on the body in order to liberate the soul. • No doubt a large number of both sexes choose a life of asceticism because they find it the simplest and easiest way of securing their daily bread; •..
but many of them show abundant evidence that they are sincere in their purpose, and persist, through long lives of severe suffering and privation, in faithfully following the course which they have chosen.
"At nearly every great fair a number of men will be seen going through the self-inflicted torture of what is called the' five fires.' Foul'
fires are kept burning constantly around the devotee, while the sun, which makes the fifth, pours down his burning rays upon the head of the sufferer. Others, for months at a time, never allow themselves to lie down to rest, but permit themselves to be supported in a half-reclining position, or sometimes suspended upon a cushion, with their feet dangling down at a distance from the ground. Some sleep on beds made of broken stone, others on spikes, while others again seek torture for the body by abstaining frolH sleep altogether, or at least reduce their sleeping hours to the narrowest possible limits."
This nightmare dread of existence is the natural outcome of the transmigration theory-that saddest and most hopeless of all human ~ "India and Malaysia." Bishop Thoburn, pp. 124-6. See also "Hinduism, Past and Present." Murray Mitchell, R. T. S. explanations of life. Think for one moment of what it would mean to you to believe that every Ii Vil1g thing on the face of the earth was the body of some soul- birds, beasts, insects, reptiles, men – all alike son I-houses ; alld that human souls were ceaselessly shifting through countless lives, and must forever shift among these, according to their merits or demerits? rrrans~igration we call it, and dismiss the idea with it word. But to believe that idea, to think that the souls you love uest, and that death has called away, are pent up in some body-a jackal's, a cow's, it serpent's, perbaps-and will be bound there, feeling, suffering, enjoying if they can, until death smites them once again, and once again they change th ei r house and pass into some other form, as coolies, kings, or what not-to believe that idea, what must it mean? Think of the burden of it, the end- less, restless, weary round, from which is no escape; the grip of fate that holds you ano. drives you on and on; the inexorable sentence, from which is no appeal, consigning you to groveling reptile life or loathsome being. Yon may be born to-morrow it A HOLY IIAN OF INDIA. leper, an idiot, it mur- derer, anything-Karma, your fate determines what shall be, and your fate depends entirely on your merits. There is no pity anywhere, there is no forgiveness.
Trouble comes to you to-day? Ah, you earned it yesterday, back in your last body. Then you sinned, now you are punisht. This theory apparently explains everything so satisfactorily-all the crook- cdness and inequalities of life, all the strange chance of destiny.
But it is so hard, so hopeless. Eighty-six million times yon will be born and reborn, to suffer, live, and die.
What more natural than to wish to shorten the period? Become a devotee, perhaps even a fakir. By so d~ing you detach yourself.
You gradu ally escape reincarnation. You stand a faint and far off chance of sooner finding rest-the oblivion of Nirvana-" not to be."
Standing in the snnshin c, looking flown on the spectacle before ns,
1898.J BIBLE STUDY FOR NA.TIVE AGENTS
on these scarcely human creatures, in their filthiness and ashes, realize the burden of belief that makes them what they are! Let your heart go out to the 26,000,000 people living in the Bombay Presidency only, in this one strip of country along the western coast of India, a land larger than Spain. Think of the waiting harvest in this one presidency. Look on her fields. And look beyond-away across the continent of India with its 290,000,000 souls. Two hundred and eight millions of them are Hindus, living in the darkness of the faith whose devotees are before us, 60,000,000 more than the whole Protestant population of the world.
You have been thinking of the devotees of the Eastern world. Where are the devotees of the West? Thank God there are many of them toiling here for the salvation of India, and many more scattered in every heathen land, besides many who are sleeping in missionary graves, and many working bravely on at home. But had we but onehalf the devotion to Jesus Christ that the Hindu fakirs have to their gloomy faith, should we not do more to reach India's waiting millions? Should we not hasten to give Him our time, our means, our strength, ourselves-to suffer daily loss in that devotion, and to sacrifice it may be all that we hold most dear, that we may help to bring these hearts the knowledge of His love?
BIBLE STUDY FOR NATIVE AGENTS.
BY REV. ALONZO BUNKER, D.D., TOUNGOO, BL'RlfA. lIIissionaryof the American Baptist lIIissionary Union.
Since we can not depend entirely on foreign missionaries to meet the needs of the heathen world, we must lean more and more on the native helpers Hence the best method of preparing these workers for their mission is worthy of the closest study. The efficiency of their preparation will depend very largely upon their spiritual grasp and experimental knowledge of the truths which they teach. They must also have some skill in the mode of presentation, and especially must their teachings be accompanied with that patient, melting love with which Jesus always taught. The doctrines, so disliked by the natural heart, if proclaimed in any other way than with such love, even tho it be with the eloquence of an Apollos, will have very little power over heathen audiences or individual hearts.
Again, the progress of the Kingdom of Christ in these lands will depend largely on the quality of the native preachers. Besides ability to proclaim the Wor<1 with power, they must have spiritunl insight to enable them to distinguish the true from the false, and to decide on fit subjects for baptism and church membership. They will have much to do in training young men for service. '1'he church-life will also take its type from their teachings. Hence these leaders should be most carefully trailled and prepared by the missionary himself befOl'e they are entrusted with snch vast interests in the Kiugdom of Christ. It is trne that these native helpers, as well as the missionary, have the promise of the Spirit to lead them into all truth, and that He will use thern to the measure of their knowledge and consecration. But we read in the Acts that tho Apollos was" mighty in the Scriptures," yet it was necessary that he should have expounded to him "the way of God mere perfectly." How mnch more, theil, do these native brethren, recently called out of heathenism, need to have the way of God very carefully and frequently expounded Lo them to insure their highest efficiency.
In such a work of instrnction the Bible is, undoubtedly, the most powerful and important factor. General education is well, and in some directions necess&ry. The more mental discipline the worker can obtain, the better able will he be to exercise his reasor.ing powers. However, even here, our native Christians often astonish us by their wisdom in stating difficult questions, and in the simplicity and force of their illustrations. The school of life has done much for them. So we belieye that. there lies just here a great danger, not only in the preparation of workers recently redeemed from heathenism, but of the missionaries themselves before entering their work in foreign lands. lIow often we have heard experienced missionaries declare that they have been ooliged to reconstrnct their theology since reaching their fields. The mind may be very richly stockt with knowledge, but in the work of preaching Jesus to the lost ollly that knowledge which has been wrought out experimentally, and so comes from the heart, will avail in leading souls to the Savior. Knowledge is power, but in this spiritual work for the Master only that knowledge which has been gained by those who have been with Jesus will preyail.
At the first thought, it might seem that as all spiritual and experimental knowle(1ge are acquired, the oue a gift from the Holy Spirit and the other by the learner himself, under the guidance of the Spirit, the missionary has little to do with the supply of such knowledge. More careful thought, however, will show that he may and ought to ,,,ill have very much to do in this work, and that he fail in his devel- opment of a native instrumentality by so much as he fails at this point in his teaching.
The missionary may well pause here and ask how he can best aid his native brother in the acquirement of such knowledge. We may safely say that the best aid will not be found in a secular education, however helpful that may be, nor will it be found in moral and ethical teaching, nor in sacred geography or Ilistory, ]]01' in any mere intelIectual study of the Bible. It is true that all such knowledge may be among the approap,hes to the Holy of Holies, but they are not the place where God dwells, and where the soul comes into immediate COlltact with its Lord.
It is clear that the first requisite of a successful missionary teacher must be, above all things else, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, whereby he lllay have His help in teaching. Here then we should gi ve fullest recognition to the office of the Holy Spirit, as a Teacher of the things of our Lord. No part of the responsible duties of the ambassador of the Cross needs His help more than that of preparing a native agent for His work.
As Paul preacht with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, so must the missionary teach, if he wOllJd secure success. May he not boldly claim here that help which was given to the Apostle, when he spake" not with enticing words of men's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power? " How is it possible to deal with the spiritual lives of others, save as we have the enlightening influences of the Spirit in our own? 'rhis is the more necessary, if possible, in dealing with these souls recently saved from heathen ignorance and superstition. We find them (speaking now of the Karens of Burma) without any adequate apprehension of the heinousness of sin in the sight of God, even, in most cases, after their conversion; or of God's great love in Jesus Christ, or of the love of our blessed Lord for lost men in His sufferings and death on the cross. All these wonderful truths are, at first, largely a theory. They do not enter into their experience, or move their sentiments very much. It is only by repeated teaching by their missionary, and the miraculous work of the Spirit, that these verities in our faith get hold of their hearts and begin to be felt by them in their experience.
The Holy Spirit works in many channels, but one of His appointed ways is through the Holy Scriptures, and perhaps the best method of reaching the hearts and consciences of our people is in Bible exegesis. Certainly there is no other method of teaching that gives such opportunities for personal dealing with our people as does this. The Word of God is the peculiar instrument of the Spirit. "Sanctify them through Thy truth; 'rhy Word is truth." Here, if anywhere, we may come into close contact with the hearts and lives of onr pupils. In practise we have this method peculiarly adapted to the spiritual wants of the native disciples, as well as to their growth in grace. As they stmggle up out of the superstition of heathenism, along the way· of the new life, they are daily beset with troops of trials which arise f:'om want of early training, from close contact of their heathen neighbors, and from lack of such helps as abound in Christian lands.
In Bible exegesis we have a most ready instrument for encouragement or rebuke, which may be applied to any need, at any time. Here also a little experience 011 the part of a lcal'ller becomes a key, by which, under the hand of the teacher, the way Illay be opened into larger experimental knowledge. It is also a ready means of correcting any misapprehension of divine truth. For example, it is difficult for a native Christian to learn how trial and snffering can be a proof of the love of God, rather than a judgment for the punishment of sins; but the exegetical study of the twelfth of Hebrews makes it all plain to him, and his doubt is turned to certainty. The little experience he has in discipline of God's love may be used to unlock for him this mystery of human trial.
Again, the exegetical study of the life of Christ, His sufferings, temptations, and trials, His lowly life among the poor, and His wonderful teachings, discloses, as nothing else can do, the loving fellowship of Jesus, the Son of God. His life is so unlike anything they have ever seen in heathen lands, that it is almost too much for them to grasp, and too often they realize it only as a dream which one can not expect to experience or imitate in this life. Blessed, thrice blessed, is the missionary who is able so to live the Christ-life before them, as to give a practical illustration of this loving fellowship of Jesus. In this study, the native Christian is gradually to apprehend the love of God for the world, in the gift of His Son, and also that which is a never-failing source of wonder and astonishment to him-the love of Christ to His enemies.
Again, there is a strong tendency among our native Christians to worship God as do the heathen their idols. That is, they too readily adopt a form of worship without its spirit. 'l'bis may also be true of some in ChriRtian lands, but they have less excuse than those who were born and reared in superstition and ignorance. 'rhey are slow to realize that the living God, whom they are taught to worship bnt can not see, is a real prayer-hearing and prayer-answering Person. Karen Christians are especially gifted with fluency of speech, yet they are not the only ones in this fallen world who seek fine words which shall please the ear rather than a plain talk with God. Too many pray as if they were reciting a piece before an iUol. But Scripture exegesis brings the worshiper repeatedly face to face with God in the Bible. He there hears God speak and learns to realize Him as a living, loving, and interested Person, and that His worship does not consist in forms and ceremonies, however beautiful and elaborate they may be, but in reverent approach to Him in confession and petition.
Again, while almost all other forms of knowledge acquired by the disciple will fade from his memory, spiritual knowledge, which becomes more or less experimental by such practical study and teaching of God's Word, will never fail, but will increase by use and be always available. It becomes, too, the most powerful weapon, when backt by a gentle spirit, one can use in these dark lands, in dealing with heathen superstitions.
In this connection we should notice the necessity of emphasizing certain doctrines of the Bible in our training of a native ministry. The first and most important of these is the doctrine of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. They are very slow to recognize the church or the body as the temple of the Spirit, or His personalty or presence with the believer. Continucd teaching on this point is necessary, but ihe marvelously added power of those who apprehend the great truth, and experience the fellowship of the Divine Comforter and Helper, compensates a thousand-fold the time and strength expended in teaching. As the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enduing the missionary with power for service is all-important, so in an native workers; the Spirit is one for all.
Native Christians have not a little difficulty ill divesting themselves of the idea that their salvation depends much on their good deeds instead of solely on the merits of J esns. They are so accustomed to think of judgment following sin, as "the cart-wheel follows the ox," that the doctrine of grace is too often a mystery to them. Moreover, the doctrine of vicarious suffering is so foreign to all their experience, that the atonement is very hard to apprehend, tho they readily profess to understalld it. Hence the necessity of emphasizing this doctrine. The doctrine of "constraining love," also, should al ways be taught side by side with the atonement, for in this we get the true and highest motive to right thinking, acting, and living. '1'he transformation of character under the teaching of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, atonement, and constraining love, is sometimes most remarkable.
Again, there is seldom any family discipline among these Eastern peoples. Hence it is difficult for a native Christian to make the love and justice of God agree. He is always asking, "If God loves me as the Bible says, why does He let me suffer?" The strict discipline of our training-schools, and careful teaching on this point are necessary.
The pupils must learn that absolute loyalty to Christ is founded on absolute obedience to Him, not even connting their lives dear to themselves. It is a matter of constant surprise to see how many of our disciples endure hardness as good soldiers of the Cross, trials which would seriously test the faith of any missionary himself, and some even suffering martyrdom for Jesns' sake.
Finally, it is wise to keep before the native learner the joys and rewards of heaven. IVe have found the Revelation one of the most popular books of the Bible on this account. He can readily understand the triumphs of the Gospel there depicted, and as he delights in figures and symbols leading up to these trinmphs, he quickly responds to these riches of hope. He accepts these foretold victories of the Cross
THE GREAT BURMESE PAGODA
with a child-like faith, and brings them into his daily life as a comfort and support under the many trials he must meet with in his efforts to live a Christian life amidst his heathen surroundings.
In summing up what we believe to be the best method of Bible preparation for our native w.orkers we would say:- First.-The missionary can not prepare himself too carefully by daily study of the Vord of God, meditation on the portion he is to teach, and prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit, and he should assiduously teaeh his pupils to practise the same method.
Second.-Let the method of teaching be largely one of Bible exegesis. 'l'hird.-Always apply the teachings which arise in daily lessons experimentally and to specific cases, as far as possible. Fourth.-Always keep the love of Christ to the front, for love begets love, and thus the pupil may be led to love and know Him more immediately, "whom to know is life." Fifth.-Encourage the learners by all means to ask questions, and so educate by drawing out rather than by pouring in. Sixth.-Patiently meet every diffieulty presented by the pupil, however trivial. It is only a pebble that sometimes turns the beginning of a mighty river to the east or to the west. Finally.-Let the spiritual and experimental he always in advance. This is all important and indispensable to a successful worker. All other knowledge is subsidiary.
'rHE GREAT BURMESE ·PAGODA.
BY HEY. II. mUTTA~ m:rXXESS, D.])., LOXDOX, EXGLAXD. Founder of the East London Missionary Institute.
Crowning a hill near Hangoon the.Swe-Dagon Pagoda, the greatest and most venerable pagoda in Indo-China, lifts its golden pinnacles into the clear blue sky, towering to a height above that of St. Paul's Cathedral in Lonuon. A host of smaller pagouas surround it, whose walls and roofs are carved into fantastic shapes, while within them sit countless statues of Buddha, in white marhle, in gilded wood, in black metal, in glittering brass; the sitting figure being always the same in form, the legs crost beneath, the right hand recumbent, the left hand open in the lap, to receive the gifts of worshipers, with an aspect of imperturbable calm upon the countenance, the look of a heing who has reacht the rest of ~irvana.
Shaven, bare-headed, yellow-robed priests attend in every shrine of this vast pagoda; they lead the devotions, they light the taper~ they chant the prayers, they take the gifts, candles, rice, flowers, money, they supervise the ceremonies. Crowds of gaily-drest Burmese move through the wide courts, or stand aroulld the stalls, or listen to the fortune-tellers, or kneel before the statnes of Gautama Buddha,. With hands prest together they repeat their prayers, a rosary depending from their fingers; or reverently bow before the idol till the forehead touches the ground.
Statues innumerable adorn the pagoda, from the gigantic leogryphs, or dragon-like lions, which guard the entrance, to the legendary figures of Gautama on the lofty roofs and pinnacles. On this spot a nation has lavisht its wealth through long centuries, to adorn the worship of Buduha with the utmost magnificence. That wealth has built these terraces, these long ascents, these countless shrines, these glittering spires; generations of pilgrims have filled these imagehouses with their gifts; have burnt the illeense, and scattered the flowers, and chanted the prayers in a worship never intermitted day or uight. Anu this has gone on for ages. As long ago as in the time of the Maccabees and of the Babylonish captivity, a pagoda to Gautama Buduha was stanuing here. One pagoda has' followeu another; as one has decayed another has been built; larger pagodas have been built over smaller ones; shrines and statues of Buddha have been multiplied, roof has been added to roof, spire to spire, and pinnacle to pinnacle, until now this wonder of the Eastern world, containing, as it is said, not only actual relics of Gautama, but of the three Buddhas who preeeded him, stands on this spot in unrivaled splendor, attracting pilgrims from every province in Burma, from Cambodia, Siam, Korea, and Ceylon.
And yet there is about it all a look of mental and moral poverty, and even of barbarism. The carvings are grotesque. There is a wearisome sameness of idea. Buddha sits in the same posture in every shrine. There are whole rows of Buddhas, pagodas filled with nothing but statues of Buddha. On that one form all this wealth has been lavisht. To that one figure every eye, every thought has been direeted. The calm, abstracted look of a reputed saint who has attained, as the reward of personal merit, a fixt unsuffering state, rivets the gaze of worshiping thousands; the hope of etemal quietude, of a waking slumber untroubled oven by a passing dream, of a sort of living death, an existence wrapt in the stillness aIlli. silence of Nirvana, fascinates the mind of every worshiper. Gautama Buddha is the great object of their adoration and guide of their hopes. This is that ancient idolatry which holds half Asia in its grip. Day by day the cloudless sun pours its splendor on the material adjuncts of this scene of spiritual darkness. Here millions adore the dead. Here the living God is all unknown. To Him nOlle bow the knee. None fear Him, or praise Him, or proclaim His truth. His glory fills heaven and earth, but none behold it here. All bow to Buddha in this holy of holies of the Eastern world, this center of ten thousand times ten thousand pagodas lifting up to-day their spires over half the world, from the palms of Ceylon and the peaks of the Himalayas, to the rivers of Burma and Ohina" and the shores of Korea and Japan.
DAYS IX MADAGASCAR
A religion which ignores the existence of God, which denies the existence of the soul, which affirms transmigration and the reign of fate, which proclaims pain and punishment, but knows nothing of grace and pardon, which holds forth no prospect of immortality, which offers no hope for the present life, and none worthy of acceptance for the future, is still, and has been for ages, the dominant religion of Asia. Under the veil of astrology, devil worship, or witchcraft, the powers of nature are adored. The s'eli-denial of the ascetic is magnified as the highest art of virtue. The doctrine is believed that man holds himself the keys of heaven and hell; a hell of sevenfold horrors, and a heaven of sensual or dreamy delights. The golden statne of Gantama Buddha has practically been placl>d upon the throne of God, and is there to-day; not to listen to the prayers which are addrest to it, for it is deaf; not to stretch forth a helping hand to the mass of misery at its feet, for it is paralyzed; not to feel for the woes of humanity, for it is soulless and dead; but to fix the gaze of benighted millions, to direct their vain and deluded hopes, and to hide from them in life and death the character, presence, and glory of Him who alone is the Creator, the Ruler, and Redeemer of the world.
BRIGHTER DAYS IN MADAGASCAR.
BY REV. 'Y)I. C. COUSIKS, ~I.A. Missionary of the London Missionary Society at Autananarivo.
A special deputation* from the directors of the London Missionary Society has for eight weeks past (Oct. 15-Dec. 10) been engaged in a careful revision of the society's work here, in making arrallgements with the missionaries of the Paris society, and in endeavoring to convince the French authorities that the aims of the society are pm'ely religious, and not political. The visit of the deputation had long been lookt forward to, and their special mission has been the object of much prayer. Now we look back upon it with a deep feeling of thankfulness, and with a belief that all has been wisely ordered.
'rhe first nlatter demanding the efforts of the deputation was to try and remove from General GalliEmi's mind the strong prejudice he has felt against the work of the society. The men chosen as its special representatives were admirably fitted for this task. Mr. Thompson's full knowledge of all the facts, and his courteous, yet firm, manner, cou pled with Mr. Spicer's bright and hopeful spirit and evident wish to be on friendly terms with all mell, proved a most *The two members of the deputation were the Rev. R. Wardlaw Thompson. the well-known Foreign Secretary of the London Missionary Society. and Mr. Evan Spicer. a member of the London County Conncil. and a broad-minded, energetic. and earnest supporter of the general aims and work of the society. happy and successful combination. 'rhe general affirmed his belief in the loyalty of the missionaries; but said that many of the native adhercnttl of thc society regarded it as a spccial representative of British power and influence. These still hoped that through its inter- vention some help against French rule might be forthcoming. To convince the natives that Frallce is master here, he seized our build- ings and took other harsh steps. The deputation offered to issue a letter to the native Christians under our care stating clearly that such hopes were utterly groundless, that the aims of the society were entirely moral and spiritual, and that if any adherents of the society indulged in such foolish talk, they might render it impossiblc to con- tinue to work in Madagascar. Sncll a letter was issucd both in Malagasy and in French, signed by Mes3rs. Thompson and Spicer, and by all the London missionaries in and around Antananarivo.* The growth of confidencc on the part of General Gallieni has been very markt, and he has, during the last few days, given unmistakable evidence of his sincerity. He has allowed the society to reengage Hova evangelists who were banisht from Betsileo, and has given us permission to buy a house in Ambohimahasoa, from which town its missionary was evicted a year ago, simply because of his connection with the London Missionary Society. Furthermore, on Monday (Dec. 6th), he paiu a personal visit to the girls' school in Ambodin Anuohalo in order to show the people that he diu not in any way oppose our work. In his address he said that tho it had been agreed that the building was soon to pass into the hands of the French Government, he should now recommend the colonial minister to allow it to remain as a girls' school under the care of the London Missionary Society. He also said to the parents and others: "You see I am helping these missionaries and you must do the same." 'rhis visit of the general has given great delight to our many native friends, and they begin to see that the days of repression are passing away.
'rhe next important matter for the consideration of the deputation was the arrangements to be entered into with the Paris society. As a result of the conference eight large districts have been placed nnder the care of that society. These districts contained in 1895 (before the war) 550 congregations. Elementary education throughout the whole of Imerina and Betsileo remains under the care of the Paris society, altho General Gallielli told the deputation that the London Missionary Society was at perfect liberty to resume control of the schools if it desired. When, early in 1897, the schools past under the care of the Paris society, they were 438, and contained 30,955 scholars, and the number has largely increast since the transfer was made. It is thought wise to allow all thcse elementary schools to remain under Frooch care, as they will more readily understand and fall in with the views • The letter has since been reprinted by the general's order in the Journal Official. of the government. Full liberty is, at the same time, accorded to the L. M. S. missionaries in the various districts (either in person or through properly appointed representatives), to give religious instruction in the schools.
The general results of the visit of the deputation to Betsileo are eminently satisfactory. 'fwo districts (Ambosib-o and Isandra) are placed under the care of the Paris society, as well as all the elementary education. 'fhe girls' school at Fianarantsoa, which had for a time been taken over by the Paris society, will now revert to the London Missionary Society. M. Benezesch, who represents the Paris society in Betsileo, has shown great earnestness and activity, and has done much to restore confidence among our native adherents. lIe has made it clear to all that Protestants are not to be considered the enemies of France. The missions on the east coast, at Tamatave and Ambahy, will no longer be carried on by the London Missionary Society, but there is reason to hope that either the Norwegian society, or some French or Swiss society will enter into this work.
The net result of recent changes is that about half the territory formerly workt by the London Missionary SociE'ty has now been given up, and that whereas, when the last statistics were gathered, we had 1,445 congregations under our care, we now have less than 700. In this smaller area and among the 700 churches still under our care, it is believed that much good work may still be carried 011. The districts formerly under the care of individual missionaries were too extensive to allow of eflicient superintendence, and with Rmaller districts and more native helpers, it is hoped that much may be done to strengthen the churches that have been so sadly weakened by the events of the past two years. Already there are signs of returning confidence and hope. The reign of terror seems to be drawing to an end. The state of siege has been raised, and we are once more under civil rule. The Jesuits appear to have gone too far, and to have tried the patience of the government. They have evidently received some caution or check, and are far quieter than a year ago. The government has begun to see how much harm was done by stirring up religious strife all over the cOllntry. At the same time we can not shut onr eyes to the fact that the Roman Catholics are growing in number and influence. 'l'he Roman Catholic religion is regarded as the French religion, and many flock to their churches. The most distressing aspect of the question is that many Protestant children have been sent to the Roman Catholic schools for the sake of the French language. The Protestant churches of the future may be less in number and may have far smaller congregations, but we must work and pray in the hope that there may still exist a vigorous body of Protestant Christians who, by their intelligence, their religious earnestness, and the testimony of pure lives, may do much to promote the highest interests of their native land.
"THE RUIN OF INDIA" BY BRITISH RULE
II.-MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT.
"THE RUIN OF INDIA" BY BRITISH RULE. * BY S. H. KELLOGG, D.D., LL.D.
I have read with equal pain and astonishment an article by Professor Des Islets, entitled" The Ruin of India," t wherein various assertions are made which, were they justified by facts, would show this government to be one of the most pitiless tyrannies on the face of the earth. But I rejoice to be able, to the credit of our common civilization and Christianity, to assure the professor that, from whatsoever source he has derived his supposed information, he has been in this matter most egregiously deceived.
In his very first sentences the writer shows that he is under a total misapprehension of the facts regarding the riots in Calcutta and the assassinations in Poona during this last summer, which he intimates to have been due to the" frightful oppression" which India is enduring at the hands of her British rulers. In reality, however, both the riots and assassinations were occasioned, not by the ill-doing, but by the conspicuous well-doing of the government.
In the case of the riots an appeal had been taken to the High Court by a certain Bengali gentleman of rank, regarding the ownership of a certain piece of land on which stood a Mohammedan place of prayer. The High Court on reviewing the evidence sustained the appeal, and ordered the premises to be vacated by the Mohammedans. When they refused to do this, the government officer proceeded to remove their building. Hence the riot. Where in all this was the" frightful oppression ?"
In Poona and Bombay the terrible black plague has been raging for months. As the only means known to modern science of combating the pestilence with any hope of success, the government ordered the segregation of all that were stricken in speeial hospitals, either provided by government, or, wherever preferred, by the members of the different castes and religions, each for themselves. But the people generally would not let cases be known, and constantly secreted the sick in close and poisonous quarters, thereby intensifying the infection and spreading the disease. Under these circumstances the government ordered a compulsory house to house inspection of such infected cities, the compulsory cleaning of filthy houses, the removal and burial or burning of the corpses frequently found in them, the forcible removal of all in them found sick with the plague to the hospitals provided, where all who chose might have the best treatment known to modern seience. These searches were carried out by organized parties made up of native gentlemen, British soldiers, and English ladies who volunteered for the purpose. But all this, instead of moving the people to gratitude, excited a fierce tempest of angry hate, of which the deepest secret doubtless was to be found in the intense caste pride and superstition of the ,Mahratta Brahmins, who were thus compelled to admit into the sacredness of their houses these unclean foreigners, whose very shadow falling on their food is supposed to render it so unclean that it must be thrown away. Those who have been engaged in this work have been threatened with death, sometimes violently assaulted, assailed both in India and even at home, by radical members of Parliament, with the most atrocious al}d unmentionable calumnies, and * From the Presbyterian Review, Toronto, t Presbyteriqn Messenger, Sept, 30, iS97.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
at last this culminated on the Queen's Jubilee day in the Poona assassinations, wherein the officer in charge of these plague operations was shot at night by one of these same Mahratta Brahmins, as now confest by the assassin himself.
Again Professor Des Islets makes this astounding assertion-that from the wretched millions of India" England extorts every year, without any compensation, the enormous sum of $150,000,000." * Without any compensation! How any intelligent man can say that England gives" no compensation" to the people of India for the taxes she takes, passes comprehension. In the first place, in return for these, she has given the people, from one end of India to the other, a system of government which, in so far as it is administered, not by natives, but by the members of Her Majesty's Covenanted Civil Service, stands to-day as a model to the whole world for purity and incorruptibility, and magnificent labors f,)r the help of the poverty-stricken millions of this over-crowded country. In the days of the Mohammedan rule of India, Tavernier wrote that a traveler in India" ought always to take with him twenty or thirty armed lnen." Is the present security no "compensation" for revenues taken from the people?
Again, the British rulers of India have during a comparatively short period developt a system of education which has planted schools, colleges, and universities in every part of the land. These are supported in large part by revenues taken fro~n the people. Is a great educational system like this, supervised by cultivated university men from home, no "compensation" for the taxes taken from the people?
Again, out of the revenues gathered from the people the government has constructed-to illustrate-in the Northwest Provinces alone, and within the lifetime of the present generation, 10,173 miles of irrigation canals, which last year supplied water to 11,437 villages and watered over 2,000,000 acres. Similar figures might be given for the Punjab and other parts of British India; and the government is at present planning another magnificent system of irrigation for Oudh and Rohilkhand which, when carried out, will be of even greater magnitude JCtnd irrigate over two and a quarter million acres. Except for the tens of thousands of miles of irrigation canals which have been built and are still being constructed by the British government, this last year would have witnest a famine here, in comparison with which the horrors of that now drawing to an end would have seemed insignificant and for the like of which ,ve should have to go back to the happily by-gone days of independent native rule.
To these instances of the return given to India by her British rulers for the taxes taken from the p30ple may be added many others, due exclusively to British rule, which space forbids me more than to mention. Such are e. g., a most complete postal system, with the unit of postage, to all parts of India and Burma, a half-anna, or one cent; a postal telegraph, by which a message can be wired anywhere in India or Burma for as low as sixteen cents; connected with the post-office, also, a government savings-bank by which, in any post-office in the empire, may be deposited, at interest, so small a sum as eight cents-a favorite form cf investment with thousands of the very natives who most vigorously denounce the government; hospitals and dispensaries scattered all over the land where the poorest may have enlightened European treat- * An average of fifty cents per capita a year.
"THE RUIN OF INDIA" BY BRITISH RULE. 2'i''i'
ment gratis; permanent security-no doubt, sometimes, at the expense of one of those "useless frontier wars," for which the professor blamEs the government-against the fearful Mohammedan raids and invasions by which, previous to British rule, large parts of India had been repeatedly laid desolate; magnificently graded macadamized roads, connecting all important places in India, not to speak of steamboat lines, and railways with fares so low that one can go, if he please, from Calcutta to Peshawar, near the Afghan frontier, 1,M2 miles, for about $6.00, etc., etc. This enumeration is far from complete, but it will suffice to enable the average reader to judge with how ITuch of truth and justice it is charged in the article review~ed that England" extorts" her" enormous" revenues from the Indian people" without any compensation."
Professor Des Islets strangely regards the railways of India not as works of enlightened beneficence, but" as immense siphons to drain the resources of the country toward England." The truth, again, is the exact opposite. Even with the vast irrigation system, except for the railways little could be done to mitigate famine, simply for lack of tramportation. And yet the professor can only see in the railways of India another evidence of the greedy tyranny of its British rulers, and de pite tens of thousands of miles of these railways and irrigation canals he can write: " The famine in India is a famine of which the English are the cause." But what he calls a "proof of this," is, if possible, more astounding than the original assertion; namely, that" the great native vassal states, with 50,000,000 of population, do not suffer from famine." I never heard such a statement made before, and no wonder, for it is utterly incorrect. Given the same conditions of soil and climate, the native states suffer from famine precisely as do the contiguous British districts.
It is, indeed, true that a very large proportion of the people are distressingly poor; but there is only one sense in which it can be said with unqualified truth that this is due to the British domination. India is enormously over-populated. In the Ganges valley the population ranges from 500 to 700 to the square mile. Before the British rule began almost incessant wars helpt to keep the population down, and when famine or cholera or deadly fever would sweep through the country, the native rulers as a rule did nothing to save life, millions perisht, and the congestion was relieved. But now it is different. The Pax Brit!'~nnica has now long ruled; intestine wars are at an end; cholera is checkt; famine is relieved, and mortality is otherwise diminisht. The velY excellence and beneficence of the government becomes the direct occasion of increasing that over-population which is the necessary cause of the extreme poverty of the mass of the people. In this sense only is there any truth in the statement that "the English are the cause of this famine."
I am far from maintaining that every British official is a saint, or that there have been and are no grave mistakes in government policy, and no great moral wrongs which are still unrighted. But on the whole, despite tremendous difficulties, it is probable that no existing government has ever shown such a grand example of the application of the Golden Rule to the administration of the affairs of a people as the British government in India has been exhibiting, especially during this past year of terrible disast8r and trouble. If an impartiality in justice between the various subject peoples, so absolute and colorless that it causes the government to be cordially hated by millions of the adherents of both the chief religions of the country; if the expenditure of mi!-
27$ MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
lions continually for the amelioration of poverty, th~ prevention of famine, and the spread of education, latterly under repeated threats of a bloody return for their kindness and beneficence, be Christian; if it be right and Christian to put an end to suttee, thuggism, infanticide, and-as in parts of South India-the compulsory nakedness of low-caste women; if it be a high Christian duty, in the interest alike of India and the whole world to invade, at whatsoever risk, even the sanctity of a proud Brahmin's or Mohammedan's house, rather than to allow the" Black Death" to rage unrestrained; then I may without fear avow my settled conviction, the growth of more than thirty years' intimate acquaintance with India, that notwithstanding sometimes failures and grave mistakes, and sometimes even great moral wrong, in administering or supervising the government of these 287,000,000; yet, on the whole, the present British administration of India is probably 'more practically Christian than that of any other country in the world.
RAMABAI'S FAMINE WIDOWS.
In our September (1897) number we gave some account of the rescue of child-widows carried on by Pundita Ramabai in Poona, Bombay Residency, India. Since that time the blessing of God and the generous contributions of Christians at home and abroad have caused markt progress in the work, and many of the girls and young women in Sharada Sadan have given their hearts to God. We gather the fol- lowing items of interest in regard to the work from Ramabai's re- ports and from articles in the Bom- bay GUa1'dianandlndian Witness. Ramabai is now in America, and is being warmly welcomed by those who have heard of her work for the Master. We hope soon to have a satisfactory paper on the condition of the child-widows of India a.nd what is being done for them. In her publisht report Ramabai writes as follows (Oct., 1897): "In April, 1896, I attended a camp-meeting at Lanowlee, accom- paniedby fifteen of my own girls who were believers in the Lord Jesus. My heart was full of joy and peace, and I offered thanks to the Heavenly Father for having giYen me fifteen children, and I was l'ARA. A DESTITUTE CHILD WIDOW, AS SHE by the Spirit led to pray that the Lord would be so gracious as to F.:-01'ERED RAMABAi' s HOME, 1892.
square the number of my spiritual children before the next camp-meeting takes place. Every circumstance was against the very thought. For in the first place not more than sixty or sixty-five girls at the most could be admitted in my school. Then the number of my schoolgirls was but forty-nine, and some of them were to leave during the summer holidays.
RAMABAI'S FAMI!'E WIDOWS. 2')'9
"Six months past away from that time, and our work went on as usual. There was no increase in the number of my pupils, on the con- trary, the number went down to forty-one. I knew nothing of the famine in Central India, nor that I could get any girls from that part of the country. In October I heard of the terrible famine in the Central Prov- inces, and received my call from God to go there and rescue some of the young widows who were starving to death. It was not until the last week of December that I had the courage to obey the call.
I was doubtful whether I could get any of the kind of girl widows that I could admit into my school. The chief difficulty was the want of place to shelter the girls and of money to maintain them. The Lord put it in my mind to rescue three hundred girls; and in less than ten months from the time when I began the rescue work, the Lord has given me nearly three hundred girls from the famine districts. These are my own girls, and I am free to bring them up in the fear of God; praise the Lord!
No one of them is compelled to become a Christian, and yet most of these new girls delight to attend prayer and to hear the Word of God. About ninety new girls have accepted the Lord Jesus as their TARA, A CHRISTIAN WIFE, AS SHE LEFT Savior, and I believe that before RAMABAI'S HOME, 1897.
the next camp-meeting the numher of my spiritual children will increase to 225, and my prayer to square the number fifteen will be answered.
" I had no human sources to depend upon, but the Lord raised friends for me, and money was poured into our treasury, and the blessings of the Lord came down like a shower, and His promise as recorded in Ps. lxxxii.
10 has been literally fulfilled. I must here record heartfelt gratitude and give thanks to the dear children of God who have so generously sent donations from all parts of the world. Most of the girls who had been nothing but skeletons and wild like the beasts of the jungle, are now looking fat and humanized. Many of them show great intelligence and eagerness to learn. Those who have profest faith ,in Christ are showing signs of a real change of hcart by serving and helping other girls, by their self-forgetfulness and love toward one another.
"The Lord gave me so many blessings in the shape of girls that there was 'not room enough to receive' them in our fornler schoolhouse.
So I was obliged to add a wing to our school building in Poona; to build another large house in our farm at Kedgaum, and, finding those insuf- ficient to shelter all the girls who are in my charge, I have hired another Lungalow for a period of ten months until the other large buildings now
mISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
under construction at Kedgaum are finisht. They will shelter over two hundred and fifty girls. * There we shall have primary industrial schools to train the girls according to their abilities. The most intelligent of these girls will be placed in the higher standards in our school at Poona.
" The famine relief work has been taken up as a Christian work, and it shall be so to the last. The Holy Spirit has now put it in my heart to pray for starting a Christian mission in the village where our famine girls' school is to be. I request my Christian friends to pray especially for the true conversion of my famine children and for this mission which is to be started shortly."
Rev. D. O. Fox, who has audited Ramabai's accounts, writes: "Kedgaum is thirty-four miles from Poona east on the railway. The farm joins the railway station, and has one hundred and twenty acres, all under cultivation. Three wells have been dug, which will yield abundance of water for the use of the Home and for the cultivation of the farm. Things about the farm look as if the Pundita is likely to be as good a manager of a farm as she is of the Home.
"We went through her accounts and gathered up the totals of her expenditures for eight months ending with the 9th of September. The cost of caring for an average of two hundred and fifty girls, including a few women, is a little over eight rupees per month per head. This includes all expenditures of food, clothing, salaries of teachers, and other workers in the Home, washing, cooking, and other household utensils, furniture, school books, and other expenses connected with the Home."
Miss Baird, of the American Friends' Mission, Nowgong, Central India, says: "At the beginning of our work of gathering children from the famine sufferers to send to different mission-schools and orphanages, we were met with a difficult question, namely, what shall we do with the young widows who come to us perfectly destitute? They could not be admitted into the mission-schools, and many of them were too young and pretty to be kept with safety upon our open compound. After praying for guidance Miss Fistler wrote to Pundita Ramabai, asking her if she had room for any such girls. With her usual promptness she dispatcht – , coming.' Since then she has visited Central India four times, and has taken about three hundred young famine widows to Poona and Kedgaum.
"A month ago, when I visited Poona and Kedgaum, I could but exclaim, 'What hath God wrought amongst the heathen hy the ministry of one woman!' Our starved, emaciated girls of three months before had become round and rosy beyond all recognition, and were singing hymns as lustily as tho they had always been familiar with them, many had learned to read, and there have already been thirty real heart conversions in the home at Kedgaum, where the work among the girls is thoroughly evangelical, unhampered by any promises to caste-keeping relatives.t • The annual expenses of this new establishment-where three hundred girls and workers are to be maintained – will amount to fifty thousand rupees (about sixteen thousand dollars).
t Many have askt why Ramabai estimates for more money for the support of her girls than the missionaries do for the same number of children kept in mission·schools and orphanages Ramabai makes a real home for the girls, while missionaries are usually contented to give children simply a boarding-school. She lives with her girls, and gives to each that which she considers necessary for her own health and strength.
1898.J RAMABAI'S FAMINE WIDOWS
" I think the most beautiful work of grace I have ever Been in any child's heart was the following: A few evenings ago we were late in going to have prayers with the girls, so when we got to the door we found dear little Anandi had gathered all the women and children together and was praying aloud with them and they repeating the prayer after her. How the heart of our Father God must have rejoiced as He heard such requests and thanksgiving as ascended from that room. 'Our kind heavenly Father, we do thank You for bringing us here, giving us such deal' friends, and especially for Ramabai. Oh! our kind Father, those of us who love You, we want You to keep our hearts very clean, and those who don't love You, quickly clean their hearts, and keep them clean by YOUI' Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Oh! our kind Father, take care of all us in this Home and the Poona Home to-night; bless all who look after us, and abundantly bless Ramabai and Sundrabai who take such care of us. Now, Father, we thank You for Jesus and for what Jesus promises to do for us. Take care of us to-night, and forgive us wherein we have given You pain to-day, for Jesus' sake. Amen.'''
Miss A. Parsons, of the" Poona and Indian Village Mission," gives an interesting picture of days spent with Ramabai's famine widows at Kedgaum. She says in part: "They are a sad pitiful sight when first they come! Some almost too weak to move, some throngh want of cleanliness and propel' food are covered with sores, that it is painful to look at them, others through sheer poverty have been reduced to wearing the same article of clothing for such a very long time that it is impossible to stand neal' them without feeling faint through the very unhealthy odor proceeding therefrom. Praise the Lord for what a few months in the Home have done for such! They are not only clean, and the majority of them strong and healthy, but they have wonderfully toned down through the Ohrist-influence that has been exerted over them, and now instead of quarreling and fighting, they gladly do anything for one another, or for those who are in charge of them. Some have accepted Ohrist as their Savior, and many of us who are older in the Ohristian life, might well envy them their simple faith in a God whom they believe not only has made a way of salvation from sin for them, but one who cares for them and promises to supply their every need."
Rev. 'V. 'V. Bruere held ten days' special services in the Poona Home last year, and at the close 116 women and child-widows were baptized. Later he went to Kedgaum to hold a mission. The women had been prepared for these services by constant daily religious teaching ever since they entered the Home. At the close of three !;lays' services sixty-seven had been converted. The meetings were continued, Mr. Bruere returned, and as the crowning event on November 15, the baptismal service took place. It was a rare sight when seventeen bullock carts, crowded with seven and eight women in each, started out for the Bheema River, five and a half miles distant from the farm. Songs of joy arose one after another as they slowly went along, methinks mingled themselves with the joy around the throne when sinners are converted. A tent was· pitcht on the bank of the river, which served as a dressingroom. A short service was held by Rev. W. W. Bruere, after which the haptisms took place. The happy faces and frequent expressions of praise showed that the Spirit teaches His children alike the world over, for these women had never come in contact with many Ohristians, revivals,
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
or baptismal services. One hundred and eight women and girls and one boy of twelve years of age were baptized.
The chief thing that imprest one in the meetings was the real working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the girls, producing real sorrow for sin and an earnest search for salvation. Then when the light would break in, there would be the spontaneous utterance of such notes of praise as the one Spirit alone can teach. We all know how timid the women of this country are about speaking in public, but when Jesus comes into the heart, the joy of salvation drives out fear. One after another they would rise and tell of forgiveness of sins, yet in language peculiarly their own.
On Sunday "something new" came into existence-a church of widows. Connected with the church a Sunday-school was organized, with regular officers and teachers. The older girls (those under Ramabai's care prior to the famine) have a chance to prove that salvation is not a selfish acquirement, for they are given a class in Sunday-school as well as appointed class-leaders to instruct those in their charge.
THE LIVINGSTONIA MISSION IN AFRICA. * BY RIGHT HON. LORD OVERTOUN.
Twenty-four years have past away since David Livingstone died on his knees at Ilala, near Lake Bangweolo. While his body was brought home by loving hands and laid to rest among the luighty dead in Westminster Abbey, his heart rests near the spot where, in suffering, he spent the last night of his life, among the people he loved so well.
His death rang the great bell for the evangelization of the Dark Continent, and the Livingstonia Mission, advocated by Dr. Stewart, of Lovedale, Livingstone's fellow-traveler, was founded in 1874, and stands to-day a nobler monument to the great missionary than crumbling marble. The following year the Ilala steamed into Lake Nyassa, bearing a company of pioneer missionaries, headed by Dr. Laws, who for a quarter of a century has ably directed the Livingstonia Mission. During all these years a battle has been steadily waged of Light against Darkness; the Gospel against Heathenism; Liberty against Slavery; Civilization against Barbarism; Righteousness and Truth against Vice, Cruelty, and Superstition.
By God's good hand upon us the small band of 1875 now numbers 28 Scottish missionaries and 112 native evangelists, while there has been formed a native church, with seven congregations, 12 elder~ and deacons, and 291 members. There are now 85 schools, with 354 native teachers and monitors, and with a daily attendance of 11,510 pupils.
The great purpose of the Livingstonia Mission is to win Central Africa for Christ. The work is carried on on four great lines: 1. Ecl'angeHzai'ion by the direct proclamation of the Gospel at the various mission centers. At Bandawe the attendance at church on Sabbath numbers upward of 1,000, and from each center native evangelists go out every Sabbath with the Gospel message to surrounding villages, some as much as ten miles distant. The church building has become too * From The Ftee Church of Scotland Monthly.
1898·1 'tHE LJVINGSTONIA MISSION IN
small, and the session and congregation have petitioned for help to build a new church, seated for 1,400, to which they are to contribute £200, ($1,000). Not only the adults are reacht, but the children are specially cared for and taught in Sunday-schools out of God's Vord in their own tongue. They have a great talent for music, and delight in the hymns which are on the lips and hearts of our bairns at home. The printing and circulation of the Bible in the native dialects have greatly helpt the work, and the people are gladly paying for the VVord of God and Chris- tian literature, which are now spreading through the country.
2. Medical lIfissions.-As in all lands, so in Africa, this work has arrested and won the people, and given them perhaps their first idea of what Christianity is. That men better, wiser, stronger than they should come, not to destroy or rob them, but to heal and help, is a mystery beyond their comprehension. Vhen they see men and women healed and cured by those who are constrained by love of God, and learn that the Son of God lived and died on the earth to save them, is it to be wondered at that their confidence and then their hearts were won? At Bandawe alone more than 10,000 cases have been treated in the past year.
3. Educai'ion.-No thoughtful or observant man now questions the policy of educating the natives, for in the march of civilization and commerce, the demand is steadily on the increase for trained and intelligent natives, and the daily attendance at the eighty-five schools is very large. There are a large number at the elementary stages, hut many, especially at the Institute, are in the fifth and sixth standards. The diversity of tongues-nine different languages being spoken in Nyassaland-greatly increases the difficulty of school-work. Ve are feeling more and more the desirability of having a uniform language, and are trying to adopt tltt Nyanja language, enricht by such words as may be adapted from others.
4. Industrial Work.-The experience gained, and the success achieved at Lovedale under the able guiding hand of Dr. James Stewart, satisfied us at the outset of the mission that we must seek not only to take the Gospel of Christ to the people of N yassaland by direct preaching and medical missions, but also to educate them-not only in ordinary school instruction, but to train them in industrial pursuits-so that some occupation might be given which would take the place of their one occupation, warfare, and also prove beneficial to the people by training them in the arts of peace. Ve therefore, at all our stations, have more or less given instruction by Christian tradesmen in carpentery, brickmaking, agriculture, building, and latterly printing, telegraphy, and tailoring, as well as elementary ambulance work. A central training institute receives the more promising pupils, and makes them inh mechanics and tradpsmen who will do much to develop thp country. The demand for admission from all the stations is three times as great as our accommodation, staff, and funds allow us to receive.
The work of the Livingstonia :Mission is changing the country and the people. Slave-raiding, with its horrors, is almost a thing of the past. Poison-drinking is ceasing. Superstition is dying out. Fields are planted with coffee, wheat, and potatoes, and gardens with vegetables. New fruit and timber trees are being planted, and cattle are being raised and tended. All this has been wrought hy God through the Gospel, through the labors of our noble band of workers. But Africa is to be
MISSIONARY DIGEST trE]PAR1'lIfENT
won by her own sons and daughters, and for this end we are laboring. Within the last six months 285 men and women have confest their faith in Christ. The field is great, and there are openings around us, which for lack of men and money we can not yet enter, while they are calling us to come.
———- REV. PROFESSOR JAMES LEGGE, M.A., D.D., LL.D.* 1. HIS WORK IN CHINA.-The fame of Dr. Legge as a Chinese scholar of the very first rank has traveled throughout the world. He was of such a scholarly turn of mind, that he might have risen to high eminence in the university in which he was trained, but his mind, however, was set upon becoming a missionary. Accordingly, in the year 1839, t he was appointed to labor in the great empire of China.
In those early days China sternly and haughtily refused to allow foreigners free access into the country. Dr. Legge, therefore, began his missionary life at Malacca, where he became the presiding spirit in the college which had been establisht there for the higher education of Chinese young men, who, it was hoped, would play an important part in the elevation of their country.
After the conclusion of the war between England and China, and the signing of the Treaty of Nanking, by which Hongkong was ceded to the former country, Dr. Legge hastened to take up his residence there. He was not content with being able simply to acquire the spoken language of the Chinese, but determined to study the written characters in which the books are printed, Thus he would be able to read for himself the writings of the ancient sages of China. Dr. Legge was a hard student. As his knowledge of the language grew, and his acquaintance with the writ;ngs of Confucius and Mencius became more thorough, the purpose to translate these into English gradually fixt itself in his mind. Those who would understand the Chinese, must study their sacred writings. Dr. Legge determined that this should be made possible by translating them into English. The Chinese classics reveal the mincl of China more than any other books that have ever been written in that great empire. They stand, in fact, in very much the same relation to the people of China as the Bible does to the English. They have had to do with the molding and development of the Chinese character. From early times down to the present they have been the only school-books that would be tolerated in any school throughout the eighteen provinces. Every man that professes to be a scholar knows them off by heart, and even those whose education is most imperfect will assume an appearance of culture by quoting sentences that they have learned from them on all possible occasions. They are the royal road to distinction and honors in the State, for only the men that have received their degrees by passing examinations in them can hope for high official appointments. Every man in China is a Confucianist first, no matter what else he may be after.
To perform this great task one would naturally suppose that Dr.
* From the L. M. S. Chronicle.
t James Legge was born at Huntly, Aberdeenshire. on Dec. 20, 1814, and studied first at King's College and University, Aberdeen, and then at Highbury College, London. He was a member of the church assembling at Trevor Chapel. Brompton, then under the pastorate of Dr. John Morrison, whose daughter, Mary Isahella, was his first wife She died in 1852. Subsequently he married Mrs. Willets, the widow of the Rev. G. Willets, of Salisbury.
REV. PROFESSOR JAMES LEGGE, M.A., D.D., LL.D
Legge would have had to devote all his energies to it, to the exclusion of almost eyery other work. But when he was most busy with the classics, he seemed also to be fully occupied in preaching. He was, besides, pastor of Union Church, in Hongkong, and as a public-spirited man and a loyal citizen, was always ready to expend brain and time for the furtherance of any plan that had at heart the welfare either of his countrymen or of the Chinese. The one thing, however, that has given him a world-wide fame is the profound scholarship that enabled him to translate the sacred books of China, and thus bring them within the reach of every student. In doing this he has broken down the great wall that hid that nation from the West, and has given thinkers an opportunity of studying the ethical principles upon which Chinese society has been built.
II. PROFESSOR LEGGE IN OXFoRD.-In 1876, after the labors of an average lifetime, he left China for England to become professor of Chinese at Oxford. But since that time he has been no less the Chinese missionary than in the earlier days at Hongkong. He has made it his chief concern to toil at the Chinese language and literature in such a way as to bring the West into a fuller and more sympathetic knowledge of the East, and we have had further translations of Chinese classics and treatises on Chinese religions from his prolific pen. He has also trained here in Oxford many able and competent missionaries. But of almost equal importance, we seem to lose in him a great Christian ambassador-to whom men from the far East were ever welcome, and who was unceasingly sought out in his Oxford home by all who were interested in China from whatever cause.
His belief in the necessity for Christian missions was never dimmed. When a paper was to be read before a Nonconformist society upon "Missions: their Use and Abuse," he discovered that some of the members were inclined to be somewhat critical and unsympathetic. He therefor.e wrote a long letter to the secretary, giving the arguments which he would have used had he been able to be present. One paragraph deserves quotation: "From the time that I began to think of what might be my own = course in life-long before I was ten years old-it was as clear to me as that 2 + 2 4 that if I could not find a good reason, which Christ would admit, for not becoming a missionary, I must go as one to some foreign field. For nearly ten years the search for such a reason went on in my mind, until every sophistical excuse which I proposed to myself was gradually disposed of, and, in 1839, I went as a missionary to the Chinese. I thank God to-day that I was finally constrained to adopt that course, and when I look back on the more than thirty years that I spent among that people, I venture to think that it was to me 'a I!race given to teach and preach among them the unsearchable riches of Christ.'''
In this spirit he lived and workt in Oxford, and his abundant services in the churches are to-day remembered with gratitude. His funeral service in Mansfield Chapel was a veritable grammarian's funeral-for Eastern and Western learning were there amply represented. But it was more than that. Our greatest scholars were there to do honor to the man of learning; but there were many also present from far Hankow, and distant Amoy, and elsewhere, whose presence bore eloquent witness to his great achievements as a pioneer worker in the great Middle Kingdom. On the special hymn sheet was the apt quotation from his own translation of Confucius: "If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret."
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
Ill.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDl:"CTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Impressions Made by the Student icies, methods, so that no little re- adjustment is required. But church Volunteer Oonvention. leaders and judicators may well make haste to square themselves to REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D. OBER- the changed situation, and at once proceed to put in harness the po- LIN, o. tent celestial forces here found al- ready massed and waiting to be All things considered, including wielded. the theme continually uppermost in every mind and heart, the great Or, the late convention stood for a l'eligious movement represented, phase of the most marvelous and the intellectual and spiritual char- impressive modern uprising of the acter of the delegates with the stu- youth of our churches, to take their dent bodies which se'nt them, the share of toil and responsibility, eminently business-like manage- eager to learn, rcady to fit themment of affairs, the well thought selves for efficient service. The through and comprehensive pro- Sunday – school and the publicgram, the remarkable high average school systems were prophecies of excellence of the numerous addres- good things to come; later the ses, the ruling spirit and motive Young Men's Christian Associafrom first to last, the really tre- tion with its kindred Young Womendous tho quiet and controlled men's Christian Association gave a enthusiasm everywhere manifest, broad hint of what was in store for it is to be counted a remarkable the Kingdom of forces auxiliary, and significant gathering, and one as well as the more general movenot often, if ever, equaled. Re- ment for the enlargement of woduced to a sentence, the meaning men's sphere, with the Society of of the convention was, world-wide Christian Endeavor and its adaptamissions at the very soonest pos- tion to well-nigh every denominasible constitute the supreme and tion, and the Student Volunteer exigent business of the entire Chris- ~Iovement to cap the climax. All tian Church; but, alas, only the which means that from henceforth f"w are fully awake and possest of not one sex only, but both are to intelligent, burning zeal. be represented in the vast mission- field both at home and abroad, and Among the characteristic feat- not merely by the older half of the ures were such as these: Here was Lord's host, but by the youth and a movement most clearly providen- the children as well. These latter tial in origin and inspiration, that are to be enlisted into the service is, springing up outside of all eccle- of the Great Captain in earliest siastical planning and manage- years. And this well nigh startling ment, spontaneous, fairly leaping innovation upon all hoary preceinto life, irresistible, like Christian- dent is to be accepted heartily and ity itself, the Reformation, modern with thanksgiving. These "irregmissions in Carey's day, or the Sal- ular" undertakings are not to be vation Army. Not strangely some lookt at askance, opposed, represt, confusion results, some revolution in certain well-establisht ideas, polbut rather to be encouraged, guided, culties standing in the way of the and utilized to the utmost. world's speedy evangelization, like the vast m ultitudes of the unreacht, One could hut notice the blessed the strength of the great false reand perfect unity which pervaded ligions, lack of money at home, every session. Here were brought etc., are excuse not the least for together old and young, great and discouragement, for giving up in small, black and white, male and disgust or despair, but are rather female, British, Canadian, and to be made a spur to faith, prayer, American, from every section of aggressive effort. This point was the land, North, South, East, West, made emphatic. If the missionary denominations by the score- societies are afflicted with empty Methodist bishops and Episcopal treasuries, and so can not send the hishops, Presbyterians and Bap- volunteers who are ready to go, tists, from hoth sides of Mason and then let the latter proceed to seek Dixon'::; line; Lutherans of divers needed funds from relatives, from kinds, and many others, hut nohody the local church to which they becared for the difference or stopt to long, or from neighboring churches. think of it. The one weighty, all- Such is the impulse of a soul dead in absorbing fact was, we are Christ's, earnest, of genuine faith and heroand are here to learn how we can, ism. Like Britain's greatest prime at the soonest, crown Him King of minister, the Lord's servant is kings and Lord of lords to the very called to "tread on impossibilities." ends of the earth; and that fellowship of the Spirit in the honds of No word more true, more weighty, peace was possest of a celestial or more solemn was spoken during quality as tho Pentecost had come those five notable days than that of again. Dr. Hall, when he said in substance that, as a rule, with very few ex- 'Vhat divine power went forth on ceptions, in our Christian colleges, Saturday from those five-and- and even our theological seminaries, twenty denominational rallies in as the students do not have afforded many sanctuaries; in sonle cases as them, either in the curriculum or many as twenty or thirty returned in aught that their instructors say missionaries sitting upon the plat- or do, a fair opport1~nity to face form, ready to bear witness to the the all-important q1.wstion, whether world's perishing need and of the they shall consecrate their lives to power of the Gospel to save. The some form of strictly missionary aggregate of these audiences could toil in the foreign field or at home. not have been much short of ]5,000, He would have in both seminary and on Sunday, when practically and college at least a two hours' every church in Cleveland and course required, and another two vicinity was addrest both morning hours' course elective, fitted to supand evening by missionary secreta- ply a chance to settle rationally ries, returned missionaries, student this great matter. Surely no man volunteers, presidents, or profes- or woman can claim to have sesors, and all upon the one theme: cu.red a liberal education who cares Let us arise at once and gird our- nothing about the world's evangeliselves to the mighty task of making zation, and because he knows Jesus King. nothing about the appalling spirit- ual needs of humanity and the ob- Two thoughts in particular may ligation resting upon every renewed be specified as having made a deep soul in every possible way to carry impression upon at least one au- the glad tidings of salvation. ditor. Again and again it was urged with earnestness that diffi- Autonomy of Native Mission Ohurches. dIe their own affairs and push on A great many questions of policy their aggressive work, if the opporin the conduct of foreign missions are forcing themselves to the front tunityof trying to do so is denied simultaneously in a way to demand, as they ought to command, wide them? "Vhat is the result of a and profound consideration. The missionary societies have counted century of cautiousness in throwing their successes at the close of the first century of Protestant move- on them responsibility? ment in non-Christian lands, and cheered their supporters on to new The native churches in West endeavor, but the crisis of the hour calls for a general frank acknowl- Africa in 1893, in a debate with edgment of the seriousness of the situation confronting them in the their home authorities in England twentieth century, and for concerted consideration about how to over the proposal to make a Eurograpple with the problems which experience shows them to have left pean successor to Bishop Crowther untoucht, or about which they have made mistakes. 'Vhen the Ecu- in the Niger See of the Church of menical Conference convenes in 1900 in New York, is it to spend its England, made a deliverance, signed energy in formulating its past achievements chiefly, or will it by forty-six of their clergy and mass its forces to some businesslike investigation of what a century laity as representatives of the body, has taught them they ought to seek to correct in fundamental and in which the following occurred: far-reaching principles of economy? "Christianity has seen about a A graver problem than even century in West Africa generally, "self-support" in foreign missions and yet it to this day wears the is that of self-control, self-propaga- character of an exotic. It has not tion, and leadership of native com- succeeded to root itself in the soil ; mittees by natives. If self-sup- to get the people generally to idenport is considered a prerequisite to tify their interest and their lives autonomy, may it not also be pos- with its existence and that of its sihle that autonomy is the short institutions, and exercise toward cut to self-support? The ultimate it that devotion which they or their goal being a self-acting and self- ancestors had exhibited toward developing native church, how early heathenism. ought snch Christian community to be left to bear the responsibility " There is no strong guarantee for of its own development? What permanence and continuity in this responsibility have the missionaries exotic character, and Africans who and mission boards entrusted them believe in the regenerating power with? Have these churches been of the religion and wish to see it kept in leading-strings from over- cover the whole country, who have caution, to the detriment of their some knowledge of its fate in North growth in tearing responsibility? Africa, after many centuries of ex- How are they ever to learn to han- istence, and of the complete failure of even its Homan Catholic form in comparatively more recent times after over two centuries of exist- ence, and who are not altogether ignorant of the causes of these re- peated and signal failures, are nat- urally anxious to see a repetition of the sad Lud terdble calamity avoided.
"It is our conviction that one of the reasons for the character which Christianity now manifests in Africa is the fact that it has been held too long in a state of de- pendence; and that it has been too long in the habit of looking to its foreign parent for immediate guid- ance and direction in almost every- thing, and this you will admit, does not make much for the development of that manly independence and self-reliance which are so essential for the development of a strong people and a vigorous institution.
"We are not blaming our teachers, who have sacrificed themselves Church-an experiment whose sucon the altar of love for us. vVe do cess was very generally desired in not underrate any of their achieve- England, especially on account of ments, for which we are, and ever the very heavy mortality which hope to be, grateful. 'Ve are not had always prevailed among Euimpatient of the presence of Euro- ropean missionaries in the African peans a,mongst us, as we have un- mission all through its long course. fortunately been too often mis- The clergy and lay agents that takenly represented by some of our workt under this episcopate, which foreign friends to be, but are invi- was often exercised amidst circumting attention to a state of things stances of peculiar difficulty and which we are persuaded they would trial, were almost, always natives." like to see changed." They did not attempt to claim They argued that the episcopate any perfection of administration. of Bishop Crowther demonstrated They were only endeavoring to their ability to conduct their own show that even when handicapt affairs successfully, tho that had by the semi-control of the church the drawback of sensitiveness about authorities in England, they had the control of their affairs being done well enough to justify further only one remove further back, be- enlargement of their independence. cause Bishop Crowther himself was They argued thus: kept under such limitations from "But attempts have been made direction by the authorities in the last few years-on account of moral weakness discovered in England. They believed that the some of the infant churchee that have been gat.hered in, and serious bishop and the native churches faults in some of the agents and the like-to pronounce the experiwould have made a much better ment a failure and the negro inca- pable for a responsible trust and for showing had the entire responsibil- an independent life ; and in spite of the century of training and teachity of administration, uncontrolled ing he has had, unfit still to be set free from his pupilage and the leadby Europeans altogether, been en- ing-strings of European superin- tendence. trusted to them. They might have " We, on our part, do not find made mistakes, but they would ourselves able to subscribe to this pronouncement with the facts of the have learned by experience, and mission to which we have already referred before us, and also the fact would have developt a governing that some of the apostolic churches of which we read in Scripture were faculty all the more rapidly. Yet not exempt from serious faults, and that the churches even in Europe, they believed the episcopacy of which have been in possession of Christianity many centuries, and Bishop Crowther, as a negro those in other parts of the world, do not, many of theIn, form an exbishqp, itself showed that they were ceDtion."
capable of self-direction and devel- This was not said in any "iu opment under absolute autononlY. quoque" spirit, but was a plain That episcopacy covered the space reference to the history of all be- of twenty-seven years. They said: ginnings, and the incipient stage of "The elevation of the late Bishop all church organizations. Crowther to the episcopate in 186! was declared by the Church Mis- The report of that able and spirsionary Society-which, under God, was mainly instrumental in bring- ited discussion reacht the writer at ing it about, and whose servant he was, and which has, from. the fact the time, not through any missionof its being the honored founder of the 'Vest African churches, held ary periodicals, in which it might the patronage of these churches in its own hands-to he an experi- properly have been lookt for, but ment to prove the capacity of negroes for evangelizing important through the local secular press in sections of the African Continent by themselves and without the stJmulus 6f the presence and supervision of Europeans, and for exercising the higher offices in the 'Vest Africa, and was preserved as Work Among Syrian Ohristians, India. a valuable contribution to the per- manent tliscussion of this funda- BY J. G. GREGSON, MANCHESTER, mental feature of missionary eco- nomics. He did not present the sub- ENGLAND. ject at the time in these columns, partly through delicacy lest such For over thirty years I labored course might be esteemed unfriend- in India without any knowledge of ly to the missionary administra- the power of the Holy Ghost work- tion, whose action provokt a ing within me. Recently I re- heated controversy. It is doubt- visited the country and was invited ful if the caution was justified. to hold meetings among the Syrian That discussion was educative, and Christians, in Travancore, South- ought to have had wide attention ern India. of the churches generally. Unfor- tunately, there is no provision for These people belong to the re- a common council of missionary form party in the Syrian Church, administrators and missionaries for which they believe was founded by the consideration of questions St. Thomas, at Quilon, on the which, like this, affect all missions. Malabar coast, in the year 52 A. D. The reform took place ahout twenty It is certainly desirable that this years ago, by the bishop renouncing Ecumenical Conference of 1900 shall the confessional, prayer to the consider whether it can not provide saints and Virgin Mary, prayers for the erection of some common for the dead and masses, but until representative body to meet, say recently they knew nothing of spiribiennially, to deal with questions of tual truth and power through the fundamental nature, like this, in baptism of the Holy Spirit. The which they have all common inter- reform had been more in outward est. What these African brethren ceremonies than in spiritual living. assert about the failure of a century of missions to produce an indige- The center of this movement is nous type of Christianity in their Aiyroon, on the river Ranee, where country is, there is room to fear, the people came night after night not peculiar to their locality. The in vast crowds of between two and episcopal churches have not ele- three thousand persons.. The servated natives to the episcopacy, vices were far too short to satisfy and they only represent what the their desire to hear and learn more non-episcopal churches have failed about spiritual things. At the close to do within their several econo- of the meetings we usually waited mies. It may be quite true that upon God, in silence, for a few the native churches have not exhih- moments, and then one after anited the qualities for such responsi- other of the audience would pray bility and leadership, but the deeper aloud. It would be impossible to question is whether this condition conceive of anything more moving is not attributable largely to their than to listen to these vast crowds, never having had responsibility in which each individual prayed thrust upon them. Men grow under aloud to God to guide him into all responsibility, just as lads do, or as truth, and very specially to reveal peoples do in new territory, where the possibilities of a holy life, lived they can not avoid assuming lead- out by His Spirit. ership. This problem deserves attention. Its discu);sion ought to be ad- My second mission was one of vanced on the calendar. constant traveling through the churches and living amongst the people. I found them simple- minded, hospitable, and earnest. In some parishes, where they were beginning their rice harvest, they an evangelistic movement among gave up work and often came miles the heathen, who are their farm to attend the meetings. In many servants. The Syrian Christians places the churches were too small are the farnlers of Travancore, and, to hold the crowds, so that we had in many instances, cultivate their to meet outside in the open air. own lands. The chief products are When the meeting was over, many rice, tapioca, sugar-cane, and cocoawould remain to a late hour, asking nuts. questions and carefully examining the Scriptures concerning the Another encouraging evidence truths they had heard. of their desire to know more fully what God has in store for them, Christmas day is kept on January is to be found in the eagerness with 6th, and a great festival it is. The which the women attend the meet- Christmas service begins just be- ings. They are taken up with fore dawn, a little after three household cares and duties, and o'clock, when the explosion of have but little time to attend to bombs and the clanging of bells spiritual things. Several of the arouse the sleepers to the con- elderly women were deeply consciousness that it is Christmas cerned about living a holy life in morning. The first ceremony is the power of the Holy Spirit. Tho around a camp-fire in front of the the Syrian women are not shut up church, where they sing and pray, in zenanas, they have a life of like the shepherds who kept watch drudgery, and are treated more by their fires at night. The service like household servants than as in the church begins about four wives. They are married when o'clock, and goes on without a they are quite children, through arpause till eleven or twelve o'clock. rangements made by their parents, At the invitation of the priest, I and submit to the position in which preacht the sermon on Christmas they live, according to the customs day, and in the afternoon had a of their forefathers. meeting with the Sunday-school children. The boys and girls were For this work men and money remarkably bright and happy, tho are needed, and my belief is, that one little lad greatly surprised me when He calls forth His laborers with a text, which was given in re- He will provide the means required sponse to my request. He rose and to send them forth. The need is for said very gravely: "Oh, wretched sanctified messengers who have reman that I am, who shall deliver ceived the baptism of the Holy me from the body of this death?" Ghost, and are thereby endued with I felt that my young friend must the power of the Holy Ghost, and go home with a brighter text than divinely qualified to go as living the one he had given me, so I gave witnesses to the uttermost parts of him instead: "Rejoice in the Lord the earth.* always." Does the Roman Catholic Church Want One of the most encouraging an" Open" Bible in Roman signs in connection with the mis- Catholio Countries? sion has been in having a good many young men attending the Weare furnisht with fresh evimeetings who have been educated dence of the antagonism of the in English and read our literature. Roman Catholic Church to a free These young men have formed a and open Bible, in an episode which Young Men's Christian Association, and are deeply interested in * Mr. Gregson returned to Travancore in November, in response to a request to con- duct a three years' mission among the Syrians.-ED. has occurred in the order of " Free Dam shall hereafter be removed and Accepted Masons." 'Vhat the and repudiated." merits or demerits of Free Masons or of Free Masonry may be, lies The New York Freeman's Jouroutside of the purview of this peri- nal, noticing this expulsion and odical. But Wm. A. Sutherland, repudiation of the Grand Lodge of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Peru, asks: Vhat will be the result of Free and Accepted Masons of if the Grand Lodge of Peru in turn the State of New York, has entered expels the Grand Lodge of New the arena as a champion of an open York from the order of Free and Bible as against one Christian Accepted Masons? Of the whole Dam, Grand Master of Masons in matter as an inter-Masonic affair, Peru. It appears from the recital whatever its merits pro or can, this in a circular, which we judge is not periodical knows nothing, and with esoteric to Masonry, that this it has nothing to do. But, assum- Grand Master of Masons in Peru ing that Mr. Sutherland is well acannounces to those under his juris- quainted with the facts in the case, diction that" according to Catho- and aware of his ability, and that licism the Bible is a sacred book in he is an eminent and authorized which the revealed word is depos- attorney in the State of New York, ited and as snch can not be freely we take it for granted that what he examined and criticized; that the affirms of the authoritative expul- Bible can not be considered as a sion of the Bible from the so-called fountain of scientific knowledge " Masonic altars" of Peru, and the or history, nor as a basis of moral- reasons for it, are matters of fact, ity; " and he does" decree that on and we make reference to it only all Masonic altars the Bible shall in evidence of the general spirit be removed and replaced by the of the Roman Catholic Church to- Constitution of the order of Free ward the Bible in every land it Masonry, and that in all our ritu- dominates, and as a fresh illustraals the word' Bible' shall be strick- tion of the need of the presence and en out and the words, 'the Con- power of Protestant missions in stitution of the Grand Lodge of countries dominated, as is Peru, by Peru' put in its place." the Roman Catholic hierarchy.
The circular signed by William The Freeman's Journal volun- A. Sutherland as Grand Master teers in explanation of the course proceeds to affirm, " By virtue of of the Peru lodge, that it is in evithe powers and prerogatives in me dence of and a part of the lamenvested as Grand lYlaster of Masons table infidelity of the times. But in the State of New York, I do will the Journal tell us in what announce and declare that the said Roman Catholic country the eccleedict and the decree of the said siastics of the church have not Christian Dam has terminated all antagonized the circulation of the relations heretofore existing be- Scriptures among the people, or tween the Grand Lodge of Peru in which of these countries it and the Grand Lodge of New has taught that the Scriptures York;" and as Grand Master Mr. might be "freely examined" by Sutherland commands all under the the laity? The Plenary Counjurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of cil of Baltimore may have said New York to "abstain from all that they desired to see the Bible Masonic intercourse with the so- (pl'esumably the Douay edition) in called Grand Lodge of Peru until every home, but that is in a strong the said edict of the said Christian Protestant country, and amidst tendencies which they did not originate, and is not in evidence for believe that to be true, not because, Roman communities which they as the Journal says, it expresses overshadow. Does it not occur also the infidelity of Masons in South to the Journal that it is dealing America, France, and Italy, but in with the product of three centuries that it plainly blurts out as the of unrestricted domination of the basis of its action, that" accord'ing Roman Catholic Church in Mexico to Cathoi'icis1n" the Bible is too and in South American communi- " sacred" to be "freely examined." ties, when it speaks of infidelity It is that policy which has resulted which results from Roman Catholic in the revolt against the Roman administration? We have long Catholic religion which the Freeknown that the Roman hierarchy man's Jonrnal styles infidelity, wasted no affection on Free Mason- and which it alleges the Masonic ry in Roman Catholic countries, orders of Roman Catholic lands repbut we had supposed that that resent. hatred was toward it in common with all other secret societies. It Uniformity in Missionary Statistics. seems very probahIe, however, that it is in accord with the spirit of the It was mentioned in the report of Roman Catholic Church, that the the Missionary Officers' Sixth An- Peru lodge excluded the Bible from nual Conference, that a committee its altar, and not because of infidel- which has been patiently working ity, since the ground of the expul- for some years to mature a formula sion, and the argument based on it, for statistical reports fwm the sevis that the Bible is a "sacred book in eral forE'ign fields, has been successwhich the revealed word is deposit- ful in preparing snch a schedule as ed. " There does not seem to be ar- the American and Canadian socierant infidelity in that, but there ties had generally agreed upon, and is a prononncement of what the this conference called attention to Grand Lodge of Peru understands it as possibly affording a sufficiently to be the permanent policy of the comprehensive and yet analytical Roman Catholic Church in all Ro- formula for general use over the man Catholic lands, in the assertion missionary world. We make room that the reason for the expulsion for the headings of these several is that" accor&ing to Catholicism" columns that missionaries everythe Bible is too "sacred" to be where may take note of the same, " freely exalnined," we assunle, by and if the brotherly spirit which the laity. dominated the American Officers' Conference shall prevail in attempt- There will not be much zeal for ing to work it, this or something the circulation of the Scriptures, better will greatly aid in reducing by any church or people holding the present confusion, which makes this theory concerning the Scrip- the foreign churches, at least in one tures. If the republics of South respect, not unlike heaven, in be.ing America and Mexico ever get this a company which "no 1nan can Bible in "every home," they will number." The formula has blanks probably only have that blessing for returns in the following order: through the Protestant Bible societies and the Protestant missions "TABLES OF STATISTICS FOR THE of those lands. YEAR ENDING – – The Free1nan's Journal says: Nmne of Stai'ion, Town or Vil- "Christian Dam has simply been lage-When establisht ; population more frank than his South Amer- of field. Missionar'ies-Ordained; ican confreres." 'Ve admit and unordained (not physicians); phY- sicians (men); physicians (women·) ; s~ngle women; wives; total mis- daily average attendance during sIOnaries. Native Helpers – Or- the year, not total enrolment. All dained preachers; unordained salaries, contributions, and so- preachers; teachers (men); teachers ciety grants should be stated in na- (women) ; Bible women; other na- tive currency. Expenses 01' contri- tive helpers; total native helpers. butions entered in one column Chu~rch Statistics – Out-stations; should not be entered in another places of regular meeting; organ- column. The salary of a preacher ized churches; churches entirely engaged in teaching during the self-supporting; communicants; week should be divided between con- added by confession (year); adher- gregational expenses and school ents; average attendance; Sunday-* expenses, in the proportion to schools; Sunday-school member- which he devotes his time to each. ship. Educai'ional Stat~istics-The Meeting places should include or- ological schools; students in theo- ganized churches. It is desirable logical training for the ministry; to group towns and villages by students in collegiate training; their relations to an organized boarding and high schools; pupils church, or by circuits, rather than (boys) ; pupils (girls) ; other schools, to enter them alphabetically. pupils. (boys); pupils (girls); total number under instruction; schools (This excellent table is by far the entirely self-supporting; united most complete and satisfactory with church during year. Native thus far issued, and much would be ContribuNons, Churches and Chap- gained by its universal adoption by els-For church and Ctmgregational missionary boards. There are, howexpenses; for education; fer build- ever, some headings which may ing and repairs; for home and for- still permit' misunderstanding. eign missions; total native contri- "Vhenever such possibility exists butions; appropriated by board; some are sure to make use of it: for churches and education (natiYe work). Medical Summwl'Y – The 1. Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyitems suggested are, number of hos- terian, and other organizations may pitals ; number of beds; number of put different interpretations on the in-patients; number of dispensa- word ordained. ries; number of out-patients; total expenses, including assist- 2. It would be well to distinguish ants ;t receipts in fees. Under the between paid and unpaid, Christian department of Pr'inl>ing Press the and non-Christian, native helpers. items are-number of printing establishments; number of pages 3. Communicants should include printed during the year; number only full members, and should be of pages printed from beginning; distinguisht from those who join number of Scripture portions; num- on probation. ber of other books; total expense of running press, including sup- 4. Added by confession might by plies; total sales for the year. some be more clearly understood if defined as meaning those "received This formula is accompanied with into full comnlunion."
the following suggestive notes: 5. It would be helpful to have a distinction made between Christian This blank can be used for station and non-Christian pupils. reports, or to make up the totals of a mission, comprising the statistics 6. Total (pupils) under instl'1wfrom a number of stations. (,ion should be stated not to include those in Sunday-schools. Adherents include all communicants, baptized children,::: inquirers 7. Un'ited with the ch1Lrch during under instruction or received on the year is, we suppose, intended to probation, and regular church at- refer only to pupils under instructendants. All contributions, fees, tion, and not to include those 01' society grants are understood to merely baptized or received on promean for the year closing the re- bation.-D.] port. Day-schools should allow Protestant Missionaries in Turkey. • The word "Sabbath" was suggested as a substitute for H Sunday." "Ve admire the frankness of the t Not including salaries of foreign mission- New York Freeman's Journal, a aries. Roman Catholic paper, in the fol- t Or baptized non·communicants. lowing, which it says under the caption of "A Correction: "
" Some weeks ago we commented
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
on reports, sent from Washington Rescue Work in India.
to the New York press, concerning Rev. J. O. Denning, M.A., prin- Protestant missionaries in Ar- cipal of the Hardwicke Christian menia. These reports represented Boys' School, Narsinghpur, India, the missionaries as encouraging the Dec. 22, 1897, acknowledges a dona- revolt against the Turkish govern- tion for the support of his orphan ment, and as presenting exorbi- boys, and communicates some facts tant bills of damages for property of interest, which we give in sub- destroyed by the Turks. vVeight stance: was given to these reports by repre- "Narsinghpur is one of the four districts of the central provinces senting them as based on official suffering worst by famine.
information from Dr. Angell, "Over two years ago a mother brought her three children, want- American Minister to Turkey. As- ing to sell the girl of twelve years for ten rupees ($3.25), but suppossuming the correctness of the re- ing no one would take the two boys, younger, at any price, after ports, and seeing no contradiction, a little talk, she gave me all three for nothing. From that time till we made our comments. now, two years, hundreds of people have been dying all around us; the " Concerning the crediting of ghastly looks of the living skele- tons crying for bread; the sores these reports to our minister to and other diseases resulting from hunger; children sucking empty Turkey, the Rev. John Lee, of breasts or crying beside a dead mother; the pitiful appeals for Chicago, sends us the following let- food, which we were unable to meet, were enough to make Dne's hair ter, which, in answer to an inquiry, turn gray.
he received from the Assistant " "Ve rescued over seven hundred children, nearly all orphans, and Secretary of State: sent them to various mission- schools. Our boys' school here "Rev. JOHN LEE, 57 vVashington soon filled up to about sixty, but Street, Chicago, Ill.: having no more room, we sent others away. Last February we "Sir: I have to acknowledge the bought a large building here, nearly receipt of your letter of the 21st new, for about two-fifths of its inst., in which you say that a cost, and put the boys in it. Last prominent New York paper states March we began relief work. A that complaint was made some lady gave money to employ people time ago that much of the trouble -hungry, yet able to work. Others in Armenia was caused by the con- did likewise. For six months I had duct of Protestant missionaries, about 300 of these working people, and that our minister at Constan- and have 100 yet. They have greatly tinople, in his report to the State enlarged and improved the school Department giving details of the buildings, and there is room now recent attack on Turkish villages for 400 or 500 boys. by Armenian brigands, justifies the complaint. You request a copy of " Everyone on entering the school said report. leaves off his heathenism and be- gins Christian form. Many of the "In reply I have to inform you older boys have really found the that no report of the character Savior. stated has been received from our minister to Constantinople, and Most of the boys will probably the statement that you have quoted, follow trades or some business, but which has been persistently current no small per cent. will be preachers in the press, has been repeatedly and teachers to their people. In the denied. Respectfully yours, first English class, a sweeper-boy stands first; in the second, a Brah- "WILLIAM R. DAY, min, while a Mussulman is proba- " A.s.si.stant Secretary. bly first on a general average.
"As the author of the reports falsely attributes them to our min- ister, no reliance can be placed on what he says. His statement is detrimental to the character of the missionaries, and must be considered as worthless. And any remarks of ours based on those false reports are, of course, withdrawn."
FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
IV. -FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
India,* Burma,t Ceylon,+ Hinduism,§ Woman's Work,11 Native Agents.f1 BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
The Awakening of India. Christians, and second in the birth of souls into the Kingdom. More earnest believing prayer, and more absolute self-surrender 'Ve rejoice and give thanks for and dependence upon the power the blessing already received and and guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the p'i"OgTCSS already made. At the great need of the Church to-day the beginning of this century Prctfor the work both at home and estant missions had only just been abroad. The Church of Christ has cOInmenced in India, and were on the money and the men; what is a very small scale. In 1851 the needed is the consecration and ener- native Christians numbered 91,100; gizing of these forces. More prayer in 1861 they had increast to 138,700; is of greater importance than more in 1871 there were 224,300; in 1881, work. India is possest of a legion 417,400; and in 1800 they were reof devils which can not be cast turned as 559,700. At the present forth but by prayer and fasting. time there are probably more than The missionaries are awakening to 750,000. There were very few chila realization of this, and observed dren in mission-schools at the be- December 12th last as a day of prayer ginning of the century. In 1851 for India. The fruits are already there were 64,000; in 1861, 76,000; being made manifest, first in the in 1871, 122,400; in 1881, 187,700; in quickening of the spiritual lives of 1890, 290,700. There are now 300,- the missionaries and of the native 000 children under Christian in- struction. A writer in the Harvest * See also pp. 368 (May, 1897); 517, 541 (July); Field summarizes the present work in India as follows: 579, 591 (August); 669, 682, 687 (September); 13, 36 (January, 18981; 119, 139 (FebruarYI; "There are to-day nearly three- 197 (March); 249,256,260,275 (present issue). fourths of a million of Protestant Christians; half a million of chil- NEW BOOKS: H India, the Horror Stricken dren are under Christian instruc- Empire'" II Twelve I ndian Sta tPeisomneeen~sII tion; there are also 1,000 European George Smith, LL.D ; •• Missio n ary and Eurasian preachers, another in India," John Rutherford, D.D ; H Life of 1,000 lady workers, 5,000 native preachers, and 10,000 native teach- Valpy French," Hubert Birke; .. Christian ers at work spreading Christian truth among the people." Services Among Educated Bengalese." R. P. Wilder; I< Life and Travels in India," The growth indicated in these figures is cheering, but when we re- A.nna Leonowenj H British India," R. 'V. Fra- member that in London alone there zer; II Hindu Manners, Customs, and Cere- are six times as many ordained preachers of the Gospel and probamonies," Abbe dn Bois. bly twice as many other workers as in the whole of India, the need of RECENT A.RTICLES: U Indian Discontent and more laborers in this great field Frontier Risings," Quarterly Review (Octo- will be apparent. ber, '97); "England and the Famine in India," Forum (November, '97); H Bubonic Bishop Thoburn writes of the present opportunii'ies in India, as Plague in India," Chautauquan (March). contrasted with 40 years ago: t See also pp. 264, 270 (present issue). "It was no longer necessary to NEW BOOKS: .. Picturesque Burma," Mrs. E. Hart.
t See also pp. 583 (August, 1897).
NEW BOOKS: •• Letters from Ceylon," Fannie Gregson.
§ See also pp. 445 (June, 1897), 579 (August).
NEW BOOKS: "The Upanishads," F. M. Miiller.
RECENT ARTICLES; "Early Religion of the Hindus," Bibliotheca Sacra (January).
II See also pp. 643, 669 (September, 1897); 197 (March, 1898); 249, 278 (present issue).
'[ See also pp. 264 (present issue). go to the jungles to find inquirers. all believe in the power. Spirit- Tn many parts of India thousands are manifesting a practical interest filled workers are the missing link, in the Christian religion. Thirty years ago the great difficulty but they need not be mbsing long. was to find converts who desired instruction. To-day enough Chris- Hindu Social Reform. tian teachers can not be found to instruct the applicants for bap- The following are the resolutions tism. This is not the time for discouragements, but for prayer, past by reform Hindus at the faith, and fidelity. May God inspire His people to rise up in their eleventh social conference at Amspiritual might and meet the stupendous responsibilities of the raoti. * They are suggestive of present hour." much thought, showing that Chris- As to the need of an awakening tian aims and principles are being Rev. G. H. Parsons cites the fact foisted on to Hinduism in many that in his own society (the C. M. directions. Resolved: S.) there was in one year an average I. That in the opinion of this of but two adult baptisms to every conference no perrnanent improve- rnent of our social arrangements three European and native workers. is possible, without a wider spread of female education and the elevation And this he takes to be a fair ex- of the standards at present taught in our public schools; and that the ample of the state of affairs in In- best way to attain this end is (1) the larger employment of qualified dia. No wonder that he calls upon female teachers trained in special his brethren for more 1caiting until normal schools; (2) the continua- tion of the school education in they be endued with power. private houses by means of home classes; and (3) the taking steps to Hev. V. B. Boggs, D.D., of Se- secure a body of self-sacrificing In- dian sisters, who will devote their cunderabad, indicates the following lives to the cause-sacrificing in the manner of Christian sisters of nquisites for the awakening of the charity and mercy.
missionaries and a new outpouring II. The conference notices with satisfaction that in promoting the of spiritual power: cause of temperance, the associa- tions should make common cause 1. A renewed and deepened con- with the temperance workers till viction of the unfailing power of we succeed in securing for the mathe old Gospel, and its perfect jority of the total abstainers the adaptation to India's need. Faith power of determining the number is the first requisite in the over- and locality of licensed liquorthrow of Satan's strongholds. shops in each. large town, or some adaptation of the principle of local 2. A new evangelistic crusade. option. Faith without works is dead. More loving, faithful, patient devotion V. That the conference notes to the work of saving souls will with satisfaction that the reports not fail to be rewarded. of most of the associations furnish evidence of an earnest desire to 3. A new era of prayer. In postpone the lIwr'1'iages of children closet communion lies the secret of to twelve at least in the case of Christian life and spiritual power. girls, and eighteen in the case of May God give us a new knowledge boys, and it recommends • . . of the power of prayer! that the consummation be post- poned till at least 14 and 20 in the It is always easier to recognize case of girls and boys respectively.
a mighty manifestation of God's VI. That in the opinion of the conference th~ practise of men of power in the past, or to believe that more than 50 years of age marrying young girls below 12, is opposed to it may come in the future, than it the spirit of the Shastras, and is is to expect that He will do great * Condenst from The Bombay Gttardian.
things in the present. There is nothing too hard for God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and forever. All acknowledge the need, extremely prejudicial to the inter- industry so that they may attain est of the community. positions which will remedy the disadvantages of their condition, VII. That the experience of the and not to induce them to join last 40 years' working of the Widow other faiths. Marriage Act of 1856 has establisht the fact that the act fails to XIV. That the conference is of opinion that the imprisonment of secure to the remarrying widow women in execution of decrees for the full enjoyment of her natural the restitution of conjugal rights rights in the following respects: (1) should be abolisht, as such coercive That such widow is made to forfeit process is not sanctioned by any her life interest in her husband's enlightened code of laws, and as immovable property for doing a the legislature has already abolisht imprisonment of women in execulawful act, when such forfeiture tion of decrees for money. would not have resulted if she had misconducted herself; (2) that there XVI. That as the law at present is a general impression that she loses stands, there is apparently no proproprietary right over her mov- tection to a widow or an unmarried girl living under her guardian's proables in favor of her husband's tection, above 12 or below 16, who relatives; (3) in many cases she is a consenting party to an act and her second husband are not of personal dishonor at the hands only excommunicated, but their of strangers. In the opinion of the conference the consent of such right of worship in public temples a girl between 12 and 16 should, as and access to public places has been in the case of kidnapping, be held denied to them; (4) in some parts of to be inoperative to protect the man who violat.es her honor. the country she is subjected to disfigurement without any freedom to Prize Essay on India's Religion.* her to exercise her choice. The conference is of opinion that steps The Saxon Missionary Confer- should be taken by the social reform ence, whose object is to arouse and associations to adopt remedies to relax the stringency of caste usages, maintain interest and intelligence and to secure a reconsideration of at home respecting missions among the principles of the act with a view to remedy its defects. the heathen, proposes, in union VIII. The conference notes with with the Preachers' Conference of satisfaction that in several prov- the Lower Erzgebirge, a prize of a inces, notably in Bengal, Gujerat, and the Punjab a few attempts thousand marks ($250 or £50) for have been made to bring about the fusion of sub-castes, and the con- an essay in furtherance of the ference recommends that all castes missionary cause in India. This and sub-castes who can dine together, should, as a rule, strive to essay is to have the form of a promote intermarriage among their scientific dissertation of the followmenlbers. ing tenor: IX. The conference records with satisfaction that in nearly all parts "A presentation of the fundaof India efforts are being made to mental views of the Hindus, relig- ious and philosophical, according discourage Nautch and indecent to the Vedas, Upanishads, and of songs and obscene festivities at the the Brahmanic (especially the Ve- Holi. This is only one department danta) philosophy, and an estimate of the purity movement, and the of the same from the Christian conference is of opinion that a wider point of view." scope should be given and greater emphasis laid on the claims of this 1. This prize has been proposed movement in all matters of per- in view of three facts: sonal, family, and public life. (1.) The observation that, in the X. The conference notes with intellectual struggle which has been evokt by missions in India, satisfaction the efforts made by the the cultivated Hindus are, indeed, Maharastra Village Education So- ready to throw over the popular ciety at Baramati, and the Prar- religion, but cling so much the thaua Samaj at Satara, to educate the low castes, and to raise their * Translated by Rev. C. C. Starbuck. status in Hindu society, and it recommends that every effort be made to secure their education and more tenaciously to "the primeval Bhagavad Gita. Special presenta- Aryan religion" contained in the tion must be made on this basis of Vedas, the Vedanta, and the the following: Doctrine of God, Bhagavad Gita, and endeavor to cosmogony, lnan, transmigration, and, above all, redemption. strengthen themselves and others in the fancy that in this" primeval (4.) A further limitation of this religion" the fundamental concep- wealth of material may be made by lll;ying chief weight on the .final tions of Christianity are also to be a~ms (the practical results) of Brahmanism (especially Nirwana) found. against those of Christianity. (2.) The assertion, continually There the extinction of the person- ality, here life eternal; there the reiterated in the journals of India, contemptuous abandonment of the great masses, here the "seeking that this position of the Hindus is to save the lost," etc. confirmed by the comprehensive labors of European scholars in the (0.) The author, however, must take great pains to throw into the domain of Sanskrit literature and light the elements uj truth in those comparative religion. writings on which he founds his course of argument, and which, (3.) The observation, tbat many moreover, may render this better tendencies of the circles in Europe intelligible to Hindu readers.
and America which are estranged (6.) It is desirable that there from Christianity, as, for instance, should be the greatest possible ac- commodation to the Indian manspiritism and theosophy, have, in ners of thought. Whether the some measure, allied themselves author shall even use the form of with "young India," and al'e en- the dialogue, such a favorite form deavoring to make propaganda at of Hindu composition, it is for him home for the Brahmanic doc- to decide.
trines. (7.) The judgment past upon the In view of these phenomena the Hindu religion must be given from the positively Christian point of prize essay must be addrest to view, from that of faith in revelaserve a double end: nt h01ne to in- tion. The counter presentation of struct educated friends of missions the Christian truth will of itself be indispensable for the illustration of in the true genius of the Hindu the labyrinthine aberrations of Hinreligion, and its fundamental dis- duism. tinction from Christianity, as well as abroad to sustain the missionary (8.) The essay, which may be in his conflict with the giant might written either in German or Eng- lish, should not go beyond 20 of Hindu heathenism. printed sheets (about the size of Oldenberg's Religion der Veda). II. As respects the contents and Copyright is reserved to the author. jorm of the prize essay, it is meant: (9.) The manuscript must be (1.) To afford the proof (a) that easily legible, and superscribed this so-called "Aryan religion," with a motto, answering to the neither in itself nor in its histor- superscription of a sealed letter acical evolution is a homogeneous companying, giving the exact name of the writer, as well as of his callsystem, capable of satisfying the ing and dwelling-place. It must be religious needs of a people, not to sent in before June 30, 1899, addrest say of taking the place of Chris- An den Vorstand der Siichsischen Missionskonjerenz, z. H. des Mistianity. (b) That it is an error to sionsseniors R. Handmann, Leipassume that Christian Indologue zig, Arndtstrasse 22, Germnny. as a body would favor a "renais- (10.) The judges are: Professors sance " Brahmanism, now half dead. Dr. Windisch and Dr. Lindner at (c) That Christianity alone is, in its Leipsic, and Dr. von Schroeder at scheme, essence, and destiny, suited Innsbruck.
to become the world's religion. Die Siichsische Missionskonjerenz: (2.) The prize essay must rest P. DR. KLEINPAUL, Vorsitzender. upon a knowledge of sources and Brockwitz bei Coswig, July, 1897. literature corresponding to the present stage of Indological inquiries, and demonstrate this ade- quate knowledge by citations frugally and carefully selected and illustrated on all sides. (3.) It should limit itself to the main points of the religious view of Brahmanism, as it has especially defined itself in the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Vedanta, and has modified itself in the
300 EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
V.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
The "Dizciples" of Madison Oounty. men, seeking to know God's Word, and to follow it. This REVIEW aims to stand for "One with whom I talkt, said: truth and righteousness, without 'There might be here and there an ignorant preacher who preaches fear or favor, and to deal justly error, but the church should not with all parties and questions, irre- be held responsible for such teach- ing.' spective of creed or conoition. But "I was told that the church bejustice is sometimes necessarily lieves in three persons and one God, tardy, for it takes time to secure and that candidates for admission to the church are askt: 'Do you besatisfactory evidence. In our No- lieve that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and your Savior?' Another vember (1897) issue certain state- told me that candidates are adments appeared imputing to the mitted by 'faith, repentance, con- fession, and baptism.' Repentance, Disciples of Madison County, N. C., he further stated, must be 'not from the teeth, but from the heart.' certain beliefs and benumbing in- A man must also break off from evil habits, and give evidence of fluences, which, upon further in- true repentance. 'Of course,' he vestigation, we are pleased to find said, 'we have members who are a reproach to the church. But the are untrue. The article was written lives of these do not represent the teachings of the church.' by one unconnected with any mission board, but who has a sincere " I am glad of this investigation, as it has convinced me of the earand sympathetic desire for God's nestness of the leaders of the church in question, and has shown to me blessing upon the people of that that, as a people, they honor the district, and the information was, Vord of God. . . . I am further convinced of the loyalty of these for the most part, gained from va- people to the Lord Jesus Christ.
rious residents there. Our inform- "It is, however, my honest conant, * in regard to the "Campbel- viction that somewhere among the lites," as they were inadvertently people is a great failure to honor the Spirit of God. * They affirm called, is one in whose Christian their belief in the personal Holy charadeI' and spirit we have the Spirit, and say, 'Vhere the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible utmost confidence-a confidence is silent, let a solemn hush prevail,' which is strengthened by further to which I say AUten. But there are great truths about which God communication on the subject. is not 'silent' regarding the per- sonality, character, office, and After a careful investigation our works of the Holy Spirit, which, tho they may be articles of belief, correspondent writes: nre not prominent subjects of preaching, " "The terms 'Campbellite' and 'CampbeJIislIl' were used simply 'Ve have a further communicato make myself more clearly understood, and to distinguish them from tion from one of the "Christians" Christians and disciples in the other churches. I now regret having of Madison County on the doctrinal used terms displeasing to these people, whom I would not willingly position of the "Disciples of wound. Christ" in that district,t and froUl "Regarding this church in the Bluff district I made somewhat this we make copious extracts: broad statements which were founded on hearsay rather than on • This is, unfortunately, only too true of personal knowledge of facts. At many other churches1 even where not traceyour request, I have gone among able to erroneous doctrines. It is often a these people to inquire into their failure of emphasis more than of faith. beliefs. I have interviewed members and adherents of this church in t Henry Clay Ammons. this distrkt, and my inquiries have convinced me that they are earnest • We withhold the name of our correspondent, not by request, but according to our own judgment. "(1.) Our church is known by the as to have unwillingly caused ofname 'Chur~h of Christ,' or 'Chris- fense, and so have given currency tian Church.' Ve regard the nick- to unjust reports. * This may serve, name' Campbellites' as an insult, however, to vindicate them more because we absolutely refuse to thoroughly than if they had not bear any human name, . . . . been accused. Our one aim is glory and we claim that no mortal has to God, and peace among men. any right to apply a name to God's May the Lord more closely unite church other than that found in the the Christians of all creeds to Him- Bible. self, to the end that they may be more closely linkt together, in loy- "(2). If there is a disciple in this alty of heart, and lahors of love. county who does not hold most firmly to the doetrine of the Trin- D. L. P. ity, it is unknown to me. Ve believe in God the Father, and in Dangerous Teaching. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. We believe in the Holy Vith no little surprise and sor- Spirit as that Holy Personal Spirit row we have noticed, not only in sent forth from God to convict, the daily and secular papers, but in convert, and save sinners, and to some of the religious weeklies the dwell in all saints, to comfort and reported opinions concerning the guide them unto the end. question "Can an agnostic enter heaven?" with the favorable "(3). Ve believe that all sinners answers, not only of Dr. Lyman must be regenerated by the word Abbott and Dr. Heber Newton, hut and Spirit of God in order that one of Drs. Faunce and McArthur (Bapshould enter the Lord's kingdom, tist), Lloyd (Congregationalist), and and that regeneration is the divid- North and Upham (Methodists), the ing line between the saved and un- last a professor in a Methodist saved. . . . Theological Seminary. The quota- tion of such opinions does not sanc- "(5). The only salvation that we tion them, but to qUfJte without ever heard of, conditioned on the comment is to give currency to mis- Gospel, is pCl'sonnl salvation. Each chievous sentiments. At risk of person must hear the Gospel for seeming illiberal and narrow, we himself, believe it for himself, re- feel constrained to say that in our pent for himself, and obey for him- opinion such exprest views tend self, and then he can rejoice that he only to encourage infidelity and is personally saved in Christ…. promote indifference to even the 8earch after the highest truth. On "All we ask is to have our doc- snbjects concerning which a Christrine clearly understood. . . . Ve tian minister and teacher has no are poor in this county, but, for the revelation, even if he ventures to glorious doctrines set forth above, have an o}yin'ion, it behooves him to there is not one of us who would be silent. It is a question whether, not go to the stake with songs if indeed, it is safe to form even an need be. Perse~utions have knit op'in'ion where there is no Bihlical us togethet as one man. Ve hate basis. " Preach the preaching that no one, we love all men who love I bid thee "-" preach The JVord"- our one Lord. Ve love peace- these are the Divine guides for us we even court it. . .. And now, brother, 'Vith charity for all, * The editorial note in our February with malice toward none,' let us go on to finish the work in which issue was printed before we received specific we are engaged, to bind up all denials of the reports as touching Madison needless wounds, and to stand by County, and oefore we had time to investievery hero of our common cross, gate. to the end that the world shall be taken for Christ, and our rightful, glorious King shall reign in all hearts."
This testimony is fully corrobo- rated by other witnesses from whom we have not space to quote. Ve rejoice at this vindication of our brethren in North Carolina, and regret that we were so misinformed in the solemn work of dealing with missionary bishops of the Church souls. The foremost preacher of Missionary Society, William Carey to-day is, perhaps, Dr. Alexander and Adoniram Judson, Dr. Duff Maclaren, of Manchester. If he and Dr. John Wilson, Griffith John, has any private opinions that go David Livingstone, Bishop Thobeyond the express teaching of Holy burn, and a host of others. If" by Scripture, his sermons, reaching their fruits ye shall know them," it through ahalf century, have never, is a proof that the modern lax views in a single case, betrayed them. He of Scriptures and human peril are has dared to confine his preaching to not of God, for they undermine the the Scriptures, and has helpt to very basis of missions. As Dr. mold more Biblical teachers than Ewing has said, "'Ve cannot afford any other living man. Beyond the to export doubt to the foreign clear revelation of the Word, we, as field." "Ve write in no conscious God's witnesses, can not safely go. intolerant spirit, but from pro- It is possible that agnostics are found conviction that those who often " willingly ignorant," and do would be loyal to God must preach not even care to examine into not a negative but a positive Christian truth. It has been well Gospel. Goethe said, "Give us said that" if it is of no consequence your convictions; as for doubt.s, we what a man's opinions are, pro- have enough of our own." With vided he be sincere, it is not worth tenderness, but faithfulness, we while to search for truth, or when would exhort our brethren not to found, to embrace it." And we have go beyond the Word of the Lord, no hesitation in saying that such as the only course whereby we shall sentiments, when not only pri- "save ourselves or them that hear vately held, but publicly declared, us." tend to knock the bottom out of all missions, both home and foreign. Our friend, A. R. Cavalier, of the If men are in no danger without Zenana Bible and Medical Mission, Christ, all missions become at best or Indian Female Normal School only a philanthropic and humani- and Instruction Society, writes tarian scheme, and we feel con- from London: strained in loyalty to God to ask whether in the judgment ofthe great " Our society is the first establisht day one would prefer to stand mission specially to reach the woamong those who have gone beyond men in the zenanas, and has for up· the ,Vord of the Lord, or with such men as Dr. Maclaren, C. H. Spur- ward of 40 years devoted its atten· geon, Archibald Brown, Andrew tion to work amongst women and Thomson, D.D., "Villiam Fleming girls in India." Mr. Cavalier, re- Stevenson, D.D., and men of this ferring to statements, page 643 of class across the sea, and with such as Drs. R. S. Storrs, Theodore L. the September REVIEW, that one- Cuyler, A. J. Gordon, Stephen H. twelfth of the women in India are Tyng, and Bishop Simpson, on this side the water. And as for foreign widows, says: "The actual nUInber, missions, the men who have most at the last census of 1891 was 22,- vigorously and nobly prosecuted 657,429; the proportion of widows is theln are, everyone of them, men therefore nearly one-sixth." who hold by thd old Bible. Witness Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, George The number, 8,000, for widows Miiller, the grand missionaries and under ten was a typographical er- ror, intended for SO,()(){); and in- stead of 175,000 under 14, it should have read" between 10 and 14."
The census is as follows: Widows under 4 years of age. . . . . . . . . .. 13,878 •• between 5 and 9 years ……… 64 040 H 10" 14 ~……….. 174,1582 U Total number under 14 is …………. 252,450 "According to the same census there were 38,047,354 girls under 15 There was no saying, 'I am of years of age, and of these, includ- Paul,' and 'I am of Apollos;' all ing all girls' schools, both govern- said, 'I am of Christ '-and they ment and missionary, only 313,777 helpt each other. If they had known were under instruction, so that for that I should be honored by being every girl who is being educated, 99 askt to speak at this meeting at least are growing up without to-night, I am sure they would education. " have sent a warm greeting to all here connected with the Alliance. At the Cambridge Conference of I think I may well say that the the Evangelical Alliance in Septem- missionary bond and the missionber, Mrs. Bishop, bearing witness to ary brotherhood are two of the the harmony of spirit and brotherly brightest examples of keeping that union which exist among Protes- unity of the Spirit in the bond of tant missionaries, said; "I shall peace which the Alliance for these be happy to say what I have fifty years has been striving to proseen of the Alliance spirit among mote." Mrs. Bishop has made a missionaries in various parts of the donation to the society of £100 for world. I have traveled for seven a mission hospital at Mien-cheo, and a half years in Asia, and have West China. visited in that time, I think, about 170 mission-stations between the The Student Volunteer Conveneastern shores of Japan and the tion, which met in Cleveland, Feb. Sandwich Islands, and those wil- 23-27th, was the largest and most low-shaded streams by which the representative ever held. Over Jewish exiles wept over memories 1,700 students gathered for prayer of Zion; from the snows of Sibe- and conference as to ways and ria to the fierce glow of the Equator means of carrying the Gospel to in the Malay Archipelago. In the "regions beyond." Earnest- Central Asia, China, Persia, Asia ness, waiting on God for guidance Minor, Arabia-wherever I have and power, calm consideration of met with missionaries in all these difficulties in the field, and the lands, I have met with the Alliance need of thorough spiritual, pracspirit, with work for the good of tical, and intellectual preparation man, carried out in faithful obe- on the part of workers, the emdience to the last command of our phasis on whole-hearted conse- Lord, while the workers have been cration, and the n:ed of beginning holding' one Lord, one faith, one one's life-work at home-these and baptism, one hope of their call- other characteristics markt the ing,' and one hope of eternal life. gathering and made it one of great I have found them meeting to- power and promise. A report will gether for prayer and Scripture- appear in our next issue. reading in all the mission-st.ations, loving each other as brethren; A British theological students' holding their own denominational conference is to be held at Birmingviews, many of them very strongly ham, England, April ]2-16 for the -but these denominational views purpose (1) of determining the renever, except in one particular case, lation of the British theological interfering with that bond of students to the student Christian brotherhood in which all were movement of Britain; (2) to deepen work·ing for the welfare of man- the spiritual life in theological colkind. It was instructive to see this leges, and (3) to stimulate missionbond of brotherhood so markt that ary enthusiasm among theological one never knew to what church or students generally. Two hundred society these devot.ed men and and fifty student delegates are exwomen belonged. All met together pected, and the earnest prayers of in love and harmony, seeking the God's people are sought to the end same aims and loving the same Lord. This Alliance spirit, this blessed observance of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, was communicated by these workers to their converts. One of the brightest features among the Christian converts, and, perhaps, especially in China, was this spirit of unity. that this conference may be di- must be ground between lions' rected throughout by God's spirit, teeth to make bread for God's peo- and that the results may be mani- ple." fest in spirit-filled men going forth to labor in all parts of the Lord's When our personal friend, Rev. vineyard. Archibald G. Brown, so long pastor of the great East London Taber- FmnCES E. Willard. nacle, went to the Chatsworth Road Baptist church, West Croydon, his The death of Miss Frances E. new field, he told his new flock Willard in her 60th year (born 1838), why he had left the London taber- which occurred in New York, Feb. nacle. For twenty-eight years he 18, is one of the most not::.ble events went to his work singing, and, as of this year thus far. She was long as that continued, there was no an extraordinary woman, probably need to stop; but then came a unsurpast by any woman of her sense of weariness and ill-health, generation in the symmetry of her and he recognized that he was no womanhood and the complete con- longer young, and that the strain trol of her really unusual powers. must be eased. But, after the rest, She is one of perhaps six women he could now say: "There is work who have most influenced her gen- in me yet." The Norwood deacons eration for good, and this death had said: "We have a chapel and strikes a chord in many lands. For hundreds of empty seats." "That's ten years she has been at the head a great attraction, and that has of the women's crusade against brought me," concluded he, with strong drink, and for this cause has the spirit of a true missionary. sacrificed everything with rare selfabnegation. Later on she became Errata. a strenuous advocate of the movement in favor of social purity. P~~re~;t. (Nov., 1897) for Unitarian read She was preeminent as a public Page 9~ (Feb., 1898) for Universalist read unispeaker, and will be remembered as versities. a model of sim~le, fluent, persuasive speech. Of her address in the Donations Acknowledged. great "Free-Trade Hall, Manchester, England, a competent judge has No. 106-Indian famine sufferers……. $1.00 said: "It was the finest speech I ever " lOB-Jerry McAuley Mission……. 5.00 heard." Her style as a public ., l09-Jerry MCAuley Mission……. 29.80 speaker reminded one of Wendell " l09-Pundita Ramabai…………. 80.00 Phillips. She was, first and last " 110-Jerry McAuley Mission……. 5.00 and always, a devoted Christian, " 111-Jerry McAuley Mission……. 80.00 and her death was such as fitly " 112-PunditaRamabai. ……….. _ 15.00 crowns a consecrated life. Her last words were: "How beautiful to be Books Received. with God!" This is not the place for a biographical sketch. But the AFRICA WAITING; or, The Problem of Africa's writer heard her years ago before Evangelization. By Douglas M. Thorna mass-meeting in the auditorium ton. 16mo, 148 pp. Map. Student Volof the university at Ann Arbor, unteer Movemeut, New York. 25c. where her closing historic reference was the key to her life. She quoted PICTURES OF SOUTH CHINA. Rev. J. Mac- Ignatius, the martyr, in the arena, Gowan Illustrated. 8vo, 320 pp. Refacing the Numidian lion, and say- ligious Tract Society, London. Bs. ing calmly: " I am grain of God; I ApOSTOLIC ANn MonERN MISSIONS. Student Lectures at Princeton, 1895. Rev. Chal- mers liartin, M.A. 12mo, 235 pp. Flem: ing H. Revell Co. $1.00.
WHETHER "WHITE OR BLACK, A MAN. A Plea for the Civil Rights and Social Privileges for the Negro. Edith Smith Davis. Il- lustrated. 12mo. Fleming H. Revell Co. 75c JAPAN AND THE JAPANESE MrSSION OFCHUROH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 12mo, 220 pp. 28.
18913.1 EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
VI.- GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extracts and Translations From Foreign German Protestantism' at large. Periodicals. Even the authorities of the estab- lisht churches, particularly the BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, Prussian Church, entangled as they are in the depressing influences of MASS. Oresaropapism, begin to awake under this reviving breath. THE PRUSSIAN CHURCH AND MIS- SIONS. In the January number of the Missions-F1·eund, the Rev. A. Me- At the Reformation, in order to rensky has an article entitled escape the domination of the priest- " Signs of the Times," in which he hood, the Protestants deemed it remarks on this encouraging fact. necessary to allow to the State an He observes that we hear an infininordinate share of power in the ity of complaints about peoples and administration of the Church. In governments, and above all, and England, we know, the sovereign, that often with only too good tho not assuming the immediate ground, over growing frivolity and functions of the priesthood (which ungodliness. Yet all is not dark. European sovereigns have claimed These are exactly opposite signs, for nowhere), called himself Head of which we ought to thank God with the Church, and from the time of all our heart. The Gospel of Christ Elizabeth on has exchanged this has again become a power. It for the title of Supreme Governor. stands on the candlestick, and the In Protestant Germany and in time is here of which St. John Scandinavia, the sovereign is styled writes (as in Luther's Bible): "I Sun~mus Episcoplls, Suprerne saw an angel flying through the Bishop, and seems to trench more midst of heaven, who had an eterdeeply and far more arrogantly nal gospel to proclaim to those that upon the spiritual sphere than in sit and dwell upon earth, and to all England. The bonds of the Conti- heathen and races and languages nental state, as we know, are very and peoples." That man unquesheavy anyhow. The Old Catholic tionably forfeits a great part of his movement, which promist so well warranted Christian joy who does at first, has languisht in Germany not in our days look into the results for nearly a generation, in part on of Christian missions, which are, account of the feeble power of ini- without doubt, the greatest and tiative in the German laity, which, fairest object that our age has to moreover, has never formed the offer and that which is most worthy habit of spontaneous contributions of thanks. "Vhen the Kingdom of for ecclesiastical ends. Cresar may God begins to show itself at the have defended the Reformation, ends of the earth we know that it but he has very nearly suffocated it. is the herald of yet more glorious times, for" this Gospel of the King- Yet the Unitas Fratrum shows dom shall be preacht in all the what depth of spiritual energy and world for a witness unto all nations; of self-devotion is latent in German and then shall the end come." Protestantism. So, also, do the Hermannsburg missions. The in- Protestant missions originated in spiring, broadening, and strength- Germany, altho it was the maritime ening power which lies in missions begins also now to show itself in
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Denmark that sent out the first more than ever bent on exercising German missionaries. Considering wherever possible in Protestant the far greater numbers and energy missions, and of which we are now of the free churches in England having so aggravated and heartand America, and the far greater rending an example in Madagascar. freedom of the establisht churches, To be sure, the Jesuits would beand the far more extensive com- have in this way, even if Rome formerce of these countries, and the bade them ever so strenuously. wide colonial empire of Great Brit- However, she appears comfortably ain, it is not strange that these few to close her eyes to all their domissions in Germany make but a ings there. As Herr Merensky reweaker show in comparison, altho, marks, the encroachments of Rome what Herr Merensky does not abroad and the contumeliousness chance to mention – they are dis- of Rome at home are closely continguisht for thoroughness and joined. She seems determined that thought. Yet missionary interest if the heathen receive the Gospel it is steadily growing in Germany, shall not be in the brightness and aided, tho at the same time en- simplicity of the Reformation, but dangered, by the feverish zeal for under the cloud of medieval schocolonial extension. lasticism. There is ample field for both churches, and why must she, As to contributions, Germany, by unscrupulous interference, rewhich, moreover, is comparatively mind us so irresistibly of the early a poor country, stands relatively Judaizers? The Synod, therefore, thus. In England and Scotland did well to handle the two matters gifts amount to a mark (24 cents) together. We have not seen the for each Protestant. In France 55 Canisius encyclical, but we undercentimes (11 cents) and in Germany stand it to have past all bounds of 12 pfennig (3 cents). The large city courteous controversy. Indeed, it congregations are peculiarly back- is reported that the Curia itself has ward. In Berlin, for instance, the been forced into a sort of apology contributions are only 4 pfennig for it. (1 cent) a head. If Germany were as rich as France or the two Anglo- The Synod has directed the fol- Saxon countries, it would be dif- lowing protest to be read from all ferent, altho, perhaps, the Celtic pulpits of the Prussian Church, at and Anglo-Celtic nature is more home and abroad: free-handed than the unmixt Teutonic. "(1). What the Pope describes as malignant poison is, in truth, the "Another attractive sign of the saving gospel of the free grace of times is the favor which missions God in Christ Jesus. We must have found at this year's meeting never cease admonishing the Pope of the General Synod of the Estab- anew to give admission finally to lisht Church of Prussia. This.has this. (2). Luther, whom the Pope been shown at every opportunity invidiously styles a rebel, has, in of speaking for the cause. The reality, only in straightforward voice of the Synod in its advocacy simplicity, given the honor to God, has been as that of one man. Forty in bidding defiance to the papal or fifty years ago such an acknowl- authority, founded as it was upon edgment of its value would have the traditions of men, and in opappeared impossible." posing to it the authority of the Divine Word. (3). The secular Herr Merensky complains, with authority has first been recognized righteous displeasure, of the dis- again as an independent ordinance turbing influence which Rome is
– 1898
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS.
of God, since the usurpt supremacy to two or three pfennig a head; in of the Pope over the civil govern- Westphalia and on the Rhine, to ment no longer found credence 17 pfennig (4 cents) or more.
with evaD.gelical believers. History Professor Dr. Warneck, the well- bears witness that the dismal fire of known student of missions, added revolutionary rebellion has found valuable suggestions and warnings.
more abundant fuel and effected Especial1y: "Colonial history will greater ravages in the Roman Cath- ever be one of the darkest and dirt- olic lands than among Protestant iest pages of universal history. In nations. (4). Against the asserted the Kongo State these nightsides connection between the Reforma- are revealed in their most hideous tion and dissoluteness of morals we form. But let us, at all events, re- appeal to the witness of God. The joice that these colonial acquisi- Reformation, by its presenting of tions are a new missionary oppor- the unadulterated "Vordof God has tunity, It new missionary signal."
awakened the conscience, and has Director Gensichen then urged a been, from age to age, the spring of wider circulation of missionary Christian culture and morality literature.
alike for the individual, the family, The General Synod has not been and the nation. But, against all deterred by the effusively exprest calumnies, the incarnate Son of friendship of its Summus Episco- God, our Mediator, remains our pus for the Sultan from adopting a Refuge and Fortress. The field He resolution expressing- the utmost still shall hold." abhorrence and distress in view of The Synod has also occupied it- the pitiless and still-continuing per- self with the missionary work more secution of our Armenian brethren immediately. It had caused a re- in Christ. It warmly commends port to be drawn up which turned those that are still in the lion's den especially on the extent of the Ger- to the prayers and active help and lHan rnissions. There are 16 socie- liberality of German evangelical ties engaged in these, which have Christians. This liberality it im- altogether some 700 missionaries in plores, above all, for the children of their service, of whom nearly 100 the martyrs. ' , We exhort all the 3,re in the German colonies. They members of our Evangelical Prus- proclaim the Gospel in some 40 sian Church to pray that those who languages and have translated the are still under the trial may exhibit Bible, or parts of it, into about 30. a faithful constancy, and to suppli- They have gathered some 300.000 cate the King of all kings and the Christians from among the heathen, Lord of all hosts, that He will turn and almost 70,000 once heathen the hearts of the persecutors, and children go daily into German mis- give a gracious consummation to sion schools. It is a great matter the time of suffering."
of rejoicing that, as appears by the 'There is, indeed, more probability report, the income of these societies of a sudden conversion of the Mo- has, in ten years, increast by a mil- hammedan murderers than of their lion of marks. It now amounts to Western accomplices and apolo- about 4,000,000 marks. The colonial gists.
extension of the Empire is, it is The Synod calls attention to the true, in part to thank for this. The imperious need of providing ample various provinces, however, differ pastol'al care for the Germans in greatly in the amount of their con- East Africa, that while the Gospel tributions. In West Prussia, Po- is preacht to the natives, these may sen, and East Prussia, these amollnt not be set against the Gospel by the
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
virtual heathenism of the Euro- .. English Notes.
peans. The admirable influence ex- BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. erted OIl the natives by the flourishing South African communities of The Society for the Relief of Germa,n peasants around the Her- Persectded Jews has recently held mannsburg missions gives special a meeting at the house of Lady point to this admonition. Louisa Ashburton, Kingsbridge.
Hitherto German missionaries, An interesting account was given few of whom have gone through the by Mrs. Tinn as to the amount and prescribed course for a pastorate at value of the work being done by home, have been incapable, if com- the society, which is not forty pelled to return, of holding a posi- years old. It was started in 1857 tion in the home church. The under the auspices of Lord Salis- Synod, however, has past a resolu- bury, in order to aid poor Jews tion greatly modifying this restric- returned to the land of their fation. thers from Russia, Rumania, and other countries, and yet utterly The modest, but admirable Ger- destitute. In order to get work for man hospitals, schools, and other these poor refugees a plot of land evangelical establishments in the known as "Abraharn's Vineyard," Holy Land were also commended was bought and cultivated. Soloto the effective interest of German, mon's quarries were again workt, immediately of Prussian Protes- and an olive-oil soap manufacture tants. started. In this way many Jews have been helpt to gain an honest Finally, the General Synod unani- livelihood, the soap manufacture mously adopted the following being specially prosperous. vote: "The General Synod has, with thankful joy, taken account of the Missionar'ies in Trainin[J..-On fact that results in the German Thursday, December 23rd, a most mission-fields have, of late years, enjoyable meeting was held at Har- been decidedly more encouraging, ley House, Bow. The gathering and that the home contributions was the last of the session, was, in have also increast, and a larger fact, the breaking-up meeting be- measure of trained theologians also fore the holidays. The new princi- have been added to the practically pal, Rev. Silas Mead, M.A., LL.B., trained force. Yet the Synod can has evidently alrtlady establisht not close its eyes to the fact that himself in the esteem of the stu- the increase of missionary gifts is dents; he was received with great still far from corresponding to the applause and his words of counsel increasing missionary responsibil- listened to and appreciated, coming ities opening before Protestant as they did from one so well verst Germany. The Synod, therefore, in wisdom and experience.
would address to all organs of the The Rev. J. Douglas, M.A., of Church a cordial and earnest en- Brixton, now for the third year as- treaty to persevere in extending sisting in the work at Harley missionary knowledge, and in using House-spoke a few words on the all means to kindle a warmer love right equipment for the faithful for missions, such as shall express missionary; dwelling mainly on itself in a larger liberality, that the the value of the study of the 'Vord efforts of our missionary societies of God-a library in itself-a study may not be lamed for want of the which, if properly undertaken, requisite means."-Redaction by would make the missionary a Di- Rev. C. C. STA.RBUCK. vine messenger' to the heathen.
ENGLISH NOTES
Mr. Crosby Brown, B.A., the by the Rev. F. B. Meyer of Christ resident art tutor, did not publicly Church, London. Addresses were address the meeting. Reference was given by Mr. C. T. Studd, Mr. made, however, to his great help- V. B. Sloan, and Rev. Arnold fulness in the work by most of the Streuli, the pastor. speakers. The London City Mission held The Rev. G. D. Hooper of Luton, their annual meeting at Exeter who during the two years previous Hall, as usual on New Year's Day. to Mr. Mead's appointment, had Between four and five hundred been theological tutor, added coun- workers were gathered under the sel mingled with dry humor re- presidency of Rev. Robert Dawson, specting the course of study for the one of the secretaries of the misfuture at Harley. sion.
Throughout the evening songs The meeting was stimulating and and recitations varied the proceed- energizing, and the toilers were ings. helpt by Rev. J. Campbell Morgan's address on "The compassion of The special feature of the even- Jesus for the perishing multiing was the introduction of the tudes." The workers were urged foreign students by Mr. F. Z. to manifest a Christlike compas- Hodge, who with true humor char- sion in their work among the acterized each foreigner as he in- sunken and degraded, and while troduced him. Palestine, Armenia, hating the sin, to love the sinner. Korea, and France were all represented, and ably represented, by THE KINGDOM. students now residing at Harley House, thankful for this land of -Revelation xiv. 6. "And I saw Christian freedom, and the privi- another angel fly in the midst of leges enjoyed here. heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that Dr. Harry Guinness was unable dwell on the earth, and to every to be present at this most pleasant nation, and kindred, and tongue, evening with the students, as he and people." was then worki~ in Peru, organizing the new branch of missionary -Referring to the fact that in all work there. churches the Ten Commandments are frequently heard, the Church One could not but feel thankful, Missionary IntelUgencer suggests as one left the college after the that in missionary meetings ten meeting was concluded, that such commandments from the New Tesa college exists, where men of all tament be read, the people being nations may gather together with invited to make after each the reone object, namely (after special sponse, "Lord, have Inercy upon training), the fulfilment of our us, and incline our hearts to keep Lord's great command, to go and this law." The following are menpreach the Gospel to every crea- tioned as suitable for this purpose' ture. Matt. v. 16; Matt. vi. 19, 20, 33; Matt. vii. 1; John xiii. 3t; John The Christian Endeavor Society, v. 39; John iv. 35; Matt. ix. 36, 37 ; in connection with Moss Side Bap- 1 Cor. xi. 23-25; Matt. xxviii. 19, tist Church, Manchester, has de- 20. The Intelligencer adds that one cided to support its own missionary advantage of the adoption of this in China, Mr. Charles Fairclough. plan, which has been successfully The ordination meeting was held in the last week of December, and the charge of the missionary given
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
tried, is that it puts foreign missions tians do; I have seen it in Agra, on the right ground; it teaches the and I've seen it in Ahmedabad and people to confess that they have been Surat, and I've seen it in Bombay.' guilty of failure, and to pray for Perna laughed, and his happy face grace to amend; and it shows that shone the more as he said, 'Yes, the real Christian has no option as I'll tell you the medicine; it is to whether or not he will take part happiness of heart.' 'The external in the evangelization of the world. appearance of our people,' said -Church At Horne and Abroad. Bishop Caldwell (Tinnevelly) 'is so much more respectable than that -The experience of George Miil- of their heathen neighbors; they leI' in regard to "Answered Pray- are so much cleaner and brighter er," is related in the Sunday Mag- looking.' "- Church Missionary azine. The whole of the money in- Gleaner. vested in the building of his orphanages, amounting to £115,000, -In suggesting what would be was obtained thus. For sixty-two proportionate giving for various years he has never askt man for a benevolent objects, the Mission penny, while he has received for Field, of the Reformed (Dutch) the carrying on of his work £1,400,- Church, indicates the following 000. Further, he has been enabled amounts on a basis of 10 per cent. to send £257,000 to his missionary on each $1,000 of income: Local brethren. His method has been in- church, $50; foreign missions, $13.- variably to go on praying till the 50; home missions, $9.00; church answer has come. In a recent ad- erection, $6.75; ministerial relief, dress to a Y. M. C. A. meeting, in $4.50; widows' fund, $2.25; publicahis ninety-third year, he said that tion, $2.25; and miscellaneous, he took up his orphan work espe- $5.00. cially with the object of giving a visible demonstration to the whole -Rev. John McNeil is back in world and to the Church of God of London girding at the Pharisees. what prayer could do. The whole "It is nothing to give one-tenth world is familial' with the result. when there are nine-tenths lying -London Chr'istian. snugly behind. Call such a man a pillar of the church! He is a cater- -On an Alaskan steamer the pillar." A good many church passengers were proving that an treasurers would be glad to have a Indian could not be civilized. So few such caterpillars in their con- Dr. Hill, of Portland, called up a gregation, all the same.-North graduate of Marietta and Lane, a and West. native Alaskan with bronze skin and black hair, who told the story -A whole Christ for my salvaof what the Gospel had done for his tion, a whole Bible for my staff, people. Skepticism was impossible a whole church fnr my fellowship, on deck after that demonstration. and the whole world for my parish. -North and West. -Au.gustine.
-" A Hindu trader in Kherwara -We shall be glad to see the Parmarket once askt Perna, 'What liament of Religions of the Paris medicine do you put on your face World's Fair in 1900 justify its to make it shine so?' Perna an- being; but it is at least not easy to swered, 'I don't put anything on.' see how it can serve any real good. 'No; but what do you put on?' It avowedly seeks "in default of 'Nothing. I don't put anything doctrinal unity, the fraternal unity on.' , Yes, you do. All you Chris- of all men only as being religious, and to raise above the differences resented by columns in church of sects the principles in which they papers; of 26 boards, 11 issue a are all united." But all people are children's periodical, and 2 have a religious; but what can the parlia- departmf'nt for children in the ment prom·ote that is held in com- senior organ; about 9,000,000 of mon between the fetish worshiper pages in leaflets and tracts are of India and the Protestant? Men issued each year, besides books and believe in God, indeed, but there is pamphlets; of 30 women's boards, nothing in that unless the concep- 14 pay all expenses, sometimes with tion of God in each case bears a surplus, 10 are subsidized, and 6 some show of approachment. The are in debt; in 30 boards, 23 find Jews and the Samaritans had a interest in m;ssionary literature good deal in common, as the Chris- increasing. tians and Mohammedans have. But will anyone tell us what work in -To Queen Victoria has recently common Christians and Moham- been sent a memorial signed by medans can do ?-Christian Work, 336,350 women of the realm, not a few of them of noble blood, setting -Rev. 'Villiam Ashmore names forth the fact that since her reign these" three mistakes to be a voided began 800 convents have been esin China," but all missionaries in tablisht in England, with 20,000 all countries will do well to take women now in them, but with no note and give good heed: (1) Build- sort of supervision except from ing their meeting-houses for them; Rome, and praying that the gov- (2) paying the salaries of their pas- ernment will take speedy measures tors for them; (3) educating their to inspect their condition, managechildren for them. ment, etc.
-Worse and worse. There seems -The British Syrian Mission to be no doubt that Hermann Schools and Bible Work Society at Warszawiak drew frqm an Edin- its 37th anniversary reported 29 burgh bank $20,000, which had schools in Beirut, Tyre, Damascus, been deposited for use in building etc., with 3,312 pupils, of whom his New York "Christ's Syna- 1,245 are Greeks, 315 are Moslems, gogue," and declines to give any 441 Roman Catholics, 399 Druses, account of it, tho one has been de- and 133 Maronites, Syrians, etc. manded. The number of European and na- tive teachers is 91. WOMEN'S WORK. YOUNG PEOPLE. -The following figures presented at the union missionary meeting in -The Chicago Inler-Ocean is New York by the chairman of the probably unique among large daily literature committee, show: That papers in the fact that it employs the number of members represented an experienced reporter, who deby the churches of 22 women's votes all his time and thought to boards is 7,324,924; the number the interests of young people's rewho are members of the mission- ligious societies, giving generous ary organizations of these churches space to his work. This reporter, is 611,237, or about 1 in 12; the Mr. Oscar E. Roecker, puts into his number in the missionary organi- writing much vigor and skill. zations subscribing to missionary periodicals is 191,565, or about 1 in -Miss Carrie A. Holbrook, secre- 3; of 30 boards, 26 publish a mis- tary of the Minnesota Christian sionary periodical, and 4 are rep- Endeavor Union, mentions a society in an Episcopal school which holding British degrees or diplois phenomenal in its realization of mas. They number 251, an increase the interdenominational and inter- of 11 since last year. India has ,national ideas. It is made up of 50 76, China 69, and Africa 36. The members, among whom are Scotch, Church Missionary Society leads Norwegian, Swede,Dane, Austrian, with 44, the Scottish Free Church Swiss, English, German, Polander, has 29, the London Society has 24. and American. The following denominations are reported: Presby- -Womankind is represented in terian, Baptist, Methodist, Epis- the foreign field by 116 medical copal, Church of Christ, Roman missionaries, who are scattered far Catholic, Lutheran, and Congrega- and wide through 11 countries: in tional. There might be a reminder China, 44; India, 41; Japan, 6; of Babel in the meetings, but on Africa, Persia, Burma, and Ceythe whole they must saVOl' far more lon, 4 each; Borneo, 3, etc. of Pentecost. -Americans in London, as a last- -Rev. "Villiam Carey, of Dhaka, ing memento of the Jubilee, raised East Bengal, India, the great grand- £5,000 and endowed in perpetuity a son of the famous missionary, writes bed in each of the 5 principal hosto the Christian Endeavor World pitals of London, for the use of of a special visit to Calcutta, and a Americans primarily, but when not tour through Assam, which were needed for these they can be used fruitful of results for the Endeavor for others. movement in which he is so greatly interested. "A fine opening has -Hindus of the Madura district been found for Christian Endeavor have subscribed about $13,000 for a among the Hindu girls in our mis- hospital, which has been given, sion day-schools. "Ve have 3 socie- nearly completed and free of cost, ties among them in Dhaka, and 3 to the American Board, with dismore in Calcutta. My Assam trip tinct consent to have the Gospel was very encouraging. In one preacht in its waiting-room every place 70 of the hill Christians (Kha- day. This hospital, called the third sis) signed the pledge at one meeting handsomest building in the city, on a cold, rainy morning." may be contrasted with the great Madura temple to Siva, adorned -The Endeavor society in the with the finest sculptures of South Cook county poorho1Lse, Dunning, India, and built 450 years ago, at a Ill., has just celebrated its fourth cost of $4,000,000. birthday. It receives hardly any help from outside in carrying on -The Church Missionary Society its meetings. It is now in the pas- has in its hospitals 1,030 beds, aml toral charge of the Moody Institute, to snpport each of these £5 are rehaving been transferred from the quired annually in China, and £10 Chicago Commons. elsewhere.
-The largest Junior Endeavor so- UNITED STATES. ciety in the New York City Union is at Five Points House of Industry. -If one is inclined to marvel and It numbers 200. wax indignant over the situation in New York City, it will be well to MEDICAL MISSIONS. remember that of the population 1,250,000 are foreign born, or with -Medical Missions at Home and their children, 2,500,000, that is, Abroad, for January, gives a com- two-thirds of all. The Germans, plete list of medical missionaries children included, number 700,000, which is more than any German
GENERAL MISSIONARY
city contains, save Berlin; the 000 souls have been saved through Irish, 850,000, tho Dublin has not the instrumentality of this society; half so many; 170,000 English; (2) to-day there are over 200,000 105,000 Russians; 100,000 Italians, "living monuments of God's 50,000 Scotch, etc. mercy" who have been brought to the Savior through the same agency; -Chicago, eminent for so many (3) each year, on an average, about things, good and bad, may properly 12,000 are baptized by the missionbe termed the Seminary City, since aries; (4) 475 American missionit holds 4 schools of the prophets,and aries, men and women, are now Moody Bible Training Instituf"ion fighting the powers of darkness; besides. In these are 865 theolog- (5) about 3,000 native preachers and ical students, distributed as fol- other workers are cooperating with lows: Garrett Biblical Institute (M. them; (6) during the last four years, E.) has 150 students. Of these only even in the face of accumulating 50 are college graduates; 20 are debt and diininisht resources, there in the Scandinavian department. have been nearly 50,000 additional The Chicago Theological Seminary converts; (7) the Union is working (Congregational) has 165. Of these, in 22 different countries, namely: 130 are college graduates; 45 are in Burma, Assam, India, Siam, China, the Scandinavian department. Mc- Japan, Africa, Sweden, Norway, Cormick (Presbyterian) has 150, all Germany, Austria, Hungary, Ruscollege graduates. The University sia, Finland, Poland, Denmark, of Chicago (Baptist) has 329 in the France, Spain, Bulgaria, Rumania, divinity department. Of these, 227 Belgium, and Switzerland. are college graduates, and 55 are in the Scandinavian department. -The distribution of the missions of the Presbyterian Church and its -Princeton Seminary in all has force are as follows: sent 208 men to the fo'.'eign field, located as follows: India, 48 ; China, .. ~.~~ ~ ,; ~~ 41; Japan, 20; Africa, 17; Brazil, 13; Siam, 12; Persia, 8; Hawaii, 7; '~.~d~ ;l" {'i:l Mexico and Chile, each 6; Syria, ~8 5; Colombia and West Indies, each ~~ c3 ~.§ 4; Ceylon, Korea, and New Hebrides, each 2 ; and Burma, Afghan- Africa …………… 33 50 8 (.)~ istan, and Formosa, 1 each. There China ……………. 185 511 72 are now in the seminary about 35 India …………….. 141 334 28 1,267 proposing to devote themselves to Japan ……………. 58 100 35 7,990 the foreign field. Korea ………….. _. 33 30 10 3,093 Persia……………. 60 276 29 5,269 – During the last ten years the Siam and Laos ……. 63 92 24 Brooklyn Union Missionary a~1d Mexico …………… 23 104 42 530 Training Institute has sent 62 to Cen. and S America. 63 79 52 2,404 the foreign field. The number in Syria .. ,. , … , ……. 39 215 28 2,496 attendance averages from 40 to 50. Chinese in U. S …… 10 11 3 2,191 1,854 -The number of Indian church 2,247 members in the United States is 28,663. 303 -The Baptist Missionary Union Totals ………… 708 1,802 331 30,644 is able to give this splendid account of itself: (1) Since 1819, when the -The Evangelical Lutheran first baptism took place, some 300,- Church (General Council) has one mission field in the Madras Presi- dency, India, in which are 7 mis- sionaries with their wives, 1 native pastor, and enough of other toilers to make a total force of 160. The principal stations number 7, schools have been establisht in 113 villages with 2,719 pupils, and preaching is sustained in 191 villages. The -In the St. Thomas Church communicants are 2,002, and native choir, at Ryde, Isle of Wight, a Christian (adherents) 5,036, an in- lady of eighty-five years of age is crease of the latter of 552 in two leader of the choir, of which she years, and of school children 826. has been a member for seventy- eight years. She walks to and EUROPE. from the church (from the alms- house, where she is one of the in- Great Britain.-An immense con- mates) to the services regularly. fraternity has been formed in France and England to pray and -The Evangelical Churchman work for the conversion of Eng- (Toronto) for Jan. 27, has a fineporland to the R. C. faith, and com- trait of Eugene Stock, editorial plete submission to the pope. This secretary of the Church Missionary is all right; it is a better way of Society, and an article which tells trying to conquer England then by of his gifts and work. These words sending " invincible armadas" are well justified by the patent facts against her. But the effort to in the case: "He has raised the C. convert England into dependence M. S. publications to be easily the upon an Italian priest for religious first in the world. He has done and moral guidance is a very fruit- more. He has managed to create less enterprise. The popes could an ever-growing circle of people not hold the English or the Scotch who read them. Missionary rein their harness when they had ports and papers are no longer dull them fairly well tied up; much less and uninteresting. They claim and can they recall a free people into secure attention." bondage to the ways and devices of the dark ages. The Continent. – The French Catholics seem to be alarmed over -Well does the New York Times the number of priests who are insay of the position Great Britain scribing their names at the Faculty has taken in China with regard to of Protestant Theology in Paris, free trade: She is the champion of and a leading French paper says civilization and humanity. She is that such a desertion from the the champion of democracy and Catholic ranks has never been witprogress against the reactionary nest as at the present time. autocracies of Europe. She deserves the support of all mankind, -The French Lutherans have and especially does she deserve the formed themselves into a society support of the United States. for helping the Norwegian Lutheran Mission in Madagascar.
-Gratifying progress seems to be -It is said that the Italian Govmade by a movement initiated by ernment has on foot the founding the Calvinistic Methodists to raise of a public library at Florence for a fund of £10,000 toward helping to the purpose of collecting all the make up the loss caused by the re- books which ha1'e been banned by cent earthquake in India. The Rev. the Vatican. There will be no spe- Josiah Thomas, the secretary of cial expense connected with the the foreign missionary society, has publication of the catalogue, as exreceived information as to the ex- isting copies of the Index Expurtent of the destruction in the Khas- gatorius are accessible and can be sia and Jaintia Hill, and in Sylhet, procured at a reasonable price. and it amounts to 207,124 rupees, or Expurgated truth will be thus given at least £12,000. public recognition, preservation, and circulation. A free state thus band of apostles, martyrs, and offsets an intolerant church. saints that have preceded them, they are, at least most of them, -The late Baron de Hirsch gave dull preachers of dogmas that bring away during his life, or devised, neither light nor life to our nation. nearly $22,000,000; for Jewish colonization, $10,000,000; for the Jews o Lord, if they have come to benein the United States, $5,000,000; for their education in Galicia, $5,000,- fit us, may their lives show more 000, etc. Vhat wealthy Christian earnestness, self-denial, and prayerhas done better? fulness. Make them worthy of Christ and acceptable to the people ASIA. among whom they labor by imbu- ing their hearts largely with that India.-Bishop Thoburn believes simplicity of faith, sweetness of it a fact that tens of thousands of devotion, and lowliness of ascetipoor people can be found in India cism without which preaching is t~-day who are willing to embrace sure to be ineffectual. Lord, teach the Christian religion if teachers them to be humble and poor, and can be found who, in the language turn more to the spirit than to of the inquirers themselves, can empty forms, so that they m::Ly " show them how to be Christians." prove truly helpful in leading our countrymen to purity of life and. -In the Wesleyan Work and godliness."-Indian Witness. Workers the question is discust of why there is often such an un- -How strange! During the apsatisfactory state of feeling be- palling calamities which have retween the races in India. ~'he cently befallen India from plague writer admits that color prejudices and famine, almost the entire may h~ve something to do with it, amount of financial assistance has and also the imperiousness begotten come from Christian Britain and hy the position of the rulers; hut America, and next to none from the he ascribes it largely to the moral thousands of wealthy Hindus and defects of even the best educated Mohammedans. natives, which make it difficult to work with them, and also to the -R. Chandra Chandra, a caste social entanglements by which the Hindu, was converted to Christ in natives are beset, and which cause the Duff College, and baptized by them often to live a double life the late Rev. Dr. Mackay. Hepast hardly compatible with honesty. into the Bengal medical service, and distinguisht himself both as a regi- -Christian missionaries are al- mental surgeon and a medical ways glad to have prayer offered in professor. When on furlough, their behalf. It may interest them Surgeon-Major R. Chandra Chanand stimulate their flagging zeal dra married the late sister of the and declining energies to learn present Lord Chancellor, Earl Halswhat their Bramho Somaj brethren bury. On her death, and his reare asking. We find this prayer in turn to India, Dr. Chandra Chanthe World and the New Dispensa- dra made a will, under which, after tion: "Cause Thy light, Almighty providing for his Hindu brother God, to shine on all ,Christian mis- and sister and three sister's sons, sionaries working in this land. Do and for a small hospital in memory Thou revive, we earnestly beseech of his wife, he bequeathed £500 to Thee, their declining zeal and ener- our foreign missions, and a capital gies, and increase their spirituality Chandra fund of Rs. 3,750 (say £235), and devotion. Unlike the noble the interest to go to our Calcutta Bengali Church's Sustentation -Hindu widow remarriages are Fund, to the mission, and to the increasing in number. One of the girls' school. The will was deelared latest recently took place at Hai- informal by the court, and the darabad, Scinde, under the auspices whole past to the nearest Hindu of the Arya Samaj there. The heirs. They have most generously bride, Valli Bai, was aged about 22 resolved to carry out their Chris- years. She is the head mistress in tian brother's intentions, and have the Thatta Vernacular Girls' paid over the amounts left for our School. The bridegroom was Lala missionary purposes.-Free Church Dewan Chand, a Punjabi employed Monthly. in the storekeeper's office, N. W. Railway at Kotri. The parents of -Among the 1,000 temples in the bride are living, and it is with Brindaban there is one built by their consent that the marriage two rich bankers of Mathra at a was contracted. The ceremony cost of $2,250,000. The food of the was performed according to Vedic idols costs $15,000 yearly, and other rites. expenses amount to $12,500. The managers of the temples were de- -John R. Mott visited a college termined that no Christian place of in Ceylon where he found a band worship should ever be built there. of students so poor that 16 of them They kept out the Mohammedan occupied one room. Near the build- mosque during the 800 years of ing was a garden, in which they Mussulman rule. Six years ago spent their spare time cultivating the Methodist Church began work bananas. When Mr. Mott inquired, in Brindaban, and now the presi- "What do you do with the mon- ding elder of Agra District, Dr. J. ey?" they took him to the shore E. Scott, of which it is a part, has and pointed to an island off in the 15 appointments. sea. "Two years ago," they said, "we sent one of our graduates -A member of the Bareilly M. there. He started a school, and it E. District Conference writes thus has developt now into a church. to the Indian Witness: "Ve have We are going to send him to an- 242 members, of whom about 180 other island this year." They also . are paid workers. We have 20 said they had instructed their cook circuits, 112 sub-circuits, with a that every tenth handful of rice sub-pastor and pastor-teacher for should be laid aside that they each of 1,222 villages in which might sell it in order to have Christians live, 1,088 baptisms this Christ preacht a little more widely. year, with 1,924 under special in- struction for baptism, 3,786 full China.-It is stated that from the members, 5,652 probationers, 4,335 Peking Government strict orders Christian children; giving a Chris- have been issued to each of the tiancommunityof 13,773. Number governors of the eighteen provinces of leaders, 688; Christian pupils in to open in the capital city schools day-schools, 2,026; pupils of all of Western learning. Of course, ages in Sunday-schools, 7,152." for teachers resort must be had to the missionaries and their Christian -When Dr. Duff began work in pupils. Calcutta, he found that a cow had more rights and higher rank than -Rev. V. B. Hamilton writes a woman, and he said that to try thus vigorously in the Independent: "to educate a woman in India was "China at present is like a sitting as vain as to attempt to Bcale a 'wall hen. She has sat and sat so long, jive hundred/eet high." and in her sitting has so mismanaged, that most of her eggs have there was a cart with a mule to pull become addled. Attempt to move it; paper servants to do all sorts of her and she ruffles her feathers, work, paper houses, flowers, tables, futilely pecks at the intruder, and chairs, a pig, and even an image of at times cackles incontinently. her pet cat. These all were sent up Poke a stick at her, in appearance in smoke, and supposed to go to like a gun, and away she runs in her wherever she is. Several bowlH temporary fright, in her awkward of real food that she liked best were haste perhaps breaking one or two burned too. Ugly paper lions were of her ill-smelling eggs. Sitting burned to guard her door and keep hens are sometimes cured by break- thieves away, for the Chinese have ing up their nests. To accomplish no treasures in heaven where this, external force must be applied. thieves can not break through and This process China is now under- steal. At her grave two huge going. Under foreign influence an- paper giants were burned-one tiquated methods in war and diplo- black and the other white. Their Inacy, in commerce, industry, and faces were terribly fierce, and they education are being abandoned. were expected to drive evil spirits But China's corrupt government avay." still remains untoucht. How long will the imperious powers of the -Rev. J. A. Silsby gives these fig- West continue to have their pa- ures as to the number of Christians tience thus abused? Already the in China, which he estimates at temptation is strong to wring the 80,000 communicttnts, and 20,000 old hen's neck and gather to feast applicants for baptism in addition. upon her toothsome body. But He finds them scattered through will our symbolic hen lend herself all the 18 provinces, Fukien leadto neat dissection? This is the Chi- ing with 17,000 communicants, nese puzzle of the day. In China Kwangtung following with 12,700; carving is often performed with Shangtung,12,000; Chehkiang, 9,000; a meat-cleaver. 'Vhack! whack! Manchuria, 7,200; Chili, 7,000; etc;, whack! down comes the blade, and down to Honan, 300; Hunan, 100; backbone and legs, breast and wing Yunnan, 60; and Kwangsi but 20. are served up in one shattered, shapeless mass. Snch carving, -Dr. Baldwin in a letter to the however, is very distracting to an New York Advocate describes the order-loving world. Undeniably, new M. E. church at Peking. It is China does present some lines of the largest church edifice in the emcleavage." pire, having comfortable seats for 1,300 people, and it is possible to -Miss Anna Pruitt gives this ac- accommorlate an audience of 2,000. count of a Chinese funeral: "The At night the church is lighted by old lady across the street has just 40 electric lights arranged in a cirdied. Her sons are rich, and think cle around the center of an auditheir money can buy happiness for ence room. The electric plant in their mother's soul. They burn the Methodist University building make-believe money, and say that near by furnishes the lighting powit turns into real gold and silver for er. The church was built in accordher to use. I can't tell you all the ance with architectural plans from things they have burned for her. the United States. Bishop Joyce There was a paper horse for her to dedicated the building a few weeks ride, tho the old lady never even ago. Mandarins of high rank were trusted herself on a donkey here; officially deputed by the Tsung-li Yamen, or Board of Foreign Affairs, to attend the service, who -At the Rhenish missionary stalistened with close attention to the tion of Omupanda, in German Methodist bishop'S earnest sermon, Southwest Africa, 13 converts have in which he held up Jesus Christ lately been baptized, the firstfruits as the only Savior of sinful men. of four years of preparatory work. In Great Namaland considerable -Bishop Joyce tells of an exhil- desire after the Word of God is aparating Methodist lovefeast at parent now that more peaceful Hinghua, in which 228 natives, as times have come round. At Keet- Inany women as men, and 11 for- mannshoop a new church has been eigners testified for Christ in .fifty built at a cost of £10,000, and anminutes. In that conference are other is about to be built at Betha- 40 members and 60 local preachers, nien. The total number of baptized whose whole time and energies are converts in German Southwest given to the work, at a cost of only Africa now reaches 9,370. – Allge- $3,500, and of which the people meine Missionszeitschrift. raise about half. That is, the average cost is but $35. -The churches of the Rhenish Missi9nary Society in Cape Colony -Dr. C. R. Hager, of Hongkong, numbered 14,335 souls, according to has charge Gf 10 stations with 9 the last annual report. It is an im schools and 226 pupils, treated 1,046 portant point that these congregapatients last year, made 98 visits to tions themselves pay the whole cost the sick, pulled 124 teeth, performed for the maintenance of their 53 operations in minor surgery, churches and schools, and in 1894 baptized 131, and received 122 they even paid 4,300 marks as a adults to the church; and all at voluntary offering to missions. In the expenditure of $590. The South Natal also the work is making de- China Mission received only $850 cided progress. The humbel' of nato sustain 11 chapels, 11 day-schools, tive Christians has increast in a and a training school. striking manner during the last seven years. In 1888 there were AFRICA. 5,000 baptized adults, last year there were 15,000. -The United Presbyterians have in Asyut, Egypt, a college and a -Says the Mission Field (Society girls' school, and the two institu- for the Propagation of the Gospel) tions seem to be enjoying abundant under the heading of "A Zulu Stusuccess under the management of dent:" Gregory Mpiwa Ngcobo, a Rev. J. A. Alexander and Miss Zulu, baptized at Isandhlwana, is a Jessie Hogg. There were about 590 student at St. Augustine's College, students enrolled in the college dur- Canterbury. He is the first Zulu ing the past year, and about 240 in who ever past the Universities' prethe girls' school. These numbers liminary examination of candidates are quite in excess of the reason- for holy orders. At that examinaable capacity of the institutions, tion an average of one-third of the and the students are simply crowd- candidates are rejected. Ngcobo ed in the study and sleeping-rooms. not only past, but did well in Latin, It is, indeed, fortunate that the ex- Greek, and elementary Hebrew. cellent climate of Egypt allows the The examiners were very much students to do a considerable part pleased with him. He is going back of their studying out of doors, or it to work in his own country under could never be done, with the pres- the Bishop of Zululand. There is, ent insufficient accommodations. indeed, good hope for the native church when it can have such men three years ago we had 1,600; two of the Zulu race for its clergy. years ago we had 3,400, and the past year nearly 7,000." -M. JulIa has been successful in preventing a war which was about -A missionary in Uganda tells to break out between the Barotsi us that once converted the people and the Mashikulumbue. The king are anxious to evangelize their feland chiefs being present at a ser- low-countrymen, and that one out vice, M. JulIa exhorted them to re- of every 5 communicants has gone nounce this iniquitous enterprise. to proclaim the Word of God to the They were astonisht at his bold- heathen. The natives are not enness, and some of the chiefs were couraged to adopt European habits, furious; but in a few days they all as the missionaries believe in the agreed to give up the war. This is formation of a strong native church. the first time that the Barotsi have renounced a war for which they had ISLANDS OF THE SEA. already made all the preparations.- Journal deslJfissions Evangeliques. -At the beginning of the century the population of Java was 3,500,- -A remarkable story of enter- 000. In 1826, it was 5,500,000. In prise, illustrating the rapid opening 1850, 9,500,000. In 1865, 14,000,000. of Africa, comes from Bulawayo, In 1890, 24,000,000. It is 600 miles the capital of Matabeleland. In long, and from 60 to 120 miles wide. April of 1896 the first rail of the Borneo and New Guinea are much new line north of Mafeking was larger, but, nevertheless, have poplaid, and on October 19 the first en- ulations of only 800,000 and 600,000. gine entered Bulawayo, completing The difference is the Dutch system the construction of 500 miles of of colonization in Java. There are railway in 400 working days. This about 13,000 Christians in the haste in construction was occasion- island, and the Bible is printed in ed by the ravages of the rinderpest, Javanese. which had rendered the transportation of goods in South Africa almost -General GalliEmi, the French impossible. We can have little con- resident in Madagascar, has deception of the immense losses manded for the current expenses of caused by this cattle disease. I t is the present year an additional sum estimated that in the district over of no less than £760,000, so that the which the Christian chieftain Kha- total expenditure for 1897 will rna rules, 750,000 cattle have died. amount to £1,220,000. It is calcu- The Christian Express, of Love- lated that in future the yearly outdale, estimates this loss as amount- lay will be at least £720,000. Most ing to $7,500,000, which, comparing of the unforeseen cost has been inthe condition of the people in South curred, not by reproductive works, Africa with that of the people in but by military expeditions, and by Great Britain, would be like taking what was otherwise necessary for $750,000,000 from British savings.- insuring the pacification of the J"Iissiona1'Y Herald. island. France, therefore, has not yet made much of its new conquest. -Mr. John R. Mott reports that last summer he met an old friend in M. Delord, who has been ap- England, just home on a furlough pointed by the Paris Missionary from his work in Uganda, who said: Society, after conference with the "Five years ago we had 400 bap- representatives of the L. M. S., to tisms; four years ago we had 800 ; two large districts in Imerina, writes thus of his charge: "From the material, as well as the spiritual point of view, it is a 'despoiled ety, just publisht, shows that this heritage' which has fallen to me, society numbers now as regular atand, some exceptions apart, I only tendants on public worship, on the meet with ruins. The schools are island of Samoa, 6,192 persons; Fiji, disorganized; about 50 have only a 96,421; New Guinea, 9,318; New Britnominal existence, not having been ain, 8,812, making a total of 120,- able as yet to find any teachers. 743. The first missionaries were The churches, in many cases, have sent to New Britain only 20 years no reality to answer to the name; ago, and the New Guinea mission the flocks, more heathen than was establisht only 6 years ago. 21 Christian, having only just come European missionaries, 73 native out of the forest to which they had ministers, 1,250 native teachers, and fled, are in such a state that one 2,778 day-school teachers are emfeels that everything has to be ployed in these fields. Of the nadone or to be redone."-Journal tive agents 3,763 are Fijians. The des Mis8ions Evangelique8. total cost of the work is about $50,000, about half of which is -In the three districts which borne by the natives. formerly belonged to Mr. Pearse, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Huckett, -The following are the latest stamore than 1,000 children and 1,200 tistics of the Fiji district: grown-up persons have come back to us. At Fianarantsoa I am told Churches and preaching places…. 1,293 that more than 300 children have left the Catholic church and begun European or Australian ministers. 11 again to attend the Protestant service, after having remained several Fijian ministers. … ……………. 67 months without appearing anywhere. The Malagasy judge, of Catechists and teachers………… 3,756 whom I wrote to you, has come back. This movement will grow, Local preachers………….. …… 2,051 I hope, when I have a church. And I am happy to tell you that I shall Class leaders. . . . . . . … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,521 have one in about ten days, from what Commandant Claret tells me." Native members ………………. , 30,794 -Ibid. on trial….. …… 4,291 -From the Betafo district of the Norwegian Missionary Society in Catechumens …………………. 11,081 Madagascar, Pastor Engh writes: "Capt. Durand (the French offi- Sunday·school teachers………… 2,631 cial) keeps his word faithfully, and the greatest civil and religious free- H H scholars ………… 33,590 dom is allowed within the bounds of ·law. People can be Protestants, Day scholars…………………… 35,141 Catholics, or heathens, just as they like, without any influen!;Oe being Attendants on public worship …… 96,421 used by the authorities in one direction or another.-Norsk Mi8- – Rarotonga, the South Sea ission8tidende. land, which John Williams first visited, has a most interesting ar- -The annual report of the Aus- ticle devoted to it in the December tralasian Wesleyan Mission Soci- Chronicle of the London Mission- ary Society. It has a population of over 2,000, and has been a Chris- tian island for more than seventy years. Each village (there are 5 of them) has a church, school-house, and manse of its own. The people maintain their own pastors, and make an annual contribution to the London Society. They have stone hbuses, with chairs and tables; they use buggies, and have a bicycle club .. they have a local parliament, in which all the islands of the group are represented.
The Missionary Review of the World — November 1897
IPlRI'1'UAt KOn:Jdn'8 OJ' '1'lIlII JU.LI' CUTUBY
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOl•. xx. No. 11.-0ld&M.-NOVEMBER-VoL. X. No.ll.-NItD&nU.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OP THE HALF CENTURY.-THE WORLD-WIDE UPRISING OF CHRISTIAN STUDENTS.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
The rapidity of movement, noticeable in modern civilization, ex.tends into the realm of mind as well as of matter. Every enterprise seems to go on wheels, and at such a rate, as if steam or electricity were harnessed to it. We sometimes wonder whether there be not something abnormal in the tremendous pace at which men are moving. Haste is waste. Hurry implies worry. There is danger of losing deliberation. The calm of God we can not know in the excitement inseparable from such driving energy. While on the one hand a vessel is driven before the storm, on the other hand a swift sailing steamer, plowing through the waves at twenty-five knots an hour, creates a commotion in air and sea as it goes-it almost makes a storm. There is certainly not a little peril of doing things precipitately, and superficially, in the habitual rush incident to our times.
There is one modern development which has perhaps outrun any other in its rapid strides, and, altho as yet we have been able to detect no e@sential mistake, we can only look with amazement upon its progress, and marvel whether its apparent sagacity and success are not to be attributed to a special divine supervision. Perhaps its momentum is really of God, and hence is due to Him to whom one day is as a thousand years. We refer to the remarkable onward and upward movement of the Christian young men of our higher educational institutions. And the fact that this progress has been so rapid and yet 80 regular, so swift and yet so sure, so sudden and yet so permanent, so under the guidance of the young and yet so markt by the wisdom associated with age and experience – it is this which compels us to look upon it as a spiritual movement–a marshalling of human forces under a divine generalship; and to look behind it to the Divine • Thle periodical adopta the Orthography of the following Rnle, recommended by tJie joint action of the American Philological .AssocIation and the Philological 80elety of England :-Change d or .ed 1lnaI to , when IiO p1'ODOllllCed, except when the e a1fecta a preceding lOund.-PulILuBua. force that alone can account for much that is taking place before our eyes. In this nprising of Ohristian students several distinct stages are noticeable, most of which have already received ample treatment in these pages. First of all, there was the introdnction of the Young Men's Christian Association into the nniversities and colleges of Ohristian lands. Then the organization of these associations into a national and international alliance. Then the extension of snch associations in the higher educational centers of foreign and heathen lands. Then, the era of conventions, summer schools, etc., bringing these young men together, and cementing the bonds of personal fellowship. Then came the student volunteer movement, in the Oambridge Band of 1885, the Mt. Hermon Band of 1886, and the immense influence which they exerted in the direction of the foreign field. Then followed the grand scheme of cooperation so fully set forth by Mr. L. D. Wishard*-whereby the Ohristian students in mission countries were to act as a home missionary contingent, for the uplifting of their own countrymen, nnder the lead, or with the help, of Ohristian students from America and Europe. And now comes the last of these great strides which is very explicitly described by Mr. John R. Mott as the" WorId's Student Christian Federation." t The editor of this REVIEW was born at such a time that his life has synchronized with the very period when all this uprising of consecrated young men has been located in the plan of God; and he has been permitted both to watch it and be closely linkt with it.
The first Y. M. C. A. was organized in 1844, and so this whole history reaches over only about a half century; and it may be doubted whether another movement so varied, so vast, so far reaching, and so important, has markt any half-century of history before.
Mr. Mott's new book we have read with profound interest and a sort of awe. To look carefully at this latest feature of this great enterprise -the federating of the young men of the world into one great organization, and marshaling them under the Banner of the Cross, will be to survey the whole movement from the loftiest summit of its development.
A little more than two years ago, on the shores of Lake Wettern, and within the old Swedish Oastle of Vadstena, a gathering of students was held, which has well been compared to the famous Haystack prayer meeting on Williams' College Hill, near the beginning of the century, which was the starting point of organized missionary work on this side of the sea.
This Scandinavian Oongress met to consider the expediency of uniting the national intercollegiate movements of the whole world in one great federation, for three great ends: first, to associate Christian • "New Program of Missions." t "Strategic Points in the World's Conqul!Ilt," Fleming H. Revell Co.
SPIRITUAL )(OVEQNTS OF TUB RolLI' CENTURY
students of all lands more closely; second, to enable them more deeply to impress national as well as social and university life; and third, to influence fellow students to take up definite mission work at home and abroad, for the extension of the Kingdom of Ohrist.
At this conference the five great intercollegiate organizations had their representatives: The American Intercollegiate Y. M. O. A.; the .British Oollege Ohristian Union; the German Ohristian Students' Alliance; the Scandinavian University Ohristian Movement; and the Student Ohristian Movement in Mission Lands. After days of, prayer and holy conference, the constitution was unanimously adopted, by which the WorId's Student Ohristian Federation came to be a historic fact. The momentous importance attacht to this new step may be inferred from the fact that no other student convention ever had been held, in which delegates from all the great Protestant powers were present, and of this the impressive grouping of the respective flags of all these nations was the outward symbol and expression.
The name adopted is itself an incarnate history. It tells of a student movement, distinctly Ok"istian and world-embradng in membership and aim. It is a federation rather than a union, for each of the previously existing organizations keeps in the federal bond its own individual and independent character. The great comprehensive object is to combine all the available forces of the universities and colleges of the world in the many-sided work of winning educated young men for Ohrist, building them up in Him, and sending them out as workers for Him.
Since the Federation was formed, five other organizations have joined it: The Intercollegiate Y. M. O. A. of India and Oeylon; the Australian Student Ohristian Union; the Student Ohristian Union of South Africa; the Oollege Y. M. O. A. of Ohina, and the Student Y. M. O. A. Union of Japan.
The details of this organization it is not germane to our main purpose to discuss. Weare seeking to embody only so much of this history as is essential to a complete survey of the conspicuous spiritual movements of this half-century. But it will be obvious at a glance that certain ends must be directly promoted, such as: 1. The full investigation of the exact moral and religious status of students in every part of the world.
2. The gradual and rapid improvement and development of all that is best in young manhood.
3. The introduction into new and different fields, of organized Ohristian activity under favorable conditions.
4. The promotion of a living bond of sympathy among all educated Christian yonng men.
5. The cultivation of a spirit of united prayer and systematic Bible study.
BPIBITtrll KOVBJOll(T8 01' TJPC lULl' CImTu.v
6. The study and development of that important science of compa.rative humanity-or young manhood in various conditions.
7. The ;penetration a.nd permea.tion of college life with an evangelica.l a.nd mlssiona.ry spirit.
Mr. Mott quotes Gladstone's remark that in the middle a.ges the nniversities "establisht a telegraph for the mind, and 8011 the elements of intellectual culture scattered throughout Enrope were brought by them into near communion. They establisht a great brotherhood of the understanding." And Mr. Mott adds very properly, that this federation establishes" a telegraph in things spiritual~a great stndent brotherhood in Jesus Christ."
No one can watch this marvelous work without feeling God to be behind it, and rejoicing in its unifying power. Not only does it both simplify and unify methods of work among students, but what is better far, it is bringing Christian young men everywhere to recognize that oneness in Christ Jesus which must ever exist between true disciples, and will be seen and felt whenever the accidents of external separation and division are no longer allowed to have prominence. National and denominational barriers will be forgotten, as young men who belong to Christ in different lands and churches come together, federated into unity, to magnify only essentials and remand nonessentials to their true place. True Christians need only to know each other to love each other; and the devil triumphs whenever by any of his devices he can keep them from mutual and sympathetic contact. Already so far as relates to Christian educated young men, there is "no more sea;" the barriers of language do not divide, and the national names are forgotten in the Christiau name. Christ is in these days anew slaying the old enmity by his cross, and of Himself making one new man, not of twain only, but of a multitude of hitherto alienated and estranged bodies.
The student's federation already blends into organized unity students belonging to over seventy branches of Christ's church. And thus, are we not approaching the very fulfillment of our Lord's prayer, tt that they all may be one, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me?" Who is prepared to say that this very federation is not destined to be a grand means of promoting world-wide faith in the messiahship of the Lord Jesus?
The ultimate object which the Lord has in view in this unifying process is thus a world's evangelization. Never since apostolic days have the duty, privilege, possibility, and feasibility of actually carrying to the whole world the message of salvation within the lifetime of one generation, been so obvious to so many disciples. Mr. Mott is not alone in regarding the work of evangelization as a campaign, and the universities and colleges as the strategic points which must be seized and held as commanding the field, and determining the "line of communication."
8PIBITUAL )[OVEJlENTB OJ' THE HALF CDTll'BT
The young men in our educational institt!.tions are to be, and that very soon, the leaders of the nations. Our schools are the cradles of the coming princes, and whether they are to rule for God or for Satan, must soon be determined. If the striking Japanese maxim, telegrapht to the Northfield Conference of young men ten years ago, "MAKE JESUS KING I" becomes the motto of the leading educational centers of the world, with what unexampled rapidity will the earth be encompassed with the network of missions, and every creature reacht with the good news I We come back to the solid and awe-inspiring thought that all these movements' are but the visible working of an invisible power. Let any true child of God review what has taken place since 1844 in the organization of young men for Christian service, and now in the Federation of Christian Students, and say whether a supernatural hand has not been guiding. When twenty years ago the American Intercollegiate Y. M. C. A. was inaugurated, less than thirty college associations were to be found in the United States and Canada. To-day in about five hundred and fifty higher educational institutions within the same territory, these Christian associations are rooted, and embrace over thirty~three thousand students and professors, and nearly as many students have been led to Christ by this means; so that instead of one in three, we have more ~han one in every two students now confessing Christ. Ten thousand students are enrolled in the voluntary Bible classes of these associations, having multiplied fourfold in ten years. About five thousand young men have been led into the ministry; a still larger number have given their lives to foreign missions, and over eight hundred of them are on the foreign field. Dr. Roswell D. Hitchcock, who has been years dead, had alre~dy recognized before his departure, that the great fact in the religious life of the colleges was already the "omnipresence," and he felt half inclined to add, the" omnipotence" of the Intercollegiate Y. M. C. A. The remarkable rate at which the students' work among their fellows has gone forward, is a striking example of the divine blessing upon the movement. It was on~y three or four years ago when the British College Christian Union began its real work. At first seventeen universities and colleges were united in it. Now this union embraces one hundred other organizations, and every considerable institution in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is identified with it. Not only has there been this rapid increase in quantity, but the quality of the work done has been correspondingly enricht, Bible circles, private Bible study, aggressive work among students at the outset of their college career, personal and faithful dealing with the young men, and the actual winning of multitudes to Christ-these are among the markt signs of genuineness in the activity, and spirituality in the methods employed. There has been a wonderful missionary spirit at work-the infal· lible token of God's spirit. The Student Christian Union has become the mother of the Student Volunteer Missionary Union, and the off- spring is already rivalling the parent in all signs of healthy growth. When this latter 'Organization was formed, there were about three hundred expectant missionaries among the British college students; to-day that number has been multiplied over fourfold, and out of these twelve hundred over one-fourth are already in the foreign field. The Student Missionary Convention, held in Liverpool in January 1896, was a gathering unsurpast in all the elements of spiritual power by any missionary meeting of our century. And when we refiect that it was the first time in the history of the world that a thousand young men and women ever met for the specific purpose of organized effort to evangelize the world in this generation, and that it was presided over aud conducted wholly by young men, we shall begin to measure its vast importance in the plans of God. We must not forget also that Cambridge and Oxford-the very ganglia of the educational system and life of the British Empire-are now embraced in this missionary uprising, as well as the great university centers of Scotland,· Wales, and Ireland, and we shall see that the molds whence are to come the future leaders of the Church and State are fast becoming G-od's own matrices of character.
Germany has exercised as mighty, and perhaps as dangerous, an infiuence on modern religious thinking as any other nation. The German mind is vigorously masculine in type, original and profound and persistent in research, and alas, essentially secular and sceptical in tendency, often not only rationalistic, but materialistic. Germany has been the seedsower of religious, as France has been of scientific, scepticism. What a triumph for Christ, when the German students form a Christian alliance, form Bible circles, seek to promote personal purity and evangelical faith among young men, and do in a large and pervasive way among students at large, what the lamented Christlieb did at Bonn-infuse the spirit of simple faith into university students. The Liverpool Convention sent home delegates, anointed with spiritual power and thoroughly convinced of the danger and deadness of mere religious formalism, to kindle God's fires on the altars of Germany, and sow the seeds of missionary consecration. There are now over thirty student volunteers in German institutions, and the infiuence is daily spreading. The work is yet at its inception, but we must not despise the day of small things. In the twenty-one universities of that great European empire there are over thirty thousand students, with twenty-five hundred instructors, and this university army ranks next to the military force in influence and power. Can we afford to neglect the opportunity of turning this vast host of educators and educated into the defense of the faith which otherwise
BPIlUTUAL J[OVlllJIBNTI!I 01' THB ·lULl' CQTUBY
they may undermine and assault? All great spiritual movement" in Germany, like all great sceptical influences, are ultimately traceable to these thought.centers; and here at the springs the salt must be cast in if the waters are to be healed.
This movement, which now embraces Britain and Germany, also penetrates Scandiuavia. In August, 1895, Norway and Sweden, Den- mark and Finland, united in an inter-university organization. The Scandinavian universities rank very high in popular favor, and are open to all classes. They are the higher schools for the masses; and yet their standards are very high, as is shown by the fact that a full medical course consumes a decade of years. These students are physically and intellectually worthy of their Norsemen ancestors, and to turn such strong men into sturdy disciples is worth any amount of effort and sacrifice. .
Then there is the student body of papal lands. A population of thirty millions in Italy, with about sixty thousand Protestants; about eighty educational institutions with twenty-five thousand students, and not one Christian organization! Is not this appalling? The first Christian association was formed at Torre Pellice, the historio center of the Waldensian Church that for six oenturies has stood out firmly against Bomish intrigue and persecution. Franoe, Austria, Hungary, Spain and Portugal, and Belgium are included in the soheme of the students' Christian federation, and the one hundred and thirteen thousand young men of the seven papal lands of the Continent are to be saved, if possible, from the drift of soeptioism, and agnosticism, and materialism, and sensualism, to which they are now terribly exposed.
The earnest spirit of these devoted young men who are at the head of this world movement, can not be restrained within the bounds of one continellt or two. They are reaching out the hand of help to the remoter East. Turker is not forgotten, where Robert Oollege furnishes so admirable a center of operations. This Ohristian institution on the shores of the Bosphorus has sent forth three hundl,'ed and .twenty-five graduates. It has furnisht teachers for Bulgaria and Armenia; it has drawn students from fourteen nationalities, and sent many of them baok as missionaries to their own people, and has been happily compared with the noble Syrian Oollege at Beirut, the Duff College at Caloutta, and the Doshisha at Japan.
Greece, with its historio Athens and its thirty-five hundred students is inoluded; Syria, with its sacred sites; Nazareth and Jerusalem are to be Y. M. C. A. oenters; and Beirut, whose oollege has practically oreated the medioal profession in the Levant, and supplied the educated olass for the whole territory round about Palestine, whose printing press to-day sends its nnrivaled Arabic Bibles throughout the Arabio-speaking world, with its hundred and fifty million people. Is it of no consequence to bring the young men of these countries
SPIBITUAL XOVBIDI:1iTS OF TBB' HALlI' OUTUBY
into living contact with holy fruits of Christian culture in the. Occi- dent, and lead them to a pure faith and a dedicated life? Look again at the Nile Valley. One theological college, founded by the United Presbyterians at Cairo, has supplied aU the ordained native ministers of Egypt. The training college at Asyut has four hundred students, and has educated five times as many, and most of its graduates have become teachers or preachers of the Gospel. So high do these Christian schools stand in even the government's esteem, that its own schools have been largely modeled thereby. Here a Y. M. C. A. has been organized. Is not this a true stragetic center for the world campaign? The followers of Mohammed think so, as the great University of EI Azhar, with its seven thousand students from all parts of the realm, swayed by the green flag of the crescent, suffi- ciently proves. It has a nine years' course of study, and is, 011 the whole, 'the greatest propaganda in the world.
Our space forbids us further to follow Mr. Mott's fascinating story of his round-the-world tour and its grand prospective vision of work among tlul students of all lands. Our readers must read his book for themselves. Especially does he show the stragetic value of India as a center of both activity and influence. Here meetings were held by scores, the proceedings were all in the English tongue, and the tide of spiritual awakening rose steadily to the last. One hundred and twenty educational institutions wer~ represented, and the total num- ber of students registered was seven hundred and fifty-nine, or, inclUding Ceylon, Qver one thousand. Three hundred and eleven missionaries, representing nearly all the sixty sElcieties at work in India, were in attendance. Seventy-six students accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, in face of terrible obstacles, and one hundred and twenty-seven delegates volunteered for mission-service in India. Five hundred and seventy-seven covenanted to keep the morning watch of Bible study and prayer.
There is one great empire of the Orient to which we must at least advert before we close this already extended paper. China has had its series of conferences, at which over twelve hundred of the educated class-students or teachers were present. All but two of the higher institutions sent delegates. Four hundred and eleven missionaries were present, and thirty-seven missionary societies were represented. The total number of regular delegates at the four conferences,-Chefoo, Pekin, Shanghai, and Foochow-reacht three thousand, and came from the ends of the empire. The meetings went from flood-mark to flood-mark in a constantly rising tide of interest and power. Eight hundred pledged to keep the morning watch; over one hundred . serious inquirers, seventy-seven volunteers for Christian work, and general tokens of a great spiritual awakening were among the notable signs of God's hand. The number of Y. M. C. A. was multiplied five-
A BRIGHT SPOT ON A DAlUt CONTIlQQrT
fold; steps were taken towards a national organization, and the college Y. M. C. A. of China wae formed in November laet, and at once admitted to the Federation; and thus the great land-the Gibraltar of the Orient, where the popUlation embraces one-fourth of the whole race of man now living, where the combination of difficulties is the most appallingly formidable, where the possibilities are correspondingly great, the great land of which Napoleon said, "When China is moved it will change the face of the globe,"-wae visited, with most cheering tokens of God's presence and power.
We add a comprehensive resume of the whole work thus far. During the twenty months of Mr. Mott's tour, 60,000 miles were included, and twenty-two counbies, and one hundred and forty-four educational institutions. Twenty-one conferences were held, with fifty-five hundred delegates, of whom thirty-three hundred were representatives of three hundred and eight institutions of learning; seventy students' Christian aesociations were organized, and many more reorganized or reinvigorated. Five national student Christian movements were promoted, and much other work wae done incidental to the creation of a literature of devotion and habits of holy living and praying. Over five hundred young men have been led to acceptance of the Savior, including students who had been Buddhists, Brahmans, Confucianists, and Mohammedans, Agnostics,' and Sceptics. Some twenty-two hundred have pledged themselves to the "morning watch," and about three hundred have given their lives to definite work for Christ. The greatest result of all is one that can not be put on paper, or tabulated in statistics. A great world-wide volume of interest, sympathy, prayer, has been created, which, like ocean tides and trade winds, has a strange power of far-reaching communication and influence, and which is likely to be a permanent and increasing factor in both the unification of disciples and the evangelization of the world.
A BRIGHT SPOT ON A DARK CONTINENT.
BY THE REV. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, NAZARETH, PA.
When the dark continent is spoken of, the missionary reader at once thinks of Africa. But there is, alae I a darker continent nearer home than that. Not so very long ago there was publisht a map of South America in black and white, the white indicating Protestant mission stations and the country influenced by them. The map was almost entirely black, with a few minute white specks scattered here and there. In the dark continent of Africa there was one Protestant missionary to every 140,000 inhabitants; in the darker'continent of South America there was one Protestant missionary to every 227,000 inhabitants. South America is nominally a. Roman Catholic country, but the universal testimony of intelligent observers is, that the Roman Oatholicism of South America is practical paganism, with saints and images substituted for fetishes and idols, or added to them, besides the untold numbers still living in actual heathenism.
But· on the northern border of this dark continent there is one bright spot, won from original paganism by the heroic labors of Moravian missionaries, who to this day very properly monopolize this mission field. Dutch Guiana or Surinam presents one of the most marvelous missionary provinces of the world, and its records are steept in heroism. Guiana is the name given to all the northeastern coast lands of South America, from the Orinoco to the Amazon, and is divided into British, Dutch, French, and Brazilian Guiana, altho the latter division is rarely mentioned. These coasts were discovered in 1498, settled by the Dutch as early as 1580, and erected into a Dutch colony in 1667. Negro slavery was introduced in 1621.
We are concerned at present only with Dutch Guiana, or Surinam. The boundaries have changed from time to time in accordance with the fate of war, or course of European politics, but at present Surinam embraces the country lying between the Marowyne and Corantyn rivers, between 54" and 57° west longitude, and southward from 6° north latitude, the southern boundaries having never been accurately determined, as the land is there practically impenetrable.
In the early years of the mission history much of what is now British Guiana was included in Surinam, and in that region occurred some of the most heroic incidents of the Indiau mission. But all the work since the first de.cades of this century has been done within the confines of Surinam proper.
It is a land of rivers, the principal one being the Surinam, from which the country takes its name. It is a land of almost incredible fertility, tropical forests crowding down to the very sea. It is a land without roads, the only passageways through the forests being the rivers. It is a land that delights the eye, but kills the body of the unacclimated Caucasian. It is a land of swamps, miasmas, deadly fevers, of vampire bats, boa constrictors, death-dealing ants, scorpions, and all the untold horrors of dense equatorial low lands. White people can dwell only along a narrow fringe on the coast, and the capital, Paramaribo, on the Surinam, is the only town. But the exports of sugar, coffee, tapioca, mahogany, and other tropical prodncts make it an exceedingly valuable colony, and have tempted many thither in search of fortune. The Moravian brethren were tempted thither in search of souls.
But barely resuscitated from the crushing blows of the Jesuitical anti-reformation of the seventeenth century, and of the devastating martyrdoms of the Thirty Years' War, i1he Moravian Churoh, then num- bering less than a thousand souls, began its first mission-that to the negro slaves of the West Indies in 1732, undertook a second to the Eskimos of Greenland in 1733-and, not content with these enter- prises, cast its eyes upon these northeastern coasts of South America as another suitable place for its apostles to witness for Ohrist. August Gottlieb Spangenberg, later a bishop of the Ohurch, traveling in Hol- land in 1734, made arrangements with the Dutch Surinam Oompany to allow some of the Moravian brethren to penetrate their colony to win souls for Ohrist. In 1735 these brave men started out on this mission, which was to cost the lives of more missionaries than any other field of Moravian labor, and which was to result in the greatest victories for Ohrist.
It is utterly impossible, within the limits of one paper, to treat this marvelous mission adequately, for practically it involves three ·distinct missions. Without any pretensions to completeness only a few points gleaned here and there can be given.
As just stated, three distinct missions were carried on for a while simultaneously: to the Indians, principally the Arawacks, to the Bush- .Negroes, and to the slaves. The Indians had been driven into the interior by the settlers and Bush-Negroes. Thither devoted missionaries followed them 300 miles through almost impenetrable forests and malaria-breeding swamps. In the midst of the wilderness the station Pilgerhut was founded, and there, after nine years of fruitless labor, the.first Indian convert was won in 1748. In the succeeding eight years 300 converts were won from among the Indians.
The infinite patience and sublime heroism requisite to begin such a mission station among these Indians is best illustrated by the case of L. O. Daehne. Resolved to gather the Indians in the neighborhood of the Oorantyn, he built himself a hut in the midst of the forest. For two years he lived there absolutely alone, with no other companions than tigers, serpents, and the wild vermin of the tropical forests. The Indians would have nothing to do with him. With untiring zeal he went after them, and sought to gain their confidence. Often in his lonely hut he lay sick nigh unto death, but the Lord revived His servant. Once a huge boa constrictor crawled through the roof of his hut, and coiled around him as he lay in his hammock. In the agony of that awful embrace he still thought only of his Indians, and, that none might think he had been slain by them, he quickly seized a bit of chalk, and wrote on the table: "A serpent has killed me I" But then suddenly remembering the promise of the Lord, that serpents should not harm Ris messengers, he seized the vile beast with both hands, and, with superhuman strength, tore it from his body, and flung it from the hut. Another time fifty savages attackt him in his hut. Oalm and unmoved he stood before them, and as , they raised their tomahawks to slay him, he told them he loved them, tho they slew him, and that Christ loved them, too. Amazed at such a message, under such circumstances, they dropt their weapons, gave him provisions, and departed in peace. Finally such devotion told, and converts were gained, numbering in this region, in 1783, nearly 200. Theophilus Schumann was the name of the missionary who accomplisht the most among the Indians, so much so that he was called the" Apostle of the Arawacks." He was a man of fine edu'Ca- tion, mastered this barbarous language in a few months, wrote a grammar of the same, and made many valuable translations from the Scriptures.
. This mission, purchased at the cost of so many precious lives (Schumann himself succumbed to the fever at the early age of 40, after 11 years inestimable service, having personally baptized over 400 Indians), was destined to come to a pathetic close. Both the white . settlers and the Bush-Negroes were bitterly hostile to the Indians. The whites attacked them under the form of exacting military ser- vice, and requiring them to do things contrary to Indian nature, and by doing all in their power to drive them from their missionaries. The wild Bush-Negroes attacked them by fire and sword, burning the Christian villages, in which conflagration Schumann's priceless trans- lations were consumed. By the close of the first decade of the present century, the Indian mission in Surinam was practically exterminated. Few, if any, of the original inhabitants are left, unless, possibly, in the yet unexplored, and for Caucasians, almost unexplorable interior. Yet in those seventy heroic years many hundreds of Indian souls were brought to the Savior's feet, and heaven is richer because of the results of that sublime labor in the miasmatic forests of Surinam.
We turn now to the mission that remains to this day. Side by side with this work among the Indians, and often by the .same men, missionary efforts were being made in behalf of the Bush-Negroes and the slaves of the Colony proper.
In all these phases of the work the devoted Moravian brethren had to contend not merely with the horrors of the climate, the hostility and gross heathenism of the natives, but also with the bitter prejudice of many of the white people. The Bush-Negroes are escaped slaves and their descendants. There was no capturing a slave who once suc- ceeded in getting safely into the Bush, because a white man pene- trates those awful depths only at the peril of his life. Consequently powerful tribes of these Bush-Negroes gradually grew up. They were very fierce and warlike, and waged war against the Colony so success- fully that, finally, the governor had to conclude a formal treaty of peace with them in 1764. Convinced that they could not be conquered by force of arms, the government finally besought the Moravian brethren to evangelize them. This the brethren ha.d. been seeking to do all along, but now they had the more cordial support of thegov- ernment.
The only way to reaoh the Bush-Negroes was to ascend the rivers in oanoes. To this day this is the only way of reaohing their" oamps," or villages, and these voyages are exceedingly dangerous, as rapids must be ascended, when the boatmen have to plunge into the water and bodily hold the boat, and push it between the rocks to prevent utter destruotion. A longer journey of this character always results in the illness of the white missionary, and frequently in his death. Few white ~issionories have succeeded in living among the Bu~h Negroes any length of time.
The Bushland is called the "Land of Death/' and the Moravian brethren and sisters have laid down their lives within its fateful con- fines by the score. Of 159 missionaries sent out during a oertain period of 65 years, 75 died at their posts, and 63 returned to Europe with impaired health. One time 14 died in less than 10 months; yet this noble littl~ army of the Cross always renewed the attack, and new volunteers were always ready to take the places of those who fell. Such a mission furnishes an inexhaustible list of heroic incidents. Only a few can be mentioned.
The veteran Daehne, whose heroic career among the Iudians has been alluded to, was one of the pioneers in the Bush-Negro Mission, and led, when already an old man, Rudolph Stoll and Thomas Jones into the pestilential interior. Daehnl returned to his Indians, Jones .succumbed to the fever, Stoll held out alone on that deadly Senthea Creek. Utterly weakened by the acclimating fever, and oovered with painful sores, he lay in his hut one day helpless as a child. Suddenly he saw an immense swarm of ants enter his hut. Expecting nothing but a horrible death from these voracious insects, he commended his soul to his Master. They swarmed upon him, entering his sores, and . causing intense pain. But the Lord, who has strange ways of resou- ing His servants, used these insects to suok the poison out of His ser- vant's sores, and he actually recovered the more speedily because of this awful infliction. But it was a method of cure no one would desire to repeat. Five years of labor in this pestilential spot won a notable convert in the person of the chieftain Arabi, who proved the thoroughness of his conversion by shooting, with his own hands, the alligator he had worshipt as a god. He was baptized January 6th, 1771.
Let it ever be remembered that the heroism of this mission is not confined to the last century-it is continuous-nor is it limited to the male missionaries. When John Henry Voigt laid down his life for the Master in 1839, his widow lived for ten years alone among the natifes. &till more heroic was the case of Mary Hartmann. Her husband, John Gottlieb Hartmann, entered into his Lord's joy in 1844. Altho she had already labored 18 years in Surinam, yet, moved by the repeated deaths among the missionaries, she volunteered to go alone into the Bush country, tho no more impervious to the miasma than other Europeans. There, for five years, she labored among these wild people, absolutely alone, as far as intercourse with white people was concerned, visiting Paramaribo only once in four years, and that only for a single day, lest going to the settlement she might not be able to return to the negroes in the wilderness. In 1853 the inevitable fever carried off this heroine too. A son of this woman was for many years a missionary among the Kaffirs in South Africa; a daughter for over forty years a missionary among the Tibetans; another son was for eight years a missionary among the Papuas in Australia, and twenty- four years among the North American Indians. That is a specimen of Moravian apostolic succession!
The mission among the Bush-Negroes in Surinam has ever been subjected to many vicissitudes. Stations have again and again been left without missionaries, because of the rapid succession of deaths- and the hostility of the heathen has ever been great. Yet, in spite of all these difficulties, after in the beginning paying for each convert with the life of a missionary, now the converted Bush-Negroes are counted by the thousands.
The work is being put more and more into the hands of native evangelists, as they alone can endure the climate. The most noted of these is the Matuari Bush-Negro, John King, who, led to the mission by a series of wonderful visions, has for thirty-six years labored with marvelous success among his own people. He has journeyed up rivera and through forests that no white man would dare to penetrate; he has founded mission stations and iuducted other native evangelists; he has won many precious souls for Ohrist. On August 6th, 1895, he . was elected the " Granman," or head chief of the Matuari negroes.
In spite of the length of this paper, it would be lamentably incom- plete without some account of the laeors among the slaves on the plantations and in Paramaribo, the capital. Here the difficulties were likewise the climate, tho not in such an awful degree as among the Indians and Bush-Negroes; the gross superstition of the African slaves, and the bitter hostility of many of the Okristian (sic /) slave- owners. ~~rom the start it was necessary to maintain a station in Paramaribo as a base of supplies for the work among the Indians and Bush-Negroes. Therefore, as early as 1738, work was begun in the city, but not until July 21st, 1776, could the first convert, won from among the slaves, be baptized. Even in the city there was constant call for heroism, as may be judged from the fact that one year thirteen missionaries died within six months. Petty persecutions of the mis- sionaries, and often cruel treatment of the slaves, continued a long time. But, finally, prejudices were overcome, and in this century the work has gone forward by bounds. The mother church became too small, and three other churches have successively been built in the city, while churches have sprung up everywhere on the plantations.
This was especially the case after the proclamation of emancipation, issued by the Dutch government on July 1st, 1863, which became absolute after ten years' apprenticeship of the blacks on July 1st, 1873. This brought many changes, and entailed grave responsibilities upon the mission, for the negroes, no longer bound to the plantation, wandered hither and thither; and the missionaries had to follow them. .
The emancipation of the slaves brought about the importation of heathen Hindu and Chinese coolies, so that in the past two decades an entirely new phase of mission work has devolved upon the Mora- vians, which they have manfully met, and have won many of these Oriental heathen for Christ, and incorporated them into their con- glomerate and cosmopolitan mission work.
In addition to all their other duties, the Moravians have likewise undertaken the self-sacrificing labor of ministering unto the lepers of the colony, of which there are very many segregated by the govern- ment at Groot Chatillon.
Nothing has been said about the linguistic labors of the mission- aries. The language of the natives is the Negro-English, a horrible mixture of Dutch and English. The Scriptures have been translated into this mongrel tongue by the Moravians, and the latest revised edition publisht by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1889.
Excellent schools are maintained, and latterly especially a training- school for native evangelists, who are absolutely indispensable, if the complete evangelization of the Bush-Negroes is to be accomplisht.
This mission is now over 162 years old. The total number of missionaries who have laid down their lives upon the miasmatic soil of Surinam can not be stated with absolute accuracy, but it runs into the hundreds. What has been the harvest of this precious seed?
To-day there are 29 stations served by 87 Moravian missionaries, having 28,882 souls in charge, or practically half oj the entire popula- tion of the colony, including whites, heathen and all! In addition, there are five native evangelists doing full missionary duty, 35 native assistants capable of conducting services, and 334 natives who in various ways assist in Gospel services. The Roman Catholics claim 13,000 souls in the colony. The white population is divided about as follows: Jews, 1,300; Lutherans, 2,700; Dutch Reformed, 6,500; Episcopalians, 200; Chinese and Hiudus, 5,600; native heathen not accurately ascertainable. .
The mission work is exclusively in the hands of the Moravians, for South American Catholicism can, to the mind of the unprejudiced observer, not lay claim to that name.
November
These noble laborers for Christ, at the cost of their own lives, have whitened these northeastern coasts of this dark continent. with the bright light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. And we are assured that, in the throng of those who have been faithful unto the death, and who have overcome, no mean place before the throne of Christ will be assigued to the noble army of martyrs from the miasmatic swamps of Suriuam t LIGHTS A1'.~ SHADOWS ON THE FRONTIER.
BY REV. E. A. PADDOCK, WEISER, IDAHO.
There are shadows dark and long in the frontier missionary's life. On the whole, his work is more difficult and discouraging than that of the foreign missionary. He is not, as a rule, as well paid, nor does he receive his salary as regularly as does his brother over the seas. The frQntier missionary can have but little hope of "laying by something for a rainy day." All of his small salary is required to support himself and family. The prospect for giving his children a collegeeducation is by no means flattering; if it is done, the closest self-denial must be practist by every member of the family. 'rhe frontier missionary's wife must be her own cook, dressmaker, and chambermaid, until her daughters are old enough to take a part of the household burdens from her shoulders. Except in case of sickness, hired help is not to be thought of, the salary will not permit it. Often the frontier missionary is far from a railroad, and his next neighboring church may be a hundred miles away. His library is usually small, and it does not grow, as money can not be spared to buy books. Usually he has very few, if any, strong Christian men and women to "hold up, his hands." He may be, in the beginning of a new work, the only professing Christian in the place, except his wife. Probably he must be his own janitor, chorister, Sunday-school superintendent, collector, treasurer, clerk, etc., when he begins a new work. His church building is an old school-house, a hired hall, or the house of a friendly man. His parsonage a hired log-house, or "shack," a board building -" boarded and battened!' Most of the people have little regard for the" Gospel slinger," and he must win his way among the boys by slow degrees. It is evident, therefore, that a successful frontier missionary must endure hardness as a good soldier, and he must be a "rustler," if he is to succeed. This is not always well understood by those who think they would like to labor on the frontier. A graduate of an Eastern theological seminary, having heard a frontier missionary plead for more workers in his field, went to the missionary and
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS ON THE FUONTIBB. I
told him he was willing to go to the far West,· and to live on "jack rabbits and natural scenery," if it should become necessary to do so. The missionary was quite inclined to take the young man West with him, but in talking the matter over, the young man asked: "If I go out West into one of those frontier fields, how will it be about my library and study? ., The missionary replied: "Your library will consist of a limp-back Bible and a copy of Gospel hymns. Your study will be your saddle. Sometimes in your wanderings you will be entertained by a hospitable ranchman ; again you will find a bed in a mow of newly-made hay, and often it will be your joy to roll up in your blanket. and, with your saddle for a pillow, sbep by the roadside, while your hobbled horse feeds a few rods away."
The missionary zeal of this young theologian was not equal to·such a test-he did not go to the frontier. Many other shadows might be noted, but let us turn to the lights. These are many and very cheering. The frontier missionary has just as large a field as he desires, and he does not feel that twenty brethren, more or less, are watching his field, and secretly wishing that he would die or move away, so that they could get his place!· The frontier missionary knows that he is not crowding out some oth8f good man, but is doing a work that but for him would not be done at all. There is great satisfaction in this thought. The frontier missionary plants a seed where nothing grew before. He sees the "blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." This is not always true in older parishes. . The old church may have run in the same groove for one hundred years, and the new minister must be made to fit the old groove. If he is too long, he must be cut off; and if too short, he must be stretcht out, and more often than otherwise, he is considered a success, if he barely" holds his own."
The frontier missionary has the privilege and joy of laying foundations. He finds a new mining camp to which hundreds of miners are rushing. The saloon gambling-hell, and den of infamy are in full blast-these institutions outstrip even the missionary ill their zeal to ental' new fields. The missionary is a good second, however. There is, of course, no church, no organized body of Christian people, and very few who are willing to admit that they ever profest religion of any kind. But these things do not discQurage the frontier missionary. He finds a tent, a half-finisht store building, a dance-hall, or, if the weather will permit, gathers a crowd of "the boys" in the open air, and preaches to them. Then a Sunday-school is organized, and the children in the camp are lookt up, and each one of these becomes an enthusiastic advertiser of the song-and-preaching services. Later on a church is organized, then a suitable building is erected, and in a year or two the entire moral atmosphere of the community is changed for the better. The frontier missionary becomes a friend· and helper to many It wandering boys." Some are rescued from a life of sin, and persuaded to return to their parents again. Others are healed spiritually, but the physical nature is too far gone for healing, and they are buried far from the home of their childhood. Their last messages of love to the folks at home are spoken to the missionary, and by him their eyes are closed, when death releases the soul from the body. It is frequently the privilege of the frontier missionary to serve as nurse for some lonely man, who is prostrated with fever, pneumonia, or some other dread disease. Now is his opportunity to gently suggest that the" Great Physician" be called in. Thus often a dangerous sickness proves to be the salvation of a soul! Surely the frontier missionary is to be envied for the splendid opportunities for doing good that meet him everywhere.
Frontiersmen are rough in appearance, in manner, and in speech, but they have a high sense of honor, and they respect true worth wherever found. They wiU have theirfun often at the expense of the "tenderfoot,"but they would not harm a hair of the newcomer's head, if he is a true man. As a class, no company of men are more generous and kind to anyone in need. Underneath the rough exterior there is a tender heart-if you can once reach it. A case in point will inter- est the reader.
In a Western mining camp, where no Gospel se!vice had ever been held, and which had never been visited by a minister before, a missionary, who had just arrived, was inviting the boys to a service of song to be held in the evening. Now, in the average mining camp there are usually some men who desire to be considered hard cases. An individual of this class probably wears a buckskin suit, has a broadbrimmed white hat, a brace of revolvers strapt to his waist, and a dirk-knife dangles at his side. His hair and whiskers are long and unkempt. In the company of miners who gathered about the missionary was one of those would-be "toughs." It was evident that the boys had determined to see what sort of stuff the missionary was made of, and had chosen this tough man to be their spokesman. A crowd of a hundred or more gathered around the" Gospel slinger," and our "Buffalo Bill" man, glaring at the missionary, spoke as follows: " Boys, I never knowed a camp to have any luck as long as there was a preacher in it I" Placing his hand on his revolver, he continued: " I'll give as much as the next feller to shoot every minister that comes to this camp!" The missionary did not tremble nor try to run away. He had been in mining camps before, and he knew that the proper thing to do WSi to get the laugh, in some way, on the man who had made ..this speech. So, imitating the voice and manner of the speaker as nearly as he could, he said: "Did you ever read that passage in Shakespoke' epistle to the Egyptians, which says,' And a preacher can draw a bead also? '" .AB soon as this was said, a great shout went up from the crowd, and the "tough" man walkt away, terribly crestfallen. The missionary supposed that the boys COUld. see that he was no "tender- foot," and say no more; in this he was mistaken, for another man addrest the crowd thus: "Boys, if we go an' hear this feller's chin music, he's goter set 'em up!" "Set 'em up, set 'em up," shouted a score or more in unison. Then the crowd began to close in upon the .missionary, and he thought they were going to carry him into a saloon. But before this plan was carried out, one of the boys, who seemed to be a leader among the crowd, stept between the missionary and the crowd, saying: "Hold on, boys; hold on! This is the first preacher that ever came to this camp! Let's treat him kinder white, for by- and-bye some on us will be turning up his toes, and we'll want the preacher to do the 'spectable over him. I'll set 'em up!" No further attempts were made to "rig" the preacher.
A church was organized in that camp, and a comfortable building erected. A short time after this occurrence, the missionary met the "tough" man walking alone. The missionary said: "My friend, how long have you been in this camp?" "Nigh on to two year," he replied. " Are your father and mother living?" "I've got the best old dad and mam-back in the hills of Pennsylvania, that you ever seed-and don't you forget it." "Do your father and mother know how you are living in this country?" asked the missionary. The man stopt, and turning to the missionary, said: "I wouldn't have my father and mother know how I am living in this camp for all the sil- ver in that mountain!" And he pointed to the mountain where the best mines were located. It was easy to see that this man, as rough as he seemed, was touched by the memory of his parents away back in their Pennsylvania home. A mistake is often made in supposing that edudated men are not needed as missionaries on the frontier; that men of small intellectual caliber will do. If poorly equipt men must be employed in preachmg the Gospel, by all means let them preach to the strong churches in the East, for these churches are well establisht, and can endure, for a season, a weak man; but frontier work needs the strongest men that can be found. In the roughest mining camps, and in the new, booming towns on the frontier, many college graduates may be found, men of great intellectual ability. , Some of these are well posted as to the latest developments of "Evo- lution," "New Theology," and "Higher Criticism." Some can repeat the" Mistakes of Moses" from memory, and are familial' with all the popular and unpopular objections to Christianity. To interest and instruct these men the missionary must be their equal in intellect and- education. There was a time in this country when an illiterate" cir- cuit rider" could speak to crowded houses, wherever alid whenever he made an "appointment." But that time is forever past; in our day -and especially on the frontier-men will not be heard unless they say something. The printing-press, the railroad, telegraph and tele-' phone have made such meetings impossible. People read more, think more, and are better educated than they were in the olden times.
Pickt men are needed on the frontier. Let no one suppose that high literary ability is not appreciated in the new settlements. It is no uncommon thing to meet graduates of our best colleges in the new frontier town-ex-judges, ex-teachers, sharp lawyers, and keen educated business men are there-and the missionary may find as appreciative an audience as can be seen in many large eastern towns or cities. Frontiersmen believe in calling things by their right names -they have no use for" taffy," they do not ask the preacher to speak "soft words" to them. If-as is the manner of some-the preacher should address a company of rough frontiersmen in this fashion: "Boys, I am happy to address you on this occasion; you are splendid fellows–of course-your' environment' has been such, that you may seem to some of our puritanical friends of the East to be a little offbut you are all right I" At this point he would probably be interrupted, something after this sort, "Boss, you're a liar; we are cusses, and we know it, and we don't want any of your lip, trying to make us out angels! " The men on our western frontier are human beings, have immortal souls, and so need the Gospel. While they do not "go West" for their health, nor from patriotic and benevolent motives altogether, they are yet among our greatest public benefactors. They open up the wilderness to immigration and civilization. They compel dame nature to reveal the secret places where her treasures of gold and silver are stored. Through great privation and hardships they open up the way for the donkey trail, the wagon-road, and the steam engine..
From these wild frontier settlements rivulets of wealth find their sources; these gather into great streams, and flow on to the eastern cities and towns, keeping the wheels of the factories moving, and making it possible for eastern men to grow rich, and to gather about them all the luxuries and comforts known to modern civilization. Stop, for a single year, the streams of cattle, hides, wool, lumber, wheat, gold, and silver that come largely, if not wholly, from our western frontier, and the business of our country would be ruined. But more important still, these people are American citizens, and these distant communities will, ere long, have a great, if not a controling, influence in shaping the destiny of our whole country. What our country needs is good citizens in the best sense of that term. A citizen, to be good and safe, needs at least two qualities in his makeup; he must have an enlightened common sense and a conscience. The best way to secure these is by giving to the children the spelling-
THE MOUNTAINEERS OF MADISON COUNTY, N. C
book and the Bible. Okristian schools-pu t the emphasis on the adjective-and Ohristian churches must be planted everywhere on the frontier. This work is commenced by the frontier missionary, and there is no work more important than this in our land to-day. One live frontier missionary is worth more in "keeping the peace," and in removing the causes of trouble on the frontier, than a whole regiment of Uncle Sam's regulars. A little church, and a schoolhouse near it, are a surer defense from bloody uprisings than aUnited States fort bristling with Gatling guns!
THE MOUNTAINEERS OF MADISON OOUNTY, N. C. * BY MRS. D. L. PIERSON.
Any attempt to describe the "Mountain Whites" as a whole is impracticable, for the mountain regions of five States cover an area of about 100,000 square miles, and the people of the various sections have been subject to vastly different influences, and are very diverse in character. The missionary working in one section has to fight the inroads of infidelity, in another the benumbing influences of Oampbellism, in another the subtle teachings of the apostles of Mormonism, and in still another the fatalistic doctrines of the" Hard Shell Baptists." Yet we certainly would be misrepresenting the" Mountain Whites," were we to charge them as a whole with anyone of these four defections.
Another opportunity for misrepresentation is in the use of the term "Mountain Whites." In a general way every white person living in the mountain regions is called a "Mountain White," but the true mountaineers, who live in their cabin homes remote from the village, and coax their livelihood from unpromising and unwilling patches of earth on the mountain side, are very different from the" valley folks"
• Much criticism was past on an article which appeared in the REVIEW some time ago on the" Mountain Whites of the South." Exception was taken to some of its statements, and it was alleged that while the negro was applauded for his virtues, the .. Mountain Whites " were mercly held up as examples of moral and intellectual degradation. Of course it must he borne in mind that various sections of the country dlft'er vastly both in moral and intellectual status, and each district has its own peculiar problems and characteristics to which attention must be callcd in order to arouse interest, and move people to remedy the existing evils. The large majority of Christians recognize the low moral and intellectual condition of the mass of the negro population of the United States, and hence there Is little need to cite examples of their ignorance and their vices in order to prove the need for giving them a Christian education. The callis for indications 01 the success of such work, as an encouragement for increast elforts. On the other hand, everyone recognizes the practicability of elevating the white race by education', but all do not realize the need for special eft'ort in their behalf. Therefore, while It Is beSt to avoid exaggerated statements, the object of articles on the" Mountain Whites" of the South is naturally and rightly to show the great need that exists for carrying the Gospel to these people. It is not that the negro is better or more promising than the mountaineer, that leads writers to present a less favorable picture of the latter than of the former, but it Is because of the difference in the attitude which men take towards the two problems.-E. B. D. P. who live along the river banks or beside the railroad track, and who come much mllre into contact with the floating boarding-house population.
It is frequently affirmed that these mountain people are almost wholly of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian extraction, and that they were driven to take refuge in the mountains through religious persecution. There probably is some ground for these statements, but neither the colonial records nor the early history of North Oarolina seem to sub- stantiate them. * – Rev. Dr. W. J. Erdman made a careful study of hundreds of names of mountain girls who attended the Industrial and Normal schools at Asheville, and found that scarcely five per cent. were Scotch or Scotch- Irish. While some of the colonists probably did come to Oarolina during the religious disturbances in the reign of George the Second, there is little reason to believe that they were driven into the mountains by local persecution. In the constitution of the colonists, signed and sealed as early as 1698, article 39, we read: "No person whatsoever shall disturb, molest, or persecute another for his opinion in religion, or way of worship," and altho the government underwent many changes after that time, freedom of conscience was always peculiar to the" Old North State." Where popular sentiment was tolerant enough to forego, in the case of a Quaker, the oath of office, because of his religious principles, persecution for denominational differences could hardly thrive. Ohurch of England believers, Quakers, Presbyterians, and Independents lived side by side, making converts from among the large number of colonists who had no religion.
Now, if we deny these people their pure Scotch blood and their heroic martyr history, what have we left? Just a mixt race'ofhardy mountaineers, who, by force of circumstances, have been cut eff from all that is good and saved from much that is bad in our city civilization; a poor, but supremely hospitable people, with unlettered, but naturally bright minds, and an almost medieval chivalry in their devotion to any true missionary who may work among them.
The Madison county mountaineer is large-boned and loose"jointed. He wears a broad sloucht hat, often turned up at a jaunty angle, a homespun shirt, leather strap belt, and tough boots. On Sundays he wears corduroys if he has them, while his wife and children, who wear • North Carolina, the tlrst State of the original thirteen on which the English set foot (Roanoke Island, 1584), unlike Its near neighbor, Virginia, was from the beginning a cosmopolitan settlement. There was royal English blood in the titular lords from the court of Charles the First, besides, of course, much ordinary red English blood; there was French blood in the settlers at Pamplico, and between the Neuse and the Trent rivers. There was an Infusion of Swiss blood when Gra.a1fenrelt brought over his 1,500 Swlsll, and settled them at the contluence of these two rivers. There was GenI)an blood in the German Palatines on the Neuse, and the three hundred Scotch Highland families who settled near Cross Creek, brought a strong, steady current of Scotch Protestant blood. It is probable that emigration was a!most'simultaneous from all these settlements westward into themountaiDI. sun-bonnets through the week, frequently change to les8 becoming hats on that day. The old people wear bright shawls and sun-bonnets· almost universally. They seem to be simple ancl contented. Their modest print dresses contrast favorably with the negro load of cheap gaudy finery. The chief characteristic which would impress the most casual visitor among them is their extreme poverty. Little single- room log cabins, fifteen by twenty feet, often shelter a family of six or eight. One which we 'visited could be described in very few words. The family consisted of an old grandmother, a daughter, and four children. The only opening for light was the door, but there were many for air, as the family cat could make its exit through sev- eral places in the side walls, where the mortar had crumbled away from the logs. At one end a chimney-place with an iron stew-pot and tea kettle, and at the other two beds and a rolled up mattress, showed the situation of kitchen and bed-room respectively. Two or three hooks held /I'll the family's wardrobe, and on rude shelves in the corner was some coarse crockery. A deal table and four chairs completed the inventory. Snow and rain had easy access to that home, and the old grandmother said that when the wind was high it frequently lifted the corner of the roof half a foot. Outside the family cow was grazing along the mountain side, getting barely sustenance enough to yield six quarts of thin milk a day. Chickens scratcht a living from the ground, till somehow they grew into hens and were carried to town to be sold for fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five cents a piece. Some cabins have two rooms, and a few possess the luxuries of a cook-stove and a window or two, but the scanty crops of onions, corn, potatoes, and tobacco which struggle for existence on the mountain side, above the house, proclaim poverty in unmistakable language. Missionaries meet children of seven or eight years who have never had on a pair of shoes, but have trudged over miles of frosty ground barefooted, only being kept at home by the deep snows. Many little feet have to be chafed and warmed during the Winter months before the mission teacher can call the school to order. Sometimes when years of toil have begun to tell upon the fruitfulness of one of these little farms, a mountain freshet, or a protracted rain will wash away the earth, gouge great seams in the soil, and cover the farmland with stones and brush. Years of working against such odds have had their effect upon the mountaineer. We can not charge his poverty to the war. He never was a slave-owner, and his uninviting little home was unmolested by the invading armies. The war has made no change in his condition, unless perhaps it has bettered it, by giving him an opportunity to fill positions which formerly were universally filled by slaves.
But the mountaineer is a shiftless character, living simply from day to day, and making no provision for the morrow. One seldom sees behind a mountain hut a tidy wood pile, chopt and stackt, a defiance to winter's cold. When the thermometer falls to zero, as it sumetimes does in these mountain districts, the children have to be kept home from school to go out in the snow and gather wood to keep a good fire blazing on the hearth. The mountaineer is a social character. He has all the time there is, and is always ready to stop and talk, to answer and ask questions innumerable. If he guides a stranger up a mountain to-day aud earns fifty cents, a five-dollar job would not tempt him until the money is gone and he feels the need of more. Altho an ordinarily kind husband and father, this trait of character throws the burden of work on his wife and children. One woman who had the care of a sick sister, besides aged and infirm parents, said she had been busy all the spring" clarin' land." This means chopping down trees, burning stumps, and throwing off stones in order to prepare the land for cultivation. The women and children will work very hard for a small sum. The children get up at daybreak and pick wild flowers, which they carry miles into town to sell to city boarders for five cents a bunch. Women will save enough milk from their scanty portion to make two or three pounds of butter, and walk twelve miles to sell it for fifteen cents a pound; and others, after picking and hulling five quarts of wild strawberries, will walk fifteen miles to dispose of them all for twenty-five cents. But the lessons of thrift and economy which the girls are carrying to their homes from the industrial missions establisht for them, and the valuable knowledge of farming which the boys are gaining, will in time make this poverty much less hopeless.
In such surroundings, where large families herd like cattle in a pen, purity and moral growth must often be stiffied for want of breathing space. Yet in moral fiber the mountaineer is really much above the aV!Jrage city slum resident who lives in the same manner. While not above petty thefts, he does not molest a traveler, for highway robbery is seldom practist, the perpeirators of such a crime would be held in contempt by their neighbors. Yet, according to their own peculiar criminal code, robbing the government of revenue taxes is a clever trick, and killing a revenue officer is a brave act of self-defence. Breaking one's oath in court is nothing, but the betrayal of a secret " still" is a heinous crime. Feuds for generations arise from such betrayals, and the traitor is known as" Judas," or, as they say," Judayas," forever after. Murder of travelers is very uncommon, but murder for revenge is ordinary retaliation. The marriage tie is a very loose knot, and court, which convenes twice a year at Marshall, has often much difficulty gathering together a jury, on account of the complicated cross-relationships. Illegitimate children can be found by the dozens, yet, as a rule, they are apparently considered no disgrace. The women excuse themselves on the ground that they must have children or there will be no one to care for them when they are old. Tobacco-dipping (or rubbing tobacco on the gums) and its use in all forms is very common; children often learn to like it when mere babies. It probably satisfies for the time a craving for solid, wholesome food, which the poor mother can not supply. Even the bronzing which their out-of-door life gives them, cau not entirely erase the peculiar yellow pallor which this habit induces. In some districts the missionaries have workt most encouraging reforms along this line, breaking the children of these habits, and convincing the parents of its evils. In a Baptist church near the county seat, the people of their own choice prohibited the use of tobacco in the building, with the following placard: NOTICE.
TO. ALL. PEOPLE. YOU. MUST. NOT. USE. TOBACCO. OR • SNUFF. AND • IIPIT • ON THE • FLOOR,. FOR. TruS. IS. GODS. HOUSE, • AND. AUGHT. TO • BE • KEP mCE • AND • CLEAN.
This is, indeed, a great step in advance, when one considers that even the pulpits are not free from the pollution of tobacco juice, for many of their clergy preach with quids in their mouths.
Whiskey-drinking is begun at a very tender age. Extreme poverty and the fact that they look upon whiskey as one of the necessities of life, lead many mountaineers into the illicit and dangerous business of making "blockade" whiskey. The stills are run at night in remote recesses of the mountains, so that the dense black smoke emitted by the soft pine may not show against the dark sky. Night after night the lanterns of the revenue officers may be seen darting back and forth on the mountain side, in their perilous search for " moonshiners." The report of a gun,. reverberating through the mountains, means either a signal of the watchers that the officers are approaching, or the desperate defence of a surprised mountaineer. It is said that no jury of mountain men can be found which will convict a fellow-mountaineer for the murder of a revenue officer.
In some mountain districts there may be dense ignorance of Christ and salvation, but this is not true of Madison county. Altho lamentably lacking in " book larnin'" in general, the missionary is constantly surprised at the knowledge of "the Book," which these ignorant people have acquired. In some districts, such as that around Marshall, -where the seeds of infidelity have been sown by two or three professional men-the Bible may not be believed, but its truths have become known through their constant contradiction. In the Bluff mountain district the Campbellites have disclaimed belief in the Trinity, in regeneration, in the Holy Spirit, and in personal salvation, but the Bible stories are comparatively well known. In some homes, where not a member of the household can read or write, one frequently hears Bible quotations or reference to Scripture incidents in the mountaineer's conversation. The references may not be reverential but they show a knowledge of the Bible, and a certain acknowledg- ment of its claims upon them, which form a good vantage ground for the missionary. An old" moonshiner" near Hot Springs, radmiring the solid hickory cap to his whiskey still, which had been confiscated by the revenue officers, said that it was made like Jesus Christ's gar- ment, without a seam; and referring to the high tax on whiskey said, that by the" mark of the beast," the Bible must mean the revenue stamp. Next to poverty and illiteracy, the most universal trait of the mountaineers of Madison county is their peculiar regard for the Bible. They read it, if they can read at all, and some even study it, tho they seldom attempt to carry out its teachings. One old mountaineer laugh- ingly remarkt that his wife said that she never saw a man who read his Bible so regularly who could" cuss and swaar" like him. Unfor- tunstely, the mountaineers are not unique in this matter of not living up to the teachings which they find in the Bible, but there is this difference, that altho departing from its teachings, if they can read, they still continue to read it with a regularity which would put some professing Christians to shame. When Christ enters the heart of one of these simple householders, He enters the home also, and a family altar is generally set up, and the evidences of the more abundant life which the Savior's presence brings are plainly malliIest. One mountaineer gave this testimony at a little meeting held in a neighbor's house high up on the mountain side: "I hev tried t' be a Christian for eighteen years. I workt at it harder than I ever world with mattock or axe. One day the missionary preacht, an', as I listened, I felt I was a pore lost sinner. He axt me t' pray. An' I prayed the best I could. He axt me t' hold family prayer. I told him I was willin' t' do anything thet would get me saved. It was a heavy cross fer me t' pray in my family, but 1 jest took it up. One day down at the meetin' in Hot Springs Jesus jest seemed t' come before me an' say 'Come unto Me, an' rest.' Since then hev been the happiest days of my life." His wife also bore witness to the change in the home.
As to the general truthfulness of the people, there seems to be a difference of opinion. One who has mingled with them for years, but merely in a business way, thinks that they are untruthful from habit and from choice, often telling a lie when the truth would be even more to their advantage. Teachers, who have come into close contact with the children, thiuk that they are ordinarily truthful, but not scrupulously so; and a Clergyman, who has been much in their homes, holds that they are truthful, except when they wish to shield a friend or injure an enemy. This difference of opinion is probably due to the relationships in which the several people stood to the mountaineers. If a minister is earnest and sincere in his work, and once gains the love of these simple folk, they are to him loyalty and truth itself. Withont any exception, the missionaries bear testimony to the warm welcomes which always await them in these humble homes, where their person and office are held in the highest respect. One old mountain woman, whose boy had been paid in advance by the missionary for chopping some wood, but who had neglected to finish up fifty cents' worth of it, said to the missiollary: "I must pay you thet fifty oents, yes, indeed, I must. We may steal from rascals, but we won't rob you, preacher." Two convicts, side by side in a chain-gang, were both working out sentences for theft; one man was to be free in one year, while the other, who had stolen a suit of clothes from a minister, had been given seven years by a jury of mountaineers.
The children have pleasing manners, and answer questions with no suggestion of shyness, nor yet with undue forwardness. They are fond of their parents, and ordinarily respectful and obedient. Their loyalty to their homes is one of the most encouraging features in the industrial educational work, because the girls can be counted upon to return to their own people and carry to them the benefits received. The people are very retioent about themselves. The girls at the boarding-schools seem to make no confidantes of their teachers, however dearly they may love them. There is no lack of gratitude for the self-sacrificing labors of the missionaries, but anything like spontaneous outpouring of youthful confidences is almost unknown.
They seem to have a quick sense of humor, altho their immorality, and intermarriages of near kin produce many dull and half-witted children, and physical deformities .seem to be unusually common. They are an emotional people. Almost everybody who is past the age of maturity has, at some time or other, been a ohurch member and has backslidden. Under the pressure of some campaign evangelist they have come forward, made a profession, and then fallen away for the want of timely counsel and spiritual help.
.One more almost universal trait of our mountain friends remains to be spoken of-their illiteracy. It is said that there are three hundred thousand young people of school-age in these southern mountains, but scarcely three thousand five hundred of them are in schools. According to tho census of 1890, the percentage of those above ten years old in the United States who could neither read nor write, was thirteen per cent. In some States the rate was as low as four or five per cent., but in North Carolina it was thirty-five per cent., and in Madison County, probably not below forty per cent. The report of the Committee on Education shows the following sad state of things: Average number of school days per year in the United States, 141 days; in California, 174; in New York, 176; in North Carolina, 63, lowest in the list of all the States. In Madison County probably the average would be between 55 and 60 days per year. The average amount of public funds annually expended per pupil enrolled (not whole school population): In the United States. t12.50; in New York, $12.00; in Illinois, $18.00; in North Carolina, $1.10; in Madison County, ninety cents last year! In 1839 the" Old North State" passed a law dividing the State into districts of not more than six square miles, for the purpose of establishing schools. Such a division as this would mean seventy-nine schools for Madison County. The county clerk reports that there are eighty in the county, seventy-five for white children, and five for colored; but for ten months of the year the schools are closed for lack of public funds. If repairs are needed on the schoolhouse, the public funds must be appropriated, so that a year's session must be forfeited. One man in Sandymush, Madison County, told the missionary at Trail Branch, that he had been paying schooltax for twenty years, and had only had three months of free school in all that time.
Many of these little school-houses are so poorly equipt, that the teachers are seriously handicapped. Their books are out of date, and sometimes there are scarcely two reading or spelling books alike, so that classes must be multiplied almost indefinitely. As two or three scholars have to study from one book, progress must be very slow. Missionaries say that it is exceptioual, for parents to refuse to send the:r children to school, on the ground that "book larnin'" will make them lazy.
These facts and figures tell their own story of mental starvation. Along with ignorance of this kind goes superstition, of course; and we are not surprised to find even authentic accounts of belief in witches. One man and his wife said that they were obliged to keep a light bnrning all night to keep the witches away from their baby. Another woman was seen whipping her milk vessels to drive ont the witches who soured her milk. The passer-by advised her to scald out and dry her crocks thoroughly as a substitute remedy. Among the many foolish superstitions held by them are the following: To make your hair grow, hide a lock of it under the doorstep when no one is looking. To cure white thrush in a baby's mouth, let some one who never saw its father blow in its mouth. If a bird flies into your house, some one of your family will die soon. To cure rupture in young children, split a black gum sapling, and pass the child through the slit, then wrap the tree with hickory withes; if the tree grows up, the child will recover. The writer knows of a child thus treated.
The mountain people have a peculiar claim upon us, because they are purely American born. Probably ninety per cent. of them would be eligible" Sons and Daughters of the Revolution." The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which antedates the National Declaration, was the work of their ancestors, and the first blood shed in America to resist British tyranny, was the blood of some of their forefathers, shed at Alamance in 1771. But the Christian Church acknowledges a still stronger claim than patriotic sentiment toward these fellow citizens, whose lives are so circumscribed by ignorance and poverty. Those best acquainted with the situation agree that the little district schools, and not the large boarding schools, furnish the solution of the problem. If each school-house could be manned by two Ohristian workers, and the public funds supplemented by the Church, so that a nine months'session could be held; if Sundayschools could be establisht, and the simple Gospel story could be told in the homes and in the school-house, how many now" alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them," might be " made nigh by the blood of Ohrist." Miss Goodrich, who, with her helpers, has workt along these lines for several years in Britain's Oove, Buncombe county, considers that, next to the direct and simple teaching of God's word, the establishment of a Ohristian home by the teachers in the midst of these people is most beneficial. Their model cottage, so neat and tasteful, is a very practical object lesson. When lessons of cleanliness, refinement, and thrift find tangible illustration in snch a home, the teachers more than double their effectiveness.
The Dorland Institute in Hot Springs is training young women to be teachers adapted to the district schools. Its course is not so high as that of the Normal school at Asheville, but the curriculum includes all the ordinary English branches, with some science and languages.- Rev. Dr. Dorland, after a life of usefulness, spent at Scotia Seminary among the negroes of North Oarolina, retired with his wife to Hot Springs to pass the closing years of his life. But God so laid on his heart the needs of the mountain people of Madison county, that, altho seventytwo years of age, and in feeble health, he entered upon the work of organizing a school. For a time he gathered as many children as he could and taught them in his own parlor. Then, through private subscriptions, scholarships, and donations of various sorts, he started the Dorland Institute, now a school of fifty boarding and one hundred dayscholars. Only girls are taken as boarders, but boys are admitted as day-scholars. Industrial branches, cooking, and sewing are important features of the work. Friends send boxes of new material or partly worn clothing, which the girls are taught to make up or refit. All the domestic work of the school is done by the scholars, and altho the tuition fee is only $50 a year, very few are able to meet even this slight expense.
As in their mountain homes the girls work much out of doors, the confinement of the school-room began to tell on their health, so that the Institute rented two acres of land on a hillside, so steep and stony that the natives made such remarks as: "Thet land is so plumb poor, you'uns caint raise nary a thing on't. I'd not be a wantin' it ef it was give t' me;" and, " Nothin' never will grow there for the rocks. They must go clean t' the bottom; 'pears like the more you take off, the more keeps comin' up." But the girls, determined to "make a crap" if possible, picked off over fifty loads of stones. Harvest time showed the great success of their labors, and more valuable than the citron, potatoes, cucumbers, and corn that Were gathered into the storehouse, were the lessons in practical farming which were stowed away in the minds of the students. The mountaineer merely scratches the soil with a "bull-tongue ,. or single shovel plow, and· then drops his seed in the shallow furrows, a prey to the dry weather of the mid- summer. in good tim•es lllany of the mountaiu people of Madison Even County live not far from the starvation Hne, consequently the suffer- ing in bad times is keen and widespread. Just at present they are in greater extremities than for years past. A good quality of tobacco is raised there, which in former years brought a good price, but last year sold for only two and one-half cents a pound, altho it cost ten cents a pound to raise it. This represents, moreover, ~he return for the labor of a whole family, for from the time the young plants are put under the cheese-cloth, spread on the hill side, until its final dry- ing in the rude tobacco barns, the energies of young and old are devoted to its care. Speaking of the present critical situation, one missionary writes: "We are hoping and praying that this present dis- tress may work a great goo~ in inducing the small farmers to give np the cultnre of tobacco, and raise wheat, corn, and potatoes, something that will sustain the family through the winter. A man between forty and fifty, who has always lived in these mountains, said last evening: 'I never knowed nothin' like this afore. The people never wuz so hard up 1 They caint get rashuns to go on while their crap is growin'. Some of 'em has right smart of truck in, too, an' will hev somethin', if they're lucky.' The pleas for help are truly pathetic, and we believe help should be given, yet not witholt some return in work. For if a man thinks his family will be clothed and fed, it is easier for him to sit still and depend on a drink of whiskey for himself."
When a mountaineer does turn his attention to the raising of other crops than tobacco, the persistency and patience necessary to make a success of the undertaking tell in time upon his character as well as upon his worldly conditon. One man drove thirty miles over the roughest of mountain roads to Dorland Institute with fifty bushels of beautiful apples from an orchard planted by himself ten years ago.
"It did us good," said Miss Phillips, the principal, "to see him handle them with such affection while he discoursed of the different varieties, and of how much thi8 or that tree had borne, and of how he , got shet of the borers' and other pests. ' It's a powerful slow thing, an apple orchard,' said he, , an' I've put a heap of work on 't; but it's beginn'ing to bring me some money now.' He lived too far up the mountain to obtain barrels, so he had bought lumber and boxed the apples in fodder. The team which he drove was of his own raising, and his eleven children were clothed in homespun garments, made from the wool of his own sheep, their especial care." There are a few such thrifty ones scattered through the mountains, and the teachings of Christ, coupled with thorough instruction in farming and household economy, are multiplying the numbers. There is a call for farmer missionaries, equipt with the Word of Truth and an agricultural education, bringing with them the Bible and the most modern and improved farming implements.
The Dorland Institute. at present owns a *15,000 property. The teachers and missionary are doing a work which can not be told by statis- tics. All of the girls but two or three are Christians, aud Christians whose daily lives do not contradict their professions. How much the fathers and mothers in their mountain homes expect from their daughters .whose help and presence they so gladly surrender, may be shown by the following message, sent a long way and with great trouble to the prin- cipal of the institute. A poor mountaineer, father of one of the girls, lay ill, and wisht the prayers of the Christians in the school. He said that he was glad his girl was in such a good place, and that while he cared something for grammar and arithmetic, he cared more for the Ohristian training his daughter was getting. " We hevn't ben livin' right at our house," he added, "an' mebbe ef our girl gits to be a good Christian, she kin help us out." At the close of the little season of prayer, every girl was in tears. They are loving and solicitous about those at home.
Those who work among the mountaineers are constantly being surprised by little tender traits of character which unexpectedly shine out in their hardened, darkened lives. Our home missionaries here do not, like those out West, have to contend with the floods of obscene literature and criminal details with which the frontier people gorge themselves. The Mountain Whites, being generally unable to read, care little for either story papers or newspapers. On the contrary, the missionaries find it difficult to stimulate them to read when they have learned how. Hundreds of homes all through the mountains have not a single page of printed matter in them.
When we think of the dire poverty of the mountain dwellers of North Carolina, and of the bondage they are in to sin and ignorance, what a mockery the state coat-of-arms seems, with its figures of Plent;! and Liberty. They can never approach the ideal of this standard untIl the liberty wherewith Christ makes us free, and the" fullneBB of Him that filleth all in all," are in their possession. In the early colonial records we read that when the grant of North Carolina was bestowed, Governor Berkeley of Virginia immediately inaugurated a government . in Albemarle, in order" that the king might see they slept not with their grant." A far more precious grant has been given the churches of the United States by the King of Kings. Are they as eager as the early colonists to go in and possess the land or are they" sleeping with their grant?"
THE GENESIS OF A. CHURCH IN BRAZIL
THE GENESIS OF A OHUROH IN BRAZIL.
REV. GEO. W. CHAMBERLAIN, D.D., BAHIA, BRAZIL.
The history of a church, I began, but I cannot write it. The ken of man may not take it in, nor the pen of man trace it. It began in the eternal counsels, and will go on into the eons, the ages to come. Known unto God are all His works, from age to age. Known unto man is only sO much as He may show.
Now, to the genesis of a church in Brazil; leaving the history of its exodus, its numbers, and its deuteronomy. The name of a town and district in the interior of S. Paulo, Bot1tcatu, was, in the memory of the writer, a synonym for outla1(Jry. Judge and jury sat in fear of knife and bullet. The priest, in his confession-box, was no barrier, he rather, by his" absolvo ie," an abettor of crime. No wonder that the judge and a group of better-disposed citizens turned for help to a secular institution, and organized a lodge. They wrought better than they knew. A Bible was ordered from Rio de Janeiro, on which to take oath. "My word shall not return unto Me void, but shall accomplish that whereto I sent it."
When a bullet sent the judge to final assizes, because of a righteous sentence against a rich murderer, the other members of the lodge ceast to meet, but one of them, as he read the otherwise unused Book, had an unexpected meeting. He met the Judge of all the Earth, and beheld a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reacht to heaven, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon it. Like Jacob, he vowed a vow, saying: "If God will send a man to preach the truths of this Book, in this place, I will build a house, which shall be God's house."
Two years later an "angel of the church" was led to his door at even, to whom the solitary old man recounted his vow, adding, in a despondent tone, "But no one approves, and one says: 'Don't be a fool; do bettor with your money.' What shall I do?"
"Do as you please; if your vow was wrong, ask God to forgive you; if right, to help you keep it," said the" angel," the messenger of the church. A few months later the latter received a letter from the old man, saying" the house is ready, come and dedicate it to God."
At the end of eight days of services in that house"the preacher repeated the invitation he had made nightly to all hearers, to manifest their views (pro or con) of the truths set forth in the series of discourses. A lawyer arose, saying" I have a question to ask. I have attended all these meetings, I have heard this repeated invitation. Neither here, nor in the streets, nor in the houses, where these doctrines were daily discust, have I heard anyone dispute the truth of what you have said. But you are going away to-morrow, and reside at a great distance. My question is this: What are these people to do hence– forth? Admitting the truth of what has been said (about God, sin, confession, mediation of Christ, etc., etc.),we have no further use for the confessional, nor the sacrifice of the mass. We can make no further use ofthe man who performs these services, nor of the house in which they are performed. We are cut off from the Roman church" What is this people to do for baptism, marriage, and other church rites ?"
"The question," said the messenger? "is pertinent. I shall want the close attention, for a half hour, of those who wish to hear the reply. Those who can not wait so long, please retire during the singing of a hymn. (No one withdrew.) The answer to this question, to be final and radical, depends on another, which I shall put to the people. This friend says that you all admit the truth of what you have heard. You then have convictions, more or less clear, as to your duty in the case. How many among you have the courage of your convictions, and are ready to say: ' We accept this house for the purpose for which it was erected by our fellow-townsman, and pledge ourselves to meet in it regularly on the Lord's Day to read His word, praise His name, and pray for His spirit to guide us into all truth, as Jesus promised His disciples He would do ?' Let us get down to the Live Rock. Let us suppose that, from this day forward, no minister of the Gospel shall come from abroad to this place, and no other help but that of high heaven be at your disposal. Here is a house, given to God in honor of His word. Here is the Book-His word, and here are you-the people.
"In the Book we read that Jesus Christ has pledged His word that He will be in the midst of two or three who gather in His name. Let those of you who are willing to promise so to gather stand up. (No one arose.) How many heads of families will say, by rising to their feet: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we will meet in this place to read His word, at least on the Lord's day?" The donor of the house arose, saying: "If no one else comes, I will." An elderly lawyer, since dead, stood up, and soon other four heads of families.
"It is enough," said the preacher; "these men will have their courage tried. Let us suppose that three, or even four, be failures, and but two are faithful to this public compromise, what then? The Lord, the Head of the Church, will not fail to keep His promise. He will be here, and there will be, ipso facto, a Christian Church in this house. If He be lifted up, He will draw all men unto Him. This house will be too small to hold the congregations which will flock to it. It will be found that among you, as among early disciples, that He who ascended up above all principalities and powers gives gifts, and that gifts differ. He gave some pastors. Upon such the believers call lolemnlylay their ha.nds in the name of the Lord, letting them apart for the service unto which the Lord has called them and ordained them. Elected and solemnly ordained by the Church to this office, they will be entitled to administer the Iilacrament and per- form all other offices of the Christian ministry in the name of the Head of the Church, our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Thus far the answer to the question, what must this people do ?
has proceeded on the supposition that in obedience to God's word, separating yourselves from the apostate church of Rome, you should be isolated, cut off from all fellowship with the churches of Christ, and forced to independent action. This, however, will not be the case. The group of believers here, while they would form a church of Christ, are only a part of the Church. Other churches already exist in this land, which, by their elders or bishops, maintain the dis- cipline and government which the Lord instituted for His Church.
Into their fellowship you will come, and through their ministry be duly organized into a component part of the one Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all the family in heaven and earth is named.
Young men are already in due course of preparation for the ministry.
Of these one will come to serve you as minister of the Word and pastor of the flock over which the Holy Ghost shall make him an overseer or bishop, to feed the Church of God which He has purchased with His own blood."
As in the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was without form and void, so doubtless to the majority of the audieuce, the spectators, the Church thus sketched seemed with- out form and void. But the Spirit of God moved over chaos, and it became cosmos. Likewise the brooding spirit of order hovered over the group of untaught and undisciplined men who, from that day forward, met in that place to seek God and honor his Word until they took form and were no longer void. Some fell away, but others took their place, and they have gone from strength to strength, the Lord adding to the Church such as should be saved; and these are adding to their faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge tem- perance, and to temperance patience, and to patience Godliness, and to Godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love, so that they have not been barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the genesis of a church which, during its first deC'ade, became self-supporting, and now in its second is contributing largely to send the Gospel into the regions beyond, and to strengthen other weaker churches. .
There are older churches in Brazil which have not so good a record. Why? After thirty years of service as an angel or messenger of the church, scanning closely the history of the work of which I
KI8810N8 IN lIULAY8U
have been a part, I am led to fear that we have attempted to often take the work of the Spirit out of His hands into our own, because He did not work just on our lines and ignored our" methods." We have imposed upon His free manifestations our straight jackets, and have missed the largeness of His mercy; So we have restrained His manifestations, and limited the Holy One of Israel. This is an old error.
It was convenient, yea, necessary, that even the man Jesus should go away, with His overshadowing personality, in order that the Spirit might have a free field to work marvels with the feeble disciples, men of like passions with ourselves, and lead them into the reality of the Lord's promise: Greater works than these shall ye do, because I go unto the Father, and whatsoever ye ask in My name I will do it. His instrument and only vice-gerent on earth is the Holy Ghost. He will not give this honor to another, be he pope, prelate, or presbyter.
The Holy Spirit-the Spirit of LIFE-is a non-conformist by reason of His very nature or essence, and is subject to no forms or formulas, not even to thqse of His own dictation. When these become the object of idolatrous veneration, He orders them ground to powder, as He did the brazen serpent.
The Peter pronounced "blessed of the Father," by the unerring lips of Christ, the Son of the living God, 80 long as he rests as a lively stone on the Rock, is hurled away from the presence of the same Lord, when he presumes to be the Rock, and dictates to the Christ whom he has confest-with a stern rebuke: "Get .thee behind me, Satan." Let us go forward, ever remenbering that the Spirit must be in advance of us, else there is no advance. He may, as in Botucatu, enter a Masonic lodge, disband it, and sit down to hold converse with a single member of it through His own Word. The soul born of this incorruptible seed-tlte Word-must be nourisht with the milk of tke Word, until it can bear the meat of tke Word. Give us a true ministry of the Word. The Spirit will honor His own for the genesis of many churches and their exodus out of a greater than Egyptian darkness.
MISSIONS IN MALAYSIA.
REV. J. VAHL, NORRE ALSLEV, DENMARK.
Malaysia includes the Malay peninsula and all the islands from Sumatra to New Guinea (excluded), and including also the Philippines. This group, which includes some of the largest islands in t.he world, is considered as belonging to Asia, but the islands eastward of a line drawn between Bali and Lombock, Borneo and Celebes, Mindanao and Talaut Islands belong properly to Polynesia. The
NOTeDlbe,o
animal and botanical life is quite di:fferent froDl the Asiatic, but is for the most part the same as that of Polynesia.
With the exception of some remnants of an earlier population whose origin is doubtful, the population of Malaysia belongs to the two great Malayan and the Polynesian races, the line of demarcation being about the same as that indicated above. This leaves Rotti, Savu, Sumbava, and Lombock, and the islands west to the midst of Buru, Gilolo, and Talaut to the Malayan race.
The Malays may be divided into five semi-civilized races and a few savage races. The Malays proper inhabit the Malaya peninsula and almost all the coast regions of Borneo and Sumatra. They all speak Malayan and are Mohammedans. The Javanese inhabit Java, part of Sumatra, Madura, Bali, and part of Lombock. On the two last islands they profess Brahminism, but the others are Mohammedans, and all speak Javanese and Kawi. The Bugis inhabit the greater parts of the Celebes and Sumbava. They are also Mohammedans, and speak Bugi and Macsassar. The Tagals, who inhabit the Philippines, are, for the most part, Roman Catholics, and speak Tagal. The Molucco Malayans inhabit chiefly Ternate, Tidore, Batjan, Amboina, are Mohammedan Christians, and speak many di:fferent dialects. Among the savage tribes are the Dyaks (Borneo) and the Battaks (Sumatra). The Polynesian tribes are animists.* Many Chinese have immigrated to almost all the islands, and have, of course, carried their religion with them.
When China was closed to Evangelican missions, English and American missionaries tried to make preparations for a mission to China by establishing stations in the eastern parts of Malaysia, and working there among the Chinese. Such stations were started in Malacca (London Missionary Society, 1815), Pulopenanz (London Missionary Society, 1819), Singapore (American Board, 1835, Church Miss. Society, 1837, Presbyterian Board, 1838), Batavia (London Missionary Society, 1814,1819, Protestant Episcopal Church, 1836,-Society founded 1835), but when China was opened after the war (1842), the whole work was transferred to Ohina. One of the missionaries, Rev. K~asberry, stayed at Singapore, and after his death (1875) his work was taken up by the English Presbyterian Chnrch (1883), and now has 247 communicants.
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel began its work in the Straits' settlement 1856, which in 1869 was transferred from the Bishop of Calcntta to the Bishop of Labuan (Borneo). Here are 5 stations (5 missionaries, of which one is native, and 300 commnnicants). In 1887 the American Methodist Episcopal Missionary Society (North) began its work in Malaysia, which ia nnder a good development (2 stations, 9 out-atations, 11 miaaionaries, 125 communicants).
• WalIaee, "The Mala1.A.roh1pe~." When the Portu~ese (U98) had disconred the pallsage Tia Cape of Good Hope to India, they very soon conquered parts .of Ma.laysia. Malacca Wall taken 1512, the Moluccos, 1521, and the same year the Spaniards reacht the Philippine Islands. With them came Romanism, and almost the whole population in the :Spanish and Portuguese poss68llions were converted to tha.t religion, but retained a large part of their heathenism. In 1595 the Dutch came to Java, and very soon they conquered the Portuguese possessions, of which only a part of Timor is retained; afterwards they extended their possessions, and conquered the whole of Java, in this century, Borneo (the English part excepted); in the last years, the rest of Sumatra. Partly on religious grounds, but principally by political influence, the Dutch East Indian Company won over the Papist natives to the Reformed persuasion, but it was almost an exclusively outward conversion. The Church in the Netherlands, as such, did not possess a true missionary spirit, and when she occupied herself with the questions of missions, it was almost wholly the externals which were taken into consideration. It was very difficult to get the necessary ministers, and altho there were able men amongst them, these were comparatively few. They were, for the most part, unable to speak the native language, and they were not put in the right places. Rev. de Voogt, a great Tamil scholar, was transferred to places in Ceylon and Savu, where Tami1 was not spoken. Ministers were completely in the hands of the company and their agents. Their number was quite insufficient, and the native catechists and teachers were too few, and were, besides, badly educated and generally untrustworthy. Therefore the whole undertaking was a failure, altho there were men both in the Netherlands and in the colonies who tried to inaugurate better times. When infidelity began to sway Europe, and when Engla.nd took the islands in the beginning of this century, and all the restraint was taken away, almost the whole enterprise collapst. Under English rule the Baptist Missionary Society, in 1810, sent a missionary to Amboina, and in 1813 to Java, but ere long both stations were given up. The work at Sumatra (Baptist Missionary Society, 1819,) had to be given up also when the English colony was handed over to Netherlands. The mission of the American Board to the Battacks, 1837, was very soon put to an end with the murder of the two missionaries. A solitary Baptist Independent Mission at Java (1816-57) left only few traces.
Some years before the end of the eighteenth century the Dutch Missionary Society at Rotterdam was started (1798) in friendly relations with the London Missionary Society. For some years it did a very good work, but not having a dogmatic basis, rationalism crept iuto the society. Already, in 1840, Rev. Witteveen, at Ermels, had started a little Ermel!! MissionaryUnion; in 1847 the Mennonites had formed a Mennonite Missionary Society (doopsgeziinde mission-
m :r.t:I1!Il!IONI!I lIU.L.A.YI!II
nry society), a.nd in 1856 the Java committee (originally an auxiliary society to a committee at Batavia) had been started. But in 1858 the discontent with the Dutch Missionary Society occasioned the begin. ning of four missionary societies, viz., the General Missionary Society of the Reformed Church in 1858 (a reformed remonstrant secession church); the Dutch Missionary Union (zending vereeniging; all men shall profess Jesus as their Savior), 1858, and the Dutch Reformed Missionary Union (gereformd zending vereeniging; all the members shall be members of the Reformed Church). The Reformed Church as such takes up the work, and, in lS58, the Utrecht Missionary Society (about the same basis as tho Dutch Missionary Union). In 1894 the first and third of these societies were united. Besides, there exists a Dutch Lutheran Missionary Society (1882), and a Salatiga committee (1891), which supports the German mission at Salatiga.
Almost all the Dutch societies have stations in Java (six societies, 31 stations, 36 missionaries, 16,331 Christians, the Salatiga mission included), and the government (the" Protestant Church" in India) has 1 minister, 5 teachers, 3,630 Christians.
In 1813 the Dutch Missionary Society (jointly with the London Mis· sionary Society) sent missionaries to Java, but the work was soon given up, and when it was renewed, it was only for a short time. It was almost wholly two laymen, the landed proprietor, Coolen, a.nd the watchmaker, Emde, who took up the work among the heathen. Almost the whole work of the former century had collapst, and under the Dutch government the whole island had been presented to Islam, and the government was so whole-hearted that it pub1isht a translation of the Koran at its own cost, and prohibited for a time the publishing of a translation of the Bible. 1848, the Dutch Missionary Society took up again the work among the Javanese by the zealous and able mis· sionary J ellesma (t 1858). Good prospects began to open, but then rationalism, yea unbelief, began to creep in among the missionaries (Harthoorn), and although these missionaries seceded, yet the confi· dence of many friends was shaken. Now the Dutch Missionary Society has nve stations (8 missionaries) in the eastern part of the island, from Samarang to the southeast. To the east from Samarang there are the two stations (3 missionaries) of the Mennonites and the Salatiga mission (the German Neukirchen Missionary Society) with' six stations, (6 missionaries). In the most eastern part and in Batavia the Java committee has three stations, (4 missionaries). The Dutch Missionary Union has ten stations (9 missionaries) in the western part; the Dutch Reformed Missionary Union has nve stations (6 mis· sionaries) in different parts of the island. But the whole population is twenty-three millions.
More than the half of all the Dutch missionaries are found in Java, and as the Dutch missionary methods are somewhat singular, and is the best reprel!lented here, we may make some mention of it. The old practice of the last centuries is totally given up, and defended by nobody. The work is done by the preaching of the Word, but the work is not done as aggressively as in the most Evangelical missions. It seems that it is deemed enough to open a place for the preaching of the Gospel, to preach to them who are gathered there, and to hope that thereby knowledge of the Gospel and spiritual life shall by and by be spread among the popUlation. Preaching in the bazaar and under open air, regular house to house visitation is almost totally unknown; no ·female work is done, and it seems as if the value of such work is not understood at all. Perhaps this may be the reason why the Rhenish Missionary Society, which has so excellent missions in Dutch India, has, in the last years, first begun to make use of unmarried ladies. Perhaps the calmness which seems to rest over the Dutch mission, may have some connection with the Dutch national character.
In 1814, the Dutch Missionary Society (for some time in unison with the London Missionary Society) be~an its work in the Moluccos. These islands had also been ChristianIzed, but the work was done, perhaps, more imperfectly than otherwise. The numerous islands were spread over a territory 1,120 miles from north to south, 750 miles east to west, and here lived 50,000 to 100,000 nominal Christians. Six ministers were needed to do the whole work, but seldom all the places were filled. In 1794 the last minister at Amboina died.
In 18]2, Mr. Kam (t 1832) was sent to Savu, and on the demand of the Dutch governor he went to the Moluccos, where he had to superintend 80 congregations, 50,000 Christians, and 100 schools. In 1818, three other missionaries came out, and later more missionaries, and there were excellent men among them (Bar, Gerrike, t 1834), but the work was far too much. To select some few districts and leave the others, was not thought advisable; they were all Christians and ought not to be neglected. And the missionaries met opposition both from the" burghers" (Eurasians) and from the officials of the government, and besides there was an unhappy connection between them and the society, which was unable to keep up, independently of the govenmernt, the whole work it had undertaken. And when the confidence was shaken forty years ago, it was the more impossible, and the whole work had to be given over to the government in 1865. This (the government) has on the southwestern and Moluccan islands 12 ministers,132 teachers, and 77,455 Christians. The Dutch Missionary Society hus only left one station, with one missionary on Savoc.
On the lesser islands missionaries, principally of the German Gossner Missionary Society or the Dutch Missionary Society, have workt, but only for a short time. Now the government (Protestant Church in India) has 2 missionaries in Timor and Rotti (included in the above named items).
On Buru and Halmaheira (Gilolo) the Utrecht Missionary Society has workt since 1866 (4 stations, 2 missionaries, 1,332 Christians). U!71, a religious movement began among the Alfuros, but when It also began to extend itself to the Mohammedans, the Sultan opposed it, and the Dutch government ordered the missionaries to work only among the Polytheists.
To the northwest are the Sangir and Talant islands. They were
KI8810N8 IN liULATIU
Christianized at the beginning of the eighteenth century, and were only seldom visited by a minister or missionary, yet most of the inhabitants did cling to the Christianity, and when in the midst of the century the rumor was heard of the many thousand Christians (1890, 30,000,) were living there without missionary or minister, the Dutch MisSionary Society, on the demand of the government, sent (1856) four missionaries, sent out by Mr. Gossner, who stayed at Batavia, and in 1857 four others went thither. Since then the government has taken care of these islands, and has there 7 stations, 7 missionaries, and 40,910 Christians. Since 1887 a committee for the Sangir and Talant islands support the mission, about which not much is known. On the northeast corner of Celebes, in the district of Minahasse, the Dutch Missionary Society has had an excellent mission field among the Alfuros. A little superficial work had been done here during the eighteenth tlentury, but the number of Christians was only 5,000 when Hellendoom, 1826, began a regular missionary work. He was followed by the two excellent Germans, Riedel (in 1860) and Schwartz (in 1859), by Graspland, William and others, and a great in-gathering of heathen took place, and it seems that the work was by no means superficial. Also a mighty work of civilizing was done, and the country did blossom as a rose. The Roman Catholics have tried to disturb the good work, but they were not successful. Native teachers and evangelists have been educated, and of the whole popUlation of 145,000, 124,000 (1889), now 136,470 are evangelical Christians.
But the society was not able to keep the whole mission on its handspart of it has been given over to the government, and the government has 10 ministers, 194 teachers, 136,470 Christians, while the Dutch Missionary Society has 4 missionaries and about 6,000 Christians. This is a great pity, as the schools of the government are without religious instruction, yet the Dutch Missionary Society has 131 schools.
On Sumatra the Dutch Missionary Society has 1 station (1 missionary), the Mennonites 2 (2 missionaries), the Java Committee 1 (1 missionary), the Ermelo Missionary Union 1 (1 missionary), and the Lutheran Missionary Society 1 station on an island near Sumatra (1 missionary), but only that of Huta Rimbara. (Java Committee) ought to be mentioned (500 Christians). Also the station of the Unitarian Missionary Society at the south end of Celebes is small. But the missiona.ry society, which surpasses all the others in Malaysia, is the Rhenish Missionary Society of Barmen; of the 111 missionaries in Dutch India, 45 belong to this society. It began its work on Borneo in 1835. The field was hard and it was very difficult to get entrance amon~ the Dajabo, therefore the missionaries began with money, given to thIS aim, to pay the ransom for the debtors, who were slaves to their 'creditors (pandelings), and to work principally amongst those.
Beginning in the capital, Bandjermassing, they tried from there to get into the interior, and already they began to succeed, when suddenly the good work was stopt. 1859 a great revolt began with the aim to kill all the whites and bring the Dutch reign to an end. As almost everywhere, it was the Mohammedans who had taken the lead in this revolt and all the cruelties. Four missionaries and some of their families were killed; only 5 remained, and the work had to be given up, for it was only permitted to work in the capital, and even there under great restriction. It was not until 1866, when a friendly governor came thither, that the whole 'Work could be taken up again. Since
1~97.] 84:1
then it hall progrest greatly, and now there are 8 stations, 11 mis- sionaries, 1 unmarried lady, 450 Ohristians (one-half communicants).
The revolt of Borneo gave occasion to the taking up of the work at Sumatra among the cannibal BaUaks. There the Baptist Mission- ary Society have had a station (1822-25), but when the English possessions had been handed over to the Dutch, the missionaries had to leave the country. The murder of the two American"missionaries we have mentioned before. Later a linguist publisht a translation of the Gospel of St. Luke by the Dutch Bible Society. Meanwhile the Battaks, who were supprest by the fanatical Malayans, had askt the Dutch Government to aid them, and 1819 the Malayans were forced to keep peace. ]857 an Ermelo missionary had begun to work among the Battaks, but he could only get permission to do so by taking employment under the government. Then came the revolt in Borneo, and the Rhenish Missionary Society having heard about the translation of St. Luke, and being invited by Rev. Witteveen, who wisht to hand his mission over to them, decided to begin among the Battaks, 1861. At first it seemed not to promise great success, but when Miss Nommensen went among the independent Battaks, cannibals, and as to religion animists, soon the leaf was turned, they were on the whole kindly received, gailled the confidence of the natives, and even of the Dutch Government, who saw how well it was to have the peacemaking missionaries between their possessions and the warlike Atjahs at the north end of the island. Therefore it gave them, 1892, permission to establish stations in the then independent districts of the Toba country. The Battak mission has been richly blessed. There are now there 22 stations, (109 outposts), 31 missionaries, 5 unmarried ladies, 20 native ministers, 33,170 Ohristians (8,190 communicants), and the natives contributed, in 1895, £793.
A daughter of this mission is the mission on the island of Nias.
There the Rhenish Missionary Society began 1885, and it was at the wish of the Dutch government, which thought that in such a way the natives could the easier be won. The climate is very unhealthy; nevertheless progress has been made. There are here 7 stations, 8 missionaries, 3,106 Christians, (212 communicants). When the Englishman, Mr. I. Brooks, 1841, had been Rajah of Sarawak, he wished to have missionaries to educate and elevate his subjects. As neither the Society for Propagation of the Gospel nor the Church Missionary Society could undertake the work, a Borneo Missionary Society was begun 1876, and 1878 their first missionaries landed at Sarawak. The mission won so many friends in England, that it was found possible to endow a bishopric 1855, whose first occupant took his title from Labuan, a little British island near Borneo. In 1853 the whole was handed over to the Society for Propagation of the Gospel. The work here is done both amongst Dajaks and Chinese, and has been extended to North Borneo. It has 12 mIssionaries, 1 native minister, about 400 communicants.
The Dutch Bible Society has publisht the Bible in Malay, Dajak, Sundanese, Javanese, the New Testament in Marassar, Nias, Berginese, parts of New Testament in Batak, Sangiresa, Madurese, Rotti. It supports two men to aid it in its translating work. The British Bible SOCIety has also publisht translations, and has 4(1 colporteurs in Malaysia. At Batavia there exists a union for promoting Malayan Christian literature (1855).
TlIl!l IITUIIELIUTION OJ' !!OUTlI ."untIc
THE EVANGELIZATION OF SOUTH .AMERICA.· BY EMIL OLSSO}l.
Much ha.l!l been written as to South America's IIpiritual need, but, all yet, comparatively little done for its immediate evangelization. Here is a continent containing seven million square miles, and with a population of thirty-seven millions; a tract of country containing one-eighth of the land surface of the globe, and. yet there are more preachers in New York city alone than in the whole of that continent. South America's millions, who are wholly unevangelized, wait to-day for the messengers of Christ. The fourteen benighted countries are here being opened as never before to the Gospel, in spite of all the opposition of atheism, superstition, and priest-craft.
Traveling in South America, over thousands of miles through Argentine, Patagonia, Chile, and Bolivia, I have met multitudes of people who have never before heard the Gospel, nor seen a Bible, tho there are. plenty of RomanistsJ priests, nuns, cathedrals, convents, crosses, and images. One young man said that he bad been seeking for a Bible for three years without success. In Bolivia, with two million three hundred people, without a single missionary, I held a meeting in Oruro, after which the people were so intensely interested, that they kept me talking half the night. Many offered their houses as places of worship, to show their appreciation of what they had received. 'j'he priests are, of course, very bitter against the work, often have recourse to violence to stop the preaching of the Gospel. A Bible colporteur, Mojardino, lost his life some years ago in Bolivia, but the word of God will yet prevail in spite of all opposition, difficulties, and persecutions. Persecution is still going on in Peru, but the Lord's work is prospering. The Romish priests are doing all they can to prevent the circulation of the Bible. One of them said that he had already burned twenty Bibles, and wanted all my books that he might burn them. Another wanted to burn me on top of my books, etc. Many steal my Bibles, but I pray that they may read the book and learn to steal no more.
Romanism has blighted this beautiful continent and enthralled its people. Africa is not more benighted than many parts of South America, w.ith all its Popish rule and teaching. Ecuador, with its two millions of people, has been in midnight darkness for centuries, but is now, in God's providence, opening her closed doors to the preaching of the Gospel. General Alfaro, who won the battle in the last revolution a few months ago, is in favor of religious liberty. In Guayaquil the people were so hungry for the Word of God, that when I began to distribute Bibles among them, they seemed like hungry wolves, and in a few moments the books were all gone. In northern Chile, almost every night that we held meetings, people accepted * Mr. EmU Olsson thinks that elghtv-five earnel!lt workers could evangelize South America In four years. He says that one man working hard c£.n reach, by preaching and by circulat- Ing the Scrlptures, over a hundred thousand persons a year, and that, at this rate, e~hty-fiTe would reach thirty-four rnU1ion in four years; and that the whole cost would be aoout one hundred thousand pounds sterling, or five hUldred thoul!&Dd dollars.
/'
TlIJl ETAN&lI:LIZATIOll' ON 1!I0UT1I .ummCA. ,843
Christ, and one night thirty a.nxiQus SQuls came fQrward seeking a SaviQr. The peQple Qf SQuth America are ready and willing to' receive the GQspel as never befQre. Since GQd has sO' much blest America and England with the heavenly bread, shall we nQt give SQme crumbs frQm the Master's table to' QUI' starvillg sister, SQuth America? The Christian peQple Qf America are especially resPQnsible to' GQd fQr the evangelizatiQn Qf QUI' sister cQntinent.
HQW to' dO' the wQrk is the great questiQn. First believe that it can be dQne, and pray that it may be dQne to' the glQry O'f GQd. Then gO' to' work and dO' yQur part in the enterprise Qf savmg these lQst SQuls. If yQU can nO't gO' YQurself, give all yQU can, and pray all yQU can to' GQd, that GQd may send fQrth mQre labQrers intO' the harvest field., I believe that the Qnly methQd Qf evangelizing SQuth America is to' give the peQple whO' are destitute Qf the WQrd Qf GQd, the BQQk itself, fQr, apart frQm the Bible, nQthing great has ever been accQmplisht there. ,In the secQnd place, we must believe in the wQrk Qf GQd's HO'ly Spirit in cQnjunctiQn with the written and sPQken WQrd. Everywhere yQU will find a crQwd ready to' listen to' a truly heavenly message. We need living witnesses fQr Christ in HQly GhQst PQwer. SQme Qf the nativecO'nverts make splendid wQrkers and evangelists. My plans fQr evangelizing SQuth America WQuld be to' start missiQn statiQns all alQng the great lines Qf cQmmunicatiQn, sO' as to' reach bQth the natives and the inland Indian tribes. The three million Onidran speaking Indians whO' live alQng the AmazQn, can be reacht frQm BQlivia and Chile, and the Indians Qf Gran ChacO', AraucanQs and PatagQnia can be reacht frQm the Argentine Republic.
The evangelizatiQn O'f SQuth America is an undertaking tQQ great fQr man, but nQt tQQ great fQr the LQrd. But we must have faith and actQn that faith, QrthewQrkwill nQtbedQnesimplythrQughQurunbelief and laziness in the wQrk O'f the LQrd. "Lord, increase QUI' faith! ,,, The editQrs have given space to' Mr. OlssQn's brief statement Qf his plan fQr SQuth America's evangelizatiQn, and CQmmend his zeal and enthusiasm. At the same time we have nO't as much cQnfidence in the Sllccess Qf the plan as Qutlined by him. FQr Qne man to' reach Qne hun- dred thQusand peQple a year implies bringing the GQspel intO' cQntact with abQut 300 peQple a day. If a messenger did his wQrk Qn hO'rse- back, and with a trumpet, riding thrQugh village after village, cO'ntenting himself with a fQrmal and perfunctQry delivery Qf his message, he might thus reach hundreds and thQusands daily, but what WQuld it all amQunt to' in the end? DQes nQt GQspel witness invQlve mQre than this hasty delivery Qf a GQspel annQuncQment? As we understand it, the witness Qf the teacher as well as the evangelist, O'f the life as well as the lips, Qf the Church and all its institutiQns, Qf the hQme transfQrmed by the presence and PQwer Qf gQdliness, etc., whatsO'ever Christ and His truth accQmplish in the SQul Qf the individual. and in sQciety, cQnstitute a part Qf the witness-bearing, whereby men are enabled to' see and feel the superiQrity and the uniqueness Qf the true faith~ And any less thQrQugh and effective methQd leaves nO' impressiQn that is at all adequate to' fulfil the sublime end O'f the GQspel. It may nQt be legitimate to' CQncentrate labQr in a limited territory and then wait fQr results, leaving O'thers to' die unwarned; but QUI' SaviQr's Qwn example Qf a ministry, extend- ing O'ver but three and a half years, is a far truer mO'del to' follO'w.
LNoTember
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED UD OONDUOTED BY lUCT. J. T. GItAOBY, D.D.
Na.tive Ohriatia.n Giving. heathen idolatry, and converts from these c1&S!es but typify many others :For many years paet epecial attention who are enti:ely disabled by their conhae been given on all foreign mission version from continuing in these occupafields to the development of conditions tions. Multitudes of others become the of !elf-euetenance and also of self-prop- subject of great pereecution, and even agation amongst the native Christian of personal violence, because they cease communitiet!l of the !everal mission to contribute to the support of the healIelds. In eome missions in the very then templet!l-their crops being desearlieet stages of their history, it now troyed, their market being obstructed, seems, as if a epirit of over-paternalism or in !Ome one of a thousand other on the part of the missionaries had laid ways they being made to suffer pecua foundation of inherent weakness of niary loss. Dr. Chamberlain, of India, the native church, not only evangelistic instances a merchant who became a native preachers, but native pastors, Christian and was baptized in the mishaving been supported from the foreign Ilion chnrch; as a result he lost his wife funds, without requiring anything from and his child. " They spurned him in the native chnrches_ On some fields court when he Bought to get them back. this condition has been so long chronic He lost his property. He was one of that it is with great difficulty the new five brothers in the undivided estate, order shall be introduced. This can and they brought in false evidence to ecarcely be said, however, to apply to IIhow that he had gambled itaway, and missions which havo been begun within he did not know what dice lookt like. the last quarter of a century, as special He had given largely to IIUpport Hindu pains are now taken from the very in- temples. When he became a Christian ception of most missions to develop he came into the church with naught self-reliance as well as a spirit of Chris- but what he was born with-his naked tian benevolence. llkin I His property had gone, and that is the way with men who had means in The circumstances vary, more or le!l8, that caste-ridden country-they lost however, with almost every locality, everything. " and much also with the hereditary lenius of the societies prosecuting this It is also difficult to show in any stawork. There is, too, the difference in tistical tables what these people do give, the worldly condition of the converts proportionate to any standard of inimmediately on their abandoning hea- come we can use. Dr. Chamberlain thenism. It is often said that these says that the churches of the Reform converts were accustomed to give very Mission in India give ten times as much liberally to the support of their native according to the proportion of their inheathen religions, and that therefore come as the churches in America. The they should be expected to continue income of fifty-four members, taken at the same on their becoming Christians. random was under thirty dollars a year; In many cues, however, these native often, underllfty-fonr dollars; of eight, Christians, immediately on their pro- under seventy-two; and only one refession of Christianity, are thrown out ceived more than one hundred dollars a of their means of gaining a livelihood. year in that church, but they gave dur- It is surprising to know how large a ing the year an amount equivalent to percentage of heathen people are en- one dollar eighty-five and a half cents gaged in business directly allied with per member; or, multiply it by teD,
nrrBBNA.'fI01UL DBPARTlIltNT
they gave the equivalent of ten dollars these statements, it is hoped, will emand eighty cents in that little church phasize the importance of the whole per membcr. The average income of subject in the minds of all who have to the men heads of families was not more do with the administration of missions, than forty dollars per year. It seems. whether at home or abroad. The offitherefore, unfair that the contributions cers and representatives of the foreign of these heathen converts generally mission boards and 'societies in their shall be formulated in money equiva- several conferences, have made strenulents and put in comparison with appro- ous efforts to secure some uniformity priations from the several home socie- in the mode of reporting from the ties. In the American Board Almanac, several foreign fields, which will help for instance, are given the appropria- to reduce these statistics to some such tions to foreign missions of twenty·two order .as will enable all interested to American societies for a given year, reach some general classification of which aggregate $4,429,723, with a facts. and deduce therefrom some gen. credit from the native churches of those eral principles of equivalent adminisseveral mission fields of an aggregate of tration. We proceed now merely to a $455,458, or a ten per cent. ratio. But miscellaneous collation of facts, the if it were true of the whole of the like of which might be multiplied almission field, and possibly it is, that it most indefinitely. averages no higher thau the portion of the India church mentioned by Dr. The Karerui of Burma afford material Chamberlain, the ten per cent. contri- of special interest for the study of this bution from members having an aver- subject. The college in Bassein wal age income of the head of the family of built by their own labor and selfforty dollars a year would, relatively, denial. The native church past a law be greatly augmented. Another diffi- that every disciple should give a basket culty of comparative tabulation lies in of paddy and twelve cents in money. the variety of application of the funds They contributed the whole cost of the contributed by the native churches. land and the buildings, and paid the Some place great emphasis on the con- wages of the teachers, the board of the tributions made for the salary of native pupils. Less than :five per cent. of the preachers, and even limit the term money came from any outside sources. .. self-support" to this item. Others In 1880 they began, in their deep encourage the native churches to evan- poverty, to build their own churches, gelistic ventures at their own charges. tho they were overburdened with taxes. A variety of conditions furuish a variety In 1849 the churches supported their in the impulse utilized to develop the own pastors, and by 1850 they took hAbit of giving amongst these several care of all their evangelists. The churches. evangelistic spirit of these Karens is exceptionally inspiring. They give of Without any attempt at classification the products of their land for the sup· of the several kinds of work, or of the port of their pastors, and to send miscomparative value of the contributions, sionaries to Siam and to other districts we have selected from various sources in Burma. They have their foreign a large number of items from which we missionary society, and send out their now cull. Altho in this promiscuous young men, north and east, to distant way they will not contribute to the countries, support.ing them there, and general philosophy of the subject, per- reenforcing them as need arises. They sons who are interested in that line of have establisht churches among those thinking may pick out data from these tribes, and done a grand evangelistic to place with those which they have work, independent of foreign missionacollated from other quarters, and, ries and in the face of persecutions and meanwhile, the JDere repetition of loni separation from home, and from the privileges of Christian intercourse The great advance in the remarkable with those they love. One missionary work of the Baptists inOngole was tells of a time when he was in charge signalized by the amount of work for of a station, an old Karen pastor came which no foreign money was ever paid. to him with a large contribution for foreign missionary work, and the mis- Turning to China, we lInd a number sionary said: "How can your people of interesting statements. The Re- give so much? I know you lire very formed (Dutch) Church has a mission poor, the overflow of the river has in Amoy, China, in which, in swept aWIlY your crops, and your cat- tle are dying of disease; it is a famine 1882,750 members gave _______ $1,877 time with you." "Oh I" he replied, 1883,758 " "_______ 1,958 smiling; "it only means rice without curry." That is, they were ready to 18M, 742 . , " 1,681 live on one article of diet, that the 1885, 783 " ______ _ 2,107 foreign missionary work should not be 1891, 968 " ___ . ___ 3.382 allowed to suffer. Another instance, perhaps slightly revolting to the taste making a 'yearly average out of their of civilized people, is voucht for to deep poverty of $2.50 per member for the writer by competent missionary ten years. authority, when the pestilence of rats, which sometimes curse Burma, devasted The Hinghua district of the Foochow the land. The rats pass in great com- Methodist mission, China, in 1895 orpanies, perhaps literally millions of ganized a Home Missionary Society. them traversing the country, swimming The first year they gave $300. In 1896 rivers that obstruct their passage, and they gave $1,431. This is used to aid destroying everything before them. It in opening work in new places, and was on one of these occasions that a supporting weak ones. The amount native pastor brought the usual contri- raised for pastoral support was, at the bution, to which the missionary gave same time, $2,432, nearly double the the suggestion that they could scarcely sum contributed the year before. The spare so much that year, and received aggregate of this and the Home Misthe rejoinder, "We can live on rats, sionary collection reacht $3,863, an inbut the Khakyens can not do without crease of nearly one hundred and fortythe Gospel." five per cent. over the year before. The Missionary says, "Another such ad- In the New Hebrides the native vance this year, and our native preach- Christians make it a rule to give one- ers will be entirely supported by the tenth of their time to spreading the native church." The summary of the Gospel and $2 apiece for the mission- pastoral and evangelistic statistics for ary collection. They contributed 3,700 forty-four missionary societies in China, pounds of arrowroot to print an edition given in the "China Mission Handof the Old Testament, and gave $6,000 to book," an invaluable thesaurus of mistranslate the Gospel into Annetyanese. sionary information about that land, while it does not show what some of The Wesleyan missions at Tonga, in the societies received, does show that the Fiji Islands, meet their own ex- out of 706 church organizations 137 are penses, including the salaries of the wholly self-supporting, and that fifty foreign missionaries, and hand a large thousand native Chinese communicants surplus over to the Australian Confer- gave $36,450. The Amoy Mission of ence for mission work in other parts. the London Society, summing up the results of lIfty years, reports between The English Presbyterian chapel at fifty and sixty churches, with over Swatow, China, was built by native nineteen hundred members and two Christians, who gave their money and thousand inquirers, who contributed in three hundred days' work. 1894 $4,300 toward the support of their pastors, schools, etc. According to a table compiled by Rev. Andrew Beattie, in twelve socIeties in the Canton prov- every half year. In 1890 a scheme ince of the London, Presbyterian, Basel, was proposed and adopted by the native South Bap~t, Berlin, and Wesleyan church, by which pastoral districts were missions, 8,248 church members contri- formed, and contributions were subbute toward the support of 117 preach- scribed by the stations included in the ers, $4,683, which is a large advance on scheme. In fixing the salaries of the the giving of the previous decade. pastors, the desire was not to make them rich men, but respected men, and The Presbyterian Church ofEngland, it was felt that the pay of the native in Amoy, make it a rule that no one is schoolmaster was a very good guide. to be ordained to the ministry till called By the plan adopted, the pastors live to the pastorate by a congregation pre- in their own homes, attend to their pared to support him, the lowest salary farms in the busy harvest·season, and being set at $10 per month. At Swatow give about nine months of their time the highest salary given to the senior entirely to the church." preacher by this mission is $7per month, but the native churches give $10 per Turning to Japan, we find in the month. The native Christians support seventeenth report of the Church of a native mission, cmploying two evan- Christ, in Japan, some statements in gelists. The Presbyterian Church of regard to what they call the problem of England, in Formosa, still pays most of how to use "saint-seducing silver," so the salaries of the preachers, leaving as to really strengthen self.support, the contribution of the native members rather than suppress it. The North to go to other objects. They gave in Japan Mission of the Reformed Church 1894 $2,100, about $1,000 of which went places the responsibility of the call to to church building. They maintain a the pastor on the church desiring the foreign mission on the Pescadore isl- service; the mission supplements what ands, where, in a population of 70,000 the churches give. The Presbyterian people, they sustain two preachers. Church, North, has a graded Bcale of The same thing is done by the mission help till the church contains a hundred down at Singapore, where the native members. The South Japan Mission Christians operate a "Singapore Chi- of the Reformed Church has no policy, nese Missionary Society Fund," which except that a church ought to advance, is to support a missionary of their own. year by year, in its own support. The West Japan Mission, Presbyterian, The English Baptist Mission, in Shan- North, leaves the matter largely to the tung, has six native pastors, supported individual missionary, emphasizingselfentirely by the native church. They support as the goal to be reacht. The say that .. At the very first the principle Southern Presbyterian Mission pay the was adopted of doing nothing for the salaries of no pastors, and pay no church which it could and ought to do church's running expenses. They get for itself. So that the work of pastor- the smallest body of believers to pay ing the church in the days when it was something to their evangelist. The not strong enough to maintain a pas- Cumberland Presbyterian Mission torate was done through leaders, stew- makes it a rule to pay thirty-three per ards, and local preachers, who gave cent. less at the beginning of each year, their time and strength voluntarily and unless satisfactory reasons are presented without pay. After a few years two why it should not do so. The report elders were elected, one· shortly after says of the Kumiai churches: "On the the other, who fulfilled all the duties subject, as a united body, we have no of pastors, except administering the particular policy. When we understand sacraments. These were at once sup- how difficult a thing it is for any single ported by the native church, the con- mission to unite upon a policy, the unitributions for the purpose being sub- ll.cation of several may well be COIl' scribed at meetings of delegates held
DI'l'JDUU.TIOB.AL DBP.lltI'K&NT
sidered as one of the most difilcult of those who are pastors of churches. But problems, as well as one of the most while the Presbyterians have 10,~ important. A. difficulty in the way, members in 71 churches, with 49 pas- and a growing one, is that the cost of tors, and the Congregationalists their living in Japan will continue to increase 9,863 members in 72 churches, with 27 with her progress in civilization." They ministers, the Methodist Episcopal report that their churches contributed Church has its 4,387 members in 74 22,697 yen, and received from the mis- churches, with 85 regular ministers, to sion 11,168 yen. In 1895 the Kumiai 8l}pport. Their churches are more cQm- Congregationalist reported seventy- monly in the large towns, and the)'
three churches, forty of which were concentrate upon these points. Weare self supporting, and 11,1112 members also in the large towns, but we carry contributed for all purposes 22,046 yen. the Gospel to many smaller places l1li A. member of the Methodist mission, well, and, we believe, cause more people of Japan, who has given considerable to hear the message…
thought and study to this subject, fur- It was intended to quote the tables nishes the writer the following l1&'l1res for the Turkish mission, the Mexico for 1896: missions, and the A.frica missions, u I ~~i ~&,;' given in the "Fourth Conference of 8i!l~ 1l~ the Officers and Representatives of the ::~5. ~=ii~ Foreign Mission Boards and Societie. in the United States and Canada, 1896," :£ ~.5:;a ~~:a but our space forbids anything further at this time. We will begIRd to receive ——+-''''—- — communications from any mission-field giving thill clallll of information. Presbyterl&n8(Church of Christ)……….. 10,538 $16,180.111 $1.54 J. T. GlU.CBT.
Episcopalians (Sel Ko Self-Support in Japan Missions. KwaI) ……………. 8.8117 7,390.81 1.17 Collgregationalists (K'Ilmiai) ….. .. .. .. . !I,8M 18,451.47 1.87 Baptists (of U. S. .A.).. 1,882 2,232.94 1.111 Methodist Episcopal.. 4,387 13,446.52 8.00 GreekChurch ……… 23,l53 6,126.51 .29 He says: "Some other denominations .T :allV. DAVID s. SPENCBR, NAGOYA, have excelled us, according to the same JUAN.
statistics of lSg6, in the proportion of Conversations with Christian toumts, church officia.ls o. different denominawholly self-supporting churches." He tions, and many n:issionaries, convince the writer that the problem of selfgives the following, unfortunatelyomit- support in mission work in Japan is but partially understood. The discu.llting the Methodiit: sions reported from meetings of home boards and committees force upon one Self- Churches. .upport. Presbyterians. ______ .71 18 Episcopalians.. _____ . 60 1 Congregationalists …72 85 Baptists ___ .. _.. , ____ 25 4, Methodist EpiscopaL 74 8 the same conclusion. A.ltho this is be- He further remarks: "These other coming in mission work the problem of churches began their work in Japan these closing years of the nineteenth trom four to fourteen years before the century, there are evidences that lIome Methodist Episcopal Church had a sin- missionary organizations in the home gle representative on the l1eld. The , land not only do not understand the Congregational Church had given to it, subject, but do not make any adequate mits early years, a whole class of edu- effort to understand it. There are mis- -cated men, who became its leading sions at work whose members areseldom pastors, heads of schools, etc. The ever askt by their home authoritiea for column, 'Unordained preachers and advice upon the important problems helpers,' ill miileRding, for all sorts of with which the miSilionariea on a for- help~rs 1nay be included, U well u lIli- leld laave to contead. More than
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
this, it has been intimated in more than spirit of the Japanese, and who knows one instance that suggestions as to mis- the real thoughts of the Japanese sionary methods are not desired from pastors on this subject, such statements workers on the field. From the stand- seem absurd. Japanese pastors are far point of the home office, this course of more interested in getting their own indifference may be necessary; but the support from their own people than average missionary feels that too many either their actions or the results of blunders have already been made self-support effort would seem to indi- through ignorance, and that the prob- cate. Since there surely is among them lems involved require the very best mueh interest in this subject, and yet brain, heart, and tact that the combined the results are not what they should be, forces, home and fieldward, can furnish let ~s impartially consider a few of in order to wise conclusions. THE IDNDRANCES Some have supposed that the gifts of the people, as heathen to their temples, to self-support in Japan, tho this list could, upon their becoming Christians, will by no means cover all.
be at once and easily transferred to the 1. Most of the preachers are Samu- support of churches. It seems not to rai, members of the old scholar-soldier occur to them that Christianity can not class. With the Samurai it was prac- enforce its claims to financial support tically a point of honor not to love by means of boycotting, threats of vio- money, not to have anything to do with lence, of confiscation of property, de- it. Their former station did not re- nial of burial rites, or of other religious quire them to have. They despised privileges, nor ean it collect means for money and the merchant class. To the support of ·its churches and minis- ask for money for one's self was try by taxing all classes. Refusal of specially humiliating. The dollar- the Christians now to pay these tem- loving American is slow to understand ple taxes is often the cause of trouble. this Samurai characteristic. It stands It should also be noted that the con- strongly in the way of self-Support in verts to Christianity in Japan are very Japan. The people are quite satisfied seldom from the ranks of zealous Budd- to let the pastor be silent on the sub- hists. They are often from Buddhist ject of his salary, and some of the pas- families, but are persons who had tors would face starvation rather than already become practically irreligious. make a direct appeal for their own A desire to know English, or to get a salary. If too much talk about salary taste of foreign civilizations or customs, marks a man in a home church, the may have been the attractive force, social disfavor is far stronger here.
which brought them within the sound Some of our best preachers have confest of the Gospel. To awaken self-support to me their weakness in bringing up self- ideas in such people is a matter of support, and when askt why they did education. not manifest in this the courage they Another erroneous idea is that all show in other good things, have re- efforts at self-support on this field date plied: "I can not do it; I know I their beginning only some four years ought to, but I have not the courage to back. Most of the missions have en- plead for my own salary. It will not couraged the self-support idea from the do."
start, some with greater success than 2. The poverty of the Christians.
others, perhaps. Christianity is already making great im- By some it is asserted that the Japan- pressions upon Japan, and the Chris- ese pastors take no interest in self· tians already represent some of the best support, but would prefer to rely upon blood and brain of the empire. But up a sure support from a foreign board. to the present they seldom come from To one who understands the national the wealthy class. With rare exceptions they live by their daily labor. comes in ill-advised rules made as the They are not stingy, and will generally result of lack of co-operation contribute, according to their means, to the support of the Gospel. But l Let us note what wages in Japan are very low, even in eomparison with the cost of living, and PROGRESS HAS BEEN lIADE, these Christians can not contribute what they do not have. One acquainted Perhaps the Methodist Episcopal Mis- with the real condition of these Chris- sion, to which the writer belongs, will tian homes knows that no large advance serve as a general illustration: in self-support can be made without corresponding increase in the numbers II. CONTRIBUTIONS PER MEMBER SINCE ORGAN- of the givers. IZATION OF CONFERENCE. 3. Rise in the cost of living. Official statistics show that the cost of living ~ ~~ "E~~.:og1<"Oo:~.5'c~.~E:~:S'~",-r-=,..aa'…..-~!o. ~o"~""~'.g ~~~~E.I.l.r~..2t: .~s has increast fully thirty per cent. in eighteen months. Wages have risen, ~ ~ ,..:]~ ,0"'0 ¢ p.Cg:IS. ..0.,0.",e0' but not to correspond with the cost of … iii existence. Strikes are common, and many things seem to indicate that we '" are on the verge of a social upheaval. —- ——– The preachers in all the churches are 1884 907 241 $1,378.43 $1.52 $1.20 …….. . troubled, and those of some denomina- 1&l51,296 352 1.826.12 1.41 1.11 …….. . tions are reported as having to abandon 18861,754 450 2;940.99 1.68 1.33 …….. . their work for want of support. Some of them have had to contract debts to 188711,970 524 3,758.34 1.91 1.51 ……. .. Bupport their families, and it does -Dot 1888 2,854 849 4,736.43 1.66 1.28 ……. .. require a prophet to see that more 18892,961 860 6,372.42 2.15 1.66 …….. . serious trouble is ahead fol' the churches, 189012,815 718 8,064.48 2.86 2.28 …….. . unless relief can be had to tide the 18913,061 644 8,014.98 2.61 2.16 ……. .. work over till social and economic con- 118899321,33,,111948 681 7,061.51 2.27 1.86 …….. . ditions can be adjusted. Under such 841 7,349.14 2.30 1.82 circumstances it is not possible to make 1894:3.278 728 7,217.82 2.20 1.80 ili;iili:47 great advances in self-support without 189513,371 668 8,884.52 3.64 2.20 2,486.70 the danger of going too far, and bring- 18963,3691,018 13,446.52 3.99 3.06 2.841.53 ing permanent injury upon a work well 1897:3,524 1,198 17,851.12 5.06 3.78 3,096.27 begun. The money is all in silver yen, and 4. Lack of effective cooperation be- the contributions are the total for all tween home authorities and the workers purposes, local support and benevolence on the field. There is cooperation of all kinds, in the years named. It now, but it is too often onesiderl. will be seen that when the reaction, Rules and commands framed in a mis- social and religious, commencing in sionary office and sent to the field do 1888, began to be felt, little progress not necessarily help self-support. Cut- was made for some years. We are only ting off supplies of mission money do recently recovering from this reaction. not necessarily help self-support. All depends upon the fitness of the regula- II. CONTRIBUTIONS FOR LOCAL SELF-SUPPORT. tions for the work intended. To cut off at some points involves the loss of – – – – – 1894 -1-89-5 – -1-896- -1-897all the work done for years. In other 1. Current cases the wisest thing to do in aid of — self-support is to cut off grants in aid at once. The hindrance to the work Expenses .. 1,896.29 1,489.16 1,916.86 2,110.88 2. HomeMis- sions …… 299.30 456.66 408.50 873.15 8. Pastor's Salary …. 1,191.49 2,486.70 2,641.53 8,096.27 4. Rents ., .. 304.84 647.32 585.29 5. Am'ntper IIlember … 1.03 1.40 1.66 1.75 6. Total Con- tributions. 7,217.828,884.5213,446.51 17,851.12 7. Am'ntper Member… 2.20 2.64 8.99 5.06 From No. 5 of above, all contribu- tions of every sort by foreigners are eliminated. In Nos. 6 and 7 some small contributions may appear.
It is stated that the Congregationalists have of late fallen behind seriously in the matter of self-support. At one time it appeared that their native churches might speedily reach Bolid self-support ground, and remain there; 4. A well-devised scheme for utilizbut it is now hinted that since their ing the labor of our Christians toward break with foreigners there is a falling church support. Some can not give off in local self-support, and that this money. No scheme of self·support, accounts for the mauy of their pastors with this point omitted, can thoroughly who are abandoning the churches. Un- succeed in Japan. fortunately we have no reliable statistics on this point available. 5. A closer cooperation between the ' home office and missionaries on the But statistics of 1896 show that the field. There ought to be the clearest Congregational Church lo8t 1,299, and understanding between the two parties. the Presbyterians 562 in membership in Neither can succeed in this battle withthat year over the preceding year. This out the other. If the present missionwould account for a falling off in the aries are incompetcnt to suggest methaggregate of contributions. But in ods for meeting the great problems spite of these slightly discouraging before us, let the Boards so inform features in certain missions at certain them, call them home, and put in their times, a careful survey of the field place those who are competent. But shows that self-support is making a to act arbitrarily without their advice steady gain in Japan. The future is has often worked harm to the cause of bright with hope, and if the home con- missions. Board or no board, self-supstituency can wait till the forces now port will be a failure without the wise operating can work out their legitimate cooperation of the missionaries on the results, the world will be satisfied. field.
What now are 6. Increast numbers. As already indicated, no large advance in self- THE NEEDS support can be made until there are more givers. Hence, to the advancement of self-support in Japan? 7. The supreme need. A great re- vival of pure and undefiled religion in 1. Caution.-This is not a time for Japan. Flushed with military victory, visionary experiments. "Let well intoxicated with their intellectual enough alone" would not be a bad smartness, betimes going wild over motto to follow. Christianity is gettiug what they call "national honor," rusha stronger grip upon this land every ing on in the race for worldly greatyear, and will wo!k out great things for ness, glory, and pleasure, overrun with these millions. God is moving among isms about Christianity-oh, how much the people. this people need Jesus Christ' Let us lay aside criticism, and hasten unitedly 2. A more vigorous application by to show this land Jesus! missionaries of the "last man" principle. Every member must be brought Some Good Hoped for from the Missionto contribute regularly to the support ary Debts. of the local church. This will not be secured without the constant coopers- The Editor of the Baptist Mis8ionarg tiOll of every missionary. It must be Review, publisht in the interests of insisted upon under penalty of loss of Baptist Missions in Asia, and printed at all mission aid in case of failure. We the Methodist Episcopal Publishing must begin at the bottom. House, Madras, India, writing in the number for May, 1896, treated vigor- S. A concentration of church finances ously the deficits of the missionary on local self.support. The temper of treasuries. as possibly furnishing a new pastors and people is such that they impetus to the self-support projects of will give much more readily for other the several missions. As this departobjects. Other benevolences should be discouraged, if necessary, for the present, and put all emphasis on selfsupport. ment for this month is given to con- long as the silver stream flows on unin- terruptedly they are not likely to have sideration of self-support, we venture a very vivid impression or a very deep conviction of the necessity of self-sup- to quote, rather than summarize, what port. And moreover, the native church members will never see these things, the editor or editors ssy. They are and go to work in earnest to support religion among themselves until their thoughtful, independent men, with the pastors become thoroughly aroused, and in all earnestness teach and encourage courage of their convictions in all and lead them on in this matter. And the pastors will not do this while their directions, and are specially frank in salaries, or any considerable part there- of, can be found at the mission house. their discussion of missionary econo- "There are some things, the desira- mics. In part, they say: bleness of which is seen by all, which nevertheless do not come to pass till " Lookt at from some points of view a greatly depleted treasury seems like a necessity brings them to pass. That ad- deplorable misfortune, and one that vancement ought to be made in the must inevitably hinder the work. But direction of self.support in native from other points of view we think churches is known by all and acknowl- advantage and blessing may be seen edged by all. And some advancement in it_ And we desire to look on the is being made, there is no question bright side, and discover at least some about that, notably in some fields. But of the good results which will un- the exceedinglv slow rate which marks doubtedly 1l.0w from this apparent the progress towards self-support in disaster. some missions puts the time of its full accomplishment far off. But when the " We do not think it an unmixed time comes that missionaries will be good to have a plethora of mission obliged, on account of these enormous money, a treasury always full, and a deficits, to say to the native churches, uniform copious stream of American 'Brethren, the hour has come; the time dollars 1l.0wing to the missions. While that we have often spoken of has at last there is abundance of money the im- arrived; all subsidies to native pastors pression will inevitably be produced on from this time forth must absolutely be the native mind, in spite of all that we discontinued. And in building your can say to the contrary, that the supply places of worship and maintaining the is unlimited, and that it will 1l.0w on services and ordinances of religion forever. The native churches will be- among you, henceforth we can give lieve that the support of missions by you nothing but love and good advice. foreign money is not merely a tem- , We commend you to God and to the porary measure, a stepping-stone to word of His grace which is able to something better, but that it is the build you up;' then the native bTethproper, normal, permanent condition; ren will see the necessity of self-support that missions are and ought to be as fifty years of explanation and exalways beneficiaries; that Asiatic Chris- hortation would not cause them to see tians ought by right to have their re- it. Some confusion will doubtless folligious and educational obligations and low: there will inevitably be many ups burdens borne for them by European and downs. Men who have gone into and American Christians. In the ab- , the priest's office for a piece of bread' sence of financial stringency this im- will retire in disgust from that calling, pression can not, to any considerable degree, be corrected. Among the ad- and take to something more profitable, vantages that may come from tIlls con- and doubtless some will rail at Chrisdition of our home treasuries, we may tianity, and charge the missionaries mention two. with deceiving them. Some native Christian communities which do not "I. These great deficits and the re- prize very highly the ministry of the trenchment which must result there- Word, may let their preachers go, and from will undoubtedly roll the burden some may even lapse into their former of self-support more and more on the state. But churches which have in native churches. The unavoidable re- them the vitality of faith will rally in duction or complete cutting off of sup- view of the occasion, and seeing that it plies will cause them to see, as they is 'sink or swim,' will decide to keep have never done before, that the inde- their pastors and support them as they pendence of the native churches is a are able, and repair their little meeting matter of supreme importance, that Christianity has not really taken root places, and take better care of them. in any land as long as it is dependent on foreign support. Missionaries have long been seeking to impress these things OIl the native brethren, but as In some places also they will maintain there. While things in the missionary their village schools. And thus, having societies go on smoothly, and there is at last got down to bed rock, with noth- no special occasion for urgent appeals, ing on earth outside of themselves to churches and individuals are apt to fall depend on, they will realize the situa- into an easy, careless way of looking at tion as they never could before. And the missionary enterprise, supposing then we may look for steady, natural that it will go on any way, that prodevelopment and growth. This will vision for it will be made in some way. also separate the chaff from the wheat. But when they see that on account of a Then it will be found how vastlY'more two-hundred – thousand – dollars-deficit important is quality than quantity. the society is in great trouble, and the In some places Uhristianity may appear work abroad is hindered and curtailed, weaker. but it will really be stronger. especially in new fields, where self- Unworthy and useless ministers, who support is impossible, then they will can not gain the love and respect of the wake up to see and appreciate the vital churches, will have to drop off, and connection between the churches at this will be an eliminating process that home and the work abroad. It is to be will proc<led by a natural law, and will hoped that these financial difficulties be much better in its results than the and apparent disasters may lead to a dismissal of men by the missionaries. great missionary awakening in the churchcs in America. And in this "II. Again, these great deficits will respect also seeming defeat may result help to emphasize, among missionaries, in victory." the need of the utmost carefulness in the expenditure of mission money. -The really great book of Dr. Den- When the treasury is full, and the ap- nis on "Sociological Aspects of Foreign propriations are ample, we may possi- Missions," the first volume of which bly. by almost imperceptible degrees, has just appeared from the press of grow a little careless in this matter, and Fleming H. Revell Co. , New York, fall into the habit of expending money will require extended space for proper with a free hand, not at all for unjusti- notice and review. It will be of interfiable or unnecessary purposes, but est far beyond missionary circles, or without taking time to carefully con- even strictly religious circles. It is sider the expenditure of every penny, unlike most missionary volumes in its and declining, as we should do, to spend fundamental structure. The scope of a rupee, or even an anna, which is not the work is very wide. The first volabsolutely necessary. We ought at all ume embraces the Sociological Hope of times to be just as careful as this, but Christian Missions; the Social Evils of when the pressing necessity is not kept the non-Christian World; Ineffectual before us by a depleted treasury, we Remedies and the Causes of their Failmay be apt, in the pressure of our work ure, and Christianity, the Social Hope and our manifold burdens, to avoid the of the Nations. The succeeding volume toil and worry involved in studying is to present The Dawn of a Sociological and practicing economy wherever pos- Era in Missions, and The Contribution sible. In the expenditure of our own of Christian Missions to Social Progress. money a generous freeness is perfectly It is to include an appendix of the most right, which certainly is not allowable carefully classified statistical tables of in the handling of mission money. And the Foreign Missions of the World, so, if the great deficit shall tend to Evangelistic, Educational, Literary, quicken our sense of responsibility in Medical, Philanthropic and Cultural, this matter, and keep us on the watch with Native Organizations and Trainto make the society's money go just as ing Institutions, Directory of Foreign far as possible, that will be one good Missionary Societies, and the Biblioresult. " graphy of Recent Missionary Literature.
It is only fair to note what these mis- sionaries have to say about a hoped-for good result from the debts to come to the home churches.
"These appalling deficits will event- ually call the attention of the home churches to the fact that the work of supporting the missions is still on their hands, that the Lord has laid this res· ponsibility on them and still leaves it
YIELD 01' MONTHLY BURVlIlT
III.-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
South Amerioa,* Frontier Missions in the United Sta.tes.t The Mormons,t Young People's: Work.§ BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
THE YOUNG 1IIEN OF BRAZIL. have heen received (in Rio about one thousand). But what has been done Mr. Myron A. Clark, Secretary of the for the young men as a class? The Evan~eJical chur?hes have frequently Y. M. C. A. of Rio de Janeiro, sends experIenced the bItter sorrow of seeing scores of their own young men forsake out the following earnest appeal in be- the truths learned from parents and at the Sunday-schools, and of finding them half of the young men of Brazil: turn to the vanities and pleasures of the world. Our beautiful city, the capital of Brazil, has a popUlation of some seven In July of 1893 our Rio Young Men's hundred thousand people, scattered Christian Association was founded, and over a vast area. The" cidade velha, " ever since has been housed in rented or old town, is composed of a number quarters near the very heart of the city. of blocks separated by very narrow From the start it has kept free from streets, in which is centralized nearly debt, almost without any help from all the commercial activity of the city. abroad, excepting the salary of its gen- Towards evening a general exodus takes eral secretary (paid by the American place from this scene of bustle and life, International Committee). and the streets become dark and silent, except at the localities where flourish The Association now has many friends the theatres, houses of ill-fame, music and wellwishers; has the cordial suphalls, gambling dens, suloons, lottery port of the local churches and pastors. and sporting headquarters, which sec- Its influence has stimulated the young tion is brilliantly illuminated and bust- men to more effective work in their own ling with Satanic activity. Wickedness churches, and has led to conversions and immorality become rampant, and and additions to the churches. Similar the lewdnesl! of sin puts on its brightest and cheeriest aspect, to engulf the associations have now been formed in young men. Rio is London or New three other cities, and we hope soon york or Chicago at their worst, and for a larger number of Brazilian Assowith almost nothing to offset these ter- ciations to join the World's Alliance. rible influences. Religion is at a discount; the Roman Catholic Church has Our Rio association suffers greatly many temples, but few worshippers; from lack of suitable quarters; the has many who term themselves adepts rooms are small and unattractive to the of its truths, but their lives belie the young men whom we wish to reach. statement. Infidelity is the fashion, Last December our directory started a while positivism, materialism, and spir- members' building fund, which, from itism are profest by multitudes. There the start, has been warmly supported are almost none of those restraining in- by nearly all our members. Our present fluences that are to be found in the hall can seat only about seventy, which United States and England. number is frequently exceeded even on Sundays, while at our large receptions For forty years the Gospel has been and entertainments standing room is proclaimed in Brazil, and as a resnlt several churches have been founded always at a premium, the attendance of (five in Hio), into which some thousands September 7th, last year, being two hundred and fifty. .. See also: pp. 37, 49, 57 (January); 301 Some months after the launching of (April); 539 (July); 575 (August); 809,832,842 our building fund a rare opportunity was presented of acquiring a building (present issue). in the heart of the city. A large, well- t See also: pp. 816,821 (present issue). built, unfinisht structure was sold at auction, and one of our most zealous NEW BOOKS: ., The Minute Manon the Fron- friends, at considerable sacrifice, se- cured it for about twenty-seven thoustier," J. G. Puddefoot. and dollars. Be at once offered it to :I: RECENT ARTICLES: .. Mormonism of To- the association at actual cost, and on easy terms as to interest and time. This day," Christian Herald; "Present-day Mor- offer was accepted, and another friend monism," New World (March); "Anti-Poly- offered to loan, on the same easy terms, the money necessary to finish the buildgamy Mormonism," Midland Monthly (Octo- ber). § See also: pp. 561 (August); 699 (Septem- ber); 801 (present issue). lng at once (about seventeen thousand A remedy must be found. The dollars). As the building is large, and changes which have already been the association will occupr only the wrought point to that remedy. What upper fioor until the debt IS paid, and has been done to set the people free as there will be provided a considerable must be strengthened iu every part; rental above the interest on mortgages, the press must use its cOllstitutional s part of the principal can be thus paid freedom and be outspoken; the per- off; we have hopes also of raising some sonal lights of the people must be subscriptions here in Brazil, tho friends freely and universally discust that they of means are few. We appeal, there- may understand clearly when any de- fore, to our friends abroad to assist us ception or tyranny is attempted. The as liberally nnd promptly as possible, public-school system and other means so that this property may be freed from of public instruction must be vigorincumbrance, and thus we be enabled ously maintained; railroads, mining. to do more for the young men of Rio, improvements in tilling the soil and both Brazilians and foreigners. We all forms of business enterprises must feel led to ask for about thirtl thousand be encouraged, together with the immidollars to meet our needs. -Foreign gration of non-Mormons. Mail. But the most powerful remedy, and THE REMEDY FOR MORMONISM. the one upon which the efficacy of all others will depend, is OhriBtian edu- How are we to combat -the evil of cation. What Christian schools and churches have done under all the try- Mormonism which is in our midst, and ing conditions of the past should be repeated and multiplied. Our entire which threatens the purity and life of country must wake up, and wherever Mormonism is preacht and Mormon one of our commonwealths, if not of fanaticism encouraged, the truth must be presented and Mormon errors exour nation? General John Eaton says posed, and people saved from its delu- sions. People of wealth must see that on this subject: just 80 far as Mormonism is establisht and propagated, it imperils all that they Is this fatal, spiritual poison to have hold dear, and threatens attack upon free, unrestricted, and supreme swar in every dollar of their property. They Utah, and thence to go forth to pOlson must be willing to give of their means all our land, corrupting patriotism, and for the support and efficiency of all destroying Christian life? N on-Mor- measures to resist its doctrines. In mons near the sellt of its power are every part of Utah mission schools anxious. They know the old saying should be sustained, that all who desire that "What has been may be," and distinctively religious instruction may have visions of the return of the dal find it wIthin their reach. There when some one in Brigham Young s should be high schools and academies place may declare, as he once did, "I well endowed, with improved appliwill unsheathe my bowie-knife." They'" ances and the best of teachers, remember from 1850 on, the civll favorably located in different. parts territorial government was hardly more of the State, for the admission of than a convenience for carrying out the those who may seek faithful religplans of the church, and ask, "Can it ious training of this grade. This must be possible that the State of Utah is to be crowned with ample college opportubecome only a convenience for carrying nities open both to men and women. out the decrees of its leaders, their in- These will be naturally located at SaIt tolerance and proscriptiun in business Lake City. This accords with the plan and social life, under the guise of in other states where there is no organireligious zeal. Must all officers be zation directed in secret, alike against Mormons, from the governor rlown, Chlistianity and the freedom of religious throu~h every ~ade in the State, belief guaranteed to every Amelican. countIes, and cIties? Must all but Mormon teachers be driven out from All Christian churches should rally all places of instruction, from the uni- to thi!l work in Utah. In their own versity to the kindergarten? Every good time they will have colleges repre- American and Christian sentiment pro- sentative of their own beliefs as they tests that this must not be. have in other states. All should go for- ward in harmony, each working accord- • Contributions will be gladly received and ing to its plans. The Mormons will lack promptly acknowledged by the treasurer, no unity of effort. In the public schools Mr. Jas. L. Lawson, Caixa do Correio 822, of the state the largest number in at- Rio de JaneiroJlrazll; by the International Committee of xoung Men's Christian Assoclatlons,4O East 23d street, New York city; or by ·Mr. H. Maxwell Wright, 16 Thornton Hill, Wimbleton. Surrey. London. tendsnce are Mormons, as are the larger There have been many assurances body of the teachers from the kinder- of interest and cooperation, which it is garten 10 the State Normal School, expected will materialize in due time Agricultural College, and State Univer- in ample funds. The missionary on sity. The Presbyterians are favorably St. Lawrence Island in Bering Sea situated for the carrying out of a com- who can communicate with the world plete plan of education in Utah. For only once a year, directed that $25 of his more than a score of years they have salary be reserved in aid of the college. steadily advanced the work of their A lady resident of the Hawaiian Islands schools under the Woman's Executive wrote, expressing her idea of the" ur- Committee. It is stated that "50,000 gent need" for the college, and inclosed boys and girls have past under the in- her check for $100. Another lady who fluence and instruction of their teachers had been neither seen or addrest by in Utah." They have four academies anyone connected with the movement, well distributed and favorably located offered $500. By as much as woman in the state; the one at Salt Lake City has been degraded in Utah, by so much of advanced grade doing preparatory the college appeals to her sisters everycollege work. In their churches in where.-T1Ul Ohrilitian Herald. Mormon communities they report a total membership of 1,601. Their Sab- The Directors of Harley House, Lonbath-school enrollment reaches 3,984, and the attendance on their schools and don, have recently taken in charge the academies over 2,500. What a flood of light have these schools let in upon work in Peru which has been carried on Mormon life! Not a few have gone up through them to the discharge of large by missionaries who went out from the responsibilities. East London Institute in 1893, and who The great step forward necessary have hitherto conducted it as an indeto preserve what has been done, and to complete and crown the work of pendent mission. Dr. Guinness writes: this church for the future is suggested and urged by the gift of $50,000 by Dr. "We have perfect confidence in our Sheldon Jackson toward the establish- brethren in the Mission, and have no ment of a college at Salt Lake City, to doubt the temporary difficulty has been be open alike to men and women, in permitted that thus more substantial which the Bible is always to be taught, arrangements should be made for the and which, as a guarantee of its un- prosecution of the work. varying adherence to Christian instruction is to be under the direction of "The three spheres of missionary labor which we hope to occupy are as the. Presbyterian Church (while other follows: denominations are represented in its faculty and on its board of trustees)- "1. Lima, the capital of Peru, toalso conditioned on the gift by the gether with the adjoining country to citizens of a site of not less than fifty which access is given by rail. acres. Eighty acres have been given, providing one of the most beautiful " 2. Cuzco, the magnificent inland sites, half mile outside of the city, city, which can be approached by rail together with lands where those de- and horseback, and from which point pendent on their own efforts may find opens a wide sphere of opportunity to opportunities for productive labor. In the missionary. connection with the gift a careful survey has been made of the educational .. 3. Punto, to the south of Peru, aspirations in the territory. The State and to the northwest of Lake Titicaca, Normal School is well attended, the is accessible by train, and forms a Agricultural College has an attendance strategic point. If our missionaries of 250, and the State University of 500. cross the lake, they are within a short Provo Academy, an institution under distance of the capital of Bolivia. the direction of the Mormon Church, reports a still larger number. The "For some little time the brethren town is districted, and young men have been in straitened circumstances, of promise and markt ability are and we hope that friends will see charged with the spiritual care of the their way to increast liberality in the students in each district. Fifty-eight support of this devoted band of men young men and women are in attend- and women." ance upon colleges and universitics outside of the Sta.te. Dr. Harry Guinness is now in Peru visiting the stations which have come under their care. We expect to have more specific information in regard to .
the work at a future date.
EDITORIAL
IV.- EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
Among the most instructive matters gress of the powers, etc., were disin the history of the past year is the cust. The Jews who arranged the constory of the raising of the immense ference are termed Zionists, and aim to debt of the American Baptist Mission- set up a Jewish state in the Holy Land. ary Union. It was a story of all- The movement meets opposition from night prayer meetings, of dependence the German rabbis, who protest that on God, of diligent use of means, of dis- "the efforts of so-called Zionists to tribution of the burden so that the load create a Jewish national state in Paleswas equitably borne, and of singular tine are antagonistic to the Messisanic and remarkable answers to prayer and promises of Judaism as contained in honoring of faith. The narrative we Holy Writ and in later religious shall present to our readers next month. sources." The movement was started But meanwhile let it be noted that by Dr. Theodor Herzl, of Vienna, to it is a striking proof of the positions so acquire Palestine by purchase from repeatedly and urgently advocated in Turkey, with a view to establishing the these pages that the more we return to Jews in the Holy Land. About 200 the primitive simplicity of faith in a delegates were present, including reppresent and prayer-hearing God, the resentatives from Great Britain, France, sooner will missions be conducted with Austria, Russia and the Balkan States. a success and a power now unknown to Dr. Herzl warmly welcomed the assemus in our work for a perishing world. bled delegates, and Herr Nordau made an exhaustive report on the present Jewish Oonferenoes. position of the Jews, which was loudly applauded. Both addresses were or· The second annual conference con· dered to be printed, and Herren Birncerning Israel and Prophetic subjects baum and Farbstein then delivcred was held Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 and 2, in speeches on the foundation and devel. Chicago Ave. Church, Chicago, and opment of the Zionist program, which the program was very full and very evidently made a deep impression on interesting. Drs. James M. Gray, J. the congress. H. Sammis, P. S. Henson, R. A. Torrey, F. W. Snead, D. C. Marquiss, E. The American Bible Society has re- P. Marvin, A. S. J. McPherson, J. H. ceived recent letters from Peru which Barrows, H. M. Scott, W. J. Erdman, state that four of the men who have Mr. William R. Newell and Rabbi A. R. been most prominent in obstructing the Levy took part. The Jew is evidently circulation of Bibles and evangelical coming to the front in the increasing work in that country have died within interest manifested in the future of twelve months. They are the Bishop this strangely preserved people. of Arequipa, who, in 1889, observed Mr. Penzotti selling a New Testament Meanwhile the Zionists held a three in the street, and ordered a gendarme days' Jewish Congress at Basle, Switz- to arrest him and his colporteurs; La erland, beginning Aug. 29. The ob- Jana, who stopt the entry of Bibles at ject was to consider the needs and the custom-house in Callao, on the wishes of opprest Jews everywhere, and ground that he needed to consult the devise ways of aiding them. Jewish government respecting the legality of societies in all parts of Europe had rep- clearing such pUblications; Quinones, resentatives present who took part in who ordered the mission schools to be the conference. The social, economic, closed; and the padre Veza, the parish and political position' of Jews in all priest of Santa Rosa, who had been lands; colonization, agrarian conditions conspicuous in throwing obstructions and prospects; finances, the Jewish in the way of evangelical work. question, and the next diplomatic con- The American Bible Society an- tural grounding in fundamentals as is consistent with this, the primary object nounces that a large folio Bible in Eng- of our Circles."
lish has been specially prepared as a Among the training schools now happily multiplying, the Northwestern gift to the Emperor of Japan, and sent Bible Institute and Training School for Christian Workers began its ninth year to Yokohama. It will be formally on Tuesday, Oct 5, 1897. Pastor T. C. Horton is president, St. Paul, Uinn.•from presented at the first fitting opportunity whom all particulars may be learned. But from personal knowledge we can after the emperor's return to Tokyo in commend this school. Tuition is free, and no educational test required. the autumn. The gift will be made in A worthy appeal comes to us from the name of the American Bible Society, ~iorgan Park, Ill., for help in building a Home for Mi8sionaries' OMldren. A the British and Foreign Bible Society, few such homes have already been started in various parts of the country, and the National Bible Society of Scot- and have been maintained with markt success and blessing. One of the greatland, which are jointly concerned in the est trials of missionaries life is the separation from their children, that publ{cation and distribution of the they may obtain a good education at home. Frequently no satisfactory Japanese Scriptures. The two agents, provision can be made for them, and if they are old enough, they are Bent to a Rev. Henry Loomis and Ur. George boarding-school where little or no atten- tion is given to their spiritual develop- Braithwaite, of Yokohama, are to make ment. Morgan Park is to be under the supervision of the W orr.en's Baptist all the necessary arrangements, includ- Foreign Missionary Society of the West, and from $150 to $200 meets all exing the preparation of a suitable letter to penses for a child in this Christian Home. accompany the book. The preparation Mr. Edward A. Marshall (secretary) of this volume was suggested by the writes from Chicago, Ill., asking the prayers of the readers of the MISSIONfavorable reception which the Dowager ARY REVIEW for the Bible Institute in Chicago, and the work connected Empress of China gave in 1894, when a with it. He says: God has been Iichly blessing the Institute in the past months beautiful Chinese New Testament was and now an extension of its work is being planned. Three great evening given to her in the name of 10,000 Bible classes are to be organized on the three sides of the city, to include Protestant Christian women of China. Christians of all denominations, for the study of the simple Word of God. In W. E. S. Holland, MagdalenCollege, this great city of nearly two millions of people, there are thousands of Chris- Oxford, of the British College Christian tians who are longing for a deeper and more thorough knowledge of the Union, writes from London to say: blessed Word.
"The members of nearly all our We thank God for three thousand Christian Unions are now distributed students in these classes. We beseech into little bands of 5 or 6 members known as ' Bible Circles,' meeting weekly for systematic devotional Bible study. Each Circle chooses some subject for the term; its members make this their private devotional study during the week, and then meet for prayer and to compare notes-each one contributing the result of his own study, instead of one member addressing the rest. Our objects are the formation of the habit of, and the development of system in, private Bible stud,Y; the infecting of others with a passlOn for it; and the training of our members in its different methods. Most of our members are very elementary Bible students, and therefore, not unnaturally, have a tendency to develop exclusively along some one line of study. Accordingly we are endeavoring to assist them in the choice of subjects by drawing out a four years' cycle of topics for their use. Such a cycle would have as its first and great object the training of our members in the different and most fruitful methods of Bible study, and the giving them as thorough a Scripthe Lord's people to remember, in education and preparation of It ministry, their supplications, this work we are in accordance with the plans of the planning, that the Holy Ghost may be Synod; and in the support of parochial mightily poured out upon teacher and schools for the children of believers. students, and that God may be glorified iii a real Josiah revival of interest ill African Notes. the reading and study of the Bible. Rev. Donald Fraser writes from Eh- The teacher of the class, Mr. W. R. wendtmi, Angoniland, West Nyasa, Newell, the assistant superintendent of Brit. Cent. Africa, July 6: the Institute, especially craves a place in the prayers of our readers. that he " There has been a terdble mortality may.be peculiarly fitted by God's grac- among the Administration men. Six ious Spirit as he undertakes the direc- or seven out of their small number tion of the work. have died in the past two months. I fear that death has been hastened in Mission Schools in BraziL many cases by injudicious living. The missionaries are at present wonderfully The Synod of the Presbyterian free from death in their ranks." Church in Brazil was organized in September, 1888, and embraces all the Two of the oldest missionaries in Presbyterian churches in the Republic. Africa have recently died. One, the Within the last forty years the Presby- Rev. W. Ashton, went out fifty-four terian churches in the United States, years ago to be the colleague of Robmt Northern and Southern, establisht Moffa. at Kuruman. The other, Mrs. missions in Brazil, and the progress Dyke, of Basutoland, was 82 years old has been so rapid that by order of the when she died. She had been more two General Assemblies the missionar- than fifty years a missionary in South' ies and native ministers were erganized Africa. These both have seen the pio· into one independent Brazilian Synod. neer work of missions in the colony. The Mission Boards of the two Mother- They have passed through times of re- Churches establisht schools in Brazil as bellion, when they held their lives in in other mission fields. The results their hands, and Mrs. Dyhe, at least, after years of trial and great expendit- has seen one of the most notable triure are far from satisfactory. The umphs of missions, in the saving of the Synod at its meeting in S. Paulo, July, finest race in South Africa. 1897, after a full discussion, in the interests of unity and peace, in the inter- The native church at Burnshill, ests also of the Kingdom of Christ in South Kaffraria, has a membership of Brazil, adopted by a four·fifths vote 1,062, and more than 600 candidates for the following: baptism. Last year the Kaffirs them- selves contributed toward church pur- WhereaB, there is urgent need for poses no less than .£308. evangelization in the whole territory of our Synod and many fields are open A notorious sinner was recently conwhich we can not supply with the verted near Burnshill. All men marked means of grace; the change, for even his black face, branded with heathenism, became trans- Whereas, immense sums have been formed. To-day he is as zealous for spent on large schools of various kinds Christ and the winning of his brothers as a means for spreading the Gospel; as he was formerly for sin. When he prays, confessing the hardness of his Whereas, there has been an almost heart, he may sometimes be lulard to eomplete failure on the part of these in- cry" Lord, the footstool of Thy throne stitutions in Brazil, both as a means is dry." for propagating the faith and for pre· paring a Gospel ministry: The king of Uganda is now learning to read and write, taking lessons three lV1te1'eaB, they have been a cause of continued strife and bitterness and at times have deprived us of the full support and sympathy of our brethren ill North America; Be it re8olved .. that we, the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Brazil, respectfully recommend and beg the General Assemblies of our Mother- Church!'s that any help they wish to give us be in the direction of aiding us in the great work of evangelization by the most direct methods, including the times a. week. It is good news that he last hours he was much troubled by now drinks milk almost entirely, and fears lest his work should be in vain. so has ceast to be a dmnkard. During the last eight months his subjects have His wife. to comfort him, undertook to bought 13,200 Bibles or parts of Bibles. have the translation printed. She When Bishop Tucker first went to Uganda there was but one church in drew out of the bank the sum of £100,' the nation; now there are three hun- the savings of her lifetime, and with it dred and twenty. Then there were but few native teachers, now there are had printed 500 copies of the book. Of over eight hundred. Twenty thousand course, since there was no one in the of the inhabitants can read the Bible. printer's office who knew the language, The following additional contribu- many mistakes were made. Mrs. Thomas gave away fifteen copies and tions to Pandita ~mabai fund are three were sold. The rest were stored hereby acknowledged: at Shiloh, her husband's mission station.
Rev. E. Griffith _____________ _ t 25.00 During the revolt the Matabeles stole Elizabeth Cochran __________ _ 10000 these copies and used them as head- J. H. Beck _________________ _ M. S. D ___________________ _ 10.00 gear. A friend of the Bible Society in 5.00 Natal heard of all this, obtained what For Armenian orphans: is probably the only remaining copy of Elizabeth Cochran___________ 100.00 the version, and sent it home. The E. Griffith ______________ . ___ 25.00 Bible Society agreed to purchase the In connection with one of the recent copyright, and propose to issue a tenta- tive editiop. of one of the Gospels, and donations, a letter was received which wil1 proceed with the revision of the has so valuable a lesson' in it, that we whole of the New Testament if compeprint it : tent scholars pronounce it to be advisa- ble. " Instead of joining a little party of my children, grandchildren and others Spiritual Guidance. in a trip to the mountains for health sake, which in my own case, through The Editor is so often appealed to the mercy of God, was not necessary, by those who are in need of definite and which cost about the amount enclosed, I preferred putting it into some direction on matters of duty, that he exceptional side issue of the Lord's feels constrained to give here, somework, and enclose draft. My apology what at length, a quotation from "C. to you for asking you to take this trou- H. M.'s" notes on Deuteronomy, coverble is that I don't know the addresses ing, with admirable spiritual insight, of the parties in view, and I may add that you are in a measure yourself res- the matter of guidance in spiritual ponsible, for it was through reading the September issue of MISSIONARY RE- things. He says: VIEW OF THE WORLD that my attention •• Nothing can be more precious to a was just now called to India and Armenia." child of God, if only the heart be in a right condition, than to be guided, in A pathetic story attaches to a Gospel all his movements, by the Divine comnow publisht in Matabele by the British mand. It saves a world of anxiety and Foreign Bible Society, says the and perplexity. In Israel's case, called Ghurch Missionary InteUigencer, of Lon- as they were to journey through a don. Mr. Thomas, who had once been great and terrible wilderness, where connected with the London Missionary there was no way, it was an unspeaka- Society, and was working in Matabele- ble mercy to have their every step, their land; made a translation of the New every halting place ordered by an in- Testament, which he completed the fallible Guide. Jehovah settled al1 for day on which he was attackt by an them. It was for them simply to wait illness of which he died. During his on Him for guidance and to do what they were told.
"Now, we Christians have to learn our lesson in aU this-a wholesome, needed, valuable lesson. It is our sweet privilege to have our path markt out for us, day by day, by divine authoritY'. God has promist to guide We should never move in uncertainty. us, and His promise is yea and amen. It often happens that we harrass our- We can not admit for a moment that selves about moving or acting when Israel in the desert were better off in God would have us to be still and do the matter of guidance than God's nothing. We go and ask God about heavenly people in their passage it, but get no answer; we betake our- through this world. Yea, we are better selves to friends for advice and counsel, off by far than they. We have the but they can not help us; for it is Word and Spirit of God to guide us. entirely a question between our own To us pertains the high and holy souls and the Lord. Thus we are privilege of walking in the footsteps plunged in doubt and anxiety, and of the Son of God. Is not this per- why? Simply because the eye is not feet guidance ? Hear what our adorable single, we are not following Jesus, Lord Jesus Christ saith to us: 'I am , the light of the world.' the light of the world; he that fol- loweth me shall not walk· in darkness, " We deem ourselves perfectly war- ranted in concluding that the One who but shall have the light of life.' He guided His earthly people in all their has left us ' an example that we should desert wanderings can, and will guide follow in his steps.' How did Jesus His heavenly people now, in all their walk? Always and only by the com- movements and in all their ways. Bnt, mandment of His Father. Without it on the other hand, let us see to it that He never acted, moved, or spoke. we are not bent on doing our own will, having our own way, and carrying out "Now, we are called to follow Him, our own plans. 'Be ye not as the horse and in so doing we have the assurance or as the mule, which have no under- of His own Word that we shall not standing, whose mouth must be held in walk in darkness, but shall have the with bit an,d bridle, lest they come near unto thee.' Be it our one grand aim to light of life! Precious words! ' The walk in the footsteps of that blessed light of life.' Who can sound their One who pleased not Himself, but ever living depths? Who can duly esti- moved in the current of the divine will, mate their worth? 'The darkness is never acted without divine authority; past, and the true light now shineth,' who, tho Himself God over all, blessed and it is for us to walk in the full forever, yet, having taken His place as blaze of the light that shines along the a man on the earth, surrendered compathway of the Son of God. Is there pletely His own will, and found His any uncertainty, any perplexity, any meat and His drink in doing the ground for hesitation here? Clearly will of His Father. Thus shall our not. How could there be, if we are fol- hearts and minds be kept in perfect lowing Him? It is utterly impossible peace, and we shall be enabled to move to combine the two ideas. on, from day to day, with firm and de- cided step, along the path indicated for "It is not by any means a question us by our divine and ever-present of having a literal text of Scripture for Guide, who not only knows, as God, every movement or every act. For every step of the way, but who, as example, I can not expect to get a text man, has trodden it before us, and left of Scripture, or a voice from heaven, us an example that we should follow to tell me to go to London or Edin- His steps. May we follow Him more burgh, or how long I am to stay when faithfully in all things, through the I go. How, then, it may be askt, am gracious ministry of the Holy Ghost, I to know where I ought to go, or how who dwelleth in uSi" long I am to stay? The answer is, wait on God, in singleness of eye and Missionary Methods of the Papacy, sincerity of heart, and He will make your path as plain as a sunbeam. This At present, when critics of a certain IS what Jesus did. 'I will guide thee type are disposed to extol Roman with mine eye,' is a most precious Catholic missions at the expense of promise; but, in order to profit by it, Protestantism, it is important that the we must be near enough to Him to characteristic methods of Rome should catch the movement of His eye, and in- be understood. Broadly speaking, the tactics of her agents are the same in all timate enough with Him to understand parts of the world. When a Protestant its meaning. mission shows signs of success, Rome immedIatelventers the same field, pours " Thus it is in all the details of our her workers into the district, and shows daily life. It would answer a thousand no hesitation in taking every advantage questions, and solve a thousand difficulties, if we did but wait for Divine guidance, and never attempt to move without it. If I have not gotten light to move, it is my plain duty to be still. she possibly can. An English mission forever; and thus'let their candle be had been settled at Uganda for more extinguisht in the presence of God at than two years before the first of the the day of judgment. Let their burial French priests appeared there, and it be with dogs and asses. Let hungry would not be too much to say that their wolves devour their corpses. Let the presence not only stirred up internal devil and his angels be their compan- strife among the natives, but seriously ions forever. Amen, amen; so be it; retarded the progress of Christianity. so let it be." . In China the experience has been the same. The Church Missionary Society Bishop P. F. Stevens, of the Re- states that the successful work in the Hok-Chiang district attracted the atten- formecI Episcopal Church, writes from tion of Rome, and that the priests sent there are seeking out the new converts, Orangeburg, S. C., May 20, 1897, to and attempting to win them over before they have made any effort to approach the editor: the heathen. What is going on in Africa and in China is being repeated Though not a missionary in foreign in India. The Romish emissaries are lands I would like to Bay a word tampering with the native Christians, indorsing the views exprest in your and by relaxt standards of discipline, May number, concerning the reception and by open and unblushing bribery, of polygamQU8 con'Vertll into the Church are endeavoring to draw them away in heathen lands. My study of the from their :first teachers and their earlier question long since convinced me that faith. Such methods are perfectly con- the polygamous relations tolerated sistent with the system and the princi- under the Mosaic dispensation were in ples of Rome, but too many people, no way interfered with in the early who, because they are more ignorant Church, and were condemned no fur- assume that they are more liberal than ther than as in 1 Tim. 3 : 2, to be de- those around them, fail to understand clared a bar to the ministry. I have, this. A little more knowledge would therefore, always thought it unauthordo much to correct illusory impressions ized, unwise, and even wrong for and false judgmemts.-Sundall Maga- missionaries to force the polygamous zine. husband to put away all but one of his wives. Unauthorized and unwise, be- The following is one of the author- cause beyond and wiser than what is written. Wrong, because conflicting ized curses publisht in the Romish with and overriding the fundamental principle of marriage, that the husband Pontific al to be pronounced on heretics and wife are one flesh. This physio- logical fact, so often alluded to in Scrip- by Romish priests: ture, lies at the foundation of the Scriptural laws concerning marriage. .. May God Almighty and all his The fact asserted by Adam concerning saints curse them with the curse with Eve. "This is now bone of my bone which the devil and his angels are and flesh of my flesh." may be as truthcurst. Let them be destroyed out of fully affirmed by every man concerning the land of the living. Let the vilest his wife. The woman becomes one of deaths come upon them, and let flesh with the man, not the man with them descend alive into the pit. Let the woman. This fact is recognized their seed be destroyed from the earth; by the wife's taking the name of her by hunger and thirst. and nakedness, husband, the husband never taking and all distress. Let them perish. that of the wife. This fact is the May they have all misery and pesti- foundation for the toleration of the lence, and torment. Let all they have polygamy at all, and for its being be curst. Always and eVCl'Ywhere let confined to the husband. Each wife them be curst. Speaking and silent let is completely one with her husband, them be curst. Within and without and that unity is in no wise marred or let them be curst. By land and by sea lessened by the union of others with let them be curst. From the crown of the common husband. Not so in the their head to the sole of their foot let case of polyandry: the wife in her them be curst. Let their eyes become union with more than one would be blind, let their ears become deaf, let one with neither, but would be in her their mouth become dumb, let their ownself a mixed flesh, which is "contongue cleave to their jaws, let not fusion" condemned by God. This their hands handle, let not their feet being the case, how can the missionary, walk. Let all the members of the or even the husband himself, undertake body be curst. Cursed let them be to decide which wife is the real wife, standing, lying, from this time forth and which ones are not wives? How can this self constituted judge assume TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF MISSIONARY the authority to condemn the put away WORK IN CmNA. By Grace Stott. wives to life-long widowhood under American 'rract Society, N. Y. unjust reproach, or to force her into the commission of adultery and the entrap- $1. 75 ping of a man into the same crime by CHRONICLES OF UGANDA. R. P. Ashe. a new marriage, her true husband being still alive? A. D. F. Randolph & Co., New Leaving this subject, let me go a little York. $1.50. further. This physiological fact ofthe CREATION CENTERED IN GOD. By one flesh so generally over-looked settles other questions concerning mar- H. Gratton Guinness. Hodder & riage relation; the Scripture forbids a Stoughton, London. man to marry his brother's widow (ex- CHINA AND FORMOSA. Rev. James cept in the now obsolete case involving Johnston. $1.25. Fleming H. landed inheritance of the Jew in Pales- Revell, New York, and Hazell tine). The reason seems plain, the Watson, and Viney, London. widow is his dead brother's flesh and he may not marry his own brother's flesh MISSIONARY PIONEERS IN INDIA. John without incest. Rutherford. Andrew Elliot, Edin- burgh. The Scripture says nothing to forbid the marriage of a man with his deceased EYEGA'l'E OR NATIVE ART IN THE wife's sister, the reason is plain, the EVANGELIZATION OF CHINA. Wm. dead wife was his flesh, he was not and Wilson. 1:1. W. Partridge & Co., is not her flesh. Therefore there is no London. more relation between the man and his wife's sister than there was between FROM SUNRISE LAND. AmY' Wilson himself and the wife before he married Carmichael. Marshall Brothers, her. This same physiological fact is London. the reason why the husband has always been allowed to divorce the faithless EEN Y AAR OP REIS IN DIENST DER wife, while faithlessness on his part was ZENDIG (An account of Mission never scripturally a ground for the wife work in Java). Fe Lion Cachet, to separate from her husband. If our Amsterdam. court would remember and maintain this difference in regard to the ground DICTIONARY OF TREATMENT. William of divorce, many scandalous trials and Whitla, M.D. Henry Renshaw, equally scandalous and immoral di- London, Eng. vorces would be avoided in our country. WILLIAM AND LOUISA ANDERSON.- The spirit of Christianity has estab- A record of their life and work in lisht the fact that monogamy is the Jamaica and Old Calabar. By Wilwiser, purer, and higher rule of life and liam Warwick. Andrew Elliot, the law of Christian lands in accordance Edinburgh. with this fact has rendered polygamy equally with arlultery a crime. LETTERS FROM CEYLON. Fannie Greg- son. Marshall Brothers, London. Punish therefore faithlessness on the part of the husband as heavily as you STRATEGIC POINTS IN THE WORLD'S please, but since it does not affect the CONQUEST. John R. Mott. Flemunion between himself and his wife, ing H. Revell Co., New York. except sentimentally, it is de facto no $1.00. legal or scriptural ground for the wife to claim a divorce. SEVEN YEARS IN SIERRA LEONE. Ar- thur T. Pierson, D.D. The Same. This may seem contrary to the spirit $1.00. of the age which in so many respects is putting woman upon an equal footing FRIDTJOF NANSEN. J. Arthur Baln. with man, but God's physiological facts The Same. 75c. must in this life at least preclude the absolule equality of man and woman RELICS OF PRIMEVAL LIFE. Sir. Wilin every regard and particular. liam Dawson. The Same. Si1.00. Books Received. EVEN so, COME. The late John Mac- FOREIGN MIS~IONS AND SOCIAL PROG- Neil. The Same. 50c. RESS. Volume I. Rev. James S. Dennis, D.D. Fleming H. Re- YET SPEAKING. Addresses by the late vell Co., New York. $2.50. (Il- A. G. Gordon. The Same. 25c. lustrated. ) A HOJ.Y LIFE. Rev. George H. C. Magregor, M A. The Same. 25c.
CHOSEN OF GOD.-By Rev. Herbert W. Lathe. The Same. A CASTAWAY and other addresses.
By Rev. ]'. B. Meyer. The Same. 15 and 30 cents. THE STORY OF KESWICK.-By Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. Marshall Broth- ers, I,ondon.
HANDBOOK OF MISSIONS. A: McLean, Bethany Reading Course, Commit· tee, Cleveland, Ohio. 50c.
GENERAL MISBIONARYINTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D., OBERLIN, omo.
Extraots and Translations From Foreign referring them to my goats and to the Periodioals. cows of the station, which need to be tended. But the beautiful parable still BY REV. c; c. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, remains strange to the people. It does MASS. not correspond to their conceptions."
NEW GmNEA. UNITAS FRATRUM.
-Herr Hoffmann, of the Rhenish -The brethren are proposing to Mission in New Guinea, says: "It is a establish a new station on Makk6vik serious difficulty for our preaching that Bay, Labrador, the very place where, in the Papua languages which we have in 1752, Eberhardt, the pioneer of the studied, so many words are lacking, of Labrador Mission, was murdered by which a Christian sermon has need. heathen Eskimo. The bay is pronounced We seek in vain for words for the the best anchoring place in Labrador, most elementary religious conceptions, and as it lies in the midst of the white such as God, sin, grace, kingdom of and half-breed" settlers," and right in God. The Papua, who has a name the route of the thousands of New- for every plant, for every least creature, foundland schooners, it is peculiarly knows scarcely any abstract words. eligible for this side of the work. In his thinking he is very concrete. It requires time and a great deal of prac- -The apprehensions felt for the tice, before one has learned to think l'lfission at Bluefields, when the little in such a way as the Papua does, Protestant Mosquito State was taken and then to express one's self accord- possession' of by Spanish and Catholic ingly.' I have repeatedly wisht to Nicaragua, have thus far not been fully translate the Lord's Prayer, but thus verified. Nicaragua has in the main far have been able to bring to pass no fairly kept her promise to allow full translation that even half way satisfies religious liberty. Indeed, it is secularme. For words like kingdom, glory, ism rather than Catholicism which seems debt, trespass, temptation, I have thus to determine the present policy of the far found no term that even approxi- government. Thus the public subsidy mately reproduces the sense of these has been withdrawn from the brethren's expressions, and paraphrases would schools, because religious instruction make the divine prayer something is given in them. Taxes, it is true, are different from what it is. Inspector now much higher, which makes the Schneider has referred us to the images mission more costly. and parables of Holy Writ as peculiarly adapted to rudimentary preaching. But – " As a subordinate part of the good in trying this we encounter great diffi- offices of our Labrador missionaries to culties. Out of all the parables, let us their people," says the Missions Blatt, take the beautiful ones of the Sower " we may mention something, not diffiand the Good Shepherd. Our people cult, indeed, but taking time, someknow no sower, and have no seed which thing that can hardly be required in they strew on the land. Their field many regions of the earth. It is to fruits, taro and yams, are tubers, which help the Eskimo in the choice of family are simply stuck in the ground. Even names. Hitherto it has only been perso they know no shepherd, no flock, no sonal names that were in question. If sheep. I have hied to help my~elf by two men of the same name were to be distinguisht, the names of their respec·
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
tive wives would be added in the mission station of Mupoore, I can genitive. They commonly, however, bear witness, with great pleasure, that devise these new family names of their this mission is, in my opinion, a perfect own motion, and in doing so render an success; a proof of What sound comattractive testimony of their good, mon sense, courage, and good will can earnest temper and Christian feeling accomplish with savages. It was quite and way of thinking. For instance, a new experience for me when I comone now proudly bears the name of pared this station with others. 'Green,' in the hope that, as in spring ThlOl results obtained here exceed all the yonng green sprouts out of the my experience among the Aborigines branches, so also out of his former life during more than thirty years. I a new acceptable life may grow forth. recommend that the government should Another chooses for himsclf and his supply the station with a good boat and children the name of a bird, in order to with 400 woolen blankets yearly. I am be admonisht thereby, ever, like these glad to have had the privilege of seeing feathered songsters, to trust God in a station which is conducted in so exjoyous unanxiousness, thinking, doubt- cellent a manner."-A. M. Z., quoted less, of Mathew 6 : 26. in 11w Chronicle.
"Yet it is questionable whether -When Nicaragua took possession many coming generations will bear of the Mosquiio coast, she promist the these beautiful names. Every year the brethren fnll liberty and equal favor little Eskimo people is lessening in for their mission. It was not to be number, hastened in the decline by expected, however, that Spaniards, any wasting sickness. To all appearance more than Frenchmen. would keep we can compute the time when it will such a covenant. Even the liberals, be wholly vanisht from the earth, for tho atheists, are still Catholics, and the old are dying off, and the children their langnage and way of thinking are are seldom vigorous enough for long still Spanish. They, therefore, view life. Within three years many little Protestantism and Teutonism with disones have come into the world in Hope- like. Besides, they complain that the dale, but just three of them are living. Moravian labors do too much work for Commonly they fail soon after birth the enlightenment and moral elevation before some seemingly slight indisposi- of the Indians. We know how bitterly tion. On the other hand, among the Zola has complained of Protestantism scattered Eskimo, as also among the in his country, as cultivating a German English and Eskimo half-breeds, the and English habit of speaking the so-called settlers, there is a steady truth, which he regards as something growth of the population. Our brethren very disgraceful for Frenchmen. The are minded to go on in faithful work, Nicaraguan €;overnment takes the altho they are now in part in the care same view. Accordingly it has sent of the father or mother, who is called three Spanish priests to institute an to close the eyes of their hopelessly active counter mission. The Nicaradeclining child. Yet the work among guan authorities, however, will hardly the seekers is broadening out more and go so far as to shoot the Protestants, as more." the French are doing in Madagascar.
-Police Inspector Fitzgerald, for- The priests criticize the mission merly an enemy of missions, reports somewhat severely, but declare that it thus to his superior upon the work of has greatly raised the moral stande.rd the Herrnhut missionaries at Mupoore, of the people. on the east side of the Gulf of Carpentaria: "As the results of personal ob- MISCELLANEOUS. servation of the management of the -" What do we owe the sailor? Owe him for our civilization, owe him
GENERAL :MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
for a thousand of the comforts and we have been pe~istently setting forth, adornments that enrich our homes, and now the Primate of all England owe him for our pleasures, owe him himself comes forward to endorse the for many things that have come to be statement. " almost necessities of our existence, owe him for commercial prosperity, owe -The adult baptism in the C. M. him for our intercourse with other peo- missions for 1896·7 have been 7,700 ples, owe him for the stimulus which more than ever before. 8,751 were in his daring and endurance impart to the Uganda. manifold activities of great populations, owe him for his venture, his patience, -" Provost Vahl calculates that from his bravery, his skill in the navigation 1845 to 1890 the number of male mis· of the sea? What do we owe the sailor? sionaries has been multiplied three or Who can tell? For one, I can not, nor four times, while that of women miswill I try. It is a great debt!-a debt sionaries has been multiplied about 26 we can only pay by securing to him, as times."-Journal des Missions (Chronmuch as in us lies, the best thing in all icle). the world, the Gospel of the grace of God, with its pardon for sin, its restraint -The Ohurch Miasiona'l'1/ InteUigencer in temptation, its joys, its consolations, for July gives a detailed account of the its incentives to duty, its strength in gradual extension of the Anglican life, its peace in death, and the assur- Episcopate into the world at large. ance of an abiding place in that dear, Every ecclesiastical system works most dear country where, having for the effectively when it works on its own last time stepped ashore, the wanderer lines, and an Episcopal Church, like of the trackless deep shall find a home Methodist or Anglican, is most likely forever, for of that land it is written, to do SUbstantial missionary work under 'and there was no more sea!' "-Rev. Episcopal supervision. The first ex- T. SABINE, in &ilor's Magazine. tension was not strictly missionary; it was the communication of the Anglican -The Mis8ionsblattfur Kinder gives Episcopate to this country. Before the two answers of African school·classes, revolution this was much dreaded that are certainly as perfectly African here. Even churchmen were dubious as anything could be. 1. What does about it, and Puritans first could think this mean: In the sweat of thy face of nothing but land and power. With shalt thou eat bread? Answer: You independence, this fear fell, but the must eat till you sweat. 2. For what fear of offending the new republic, says were the eyelids given? Answer (un- the Intelligencer, for some time reanimous): For sleeping. strained parliament from permitting the English bishops to act. Professor Nip- – " The lesson of the missionary is poId's assumption of spiteful intrigues the enchanter's wand." -CHARLES of the king against it appears unwar· DARWIN, (quoted in C. M. I.). ranted. They would have been unin- telligible in so devout a churchman -The InteUigencer,speaking of Arch- after the peace. Nippold's description bishop Temple's address at the annual of the American succession as arising meeting of the Church Missionary So- from the non.juring Scotch is aDother ciety, remarks: "We may safely say mistake. Seabury was only received in that in the whole history of the Church New England. Parliament gave way no archbishop has ever spoken before at last, and on February 4th, 1787, as Archbishop Temple spoke that William White, of Pennsylvania, and morning. 'The very purpose,' he Samuel Provoost, of New York, were said, 'for which the Church exists is consecrated in Lambeth Chapel. In the evangelization of the world.' That 1790 Madison, of Virginia (cousin of is the great truth which of late years James Madison), was also consecrated at Lambeth, thus giving the canonical with double force, that no agency has number for American consecrations. benefited India so much as the Chris- So far is SeaJ:mry, as Nippold imagines, tian missionary societies. They have from being the root of the American been successful where the Indian Gov- Episcopate, that he was not admitted ernment has failed." by White and Provoost to concur in a consecration until Madison's ordination "Miss Stratton, of Muttree, North rendered his participation otiose. The India, refers in her annual letter to a American succession is not Scottish and •purdah' lady who comes to church, Jacobite, but English and Hanoverian. where she sits in purdalt [seclusion] The first colonial bishop was consecrated behind a curtain. She is beginning to the same year; the first Indian bishop read the Bible for herself, and knows in 1812; in 1841 the noble and lovable Christian bhajana [lyrics]. She takes Selwyn became first bishop of New her bhajan book to the houses of her Zealand. After these long hesitations friends and sings with them; so the and delays, the English Episcopate, Gospel is sung in high caste houses, to colonial and missionary, has spread which, at present, the missionaries have rapidly throughout the world. The no entrance, through her instrumentalhasty attempt of Rome-or rather of ity. She came to church on Good Cardinal Vaughan-to pooh it down, Friday and said, •I thought I ought to has about as much effect as the wind. come to-day, for-who knows ?-per- haps in one year, or in two, He may An adherent of the Arya Samaj, have come again."'-O. M. Glearwr. quoted in the annual report of the C. M. S. for 1895–6, writes: " Whatever The E'lJening Post says that the six or differences in some theological doctrines seven millions of dollars spent last year and dogmas might exist between Chris- by the English for foreign missions tianity and the Arya Samaj, the en- have not made very many converts, lightened Hinduism, it would be the but might have saved a million Hindu meanest ingratitude if I, in common lives. What an unworthy jibe! The with my countrymen, did not feel E'lJening Post knows perfectly well that grateful, in the fullest possible way, to part of this money is apent immediately the Christian missionary societies for on extensive and deeply rooted and the good they have done to Il!dia. steadily extending institutions, ecclesi. These Christian missionaries have been astical, educational, and humanitarian. the pioneers in India of every reform, These are the centres and supports of whether it be religious, social, or moral. the more direct evangelizing agencies. Without the aid of the Christian mis- Imagine a sudden collap!le of the gifts sionary societies the Indian Govern- that sustain them, and they would sink ment could never have been able to do into almost hopeless ruin, while the even a tenth part of what has been money thus suddenly withdrawn would done for India. It was pious Chris- assuredly not go to any other great tian missionaries like Drs. Duff, Wil- end of good, That is not the way in son and Foreman, whom the Indians up whic~ human activities or human instito this time revere most respectfully, tutions work. But hatred of the Gospel who first establisht colleges for the ed- of Christ will always find opportunity ucation of the Indians. It was the for a jeer. pious Christian missionaries who first opened female schools, medical hos- English obligations to Hindu lives are pitals, shelter for the Hindu widows, national. It will undoubtedly be found who are so much maltreated by Hindu that those who are most interested for society. Though myself a staunch Hindu missions are most liberal for the Mya Samajist by religion, yet I say, saving of Hindu lives. But so long as the English, inside and outside the churches, have an infinity of luxuries
ENGLISH NOTES
from which to retrench, it hardly seems shown more especially in the developneedful to begin to show their benevo- ment of the young people's guilds. lence by laying all their missionary establishments from Japan to Fiji in Ohina'8 MiUiona_-That there is a hopeless dilapidation. Christly power in true humanity is as distinctly traceable to-day as in the English Notes. days of the Son of Man, and is as patent in China as in Western lands. On this BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. subject the medical testimony of Dr. Dou,fuwaite, of Chefoo, is most decided. Wesleyan Mi8sionary &czety_-The In an article, just publisht, he says: annual report of the Wesleyan Mission- ,'No matter how hostile a man may be ary Society gives the following sum- to us when he enters the hospital, I mary of its present position in Europe, never have known a case in which we India, China, West Africa, the Trans- failed to make a friend of him." Acvaal, etc.: Church members, 44,573; cording to Dr. Douthwaite, medical principal stations, 330: missionaries and mission work draws people from remote assistants, 370: other paid agents, 2,859: parts, villages, hamlets, and farmsteads, day and Sunday scholars, 88,542. It is and brings them where they can hear interesting to note that the church the Gospel, alleviating prejudice, and membership in Sierra Leone, Lagos, turning foes into friends. Several inand the Gold Coast reaches the high stances are given, illustrative of the figure of 16,945. The increase in con- effect of mission medical work upon tributions from all sources amounts to the military since the recent war. One £2,698. The committee desiderate a of these we now subjoin. "The most Det income of at least £100,000. touching exhibition of gratitude, ,. says Church of &otland.-The Foreign i Dr. D., "that I have ever seen in China Mission of this church tells of revived interest and enlarged liberality. The was when, some eleven weeks ago, past year's income (£45,879) shows a was leaving Chefoo with my family. substantial increase on the previous The general in command and his ofyear. As the fruit of the mission there ficers came with a regiment of soldiers, are now 7,922 baptized persons, while and the men lined up before the hosthe force in the field comprises 38 male pital, and in front of my house on the missionaries, plus 21 wives and 53 other road. When I went out to them they ladies. dropt on their knees, and there they stayed while one of their number spoke An admirable work, that deserves to to me: and I gave them an address in rank as a missionary classic, descriptive return. After this, one can not say that oithe society's work in the Eastern Him- the Chinese are not grateful for what is alayas, has recently been publisht by done for them." R. T. R. Clark, of Edinburgh, entitled "On the Threshold of Three Closed By way of showing the scope of the Lands." The outpost there resembles work, it may be mentioned that during a wedge, the thin edge touching Thibet last year the attendance at Dr. Douthand the two sides skirting Nepal and waite's dispensary was close upon 24,- Bhutan. As an evangelical assailant 000, all of whom heard the Gospel, of these three lands, "the Church of carrying away some knowledge of the Scotland. through her Eastern Hima- love of God: and that, in addition to layan mission, occupies a unique posi- these, there were over 200 in"patients, tion of vantage and of privilege." It not a few of whom, before leaving, ought to be said that Kalimpong and confest their faith in Christ. its mission have greatly gained of late years from the prayerful interest of the Olturch Mis8ionary &ciety.-From ;yelltA of thi Ckurcla of Scotland, aj the "Pastoral Letter" of Bishop Ev- ington, addrest to tll' alllri]' of the
&ENElUL MISSIONARY INTELLIft'ENCE
Japan Church, we gather that there that has accrued: "There are now 489 has been, for several years, an ebb in members, 212 women and 277 men, in the tide of affairs, and that many a san- good standing as communicants." guine hope has become sobered down Speaking of the quality of the fruit, in consequence. The wide spread of Mr. Rees says: "We can not prove unorthodox Christianity seems to be that all are real converts, neither can one of the main causes of this, leading we disprove the sincerity of any. . . to many and notable secessions. In the I can, however, say that scores have a bishop's view, the fight with the spirit deep, inward vitality and heart excelof error and the world, is as fierce as lence, a steadfastness in witnessing for ever. Notwithstanding large additions, Christ before men, a liberality in bringthe returns bespeak shrinkage rather ing gifts to the feet of Jesus, a cheerful than growth. As an offset to the above, forbearance in the face of bitterest per- Miss Hamilton's special work amongst secution, and a purifying influence in the police force of Osaka has been at- the homes, traits which cheer the hearts tended with encouraging results. Fifty of the lonely workers, and whtch of the men are under instruction, and strengthen their faith in the ultimate eight have decided publicly for Christ. triumph of redeeming love."
(}eywn.-In connection with the Mailagascar.-An appreciative notice Tamil CoolV Mission, 1,000 tea and of the monumental work in Madagascoffee estates on the island are regularly car, of Rev. W. E. Cousins, appears in visited. This number represents two- the Chronicle. Through him, under .thirds of the whole. There are now God, the Malagasy have now an idiom- 2,749 Tamil Christians connected with atic and accurate translation of the the mission. Scriptures; and, did nothing else exist, that work alone would render his name Santalpur.-The Christian colony at immortal in the annals of Malagasy Santalpur, on the borders of Assam, literature. How greatly he feels the has been severely tested by the recent altered relation of the London Missionterritlc earthquakes. For more than a ary Society's agents to the converts can week the shocks were incessant, and be better imagined than told; but, in the earth threatened to engulf them. common with his brethren, his counsel .But the severity of faith's trial conduced is to stand by the tlocks and shepherd to its strengthening in not a few. Mr. them to the uttermost, despite the gath- Meerum says, .. Many of the 700 Chris- ering gloom and danger! tians who have emigrated to the colouy are, indeed, letting their light shine be- THE KINGDOM. fore the heathen. They support an agent for preaching to the surrounding -I will tell a decree; tribes." One effect of the earthquakes Jehovah said unto me, My son art was to bring large numbers of the thou; . heathen to the missionary quarters, partly for safety, and also that they I have begotten thee this day. might hear about the better hope. Ask from me and I will give thee London Missionary &ciety. – The Rev. W. H. Rees supplies a descriptive the nation as thine inheritance, acconnt of the work in North China that is under his superintendence. The And as thy possession, the ends of district is Chi Chou, and means the care of thirteen churches, scattered over the earth. a radius of 4lJ miles by 25 miles. The following summary tells of the fruit -Here is a gift which we can only class with that of the alabaster box broken upon the head of Christ. A widowed mother, after serving thirty- seven years as a. missionary among the Zulus, sends a thank-offering of $300 "for the privilege of having another son appointed to the mission field."
The odor of this precious gift may well fill every church in America connected Chinese books for more than 40 years, with our missionary work.-Mi88ionary and any general requirement to love Herald. God; or the mention of anyone loving Him, has yet to come for the first time -" Hadji," in a series of articles en· under my eye." titled, "As Seen Through American Eyes." speaking of the low wages paid -Beware of heroics. I do not say to natives, asserts that an American that you are not to feel enthusiasm. far burns up the day's wages of a China- from it. Enthusiasm recognizes the man every time he lights a cigar, while greatness of the command. It recoghis bill for shaving alone for the year nizes the need, it recognizes the glory would more than support 2 Christian of the message. About all these school-teachers during that time; and things we can be as enthusiastic as adds: "We have not touched the sub- we please. But there Is a danger ject of giving yet j and one reason is that lest we should color missionary work we do not know what good the little Wll with too rosy a tint. This may lead us haoo to give may do." to make a false estimate of the work. Missionary work does cost something; -Bishop Royston, of the Church of there is risk sometimes, there is separa- England, affirms that the whole Eng- tion, there are a good many things that lish Church gives to foreign missions are disagreeable. But soldiers, sailors, not more than one-tenth of what it merchants, orchid·hunterB, butterfly colspends on voluntary efforts for work at lectors, bear equal risks. A missionary home, and that it does not send out who goes to work in an unhealthy dismore than one in 5,000 of its communi- trict is commiserated and belauded by cants, and hardly more than one in 40 his friends and admirers at home: a of its clergy. civilian who goes perhaps to the very same place is congratulated and coveted, -It is a foretaste of blessed things to if the " billet" be a good one. As a come that 3 of the most wealthy leaders trained soldier is valuable. so is a of female society have abandoned the trained missionary. And therefore it fashionable circles of the city, to de- is that it is his duty to take care of vote themselves and their millions to himself. I do not say that he is to be the lifting up the less favored and luxurious or fastidious, but he has no privileged. It is not surprising that right to throw his life away by carelesstheir husbands and male relatives ob- ness, by undue rashness, or by living in jected and remonstrated at first, nor a way in which no European can live that they have all been converted and in an enervating fever-stricken climate. followed suit, the husband of one of If the call comes, then he may and will them now preaching in the chapel risk his life freely and without hesitaerected by his wife's munificence. tion, but to risk it gratuitously is, to use Talleyrand's expression; not only a -Jesuit obedience is well shown by crime, but a blunder.-Bishop Selwyn. the following. A young man from America was admitted to an audience -This advice Dr. Blodgett is accuswith the aged General of the Order in tomed to give tlJ newcomers to the Rome. Before him was a map of Africa. mission field: "Get a note-book. Put Pointing to a spot in the map he said, down in it all your first impressions. " Twenty of our missionaries were Note carefully every mistake you think killed there last March. We must you see, every improvement you think send others soon." "But will they you could make, but say nothing about go?" "Go, my child? Why, I shall it to anybody. Do this for five years. send them." Then go over your note-book, and whatever you still wish to change or -Dr. Legge, the eminent Chinese scholar, says: "I have been reading think you can better it will be well to Asiatic traveling, that I think that if suggest to your brethren." If God the nations of the East are to be evangave speech without wisdom, it would gelized, it must be by the 'means of be a most dangerous gift. But as on native agents. Hence the training of our entrance into the world we do not native agents for native work is one of learn to speak until we have learned the first and most important duties of something of life, and begin to have the missionary. And should the work something to say, so, on the entrance of training be blest, and the supply of to mission work, speech is wisely de- candidates for that training be increast, layed until one has become in some possibly the day may come when the degree Orientalized. The language chief work of the European missionary caught from the lips of his munshi or will be the training and superintending pundit, and of the people on the of native agents, who can carry the streets, becomes the avenue by which Gospel of Jesus Christ in a very differhe penetrates to their inner life, for- ent way to their own people from even bidden ground to all who do not enter the best foreign Inissionary."-Mr8. by that gate. As he speaks their words, Bishop. he learns to think their thoughts, feel their feelings, adopt their customs, -According to Rev. A. J. Diaz, the until in some way he sympathizes with Cuban apostle, what queer saints they them. Then he can work among them. must have down in that island? He Dr. Goodell wrote: "It appears to me says: "The people are of a peculiarly that if a missionary should do nothing jealous nature. If one of them is for the first three years but simply mix selected to perform a duty, they think with the people and learn how weak he is in better favor than the rest, and and ignorant and foolish and prejudiced are accordingly much hurt. This was they really are, it would be an acquisi- the difficulty which confronted me tion worth a million times more to him when I found it necessary for me to than that of all the languages spoken select the seven deacons to aid in carryin the Ottoman Empire."-.Re'V. E. A. ing on the church. I studied the Lawrence. problem over for some time, and at last hit upon a plan which I thought -"Year by year the conviction would work satisfactorily. One evengrows upon me that the slow progress ing, at the close of the services, I anof missions in what is called the nounced that the next Sunday we heathen world, is unnecessary. In the would select the deacons, and that the first place, not many expect to suc- sermon would be on the duties of the ceed, and it goes without saying that deacons. That Sunday every member the average man who expects a low was present, and the church was measure of success, will not be in ad- crowded. I told them that it was the vance of his expectations. In the duty of the deacons, when they were next place, no provision was made for notified of a case of smallpox, to go success, and when it appears, it is apt immediately and attend t() it; the same to become an embarrassment. Our if it were a case of cholera, or in any first success in Singapore was greeted epidemic, they must be the first to be by a determined effort to discard the present and offer aid and the last to mission on the ground that it would come away; that they were to have become extended and entail too heavy their Testaments with them always, responsibility on the missionary so- and were to make a conversion whenciety."-Bis/wp Tlwburn ever the opportunity presented itself After presenting the case in as serious ,–H I would say, in connection with a light as possible, I requested those this work, that from all that I have who felt courageous enough to assume seen now in seven years and a half of the responsibilities of the position to schools and among work people, addstand up. I knew it would be useless ing to the growing interest in "the to attempt to make any selections, so I way out of alcoholism," and successful said to them, 'Go ahead,; you are all legislation against alcohol. The need deacons.' Now they all carry their of protection against the universal New Testaments around with them, enemy is so apparent that leading papers and telling, whenever they have a gladly publish articles on this theme. chance, of the religion of Christ. Thus Meanwhile the two temperance papers you see we have a whole congregation in Brussels and one in St. Trond are of workers." pushing forward the total abstinence cure for alcoholism. WOMAN'S WORK. -The women of the M. E. Church, "':"The Woman's Misawnary F1'wnd South, have 46 representatives in (Methodist Episcopal) would seem to be China, Brazil, Mexico, and among the possest of healing powers approaching Indians of Oklahoma, 116 assistant to the magical. At least word comes teachers and helpers, 24 Bible women, that a heathen woman in J'fadras had 12 boarding-schools, 46 day schools, so much confidence in its pages that and 2 hospitals. Their gifts last year when her child was sick, and she knew reacht $81,716. not what to do, she put· the paper be· neath its head and prayed the God of -In the August MISSIONARY REthe little sheet to heal her child, and VIEW, by an inadvertence resulting the child rooo'll6r6d. from a similarity of names, facts were stated with regard to the Ohurch of -Life and Light for September, England Zenana. &cwty, which beamong other good things, contains a longed to the undenominational Zenana notable article by Dr. Pauline Root on Bible and Medical Mi88wn. The orig- ,. The Personal Factor in Mission inal organization was formed in 1852 Work," whose flavor may be gathered by the late Lady Kinnaird, from which, from these three sentences: "We get in 1880, certain members withdrew to more inspiration from certain women's form the society first named. Since faces, or touch, or even walk, than then India has been divided between from many sermons. They make God the two, the Z. B. and M. M' caring real to us. Sweetly and graciously for Bombay Presidency, the Norththe influence of face or voice steals western Provinces, and the Punjab. into our hearts, and we say, 'They rest us.'" YOUNG PEOPLE.
-These may be named among the -This summary of John R. Mott's speakers at the Toronto W. C. T. U. work, recently completed, is interesting: Convention, October 23-6: Besides the "It required twenty months to make general officers, Miss Willard, Lady the tour of the world. Work was car- Henry Somerset, Miss Slack, and Mrs. ried on in 22 different countries, and in Sanderson; Lady Windeyer, New 144 universities, colleges, and schools. South Wales; Mrs. Kirk, Victoria; Services were rendered in 21 conven- Mrs. Franc Giffen, Cairo; Misses Vin- tions and conferences_ These were atcent and Cummins. Australasian organ- tended by over 5,500 delegates, fully izers; Miss Milks, Chile; Mrs. W 801- 3,300 being students and teachers, deck, Tasmania; "Sister Lily" and representing 308 institutions of higher other distinguisht delegates from Eng- learning. About 1,300 missionaries, land; and Miss Green, of Hawaii. representing over 80 missionary agen- cies, were met personally, and ex- -In Belgium, Madame Chantraine, tended interviews were held with many of the W. C. T. U., has given many of them, as well as with government magic-lantern temperance evenings in officials, merchants and native pastors, teachers and students, while 70 new me off from the church next Sunday if students' Christian associations were they want. The Lord gave me a set of organized. brains and a good pair of eyes, and 1 – " The Missionary Spoke" is a new calculate to use them to my advantage, booklet by W. W. Cooper and F. S. and I'll send my children to school just Brockman, and is not only a valuable wherever 1 want. But before they do contribution to mission literature, but cut me off, 1 want them to tell me why is crowded with suggestions of a prac- they done it in plain words, and pubtical nature for the Epworth League. lish it in all the papers. 1 am one of The nine well-written chapters are as them that wants to know why things follows: "The obligation resting upon are done, and want other people to the League to interest its members in know." Then she added, "1 ain't saymissions," "The missionary commit- ing that I don't think a good bit of my tee," "The missionary meeting," " The religion, but I calc'late to use my brains missionary library," "The missionary just about as I want."-Home Missionstudy-class," "The missionary social," ary Montltly.
"Map and chart making," "Prayer -According to the OongregationaliBt, for missions," etc. the Worcester, lIass., City Missionary -These three items hint at what as Society is to make a new departure: many Christian Endeavor societies are " The organization of missions or doing: churches in the native tongue of these people has proved so inefficient and un- The contribution of $41.25 to fresh- satisfactory, both in this and other air work by the Lafayette Avenue cities, that that plan will be abandoned Methodist Protestant society, Balti- and the effort made to reach the familmore, Md., sent 20 children into the ies through the children and young country for a two weeks' outing. This people, by gathering them into the society gives $40 a year to educate a already existing American churches. Japanese girl in the denomination's Five women visitors will be employed. mission – school in Japan. The two- One will work among the 500 Finns, cents-a-week plan is used. another among the 350 Syrians, another' among the more than 400 Italians. Dividing their offering between home There are 500 to 600 Norwegians and and foreign missions, the society of the Danes, only a few of whom attend any Presbyterian Church, Mattituck, L. I., church, and over 2,500 Jews and Poles, have given during the past year $300. many of them accessible and responsive. This society, working jointly with the Two vigorous Swedish churches are Presbyterian society at Franklinville, doing a good work among 10,000 of is helping to support a boy in school at their own people. It has been found Ashville, N. C. repeatedly that the young people of this population, who learn to speak A mite-box opening was lately held English so readily, will not attend serby the Junior society of the Friends' vices in the native language, and do not Church, Mt. Pleasant, O. The mem- wish to be considered foreigners, and bership of the society is but 19, yet the amount raised amounted to $17.25.
UNITED STATES. since they are in the majority, it seems -That some of the lIormons are be- the wiser, more economical, and effectginning to think for themselves is ap- ive plan to banish that distinction as far parent. A good mother, and an honest as possible, and gather them directly woman, said a short time ago, with a into American churches."
genuineness that gave her unpolisht -Among the different organizations words a real fineness: "I won't be bost for assisting the poor in New York by nobody. 1 told them they could cut City, there are few more successful than the Penny Provident Fund sys- societies have been aided from its funds. tem. This is not a savings bank, but When it is remembered that the fundaonly an agency whereby small savings mental idea is regular weekly contribumay be readily deposited. On Febru- tions of one penny or upwards, and ary 1st, 1890, the fund had 55 stations, that by far the larger part of the 11,690 depositors, and $5,568 in de- amount has been raised on this method, posits. Three years later there were 201 it will be seen that a widespread interstations, with 27,684 depositors, and net est is represented. The association indeposits of $16,785. At the last report sists that all contributions sent should there were 321 stations, 53,449 deposi- be extra gifts beyond ordinary subtors, and $31,305 in net deposits. scriptions. As the bulk of its income is derived from weekly pence from -The Bapti8t Mi8swnary Magazim, those not rich enough to be subscribers since the year began with great strides to societies, there is little doubt that has gone forward toward perfection, these small gifts are extra income for having been greatly enlarged, beauti- the various missions. fied, and improved in every way. It may now claim a place among the best -The report for the forty-third year of such publications. The September of the Bible Lands (formerly the Turknumber is especially good. ish) Missions Aid Society, shows that aid has been sent to no less than 19 -The United Norwegian Lutheran cities or towns where the work is under. Church dates only from 1890, but al- the charge of missionaries of the ready has 125,000 members, as well as American Board. The receipts were missionaries in India, China, Madagas- greater by over $16,000 than during car, and among the Jews in Russia, and any previous year of its existence. is soon to begin work in Persia. -So great was the destruction of -The Cumberland Presbyterians property by the June earthquake in entered Japan in '76 and Mexico in '86, India, that the Baptist Missionary Soand in September last dispatcht 3 ciety alone estimates that from £7,000 men, 2 of them having wives, to China, to £10,000 will be required for reconto make a beginning for the Gospel struction and repairs. there. -The S. P. G. has received $355,- -The Southern Presbyterians are 000 by bequest from Mr. Alfred Marsending out 5 new missionaries this riott, of which half has been voted for year, Miss Sophie Wright going to the erection of churches and half for Luebo on the Upper Kongo, Rev. H. hospitals, colleges, and other places of W. Myers to Japan, Rev. C. C. Owen education, in accordance with the testato Korea, and Marion Hull, M.D., and tor's directions. Geographically, the wife, to China. These additions raise grants a.re distributed thus: Asia, £25,- the total abroad to 156. 660; Africa, £23,730; Australasia, £8,- 975; North America, £7,130; West In- EUROPE. dies, £4,505; Europe, £1,000. Total, £71,000. Great Britain.-The income of the Metropolitan Hospital Fund reacht to The Continent.-For some time it £10,000 last year, and since the begin- has been known that the revenue for ning, twenty·five years ago, £713,482 the Vatican from Peter's Pence has ($4,567,410) have been received for the shown a serious decrease. The chief use of various hospitals, and nearly income has always been from France; 1,000,000 surgical appliances have been but the loyalty of the aristocratic donors bought. appears to have diminisht of late under the indorsement given to the republic, -Upwards of £1,000 were received last year by the Missionary Pence Association, and at least 100 missions or and the result is a markt diminution in The change will come into force a year their gifts. According to reports, there hence. The Czar has also decreed that has begun an active campaign to stimu- a person outside the Greek Church, who late the revenue, and England and marries one of that faith, shall not be America are apparently relied upon to required, as formerly, to sign a promise ,furnish a considerable share.-Indepen- that their children shall be brought up dent. in the faith of the Greek Church. Another step in advance is a system of -Three pastors of the Reformed public justice for Siberia. In that vast Church of France have recently offered region, subject until now to the tyranny themselves to replace the murdered of arbitrary officials, law courts are missionaries, Escande and Minault, in opened in each provincial capital, with Madagascar. This sad event has not justices appointed by the crown, and been without a quickening effect on the legal procedure is for the :tl.rst time French Protestant Church. In many made possible. quarters zeal is growing where it had scarcely been seen before.-.Le Mission- ASIA.. naire. Islam.-The god of Mohammedanism -Pastor Lindemann, a retired Lu- is an ideal Oriental despot, magnified to theran minister in Hanover, dying a infinity. Whatever he does or com- bachelor, bequeathed $45,000 to the mands is right, because he wills it. •Hermannsburg society. The testament What he hates is not sin, but rebellion. wisht that the legacy be used for the He mayor may not punish other establishment of missions in a new field. offenses, for he is all-merciful, but to The society contemplates beginning deny his unity or his prophet is unpar- missionary labor in German East:Africa. donable. For this there is nothing but It will send there some of its efficient eternal fire. As there is no right or workers in the Transvaal. wrong except as he wills it, there is no true sense in which he can be called -A new missionary society has been holy. Nor can it be said that he loves establisht in Berlin, with the name righteousness. What he loves is sub- "Deutsche Orient-Mission," presided mission to his will, and this is the over by Dr. Lepsius. The intention is highest virtue known to Mohammedanto send missionaries to engage in East- ism. It is what gives it its name-Islam, ern mission work. Many distinguisht which means submission. Between Germans have hitherto taken an active God and man there is no kinship, part in this work-as Bishop Gobat and nothing in common. He is not our others-but not in connection with Ger- Father and we are not His children. man societies. Dr. Lepsius has done The idea of the incarnation of God in an important work in Germany by his Jesus Christ is absurd and incomexposure of the cruelties of the Turks, prehensible. – Re'/). George Washburn scarcely believed in by many of his President Robert College, in TM Outcountrymen till his work appeared. look. -The Rhenish society reports about 3,600 baptisms of heathen during the -Streaks of dawn appear in the course of last year. Of these 141 were night of Palestine.-" In many places baptized in the Tungkun district of both lli[oslems and members of the China.-Berichte der Rheinischen Mis- Greek Church are most willing to sionsgeseUschaft. listen, and ignorance and superstition are proving not impregnable to Gospel – T1t6 Daily Ohronicle states that the assaults. A woman bore witness to Russian Government has resolved par- Christ as her Savior to the women who tially to abolish the system of Siberian went to her sick·room, and refused in exile for political and other prisoners. her dying hou to repeat the Moslem formula. One of the missionaries writes This morning the roofs swarmed, the that she meets from time to time in Spirit was present, and there were 15 the villages with women who are pray- prayers before I spoke, some wholly ing for forgiveness in Christ's name, new voices in prayer. A precious and also to be kept from sin and the meeting! How they pleaded for us to Evil One, and she mentions one who stay, but we cannot. ' Think of it, not was nicknamed 'Christian' on this ac- a man to step in and gather this great count. The medical work at Gaza, white harvest of souls for Christ and Nablous, Acca, Salt, and Kerak is ex- heaven!" ercising a widespread influence. The riveted attention with which patients -The long-time-expected and muchlisten at Gaza to the Rev. Dr. Sterling's feared advance of Russian influence in setting forth the claims of Jesus as the Persia has come. It is not a showy one Son of God and Savior is evidence of at the outset, but it bodes no good for real interest."-Clturch Missionary 80· our Protestant institutions. Russian ciety'8 Report. priests have come to Oroomiah to open schools. The Christian population, -Rev. Mr. Browne gives this thrill- groaning under lIohammedan oppres· ing account of a great revival in sion, and seeing in their coming the Choonkoosh, Eastern Turkey: "Gre- promise of political deliverance, have gorians attend every service, tho the welcomed it with wild enthusiasm. meeting place is on the roof, partly Thousands of men, women, and chilcovered by rugs and bits of carpets. dren flocked to their side, kissing thei~ Many take off their outer garments and garments, prostrating themselves before sit on them in the sun and on the hard them as their saviors. In the hope of roof! Surely only real spiritual hun- special favor, multitudes of the Old ger would lead them to· attend at such Nestorian Church are enrolling thema time and place. I have seldom selves as adherents of the Russian enjoyed meetiugs more. Everything Church. Our missionaries write in is so informal, simple, heartfuI. The much sorrow that many of our church early dawn, the cool, pure, delicious members, too, were being swept away air, earnest, hearty singing, deeply felt by this whirlwind of excitement.- confession and prayer, then the plain- Church at Home and Abroad. est, simplest exposition of the Word, and the one, two, or three minutes of India.-Some recent statistics throw prayer after dismissal, then the slow, light on the actual condition of things reverent, thoughtful departure down in this land. Thus, while the average the rickety ladder-well, it all affects income of a unit of population in Engme deeply. Towards sunset last even- land is $210, in India it is $10; the ing the clouds gathered and about the average income of the Indian native hour of meeting, it rained powerfully. agricultural laborer is $32, while even What did I do for the meeting on the in Russia the peasant has an average roof? Up to the very minute of open- income of $50; it is estimated that $15 ing the meeting it just poured. When is necessary in India to merely Bupport I reacht the roof a dripping, steaming life in one person, but in a large part crowd simply packt our little school- of the country the actual income per room. The Gregorians also came, and capita is as low as $11-so that the so our brethren courteously rose and peasant is spoken of as having a minu8 gave them their nice places while they income. Add to these facts the knowlcontented themselves by standing in edge that in India the average of life is the rain, literally taking the drippings twenty-three and a half years as against of the sanctuary. I never saw more forty years in England; that from fever real and unselfish Christian courtesy. and starvation alone in the seven years ending in 1888, 4,349,922 deaths took place-nearly as many as are supposed prayer. This was the sequel to three to have occurred in the wars of a hun- days' fasting, a fast which it is said was dred years, and in what a sad case is kept by almost the entire community, tWs vast population! who at the same time made incessant prayer that the plague might be -The reason and moral sense of the averted. After obtaining the sanction Hindus condemn their theory of caste. of Government the Mohammedans put They will admit that the system is full up screens of matting on the west side. of absurdities, and that it is at war with Several thousand pieces of; palm-leaf the welfare of the individual as well as matting were laid out on the ground, of the community; yet they cling to it about 100 huge earthen jars, each conwith the utmost persistence. A vigor- taining about 50 gallons of water, being ous writer in India has well said: "In placed at regular intervals. J"arge spite of the relaxation of caste rules, in crowds began to pour into the Esplanspite of the fact that the wealthy can ade from an early hour in the afterviolate the laws of caste with impunity, noon, and by 4.30 p. m., the time in spite of the fact that the Hindu has notified for the holding of the prayer, learnt the lesson of the brotherhood of the whole of the extensive ground was man by heart, so that he can repeat it filled by Mohammedans of all sections glibly with the lip, caste is still the of the community squatting down on strongest practical force in the land. A the matting provided for them. The man openly parts with that la.~t; he will Kazees and Moulvies occupied about sacrifice everything before that."- Mis- an hour with prayers, afterwards sionary Herald. preaching sermons from various points on the efficacy of prayer. The usual -It is not physical discomfort, not evening prayer followed; hands and having little to lie on night after night feet were washed, and they proceeded on a jungle tour, or swimming rivers, to break their fast. There were or shortness of food-that is the poetry several thousand cakes and about 8000 of mission life-but the hardship is pounds weight of dry dates provided having to look after native churches for the faithful, and by the time they and bear the burdens of native converts dispersed. about 6 p. m., there was not when one feels that the circle of prayer one cake or a date to be seen." at home is not complete, and that the tide of sympathy is not flowing as it -Dr. Jacob Chamberlain writes thus should. Never until I got on Indian of irrigation in Southern India: co We shores, and had to do with native have in India a magnificent river, the churches, did I know why Paul put sacred Godavery, which, rising on the at the end of his list of agonies-after western coast, only a few miles from the stoning and the scourging, and that the sea of Arabia, among the hills to long series of hardships-as the heaviest the north of Bombay, flows diagonally of all-sorrow's crown of sorrow-" the across the entire country to the southcare of all the churches."-Rev. G. W. east, and discharges its waters into the Bay of Bengal, north of Madras. The OLVER. monsoon, or rainy season, on the western coast is different from that on -The Bombay Guardian gives the the eastern, so that the river comes following account of a vast prayer- freighted with its mighty life-giving meeting organized by the Moham- current during our dry season, flowing medans in Bombay to deprecate the with swollen stream through a region Divine wrath manifested in the visita- parched and verdureless. Some thirty tion of the plague in that city: .. A years ago the government, incited therenovel sight was witnessed in Bombay to by an enthUiiastic and dauntless on Saturday afternoon, when upwards of 2,000 Mohammedans gathered for engineer, who had on military duty January, 1893, and ftnisht February, traversed the country, constructed an 1895.
annicut, or dam, over two miles in -The American consul at Hangkow length, costing $4,000,000, across this reports that 3 American citizens had mighty river, 30 miles from the sea, started to go from Hangkow to Peking raising the level of its current some 30 through the provinces of Hupeh, Ho- feet, and, digging channels great and nan, Shansi. and Chihli, for the pur- small, poured out its vivifying waters pose of surveying a route for the railway over 1,000,000 acres of what had been between those two cities. The expedi- an arid plain. Behold the change! tion was well equipped and was pleas- What had for centuries been worthless antly recognized by the viceroy. The sand plains were converted into fruitful construction of the railway through rice fields; the squalid inhabitants have this most productive section of the become thrifty farmers; the famine- great Chinese empire is only a question stricken region is a garden of plenty. of time.
What has wrought this marvel in these -Most encouraging accounts of sucnow harvest-laden countries? It is but cess come from Manchuria. The the flowing-in of the waters of that his- United Presbyterian Church of Scottoric river. land at Mai-mal-gai has baptized 60, -In the training school and home and at Tieling over 150. The Rev.
for Bengali girls in Calcutta, quite an Mr. Webster says, "It is no exaggera- innovation has been introduced in the tion to say that there are hundreds way of washboards and tubs, and those anxious to join the church." Dr. Ross, poor girls, despite custom or caste, of Moukden, reports 800 on the list of have been taught to wash and iron applicants, and at Ti-Iu, members and their own clothes. And now the money applicants are over 600, and a large hitherto paid for laundry supports an church is needed. The mission of the orphan boy. Irish Presbyterian Church is also China.-There are now upwards of greatly blest, and Mr. Fulton has 1,000 schools of various descriptions for baptized 208 in the past winter. A natives in China under foreigners. They' young Christian suffered martyrdom range from the village day school up to for Christ, and Christians are made high schools and colleges. In that bolder and a general inquiry has been great empire there are no schools for awakened. girls except those founded by the missionaries. -A Presbyterian missionary in China gives the following account of -Mr. Speer, since his recent visit to his boarding-school: The entire ex- Canton, calls attention to the fact that penditure for from 20 to 30 pupils, 500 women and 1,000 girls have gone including food, clothing, outfit, teachout of the seminary, some of them to ers' salaries, and everything else, is give all their time to Christian service, about $1,000 per annum. In the course and hundreds of others to proclaim the of 20 years there have been 144 schol- Gospel through the activities of com- ars, an equal number having been dlsmon life. The wife of Li Hung mist after preliminary trial. Of this Chang's doctor was one of these. number 64 became Christians, 11 had Others are in Vancouver, San Fran- been ordained to the ministry, 10 were cisco, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago. candidates for the ministry, 5 were Christian school-teachers and other as- -A telegraph line nearly 800 miles sistants. At the start almost all were long has recently been built in Chinese from heathen families, and were inden- Turkestan, running as far westward as tured to keep them the full time in the city of Kashgar. It was begun in school, but 4 out of the 40 being Christians. At the time when the Tunis also we have had no further inaccount was given, almost all were terference during the last few months. from Christian families, indentures were no longer necessary, about one- West Africa.-" We can not tell our half were professing Chdstians. friends that we have been able to bap- tize our first Ashantee converts as yet, -You will be surprised to hear of but we have good hope that this will an addition to our home. It came happen soon. We have 2 catechumens about in this way. Ten days ago, who have been under instruction for early on a raw, damp, foggy morning, several weeks with a view to baptism. a coolie was sent out on an errand. He At Manpong and Agona we have schools quickly returned, saying there was a which give us great satisfaction; and at baby in a deep ditch just below our our 6 new country stations there are compound, put there by its parents to already promising little schools. We die of cold and hunger, just because it have 50 scholars in our school in Kuhad the misfortune to -be born a girl. mase, of these 24 are freed slaves, and They do such things in China, you 21 children of chiefs, who tell us that know, and when they do die the dogs they have given us the best that they eat them. We hesitated about bring- have. And indeed they are all very ing her in at first, because of the awful intelligent children."- Mi8sionary Ramstories they tell about our eating babies Beyer, in Le Mi8sionnaire. and digging out their eyes for medicine, etc.; but we quickly concluded the -The North German Society is this course the Master would take, and had year celebrating the jubilee of its work her brought in. Such a bundle of dirty, in Evheland, on the Slave Coast. The vermin-infested rags you never saw, half-century of its occupation there has and from under a dirty cap two great witnessed the growth of a native church, black eyes staring wide open. No heart at present numbering 2,000 members, beat could be felt, and the little mite including a staff of 48 native helpers, was too near gone to cry. We quickly and the opening of 29 stations and outgave her warm milk and stimulants, stations, three of the former lying in and, getting her out of the dirty rags, German Togoland. The European staff put her in a hot bath. We greatly numbers at present 34; 64 male and fefeared she would not survive; so we male workers have sacrificed their lives wrapped her in a blanket, and kept her to the evangelization of the country. in a basket by the open oven door all The Evhe tongue has been reduced to day. At night the little eyes partly writing, the Bible and various educa· closed, but it was three days before she tional works have been translated into slept naturally. There was every evi- it. Of those German agents at present dence of her having been given opiates. in the land, none have remained longer But in a week of feeding on good milk than 16 years, the deadliness of the cliwe had a bright baby, not yet two mate proving an insuperable obstacle to months old, weighing now seven and a protracted labor upon the part of the half pounds.-Mi8s Ford, in Monthly European. Letter. East Africa.-On the west shore of AFRICA. Lake Nyassa, and northwestward to the district where the waters of the Kongo -Secretary E. H. Glenny, of the take their ris&, the Scottish teachers, in- North Africa Society, reports: We are cluding several Dutch co-workers, have thankful that this year we have not had upwards of 8,000 children and youths so much difficulty with the French au- in 80 schools under daily tuition in their thorities in Algeria, as on previous oc- native tongue-chiefly Nyanza–in Engcasions, but it is still necessary to be lish, and in useful handicrafts. Dr. very careful in all departments. In Laws, the veteran and devoted missionary, has founded an excellent institu- care varies from 100 to 500, while tion on Florence Bay, into which the others are coming and going to and most successful young men and women from their hunting ground. They are students are drafted. In it no less than still disposed to wandering, even those 127 students, representing 15 different who have their own cottages occasiontribes, are being trained as light-b~r ally take a spell in the bush. It is ers to their fellow-Africans.-London very hard for them to settle for any Oh1-iBtian. length of time in one place."
-The Moravians are preparing to -The Presbyterian Church of South send new recruits for the old L. M. S. Africa has now its General Assembly, station at Urambo, and 3 mission- in which are represented the Free aries, with their wives, will shortly Church, with 3 Presbyteries; the proceed thither. In the monthly organ United Presbyterian Church, with 2 of the Moravian Society a letter is Presbyteries; the separate Presbyteries publisht from Mr. Draper, the soli- of Natal, Capetown, and the Transvaal, tary missionary stationed there, which and the Congregation of Port Elizaspeaks of the Sunday services being beth. The united body claims to have attended by 300 or 400 natives huddled 13,000 communicants, of whom threetogether like sheep, the school well fourths are natives. attended, and everything ~ppearing hopeful and promising. -The Australian Board of Missions (Anglican) has just publisht its annual -A revolt broke out recently in the report. Amongst other encouraging Uganda Protectorate, but was success- signs is the eagerness with which the fully supprest. On July 6 King Mwan- converted South Sea Islanders are volga left Uganda sf'cretly to organize a unteering for mission work. 'The great rising in the Buddu district against the obstacle in the way of taking advantage government. Mwanga's forces were of their help is their lack of training. defeated. The king escaped to Ger- Missionaries at head stations are urged man territory and surrendered himself to undertake the work of preparing to the Germans, by whom he is de- them for service. The New Guinea tained. Order was restored throughout mission has now a native Christian Uganda, the whole of which, except family an object lesson for the heathen the Buddu district, remained loyal. It to look upon. A large number of canis intended to proclaim the infant son didates are in preparation for baptism. of Mwangll as king, with a regency.- The Bellender Ken :M:ission is one to London Oh1-iBtian. the aborigines of Queensland. In this good work is reported in the school. -By a recent decree of the king of The advance of the mission is retarded Abyssinia, all the members of the for want of laborers and funds. One Swedish Mission have been expelled of the most important and successful from his dominions. branches of the work is that carried on amongst the Chinese of Australia. In AUSTRALIA. the diocese of Sydney alone there are 10 000. The Rev. Soo Hoo Ten is the -The Rev. N. Hey has issued a re- missionary to these scattered ones. A port of the work done at the Mapoon new church is about to be erected for mission station, which is, on the whole, the exclusive use of the Chinese in very gratifying. He says: "No mur- Sydney. ders have been committed by those engaged in the beche-de-mer or pearl- -The venerable Dr. Paton is once shelling industry, as was the case in Rooain in Australia pleading the cause former years, and the year has past of his beloved New Hebrides Mission. away in comparative peace and quiet- He begins to look old and ~eeble. Toil neSi. The number of Aborigines under and time have told upon hIm.
The Missionary Review of the World — October 1897
LISTENING TO A PASSION PLAY OF THE SHIAH MOSLEMS DURING THE MUHARRAM OH TIME OF MOUHNIN(i'
M,SSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOL. Xx. No. D.-Old &rie8.-00TOBER-YoL. X. No. D.-NMI' &riel.
GLIMPSES O}~ LIFE ON A PERSIAN HIGHWAY. t BY ROBERT E. SPEER.
There are two prevailing modes of travel in Persia, on foot and astride. The former is not popular. It is amazing to see what endurance the apparently indolent Persian, who will move when he must, and will work on the same terms, possesses, and with what untiring, unresting zeal he will work in some occupations, such as that of chavadar, which bring small remuneration, involve great risks, are full of hardships and can force no man to choose them. The chavadar is the Persian freight-car conductor. He owns a number of horses, and carries freight of all sorts, human and inanimate, to any part of Persia or even into Turkey. But no Persian will walk when he can ride, even tho to ride he must heap himself above a load borne by a patient, staggering donkey, one of those animals which make a mute, almost heart-breaking. appeal for a belief in the immortality of brutes. " Anything to do my work, to keep my feet off the ground," is the motto of the Persian traveling. Those who ride go astride, women and all. The camel drivers oft~n ride with both feet on one side, and when Dr. Vanneman accompanied the Shah's harem from Tabriz to Teheran, much of his work was to patch up camel drivers, who had fallen off in their sleep. The donkey riders sometimes ride with both legs dangling on one side within a few inches of the ground. All this is ultra laziness, however. The trowsered women r.ide alone, or sit behind the men. The side-saddle of one of the ladies of onr party was a sonrce of constant amazement in the country and villages. "Why she has no legs," cried the people on one side. " Yes, she has," cried those on the other, "they are both on this side of her." And so she rode along, a Frangee monstrosity.
Not all Persians go a-traveling, but all do, who can. .The four vit~l elements of Islam are the prayers, the fasting, the sacred. fifth • ThII periodical adopts the Orthography of the following Rule. recommended.by the jo.lnt aetioIl of the American Philological Msociatlon and the Philological Society of England :-Change d or ed lInal to , when 80 pronounced. except when the e affects. pn!CedlDg IOUUd.-PulILrBmrBI. .
t A letter from Kangaver, Persfa, January 25. 1897.
GLIMPSES OF LIFE ON A PERSIAN mGHWAT
of the income, and the pilgrimages. A more consistent religion of works, as the matter has turned out in practice, could scarcely be invented, so on pilgrimages go all who can. There are many reasoqs for a Persian's remaining a settled part of one community, and for his children's standing in his place after him, but the traveling instinct has been cultivated by centuries of Islamic influence, and the highways are full of life and movement, fuller than such a thin population would justify, were it not for the religious obligation that drives thousands to waste in this way what has been painfully earned and is direfully needed at home. The travelers bound lor the. religious shrines, Kerbela, Meshed, Kum, converge into the great roads running thither, and the student of the people's life sees it unbared here.
Down one of these great highways from Tabriz to Ramadan, we traveled last October. Next to Teheran, Tabriz is the largest and most important city in Persia. It is the distributing point to northwestern and much of western Persia of the importations from Europe, especially Russia, which though commercially lethargic, would fain control the trade from the north. Russian oil, candles, and sugar pour down from the north and practically monopolize the north-western Persia markets at least. From the south great caravans bring rugs, tobacco, dates, honey, etc., and show the traveler the name of Bagdad in good Roman letters on the bales, if they have come from afar. Of all these caravans on this highway Tabriz is the point of departure or destination.
A Persian highway is not a manufactured road. It owes nothing to the hand of man. His foot treads it, if he is so mean as to walk, but he spends on it neither an effort nor a copper coin, and the functions of national and local government in the country do not include the construction or maintenance of either bridges or roads. Accordingly there are, in one sense, almost no roads. The highways, untoucht by wheels, save when some Khan or civilized traveler makes the painful attempt, or on Teheran-Kasv'in or Teheran-Kum roads, are simply a congeries of paths, diminishing to one in a constricted place, and increasing to a hundred or more on a broad plain, where a caravan of donkeys will move along abreast, like a regiment of dumb Sancho Panzas. No one digs a ditch. No one drains a bog. No one removes a stone. The road was unsurveyed, ungraded, and is uncared for save by a kind Providence, who makes his rain and frost, and snow and wind to come alike npon the Telford road and upon the Persian track.
The roads of Azerbijan, the north-western province of Persia, of which Tabriz is the capital, are infested by three kinds of thieves; the regular robbers, who have pluck to attack travelers, the authorized guards, who are often ex-robbers, or robbers who have lost theit pluck, and been appointed guards, so as to have legal authority to extort a small fee from a larger number, and the vampire customshouse rascals. Azerbijan is a fertile, populous country, and there are customs-houses on all its important roadll. Baggage or freight is not examined, but a small fee is levied. Some one finds a road much used -they are all found now in Azerbijan-and offers the governor so much for the privilege of establishing a customs-house. This helps to line the governor's purse, and so fulfil the purpose for which he is governor and paid for his office, and it fastens the leeches upon the roads to bleed a little each passer-by who has baggage or goods. No service is rendered in return, either by the leech or the government. The traveler must be-or pay for-his own police, and make his own roads, or be satisfied with the uncorrupted face of nature. The people do not love the customs-houses. Their ruins are to be found on many highways. Soldiers returning home, or marching by, love to demolish the impositions, and not infrequently their exactions become so great that some angry popular demonstration forces the government to interpose a. check. Near Taswich we passed a great building in ruins, thanks to the momentary flare of a sense of power and justice in a crowd of ragged, discharged soldiers, who, having served a government which takes and never gives, returning home without pay, took vengeance on the legalized throttlers of travel and trade. On the Tabriz highway, which runs into Persian Kurdistan, below Mianduab, there are no customs-houses. The government does not call all these establishments for the destruction of prosperity" customs-houses." When complaints are made, it will say, "Oh, that is not a customs-house; the man simply has a right to collect a small sum for each box or bale carried by." For that right some government official received his p6sklcas7t, or bribe.
The dread of the Evil Eye is heavy upon the Persian. He shudders at the evil which a complimentary word about his child will bring. Be puts the bone of an animal, a horse or a donkey, in the wall of a new house. A skull, or a jaw-bone, or a leg is over the door-way of many a village gate, or stable, vineyard, or house. In one wall I saw the whole skeleton of a donkey, buried in this public and ghastly way that the Evil Eye might not affect the garden within. Among the ignorant the cold, still eye of the camera lens is a terrifying thing. At Khokhurt, before its silent gaze, a group of children clung together, and then fied in shivering terror lest the glittering brass ring in the black box were the Evil Eye. The camera is often a safer defence than fire-arms. A crowd of naked, savage beggars fell upon us once ready for supplication or theft, as might be most expedient. The whole crowd fied in fear, running like deer across the desert, cry,ing, "Oh, he's killing us, he's killing us," when the clear, steady camera eye was pointed at them.
Bartimreus sits by the wayside, blind and begging, as he did when Jesus saw him and gave him vision. Often his home is in a pile of stones and he will rise as the sound of the horses' steps comes near and walk out into the road lifting up his sightless eyes and asking in Allah's name. But the lepers are most pitiable of all. Many cities and towns have each its little group of these representatives of uncleanness and sin. They sit at the gate or by the side of the road or against the wall of a bridge, wrapped about, desolate, only awaiting deliverance. Near Tabriz there is a little settlement at the foot of "Leper Hill." The lepers do not cry out complaints. Many of them do not ask with words, but the poor hand is stretcht out. for alms and the marred and wreckt visage, the ruin of a human face is lifted up with the piteous cry," 0 Oreator God! 0 Oreator God I" The appeal is to Him, the Oreator God, with whom is mercy and from whom is all deliverance. That leper cry sounds the depths of all power and peace, "0 Oreator God! "
Another denizen of the highway who arouses feelings not of pity and sympathy, but of intense loathing and disgust, is the dervish. No one who has not been in the East, where holiness is synonymous with asceticism, can understand the full force of the motives, which led Jesus to lay himself open to the epithets, "a gluttonous man and a wine bibber." It was absolutely necessary that he should make it plain that asceticism is not holiness. But Jesus' ideals do not prevail here, and the ascetic is the holy man. E,ery man who aspires to religious repu- tation or influence must present at least the external appearance of an ascetic life. The beerun or public apartment of the mollahs must be bare and unadorned, rich and effeminate as their anderun or inner apartment may be, and the supposed ascetic life of the dervish secures for him the greatest reverence on the part of the religious. The more • ascetic he is, the more ascetic he appears to be, the greater his reputation for holiness. As a result the dervish is the most blasphemous and loath- some thing I have seen in this land. He is the denial of God in more points than the open sinners. He is the personification of that which God detests. He is so unclean as to be foul and diseased. He does not work. He has no divine virility. " Quit you like men" are meaning- less words to him. His ambition is to attain to the utter uselessness of the life of a dog, who is a filth breeder, not even a scavenger. He whines and cringes and holding a faith which proclaims the Ohristian abject and unclean, sneaks at the Christian's heel and begs from the unclean hand! I have never seen anything to which it seemed more just and fitting that the Son of God, who loved cleanness and worked till his friends said he was beside himself, should say, "I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Apart from the representatives of human need and suffering on one hand and of putrid religiosity on the other, the highways have their multitude of beggars, traveling or coming out from village and town to beg from the pilgrims. With some begging is a supplement- ary means of increasing their income, with others it is a profession. A physical deformity is an aid but it is not indispensable, while a vigor- ous frame and full ability to earn an honest living are no impediments. The pilgrims have money. All their earnings many of them carry with them. They are going to Kerbela to accumulate merit, and all the merit that can be accumulated on the way by deeds of charity- whether the charity is a curse and a sin matters not-is so much gain. In the midst of these beggars and remembering that Jesus lived in just the same conditions, it is easy to understand the perplexity of those who stumble at Jesus' words, "From him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also. Give to everyone that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again!'
The pilgrim caravans are of all sorts. Some are collections of poor laborers trndging on foot in a crowd. Now and then a man of sufficient standing to have "retainers," curious sycophantic parasites fostered by the peculiar conditions here, rides along, followed by his satellites. Often a man with his harem is passed. The women ride in the main in kajavas or cage-like boxes, covered with red and green cloth, and balanced one on either side of a strong, sure-footed mule or horse. It is hard for the horse and it is hard for the women who ride cramped up and roughly joggled. Many of the pilgrims on the Tabriz- Ramadan highway are from Russia. The territory taken from Persia by Russia two generations ago remains Persian in its customs and religions, and multitudes of poor and rich take the long journey (at least thirty-six days continuous travel by caravan time) to Kerbela. We saw these caravans going gaily and well equipt, and other caravans which had once been like them, returning drearily, foot-sore, and weary, ragged and plundered. ]'or the pilgrims are pillaged by every one. They have not been accustomed to have money or to travel, and at every stopping-place they are imposed upon and defrauded. About the shrines a great crowd of harpies hovers, mollahs and adventurers, and the poor pilgrims come away at last with one of the great obligations imposed by their religion met, and with much merit laid up on high, but with money gone, new vices learned, new fanaticism developt for the defense of new superstitions. The sight of one returning pilgrimage of Russian peasants I shall never forget, as begrimed and exhausted it toiled up a steep and rocky mountain. Two horses were left and were ridden by the women. One man led an old blind man by a rope, the rabble crept along in rags. " That is the way they come back," said one of the Persian servants with us. The sophisticated come back differently, but as Mecca spreads the cholera over the whole area from which its pilgrimage is fed, so Kerbela and Meshed especially spread poverty, vice, and superstition over Persia.
The pilgrims on this highway are all traveling to Kerbela, two days' journey south-west of Bagdad, where Hassan, the son of Ali, who was Mohammed's uncle, and married his daughter Fatima, was killed. Ali is the great prophet of Shiah Mohammedanism, and the Shiahs hold that both temporal and spiritual power should have descended in the hands of his posterity. Hassan and Hosein, his two sons, Shiahs regard as its martyrs, and celebrate their deaths each year in the month of Moharrem. Kerbela, accordingly, is its great shrine. Tho in Turkish and so Sunni territory, it is the center of the Shiah faith. Its great theological center is here. Here its dead desire to be buried. Hither its disciples come on their arduous pilgrimages, bearing the bones of the dead in long, suggestive boxes tied on the caravan horses, and distinguishable at once.
The pilgrimage is not productive of humility. On approaching a village the travelers will set up a long wail to let the people know they are passing through, and the simple people will run out to kiss their hands and ask for their blessing, or a little share in the great merit the pilgrimage earns. Coming out of the city of Khoi one fine morning, we saw the long, broad road filled with people bidding a large party of holy pilgrims farewell. Returning, laden with sanctity, the pilgrims have yet greater blessings to bestow. A company of welldrest Russian Moslems past us yesterday, the women clad in men's clothes, even to the Russian boots, and riding astride, and at each village the hands of this company were kist repeatedly. Raymond Lull's words are suggested at every turn: " We see the pilgrims traveling away into distant lands to seek Thee, while Thou art so near that every man, if he would, might find Thee in his own house and chamber. . . The pilgrims are so deceived by false men whom they meet in taverns and churches, that many of them, when they return home, show themselves to be far worse than they were when they set out on their pilgrimage." Men who have visited one of the Shiah shrines are called thereafter, as a title of honor, by the name of the shrine, "Meshedi," "Kerbelai," while those who have made the great pilgrimage to Mecca are called" Hadji," or "pilgrim."
One day, on the Tabriz road, near Ticon-tappeh, we met a large mollah, well clad, riding a fine horse, who greeted us cordially, and said in reply to our greeting that he was going to Kerbela for the seventh time. We askt why the arduous pilgrimages were undertaken. "They bring great holiness," he replied. We observed respectfully that he must be a very holy man, to which he assented with a deprecating nod of the head. "What good will the pilgrimage do," we inquired, "if the heart be wrong within?" "That is true," he said, " it would do no good," and he quoted a Persian ode about the two shrines, Medina-Mecca without, and the heart within, and the futility of visiting the former unless the latter be made holy and sweet. We askt him of the cost of the pilgrimages. He admitted that they drained the country of money, that they took the life-time savings of many and squandered them, that the money wasted would suffice to make good roads, drain the bogs, irrigate the desert plains, care for the diseased and the poor. " Our religion," he added, "provides for all these things, too." "Yes," rejoined Mr. Coan, of Oroomiah, who was with us, "it may provide for them, but where are they? Our book says a tree is to be judged by its fruits. Your religion produces unhappy homes, bad roads, poverty, waste, desert, swamps, and desolation. If it does not produce, it tolerates all these, with no attempt at all at remedy. Have you ever heard of the fruits of a pure Christianity? They are happy homes, commerce, and close social relations of peace, and progress among nations, comfort, thrift, prosperity and love." "Yes, Sahib," replied the moHah, "it is a great subject." The open mind was as absent as the open heart.
Other Mussulmans have two replies to this argument, however. Some say that the Christians being the devil's children, and the devil being the god of this world, he gives his children all present and carnal comforts, while the Moslem looks for his reward in the world to come. But this is the complete abandonment of the teachings of Mohammed and the practice of Moslems from his day until now. Mohammed had no more consuming conviction than that there is one God, the living and true, and that He is the world's sovereign. With him there had been no atheistic abdication of the sovereignty in favor of the evil one. And as for carnal comforts, the prospect and promise of them have been the life-power of Islam. Others meet the appeal to the fruits of religion by saying, "These are the dark ages of Islam. There was a time when Mussulmans held the learning of the world, and carried light everywhere, but now the reaction has come, and the light of Islam is shaded for a time, just as in the Dark Ages of Christianity the light of Christianity was obscured. Oompare the fruits of Islam in its luminous days with the fruits of the contemporary Christianity." To this there are obvious replies, but they do not always convince a man who knows just enough to know nothing of lucid reasoning or historic verity.
The Persian dislikes to grow gray. He is especially averse to a white beard. The shaved head saves him from gray hair. Accordingly when a man of long, lustrous black beard finds it turning silver, he suddenly appears with it dyed a glorious red with the dye of the blood plant, which is also used to color the finger nails and hands, with a stain that resembles the stain of nicotine or of the juice of walnut husks, tho it is less temporary than the latter. One of the most common and unfailingly ludicrous sights of the highway is an old red-bearded man, clad in rags, riding a small donkey, and keeping the little beast on a trot by working his half-naked legs, ending in great ark·like shoes, .in and out like two pu~p-handles. The feet do not touch the donkey at all, but the swinging motion is understood, and so long as it is kept up the swinging red-bearded patriarch and the wee, patient beast skip along merrily.
Bread and cheese are the staple articles of food on the highway or at home. The cheese is white and sour. The brel!.d is often delicious, if made of clean flour and well baked. It is almost invariably eaten damp, however, so that it may be easily bent and serve as spoon and fork. Pocket-knife or none is the rule as to knives•. Sometimes there are wooden spoons. As a rule all dip into a common dish, as our Lord and His disciples did in the Upper Room. The bread is thin and baked in the north in long, oblong" loaves," two feet or less in length and half as broad, and the thickness of extra heavy, coarse wrapping paper. In the south these sheets are round. There are other kinds of bread baked as cakes, or on hot pebbles, each of which leaves its indentation, but this is the common bread baked inurn-like, upright earthen jars, submerged in the ground, similar in name I}.D.d character,.and like to the ovens used by the Jews in Old Testament times (Lev. ii.4; 1 Kings xvii. 2; Isa. xliv. 15).
At Khokhurt, journeying south, the appearance of the houses sud- denly changes. Only flat roofs, used in the summer· as .the sleeping places of the village folk, were seen before. Here the roofs are all domed. There is no wood for use as rafters, so each roof is made up of one, two, three, or more domes, each with a small hole at the top, serving as the only entrance of light and air, save the door. In Bag- dad and other southern cities the spaces between the domes are filled up, making the roofs level and the houses warm in the cold and cool in the warm weather.· In the villages the domes remain, resembli:n,g a great community of gray ant hills. The single room of such a house gives no impression of the number of occupants. From subterranean caverns, through narrow and low-roofed passage ways, sheep; horses, cows, oxen emerge, and in the early morning march past the bed of the traveler, who has come in belated and been given shelter for the night.
As the traveler through Poland is surprised to see so few churches in the villages· through which the railroad runs, so the absence of mosques iii the villages of Persia is a constant surprise. To be sure, a Shiah mosque, which is never adorned with minarets, is not so con- spicuous .as the Sunni mos·que, but in most of the villages through which we past ,there seemed· to be no prayer-house, nor was the voice of the muezzin heard, calling the faithful to prayer; but Islam is evident 'in· the coarse conduct and words which greet European women, iIi the fidelity· of some bellevers to the hours of morning and .evening prayer wherever they may be, and in the general prevalence everywhere of that demoralization of life, that decay of fiber and sinew which one would expect in a country where Islam, on the con-
U ANYTHING TO KEEP MY FEET OFF THE GROUND
2. THREE HOLY MEN (DERVISBES) OF PERSIA. 3. MOBLEM WOMEN DRESSED FOR THE STREET.
GLIKP8ES O~ LIn ON A PERSIAN IDGHWAY
tention of its most intelligent defenders, and in spite of the blazing Christian light about it, is in its" Dark Ages."
One sees no drunkenness on the highways. Much may be justly said regarding the absurd plea that Itllam precluded the use of intoxicants, but the highway people are sober and its life a cheery, social, mutually helpful life. One cbavadar helps another out of a bog or a drift. If one man lies to you about the road or distance, another may possibly tell you the truth. While the majority follow the command given to the seventy, and salute no man by the way, many give a cheerfnl greeting and wish God's blessing even on the life and journey of an infidel. One Persian was able to go so far as "Bon jour. monsieur," but he answered the reply in his native tongue. The wealthier Persians, who have traveled at all, usually know French, but the native speech or speeches-Persian, Turkish, Armenian, Syriac, Hebrew, Kurdish-are the languages of the road.
']'he Persian fields and hills are absolutely devoid of trees, save where they grow by the water courses or in the semi-tropical districts. I could count on one hand, I think, the isolated trees seen on the highway to Ramadan. In the fall all is sere and brown, and the great flocks of sheep and goats dri ven out from some village or from some camp of the black huts of Kedar, crop over what the civilized eye sees only as a waste lacking any green herb or nutritious thing. Children of foreigners, born in Persia, look with surprise and amusement at the little, worthless tails of the sheep at home. They have been used to seeing sheep whose tails hang down behind as heavy and large often as a ham. The tail is wholly fat, and in a good sheep gives enough_ fat for the cooking of the mutton, and in Persia meat is served swimming in grease. Sometimes, tho seldom, the tail grows so heavy that, as in Palestine, a little cart must be attacht behind on which the sheep can carry around its tail. What a mighty moral is hidden here! Goats are cheaper than chickens for food. We bought one at Khaswayam for .fifty cents. A man came into the yard, and before our door killed it with his pocket-knife. Without other implements he cleaned it. A man stole its head and feet while the servant was not looking. The dogs came in and lickt up the blood and cleared off all traces of the butcher. An old woman came and prayed for the skin. The butcher brought the goat in on a tray. In a quarter of an hour our fifty cents was served before our eyes into a tray ?f fresh goat meat, and there was no evidence of the process of transformation.
One of the missionaries at home from Persia on furlough, was once' reported in a local paper's account of an address to have said that an unveiled woman was never seen in Persia. The local reporter knew no better, and he printed his ignorance. The missionary had seen more women's faces unveiled than veiled. In the cities and fanatical places the women of well-to-do homes are veiled upon the streets, but
ION KEITH-FALCONER, PIONEER IN ARABIA
the poorer women of the cities, and the great multitudes of village women, while occasionally drawing their head-coverings over their mouths, go about with open face. But this emancipation is no evidence of liberty. We stopt one night at the village of Tikontappeh, on the southern border of Persian Kurdistan. It. was a new town, built up in what here would be an enterprizing way. As we got ready our beds for the night, the woman of the house looked on with interest, and admired especially a coverlet made by Mrs. Coan, which led her to ask whether both the ladies of our party were my wives. We told her that our religion was different from hers; and askt whether her home was a happy one, whether her religion made her life sweet and desirable to her. "My husband is about to take another wife, Sahibs," she said; "0, Sahibs, our life is hell!" It is not hell with all, and many do not know that it is hell, because they.have grown up into a stolid endurance of its repression and its littleness.
The day before reaching Hamadan, the interYening ridges slip away and the snow clad peaks of the Elvend Mountains, which overlook Hamadan, and the wide, fertile plain, where Ecbatana lay of old, rise up cool, white and, in the warm weather, inviting and promising. But they are many miles away. The Persian highway gives the traveler many a far away vision. Above all others, there is one of a far away glory, before which the radiance of the Elvend peaks under the sunlight pales and dies away, when Persia even shall be full of the great glory, not of snow peak, fertile valley and quiet village, but of the Lord; and, after all, it is not very far away.
ION KEITH-FALCONER, PIONEER IN ARABIA.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
History, biography and philosophy teach by examples; they reduae precept to practice, and sometimes present the Book of Life in an illustrated and illuminated edition.
This heroic young man represented the flower of British civilization; and the lesson of his life is that the best is not too good for God's work, and the length of life is to be measured by service.
Oliver Wendell Holmes quaintly said that the training of the child begins a hundred years before its birth. Character has its heredity; it transmits its aptitudes. Something depends on blood as well as breeding; and Keith-Falconer might well have been proud of his noble lineage, which he could trace back through eight centuries. In 1010, when Malcolm II. was King of Scotland, Robert Keith, his remote ancestor, by valor and prowess in battle with Danish invaders, won the title of Hereditary Great Marischal of Scotland; and what he did for the Scottish crown, his descendant, long after, did for the crown and covenant of the King of kings-as a standard-bearer on the battlefield where Moslem and Christian powers contend, he won a higher honor and title as a Knight of the. Cross.
When, a little over forty years since, Ion Keith-Falconer was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, there began an eventful era, when more new doors were suddenly thrown open for missionary labor than in any previous decade of years since Christ gave his last command. Born in 1856, and dying in 1887, his life-story covers only about thirty years. Yet, in a higher sense these thirty years span eternity, for they wrought out God's eternal purpose, and left a lasting legacy of blessing to the young men of all generations, the true wealth and worth of which only eternity can compute.
His life may be viewed from four points: his boyhood, his college life, his home work, and his pioneer enterprise on the shores of the Red Sea. He was markt, as a boy, by four conspicuous qualities: manliness, magnanimity, piety, and unselfishness-rare traits in a lad. He loved outdoor sports and excelled in athletics, and grew to be six feet and three inches tall, and well formed, always conspicuous among his fellows. At twenty, President of the London Bicycle Club, and at twenty-two the champion racer of Britain, four years later he was the first to go on his wheel from Land's End to John O'Groat's Housevery nearly one thousand miles; and he accomplisht that feat in thirteen days-an average of nearly eighty miles a day.
If his stalwart manhood won applause, much more his sterling worth. He had inward strength and symmetry, and was too strong and brave in soul to be overcome of his own lusts, or enticed. He loved truth and had no patience with shams or frauds; and reminds one of the statue, which represents Veracity standing with open face, the mask of dissimulation lying at its feet, cleft with the sword of Sincerity. The Bible was the one book he loved; from the dawn of his intelligence he was its faithful and loyal student, and sought by obedience to get new knowleuge of its true spirit and meaning. .
Better than all were his unselfish piety and charity. To impart is the highest blessedness, tho few learn the bliss of giving, if at all, until late in life. Yet as a lad he showed deep sympathy with sorrow and suffering, and is remembered for his simple ministries to those who needed help. He went about, a boy of seven, reading and explaining the Bible in the cottages of poor peasants; and on one occasion having spent his pocket money for some baker's choice cakes, he bestowed them all, untasted, upon a hungry boy. The child thus forecast the man who gave his short life to teaching the ignorant, and himself became one of God's barley loaves to feed dying souls!
In college life, Keith-Falioner was an example of a fine quality of brains as well as brawn. He mastered "short-hand," and rivaled Pitman himself, and wrote the article, "Shorthand," in the Encyclopcedia Britannica. He had the genius of industry, and like William Carey, could plod. Conscientious in his curriculum, he applied himself to hard tasks, and overcame pbsiacles, until he rose to an enviable rank and won honors and prizes which the indolenhnd indifferent never secure, mastering not only the regular studies, but theology, Hebrew, and the Semitic languages, and the Tonic sol-fa system of music.
The missionary spirit burned in him, even in college days, tho the atmosphere of a university is not always stimulating to aggressive and evangelistic piety. He who at Harrow School, not yet fourteen years old, was, by the testimony of the masters, "energetic, manly, and vigorous," altho" neither a prig nor a Pharisee," was, during his career at Oambridge, which began in 1874, not only fearless in the avowal of his faith, but was moved by that passion for souls which compels unselfish utterance and effort. In temperance and mission work he both used and tested his powers and adaptations for a wider field of service. He led a band of students who, in an old theater, carried ou ragged school work and similar Gospel evangelism. Together they gave or· raised about eight thousand dollars to purchase the building, and there began a wide-reaching service, whose harvest is not yet wholly gathered and garnered.
A field in London next drew him. When yet but a lad of fifteen he had met F. N. Oharrington, then twenty-one, who was visiting at the house of his father, the Earl of Kintore. Between these two, notwithstanding six years' difference in age, an intimate friendship at once sprang up, which bore that blessed fruit of fellowship in holy work. Mr. Oharrington, now known as the founder and leader of the Tower Hamlets Mission in the East End of London, had, two years before, consecrated his life, at the cost of surrendering a princely fortune as a brewer, to uplifting and redeeming the East End drunkards and outcasts. When, late at night, he watched wretched wives and mothers anxiously waiting for their husbands outside the drinkshops over which waS the name of "Oharrington, Head & 00.", he felt a noble impulse to break off the yoke of the drink traffic; and, resiguing the eldest son's share in the business, accepted a smaller portion, which he laid on the altar of humanity, resolved that what was largely coined out of human woe, should be dedicated to human weal, in raising the very classes that the beershop had dragged down. Charrington began his work in a hayloft, was crowded into a larger hall, and then into a big tent; until an Assembly Hall was opened-now twenty years ago-where two thousand people were gathered night a.fter night fQr nine years.
Keith-Falconer's name is so inseparable from the work of Charrington, that it is no digression to give that noble enterprise ample mention. The two young men, moved by a similar impulse, were knit together, like David and Jonathan. During his Cambridge days Keith-Falconer often went to LondOll' to watch his friend's work, and give it help. He shared the opposition. and persecution that made Charrington its target, and the "mobbing" which rewarded .unselfish service to the slaves of drink, going with him to the police office, when he was arrested on false charges, as one that was turning the world upside down. Like Charrington, also, he had his reward in seeing drunkards reformed, gangs of thieves broken up, public houses deserted and for sale at half their cost, and homes redeemed from rum and crime.
During the fearful winter of 1879 the feeding of hungry multitudes occupied the attention of Charrington and his helpers, and led ultimately to the erection of that new hall which, with its buildings, cost $200,000, and is a perpetual benediction to the neighborhood. There, for over ten years, untold blessing has been imparted to thousands and even millions. In that grand audience room on Mile End Road five thousand people may gather under the sound of one voice; there, every night, a Gospel service is held; the days of mob violence are over; Mr. Charrington finds stalwart defenders in the poor victims whose yoke he has been the means of breaking, and the whole East End is being redeemed from its social curse.
In all this work Keith-Falconer has a share, as in its eternal reward. He, as honorary secretary, issued the necessary appeals, himself becoming a beggar for funds, and a donor to the extent of $10,000. As a college student he would hurry off to the metropolis for a week at a time, lend hand and voice as needed, visit the poor, teach the word, aid in administrative details, and then hurry back to his studies. His biographer, Mr. Sinker, says: "I could not but be struck with the similar expression on the faces of the two men. It was one in which joy and keen resolve alid humble thankfulness were strangely blended. One great work for God which Keith-Falconer had striven hard to further, he was allowed to see in its full completeness, carried on by men working there with heartiest and purest zeal. Not while anyof the present generation of workers survive will the name of Keith-Falconer fade out of loving remembrauce in the great building in Mile End Road."
All this work he did as a layman, who seldom spoke in public, but had learned the secret of "having a talk with a man "-and with one at a time-as Jesus talkt with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. While on a bicycle tour with a friend in Slltherlandshire, in 1884, he wrote to his wife, " We had a talk with the boatman on the Kyle, who said he had been praying and searching for years, but couldn't find Him." This form- of evangelistic and missionary work, getting in touch with an individual soul, and finding the key that unlocks the heart-a personal, private conversation about the most important matters-courts no publicity and escapes observation, but does not fail of recognition in God's Book of Remembrance, written for those who" think upon His name" and" speak often one to another."
The closing period of his life is forever linkt with Arabia. After he past his last examination at Cambridge, in 1880, Keith-Falconer gave himself to the study of the Arabic, including the Koran. He got from books what preparatory knowledge of that tongue he could, and then went to the Nile, and resided for some months with the missionary, Dr. D. W. Hogg, to acquire the colloquial language, learn the temper of the Arabic mind, and study the Moslem faith. Then in university halls for three years longer he carried on his research, translating the Kalilah and Dimnalt,* and meanwhile filling the post of Hebrew Lecturer at Clare College and of Theological Examiner.
This young man, not yet thirty, was married to a charming woman, Miss Bevan. In the midst of the finest classical surroundings, everything was calculated to root him at Cambridge, where before him lay a futuro of almost unlimited possibilities. He might have grown in such a soil until, like the palm, he overtopt others, and blossomed into a surpassing fruitfulness as well as a scholarly symmetry. Fame had her goal and laurel wreath in sight, but a holier calling and a higher crown absorbed him. He left all else to carry the Gospel message to distant Aden.
The life of Dr. John Wilson, of Bombay, had opened his eyes to the possibilities of a missionary career, and about the same time General Haig had called attention to neglected Arabia, and to the strategic importance of this particular point of approach and occupation. Aden as a military position controls tho Red Sea, and in a mercantile and nautical point of view sustains a relation to Asia and Africa similar to that of Gibraltar to Europe and Africa. In the year of Victoria's coronation-l838-the Sultan ceded the peninsula to England, and Aden was made a free port. It is but five hundred miles from Mecca and six hundred and fifty from Medina. Thousands from all parts of Arabia, entering the British territory every year, must see how the peaco, order, freedom, and good government, there prevalent, contrast with the tyranny and anarchy elsewhere found.
Keith-Falconer had an interview with General Haig, and in the autumn of 1885 went to Aden to prospect. On his way he began inducting his wife into the mysteries of Arabic, and quaintly wrote: "Arabic grammars should be strongly bound, because learners are so often found to dash them frantically on the ground."
• These were the so-called" Fables of Bldpai," or Pilpsl, an Indian Brahman and gyninoSOo phlst, of great antiquity. &arcely any book but the Bible has been translated into so many tongues, and its history is a part of the history of human development. Bidpsi has been . called chief of the philosophers of India. He determined to fix on Sheikh-Othman as his station, leaving. Aden to the Ohurch Missiouary Society. He explored the neighbQrhood, and thus proved to the inhabitants that not all Europeans are " clever people who get drunk and have no religion to speak of."
In the spring of 1886 he and his wife were again in England, and, on Easter Day, in the Assembly Hall at Mile End, he delivered, on " Temptation," the most striking address of his life. Did it reflect his inward struggle with the parting of the ways before him-nobility, wealth, distinction, on the one hand; seclusion, self-denial, obscurity on the other? Before the General Assembly of the Free Ohurch of Scotland, he gave, on Mohammedan missions, an address equally impressive in its way, which reveals his purpose and conception of the possibilities of service in Arabia. He said that he had been again and again urged to go to Arabia and set up a school, and that one day a Mohammedan wrote in a mysterious fashion: "If you want the people to walk in your way, then set up schools." The man was a Hadjee, returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca, where he had been stript of all his money. Being offered a copy of John's gospel, he would not accept it; and, being further questioned, acknowledged that he liked the historical parts, but other parts made him fearful. He pointed to the talk between Christ and the woman at Jacob's well, "If thou knewest the gift of God," etc., and said" That verse makes my heart tremble, lest I be made to follow in the way of the Messiah."
'.rhis young Semitic scholar of Cambridge, already the greatest living orientalist, laid out a great w,ork at Sheik-Othman. He would have a school, a medical mission, and a depot for distributing the Holy Scriptures. He would study medicine himself and secure a Christian physician as coworker. He would work under the Board of the Scottish Ohurch, but pay all costs of the mission himself.
Just at this point, and greatly to his surprise, he was made Pro· fessor of Arabic at Oambridge. The position was partly honorary, its active teaching depending mostly on an associate; and it was accepted, with no divided purpose, for his mind was set on Arabia, but because his Cambridge work would augment his power to turn public attention to its needs. After a course of three lectures on "The Pilgrimage to Mecca," he again left at once for Aden, with his wife, and colleague, Dr. Stewart Oowen.
Thus in November, 1886, he laid the foundation for his mission premises and work. His character made such impression on the Moslem mind, that, within a few months, but few who came in touch with this Christlike man were willing to admit that they were followers of Mohammed, but were wont to say," There are no Moslems here!" The Gospel in Arabic found both purchasers and readers in those who ha:d read in this man the living epistle of God.
But the Aden fever proved a fatal foe. Both Keith-Falconer and 736 [October ION XlIlITH-J'ALCCNER. PIONEER IN ,ABAlIIA.
his wife were stricken in February, 1887, and fresh attacks rapidly weakened his stalwart constitution until, on May 11, he sank into quiet slumber and could no more be awaked. His biographer writes: "It was indeed the end. Quietly he past away. God's finger touched him and he slept. Slept? nay, rather awakened, not in the close, heated room where he had so long lain helpless-the weary nurse, overcome with heat and watching, slumbering near-the young wife, widowed ere she knew her loss, lying in an adjoining room, her- self broken down with illness as well as anxiety-the loyal doctor, resting after his two nights' vigil-not on theBe do Ion Keith-Fal- coner's eyes open. He is in the presence of his Lord; the life which is the life indeed has begun."
After five months of labor in his chosen field his body was lovingly laid to rest in the cemetery at Aden by British officers and soldiers- fitting burial for a soldier of Christ, who, with armor on and courage undaunted, fell with face to the foe. The martyr of Aden had entered God's Eden. And so Great Britain made her first offering- a costly sacrifice-to Arabia's evangelization. '
No doubt some will exclaim, '" To what purpose is this waste I'
for this flask of costly ointment, broken and poured out amid Arabia's arid sands, might have been kept in the classic halls of Cambridge, and even yet be breathing its perfume where scholars tread and heroes are made." To all such cavils of unbelief there is one reply, and it is all-sufficient, for it is God's answer: "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."
The Free Church, whose missionary he was, declares: "The faIl- ing asleep, iu the first months of fervent service, of the Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer, in the extreme Asian outpost in South Arabia, gives solemn urgency to his last appeal to the cultured, the wealthy, and the unselfish, whom that devoted volunteer for Christ represented when he addrest them in these words: '" While vast continents are shrouded in almost utter darkness, and hundreds of millions suffer the horrors of heathenism or Islam, the burden of proof lies upon you to show that the circumstances in whic"h God has placed you were meant by Him to hep you out of the foreign mission field.'''
God makes no mistakes, and we are "immortal till our work is done," if we are fully in His plan. We may not penetrate the arcana of His secret purposes to learn the final issue, but, as Dr. J. W.
Dulles used to say, our disappointments are, rightly read, "His appointments." The short career of Keith-Falconer teaches a lesson -never more impressively taur,1,t-that nothing is too good to be given to God ou the altar of r ssions. His death sent an electric shock through the British kingdom and the wider Church of Christ.
But his distinction and accomplishments made it impossible for his
10K XEITH-lI'ALCOKBIt, PIOliBBlt Ili AlUlIU
life's lesson to remain unread. His fame gave a trumpet voice to his words and made his life vocal with witness. Admiration and love drew others to follgw in the steps of a heroism so divinely self-oblivious. The Church askt for one volunteer to step into the breach, and thirteen of the graduating class of the New College at once responded; but the response did not end then or there. In the very year of Keith- Falconer's death Robert P. Wilder and John N. Forman were going about among the colleges and theological schools of the United States and Canada, secnring from the best educated young men, volunteers for the foreign field. And now, during the ten years that have past since this martyr spirit of Aden went up to God, ten thousand lives of young men and women in Britain and America have been ofiered to God, quicken~d by this example of consecration. The Henry Martyn Memorial Hall at Canbridge, the: Hannington Memorial Hall at Oxford, and many other monuments of dead and living mission heroes enforce the testimony of the Cambridge orientalist. lIe, being dead, yet speaketh, and no voice of the last half century is heard more widely by the young men of the Church of Christ.
He sought to " call attention to Arabia;" and has done it in a way and to an extent that he never imagined. The workman fell, but the work goes on. Under Rev. W. R. W. Gardner and Dr. Young new currents of influence are flowing into and through Aden. In· 1888 a large number of Abyssinian children carried into Arabia from ruined homes and massacred families, for enslavement, were rescued by a British man-of-war and put into school in this mission for Christian training, to be sent back to Abyssinia as missionaries. Christian teachers, evangelists, and physicians have since gone to take up the work Keith-Falconer laid down. And, on both sides of the Red Sea, in Africa and Asia, the mission which he begun is likely to be the seed of other enterprises, looking to the evangelization of both conti- nents. The mission to Arabia has not come to its grave because its founder sleeps in the cemetery at Aden. On these southern shores of Arabia is a Church of England edifice, largely built from collections made in the mail steamers that ply across those waters. The Scots Church, partly paid for by money raised by the children of the Free Church of Scotland, is now building under an Arab contractor and workmen, some of whom are Jews. And so, curiously enough, Christians, Arabs, and Jews unite to erect Christ's houses of prayer in the land of Ishmael! Dr. George Smith, who recently visited Aden, testifies to the prosperityand hopefulness of the congregation there worshiping in connection with the Scots Church, and says that in the pioneering stage of the Arab mission it snpplies the spiritual life and enthusiasm of common worship and evangelical efiort. Dr. Young acts as military chaplain for the British infantry and artillery located at Aden, and he and
ION lUilITlI-lI'ALCOmm, PIONBEl IN AIUliIA
hill colleague undertake not only to furnish two sermons a week, but as medical missionariea to meet the demands of Arab and Somali, Jew and Paraee; thus, while nourishing piety in British resi- dents, reaching out to the varioua foreign populationil that need Gospel effort.
The British camp and the native town of Aden lie in the crater of an extinct volcano. What a typical place in which to plant God's tree of knowledge and of life! And the Bible is planted there. On a busy corner of the main street stands the British and Foreign Bible Society's depot, with Mr. and Mrs. Lethaby as its devoted workGra; and near by is the reating place of the body of Keith-Falconer. In the middle of a row of graves of British officers and men, each with Ito single cross above it, may be aeen the tomb of the first missionary that Scotland gave to Arabia.
Dr. Smith aaya of him: " He died at thirty, one yea.r younger than Henry Martyn, and was followed by the aged bishop, Valpy French, on the eastern shore at Muscat. A massive block of white Egyptian m~rble covers the grave, while there rises at its head an exquisitely pure slab, with an inscription, under a coronet which might well represent the martyr's crown. 'Ihere Dr. Cowen, who was then his medical colleague, and several officers and men of her British majesty's Ninety-eighth Regiment, as the sun set, laid all that was mortal of the young Scottish noble, scholar, and self-consecrated missionary of the Free Church of Scotland. The sacred spot is the first missionary milestone into Arabia.
"As the Keith-Falconer Mission, bearing its founder's name and generally supported by his family, this first modern mission to the Arab may be said to have begun anew in the year 1889. First of all, Principal Mackichan, when on his return to Bombay, after furlough, carefully inspected the Sheikh-Othman headquarters, and, with the local medical authorities, reported in favor of continuing and extending the plans of its founder. The mission is now, as a result of past experience, conducted by two fully qualified men, one of whom is married, who are working in most brotherly harmony, preaching the Gospel in Arabic as well as healing the sick. Its Arabic and English school is taught by Alexander Aabud, a married member of the Syrian Evangelical Church, from the Lebanon, but trained in the American mission in Egypt.
"All pver this neighborhood the medical mission founded by Keith-Falconer ill makin~ for it!!elf a name, and its doctors are received or visited at theIr dispensary, as the messengers of God. European and native alike, nat.ives from India and Africa, as well as the Arab camel driver!! and !!ubjects of the Sultan of Lahej-himself and hi!! family patient!! of the mission-turn to the missionaries with ~ratitude and hope, and will do them any service. Nowhere has the mfluence of medical mission!! in this early stage, of course preparatory, been !!o remarkable 81! in this Yemen corner of Arabia during the past !!even years." …
• Letter to the Free Ohurch oJ lYcotland M01-.thly, by George Smith, LL.D. In this man – one of the finest, brightest, and noblest young men of the century, some special traits shone which provoke to emulation.
First, his simplicity. The childlike. character, refined of what is merely childish, is the divine ideal of human perfection. We must not outgrow the simple artlessness, humility, docility of childhood, but rather grow backward toward it perpetually. The ideal child is inseparable in our minds from faith, love, truth, and trust; and these are the cardinal virtues of Christian character. To learn to doubt, to hate, to lie, to suspect, is to learn the devil's lessons, and any approach to these is just so much progress in Satan's school. This pioneer to Arabia never lost his simple childlikeness. His manhood was not an outgrowing of his boyhood, in all that makes a child beautiful and attractive. He never put on airs of any sort, but hated all hollow pretense and empty professions. His was that high art of artlessness; in his most careful work he did not lose naturalness, and in his most studied performances there was no affectation. He acted out himself, a genuine, honest, sincere man, who concealed nothing and had nothing to conceal.
Second, his eccentricHy. This word has a new meaning by his interpretation of it. He was wont to say that a true disciple must not fear to be called "eccentric." "Eccentric," said he, "means {out of center,' and you will be out of center with the world if you are in centllr with Christ." He dared to be one of God's" peculiar people, zealous of good works." While we are content to live on the low level of the average" professor of religion" we shall exhibit no peculiarity, for there is no peculiarity about a dead level. But if, like a mountain rising from a plain, we dare to aspire to higher and better things, to get nearer to God, to live in a loftier altitude and atmosphere, we shall, like the mountain, be singular and exceptional; we can not escape observation, and may not escape hostile criticism. Blessed is the man who, like Caleb and Joshua, ventures to stand comparatively alone in testimony to God; for it is such as these who go over into the inheritance of peculiar privileges and rewards.
Third, his unselfishness. Few of us appreciate the deformity and enormity of the sin of simply beiug absorbed in our own things. One may be a monster of repulsiveness in God's eyes through qualities that exhibit little outward hatefulness and ugliness to the common eye. Greed, lust, ambition, pride, envy and jealousy, malice and uncharity, may not be forbidden in man's decalogue, but they eat away the core of character like the worm in the apple's heart. Balzac, in one of his stories, revives the old myth of the magic skin which enabled the wearer to get his wish, but with every new gratification of selfish desire shrank and held him in closer embrace, until it squeezed the breath of life out of him. And the myth is an open mystery, to be seen in daily life. Every time that we seek something for. our-
ION ltltlTl[-PALCOl'fElt. PlonKa Ilf· AlLllSU
selves only, without regard to God's glory or man's good, our very success is defeat; we may get what we want, but we shrink in capacity for the highest joy and the noblest life.
l!~ourth, his concentraUon. Paul writes to the Philippians, "This one thing I do." In the original it is far more terse and dense with meaning. He uses two little Greek words, the shortest in the language (EY 8E), "But one!" an exclamation that no words can interpret. All his energies were directed toward and converged in one. Our lives are a waste because they lack unity of aim and effort. We seek too many things to attain anything great or achieve anything grand. Our energies are divided, scattered, dissipated. We follow impulse, which is variable and unsteady, while principle is constant, like the pole . star. We are too much controlled by opinions which change with the hour, instead of by convictions which, being intelligently formed, hold us, like the girdle of truth in the Ohristian armor, instead of our merely holding them. It is possible for a man or woman to gain almost any goal, if the whole energy be concentrated. How immense the importance, then, of getting a right purpose to command the soul, and then making everything else bend and bow before it!
God speaks to the young men and women of our day as in trumpet tones: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear! " An example, like that set before us in this life story, is one of God's voices. In Keith- Falconer the Holy Ghost saith, "Stop and consider!" What way is your life stream running? Are you living for yourself or for God and for man? Every man is his brother's keeper, and it is fitting that the first one who questioned this was Oain, his brother's mur- derer! Everyone is either his brother's keeper or slayer, for every life is saving or destroying other lives. We lift men up or we drag them down; there is no escape from responsibility.
No man liveth unto himself and no man dieth unto himself. Life is bound up in a bundle with all other life. We are none of us inde- pendent of the others, and we can not escape the necessity of influen- cing them for good or evil. Eternity alone can measure the capacity for such influence, for eternity alone can give the vision and the revelation of what life covers in the reach and range of its mighty forces. It is a solemn and august thought that, to-day, each one of us is projecting lines of influence into the unending hereafter. The life span is infinite. So lookt upon, this short career of thirty years did not end at Aden ten years ago. The building whose basis was thus laid is rising unseen and silently, and its spires will yet pierce the clouds. A seed was planted on the shores of the Red Sea whose branches will yet shake like Lebanon, and wave in beauty and fertility when the everlasting mountains are no more. The career of Keith-Falconer is still going on, but the cloud which is between hides its onward, upward path.
POLITICS AND lU8SIONS IN PERSIA
Once more we turn to that grave at Aden and read its simple inscription: TO THE DEAR MEMORY OF THE HON. ION KEITH-FALCONER, THIRD SON OF THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF KINTORE, WHO ENTERED INTO REST AT SHEIKH-OTHMAN, MAY 11, 1887, AGED 30 YEARS.
"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and, where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor."
POLITICS AND MISSIONS IN PERSIA.
BY REV. S. G. WILSON, TABRIZ, PERSIA.
Muzaffir-id-Din Shah has now occupied the throne of the Kajars about a year. During this time the condition of the country and its sovereign has been far from satisfactory. The Shah is the victim of a chronic disease, and his tenure of the scepter is destined to be short. Several times it has been announced that he had the intention to go to Europe for medical treatment. Rumors of his death have been circul~ted. At one time the bazaars in Teheran were closed, business suspended, and riots imminent, owing to such rumors. Only the appearance of the Shah in public quieted popular apprehension. Not ouly illness, but fear of assassination, seems to keep the Shah in retirement.
Shortly after his accession, the Shah removed the prime minister who had served his father for so many years, and had shown great energy in holding the turbulent elements in check until His Majesty reooht his capital. The Sadr-Azam retired in disgrace to Kum, and the cabinet was reorganized, many of the old ministers retaining their portfolios. After a few months another reorganization was effected, the Amin-i-Doulah being recalled from the governorship of Azerbijan and made grand vizier. He is an enlighteneq ma.n, a great admirer / of European civilization, the patron of the Ferry Hospital in Teheran, and friendly to missionaries.
There has been a noticeable increase in Russian influence during the year. A consulate has been establisht at Ispahan. A wagon-road from the Caspian to Kasvin, leading to Teheran, is being constructed by Russian capital. The boundary between Moghan-and Ardebil has been pusht forward. A governor of Ardebil is said to have been induced, by a bribe of 50,000 rubles, to report to the government that a certain territory in question was of no value, and that Russia's desire for it might as well be gratified. Afterwards the inhabitants of twelve villages came to the Shah to protest against being expatriated in so summary a way. When the Shah learned the truth, the governor was divorced from the Shah's daughter, his property confiscated, and he was banisht on a pilgrimage to Kerbela.
Russia naturally desires to reap advantage from the disturbed condition of the country. Indeed, the vice-consul, who was at Tabriz during the bread-riots, is reported to have been censured for not having scored some points when the rioters fled to the consnlate for protection, and profest a desire to become subjects of the Czar. In Meshed;the consul showed a better knowledge of his duty, and made the local disturbance a pretext for calling in a band of Cossacks to guard the consulate. But the greatest show of Russian power has been at Tabriz. A servant of the Russian consulate was reported to have insulted a Mohammedan woman, the wife of a prominent mollah. A crowd quickly gathered to punish him. He took refuge at the consulate, and the mob turned to plundering Armenian houses. Four houses were looted, and many men robbed and beaten on the streets, before the government got control of the mob.' Then demands were made on the consul that the man be given up for punishment. The consul maintained his innocence, and refused to give him over to certain death. Popular excitement rose high. The mob threatened to return to looting the Armenian quarters, and even to attack the consulate. Armenians, to the number of 700, fled to the Russian and French consulates, and remained there for three weeks; the rest of them were confined to their houses; their schools, 8S well 8S those of the mission, were closed. It was uncertain what 8 day might bring forth. The consul told the government plainly that if order W8S not kept, he would call for the Cossacks in 48 hours. They came to the border at JuUa to be in readiness. The government took alarm, and made strenuous efforts to control the populace. Guards of soldiers were placed in the Armenian quarters. The mollahs exhorted their followers to be quiet, saying that otherwise the Russians would conquer the country, take off their turbans, and prohibit their call to prayer. So the Persians were cowed, and restrained their fanatical and plundering passions. The Shah's government, at the demand of the Czar, paid indemnity to the plundered, arrested and imprisoned the ringleaders of the riot, and gave a written promise of security for the Christian popUlation. The results wer.e a great increase of the already predominant power of Russia, and an improved position for Nestorians and Armenians, and greater security for all foreigners.
The Jews, too, have been passing through trials. Shortly after the above event, a renegade, Jewin Urumia, accused his brethren of having sacrificed a Mohammedan child at the Passover. A mob quickly gath. ered, and were about to take summary vengeance on the defenseless Jews, when the government, fearing further disturbance would give. Russia a coveted opportunity, exerted unusual energy, and restrained the crowd before they had injured anyone. In Teheran, moreover, It. mollaq gave a decree that the Jews should wear a distinctive dress, and have a badge of red on their coats, that they could be recognized, and Mohammedans not be contaminated by contact with them. The Jews appealed to the Shah, who answered them favorably. Still the populace was determined to attack them, and the Shah had a silver badge, of the value of a franc, struck off, to be hung about the neck of each Jew. In Ramadan, too, the Jew8 were in "reat danger during Maharren.
These riotoUl!! demonstration! against Christian! r.nd Jew! are, in part, the result of the bigotry excited among the Persians by the events in Turkey, for though Shiah Mohammedans, they show It. fellow feeling for their Sunni brethren, which was not anticipated, and glory in the victories over the Greeks a! those of Islam over Christianity. They had come to feel that there was no protection for Christians, and they could be plundered with impunity. Only the fear of Russia excited the government to a prudent activity, and prevented a. repeti. tion of the scene enacted in Turkey. This serie! of riots shows what the condition of life is in Persia at preeent.
During the past. year thousands of refugeee from Turkey have past into Persia. Not only have Armeniane from the villages along the border fled hither, but thousands of Nestorians abandoned their lands, their homes, their all to the Kurde, and took refuge in Urumia. The dangers to which they were exposed was tragically illustrated in the murder of the Nestorian Bishop of Ulumia, Mar Gabriel, three priests, and two deacons of the old church and their attendants. They were proceeding to the Metropolitan of Nochea. A party of Kurds, by command of a sheikh, murdered this band of harmless clergy, muti· lated their bodies, cutting their ears and noses, and ripping them up. Their bodiee were then dragged more than" mile and thrown over the Persian border, where they were found after ten days by a search· ing party. Much hM been done to relieve these del!titute refugees in Urumia., more than $10,000 having come from England and America for th.t purpose. Many were furnisht with passports to emigrate to Russia. Clothing and food have been distributed in Salmas, and now Pastor Fisher and wife, with the Misses Pollock, have come from Germany to establish an orphanage and perhaps a colony for the refugees. One scheme of ait! was to purchase cattle in Persia for the plundered villagers in Turkey. For this purpose the Rev. Mr. Allen, of Van, came to Persia, and purchased several thousand head of cattle. Diffi- culties were, however, put in the way of exporting them. It was found to be against Persian law to export cattle and grain. The price of meat was also raised by the extra demand, and the people of Khoi became clamorous against the exportation. Their opposition took the form of an extensively signed petition against Deacon Werda, the preacher at Khoi, who had negotiated for the cattle. He was accused of preaching the Gospel to Mohammedans, and baptizing converts, and his expulsion was demanded. The petition was ready to be sent to the Amir-i-Uizam, the governor-general, when Dr. Cochran waif fortunately called to Khoi, to attend a patient, and was able to procure the destruction of the document. The feeling against the export of cattle was so strong that the plan was abandoned. At present some anxiety is felt regarding the bands of Armenian revolntionists who are gathering in Salmos with the intention of attacking Kurdish vil- lages across the border. It is feared that they may provoke reprisals and lead to further massacres, without accomplishing any good. The Armenian bishop has endeavored to dissuade them from the enter- prise.
A reccnt event of importance to mission work in Persia has been, the visit of Secretary Robert E. Speer. It was the first visit ever made by an official of the board to the Persia Mission in the sixty years of its existence. Now that a Secretary has once ventured to take this ride of 1,500 miles over the rough mountains of Persia, and escapeiJ so successfully from an attack of typhoid, we hope he may quickly find courage to come again, and be followed by a rapid succession of official representatives. Mr. Speer's visit was a spiritual blessing to many of the missionaries.
Retrenchment has been the order of the past year, and greater cur- tailment is ordered for the present year. With this there has been ,.unusual spiritual activity. In 'fabriz there has been a markt friend- liness on the part of the Armenians, and an unprecedented readiness to hear the truth. In connection with the Memorial Boys' School a series of evangelistic services were held for three months after the week of prayer, which were attended as never before, and were the means of removing many prejudices and made a strong impression for evangelical truth. Hearts that had resisted all appeals during many years were brought to a decision to serve Christ. In Urumia a gracious blessing has been experienced in a number of the churches. The winter campaign, conducted largely by Mr. Coan, was one of the most remarkable in the history of the station. Large congregations of revived church members and inquiring siuners attended the services. The churches would not hold the numbers who desired to be present. The attendance of Old Nestorians and Catholics was specially large. Many of the refugees, too, received a blessing and the interest extended to the Armenian villagers as never before. Five hundred accessions were expected as the result of the campaign.
Quickly following this evidence of God's blessing came not only an order for an unparalleled retrenchment in the work, but another event which clouds the prospect for the future evangelization of the Nestorians. Prieste from the Russian Church arrived in Urumia in May. They had been invited by the Nestorians in an extensively signed petition to the Czar. The motive of the signers was to obtain political and civil protection. The insecurity of life and property in these parts has well nigh led the Christian population to despair. They felt sure of protection if they could come under the regis of the Czar. Hence the same people who some years ago invited the mission of the Archbishop of Canterbury now turn to the Orthodox Synod. The coming of the Russian mission was anticipated with intense interest. As one exprest it, the Nestorians had their horses saddled for months in anticipation of their advent. The missionaries arrived in 'fabriz under guard of a band of Cossacks, just after the Tabriz riots. When they arrived near Urumia, Nestorians and some Armenians, in all to the number of 8,000, came out to meet and welcome them. 1.'hey strewed their garments in the way, kist their hands, and even the dust of their shoes, prostratiug themselves before them and greeting them as "Our Saviors." Their reception was a grand ovation. They quickly followed up their triumphal entry by special visits to villages. At the edge of the village they would plant the standards-the holy Eikons-aud hold religious services. The people flockt to the services and all who desired were invited to partake of the Eucharist, after which their names were enrolled as members of the Orthodox Russian Church. Some whole villages have been thus enrolled. Among the leaders in this headlong rush to ;forsake Nestorians and the Syrian Fathers are Bishop Mol' Yohannan and Yoseph Arsenious, who has traveled extensively in America. These with the zeal of new converts are persuading and cajoling all they can to join the Russians. The movement is chiefly confined to Old Nestorians, who seem about to be swept out of existence, as far as Persia is concerned. Oh, degenerate sons of steadfast sires, who suffered exile and loss of all rather than call Mary the Mother of God, and you now run in hot haste to bow down to her image and pray to her as mediator. Not a few even of the converts of the Catholic and Protestant mis- sions are borne along by the flood, and the missionaries stand amazed. at the power of political and worldly motives to uproot conscientious convictions. Th~ mission is interpreted by the Persians to mean that the Russians are about to make a movement to occupy Persia.
The results affect most peculiarly the Anglican Mission (Ritualistic), whioh was establisht at the request of the Nestorians, and whose aim has been to bring the Nestorian Ohurch to acknowledge the first six councils. Now, after years of self-denying effort, they see their hosts flying to the refuge of Orthodoxy, but under the Russian banner. As their object to make the Ohurqh orthodox, is thus accomplisht in a way they could never have anticipated, they can rejoice even in tribulations. They will probably "fold their tents like the Arabs and silently steal away." Indeed, most of them are already taking vacations. That clergy who have subscribed to the XXXIX Articles, should be better satisfied to see their flock go to the Russian Ohurch than to the Evangelical Ohurch, must excite amazement.
As for the Protestant community, we yet confidently hope that the great majority of its adherents will stand firm and receive the blessing of those who endure temptation and come forth purified. When the chaff is blown away, the pure wheat will be all the more worthy to be garnered with care. .But it is a question whether it will be possible to do missionary work among the Russianized community, for should any repent at leisure, they will leave their new confession at their peril, and make themselves liable to temporal penalties, means of inflicting which will be found, tho they do not reside in the dominions of the Ozar.
The Ohurch mission at Ispahan shows aggressiveness and progress and at the same time is compast with difficulties and persecutions. The force of missionaries has been much enlarged, dispensary and hospital work increast, and a new station establisht at Kerman, and Bishop Stuart, the first English bishop in Persia, has been active in visiting the cities of southern and central Persia. As a natural result of this aggressiveness, opposition has increast, especially directed against the school of fifty Persian boys and the medical work for women. In January a mob collected in Jalfa, and drew off to prison three Persian pupils, one of whom had been baptized, and the other two were sons of a convert. Other converts were beaten, some were tortured and fined for sending their sons to the school. During the mob the colporteur, Benjamin Badal, who had been so efficient in distributing the Bible, was severely beaten. At the same time a stone, thrown at him by a Mohammedan, struck another Mohammedan and slightly injured him. Benjamin was charged with throwing the stone. Seventeen days afterwards the man died or was killed, and his death was laid at the door of Benjamin. A mob assembled to murder him. He fled to the protection of the Prince Governor, where he Wall kept from the mob; but, to appease them, he was chained and placed in the stocks. He afterwards fled the country. In the last of February the Mujtehid, Agha Najifi, ordered tha.t women should not attend the dispensary, aud that hospital in-patients should leave, and that a woman who was supposed to have become a Christian, should be thrown down a well and have stones heapt upon her. One mob against the hospital was dispersed by the British vice-consul. Subsequently a definite plan was made to attack the hospital, but a fall of snow of a foot and a half, the heaviest snow known since the mission was establisht, blocked the streets and deterred the mob. These persecutions continued through the spring, and, as usual, will give the work a back-set for a considerable time.
In January a document was sent by the Persian Foreign Office to all the legations which (omitting titles and abbreviations) reads as follows: SUOHAN, 16, 1314,. Year of the Monkey.
To tM Legation of tM United States, etc., etc.
According to the will of his high majesty, the glorious and mighty, the holy and illustrious king of kings (may his government and reign be forever), and according to his enlightened mind, it is determined in regard to all kinds of books whether heavenly, sacred, religious, or otherwise, that when foreign subjects wish to bring them to the countries of Iran to buy and sell, their purchase and sale shall be conditioned on the permission of the Department of Arts and Science of the High Government. Again, the transfer of such books from one city to another shall only be done after obtaining a permit from the department in which the names and number of the books must be stated. Otherwise they will be seized and detained, and the man who carries them sball be answerable to the courts. After thirty·three days this order will go into execution.
United States Minister, Mr. Alex. McDonald, protested against this order, and was informed that "the trouble had grown out of the free distribution of religious books by English missionaries in southern Persia; that the mollahs were much excited, and serious trouble was feared, for which the government could not be responsible. This step had been taken to quiet them and to preserve peace." After wards the government sent a modified order "that books of science, literature, and history, and such like, for instruction and learning, are free and, after obtaining a permit from the Department of Arts and Science, will in no way be interfered with. Religio!ls and heavenly books, even such as are necessary for the believers of such religions, shall also be by permission; but all books that are brought in for the propagation of foreign religions, and are giveu without charge to }{ussulmen, are prohibited. This prohibition is strict, so that if they come to hand, they shall be seized and destroyed. The government will not be answerable for their value."
Since the order was issued, nothing further has developt, tho Bibles ha.ve been imported and transported from one city to another. We trust nothing further may be heard of the order.
lD:SSION WORlt nt A.lAlIIA
THE DIFFICULTIES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS OF MIS- SION WORK IN ARABIA.
BY REV. S. Y. ZWEMER, F. R. G. S., BAHREIN, ARABIA.
When a large building is not yet in process of construction, and the foundations only are being laid, the p1an of the architect can best be seen from the model, and not amid the digging and stone-breaking and loose material. How much more is this true when the Great Architect is laying the foundations for His spiritual temple in Eastern Arabia? Even now, ten years after the death of Ion Keith Falconer at Aden, the foundations of mission work are only beginning to be laid in the peninsula, and there is so much rubbish about (the desolations of former generations), that it is hard for those who are at a distance to see much progress from year to year in the superstructure.
While other mission-fields can speak of harvest time, and give statistics of churches, schools and baptisms, Arabia, like most Moslem lands, is yet in the midst of early sowing, and the figures we can give all refer to the seed-tim~ of the written or spoken word.
But of difficulties and encouragements in this work it is easy to write, for there are enough of both to dishearten the boldest and to encourage the weakest. And lest our writing prove a stumblingblock to those who already have little faith in work for Mohammedans generally (altho that work has been signally blest within the last decade), we speak first of the difficulties; difficulties which, tho formidable, persistent and arduous, are not worthy to be compared with the glorious encouragements we meet in this same field of work.
Among the difficulties, those that occur first to the mind are: 1. Moslem Prej1tdice.-Some three years ago I received a letter from the Rev. W. A. Essery, honorary secretary of the Bible Lands Mission Aid Society, in which he wrote: "A word as to the task your mission attempts. It is to me the hardest in the whole mission field. To conquer Mohammedanism is to capture Satan's throne, and I think it involves the greatest conflict Christianity has ever known. In attacking Arabia, you aim at the citadel of supreme error occupied by the last enemy that shnll bow to the kingship of Christ." This is true; and yet the difficulty of work among Moslems has been emphasized more than sufficiently in proportion to the efforts made by the Church 10r their evange};zation. That the Mohammedan world is harder to reach, humanly speaking, than the heathen world, no one denies. But that the work for Moslems is a hopeless task, the recent history of missions in Sumatra, the Punjaub, Algiers, and Egypt emphatically disproves. Professor Lansing, of New Brunswick, one of the founders of the Arabian Mission, wrote in 1890: "If the smallness of the
KI88ION WOll': IN ,UUlSIA
number of converts from Islam to Christianity be pointed out, thil!l argues not so much the unapproachability of Moslems as the indifference and inactivity of Christians. The doctrine of fatalism, commonly accredited to Islam, is not one-half so fatalistic in its spirit and operation as that which for thirteen centuries has been practically held by the Christian Church as to the hope of bringing the hosts of Islam into the following of Jesus Christ." This also is true. But Moslem prejudice and Ishmaelitic intolerance are real, and must be faced. Our colporteurs meet this difficulty on their travels along the coast and up the river country. In some places, especially by the Shiah sect, bread and shelter are refused them, and religion discredits the justly famous hospitality of the Arab. Sometimes Bibles and other books that have been sold to villagers are collected by a fanatic mullah and consigned to the flames or the oblivion of an upper shelf in his house. A Wahabee from inner Oman, infuriated because he was worsted in argument at our Muscat Bible depot, attempted to give the colporteur a beating. At Amara, on the Tigris, the attempt was made to wear out our patience and good-feeling by repeated insult and annoyance. Books were stolen, torn, burned; dead vermin cast into our quarters, and the rabble hooted us in the street, until God gave us the victory and peace. At Bahrein a petition, signed by many of the merchants, w,as sent to the Kadi, asking permission to murder the missionary, but nothing came of it. Nearly everywhere in Arabia the prejudice against certain aspects of Christian doctrine are so strong, that without previous explanation, it would be unwise and unsafe to use the words Son of God, death oj Christ, Trim:ty, etc" in a coffee-shop.
2. (Jlimate.-A second difficulty to mission work in Arabia, at present, is climate. At present, we write, because those who have studied the geography of the peninsula know that in the mountain ranges of Oman and Yemen, as well as in some of the Nejd-lands, a healthful, bracing climate is the rule. Now, alas, while all work is still confined to the coast, we have perhaps one of the most trying climates in the world. The intense heat of summer (often 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade) is aggravated by the humidity of the atmosphere, and the dust raised by every wind. Nor are there rains or clouds to temper the excessive heat. In the winter, from December to March, the winds are often cold and cutting, and altho the temperature is then more suited to Europeans (35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit) it appears to be the less healthy season. The so-called Gulf-fever of the remittant type is very dangerous and convalescence is only possible sometimes by leaving the Gulf. Cholera and smallpox are not uncommon. Ophthalmia is rife. Prickly heat, in aggravated form, boils, and all the insect plagues of Egypt are a cause of suffering in their season.
3. Iso1atio1l.-"The work is great and large, and we are separated
HII!!SION WORX IN AIU.BlA
upon the wall, one far from another." There are only two missions at work in Arabia proper. The Keith-Falconer Mission at Aden (Sheikh Othman) is fifteen hundred miles from Muscat, our southern- most station. Muscat is six hundred and thirty-five miles from Bahrein, and the latter three hundred and sixty-seven miles from Busrah, as ships travel. The Scotch Mission has two missionaries, one of whom is married. At Muscat, whose" hinterland" has a population of more than 500,000, there is only one missionary. In the whole penins1lia, with a population of ten millions, there are at present eight missionaries, not including the C. M. S. Mission at Bagdad. All the vantage points hitherto occupied on the coast are painfully, shamefully undermanned, and the whole of the interior is without any missionary. This isolation, this loneliness, is often a discouragement, and therefore a real difficulty. Hope of reinforcements so often deferred makes the heart sick. It is not good for man that he should be alone. "The Lord sent them tUJO and two before his face into every city and place whither He Himself would come."
Of yet other difficulties it would be easy to write. The Arabic language, so rich in its vocabulary, grammatical intricacies, impossible gutturals, extensive literature and dialects-this language is a difficulty. In Turkish Arabia we meet with the Turkish system of misrule and oppression, which often adds difficulty to the work.
But we will turn to the brighter side of the picture, and note encouragements: 1. Political Ohanges.-This last of the nations and hindmost in the march of civilization is beginning to awaken to nineteenth-century life. When Phillips Brooks was on his eastern travels, he wrote to his children, " Last Tuesday we past Aden, and stopt there about six hours. I went on shore and took a drive through the town and up into the country. If you had been with me you would have seen the solemn-looking camels stalking along with solemn-looking Arabs on their backs, looking as if they had been riding on and on that way ever since the days of Abraham. I think I met Isaac and Jacob on two skinny camels, just outside the gates of Aden. I askt them how Esau was, but Jacob lookt mad and wouldn't answer, and hurried the old man on, so that I had no talk with them; but I feel quit~ sure it was they, for they lookt just like the pictures in the Bible."
And the greater part of Arabia is still wholly patriarchal. But Isaac and Jacob would be perplexed had they seen Aden harbor with its warships and commerce from every land, with electric lights and hotels and forts. Since this oriental Gibraltar became English territory, in 1839, rapid political changes have taken place in t;,,, p"u~u !mla, which have all tended to open doors for the Kingdom. Here again the hand of God is evident in history. To-day less than onefifth of the area of Arabia is under Turkish rule; and tha.t one-fifth
1!07.] KIllION WOHl!: IN ARAllIA
is gra8pt, not held, by the Sublime Porte, for it ill in continual rebellion.
The British protectorate at Aden has grown until it now embraces a tract two hundred miles long by forty broad, with a popUlation of 130,000. All the tribes on the coast from Aden to Muscat are subsidized by annual payments. Muscat became practically a British protectorate last year at the conclusion of the tribal war of the Sultan of Oman. The island of Bahrein became English some years ago, and the Union Jack flies over this center of the Gulf pearl-fisheries. English consulates or agencies exist at Jiddah, Hodeidah, Makallah, Muscat, Sharkeh, Bahrein, Busrah, and Bagdad. The slave-trade is interfered with. Cables and commerce stretch from Suez, around the peninsula, to Busrah. The postage of the Persian Gulf is Indian, not Turkish, and the rupee is forcing the piastre out of the market, since ninety-eight per cent. of the imports and exports are in English snips. English and American merchants are developing the resources of the country. Last year 150,000 tons of dates were exported from Busrah alone, and date-culture is a growing industry.
The interior of Arabia, always independent of Tnrkey, comes in contact more with Christian and occidental civilization, than with Ottoman. The Arab youth on the coast begins to read English, and looks towa.rd Bombay rather than Mecca. There has long been talk and now there is a proposition for a railway to India from Port Said, eastward along the thirtieth parallel to Busrah, to cost £12,000,000. (See the London Times, May 7th, 1897.) All this commercial activity and these political changes are full of encouragement to the missionary. There is a stirring among the dead bones.
2. Growing FriendUness of the Arabs.-This is in part occasioned by the contrast, now so plainly evident, between English and Ottoman rule, a contrast acknowledged by eVen the dullest fisherman of the Persian Gulf. And this friendliness extends to the missionary. Where on our first arrival we met with rebuff or prohibition to preach, we ndw find opened doors and hospitality. The village judge at Bahrein, once our bitter enemy, now rents us the building used for our Bible-shop. Where formerly the missionary was avoided, his house is now often a rendezvous for all sorts and conditions of men. To this result our dispensary work has naturally largely contributed. Controversial books (mentioned in a whisper in some parts of the Moslem world) are read, purchased, and in some cases have been eagerly sought for by inquiring minds. At Mnscat open-air preaching is now entirely possible, and at Sheikh Othman there is a small Moslem boys' school, where the Bible is taught. Arabian fanaticism has been exaggerated. Where it exists it is dne to ignorance and not to ill-will.
3. Increased Demand for the Word of God.-This is a great encouragement; "for as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven and retnrneth not thither, but watereth the eartL and maketh it bring forth and bud . . • so shall my Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void."
The increase of the sale of Scriptures in the eastern part of Arabia (not to mention that in the Red Sea litoral, of which I have no statis- tics at hand) has been ·encouraging. This table shows it at a glance: I I I _I __ __~1892 __ ~~ 1894 ~_5 l~~ Less than 500 825 1760 2313 2805 Of these sales eighty-seven per cent. were to Moslems, the remainder to Jews, Sabeans, and Eastern Ohristians. From each of our three stations as a center, and from the northernmost limit of the Busrah vilayet for more than a thousand miles along the coast of Arabia to Ras-el-Had, our colporteurs offer God's Word to ull who will receive it, and speak with all who will hear. They are the real pioneer evangelists, and their work breaks down prejudice and opens the way for work of all kinds in .the future. It is especially hopeful that the sale of compZete Bibles and Testaments is on the increase where earlier sales of smaller portions have prepared the way. Besides the Scriptures, 947 religious and educational books were also sold last year. The letter of the Oman Arab, reproduced in the picture, is another illustration, how even in out-of-the-way corners they seek to possess themselves of the book of the Christians. In Oman the ship of the desert was in the service of the king once and again to carry boxes of Bibles over the mountain passes to the distant villages.
4. Strengthened Stakes.-Not only have the cords of our missiontent been lengthened since last you heard from Arabia in these pages, but our stakes have been strengthencd also. This is encouraging. The Scotch Mission in Yemen has received reenforcement, and has a more vigorous poHey than heretofore. Their hospital and dispensary at Sheikh Othman exert influence far inland, and receive patients from every part of Yemen. This work is even a better memorial to Ion Keith Falconer, than the pretty chapel built to his memory at Steamer Point. On a good site, behind the post-office, the building is used on Sundays and in the week for services in behalf of the soldiers and sailors of Aden. The children of the Scotch Free Ohurch supplied the means to build it.
At Muscat a rescued..slave school was opened last year, and now eighteen boys are receiving industrial training. The building formerly rented has been purchased, and, after some improvements, will be a suitable mission-house in this trying tropical climate. It is built of undrest stone, plastered over, and with the usual flat roof, and has a small garden surrounding it, outside the city walls of Muscat. With all its simplicity and smallness, it is the first" House of God" in all Oman. and will be a house of rest to those who seek Ohrist there.
C1IUKClI AND ST.A.Tl!I IN BUSI!I.A
From Bnsrah, as a center, the Bible work has extended until now branch-depots have been opened at Amara, on the Tigris and Nasariyeh on the Euphrates, at the latter place under specially auspicious circumstances. At our Busrah dispensary, under charge of Dr. H. R. L. Worrall, 4,345 cases were treated last year, of whom 2,670 were Moslems. The waiting-room of the dispensary is a daily pulpit, where we enjoy every freedom to preach Christ.
5. First .Fruits.-This is the crowning encouragement. During the year past we have had the joy of witnessing the ascent of at least two souls out of darkness into the light of life. A Turkish soldier first heard the word of the Gospel at Amara in the midst of all the fanatical disturbance there when our work was begun. By reading the Bible, and in conversation with the missionaries, he has come to accept Christ, and walks in the fellowship of the Spirit. His escape from all interference seems inexplicable, except it be that his position as petty officer in the army protects him. He has askt for baptism, but is first to receive more instruction.
'l'he other Moslem, of whom we know that he believed in Christ, was a llliddle-aged Persian, conversant with Arabic and a seal-engraver' by profession. He came to the Busrah dispensary suffering from consumption, and was a frequent visitor. Reading a copy of Luke's Gospel, he was deeply convicted of sin, and when we prayed with him in the house he wept like a child. A day or two later he found peace, and kept repeating the name of Christ. His disease was too far advanced to promise cure, and so he left Busrah to try and reach his family at Shiraz. We have not heard from him since. We accompanied him to the ship, and knelt between decks to commend him to God. Doubtless he fell asleep in Jesus ere he completed his long journey. But we shall see his face again when the harvest is gathered in, and full sheaves from Arabia, as well as first fruits, fill the garner of God on the great day.
CHURCH AND STATE IN RUSSIA.-L * BY VLADIMIR SOLOVIEF.
In the time of St. Vladimir (972-1010), by changing its national idolatry for a universal faith for which there is "neither Greek nor Jew," Russia freed itself from its heathenish isolation and exclusiveness, and acknowledging itself part of the one humanity, accepted its • One of RU88Ia's foremost living philosophers, BOn of the great hiMorlan1 and ~ melI~ qf ~1l~ ~1}.IH!~1 QhW<?h, 4~i,,11l tralsl~ted br Mrs, A, S, H.o….4!, true position and fulfilled its universal-historical fate. But the adoption of Christianity, if it is the real thing, does not ouly imply the performance 'of pious ceremonies, or the verbal confession of certain accepted dogmas. This adoption of Christianity laid on the converted people practical duties also; to reform their lives according to the principles of the true religion, and to direct their actions by its char- acter and spirit. Kiefian Russia * really marcht on this path, but naturally the first steps could neither be firm nor steady. In the life of the people remained much of barbarism and paganism, but there were also to be seen clear traces of the new spiritual principle. The moral disposition evinced by those converted under Vladimir, as in their care for the poor and unfortunate; their benevolent conduct towards their European neighbors, their horror of barbarous tortures was really Christian. These were the feelings aud opinions which a hundred years later were set forth in the "instructions" of Vladimir Monomachus. This disposition was nothing extraordinary or accidental; though not everyone lived so well as Vladimir, everyone thought as he. The quarrels of the dukes were lookt upon by the people as bad and sinful, they never agreed with them. As Kiefian Russia was placed between Byzantium and Western Europe, it easily accepted in addition to the truly universal principles of the Christian oivilization, the immaterial and passing forms. Western feudalism and the despotic centralization of the half-Asiatic Byzantium, were exceedingly strange to Russian life. In Kiefian Russia the obstacles to the formation of a Christian c~mmunity were less than in any other country; but these good external conditions were not sufficient to secure the fulfilment of this task. Being right in the way of the Asiatic hordes, which never ceased to press on the Christian world, Kiefian Russia had first of all to struggle for its own existence. This struggle had but little success, as the organization of the State was very weak. The young nation was in danger of perishing by violence before having developt its spiritual power, and it became an urgent necessity to create a strong state. The happy realization of this vital question was not achieved by Kiefian Russia, but it was the triumph of the Moscoyite Empire.t Giving themselves up to this national political task, the Russian people in the Moscovite epoch easily took the needed power (the strong state) as the aim of their political life; on this followed consequently a lowered and darkened religious and moral ideal. Most of the sins of the Moscovite Empire were accidentally committed; they depended upon outward historical circumstances. The Russian people in the far northeastern corner of Europe were in the thirteenth century physically isolated from the Christian world, and they concentrated all their forces on the ungrateful task of 0< Russia WI It then was, a dukedom centered at Klet. t Datlnl( trom the time when Moscow succeeded Klef as the capital, when Empire began.
OllURCH AND IIT…TB IN KUIlIlIA
!lolidifying the State, which brought about also a spiritual isolation, and the development of national pride and egotism. The linking of Kiefian Russia with other Christian nations, besides securing their cultural influence, had the advantage of obliging our people to feel themselves part of the European concert, and of holding up, tho at the beginning very feebly-some feeling of uuiversal solidarity. Opposed to this beneficial reaction, connection with the barbarous Mongolian hordes humiliated and opprest the Moscovite State. The iufluence of that connection was twofold, and a doubly bad one. From one side, subjection to a lower race, and permanent commingling with it, had a deadening effect on the Russians, especially as they were entirely cut off from Europe. It lowered both their spiritual and their political standards. On the other hand, it developt in the Moscovite Russians a national self-consciousness and pride, since they, tho lowered, retained the superiority of a Christian and historical nation. The permanent cousciousness of superiority in comparison with the Mongols was not abated by international relations in the other direction. With the Russian people, it was as with a man whose sole intercourse is with p{lrsons of a lower spiritual standard, through which he gets too high an opiniou of his own importance and value.
The national pride of the Moscovite Empire increased, especially in the first half of the fifteenth century; first, because through the burden of the Mongolian yoke, the feeling of their inward superiority over the Mohammedans was combined with a consciousness of outward power, and secondly, because their deliverance from the Tatars, and the final defeat of Byzantium, under the Turks, happened at the same time. .As payment for the Moscovite assistance, traveling Greek monks gave to Moscow the title of a third Rome, with the claim of an absolute importance in the Christian world. In ,this, our national self-consciousness found something like an ideal justification. In the Moscovite epoch, the Greeks, being independent and possessing a relatively high civilization, had a beneficial influence over the Russians. This influence imposed upon the young nation a historical discipline, by forcing it to acknowledge the spiritual supremacy of another nation, and to honor the foreigners for their ideal superiority. The erroneous extremes of Byzantinism were not dangerous, as they were counterbalanced by the reaction of the West. Matters acquired another aspect in the Moscovite epoch. The Greeks were no longer representatives of a spiritual enlightenment, or of a great Christian empire, or of a high civilization, but they were slaves of the infidels, beggars: and flatterers.
Thanks to these qualities, they could but strengthen the national self-consciousness of the Moscovite people. Thus through the spiritual isolation of the Moscovite Empire, Byzantian ideas were readily accepted by the people. Iu the power of theso historical conditions a spiritual and social organization which can not be called a truly Christian one, took its rise in the Moscovite Empire. Tho this organization had a religious ground, all its religion was reduced to "orthodoxy" in ceremonial worship, which laid upon no one any moral duties. It happened that this formal religiousness was united with benevolence and piousness, as well as with the utmost wickedness. St. Sergius was God-fearing and "orthodox," but as God-fearing and firm in faith was Tzar Ivan IV.-the Terrible. "Even devils believe," says the Apostle. According to Byzantian notions, nothing more than such a faith was expected from the majority of Christian people. The few who were not satisfied with this were obliged to leave, society, to go into the deserts or to become fools. The highest ideal of holiness, represented by hermits or fools, was essentially ascetic, and therefore could not raise the social morality to a higher level. The average life lay between those of such holy warriors as Sergius and Nil, and of God-fearing monsters like I van IV. The notion of an ideal perfection of the individual was retained in the national consciousness, but the principal conditions for real perfection, for moral progress, active, religion, the ideal of a common truth, was entirely absent. In the Moscovite Empire, as before in Byzantium, the religious and moral principles were entirely excluded from the sphere of political or social life. In this sphere, instead of the universal Christian ideal, something altogether opposite appeared. To the national empire was restored the absolute nature which was taken from it by Christianity. In consequence of the extreme separation of the Moscovite Empire from the civilized world, the former reaction against Christian universalism showed itself in its full power. Our forefathers believed themselves to be the only one Ohristian nation and empirej all others they called non-Christian, being unconscious that by this they deprived themselves of the essential unity of Christianity. The Byzantian Greeks, thanks to whom the national self-satisfaction was ingrafted in Moscow, became themselves its victims. With all their might they magnified the pretensions of the Moscovite Empire as sole defender and protector of the true faith, and the God-fearing land; tho then the question arose, could the Greeks, having lost the supremacy of Christian empire, and having become the slaves of infidels, guard the purity of doctrine and the fullness of faith? The answer to this question waR unfavorable for the Greeks; it decided that Russia was the only Christian and God-fearing country!
(To be continued.)
1897.J HAS lSLAM BEEN A RELIGION OF PROGRESS t 18 IT NOW?
HAS ISLAM BEEN A RELIGION OF PROGRESS? IS IT NOW?
BY BEV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D., LL.D.
A high authority on the doctrines and philosophy of Islam is Rel'. Edward Sell, Fellow of the University of Madras, etc., etc. Some years ago he puhlisht the Faith of Islam. * There is now a second and improved edition, the result of fifteen years of additional study of Islam in its own Arabic sources. Mr. Sell is a missionary to the Mohammedans in Madras, and while faithful to his commission he has shown so much of tact as well as intellectual ability as to win for himself the confidence of all classes of the community, EuroI)eanS, Hindus, and even Mohammedans. His scholarship, his insight into the social and religious questions of India, and his fairness in discussing them are generally recognized. In these times when on the one hand so many apologists are lauding the benevolent and enlightened spirit of Islam, and on the other hand, the worst atrocities known' to history since the seventh century, are being perpetrated in the Turkish Empire, any new light which can be thrown upon this most potent and formidable of the world's man-made religions should be welcomed.
"I rest my case entirely," says Mr. Sell, "upon Mussulman authorities themselves; still more, I have ascertained from living witnesses that the principles I have tried to show 8S existing in Islam, are really at work now and are as potent as at any previous period."
The author contends that the more recent Fetvas delivered by the Ulema in Constantinople, show how firmly a Moslem state is bound in the fetters of an unchangeable law, and that the present practice of Orthodox Moslems, all the world over, is a constant carrying out of precepts given in the Koran and the Sunnat centuries ago.
There has been no change if indeed change is possible. The author explains how it is that travelers and casual observers, like Canon Taylor and Hopkinson Smith, gain the roseate impressions which they proclaim. They take individual exceptions as exponents of the character of whole communities. "In India," says Mr. Sell, " there are a number of enlightened Mohammedans, ornaments to native society, social servants of the state, men who show a laudable zeal in all social reforms so far as is consistent with orthodoxy. Theil nUinber is far too few, and they do not in many cases representorthodox Islam. These exceptio,nal individuals have felt the wave of west. em influence, modern science, social progress, and their highest virtues exist in spite of, and not as a result of Islam."
• TM Faith 01r.la….. J!y the ReT. 'Edward Sell, B. D., M. R. A. S. Pellow of the UniTereity of Madru: London, KelrAD Paul, Trench, Trubner &; Co. Second edition, revised and eniarced. From other sources we find evidence that intelligent Meslems in ' India have become aware that their cast-iron system has retarded the progress of Mohammedans, even as compared with their Hindu neighbors.
lIr. Sell's book is especially valuable for the light which it throws upon the period following the first bloody sweep of Mohammedan conquest. The history of Mohammed himself, his struggles to gain a footing by persuasion, his later militaryachierements, his private charseter so far as it is revealed, the production of the Koran with its civil and religious teachings, all these are well-known, and the remarkable military achievements of Omar, Omru, Othman, and others are also familiar to most readers. But at a later date, and especially during the Kalifates of the Abbassides of Bagdad, and the Omyades in Spain, endless discussions upon the interpretation of the Koran and the Sunnat, or traditional sayings of Mohammed, were rife, and new phases of Islam appeared which are not so well understood. There was also at Bagdad in the east, and at Oordova in the west, a revival of interest in Greek philosophy, which contrasted strangely with the antecedent history and the well-known spirit of Islam.
The apologists of Mohammedanism have made so much of the advanced learning of Bagdad and of Spain, and have so exaggerated the debt which the Ohristianity of the dark ages owed to the intellectuallight borrowed from Islam, that the discriminations which Mr. Sell has pointed out, will be highly valued. The truth is that philosophy and science were always exotic in even those Moslem nations which tolerated them at all.
" There never was any Arabian science strictly speaking," says G. H. Lewes,.in his History of Philosophy. "In the first place, all the philosophy and science of the Mohammedans was Greek, Jewish, and Persian. It really designates a reaction against Islam which arose in the distant parts of the Empire."
Ernest Renan, in an address delivered before the Oollege of France, uttered the same sentiments as follows: "Arabian science and Arabian philosophy are often alluded to, and in fact during one or two centuries in the Middle Ages, the Arabs were our teachers, but it was only until we were acquainted with the Greek originals. When closely examined, moreover, this Arabian science has nothing Arabian in it. Its foundation is purely Greek; amongst its originators there. is not a single pure Shemite; they were all Spaniards and Persians who wrote in Arabic."
Mr. Sell quotes even from a Moslem author (Musinir Mulk), the following frank confession: "It must always be borne in mind that in spite of the enormous progress made by the Mohammedans in the early centuries of their power, learning has never been popular among them as a nation, and science only flourisht when there happened to be a willing man to protect it." Such protectors were found in the Abbas- side rulers, AI Mammun and Harun Al Rachid of Bagdad, and" that great free thinker the Mogul Akbar of India." The philosophy of Aristotle had been translated into Syliac and Persian before the Mohammedan conquest, and under the protection and encouragement of the Abbassides, it was translated from these languages into Arabic by Nestorian physicians residing at their courts. The most eminent of these was Housin Ibn Ishak. Through the influence of these translations the study of philosophy spread rapidly in the ninth and tenth centuries. Books on grammar, rhetoric, medicine, logic, etc., etc., were multiplied only to be condemned a century or two later. The only true Arabic philosopher whose name has been transmitted was Al Kendi, born at Bosrah, on the Persian Gulf, A. D. 870; and he wa;; a rationalist.
A careful study of the list of eminent Mohammedan philosophers will show that they were not Arabs, and that they were not. Orthodox Moslems. Farabi, who lived in the tenth century, and was educated at Bagdad, denied not only the inspirations of the Koran, but all objective revelation of any kind. '
Avicenna, born near Bokhara, 980 A. D., was regarded with disfavor as a heretic. Ibn Badjah (Avempace), born near Saragossa, toward the end of the eleventh century, was violently persecuted by Orthodox lIIoslems. Al Gazzali, born in Khorassan, A. D.I059, was a famous scholastic; but becoming at length sceptical with regard to both religion and philosophy, he ended by embracing Sufiisn'l.
Averhoes, the last of the Moslem philosophers of note, was born at Cordova, A. D. 1126. He vas the most profound of all Mohammedan scholars, and a great admirer and exponnder of Aristotle. He was condemned as an arch-heretic by the Moslem doctors and by the Moorish King Al Mansur, and was banisht first to Lucena and finally to Morocco, where he died in 1198.
Philosophic inquiry had already been effectually supprest in the East, and now it thus received its death blow from the Moslems of Spain. Experience had shown that liberal studies of any kind transcended the narrowness of the Koran, and were at eternal warfare with the whole spirit of Islam. Since the twelfth century, intellectual progre!ls has rested under the most uncompromising ban in all Mohammedan countries.
It is an interesting fact, however, that what Spain lost iu suppressing the teachings of Averhoes, the Christian nations of Europe gained. It was from the schools of Cordova, that France, Italy, and England received the Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy, which the bigotry of the Eastern Church and the fury of the Moslem conquests had conspired to withhold from Christendom. Just as philosophy was about to go into fin'a. banishment from all Mohammedan countries, the Benedictine and Dominican scholastics, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Albertulil Magnus, and others welcomed it. And in spite of all the intellectual vagaries of these men, the Ohristianity of Europe received substantial benefit. It began to shake off the repression of four cen- turies of ecclesiastical tyranny and to show its real spirit. Islam recoiling from the light which its institutions could no longer endure, showed also its true spirit; the two changed places.
ETen Hinduism has shown greater progress than Islam. Within the last five years a Mohammedan newspaper in Oalcutta has striven to arouse the Moslem population of India to the fact, that in all the higher official appointments, Hindus far outnumber the Mohammedans in·proportion to their respective populations. This is a hard confes- sion for the conquering Islamic race; and the writer did not hesitate to charge the responsibility upon the neglect of Mohammedan society to keep pace with the movement of the times. On the other hand, Moslem papers of the extreme conservative stamp maintain that the fundamental principles and the essential spirit of Islam can not change. For example, Mr. Sell quotes certain criticisms of a Moslem paper in Oairo, of February, 1896, upon the sp!leches made by two Moslem speakers, at the dedication of a new Mosque in London, with reference to the adaptation of Islam to European ideas. Says the Egyptian editor, "I do not know what meaning they (the two speakers) attach to the phrase, but 1 do know that no adaptation or alteration of Islam will be accepted by any Moslem people. Islam as a religion, as a guide to man m life, in hIS duties to God and men, is divine and perfect. To say that it needs adaptation, is to say that it is neither divine nor pedect, and no Moslem can or will admit either assnmption. Islam as it is, is pedect, and is as wondl'dully adapted to the needs of man in England, or in the Arctic regions, as it is to the Bedouins of the African desert; and the fact that it is so, is one of the striking pToofs of its Divine origin." (Splendid instance iu which one gratuitous assertion may serve as proof positive for another!) Altho Greck philosophy had been !!upprest in all Mohammedan countries by the close of the twelfth century, yet various heresies and !!chisms haTe continued to arise through all the centuries, down to the present time. But everywhere the Mohammedan sects are alike in their repression of all that the world calls progress. The Shias of Persia, who maintain that the descendants of Ali, the cousin and sonin-law of Mohammed, are the only lawful imams, have developt various sects, known as Sufis, Karmathians, Fatimites, Ismailians (including the order of the Assassins), Babis, and Wahhabis. The one thing which these sects shared in common, was an element of Persian mysticism, tinged with Indian pantheism, which reacted against the hard and fast objectivism of Koranic authority, and at the same time weakened the moral sense and the feeling of personal responsibilit.y. With Sufis and Babis, the idea that the one only self lives and acta within us, led to ecstasies and fanatical fancies and fioul'isht most in quiet ascetic life. It was comparatively harmless, but it was destitute of any power.to regenerate S?Clety, or any elemen~ of prolZresil. With the Karmathlans, the AsS8SS111S, and the Wahhabis, on the contrary, the exemption which it offered from moral responsibility, gave free rein to those savage instincts which had prompted wars of extermina- tion in all ages of Mohammedan history. "If," they reasoned, "there is but the One Supreme Self, then practically, so far as human life and conduct are concerned, all distinction between good and evil disappears, and each man's passion or ambition is his only law." Such were the ethics of the Karmathians, a sect which arose in Mesopotamia toward the close of the ninth century, but finally found its home in Egypt, where it establisht the Fatimite dynasty. The Karmathians represented a combination of Islam, Persian Magism, and Ohristianity. Their leader even claimed to be an apostle of Jesus. But the spirit of the sect was an intensification of Islamic fanaticism and intolerance, tho chiefly visited on Islam itself. Mecca was attackt and conquered 920 A. D., the Kaaba was plundered and the sacred black stone was carried off to be ransomed, twenty-two years later, for fifty thousand ducats. 'rhe Karmathian or Fatimite power was broken alter a century and a half (909-11'71), but it was still represented for more than a century longer, by a form of religious fanaticism, which embodied its worst elements and became the terror of all the East. This was the order of the Assassins. Mr. Sell gives us only a glimpse of the early history of its founder, Hassan bin Sabbah, who was born in 1035. Professor Harvey Porter, D.D., of the Syrian Protestant Oollege at Beirut, in an interesting article publisht in the Bibliotkeca Sacra, of January, 1895, presents a much fuller account of the order-its long continued atrocities and its well merited fate. About the middle of the eleventh century, three schoolmates in a city of Khorassan, entered into an agreement, that whichever of the three should first rise to fortune should aid the others. One of the three, Nizumu'l Mulk, on becoming grand vizier of Alp Arslan, and later of Malik Shah, secured to the second, Om'r Khyyam, author of the famous Ruba'iyat, a liberal pension that he might give himself to his favorite literary pursuits. To the third, Hassan bin Sabbah, he offered the governorship of a province, with which, however, he was not satisfied. At the famous Fatimite University in Oairo was taught the extreme Shia pantheism of Babek, who had proclaimed the moral indifference of all actions, and the perfect freedom of men to give free course to their passions. These diabolical doctrines, strengthened by the Karmathian disloyalty to Islam as taught at Baghdad, opened the way for more than one strange sect. El Hakem, the sixth of the Fatimlte Kaliphs, encouraged by the Shia mystics, EI Dorazy and EI Hamsoh, founded the sect of the Druzes, who still exist in Syria, and who revere the name of El Hakem, as an incarnation of the Supreme Being. Aud to this day they observe the fatal ethics of Babek toward all mankind, except the members of their own order. None but Druzes have any rights which they are bound to respect. Hassan bin Sabbah had imbibed these reckless atheistic principles in Oairo, and when he founded the order of the Assassins in the year 1088, he cast aside all moral obligation toward God or man. And yet for effect he posed as a saint. He preacht a crusade, not only against the Abba.ssides of .Baghdad, but against all rulers .:Llld all government and social order. By m3!l.:J.S of the assassins' dagger he aimed to bring the nations tohis feet. He establisht himself in a remote fortress in the mountains, south of the Oaspian Sea, from which he sent forth his secret emissaries and which he never left during the thirty-seven years of hi. power. Upon the common ranks of his ordt'r, he enjoined a strict adherence to the Koran, and the traditions of orthodox Islam, but a select and limited number were initiated into his esoteric doctrines, which rejected all re.elation and all moral restraint. The only recognized law in the universe was his command. His ambition did not project a visible kingdom upholding armies, but a reign of terror in which by secret and murderous emissaries, hE; might control all king- doms. .K0 errand of death was too dangerous to be undertaken by his minions; no distance was too great for his avenging arm to reach. Among his victims was Nizam ul Mulk, his early friend and benefactor, and Nizam's master, Malik Shah, died probably through poison from the same source. These murders were continued for more than a century and a half. In 1102, the Governor of Hums fell a victim, and in 1119 the Governor of Aleppo and his son. In Persia large numbers who held various official positions, shared the same fate. Others were compelled by terror to advance the tyrant's interests.
At a later day, branches of the order extended into Syria and elsewhere. Some of Hassan's own kindred fell by llis order. At length " the old man ofthe mounta.ins," as he had long been called, died inl1is fortress, at the age of ninety, but a line of successors followed and the work of death w.as.con!inued. Thrice was the life of th~ great Saladin attempted, and It IS saId, that he finally made terms WIth the Assussins. Two Kaliphs, one a Fatimite ruler of Egypt, the other a Kaliph of Baghdad, were numbered among the scores and hundreds of distinguisht victims.
The Mohammedan rulers of the East seemed powerless, either single handed or in alliance. There was no visible army to be met upon the field. They were dealing with a treacherous unseen foe, like the pestilence which wasteth at noonday. Members of the order were lurking in their courts and were frequently found among their trusted servants. It is one of the many strange overrulings of Divine Providence that when the whole Mohammedan world was paralyzed and helpless before this extreme development of its own teachmgs, the reign of terror which had ruled Persia and all Western Asia for a hundred and seventy years, was finally broken by the sweeping invasion of the heathen Mongol Hulagu Khan. By him the order was entirely crippled in the East, tho it survived for many years in Syria. Among the Nusairi of Northern Syria, who also call themselves Ismailians, is still a small but wf'ak and harmless remnant. And the history of these strange Nusairi of Northern Syria, or that of the Druzes of the Lebanon, may equally well answer the question whether this type of Islam has aided the world's progress.
The Wahhabis of Arabia and India constitute another prominent and influential sect. It is comparatively modern, having existed only about one hundred and fifty yeurs. Most of its career has lain in this nineteenth century, and yet so far from giving any progressive impulse to the Mohammedan cult, it has proved the most reactionary element in the history of Islam. Mohammed ibn Abdul Wahhab, from whom the sect takes its name, was a native of Nej'd in Arabia. He was alarmed at the lUDt; which had crept into the worship of profest Moslems, and even 0 devout pilgrims. He thought he discoyered in tlle prac- tical worship of the sacred tombs of Mohammed and Ali a veritable idolatry. And the pilgrims worshipt relics as truly and disgracefully as the early Christian idolaters whom the prophet had condemned to death. Winning to his support· a powerful chief,whose son married his daughter, Wahhab establisht at Ryadh the Wahhabi dynasty A. D. 1742. The sword wus now iurned against lax and idolatrous Moslems as they had used it against the infidels. Never was Mohammedan warfare more remorseless. " As soon as you seize a place" said the allied chief Mohammed Ibn Sa'ud to his soldiers, "put the males to the sword; plunder and pillage at your pleasure, but spare the women and do not strike at their modesty." According to Burkhart, the Wahhabi chief on the day of battle would give to his men each a passport to heaven, or more strictly an order on the treasurer of paradise. "Plunder if you succeed, and paradise if you fall. Female captives in the one case, celestial houris in the other." This has been the religious (?) motto of conquest in Arabia from the seventh century to the nineteenth. And with half savage men of an unquestioning and fanatical faith, it has always been a spur to reckless daring and an element of success. It was no new device of Wahhab, except that he employed it against men of his own faith. It is all in the Koran. It wail so nnderstood and acted upon some months since by the army of the Sultan in Armenia, and if a different procedure was since observed in Thessaly and in Crete, it war; only out of regard to the full gaze of adjacent nations, and a wholesome dread of the indignation of mankind., Wahhabism had by the end of the last century extended over Oentral and Eastern Arabia. In 1803 the ruling Wahhabi chief made an armed pilgrimage to Mecca. Both Mecca and Medina fell into his hands, and a perfect wreck was made of all ihat seemed inconsistent with the high Wahhabi standards. Seven years later another chief, succeeding to his father's scepter, plundered the tomb of the prophet, and distributed its jewels and relics among his soldiers. This aroused the faithful of the West. The armies of Turkey and Egypt joined in a crusade for the rescue of the" Holy Sepulchre" of Islam, and after nine years of undisputed sway, the Wahhabis were driven out of Mecca, and the sacrilegious young chief was taken to Oonstantinople and beheaded (A. D. 1818).
In 1827, Seyed Ahmad, a Wahhabi of India, having gained many followers, ordered a jehs,d (war of extermination) against the Sikhs. But five years later the Wahhabis were attackt by the Sikh, Sher Singh, and Seyed Ahmad was slain.
Wahhabism has ceast to figure as a political power of any consequence, even in Arabia, but its :principles are still maintained and have a large following. Palgrave gIves interesting accounts of its strict requirements and its tyrannical espionage and censorship over all social, domestic, and even personal life. There is no other place on the earth where liberty of thought is so absolutely extinct, as in the Arabian province of Nej'd, and especially at Ryadh, the capital.
Mr. Sell, while reco~nizing the progressive spirit of such native Mohammedan authors lU India, as -:Maulavi Cheragh Ali and Seyed Amir Ali, whom he calls "Modern Mutazilas," after the old free thinkers of Baghdad, quotes even them in support of the statement that Orthodox Islam-islam is as moveless now as in the middle ages. The old Mutazilas were supprest and it is only the protection of British power that renders liberal Mohammedanism possible in India. and Egypt.
LOctober
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
mUTED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GlU.CEY, D.D.
Hymn of Sukkat or Patricius, (St. China. The" Higher Classes" in Patriok). China as shown by Mr.·Walker's article following this, are not an aristocracy of Patrlcius 80 witnessed for Christ one Easter blood, but of brains; they are only the morn, that the tlre·worshipers would have ruling class in the government and put him to death. They "liailed him before these are recruited from every part of King Leugeire, at Taral:i, the center of Druid- the social order of the Empire. Specifiism. He mused and prayed, and tbe follow- cally these" Higher Classes" which it ing are a ~rt of the verses he wrote on the is aimed to reach are named in the reoccasion.' Every miSSionary everywhere in port of the Society for the Diffusion of ~rll among heathen m~ht adopt the prayer. Christian and General Knowledge for lJ. T. G.] 1891, as follows: The Chief Civil llan- darins of the rank of Mayor and up- "May Christ, I pray, wards, estimated to number 2,289 ; the Protect me to-day Chief Military Mandarins of the rank of Captain and upwards would be 1,987; Against poison and fire, the Educational Mandarins of the rank Against drowning and 'wounding; of Inspectors of Counties and upwards, That so, in His grace aboundin&" 1,760; Professors of Colleges about 2,000; Leading Expectant Mandarins I may earn the preacher's hIre. who reside in each of the provincial capitals and who resemble members of "Christ, as a light, Parliament at home, as they are ad- Illumine and guide me. visers to the provincial government, and assist it in various other ways, about Christ, as a shield, o'ershadow and 2,000: Five per cent. of the Literati, cover me. (1) when examined for the degree of Literary Doctor at Pekin, (2) when ex- Christ be under me. Christ be over amined for the degree of Master of Arts me. (KIl-jen) in each of the twenty pro- vinces, (3) when examined for the de- Christ be beside me gree of Bachelor of Arts (Siu-tsai) in On left hand and right. the 253 prefectures and sub-prefectures. Christ be before me, behind me, about The last three classes combined are variously estimated from half a million me, to a million, say 600,000, and five per Christ this day be within and without cent. of these would make 30,000. Ten per cent. of tho ladies and children of me. the selected families of Mandarins and Literati, say 4,000. All these specified "Christ, the lowly and meek, and thus estimated would make in round Christ, the All-Powerful, be numbers 44,000 whom it is proposed to reach. In the heart of each to whom I speak, In the mouth of each who speaks to During the past period of Protestant missionary work, it has been considered me. useless to attempt to reach these cl&S8e8. In all who draw near me, They are the governing classes in a Or see me, or hear me. highly organized political structure, systematically opposed to all intercourao "At Tarah to-day. in this awful hour, I call on the Holy Trinity.
Glory to Him who reigneth in power, The God of the elements-Father, and Son, And Paraclete Spirit-which Three are the One, The ever-existing Divin~ty.
" Salvation dwells with the Lord, With Christ the Omnipotent word, From generation to generation- Grant Uj, 0 Lord, thy grace and sal- vation."
The Higher Olasses in Ohins..
J. T. G.
We devote the International Depart- ment thi. month to the consideration of 'he comparatively recent movement, specially designed directly and indirectly, to reach the hi~her classes in
INTlIlN.A.TION.A.L DEP.A.lTlDIN'l'
with foreigners 118 perilous to the na- it years ago, the higher classes could be tional peace, prosperity, and perpetuity. reacht if proper methods were pursued.
For thousands of years the Chinese have The importance of this branch of work esteemed themselves superior to every lies not in that these classes are more other people, and this entire body of worthy in the sight of God, but no mandarins, gentry, and educated classes nation can be saved unlesa all classes has been ignorant and prejudiced ate saved, whether high or low; and against innovations of any kind in any there should be concurrent effort to department of the social or political reach all as rapidly as possible. This order. The genius of the Chinese gov- "Society for the Diffusion of Christian ernment is paternal, and the people are and General Knowledge" publishes accustomed to pay deference to their two monthly magazines, the" Review rulers in a very uncommon degree. of the Times," edited by Rev. Young What the rulers disapprove is sure to J. Allen, D.D., and the" Missionary be treated at least with suspicion and Review," edited by Rev. E. T. Wil- distrust. Thus these " Higher Classes" liams. These periodicals make free have not been accessible to missionary use of the MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE effort, but the lower classes, the" com- WORLD, which is furnisht them gratuit- mon people," whom Lincoln is quoted ously by us to help on this good work.
as saying, God must love "because he The society named publishes also had made so many of them," have quite a large number of works, the heard the missionary and forty thou- tiLles filling fourteen pages, treating of sand or more of them are enrolled as religion and missions, biography of Christian communicants with possibly great reformers who became converts double that number as "adherents." to Christianity, and historical and scien- The purpose to reach these " Higher tific treatises. One of these publica- Classes" has, however, never be enab- tions has been placed in the hands of sent from the missionary heart. As every civil mandarin throughout the early as 1877 the China Missionary Empire of the rank of county mayor Conference entertained the project of and upwards. Special efforts are put producing a literature specially adapt- . forth to circulate these pUblications at ed to reach these literary classes. the triennial examinations. 'fhey have Little was done, however, but, in 1887, met with favor at the hands of some of Dr _Williamson started the movement the prominent Chinese, one vice- which resulted in the organization of roy sending a donation of a thousand the "Society for the Diffusion of Chris- taels. The Educational Aseociation of tian and General Knowledge Among China has fur some years, specially since the Chinese," supported by the Book 1890, sought to aid in the production of and Tract Society of Scotland. The suitable text-books for schools. These immediate aim was to provide books of are not only designed for mission comparatively high order for the most schools, but to promote the general intelligent classes in China, and books educational interests of China. They illustrated with chromos for families. recognize that this is no small task In 1891, Rev. Timothy Richard was amongst an ancient people with tradi- askt to become its secretary, and the tional respect for the learning it pos- English Baptist Mission, of which he sesses and a well-organized system of , was a member, generously voted to schools. The task is to introduce new continue his support in this new rela- method.s into their present linguistic tion. This met with special sympathy studies, lind to create a demand for of missionaries who were successful on mathematical and scientific knowledge.
other lines among the masses of the 'l'his society says China has as yet pro- people, who had hope, and some faith, duced no statesman or philanthropist ~hat. as Bishop Schereschewsky exprest interested in or equal to the needed reform; it must come from foreigners. only plan yet rati1led by the Chinese They hope that the changing conditions Government, and in a vast empire, im- DOW being forced on the nation may mobile, self-satisfied, and proud, it. is a develop such native talent to aid in this great triumph that even a beginning reform. Tpey have issued valuable should have included so much. works, covering almost the whole field of mathematics, natural science, mental That the failure of China in the conand moral philosophy, and other de- flict with Japan has put the nation into partments of western learning, until an attitude of inquiry as to .. how it there is no reason why a Chinese pupil happened, " is abundantly evidenced may not be given a general education, throughout the empire. To a degree, through the medium of his own lan- perhaps never known before, China is guage, equivalent to a college educa- willing to take a seat on the schooltion in Europe or America. No mis- forms of western nations. The higher sionary body in the world, it is said, classes, as defined at the beginning of can point to a more complete list of this writing, are accessible by indirect books which it has prepared for the methods as never before since the Taipeople among whom it labors. ping rebellion. Western nations, wisely or unwisely, supported .the dynasty On the same general line of friendli- then; they should not throwaway this ness and interest in reform among new opportunity to help the whole Chinese, Rev. Gilbert Reid has been nation to a higher civilization, and laboring for the past six years, pre- place her in the way of Christian reforeminently influencing the upper classes mation. through friendly, social intercourse, winning their confidence and coopera- On Dr. Martin's return to China, tion. He is warmly commended by Li whither he was invited to resume the Hung Chang, who, as senior guardian duties of president of the Imperial of the heir apparent; classical reader to Tungw~n College, he halted at Shang. his majesty, the emperor; senior grand hai and delivered an address before the secretary of state; minister of the missionary association at that city, a foreign office and earl of the first rank, copy of which he kindly furnisht us besides being viceroy of the province of for pUblication in this periodical. Other Chihli, exercises an infiuence second to matters have obliged us to layover the that of no man in the empire. General copy till now, but it will have aptitude Li acknowledges the difficulties of the in the present discussion of this departsituation because of the "suspicion, ment, and the more so, as Dr. Martin, prejudice, and self.sufficiency," which, since his return, has taken an active he says, are peculiar traits of educated part in the "forward movement" for Chinese, especially noticeable in their reaching the higher classes, assuming estimation of other countries-perhaps the direction of Rev. Gilbert Reid's because of the isolation of China from project in his absence, and otherwise western influence for many centuries. being urgent in the special efforts now Mr. Reid has obtained official sanction being made for the reform and inde. for the establishment of a hall or insti- pendenee of the Chinese Government, tute, on an international basis, to and the cultivation of friendliness beadvance the general enlightenment and tween Christians and the upper infiuenprosperity of the country, and to tial classes of Chinese, together with increase religious toleration as well as the promotion of western ch·ilization to teach truth. This institute, as pro- in' China. For forty-five years Dr. posed, includes an auditorium, a mu- Martin has been a resident in China; seum, a library, reception rooms, and over thirty years he was in government class rooms. Mr. Reid's scheme is not employ as president of the Imperial all that he desires it to be, but it is the College, Pekin; "learned not only in western scholarship, but, to a remarkable degree, in the Chinese books, hold.a high office in some region re- literature, history, language, thought, mote from home; and he will notbe and characteristics; highly respected as actually in office, but must await his an adviser and friend by Prince Kung turn or use money. If poor, he must and other' distinguisht officials," his meanwhile support himself the best he influence must necessarily be greatly can, perhaps do unworthy work for helpful along these indirect and direct his supmiors, or even let his wife sell Unes for conciliating the literati. He her charms to them. There ar~ also is a trusted friend of China, and will military examinations and degrees cor· throw himself zealously into any pro- responding to the lite>:-ary, but inferior gressive measures for China's good. to them in honor.
These litemti with the military and Conversion ofthe Upper ffiaBBesin Ohins.. the wealthy,constitute the upper classes.
But when a family once attains power REV. J. E. WALKER, FOOCHOW, CHINA. and wealth, it often perpetuates them; When missionaries began work in for fuere are short cuts for the rich and China, it was thrown up to them for strong; and wealthy and influential rel- several years that they were making no atives can advance a student both by converts; and when this ceast to be legitimate and illegitimate means.
true, it was urged against them 'that Hence leading families are apt to mo- their converts were all from the lower nopolize the honors with the usual classes, which tho not wholly true was increment of pride IUld self-importance.
largely so. But then, who and what Such are the upper classes in China.
are these upper classes? One might imagine them to be more In China, mnk and power are not accessible than like classes in other hereditary. The descendants of a very lands, and perhaps they are relatively distinguisht statesman may be ennobled so, but not as compared with the lower by special edict for aUmited number of classes of their own ~ce. What are generations, and the head man of the the obstacles in the way of reaching descendants of Confucius inherits a them? Superior intelligence? No.
title in perpetuity. But, in general, Better morals ? No. Pride and apathy rank and authority have to be acquired; are two main obstacles. The Chinese and the son of a laborer may attain are rather deficient in religious senti· high rank through success at the Utero ment and conscience; while as we go ary e:raminations. The successful' upward, there is an increasing addiction scholars at the prefectural examinations to sloth, gluttony, and sexual excesses.
receive the degree of "Cultivated Tal· The people with all their industry and ents," become privileged characters, frugality do not love these virtues, but and begin to lord it over their fellow· regard ease and abundance as the envied men. Next success at the provincial lot of a favored few. A Chinese girl examination wins the degree of " Pro- once said to the restless child of a mis· moted Men," which carries with it more sionary, " Why don't you just sit down lofty privileges and eligibility to the and do nothing, I think it's real nice? h office of county magistrate. Success in And a earpenter when told that a for· the imperial examinations at Pekin, se· eign mechanic's tools would cost a cures quite high distinction. At all hundred dollars, exclaimed, "If I had these examinations only certain fixt a hundred dollars would I be a carpen- numbers can pass; and of course it is ter? No, I would open a storeI " One much more honorable to stand at the thing which makes opium smoking so head of the list than at the foot. The fascinating is its pleasumble sloth.
man who stands first at the Imperial The Chinese distinguish four classes examinations wins thereby quite high of society, viz., scholars, farmers, arti· rank. But he will, perhaps, be sent to sans, traders. The scholar is especially
IK'I'JlJUU.TIONAL DEPABTlDIJ{T
distinct from the other three, a very characters on which they wish to state genteel person of weak physique with their money, paying so much for each Anger-nails half an inch long, to show pair thus markt. The lottery is illegal; that he does nothing rough enough to but if. the police interfere, they And endanger such fragile growths. Closely only leaves of a good book which limited as to what occupations he may apparently some idle pupil has been follow, he yet regards himself as one to daubing with red ink:. whom the world owes both special honor and afiluence. His legal priv- Missionaries hire literary men to be ileges are perverted into the privilege their teachers; and then teachers And to do as he will with any thing or any us ignorant of what they regard as the body in his power. He studies the essentials of scholarship. It would take ancient sages, not to cultivate virtue us several years of hard study to bebut to gain rank, power, wealth, and come even passably good Chinese thus becomes habituated to a sordid use scholars; and unless one is specially of high sentiments. It is truly said gifted with a remarkable memory and that .. there is some honesty among the skillful fingers, he can not hope to common people; but the literati and equal his Chinese teacher. So, as a the officials who are derived from them rule, we hire Chinese scholars at a few are the biggest rascals." They have dollars a month to do our literary work; been educated into the pride and hypoc- and few attempt to equal them on their risy of the Pharisee, yet withal are own ground. This further pu1fs up usually Sadducees; holding that death their pride. is extinction. A Chinese preacher said to a scholar who ,interrupted him, "I Finally, the literati haTe the upper am not talking to you; you have no hand under the present order of things. soul, you know you have not. I am and wish no change. They look upon talking to you common folks; you have the missionaries as their natural enesouls, you know you have." mies. Some years ago the United States consul at Foochow askt the' governor The literati owe their honors to a why it was that the literati were so system of education which is blind to hostile to the missionaries? He repUed: anything outside of itself. Its difficulty, ,, The scholar is accustomed to regard which confers distinction on the suc- the common people almost as his beasts cessful student, makes him seem half of burden and receive from them prodivine in the eyes of the masses; and found reverence; but as soon as they this is heightened by teaching all become Christians, they cease to respect classes to regard .. lettered paper" him. " This is in a measure true. To as something sacred. It is a sin even the enslaved mind that fears images of to light a fire with it; and the scholar wood and clay, the literary man is an at every stroke of his pen is producing awesome personage, but there is little something which the whole nation about him to command the respect of must reverence. Yet this is no barrier the disciple of Christ, who learns to fear to the use of "lettered paper" for bad God and work righteousness. Hence purposes. When a scholar is operating the missionary will sometimes reply to a lottery, he takes a page from some the charge that he has no converts from classic, and writes the characters by the upper classes, "No, the Chinese pairs on slips of paper, which he puts literary man is hard to convert, and not in his pocket. Then he takes out one worth much lifter he is converted." slip at random, and puts it in a box Yet we do make converts from this which Is then sealed up in a bag, and class, some of whom become very valuthe bag hung in the top of a tree. Then able helpers. all hands receive copies of the page, Shaowu, which has been my Aeld of aJld ~r~ Oil it the pair or pairs Qf labor, was half depopulated at the time Qf the Taipin~ rebellion, ret th~
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
number of gr.lduates was not decreast. ing of Peter's vision in Acts, 80 weak- Hence they are rather too common to ened his faith in it, that one day Mrs.
win markt distinction. Almost every B. easily induced him to eat meat.
family has its graduate, and there is less After he had been with us about four of pride and exclusiveness. When we years he profest to embrace Christianity began work there the literati laughed and was received into the church. But at the idea of "foreign spooks" coming we were disappointed in him. He to teach them. But now we have showed no inclination or ability as a several efficient workers from their preacher; while vague rumors troubled number. I will briefly outline the us as to his life and talk outside. He history of one such converted man with was still a Taoist at heart, and profest the degree of "Cultivated Talents." conversion to Christianity merely to Chang Sien-sen, Senior Chang, when please us. His real conversion came an orphan boy had been apprenticed to three years or more after he joined the learn a trade; but an uncle, perceiving church. As he afterward described it that he had talent, sent him to school; to us: we had set him to teach a boy's and while still quite young, he took his school, and every evening he would sit degree. In order to eke out his earn- down to look over the Scripture to be ings he If.arned the art of selecting taught the next day; and, as he read, lucky sites for graves, etc. He was a it was just as if some one stood at his man of genial temper, and more than side and would now and then give his average religious susceptibilities, but sleeve a twitch and say, "Now is not not over scrupulous as to truthfulness. that good? " He became genuinely He stood in high repute as a medium converted, and when a suitable occa- with the "divining pen." When no sion offered, he publicly confest his one else could make it work he could. past hypocrisy. He is now an eloquent If he could see a sensible answer to the preacher, skillful and sometimes severe question put to the god or spirit, he in handling proud disputers, but plain would make the pen write it; otherwise spoken and yet gentle in addressing an he would make the pen produce illegi- average audience. He owes it largely ble marks. But his mind was not at to him and a friend of his who was be- rest; and he plunged into the specula- fore him in the Gospel that we have a tions of the Taoists, and also joined a number of the literati among our vegetarian sect. Not finding satisfac- Shaowu Christians.
tion in this, he tried a stricter sect, and The defeat of China in her late war at last joined the sect of "The Former with Japan was preeminently the defeat Heaven," which is an eclectic combi- of the upper classes; and there is noth- nation of Confucianism, Taoism, and ing before her but defeat, until there is Buddhism, and aims to restore the a decided improvement among these Former Heaven, i. e. the Golden Age. same upper classes. If they really can Its members abstain from animal food not be reacht, woe be to China. But and practice celibacy, but live at home the task of reaching them, though hard, and follow secular pursuits. For over is not hopeless.
two years Senior Chang spent most of his earnings on this sect; and all this Western Science as Auxiliary to the time he never touched his wife; but Spread of the GospeL neither did he properly feed and clothe BY DR. W. A. P. MARTIN, her. Pr68ident Emeritus of the Imperial Soon after we opened work at Tungwen Oollege, Peking, Ohina.
Shaowu, he was employed by Rev. J. Among those interested in the en- B. Blakely as his personal teacher. He lightenment of these Eastern nations had not found satisfaction in all his there are two extreme views. Some vegetarianism, and the incidental read- there are who hold that the native raligions are good enough for the people, of my subject, missionaries are so far and that all they require for their up- from being agreed that they need to lifting is the intellectual culture and compare views, in order to attain that material civilization of the West. unity of action which is indispensable Others hold that with intellectual cul- to strength. ture and material civilization, we, as missionaries, have nothing to do-that In advocating a vastly extended use our business is with the heart alone, of education in sciences and arts, I re- that to implant there the hope of eter- pudiate the idea that education must nalUfe is the object we should pursue, in all cases precede the Gospel, or that exclusive of all side issues. Christianity is not in itself the most effective of all instruments for enlighten- With the latter I find myself in ing the human mind. "The man," fullest sympathy so far as feeling is said Tse Hsia, "who has learned what concerned. But when it comes to the he owes to his parents and brothers at question a8 to the mode of procedure, I home, and what he owes to his supemaintain that in order to win the world riors and fellow-Bubjects, tho you may to Christ, a vast variety of subsidiary call him unlearned, is, I say, an edu- .influences must go along with the cated man." If this is true of the Gospel. The commerce of Christian social and political ethics taught by nations in seeking new fields for its the Chinese sages, how much higher enormous expansion opens wider and and broader the education imparted by wider areas to the heralds of the Cross, the Gospel, even in its simplest form ! and where our governments extend protection to their merchants, they, In its ethics, faith in God imparts also, throw their shields over the work vitality to the human conscience, and of their missionaries. the conception of God implies that of the unity of the universe. The lofty Is it not meet that the political power .generalization which the philosopher and commercial predominance which 'slowly arrives at by a translation of spring from Christianity should co- the laws of nature the Christian conoperate in extending its blessings to all vert reaches at a bound through the the nations of the earth? open door of faith. The Gospel comes to him, moreover, associated with All things are overruled of God for something of history and geographythe furtherance of his spiritual king- lifting his mind above the limits of the dom; we have but to look back through "four seas" by revealing the unity the long ages of the past to see how the and fraternity of the human race, stars in their courses have fought wakes up the dormant imagination and against the powers of darkness. But sheds a glory over this common-place the question is not what agencies may existence by introducing us to an un- God employ, for it is His prerogative seen world, of boundless extent and to employ all agencies great and small unspeakable grandeur. -according to that power by which he is able to subdue all things to Himself. What but the simple Gospel was it The thing for us to ascertain is what that elevated the tinker of Bedford to auxiliary agencies we, as missionaries, a place alongside of Milton and Dante? may properly employ for the conver- The immortal pilgrim, while commandsion of men to the faith of Christ. In- ing the homage of such an erudite critic strumentalities many and varied as the as Lord Macaulay, shows no trace of gifts of the Spirit enumerated in the learning beyond the literature of the epistle to the Corinthians have, as a Old and New Testaments, accompanied matter of fact, been employed in all by a rich religious experience. Yet ages. In regard to many of them there was its. author by no means an ignoris no difference of opinion. But in re- ant or unlearned man-tho like Shakgard to those specified in the wording speare, he knew little Latin and less Greek. No! The man who with a ally when I was about to leave for the soul kindled into adoring love takes in United States, he handed me a paper the doctrines of the New Testament is implying that he was ready to become not uneducated, however humble his a Christian, provided he was not re- social condition. quired to renounce the worship of his ancestors. He won the coveted degree, I once heard Pastor Fisch of Paris but I have not since heard from him. relate how he had taken the learned but sceptical J ouffroy de St. Hilaire to But why refer to my own experience talk with a devout cobbler on tlle when we have on record the world- knotty questions raised in the epistle to renowned instance of Matteo Ricci? At the Romans. The professor was amazed a time when tlle interior of the Empire at the exhibition of a wisdom not de- was sealed against foreigners and rived from the schools, and went away against the Gospel the learned Italian with a strongedaith, saying to himself: made his way by the help of sciencc to "Out of the mouth of babes and suck- Nanking and then to Peking, where lings, Thou hast ordained strength." he and his successors were installed as Christianity then, where it is not mere- professors of astronomy-securing for ly preacht but taught, occupies in my their religion the favor of the Emperor, opinion, the very forefront among all and the adhesion of multitudes of the the varied appliances for enlightening people. But for their mathematics the popular mind. Let the Chinese those early missionaries might never embrace it and it alone will do more have penetrated beyond the confines of than anything else to place them on an the province of Kuangtung. intellectual level with the people of Europe. It was a Bible in thc hands Vastly greater are the demands for of a blood·stained mutineer, that trans· science at the present day. The Emformed the little colony of Pitcairn in- peror, like Kang Hi, makes himself to a Christian commonwealth; whose the patron of science, and he has done virtues and intelligence were the aston- what Kang Hi never ventured to do, ishment of the world. What the Bible introduced a scientific element into the did for that Island it might do even un- competitions for the civil service. The aided for the people of China; if they scholars of the Empire are awake as were first brought to accept It. But never before to the defects of their extraneous aids are often required to antiquated style of education. It was open tlle way for it. D'Aubigne tells not new arms, or numbers, but the UB the Waldensian pedlars in the,South new education tllat enabled the Japanof France made use of their attractive ese to gain the victory of thc recent wares to draw attention to the New war. This the Chinese are beginning Testament, which they drew from the to perceive, and in every direction we bottom of their baskets and offered as hear of fresh openings for the teachtheir choicest treasure. Not many ing of Western languages and science. years ago, a Szechuan scholar who had come to Peking to compete for the This state of feeling is well exhibited third degree, presented himself at my in a preface to a new translation of a house with a letter of introduction from work on Political Economy, from the a high mandarin. His object was to pen of a mandarin. .. Of what use," ask questions on physical seience; and he asks, .. are the metaphysical subtlehe repeated his visits many times, in ties of Buddhism? Buddha's native the course of which I gave him reo land has been three times conquered ligious books and talked to him on re- by foreigners-first by thc Afghans, ligious subjects. As the weeks went next by the Mongols, and lastly abon he had fewer questions to ask on sorbed by England. In China the science, and more about religion. Fin- higher principles of government have been handed down from the sages of antiquity, but such common matter as the production and distribution of audience and desired to know the wealth are not among them. Doubt- source of the wealth and power of her less their treatises on these subjects, Empire, she pointed to the Bible, and (he says with perceptible irony) per- placed in his hands a copy of the sacred ished in the flames of the Book Burner. volume. So the missionary should not The consequence is that a vast and fail to lead his learned inquirers to the magnificent empire has been left to run true source of that prosperity, which down into poverty and weakness until distinguishes Christian from non-Chris- it has become helpless in the presence tian nations. In this he is the more of its foreign foes. The people of the likely to meet with success if he is able West, when they know a thing, always in some degree to satisfy their thirst for put it in practice. They have courage secular knowledge by oral teaching, by to advance in the path of progress. But books, or by object lessons, in the form if we Chinese read their books as we of machinery and scientific apparatus.
read the liturgies of Buddha and dis- Let it not be imagined that I am ex- cuss their principles as we discuss the horting missionaries to enter on a new abstractions of metaphysics; what good policy. These three things have aU is to be lookt forY" been resorted to as aids to awaken at- What this writer feels and confesses tention and to impress the mind from is felt, if not confest, by hundreds of the very dawn of Protestant missions.
thousands of the literati of this land. Away back in the "forties" Dr. 8. R.
For us, I should say the present is a Brown, then in charge of the Morrison golden opportunity-were it not that school in Hongkong, prepared a little the word golden contains a suggestion book on political economy, in Chinese.
of harvest-whereas all that we dis- Who can tell the extent of the salutary cover is the breaking up of a hitherto infiuences proceeding from that now for- frozen soil. It is not harvest but seed gotten publication? One of his PUpilS time, the period of the year-the sea- was Tong King-sing, who organized the son-which decides whether the coming China Merchants' Steamship Company crop is to consist of grain or of tares. and opened the tlrst coal mine, which When Mencius was askt by the was workt with foreign machinery.
Prince of Liang, what he had brought Another was Dr. Yung Wing, who to enrich his kingdom, he replied, after having created an era in the edu- .. Humanity and justice; nothing cational progress of this country still more." In fact, there was nothing lives to aid in shaping the new enter- more that he was competent to teach. prises of the present day.
When the Christian missionary is greet- In the "fifties" Dr. Hobson com- ed with the same question he might menced the publication of a series of give the same reply – righteousness little books on natural philosophy, and humanity-and something more. chemistry, and medicine. Some of U Yes," he might say, .. I bring with these were the very tlrst to revcal to me all the forces necessary for the re- the Chinese the existence of those generation of the individual and the world·transforming sciences and to renovation of the State. " point them to something better in med- It is a great thing to have haughty ical practice than the quackery of their scholars like the writer just quoted, native doctors.
pocket their pride and sit as learners at Mr. Alex. Wylie about the same the feet of men of the West. They time while printing Bibles by the mU· begin of course with the externals of lion, found time to translate a complete modern civilization; but it is the mis- course of modern mathematics, and a sionary's own fault if they stop there. text book of modern astronomy.
It is related of Queen Victoria that Prior to the publication of these works, when a Maori chieftain was received in which mark an epoch in the history of China, the Chinese possest no mathe- 2. That a series of science primers matics beyond the first six books of might be prepared under the auspices Euclid, and no astronomy beyond that of some Tract Society with the special of the middle ages, when our little aim of imparting some knowledge of planet was believed to be the center of science to general readers. Science the Universe. might wing the arrow, but religion should be its point. Think you, that the Chinese, who emerging from the old school, has S. That each mission should be prolearned to place the sun on the Cen- vided with a museum, illustrating the tral Throne, will not be better prepared arts and sciences of the West. than before to accept Jesus Christ as the Sun of Righteousness? 4. That those missionaries who have a taste for such things be supplied I shall not follow out the history of with scientific toys of an inexpensive the educational and scientific work be- kind such as the magic lantern, graphgun by those three immortals. ophone or phonograph, optical, electric and steam apparatus. Suffice it to say that they were followed by an army of workers in the Finally that lectures on scientific field of education, and by a period of subjects for the general public be deorganized effort in the production of livered in chapels or schools, illustrated scientific text- books. To these earlier by objects, and always made to have and later workers whose names I can· a bearing on religion. not begin to enumerate are due nearly all the text books of modern sciences, By these means, as it seems to me, to be found In the Chinese language. the educated classes may be reacht and How these works are appreciated by by God's blessing be brought to the the more advanced thinkers among the knowledge of Christ and his great Sal- Chinese you may judge by a single in- vation. stance. Some years ago, a Chinese lit· erary man who afterwards became a Huber put a dozen bumble bees high official published an essay, in under a bell-glass, with a comb of some which he compared the benefits of commerce and Christian missions. Re- ten silken cocoons, so unequal in height ferring to the various sciences intro- that they would not stand steadily. To duced by missionaries from the arrival remedy this two or three bees got on of the Jesuits three centuries ago down the comb, stretched themselves over its to the recent period of renewed mis- edge, and with heads downward, fixt sionary activity, he declared that China owes more to missions than to their forefeet on the table on which the commerce. comb rested, and so with their hind feet kept the comb from falling. When Before I take my seat, I wish to sug- they were weary others took their gest four things that I deem of great places. In this constrained posture, importance, tho it is probable that most fresh bees at intervals relieving their of you have already taken them into comrades, and each taking its turn, consideration. they supported the comb for nearly three days, till they could get ready wax 1. That constant efforts should be made to supply the Chinese with more enough to build pillars with it. And and better text-books, adapted to the the first pillars having got displaced, demands of the new education-now the bees in the same manner rebuilt being called for in all the provinces of the supports. What an example and the empire-and that religion while it lesson to us, as the duty and privi1e~e should not be injudiciously lugged of coming to each other's support m in ought not to be excluded from emergencies I What a lesson for the them. friends of missions, in these days when the great organizations are at risk of tumbling into financial distress if not ruin, of giving up ourselves to the joint effort of holding up the cause until safer supports may be prepared for it to rest upon, and that we should all work together that the burden may not fall wt haeysB, eaen4thboeu unequally. Go to slug- gard! consider her wise ,
FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
I1I.-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
The Turkish Empire,* Persia,t Russian Empire,t Arabia,§ Mohammedanism,' Oriental Ohurches.
BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
CONDITIONS IN Tt.'RKEY. success. But the difficulties have been by no means settled, and it is well un- Armenia is having a comparative derstood that the Turks are not yet rest from the sword of the "unspeak- satisfied with the results ~of their past able Turk," but persecution has by no work, and still are bent upon the exmeans ceased, nor have the effects of pulsion of the missionaries and thE> the "year of shame" past away. An extermination of all non-Moslem suboccasional report of some massacre jects. or outrage comes to our ears, and there is untold suffering and distress, the knowl- The American Board has now about edge of which never reaches us. The 175 missionaries in Armenia, with some missionaries still stand nobly by their 800 native helpers; over 125 churches posts, and carryon the work of caring containing over 12,000 members. The for the needy, sheltering the orphan adherents number about 80,000. and teaching those who still seek Chris· tian instruction in the missionary 'OF HINTS ON THE STUDY ISLAH. schools and colleges. Blessed spiritual awakenings have followed the The Student Volunteer (British) gives persecutions in Harpoot, Aintab, Oorfa, and elsewhere-even Turks the following helpful suggestions as to being deeply imprest in some in- the study of Mohammedanism: stances. Schools are filling up, farmers are again going to their work with I. Some explanations of Mohammore confidence of reaping their crops, and general quiet is restored, except on med's success. the Persian frontier. The time is ripe for new advances in missionary work, (1). Mohammed's personality and his with more encouraging prospects of use of truths gained from Jews, Christ- .. See pp. 50, 51, 57 (January); 610 (August). NEW BooKS: "Letters from Armenia," ians and Hanifs. (2). Use of the Harris; "The Sultan and His Subjects," Davey. sword. (8). Paradise promist to dying RECENT ARTICLES: " Armenia and the forward movement," CO'fItemporary Review warriors. (4). Appeal to the passions (January); "The Armenian Church," New of men. World (March); "Turkish Reform," Cosmopolitan (March). II. Christian and Mohammedan doc- t See pp. 422, 463 (June); 506 (July); 721. 740 (present issue). trine of Divine sovereignty. ~ See pp. 754 (present issue). NEW BOOKS: "Russia Incarnate," Wab- (1). Mohammed's conception imper. zewski; "The Empire of the Tsar." RECENT ARTICLES: "Life in Russia." Frank feet, yet better than that of his con- Leslie's Monthly (February); "Prisons of Siberia." Blackwood (April); "Russia as it temporaries. (2). Both doctrines is," Conte'''porary Review (May). § See pp. 730, 748 (present issue). contrasted-Christian provision for fel· , See pp. 39 (January); 375 (May); 422 (June); 506 (July) ; 757 (present Issue). lowship and progress; progress of NEW BoOKS: "Islam," E. M. Wherry; .. Faith of Islam," EdWard Sell. Mohammedanism not well founded nor continuous; submission and fate '118. submission and faith; results seen in the history of both systems.
III. Doctrine of the Trinity and the two faiths.
(1). Mohammed's relatively superior apprehension of God, but only of God's umty and sovereignty. (2). Christian- ity's view of the Divine Man. (8). The Koran's inconsistency concerning Di- vine attributes, without our idea of Son and Spirit. .
IV. Mohammedan and Christian view of man.
(1). Results of Mohammed's view of man-Man a slave; Womanhood de- based; Home life a failure; Society without woman's elevating influence, and she a slave and plaything; yet Mohammed improved the condition of women in his day. (2). The Moslem's This is a specimen of Russian religious- defense-Polygamy in the Old Testa- ness.
ment; Social evils in Christian lands; Some years ago, when the compulsory Intemperance of Christian nations. conversion in mass of Protestant peas- V. How TO COMJllEND CHRISTIANITY ants in Livonia to the church of Russia TO MOSLEMS: was in process, a Greek Catholic superior pope exprest his surprise that (1.) Act along lines of least resist- Protestants were opposed to this change ance-Old and New Testament Script- of base. There was no ground for this ures ; Brotherhood due to this common opposition, he thought; for had not heritage; Superiol' character of our Luther at one time been the court.
Scriptures. (2). Christendom's atti- preacher of Queen Catharine of Russia?
tude should be changed and the Church This is a specimen of theological train- do her duty. ing in Russia.
THE PRESENT PROBLlllM OF ISLAM. At Warsaw the Emperor Nicholas I. Unfavorab~ feature8 .- was taking part in a religious ser- (1). Union between the temporal and vice in which, according to custom, spiritual power. (2). Divorce between the worshiper was to kiss the hand of morality and religion. (3). Ishmaelitic the officiating priest. The latter, in intolerance. (4). Destruction of the his confllsion at the presence of the family through polygamy and concu- visible head of the state church, failed binage. (5). The degradation of wom- to offer his hand. Thereupon the Eman. (6). Gross immorality. (7). Un- peror cried out: "Give me your hand, truthfulness. (8). Misrepresentation of you dog; I want to kiss it." This is a the person and teachings of Christ. characteristic trait in Russian church (9). Aggressive spirit in Islam. The life.
Wahabees. The religiousness of the Russian II. Tlte favorable features .- Church is an odd combination of ele- (1). Belief in the Unity of God. (2). ments. In it are remnants of the oldest times of Christianity, a certain barbar- Reverence for the Old and New Testa- iim nai1J6te, a lifeless formality from ment. (3). Reverence for Christ as the times of Byzantine sterility, and a prophet. (4). Respect for Christians wilderness of confused ideas. The and Jews as the 'people of the book.' Russian will not pass by a beggar with- (5). Hatred of idolatry. (6). Rever- out having either given him alms or ence for law. (7). Abstinence from in- having excused himself for not aoing toxicants. (8). Doctrine of absolute so. The duty of charity has found an surrender. (9). Growing infiuence of entrance into his very marrow and Christian nations in Mohammedan bones. Yet this same man will go to countries. (10). Islam completely en- his house, cross himself in front of the circled by Anglo-Saxon Christian pol- ikon, or saint's image, hang a piece of itical and civil power. (11). Moham- cloth before it. so that his patron saint medan belief in the purity of the Clll not see what he is doing, and then Protestant faith. (12). Confidence in enter upon a carousal that would dismissionaries. (13). Civilization must supplant Islam. (14). The superior grace a beast. Again, this typical facilities in the hands of Christians. Russian will on another day go to his (15). The Bible translated into the Ara- church, strike the fioor fifty times with his forehead, and two hundred times bic language. repeat the words: "0 Lord, have mercy on me ; " and then depart and as a wit- Piotures of the Russian Religion. ness take a false oath before the courts because his friend the day before had A strange and oppressive picture of secured his promise to do so for a drink religious life in Russia comes to us of 'IJOska, and considers himself satis- from a Leipsic paper, Oltristliche Welt, factorily justified when he tells the whose picture is drawn largely from judge that "even God Himself will Russian sources. It is condenst in the accept a bribe," meaning by this his Literary Digest as follows: accepting wax candles and paternosters for certain sins. The man himself is In a Russian court in Odessa some not conscious of his self-contradiction, years ago there was a trial between two and it would be useless to try to demonpeasants, one of whom had bodily mal- strate this to him. His conduct is treated the other. The injured party typical of the religiousness of the aver- had claimed that Almighty God was age peasant in Russia.
superior to St. Nicholas. The other The whole genius and character of resented this and abused his neighbor. ,Russian life, is steeped in passivity. It is characterized by a flight to escape the outcome of that most unfortunate struggle for existence, a fatalistic stand- struggle. The evangelical work, under point, which accepts everything, the leadership of Dr. M. D. Kalopowhether the result of one's own doings thakes, of Athens, has, ever since its or not, with the words, "It is God's inception, been suffering under the will. " Neither in Roman Catholicism false charge of being hostile to Greece nor in Protestantism have we a basis as a nation. So close is the union befrom which we can thoroughly under- tween the orthodox church and the stand the soul of the Russian people. state, that anything aiming at reform It can be understood onlv from its in the one was interpreted as disloyalty origin, precedents, and historical de- to the other. This feeling has been velopment. The curse which, from strong enough to cut off the little conthe time that Russia was Christianized gregations of the evangelical churches down to our own day and generation, in Athens, V010, and elsewhere, from has rested upon the Russian Church, is all social relations with their fellow its moral sterility; the fact that its countrymen, thus making progress a religion has no regenerative and pro- very difficult matter. But the part ductive power. which the evangelicals were able to play in the recent campaign has soft- The inability of the Orthodox Church ened the hearts of their opponents and spiritually to regenerate the people has restored confidence in their loyalty and been characteristic of it from the be- patriotism. For several weeks Dr. ginning. And DOW since Russia puts Kalopothakes traveled from point to forth the claim of representing a cer- point, along the army outposts, distain type of culture and civilization, it tributing to the eager soldiers and is well to take note of this historical officers Bibles or portions of the Scripand present fact. A prominent Russian tures, and comforting them with kind official some time ago spoke of himself words and deeds. His son, too, a as an "orthodox atheist." and this was journalist of no mean reputation, went no less a person than Prince Tscher- to the front repeatedly to secure accukassy. The possibility of such a posi- rate news for the European press, and, tion is deeply suggestive. sharing the hardships of Greek camp life, endeared himself to the heart of "Russia is not yet overrun with evan- many a soldier, while the name he gelists. There is room for the grand gained of being the most reliable old Gospel in all parts of the big empire. reporter on the frontier was a just If persecuted in one city, God's ser- tribute to his energies. Dr. Kalopovants would flee to another, witnessing thakes' daughter first spent, some as tlley go. Sowing precious seed they time in training hospital nurses at would find open doors and open hearts Athens, and then went to the front and throughout the vast dominions of Rus- was tireless in her care for the wounded, sia. It is yet virgin soil, and the various the sick, and the dying. Such proofs one-sided and superficial opinions of of loyalty could not but bear fruit; and Nihilists, Tolstoyists, Dukobortzis, and words of gratitude and praise have such like, are 8 proof that there are taken the place of slander and envy. searchers for the way of salvation who "Now we know," say the old church need to be told the old, old story of Greeks, "that our estimate' of you Jesus and His love. evangelicals was wrong; you are more patriotic than our own leaders." One I. Our brethren, the Stundists, are still soldier, who lay for some time in a persecuted and banisht. There is no hospital at the front, wrote to an change, nor is there any hope of a Athens newspaper: "While lying change as long as the present ruling wounded in the hospital, I have seen powers aim to hold church and state the king and queen, princes and foreign in one inseparable body. A Russian nobles, reporters and philanthropists; subject dissenting from the orthodox and the evangeUcal workers have Church is considered an alien; loses his right of citizenship, and is often banisht cheered us b'l their visits; there is only to remote parts of the empire." one class 0 men I have never seen darken the door, and that is our own The Evangelical Ohurch in Greece. priesthood. Those who should be our comforters and counsellors at all times CHARLES T. RIGGS, B.A. have completely deserted us in our last extremity. The only true spiritual Sad as is the condition of Greece, after the war, there is cause for joy in one friends we have are the evangelicals."
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
Northfield and Missions. -vention was that thllre might be a prac- tical outcome of the interest awakened, At the Northfield Conference this and that the Convention might be prac- year, the missionary interest on Thurs- tically in close touch with some specific day and Friday, August 12th and 13th, missionaries on the field. It was pro- rose unusually high. Dr. Harry posed to appoint a committee, with Mr. Guinness was in the chair and a num- Moody as chairman, to whom the ber of most earnest and thrilling ad- boards might refer the case of any dedresses were delivered. The blessed serving candidate whom they desired teaching of the London brethren, Rev. to send forth but were unable to sup- G. Campbell Morgan and Rev. G. H. C. port. It was thought moreover that, McGregor, which has never been sur- instead of dilliinishing the ordinary past on the Northfield platform, for gifts to the boards, it would tend to spirit.ual power, had led up to the point stimulate giving by availing ourselves where there was eminent fitness in of the quickened spiritual life due to missionary appeal, and the seed fell the helpful teaching always received at into a prepared soil. these conventions.
On Friday afternoon Dr. Mabie in- Mr. Moody felt constrained to oppose vited all missionaries present, and II. the measure, not because it was in confew others, to hold a garden party at flict with the boards, as the proposal his .. chltlet .. for conference and prayer expressly made them the channels of on the present emergency in missions; disbursement, but because he felt quite and the outcome of the meeting was a unequal to any new responsibilities, deep conviction that the time was ripe and because of difficulties that must for the starting of a fund, at Northfield, attend the administration of any such to aid young men who were approved fund. The proposal was accordingly by the boards, but whom the boards withdrawn and a modified resolution had not sufficient money to send forth presented in its place which had Mr. to the field. This conviction was deep- Moody's sanction. ened by the thought that it was at Mt. Hermon, just across the river, that in Some of the friends thought, and 1886, it pleased God to set in motion the they are many, that had Mr. Moody student volunteer enterprise, and that it simply declined to act in the matter, was at the Northfield Convention fol- but allowed the measure to go forward, lowing in the same year that the call throwing all responsibility for it on the for a world's convention on missions Convention, and practically adjusting was issued, which was realized two the whole matter so as to make it tribuyears later in the great Exeter Hall tary to the establisht agencies for con- Convention in London, in 1888. ducting missions, it might have been a blessing to the Convention and a Everything in the evening meeting great stimulus to consecrated giving. of Friday seemed to lead up to the pro- Within a half hour, $2,500 had been posal which was made by the editor of subscribed and some of it with pledges the REVIEW, that the Convention of annual payments for five and ten should start a fund for the purpose of years, which is a sufficient forecast of helping the boards to send out volun- the possible ultimate results. teers, whom the ordinary appropriations would not enable them to send forth, But our friend Mr. Moody was 80 but whom they approved as worthy seriously in doubt as to the expediency and suitable. of the measure, and so apprehensive that the spirit prompting it might be The reason for creating such a fund misunderstood, that it was abandoned in connection with the Northfield Con- in its original form, and donors were advised to turn their offerings into the natural and doubly.blest. And if such church channels directly and without opportunity is allowed to pass, there is a positive loss, not only of money, but any intermediate Northfield committee. of stimulus to higher standards of stewardship. While we would not Theabove simple statement will show encourage the idea that impulsive giv- ing is the truest sort of giving, Mr. how ab8Qlutely witlwut joundation was Finney used to say that aroused feeling is the winding up of the windlass, and such a version of the matter as has that action on the spot is the rachet that holds the windlass from unwind- been floating through the press. We ing. Yearby yearat Northfield, we feel that an offering, made under the influ- quote from the New York Obserur: ence of awakened spiritual life, would seal the impressions made, and help "Mr. D. L. Moody's common sense to fasten holy resolve and fix the soul and good judgment were manifested in God. And that was all the thought last week in his decision not to estab- and purpose of the mover and sup- lish an emergency fund to send out porters of this proposal for an emer- missionaries who can not go abroad gency fund. It is very certain that the through the regular missionary boards brethren who so advised "meant well," of the denominations for lack of funds. and equally certain that they did not Mr. Moody determines that money propose to displace the present mission- raised at Northfield for foreign mis- ary boards by "creating new ones with sions shall go to the boards already no particular moorings." Such state- establisht. The brethren who advised ments should not be carelessly made, Mr. Moody differently meant well, but as they do harm and injustice to such so did Peter when he askt the Lord if men as Dr. Mabie, himself one of the he and James and John should not most consecrated of all our missionary make three tabernacles on the Mount of secretaries. not to speak of the Editor Transfiguration. It is better to of this REVIEW, who has all his life strengthen the present efficient mission- advocated and aided the establisht ary organizations thlln to create new agencies of the Church, and two of ones with no particular moorings. whose daughters, with a son-in-law, These might soon drift into the control are on the mission field in connection of irresponsible persons and fail of with the Presbyterian boards. their original purpose." The Ohristian Missionary Alliance. So far is this paragraph from the In the September issue of this REtruth that it misapprehends the posi- VIEW, at the editor's request, Dr. Wil- son gave our readers a brief account of tion in toto. That the purpose was in the nearly a quarter of million dollars subscribed-in one day, Aug. 9, 1896, no wise to divert money from the some $101,500 being obtained, and $122,000 on Oct. 11 following-for the Boards into "irresponsible" channels, Alliance purposes. We were especially interested in what Dr. Wilson says in is sufficiently obvious from the fact that paper about the economy oj expen- diture in the administration of these that the Editor of this REVIEW made funds, that, except about $2,000 for the propo8al and Dr. Mabie 8econded it! rent, printing, etc., the whole of the money pledged goes straight to the Our purpose was distinctly to give the boards additional help. This is an ex- ample of how, without any intentiop.
to misrepresent, the public press may give a totally wrong impression.
The Keswick Convention in England, feeling the need of some annual offer- ing to give practical force to increast devotion to Christ, instituted a Keswick Mission Fund, and now there are in the fleld some fifteen missionaries, supported by the money subscribed at these gatherings. Every year the cul- mination of the meetings is found in this missionary offering. There is no doubt that, when hearts are deeply moved by the truths of the Word and the presence of God, an offering to God for mission work seelllS both field; and that, from one misssonaryon men; but to receive and disburse large the field eight years since, the number sums of money in benevolent and now exceeds three hundred, the income mission work without stated and ample having correspondingly increast from accounts rendered of the way in which ,5,000 in 1888 to $140,000 in 1896. this money is used, is to establish a These facts need to be pondered precedent dangerous in the extreme, prayerfully and conscientiously. We under cover of which gigantic public frauds may be perpetrated. have no official reports of this year's Rev. A. B. Simpson, about seventeen' meetings at Old Orchard as yet; but years ago, came out from existing the daily press, which the Alliance church organizations, and establisht a organ credits with both "kind and a people's tabernacle, about which has truthful " accounts, may be trusted for grown up a large and useful work. the main facts. It appears that on About midway in the intervening Aug. 8th were raised $71,000 for foreign .missions, some thirty thousand less period he was led out Into the estab· than last year, indeed, but a very large lishing of a missionary organization,· sum nevertheless, and indicating a very which has grown with almost unex- high flood-mark of enthusiasm. Also ampled rapidity. What was at first some fifty young people responded to simply a modest enterprise, seeking to the call for volunteers. Mr. Simpson link his work in New York city with affirmed that, almost without excep- foreign lands, has developt into a world· tion, the pledges of 1896 have been re- wide scheme, which may yet have a deemod-another very remarkable sign thousand missionaries in the field and a in its way. million of money a year for their sup- In the Boston Herald it is stated that port. But thus far we never have seen "W. H. McLaughlin, of North Scar· boro, has sent to the Portland papers one financial report of the money refor publication an open letter, in which he asks Rev. Dr. Simpson to render an ceived and of the manner of its diIJbur86· account of the disbursements of the ment. When, at times, the attention $100,000 raised at Old Orchard last year for the cause of missions." The of our friend, Mr. Simpson, has been letteraskt that such account be rendered before the taking up of the offerings called to this deficiency of annual statethis year. The writer of that letter justifies his demand on the ground that ments, his reply-the only one so far "from apostolic days the solicitors of money in the name of the Church have of which we have knowledge-was the been expected to render an account of their stewardship; and that the present following, which, to do him the amplest practice in some quarters, of making no public statement of the disbursement of justice, we now reprint verbatim from funds is an innovation that should be checkt." the editorial colulIlllS of the Alliance Whether the writer of this challenge organ. He says: be friend or foe, it is well to hearken to " Our attention has recently been called to an old falsehood circulated his suggestion, as both sensible and in several years ago from an unfriendly source to the effect that the accounts accord with the highest principles of of the International Missionary Alli- ance are loosely kept and thst the Treas· ethics. It is no imputation upon the urer's Annual Reports have not been properly audited. This old story has honesty or integrity of any man to recently been repeated in a most unfair manner and we feel it propcr therefore claim that he should render to the pub- to meet it promptly by the following certificate from the Auditors of the lic an account of money given by them accounts for the past two years and from an expert accountant whose stateand received by him in trust for certain ment is added: benevolent purposes. He may be not NEW YORK, February 27th, 1897. We hereby certify that we have careonly conscientious and capable and fully examined the accounts and the Treasurer's Annual Reports of the Inhonest, but the most self-sacrificing of ternational Missionary Alliance with all the necessary vouchers appertaining pIe and having their books examined to the business of the society in the annually by professional accountants, past two years of 1895 and 1896, and and they do well, for there can be no we find that in every respect they are reason why any secresy should be obaccurately and carefully kept. served in religious or benevolent work.
S. E. FURRY, Where such an annual exhib!t is E. G. SELCHOW, made, it closes the mouths of enemies and stills the doubts of friends. In- Audit0'l"8. deed, so convinced are we of the valne of this course, that we are of the opin- NEW YORK, February 27th, 1897. ion that no organization which does As a professsional bookkeeper I de- not adopt it has any right to appeal for sire to say that I have examined with public help. minute care the accounts and books of the International Missionary Alliance A clear financial statement, which and the Treasurer's Report for the past can be understood by ordinary people, two years, and I find that the books are such as Bishop Stevens makes annually kept in a most careful manner and by of the operations in the Special Juristhe most approved method of double diction of the South, is what is always entry and will compare favorably with needed, and should be always lookt the accounts of any good commercial for. We believe it is one of the reahouse. sons which has inspired our Church with entire confidence in that mission S. E. FURRY." work, and we believe that the example of Bishop Stevens should be followed So far, so good-but does this at all by all who depend upon outside help."
meet the conditions? The auditors do If to any it may seem that the Editor unequivocally testify to the fact that of this REVIEW is moved by any spirit the accounts are" accurately and care- of hypercriticism, let such look for a fully kept," of which no one who knows moment at the whole question both of these gentlemen have any doubt. But ethical obligation and of rational ex- they give us no conception of the pediency.
amounts of money represented as re- Suppose the Editor himself to be ceived and disbursed, nor of the actual made by his readers the receiver of channels in which they have found hundreds of thousands of dollars, to be their distribution. by him, and according to his best judg- At this very time, other paragraphs ment, used in connection with needy appear in other papers, evidently aimed Christian enterprises at home Jlnd at the correction of the same great abroad. And to make the case still defect as that which, as candid review- more emphatic, let us suppose that he ers, having in trust the education of has no restrictions laid on him as to the the public conscience, we feel bound io exact direction in which these monies insist ought at once to be remedied. are to be spent. Let us suppose on the We quote again, from The Episcopal one hand that no report is made to the :&corder: public, beyond the statement of two "A gentleman, in whose judgment well-known business men that his books we have the utmost confidence, writes to us concerning the importance of are perfectly kept and balanced; and, on missionaries making clear financial statements for the information of their the other hand, that every individual friends and others. Especially is this caution important for those who are gift is acknowledged by a number also acting independently and not under the direction of a board, which re- attached to the receipt sent to the conceives, acknowledges and pays out all funds.' tributor, and that, at least once a year, General Booth has shown his good a full publisht account is rendered, so sense in doing this with the large sums entrusted to him, and by this precau- that every giver may trace his gift to tion he has utterly foiled the attacks made upon his management of the its desired use, and that the public may financial affairs of the Salvation Army. We notice that some of the large Mis- know the sum total of all money resionary Boards are following his exam- ceived, and the exact purposes to which it is applied-can anyone question which is the immeasurably better and more proper way to administer tian village of freed slaves and other public funds? It will be observed that natives, who shall be taught in farming all money thus sent to this REVIEW and industrial arts; a village from for benevolent use is in these columns which the evils of slavery, polygamy, publicly acknowledged and accounted witchcraft, and vicious foreigners shall for. be excluded. The Roman Catholics and European planters have already lir. George Mllller and Mr. Hudson proved the feasibility of conducting Taylor are examples of men whose such a settlement on a self-supporting honesty is too indisputable to be ques- basis. This enterprise will be carried tioned. And yet each of these men forward on business principles, amI only publicly accounts for every farthing consecrated men and women will have entrusted to them for God's cause. a hand in it. Mr. Chatelain is well Every man and woman who sends to acquainted with the country and the either of them an offering, may know people where the colony is to be estab- exactly how much money is by them lisht, and has long studied the ques- received in any given year and just how tion of the physical, mental, and spirit- much goes to any particular purpose. ual emancipation of the fifty million We are not imputing to our brother slaves of the Dark Continent. Funds Simpson or his co-workers, any lack of are sadly :q.eeded to carry forward the honesty, self-denial, or any other high enterprize. Three hundred dollars will quality. But we do most earnestly plead send out and support a worker for one that no man who accepts a trusteeship year; fifty dollars will constitute a for benevolent funds shall set an share in the equipment of the station example that can be quoted by others and twelve dollars a year will support, who are simply using a too easily per- an adopted slave. All contributors will suaded public to carry on fraud. be kept informed of the progress of the work, and those supporting boys There is a very simple method, and or girls will be put in communication only one, for supplying all proper con- with them. Send contributions to Hon. ditions: Let every man or woman who Thomas L. James, United Charities is expending money for others, see Building, New York. that for every gift a receipt shall be sent promptly to the giver, and that The Tibetan Pioneer MiMion, under every such amount be in some recog- the leadership of Miss Annie Taylor, nizable form publicly acknowledged, has entered Tibet, and is located at so that the whole transaction of receiv- Gatong, across the border from Sikkim. ing and disbursing shall be open to the Here Miss Taylor has opened a shop public eye. This both increases con- and medical dispensary, by which she fidence in the administration, and puts is enabled to come into contact with a check on any dishonest, careless, or many Tibetans and Chinese. The fraudulent use of consecrated money. prejudice of the people is breaking down and many have become most The Pltil-African League, of which friendly. About one thousand copies Mr. Heli Chatelain is the able and con- of the Gospel in Tibetan have been dis- 'secrated Secretary and Manager, has tributed, besides many in Chinese. By for its object, the overthrow of the slave- means of traders, etc., these have been trade in Africa, and the establishment scattered far and wide throughout the of a Christian colony for the indus- country. Prayer is earnestly askt that trial, intellectual, and spiritual educa- the doors of this closed land may be tion of the natives on the table land opened wider to receivll the heralds of East of Bugola in South Central Africa. the Cross who are waiting on the Mr. Chatelain with four others expects threshold. to start for the field immediately, there to estll.blish a model unsectarlan Chris- The news which has been dropping At a meeting in Shanghai, under the in about the late earthquake in India, shows that the visitation was much auspices of the British and Foreign more serious than at first imagined. An entire railroad has disappeared, and Bible Society, it was stated that last it is reckoned that damage has been done over a wide area which it will year some 540,000 books were printed; take two years to repair. Between 4,000 and 6,000 natives were killed in 366,000 books were put into circulation, Assam. of which 358,000 were sold and 8,000 Mr. Booth-Tucker, commander of the Salvation Army, wants to raise given away. The books w.ere nearly $500,000 with which to establish what he calls a "Poor Man's Paradise," on always sold at a price to pay for the lands to be bought in Arizona or else· where on the line of the Santa Fe Rail- paper, and it is an indication of the road. His plan is to divide these lands into ten-acre lots, build houses upon remarkable progress of Christianity them, and remove to them faJpilies of the very poor from New York. that last year no fewer than 11,000 The indifference with which the were New Testaments in excellent Christian Church regarded foreign missions in the first quarter of this century binding. Some 210 colporteurs were was most astonishing. According to Mr. F. W. Hewes, during the decade at work, ~ving either part or the whole ending 1820, the contributions to foreign of their time, and they were very effecmissions were four-tenths of a cent tive means for the evangelization of the for every inhabitant of this country. people. Since then, excepting in times of financial disaster and during the Civil War, "And now the Rev. W. H. Noyes, there has been a steady increase, until who was sent to Japan a few years ago in the ten years ending with 1890, the by the American Board of Missions, at contributions amounted to twenty-two the demand of the 'liberal' party, has and two-tenths cents per head of total left the mission and returned to Amerpopulation. 1ca. He has become rationalized out of his old-time convictions. It is .. pity In 1870 William Rankin, Esq., now he could not have seen the end from the venerable ex-Treasurer of the Board the beginning." The sending out of of Foreign Missions, in referring to the this man who openly declared his befirst contribution under the new move- lief in a post-humorous "probation," ment of the Presbyterian women in our was in our judgment the most serious beloved Church wrote: "There rolled mistake our friends of the A. B. C. F. M. into the treasury a little cake of barley ever made, and the like of which we bread labeled 'Woman's Work for pray may never be repeated. Women' $7,000." What marvellous progress in these seven and twenty As one of the saddest events of 1897 years! The little barley cake has in- will be remembered, the death by creast more than forty fold, the figure drowning, in the wreck of the Aden, last year aggregated not far from June 9th, of Florence Mary Lloyd, $303,000. dearly beloved daughter of T. H. and E. Lloyd, of Leicester, England. She had been four and a half years a mis- sionary of tIle C. E. Z. M. S. in the Fuh-Kien province, China. She perisht off the Island of Boeotra, at the age of thirty years. We quote from a Leicester paper, Y. M. O. A. Echoes: She had ever been a devoted Chris- tian, and in 1892 testified the strength of her devotion, courage, and determi- nation by proceeding to far away China in the interests of her beloved Master. Letters have been received from her from time to time, bearing evidence of the assiduous way in which she was going about her Father's busi- ness, and was expected home for a rest. No human mind can account for the sudden removal from this earth of one who was so much beloved, and who had laborcd so carnestly in good works.
Before she' departed for the mission field, Miss F. M. Lloyd had done else, and sold for $40,000. This he much good work in Leicester. When spent in stock speculation, and finally she reacht adult age she became ex- died in an insane asylum." With all it ceedingly active in Christian service. was a fascination to get something to Her father being president of the spend, and in the getting and the spend- Y.:M. C. A., a good deal of her energy ing they bartered body, intellect, charwas naturally devoted to work in con- acter, and soul; and before what might nection with that institution. When have been their allotted time, they went she departed for China, the members of into eternity, bankrupt. the Y. M. C. A. felt they were losing a devoted friend, and presented her We have received, through Miss with Eadie's Biblical Encllalopredia, etc. Clara B. Hatch, $61 for the widows of • India under the care of Pandita Rama- Before proceeding to China, she spent bai, from the Boydton Institute Mistwelve months at a training institution sionary Society, of Boydton, Va. We at Stoke Newington, anu then joined rejoice to have our readers lend a hand the Fuh-Kien Mission of the Church of in this important and worthy work for England Zenana Missionary Society. the Master. She was stationed at Seingin, in the Hing Hwa district.
The following from The Paaijie may The following letter is from one of act as a deterrent to some infected with the Editor's most cherisht friends, the beloved young man who presided over the Klondike gold craze: In his' 'Story the Liverpool Conference of student of the Mine," Mr. C. H. Shinn says the volunteers in 1896. The letter is a site of what in later years has been private one, yet we venture to print it known as the "Big Bonanza" was for the sake of the thousands of young once in the undisputed possession of men who feel the keenest interest in all four men. Two were the original dis- that concerns Donald Fraser. coverers of tJ'J.e mine, and the other two were admitted as partners because EKWENDENI, Angoniland, ther had a prior claim to a spring West Nyasa, Brit. Cent. Africa, WhIch furnisht the only available water to wash the gold. At first the pans of 17th May, '97. surface dirt yielded on an average from Dear DR. PIERSON :-The hill air $40 to $50 apiece. Underneath was of Aogoniland is very bracing. I have the great quartz lode which during one had wonderful freedom from fever. later period of five years, yielded $105,- Indeed, tho I am now six months in 000,000. :Mr. Shinn says of one of the Central Africa, I have not had one four, what has been true of thousands hour's sickness. This is an answer to of others grasping for money: "Com- the many prayers that follow me. stock was wildly avaricious when For months past I have been silent, mining, and as wildly extravagant with unable to speak or understand. God his gold when obtained. He bought has been compelling rest that He may whatever took his fancy, and gave it do His work in me, before He begins away the next minute. His only pleas- to do it thlrough me. But now I have ure seemed to be in the spending of begun in a limited fashion. Yet surely money, and the most of his comrades never has missionary had a more were very much like him in this partic- thrilling introduction to active work. ular." Penrod, who held the title to We have seen the clouds break in this the spring, "sold his claim in the mine land during the past four months, and for $8,500 toward the close of the year, the Lord is pouring out a great rain. and soon spent all his money." Com- First there was the six-weeks'visit to stock, the bombastic boss of the camp, the out-stations when I could do little "two months after the ledge was but administer the sign, and 239 w,ere struck, sold all his interest for ,11,000. baptized. A fortnight afterwards I He loat every dollar he had, wandered started out again to talk in simple fashoff on lonely prospecting tours in Ne- ion with those who desired to make vada and the Rockies, and finally com- profession of faith, and in little more mitted suicide in :Montana." " :Mc- than two weeks I had spoken person- Laughlin (one of the original discover- ally with nearly 500 who came to see ers) sold for $3,500, and a few years me. later was cooking for a gang of men These things compel one to pray, and for forty dollars a month. He died a pauper, and was buried at public to hope. The vision of the coming expense." O'Riley, the other discov- Lord, and the sound of His footsteps erer, "hung on longer than anyone seem 91earer in this time of dawning.
Yours very warmly, DONALD FRASER.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D., OBERLIN, omo.
Extracts and Translations From Foreign our educated people are full of such Periodicals. contradictions.-EvangelueheJj M~na Magazine (quoted in the Chronillle). BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, -" Both the classes I have spoken MASS. about are fond of talking about the Fatherhood of God and the brother- INDIA. hood of men, and assure us that they believe in it as firmly as we Christians -Thousa.nds a.nd thousa.nds in India do. But the sa.me people go almost out now regard Christ as the greatest and of their minds when a conversion to most perfect man that ever lived, but Christianity takes place. Lately, when they continue heathen. They adapt a certain Brahman was converted, they the Gospel to their natural way of excited the mob, and lay in wait for thinking, and in life and character they weeks to murder both him and the remain unchanged. They will not missionary. The intolerance of the make any sacrifice for this ideal Christ, Liberals in India is often not a hair they will give up no heathen custom, better than the dark fanaticism of the however bad, still less will they sacri- orthodox Hindu. All parties are fice money or life. It is remarkable united in this, we will not have this how these people, who often appear so Jesus of Nazareth to reign over us, and hopeful, can not break loose from he who chooses Jesus for his Savior heathendom. They often lead a strange- and Lord does .not deserve to exist. A ly double life. There is a complete Hindu may be an atheist, a. drunkard, cleavage between the education which or a rascal; his friends may be sorry they have received at school and the for it, but it does not separate him from home life, where old tradition reigns. them; but if he becomes a Christian, a There are many who suffer under this gulf opens between them which never double life, others who hardly feel it, can be bridged over. As long as we and never attempt to fit their two points accomplish nothing, they speak of us of view into each other. The same as that noble army of missionaries, man will in the forenoon, in the midst whose courage, self-renunciation, and , of some enlightened companions, de- irresistible power is unique in the ,clare that superstition is the curse of world's history; but if one of them be- India, and that an end must be made of comes converted, then we are 'miserable it; and in the afternoon he will creep proselytizers, narrow-minded Philis- seventy times round a temple, dripping tines.' And to what low abuse the with perspiration, and muttering the polite Hindu can then descend. When names of the gods, in order to get rid a Brahman woman was baptized last of a cold in the chest. Or a man who year in Talacheri, her highly educated is in the middle of a university exami- brother came from Madras and rated nation, and does not know what to sa.y the missionary's wife as one of the on a certain subject, writes several seducers of his sister. When he was pages full of the name of Rama, and answered that no one had seduced his hopes that that will preserve him from sister, but that she had sought and being pluckt 1 A man in a similar po- found peace for her soul in Christ, he sition once wrote to me that he appealed cried in rage: 'Her soul indeed 1 I never to my good heart as a missionary, and observed that she had a soull she is if I would give him the highest num- only a beast!' "-ibid. ber of marks, he would daily worship me as his family god. The lives of
EXTRACTS AND TlUNSLATIONS
-" A remarkable man, named David, We see plainly a long survival of has arisen in Southern India, where so Gnosticism in the statement given to many unusual phenomena spring up. Mr. Schlesch by a Mohammedan, that He goes about preaching the Gospel, before the foundation of the world God and thousands flock around him. India created Mohammed and set him at his has never seen such crowds surrounding side in the form of a brilliant light. a preacher of the Gospel, and especially Mohammed then had manifested hima colored preacher; we hear of 8,000 or self many times on earth, before he was even 10.000 people being present. And finally born as a man. It was by the he has found out that what is essential concurrence of Mohammed in this is that a new spirit should. first of all. luminous form that the earlier prophets come over our native churches, in order spoke, and the Holy Ghost, mentioned that thousands of witnesses should arise in the Acts, is also one of his earlier for their Savior, instead of one. He manifestations. This representation, has recently gone through most of the of course, has not the least foundation great towns of India, and everywhere in the Koran, nor, apparently, in the his message has been with power. •Is authentic Bunna, or Tradition. Yet as there nothing unsound in the move- Mohammed, from sheer ignorance, has ment?' I hear many anxiously ask. fused Judaism and Christianity more We do not trouble ourselves greatly or less with Gnosticism, so the later thereat. We know by experience at Islam has from its doctrinal exigencies, home that, when God sends a blessing, volatilized Mohammed himself into a people spin out discussion about how sort of Gnostic dean. This tendency much per cent. of It is sound and how seems to prevail especially in the Permuch unsound, till all has gone happily man Bhilsm, which is deeply imbued to sleep again, and the question of with the pantheizing tendencies of the soundness often first of all." Aryan race.
-Our native brother Visuvasam, at a HERlIANNSBURG MISSION. late meeting of our mission, exprest his belief that as Paul had declared The present writer recalls, with some that blindness had in part happened to pride, that in 1853, when in Union Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles Seminary, New York, he met with an should come in, so it might be said that account of the launching of the missionblindness had in part happened to the ary ship Candace, by Ludwig Harms, caste people. until the fulness of the and translated it for his fellow-students, Pariahs should have been gathered in. who were not less profoundly inter- To this I was impelled to remark, that ested in it than he. Thirty-four years on the other hand it must be assumed have past, and that modest beginning that the Sudras were the wheel on has broadened out into results beyond which the Hindu community could be all that he and his fellow-students exmoved, and that therefore it behooved pected. In the January number of the us to set our shoulder to the wheel. Allgemeine Mi88WIUJ Zeitschrf/t is a full Missionary Schlesch, in Damk NiB- account of the present state of this siam Blad. mission, by Director Haccius, from which we extract a few facts. These two views, tho antithetical, do not seem to be necessarily opposed. Five years ago the native Christians of the missions numbered 14,799. At It is well known that Mohammed the end of 1896 they numbered 32,015. was very ignorant of both Judaism This increase of 17,216 in five years and Christianity, and that the little implies an average yearly growth of that he did know was largely derived 3,443. This remarkable growth, as from Apocryphal, or even from Herr Haccius, with good warrant, says, Gnostic and Manichean distortions. has been abundantly shown to be no
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
hothouse forcing. It has been sober, have heard that one of the most emi- regular and well advised, above all, nent Congregational ministers and . as respects the instructions required teachers of the United States-we for admission to baptism. Indeed, the ought rather to say the most eminent- Hermannsburg brothers have been once spent a Sunday at Hermannsburg charged with excessive cautiousness in during the lifetime of Louis Harms. this respect. If they have erred at all, At the morning service he was not a it has been on the safe side. They little dismayed at the energy with have a true German and Lutheran dis- which Harms attackt both the doctrinal like of shallowness in religious knowl- and the political opinions to which the edge. The abundant blessing which visitor was devoted, namely Calvinism they have received seems to imply that and Democracy. After ilie second ser- their carefulness has not diepleased the vice, however, he had a private inter- Lord of the harvest. The three mis· view with Pastor Harms, and came sions now occupied are the Zulu. the away from it feeling, as he said, that Bechuana in Africa, and the Telugu he had been conversing with an angel in South India. . of God. No wonder that such a bless- ing follows the work begun by such a The Zulu Mission has 3,170 members, man I 2,357 being communicants. The breth- ren are greatly helped, instead of being, MISCELLANEOUS. as so often in similar relations, thwarted and baffied by the neighboring Euro- -The words, directed from the island pean colonists. These are godly Ger- of Malas to the still inaccessible China: man peasants from our Saxon kinsmen "0 Rock I Rock I when wilt thou of the northern plain of Germany. open ?" commonly ascribed to St. This, it will be remembered, is the Francis Xavier, are not his, tho they original Saxony,. not the middle Ger- fully express his spirit and yearnings. man kingdom, which has, in some way They are actually, it appears, the words (we believe through an early acceptance of his successor, Alexander Valignani, of Saxon dukes), attracted the name visitor General of the Jesuit missions to itself. Of these German colonists in China and Japan. See IJamk Mia- Director Haccius says: "We can not siom-Blad for March, 1896.
forbear acknowledging. with thankful- -The Oalwer MiaBiomblatt relates an . ness, that most of these communities, amusing story. given by a missionary.
by their Christian life, by their living He was at home, and with a friend interest in the services and their love stopped to dinner with a wealthy, for their church, and by the strict childless farmer-pair, who had been morality of their conduct, give a good present at the previous missionary example to the young native congrega- meeting, and seemed much interested tions and to the heathen. How refresh- in it. The missionary's friend informed ing a picture in contrast with the matter him that this couple had formerly been of offense and the scandalous example active and liberal Christians, but had which in other regions is given by of late years seemed wholly taken up colonists; nay, by colonial officials, in money-making. However, they re- who have thereby injured the Chris- ceived the two gentlemen with great tian name and raised the greatest hin- cordiality, took their admonition as to drances to Christian Missions I " the danger of woxldliness in excellent The Bechuana Mission has now 26,- part, and inquired eagerly after addi- 979 members, having more than tional missionary news. At last, when doubled in five years. The number of the farmer chanced to be out of the communicants is 17,100. room, his wife slipped a gold piece into Of the Telugu members there are their hands, whispering: "Take this, 1,866, 1,515 being communicants. We but don't let my husband know, he is so
ENGLISH NOTES
close." When they took leave, the full, altho they are frequently enabled husband went with them a way, and to minister to the spiritual needs while on parting, put a gold piece in their healing the bodies of their many pahands, saying: II Don't let my wife tients. know of this, she is so close." Let us hope that when they found each other There have been one hundred and out they resolved to keep on crucifying fourteen baptisms in connection with the Mammon. C. I. M. since last Christmas, and many probationers are waiting to obey the -It seems, from the MisMim8blatt, that command and follow the example of the first money which Bishop Whipple, the Lord Jesus. after his consecration, received for his Indian missions, in Minnesota and Bapti8t MiBsioMlrll 8ocietll.-Many Dakota, came from negro converts in of the B. M. S. stations in India, north Africa. It is given as "300 marks," of Madras, have been severely affected by the recent earthquake. Telegrams i.' e., about '72. pour in from these stations, and infor- mation by letters is anxiously awaited. English Note& The plight of thousands of the poorer Europeans and Eurasians is pitiable, BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. and many are perishing through ex- posure to the monsoon which is just The China Inland MiBBion has com- beginning. pleted thirty-one years of service among China's millions, and now at the com- The district south of Agra suffers mencement of a new year of loving still most acutely because of the conactivity desires to thank God for His tinued famine. It is estimated that in manifold blessings, and to trust Him Agra alone 2,000 people are daily being for direction in the future. Loving relieved by the Baptist missionaries. kindness has been manifest all along It is important that the suffering peothe line, andfaith is the watchword for ple be helped to help themselves, and the future. A generation has past away to this end different work has been since the "Lammermuir" sailed with organized and divided among the the first missionary band to China, and people. during this time the promises of God have been proved again und again, no A most destructive fire at Russell room left for doubt or disbelief. Kondah has completely destroyed the mission bungalow at that station. In Mr. T. James, writes from Lu-Chau: ten minutes the fire had spread from .. We have many indications that the end to end, and in less than an hour Lord is about to give us a great bless- the whole building and its belongings ing. Just lately five new probationers were reduced to a condition of ashes; were received, and they all seem sincere not a trace of them remained. Some and earnest in their affection for the very valuable manuscripts of Mr. Wil- Lord Jesus. Of the fourteen baptized kinson's, in the Kondh language, were here since we opened in 1890, eight are destroyed. A very heavy loss, as there still with us, four are with the Lord are no other copies existing. and two left by transfer to Ch'ung- K'ing. Weare still a feeble people, -The Anuual meeting of the Women', mostly old and illiterate. Our prayer Missionary .488ociation in connection is that God may raise up some from with the Presbyterian Church of Engamong the young and intelligent. land was held recently in Sunderland. Help us by prayer in all our manifold The Rev. W. L. Mackenzie presided, need." and the church was filled with a sym- pathetic audience. This association has Medical work is very-much blessed completed its eighteenth year, and full and used in China. The doctors en- of hope and faith is beginning another gaged in it find their hands quite
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
year. The labors in China have been ter from the native Governor-General and are being abundantly blest, and was read, ordering the chapel to be the Lord of the living harvest is show- .. opened for worship according to the ing the field laborers how to work for faith of the Independent Protestants in His own glory. Miss Lecky, from connection with the London Mi8sionary Amoy, writes, stating the encourage- Society," the evangelist who read the ment arising from work in the schools letter said, ., I wish you all to join for girls and women. with me in saying' Long live France.' .. To this there was an immediate and In 1889 there was only one school in hearty response, and the people simulthis district-now, in 1897, there are taneously gave their acclamation in three, and about three hundred pupils their own language. It was· perfectly are at the present time being taught in spontaneous and illustrates how the those schools. Malagasy appreciates that simple act of justice on the part of the French Gov- There is never any lack of pupils, the ernment. girls are eager to come into the schools, and the influence is good and becoming A largely attended valedictory meet· widespread. At Chang-poo atone are ing was held on May 25th, at Union two hundred, who have past through Chapel, Islington, to bid farewell to the schools during the last five years. twelve missionaries, six of whom were returning to their respective spheres The Jubilee Mi8sionary Meeting8 of and the remaining six going out for the the PI'68byterian Olturch of England have 1I.rst time. recently been celebrated. Fifty years ago there were only six native Christ- 2he lVorth-~rican Mission.-Mr. ians in the great empire of China-now Reid of Tripoli writes encouragingly of there are 5,000 communicants in the the son of a Sheikh, who is a -teacher small part workt in by tllis mission. amongst the Moslems, who has been coming for some time to him, and who The young people of the various so- now privately professes faith in Christ cieties of Cluistian Endeavor and Sun- and asks prayer that he may have more day-schools have taken up the work in faith. He is entirely dependent on his Formosa, and purpose by God's help to father, who is a prominent Mohammeraise the workers and annual income dan; it is therefore extremely di1ficult needed. for him to make a public stand.
The mission in Wu-ring-fu is like an Mr. J. Edwards and Mr. Mott ate oasis in the desert-all around is dark- continuing the mIssIOnary journey, ness, heathenism, infanticide, crime, preaching the Gospel between Casasuperstition of the grossest kind and blanca and Tangier. The felt need in there this little band of worshipers of this part is very great, and the scarcity the true God are leading lives which of workers is sadly evident. The medwould not do discredit to English icinal part of Mr. Edwards' work opens Christians. a way for him, which would otherwise be a closed door; and from sunrise to Tl18 London Mi88ionary 80ciety.-The sunset preaching and practicing are besituation with regard to the society's ing carried on in full swing. The chapels in 1!Iadagascar scems in some habit of drinking among the Jews of aspects to have distinctly improved. this part is very common, many being Some chapels in the Betsileo province, quite intoxicated early in the morning, that had been claimed by the Jesuit so that by evening the greater number mi.ssi.onaries, have already been restored of Jews are under the influence of to the Protestants. strong drink. To reach these people, the missionaries must work early in In the Monthly Record for July is an interesting account of the reopening of a place of worship which had been taken from the people. When the letthe morning. This has been found ben- penses of 5 persons to go as substitutes; eficial and helpful. but Mr. Champion felt that the Lord called him. When this generoua. old The dry weather which has con- man· found that he could not turn his tinued throughout the months of grandson from his purpose, he paid all spring in Morocco is causing much his expenses while in Africa, and gave suffering amongst the poor. The crops money to the work besides. are failing and there is nothing left over from last year. The news, how- -The Earl of Shaftesbury was a ever, bas just come to hand, that splen- man of high ideals. He wrote in his did rains are falling this week, and it Is diary: "0 God, bless our land to Thy hoped that most of the crops will be service, and make every ship an ark of saved." Noah to bear the Church of Christ and the tidings of salvation over all the THE KINGDOM. waters of the ocean." "Every ship" on "all the waters;" not each carry- -Miss Helen Culver, when she form- ing a converted sailor or two, but each ally handed over to the University of a church of Christ. The Church is mis- Chicago her gift of four biological lab- sions, as a cause contains the reason of oratories, costing $325,000, and an en- its effect. A true Christian has the dowment fund of $700,000, said: missionary spirit by necessary conse- " This is the happiest moment of my quence, and true Christianity abhors life. I believe this money could not the sentiment that sailors are "too bad have been utilized to a nobler purpose to be noticed." Its true motto Is, than to devote it to that science whose "Every sailor for Christ and every object Is to assuage the sufferings of ship a church."-Sailor's Magazine. humanity and to make life endurable and enjoyable here on earth." -In the Dublin Re'Diew, Mr. E. H. Parker, who has served as a consul in -A story is told that when George China, Korea, Burma, etc., approves Selwyn accepted the Bishopric of New the method of medical missions as Zealand, a great ecclesiastical potentate mitigating the contempt exprest for exprest his surprise that one living Europeans. Were he askt, " What under the shadow of Windsor, and shall we missionaries do to save the with every prospect of the highest Eng· souls of the Chinese ?" his reply would lish promotion, was willing to go out be, "Fill your pockets with quinine, to a distant colony. "Perhaps," was stomach-pumps, and eye-ointments." the reply, -Julian Hawthorne, sent to India as "' He hears a voice you can not hear, special correspondent of the Oosmopoli- Which will not let him stay; tan Magazine, says this of the mission- aries there: "They are the only per- He sees a Hand you can not see, sons who know what Is actually going Which beckons him away.''' on in that land of misery, for they go about quietly everywhere, see every- "AllI" said he to whom the words thing, can not be deceived or put off were spoken, I II suppose that is it." the scent by the native subordinates. How infinitely blest above the puerile It was my great good fortune to be elevations of earthly preferment are thrown with the missionaries from the they who are accounted worthy to hear start, and I was able to compare their this Voice, and to see those beckoning methods and knowledge with those of Hands I the government people. "
-One of the pioneer missionaries of -One of the fruits of Li Hung the American Board to the Zulus, was Chang's visit to this country Is an order the Rev. George Champion. His decision to go to Africa came like a thunderbolt upon his grandfather, who offered him all his wealth if he would give it up, or he would pay the exfor 10,000 tons of steel rails for China's converts are added to the mission railroads. This 1irst shipment has been churches e'DM"1lllllllr, and more than 60,- made from the Carnegie Steel Com- 000 missionaries, native and foreign, pany's mill at Braddock, Pa. Japan are engaged in heralding the Glad Tid- has sent an order to the same company ings.
for 5,000 tons of •• T " rails, for light -Two-thirds of all the letters which railroading and horse cars. pass through the postoffices of the -What will Mr. Lummis say for world are written by and sent to peohimself, when he reads this arraign- ple who speak English.
ment in Life and Light from the pen of WOMAN'S WORK. Mrs. Gertrude C. Eaton, missionary in the city named: "We who have lived -A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree, The more they're beaten, the better here for 1ifteen years, who have seen they be.-IndianPr01lerb. such great changes in so short a time, marvel that a man of Mr. Lummis's -Folded within the fragrant bud of keen observation of material things the Crusade movement of 1873-4 was could have deliberately shut his eyes a many-petaled rose, whose gradual to the share that Christian in1iuences effiorescence has revealed a flower of have had in this • Awakening of a wondrous complexity and detail, of Nation.' That he could have become such beauty and perfection as to make so familiar with the streets of Chihua- it the marvel of the closing century's hua, aud yet have ignored completely reform organizations. To persuade the stately church that crowns the men not to drink and not to sell was brow of the hill on the principal street the one method and purpose of the leading,to the Alameda, which he must Crusade Praying Bands; but they sOon have past many times on Sunday learnt that the vice of intemperance Is afternoons, and where he might have correlated with all other vices !.nd seen, any Sunday morning, a company miseries, and that it is deeply rooted in of 125 Mexicans, of all ages, engaged all social, political, and even religious in studying the word of God. We thought and life. The inevitable wonder that in his minute study of the sequence was the II do-everything pol- excellent public schools of our cit.y, he icy" of the Woman's Christian Tem- should not have inquired even for the perance Union, which aims to reach only 2 Christian schools in the place; and cut off every source of supply of that he should not have informed him- the alcoholic habit, and to extend a self and his readers that the 1irst school helping, healing hand to its helpless in the city to introduce modern desks, victims. Of about 50 departments of maps, text-books, and English, now in work which compose the petals of this demand in all the schools, was the mIs- rose of reform, and which are repre- sion school, known as the Oolegio Ohi- sented in the policy of the parent so- huakueme, and that at least four or 1ive ciety, the National W. C. T. 'U. of the schools in the State, where no schools United States, the World's W. C. T.
for girls existed, have been started, and U. has adopted 31. These are grouped carried on by girls educated in the in the general classes: Organization, same school." Evangelistic, Prevention, Educational, -In 1825, or about seventy years Social and Legal.
ago, there were iii connection with for- -An interesting letter about Pundita eign mission churches about 60,000 Ramabai's famine people, publisht in persons, ineluding all then known to The Outlook, mentions that older in- be converts from heathenism. In the mates of her Home in Poona volun- closing years of the century we are teered to mother the little new-comers.
able to count that more than 65,000 "One scrawny mite was adopted by a lassie of fourteen who had herself in -At the recent Christian Alliance infancy been cast out to die. When th& Convention at Old Orchard Beach cash other girls twitted her on the' monkey gifts for missions were received, face' of her portege~, she calmly re- amounting to $71,000, and about 50 plied: 'To adopt a nice and pretty young men and women volunteered for child is good, but to take an ugly one foreign mission service. is love.'" EUROPE. -The Canadian Church Missionary Society have sent Miss Louy Thomas Great Britain.-The Encyclical of to assist Mr. Sadleir in work among the the late Lambeth Conference points out Araucanlan Indians in South America. that-" The Book of Common Prayer Miss Thomas, who has been trained in contains very few prayers for missionary the Deaconess' Home, sailed for Eng- work. It hardly sceIDS to have been land in July and went from there to present to the minds of our great au- Chile. She will be the first South thorities and leaders in compiling that American Missionary supported entirely book that the matter should be in the by the Canadian Episcopal Church. thoughts of every one who calls him- self a Christiau, and that no ordinary UNITED STATES. service should be considered complete, which did not plead among other -The Baptist Missionary Union has things for the spread of the Gospel. 97 stations in heathen lands, and 1,026 Weare beginning, tho only beginning, out·stations; 165 missionaries, all but" to see what the Lord would have us with wives, 102 single women, 24 do. He is opening the whole world to physicians; 283 ordained native preach- our easy access, and as he opens the ers and 822 unordained, with 590 other way, he is opening our eyes to see it, native helpers; 99,564 chqrch mem- and to see his beckoning hand." bers, of whom 5,174 were baptized last year; 1,235 schools with 28,997 pupils. -Great Britain has raised by popu- lar SUbscription $10,000,000 for the re- -The African Methodist Episcopal lief of the starving in India. Such a Church has work in Haiti, Sierra fact is food for Christian optimism. Leone and Liberia, and is represented by 25 ~inisters, 30 teachers, and about -Within a stone's throw of White- 500 church members. chapel, surrounded by some of the very worst slums, stands the largest -The General Missionary Board of school in the world. It is presided the Episcopal Church supports a bishop over by a peer of the realm, tord in China, Japan, Africa, and Haiti, Rothschild, who is regarded with love whose combined staffs number 87 and admiration by every pupil. This clergymen, 8 physicians, besides lay- school educates 3,500 children, belong. readers, catechists, teachers, and Bible- ing mostly to the poorest foreign Jews, readers, to the number of 409. There and has a staff of a hundred teachers. are 973 scholars in boarding-schools It is' well-known that this is Lord and 8,625 in day.schools. The num- Rothschild's pet institution, and that ber of patients treated last year in were it not for his munificent support, the hospitals and dispensaries was the school would be unable to meet its 28,579; 4,600 were under daily in- vast expenditure. Free breakfasts are struction in schools, nearly 1,000 of given every morning to all children whom are in boarding-schools; and who wish to take them, no questions there were held during the year a total being askt. Again, he presents every of 23,174 services of public worship boy with a suit of clothes and a pair of and preaching of the Word of God. boots, and every girl with a dress, and The baptisms numbered 782, and the a pair of boots in the month of April, confirmations 851. near the Jewish Pa!lsover. A second his harness. A well;deserved tribute pair of boots is offered in the month of is paid to his high-toned character, his October to every child wbose boots are great business aptitude, and his largenot likely to last during the approach- hearted catholicity. ing winter. A very popular feature in the school is the savings-bank depart- -The Contineni:.-For Jll&ny years ment, instituted by the kindly presi- Pastor Fritz Fliedner, son of the famdent. In order to encourage habits of ous Kaiserswerth reviver of the order thrift, an interest of ten per cent. per of deaconesses, has been the leading annum is allowed on all savings. missionary of .Protestantism in Spain. Among his successful operations has -The Church Missionary Society been the establishment of a Protestant has medical missions in Egypt and College in Madrid, costing $50,000, East Equatorial Africa, Palestine and which is now under roof and rapidly Persia, Bengal and the Punjab, South approaching completion. This success and Mid-China and British Columbia, hIlS aroused the opposition of the with a total of 1,005 beds, 7,741 in- clericals, and the bishops of Vitoria, patients last year, and 500,874 visits of Santander, Leon and Valencia, together out-patients. with the archbishop of Burgos; have united in a strong appeal to the Govern- -The Twenty-second Annual Re- ment, demanding that this insult to the port of the Mission to Lepers iu Iudia religion of the State.be stopt, and that and the East mentions that more than the noble sacrifices of the people for 200 of the inmates of the di1fllrent leper the preservation of the integrity of the asylums have profest their faith in State be rewarded by such protection Jesus Christ and have been baptized. to their religious rights. At latest There are now over 1000 professing reports the Government has ignored Christians in the various asylums. this appeal.-lndepend6nt. There are about 900 adults and children in the: homes, and about 1,700 in -The" German Students' Union for institutions which the mission aids. Foreign Missions" conventld at Halle, The field of its operations embraces some days in April. Rev. Dr. War- India, Burmah, Ceylon, China, and neck, the newly-elected professor of Japan. The work is steadily increas- the science of missions in the university ing, and a steady income of £6,000 is of Halle, delivered an inapiring address needed to carry it on. on the question, .. Why ought foreign missions to be specially attractive to :'-The Annual Report of the National students? " Missionaries from India, Bible Society of Scotland has been Africa and Greenland were also present issued-a record of excellent service and gave the students interesting talks rendered to the cause of Bible circula- on foreign mission subjects. tion. It tells of 705,610 Bibles, Testaments, or portions, distlibuted by more -The Rhenish (Barmen) Mission than 500 colporteurs and agents in takes rank with the greatest of German 80 different countries of the globe. The organizations, having an income of income – for 1896 was £81,070, an nearly 500,000 marks ($125,000), 80 staadvance of more than £2,000 upon last tions and 168 out stations in South year. The most notable incident of the Africa, the East Indies (Sumatra, report is the retirement of the Rev. W. Borneo, New Guinea), and China; 109 H. Goold, from the secretaryship, missionaries (not including wives), and which he had occupied with distin- 18 UDJll&rried women, 18 ordained naguished ability and acceptance for 86 tives; 10,982 pupils in the schools, years. It is sad now to have to notice 27,464 communicants and 64,817 native his death, so soon after he had put off Christians (adherents). Last year 781 were confirmed. -Even from Russia good news re- can society has accorded during the lating to the Kingdom comes oc.casion- last sixteen years. This help has enally. Thus a friend of the society abled the Russian Bible Society to exnamed, writes from St. Petersburg: tend considerably its sphere of action. " For many years past the British and The propagation of the Scriptures: in Foreign Bible Society, by generous Asiatic Russia was the ardent deBire of activity and earnest prayer, has done a the Russian Bible Society, but the large work in the circulation of the want of means prevented its accom- Scriptures in Russia. The Gospels plishment. Now this has been atand Psalms would not be found in the tained. The colporteurs of the Rushands of the people everywhere as they sian Bible Society have borne the hardare to-day, if it were not for the untir- ships and perils of long journeys ing zeal of this Society. There is a through desert and forest, traveling Russian Bible Society which also through Siberia on horseback or in maintains a very successful work in river boats, across its steppes and along the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, its mighty rivers, visiting not only the but by far the larger share of the labor towns, but also the settlements, gold has from various causes fallen on the diggings, and convict prisons. In this British Society, which every year cir- manner 171,000 copies of the Scriptures culates many thousands of copies of the were distributed in Asiatic RusRia on Gospels throughout the Empire. Con the subsidy of the American Bible Sosidering this, the friends of the Society ciety in the course of sixteen years. will be encouraged by the following The Russian society has sold at a very statement made by an independent in- low price or gratuitously distributed quirer on the subject of religion in Bibles (to the amount of about $1,000 Russia, and lately publisht by him. annually) on the account of the subsidy 'The New Testament is probably in of the American Bible Society. In greater demand there than in any other this manner over 500,000 copies of the part of Europe, except the Protestant Scriptures were sold at reduced prices countries. The Gospels are undoubted- and given away in the period above ly the book dearest to the Russian. It mentioned, in both Asiatic and Eurois to be found in the workingman's pean Russia. room as well as in the peasant's cabin. Those who can read, read it to those ASIA. who can not read for themselves. Every new step gained by popular instruction Islam.-Rev. S. M. Zwemer, misbrings new readers. All that the peo- sionary in Arabia, supplies these cheerple have in the way of religious and ing facts in relation to work among moral training they get there. The Mohammedans :-Dr. Wherry says in influence of the book on the Russian his book on Islam: "In India many soul is not to be denied; in spite of hundreds of the followers of Islam ignorance and superstition the faith of have publicly abjured that faith and the people deserves the name of •evan- been received into the church." Dr. gelical,' if to be that it is enough to be Martyn Clark, of Amsitsar, writes: nourished upon the very marrow of "I should say quite one-half of the the Gospels.' " converts from among the higher classes in the Punjab are from amongst Mos- -The American Bible Society, which lems. Half of the Church Missionary has aided the St. Petersburg Society Society's native clergy are ex-Moslems. for the Propagation of the Holy Scrip- Exact numbers I cannot give you, but tures in Russia, has received a special I believe our next census will be startreport, expressing its high appreciation ling. Never was there such a spirit of of the generous help which the Ameri- inquiry, shakin~ of the dry bones and raging of Satan as nowadays." Rev. St. Clair Tisdall, of Persia, writes: .. Con- flowing by a crowd of English-speakversions from among Moslems are not ing Mohammedans. In North Africa, few. In the Punjab they may be num- a remarkable movement is in progress bered by hundreds, taken from almost amo~g Mohammedans and very many every position in life. In Turkey, a con- have accepted Christ, but I am pled~ gregation was gathered by Dr. Koene, to secresy concerning the particulars. but man after man vanisht-murdered for his faith, no doubt-and was never -The orphanages which have been heard of more. I have myself been established in Turkey seem to be fairly privileged to baptize Moslems of sev- provided for, at least for the present. eral different races; one an Afghan, Many friends from the continent of several Persians, one Turk and not a Europe have contributed liberally for few natives of India." In the C. M. S. the founding of these institutions at Intelligencer, we read of some Moslem different points. Mr. Hubbard, of converts in Persia imprisoned for con- Sivas, writes that in that city there are fessing Christ, and of a company of 5 orphanages, besides 2 at Gurun, con- Moslem women who read the Gospel by taining in all 280 orphans. of whom 230 night for fear of detection. At Bag- are supported by the Swiss committee, dad, there are converted Moslems in at the head of which is Professor Godet the Turkish army reserve, and at of NeucMtel. These Swiss friends Busrah, there is one awaiting baptism. expressly stipulated that the orphan- In Egypt, there have been scores of ages should be under the control of the baptisms, and last year a student at Al American missionaries. – Mia8ionary Azhar University and also a Bey's son Herald. confest Christ. Kamil Abd El Messia, who preacht Christ in Arabia, was a India.-We together, in England and Syrian Moslem convert. I know of others like him whose names, because America, 100,000,000 strong, with the they are stillliTing, it would be unsafe to mention." From Palestine we just same origin, the same history, the same hear that" the mother of the keeper of the Great Mosque at Jerusalem, lis- tongue, the same literature, the same tened to the Gospel attentively and rrpeatedly on hcr dying bed;" and faith, and therefore the same Christother women of the city have also believed. At Delhi, one in the royal commanded duty and 88sured hope, family, a Mohammedan Eurasian lady, was baptized last year. The Imam'of are set over the 300,000,000 of India in the village mosque at Batala and 2 learned Moslems of Bannu'werepublic- the providence of God. ' 1y baptized in the spring of 1896. Rev. Ihsan mlah, a converted Mohamme- -Several of the recent Indian papers dan, held revival services at Peshawur mention the matter of baptism as the last year and baptized 3 Mohammedans. chief test of an inquirer's sincerity. Rev. A_ E. Ball, of Kerachi, baptized The organ of one of the new sects, 2 Mohammedans, brothers, from the which aim at whitewashing the abomi- Khairpur state the same year. At nations of Hinduism, says: "The Bombay, 3 Mohammedan inquirers preachers of the Roman Catholic creed were awaiting baptism last autumn. have now adopted a more liberal line Rev. M. S. Goldsmith baptized 3 Mos- of policy in their conversion work. lems at Hydrabad in 1896, and the 'We have nothing to do with your special services held in that district last caste,' 88y they to the non Christians ; 'we only want to take care of your year were said to be attended to over- soul.' We commend this mode of con- version; and we hope the other Chris- tian sects in the country will follow in the footsteps of the Roman Catholics, and give up the baptidng affair. That sprin~ling of water does more injury to a Hindu than anything else. As long as 110 Hindu does not get himself sprinkled over with •holy water" so answer. Instead, he threw down his long, whatever his beliefs, there is basket and shovel, and away he went every hope of his effecting his escape for the jungle as hard as he could go. from the clutches of the Christians; He was afraid of the white face. Then but when he has once been baptized, they are exceedingly superstitious. I and has eaten with them, his reclama- thought we knew something about suption to the ancestral faith becomes a erstition in England. I have heard comparatively more difficult matter." something about thirteen at table, and spilling salt, but I never knew what sup- -Rev. C. B. Ward, for nearly twenty erstition was until I got to the jungles years a missionary, says: "One of the of Bankura. These people are full Of first things that we see when a famine l!uperstition. Their very religion itself strikes India Is the heartlessness with is nothing but superstition. They have which the heathen forsake their own no idea of a beneficent God. Their children. Some forsake them, thinking only idea of the Omnipotent Father is that If found deserted, it will be this. "Sir, what if that Almighty One thought that they are parentless, and should eat me ? .. That is what a man they will be cared for out of pity by actually said. Of spirits who may some one. Other parents give their work them harm they have any numchildren away, and still others sell ber.-Rev. G. W. OLVER. them for trifies to get something to eat with. One of the saddest sights of the -At Tanjore, in South India, where famine is the hordes of these starving the great missionary Schwartz lies children on the roads, in bazaars, in buried, the Leipzig Society has a large famine camps, and elsewhere. Since congregation worshipping in a fine the missionary came to India, thousands church, and a number of fiourishing of such have found a rescue from death educational institutions. The .. Bible and heathenism at such a time. Not Union of Young Lutherans" is much many of them ever find a hand of like a Y. M. C. A., or a Luther League charity among their own countrymen. of men only. Once every month all It is a dismal comment on the religion the teachers and evangelists of the disof some of the gentlemen who spoke so trict gather at the station to report to loudly over in Chicago a few years ago, the missionary and to be instructed in but facts are grim things. I doubt if it the Word. They are required to decan be shown that in all the famines of vote much time to mental improve- India for the last century, the Hindus, ment. All the teachers are expected . Mohammedans, or other religionists of also to improve their health by taking this land have ever succored 2,000 gymnastic exercise every evening. orphans, but up to date in the present famine that number has been received -The Indian Witnes8 in laudatory into orphanages, and are now being fed terms sets forth the advantages of and cared for by missionaries. I doubt the Wellesley Girls' High School at not before this year shall end, there Naini Tal, the Darjeeling School, the will be need that 10,000 be taken and High School at Cawnpore and Rancared for by missionaries or be left to goon, Burma. Such a resume gladdens die or grow up to worse if by chance patrons at home. they live." -The Lutheran Mission (General -It is ditlicult to get hold of a Synod) at Guntur, has recently opened Santal, because he iS6xceedinglytimid. a hospital at a cost of nearly $20,000 The first time I was travelling along for building and appointments. Of one of the jungle roads I called to a this sum Hindu and Mohammedan man who was tilling his field, and friends contributed $2,500. askt him the way, but did not get an -The whole of North India from the upper Ganges to A.ssa~ was rudely right, mister, you won't disturb me in shaken by the recent earthquake, said the least; you talk away and I'll stay to be the worst of the century. Tho outside here." For a while all was various missions suffered greatly the well tUl another stranger appeared who Welsh Mission in the Khasi Hills seems evidently had not breakfasted to his to have been most damaged. For it is satisfaction, for he at once proceeded stated that .. Every building belonging to purchase, and called aloud to !1 to the mission is in~ ruins and all the friend within the chapel to join him in churches built by the native Christians, eating fried cakes. This settled the many of which were large and built of business, for cakes and their owner stone with corrugated iron roof, are in were at once ordered off the premises. the same condition. The same is true The sermon is 8gain under way when of the station in Sylhet. The cost of an ominous scratching and the smell of erecting the buildings which have been sulphur from one of the back corners levelled was not much if anything gives warning of an intended smoke. under two lakhs of rupees. Besides all That too is nipped in the bud-the inthis scores of pukkha houses belonging tention-and again the sermon proto the native Christians have shared the ceeds. A little later another man same fate. There is hardly a stone comes in who recently lost his mother left upon a stone in the whole of the by death and so at once he proceeds to Khasi and Naintia Hills district, every prostrate himself before the preacher. building, both private and public, -Presbyterian Rec<ml. being in ruins. It would be difficult te exaggerate the extent of the damage -A campaign has been begun by done. It is marvellous that the mor· the Christians against the educated tality is so small. But as far as build- classes of China-a battle not with the Ings are concerned the mission is just sword, but with 25 letters. It Is well where it was when it began operations known what !l. difficult task it is to fifty.six years ago." learn to read and write even a small part of the 40,000 Chinese characters. Cbina.-In the Celestial Empire The various missions in China have there are medical missionaries as fol- long striven to Introduce the Roman lows: There are 100 male and 50 fe- alphabet, but these letters are awkward male physicians, 150 male native medi- to the Chinese, who are accustomed to cal students and 30 female students, 71 write with a paint brush and Indian hospitals treating many thousands of ink, and those who have learned writpatients, and the physicians attending ing in our Christian schools do not tind yet other thousands at their homes; it easy to get firm paper, pens, and ink. 'and 111 dispensaries, in which over Lately Mr. Wong, the pastor of the 223,000 patients are treated. About self-supporting Chinese church in Hong $70,000 was spent in medical work Kong, a brother of our ordained helper last year. Wong, has invented a new alphabet which, like the Chinese signs, can be -Last Sabbath's service had more written on Chinese paper with paint than the ordinary number of interrup- brush and Indian ink. Many of the most tions at Chang-te.Fu. The preacher distinguisht Chinese Christians build had scarcely announced his text when great hopes on the introduction of this before the open door appeared a fried character. They think the people will cake pedlar, evidently desirous during soon find out that they can learn it in a a lull in business of hearing what was very short time, they will no longer being said. He was promptly askt to need the old complicated signs, and go elsewhere to conduct his business the Confucian schools wbere these are where he would not disturb the meet- taught will become deserted. Tbus ing. He coolly replied," That's all the influence of the half-educated were New Testaments in excellent heathen teachers will fall away, the binding. Some 210 colporteurs were worship of Confucius will dwindle, and at work, giving either a part or the the study of his writings will be left to whole of their time, and they made the learned. School books and Christ- very effective means for the evangeliian tracts are to be immediately printed zation of the people. in the new character and circulated among the people.-Berichtt! der -The Basle Society will shortly RMiniahen MiBBiona Ge8eZlBchaft. celebrate the jubilee of its fifty years' work in China. The fouuder of its -Dr. O. L. Kilborn writes from Chinese mission, Herr Lechler, in spite Chen-tu: "Following a good Chinese of his seventy-three years of age, is custom, we have during this hot weath- still in the mission field and comparaer placed at our compound gate a tively vigorous, along with his wife. large crock. It takes two large pails The mission was preserved in the midst of tea to fill it, and it is usually filled of serious dangers during the troubles twice in the day. The passing poor resulting from the Chinese war, withman, laborer, or carrier, toiling under out the loss of any life, tho the mission his heavy load, stops to refresh himself station of Moilim was plundered by the with a drink ~f tea. And, while rebels. drinking, he often reads the Christian tracts pasted on the wall immediately AFRICA. before him." According to his diary, Brother Nye -The Quarterll(M888age (Episcopal), of the Congo Balolo Mission has a says: We have received from Mr. and varied experience. He is at Lulanga, Mrs. Felix R. Brunot, two devoted busy at brick-making, carpentry. friends of missions, the sum of $13,000, blacksmithing, housebuilding, etc., tor the purpose of building and endow- etc.• and realizes the "need of paing a Home for Lepers in connection tience." For example, a rubber with the medical work of our mission steamer stays the night at the landing, in China. The Home is to be estab- and the Belgian officer is entertained in llsht at Ngan-king, on the Yang-tse the mission house, and is apparently river, about midway between Shanghai interested in the worship and service of and Hankow. Dr. Edward M. Merrins praise, at which he is present. The 25 is already stationed at Ngan-king_ soldiers who accompany him are This generous gift is made with the allowed· to sleep in the brick-making devout wish .. that the blessing of our shed; but in the morning, after they Heavenly Father may rest upon the have gone, it is discovered that they Home that shall be erected for our suf- overturned the board upon which the fering fellow-creatures. " tiles he is drying were put preparatory to burning as an experiment, and all are -The British and Foreign Bible smashed save two I He says they had Society distributes throughout the been having a Bible reading that morn- Chinese-Empire the Bible in classical ing about the possibilities of a life un· Mandarin, 10 colloquial, Kalmuck, distracted by outward circumstances, Mongolian and Tibetan languages. and here was a test I Oh, theSe broken Last year some 540,000 books were tiles I "I did feel annoyed about it printed; 366,000 books were put into after all the trouble I had taken. It is circulation, of which 358,000 were sold, hard at these times to smile and feel and 8,000 given away. The books are happy_" Certainly; and much harder nearly always sold at a price to pay for on the Kongo, amid the nerve·strain of the paper, and it was an indication of fever and climate, than it would be at the remarkable progress of Christianity home. An attempt to vary our diet by that last year no fewer than 11,000 fish is equally unsuccessful. "I only caught one," writes Mr. Nye: "the forward as fit and proper persons to be fish were too artful for me and received as full members of the church, would keep sneaking the bait, and I who cannot read a verse of the New could not feel the bite, so I gave it up Testament, and are often otherwise as a bad'job." utterly unworthy. Whilst money is pretty easily earned, and comparatively -An English Weslayan missionary plentiful, and often squandered on the writes: We have in Johannesburg a merest trifles, the support of the relignative church that will seat 1,000 ion which they are so eager ,to profess people, and on a Sunday, as we enterthe is a thing which they are very slow building, it will be full. There will to take in as a Christian duty. Anothonly be about 30 women there, the rest er most unsatisfactory thing among will be young men,and half of them will professing Christians is the utter indifbe men who have come there to learn- ference which exists with regard to the heathen men, unbaptized men. The education of their children.-O. M. S. service has to be conducted in three languages-Dutch, Susutu, and Zulu. Ohronicle. We begin with a hymn in the Zulu language, follow with a prayer in Su· -English Friends are opening an sutu. and then the Lord's Prayer in Zulu industrial mission on the island of and Susutu. First, the congregation Pemba, off the east coast of Africa. join in Susutu. Then we have a hymn This mission is under the care of their in the Susutu language, and after that Meeting for Sufferings, and Theodore the lessons are read-1irst of all in Burtt and Herbert Armitage have the Dutch, then in Susutu, and then in the management of it. This mission is for Zulu. Then we have another hymn in the benefit of the 140,000 slaves living the Zulu language. Let us take a there who have recently been set free. service when a Zulu man is preaching. Twenty thousand dollars is the esti- We have him in the centre. He mate for the Initial expenditures of the speaks, and on the right of him is a work, of which $15,000 have, been conman who speaks Susutu, and on the tributed. This is a new field, but one left of hiIp. a man who speaks Dutch. of much promise. As he speaks in the Zulu, sentence by sentence, it is taken over-1irst of all -Rev. H. Bleicken, of the Leipsic by the man speaking S~sutu, and then Society, on his long journey from the by the man speaking Dutch, and thus coast of East Africa to the region of through three tongues the Word is snow-capt Kilima Njaro, and while delivered to the people. sleeping in his tent on the banks of the Pangani river, was suddenly awak- -Self-denial in any shape or form is ened by the furious barking of his dog. a very rare quality among the Bechu- Rising quickly, he saw a huge body anas. The grati1ication of the appe- turn away from the tent and plunge tites and passions of their animal into the river. A crocodile had innature is, alas, all too prominent every- tended to make his acquaintance. The where. Great as is the value they set evening before, while resting in the upon a profession of religion, and upon door of his tent, he was watcht by a being full members of the church, the leopard hiding in the grass near by. low estimate which they have of the The beast was suddenly ronsed and importance of such a profession, and of slunk away. the qualification demanded by it, is most painful to contemplate. Deacons -R. J. D. McAlister has lately reand other prominent members of our turned from Uganda and writes: Bicychurches have no hesitation Of shame cles are seen every day in the streets, in bringing young men and women and one of the missionaries has ridden all the way from the coast to Mengo on a pneumatic-tyre machine. This is certainly a remarkable trip, as he per- the Church of Rome have adopted the formed the entire journey in about version and have publisht an edition of three weeks. The matter of communi· the Gospel of Matthew, with some cations is one of the highest importance slight ,modifications, for use among and rapid strides are being made in their own catechumens and converts, this direction. The railway has now with numerous woodcuts and a' few advanced some 60 or 70 miles into the notes. The text of the Gospel occu-. interior, and on my way down I was pies 107 pages of the volume, and is enabled to travel in a comfortable 1irst- substantially that pUblisht by Dr. Hiram class carriage to Mombasa, along an Bingham in his edition of 1880. Of excellent line at a speed of 20 miles an the changes which have been made, hour. The line is being built on a some are due to a different system of thoroughly permanent basis, and excel- transliterating foreign words, a few to lent stations are being constructed. the adoption of a different textual There are 2 trains daily, each consisting reading, and many are of no account. of first and third-class carriages, and at "Father Edwlrd," the responsible lIombasa, which is the terminus, the editor, appears to be a careful scholar station consists of a series of fine stone familiar with lhe original Greek, and buildings with a large acreage of Jines earnestly desirous of supplying the and goods yards. The trains are Gilbert Islanders with the means of acalready being used by caravans, and quiring a knowledge of the Gospel. It the distance to Uganda is being re- is reported that 5,000 copies of this duced daily. Until the line gets within volume has been taken to the islands, a short distance of the Lake, the cost together with 3,000 copies of a book of of transport is too heavy to allow of Bible stories based upon a life of any great agncultural development, Christ, and other elementary works. but meantime the experiment of coffee- His adoption of Dr. Bingham's transplanting is proceeding satisfactorily. lation is an unlooked-for testimony to Another grcat development in the Pro- the fidelity of the version which the tectorate is the completion of a splendid Bible Society is now supplying, and wagon-road, right from the coast to which is not limited to a single Gospel, Uganda. This is now in full working or- but embraces the entire Scriptures of der, and before I left bullock-wagons had the Old and New Testament.-Bible arrived on the Lake shore. This will Society Record. not shorten the journey, but it permits of the transport of heavy material, -The newspapers announce a conmachinery, etc. Captain Sclater is tribution to the Mansion House Indian now preparing to take up by bullock- Famine Fund of £844 from Fiji. Let wagon from Mombasa a new screw- the fact be noted, and its significance steamer of 70 tons, for service on the be taken to heart. Sixty years ago, at Lake. the time of Her Majesty's accession to the throne, the entire Fiji group was ISLANDS OF THE SEA. inhabited by pagan cannibals. Its heathen darkness was unbroken by any Te Evagkerio Are Tapu. The Gospel ray of Christian religion or civilization. of St. Matthew in the language of Two Wesleyan missionaries, who had the Gilbert Islands. Printed at the already labored for some years in the Pontifical Press in Freiburg, Ger- Friendly Islands, had landed on the many, with the imprimatur of the island of Lakemba a few months pre- Archbishop, 1895. viously, and were the first messengers of the Gospel to the Fijian people. It is the unexpected that happens. The Missionary Report of the follow- The American Bible Society having ing year (1838) speaks of "that distant undertaken fo publish the Bible in the language spoken on the Gilbert Islands in the central Pacific, the authorities of part of the world, which, on account of small. It is true we stm meet with the peculiarly ferocious character of its opposition. The heir to the chiefinhabitants, is as yet but little known taincy came one day into one of our to Europeans. Before the sailor and schools, and said with an arrogant and the merchant will dare to frequent spiteful look, 'I hate to see these those" now inhospitable shores, the mis- Christians teaching anything.' This is sionary must prosecute his labor of natural, for this fine young prince love amidst privations and hardships; cares for nothing but brandy and evil and when he shall have' succeedcd in ways. Yet God's Pentecost will come ~aming and humanizing the people, to this region some day, and I see signs Fiji may then become what the once of it already."-Norslc MiBBionatitknde. savage New Zealand has already been made by a course of missionary labor -The Honolulu Friend publishes a and suffering-a place of safe resort." letter from Henry Nanpei showing a change of policy on the part of the -The natives of the island of Papua Spanish Government relative to ~ur have no concern about gold, silver, and missionary work on the island of Ponbimetalism. They have the single rum ape. Last October the Morning Star standard. The basis of barter and ex- entered one of the harbors and the change in arrack (Java rum), one-half missionaries on board were allowed to gallon of which is reckoned equal to land for the first time since 1890. one day's work at fishing or rattan cut- Crowds of their old friends met Mrs. ting. No money is used. When the Logan and Miss Foss at the wharf. native Papuan receives his rum salary, '( You cannot imagine," writes the nahe and his family drop all other occu- tive evangelist, " how delighted our poor pations, and devote every energy to its people were to shake hands with and consumption. The resulting stupefac- be embraced by those good people tion lasts for days, but, on recovery, whom they never expected to see again the family cheerfully proceeds by per- on Ponape." Captain Garland and his severing industry to acquire more rum. associates paid a visit to the governor, Of course, in a country where there is who has shown such kind consideration 100,000 gallons of rum to every mis- for the Christians on the island, and sionary, civilization makes slow pro- they were received and entertained gress. with the utmost courtesy. The gover- nor visited the Morning Star in com- -The Sultan of Johore has made a pany with Henry Nanpei and brought grant to Rev. J. A. B. Cook, one of ashore three cases of New Testaments the Presbyterian Church of England's in the Ponape language. It is a nota.- missionaries at Singapore, of a plot of ble fact that many of these books were land 300 acres in extent, for the purchased by Spanish officers. purpose of a Christian Chinese settlement. The grant is for 999 years. -The MiBsionary Herald has seldom given a more remarkable story than that -In spite of the troublous times in told by Mr. Price in his journal of the Madagascar, the Norwegian Missionary tour made in November last through Society is able to report progress from the Mortiock group. Here are separits West Coast Mission. "We have ate islands, with no resident missionary had a fruitful year and great peace," upon them, where gross heathenism writes missionary Fagereng from Tul- has been dominant, but the Spirit of lear. "The people have been more God has wrought upon the hearts of well-disposed. Many new places have these islanders and transformed the sobeen occupied during the year and sup- cial life of many of these little complied with schools. The church at- munities. No less than 5011 were retendance has been good, and the ceived into the churches of the islands church at the station has often been too during this tour, while the reception of others wail postponed til! after further testing.
The Missionary Review of the World — August 1897
VIRGIN OF ANDACOLLA AND HER
(2) THE PILGRIMS IN THE CATHEDRAL PLAZA, (1) THE IMAGE OF THE VIRGIN. (3) THE PRIESTS AND CACIQUE AT THE CEREMONIES. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOL. XX. No. S.-Old 8'erie8.-AUGUST-VoL. X. No. 8.-N6UJ;&rie8.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF-CENTURY.- ORGANIZATIONS OF CHRISTIAN YOUNG PEOPLE.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-OHIEF.
No human progress is either rapid or regular, potent, or permanent for good, which does liot, in sonie way, educate and elevate the youth of the race. The salt that heals the waters must be cast in the springs where the rills rise and whence the rivers flow.
Childhood has been well compared to a mirror, catching and reflecting the images of whatever surrounds it-a reflector as sensitive to impression and injury as the· metallic mirrors of the ancients. .It would be as irrational carelessly to spray water, or,worse still, a corro': sive acid on a polishtsteel surface, and expect to efface the rust to which no scouring will remove, as to expose· childhooil needless contact with evil, and expect to find no lasting injury left upon the delicate susceptible nature. Youth is the time for making deep and wholesome impressions, as well as for guarding character from hijury! What a golden age of opportunity for teaching-for engrafting lessons from that best of books, that unique child's book-the Bible! The German proverb quaintly says that (C what Johnnie does· not learn, John never learns." The mind of youth "receives like wax, but retains like marble."
It is a grand thing, therefore, early to turn the youth of a country to the highest and noblest ideals, to inspire what Schopenhauer would call the will. to live, and what Nietzsche would call tIM will to be a power. To will to live unto God, and to be a power for God and good, that is the mainspring of a great, grand, heroic soul. We can excuse an excess of zeal and jealousy for God, but we can not excuse vicious excesses, or even apathy toward goodness. Better a violent torrent than a stagnant pool, for the torrent, once controlled, is made a force for good,but a pool is always and only a poisonous breeder of malaria. David Brainerd was expelled from college for telling a. tutor that he had no more grace than the chair he sat in, but Brainerd became one of the saintliest missionary heroes of his country.
of • This periodical adopts the Orthography the following Rule, recommended by the joint actlon of the American Philological Association and the Philological Society of Eugland :-Change d or ed 1IDal to , when so PlOAOWlced, except when the e deets a p!'CCediDg IIODnd.-l'wILIIIallM.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
It is obvious that, without some work of God, especially among the young, we should not have had the existing state of intelligence and earnestness in any departments of service to God. A recent writer* says: "With reluctance and sorrow it must be confest that the majority of Oxford and Cambridge undergraduates are without, or profess to be without, any religious beliefs at all. There are, of course, many exceptions. Exceptions, however, they remain; certainly the greater number are Gallios so far as the Church is concerned." Do these two facts-that our modern university life is so largely tinctured with German rationalism, and that so many skeptics and agnostics are issuing from university halls-stand related as cause and effect? If so, then the influence of German thought on our educationa] life is deplorable. But, bless God, there are educators that have been men of faith, and they have raised up children of faith, a faith larger, more intelligent, and more manly than that which was before it. The Scudders, Dwights, Hodges, Uphams, Waylands, Judsons, Osgoods, Stevensons, Spurgeons, Cairns, Flints, Wattses, Storrs, Christliebs, Candlishes, Bernards, Liddons, have not been headmasters of schools of sickly skepticism. "We correctly test the soundness of a system of thought by its unforced tendencies in the minds of studious young men, for a teacher is better known by the beliefs and lives of his pupils than by the manner of man that he himself seems to be. A tree is known by its fruits."
Family life also, before the public-school and college touch the young man or woman, must look well to the child-life and its development. It has been well said that the feeling with which one administers punishment will generally excite in the child a corresponding experience. If you bring anger, anger will be excited; if you bring affection and sorrow, you will find the child responding in sorrowful feelings; if you bring moral feelings, the child's conscience will answer back again.
Here in the household the first impressions for good or evil are received. The absence of discipline is criminal, for it implies an uuformed character; but the spirit in which discipline is admonisht may go far to prevent true benefit from resulting.
And woe be to the church that has no warm bosom for the young! The statistics of conversion have frequently been gathered, and these are the approximate results as taken from one careful report. Out of a thousand Christian people, the following is the classification as to the age at which they were converted: 20 years and under _________ 695 Over 40 and up to 50 ____ ___ 19 Over 20 and up to 30 _______ 208 Over 50 and up to 60 _______ 6 Over 30 and up to 40 _______ 69 Over 60 and up to 70 _______ 2 Over 70 and up to 75_______ 1 These figures show that only 305 of the 1,000 were converted after * The Nineteenth Century, October, 1895, .. The Religion of Undergraduates." the age of 20; only 97 after the age of 30; only 28 after the age of 40; only 9 after the age of 50, and only 3 after the age of 60.
The earliest age at which conversion occurred was four years, as was the case with a noted minister well known over all the world. The most advanced age at which conversion took place, according to this writer's knowledge, was 75, and the longest time spent in the Ohristian life was found to be 80 years.
The average age at conversion is 19t in this thousand list. What an argument against procrastination ~nd in favor of remembering the Oreator in the days of youth.
In view of such facts and considerations, it is quite inconceivable that God could be controlling the stupendous movements of modern history, and yet no arousing and arising of the young men and women of Ohristian lands be included in his plan.
What do we find? A development and organization of the forces of youth never before known or imagined in history. It seems as tho God, foreseeing the last great Armageddon at hand, had brought forward his reserves-the immense batallion of young men and women -never before massed on the battlefield of the ages! And this amazing development has mostly been the product of the last fifty years.
Some of the facts, however familiar, demanded a rehearsal as a part of this striking history.
Let us_begin with the Young Men's Ohristian Association. This we may pass b~iefly in review, as its history is so well known, and is so fresh in mind from the recent Jubilee celebration in 1894. Sir George Williams, its founder and father, still lives, and tells the simple story of its humble beginning. A little more than fifty years ago, he, a young man of about twenty-one, spoke to another young man about his soul; this conversation led to other like approaches; then to a meeting for mutual edification, Bible study, and united prayer; then to an organization of young men for these purposes in what is now the great mercantile house of Hitchcock, Williams & 00., in London; then to other similar organizations in other mercantile houses, and then to a meeting of their representatives, and the formation of a Y. M. O. A. for the city of London. A thought so manifestly of God could not be hid or confined within narrow bounds. It proved contagious-it spread across the sea, it became the seed thought of such associations over all the English-speaking world; it reacht out to the continent of Europe; it sent out its branches round the globe, until now the aggregate membership of the Y. M. O. A. is numbered by millions, and there is not a prominent land or nation, Ohristian or heathen, which has not a representative organization of young men belonging to the world-wide fellowship. Its conventions have past city, state, and national limits, and have become international and cosmopolitan. Here is an astounding modern development. Never before have yonng men been thus brought to the front, united in Bible study and Christian work, magnifying the essentials of Christian faith and fraternizing in forgetfulness of lesser divergencies, aiming specifically at the reclamation of young men.
To this organization may be directly traced the origin of the Young Women's Christian Associatiou, the United States Christian Commission,-so active in the late war for American unity, and especially that college association work which has already given us the Student Volunteer Missionary Union, and started the new crusade in missions. All this and more within the half century! Well may we exclaim, What hath God wrought!
This Student Volunteer movement, which began at Mt. Hermon, Mass., in 1886, now but ten or eleven years old, has enrolled probably nearly 10,000 young men and women in its ranks from the beginning until now, and has sent nearly one-tenth of its recruits to the field. At this date the membership in Great Britain reaches about 1,400, and between 300 and 400 are already engaged in mission work. A memorial from this body of students is now before the missionary secretaries and the ministers of Christ in Britain, praying them to unite in supplication to God that the lack of gifts may not be suffered to hinder their going forth to the field! Surely this is a new development, when the young men and women, who offer for missionary service, entreat the church not to embarrass their work for the lost race of man by withholding money from the treasuries of God.
What shall be said of the Youn.q People's Society of Christian Endeavor'! Rapid as has been the spread of the Y. M. C. A., the Y. P. S. C. E. outruns it. We have held our breath as we have seen this latest boom of the great organizations of youth outstrip all competitors in the race and encircle the world.
Let Rev. F. E. Clark, D.D., the President of the United Society, tell his own story of the origin of this movent, now not yet seventeen years old. We give Dr. Clark's words, with a little condensation: In the winter of 1880-81 a revival spirit visited the Williston Church, of Portland, Maine, and many young people gave their hearts to God. The pastor and older church members, naturally anxious concerning these young disciples, felt that great wisdom and care was necessary to keep them true to the Savior during the first critical years of their discipleship. The problem weighed heavily upon their minds, for they felt that neither the Sunday.school, nor the church prayer-meeting, nor the young people's prayer-meeting, tho all well-sustained admirable in their way, were sufficient to hold and mold the Christian character of these young converts. There was a gap between conversion and church membership to be filled, and all these young souls were to be trained and set at work. How should these things be done? These were the pressing problems. After much prayer and thought, the pastor invited the recent converts and young church members to his house, February 2, 1881, and, after an hour of social intercourse, presented a constitution, previously drawn up, of the" Williston Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor." This is essentially the same as that adopted by the great majority of Societies of Christian Endeavor at the present day.
Some three years later, at the request of one of the national conventions, with the aid of Rev. S. W. Adriance, the writer revised the constitution and framed the by-laws, adding various committees as they now appear in the" Model Constitution." But the lJssential features of the work were in the first constitution: the definition of the object, the two classes of members, the" prayer-meeting pledge" (the most important part of the constitution), the consecration or experience meeting, the roll-call, the provision for dropping members, and the three main eommittees, are provisions which are all found in the first constitution.
Thus the Society of Christian Endeavor, born of a revival, was the outcome of a real, felt necessity of tra.ining and guiding aright the young Christians who might otherwise stray away. It was a mere experiment, in the first place, and little credit is due to the originator, except for an effort to train his own young people in the Christian life, an effort always made by every true pastor. To his delight, and somewhat also to his surprise, nearly all the young people who assembled at his house, on the 2d of February, signed the constitution containing the stringent prayer-meeting clause, and they li1J(Jd up to it. The young people's meeting took a fresh start; the spiritual life of the members was intensified; their activities were very greatly enlarged; and, so far as they were concerned, the problem of leading them to confess Christ with their lips, of setting them at work and keeping them at work, seemed to be solved. When that pastor also found that in many other churches the same efforts accomplisht the same results, he began to feel that the hand of the Lord was in it.
The first knowledge of this experiment given to the world was contained in an article publisht in the Oongregationalist, of Boston, in August, 1881, entitled " How One Church Cares for its Young People." This article, and others whicll followed it, at once brought letters from pastors and Christian workers in all parts of the country. First they came singly, then in pairs, and then in scores, almost every day, and they have kept coming, in constantly increasing numbers, ever since. One of the first pastors to introduce this system of Christian nurture among his young people was Rev. C. A. Dickinson, then pastor of the Second Parish Church of Portland, and no small share of the success of the movement has been due ever since to his wisdom and counsel. The first society in Massachusetts was establisht in Newburyport, Mass., by Rev. C. P. Mills, in the same year that the movement originated. He has also ever since been one of the stanch friends of the cause; while another gentleman, who soon threw himself into the movement with characteristic energy, was Rev. James L. Hill, then of Lynn. The first President of the United Society, Mr. W. J. Van Patten, of Burlington, Vt., was one of the first to recognize the potency of the movement. The first man who signed the constitution, at his pastor's house, on that winter evening in 1881, was Mr. W. H. Pennell, teacher in the Williston Sunday-school of a large class of young men. He took this step, perhaps, as much to help his boys as for any other reason. The national convention honored his early devotion to the work by choosing him for three successive years its President.
So far as careful search reTeals. the distinctive features of the Christian Endeavor movement. the strict prayer-meeting pledge, the consecration meeting, the roll-call, the variety of committee work, and the duties of these committees, are characteristic of this organization alone.
Thus, at first, the Society of Christian Endeavor grew apparently as it were by chance. Wherever one of the winged seeds of information was wafted, it usually I struck' and took root, and a little Christian Endeavor plant was the result; or, as some one wittily exprest it, 'The Society was contagious, like the measles; if one churcn had it, the church next to it was pretty sure to catch it also.'
For some years little was done in a systematic or organized way to estab- lish societies. One of the first developments of the new work was naturally in the line of annual conventions. Those interested were not content to work out the problem for themselves, they must come together and tell each other what great things the Lord had done for them. The first of these conferences was held June 2d, 1882, in the Williston Church, Portland, Maine. But six societies were recorded then. In these were 481 members, the Williston SoCiety leading off with 168.
The Second Annual Conference was held in Portland, June 7, 1883. A large growth over the preceding year was noted, tho statistics were obtained from only fifty-three societies with 2,630 members. Of these fifty-three societies the report says five were organized in 1881, twenty-one in 1882, and twenty-seven in the first five months of 1883, showing what an impetus to the work was given by the little convention of the year before. Seventeen of these societies were found in Maine, eleven in Massachusetts, forty-one in all New England; while of the other twelve, five were in New York, and the rest scattered throughout the West, a very large one being found in Oakland, Cal. After this convention the society grew rapidly and steadily, but did not call another national convention until October 22, 1884, when it convened in Lowell. This was a two days' session, and a large, enthusiastic meeting.
By the time the national convention of 1885 met, July 9th and 10th, at Ocean Park, Maine, the society had grown to embrace 253 smaller societies, with 14,892 members in all parts of the country. They had. begun to be reported in foreign lands also, even in Foochow, Honolulu, and other mission fields. From this convention the work received a marvellous impulse, and everywhere the churches began to establish societies. In 1887, at the Saratoga convention, Dr.
Clark was chosen President of the United Society, and editor of Christian Endeavor literature; he, in the following autumn, resigning the pastorate of Phillips Church, Boston, to accept the position. .
Unions existed. by the year 1888, in nearly all the States of the Union, and local unions in hundreds of places; and under the blessing of God, the one society of 1881 has grown to the myriads of the present time, with their hundreds of thousands of members in America, and many added thousands in Great Britain and all missionary lands. _ In his letter of acceptance the president of the United SOCiety formulated certain principles which he presented to the societies as conditions on which he accepted their call. These principles, adopted by many influential State con· ventions and local unions, may fairly be considered the platform on which the society stands, and are therefore here embodied: PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES.
"1st. The Society of Christian Endeavor is not, and is not to be, an organization independent of the church. It is the CHURCH at work for and with the young, and the young people at work for and with the CHURCH. In all that we do and say let us bear this in mind, and seek for the fullest cooperation of pas· tors and church officers and members in carrying on oUI work. The Society of Christian Endeavor can always afford to wait rather than force itself upon an unwilling church.
"2nd. Since the societies exist in every evangelical denomination, the basis of the union of the societies Is one of common loyalty to Christ, common methods of service for Him, and mutual Christian affection, rather than a doctrinal and ecclesiastical basis. In such a union all evangelical ChristilUlS can unite without repudiating or being disloyal to any denominational custom or tenet.
"3d. The purely RELIGIOUS features of the organization shall always be PARAMOUNT. The Society of Christian Endeavor centers about th~ prayer-meet- ing. The strict 'prayer·meeting pledge,' honestly interpreted, as experience has proved, is essential to the CONTINUED success of a Society of Christian Endeavor.
, '4th. Tho Society of Christian Endeavor sympathizes with temperance and all true moral reforms, with wise philanthropic measures, and especially with missions at home and abroad; yet it is not to be used as a convenience by any organization to further other ends than its own.
"5th., The finances of the Society shall be managed economically, in accord· ance with the past policy of the Board of Trustees, and the raising of funds to support a large number of paid agents or Christian Endeavor missionaries, either in connection with the United Society or the State Unions, is not contemplated. In winning our way, we can best depend in the future, as in the past, upon the abundant dlssemmination of our literature, and on the voluntary and freely given labors of our friends, rather than upon the paid services of local agents.
"The expenses of the central office will be largely for the publication of litera· ture and for the expenses of our General Secretary in the :field. In raising very large sums, and employing many agents for whose work the United Society will be responsible, and yet which it can not to any great extent control, we shall run the risk of losing the sympathy of the churches, There is little danger that the society will not grow with sufficient rapidity, if every member does his best to make known our principles. Let it be our chief concern that our growth shall be as strong and substantial as it is rapid. In all State and local work the society can best rely upon the zeal and generosity of its friends, hundreds of whom, both laymen and ministers, are willing freely to lend their aid to our cause.
"6th. The State nnd local unions and the individual societies and members will hcartily uphold the United Society, its officers and trustees, with their sym· pathies and prayers (and their material support so far as necessary), and hamper. ing and destructive criticism of well·meant efforts are not deemed accordant with Christian Endeavor principles."
As it is important that this historic review should bring the story of this remarkable movement down to present date, we may add a. few brief items that serve to complete the record.
In 1884, the first Junior Endeavor Society was formed. In 1888, Dr. Olark made a journey to Eugland, and planted the Ohristian Endeavor Society in Britain. "Ohristian Endeavor Day," the society's anniversary, first became a fixture during this year. In 1892, the convention was held in New York Oity, and attended by 35,000, with a larg9 representation from foreign lands, Hindus, Ohinese, and native Africans being among the speakers. Within a few weeks after this convention, Dr. Olark, with his wife and son, set out on a round·theworld journey, both to start new branches and to study the conditions to which the Endeavor Society must adapt itself, and its capacity and adaptability to them. This journey covered nearly 40,000 miles. Over 350 addresses were made by Dr. and Mrs. Clark before aggregate a.udiences ,of 100,000. Twelve nations were visited, and, through interpreters, addresses were made in upwards of t,!enty different tongues. This journey was conspicuous, especially for its incidental conneCtion with the foreign mission interest, which it naturally served to create or quicken. It emphasized fellowship among the nations, and the brotherhood of the race in sin, need, and redemption, and ever since then the Ohristian Endeavor Society has been linkt with the world-field in sympathy, prayer, and giving. At Boston, in 1895, 56,000 delegates registered, and about 650,000 attended the 825 difi'erent meetings of the convention. Thirteen different countries or peoples of the world, from England to Japan, and Alaska to Africa, were represented. A World's Christian Endeavor Union was formed at this time, and a "prayer chain" that reaches round the globe.
On March 6, 1897, the following is the official enrolment; it is worth preserving and comparing with the records of sixteen years ago: The total number of societies is 48,305, of which 7,172 are in foreign lands, and a total membership of 2,800,000.
SurelyGod has some great mission for this vast host of united young men and women. If we might venture to suggest to this great army of Christian Endeavorers seven grand things to be kept in the very foreground as secrets of success, we should unhesitating say: 1. First of all, Set the Lord always before you. All life of holiness or power absolutely depends on the supremacy of God in the character and conduct-a real elevation of Him to the first place. Matt. vi. 33. All else is idolatry.
2. Beware ofpride of numbers. Power is not dependent on multitude or even organization. God often works mightily by the few, who do not forget individual duty and responsibility, and depend on the Holy Spirit.
3. Guard the habit of closet prayer. Matt. vi. 6. Nothing else so determines the true character as the vision of God in the secret place (Number(vii. 89) and in His Word.
4. Regard yourselves as stewards of God, in trust with time, talents, money, and opportunity. Use all for him. Aim at a Scriptural standard of giving. 2 Cor. viii. 9.
'5. Abide in your calling with God. Every honest and honorable work is a divine calling, a sphere of Christian Endeavor. Take God as your partner. 1 Cor. vii. 20, 6. Lose Y01tr O1en will in the will of God. Ps. xl. 8. This is the soul of all true Christian Endeavor. Be content to be simply His instruments.
7. Serve your own generation by the will of God. Acts xiii. 36. Wherever you are be a missionary, and set before you to do your utmost to bring the Gospel into contact with every human soul.
THE PIGMIES OR DWARFS OF AFRICA
THE PIGMIES OR DWARFS OF AFRICA.
BY REV. JOHN GILLESPIE, D.D.
One of the most important discoveries made by Henry M. Stanley during his last peTilous expedition in "Darkest Africa" was that of the Wambutti, a tribe of Dwarfs living between the upper Aruwimi and the Nepoko. After describing in detail the first full-grown member of the tribe seen, he writes: That little body of his repreElented the oldest types of primeval man, descended from the outcasts of the earliest ages, the Ishmael of the primitive race, forever shunning the haunts of the workers, deprived of the joy and delight of the home hearth, eternally exiled by their vice to live the life of human beasts in morass and fen, and jungle wild. Think of it! Twenty.six hundred years ago his ancestors captured the five young Nassamonian explorers, and made merry with them at their villages, on the banks of the Niger. Even as long as forty centuries ago they were known as Pygmies, and the famous battle between them and the storks was rendered into song..
It was no less a poet than Homer who immortalized the so-called battle in song. He compares the advance of the Trojans in battle array to " a cloud of birds making their loud cries heard." "So," he continues, "raises itself to heaven the outcry of storks when they flee from winter and the continual rains. They utter shrill cries, they fly over the ocean, they bear carnage and death to the men called Pigmies; and from high in the air they give them dreadful combat." Aristotle speaks of the storks as passing from the plains of Scythia to the marsh of Upper Egypt, toward the source of the Nile, and adds: "This is the district which the Pygmies inhabit, whose existence is not a fable." He makes no reference, however, to the mortal combats between them and the storks, of which Homer sings. Pliny is less careful in his statements, and leaves one in doubt as to what is fable and what is fact. But stripping these early writings of what may be f/Lirly counted fancy, there remains a large residuum of truth, which accords with the discoveries of more recent times in important par~ ticulars-such as the fact of the existence of these Dwarfs, their distinctive characteristics, their location, and their habits. In examining this subject, the questions which press for an answer are such as these: Who are the Dwarfs? whence came they? and what place shall we assign them among the races of mankind? To answer these questions adequately would require a wide range of inquiry into ethnology, history, and geography. A much more modest task is the one proposed in this paper.
In looking up the subject, by far the most comprehensive and apparently reliable authority I have consulted is, "The Pigmies," by the late distinguisht French scientist, A. de Quatrefages. It is translated by Frederick Starr, and is the second volume in the Anthropological Series issued by Appleton. This author asserts confidently that the Pigmies were at one time much more prosperous than now, and occupied a geographical area more vast and much more extended than they do to-day, but that they were gradually driven back and sup- planted by stronger races. Wherever they are met with, they seem to be retreating and dying out. This view is confirmed by the late Rev. A. C. Good, Ph. D., of the Presbyterian Mission in West Africa. In exploring the country behind the coast belt, east of Batanga, in 1893, with a view to opening a new mission station, he unexpectedly came on a village of Dwarfs. He found them exceedingly timid and diffi- cult of access, attacht as a kind of serfs to some stronger tribe, such as the Bulu, or Mabeya. It had not always been thus, however. Dr. Good says: It is not only claimed by the Dwarfs, but f~eely admitted by the other tribes of this region, that the sea was first discovered by the Dwarfs, while the people now on the coaat were still far back in the forest, and did not, as yet, know that there was such a thing as the sea. The first paths in this whole region were opened by them, and, if I am not mistaken, many of the names of localities were first given by them.
Prof. de Quatrefages says that the ancients had information, more or less exact, of five populations of little stature, from whom they have made their pygmies. Two of them are located in Asia, and three in Africa. The author, during the first years of his professorship of Anthropology in the Museum of Natural History in Paris, proposed to unite all black populations of small stature in Asia, Malaysia, and Melanesia into a Negrito branch. Later his colleague, Prof. Henry, showed that, contrary to the common opinion, there were in West Africa negroes distinguisht from the classical type by the shortness of their skulls. He showed that Africa, like Asia, possest a black sub- type, of which one of the most striking characteristics was a remark- ably reduced stature, that the little negroes, African and Asiatic, so widely separated geographically, resembled each other in several other features, either anatomical or external, that these two groups are in reality two corresponding terms geographically and anthropologically. He proposed that these Dwarf African tribes should be named Negril- los. By scientific investigation, such as the measurement of skulls, comparison of color, careful attention to instinct and manners, these Anthropologists have establisht the fact of the existence of a number of groups of Negrillos widely separated in the Dark Continent. This gives color to the belief that these little people were once more numer- ous, that they formea. populations denser and more continuous; and that they have been crowded back, separated, and divided by superior . races. The inference is that these Negrillos occupied a large part of Africa prior to the advent of the negroes properly so called. Thus, the Negrillos of Africa have had experience similar to that of the Negritos in the East, who have been opprest, dispersed, and almost annihilated by stronger races.
This resemblance between these two races of black people of small stature, separated by immense distances, seems to point to a common origin. . Some contend that the negroes, originating in Africa, pene- trated into Asia and Melanesia by a slow infiltration across the sea. Others reverse the process, and hold that the little black race devel- oped in the southern part of India, spread east and west, and peopled Melanesia and Africa. Prof. Seeley holds that the negro race form- erly occupied a belt of land stretching from Africa to Melanesia, which is now submerged, while de Quatrefages contends that the three fundamental, physical, and linguistic types of mankind arose in the central highland of Asia. The black type appeared in the south of Asia between the highland and the sea. Prest between the yellow peoples on the north, and the whites on the west, they escaped by sea, SOUle east, some west. They were the first to people the eastern archipelagoes and the islands of the Bay of Bengal. They arrived in Africa by crossing the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. "Everywhere the Negritos and the Negrillos pre- ceded the Papuans and the true Negroes."
Whatever view may be adopted as to the origin of the dwarfs, it seems probable that they were.a primitive African race, widely dis- tributed over the Dark Continent, and surviving to-day as the Wam- butti discovered by Stanley in Central Africa, the Akka, of which both Stanley and Emin Pasha speak. and the Batwa under the shadow of the Mountains of the Moon, and the Hottentots and Bushmen of the southwest, referred to quite fully by Robert Moffat, and his dis- tinguisht son-in-law, David Livingstone. It is somewhat puzzling, however, to a layman in Anthropology to find the several branches of this once wide-spread pigmy race so apparently differentiated from each other in characteristic features. Some are described by a writer in the Popular Science Monthly as having eyes very small and out of the right line, cheek-bones very far apart and high, nose flat to the face and disproportionately wide, hair crisp and woolly, and growing in separate patches and thickest on the top of the head. Dr. Moffat describes Hottentots, whom he holds to be identical with the Bush- men in race, as "not swarthy nor black, but rather of a sallow color. They are generally smaller in stature than their neighbors of the in- terior, their visage and form very distinct, and in general the top of the head broad and flat, their faces tapering to the chin, with high cheek-bones, flat nose, and large lips." Stanley, in describing four women and a boy who were captured at a Dwarf village, says, " I saw I in them two distinct types. One evidently belonged to that same race described as the Akka, with small cunning monkey eyes, close and deeply set. The four others possest large, round eyes, full and prominent, round foreheads, sman hands and feet, with slight prog- nathy jaws, figures well formed, tho dimiuutive, and of 8 bricky com- plexion." Emin Pasha describes an Akka who had been brought to him, as about twcnty-five years old, three feet six inches high, the whole body covered with thick stiff hair, almost like felt.. All the Akka he had examined were so covered. Dr. Good, in speaking of those he met with near the Equator, just back of the coast belt, says that they were of a distinctly lighter tint than the Mabeya tribe to which they were attacht, and that he saw nothing of the yellowish or reddish growth of hair, of which some travelers have spoken. Their jaws were much too large, their foreheads low and retreating, and their eyes very large.
Mr. Oscar Roberts and the Rev. F. D. P. Hickman, of the Presby- terian Mission, confirm this statement by what they saw of the Dwarfs among the Mabeya and Ngumba tribes, east of Batanga in the iuterior. Those among the latter had jaws and mouths larger than the Ngumba and head of different shape; while those among the former had their skin lighter, nose flatter, and eyes larger than the Mabeya. One man measured five feet and three inches, and a woman four feet and five inches.
Wha.tever may be said as to the origin, or the original condition of these little people, it is certain that they a.re now not only a deprest class, but in most instances a much opprcst class wherever found. Even the Wambutti, whom Stanley pronounces by far the finest specimens of the Dwarfs, a.re children of the forest, subsisting on game, and performing numerous menial services for the tribes near which they plant their village camps. There are times, however, when they must be reckoned with by the more powerful tribes, and constitute by no means despicable allies or antagonists, when armed with their poisoned arrows. Stanley calls them the" parasites of the Oentral African forest," who glue themselves to the clearings of the larger tribes, and steal to their heart's content. Dr. Koelle, author of "Polyglotta Africana," describes a tribe, called the Betsan, in interior West Africa, of whom he had learnt, whose habits are substantially those of other Dwarf tribes. They do not cultivate the soil, but subsist by hunting, live in low dark huts, and are constantly migrating.
This answers to the mode of life of those discovered by the Presbyterian Missionaries near the West Ooast. They live in sheds constructed rather skillfully of poles, posts, and leaves, and are migratory in their habits, living on game chiefly, but also on vegetables and fruits procured from their more powerful neighbors by bartering the meat caught in the chase. They are for the time the slaves of the tribe to which they have att8cht themselves. When askt by Dr. Good, why they did not come to the coast, the answer was that the Mabeya would not permit them; and when Mr. Roberts tried to get a few boys to accompany him to the coast for education, they replied that they would first have to secure permission from the Mabeya chief.
But, altho far down in the scale of being, these little people are still men, and tho the image of the Oreator is sadly marred, and in instances almost obliterated, it can be readily traced. There is enough in the ruins of the temple to tell of a former glory, and to foretell a possible restoration under the regenerating power of the Gospel. Referring to a little man and woman who had by panto- mime intelligently answered numerous questions, Mr. Stanley adds: "Tho their souls were secreted under abnormally thick folds of ani- malism, and their finer feelings inert and torpid through disuse, they were there for all that." The traveler Moummeri says of the Akka who accompanied him on his expedition: "They are men and know how to fight." The West Ooast llfissionaries have found them able to con- verse intelligently within certain limits, when relieved from fear of the white man, and the few Dwarf boys now in the Mission School among the Mabeya manifest fairly good ability. 'fhe Dwarfs seem at times to have a language of their own, but usually they speak that of the tribe to which they are attacht.
Debased as they are, they have decided musical instincts. Mr. Roberts describes a performance he witnessed, where five rudely constructed instruments were used. A stick, probably an inch and a half in diameter lying on the ground, was a substitute for a piano. On this two women played, using a stick in each hand. For a drum they had a log hollowed out, with a deer skin tightly stretcht over the top, a woman beating it. A metal instrument, answering the purpose of cymbals apparently, was composed of two hollow pieces, the shape of an elongated cow bell. A man struck this with a stick, and the women not otherwise employed clapped their hands and sang. What Livingstone wrote with reference to some of the degraded tribes of Oentral Africa is equally true of these deprest classes: However degraded these peoples may be, there is no need of te11lng them of the existence of God or of a future life. These two truths are universally admitted in Africa. All the phenomena which the natives can not explain by an ordinary cause are attributed to the divinity. If we speak to them of a dead man, they reply, "He is gone to God."
Dr. R. H. Nassau, of the Presbyterian Mission on the West Ooast, after thirty years of close observation, says, he has yet to be askt by the most degraded people, "Who is God?" He writes: "Under the slightly varying form of' Anyambe," Angambe,' 'Njamhi,' 'Nyambi,' 'Anyam,' 'Nyam,' or in other parts as 'Ukuku,' 'Suku,' etc., they know of a being superior to themselves, of whom they themselves inform me, that he is their' Maker' and 'Father.'''
Mr. Roberts, referring to his effort to impress on two Dwarfs the fact of God's love, writes: "They knew that God is, but in all probability had never heard of his love before." In an able article in the Popular Science Monthly of September, 1890, Mr. A. Werner quotes Dr. Krapf, the distinguisht German Missionary, as referring to a Dwarf tribe who believe in a Supreme Being they name Z~r, and to whom they address prayers in moments of sadness and terror.
Yea, if thou dost really exist, why dost thou let us be 8lain? We ask thee not for food or clothing, for we only live on snakes, ants, mice. Thou hast made us, why dost thou let us be trodden down?
How pathetic! A downtrodden, opprest people, obeying the impulse of their darkened hearts, feeling after God to protect them from oppression. Referring to his visit to the Dwarf village, Dr. Good writes: "I tried to learn something of their religious ideas, but could not fiud that they differed from those of the Mabeya." The religious ideas of the Mabeya include a pronounced recognition of a Supreme Being.
Mr. Hahn, who had lived nine years among the Khoi-Khoi, a low tribe of Bushmen and Hottentots, or a cross between, in South Africa, is quoted very fully by de Quatrefages on the religious beliefs of those people. He produces and translates a chant used by the Khoi-Khoi at their public festivals, in which God is addrest as Tsuigoa-" Thou father of the fathers," "Thou our father." Still more surprising is their domestic worship, as thus set forth: "In the morning, at the first streaks of dawn, they leave their huts and go to kneel down behind some bush. There, with face towards the East, they address their prayers to Tsui-goa, the Father of the fathers."
Pl'. Moffat, in his "Southern Africa," refers, with profound regret, to the failure of the mission of the London Missionary Society among the Bushmen-the Dwarfs of the south. The failure was in large part because of the interference of more powerful tribes. In this reference he quotes from the Rev. A. Faure as follows: Some of the Bushmen whom Mr. Smith baptized had acquired very rational ideas of the principles of the Christian religion. and appeared to feel its constraining influence on their habitual conduct. They were zealous in trying to convey the same inestimable blessings to their unhappy countrymen, who live withou' God and without hope in the world. It was delightful to hear the children sing the praises of Jehovah, and to witness the progress they had made in spelling and reading. These facts, which have come under my observation, prove that the conversion of this race of immortal beings is not impossible.
Looking to the future, Dr. Moffat says: " We must continue to look for success in attracting the scattered fragments to the missionary settlement and forming outstations among them, a method which has already received the divine blessing."
It is certainly a remarkable coincidence that the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, more than fifty years later, has, after careful consideration and prolonged correspondence with the Mission,
THE MIRACLE-WOltKING VIRGIN OF ANDACOLLA
resolved to pursue this very method in trying to reach the Dwarfs within its field. The history of the undertaking is briefly this: When Henry M. Stanley emerged from" Darkest Africa," and wrote the thrilling narrative of his expedition, the heart of Miss Margaret MacLean, a consecrated Ohristian woman of Glasgow, Scotland, was deeply touched by his reference to the Dwarfs. She wrote to a number of the English Foreign Missionary Societies without being able to interest them, and finally to Mr. Stanley, himself, inquiring if it would be possible to establish a mission among these little people. His answer was discouraging, because of the immense labor and expense such a mission would involve, requiring no less than a large, wellequipt expedition to proceed up the Kongo, and thence through the dense forest of the interior. A few years later she fell in with a copy of "The Ohurch at Home and Abroad," which contained the late Dr. Good's letter, describing his visit to a village of Dwarfs. This led to a correspondence with the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. Miss MacLean generously offered to provide the necessary funds for the establishing and maintaining of a mission for twenty years among these Dwarfs, provided the Board would undertake it. As a preliminary step it was agreed to instruct the missionaries in the Kameruns district to make further examination of the whole subject and report, with such recommendations as might be agreed upon. The result was an arrangement with Miss MacLean by which the Board undertakes, in connection with its work among the larger tribes, to do what it can for the Dwarfs attacht to these tribes, preaching to them the Gospel, establishing schools among them wherever possible, training them to industrious habits, and endeavoring to put the more promising youth into the schools establisht among the stronger tribes. Already ample funds have been placed in the hands of the Board for this purpose, and the work has been begun. Let there be much prayer for the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon it!
THE MIRAOLE-WORKING VIRGIN OF ANDAOOLLA.
BY THE REV. EDSON A. LOWE, SANTIAGO, CHILE.
Not long ago I had an opportunity of seeing a prilgrimage to the Virgin of Andacolla, and was imprest anew with tho dense moral darkness of South American Romanism. With a few English com- panions I boarded the train at the seaport-town of Ooquimbo, Ohili, but found the cars so crowded that I was glad to find a place on the outside of the locomotive. After an hour's ride we left the train, and . traveled on horseback for a distance of twenty miles. We pass amid a crowd of weary pilgrims all along the way, travel-stained and burdened. Finally, after climbing over some wild mountain ranges, we came upon the little village of Andacolla, whose few hundred inhabitants suddenly found themselves the hosts of numberless pilgrims. The arrangements for their entertainment were remarkable. The price for a bedroom for two nights, without food, ra.nged anywhere from $30 to $100. Finding a friendly Norwegian, we closed with him for $30 for a room with two single beds. The people who could not pay for accommodations had the privilege of sleeping outdoors, free of charge.
It was an odd sight to see the large public square, or plaza, turned into one large bedroom, in which thousands slept upon their blankets. The good order was remarkable. No one was intoxicated; every face seemed to have an expectant, serious, even sad expression. There were various classes of pilgrims; some had come out of curiosity, some to fulfill a vow, or to present a thank-offering to the virgin, and others to offer a special prayer (usually prepared in rhyme and offered while daneing before the image), and to pay in advance for the blessing they expected to receive. The most striking class were those who had come in fancy dress in a company of their fellow-townsmen from the neighboring villages, each of which had its distinctive costume, the men and boys so dressed numbering about 2,000. These companies come to dance before the virgin, and are all under the management of one chief, called" The Oacique."
Desiring to learn all about the strange festival, we sent for the cacique, who promptly responded to our rather presumptuous request, and came to our room for a brief interview. In the course of our conversation he told us that this image of the virgin was found in a· ravine near here more than four hundred years ago, by a man named OoIlo, of whom he himself was a descendant. Oollo was working in the mine, when suddenly he heard a voice saying, "Anda, 00110." [Spanish for: Go,Oollo.] He went out, thinking that he was going to find a treasure or a gold mine, but instead he discovered this image. The people did not begin to worship her immediately, because they wasted much time trying to get her down from the mountain. They took her one day's journey toward the seaport, but the next morning she was found back in the spot where she was first discovered. When askt how the virgin got there, the cacique simply replied: "Who knows?"
They tried again to take her away to Serena, but could not get her over the hill, because she became so heavy that they could not lift her. After that they concluded that she did not wish to be removed, and so kept her there. When askt if it was true that the virgin workt miracles and cured sick people, the man said: " Yes; but that all depends on the faith of the person who is sick." He said also that the offioo of cacique is hereditary, and that he had held it ever since his father died, thirty-eight years ago. Having no son, he would name his successor when the time came.
Candor compels us to say that our visitor imprest all of us rather favorably. He seemed to have no desire to make any impression or to create any sensation. He had a spirit of frankness and sincerity, and left the impression that no tradition should grow in his telling narration of the story. He freely said: "Many of the things that people say about this virgin can not be believed; they are idle tales."
The next morning we visited the plaza and the church, which had just been completed. In a little side-room was a committee of priests ready to receive the monetary offerings, and the table at times hecame so full of precious metal that they had to put the money away into a large fireproof safe. The offerings are estimated at from $10,000 to $20,000-all contributed by people whose wages do not average more than 40 cents a day. We saw one, a poor man, going through the streets on his knees. He had on clothes which were all tattered and torn, and seven ragged children were walking wearily beside him. He was taking an offering of $50 to the virgin, probably all his hard-earned savings of the year, or rather thievings from the rightful possessions of his family. In the interior of the church numbers of people might be seen going backward on their knees. In the chancel was to be seen the wonderful virgin-in reality a French doll, about a foot and a half high, with another small doll in her arms. Her long dress, extending far below her feet, is of rich white satin, heavily embroidered with gold, and all over her are heavy solid silver ornaments. About two years ago some apostate robbed her of the solid gold crown, set with precious stones, and other costly ornaments, and altho these things were recovered, they have never again been exposed to the danger of robbery. In the gateway of the church we accosted a priest who was painfully polite, and said, among other things: "There are supernatural things occurring here all the time, but it is almost impossible to get at them, because the people are incapable of giving any connected account of their experiences. There was a miraculous cure yesterday, and a few years ago there was a most remarkable case of a woman, who had been living with a man to whom she had not been married, and who promised the virgin that, with her help, she would reform. She then told the man that she would not live any longer with him unless they were married. He became enraged, and shot and mortally wounded her; but she prayed to the virgin and was instantly healed. She brought her clothes stained with blood, and they are preserved as a memorial of the miracle."
In the afternoon of Christmas day the plaza began to fill, and climbing into the belfry of an old church we had an excellent view of the ceremonies. Various companies of dancers could be distinguisht, three classes being called "Chinos," "Dancers," and "Turban-ers." The difference between them seemed to be in their costume and manner of dancing or leaping. The Chinos are the most ancient order, and always consist of miners, and are by far the most numerous. They dress in much the same style as the cacique. The cap, shirt, belt and pantaloons are of a crushed-strawberry color, embroidered with bright colored worsted. These chinos did not dance, properly speaking, but jumpt or leapt. They would leap all at the same time, five or six feet, and drop their bodies to the ground, holding themselves in perfect control, and then, after two seconds or so in a motionless attitude, would give another leap, all springing up at once. The dancers propel' were drest in rather a more fancy costume than the chinos, and had more music in their ranks. The turban-ers, comparatively few in number, but drest in most elaborate costume, usually came from some of the larger towns. They wore lace turbans, usually white, and had quite an elaborate band of musicians, and some dancers. The dancers and turban-ers had the following instruments, tin whistles, triangles, drums, accordions, and an occasional guitar or banjo. These danced in certain places, a half hour at a time, all Christmas day, especially before the priest's palace, the old church, the three entrances to the new church, and, of course, before the virgin, whim she was in the door-way of the church, on Christmas day. Each company had a captain, who held a small flag with which to indicate their orders. About fifty companies, all marching to the sound of bands, leaping like frogs or scuffling before the sacred places, made, as can be imagined, considerable din and confusion. The virgin was brought out of the church and made a tour around the plaza, jf she was well treated by the pilgrims-that is, if she received a sufficient sum of money. She first appeared at sil: o'clock, before the thronging multitudes which filled the square and all the surrounding thoroughfares. The hills overlooking the city were also crowded with people who had waited from three o'clock in the afternoon until six, awaiting to see the wonderful sight of the annual procession of the miraculous virgin, for this is the only day in all the year when she leaves the churoh. The cacique showed his wonderful power at this moment; he walkt through the crowd and cleared a way where none seemed possible. The deep shadows from the mountains made the lighted candles carried in the hands of thousands shine out with striking effect. Several minor saints were brought out, and also an image of Ohrist, but the chief enthusiasm centered in the image of the virgin, this supernatural image! The leaping of the chinos and the dancing of the other companies now became frantic, and the excitement grew intense. The bishop who comes to this little mountain-town each year to be present at the processional, crossed from the palace to the church, and everyone fell on his knees before him as he past. Numbers of young women drest
THE FOOUS OF HEATAENISM IN INDIA
in white, were throwing flowers before the virgin. The procession moved very, very slowly, with dragging solemnity, while the frantic thousands were leaping and dancing. Now and then a man was overcome by the heat or excitement, and was carried from the path of the proceilsion, and one little boy we found dead from having danct too long in the hot sun.
We have not space to speak of the sad, strange superstitious expression on the faces of all, nor of the general bacchanalian feast that followed the night after the feast to the virgin. If anyone who still doubts the wisdom of missions to Roman Catholic countries could have been in the belfry that afternoon, he would no longer question the policy, for he could not have distinguisht between those ceremonies, and those of any oriental pagan country, where missions are assuredly sadly needed.
THE FOCUS OF HEATHENISM IN INDIA.
BY H. GRATTAN GUINNE8S, D.D.
Phantasmagoria, such as it seems; a strange incredible dream, yet it is a reality. Benares! this is India, this is heathenism. In the golden light of the morning sun flows the broad Ganges, past the crowded flights of steps, exteuding inch after inch along the bank, covered with worshiping thousands, men, women, children, in white or colored costumes, or no costumes, undressing, dressing, washing, chatting, praying, pouring the sacred water on their bodies, plunging their bodies into the sacred stream, washing their hands in it, their feet, their legs, their arms, their chests, their faces, their clothes; their wet garments clinging to their bodies, the water streaming off their limbs, their prayers babbling from their lips, washing away, as they imagine, both the filth of the flesh and the sin of the soul, in the self-same sacred stream, holy Ganges, the ever-flowing river of salvation.
The ill-savored drainage of the city pours into the sacred stream; it issues from wide openings on the banks, black and fetid, and mingles with the waters of the river; a corpse floats by, swollen and bloated, face down, or face up, in the mighty flood; the vultures sit on neighboring walls of shrines and temples, or wheel on lazy wing above the wave, or light upon the floating or stranded dead. Side by aide on the shore burn the funeral pyres, great piles of wood blazing and smoking around newly brought corpses, the feet of the dead protruding from the crackling flames, crowds gazing without concern at the daily spectacle. Hundreds of Brahmans sit or stand in ceremonial worship on wooden rafts, built out from the stone steps, on which th~ people of the city, or the pilgrims from distaut places, are performing their religious ablutions. Suniassis, Yogis, or Fakirs, naked, smeared with mud, giving a hideous ashen color to their faces and bodies, with dishevelled locks, gaunt limbs, stiff attitudes, and demoniac aspect, sit on raised platforms, and gaze at you, or stare into emptiness, or worship the stream, or grasp the offerings flung to them by admiring crowds. Above them on the river banks rise the walls, the sculptures, the terraces, the towers, the pinnacles of countless temples, some dark with age, others glowing with color, or glittering with gilded roof and spire against the clear blue sky; while beyond the shriues which line the river bank, stretch the roofs of houses closely packed together in maze-like masses, whose narrow winding streets are filled with swarming thousands, struggling in the crossings, crowding round the shrines, jammed in gateways, or courts, or temples, pouring water on the idols, scattering flowers on them, muttering prayers, chattering or shouting in half a score of tongues, beggars adding to the Babel by imploring bakshish from every passer by, while rich and poor cast food or money at the feet of proud and lazy priests, squatting half naked beside these senseless and abominable idols, idols in many cases too indecent for description, foul objects, on which the priests publicly pour the consecrated libation, or the devotee hangs the garland, or flings the flower, as to a god.
o India, thy darkness is not the darkness of mere ignorance, but the darkness of lies, fantastic lies, foul lies, leprous lies, diabolical lies; thy shame is public, it is thy song and thy boast; thy gods are grovelling, bestial, with swollen bellies, black faces, elephants' snouts, and protruding tougues, they glower on their worshippers from filthy shrines; their name is legion, their legends infamous and monstrous; thy deities are demons, and thy Pantheon a Pandemonium; thy millions made in the image of God prostrate themselves before beasts and devils, as tho they were divine, and this is thy daily habit and thy delight, this has been thy way for ages, never hast thou known the revelation; truth has never been truth to thee, from time immemorial things have been inverted, falsehood has been to thee truth, and truth falsehood. Who shall deliver thee from thy delusions? Who shall break thy adamantine chain? Who shall bring thee forth from thy dark prison-house, from thy horrid chamber of imagery, from the groveling pit of thy perdition, into the sunlight of reality, the fair open day of truth and righteousness? 0, pitiable spectacle! Look at those women, grave, earnest, elderly women, walking in procession round and round that dusty old tree by the roadside, which they are taught to hold sacred, reverently sprinkling it with water from the neighboring Ganges, each carrying a pot of water in her left hand, and a brazen spoon in her right, round and round they go, with weary feet, sprinkling and still sprinkling as sacred the gnarled trunk
SHOULD ITALY BE EVANGELIZED?
and knotted roots of an unsightly tree! And this in the name of religion! Sitting under his umbrella by the wayside, the Pundit reads to the passer-by out of some old Sanskrit book, words which the common people can not comprehend; the language in which he reads has long ceased to be spoken, it is a dead tongue; and this is all they have by way of moral or spiritual instruction. No voice that we could hear was lifted up to protest against idolatry, or to point to the way of righteousness N salvation; and this while Christendom crowds her cities with places of worship, and has pulpits with preachers, scatters her religious books and tract samong her favored children by millions, fights over petty parish rights, and local privileges, oblivious of the great world needs, and of the state of the outlying millions of the race.
Say not there are missionaries in India. There are, but what are the missionaries there to the needs? Who shall waken the Christian church to her duty? Look, 0 ye favored ones on the people of India; they are real men and women, with bodies and spirits, with hearts and consciences, with sins and sorrows like your own. But unlike you they are liv~ng and dying thus as we describe, without the knowledge of God, and without the knowledge of salvation. Who will come in a Christ-like spirit to help them? Who will bring them the message of the Gospel which Christ commanded His disciples to proclaim to every creature of mankind?
SHOULD ITALY BE EVANGELIZED?
REV. PROFESSOR RODIO. TRANSLATED BY REV. J. R. MCDOUGALL, FLORENCE, ITALY.
No Christian would ask such a question in regard to missions among pagans, who are evidently sitting in darkness, and are in ignorance of the way of salvation. But some may doubt the necessity of sending missionaries to Roman Catholic peoples, and wish to have the important inquiry settled, Are Roman Catholics to be considered Christians? The German pastor of the Lutheran Church, of Naples, has maintained, in a valuable book, in which he runs a parallel between the beliefs and rites of Paganism and Roman Catholicism, that the Italian people are still far from Christianity. If Pastor Trede is right, then the duty of evangelizing Italy would be proven. But in lively antagonism to Trede, there has arisen Signor Mariani, Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the University of Naples, who, with strong arguments, has greatly weakened, if not entirely overthrown, the too extreme view£: of his opponent.
We believe with Trede, that to all intents and purposes Roman Catholicism retains scarcely a trace of Christianity in individual belief and practice; but we assert the fact of this state of things only of the rural districts, where the ancient divinities, under other names, still retain their altars, and the musty superstitions of Paganism flourish. But for the dwellers in towns it is different. A fact, which often passes unnoticed, but is of great importance, is the existence of a religious feeling, largely emancipated from the Roman Catholic doctrine, in the hearts of many who belong to the educated classes of the land. These persons have unconsciously spiritualized the religious thought of Roman Oatholicism, and, without being aware of it, have adopted the Protestant sentiment.
One instance of this, and a classical one it is, is that of Alexander Marzoni, who, purposing to write a book on Roman Catholic morals, but drawing his inspiration from the Gospels rather than from the decrees of popes or the canons of councils, produced, in fact, a work on Evangelical Morality, as was remarkt to him by Lismondi, the great author of the "History of Italian Republics."
Another instance I take from my own experience. Fifteen years ago I had occasion to converse with a distinguisht advocate on matters pertaining to religion, and particularly on the difference between Roman Oatholicism and Protestantism. When we came to speak of transubstantation, after a great deal of discussion, I said to him, "How can you, who are so intelligent, believe in eating the material body of the Lord, with His hair, teeth, nails, etc. ?" Greatly surprised at such a question, he immediately replied," I never have believed, when joining in communion, in eating the flesh of the Lord Jesus." "What then?" I askt. He replied, "I have always believed in receiving the Lord into my heart, and not into my stomach! " " But that," I replied, "is not Roman Catholic doctrine, but precisely the teaching of Evangelical Ohristianity."
Oases such as these are constantly occurring, and a.n outsider might conclude that an evangelistic work might be needed in the country, but not in the towns. Yet here is what calls for mission work among Italian burghers. Men of heart and intelligence, to whom we have alluded, who unconsciously have spiritualism in their hearts through Roman Catholic doctrine, are found, as the years roll on, ever declining in their spiritual perceptions. The consciousness of the contradiction existing between the external profession of the faith and the inner persuasion of the heart is hurtful, and Roman Catholicism, ever hostile to civilization, progress, and spirituality, does not fail to bring the contradiction to the light of day. Many are the men who have tried in Italy to reconcile the doctrine of the Ohurch, if not with the exigencies of the religious conscience, at least with those of the political. Their names are Andisio, Ourci, Tosti, Bonomelli, etc., but all of them have been forced to yield and retreat. It is not, then, surprising to know that Ruggero Bonghi, earnestly proposing by his
WORK AMONG ITALIAN NAVVIBS
"Life of Jesus" to popularize the truths of the Gospel, should have been put in the Index Expttrgatorius.
Meanwhile this profound difference between the needs of the conscience and the proposed doctrine of the Ohurch has wrought evil consequences in Italy, similar to what Lavaleye fore8aw in Belgium. Oorruption has grown enormously, unlawful appropriations are the order of the day, deeds of blood are on the increase, and over this moral chaos there hangs threateningly the worst misfortune that can befall a people, the invasion of incredulity, and in consequence, the loss of that unspeakable treasure, the religion of Jesus Ohrist. In these last conditions of the Italian people, in whose country districts superstition reigns, and in whose cities indifference and atheism are spreading far and wide, as a resnlt of the conflict of conscience with the profest faith of the nation-in this last spectacle of an entire people wandering from the knowledge of the truth, have not the disciples of Ohrist of every church and language an urgent motive for replying in the affirmative to those who like ourselves cry, "Oome over to help us?"
WORK AMONG ITALIAN NAVVIES.
~renda, a small military station, in the mountains of the Maritime Alps, is picturesquely situated on the slope of a rocky height in the valley of the Roya. Quite a village composed of small low houses, called baracche (barracks), has recently arisen near here, because of the numbers of Italian navvies employed in the construction of a new railway tunnel which is to connect Limone and Ventimigtia, so as to bring Turin and North Italy within easier reach of the Riviera. Three years ago about ~,OOO navvies were employed in this work, so that, with the store-keepers, women and children, it grew to be quite a large community. Since then, owing to great difficulty in working the tunnel, and later to the very small pay, the number of navvies has been very much reduced. Here, three years ago, God opened the way for the Gospel' to be preacht among these poor people living a hard and often dangerous life, with no care for their spiritual interests outside of an occasional mass by a visiting priest.
Men from all parts of Italy and from other lands were gathered here, many of them having left their family and friends in far-away homes, to seek work by which they might earn their daily bread. Not only did men come who had been brought up to heavy work, but the unemployed from a multitude of other trades took up this laboro di miseria, as many called it, and to them, of course, the life seems doubly hard. In baracche, many are often crowded together in one room, for which high rent is paid; in the dark mountain they work for many wearisome hours, where at times it is so wet that the men stand up to their knees in water, or so dry, that the fine dust from the rocks, combined with the smoke arising from the frequent dynamite blasts, interferes with their breathing, and frequently brings on a bad disease. Add to this the constant peril of falling stones, earth, etc., and one can easily imagine how hard is the lot of those who are thus toiling to increase the facilities for commerce and pleasure in the interest of all countries.
No pastor or evangelist was near by at first, but one living six hours away came over on hearing of the need, and with the permission of the Tenda Syndic, an open-air meeting was arranged for. The chief store-keeper offered his bowling ground as a suitable place in the center of the village; a notice was put in his window, and invitations were written on cards with carefully selected Gospel texts, and these were given out. It was quite a new thing for them. « Every one that could, locked their doors and came," it was said afterwards. Hymn-sheets were distributed, and one stout woman, holding one up, quite near to the pastor, called out: « Here is Act 1." At the close she begged the pastor's pardon, saying that she had not at all understood what we were going to do. She was one of the first to invite us into her house, and her son, home for the holiday, from a priest's training-school, helped us by copying out hymns for the meetings. The day after the meeting a man came down to Tenda, asking to see the pastor who had preacht the night before, as he had come in the name of others to ask him to return and speak to them again soon. The pastor had already left, but the message was sent him, and, of course, cheered and encouraged him, and during the months following he returned at repeated intervals.
The good reception given us, and the quiet behavior of these miners, must have surprised many at Tenda, who lookt upon these workmen as such a rough set. " Do not go," said one of the officers of the company quartered there, to a German lady who was· going to the meeting, "they will be sure to stone yoa."
Singing is a great attraction to the Italians, who are naturally fond of music, and special meetings for teaching them the hymns were held two or three times a week. Many men showed their interest by asking for the hours to be changed, so that their work might not prevent them attending. Nearly all who came bought the small hymn books, which were sold at 2d each, and they told us that many of them would gather together in a room at Vievola and sing not only the hymns they had learned, but others also, putting the words to some known tune. One man said to me: "Down in the dark tunnel my companion and I amuse ourselves by trying to remember the words of some hymns, and repeating them to each other." "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," which had been translated, is a great favorite with all.
Many tracts were given and books loaned, and a good number of Bibles and Testaments were sold. Several societies kindly gave grants of books and tracts, and Mrs. Spurgeon sent many copies of her husband's sermons, which have been translated. A Swiss woman, whose husband was an Italian, and who was a barber (a common occupation for women, it seems, in her part of the country), asked us for extra books to put on her table, as the men were often glad to sit and read in her barber-shop. Most of them after all their hard work have nothing but their crowded rooms to go to, or the os/erie (public houses) which are very numerous. Who then can blame them severely if at times they do drink and quarrel? What a blessing it would be if a reading-room and hall could be opened where the men would be free to go at any time.
Some of our singing friends drew up a petition, which was signed by 120 people, asking the pastor to send them some one to live among them, that he might teach them and their children the way of truth. This petition was presented at the Synod of the Waldensian church, and an evangelist was sent up towards the end of October, who took up his abode in Tenda, where meetings had also been held, and where religion was at a very low ebb. The one remaining priest was not respected and there was a strong anticlerical feeling. A French gentleman had interested himself in Tenda and used to send up evangelists or pastors from time to time to hold evangelical meetings. He hoped to build a hall so that a permanent mission could be establisht, but died before this object was accomplisht. He always found a strong supporter up there in the schoolmaster, who, poor man, has had much to contend with, different people doing their utmost to make him lose his position. He has written a pamphlet on the persecutions experienced in these parts by Protestants in times gone by. Far up on the slopes of the rocky mountain above Tenda is the Balma die Protestanti (Oave of the Protestants), a large cavern to which Ohristians in those early days came to worship God. It is a steep climb up to it, especially the last part of the road. Once or twice in these latter years, parties of Ohristians have found their way up there. Bearing in mind those who had gone before, they have held a short service there to worship Him who has done such great things for that land, and has granted to them the liberty of conscience, which was denied to their fathers. The evangelist was much cheered on beginning his work at Tenda by the friendship of the people and the good attendance of men at the meetings; years later, by the efforts of a German lady, sufficient money was collected to buy a house, the lower part of which was formed into a hall, and above were rooms for the evangelist. This was opened in February, 1895, when sixteen or seventeen persons were admitted as members of the little church, five or six being from the mining village, Vrievola. At the latter place a room had been hired, where meetings were held twice a week; these were immediately followed by a school for the children.
THE EVANGELIZA.'fiON OJ!' THE J!'mtNCB CA.NADIAN
The work of the tunnel was stopt for a time, and the navvies disbanded. The work having been begun again, however, the number of navvies has been gradually increasing. A regular pastor has replaced the evangelist, and last summer, open-air meetings were held regularly, and here many heard the pure Gospel for the first time. A poor man, who had been nearly crnsht to death by a very heavy wagon passing over him, told us that he had attended several of the meetings, and now counted the time till he should be well enough to go again. He eagerly took a Testament and afterwards said, "Those are good, true words."
It was a pleasure to talk to one of the members, a poor day-laborer at Tenda, he seemed a man of such strong and simple faith. He told us that the first time he had attended an evangelistic meeting he had said to himself: "This is my religion; the one I have sought so long;" and when he had received the Gospel message, he said it was as tho a weight of lead had been taken off his heart. "Before I was so anxious and full of care; now I have peace." He was the first to have his baby baptized in the little church. The priest came, telling him how wrong he had been, and his father-in-law came in great anger on hearing of it, but the man was firm and decided: "If you offered me all Tenda, from the rock downwards," he told them, "I would not change, I value eternal life more."
A room was rented at Vievola, in which to hold services and a Sunday-school; we had the pleasure of being present at the first meeting, when the room was crowded. It was hoped they would have continued all the season; but since we have heard that, owing to the Waldensian committee not seeing its way to meet the expense involved, the room has been given up.
A maestro-evangelista who had the advantage of spending several months in one of Dr. Gra.ttan Guinness' training colleges, is now working at Tenda. He has his government diploma, and carried on a day-school in the higher standards, a thing which was much needed up there, but, Off course, it has been bitterly opposed by the 'priests. Still a small beginning has been made, and the number attending the school, instead of diminishing, had increast when last we heard.
THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE FRENCH CANADIANS. The need of missionary work amongst the French population of Canada may be questioned by some who are unacquainted with the existing conditions, but it is urgently advocated by those who live in their midst. According to the last census, the population of French origin in the Dominion of Canada, is as follows: British • Most of the facts of this article are taken from the Reports of the Board of French Evan· gelization as quoted in The (Canadian) Presb'/lterian Record. Columbia, 1,181; Manitoba, 11,102; N. W. Territories, 1,543; Ontario, 101,123; Quebec, 1,186,346; New Brunswick, 61,767; Nova Scotia, 30,181; P. E. Island, 11,847. Total, 1,415,090 or 29.4 per cent. of the total population. Several of the counties of Quebec are Roman Catholic almost to a unit. For example, the census of 1891 gives Montmorency 9 Protestants in a total population of 12,309; Bellechasse, 4, in 18,369; Kamouraska, 3 in 20,454; L'Islet, 2 in 13,823. The total number of Protestants in the province at the same date was 198,974, in a population of 1,488,535.
The actual evangelizing agencies at work among the Romanists are: Grande Ligne Mission (Bap.), missions in 15 fields, with 33 workers and an annual expenditure of $23,839.65; Methodist, missions in 7 fields, with 13 workers and an annual expenditure of $11,578.54; Sabrevois Mission (Episcopalian), missions in 5 fields, with 13 workers and an annual expenditure of $12,342.32; Presbyterian missions in 37 fields, with 66 workers and an annual expenditure of *35,011.20.
There is a radical element in the Church of Rome in the Province of .Quebec, determined in its efforts for reform, but with little, if any, sympathy with evangelical truth; it is anti-clerical and destructive, and may become anti-religious. Another element, whose sympathy is on the whole with the cause of truth and liberty, cherishes the hope that in some way all needed reforms may yet be effected from within their Church; it sympathizes with the radical element in its struggle for the emancipation of the people from ecclesiastical despotism. Many are losing faith in the dogmas of their church, who have been educated in the belief that the Church of Rome is the true representative of the religion of Jesus Christ, and consequently prejudiced against every other form of it, yet with little or no knowledge of Scripture, and no religious conviction born of individual responsibility. Unless in some way the principles of the Gospel are brought to bear on the hearts and consciences of the people, history must repeat itself, and these, our fellowmen, sink into religious indifference and infidelity. The work of demolition is going on. Our work is to build up and restore by presenting the Gospel in the spirit of its Author.
The French press is represented by ten daily and fifty-one weekly papers, having each an average subscription list of somewhere about 4,500 and 3,500, respectively; five humorous and illustrated papers, and six recueils and reviews, devoted to literature or religion, issued weekly or monthly. With scarcely an exception these publications, some from conviction, the majority from self-interest, court ecclesiastical authority. Independence is sacrificed for favors and, if asserted, is stricken or slain outright by the all-powerful arm of the Church. Recent events show how difficult a thing it is for even the stoutest to hold up against the ma.ndates of bishops, who are determined to let no voice go forth to the people but that of the Ohurch. Quebec has, also, not yet reacht the era of a free press, but the fact that the people are becoming more of a reading people is full of encourage- ment for the future.
The following is an interesting example of a Romish prayer: I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael, the archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul and all the saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
Everybody seems to be duly honored here, except the Lord Jesus Ohrist and the Holy Spirit. Even Judaism can not furnish a parallel to this violation of the teachings of all Scripture on the subject of prayer.
Rev. Principal McVicar, D.D., thus writes on the subject of FRENCH EvANGELlZATION: This means very much the same as Irish, Scottish, English, Ohinese, or Hindu evangelization. It consists chiefly in giving the pure Gospel to those who are without it. In the sight of God they are as much entitled to enjoy the blessings of salvation as we are, and the work of placing the provision of grace within their reach needs no apology or defense. To do this is not to be guilty of proselytism or sectarian bigotry, but to be loyal and obedient to the Savior's command. With us this is a day of good tidings, but if we hold our peace, some mischief will come upon us.
This work is necessary because the people for whose good it is undertaken profess many unscriptural and anti-scriptural beliefs; and the more ignorant and unwise men are, the more need they have of being helpt. Here are some of their errors: Like the men of Athens to whom Paul preacht (A.cts 17-22) they are in all things too religious, and do not limit their worship to "God that made the world and all things therein." They adore the Virgin Mary and the" Host," which is simply a wafer made of flour, but which they believe to be changed by the manipulation and power of a priest into the very body, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. In churches and on the streets they fall upon their knees in profound adoration of this deified wafer.
Our Savior instituted only two Sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, but this people make use of five more, viz.• Confession, Penance, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction. Baptism with them means regeneration; but according to Christ and his apostles we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit alone, and not by any outward ordinance. They regard the Sacraments as the only channels of grace and absolutely necessary to salvation, and inasmuch as they are in the hands of the priest who may grant or withhold them at his pleas· ure, it follows that he has complete control of the eternal dertiny of the souls of men. It is no wonder that all who devoutly accept this dogma are in servile subjection to the priest In things temporal and spiritual. If they are otherwise, it is because they are more or less sceptical.
Scripture teaches that there is but "One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus," (1 Tim. 11: 5), but this people appeal to many mediators, to saints and angels, and especially the Virgin Mary, who is represented as even more compassionate and accessible to sinners than Jesus. Divine attributes and honors are freely ascribed to her, and the month of May is consecrated to her service. Scripture teaches that the blood of Christ, shed once for all, cleanseth from all sin (1 John 1 : 7-9), and therefore it is extremely derogatory to the efficacy of His propitiatory and expiatory death to attempt to supplement it in My way. But Romanists believe in purgatory, a place of unutterable torments and of purification, into which souls pass at death and where they are cleansed from the defilement of sins committed after baptism. This process of cleansing is effected through the prayers of priests, the intercession of Mary and the saints, and, above all, the offering of the sacrifice of the mass.
The Romish Church boasts that she has never changed in doctrine or spirit. We may concede the latter part of this claim, but the former, as to doctrine, i8 set aside by the recent authoritative declaration of the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin and the InfallI'bility of the Pope. According to these, Mary was born without sin; arid the Pope when he speaks eIt catk«lra, i. 6., officially, can not err. It is held that Peter had supremacy over the rest of the apostles in spite of the fact that Paul .. resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned"
(Gal. 2 : 11; R. V.); and, that, like all his successors in the Popedom, and all cardinals, bishops, and priests, he was an unmarried man, altho we are expressly told in three Gospels that Jesus healed his wife's mother of a fever.
The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, his representative upon earth, and is therefore clothed with supreme divine authority, so that to him as the visible head of the Universal Church, sovereigns, princes, and governors, as well as people of all nations, owe submission. It is not illogical or surprising, therefore, that he and his ecclesiastical subordinates-bishops and priests-presume to meddle with civil government, and to enforce their views and commands by the spiritual penalties they can inflict. In accordance with this high claim, in the Province of Quebec, Romish bishops are invested with legal power, not only to levy tithes upon their people, but also to tax them to any amount they deem requisite for the erection and repairing of churches and dwellings for their priests. These taxes are collected by process of law like any civil assessment or ordinary debt, and are a 1irst lien upon the property of parishioners. This accounts for the comparative poverty of the bulk of them, and the magnificence of numerous churches, convents, colleges, and palaces of bishops and priests.
Do we need to add, as reasons for French evangelization, that idolatry and the manifold superstitions which accompany it, enslave and de~rade. The true spirit of patriotism and Ohristianity bids us give thIS people who are possest of many admirable natural qualities, the best gift we possess-the Gospel of the kingdom. Enlightened by the Gospel they are capable of contributing their quota-a most valuable one-to the intellectual, the moral, and spiritual outfit of the Dominiou; for it is a gross mistake, an offense against good taste and good citizenship, to depreciate them and their lan~age. But left in darkness under the yoke of a medieval ecclesiastIcism, which very many of them feel to be bitterly oppressive, they can only exert an influence detrimental to the unity, the progress, and freedom of the nation. And who are to blame? Not those born in darkness, but those who refuBe or neglect to give them the light. If we decline to repel and remove anti-scrip1mral errors, they will certainly encroach upon our borders and enter our homes and our churches. This is the testimony of all history, and is consonant with our own observation. To those who honestly desire to hold fast and hold forth the word of life we have thus recited more than sufficient reasons for the vigorous prosecution of French evangelization. .
The work is carried on by colporteurs, teachers, evangelists,. aM pastors under the direction of a board annually appointed by the Oanadian General Assembly. Oolporteurs go among the people from house to house, in the spirit of love distributing the Word of God and Biblical literature. Bibles and New Testaments are loaned or sold when possible. They deliver no other message than that of Ohrist and his apostles. They gather children and men and women into mission schools, where they receive the elements of a Ohristian education, the Bible and Shorter Oatechism being the principal text-books. When by innumerable visits, meetings, conferences, and prayers in the hum- ble homes of the people and in little school-rooms, success has been achieved and the Spirit of God has opened the eyes of parents and children, they are gathered into churches under the care of missionary pastors. This unostentatious and apostolic work of faith and labor of love is IOnducted in many rough out-of-the-way places, where the selfdenial, courage, and patience of the workers are far more severely tested than if they ministered to wealthy congregations; and to the honor of devoted colporteurs be it said, some of them have cheerfully persisted in this most useful form of service for thirty and forty years.
Figures very imperfectly represent spiritual influences and results. It is probable that during the last fifty years between twenty and thirty thousand converts have left our country owing to local persecutions and other causes.
. The Presbyterians of Canada have at present, mission fields occupied, 37; preaching stations, 93 ; families of converts, 928 ; church members, 1,179 ; added during the past year, 153; Sunday-school scholars, 1,020 ; mission day-schools, 21, with scholars on the roll, Protestant, 299 ; Roman Catholic, 308 ; at Point- aux-Trembles, Protestants, 77 ; Roman Catholics, 78; total number of pupils in all mission schools, 762. Amount contributed by converts, for salaries, $2,9JD.70 ; for other purposes, $2,918; school fees, at Point-aux-Trembles, about $1,400; other schools, $400 ; total contributions, $7,707.70.
The desire for the unadulterated Gospel and for sound Ohristian education has for many years been widely diffused by all our agencies, and a spirit of freedom and manly independence has been gradually fostered, which of late has unmistakably manifested itself throughout the province in dealing with public matters. This is the outcome of missionary effort, and should stir up all true Ohristians and patriots to more earnest prayer and greater liberality for the extension of our mission. The present and the near future are far more promising than any period during the last half century. There is an intellectual and a spiritual awakening among the French people, which opens the way to greatly increased evangelistic activity, and which can not be neglected without the most serious peril to our Ohurch and country.
The following extracts are translated from private letters written by the young woman officer in charge of the mission carried on by the Salvation Army amongst the French in Montreal. They are addrest to a contributor to its funds. The difficulties of the work are great~
THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR IN INDIA
as the officers themselves have to collect the means with which to carry it forward. But the greatest difficulty is to interest the English-speaking Protestant people in this work of rescuing the Oatholic population from the errors and superstition in which they have been brought up. The same difficulty is experienced by all workers amongst Roman Catholics, and while the need and character of the work varies according to the couutry in which it is carried on, the call for such work nevertheless exists in North as well as in South America: The French corps (Salvation Army) now occupies quarters above our hall, which is a vacant shop, fitted up for meetings, on one of the leading thoroughfares in the French quarter of Montreal. • . . About two-thirds of the rental is contributed by headquarters and the remainder I have to collect as well as the rent of the rooms in which we live. If I could find twelve families who would give $20 each during the year, this would meet the whole balance of the rental.
Our situation is such a good one. Catholics always come in large numbers, especially on Sunday evenings. Weare so glad to give them the opportunity to come out from their errors, in which they are so deeply plunged, and we work with.courage, counting always on the victory. • . . But an audience of two hundred people will only put fifty cents in the collection. And yet we have no other resource except this and what our friends supply in monthly contributions. • . • We walk by faith, not seeking our own interest but the advaneement of our Master's cause, and we are much happier in so doing.
If you could only look in for a few minutes at our hall on a Sunday evening, your heart would be moved to see so many Cat.hollcs face to face with the pure Gospel, with no interruption from anyone. The faces of the most thoughtless change after a few minutes, and they seem to take the truth home to themselves. All is so new to them. The Lord came to open the eyes of the blind, and He still does so in the most unmistakable way.
THE OHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR IN INDIA.
BY REV. FRANCIS E. CLARK, D.D.
It is always a source of gratification when a new method of Evangelization aud Ohristian training shows its adaptation to many lands and proves its right to be considered a universal movement. Such a claim, I think, can be maintained for the Ohristian Endeavor movement, which, of late, has been demonstrating that it has the same grasp, and grip, and" staying power" ill Asia and Africa as in America, and Europe, and Australia.
Within a few months the "United Society of India" has been formed on the same lines as the United Society of America; a provincial union has also been formed for South India, and other unions in the Oentral Provinces, in the Northwest Provinces; and in Bengal. In these unions the missionaries of all the societiea of America and England and Scotland lead the way, working together in the most fraternal harmony. The native Christians follow their lead, and bear their part of the labor.
Tho the work among the many English and Eurasian churches of India is important, yet the great work of Christian Endeavor, or any other evangelizing agency, must be to help lift the hundreds of millions of non-Christians from the degradation of their heathenism into the liberty and light of Christ. To accomplish this, the Christian Endeavor pledge and consecration have been translated into languages spoken by scores of millions of Hindus; their languages include Tuarathi, Hindi, Hindustani, Bengali, Canarese, Tamil, Teluga, Cyngalice, and Burmese, while it will soon be put into Punjabi, Muliari, and the languages of Cashmere and Assam.
The most gratifying results have already followed the introduction of Christian Endeavor Societies among the native Christians in many places. In the Arcot mission of the Dutch Reformed Church of America, a holy missionary zeal seems to prevail in many of the societies, and the native Christian Endeavorers go out into the highways and hedges and attempt to compel their heathen comrades to come into the Gospel feast. One of these societies preaches the Gospel every week through its active members to fully a thousand heathens in a score of villages, which lie about the town of Madanapalle, in the Madras Presidency. Many others emulate this example, and have become genuine centers of evangelistic effort.
Perhaps the most markt and fruitful development of Christian Endeavor in India is among the rice-fields of East Bengal, where, within a short radius, there exist more than sixty active and efficient societies in as many different villages of Bengali Christians. These villages are very small, and consequently many of the societies are small, some of them having only three, or four, or half a dozen members; but they have gone far to solve many serious problems of mission work, and to show how a small band of earnest native Christians, nnder adverse circumstances, can maintain the holy fire of zeal and Christlike devotion among themselves, without the aid of a resident missionary, or even a native pastor.
These societies have their weekly meetings, as do the societies at home; their consecration meetings are full of energy and purpose, and they reach ont their hands in many ways to bless those around them. One of the most enthusiastic and spiritual conventions I ever attended was in the little Bengali village of Chhabikhazpar, attended by over a thousand Bengali Christians, many of whom had walkt or paddled in their dingey a whole day or more to reach the meeting.
This most hopeful work is under the charge of Rev. William Oarey, a great-grandson of the great missionary of the same name. In the
THE PROTESTABT MISSION SOCIETIES oJ' GERlIANY
advancement of Christian Endeavor among the native Christians he shows the same zeal and intelligent devotion, as did his famous ances- 'tor, and, through t1Iis society, he is teaching a multitude of native Christians to "expect great things from God, and to attempt great things for God." , THE PROTESTANT MISSION SOCIETIES OF GERMANY.
BY PROFESSOR GEORGE H. SCHODDE, PH. D., COLUMBUS, O.
In Germany State and Church are united, and the number of State churches is more than forty. There is no such an institution as a National Protestant Church of Germany. Each one of the States, large and small, that enters into the composition of the Empire, has a separate State church of its own, and a number of the States have several Thus, e. g., Prussia has one form of ecclesiastical government for the nine old provinces, and separate consistories for the three new provinces acquired in 1866. As a result there is considerable diversity in trend and character of the various State churches, and a deplorable lack of union and unity, both against the commou foe, Roman Catholicism, as also in the prosecution of Christian work and enterprises. This lack of unity and cooperation is seen too in the mission activity of Protestant Germany, which is by no means what it ought to be and would be, if there was one, and only one, Protestant State church in the whole c9untry. Then, too, the State in its 'management of the affairs of the church payll no attention whatever to the outside interests of the congregation, such as inner and foreign mission work. Everything in this direction is the result of private enterprize, which is all the harder to secure in this case, as the German Christians are not accustomed to take the lead in matters pertaining to the affairs of the chqrch, expecting this to be done by the officials appointed by the State. As a consequence German Protestantism does not, in proportion to its numerical strength, do its share of foreign mission work.
This fact, too, is recognized by the Germans themselves. In the latest edition of the Theologisc7ws Jahrbuch, for 1897, the twenty- ' fourth issue of this excellent and complete church statistic of the Fatherland" the editor, Pastor J. Schneider, of Elberfeld, in commenting on the mission activity of the Germans, after mentioning the progress made in recent years, adds: I' However encouraging this progress bas been, it is nevertheless true that comparatively the work of the evangelical church of Germany in the department of missions stands in no proportion to the population. Inoluding German Switzerland, we represent more than one-fifth of all Protestant Ohristianity, yet we furnish less than onethirteenth of the total mission contributions of Protestantism, and furnish about the seventh part of the missionaries now in the field. Our men work cheaper than the English and the Americans, and our success, when the sums expended in the cause are taken into consideration, is greater than theirs. Then, too, there is found in Germany, not only among the Moravian brethren, who stand head and shoulder above all the others in this regard, but also elsewhere, a pronounced interest in the cause of missions, especially in the South and Western portions of the Empire, but the general percentage is materially decreast by the lack of interest that is almost universal throughout Northern and Eastern Germany."
A birdseye view of what is actually being done by the Germans in this regard can be secnred from the following table, based on the latest reports of the various societies accessible.
NAMES 01' MISSION Mission· Native Income In Expenses in SocIETIES. aries. Christians. marks. marks.
BMaosrealvS iaonclBer~e thr en. ________ 174 93,645 495,789 1,610,420 __ : ___________ 170 30,200 871,224 1,127,285 56,944 490,857 Barmen or emsh________ . 105 27,908 833,291 497,702 Berlin 1 __ . _____ – – __________ 26,157 210,885 856,152 68 14,517 852,456 210,950 Hermannsburg _____________ 59 40,500 180,312 856.225 Leipzig ___________________ . 1,490 148,058 162,954 Berlin 11. __________________ 89 42,418 144,586 Bremen. ___________________ 23 700 104,178 88,415 274 55,580 100,726 Neukirchen ________________ 16 85,111 18 79 89,889 61,501 mo. ________________ Breklum ______ 0 ____________ 10 100 88,000 85,111 208 13,188 35,887 Berlin 10 800 14.906 85,000 8 123 15,298 Neudettelsau ___________ • ___ 8,438,087 14,906 293,142 Protestant Society__________ 6 4,818,118 Jerusalem Society. _________ 8 China Mission Society_______ 1 Oriental Woman's Society___ Total _____________ . _. 705 According to the compilation of Professor Vahl, of Denmark, one of the most reliable missionary statisticians living, the latest full Protestant mission reports for the globe covered the year 1894. It gave the following totals: 5,933 male missionaries, 1904 wives of missionaries, 3,391 unmarried mission women, as also 3,815 ordained and 49,758 unordained native helpers of all kinds, who have taken charge of 1,060,822 communicant converts and about 742,344 children. The total income of all the societies Vahl computes at 56,000,000 marks. Of this total he credits to Germany 587 male missionaries, ~65 wives of missionaries, 149 unmarried women missionaries, together with 79 ordained and 3,736 non-ordained native helpers, in charge of 104,292 communicant converts and 23,244 children, with a total income of 4,500,000 marks. . These two reports substantially cover the same year, altho made independently of each other. In this year, 1894, the German missionaries of all the societies, baptized 21,248 adults and children. The relative growth of this work can be soon from the following comparative list of totals: YEAR. Native MiBsionaries. Expense. Christians 1873. _______________ 500 2.140,000 1883 _______________ 128,000 517 2,707,000 1887 ________________ 194,000 551 2,884,000 210,000 549 8,042,800 11889880 _________________________. ___.__ 215,000 606 8,445,000 1891. _______________ 247,000 687 1892 ________________ 257,000 647 -_ ……… 1894 _____ . __________ 267,000 695 298,142 8,688.700 " 714,521 The chief among the German societies is that of the Mora.vian Brethren, the missionary church of the world, par excellence, which has its workers almost everywhere. The society was establisht in 1732. Its headquarters are at historic Herrenhut, and its organ is the Missionsblatt aus der Brildergemeinde. Its chief fields of operation are Sonthwest Africa, Southeast Africa, South America, Western Africa, Alaska, Jamaica, Greenland, Labrador, British India. The record of the Moravians in this regard is generally well known to readers of mission literature.
The second society in importance among the Germans is that of Basel, where are also found the famous educational institutions of this association. The society was establisht in 1815. Its president is Pastor Minscher. Its organ is the EvangeUsclwr Heidenbote. Not a few of the graduates of the Basel schools enter the services of the British societies. Its chief fields of operation are India, China, the Gold Coast of Africa, and the Cameroons. The Basel society is particularly popular among the South Germans, but its popularity has received a shock in recent years by the fact that one or more of the Basel teachers became infected with the contagion of higher criticism. This was particularly the case with Pastor Kinzler, whose statements in this regard were approved by Director Oehler, of the same institution. In fact, the Moravians had the same trouble with their schools and teachers, and the excitement on this account has not yet died out. The Basel missionary institute of St. Chrishona is an excellent school graduates of which are found in goodly number also in the German Lutheran Church of America, especially among the western synods.
The Berlin I. Society was establisht in 1826, a.nd has now an able president ,in the person of Pastor von Gerlach. Its organ is the Berlin Missionsberichte, edited by the famous mission authority More~sky. This society publishes also a popular illustrated mission journal entitled Der Missions.freund, and it also manages a special mi88ion book concern in the German capital. It is probably the best organized of all German mission societies) having no fewer than 314 branch societies in the various provinces of Prussia. It has in South Africa seven districts in which its men operate. Recently it has begun work also in German East Africa. China is evidently the Schmerzenskind of this society. Altho engaged there for 13 years, it reports only 818 baptisms in all this time.
The Barmen or Rhenish Society publishes three different journals, all of them of a popular character. It labors chiefly iu Southwest Africa, New Guinea, and Sumatra, and is about to begin in China. The Bremen Society was organized in 1836, and has as its inspector the well-known mission writer, Pastor Zahn, publishing as its organ the Missio1tsblatt. What is official1y known as Berlin II. is the famous Gosner Society of Berlin, which recently celebrated the fiftieth year of its existence. It labors chiefly in India. None of the societies have enlisted the interest and cooperation or nniversity men to the same degree that this has been done by the Leipzig Society, of which the venerable and veteran Professor Luthardt has been a leading officer for a. generation. This society is characterized by a positive Lutheran basis, in which respect it agrees ful1y with the Hermannsburg Society, which is the most pronounced of all in its confessionalism and conservatism. The Leipzig Society labors chiefly in India, while the Hermannsburgers go to Africa, India, and China, and until recently also to Australia. Both of them have mission institutes of their own, that at Hermannsburg being in' an especially flourishing condition. Both of these societies are supported also by contributions from the Lutheran Church of the United States, who have selected those two because of their positive standpoint. Some of the contributions also go to the Neudettelsau Society for the same reason. Of the other and smaller societies special interest attaches itself to the Protestant Mission Society, which has been organized by the liberals of Germany in order to show the world that they, too, a.nd not only the conservatives and positive Christians can engage in mission work. As yet little or nothing has been accomplisht, altho an effort has been made to convince the Japanese of the blessings of a liberal Christianity. It is a noteworthy fact that all this mission work of Germany, as also all the enterprize exhibited by the friends of that blessed innovation, "Inner Missions," has emanated from positive and conservative Christian centers. Altho Germany is the headquarters of liberal theological thought, this liberalism has been particularly barren in the field of mission enterprise, both home or foreign.
In conclusion attention yet should be drawn to the fact that a movement, not unlike the Volunteer Student Movement in America and England, has been inaugurated in Germany, too, at the universi-
1897..1- THE SCANDINAVIAN ALLIANCE MISSION 01' AlmmOA
ties, and apparently with fair success. A national 8tudentenbund fur· Mission was organized at Halle, with the following as leading principles: 1. This Society is an association of prayer that solicits help for the cause of missions. 2. Every student can become a member who stands on the basis of the Scriptures and has faith in the realization of the mission command of the Lord. 3. The members try to realize this ideal by either becoming missionaries themselves, or seeking to gain others for this cause. 4. ']'hose who feel that the Lord has called them for this work, promising to follow this call. This society is now represented at the majority of the German universities.
THE SCANDINAVIAN ALLIANCE MISSION OF AMERICA.· BY REV. R. A. JERNBERG, CRICAGO, ILL.
Frederik Franson, the Scandinavian apostle to the Gentiles, was born near Nora in Nerike, Sweden, June 17, 1852. When 17 years of age he emigrated with his parents to America, having previously enjoyed the instruction of the best schools and teachers in hiB native town, and having been a student in the Latin school of Orebro. At the age of twenty, while working on his father's farm in Nebraska, he was converted, aud three years later began his career as an evangelist. He traveled widely among his scattered countrymen in America for five or six years, his year of labor among the Scandinavians in Utah leading him to write a book again!!t Mormonism, which has had a wide reading aud great influence. In Chicago he united with the Chicago Avenue Church, commonly known as Mr. Moody's Church, of which he is still a member.
In 1881 Mr. Franson went to Sweden, .where his eighteen months of labor were greatly blest. In 1883 he commenced work in Norway, beginning at Christiania, where a strong church of more than 400 members still attests his success. During this and part of the following year he visited almost every city in Norway along the entire coast. In the autumn he went to Denmark, and· labored nntil the following year, when he was imprisoned for preaching and praying • The Cong'8gatlonal and Independent BcandinaTian churches In Chicago haTe recently been stirred by the visit of a man whose praise Is In all thelle churches, both In this COUDtry and In Scandinavia, though he Is but a humble, unpretentious lay preacher, whose only purpose IJlllfe seems to be that of doing his Master's will. Brother Franson started from America about four years ago, after bavlng organized the Scandinavian Alliance Mission. He visited Norway and SwedeD, recruiting volunteers for foreign mlll8lonary service. A.bout three years after the first company had sailed, he himself started on a tour of Inspection of the various m1ssfons that had been establlsht, and It was fresh from this tour that this modern apostle to the Gentiles came to the Scandinavians In Chicago and the West. The number of American Christians who have heard his name Is small, but a brief aketch of the maD and his work may be of Interest and value in estimating some of the religious movements among the foreign populations of our country, especially in their relation to those American churches nearest to them in falth and polity. for the sick. His trial lasted seven weeks, and resulted in his banish- ment from Denmark, which has the distinction of being the only country in the world, except Tibet, where this Gospel messenger may not preach the tidings of the cross. In Sweden, also, Mr. Franson was arrested for the" emanation of a doctrine tending to schism in the church." He was fined and imprisoned repeatedly by the lower courts, but was set at liberty on appealing to the king.
After his banishment from Denmark, Mr. Franson visited Germany, where he attended some of Prof. Christlieb's lectures in the University of Bonn, and spent about a year in preaching. He also perfected himself in French, and preacht in that language in Switzerland, France, and to the Waldensian churches in Piedmont.
After a tour to the Levant he returned to Norway and Sweden via Poland and Northem Germany, preaching the Word wherever he went. During this visit to the Scandinavian countries, Mr. Franson went to Finland, and afterwards again to Germany. His interest in missionary work for the heathen, and his special endeavors in their behalf, may be said to have begun with this visit to Germany, where a missionary expe,dition to China was organized by his friend arid colaborer, Emanuel Olson, in 1890. Not long afterwards Mr. Franson sailed for America with the declared purpose of arousing an interest among his countrymen here in behalf of the millions of China.
In three months he had secured fifty volunteers for missionary ser- vice, whose support was pledged by various churches and individuals. Arrangements were made with Rev. J. Hudson Taylor for the recep- tion and care of this first company at one of the stations of the China Inland Mission, with which the Scandinavian Alliance Mission has ever since been in closest sympathy. The first company of thirty-five, which sailed from San Francisco, January 22,1891, was followed a lit- tle later by the remainder of the first fifty. The following year thir- , teen more went to China, ten to India, hoping in time to enter Tibet, twenty to Japan, and eight to South Africa. In 1893 and 1894 these were reinforced by five sent to China, two to Japan, two to South Africa, and thirteen were sent to establish a new mission among the Gallas in East Africa. In 1895 a new mission was begun in Mongolia which has two missionaries. Several of those here enumerated have since connected themselves with other societies, a few have returned or died, so that the total number now on the societies' roll is only eighty-six. But the working force is much greater, including the na- tive helpers employed by the missionaries.
This force has been placed in the field and supported during the five years of the society's existence at an aggregate cost of *110,000, an average of *22,000 per year. While this sum is small enough to be divided between eighty or ninety laborers, it still is a cause of great surprise, when we consider that it comes from the poor dis- senting or free Scandinavian churches in America, the majority of them struggling hard to support themselves, many of them receiving home missionary aid, and all of them making heroic sacrifices to support their representatives on the foreign field.
While the success of this movement has certainly been remark- able, there were yet some conditions which favored it from the be- ginning, and which expJain, at least in part, how it was possible for Mr. Franson to send out a party of fifty missionaries, whose whole support was pledged, only four months after he undertook the work.
There are in this country a.bout 350 Scandina.vian free churches, e., i. either Independent, Congregational, or Swedish Mission Friends.
UntH the organization of this new missionary society the Independent and Congregational Churches had not assumed the responsibility of any foreign missionary work at all, neither had the Swedish Mission Friends, tho they had arranged with their brethren in Sweden to care for the mission among the Indians in Alaska, begun by them some years ago. Mr. Franson, therefore, found an open field, and it can not be denied that he has made it yield almost to the limit of its capacity. It is certain, moreover, that no other society could have united these Scandinavian Christians in work for the heathen world, as has the Scandinavian Alliance Mission. ,If these churches had simply been askt to contribute to the general fund for Con- gregational foreign missions, they would only have done so in a half-hearted, uninterested way, very different from the enthusialltic spirit which marks their giving to a society which in every respect they can call their own. Differences of creed, polity, and nationality are swept away before a force like this, and the incoming of Cltrist's kingdom is felt not only here, but to the ends of the earth in con- sequence. The Christiau people represented by the Scandinavian Alliance Mission are not generally in favor of "numbering Israel," and it has not therefore been easy to obtain statistics showing the results of the five years' work. From the statistics of other societies, however, we learn that in Japan the Scandinavian Alliance Mission at the close of 1895 had ten foreign missionaries, eight native helpers, eight main ,stations with twenty-one branch stations, and the membership of the churches numbered ninety-five adults.
Mr. Franson says that if the workers in the other missions of the society have been as successful as the missionaries in Japan, then it is safe to say, that about 1,000 adults have already been converted through their instrumentality, tho until now the work has been almost entirely one of preparation.
In China, the society has thirty stations of its own, and mans ten stations of the China Island MiSSIOn.
But the impression made by the missionaries on the field may per-
WALDBNBIAN )[J8810N8 IN ITALY
haps be gathered even better from a letter received last year from Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, dated Shanghai, Jan. 11, 1895. He says in- t81' alia: We have recently had an all too short visit from our earnest friend, Rev. F. Franson, and I gather from him that you are likely to be interested in hearing of my visit to the Scandinavian missionaries who are working in Central Chin8 in 888oclation with the China Inland Mission. In the course of this visit I met with most of the Scandinavian workers of Central China, and my intercourse with all these friends WBlj most pleasant and profitable. . • .
I had been in Si·gan eight years before, and found one of our missionaries living in an inn; after years of persistent eftort our attempt to obtain a residence in the' city failed, and had to be abandoned, but now "He who opens and no man shuts .. had 80 thoroughly opened the doors that we met a band of twenty missionaries for conference and fellowship for more than a week without molestation or one unkind word.
The missionary brethren were living inside the west gate of the city in a comfortable house rented by our late brother P. E. Holmen (of the Scandinavian Alliance Mission). Here we were most hospitably entertained for eight or nine days, and were very thankful for all we saw. At some little distance outside the walls In the western suburb was the sisters' d welling. I was Imprest with the good progress both brothers and sisters had made in the knowledge of the language, and by the practical experience they had gained. They had evidently won confidence and respect among the people and had favor with the authorities. • • I will not refer in detail to our visits to Ping-Yang. Hoh-Chan. and other pIeces, where we met Scandinavian workers; for all whom we met, without exception. we give hearty praise to God and can not but feel that they are God-sent mISSionaries. who have already been used by Him. and are qualified for still more Important service In the future. Those whose contributions have 888isted in sending them out and in supporting them, have good cause to thank God for the privilege of shBrlllg in 80 blessed a work.
WALDENSIAN MISSIONS IN ITALY.
BY REV. G. C. MAUGERI, SICILY.
Who does not know something of the marvelous history of that wonderful people, "the Israel of the Alps," living high up in the recesses of the Cottian mountains? The thrilling story of the noble Waldenses may be traced far back into the early Christian centuries. For a thousand years they alone remained faithful to the teachings of the pure Gospel of Christ; and they can show many evidences of the fierce persecutions which they endured at the hands of the Catholic Church and her emissaries for six hundred years.
In the dark a~es, when the hateful tyranny of priest-power held sway over all ChrIStendom, the Waldenses stilI held high the banner of the Gospel and were ready to die for truth's sake. Century after century they continued to protest against the innovations; apostasy, and abominations of the adulterous Church. They shone as a pure light in the midst of the darkness which surround them; their lamp was not under a bushel, but on a lamp-stand. Their most earnest, powerful, and promising men were sent two by two throughout Europe as missionaries of the cross, and many of them paid for their zeal with their lives. The German, French and Swiss reformers of the fifteenth century were 8stonisht when they discovered this small body of Christians living in seclusion in the fastnesses of the Alps, and learned that for centuries they had held the faith which now was gaining new adherents. After this heroic band of believers had undergone thirty-three persecutions, had suffered confiscations of property, imprisonment, privation, banishment, and death, they were at last emancipated by Oarlo Alberto on the 17th of February, 1848. After this righteous act, worthy of a just 'king, the Waldenses exerted all their energy in strengthening their churches in the valleys, and in sending miSSIOnaries wherever there was an open door to organize new churches and open schools. These pioneers met with many difficulties, and were compelled to fight for their advance inch by inch. But many vic- tories were won, and from the land of the dead many dry bones arose to life and usefulness; from Alpine ranges to Sicilian shores, and from sea to sea, they have now forty-nine organized churches, forty~four stations, and 5 circuits, with 5,419 church members, 684 catechumens.. and 3,272 Sunday-school children. The work is carried on by fortyfive pastors, seventeen evangelists, sixty-two teachers, and twelve colporteurs or Bible readers. A number of Young Men's Ohristian Associations have also been started allover Italy, besides various benevolent societies, orphanages, dispensaries, hospitals, soup-kitchens, day and evening schools, colleges, and one Theological Seminary.
After havin~ thus briefly glanced at the history and present .extent of the Waldenslan work. we propose to answer some of the qnestions which have beenaskt by those who have been askt to contribute toward the extension and support of the work throughout Italy.
1. Wl~y do not the Italians support the Waldensian work! Of course, the vast majority of Italians are Roman Oatholics, and are thus antagonistic to all forms of Protestantism, which, in their minds, comprises all that is heretical, and therefore infamous.
As to the Italian Protestant Ohristians, they are, in the first place, very lew in comparison with the magnitude of the work. How could five thousand members carryon, unaided, a work among over thirty millions of people? It would be as tho one or two large congregations were to undertake the evaugelization of the whole of South America. These Protestants are also very poor, and are already doing more than should be expected of them. In every new field the first converts are, for the most part, from among the poorer classes. Strong working peopJe, faithful members of our church in Sicily, could not afford more than two scanty meals of their brown bread a day. Some of them said, with tears in their eyes, that they had not attended church for some time, because they felt ashamed that they were unable to contribute a single cent for the Lord's work. God alone knows how much of the pastor's and missionary's scanty salary is spent to relieve the needy ones. No sooner does a man profess belief 1D the pure Gospel than he suffers grievous persecution, and is often deprived of all means of support. But, notwithstanding their povertY' and heavy taxes, the five thousand church members last year, a very hard vear, contributed 81,000 lire (tl6,OOO). This was only accomplisht by true self-denial, such as has, perhaps, few parallels in the history of the church. At the time of the sulphur ore crisis in Sicily, last year, many of our brethren, after they had sold all their household goods, could not obtain work for even five cents a day.
2. Wl~JI do not the WaldenslJs support their own work! In the first place, they are but a small community, mainly of the peasant class, numbering about 25,000 people. Up to the tIme of their emancipation they were, by law, restricted to compulsory poverty, being not allowed to own an inch of land outside of their own little valley. They were a.lso excluded from the practice of law, medicine, or any of. the liberal arts, except among themselves. Their taxes were much heavier than those of the Roman Oatholic subjects. Their pastors were not allowed, under pain of imprisonment, to sleep, even for a single night, in a papal parish.
But, in spite of the difficulties, these people are giving nobly. The eighteen churches of the Waldensian Valleys, with their 14,528 church members, 1,015 catechumens, and 22 pastors, are carrying on effective work in their own district, ani, in addition, send generous contributions to the missionary board of the church. 1'hey have organized 86 Sunday-schools, with 376 Sunday-school teachers and 3,761 pupils; also 206 primary schools, with 4,750 pupils. To carryon the present mission work, our Board of Evangelization needs from sixty to seventy thousand dollars y'early. How could these few poor peasants be expected to contribute that amount, besides what they are giving toward the support of their own work at home? By faith they have planted the blessed banner of Ohrist throughout the land of the Pope, and believe that the Lord will not desert them, but that Italy shall, at last, be won for God.
3. Why does not Europe care for Italy'! We must remember that Europe is not a Protestant continent. Papal Spain, Portugal, and Austria, sceptical France, or orthodox Russia and Greece can not be expected to assist in purifying Italy. Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland and Holland, are already keenly interested in the evangelization of Europe and are also sending missionaries to North America and to the uttermost parts of the earth.
If the Waldensian received as much aid from America as from Europe,* the working force could be doubled and Italy might soon be evangelized. But what has come from America has been thankfully received and has aided materially in the work. The American brethren of the Methodist Episcopal and North and South Baptist Ohurches are doing something for Italy under the direction of their own Boards. The Presbyterian and Reformed Ohurches say that the W0.1denses can accomplish better work among the Italians than any foreigner could be expected to do, and yet these denominations, who leave work of reformation in the hands of their Waldensian brethren, fail to come to their support with sufficient funds to enable then:.. to carryon effective work.
More than one has refused aid for the evangelization of Italy on the ground that Italians have already had the Gospel preacht to them have rejected it while the heathen have never had an opportunity, and therefore deserve all our attention.
We affirm, and believe that the affirmation is unquestionably supported by history, that tho Italians did not reject the Gospel, but that they were led into error, step by step, by the Ohurch of Rome, who buried the truth, as it is in Ohrist, deep down beneath a mass of superstitions and false doctrines, until the misguided masses can no longer distinguish the true from the false. The Jesus whom they know is only a helpless babe in the arms of a gentle vir~n, or, at most, is but a dead Ohrist on the cross.
Not long ago, a stranger was invited by the local scholastic author- -Europe contributed last year $68,112.68 for the Waldenslan work in Italy, while America .contributed $1,588.12 for the same.
THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OP ITALY. 6()S
ities of a small town in Southern Italy to visit their schools. Before leaving the girl school, the visitor askt a bright girl, "TeU me, dear, whom do you love most, the ;Lord or the Madonna?" After some hesitation, she answered, "I love the Madonna the most." "Why?" " Because the Madonna sends me in Paradise, while the. Lord drives me down to hell or purgatory !,,* This is a good illustration of the thought concerning the virgin and Christ in the minds of the papists of Italy. Will not our Christian brethren put more of the money intrusted to them into the much neglected work of the Master in sunny Italy, that they may, at His coming, return unto the Lord His own with interest? t THE E V AN GEL I CAL C H U R C H 0 FIT A L Y.
BY REV. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, D.D., VENICE.
The great need of Italy is the Gospel. Twenty or twenty-five millions of its thirty mijlions of inhabitants have long ago ceased to believe in the Papal Church, and their connection with it is merely a matter of birth and name. Not only have they ceased to believe in it as a Christian Church, but they have come to regard it as an institution hostile to Ohrist and to the Gospel. "Egli porta troppo l'evangelo" (He carries too much of the Gospel) was the judgment a theological canon in St. Mark's Ohurch, Venice, pronounced upon a friend of mine who was in trainillg to become a prIest, and accordingly he was cast aside as an unfit instrument. And yet the Papal Ohurch stands sorely in need of Italian priests. Her native priesthood is dying out. Enough priests can not be obtained to fill the churches, and so they have to import them in large numbers from other countries, and especially from Protestant England. But, say the Papal authorities, better an empty parish than a priest who knows the Gospel. Such an one is utterly disqualified for the priestly office, and, indeed, I have never known nor read of a priest becoming a Christian who did not suffer persecution at the hands of his Ohurch.
But it is the Gospel, and only the Gospel, that brings real and lasting blessings to men and to natiom. It is the reception of the glad tidings of a free and full salvation in Jesus Christ that recreates unto good works the children of men. The Papacy rretends to give salvation in sin, and wherever it goes it destroys 0.1 right thinking and obliterates all morar distinctions. The Pope claims and exercises the power of making right wrong and wrong right; hence the Government of Italy has had to make marriage a civil rite, as the priests would sanction any kind of marriages, if only they were paid enough. I was once askt by an Italian young lady if a thing could be right and wrong at the same time; for, she said," My priest has offered to make wrong right for me." What Italy needs, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who saves not in sin but from it. The. Italians to a • From" Dis e Popolo." t Subsciiptlons may be forwarded to the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 156 Fifth 'Ave., New York. Those who wish to send money directly to Italy, may do 80 by a check on any American hank, endorsed to Messrs. Nast-Kolb and Schumacher, Bankers,9 Via Mercade, Rome; or, to Comm. Matteo Prochet, D.D., 101 Via NazlontUe, Rome. $125 wUl support 180 laborers and their families for one day; $25 will support an evangelist or a teacher for a whole month; $20 a colporteur tor a month; '15a lady teacher tor a month. large extent realize this and want something to make them better, not worse. They have cast off the Papal lie, and now they want to know the truth. Hence the remarkable and annually inoreasing sale of Scriptures, both those produced by the British and Foreign Bible Society and those printed and publisht by native publishers, like the illustrated family Bible of Sonzogno, of Milan. Hence the number of religious books, like Bovio's "Christ at the Feast of Purim" and" St. Paul," which are having an extraordinary circulation. Hence, too, the recognition by Italians in general of Protestants as Christians, whilst Clerioals are put in opposition to both, and hence, too, the . readiness with whioh they attend Protestant services.
Every Church, then, that has for its objeot the evangelization of Italy ought to receive our cordial sympathy and support. It is a matter of thankfulness that there are many such. Some lament that this is the case, and wish that there were only one. There ought to be only one so far as aim and spirit are concerned, but we must remember that differences of belief and of government and operation are the necessary accompaniments of life. There can be no growth where there are no diversities. Outward nnity, about which we hear so much at the present time, would be for the Church of Christ, I believe, a great calamity, ending in torpitude and death. The Papal Church is one, but it is a dead church-spiritually dead, utterly without faith and without life. As Professor Bovio, himself within its pale, has described it, " It is a rotten bough on the tree of Chris- tianity." The fact, then, that there are several evangelical Chnrches in Italy is not to be regretted, so long as they are occupied, not in advancing their own party ends, but that of the evangelization of Italy. One of these, which keeps steadily in view the good of Italy, is the Evangelical Church of Italy. Its very name declares the evan~ gelization of the country to be its aim and object; but its name tells more-it tells of self-denial and self-sacrifice for the general good. Self-denial, manifested in the giving up of names, entered into the making of the kingdom of Italy. Piedmont, Lombardy, Venetia, Tuscany-all merged themselves in the one United Kingdom of Italy, and so in 1889 this churoh gave up the special name it re- ceived at its birth and had borne for nearly twenty years, namel" "The Free Italian Church," for the more general one it now bears, III the hope that other churches would do the same, and so put an end to provincialism in evangelistic as well as in political matters.
On the 20th of September, 1870, a breach was made in the walls of Rome at the Porta Pia, and the temporal power of the Pope was taken away for ever. The year of young Italy's birth was also that of this Evangelioal Churoh. They oame into being together and were both the offspring of the refusal of the Italians longer to be enslaved materially, intelleotually, and spiritually by the Papal power. Thus the Evangelioal Churoh has perhaps more than any other been in full sympathy with Italy's rise and progress. It oame into being unhampered with traditions, with no historio past to bind it to a oonservative polioy" It was not a foreign oorporation introduced into the country; It was of Italy, and was free to run its course. If it obtained pastors and teachers, members and adherents, they had to be Italians. It could not call in help from without; it had to go down into the depths of Papal ignorance and superstition, vice and crime, and bring up into truth and purity those who were to be its clergy and its laity. All its members were to be found within the pale of Popery.
In its mission it has succeeded. It has abundantly justified its existence and its name. It has at the present time twenty-nine lead- ing congregations, forty-seven smaller groups of believers, and 132 other preaching stations, where evangelistic work is carried on. Ex- priests and monks as well as young civilians are offering themselves for training in its theological hall at Florence, and whole villages, like Roccapietra, are desirous of being formed into new congregations.
On the 20th of September, 1895, the Kingdom of Italy celebrated its semi-jubilee. It was then twenty-five years old, and could boast of having done not a little in the work of undoing the mischief wrought by the Papacy. Roads had been made, cities lighted, schools and colleges opened, life and property made safe, public confidence restored, commerce increased, dishonesty, fraud, brigandage, murder, and all similar fruits of the Papacy lessened, if not banisht from the realm. The government could even point to the church of the Pope itself as having been purified by the strong arm of the law. On that same day the Evangelical Church of Italy celebrated its semijubilee. .
Since then both Italy and the Evangelical Church have had trials to endure. The Papal party, backed by Englishmen, has put forth all its cunning and power to destroy the kingdom. Its efforts were doomed to failure, altho by bribery and corruption exercised amongst the lowest of the I!eople, it has been able to do what Englishmen at home soom to do WIth their eyes open-put clericals into positions of trust and power in certain municipalities and in the government, where all local and imperial interests are made subservient to the advancement of the ends of the Papacy. Already, however, in Italy a reaction has set in, and the time is not far distant when every Papist will be swept from office and power as a disloyal subject.
In the same way a hostile force made war last winter upon the Evangelical Church of Italy. Some, of.whom better things were to be expected, boasted that they would destroy it. Their efforts were also futile, and in God's providence their very hostility has been over- ruled for good. They have brought t6 the Evangelical Church the blessings that a struggle for life never fails to bring to those who hava to face it. Its pastors and people, forced to stand shoulder to shoulder ill the fight, have let drop secondary interests, and now more than ever" stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel." And to the example it manifested of patience and meekness under persecution may be attributed in part the acces- sions that have lately taken place to its ranks. Many, seeing that to it had been given" in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for His sake," joined themselves to its com- munion.
The Evangelical Church well deserves the sympathy and support of the Christian public. The young church is entering upon a new epoch of its life and history, and it is for those interested in the cause of Jesus Christ aud in its advancement in Italy, so long cursed by the Papacy and now free and united, to so befriend and help it that its record at the close of caonnocltuhdeerdt.w* enty-five years may be even more splendid than that just • The Bev. Dr. MacDougall's address Is tl1e Scottish Church. Florence, Italy.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT. , (Aug1.lst
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Interna.tional :r.fisaiOna.ry UniOn. this REVIEW, by giving this long list.
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. It will be read with intense interest in The International Missionary Union every mission, field of the world, and convened for its fourteenth Annual Session, June 9-15, inclusive, at Cllfton those of our readers not finding it en- Springs, N. Y., being the eighth ses- sion held at this place, as the guest of tertaining will bear in mind that not all the founder of the Sanitarium, Dr. Henry Foster., The largest attendance readers are equally intQreSted in any of its history was recorded, there being one hundred and fifty-five missionaries part of a great cyclopedic volume, such present. These were from the several countries as follows: Africa: Abyssinia, as this becomes In the course of each 1 ; Egypt, 2; West Central and South Africa, 9 ; total 12. Austria, 1; Bul- year. The figures show the years of garia, 1; Italy, 1; Spain, 1. India: Assam, 1; Burma, 8; other parts of service of the person whose name they India, 29; total, S8; Egypt, 2; Syria, 3; Turkey, 12; Laos, 2; Siam, 2; precede, the country following the China, 43; Japan, 27; Korea, 4; Malaysia, 2 ; North American Indians, 2 ; name, the field of labor. Mexico, 3; West Indies, 1; South America: Brazil and Chile, 3; Micro- 1874-78, Mrs. Sarah C. Adams, (Janesia, 2 ; New Zealand, 1. pan); 1892–94, Miss Hester Alway, (India); 1865-97, Mrs. Marj J. Ander- The several missionary organizations son, (China, N, Zealand); 1887-95, were represented numerically as fol- Rev. J. O. Ashenhurst, (Egypt); 1886lows: The American Board, 46; 95, Mrs. J. O. Ashenhwst, (Egypt); Methodist Episcopal, 28 ; Canada 1892– ,Miss Louise A. Babe, (Africa); Methodists, 3; Methodist Protestant, 2; 18~, Rev. S. L. Baldwin, D.D., Free Methodist, 1; Presbyterians, 23 ; (China); 1890- ,Rev. W. S. Banner- United Presbyterians, 2; Baptist: Am- man, (Africa); 1890- , Mrs. W. 8. erican Baptist Missionary Union, 13; Bannerman, (Africa); 1867- , Rev. Seventh Day Baptist, 1 ; rCanada Bap- Lyman Bartlett, (Turkey); 1884- , tist. 8; Reformed Church (Dutch), 9; Mi88 Cornelia S. Bartlett, (Turkey); Protestant Episcopal, 1, London Mis- 1883-89, Mrs. Harlan P. Beach, (Chisionary Society, 1; Established Church, na); 1879-81, Mrs. W. H. Belden, Scotland, 2; Woman's Union Mission- (Bul~aria); 1897-, Woo. C. Bell, ary S,ociety, 4; China Inland Mission, (AfrIca) ; 1'888- ,Miss Florence E. S; Friends, 2; Phil.-African League, Ben-Oliel, (SYI1a); 1891-96, ~iss Ag- 1 ; Canada Colleges' Mission, 1; Inde- nes M. Bigelow, (Africa); 1867-85, pendent, 2: total 155. Mrs. J. T. Booker, (India); 1887- , Rev. Woo. B. Boomer, (Chile); 1879- As for nine years past the names, , Rev. Eugene S. Booth, (Japan) ; years of service, and country of those in 1879- ,Mrs. Eugene S. Booth, (Jaattendance on these meetings has been pan); 1887-96, H. J. Bostwick, (Chipreserved in the. reports of this maga- na); 1887-96, Mrs. H. J. Bostwick, zine and in no other, we venture once (China) j 1889-, Miss Emma F. more to add to the historical value of Boughton, (China); 1897- ,Mr. F. S. Brockman, China); 1897- ,Mrs. F. S. Brockman,(China) j 1853-88, Mrs. A Bushnell, (Africa); 1882- , Miss M. J. Cartmell, (Japan); 1878, Mrs. Ben- jamin Chappell, (Japan); 1887- , Rev. C. A. Clark, (Japan); 1893- , Mrs. W. J. Clark, (India); 1883-94, Rev. J. T. Cole, (Japan) j 1890- ,Mrs. W. H. Cossum, (China) j 1877- ,Rev. John Craig, (India); 1885- , Mrs. John Craig, (India); 1892– ,. Rev. Horace A. Crane, (India):; 1892- ',Mrs. Horace A. Crane, (India); 1886- ,Miss E. T. Cros]:>y, Micronesia; 1878-79, Rev. Chas. W. Cu~hing, (Italy); 1869- 79, Rev. J. A. Davis, D. D., (China); 1869-70, Mrs. J. A. Davis, (China); 188{)- , Rev. F, W. Davis, (China); 1887- , Rev. John E. Davis, (India); ton, (India); 1876- ,Mrs. F. Ohlinger, 1897- ,Mrs. John E. Davis, India); (China, Korea); 1863- ,Rev. M. P. 1876-90, Mrs. A. D'Ouseley, (India, Parmelee, M.1>., (Turkey); 1871- • China); 1893-96, Misa Marie A. Dowl- Mrs. Moses P. Parmelee, (Turkey); ing, (Ohina); 1891- ,Miss Effa Dun- 1888- , Rev. Lyman P. Peet, (China); more, (Mexico); 1886-96, Miss SUl'llln 1888- ,Mrs. Lyman P. Peet, (China); Easton, (India); 1882- , Rev. James 1878- ,Mrs. James H. Pettee, (Japan); D. Eaton, !.¥exico); 1882, Mrs. James 1897- , Miss Nellie Pierce, (Korea); D. Eaton, (Mexico) ; 1872- , Mrs. C.H. 1889- , Rev. C. W. Price, (China); R.Elwell, (Burma); 1890- , Mi88 S. A. 1889- , Mrs. C. W. Price, (China); Esterbrooks, (W. Indies, S. Amer.); 1878-80, Miss Mary Priest, (Japan); 1852, Rev. W. A. Farnsworth, D.D., 1879- ,Mrs. W. H. Roberts, (Burma); (Turkey); 1852- , Mrs. W. A. Farns- 1889- ,Rev. James B. Rodgers, (Braworth, (Turkey); – – – , Miss Celia zll); 1889- , Mi88 Martha Rogers, J. Fames, (India); 1887- , MiBB M. (India) ; 1865-81, Rev. H. A. Schauffier, EsteJ.le Files, (Burma); 1891- , Ed- D.D.. (Turkey, Austria); 1897- , ward. A. Ford. (Africa); 1853-58, Mrs. Mrs. J. W. Schenck, (Japan) ;'1890- , O. M. Ford, M. D., (Mrica); 1880- , Rev. Henry J. Scudder, (India); Mi88 Elsie M. Garretson, (China); 1897- , Rev. Frank S. Scudder, (Ja. 1881- , Mrs. W. C. Gault, (Mrica); pan) ; 1897- ,Mrs. Frank S. Scudder, 1861-68. Rev. J. T. Gracey, D.D., (In- (Japan); 1897- ,Mi88 Clara G. Seydia); 1861-68. Mrs. J. T. Gracey, (In- mour, (China); 1888- • Mi88 Sarah dia); 1889- , Mi88 Fanny E. Gris- Simpson, (India); 1861-95, Mrs. Nathwold, (Japan); 1897- , Rev. Adam F. an Sites, (China); 1890-96, Miss Ruth Gl'Ol8beck, (China); 1897- , Mrs. Marie Sites, (China); 1886- , Mrs. Adam F. Grresbeck, (China); 1872-93, Arthur W. Stanford, (Japan); 1884- Rev. T. L. Gulick, D.D., (Spain); 1887 , Mi88 Eva C. Stark, (Burma); 1881- – ,Rev. Sidney L. Gulick, (Japan); 90, Rev. M. L. Stimson, (China); 1881- 1887-77, Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, D.D., 90, Mrs. M. L, Stimson, (China); (Turkey); 1890- ,Dr. R. A. Hardie, 1889-94, Miss Cora A. Stone, (Japan); (Korea); 1889- , Rev. W. V. Hig- 1879- , Rev. G. I. Stone, (India); gi~, (India); 1889- , Mrs. W. V. 1883- • Ella F., Swinney, M.D., Higgins. (India); 1890-96, Mrs. A. T. (China); 1888- " 1tliBB Ella J. Taylor, HUt (Japan); 1881- , Mary A. (Burma); 1854-64, Rev. Robert Tel- Holbrook. M.D.. (Japan) ; 1884- ford, (Siam, China); 1890-96, MI88 92, Rev. T. E. Inglis. (India); 1884- Caroline M. Telford, (Japan); 1868-73, 92, !!rs. T. E. Inglis, (India); Rev. C. C., Thayer, M.D, (Turkey); 1890- , Rev. Robert Irwin, (Laos); 1868-73, Mrs. C. C. Thayer, (Turkey); 1887- , Rev. Herbert B. Johnson. 1869-72, Miss Mary A. Thompson, (Japan); 1878- ,Adeline D. H., Kel- (China); 1888- , Rev. E. Tribolet, sey, M.D., (Japan); 1892- ,Rev. Chas. (Burma); 1888- , Mrs. E. Tribolet, C. Kelso, (Malaysia); 1892- , Mrs. (Burma); 1890- • Rev. E. H. Van Chas. C. Kelso, (Malaysia); 1879-81, Dyke, (Japan); 1890- , Mrs. E. H.
Rev. Albert A. Kidder, (India); 1889- Van Dyke. (Japan); 1871-88, Mrs.Le- , Rev. Chas. A. KiIlie, (China); roy M. Vernon. (Italy); 1858- ,Rev. 1889- ,Mrs. Chas. A. KiIlle, (China); Theophilus Waldmeier, (AbY88inia, 1887- , Rev. Wm. H. Lacy, (China) ; Syria); 1858- ,Mrs. Theophilus Wald- 1870- , MI88 Martha C. Lathrop, meier, (Syria); 1872- , Rev. JOBeJ?h (India); 1873- ,Miss Elizabeth Law- E. Walker, (China); 1870- , Miss rence, (Burma); 1888-95, Mi88 Alice C. Grace R. Ward, (India); 1891- ,MI88 Little, (Micronesia); 1880-90, Mrs.Ll.S. Laura White, (China); 1880-91, Mrs. Long, (Japan); 1867- , Rev. Hiram H. Wellington White, (China); 1848-57, Lowry, (China) ; 1897- , Rev. Henry Rev. J. K. Wight, (China); 1856- , W. Luce, (Ch~na); 1897- ,Mrs. Henry Rev. Jonathan Wilson, (Slam, Laos); W. Luce. (Chma); 1877- ,Mrs. J. M. 1885-88, Mrs. W. E. Witter, (ABBam) ; McCauley, (Japan); 1870-97. Mrs. S. D. 1838-86, Rev. Geo. W. Wood, D.D., McMahon, (India); 1885-95. Rev. C. W. (Tllrkey);1871-86. Mrs. Geo. W. Wood, P.,Merritt, M.D., (China); 1885-95. Mrs. (Turkey); 1868-77, Rev. Egerton R. C. W. P. Merritt, (China); 1892- , Young, (Hudson Bay Indians); 1868- 77, Mrs. Egerton R. Young, (Hudson !Irs. S. F. Moore, (Korea); John R. Mott; 1887- , E. Murray, Bay Indians). (China); 1887- , Mrs. E. Murray, The officers of the Union for the next (China); 1887- , Rev. Horatio B. year, arePre8UUnt, J. T. Gracey, D.D.; Newell, (Japan); 1888- ,Mrs. Horatio VICe Pr68ident, S. L. Baldwin. D.D. ; B. Newell, (Japan); 1872-89, Rev. A. Secretary, Mrs. C. C. Thayer; Tr~ur Norton, (India); 1874.-00, Mrs. A. Nor- cr, Rev. C. C. Thayer, M.D.; LilYrarian, Mrs. Rev. W. H. Belden, and a The German College Christian AlH. Board Df Oontrol, consisting of twenty ance exercised a quickening interest in other members besides the above Bible reading, in temperance and purity, and now they have taken up the sub. offi~rs.
WORLD'S FEDERATION OF CHRISTIAN ject of missions. The vanguard ot STUDENTS. this movement numbers twenty.seven students. ~ext Mr. Mott visited Scan. MR. J. R. MOTT. dinavia, organizing the colleges of Mr. Mott occupied an hour narrating Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Nor- the work done in connection with a way in a National Christian Students'
round.the-world tour among the col- Association. Mr. Mott proceeded to leges. He spoke of the importance of Robert College, Constantinople, thence the student class in their infiuence on to Egypt and Syria. During the visit society: "Asgo the universities, so goes to Scandinavia the suggestion was made the nation." He recounted the history of the organization of a "World's of the organization of students in the Federation of Christian StUdents."
world. In America, the Young Men's In India Mr. Mott found the largest Christian Association was organized body of students, numbering one hun.
twenty-six years ago. They have been dred thousand. .. As go these students, cemented together by the Intercollegiate so will go India." There were twenty· Christian Associations, which now num- two Young Men's Christian .Associa- ber over five hundred. These associa- tions in di1ferent parts of India, but tions have been the means of leading they were not united. It was proposed over thirty thousand young men to to assemble them in Students' Confer- Christ. There has been a great increase ences, and six such conferences were in voluntary Bible c1l11!ses in the col- held, attended by over fifteen thousand leges. Over four thousand have been delegates, twelve thousand students, led to enter the ministry. One of the five hundred Christians, and one hun- indirect effects of this association was dred missionaries. One hundred and'
the organization of the Students' Vol- thirty-five students came forth out of unteer Movement, which 'enrolls over these conventions having a determina- four thousand, over eight hundred of tion to preach the Gospel in their own whom have reacht the. foreign field. land, and now five men are engaged In During the past three years more have furthering this interest.
gone abroad than in the preceding six Proceeding to Australia, which Mr.
years. Mott said has a homogeneous popula.
In commencing his tour of visitation tisn and a good climate, they found of the colleges of the world, the first only five societies; but, among the field visited by Mr. Mott was Great young men, many became interested in Britain. The British College Christian the movement for closer union amongst Association numbers one hundred aux- the students. Twenty.five branches of iliaries, embracing all the leading col- the college organization were formed.
leges and universities in England, Scot- They found only one voluntary Blble- land, Ireland, and Wales. More young class in the institutions of learning, and men have beeome Christians in Edin· very little missionary interest among burgh University during the past two the students. but it was not long before years through the inlluence of the they were awakened into a greataggres.
British College Christian movement, slve spirit.
than in the whole experience of the Reaching China, they found the professors of that institution, some of greatest combination of difficulties of whom have been there twenty.:iive any country. The Chinese are indus· years. It has led to a great revival of trious, patient, and have many other mllsionary interest. virtues, but as a nation they have been kept back chiefly by the IItudent class, the war with Japan. The government the old conservative literati of the land. was made to realize its own weakness But they found a fringe of Christian by that war, and aIso to understand colleges skirting the coast of China, that Japan's strength came from her and they attempted the organization of progress during the last twenty-five a National Christian Students' Society, years along the line of Western educa- holding four conferences for that pur- tion. Recently the foreign office in pose, in which over three thousand Pekin has made a recommendation to delegates were present. From amongst the government to establish a university these about one hundred young men in each of the eighteen provinces, with came out from the clutches of Con- smaller schools in the chief cities, fucianism, and seventy young men gave where the Chinese can study English, up preferment and business opportuni- chemistry, physics, and metaphysics.
ties to engage in Christian work. Stu- The important thought in connection dents from eighteen colleges covenanted with this movement is that the Chris- to keep the "watch hour." tian churches awake to the importance Proceeding to Japan, they were im- of recommending Christian scholars as prest by the keenness of the intellect professors and teachers in these institu- of the people, and with the fact that tions, and thus aim to tum this modem there they confronted the largest stu- educational movement in sympathy dent class in the Orient. Here were with Christianity. It also emphasizes thirtY·five hundred teachers, among the importance of renewed attention to whom were very few Christians. They our Christian schools of high grade found, however, eight societies which, that young men may be trained in them following their arrival, were au~ented for positions in these government insti- to twenty-eight, and a national move- tutions."
ment was organized. The Japanese Rev. Hunter Corbett, D.D., of Che- leaders have come out straight on the foo, China, was prevented being pres- evangelical basis of Christian truth. ent, and Rev. Charles A. KUlie gave The most remarkable feature of the an abstract of the paper sent by Dr.
student life here has been the confedera- Corbett, from which we select the fol- tion of the Christian colleges in this lowing passages: student movement. "The war had a beneficial effect on The subject of the organization of a China. It has awakened as never be- World's Federation of Christian Stu- fore a desire to receive instruction from dents was brought before each of these missionaries. During the war, the National organizations, and they were papers and magazines publisht by mis- invited to send delegates to a conven- sionaries were eagerly BOught by all tion to be held in Northfield, Mass., classes, because they knew they would July. 1897; and have responded get reliable information. One Chinese thereto. firm printed the editorials from a mis- sionary magazine in book form to CroNA. supply the demand for such informa- In the several sessions of the week tion. The scholarship and intellectual interesting and important statements power of Western men is now recog- were made concerning China. nized. Many non-Christian parents Dr. H. H. Lowry, of North China, are pleading to have their children said: educated in mission schools, for they "There is one feature of education say these schools teach reverence to in China that I wish to call attention to, parents, and loveof honesty and virtue.
as it is very important just at this pres- ChrisUanity and education are coming ent time. You are all aware of the new to be regarded as inseparable. It is impetus that has come to China since said when C. D. Tenny started to secure the most promising students for the during the past quarter of a century newly-establisht college at Tientsin, has been at the head of the Chinese with the view of educating men for customs. Railroads are being built, government service, the late viceroy, mines opened and operated by foreign Ll Hung Chang, told him to secure all machinery under foreign direction. he could from the Christian schools, as Presses and dies have been shipt from there he would find the best material. Bridgeton, New Jersey, so that here- Duringthe past year there has been a after China will have a silver as well growing demand for all the books mis- as copper coin. The number of com- sionaries have written or tranSlated, municants has about doubled in the such as historics, works on science, past five years." political economy, natural and moral philosophy, and all text-books for MISSIONS IN TURKEY. IlChools and colleges, as well as relig- iousbooks. Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, D.D., read a " China is a land of great possibilities. paper on "The five great periods of She has nearly three thousand miles of American Mission work in Turkey." I coast-line, and numerous rivers and We cannot summarize it, but select a lakes abounding in fish. Mines of gold, few paragraphs. silver, iron, coal, and primeval wealth of almost every kind abound. There The work of American Christians is an intense desire to learn the English began in 1879. The work for twentylanguage, and wherever it is taught, seven years was only educational. Not the schools and colleges are over- till 1848 was there a formation of any crowded, and many are offering to pay native churches in connection with the well for such instruction. Physici6ns American Mission. The Americans are frequently called to treat men hold- sought to preach the Gospel, especially ing high official positions. Lady phy- to Armenians and other Oriental Chrissicians are allowed to enter the homes tians. It gave offense to the Czar of the wealthy, and are treated with the Nicholas that members of the Greek deepest respect and kindness. Mission National Church of Russia should be hospitals and dispensaries are crowded attending the meetings of the American by suffering people, and last year in missionaries, and he commanded the one station in North China over nine- Russian patriarch at Constantinople to teen thousand received medical care. anathematize all members of the Greek Church who attended the meetings of "The Emperor of China has conferred the American missionaries. When Lord the 'Imperial Order of the Double Stratford, the British Ambassador, was Dragon' upon Rev. B. C. Atterbury, applied to, he said to Goodell, "Now, M.D., of the Presbyterian Mission. you Americans go to work and organize This honor was in recognition of ser- a Presbyterian church." Then churches vices in connection with the Red Cross were organized in various cities and Society during the late war. Not a towns, and an era of church extension few of the hospitals lately erected have took place in the American Mission in received liberal subscriptioIl8 from Turkey. Christian converts, and from officials and merchants not yet Christian. However the Crimean War may have affected the nations, it greatly opened "The Chinese are asking, what is the way for the American missionaries the secret of the power, wealth, and in Turkey. At about this time, the influence of Western nations. China, great Secretary of the American Board, like a great sleeping giant, is slowly Dr. Anderson, made a rule that all misbut surely awaking. The organization sionaries of that society must cease givof a complete postal-system has been ing instruction in English, or be cut off from the society. I was cut off, and intrusted to Sir Robert Hart, whO then went to work to found Robert College. It took seven years to obtain (Lord Canning), was British Amb8l8apermission to put up the buildings of dor in Constantinople, and gave his Robert College. Then it came as by great infiuence to securing religious miracle, the Sultan giving an imperial liberty for nominal Christians. Dr. irad6, the highest form of permission. Schauffler told me that the great Mah- mood would have banisht the first mis- The present Sultan, Abdul Hamid, sionaries from Turkey but for the power has had a reign of blood for the twenty- of diplomacy• one years of his occupancy of the Turkish throne. But we should not be too .. Once the Rev. Mr. Bartlett and I hard on the Sultan. He has been the were together in the hands of a mob, tool of the Czar, and able to do only and, for a time, the mob conquered, but what the Czar allows him. through diplomacy we finally gained a complete victory, and it was very help_ In regard to the massacres, it has Dot ful to missionary work in all that rebeen known to what extent the Russian gion. We received a bell from America Armenians, belonging to the Armenian for our church building in Tales, a revolu'ionary secret society, the Hun- suburb of Cesarea. The Turks hate a chagist, have contributed to bring them bell. When U came, we were made on. God, in His mercy, has brought aware that the raising of it would be some good out of these massacres. The offensive to them. But we could learn old middle wall of partition between of no law against our use of the bell. the Gregorians and the Evangelical Ar- The local government wisht us to secure menians has been thrown down by an order from the governor-general for those massacres. And in this, Hamid, its use, but we knew that was impos- II the Assassin," has done a work which sible, so, one fine day, we took the bell, it would have taken the missionaries a intending to raise it, but a crowd gathhalf a century to have accomplisht, ered, and we found ourselves at their tho no thanks to the" Assassin." mercy. In the rush, one of our number got a pretty hard blow, the mark Dr. Farnsworth, for forty-five years of which he carried for some time. in Turkey, spoke on this subject. and Through the efforts of our minister in said in part: .. What is the relation of Constantinople, backed by the British the tea merchant and the tea trade to Ambassador, after a few months' delay, diplomacy and protection? An Amer- the local government sent Its own repican, or an Englishman, by becoming a resentative and raised the bell for us. tea merchant in China or Japan, does Thus was a victory gained for religious not cease to be a citizen of his country. liberty." He has a perfect right to appeal to diplomacy for all his rights as a citizen, Dr. Cyrus Hamlin said it was an but has absolutely no right to ask diplo- old question, as to whether a missionary macy to help on his business. Just so should be protected by his government. the missionary. A right may be denied At one time, 1839, the Sultan intended to either of them that will injure his to banish all missionaries from Turkey. business, or the granting of which will They appealed to CommOdore Porter, help it• who said they must go. but they con- sulted together, and decided they had a .. Diplomacy has had much to do in right to stay. but if they were banisht, the work of missions. The organization said they would return. Commodore of the Turkish government and of the Porter said that the treaty of the United non-Mohammedan peoples under that States with the Sublime Porte had refergovernment, a wheel within a wheel, is ence only to commerce, and he could such, that without the aid of diplomacy do nothing, but would protect them it would have been an absolute impos- until they could write home to the Secsibility to have prosecuted missionary retary of State. The,. did 80, and tC)- work. Just lilt a critical time that wonderful man, Sir Stratford RadclUfe teived a reply that missionaries had full cal, each in charge ofa competent and equality with the rights of merchants. devoted expert. Such towns will radi- Several speeches were made on the ate good influences, will be practical subject, all deploring the lack of proper object-lessons to all the dark regions and able diplomatic relations. England around, will strongly tend to hinder protects her citizens everywhere, but both slavery and the slave-trade, and Americans are compelled to hang their will be a barrier to the foreign forces heads in shame, because our diplomatic of evil. The white workers, while imservice is so limp and ineffective. They proving in many ways the material hoped much in Turkey from Mr. An- condition of the natives, will live in a gell's appointment. The intluence of manner so frugal and simple that their the former minister had been against examples can be easily and directly folmissionaries, and that feeling was shared lowed. This plan has been approved somewhat in Washington, and a better by the African departments of the diplomatic service was needed. In European colonial government, and is England it mattered not whether Glad- pronounced by leading Africanists to stone or Salisbury was in power, her be "the best plan ever devised for the policy was to look after her citizens. purpose in view." Mr. Hell Chater- Mr. Ding, the Chinese delegate to the lain, the well-known Africanist, ex- Northfield Conference of World's Fede- plorer, linguist and missionary, who ration of Christian Students, spoke on labored for years In Angola, and who the subject. is familiar with the proposed field of operations, will himself found the first THE PBIL-AMERICAN LEAGUE. of the towns, as soon as the needed funds are secured. Mr. Webb represented a new movement which is receiving considerable Mr. Webb said that there were six attention. The detlnite object of the persons connected with this league that league is to oppose by peaceful means were ready and expected to sail early the domestic slavery and slave-trade of in July to inaugurate the work as thus the Dark Continent. The slaves of sketched out. The first town is to be Africa are estimated at fifty millions, about five hundred miles from the west and the annual deaths caused by slav- coast. The headquarters are in the ery are believed to be not less than five United Charities building on Fourth hundred thousand. The horrors of the avenue and Twenty-second street, New servitude and the traffic are beyond de- York city. scription or imagination. Polygamy and witchcraft, together with rum and RESOLUTIONS AnOPTEDBYTHE INTERunprincipled white men, perpetuate and intensify the woe. NATIONAL MISSIONARY UNION.
The plan of the league is as follows: POLITICAL PROTECTION OF MISSION- First. To acquire fertile lands, by ces- ARIES AS CITIZENS. sion from E~ropean governments and by purchase from native chiefs, exclud- "In view of recent religious persecuing from the acquired territory all evil tions and atrocities, whereby the lives in1luences. Secondly. The settlement, and work of Christian Protestant misin towns of freed clans and natives, sionaries have been imperiled in China, and then education in unsectarian Turkey, and some other countries, this Christianity. As a town becomes con- International Missionary Union mainfirmed in civilized and Christian ways, tains the sacred obligation of Christian the freed slaves can be safely adopted nations to protect by treaty-rights and in larger numbers. Third. The great consular intervention the person and divisions of town life will be agricul- property of their citizens engaged in tural, industrial, educational, and medi- extending the benefits of Christian truth and education equally with those engaged in commercial enterprise, .. We commend the prompt action of its domination, and also in the legal and the American and British consuls in peaceful abolition of terrible iniquities China, whereby the dignity of the na- and abominable customs which had ex- tion was vindicated, and every possible isted in India, sanctioned by tho not an indemnity obtained for the outrages per- essential part of the religions of its peo- petrated there_ And we equally con- ples. Wherever the British flag floats, demn the failure hitherto of the Chris- it affords equal protection to professors tian powers to prevent the continued and propagators of all religious faiths.
murder of thousands of our co-religion- American and other non-British mis- ists in Turkey, and the destruction of sionaries also now have in cases of need valuable missionary property and pro- often occurring in some regions assist- spects in that affiicted land. ance as readily and fully extended to SYMPATHY AND COMMENDATION. them by British officials, as if they were loyal English subjects. The aI- "Resolved, That we deeply sym- most ubiquitous protection of the Britpathize with the persecuted and op- ish flag in missionary fields in which it prest for conscience sake under what- is of greatesL value. deserves thankful acever form in whatever land such per- knowledgment, which we gladly give, secution is practiced; that we praise as specially due at this time of felicita- G'od for his grace abundantly bestowed tions to her majesty, whose personal on those who in such great numbers character and influence during the sixty have recently in a spirit of Christian years of her reign have done so much to forgiveness submitted to suffering even secure this happy condition and other unto death, rather than to accept de- great benefits to mankind." liverance and worldly gain in return for denying Christ. Proposed Home for the Insane in " That we honor and commend mis- Syria.
sionaries in Turkey, China, and else- where. who exhibit an example of BY MR. THEOPRILUS WALDMEIBR.
Christian courage and self-abnegation AJ3 I have been for thirty-eight years truly apostolic in maintaining their a missionary in the East, first in Abysposition and carrying on their work as sinia and afterwards in Syria, I have heralds of the Gospel amid great dis- had abundant opportunities for studycouragements and perils, and we pray ing the needs of these countries. I for all such, and for the distrest peo- speak especially now about the urgent ples among whom they labor, that their need of Syria, and feel constrained to strength may be equal to their day, and bring it before the public. I am sure their afflictions may be to the glory of that this pressing need will find many God. helping hands and hearts for poor suf- THE VICTORIA REIGN HELPFUL TO fering humanity.
MISSIONS. The urgent need which I desire to "Resolved, that we recognize with bring before Christians and lovers of devout gratitude to God the gain which down-trodden humanity is a home for has accrued to religious freedom in the the insane. I think I am right in say- world during the period of the reign of ing that since our Lord Jesus Christ her majel'ty. the Queen Empress Vic- had pity on the poor lunatics and healed toria. AJ3 missionaries of various na- their diseases, nothing more has been tionalities we rejoice in the liberty of done for this class of sufferers in that speech and the press secured to all per- country. I therefore believe it is right 80ns in the United Kingdom and to follow also in this respect our Divine throughout the colonies of the British Master's example, and do what we can empire, and among the vast heathen and in order to bring help and relief to these Mohammedan populations subject to afflicted people of Bible lands. American and European missionaries mania (devil-possession), and in conse- have done a great deal for Syria and quence of this we find that the only Palestine. Schools have been built, treatment of the insane is exorcism, ooUeges opened, churches and hospitals which has been kept in the hands of erected; the Holy Scriptures have been the priests from.the oldest time until translated, printed and circulated, and the present day. other good books have been printed, and various means have been employed I cannot now enter upOn the cruelty to elevate and enlighten the people. All with which the poor lunatics are treated honor and praise is due to those noble and tortured to death in these places, missionaries who have done their ut- but I will just explain what should be most for the social and religious eleva- done for them in order to ameliorate tion of the country; but there is still their deplorable condition. one great need to be supplied, and this need is that of the totally forsaken suf- The first step in this direction is to ferers from mental diseases. build a home for about forty men and forty women. This establishment should During the last seven years I have be erected in a healthy locality on Mt. been greatly interested in the insane, Lebanon, where we enjoy a Christian and have sympathized deeply with government, good laws, great liberty, them, but I could not do anything for and many other privileges. It should them, as I had on my hands the super- be built according to a well-devised intendence of the large mission station plan by a European architect for this which I organized twenty·three years special purpose, including the most ago in Brumana, on Mt. Lebanon, for modern equipments, in a locality where the Society of Friends. AB the Lord there is plenty of good water, not far has now sent seventeen native and from Beyrout. twelve European helpers for this work, I feel that I can leave the work in their The cost of such a construction achands, ~ and give myself entirely to the cording to the cottage system, would great and pressing need of helping the be about £10,000, including the land on poor insane in the East. which it is built, which should be large enough to occupy the patients in garden I had no idea of the large number of work. A well-qualified doctor (speclunatics who are in Syria, but, when I ialist) should be engaged as a resident began to study their deplorable condi- physician at the asylum, supported by tion, I found that there were more of a staff of well-qualified and experienced these unfortunate sufferers than I ever men and women nurses. anticipated. The governor of the District of El Metn told me that he found The general management of this estwenty insane in his district alone, who tablishment should rest in the hands of are bound hand and foot in iron chains, the business superintendent, who would and ~ the Lebanon is divided into be supported by the needful overseers seven districts, we may count about one and servants. The doctor of the asylum hundred and forty of these, not includ- and the business superintendent should ing the milder cases. In the rest of be guided by a local committee of Syria and other places in the Orient, prominent gentlemen at Beyrout, who where there is no proper accommoda- would meet every three months for the tion for them, the only refuges for these consideration of the general welfare of poor lunatics lU"e dark, damp, and filthy the home. places, caves or vaults, in some convents, where they are fettered in heavy Those patients who are able to pay Iron chains. must defray their full e:r;penses during their stay in the retreat, 8lld those who The only acknowledged form of in- are too poor to pay anything ought to sanity in the Orient is the demono- be maintained and cared for gratis. One part of the asylum should be ap- propriated for ~mbecile and epileptic patients, who have likewfse a great book " Strategic Points in the WorId'. claim to be cared for by medical help and Christian pity and kindness. . Conquest; The Universities and Col- The home should be bunt by col- leges as related to the progress of Christ- lections and donations specially made In different parts 01 Europe and Amer- ianity " with map of his journey ica, In addition to the funds raised in Syria itself. The current expenses (Fleming H. Revell Company, New should be met by annual Bubscriptions. Committees In various parts of Europe York, Chicago, Toronto), which gives and America should be organized, and ll.nked together by their respective sec- a lucid, simple, Itraightforward narr~ retaries, In order to keep up the interest In the establishment. Sir Richard tive of this entire journey with the Tangye, F.R.G.S., 55 Queen Victoria Street, London, B.C., has kindly con- facts observed and the experience ac· sented to be the treasurer for Great Britain and Ireland, and will be glad quired, together with a logical discus- to receive funds from individuals and from the local treasurers for the Home. sion incidentally introduced on the Annual reports and accounts will be overwhelming importance of this given by the executive committee at wonderful .. movement," for such it is. Beyrout. As regards religion, no spe- The Introduction consists of "Opin. cial creed or sect should guide this ions concerning the Federation of the establishment, but the simple Gospel Students of the World," by Ex·Presi- Truth ahould be taught, and Jesus dent Harrison, the Earl of Aberdeen, Christ should be preacht as the power the Right. Hon. William E. Gladstone, of God unto salvation. All those who Prince Oscar, of Sweden, and Count are engaged in the home should feel Andreas von Bernstorff, of Berlin. the call from God and be constrained by the love of Christ to bring relief to There are nineteen chapt.ers devoted the su1Ierers from mental diseases. respectively to the World's Student The institution should be undenomina- Christian Federation, Student movetional In its character, and receive pa· ments (}f the Occident, Papal Europe, tients from all creeds and sects, from Turkey, the Balkans, Greece, Syria, and different nationalities and religions, Palestine, Egypt, Ceylon; Indian without the slightest preference to the Student Conferences and Movements, one or to the other, as its support Australasian Student Movement, Conshould not be restricted to one nation· ferences and Students of China, of alityalone, as Dr. Clouston says, but Japan, and of the Hawaiian Islands; a all nations and denominations should lIummary of the tour, and a. table of have a share in this noble work in Bible " Itinerary." lands. The Constitution and By-Laws of the Lebanon Home for the Insane Weare much mistaken If this is not have already been drawn up and an epochal movement, and the book to printed at Beyrout. be one of the factors in augmenting its force. It is tastefully gotten up, the II Strategio POintB in the Werld'B Oon. price is $1.00, and if a hundred thous- queBt-" and copies could be distributed by purchase or Jdft, the profit to the cause Since the imperfect report of Mr. J. of the world's salvation would be R. Mott's address at the International advanced thereby. Missionary Union was put in type, there has come to OUI table, Mr. Mott'. The book is not cumbered with over- much detailed statement. In fact, it awakens a desire for more informa- tion, and fuller discussion with every chapter. But that would spoil the ideal of the volume. Those who already know much about the incidents of the tour, and important features of the Oriental movement, not even re- ferred to in this volume, may feel a shade of disappointment, that the book does not include much that is of 80 novel interest. But Mr. Mott has shown a master's reserve and skill in what has been given. It is a modest outline of a great uprising of the younger educated men of Christendom and of nascent Christendom the world over, and Ex-President Benjamin Har- rison justly says: "the work and ob- servations of Mr. Mott are full of interest, and his book ought to be widely read."
FIELD OF HONTBLY SUBVBY
III.-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
Papal Europe,* The PapacY" t :BY DBLATAlIf L. PIERSON.
RBLIGIOUS LIFB m SPAll!. dollars by the government to a porce· Spain Is not only the land of sunny lain manufacturer. skies, under which the palm, the pomegranate, the aloe, and the orange grow Throughout Spain the Virgin Is rein luxuriance, but a country which awakens countless recollections of chiv- garded with very special sanctity. Picalryand romance. Not only so, but in historical and ecclesiastical interest she tures and images of the "Mother of ranks next to Italy. The gothic cathedrals of Spain are amongst the oldest God " surmount the altar. Many of the and finest in the world. Their exteriors are picturesque, magnificent, and im- very ancient images are regarded as posing, The f&98des are in many cases elaborate works of art, and contain in- the patron saints of provinces and cities, numerable statues, medallions, and other ornamentation. The chapter and worshiped as such. Volumes ho1U!e8 contain many valuable manuscripts and illuminated missals. The have been written upon the miracles interior of the churches contain noted works of art, but are generally dark wrought by them. The most remarkand gloomy, without seats or hassocks. The worshipers, mostly ladies, kneel able are the " heaven-descended " on the paved fioor. Convents were once everywhere, and many of them black virgins, which occupy silver were like feudal castles for size and solidity. They were, in most cases, thrones and wear crowns studded with simply nurseries of superstition and indolence, and fatal to the social prog- jewels. These images have special atreu of the country. The suppression of the convents by the government in tendants, who take in charge their 1886 left most of them in ruin. Many have been converted into civil and mili- pearl·embroidered mantos, rings, necktary hospitals, schools, colleges, courts of justice, prisons, and barracks. Others laces, and endless trinkets. Many of have been turned into poorhouses, jails, lunatic asylums, warehouses, and pub- the images are most offensive to taste lic factories. A very fine old Dominican convent was turned into a theater, and hideous in .their attire, but are and another was sold for forty thousand brought out on festival occasions and • See also pp. 38S (May); 581, 583, roo, 603, (present Issue). borne on men's shoulders throughout NJIW Boou: .. Life of Robert Whittaker the streets, thronged by reverent spec- McCall," by Mrs. McCall; "Christian Life In Germany," E. F. Williams. tators.
t See also pp. 58 (January); 575,586 (pres- Holy days, festivals, and religious entlssue). fairs are great occasions amongst the NJIW Boon: .. History of the Papacy," Spaniards, and in honor of them they CreIghton. turn out in thousands and in their pro- vincial costumes. The peasantry still adhere closely to ancient rites and cere.
monies, and are fond of pilgrimages.
They crowd to popular shrines with votive offerings of beef and corn, and on 3t. James's Day go off in procession with their cows and heifers gay with ribbons, and never fail to make a highly picturesque display. On the feast of San Isidro-the countryman's favorite saint-the peasants crowd rteoohofisvisnhgritnhe~ kiss his image, and after blessing of the priest in charge, each devotee drops a farthing at bis feet.
At another festival given in honor of a.
tutelar saint, each devotee is expected to give to the priest as much com as the individual weighs, and the weighing Is carried out on scales before the shrine. Another very ancient festival say to a Spaniard, "Have you Spanis "the blessing of the sea," when a iards any conscience? .. In a jocular, church dignitary goes out to sea with jaunty way the Spaniard rep~ed, images and relics, accompanied by a "There is no such thing in Spain." long procession of gaily – decorated The want of conscience and sanctified boats, to invoke a blesaing upon the common-sense, like the want of educaavocation of the fisherman and for tion, energy, and enterprise, is at the those who go down to the sea in ships. root of many of the clamant social, High ceremonial times are invariably political, and administrative wrongs in accompanied by a round of bull-fights. this otherwise beautiful and romantic It is never diftlcult to get a crowd of ten thousand people at least within the country.-Re1I. W. M. inglis, M. A. amphitheater; altho many churches are closed for the lack of worshippers. The difficulties which impede the progress of the Gospel in 'Spain, says Spain has still the reputation of being Mr. Armstrong, of Barcelona, seem the most ultra-Roman-Catholic country to be increasing; the Romish priestin the world, and that is not to be hood, controlled by the Jesuita and wondered at. since two-thirds of the other orders, are again more or less the people can neither read nor write. Prior governing power, and the civil authorto the suppression of the convents in ities bend to their influence. These 1836, about one·fifth of the people were are hard times for Spanish converts, engaged in the services of the Church. especially in the villages. Contrary to For a long time religious toleration the wish of the majority of the Spanish was unknown; however, at present people, Spain has lost the God-given non-Catholics are allowed freedom of right of liberty for every man's conworship-but in private. No heretic science; at present there is a bare is allowed burial in the national ceme- toleration, and which is ever becoming teries or catacombs. barer.
In certain districts the masses have To add to the poverty, misery, and broken entirely with the Church and sufferings of the people has come this have drifted in thousands into infidelity, Cuban war, the horrors of which are ultra-socialism, and anarchy. Many hidden by the military authorities. of the great towns once conspicuous for Alas I for the tens of thousands of zeal, are now hot-beds of sedition. young men, conscripts, forced to go to Fulminatory letters are unheeded, relics Cuba, a large proportion of whom will and images are moldering away, pro- never return I Alas I for the desolate cessions are rarely seen, shrines and homes left behind in Spain, where are churches are deserted, and popish sym- broken hearts, poverty, and starvation, bols have vanisht from the streets and since the bread-winners are gone I highways. It seems to be a great opportunity for Protestantism; but the What will the end be for Spain? austere, haughty, taciturn Spaniard is The cup of her national sins is rapidly slow to yield to a faith which his fore- fi1lingup. fathers fought to the death and left stronger than ever. It is true he has Writing from Linares Rev. J. P. lost much of his old fanaticism, but he Wigstone says: has not yet parted with his pride. When once he has seen the futility of "We preach salvation through his wild socialistic experiments, then Christ. salvation for the lost sinner, he will learn that Spain can only escape salvation which includes repentance, from utter wreck through the intluence pardon, justification, holiness. help for of a pure and enlightened Christianity. this life and glory by and by; and We once heard an old Scottish captain that this salvation iii revealed in the Holy Scriptures, which are the Word of God.
"My experience of twenty-three and a half years in this country, where Rome has had all her own way, is that she is what she professes to be, 'always the same! She is this In the sense of Protestants that the Romanista dare bein~ the bitter enemy of God's Word, not enforce the law. God. salvation"and God's people. In England, Rome shows the sheep's A most promising feature of the clothing, and appears, in the Pope's work in Portugal is the success of the letter, for instance, to be desirous of promoting Bible reading; here she is primary schools, in the face of much in favor of Bible burning I In Eng· opposition. In Oporto, tho the Roman· ist schools are free, and a penny a week land, she speaks of her 'Noncom· formi&t brethren; , here she persecutes is charged at the Protestant schools unmercifully, and says that a thief, an (accommodating 180), sixty.tl.ve are 81188S8in, an adulterer, is to be preferred to an Evangelical Christian. waiting for admission to the latter. In another, which acc9mmodates eighty• .. It is next to impossible to get permission to erect the plainest build- nine, there are 109 applicants. ings for the preaching of the Gospel. I have seen the priests accompany the In Lisbon the work is chiedy divided authorities when entering by force the. between the Lusitanian and Presby· houses of Evangelicals; I have seen terian churches. There are also two or them, in spite of the protests of the three independent workers here and in father, take the dead body of a child, and bury it in the Roman Catholic neighboring towns. Among the native cemetery. .0 England, where would pastors there are several who were once your Uberty be if Rome ruled I Romish priests, one of whom continues "Our meetings here are better in his old parish. All these agencies attended than they have been for a pull well together, and denominational long time, and within the last month walls are overlookt, even to the extent two new villages have invited us to of both using the same hymn book. take the Gospel to them. We have more on hand than we can well man· A peculiarly promising branch of the age; but what we are most thankful for is that from among the converted 1Vork, with a strongly unifying tenmen some are being raised up to carry dency, is the circle of Young Men's Christian Associations establisht some the Gospel to their fellow-countrymen. In Morgandanes a man was converted two yesrs ago, in connection with the through seeing the priests stone us. That was in 1878; he is now at all Swiss center. In Oporto, where they times ready to take the meeting. At were first establisht, there are three Marin, one who was converted in branches, in connection with 88 many 1877, works at his trade, but is ever churches. ready to preach the Gospel." Priestcraft stands in but poor repute in Portugal, where its representatives The Needs of Portugal. lack the respect of most, tho in the villages they still hold sway over the As yet there are only two centers of minds of the women. In place of faith, Evangelical work in Portugal-Lisbon tho side by side with hard-dying super.
and Oporto-for, tho there is a grow- IItitioDSI there is a growing spirit of ing desire all over the land for more indifference. which must inevitably Gospel teachers, the supply is almost absorb the majority of the half-enlight- nil. Very little is known abroad of the ened young if more is not done to bring needs and opportunities there. Even before them the truth.
Coimbra, the University town, is yet One hopeful sign is an increasing unoccupied, notwithstanding all the readiness to purchase Bibles, altho their advantages of work amqng the students, circulation without authorized ,. notes"
and numerous applications received is prohibited. There are several small from residents there. In the country evangelical publications in Portuguese, districts work is still difficult, as there some of which come across the Atlantic fa not yet legal liberty to convert from Brazil A Portuguese merchant Romanists, to attempt which is a returning from Brazil has offered to .criminal offence. But in the cities build a new Protestant church in LiB- public opinion is so far with the bon. In Lisbon and Oporto there are Epis- land, which the Paris Evangelicalllfl-"
copal and Nonconformist services for sion has made its own. The genius of the considera.ble colonies of English to the French tends naturally to centralbe found there, and at both places Bea- ization, and it is an immense boon that men's missions exist, doing excellent instead of a variety of rival societies, work. At Oporto, too, there is a small these two great ones divide the Home German service conducted by a.layman;· and Foreign Mission-field, and are supbut except at Portalagre, where Mr. ported by members of all denomina- Robinson conducts evangelistic services tions. !
at the cloth factory, there is practically NudI.-The pure Gospel; intelligent nothing done as yet to spread the Gos- study of God's Word; the awakening pel in Portugal•..:..J. E. Budgett Meakin. of a missionary spirit.
Some of the things we should pray Religious Oonditions in Prance. for most in regard to France are that every believer may be led to feel his or her personal responsibility for bringing In Franu, as elsewhere, the great the Gospel to the unsaved; that young . need is that the Church, through each men and women, especially of the edu- individual member, be restored to love cated and wealthy class, may be led to and faithfulness to the Church's Head offer themselves for mission work-at present only a few missionaries of the and full communion with Him. We Paris Evangelical Mission are actual can not estimate our indebtedness to French citizens; that their fathers, and the Huguenots of France. especially their mothers, may be willing A writer in The Chriatian (London) to let them go; and, that all believers calls attention to the fo~owin~ special may be drawn more and more to the religious condition, opportumties, and Lord "to 861'N the living and true God, and to wait lor his Bon .from heaven, needs in France just now: even Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come." Conditions.-Great material prosperity; seCular education. An increase in drinking habits and depraved literature in the lowest classes. A decided reaction The following societies are at work from infidelity towards reli~on (espe- in France to teach the truth of the cially among the educatea classes), Gospel: which is turning almost exclusively to "The Societe Centrale d'Evangelfza- the profit of Roman Catholicism. This tion supports 140 agents, has 800 places is attributed by some to the low spirit- of worship, and visits 195 localities. It ual state of Protestantism and its divi- records the conversion of 387 Catholics, sions, but is probably due to •• Modern- and the opening of four new stations ism" in Protestant pulpits, especially during the year. doubts cast on the deity of Christ, and .. The Mission Interieur has been at the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures work for a quarter of a century. It (hafpily by no means universal, but conducts evangelistic meetings in difstil too prevalent). Aspirit of patriot- ferent districts, leaving to the care of ism, so Intense that, when it does not the nearest churches those gathered in. take the place of a religion in itself, This work is being prosecuted with re- exalts Roman Catholicism as the na- vived activit'y' tional religion of France, as opposed to "The SOCIete de Missions des France the Protestantism of her traditional has enjoyed financial prosperity, all the foes, England and Germany, and excites expenditure having been. met. The opposition to foreigners, especially Eng- operations of the society in Africa andlish, evangelizing either in France or Tahiti are extending, and much blessher colonies. This feeling is shared ing has been received. Other agencies even by Protestants, tho, of course, not in France are carrying on their lVork with success in a noble spirit of· selfbvall. – Opportunitie8.-Many devoted and sacrifice, and with great hopefulneSB. thoroughly orthodox pastors, preach- In all directions the outlook is bright. ers, and other Christian workers. The .. The McAll Mission still holds on whole machinery of the McAll Missi( 1, its way. Tho several stations have had which only needs to be extended aud to be abandoned for lack of funds, workt more and more by the French there has been much success. In par- themselves to become a universal bless- ticular the work done by the Mission ing. The immense colonies of France, Boat on the Oise, the progress of temsecond only to those of Great Britain, perance work, and the steady ingather- besides the vast mission-fields of Mada ing of converts from Catholicism give gascar, and of Basutoland and Barotse cause for thanksgiving." "
EDITomAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
Kisaionary Achievements of the Victor- in the Coronation year, 1838, that Dr. ian Era. David Abeel returned to Canton, after his noble appeal to the Christian women Alexandrina Victoria came bto the of Britain in behalf of their Oriental succession to the throne in 1837, and sisters who were shut up in zenanas, was crowned June 28th, 1838. During harems and seraglios, and unreachable these sixty years greater changes have by existing missionary methods. taken place than in all the previous centuries of written history; and par- BURMAH'S first convert was gathered ticularly on the Mission field of the ten years before Victoria's reign began; world the change has been more than but it was when she had been on the an evolutlon-a revolution. No brief throne for just forty years that the Ju- treatment of such a stupendous theme bilee gathering of 1878 consecrated the can do it justice. Volumes have been Kho-Thah-Byu Memorial Hall, which written, and will yet be, on the sub- represented forty thousand Karen dillci- ject. All we can do is to indicate a pIes, half of whom were still living. few of the directions in which this And, now, at the close of these sixty amazing development has taken place, years, the transformation of these constituting the Miracle of the Ages. Karen villages is one of the miracles of missions, reproducing the wonders of It is scarcely too much to say that apostolic times. nearly all the great openings of the world :field have been providentially made SIAM has had Protestant missions within this period. More than this, since the same year as Kho-Thah·Byu's and most amazing of all, within the conversion; but, again, we must look short period of two years (1856-1858) further on for any real rooting of mis- most of these wide doors were thrown sions there. It was when Victoria open. began her reign that the ji1'St Ohurch 01 Chinese disciples in all A8ia had been INDIA.-The Gibraltar of heathen- formed under Dr. Dean among the res- Ism-had been nominally unlocked to ident Chinese in Bangkok; and it was missionary labor for many years when in 1851 that the death of the then Queen Victoria took her sceptre, but reigning king, who bitterly opposed the British East India Company was missions, and the succession of Maha- by no means friendly to missions; and Yong-Kut, their friend and patron, the not until 1858, when its powers and most progressive and liberal sovereign possessions passed over to the English in all Asia, turned the scale. Crown, did the real epoch of Indian missions begin. But what a marvel of Turning to the •• Walled Kingdom," Providence, that the foremost Protest- we must fix 1842 and 1858 as the con- ant power of all Europe, the Christian spicuous years of breaches in CHINA'S empire of the world. should have be- wall of exclusion. In the former year come the King's forerunner, to prepare five treaty ports were opened to for- His way in that Hindu peninsula eignera, and the island of Hongkong which is a world in itself I Think of was ceded to the British; but sixteen Britain, strangely introduced there to years later four more ports were literally build roads, set up courts of opened to foreign ships, foreign travel justice, erect Christian colleges, plant was permitted, and Christianity was printing presses, and arrange and adjust tolerated by imperial decree. All these all the complicated machinery of prep- developments, of course, belong to aration for India's evangelization! the Victorian era. . The era of woman'8 emancipation in the East Indies appropriately synchro- JAPAN'S long-closed sea-gates were nizes with the Victorian Era. It was unbarred in 1853-4 to An,lerica, and soon after to Britain, RU88ia, and Hol- great developments of African occupaland. The rapidity of the revolutions tion, civilization, evangelization. in the sunrise kingdom distance anything else in the past ages, or even in These are a few only of the doors, our own epoch of marvels. A people, wide and effectual, opened before the before almost unknown, has sprung at messenger of the crOSB during the sixty a leap into a formidable military and years of this memorable reign. But naval power, and taken rank amongst who shall tell how obstacles have subthe most progressiTe nations of the sided, as tho the continents had sudworld; and in all these changes Chris- denly sunk below the sea-level, and so tianity has been the dominant factor, let in the Gospel flood I Read Dr. and all are triumphs of the Victorian Wilson's "Memoir," and learn how, era. under British rule in India, the mon- strous suttee, child murder, and three KOREA remained the hermit nation score more of cruelties and outrages until, in 1882, God used medical mis- have been abolisht or essentially consions as the key to unlock its doors to trolledl "Oahu's idols are no more." the Gospel. Dr. Allen, by a strange Fiji's cannibals have been transformed accident-to human eyes, a strange into Christian disciples. Western Poly- Providence, as disciples see it-became nesia is evangelized, and is nowevangeinstalled as court physician, and the lizing unenlightened territory. king built a " house of civilized virtue" -a government hospital under the STATISTICs.-But it is impossible to care of this Presbyterian missionary. form any real conception of the advance And now Korea's valleys are being of Christian missions without a resort penetrated by Gospel messengers. to numbers. The latest authoritative statistics give us the following approxi- The OTTOMAN EMPIRE issued the mate estimates. famous Hatti-theris, or edict of toleration, in 1856. In 1878 Asiatic Turkey The total expenditure for foreign came under a British protectorate, and missions during 1896 was, from reported a "defensive alliance" was formed be- gifts, about .£3,000,000 sterling. The tween the two nations. Turkey is whole number of ordained missionaries treacherous and tricky, and Christian is about 4,300; of layman, 2,500; marmissions have had no real encourage- ried women, 4,200; and unmarried, ment or even recognition. Even the 3,300; this gives a total missionary edict of toleration has been a dead let- force, from Christian lands, of 14,800. ter. But missions have gone on not- Mission churches have themselves given withstanding, conquering and to con- to the work 3,350 ordained natives, quer. and over 51,700 native helpers, making a grand summary of nearly 70,000 As to the DARK CONTINENT, it has actually engaged ,"n a 'tCO'l'ld's e'l!angel-tmbeen unuiled within the limits of the tion, in some 21,000 mission stations, Victorian era. To that period belongs and sustained by a body of 1,115,000 the career of that missionary general native communicants, that stand for and explorer, David Livingstone. who five times as many adherents; 62,000 went to Africa in 1841, and died in communicants were added in 1896. 1878. To this period belong the thou- And there are 18,000 schools with a sand days of Stanley's trans-continental total of about 700,000 pupils. Now, if march, from the Zanzibar to the mouth we remember that nearly aU this aggreof the Kongo; and the whole establish- gate represents a creation out of nothing, ment of the major part of missions in during these sixty years, we can get that continent. To this period belongs some idea of the missionary advance of the Kongo Free State, organized in the Victorian era. 1884, and, in fact, every one of the Much that pertains to this era defies.
August
alike description and detection. There Christian Brahmans In the pews of a are changes, quite as stupendous as native church in Ahmednagar? Have I any we have chronicled, which have not Bat for an hour in Poona with a no history, and can not have. The Brahman who told me the story of his restraints of persecution or social ostra· c8nversion to Christ? And have I not cism hinder many from eor.f688ing listened to addresses from native Chris. Christ, who really believe in Him. The tians in India, addresses so able and undermining is going on, and the very vigorous that I longed to have such ground is being honeycombed, where men and women stand before our no surface indications exist. But we churches in America? " feel persuaded that God's time may be much nearer than we think, when, Dr. Barrows al(lo bears stron~ testi· lIS with a sudden explosion or upheaval, mony to the effectiveness of miSSIOnary the kingdom of darkness shall give work in India and the assured triumph way, and He whose right it is ftrsL to of Christianity. He says: overrule and then to rule, shall take the scepter into His own hands. Would II It is well known that American that His Church could see her glorious and European travelers, bent on seeing opportunity and prove herself in gifts Hindu temples, Moslem mosques, and of men and money, in service and the varied and brilliant life of the sacrifice, equal to her responsibility! bazars, usually miss a sight of what after all is most hopeful and most im- Among the many matters which portant to the present life in India-the ought to be treated in such a record as homes, schools, churches, hospitals, and this, is the marvelous change which printing houses of the Christian mishas taken place in the Okurch itselJ' sionaries. The forces which make for during this era. Indifference and ignor. Christianity in India are growingly ance as to missions largely prevailed strong. I do not remember meeting a in 1837; now behold the Church as a missionary doubtfUl of the lInal result. body, aroused, largely familiar with The failure of Hinduism to furnish the story of missions and systematically peace and moral healing to the individorganized for the promotion of this ual and regeneration to its millions of divine enterprise. Again, consider that votaries is becoming apparent to Hindus the Literat'Ur~ of Miasions is almost themselves. The reforming sects are exclusively the creation of the Victorian an emphatic announcement of this era. There are, it is safe to say, a social and religious failure. Of course, thousand times as many books on mis- I heard many criticisms of missionaries, sions in 1897 as in 1837; in fact, more but I never heard a Hindu, Brahman are now produced in ten years than or Moslem say what ignorant and were in existence sixty years ago. prejudiced Europeans have. sometimes said in my hearing out of India, that .Rev. John Henry Barrows, D.D., the missionaries were doing no good. 'Nho has recently returned from India, I shall never forget how the famous in writing of his observations, makes Hindu ascetic, the Holy Man of Beapecial note of the fact that the harsh· nares, said to me: 'I think Jesus Christ est criticisms of missionary results come was a very good man. He must have not from natives, but from Europeans been something like Mr. Hewlett,' a and Americans. He says: deceased veteran of the London Mis. sion SocietY."' Missionaries are often II How ridiculous appears the claim foolishly cnticlzed by natives, but they sometimes made in America that men of are trusted by them, and this is the intelligence, that members of the BraL highest fraise which a Hindu can pay mlln caste are never converted to Chris- to morta man." tianity. Have I not seen a Brahman After many years of comparatively uares' preaching Christ in the bazars of Be· fruitless toil the patient faith of the Have I not seen a whole row of Moravian Brethren is beginning to re- ceive its reward. Brother Schreve thus writes from Poo, near the Tibetan border, under date of March 27 : " A1)plicat.ons for baptism continue 1.0..,,, :eceived. Up to the present time the number is twntg jiu.
" The man who formerly gave ocular responses in connection with the heathen festivals through the aid of an evil spirit, together with his wife, attendance. Of the llfty-three who affords us much joy in the hours of in- claimed to be members already in good struction. People in the village have standing it was evident that lIome, at said to him, that if all the rest permit least, had been greatly quickened and themselves to be baptized, it will be of revived by the services. no consequence; but that he must not, for they can not spare him. He has Now to tabulate these results, if replied, that even tho they should put those names we have investigated are him to death for it, he will never again representative of all, the following serve as the mouthpiece of the oracle. things are evident: Later they offered him the use of a field, on condition of his not submitting First-That 47 per cent. of those to baptism ; but he remained firm and whom Mr. Moody reaches belong to we hope to be able to baptize him at the unchurcht masses of the city- Easter." those who have been lost overboard from tht churches. Every Christian For several years the Thibetan mis- ought to thank God that there are in- fluences which can reach those whom sion was fruitless; for many succeed- the churches fail utterly to touch.
ing years the fngatheringwas markt by Second-That 53 per cent. are mem- bers of the churches, manr of whom its paucity in contrast to the returns in greatly need the quickenmg which these services bring to them. In our other fields. A few years ago the call own church many members have testi- fied to receiving real help and blessing went forth for persistent pleading with from Mr. Moody's meetings.
the Lord in behalf of this particular As to the lasting effect of such ser- vices there is much to be said. Two mission, and the Thibetan Prayer Union converts from these meetings have already united with our church; there was formed. Now the Lord in His are a number of others whom we expect to receive. But let it be granted that goodness is rewarding the prayers and there are few accessions to the churches from such a work. The reason prithe faith of His people. maril;v lies in the fact that the churches critiCIze instead of cooperating. We There has been criticism from some should remember that Paul, the young quarters in regard to Mr. Moody's convert, needed Ananias, and he needed evangelistic work in great cities-a work which has been undeniably also the work of Barnabas, who introacknowledged by God. Rev. Wilton duced him to the warm circle of the Merle Smith, whose church is nearest Apostles. This is just the work which to Carnegie Hall, where the New York the church fails to do. These inquirers Sunday services were held last winter, thus writes to the New York Tribune: and converts can be gathered into the churches when the church, instead of The church I am privileged to serve criticizing, cooperates with Mr. Moody took 265 names of those who had signed and by earnest, personal work, "comthe inquirers' cards in the Carnegie pels them to come in." • • . Men Hall meetings, and who lived in our who will never enter a church will go neighborhood, for the purpose of calling upon them. Up to this date (May to Carnewe Hall. I. for one, am more 11th) 124 have been reported upon to than willmg to sacrifice a little in my the committee having this work in Sunday evening services in order that charge. Of this number 24 gave wrong some who are accustomed to hear me addresses and can not be found, 53 may hear what may prove to be more profest to be members of some church helpful preaching, and especially in in good standing, some of whom had order that those whom we pastors of put their names down for the purpose Fifty-seventh Street can never reach, of getting one of Mr. Moody's books, may hear the inspiring message from a while 47 had no church home whatever. man so thoroughly owned of God 81 Out of this 47, 22 once had been mem- Dwight L. Moody. bers of the church, but had drifted away and rarely attended now, while Fifty per cent. of the popUlation of 25 were absolutely non-attendants. this city is practically unchurcht, be- yond the reach of the churches as they In almost every instance it was found are now constituted, or with their presthat real, oftentimes deep, religious im- ent methods of work. Let us be most pressions had been made. In every in- thankful for any work which reaches stance the callers were gladly welcomed. this portion of our population, and These inquirers seemed to be in earn- which also is so truly quickening and est. Many of them testified to new habits of Bible reading and church stimulative to the Church of God.
GENERAL HISBIONARY INTELLIGENOlil
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extracts and. Translations from Foreign vice in the Wesleyan Chapel that even- Periodicals. ing, and he sent a letter to the command- ing officer, requesting that such matches . BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, should not be held on the Lord's Day. The commanding officer treated the MASS. matter as a joke, and advised Mr. Brown to follow the example of the INDIA. Roman Catholic priest, and have the service at a time that would suit the – " A minister at home told me once, convenience of the footballers. Mr. 'What a jolly life you have in IndiaI Brown could not let the matter rest No work and no study, for you repeat there, and made a representation to the same things over and over again.' the Commander-in-chief, who gave , Well,' I said, 'in the first place, I re- his very careful consideration, and gard no work and no study as the in his reply stated that while he height of misery and not of jollity; and does not approve of matches on Sun- in the second place, if I were to repeat day, he is not prepared to prohibit them the same thipgs over and over again in altogether, yet these amusements will be the same words, I should have to do so entirely prohibited when they are liable to the wind, for certainly the Hindus to disturb congregations during the would not listen."'-REv. MAURICE hours of public worship."-HaN1e8' PmLLIPS in HOI1'1!eI!t Field. Field.
-Archdeacon Caley, in the H(JIf'f)(J8t -DR. GRUNDEMANN, comparing the Field, gives a reason against the reten- wide leavening force of Christianity on tion of heathen names in the Indian Hindu Society with the comparatively churches, which puts the matter in a scant visible results yet achieved in the new light. He does not object to their way of church formation, remarks that being often names of gods, any more the latter may be likened to those geothan to using "Thursday, Friday," logical adumbrations of higher animal etc., which certainly do not lead us types which often precede the almost back into worshiping Thor and Freid. sudden introduction and universal pre- His reason is that Hindu names differ valence of these thus anticipated forms. according to caste, and that to retain them is to keep caste distinctions con- – " In view of the Unitarian missiontinually in the minds of the Christians. ary being sent out from America for The Syrian Church of India, which is work in India, the Brahma-Samaj has some fifteen hundred years old, seems declared that it is not anxious to have from the beginning to have forbidden one who has dispenst with Jesus heathen names, and is wholly un- Christ."-REv. T. E. SLATER, in TluJ troubled by caste. Ohronic~. -"There is great laxity in the observance of the Sabbath amongst Euro- -The Hindus, it appears from the peans in this country, but it seldom Bombay Guardian, have a somewhat goes so far as it did one Sunday in peculiar appellation for a masonic lodge. August last, when a football match was They call it, .. Satan's bungalow." played between a team of the Royal Munsters and a team of the Calcutta AFmCA. Club at the time of evening service in the balT8ck-squ~re, Dum Dum. The – " The story of our political connec- Rev. J. Brown was conducting the ser- tion with Bechwanaland is to many of
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
us a very humbling chapter of Imperial the best- intentioned financial corporapolitics. But for the past ten years the tion. The matter seems to them to be tribes have been under an Imperial of such vital importance that they protectorate, which has been adminis- have undertaken the long journey to tered on lines, on the whole, most fair England to place the cause of their to the natives. They have been left in people before the Colonial Office, the possession of their territory; they have British public, and Her Majesty, the their own tribal government, European Queen. With all our hearts we wish commissioners being appointed to ad- them success."-DR. R. WARDLAW minister justice in all cases in which THOMPSON, in The Chronicle. It seems white men are involved; the sale or that while in London, they were pergift of intoxicating drink to natives is suaded into consenting to the nCrw arprohibited under heavy penalties, and rangement. is only permitted at all under special restrictions. The Protectorate was -"Far away, at Ugogwe, in the establisht not 1 day too soon. During province of Kyagwe, Uganda, a sound the past ten years, the tide of European of weeping and wailing rises on the air. immigration to the interior of South But the missionary, the Rev. G. K. Africa has flowed with swift and resist- Barkerville, hastening to the place less force. The gleam of gold is as whence the wailing comes, tells the attractive to the British pioneer as a mourning women how greatly out of bunch of carrots is to a donkey. Bech- place it is, since the departed one, the wanaland has been overrun by eager old chief Nikodemo Sebwato, has exprospectors, and mineral concessions on changed the work and the trials of a gigantic scale have been secured by earth for the rest and the glories of speculative syndicates. That remark- heaven. Nikodemo was one of the able combination of dukes and stock- early converts of Uganda; yet, when jobbers, the British South Africa Com- Raj. Kristo Rose was ordained a deapany, which was so largely the product con of the church in India, Nikodemo of the genius and enterprise of Mr. was still in heathen darkness, for it Rhodes, has acquired enormous terri- was not until seven years later, 1877, tory in the interior, partly by negotia- that the first rays of light broke upon tion and partIy by force of arms. By Uganda. Sebwato, a sub·chief of King virtue of its charter from the Imperial Mtesa and afterwards of Mwanga, Government, the company now exer- soon felt himself attracted to the light, cises sovereign control over Mashona- and after his baptism he was a faithful land, Matabeleland, and a vast tract of friend to the missionaries through country north of the Zambesi. Now it many dangers and trials. He past transpires that Lord Knutsford, when safely through the time of persecution, Colonial Secretary, promist the com- though not without enduring sufferings pany that in due time the Bechwana- for Christ's sake. When, after the revland Protectorate should be added to olution, Mwanga was restored to the their dominions. Lord Ripon in turn throne by his Christian subjects, Nikode. confirmed this promise, and now Mr. moSebwato became chief of Budu, and Rhodes is agitating for the realization later of one of the still more important of the compact. The chiefs and people provinces of Kyagwe. He was ordained of Bechwanaland object to the change. to the office of deacon by Bishop Baker, They have no complaint to make but was persuaded not to give up his against the company, but they see that chieftainship, as it afforded him such it is a company with the interests of its large opportunities of using his Christown shareholders to care for. They ian influence. He had just returned think that Imperial rule is likely to be from the expedition to Ungoro, bright, more impartial and unbiassed than even cheery, and affectionate as ever, when
GENERAL mBSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
he was seized with fever and pleurisy, me that he would see to it that religious and quickly taken home. 'Dear old liberty was scrupulously respected, and man,' writes Mr. Barkerville, 'where in a proclamation about the teaching of shall we see your equalagaln ?' There, French in the schools, he has distinctly beside the house where the dead body affirmed the principles of tolerance and lay, the missionaries and a few Christ- of liberty in religious matters. But, as ians gathered together under the mid- if they were sure of being henceforth night sky, and thankt God for the fin- masters, and of being able to proceed isht course of this brave and loving with impunity, the Jesuits are engagservant of Christ."-O. M. Gl4ane7". ing, along the whole line, in an open campaign of menaces against the popu- MADAGASCAR. lations which shall not be willing to be- come Catholics, denouncing as rebels or It seems as if Mr. Harold Frederic's friends of rebels those who refuse, and gleeful anticipations of the suppression finding only too often the support and of the English missions (not to say all concurrence of the chiefs of the milithe Protestant missions) in Madagascar tary posts." would not be disappointed through any lack of zeal or unscrupulousness on the October 18th. " The situation is part of the sons of Loyola. M. Lauga grave, very grave; and if we have not (not Langa, as it is often misprinted), faith in God, who will know how to deunder date of October 16th, 1896, fend his work, it would be easy to fall writes: into Elijah's discouragement. This is a temptation that sometimes besets the L. "The Jesuits, triumphing in the de- S. missionaries. But to yield to it would parture of M. Laroche, are engaging pn be to prove disloyal to duty, and to renall sides in a desperate and disloyal der themselves accomplices of the Jestruggle against everything Protestant. suits. They know, in fact, that we have These men without country, whose not a sufficiently assured grasp of the true country is Rome, cover themselves reins to be able to take their place. They with the French mantle, and seek to will have to suffer, no doubt, like us, persuade the military authorities, which many local wrongs, and to be witnesses just now are sovereign, that they alone of crying abuses which will come to and their adherents defend and propa- pass in spite of General Gallieni. But to gate the French influence, while, say suffer, to be misapprehended, even to be they, the Protestants combat it in the in- persecuted, is it not the lot of every terest of the English influence. And, Christian? • • • which is stranger and sadder still, altho the most superficial observation is " Time fails me to recount the recent enough to refute this, yet they are be- enterprises of the Jesuits against which lieved, they are upheld, and, of course, we have to defend ourselves at this mothe Protestants are mistrusted, or worse. ment. What men I without heart and without conscience I No regard for "It is not yet eight days since M. the most elementary dictates of moral- Laroche has quitted the capital, and ity I No regard to the honor of their from all sides news comes to us of the country! As they only know how to most. audacious enterprises of the J e- fish in troubled waters, they do not suits against the Prote~tant churches. hesitate themselves to trouble the popu- General Gallieni, I hope, will not let lations which had remained pellceable, them have their way; he has been thus in order to be able to carry on their far, in all that I have seen and heard of work of darkness among them; far him personally, perfectly irreprehensi- from being the agents of pacification, ble. At the very first interview which they sow everywhere division and hate, I had with him, the morning after my and by their violent proceedings will arrival, and in which he received me wind up, I believe, by stirring up a genwith the greatest kindness, he assured uine religious war, in which, of course, Sm.UTRA. those who are roused against (hem will be regarded as rebels against our The Rhenish Mu,iom-BM"ichi8 re- France, which they demand nothing mark: "If we do not err, the work in better than to love and serve faithfully." Padang Boleck "-where Mohammed- anism is powerful-" has, in the last When Pope Clement XIV., at the month, assumed a somewhat different demand of the Catholic courts, had aspect, inasmuch as the opposing dissolved the Society of Jesus, some strength of Islam has been mightily high ecclesiastic. greatly devoted to it. fortified. Moreover, this growing exclaimed: •• There is nothing will strength stands in manifest connection help us now but the revolution." It with the general course of events in the is known that between the revolution world. Often, already, have we been of 1773 and the revolution of 1793, the able to observe that secret threads of Freemasons, and all manner of secret connection traverse the whole Mohamsocieties of the Continent, were indefat- medan world, and that a defeat sufigably active in working for a general fered by Islam at anyone point of the overturn. Professor Nippold's sugges- world, or a triumph, real or seeming, tion, that much of the subteranean which It celebrates anywhere. has its plotting was carried out by disbanded reflex working even on the work of our Jesuits, is at least worthy of attention. missionaries in the Mohammedan part It is true, Nlppold's. fourth volume is of Sumatra. That was the case in the pervaded by such an unremitting and Russo-Turkish war; that is now again unscrupulous animosity against the the case. Besides the war of the Dutch Roman Catholics, turning every possi- against Achin, there is a deeper reason ble thing to an evil interpretation, that for the present insolent arrogance of we might well hesitate to trust a sug- our Moslems, namely, the fearful atrogestion of his, yet this is by no means cities in Armenia. We wish to point without a certain force of its own. this out especially to those who still in- The Jesuits have so completely identi- sist that these horrors have, in reality, fied the interests of Rome with the nothing to do with religion. It is most interests of right, and the interests of significant, that Missionary Simon retheir Society with the interests of lates that, on his journey to his field of Rome, that, however scrupulous any labor, he had remarkt the anxieties one of them may be in his private be- which these occurrences had awakened havior, the organic action of the order among many Christians. while they had seems to have been in numberless aroused the boldest hopes in the Moc!Ses wholly divorced from the moral hammedans. The latter would say: law. Gioberti remarks that in Ireland •Do you see? The Rajah Stamboul and America the Jesuits behave as (i. e. the Sultan of Constantinople) is, good neighbors, good Christians, and after all, the one that on whom a man good citizens, because, he significantly can put some dependence, and he will adds, the pressure of public opinion is soon come and liberate Sumatra also, too strong for anything else. Unhap- and then we will deal with the Chrispily, in France national hatred of every- tians as the Turks are dealing with the thing English and religious hatred of A.rmenians.' Allowing that these are everything Protestant seem to work to- idle clashes, which have no effect on gether in encouraging the Jesuits of reflecting Christians, it is nevertheless a Madagascar to bring out the very fact, as Missionary Irle informs us, that worst features of their corporate nature. a large number of Mohammedans, who were in training as catechumens, have One good thing has come to pass fallen away again." through the French seizure, the total abolition of slavery.
BNGLISH NOTES
English Notes. A most helpful conference for native Christians has been recently conducted BY REV. JAMES DOUGLASS, M. A. at Sin-ch'ang, lasting three days. Over a hundred and twenty native Chris- Regions Beyond.-Dr. H. Grattan tians partook of the Lord's Supper Guinness writes with regard to Burma: together at the conclusion of the con- "God has used the strong arm of ference. England to open Burma to modern civilization, and America to send it the Five candidates from this district light of the Gospel. The spectacle is have recently been received into church most impressive. I hardly know any- membership. thing quite equal to it in modern times. A few years ago Burma threw the Mr. Hudson Taylor, in writing to solitary pioneer missionary into the "China's Millions," impresses the im- dark prison house, and loaded his limbs portance of supporting and upholding with galling fetters. Now God hus the work of tlie C. I. M. by prayer. brought Burma itself out of its prison, He shows how very clearly the Lord and has struck the fetters from its manifests Himself in t.he weekly prayer limbs." meetings at Mildmay, and asks that the many interested in and feeling Good news is continually sent home for the people of China and their teachfrom the Congo Balow Mission, report- ers, will remember them at the throne ing progress in the various stations, and of grace. that the health of the workers has, on the whole, been good. The daily work The London Missionary Society held is begun betimes, for there is a preach- its annual gatherings in the second ing service at 6 A. M. in several stations, week in May. These were encouragand the work continues in varied form ing, both as regards numbers and the throughout the day. A new worker- spirit permeating the meeting. The Mr. Sidney K. Woollings-has just report was satisfactory, stating progress started for this sphere of service for the in most directions, altho there is still a Master in the great African field. May slight balance against the society, pro- God abundantly prosper his efforts to bably due to the special efforts made in bring those who sit in darkness into the behalf of the Indian Famine Fund. marvellous light of the Gospel. Mallagascar.-"The elemen tary 1M China Inland Mission.-This schools of the society in Imerina have mission has sustained a loss in the been recently handed over to the death of Miss Gambell, who has for Rev. B. Escombe, and are now under four years labored in China. She re- the care of the Paris Missionary turned to England in December, 1896, Society. Educational work has been and God called her to be with Him in much interfered with during the recent April, 1897. rebellion, and many schools have not yet been reopened. But it is cheering Filial Piety, as regarded by the Chi- to note that the total number of schools nese, is a great hindrance to Chris- transferred to the Paris. Society was tianity, in that it is diametrically op- 438, containing 30, 955 scholars. Before posed to it. It not only allows poly- the war the society's schools numbered theism, since each and all of the dead 712." are worshiped and, therefore, become gods, but it also sanctions atheism, as The Church Miasionary &ciety.-The there is no reference to the Supreme retrospective view taken at the anni- Being. All gratitude, fear, or re- versary meeting, in Exeter Hall, of the spect is for earthly parents only-the past ten years of mission work of the thought of a Heavenly Father is utterly Church Missionary Society, showed foreign to it. many markt signs of progress-in fact, almost as much has been done in these
GENERAL HISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
ten years as in fifty gone before them. s. The consideration of the duties of The decision arrived at after much prayer by the committee-namely not II. preacher. to ref;use any candidate for mission 4. For the increase of personal fidelwork because of financial difllcultieshas been attended with most evident ity to the Lord Jesus Christ and the proofs of divine approbation, nearly firm maintenance of Baptist principles. 700 missionaries have been added to the roll which numbered 900 before. "The The convention lasted two days, the Lord hath done great things for us evening meeting of the second day whereof we are glad," expresses the lasted till 11 P. H.; the people seemed feeling of all interested in the well- inclined to still go on and listen. being of the Ohurch Missionary Society. " The brethren returned to their The Rev. W. G. Peel, writing from homes next day, declaring that they Weatern India, says with reference to had been greatly refreshed, instructed, the plague prevailing there: "We have and uplifted by the meetings." still thirty 01" forty cases daily. It remains to be seen how far the disease The Rev. William Carey, of Dacca, has really been conquered. Our hearts writes hopefully concerning the Chrisoverflow with gratitude to God for His tian Endeavor Movement in India, wonderful preservation of all the mis- showing the hold it is taking in many sionaries in Bombay; indeed, it is most parts. He speaks of the work as being markt how He has kept Christians gen- stimulating and encouraging. erally from becoming victims of the pestilence." Preab1Jterian Ohurch of England.- The Swatow Mission is extending its &uth (Jhina.-A sad telegram has sphere of operations, and their equipbeen received from Archdeacon Wolfe, ment for. Christian work has been instating that the Rev. Jas. Stratford creast, better accommodation havi:r;tg Oollins has lost his life through drown- been provided for the native Christians ing. No details have been received as scattered up and down all over the yet. Mr. Oollins was the first mission- land. Nine old stations have been enary sent out by the Dublin University larged and renovated, and nine new Fau-Kien Mission in 1887. His loss ones opened. will be very much felt by the Fuh- Kien workers, as well as by the natives. The baptisms during the last six years have averaged ninety per annum, TM Baptist MiBBionary &ciet1/.- more than ever before. Increast liber- A native evangelists' convention has ality also marks the native Christians. recently been held at Serampore Col- The press is II. most powerful auxiliary, lege. This has for some years been and now the greater part of the New customary in some parts of the country, Testament is in the vernacular, and but in Western Bengal there have been also the "Pilgrim's Progress." no meetings of the kind. Invitations were therefore sent out to all parts, and There are now six ministers entirely II. very good response was made. supported by the natives.
The objects of the convention were The Japaneae Gournor of Formosa.- defined as follows: During Dr. Ferguson's recent visit to Dr. Mackay, in the north of Formosa, 1. Ohristian fellowship for the Bap- the two missionaries called on the tist Missionary Society's preachers. Japanese Governor, Mr. Nogi, and had II. most kindly reception. In the course 2. Prayer for the outpouring of the of conversation Dr. Mackay told the Holy Spirit upon the workers of our governor how the rebels had sorely society. persecuted the North Formosan Chris- tians, because they refused to take up arms against the Japanese; while on the other hand, "Japanese petty offici- als and soldiers had failed to distinguish between friends and foes, and to a barbarian people deserve a vote of had insulted, abused, and even killed thanks from the commercial world." Christians in more than one locality." Before the interpreter had finisht trans- -The one bright spot in all the darklating Dr. Mackay's story, the governor ness that has covered Asiatic Turkey .. sprang to his feet," says the doctor, has been the heroism and the common .. graspt my hand tighter and tighter, sense of the American missionaries.- Whilst he told the interpreter to say Sir Philip OU'rI'i8. that he was determined to protect the Christians. Turning to Ferguson, he -Sir George Harvey, the Scotch arsaid, 'And you in the South have tist, when askt by Dr. Cuyler if he had suffered in the same way. I will pro- seen the best American paintings, retect your Christians aIBo.'" plied: "No, I have not; but the grand- est American productions I have seen .Medical MisazOnI.-Medical work are some of your missionaries-they are bulks largely in our mission. We have noble characters." three medical mission centers in the Amoy district, ~ight mission hospitals -The government of India can not in all, whilst Mrs. Ferguson, our only but acknowledge the great obligation lady medical missionary, often accom- under which it is laid by the benevolent panies her husband in his itinerant exertions made by missionaries, whose work. blameless example and self-denying labors are infusing new vigor into the Ohinehew Oiell.-After the preachers' stereotyped life of the great population conference, held in Siong-si, Mr. Camp- placed under English rule.-.8ecretarg bell Brown spent the following Sunday for India. in Chinchew City. He writes: .. We had grand congregations. After the -Neill Livingstone and his family morning service, a young man came to rise at 4 o'clock, make a cup of coffee, me with a basket in his hand in which read Psalms 121 and 185, and pray were his idols, which he wanted to put together for the last time. Then the away. He is a very interesting young father walks with David from Blantyre fellow, a silversmith, full of intelli- to Glasgow, parts with him on top of gence. We had prayer together, after the hill, bids him a quiet, but heartfelt which he went away rejoicing." farewell, and never sees again the son whom three continents honor. The P(UJ' and Present.-We are told that father was dying as the great African of late years throughout Formosa the explorer came home to be honored by heathen have much changed; they do the queen, but he said in glorious faith: not crowd as formerly to the idolatrous "I shall know whatever is worth knowprocessions. "For now in many a ing of him, yonder where I go." Wortown there is a handful of people who thy father of a worthy son. worship Jesus Christ, and the heathen have heard so much of the Gospel on -We should not call our giving the street and elsewhere that, altho " missionary benevolence"; we should they worship idols still, they worship call it God's business. less earnestly than heretofore." -Many seem to think that because a THE KINGDOM. missionary is one sent, our contributions should be one cent. Truly, a gross mis- -Dr. Blackburn likens the legacies apprehension. received by missionary societies to ammunition taken from the cartridge boxes -" There is a widespread feeling that of dead soldiers. the modern successors of Judson, Moil:- att, Bridgman, Perkins, Eli Smith, -Said Robert Moffat: "Missionaries Carey, Martyn, are not quite up to the standard set by those heroes. Is this correct? We think not. A century ago furnisht no instances of greater Benares? Have I not seen a whole row heroism than this present generation. of Christian Brahmans in the pews of a Mackay and Hannington in Uganda, native church in Ahmednagar? Have Good and Marling on the West Coast, I not sat for an hour in Poona with a not to mention many less widely known Brahman who told me the story of his but not less heroic along the Kongo, conversion to Christ? And have I not will stand close beside the bravest of the listened to addresses from native Chrisearly pioneers of Africa. That band of tians in India, addresses so able and missionaries at Harput, Miss Shattuck vigorous that I longed to have such men at Urfa, showed no falling off from the and women stand before our churches record of the early days in Turkey. in America? Of course, I heard !nany Are these exceptions? No; they rep- criticisIns of missionaries, but I never resent the average of missionary char- heard a Hindu, Brahman, or Moslem acter, and, were there equal need or say, what ignorant and prejudiced equal opportunity, their record would Europeans have sometimes said in my be repeated in every mission field of hearing out of India, that the missionthe world."-Ind8pendent. aries were doing no good. Frequently the chairman at my lectures, or the -The Ohurch Missionary InteZU- Hindu gentleman who moved the vote genar, of England, in allusion to a of thanks, spoke with grateful appremissionary in the Arctic Circle, says: ciation of the work which missionary Mr. Peck's journal appears opportunely educators are doing. I shall never forjust now when the public are being get how the famous Hindu ascetic, thrilled with the story of courage and the Holy Man of Benares, said to me: endurance of Dr. Nansen. It reminds " I think Jesus Christ was a very good . us that for Christ's sake our brothers- man. He must have been something aye, and, we may add, our sisters too like Mr. Hewlett," a deceased veteran -are not merely traveling for a few of the London Missionary Society. months, but dwelling, year after year, Missionaries are often foolishly critiamid the rigors and privations of the cized by natives, but they are trusted Arctic regions. The world, so gener- by them, and this is the highest praise ously ready to acknowledge with its which a Hindu can pay to mortal man. due meed of praise the plodding and I know a missionary of the American undaunted heroism of the man of Board in southern India who was askt science, is singularly unimprest by simi- to take charge of the funds of one of the lar qualities when displayed for the greatest of Hindu temples.-.Re-v. J. H. sake of precious souls. We do not ask Barrow,. or desire for our Arctic laborers such !narks of interest as are the reward of -We often hear, but not so much, I the explorer; they would only embar- believe, as formerly, of the craving of rass them; but let not the church's the heathen for God, of the heathen prayers fail them. Bompas, and Reeve, fiying as the doves to their windows to and McDonald, and Stringer, and Loft- hear that Gospel which is for the healhouse, and Peck, and Sampson, whose ing of the nations. It is really no such faces are so seldom seen in the home thing at all. The craving of the Orilands, let them not be forgotten in their ental mind is for money, for wealth, for frigid and lonely stations! the things of this earth, and not for God. The longing which is represented -How ridiculous, appears the claim to exist has, I believe, no existence at . sometimes made in America that men all. And it is this discovery which often of intelligence and that members of the tends to disappoint and crush the spirit Brahman caste are never converted to of some young enthusiast who has come Christianity. Have I not seen a Brah- out thinking that he has only to preach JnaD, preaching Christ ill the bazars of and that he will gather hundreds intothe Kaiserswerth Union, and the fields oc- fold of Christ.-I8abella Bird Bialwp. cupied by them, in the years men- -The American Board pays its mis- sionaries who have families from $850 tioned: Deaconesses. Fields. to $1050 annually, to single men from $440 to $675, to single women from Years. '7,080 2,768 $390 to $575. The Presbyterians pay 8,469 3,641 to married men from $1080 to $1250, to 1888 10,412 4,250 single men $720 to $833, to single 1891 12,150 women from $540 to $628. The Meth- 1894 odists pay in A.sia, including China, 1896 Japan, Korea and India, to married men the first five years $950, single These figures show a total increase of $680; the next ten years, to married 72 per cent. in eight years. A. few men $1000, single $700; the next ten deaconess houses in Europe and in Am- years, to married men $1100, single $800; after twenty-five years, $900 to erica never have connected themselves $1200. with the Kaiserswerth Union, which are -One of the most instructive ad- estimated to have 900 sisters. It fol- dresses of the year is one by Dr. N. E. Wood, preacht at Pittsburg before the lows, then, that 13,000 deaconesses to- Baptist MissioJl8.ry Union on }Ii~sions and Victory, urging that plans and day are busy in evangelical circles methods should be such as to make world-wide success most certain, and among the needy, the distrest, the sick, most speedy. One passage on "Missionary Statesmanship," was particular- the erring, in the four veat quarters of ly :tine. The thought was for substance, the globe. And in these figures are take and hold strategic points, and expend the bulk of labor upon races which not included those who have been are likely to possess an aggressive piety. trained specially for service in the Or- WOMAN'S WORK. der of St. John, in the Red Cross soci- -For centuries it has been thought, ety, or in local deaconess societies. both by men and women in India, that a woman walking abroad in God's day- -Since the beginning in 1837, Mt. Ught and sunlight, in the streets of city Holyoke has sent 217 of its graduates or village, was either a low-caste or a into foreign mission work, while durbad woman. But since the missionary ing its 21 years Wellesley has sent out . ladies have come to India, and are seen 31, of whom 4 have taught in the Huand known to be not only good and guenot seminaries of South Africa. pure, but the most highly respected among women, this idea has been mod- -Mrs. Felix R. Brunot, of Pittsburg, ified, and the native women are begin- recently notified the Board of Foreign ning to ask, "If European women Missions of the Episcopal Church that may go abroad unveiled and meet men, she was anxious to do something for and yet be respected, why should we the lepers of China, and if the Board be cooped up in the zenana prisons?" would look over the ground and indi- cate where they wisht a hospital located -The growth of the deaconess work she would build and endow it. Mrs. in the Lutheran church may be inferred Brunot is the wealthiest woman in her from the appended tables, which show part of the country, and it is said she the number of sisters belonging to the will spend not less than half a million on the lepers. Mrs. Brunot believes that with proper care leprosy can be kept down, if not stampt out entirely.
-Lady Henry Somerset is to spend the summer with Miss Frances Willard. One of her chief appointments on this side is the preaching of the sermon be- fore the National W. C. T. U. Conven- tion, which meets in the autumn at Buffalo.
-The' Church of England Zenana Missionary Society has 84 centers of work, and 898 workers were employed Christian Union, United Presbyterian, during last year; 129 of them being 85,146; Young People's Christian European missionaries and assistants, Union, Associate .Reformed, 2,228; 191 native Christian teachers and Young People's Christian Alliance, nurses, and 78 biblewomen. The mis- Evangelical Association, 30,407; total, sionaries and biblewomen have access 4,414, 776. The Westminster League to 7,988 zenanas and houses, with 2,923 would swell the total to 4,500,000. regular pupils under instruction, while the biblewomen have visited 2845 vil- -The Endeavorers of New York lages. At the society's hospitals at City have organized the Tenth Legion. Lucknow, Benares, and Patna there It has no constitution or officials. The were 17,594 patients, and 54,924 at- names of the members are not made tendances at the dispensaries. The in- public. But each of them agrees to set come reacht a total of £18,067, not apart one-tenth of his income to good reckoning receipts for famine relief. works. Their motto is .. Unto God what is God's." The United Society YOUNG PEOPLE. has adopted the idea, and the next gen- eration will have a better tra.ini:ag in -The Ohri8tian Observer has a sug- this direction. gestionfor the Y. M. C. A. which seems worth attention. "One main object," -A library containing 200 volumes it says, "is to get a firm hold on young has been placed in the United States men from the country when first they Marine Hospital, at Detroit, Mic)!., by come to the city." For this purpose it a few Endeavor societies. A libtarian suggests that membership should be has also been supplied. These Endeafree to any young man from the country vorers regularly conduct services in the during the first year after he comes to hospital, and perform other noble minthe city, and that a notice to this effect istrations. should be posted in the railroad stations from ten to a hundred miles distant, so -The Texas Epworth Leagues raised that the young men would feel sure of $3,000 for miisions last year, and thus a welcome. At Springfield, Mass., there kept 3 missionaries in the foreigu field. is some apparent confession of present failure in attractiveness, if not of effici- -Mexico now contains 100 Christian ency, in the proposal to add billiard Endeavor societies, with 2,047 memand pool tables to the equipment of the bers. Twenty-eight of these are J unlor building. societies, with 469 members. Last year there were only 7 Junior societies in the -A proposition started in the Inde- country. :IJ61UUnt, by Dr. Carroll, for a federation of the young people's societies of the -In Yu-yiao, a city forty miles west different churches, should find ready of Ningpo, in China, a place in the cenresponse with the various organizations. ter of the dozen or more churches rep- The suggestion is not to consolidate, resented in the union, the Nmgpo Presbut to federate, nn arrangement by byterian Christian Endeavor Union which each organization will preserve held, for two days, its second annual its autonomy. He gives the following convention. The question of entertainstatistics of these societies: Christian En- ment of the delegates, which might deavor, 40churches, 2,162,000; Epworth otherwise have proved an insurmount- League, M. E. Church, 1,500,000; Ep- able obstacle, was overcome by the deleworth League, M. E. Church, South, gates coming in house-boats. 150,000; Baptist Young People's Union, 400,000; Young People's Christian -A bright young girl, a student of Union, United Brethren, 75,000; Luth- the Boston University, who is a Chris- tian Endeavorer, was recently askt the eran. League, 60,000; Young People's question: "What kind of work do you think the missionary does in the foreign field 1" She replied: "I don't know; American Baptists. North, 20; and the I have never thought about it, but I Church Missionary Society, 48. suppose that after breakfast a mission· ary lady takes her Bible, goes out and -In most cases the pioneer mission- sits down under a tree, and if people ary finds the Scriptures ready for his come to her she reads to them." I askt: use. The young men in charge of the "And is this all that you think she Arabian Mission are not called oil. does?" She replied: "I suppose that to spend long years in reducing the would be all; I·can't think of anything Arabic language to writing; the Pres- more." byterian missionaries, pushing steadily up the valley of the Nile, avail them- AMERICA. selves of supplies of Bibles readily obtained from the Bible rooms at -United States. The deaths in Beirut; and the representatives of va- New York City from diarrheal dis- rious societies, who are entering through ease, in 1892, were 1,635; and year by open gates into Venezuela, Peru, aBd year there has been a steady decline Ecuador, find that in advance of their till, in 1896, there were but 973. Presi- coming much good seed has already dent Wilson, of the Board of Health, been sown by the agents and colporteurs attributes this happy result to "clean of the American Bible Society. streets, asphalt pavements in the tenement·house districts, an improved milk -FredJ. Barny, just graduated from supply, and the increased use of steril- New Brunswick, goes soon to the Araized milk for infants." Thls improve- bian Mission as a much needed and ment has taken place while the popula- welcome addition to the force at work tion of the city has been constantly in that rapidly opening field. He is growing, and the incessant influx of sent and supported for five years by unwasht, underfed, and unintelligent the pledged donations made by the immigrants has kept up its neutralizing young people of the Marble Collegiate effect on all efforts for better hygienic Church of New York City. conditions. -The Southern Presbyterians are -What a fine spectacle it was the doing well for foreign missions. Durother day when 2,300 men in white ing the last ten years they have inuniform, each with a flower in his but- creast their contributions from $84,- tonhole, accompanied by dumpcarts, 000 to $144,000 and their force from rotary brushes, and hose-carts to the 54 to 150 workers. They gave more number of 750, with a multitude of money last year than ever before, and auxiliaries, marcht in procession, and sent out all the workers that applied. were reviewed by the mayor of New York in the annual parade of Colonel -The Cumberland Presbyterians re- Waring's street-cleaning brigade. The joice that 4 new missionaries are soon men are proud of their uniform, of to be sent out, with their support their service, of their chief, and of the already secured by special pledges. reputation for cleanliness which they have won for their city. -The Mormons are said to have no less than 2,300 elders scattered all the o -The" Medical Missionary Record" land over, busy making converts for for April has ten pages covered with the " religion" invented by J 08eph the names of 487 medical missionaries Smith, Jr. sent out by nearly 60 societies, American (267) and European, to 25 coun- -San Francisco, with 18,000 Chinese tries. Of these 116 are women. The population, 15 pagan temples, 96 houses Presbyterian Church, North, has sent of ill-fame, 89 opium dens, 13 high- 57 of these. The M. E. Church, binder camps, gambling dens innumer- able, and underground recesses, black North, 82; the American Board, 28; as Tartarus and full of misery, criule, and squalor, continues to be the great A solemn protest has been sent home center for missionary operations on signed by aU the brethren but one. this continent. Never before have we seen in San Francisco's Chinatown such EUROPE. an interest in the Gospel as during the past year. About 20 young men of our -Great Britain. The Church school and 6 of the women and girls of Army reports that the number of trained the Home were converted, and many lay-agents employed during the year of the members were quickened into a amounted to 504, an increase of' 86. new life.-G08p6l in AU Lands. Some of the men had given up salaries of from 30s. to £7 a week to join in Church -A singularly noble and generous Army work for 248. a week and less. giver was Mr. Roland Mather, of Hart- The mission vans had carried on a most ford, Conn., who died in that city May successful work, and 17 new ones had 10th, at the ripe age of 88. He was a been presented by various friends. Of descendant of Rev. Richard Mather, those who past through the labor well known in Puritan annals. lie homes, over 50 per cent. had made a began business as a boy in Boston, but fresh start in life, and 47 homes were has lived in Hartford nearly seventy in operation. About 100 pass through years. His career has been remarkably each home annually, after an average prosperous, and he has been in the stay of 13 weeks, and it is to the credit habit of dispensing his money quietly of the outcasts that no less a sum than and unostentatiously, where it would £11,000 was paid to them in wages last do the best service. His gifts to edu- year. The various agencies include, a. cational institutions have been large. market garden and farm, laundries, Last year he gave to the Education dispensaries, boarding-houses, and Society $80,000, and his benefactions clothing depots. The income amountetl while he was living aggregated more to £77,257. than half a. million dolllrs. His main bequests to benevolent societies are, to -At the annual meeting of the Misthe American Board and to the Home sions to Seamen Society in London, t.b.e Missionary Society $15,000 each, to annual report showed that the income the A. M. A. and to Hampton Institute was £38,294 last year, and that 7,300 $10,000.- Oongregationalist. seamen took the total abstaining pledge. Besides what sailors contributed more -Canada. It is pleasing to learn directly to the funds in 1896, £1,477 that the contributions for foreign mis- were given in 30 of the mission sions in the Presbyterian Church in churches and institutes. At the present Canada. this year are $25,000 in excess time 69 mission vessels, steam and sailof those of any previous year. A debt ing, 87 missions to seamen, churches, of $30,000 has been reduced to less and institutes, classes for course of inthan $10,000, and this in spite of finan- struction in first aid to the injured, cial depression, the fact that receipts savings banks, and the supply of books from legacies are smaller than usual, and magazines to forecastle libraries, and that about $15,000 have been speci- are among the efforts of the society. ally contributed to the Indian Famine There is a staff of 178 men. Fnnd. -This statement conveys not un- -The Presbyterian missionaries in pleasant intelligence, coming, as it does, India are in trouble because the Mission from a Roman Catholic organ: "His Board at home have ordered that Eminence, Cardinal Vaughan, when women, who outnumber the men two Bishop of Salford, calculated the annual to one, shall be allowed to vote on all loss to the faith in Manchester and questions, and so can control affairs. Salford, through proselyting agencies and through the workhouse system, as 258; those in danger of apostasy £850,000 for religious purposes. A large through ragged schools, soup kitchens, part of this sum will be expended on an city missions, etc., numbered 573, mak- orphanage for children of Reformed inga total for one year under these two parents. A considerable sum will be heads of 831. A Catholic census of reserved as a fund for the widows and Manchester and Salford shows, as the orphans of Reformed ministers, and Cardinal says, the following appalling another part be invested for the benefit statistics of young persons of both sexes of students attending Erlangen Uni- under twenty-one: In extreme danger versity, while about £200,000 will be of loss of faith, or practically lost to devoted to building and endowing an the faith, 5,420; in great danger, 2,341; evangelical hospital at Ratisbon.
in danger, 1,912; total 9,673." Truly ASIA. such .. danger" is better than safety. -India. Spurgeon, tho dead, is yet -Continent. A movement similar speaking. Very lately one of his ser- in character to that initiated among the mons, translated into the Hindustani students of England, America. France, tongue, was sent forth to preach to the and Scandinavia has recently been millions of India. Others are to follow.
announced as the outcome of a con- -George Smith writes: This is not ference held in Halle, in March, 1896. the place to describe what was perhaps Its committee have issued an appeal to the most remarkable of our many expethe Kommilitonen of all universities, riences in the East-the drive, under and we are fain to believe that, despite armed escort, up the Khyber Pass, from its small beginning, IJer deutsche Stu- Jumrood Fort to that of Ali Musjid. denl6nbundfitr Mission has a great and More appropriate here is a reference to noble future before it. A recent meet- the operations of the Church Missionary ing at Halle, held since the above state- Society in the fanatical city of Pesha· ment was written, was of very remark- war, and along the warlike frontier able interest. Seldom has there been right down to Karachi. To great solsuch a time of refreshing and awaken- diers like Herbert Edwardes and Lake, ing. It seems as if this movement Nicholson and Abbott, Hutchison and were about to help to deliver the Ger- George Lawrence, while yet subalterns man universities from the death-like on little pay, the Church of England inftuence which has spread over them, owes its line of Christian forts, from chiefiythrough rationalistic theological each of which the banner of the Cross professors.-Mi8sion World. invites Mussulman and stranger of every -The rapid extension of the Rhenish creed to find rest. I do not know more Missionary Society within the last de- unconscious courage than that of the cade has exceeded that of all other 5 English girls who, with Miss (Dr.) German bodies. Its European agents Mitclleson, spend the hot season and in 1885 numbered 68, in 1895 this had cold alone within the walls of Pesha- reacht a total of 111; the stations and war, the only resident missionary being out-stations from 122 have grown to the aged Imam Shah, pastor of the 230; the native adherents from 27,974 pretty church at some distance from to 60,144. King William's Land, New their settlement. The few unspiritual Guinea, and Ovampo, South Africa, enemies of missions on the spot admire have fallen to its care, and its agents that.
are working among 10 different peoples. . -In a Hindu bazaar. We turn first' Especial attention is bestowed upon the to the right, where a number of fakirs medical department, and upon woman's are sitting in an open veranda, almost work. without clothing. The most distin- -Count Ernest of Dornberg. who guisht among them announces to us died lately at Ratisbon, bequeathed with great pomp and infinite condescen-. sion that he is a priest of Siva (spouse rupees have recently been received, in of Ram); he is a bearded man of middle addition to 10,000 previously given.
age, smeared allover with ashes and The Zemindars, or native princes, of ochre. His hair, woven into an infini- the district, have contributed over tude of intricate plaits, towers above 11,000 rupees, and enough more is his head like a turban; when he lets it expected to complete the hospital build- down, it trails on the ground for about ing, costing not far from $12,000, with- a yard. When askt about his religious out drawing a single rupee of mission- belief, he becomes quite confused, and ary money. That Hindus should con- we have to help him out and explain to tribute this large sum for the building him the differences between his numer- of a distinctively Christian hospital is ous gods and goddesses. But when we certainly a remarkable testimony to the begin to talk of God and divine things, impression which medical missions he turns away contemptuously and have made upon the people of south- spits on the ground. A Gussein-fakir western India.-MisBionarll Herald.
and a Tuma·fakir are also present; -A permanent memorial in honor of these have a curious history. They are the fifty years of service of Rev. Dr. S. now a small and dwindling sect among B. Fairbank, of the Marathi Mission, Hindu fakirs, but they wear the cross has been determined upon. It is a as their symbol, and many things make well at Wadale, the community with it probable that they are the remains which he was identified, thirty-two of a Christian community which was feet deep and which will supply water -founded eighteen centuries ago on the for both drinking and irrigation. N. W. coast of India by the apostle There is a certain special fitness in such Thomas. There were also two women a memorial of such a man. fakirs; one a very graceful Panjabi woman, the other an old withered hag China.-In Mr. Wardlaw Thompson's in salmon· colored robes; this is the uni- opinion the greatest missionaryachieve- versal color of the Vishnu fakirs. The ment is to be found in India and China Panjabi woman has gold in her teeth. The work at these centers, in spite of It is good when you die to have gold in caste and custom, is being singularly your mouth, and for this reason many blessed and a great in-gathering of people have holes bored in their teeth souls is expected. India. and China, and filled up with gold, in order to be however, differ greatly in their accept- always ready.-Allgemeine Mis8ion8 ance of Christianity. Each interprets Zeitschrift. it according to their national character.
The Chinese are an essentially practical -A practical illustration of the con- people, and accept Christiauity as a fidence shown in our missionaries in India, even by those who do not accept practical thing, making it the guide of their faith, is seen in the large gifts of their life and shaping their character thereby. '
money for the erection of a mission -Almost 300 miles of railroad have been completed in China, and construchospital at Madura, in care of Dr. Van tion work goes on steadily. It seems Allen. These gifts come from traders . clear that the beginning of a really or merchants in the cities and villages. great Chinese railway system has been Dr. Van Allen reports that, as a rule, witnessed, and the Chinese Government these men are wealthy and belong to shows no disposition to grow weary of one caste, and that they are" thorough- its work in providing modern means of going, enthusiastic heathen," and it transportation in its empire. was not expected that they would contribute largely. To the surprise of every one, they have contributed most -The Rev. J. C. Hoare, of Ningpo, liberally. Dr. Van Allen says 5,000 in setting forth the progresa of the Mid-China Mission during the last 20 churches and many widely scattered years, draws particular attention to one groups of Christians. curious feature, viz., that the work seems to go forward in wa'l168; first a -The Rev. Isaac T. Headland writes wave, and then a period of compara- from Peking, North China, as follows: tive slackness, and then another wave; "Two weeks ago I wrote that our but each one higher than any preced- heathen Sunday-school had increast to ing. 800. To-day it· has just been dismist, and numbered 1,024. How I wish you -The British and Foreign Bible could see it! How it inspires the Society distributes throughout the Chi- schoolboys and girls who teach it: nese Empire the Bible in classical 1,024 heathen men, women, and chilmandarin, 10 colloquial, Kalmuck, dren studying the life of the blessed Mongolian and Tibetan languages. Savior in one congregation! Last year some 540,000 books were printed; 866,000 books were put into -Bishop Schereschewsky is about circulation, of which 358,000 were removing for a time to Japan in order sold, and 8,000 given away. The to supervise on behalf of the American books are nearly always sold at a price Bible Society the printing of a large to pay for the paper, and it was an in- edition of his revised version of the dication of the remarkable progress of Mandarin Old Testament, originally Christianity that last year no fewer publisht in Peking about 1874. He will than 11,000 were New Testaments in avail himself of the same opportunity excellent binding. Some 210 colpor- to print his Wen-li version. It is said teurs were at work, giving either a that such work is done better, more part or the whole of their time, and cheaply, and mOle quickly in Japan. they made very effective means for the evangelization of the people. -Japan. In a census of Christian charities in Japan issued in February, -Here is a group of paragraphs 1897, the Protestant report shows 12 which exhibit in strong light the busy theological seminaries, with 163 stulife the missionary leads and the vast dents; 29 boys' schools, with 1,980 variety of agencies which he must keep students; 10 women's training schools, in operation. First comes an exhibit with 238 students; 46 girls' schools, of the machinery for building up the with 2,491 students; 14 kindergartens, kingdom of Christ in Shantung: One with 526 students; 56 day or night college of about 100 young men; 1 schools, mostly for the poor, with 2,788 theological class, a fine company of 20 students; 10 orphan asylums, with 664 young men who promise to become a inmates; 13 homes for various classes, body of able and devoted pastors; 5 with 235 inmates; 15 hospitals and disclasses of native preachers and teachers, pensaries. one of these containing 30 evangelists; 1 normal class, preparing young men -A British resident in Peking forfor teaching and lay preaching; 4 wards the following from the Japan classes in medicine and surgery, with Mail: "The Boyeki Shimbun says total membership of 24; 2 boys' board- judgment in the case of Tei Keiki, a ing-schools ; 3 city girls' boarding- Chinese, and Misawa Hatsugord, a schools and 1 in the country; a widely nationalized Japanese of Chinese birth, extended and growing system of day- who were arrested the other day while schools in city and country, comprising indulging in the use of opium at the about 1,500 pupils; and about 20 residence of another Chinaman, was classes of inquirers and Christians out- given by the Yokohama local court. side of the regular school and college Ryo-zei was sentenced to hard labor work. There are about 25 organized for six years for having sold the opium, and the 2 others to major ccnnnement for two years." This is what Japan thinks of the verdict of the Royal Com- ment. It would be indignant at being mission on Opium_ If these poor Chi- called anything else. But in Mada- nese had been aware, they might have gascar religious toleration is refused, quoted the decisions arrived at by the the French officials appropriating for commission in extenuation of their the Jesuits not only the churches but offense."-Regions Beyond. even the schools and hospitals of the Protestants, and in Tunis and Algeria -A period of mourning in Japan Christianity itself is being crusht out, affects all the people. The emperor's as far and as fast as possible, lest the mother having died, all schools were susceptibilities of the Moslems be inclosed for 5 days and the theaters and jured. It looks very much as though places of amusement for 15 days. British "tyranny" was far preferable Even instrumental music in private to Gallic "freedom." houses was interdicted for 30 days. Dr. Atkinson reports that the church at -West. Says Work and Worker. Kobe in holding its prayer-meetings (English Wesleyan): We would call could have no singing and no use of attention to the importance of our misthe organ. sions on the west coast of Africa. For various reasons, they do not appeal so -A Japanese photographer who had powerfully to the imagination as do the been very succel:!8ful in business died missions in the East, or in the portions at Kobe, at the close of last year, after of Africa to which recent events have a residence there of more than twenty given prominence. But Westeru Africa. years. He had become gradually en- is a great field of this society's opera.- lightened in the Gospel, afterwards tions. Judged by such tests as the personally interested, and was received number of converts, the development to the church shortly before his death. of a native ministry, and the growth of One item of his property, a life insur- the spirit of self-support, our missions ance policy for $3,000, he bequeathed there take important rank in our hisentirely to benevolent purposes, two- tory. The number of members in the thirds of it to distinctively Christian 3 Districts of Sierra. Leone, Gold Coast, enterprises. and Lagos is 16,945, more than one- third of the total membership directly AFRICA. connected with the society. There are, moreover, 54 native ministers, to a large -North. In a recent Church MilI- extent supported by the churches, .ionarll Intellig~ncer Rev. W. G. Pope, which are also contributing on an inof Tunisia, appeals for prayer in be- creasing scale towards the extension of half of missionaries in Moslem lands. the Gospel into regions beyond them. Not only are Mohammedans probably the most difficult unbelievers to be im- -In one respect Africa may be called prest by the Gospel, but also a deter- the hardest of all the mission fields. mined effort is being made just now by This is not because the hearts of the the French authorities to check and natives are worse than those of other break up missionary work among them. continents, for all men have the carnal All doors of opportunity are being mind which is enmity against God, and closed. and the evident purpose is to the Holy Spirit can regenerate the chief drive away the missionaries. One mis- of sinners. But it is in many parts the sionary in Tunisia already has been hardest of all the fields on account of fined six times in the courts for having the climate. A missionary says in a given away copies of the Scriptures in recent letter: "Ill-health is our great his own shop. Two lady missionaries drawback. We are not only ofteR also were just about to be tried, when quite sick in this climate, but are he )"rote, for distributing copies in the scarcely ever well. Since September streets. The French Government is, at least nominally, a Christian governthere has been a great deal of fever of the poor things woke me up. Then among the older members of our family. Not the least evil in the clUle is the the next day or so they went for the great quantity of quinine that we have to take, making a disease of itself, boys, and were in swarms, so at 1.80 affecting the head, hearing, and the whole being.It A.M. I had to turn out and tind sleep- -I had my Sabbath·school girls up .ing places for the lot. Sims also, one yesterday. They arrived at 10.80 A. M •• tho I had told them to wait till after- night, had to clear out. Their last at- noon. Of course they grew hungry, so I put some eank and bananas on the tack was on the goats, and so for two table and invited them to sit down. It was the tirst time any of them had ever nights we had to have them up in the eaten at a table in their lives, and be- fore I knew what they were doing, chicken yard." they had thrown refuse pieces on the 1l00r under the table. I told them to -In German ElUlt Africa an advance leave them on their plates, but most were left on the table-cloth until they step has been taken by the United tinisht eating and were then pickt up and put on the plates. The bananas Brethren in their assumption of respon- were piled on a large platter in the center of the table and when the girls sibilities relinquisht to them by the had tinisht their eank, I told them to help themselves to bananas. Immedi- London Missionary Society, which has, ately, each girl began reaching for . them with both hands, some getting as since the year 1879, been at work in many as seven or eight. I told them to put them all back and take one at a the heart of the Protectorate. The so- time, explaining that "people" did not cieties of Berlin I., II., and III. grab things. I have not yet decided whether I helpt matters by my inter- already engaged in this portion of ference, for the way those bananas dis- appeared was a marvel. Two bites to Africa, being unable or unwilling to ex- a banana. Two dozen bananas to a Bulu is only a taste, such is their tend their efforts to Urambo, the capacity. If we could only give them M.oravians have, after anxious consid- the Gospel in like doses I But a very eration, acceded to the request pre- little is all that can be understood at a ferred to them by the L. M. S. Com· time. But I have hopes of my girls, mittee. To Urambo, as a. mission appetites and all. Some day they will center, attaches a very real importance want things different.-Mary HaYB in its position as the only Gospel fort- John80n. ress in the heart of German East Africa, excepting, of course, such light -East. Mr. Bishop of the Univer- as is offered by the Roman Catholic sities Mission writes from Newala: station of Tabora hard by. The near- "We have been having quite a plague est evangelical stations, those of Uten· of siaj'l£ (biting ants) of late, and a few gule and Rungue, north of Lake nights ago I suffered agonies by hav- Nr.assa, lie at a distance of 80 German ing to face millions of them to rescue mIles. the poor donkey and chickens, which they were devouring alive. The cries ISLANDS OF THE SEA.
-Madagascar. The latest news from Madagascar is of a decidedly more favorable kind than has been received for a long time. Thanks no doubt to the earnest exertions of French Protes- tants, the lIinister for the Colonies has given such instructions as have resulted in the restoration of more than 90 places of worship to the native Christians from whom the Jesuits had wrongfully taken them. This action has caused great joy to the congrega· tions, which have thus entered once more into their own heritage; it will also do not a little to bind the Christ· ians to French rule, and to give abiding peace. The French Minister of the Colonies has given a signal proof of the desire of his Government for religious equality to be a reality wherever the French tiag tiies; and he has also rebuked that false patriotism which doubts all patriotism that is not identical with subservience to the Church of Rome.-London Oli.rl8tian.
The Missionary Review of the World — November 1896
BIRDS-EYE-VIEW OF LIMA, PEHt: (Bull ring on left
2. MISHIONARIES VISITING A NATIVE PERUVIAN HPT. 3. THE HOMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL. LIMA, PERC. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIX. No.n.-Old &rie8.-NOVEMBER.-VoL. IX. No. ll.-New Series.
WILLIAM E. DODGE AS A SYSTEMATIC GIVER.-II.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
In this second sketch of Mr. Dodge we shall consider his habits of giving, because the ministry of money is the great matter on which, particularly, disciples need education and transformation.
How much depends on a right beginning! When Dodge was yet a boy, Obookiah's short career and early death called attention to his native Hawaiian Islands, and WIlliam proposed to some companion boys a "missionary potato patch," and a piece of swamp land was cultivated for God; and tho the season was exceptionally dry, that patch yielded abundance, and the proceeds went to Obookiah's education. It is doubtful whether a deeper thrill of joy ever passed through Mr. Dodge's heart in giving to God's work, than when he felt in his own palm the money he got for that first load of potatoes.
All his hfe Mr. Dodge remained loyal to the AmerIcan Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, with which from early manhood he had been officially connected. This agam nourished his habits of giving, for he kept himself acquainted with missionary operations the world over.
The central secret of his large and versatile benevolence is to be found, however, in his deliberate life plan. As his main purpose was not to be rich, but to be useful, his wealth was regarded as an avenue to service. The hour when he began 10 have an income was the hour when he began to actively distribute, and this is with every true giver the basis of a habit of giving. Nothing is more illusive than the dream of benevolence after accumulation. Habit is ironclad for its fixedness, and habits of avaricious hoarding are practically immutable. He who defers his giving till he has done his hoarding, finds his wealth locked up in vaults of which a tyrannical and heartless selfishness holds the key. Such a man has already learned to get and keep, and to reconcile his mind, heart, and conscience to a course that is distinctly unscriptural and in a high sense immoral; and that lesson not one man in a million ever unlearns. No vice is more common, more
WILLIAM E. DODGE AS A SYSTEMATIC GIVER
hopeless, more incorrigible, than the vice of greed, and none hide under more respectable guises. -William E. Dodge escaped a life-blunder and crime by beginning to give when he began to get. He became a regular contributor to all great leading forms of beneficence, and an occasional contributor 1.0 many others as they commended themselves to his judgment, and as his ability was equal to the opportunity.
Of Mr. Dodge it has often been said that his natural sympathies made giving easy; but it is forgotten that the most tenderly sympathetic nature can be hardened rapidly by simple selfishness, until it is fossilized into insensibilIty and immobility. With this man the sympathy of nature was intensified by grace, and there was in his giving a charm that never comes from any other source than conscientious Christian habits of giving. When men really hold wealth as a sacred trust, they will be both afraid and ashamed to die rich, and un willing to live as misers do ; miserhood will be misery to a devout disciple, who feels life to be God's deep, broad channel, through which to pour power and blessing into the widest territory of humanity and make desert s blossom under its irrigating channels.
To these conceptions of the sacredness of a business calling, and the blessedness of a life of impartation, another must be joined, if Mr. Dodge'S secrets are to be revealed as a promoter of missions. He saw that the grand object and end of salvation is to make us saviors of others. The Church is not a field to be worked, so much as a force 10 work the world field. However importaut as a center at which to rally disciples, it is most vital to understand that it is the center from whence to radiate. The divergence must not be forgotten in the convergence, instead of absorption, transmission and reflection. Let us have education and edification, but evangelization is to rank first, and all else follows when this law is the first in the second table of the Church's Decalogue.
This law determined both where William E. Dodge shonld "go to church," and what he should do when he got there. He went where he thought he could be of most use, and wherever he went he went to work; satisfied to be an active member, willing to be an officer if so called, but neither desiring nor seeking snch elevation; and in every case the pastor's right-hand man, seeking to help him rather than to be a further tax and drain upon his energies. Usefulness was his law, and he shrank from no position where he could be of service, whether prominent or obscure, inviting strangers to church, visiting the poor, sick, aged, soliciting funds, guiding the inquiring, admonishing the backslidden.
These two matters we regard as absolutely fundamental to any such reconstruction of business life as shall bring it into accord with God's plan and purpose, and make merchant princes and common tradesmeu alike promoters of missions. First, we must cease to discriminate between secular and sacred callings, as tho forsooth a man cannot serve God as really and truly and sacredly at a carpenter's bench, a shoemaker's shop, a blacksmith's anvil, with a trowel, a spade, or a hammer, as in a minister's study, a physician's office, or an artist's studio, with pen, voice, or brush. A disciple has no right to any work in which he cannot both glorify God and have fellowship with Him; and, hence, every honest sphere of toil may be a Divine calling, and every tool a Divine weapon or implement.
There follows, of course, the second and companion principle, that, of the profits of my work, the Divine Partner is to have His share; or to put it more scripturally, as His is all the capital, whether of money and material, or of capacity to conduct business, the workman in every sphere is to re- gard himself as God's steward, and intrusted with God's property, to use what is reasonably needful for his own wants, and to give to others who have need, in God's name, whenever God calls through men's deserving appeal, and according to the measure of ability and opportunity. More- over, the steward must understand that as he is only an almoner of God, he is neither to covet the praise of men nor regard the recipients of such gifts as under obligation to him.
Mr. Dodge learned this double lesson, not perfectly perhaps, for perfection is not a characteristic even of devoted disciples; but he learned it far beyond most of the men of his generation. It has been affirmed of him-what from intimate personal acquaintance we can confirm-that not only with patience, but with cordiality and enthusiasm he met every new appeal. He reminded one of William Thaw, of Pittsburgh, another merchant prince and princely giver, alike in the unfailing freshness of his interest in every new opportunity for doing good, and ill the estimate he honestly cherished of benevolence. He did not run away from appeals, because he regarded every chance of truly serving God and men as a pleasure to be coveted, a privilege to be enjoyed, and he often thanked others for the application which afforded him a new opportunity! The practice of giving rapidly grew into habit, and the habit became, like Briareus, hundredhanded, for the range and scope of his benevolences constantly widened, as his knowledge of human need, his sympathy with woe and want, and his means of helping, increased.
Another principle which marked his giving it is important to notice. He preferred a diffused rather than a concentmted beneficence. He felt that a little here and there, widely distributing his gifts, has a threefold advantage: first, it broadens the horizon of the giver, preventing undue exclusiveness and narrowness; secondly, it prevents undue dependence upon single donors of large gifts, enlarging the constituency of active friends and supporters; thirdly, it avoids the inevitable risk of misplaced charities, for if in anyone case or more giving proves a bad investment, the disappointment is compensated by a multitude of well-bestowed gifts.
This feature of a largely distributed beneficence is to our mind the salient point in this whole life of giving, and we give space to impress this thought. For example, he was from the first the intelligent patron of Christian education. He saw colleges and seminaries springing up like plants in home and foreign lands. He sought to aid the feebler ones which had a fair field and prospect of success j and particularly did he aid institutions which train candidates for the ministry.
When after the war for the Union the education of the freedmen became to him an absorbing question, he gave time and money to establish or enlarge institutions that would ensure to the negro race a true Christian training, such as the Ashman Institute, since then expanding into Lincoln University, aud in all the steps of its progress, from a property value of ten thousand to one of three hundred thousand, and from sixteen to two hundred and sixteen students, Mr. Dodge could have said, " Magna pal'S fui. "
Few people, even among Mr. Dodge's friends, have any true conception of the extent to which he thus distributed his wealth, and of the territory covered by his donations. Sixty years is a long period during which to study and to practise faithful and wise stewardship. Those sixty years embraced a total of 21,900 days, including Sabbaths, which were to him far from rest days in the activitieR of benevolence. During a large part of this time there were few if any days in the year in which he did not bestow charity in one or more directions, in larger or smaller sums. And from personal knowledge of the man and his methods, we have little doubt that when this man departed 1here were at least twenty thousand distinct gifts which he had made to different forms of work for God and man, in sums varying from one hundred 10 scores of thousands of dollars!
Some of his gifts can be traced and so can be recorded. We know from the" archives" what he did for the theological seminaries at New York, Princeton, New Haven, Cincinnati, Chicago, Bangor, etc. j for the colleges, Williams, Dartmouth, Amherst, Lafayette, Beloit, Marietta, Hamilton, Oberlin, Grinnell, Maryville, etc., Lincoln University, Zion Wesley College, Howard and Hampton, Atlanta and Biddle-in fact, it has been said of him that he planted schools and churches as farmers plant corn j and when his will was read $50,000 for education of colored students for the ministry was one of his numerous and munificent bequeRts.
But how many gifts can never be traced or known till the day when the" books" are opened! He literally helped thousands of young men who were struggling to get into the ministry, at times having as many as twenty to whom he gave annually, and never being without some such personal object of loving, sympathetic aid j and usually it was the class who could n01; otherwise complete their course of training, or who for some reason were not likely to get into the work by the usual curriculum. He kept his eye on the after career of such as he helped, and they became a part of the greater family whom he cherished j if crises arose in their fields of labor, he gave them new aid. A donation of one or more books, especially likely to inspire consecrated service, was a common method of multiplying his seed sown.
. Let us enter his counting-house in Cliff Street at nine o'clock in the morning. As soon as letters and imperative matters of businel'ls, such as signing of checks and dictating replies to correspondents, have been dismissed, the cards. of a score of visitors and applicants for help are laid before him, and he cheerfully gives injunctions that they be shown in, in the order of their arrival. Time is too short to hear them at length, but it is necessary in the interests of courtesy not; to be brusque and rude even in dismissing the unworthy or the unwise; and it is necessary in the interests of fidelity to know what are the true merits and claims of every cause. So with tact he brings every visitor to the point, and deals with him justly and generously, but firmly and promptly; and then, with such affability as is noticeable in Mr. John Wanamaker, somehow edges him toward the door, until without knowing how he finds himself outside. A few he has to thrust ont, because they are a sort of tramps, but he is patient with all. And if the most timid and humble applicant is found to be a messenger of God, he makes snch feel that he has been honored rather than bored in hearing him state his case and in being permitted to give.
For the most part he gives conditionally, when to promise the last thousand will provoke others to give; and he prefers to give a smaller amonnt outright rather than lend a larger snm, which only imposes a new burden of repayment. He gives an applicant the benefit of a donbt rather than embarrass him by an air of distrust; but if he is not satisfied waits till he is, for he is a steward and will not waste his Master's goods. Moreover, the habit of studying to discriminate has sharpened the faculty of discrimination, and he learns to judge almOilt instinctively of character. And he is impartial. A negro seeking the welfare of the blacks on a plantation, a humble missionary trying to set up Sunday-schools on the Western frontier, where civilization and barbarism meet, or an Indian chief seeking to secnre justice to his tribe, is as sure of a hearing as the foremost doctors of law or divinity.
That his gifts were no small and trifling ones, a few examples will show. The endowment of the president's chair at Williams alone cost him $30,000 ; the library building at Auburn, $20,000 ; the chairs at Lincoln University, $23,000, beside many lesser sums. He subscribed with his firm $5000 to the relief fund for Lancashire sufferers, $5000 for the Zion Wesley College for the blacks, etc.
"From first to last" -was the testimony of Professor H. B. Smith, D.D., the Miltonic poet of theology, to Mr. Phelps, and the same is true of Mr. Dodge-" he was a giver; at last in princely donations, but from the first in equal proportion to his means. " No wonder the church of which he was an elder abounded in charity.
It was one of the triumphs of Mr. Dodge's life that when Brooks contested his right to a seat in Congress, in 1865, on the ground that he had used his great wealth to pave the road to Washington, the mud of this aspersion could find on this Christian merchant no lodgment. And when Mr. Dawes, chairman of the investigating committee, brought in his report, this is its language: "The charge of bribery is not, sustained by one scintilla of evidence. The most diligent search of nine hundred pages of printed matter fails to reveal a single particle of testimony that any money whatever has been used for any corrupt or unlawful purpose." And the New York Times, in its editorial column, gives a confirmatory witness, whose words are as letters of gold, giving Mr. Raymond's testimony as a New Yorker that Mr. Dodge's wealth had been "acquired without wronging any other man," and "expended as liberally and nobly and honorably as il; was acquired." Still better, Mr. Raymond says: "There is not a man familiar with the charities of New York or outside of New York . . . who does not know that 'Mr. Dodge' is the first man to whom they all go, and the man from whom they come with the largest contributions. "
It was another of his life victories when, in 1873, the firm of which he was so conspicuous a member was charged by their own clerks with defrauding the Government of revenue, a full investigation not only proved the innocence and vindicated the integrity of these merchant princes, but ended in the unanimous repeal by Congress of the regulations which set a premium on blMkmail ; and Mr. Dodge's eighth election to the presidency of the New York Chamber of Commerce both set the seal of his fellowcitizens on his unsullied integrity and so silenced the voice of calumny, that is was never again raised against him.
·With reluctance we conclnde what ha~ been, after all, only a rapid outline sketch of a rcmarkable career. Here is a man who rose to eminence among merchant princes, but never forgot his humauity nor Christianity. Without being swayed by personal ambition, lIe was thrust into official dignities ani responsibilities, as when, in 1864, he was chosen to represent the State of New York in the councils of the nation, and he filled many positions which were even a greater mark of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow-men. The one feature we desire here to make conspicuous is his world-wide nsefulness. He was confined to no narrow sphere. His residence was in one city mainly; his influence must be measured not only by "parallels of latitude," but meridians of longitnde, and its period reckoned by cycles. "Dodge County," in Georgia, and the Syrian Protestant College at Beirut, in Syria, where his son, Rev. D. Stuart Dodge, filled a professor's chair, may give some idea of the breadth of his influence. But when he died, scores and hundreds of colleges, seminaries, and other educational centers, from the rising to the setting snn, and from the equator to the pole; mission churches and Sunday-schools on our frontiers and in foreign lands; miuisters, missionaries, and evangelists in all countries and climes; colored men and women trained for service in the South; Christian Indians educated in the schools of Christ; medical missions with their dispensaries; temperance societies, tract and Bible societies, libraries and reading-rooms, Young "Men's Christian Associations-all bore witness to his gifts of service and money-what
SIX YEARS IN UTAH
a countless array of agencies through which he reached out in life, and still in death continues to work! Where his money was sown as the seed of the kingdom, the harvests are still his, and they are increasing in their yield as the years go by. What was thirtyfold becomes sixtyfold and a hundredfold, until the final crop passes calculation. Who will imitate the man who did business for God, and chose to make his gains the gains of the Church and the world 1 SIX YEARS IN UTAH.
BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
It was in the summer of 1881 that by a most striking providence I was plucked up from an ideal Minnesota pastorate and set down in the midst of the appalling spiritual desolations of the Great Salt Lake Basin. As part of my task, I was to represent as superintendent the Congregational Home Missionary Society in the effort to redeem that region from the pernicious rule of the Mormon hierarchy. Several denominations had entered this field about the date of the advent of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was completed in 1869, and some of them had made substantial progress in laying foundations for the Gospel. Rev. Norman McLeod was the first representative of Christianity to penetrate to Salt Lake City, arriving early in 1865. His work was presently suspended, and he retired, nor was it until 1874, at the advent of Rev. VlTalter M. Barrows, that the solid beginnings were made from which I was to set forth in the work of enlargement. Salt Lake Academy, with Rev. Edward Benner as principal, was opened in 1878, and a few months later the New West Education Commission was organized in Chicago, whose object was to found and foster in Utah schools of every grade. During the first years I was the only representative of this society present in the field, and acted as its agent. In the metropolis of Mormondom and neighboring settlements three or foUl' schools had been opened. Two churches had already been formed, and one solitary minister was in waiting to lend me counsel and coopera. tion. The Edmunds Law was enacted the year following, tho its severe pains and penalties did not begin to fall until after two years more. The dominion of the priesthood was as yet supreme. Forty years of successful resistance had made them haughty and confident.
First of all, I must needs explore-must travel up and down, here and there, and from the numerous villages and hamlets select such as seemed most suitable for occupancy. From first to last I was spared all approach to bodily harm from the violence of wicked men, nor did I even suffer the infliction of abusive or threatening words. In part, I am persuaded, because I never found it obligatory to hurl hard words at the" prophet"- founder of this organized iniquity or his extant successors. In part also because I sought to maintain a judicious reticence as to my projects and ruling aims. It was plainly a case where the harmlessness of the dove demanded as a supplement the wisdom of the serpent. Therefore a quasi incognito .seemed clearly in order, and was maintained. And yet I sought to improve every opportunity to be present at all manner of public gatherings, such as were religious included, and whenever it was convenient visited the Mormon schools. More than once, however, I was called to withstand most vigorous attempts to convert me from the deadly error of my ways. Once in particular by a wily elder of much experience and extended travel, and mine host for the time being, who until long past midnight kept me from my slumbers in the effort to demonstrate that no matter how saintly or angelic one might be, there was no salvation for him save and except through the grace of baptism administered by a Latterday priest. And only the day before I finally left the territory, the first wife of a hoary polygamist took me solemnly to task for writing such and so many wicked things against the true" church and kingdom" (tho she frankly owned that daily before herself and her neighbors I had walked in a perfect way), gave me her inspired" testimony" that Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, etc., were God's prophets, the Book of Mormon is a piece of handiwork divine, and concluded by giving me fair warning that, if found incorrigible, I must answer for it in the last great assize ! !
After the choice of eligible fields had been made, the lease or purchase of real estate was next in order, than which no task more perplexing or fuller of manifold difficulties can easily be imagined. For the most part the communities were solidly Mormon, the eye of the local bishop was on every movement, no transfers of property were tolerated without first counseling with him, and the presence of a stranger was an occurrence to be investigated. Many a journey was made under the torrid heat, and with disappointment as the only outcome visible. Later, moonlight came to be preferred to sunshine, for then the watch. dogs of Zion were asleep. No inquiry could be made without exciting suspicion. Once in dire straits, venturing to ask of the only man I met concerning a certain vacant corner lot, the emphatic reply was: "You are not wanted in these parts. We know who you are, and don't propose to let you bring in your Gentile trumpery." Sooetimes resort was had to real estate agents in Salt Lake. But oftenest.apostates from the Mormon Church could be found to act in the matter, who hated their deceivers and oppressors with a hatred which knew no bounds. Sometimes months of vexatious delay would intervene between the first step and the transfer of the title. One village was chosen, but after most diligent mquiry not a solitary non-Mormon could be heard of as resident therein. It was evening when I stepped from the train at the station, fully bent upon gaining a foothold here, and asked for a lodging place. Before retiring I scrutinized every face, picture, book, and paper, and asked divers leading questions, to find if I was in the home of friends or foes; but all in vain. Later, in my room the story came to mind of old Eliezer of Damascus, his famous journey in search of a wife for Isaac, and particularly his prayer for specific guidance. The thought arose: My mission here is at least as weighty as was his, I am also as utterly at my wit's end, and the God of Abraham IS able and willing to answer prayer, even in Utah. I will cast off my burden of anxious care, and put my trust in Him. The next day It came out that 1 was in the house of a man who was eager to further all my wishes, and in due season followed both a school and a church !
Such aggressive work went on until at length nearly thirty schools were established, with upward of forty teachers. After land and buildings were provided, cultured and Christian women were forthcoming, to gIve instruction during the week and on the Sabbath, to hold all sorts of religious services, and in every possible way to diffuse abroad the good things of religion pure and undefiled. In almost every case at first bitterest opposition was faced, tho in some localities the rulers were led far astray by the conviction that it "was only a woman, and she couldn't do much harm. " These two were the weapons most commonly wielded. Periodical raids would be made upon such parents as allowed their children to attend the "outside" schools, by public scourgings in the meeting.houses, or by sending certain officials to labor with them by warnings and threatenings. Or else the vilest reports would be circulated. Thus it was given out concerning one of the most gifted and consecrated teachers from New England, that she had fled from the East to escape a most unsavory reputation, and the slander was so generally believed that one mother, who was not a " saint," and who had daughters to educate, waited for months before daring to meet the accused to investigate for herself. Scholars were secured by the fact that the mission schools were free, while elsewhere tuition was charged. As for the" apostates," they would patronize anything which meant opposition to the ruling church. But more than all else, the vastly superior character and intellectual gifts of the women who were fresh from Smith, Wellesley, Holyoke, Oberlin, etc., were certain to achieve a popularity which nothing could withstand. In one case, however, after months of patient and skilful effort, not a child could be persuaded so much as to cross the threshold. The woful estate of the aver· age district school no doubt made the task on hand far easier of performance. Teachers were themselves untaught. Text·books were few and of inferior quality, and the odious savor of Mormonism was everywhere. I was once present at the closing exercises for the day. All who were willing to lead in prayer were asked to raise the hand, and from the score or more a girl of some twelve years was chosen, who proceeded to offer the regulation thanks for the call of the prophet Joseph, the gift of the Golden Bible, and the institution of the true church" in these last days;" and also presented the regulation petitions in behalf of the" first presidp,ncy," the" quorum of the twelve apostles," and all the other" quorums," the missionaries abroad, and the kingdom in general. Again I was in attend. ance in a room where were about eighty pupils and two teachers. Study- ing aloud was in full fasbion, and two large spelling classes were on the floor at once, each endeavoring to outshout the other and so be heard. The three trustees were also on hand that day, and as a conclusion were asked to speak; but they, turning to me, desired that I would first utter myself, which I then proceeded to do modestly and with brevity. The impression made, however, seemed to be profound, for following my attempt, all the elders did was to endorse every word with greatest unction, each in turn urging the children to diligently heed my counsel so sage and pious, and closing with the phrases with which their kind always end their exhortations in the preaching meetings: "And that you may do this is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.. Amen." With such ungrudging encomiums from the priesthood, why should I not go on my way with rejoicing g After the teachers had wrought their invaluable preliminary work, the ministers must follow with such other instrumentalities as belong to their calling. But, indeed, hfEC lab01·, hoc opus est. It is more than doubtful if the world contains a field stonier or more desert as touching gatherings for preaching and prayer. The prejudice against Gentiles in general, but clergymen in particular, is deep-seated, and amounts often to mania and hysterics. Hypocrites and villains they are declared to be. And the commonest mode of procedure is to let them alone, give them a wide berth, suffer them to preach to empty walls. One minister of excellent parts and whole-hearted devotion informed me that for three and a half mortal years he had held a service every Sabbath, and never with so many as five auditors, himself included! Somehow, this seemed perilously near to a waste of time and nerve force, or at least an experience to be avoided, if possible. Was there not room here for strategy, for a flank movement upon the enemy at a point where he was unprepared to resist g Searching through my armory for suitable enginery, I hit upon" Fun and its Philosophy," a lecture prepared for the ears of college students. Surely, no nostrils so sensitive as to snuff heresy here, and with sncll a theme what possible mischief could be wrought to Zion! It did appear somewhat remote from the New Testament; but if a room could be filled with Mormons, and indifference or inveterate dislike conld be forgotten for an hour in hearty and innocent laughter, it would be a substantial gain. The first trial was made in the most barren and desert corner to he found. Six was the hour for opening, but by five the room was crowded to the aisles and platform, all men and boys, not a female face visible. It was a rough-looking mass, unshorn, nnkempt, and clad in homespnn. However, it soon became evident that good-nature abounded, for the response to the humorous stories was all that could be desired. Except that several gray-beards maintained a grave and solemn countenance, who were on guard that night, so that for them smiles even would he altogether unbecoming. But alas! the stress was too much for weak human nature, and later one by one by the tide of merriment even these were swept away. For more than two hours I continued; the ovation ended with a vote of thanks, which was followed by a rousing three cheers, and urgent invitations to come again. This lecture went the rounds with large gatherings in every place. Only once did I face failure or catastrophe, and that was in a Scandinavian community. There was ignorance unusually dense even for Utah, but what was worse, the sense of humor was utterly absent from every cranium, so that my best attempts to be funny evoked only a few sickly smiles, while the multitude of faces were without expression, or else wore a look of wonder mingled with honest desire to see the point. The predicament was appalling, but presently 1 concluded to endeavor to pluck victory from the very jaws of defeat by omitting all the choicest wit1;icisms, and devote myself to explaining the mild remaiuder. And I actually found that a third or fourth repetition in varying phrase, coupled with explanations as to exactly where and why they should laugh, were certain to produce satisfactory contortions of the face and swayings of the entire body.
My next venture was with a lecture intended to combine entertainment with instruction. Africa was the theme chosen, with a large wall map to hold the eye. I enlarged upon the continent, its population, the course of discovery, progress of missions, etc. When I told of the 3333 wives of the king of Ashantee, and suggested that there was polygamy worth having, some would Fmspect that I was hurling a profane fling at " celestial marriage." Again good audiences greeted me wherever I went, and a most respectful hearing was accorded. " The World and its 'Vonders" was the subject of the third lecture with which I would prepare the way for the prea.ching of the Word. Maps of the hemispheres, each seven by seven feet, astonished the people by their size, and by suggesting how wealthy the lecturer must be to possess them. Oceans, mountain ranges, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the rest were duly touched upon. Steady progress in every particular could be traced, but it seemed clearly best to go the rounds yet once more, preparing the soil to receive the good seed. " The Land we Live In" was meant to kindle patriotic enthusiasm for the Union and its institutions, to show how vast and mighty it was, and how insignificant a fraction of it was Utah, which on the Home Missionary Society's map, twelve feet square, could be almost covered by the two hands. But, moreover, the lecturer discoursed at length upon the physical marvels of the Great Salt Lake Basin j and how the wisest were staggered to find that a Gentile, a mere sojourner, so altogether outknew them, priests and bishops that they were, concerning the " valleys of the mountains," in which the bulk of their lives had been spent. By this time it had come to pass (having long before learned that I was a clergyman) t.hat many were really ready and curious to hear what he might have to s~y upon heavenly things, who once and again had spoken upon things ellrthly to their pleasure and edification. Nor when I began to preach a plain and pungent Gospel were the congregations much diminished. I recall how one Sunday, as I held forth upon righteousness and true godli- ness, the front seat was filled by the bishop and his too numerous wives. He nodded frequent assent to my doctrine, tho later he fell asleep, having recently partaken of more alcoholic stimulant than was meet.
In all while I remained in the Territory fourteen ministers bore a part in the exacting and exhausting work. The first to come was David Peebles, who had endured hardness in early Kansas days, and later among the Freedmen in Texas, North Carolina, etc. He gained the esteem of many by his large practical knowledge of horticulture, and with voice and organ in communities not a few touched seores of hearts through the service of song. Among the others were two who have since risen to the rank of home missionary superintendents, Amos J. Bailey. of Washington, and William H. Thrall, of South Dakota. Besides, James H. Kyle is a member of the Senate of the United States, while Professor C. E. Allen, then of Salt Lake Academy, has been chosen to act for Utah in the national Honse of Representatives. During the six years of my stay. the various denominations were pushing evangelistic and educational work. The Edmunds Law landed hundreds of polygamists in prison, and drove a larger number into hiding or to foreign lands. It was thereby demonstrated to the dullest Latter-day intellect that the moral sense of the nation was something which the priesthood was bound to respect. Railroads were multiplied and mining was profitable, so that at divers points non- Mormon forces began to bear sway, while everywhere the power of the priesthood was seriously shattered. But the time of extensive revivals, conversions, and founding of churches was not yet. Even now, after fifteen years have come and gone, the two churches have only increased to ten, with a membership of about six hundred.
If ever an adult generation was spiritually in an utterly hopeless case, it is to be found in the region under view. For blood poisoning materia medica is sorely put to it to find a remedy, and the wretched victim has but the slightest chance of escaping death. And here is a large population thoroughly drilted in folly, error, and iniquity. What chance have trnth and virtue to make their way or survive, when head and heart are thoroughly persuad.ed that the Book of Mormon is every whit as profitable as the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness; when Joe Smith is held up as more than the peer of Isaiah and Paul; when polygamy and priestcraft of the most unscrupulous and despotic sort pass as synonyms for Heaven's best gifts to men; when the church engineers the theater and the dance, and pockets the proceeds? The house of God is the official dancing-place, with the bishop in charge, indeed, opening and closing the exercises with prayer; but between the invocation and the benediction the" saints" are wont to shuffle the feet with souls no less earthy and sensual than those of " sinners" in Gentile regions. I was present once
FOREIGN COMMUNITY LIFE IN CHINA
when the local church magnate published the dancing program for the season about to begin. It had been decided that among the cotillions a proper number of waltzes would be mingled, Some of the scrupulous of the brethren might object to the latter on moral grounds; but he made bold to affirm-indeed, as he phrased it, he " would bet a gill of buttermilk !"-that all such were of those who in early life had grossly overdone this stimulating variety of the dance, and 'now that they were aged and infirm, were unwilling that young men and maidens should thus enjoy themselves! "But," exclaimed he, "we won't have any such nonsense in the Thirteenth Ward," and at once raised his hands to dismiss the tittering audience. And just so outlandish and profane are all the religious gatherings likely to be, even to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which is celebrated once or twice every Sunday in a manner the most formal and perfunctory possible, and of which everybody present partakes, even to the babes in arms if they will !
During all those laborious and most trying years there was not much encouragement on which the eye of sense conld fasten; but there was unfailing solace in the fact that a mighty nation was on my side, and millions of devout and determined souls. A fai1,h and practice so shocking and mischievous could not long survive in the midst of such intelligence and such deep Chris1ian feeling as were everywhere abroad in the land. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it, was l!o promise unfailing and exceeding sweet when the days were dark aud the battle waxed furious. But most of all through all the six years, and well-nigh every day, on this Scripture was my spi.~it fed and strengthened; "My word shall not return unto Me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." And so it was a privilege beyond price and a downright luxury thus to toil and endure.
FOREIGN COMMUNITY LIFE IN CHINA.
BY REV. R. L. MCNABB, FOOCHOW, CHINA.
The foreigners that reside in the "Celestial Empire" are commonly divided into two classes-missionaries and community people. At every open port there is a plat of land set apart for foreign settlement which is known as the foreign concession. These concessions are usually if not always outside the city walls, and the foreigners living thus in a community by themselves are known as " community people." They are tea merchants, opium-mongers, dealers in various kinds of native and foreign wares, bankers, custom officers, clerks, agents, and employes of the steamship lines, adventurers, and some outlaws hiding from the strong hand of justice. Some of these foreigners have their families with them, but the great majority are unmarried men, while a number have wives and chilo dren in their home-lands. The consuls of the different nations are not merely commercial agents, but are held responsible for the lives and property of their countrymen ; thus the Occidentalists in China are in no way responsible to the Chinese authorities, but must look to their own consuls for protection and redress. Hongkong, of course, being a British colony, is subject to English law.
The missionaries not being'engaged in traffic do not necessarily live in the foreign concessions. Being sent to China to disciple the Chinese, they locate themselves in a favorable position to prosecute their work; hence the missionary compounds are frequently found at a distance from the foreign community, and quite frequently missionary families are located inside the walls of the cities; hence, being located somewhat by themselves, and not being engaged in trade, they form a separate element from the " community people," and will not come under direct treatment in this article.
Foreign community life in the far East circulates around the club· house. The club-houses are usually magnificent structures, and are elaborately furnished with all that goes to make club-life fashionable and attractive to society people. A large library abounding in books of fiction, travel, and adventure is to be found in every club-house. A readingroom supplied with illustrated magazines and journals as well as weekly and daily papers is one of the club attractions. Bulletins announce the arrival and departure of steamers and mail, and the latest telegrams are posted for the convenience of all. Billiard-rooms and card-rooms as well as a bar-room, where all kinds of foreign liquors are kept on tap, are to be found in connection with all these cluhs.
Every few weeks the reading-room is turned into a ball-room, and the elite of the community gather arrayed in gorgeous apparel, and spend the night in a fashionable hop that would rival an "upper 400" ball in New York. This promiscuous mingling of the sexes in the ball-room is an outrageous scandal in the eyes of the" heathen Cbinee," who will not so much as sit at the same table with his wife, let alone attend a hugging party (even tho the hugging is set to music). Large racket and tenms courts are to be found in connection with nearly all these clubs, which contribute largely to the health of the community, for no foreigner can live in China and not take plenty of out-door exercise. The clubs also usually control the race-track. Hotels are sometimes found in connection with the clubs, where a large per cent of the community and traveling public are accommodated. Club-hfe in the Orient seems to be a kind of fraternity life. A person identified with a club at one port can be admitted to all the privileges of club-life at another port, by means of a visiting or traveling card. Globe travelers sometimes stay long enough at one port to become members of the club, and then when they depart for other parts they take traveling cards, and they are admitted into club-life wherever they go, and are constantly in the swirl of society. Many of them are entertaiaed a1 the club's expense, and thus can" dead beat" their way, with the exception of ship-fare, while they are in Asia. I heard a " globe- trotter" say that his journey around the world was comparatively inex- pensive, simply because he was a club-man.
To the hundreds of unmarried men in these open ports the clubs form a kind of a substitute for home life, and if the worst features of club-life did not prevail, the club would not be so objectionable. All business in the" Hongs" stops at 4 P.M. The employers and the employes immediately go to the racket-court and take a good sweat, then a bath is taken and society dress is donned, and all go to the club-house, where from 5 to 8 P.M. all is in a perfect whirl. At 8 P.M. all adjourn for dinner. The married men, perhaps, spend the balance of the evening with their families, while many of the young men return to the cluh. This is the everyday routine, interspersed now and then with a ball or theatrical entertainment. The better class of the community people are inclined to be religious-in fact, some of the foreign traders and their families are truly pious j but these are greatly in the minority. A traveler in the East says: "Many of these (community people) when at home (in the West) are respectable, if somewhat formal church-members j but here in the East they do scarcely more than look upon Christian work from a distant and coldly patronizing attitude. They are, upon their arrival in any city where their own nationalities or kindred ones are somewhat numerously represented, caught in the "swim" of worldly society, and soon the meager amount of religious zeal that characterized their lives at home is abated, and they feel almost ashamed to have it known that they are church-members at all. "
Each foreign community that I visited in China had good church buildings. Those at Hongkong and Shanghai are particularly fine. At these two places, where there are several thousand foreigners to draw from, the church attendance is quite good, and regular pastors are supported. At Amoy and Foochow the foreigners number about two hundred at each point. The average attendance at, church worship exclusive of missionaries is about thirty. At Amoy the missionaries of the different missions take turns in conducting the English services, and give their service to the community without remuneration. At Foochow, there being but two or three Americans among the traders, the Church of England takes full charge of the English services. When the community chapel of the Church of England was being built at Foochow, work went on on Sunday as well as a week-day. vVhen the Church of England missionaries protested against work on the Sabbath, the community building committee gave them to understand that the money came from the community, and that the work could proceed on the Sabbath. Some of the community people contribute to the support of the missionary hospitals, as well as furnish most of the means to support the hospitals for the Chinese that are under the care of the community doctors. The foreign community expended in support of the Foochow hospital for 1893 about $3000, and Dr. Rennie reported 684 in-patients, 5678 out-patients, and 15,569 retllrn visits of out-patients. This hospital is doing a splendid work. Other communities may be carrying on just as good a medical work among the natives.
A few years ago a missionary lady was bitten by what was supposed to be a mad dog. A liberal-hearted foreign trader sent her money to go away to be treated j but the wound soon healed, and the missionary did not use the money. The good man would not receive the money back, and it was turned into the fund to help aged Christian Chinese ministers. Other instances might be added to show how a minority of the foreign community people of China lend a helping hand in mission work, but the sad truth remains that the foreign settlements in the" Far East" are made up of much the same class of characters as the trading posts and mining camps of the " Far West" in the United States. Some of the community people are virtuous and lead godly lives, and in their bllsiness dealings with the natives are ahove reproach j but there is a large per cent of foreigners in China who" are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose God is their belly and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things" (Phil. 3 : 18, 19).
The sailors that manned the opium and other vessels of different nations that visited Chinese waters previous to 1842 quarreled and fought like wild beasts, and often murdered each other. To such an extent did this prevail, that the Chinese authorities were obliged to allot different islands in the river at Whampoa for the recreation of the seamen of each natipn, in order that such troubles might be avoided in the future" (Williams). The Chinese authorities resorted to capital punishment to stop the brutal strife among the foreign sailors. Is it any wonder that the Chinese Government declared that" the·barbarians are like wild beasts, and not to be ruled on the same principle as citizens. Were anyone to attempt to control them by the great maxims of reason, it would tend to nothing but confusion. The ancient king!> well understood this, and accordingly ruled barbarians by misrule. Therefore, to rule them by misrule is the best way of ruling them" (" Middle Kingdom"). IIenry VII. of England ruled foreign traders by a similar law.
For over three hundred years has a corrllpt form of foreign life prevailed among the Occidental traders and sailors in China. " The Chinese at first feared and respected those who came to their shores. By degrees the respectful fear of the Chinese passed into haughty contempt" (Williams).
Dr. A. B. Leonard says, concerning the lowest class of foreigners that live in China, "that they are recklessly and viciously immoral, and are living for the gratification of the baser passions of the human nature, or for all the wealth obtainable." "Unfortunately, the number of these is so large as to be in the eyes of the heathen representative." "They not only lead dissolute and dishonest lives themselves, but they do all in their power to destroy the good influences that their countrymen, with higher aims, seek to exert. They ridicule virtue, and curl the lip of scorn at business honesty. They hate missionaries and Christian laymen with cruel hatred, and rejoice when their beneficent plans are defeated. " Dr. Leonard is not too radical in his statements concerning this class; and too often the better class of foreign traders look lightly upon the sins of the baser classes. One sin that is particularly indulged in by nearly all English community people is horse-racing and its atten- dant vice, gambling. "Wherever the English go, there is found the racetrack. (The late Premier, Rosebery, has won the" Derhy.") So common is this vice among the English, that they are known in China as " the race-horse people." So intense does the interest become during the races that all foreign business stops, and the ships in the harbor are delayed for days, being unable to load or unload their cargoes or get out clearance papers. So heated does the excitement become, and so animated the gambling, that frequently a heathen Chinese military mandarin has to be called upon to furnish soldiers to quell the storm brought on by foreigners. So absolutely necessary is a race-track to an English community, that when the choice was between giving up a mission compound in Foochow or not be permitted to have a race-track, the English consul chose the race-track, and the Anglican missionaries had to give up their valuable property in the city so that their countrymen might develop their passion for gambling. Drunkenness prevails to an alarming extent among the " community people" of all nationalities. Wine is the principal drink among the English. Bishop Wiley says: "It is simply amazing the amount of wine and spirits these Englishmen can drink." At one time a man and his wife became drunk. She got a butcher-knife and threatened to kill her husband, and he locked her up iu a room. After their wrath against each other had subsided they got after their Chinese cook, and scared him so badly that he ran off from the island and took a boat for Foochow. At Canton a foreigner in a drunken spree shot dead a boy in the street. The Chinese were greatly galled because the murderer was only sentenced for seven years' imprisonment. Shortly after this a Chinaman was pushed from a steamer by a Portuguese watchman and drowned. These two crimes so exasperated the Chinese, who were already aroused by the French operations m Annam (1883), "that with no note of warning and with the fury of tigers a mob came pouring into the concession. Men rose from their breakfast-tables or office desks, women canght up their children and possibly some of their jeweh'J, and fled to the only ship in the harbor. A black cloud of smoke was surging over the settlement, and it grew blacker and wider, till no houses could be seen, but the crash of falling walls and roofs was sounding through the gloom. For three hours the work of burning and plundering continued, till finally the viceroy's soldiers scattered the mob" (Rev. H. V. Hayes). All this disaster was brought upon the community by a drunken foreign homicide and a Portuguese murderer.
But drunkenness is one of the minor sins iu a foreign community in China as compared with fornication and its companion crime, abduction of Chinese girls for criminal purposes. The North China Herald (which is far from being a missionary journal) says: "Almost daily girls are enticed to Shanghai, and sold like so many cattle or sheep to supply the brothels. The girls are taught to play the native guitar, to sing, and lead a shameful life. Rods, whips, and burning hot opium needles are used to torture these creatures in order to make them show off their accomplishments. 'Vere a record of brutal treatment of these girls made known, the world would be shocked. This would not be allowed in the Chinese city, but in the foreign part of the city it prevails to an alarming extent. The work of selling (and training) is done by the Chinese to gratify the lustfnl and greedy foreigners."
The Chinese Recorder (April, 1894) says: "It is trne that there are sinks of iniquity in Shanghai, places where the worst of vices are openly flaunted, such as would not be tolerated in the adjoining heathen city." These poor girls are not only kidnapped and sold for shameful purposes in China, but many are sent to Singapore, the Straits Settlements, and to the United States. Many of them are rescued by the missionaries and saved from au existence worse than death. This state of affairs is not confined to Shanghai, for every foreign community is in the same condition in a greater or less degree. A gentleman of good standing at one of the open ports told me that he did not know of any unmarried merchant living at that port that did not keep a Japanese or Chinese woman. An English lady came to China to visit her son. As her visit was somewhat unexpected, she found her son living clandestinely with a Chinese woman. The good woman was nearly heart-broken over her son's crime, bnt she urged him to marry the woman and take care of the children, which he had manhood enough left to do. It might be well for Western mothers to visit their sons in the Orient.
I was one day talking to a gentleman in a large hong in Foochow, when he called my att ention to a half-breed young man, and said that the father of the youth was formerly a wealthy trader at Foochow, hut that he had gone off to America, leaving his Chinese w~man and illegitimate son, and had since married an Amei-ican woman and was living in Rhode Island. The young man is an engineer on a steam launch, and in the conversation he said his father wrote to him every now and then and sent him a little money. The acting German consul at one of the open ports has a Chinese wife. He lived with this woman several years, and children were born to them before he married her. lie was wealthy, and moved in the best foreign community society. An English missionary lady became acquainted with the mother of his children, and commenced to teach her Christian truth and the nature of Christian marriage. The woman's con. science was troubled, and she insisted on a Christian marriage. No sooner was the marriage performed than the foreign community society ostracized the consul; but he was faithful to his Chinese family ever after. The rotten foreign community was glad to welcome him into society so long as he did not marry the woman. The Chinese slave-girls, who are sold to satisfy the greed of foreign beasts in human form, are usually kept in a house under the control of an old harlot. ·When night comes on the girls are put in closed sedan chairs, and under cover of the darkness they are taken to the houses of their foreign masters.
While out walking with a gentleman on my visit 10 Shanghai, he called my attention to a white couple that drove by in a carriage. "That man," said my friend, "is not 1he woman's husband, he is her escort. She is married, and her husband is in business here, but she is allowed an escort, who is as intimate with her as her husband. I am asha!J1ed to admit that in this city such a form of polyandry is no uncommon thing, and the legal husbands have full knowledge of the matter, and allow their wives to go about in broad daylight with their escorts."
On the steamer coming from China was a community lady and her child from Hongkong. Her husband was sending her to .Japan so as to be out of the reach of the" black plague," which was killing so many at Hongkong and Canton. The ship's doctor paid great attention to the mother and child. Scarcely an hour of the day passed but that the child was in the doctor's arms. One day I innocently remarked to one of the ship's officers, " How fond the doctor is of that child. He seems to love children." "It is not the child he is fond of, it is the mother," said the officer. The doctor was her escort.
The children that are born out of wedlock are sometimes left to grow up in wretchedness and want. Being despised both by the Chinese and foreigners, their life is much sadder than that of the common native. Sometimes the father of these unfortunates will provide for them, and show some fatherly affection for them. Frequently the community doctor, when he calls to attend such cases, will succeed in arousing the conscience of the otherwise neglectful father to the extent that the child will be placed in a foundling asylum, the expense to be paid by the father. This social intermixture is greatly condemned by the Chinese. A bright Eurosian boy applied for admission into one of the Anglo-Chinese colleges. The authorities admitted him, but the Chinese students bolted, and not one would attend unless the Euro-Chinese boy was excluded. The faculty was compelled to grant the demands of the Chinese students or close the college for want of students. During the" black plague" at Hongkong, the consuls at another port held a meeting to devise ways and meaus of quarantining against the scourge. The consul who lived with a Chinese woman was elected secretary, and was requested to communicate with the Chinese officials concerning the object for which the meeting was called. When the Chinese officials had learned who had written the communication they returned the letter without opening it, rather than degrade themselves by communicating through a man who so outraged decency as to live with a Chinese woman clandestinely, altho at the time the letter was written the consul had been legally married to. the woman for some months. These two instances will illustrate the feeling of the Chinese on Euro·Chinese licentiousness. So large is the class of foreigners that lead depraved lives, that the ChineRe conclude that all foreigners are equally wicked, and should not only be avoided, but should be driven from the shores of the" fair land of flowers, ,. and if necessary exterminated; hence hundreds of pure community people and missionaries have suffered the loss of property, and many have been killed on account of the wickedness of these vicious 'vVesterners. The natural prejudice of the Chinese is so aggravated by their wicked deeds that everything Occidental is condemned, and the" "Vestern religion and civilization" are rejected as unworthy to gain a foothold on "celestial soil." The evil influence of these community people forms one of the greatest barriers to the progress of Chris· tian missions. This is one reason why almost ten years passed before there was a single convert. During the next decade there were but a few score of converts. Gradually the natives learned to distinguish between the community people and the missionaries. They discovered that the missionaries led lives of chastity, self·sacrifice, and loving deeds; that they were in no way responsible for the evil deeds of their countrymen. As this knowledge concerning the missionaries spread among the Chinese the number of converts increased, and at the end of the third decade native Christians were counted by the thousands; but these thousands were mostly confined to the villages and rural districts, where people did not come in contact with disreputable characters from the 'vVest, and where the missionaries in their evangelistic tours could spread the" glad tidings of great joy," and not be put to shame on account of the revoltiug sins of Europeans.
While the work apparently stood still in the open ports, the seed scattered in the country districts sprang up and bore an abundant harvest. The revival tha.t commenced in 1891 in the county towns and villages in Fukien Province, several days' journey from the foreign community, spread and deepened in its power until it reached the capital city, Foochow, and right in the foreign concession, at the "Church of the Heavenly Rest," 107 educated Chinese young men and women were converted in one series of meetings, and in a few days 40 young men from t~le families of the literati were converted in the Anglo.Chinese College. At the Foochow District tent-meeting there were 134 persons baptized. During one consecration service four or five hundred "came forward, seeking either pardon or purity."
The revival is to-day spreading through the city, reaching all classes, shaking the foundation of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and breaking down the bitter prejudices of the Chinese against missionaries and the " Cross of Christ," putting to shame the vicious element among the "community people." These desperate smners had for long years, by their rotten lives and by slanderous words, tried to defeat every effort to evangelize the city, and wonld then taunt the servants of Christ with the accusation that" mission work was a failure." No greater heroes walk the earth to-day than the faithful missionaries who have labored to evangelize the open ports of China. Some missionaries who had little or no success in the city evangelistic work were blessed with many converts in the country; hence, the missionary that works amid the obstacles of an open port deserves special encouragement, and if he succeeds is worthy of special praise. What is needed is not a "thousand" missionaries that can succeed in the country, bnt a thousand missionaries that can succeed in the city or country. Rev. Satori Kato, of Japan, said: "There is a crying need for making spiritual provision for Europeans in Japan. The loose conduct of European visitors and residents has a damaging effect upon the Christianizing of Japan." What is true concerning the Europeans in Japan is doubly true concerning Europeans and Americans in China. The missionaries do all they can to reach and help the foreigners, but they are so burdened with labor that they cannot do justice to both lines of work. Oh, for a Villiam Taylor to inaugurate a work among the " community people" of China like that inaugurated in India two decades or more ago! Shall we neglect our fallen conntrymen and the Europeans in the far East? God forbid.
If these "community people" could be reached and saved from the lives of shame that they are now leading, a mighty barrier to the progress of Christian missions in China would be swept away. The speed of Christian conquest in India was greatly accelerated when William Taylor established his work among the foreigners and Eurasians in that conntry. Who will furnish the money to institute sueh a work in China, and where are the men and women who will give their lives to the great work of evangelizing the foreign communities of China? May the day soon come when the Europeans and Americans in China, yes, in all the " Far East," shall cease to be a menace to' the " Cross of Christ;" when travelers returning from world-round journeys will bring reports of" community people" laboring to elevate, bless, and Christianize the Orientals, instead of by their wicked and licentious lives blasting and ruining them; when these same Occidental travelers will mingle freely with the missionaries, investigate their work, come in contact with the thousands of native Christians, and cease to listen to the slanderous stories of fallen "community people" about mission failure and missionary extravagance; better still, when all foreigners shall become servants of Christ instead of slanderers of Christian workers.
THE RUSSIAN STUNDISTS
THE RUSSIAN STUNDISTS.-II.
BY PROFESSOR G. GODET-TRANSLATED BY MRS. D. L. PIERSON.
PERSECUTION.-The judgment which we have passed upon Stundism is confirmed by an article written recently by a broad-minded Russian who is in a position to know the facts. He says: ., Stundism is a movement instigated solely by the Bible and by the desire which the Scriptures kindle in those who read them to follow the Savior j to obey and to conform one's life to His teachings. "
If what was told of the Stundists in our previous paper has awakened the sympathies of the reader, we are sure that the following accounts of their sufferings will transform that sympathy into a real compassion, which will lead him to pray for these afflicted brethren and to do whatever lies in his power to alleviate their miseries. The persecutions which they have endured would not lose much by comparison with those of Louis XIV. nor with the Inquisition. Europe seems almost to doubt the facts, as the abominable work is carried on in the shadow. The proceedings are all conducted behind closed doors, and the cries of the victims are stifled. To whom can they present their complaints when the appeals to the justice of the Czar himself arc vai n ~ The persecution began about 1870, and a few years later it assumed the present systematic and cruel character. The clergy gave the signal. They realized, however, that they must have the aid of the State iu order to deal successfully with a religious movement which was extending so rapidly. For some time accusations against the morality and the civism of the Stundists had been frequent. In a conference of bishops, held at Kiev, presided over by the Metropolitan Platon, it was determined to demand the intervention of the Government, and, after some pressure, this was granted.
The first steps taken consisted in the confiscation of Bibles and religious books ; the interdiction of all their gatherings for worship ; the placing of a strict watch by the police over the chief Stundists, not allowing them to leave their villages. The Stundists held their meetings wherever they could-in caves, stables, mills, forests, or in desert places.
After a time, however, when, despite the" gentle, fatherly pressure" * brought to bear upon the peasants, the movement continued to increase, the persecutions doubled. Those who were found in attendance upon the meetings after they had been commanded to stay away were heavily fined. In one village alone, in eleven months, twelve families were fined what was to 1hem the enormous sum of $1200. One man had to pay more than 700 roubles ($525).t * This expression was nsed by a Russian priest: " Among the fatherly methods employed in the the beginning, I must mention that of shutting up the Stundists in convents, where they were obliged to submit to penances for the pnrpose of converting them, but with no snccess."
t lIIr. Lanin, iu the Contemporal'?I Re'oiew (April, 1891), tells of astone·cutter who was fined $180 The police imprisoned the men and sold their furniture. The clergy, hearti1y seconding all this, clamored for still more rigorous measures, and recommended, among other things, that the admmistrative power be applied to the cases. Everyone knows what that move means. Each governor of a province has the discretionary power of exiling to Siberia or Caucasia without trial, any persons suspected of being dangerous to the public peace.
It was against the Stundist leaders that this terrlble weapon was used. Let us cite some instances which are but representative cases. Ivan Solo- vev, of the province of Kiev, an intelligent young man full of ardor, was accused of having spread heretical doctrines, and received an order to quit the province in a fortnight. He was the father of five children, and had a flourishing farm which he was obliged to sell at a ruinous price. He departed for the province of Kherson, but had hardly settled there when he received another command to move. He had borrowed money to buy grain for his cattle; the Jews took all he possessed in payment. An old horse, which he still retained, was the only mode of conveyance for his whole family. After traveling about a month they reached the province of Bessarabia ; bnt two children had died en route. He had just settled near Kischeneff when a new order arrived for him to depart. A third child had died in the mean time. The family once more pressed on toward Taurida, where they hoped to find friends who would help them. But the police informed him that he must once more take to the road, and they sent him to Caucasia, where he finally arrived, a broken-down, persecuted man, with a sick wife and but two remaining children. Another case is that of a distinguished preacher of Kiev, Ivan Lisotski, who was compelled to leave his home, having been robbed of all that he had. Two of his children snccumbed to the hardships of the journey. For ten years he was driven from province to province without abatement; nevertheless, from his exile beyond the Cancasns he encouraged his brethren in Russia by his letters. We might also cite the sad instance of Golovschenko, pastor of the province of Ekaterinoslav, who was condemned to four years' imprisonment on the charge of spreading Stundist doctrines. At the expiration of his term the priest of his village opposed his return, and he was banished for life to Siberia, by order of the local government. In the mean time his wife and children died literally from starvation.
Usually the Stundists are made to march from the central prison of the province chained indiscriminately with the worst criminals, dressed in the State garb of prisoners, with shaved heads. They are obliged to spend the nights huddled together in infected holes, where they must listen to filthy conversation and submit to the gross indignities of the keepers. * for having permitted a meeting to be held at hiB honse. In June he and hiB wife were both con· demned for this aame crime to pay $180 and $60 respectively, and not being able to pay were thrown into prison.
* The BnJi'eringB of the prisoners during theBe long marches defy description. Laden with pnrdens out of all proportion to their strength, hustled about !.Ind urged on, often lit the point of For example, Yegor Ivanof was declared guilty of helping to destroy an icon at one of the Stundist meetings. The jury passed upon him the sentence of banishment for life and loss of all his rights. He was led in chains across the Caucasus Mountains on foot in the snow. The scenes of the night which he witnessed at the stifling halting places, the indecency which reigned there, the horrible vermin which swarmed everywhere, the brutality of the guard-everything was so frightful that he did not understand how he kept Ius sanity through it all. These long marches furnish the Stundists abundant occasion to preach the Gospel, and they do not neglect the opportunity. Any move is considered fair against the StundlSts. The spying of the police, the hollow, perfidious questionings of the priests, the mean vexations of the local authorities-these are some of the tactics which the powerful Russian Government employs against its inoffensive subjects who only ask to be allowed to serve God in peace.
In the latter part of the year 1888 the persecution was aimed not simply at the leaders, but at the obscure members of the Stundist communities. Suppression was no longer their idea, but extermination. There was hardly a prison in all the south of Russia which did not hold a number of Stundists, nor a party of exiles headed toward Siberia or Transcaucasia which did not have among its number some of their preachers. These facts may well astonish us when we recollect that by the decree of March 27th, 1879, the Emperor Alexander II. accorded recognition to the Baptists, and that by the law passed May 3d, 1883, Alexander III. granted religious liberty to every sect of the empire. These edicts concerned only those who were born in the Evangelical Church, for a Russian subject born in the orthodox Church is not permitted to change his faith. The edicts, however, are nothing but a dead letter. The clergy, which had organized, without success, "missions" * to convert the Stundists, saw that public trials afforded the Stundists an opportunity to explain their doctrines and oftentimes to make a great impression upon the people. So, without cessation they clamored for more expeditious and secret proceedings. The man who was so powerful in directing the affairs of the Russian Church at this time must bc held most responsible for the actual situation. Under the influence of Pobedonostzeff, the Emperor Alexander III. began to send secret circulars and special orders to the governors of the provinces where Stundism was making the greatest headway, and where, now and then, the orthodox churches were being emptied and the priests losing all their revenue. These decrees entirely annulled the former liberal measures. When, for example, some Baptist Stundists, who were under condemnation, made appeal to a decrce which protectecl the Baptists, the officials refused to the bayonet, the miserable creatures drag along their heavy chains over the frozen steppes. At night, the poor women separated from their hnsbands are left to the caprice of the soldier escorts I * One of the fiercest of these" missioners," and one of the first to recommend the most violent measnres against the Stundists, was an old Roman priest, Father Terletsky. It was he who sent in a report to the Government, proposing to condemu without trial or arraigument all Stundist preachers to peual servitude in the mines of Siberia. recognize them as Baptists, and treated them as Stundists. They denied them the right to dcfend themselves, cast them into prison, and, by virtue of thc special decrees issued against Stundists, banished them without a trial. Many edicts have been publIshed against them during the last eight years-for example, annulling their marriages, excluding their chil- dren from the public schools, and forbidding them to have other schools for them, interdicting the reading of the Bible, and the holding of meet- ings, etc. On May 1s~, 1893, the Government gave the force of laws to the reso- lutions passed in July, 1891, at an assembly of clergy at Moscow. Pobedonostzeff presided at some of the meetings. The resolutions were as fol- lows: " The children of the Stundists shall be taken from their parents and placed in the charge of some relative who belongs to the orthodox Church; if there is none such, they shall be confided to the clergy of the place. It is from henceforth forbidden the Stundists to erect schoolhouses or places for preaching by order of this edict. Passports given to Stundists shall expressly say that they are members of that sect. Any employer who shall give work to a Stundist shall be fined heavily. The names of members of the sect shall be given to the Minister of Transportation, who shall have them posted in the ticket offices and waiting-rooms of the railroads, so that they Ulay not secure employment. It is forbidden the Stundists to have a member of the Greek Church at any of their meetings: any infringement of this regulation shall be punished by trausportation to Caucasia for not over fi ve years. The Stundists shall not benefit by the shortening of recruit service, to which their education would admit them, unless they can pas;; an examination in the rites and ceremonies of the orthodox Church and recite the prayers before a priest. Stundists are prohibited from buying or renting property. Any Stundist found reading the Bible and praying with others shall be arrested and without further formality shall be transported by order of the Government to Siberia. Every preacher shall be condemned to penal servitude in that country. Stundists shall be buried outside the consecrated grounds of the cemeteries; they shall not be allowed to hold funeral services over their dead."* In the eyes of the Russian Government the Stundists are a most dan- gerom; sect, whom it is necessary at any cost to reduce to the miserable condition of a people deprived of all rights. And they have succeeded. The Stundists are in a state of siege. Detectives pursue them, spy out their meetings, exile within twenty-four hours those who are apprehended, and give them but three days to reach the borders of the empire. Not~ coutent with forbidding them the privileges of worship, they often take them by force into the orthodox churches and make them bow down before the icons. Thus it is tl1at the Russian press finds occasion to publish the "voluntary return of the Stundists to the orthodox faith."
Elisabethpol, in Transcaucasia, is one of the principal centers of ban- ishment for the Stundists. An eye-witness recently confirmed the state- * Contemporary Review, JaJ;luary, 1892. ment that 223 men who have been banished over five years with their families (565 persons in all) live there in the greatest misery. * The situation of the exiles is still more terrible on the frontiers of Persia, where there are only a few miserable Tartar villages, Gerusi, Terter, Jevlach, etc. It is here that many of the more prominent Stundists like Lisotski have been sent. After long months in prison they arrive in chains, in a desolate place, among Mohammedans, whose language they cannot understand. Kapustinski, one of the exiles, gives a graphic account of the long and terrible journey from Kiev across I.he southern plain of Russia and the Caucasus Mountains to his destination. There, -destitute of provisions, honses, and even tents, they had to camp in the midst of the Tartars, who, out of pity, gave them a little work to do. Their poverty was so great that the men worked all day carrying heavy stones for the pitiable recompense of two cents a day. But the authorities made it an offense to give them work; moreover, the chief of the district recently was a Moslem, and the exiles were left entirely to his tender mercies. One of the exiles, the father of a family, writes: "Seven persons, and not a morsel of food nor a piece of money! Our condition is worse than imprisonment!" Another recounts how he was driven with his three little children, the oldest but three years of age, from his province to Kiev, thence to Kharkov, then to Melitopol, then to TiBis, and finally to Elisabethpol, from whence, without doubt, he will be exiled to Gerusi. "You see," writes he, " there is 110 room for the children of God in Russia !" t In the province of Don Cossacks several Stundists were condemned to exile. Their wives had already sold everything in order to follow them. The authorities told them, however, that if they accompanied their husbands to Caucasia, they must leave their little ones behind j so they mus1; choose bet.ween their husbands and their children. The poor women hesitated; the police came up, seized their children, had them baptized, and * It is possible that these figures include a certain number of members of other Fects such as Russian Quakers. t "The number of the exiled daily increases," says a Christian who has several times visited Russia and Caucasia. This witness found (in 1894) in the prison at Tifiis seven fathers with their wives snd children, in all twenty-seven penons, among them a grandmother who had been imprisoned in eleven prisons, and was about to enter the twelfth at Elisabethpol. They were just waiting to hear where they wonld be incarcerated next. Another witness describes the arrival in his village of a company of condemned Stnndists, among whom was an old man over seventy, poorly clad, fatigued, and with blistered feet, bnt so sweet, so gracious-his crime was having spoken of Jesns to sinners around him. "Again," he adds, "you may see a father, mother and five children entering the same village. They have lived in ease and comfort, now they have absolutely nothing. l'he oldest of the children is a beantiful, healthy young woman of seventeen. Those who know the dangers to which she will be exposed, shudder at them. Oh, if the empress, that noble woman, who has the heart of mother and wife, could only have seen hut that one family, which, after all, is but one among numbers of others, and could picture the probable fate of that young girl, and of many otbers in like condition, snrely snch things wonld not be permitted. " The Baptists are cruelly maltreated. "I have jnst received to-day," writes one of them, "news that I am banished for five years to the Persian frontier. I rejoice that the Savior counts me worthy to sulfer for His name." "Sister K.," writes a Baptist exile, "has died of hnnger aod of fever, and was huried whiie her husband aud children were ill of the same disease and nnconscions of her dCllth." (Evangelical Ch'f"istenriom, Jnly, 1893, pp. 221, 222; December, 1894, p. 390.) gave them over into the charge of members of the orthodox Church. We could give the names of children whom we know to have been thus torn from their parents-in one case four, in another seven, and in a third three little daughters. Multitudes of families have thus been destroyed. These cases have become very frequent during the past few years, and it is one of the most heartrending tortures which has been inflicted upon our unfortunate brothers.
From numerous instances we cite the sad history of Pavilkovski, a Stundist preacher of the province of Kherson. In a discussion with a priest he had the audacity to say a few words against the orthodox Church. He was accused by the priest and sent to prison, where he had to submit to all sor1s of torture. The jailer, not being able to extort money from him, put him into a sort of cage, in which he could not stand, sit down, or lie down. Pavilkovski was afterward dragged into the foul lieu d' aisance of the prison, and left for three days and three nights in the infected hole, where he was the laughing-stock of the other prisoners. When they drew him out he was scarcely more than an inert mass; his limbs refused to hold him. Finally, after four months in prison, they decided to try him. The witnesses swore to all that the priest dictated, and he was condemned, with six others, to exile for life in Eastern Siberia. Each Stundist was chained to a criminal condemned to the mines, and thus they made the terrible journey. They had their families with them; but before the end of the journey the wife and two children of Pavilkovski succumbed to the hardships of the travel. Out of fourteen children who started with them, only five survived. In spite of all this, these martyrs in their exile busy themselves with spreading the Gospel as much as lies in their power.
The position of the Stundists who remain at home is terrible. Men, women, and children are exposed day and night to intrusion into their houses, and tremble, continually fearing the arrival of the police. A decision of the Committee of Ministers, confirmed by the Emperor on July 4th, 1894, and communicated to the governors of the provinces by the Minister of the Interior September 3d, 1894, declared the Stuudists to he an immoral sect, dangerous alike 10 the Church and the State, and strictly interdicted their meetings and deprived them of all rights and protection which the other subjects of the Czar enjoyed. The consequence, of course, was a new outburst of Russian fanaticism. Every sort of cruelty has been perpetrated even upon the women and little children.
But all this is insignificant in comparison with the events of 1892 in the province of Kiev. One could hardly believe the facts if they were not authentically attested. "'Ve were forced," says a Stundist, "to do all the drudgery for the community; and at night we were not permitted to enter our homes. The priucipal men of the town and the commissioners of the police gathered a lot of drunken peasants and went with them to our farms, where they dishonored our wives. • •• They shattered our windows and confiscated all our books." * The Governor-General of Kiev, Count Ignatieff, was told of these atrocities; several months passed, and no attempt was made to find the perpetrators of the crimes. Then a mock search, they tell me, took place, but only for the purpose of denying the reality of the charges. Where, indeed, could anyone find witnesses to testify against the town authorities t.hemselves ?"
Capital puuishment has not been pronounced against the Stundists, bnt many of them have been maltreated and killed. Many Stundists have been beaten to death, and even the women have been freqnently lashed with ropes. Among the cruelties in which the peasants find pleasure is the sprinkling of water over a number of Stundists when the temperature is 20° below zero. It is also vouched for that they bury nails in the soles of the Stundists' feet. The perpetrators of these deeds are fanatical peasants, and not by order of the Government, but they go uupunished, aud generally unpursued. Lanin also tellR of Stundists forced to work with clothes altogether insufficient for the terrible winter weather in Kharkov, all of whom perished in agony.
The d)Ze played by the Church in the persecution is not the least saddening part of the history. Archbishop Ambroise, of Kharkov, a poet,t has publicly invited the people to inform the priests of tlvery case of suspected heresy, thus making the destiny of thousands of unfortunates rest upon the judgment of the most ignorant peasants of all Europe. The convocations of the clergy spend their time in discussing the most efficacious methods of exterminating heresy. So it is not astonishing that overtures made to the high church dignitaries in favor of religious liberty should meet with no success.! However, the movement has grown, aud has even begun to reach the upper classes of the towns. Despised as Stundism may be, it has nevertheless exerted a salutary influence over the Russian Church as the Reformation did over the Romish Church. They are beginning to realize the barrenness of a service where the Bible is not read and explained. They are beginning to give more attention to the observance of the Sabbath aud to the suppression of drunkenness. The Stundist teachings, despite the persecution, are spreading, people are listening to them and discussing them, and perhaps the hour of freedom of religious *Another letter said: "Late at night, when everyone was asleep, a troop of villagers led by the police entered our honses, terrifying our children and abusing our wives to such an extent that death almpst ensued. On the night of September 30th some men entered my house in my absence, stripped the clothes from my wife, threw her ou the floor, and outraged her; the head men of the village taking part in the outrage. They commanded her to make the sign of the cross and she refused, but they forced her to do it. They twisted her arms until the blood gushed out; they tore her flesh, and now, at the hour of writing, she lies at death's door."
t One of his poems is written on the verse, "If he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen" (Matt. xviii. 17), and has for its refrain, "The damned Stundist, the enemy of God, as crnel and black as the demon, malevolent beast." t I allude to the letter addressed in 1893 to the chief archbishops and bishops of Russia by 123 Christians of Great Britain, comprising archbishops, bishops, ministers, and members of the laity. This letter, most moderate and kind, has elicited no response whateyer. It appeared in full in the J!Jvangelical Cl!1'iBtendom, July, 1895,
THE PLACE OF THE SCHOOL IN THE WORK OF EVANGELIZATION
thought is nearer than we think. But up to the present there seems to be no break in the clouds. The Czar has not set right any of the wrongs, although some years ago, when he was traveling abroad, the Evangelical Alliance succeeded in getting into his hands a statement of some of the dreadful things which the Stundists were suffering. After learning of them he said: "It is impossible that such things should be taking place in my empire. " He promised to make an inquiry. After his return to Russia he called his Prime Minister, who declared that it was all false. Not entirely satisfied, the Czar gave him three months to gather all the information he could on the subject and render a report. "At the end of that time we received," says the Secretary of the English branch of the Alliance, "au official report stating that' Russia alone, among all countries of the world, accorded to her subjects full and entire liberty in all things concerning religion.''' The Stundists are without the reign of law under the reign of terror.
'What will be the outcome of this movement, which some consider the most remarkable since the Reformation ~ Will these persecutions succeed in stifling it as the Reformation was stifled in Italy and in Spain, or will it come forth purified from the fire of atRiction ~ Ve do not know, but our duty is plain. Let us pray, pray with earnestness and perseverance. Bring to the notice of others the sufferings of our brethren ; enlighten those who are in ignorance of the facts; and then let us act, act promptly and generously. Let us give money that it may be devoted to the most urgent necessities of these miserable exiles and their families, that 1heir sufferings may be to a small degree lightened. The needs are great, and the money which was gathered has been quickly exhausted. * It is from God Himself that we look for help. "Turn again our captivity, 0 Lord, as the streams in the South. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
THE PLACE OF THE SCHOOL IN THE WORK OF EVAN- GELIZATION·t BY JOHN M. KYLE, D.D., NOVA FRIBURGO, BRAZIL.
[The place of education in mission work will probably always be a much-disputed question. The problem assumes different aspects in the various mission lands, hence what may be true of one may not be true of another. -ED.] * Evangelical Christendom (Jan., 1896) gives us the latest news from Russia. A Christian, who had just returned from visiting the whole country, even to the frontiers of Persia and Siberia, writes, that the persecution of the Stundists has not ceased, and calls for prayer and help from all members of the body of Christ. "The persecuted," he says, •• bear their tfIals nobly, with great patience and submission, withont a murmur against the authorities, who 80 basely oppress them. Their prayers for the emperor and the government are unceasiug and fervent. . .. At Gemsi, a town situated abont 5500 feet above the sea, surrounded by high mountains, in a rocky, arid country, from forty to fifty families are banished and kept under strict watch. not being permitted to leave the town. They are thns condemned to idleness, and cannot live without help, for the small Bums allowed by the government are insufficient even to sustain life. "
f Translation of a paper read before the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Brazil, at Rio de Janeiro, September 14, 1894. Three distinct theories are held upon this question. 1. The first is that the school has no place whatever in the work of the world's evangelization. There are a few who hold this theory. They maintain that the work of evangelization consists simply in the proclamation of the Gospel, and that we should give ourselves little or no care as to the result. The work of carrying the Gospel to dying men is so urgent and the time is so short that we should spend neither time nor means in building churches, organizing ecclesiastical courts, or in sustaining schools. As there are none in this synod who adopt this view, I need not delay to either consider or refute it. It suffices to say that our purpose is not only to spread the Gospel, but also to act as guides to those who receive it, to build them up in its saving truths and, by means of church organizations and by the training of suitable men, to provide them with the ministry of the Word and the sacraments in order that all the faithful may" grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Without this we regard the work as incomplete. At the same time we should not forget our obligation to carry the Gospel to those who have it not. II. The second theory is that the school ought to be established as a direct means for the spread of the Gospel. Those who accept this view say that it is right and necessary to open schools and draw into them children of all classes, even of Romanists and unbelievers, in order that both the children and their parents may be led to overcome their prejudices against Protestantism. They hope that some may be converted or at least become well disposed toward us and our work. The objections to this theory, however, are so serious that I wish to present them, and will do so as briefly and clearly as possible. 1. The first objection is that this method of evangelization never was recommended by Christ and never was followed by the apostles. One of the purposes, if not the chief purpose, of the Acts of the Apostles is to show us how they labored for the extension of Christ's kingdom. The plan they adopted was always the preaching of the Gospel. Peter and John in Jerusalem, Philip in Samaria, and Paul and Barnabas in Antioch and in the synagogues of Asia Minor and Macedonia used only the one method, the preaching of the Vord. Paul says in his Epistle to the Corinthians: "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." To say, therefore, that the school is a better means for the spread of the Gospel is to doubt the efficacy of the plan which God Himself established, and by means of which the apostles and their successors were enabled to transform the Roman Empire. It cannot be said that schools were unknown in that age, and are, therefore, no more to be condemned than the use of the printing-press which had not been invented. Socrates, Aristotle, and Gamaliel all had schools in which they taught their doct.rines. An earnest advocate of schools of this kind is reported to have said that" perhaps if Paul had established a Christian college at Antioch the Seven Churches of Asia would have had a better history." Dr. Ellinwood's answer is complete: "If Paul had spent his life as a professor of science and philosophy at Antioch, would the Christian Church have made equal advances into Macedonia and the Roman Empire ~ Would subsequent ages have received an equivalent for the theological and spiritual teaching which we now find in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles r' And he adds with force and truth that Paul's great and world.wide mission work was a seed-sowing that has blessed many nations and made Christianity a power for all time.
If we go to the New Testament to learn from it the method we should follow in mission work and accept the example of the apostles as our rule, we wiII 110t open schools and colleges in order to spread the Gospel, but will go about "speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God."
2. The second objection to the establishment of schools as a means for spreading the Gospel is, that it is condemned by sound reason and is irrecon- cilable with a true eomprehension of the nature of sin and of Christianity. The Christian religion has its historical basis and its fundamental doctrines; bnt a man may accept these historical facts lind be able to assent to ils doctrines and not be a Christian. The essential thing is regeneration, a new life, a change of heart, which are the result of the work of the Holy Spirit alone. The ordinary methods employed by Him are " the "Vord, sacraments, and prayer," as our Catechism teaches us. These means of grace come to us recommended by the Creator of the soul, and are divinely adapted to the end we seek. Education, even the most profound knowledge of the sciences, cannot bring about this result. The proof is that many, if not the larger part, of the educated men of the world are unbelievers, and that others who have been educated in the best universities of Europe and America are still able to believe in transubstantiation, scientifically the most absurd of all the doctrines of Romanism. At the same time we are all acquainted with men of no education, some of tbem even nnable to read, who have rejected this and all the other absurdities of Rome, and who are to-day true believers and worthy members of the Church. The reason is that the Christian religion is not, properly speaking, a science, but a new life given by the Holy Spirit. The sciences, however useful and important they may be in the development of the faculties of the mind, never have and never can produce the least change in moral character. For his own glory God has hidden these lhings from the wise and prudent and has revealed them unto babes. The Gospel is foolishness to the natural man, and can only be spiritually discerned. The study of Arithmetic, Grammar, and Geography never converted or sanctified a single soul. I cannot refrain from adding in this connection the opinion of that eminent German theologian Julins Muller. In his work, the" Christian Doctrine of Sin," he says: "Mental culture does not eradicate a single tendency of moral depravity, it only veils and refines them all; and so far from redeeming the man, if it be not sanctified by a higher principle, it really confirms within him the dominion of sin" (vol. i., p. 307).
I cannot see, therefore, how this method which would make of the school a direct evangelistic agency can be reconciled with a sound philosophy, a clear understanding of the biblical doctrine of human depravity, or with a right apprehension of the nature of the Gospel and the way God evidently intended it to be applied to human hearts and lives.
3. The third objection is drawn from experience, or the practical results of the efforts to apply this theory in missionary work. These results are by no means commensurate with the labor and money spent upon such schools. I do not refer now to those schools which have been organized for the education of the youth of the native Church, but to those which admit children of all classes and creeds for the purpose of inculcating the Gospel. This failure is often attributed to special circumstances, to mistakes in the choice of teachers or to disagreements among those who have them in charge; but I maintain that serious evils are inherent in the system, and that the theory and not the special application of it is wrong. In order to show how radical are the evils which are the true causes of this failure, I call your attention to some of them.
(1) A school designed for children of all classes, with teachers from abroad thoroughly conversant with new methods of instruction and enjoying a wide and deserved reputation for proficiency, will in a short time gather so many pupils that for lack of teachers of the right kind it becomes necessary to employ those who are not Christians. Such teachers do an incalculable harm. There have been times, I am told, when a majority of the teaching force in some of these schools have been Romanists and infidels. These teachers are rarely exemplary in their conduct; they travel on the Sabbath, they go to -mass, and have even taken the pupils from the Protestant schools to mass, and have been known to ridicule religion in the class-room. Instead of aiding the work of evangelization, such schools only retard it, for many of the children of the Church who are under these influences are led astray.
The Free Church of Scotland College at Bombay, India, had, a year ago, a Roman Catholic as professor of history. Imagine a Roman Catholic teaching history in a Presbyterian college! But I am not sure whether a good and sincere Roman Catholic is not preferable to some of the ration. alists and materialists who have been employed at various times in mission schools in Brazil. This evil is so serious that one mission board, at least, has been compelled to prohibit the employment of teachers who are not Christians.
(2) A second cause of this failure is that any good influence the Christian teacher may exert upon pupils from outside the Church is coun. teracted by the evil influences which surround them in their homes. The result is a sad confusion of ideas in these tender minds which can scarce distinguish between good and evil. After they grow up they almost all give the same account of themselves. "My mother is a Roman Catholic, my father a materialist j I was educated in a Protestant school and am nothing," is the almost invariable reply when questioned as to their relig- ious belief. It is impossible, under the circumstances, for them to have those strong convictions of the truth which will lead them to stand out against opposition and to overcome those selfish and evil inclinations which they all inherit from Adam.
(3) Another cause of the failure is that the children of the world come into our schools, and by their bad example and vices demoralize the children of believing parents. Those of us who have attended large schools can testify that it is possible for a few bad pupils to contaminate an entire school. Any considerable number of these children in a mission school counteract its good influence, and instead of being a place where the children of the Church may be kept from evil, it becomes a hotbed of moral corruption. The danger is great enough when only the children of the Church are admitted; but when the doors of the school are open to children who have had no religious or moral training the failure is inevit- able. Not only do we fail to gain those who come from without, but we lose those who belong to us. It is better to have no schools than to establish those which in a short time become centers of evil influence. The children of the Church are" holy" or separated, as Paul says; and we have no right to place them in a school where they will be led astray by evil companions.
(4) Another cause of the failure of these schools to be an evangelis~ic force is that it is impossible to maintain the religious instruction in them on a high plane when a large part of the school submit to this instruction because compelled to, knowing it to be in opposition to the wishes of their parents. We, in a sense, force the truth upon them, whereas the conscience is, and ought to be, free. A Christian school without religious instruction is a contradiction in terms. These schools propose to receive the children of all sects and force them to receive this instruction. Only those who are not made of the common clay will receive any spiritual benefit from such a method. Or if they pretend to be satisfied it is in order to get the good-will of their teachers and good marks in their classes. This is not the way that the religion of love and a new life is received into the soul. Such a plan generally produces a dislike for religion, indifference or atheism. In order to reach those who are outside of the Church we must put ourselves on the same level with them as children of the same Creator, persuading them of the truth of the religion of Christ, so that each one may accept it of his own free will with a conscience free from constraint.
(5) Still another of the causes of the failure of these schools is that thoie who have them in charge apparently try to hide the purpose for which they were organized. I do not mean to say that this is done from sinister motivesl but they nearly all seem to make an effort to conceal the real character of the schools. The names usually given to these schools give no clew to their religious character. I have in my possession the catalog of a mission school which gives no hint as to its religious character, for not even the words "religion," "Christian," "Protestant," or " Bible," nor any of their derivatives, nor the name of the church that supports it, are to be found in it. No one can tell from the catalog whether the school is Protestant, Romish, or Jewish, unless it is lawful to conclude that it must be Protllstant because, if it were controlled by people of any other creed they would have courage enough to say so.
I have the prospectus of another Protestant school j and were it not for the word" Bible" onCe employed it would be easy to conclude that the school was Roman Catholic, for it announced that there would be no school during" Holy Week" and "St. John's Week." Why, I ask, is there this reticence 1 If these schools were established for good and lawful end, what harm can it do for the world· to know it @ Our Savior said nothing" in secret," and His apostles did nothing" in a corner." On the contrary, they openly proclaimed the most unpopular doctrines which were to the Jews a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness. The work in which we are engaged is legitimate and glorious, and any method which requires us to conceal our purposes, to deceive the ignorant and unwary, ought to be condemned. Let us have no subterfuges, but, trusting in the Lord of Hosts, let us go forward in an open campaign against the powers of darkness.
III. The third theory is, that the school has an appropriate place in the work of evangelization, because it is both useful and necessary for the education of the children of the Church and the training of native teachers and preachers and other laborers in the Gospel. This I regard as the true theory. In those places where there are groups of believers and a sufficient number of the children of the Church to warrant it, they should have their Christian schools. We need also academies or training schools where Christian young men of promise who desire to continue their studies may be prepared for teaching, or for a theological course if they feel called to the ministry j and finally, we need a theological seminary where these last may be adequately prepared for their high and responsible duties. These schools established exclusively for the children of the Church will be small and inexpensive. Their teachers should all be Christians who wiII do all in their power to surround the pupils with Christian influences, reading and studying with them the Scriptures and the Catechism, thus aiding Christian parents to bring up their children in the " fear and admonition of the Lord," according to the promise made in their baptism. Our children are holy, and they should be kept from the contamination of the world. It is plain that a school for the children of our Church members is a necessity if our churches are to prosper.
We also need higher schools, where our Christian young men may be separated" from bad companions and the corrupting influences of the world. These institutions will be small and humble j but so much the better, for it will be easier to give a moral and Christian education to our youth. These parochial and higher schools will bring forward young men and young women qualified to supply the demand for teachers, and furnish us with candidates for the ministry. If they pass the tender years of childhood and yonth in constant contact, at home and in school, with those who are seeking their spiritual welfare, having for companions other children of Christian parents, who have had the same training, with the care, love, and living interest of God's people about them, we have reason to hope that God will bless them and prepare them for places of usefulness in His Church.
These Rchools, supported by the Church and for the Church on a modest scale, will consume a comparatively small part of our mission funds, permitting us to use the greater part in the direct work of evangelization. Such schools will stimulate the intellectual and spiritual life of our churches, to say nothing of their material advantages. Being established for the training of children of believers, limited in every respect to the necessities of the native Church, they may avoid the evils which inhere in the other methods. Schools of this nature dedicated to the development of the Church's intellectual and spiritual strength, and to the preparation of native laborers, will ronder an incalculable service to the cause of evangelization.
This theory, then, is that Christian schools should be established for the children of the Church exclusively, to give them a Christian education, and thus enable them in whatever position they may hereafter hold in the Church to do better service in the cause of Christ. This theory is based upon the broad distinction which the Bible and our Confession make between the children of believers and the children of the world. The former are the children of the Covenant, and stand in a peculiar relation to the Church of Christ. This relation bestows upon them special privileges and lays npon us a special obligation. The question, therefore, is not, as is sometimes represented, whether we shall have schools or no schools. There is a via media, and I am convinced that it is upon this middle ground that men of all theories must eventually meet.
But it may be asked: Why should we discriminate; do not all classes of children have souls? The State opens her military schools, but she discriminates between her own citizens and foreigners. Vhen she goes to war she discriminates between friends and foes, between patriots and rebels, and gives out arms to those alone who have sworn allegiance to her authority, and are not ashamed to carry her flag. For like reasons it is the right and duty of the Church in all her educational work to observe and maintain the broad distinction which exists between the children of the Covenant and the children of the world. She should open her schools exclusively for her own children who have been dedicated to God in baptism, and in this way increase her evangelizing force and indirectly hasten the coming of the kingdom. If time permitted I could answer some of the objections which may be presented to this view and give the opinions of various writers which would show that in its essential points it is neither new nor peculiar nor wanting in support. But I must limit myself to presenting one or two considerations before I conclude.
'Whence come the funds which sustain these schools? A large part of the contributors are people of small means who are not able to give to their own children the education they would like. But from their scanty incomes they contribute, year by year, to this sacred cause, the evangelization uf the world, which appeals to the tenderest sympathies of the Christian heart. Is it right, I ask, to take this money and use it in the education of the children of Beelzebub? No fault will be found if we use a part of it for teaching in a humble way the children of the Covenant and in training those who are to be the future teachers and preachers of the native Church j the greater part, however, should go directly to the work of carrying the knowledge of the Gospel to our fellow-men.
In the study of this question the thought has sometimes come to me that this plan of evangelization by means of schools is an invention of the Devil to frustrate the labors of God's servants by leading them to spend in this unprofitable way their own time and the money which has been consecrated to the extension of Christ's kingdom. Certain it is that Satan is very astute j and we should not be surprised if we find him using his most subtle devices to defeat a work which aims directly at the overthrow of his dominion. Be it as it may, it is an undeniable fact, and that which occasioned such a thought, that the schools which have been started for this purpose have been a perennial source of strife and bitterness. May it not be a punishment from God because we have used in a wrong way the money which has been entrusted to our hands for maintaining the divinely appointed means of grace, that through them men might be brought to the Savior?
We should remember that however highly human wisdom may commend it, and however much certain leaders in Israel may insist upon our carrying it, the truth is that Saul's armor is of no use to us. Let us have the courage to reject it and go out to battle carrying nothing but the sling and the pebbles from the brook. The Philistines, at'! they look on, may laugh at us, and many in the ranks of Israel may be filled with consternation ; but if we put our trust in the Lord God of Israel and go forth in His name He will give us the victory. For He hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the mighty that no man should glory in His presence. Let us have the courage to give up a plan of work which has proven to be wrong, and use the simpler method which has the sanction of apostolic example, and which has been blessed of God in every age and clime. This Divine plan is : Salvation by faith, faith by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
PROFESSOR WHITE'S CALL TO INDIA
.PROFESSOR WHITE'S CALL TO INDIA.
A RARE MISSIONARY MEETING.
BY REV. JAMES M. GRAY, D.D., BOSTON, MASS.
The writer was privileged to attend a rare missionary meeting on Lord's Day morning, September 13th. It was held in what is sometimes called Mr. Moody's Church-Chicago Avenue Church, Chicago, Ill.-of which the Rev. R. A. 'l'orrey is the present pastor. The occasion was a farewell address of Professor W. W. White before leaving the United States with his wife and family to engage in Bible teaching among the native college young men of India. The professor is himself still a young man, not over thirty five years of age, a native of Ohio, a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and up until two or three years ago the Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Literature in the seminary of that denomination at Xenia, O. At about the period alluded to he accepted a call to become the instructor in the English Bible in the Bible Institute, Chicago, from which have gone forth so many consecrated and Spirit-filled young men and women to evangelistic and missionary work of every kind the world over. His work had been richly blessed at that institution, and great was the surprise and deep the disappointment when it was learned within a few months that he was about to depart for the foreign field. Mr. Moody and the Board of Trustees could not be reconciled to the acceptauce of his resignation, but simply granted him a lU'LVe of absence for such a period of time, short or long, as circumstances might indicate. He is, therefore, in that sense still connected with the institute.
The missionary meeting referred to was simply the ordinary morning service of the church, at which Professor White was announced to give an address instead of the usual sermon by the pastor. He had been bidding farewell to other friends in different parts of the middle West, and had come to say a last word to those in Chicago among whom he had labored so acceptably. But it was a missionary meeting which many who were there will never be likely to forget as one which testified unmistakably to the existence of such a Being as the Holy Ghost-a Divine Spirit who presides in and controls the assembling of His people where He is granted liberty to do so. There was more than one strong man present, not usually carried away by his emotions, who confessed to trembling in every part of his frame. God seemed to be present of a truth. And yet there was no visible excitement whatsoever. The singing was as usual. Professor ,Vhite read selections from the Old and New Testaments bearing upon the purpose of God in blessing the whole earth through the Redeemer, and the obligation of the redeemed to cooperate with Him in carrying out that purpose. Then he prayed. An offering was made, a verse of a hymn sung, and he began to speak.
He selected no text, but proceeded in a plain and familiar way 10 explain to his friends what he was about to do and why he did it. He was going to India, not because there was no work to do at home, but because of what seemed to him to be the greater need there. The distribution of workers, he was convinced, was not as Christ would have it-one minister of the Gospel to every 500 people in the United States, and only one to every 300,000 people in India! He was going to India, again, because Jesus Christ had clearly indicated it to him that he ought to go. Christ was the sower, he was only the seed, and the seed should be willing to be planted where the husbandman desired. Knowing that the Lord desired him in India, he could be neither happy nor successful in America. As be- tween Calcutta and Chicago it was not a question of his choice, but of the Lord's will. Moreover, the crisis had come in the world at large, and in India in particular. The crisis had come in the world. Gladstone had said that in the first fifty years of this century there were more progress in the development of material and intellectual forces than in all the preceding centuries of the Christian era; that in the next twenty-five years there were more progre3s than in the first fifty ; and that in the last ten years there were more than in the previous twenty-five. Almost all men believed this. '1'here was a rapid development of evil in these days, and an equally rapid development of good. Christ and Satan were marshaling' their forces for a great and decisive conflict. He believed in tho neal' roturn of our Lord. 'Vhen the missionary spirit first began to show itself in this country it was objected against on the score that America must be saveel before you could save the world. But Christian men in great numbers and with great clearness were now coming to see that the world must be saved in order to save America. ·We should so study geography that there might be no foreign lands.
The crisis had come in India. That land was the key to the Orient. The missionary spirit of Buddhism in a remoter day had nel'or been equaled except by Christianity. When Buddhism would be superseded by the religion of Jesus Christ, the Hindus would go everywhere throughout China and the East preaching the ""Vell'd. The Gospel had been preached in India longer than in any other heathen land, and the pioneer period was drawing to a close. The time was rapidly appro~J,Ching when the foreign missionaries there must give way to natives or India was doomeddoomed not to remain in the bondage of heathenism, bnt to revel in the license of free thought. There was a movement toward Christianity on the part of both the upper and lower classes in India, and the future native preachers to the first clast; were now in her great colleges. These. if God so willed, were to bo captured for Jesus Christ. Following the example of the great Dr. Duff, who believed it easier to teach the Hindu English than to teach the English the different languages of the Hindu, the Government had made the English tongue obligatory in the colleges; hence the students were easy of access on that score. A bnilding capable of accommodating 1000 persons had been secured for the professor's use in the city of Calcutta, within convenient distance to at least 6500 of such students, many of whom it was believed would attend his lectures. The way in which this building .had been obtained through the efforts of his brother, also engaged in Y. M. C. A. work in India, was one of the plain indications to him of the Lord's guidance in this matter. His work would be to teach the English Bible, not to teach about it, but to teach it; to organize Christian workers' classes, to deal with individual inquirers, and as far as possible carryon just such a work, one would suppose, as that represented by the Bible Institute of Chicago. At fi.rst he would be supported by Y. M. C. A. funds, but he was not without hope that his friends in this country would soon become so interested in the plan and progress of the work as to contribute aunually, even tho it were in small sums, a fund sufficiently large to altogether relieve the Y. M. C. A.. of that responsibility. Five hnndred such contributors at $10 each would llleet the present requirements of the situation. He proposed a system of monthly correspondence by which each contributor might be kept informed of what was going on, and a system of united prayer, by which his interest might be deepened and the power of the Holy Ghost continually poured out upon the enterprise. He closed his address with an earnest but quiet appeal to his hearers not to be disobedient to the heavenly vision should it come to them. All could not go to the foreign field, but many might go. The Lord of the Harvest did not call every harvester to the same part of the field; but if all the harvesting is to be done, we must be ready to go to whatever part we are called. In the Ashantee rebellion, when the commander of a cere tain English troop was unwilling to personally select the given number of men to undertake an extra hazardous task, he said he would turn his back upon them and ask every man who would volunteer to step out behind him one pace from the line. When he again faced them the line was un- broken. "What!" exclaimed he, "is there not a man among you ready to volunteer in the hour of your country's need~" "If it please you, sir," replied a member of the ranks, "the whole company has volun- teered, and every man is a pace forward from the line on which he stood before!" This is the obedience which Christ expects and which He en· gages to bless. A hrief prayer followed this appeal, a missionary offering was presented, Mr. and Mrs. Towner sang very feelingly" The Missionary Call," and the service concluded.
There was nothing remarkable about this address to an ordinary ob- server, except, perhaps, its blood earnestness, and even that was expressed in a very quiet way. But every enlightened Christian in that congregation felt that in coming in contact with Professor White that day he was draw- ing very near to Jesus Christ. There was something in his manner and in his words which recalled the Spirit-filled obedient servants of God of the Old and New Testaments. The very atmosphere of the building seemed rarefied by his utterances. The pastor's face was transfigured as he sat beside him wrapt in meditation and prayer. Some of the hearers went home to fall upon their knees and shed tears of joy that God had given such power unto men, and of regret that the Gospel had not been more to them than their lives exhibited. There were decisions made for the missionary field that morning beyond a doubt, and more than one young man or woman in some day and land far distant will remember it as the occasion when they distinctly heard the call, " Whom shall I send, 'and who will go for us~" and responded in the power of the Holy Ghost, " Here am I, send me !"
There was, however, one secret of the power of that address not generally known. It was a prayer-meeting held on the previous evening in one of the anterooms of the church for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the speaker and services of the following day. They who were present had gotten the assurance that they were heard. They were almost as certain of the blessing as tho it had actually descended. There was the " sound of.a going in the tops of the mulberry trees," and they knew that God had" gone forth before them." And they were not disappointed. Oh, when will we aU learn this needed lesson? When will the whole Christian Church come to appreciate the power which God has laid up for them in the promise of His Spirit, and begin to draw upon and ntilize it for His glory in the exercise of faith, and obedience, and prayer.
A single word further. Professor White was not the only speaker on that Lord's Day morning. He was accompanied by an educated Hindu in the person of Mr. S. Satthianadhan, M.A., LL.B. (Cantab), Professor of Law and Moral Philosophy in Madras University, and Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, London, who also made a brief address. It was pleasing and well delivered in every way, but contained one allusion which brought a feeling of sadness and shame to many a heart who heard it. He said he was happy to visit Chicago, but could not forget that it was the
THE CRIMES OF NATIONS
city which, by its Parliament of Religions during the W orId's Fair, had dealt the severest blow against Christianity in India it had ever received. " Somehow or other," said he, "the educated classes there are under the impression that Hinduism, as represented by Swami Vivekananda, has made the greatest impression on the Americans, and that the latter are convinced of the utter folly of preaching Christianity in India. We in India are greatly amused at the 'gullibility' of the Americans, and cannot understand how they can swallow wholesale all that any adventurer may say about Hinduism. The Hinduism which Swami Vivekananda preached was not that with which we are acquainted in India in its every-day aspect, nor even that of which we read in the Hindu sacred books. His Hinduism is that into which Christian ideas have been read. ' A tree is known by its fruits.' A religion which has split up the nation into wretched castes and cliques, each hating the other, and which has failed to serve as a bond of national union, which obliterates the distinction between good and evil and does not accentuate the sinfulness of sin, is the last that is needed for India. For the social, moral, and spiritual regeneration of that land what is needed is Christ."
Such considerations as these should serve to quicken our practical interest in the call to India of Professor White.
THE CRIMES OF NATIONS.
Seldom in modern history have outrages and cruelties been as atrocious and abundant as at this time. Mr. Gladstone has come out of his retirement to protest against Armenian horrors, which numbered 6000 victims in one week, and maintains the right of England to coerce Turkey. He advises the dismissal of the Turkish ambassador from the court of St. James and the recall of the English ambassador from the Sublime Porte as the first step of national protest.
In the Philippine Islands, held by 15,000 insurgents, more than a hundred monks have been murdered, many of them burned, having first been soaked with kerosene oil. It seems as though Nero had come to life and were repeating his atrocities.
There is just now a panic fear in Constantinople, from which point a recent telegra~ says: "The Softas have hitherto been passive. Should, however, the conviction gain ground that the twilight of Mohammedan rule in Constantinople has come, the Moslems, remembering their warlike past, have in despair resolved to light the funeral pyre of the English residents in Constantinople. "
It seems to us that if ever there were a call for united prayer it is now. Mr. Moody and the Chicago brethren issued a call for a day of fasting and prayer (October 8th), and God was implored to lead this nation safely through all the perils that threaten us and establish among us righteousness and honor. But is there not something supremely selfish in confining such united supplication to our own land in view of wholesale murders and massacres abroad which are exterminating whole peoples, not to say one of the ancient churches ~
1896.J INTERNATIONAL DEPARTlIEN'r
n.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BET. J. T. GlIACEY, D.D.
The Doshisha. scarcely possible to overestimate the timeliness and value of the assistance The Japan Mail recently addressed thus rendered, ' , and concludes that itself to the question of what America "the story as we have seen it told by has spent on the" Doshisha." It says, events during twenty-nine years,"
not being in possession of the neces- Rhould have ended in" a chorus of last- sary information, it applied to a re- ing gratitude" on the part of the Japa- sponsible quarter to ascertain the facts. nese for the" splendid work" done by It states that the American Board re- the American Board.
mitted in subsidies to the college $40,- It is certainly deplorable that in a 000; for building and apparatus, $46,- mad half·hour of mistaken nationalism, 500; grants and so forth to the girls' the trustees of the Doshisha should school, $14,000, making an aggregate of have placed themselves outside the pat- $100,500. Friends of the Board have ronage of their American friends, in supplemented this sum by gifts amount- contravention of the "new canon of ing to $33,000, and the" Harris Fund" ethics" named by the Mail, and the was $100,000, only $75,000 of which elementary principle of honor and hon- was, however, actually paid over to esty recognizable by the universal con- the trustees of the college, $25,000 re- science of mankind, 'rhe ultimate ef- maining in the United States, more or fect of this extends far beyond the edu- less under the control of the Prudential cational interests involved, contributing Committee of the Board. Besides these to create distrust of the entire nation in sums, however, the Board has paid the this transition state of its civilization.
salaries of the foreign teachers of the We say this, who have a right to say college for twenty-one years, and other it, if large sympathy with the national considerable amounts have been sent spirit in Japan places us on any fair from America for the hospital and ground of friendship. Further, we can nurses' school; also houses for the mis- condone more than many, because of sionaries outside the treaty ports, built our appreciation of the Student move- by American funds, will, the Mail says, ment in the Japanese Empire. It was eventually pass into the hands of the young Japan that precipitated the revo- Doshisha trustees, the income arising lution in Japan. We well understand froni them becoming available for the the epoch when it became" hard for a uses of the institution. The editor son to venerate a father ignorant of makes an estimate at the lowest figures everything that goes to make a man iu- of the items not tabulated, and con- tellectually venerable," as the Mail cludes that the American Board and its phrases it, and that" the penalty paid friends have contributed not less than (by Japan) for suddenly breaking away three·quarters of a million yen. from its old traditions was that the The editor then depicts the educa- foundations of filial respect were over- tional crisis which confronted new Ja- thrown." But we cannot believe that pan in the opening years of the Meiji the national gratitude to those who era, and adds: "Into this breach the stood in the breach at that hour in the missionaries stepped, founding institu- destinies of Japan, as the American tions like the Doshisha, and offering to Board and other missionary agencies the youth of Japan a new canon of did, is to be interpreted by the adverse ethics to replace the philosophy dis- action of the small body of trustees of carded simultaneously with the old civ- the Doshisha.
ilization. .. He declares that "it' is The Mail declares that" the Doshisha has been a great factor in the educa- lished by treaty with Great Britain for tionalHfe of the nation," and that 'for the training of Chinese for international those capable of imagining that Provi- service.-J. T. G.] dence specially intervenes inthe affairs It was my privilege to enter China of special men or special races, there when the gates were only slightly ajar, cannot be much difficulty in believing and I have lived to see them thrown that such intervention wus exercised in wide open; so that full access is given Japan's case," by the missionaries com- to the heralds of the ,cross to all parts ing to the aid of the people in this for· of the empire, from the sea to the mative pedod. It should not be diffi- mountains of Tibet. Thosc gates did cult for t1103e sustabing the Amorican not swing open to the notes of celestial Board to believe that the indirect good music, but in response to tho thunders to new Japan has been worth evon the of British CU!1non. God overruled in three-qU:lI·tcr,s of a million of gold yen this instance, as He always does, the expended on this single institution, and conflicts of th3 nations for the adv~nce the Doshislm manage111ent should, in ment of His kingdom.
the very intere~Jt of the" natbnalism" In tracing the line of progress from which impelled them t') break with for- absolute exclusion to the concession of eign control, seck fmther to adjust thdr these ample privilcege8. I shall speak, course to a plane of honor recognizable 1. Of a period of official pe!'secution ; among all mankind. J. T. G. 2. OJ' toleration by imperial edict; 3. Of religious liberty under the pro- tection of treaties; Attitude of the Ohinese Government 4. Of persecutions in the shape of toward Christian Missions. mobs and riots.
BY W. A. P. MARTIN, D.D., PRESIDENT I shall not have space to sketch a fifth EMERI'l'US OF THE IMPERIAL TUNG- period, the first rays of which are al- WEEN COLLEGE, PEKIN, CHINA. ready visible, when the Church of Christ Hhall be favored by the Imperial [In the brief summary of the proceed- power as the best, if not tbe only hope ings of the International Missionary of n&tional regeneration.
Union, we gave in the August number 1. The Chinese Government is al ways of this REVIEW, some notes on Dr. tolerant of religions opinions as long as Martin's address on the Relation of they do not come in conflict with the the Chinese Government to Missions. policy of the Stute. Its most sacred In view of the intensified interest in traditions center in the Divine author- Chinese political and religious afl'airs ity of the emperor and in the worship created by the visit of Li Hung Chang, of ancestors us the basis of social order.
We furnish this article, which we so- The Jesuit missionaries who arrived in licited from Dr. ~ilartin. Tho it par- China three centuries ago secured by tially covers the same tDpics, the fuller their learning the favor of the rulers, discussion will be welcome to our read- while with great prudence they re- ers. Some of the points touched on frained fr:Jm [,hocking their prej udic€s.
or alluded to, are treated in detail in The consequence was the rapid propa- "A Cycle of Cathay," of which Dr. gation of their faith. with a good pros- Martin is author, fresh from the llress pect of the COll version of the whole em- of Fleming H. ReVell Company, a book pire. The emperor, the illustrious of which we shall lll~ve much to say Konghi, was himself apparently on the herea (ter, as a part of the standard lit- point of embracing the new faith, when erature on Ohina, by one who for twen- a distnrbing influence came in along ty·five years occnpied a semi-official re- with a rival sect, not Prot,~stants, but lation to the Chinese Government as the inquisitorial order of St. Dominic.
president of a great iJlstitution estab- The Dominicans accused the Jesuits of connivance with idolatry, because they ploy and to banish thcir converts. He tolerated the worship of ancestors, and did not succeed in cxtirpating the faith, especially because they accepted Shang- but Us propagation snITel'ed a disaste, "the Supreme Ruler," as the true trous check, notwithstanding thc fear- God-a name, by the way, which is now less d,)Votion of its teachers and the accepted by a large majority of Protes- martyr-like Rteadfastness of many of tant missionaries. their adhercnt3.
The dispute being referred to the em- 2. For more than a century the superor' he upheld the Jesuits, and t]lC prcme power showed no disposition to appeal to Rome made by their antag- revoke its prohibitory eilactlllents, and onists was the first intimation he eVB1' at the close of the opium wa.r a good received that in case of becoming a many of the faithful wcre still in exile. Christian he would be expected to bow After the figning of the French treaty, to the authority of the Holy See. He iu 1844, the cxiles were recDJled aud the was above the Grand Lama, why !lot him removed. ThiB was done not by above the Pope? treaty, but by euict, as an act of clem- cncy, at the request of the French miu- The Pope decided against the Jesuits ister. At the request of a Bl'itish min- (and the emperor) on both counts. They ister the edict W13 S:.J construed that its submitted, but he did not. Disgusted benefits were extended to the Protestant by the acerbity of the controversy in form of faith. which men whom he had welcomed as sages showed themselves of like pas- This was the thst stage in the march sions with other mortals; un willing to of enfranchisemeut. Under its prohave the fabrics of public morals over- visions missionaries enj oyed no small turned by the suppression of ancestral privileges, tho they' were still of the worship, its corner-stone; and, more nature of uncovenanted mercies. Protthan all, taking umbrage at the prc- estants established themscl vcs in the sumption of a foreigu potentate to re- open ports, fwm which they were able vise his judgments, Kanghi not merely to make long journeys inland, tho withdrew the sunshine of his favor, but nominally restricted to [ radius of instituted restrictive measure!!, which twenty miles; amI C:ttlwlics, some of in the next reign burst into open PCl'- whom hal all the while concealed themsecution. selves among their neophytes, were now allowed to remain in the interior Of the sixteen maxims which he left without molcstation. for the instruction of his people, the first enj oins the cultivation of filial 3. For the next war (1857-60), in piety, which he identifies with the WOf- which England was joined by France, ship of ancestors, aud the seventh is a it was reserve:l to open a new cra of resignificant warning against heresy. ligious liberty, amounting to a com- pletc immunity from all disabilities un- These were expounded by his success- der guarantce of treat.' stipulations. or, Yung Cheng, in a sense inimical to 'l'his was l'equ irc!! lJy the current of Christianity, in a little manual, which missionary effort, which lu:d set strongunder the name of " Sacred Edict" is to ly in the (lirection of China, anel the this day regarded as the standard of or- men cllul'gcu with the negotiatiou of thodoxy. After sneering at Buddhism new t.reaties were either in conlinl symand Taoism, the emperor pays his COUl- pathy with the cause of mi~sions or pliments to the missionaries, an!i cau- of m('ntal breadth to perceive tliat no tions his people not to infer that their settlemcnt could be permanent that religious teachings are endorsed be- would leave them to the caprice of emcause they are employed to c:>rrect the p')l'ors or mandarins. It was a sublime calendar. Not content with this mild spcctanle without a precedent in hisnote of disapprobation, he proceeded to tory-tho four great powers, England, expel all those not in government em- France, the United States, and Russia, entered in June, 1870, when a Catholic sinking their differences and bringing mission in Tientsin was destroyed, and their united prestige to overoome the sisters, priests, and a French consul remaining barriers in the way of the were murdered by the populace, led on propagation of tbeir common faith. by an ex-general of the Chinese army. That faith, if accepted, was sure to ef- The minds of the people had been prefect a social revolution; if rejected and pared by the dissemination of false rupersecuted, it would as certainly em- mors, and when they were wrought up broil China with foreign powers. to the required point, the local manda· rins stood aloof. Since that date there No wonder the mandarins hesitated have been twenty or more anti-foreign before consenting to legalize an import (not all anti-mission) riots of sufficient of such a dangerous character. That magnitude to be visible across the seas, they decided as they did is onlyexplica- cUlminating in the massacre at Kucheng ble by the dilemma in which they were (or Hwasang) and the temporary expulplaced. Might not the foreigners, if sion of missionaries of all persuasions refused, turn to the insurgents in Nan- from the great province of Szechuen. king, with whom they were supposed These occurrences have created an imto have a strong bond of sympathy? pression on the mind of a public not " We are aware," said the mandarins very well informed on such matters, (I recall their very words, having acted that for our Government to back up as interpreter on that occasion), "that the missionaries by affording protection the long-haired rebels are professors of or exacting redress is equivalent to your honorable religion, and we will forcing our religion on an unwilling not deny that our emperor intended to people. But is it forcing our religion prohibit it, but out of respect for the on them to protect our missionaries any four great powers he has decided to more than it is forcing our commerce grant your request." on them to protect our merchants? And are the people unwilling to have Again it was to the French that our missionaries live among them? If they missionaries were indebted for the most wel'e we should have had to chronicle important extension of their privileges. more than a score of riota in the last The English and American treaties se- quarter of a century_ One a year in a cured to them the right of travel and country of such extent, and with a sojourn in the interior, but a clause in missionary force of above two thouthe French t.reaty (found only in the sand, is no proof of popular ill will, but Chinese text) conceded to Roman Catho- rather the reverse. In most places the lics the right of permanent residence- people are well disposed, and they coni.e., of holding property and building tinue so until they are stirred up by a ' houses. 'Two other measures in the clique of designing men belonging to way of removing obstacles deserve to the literary and official classes. The be mentioned in this connection. in bath tactics of this party are always the of which French ministers have taken same. They begin by the circulation the lead. The first is the withdrawal of false rumors, and then persuade the from local officials of any right to inter- local magistrates to refuse protection in fere to prevent the sale of property for the hour of need. mission purposes, the other fitly crowns the glorious series by an edict ordering The concocting of rumors and their the expunging from the books of all diffusion in printed form is the special prohibitory laws or mandates directed work of a tract society which claims against Christianity. the credit of acting from patriotic mo- tives. Patriotism of their type consists 4. A distinct stage in the recent his- not merely in opposing missionaries, tory of the China missions has been the but in antagonizing everything foreign. systematic attempt to snuff them out by mob violence. On this phase they It was, in fact, in full operation before in 1894, a lady doctor saw a. coolie a Protestant missionary had set foot on struck with the plague, and took steps Chinese soil. Dr. Williams says, in his to remove him to her hospital. In- "Middle Kingdom," "For a hundred stantly she was made the target for a and forty years prior to 1842 a leading shower of stones, and escaped not withgrievance was the annual posting (at out serious bruises. The mob, believed Canton) of placards by the mandarins that foreigners were spreading the charging all foreigners with abominable plague, and that this good woman incrimes." If missionaries suffer more tended to use the plague-smitten coolie than others, it is not because animosity for that diabolical purpose. On the is specially directed against them, but Yangtse-kiang several anti-foreign riots because they are more exposed. were occasioned by resentment at the monopolizing of trade by foreign steam· A few years ago an Indian policeman ers. "Vheu the new port of Chungon guard at the British consulate in king was opened the ,mandarins moved Cheu Keang struck a native, and in heaven and earth to prevent steamers half an hour the whole foreign settle- going there, but they made no special ment was in flames, the members of the effort to keep out missionaries. foreign community, including the consul and his wife, having barely time to For some of the more recent riots the escape to a steamer. The only foreign war with Japan is partly chargeable. house left standing belonged to a mis- It was the operations of the Japanese sionary. It was overlooked because it in Formosa which prepared the vegewas away from the center of excite- tarians for the atrocities'at Kucheng. ment. Last year at Ichang a Chinese And in Szechuen at the time of the outin foreign employ accidentally wound- break a placard was posted charging the ed a petty official by the discharge of mIssIonaries, English, French, and an air-gun_ A tumult immediately American, with sympathy with Japan, arose, and nothing but the landing of a and calling on them to" drive the Japancontingent from a gunboat saved the ese back to their own country if they lives of the foreign community. Such wished to be allowed to preach their cases might be multiplied indefinitely, doctrines." In the last-named provshowing that all foreigners are living ince the viceroy telegraphed to Peking on a volcano, which when its blind that two children were found on the fury bursts forth takes no pains to dis- mission premises who had been drugged tinguish between factory and church, by foreigners to render them insensible, or even between one nationality and and that the visible proof of that atroanother. cious crime had excited the populace beyond control. It is a satisfaction to The most innocent or benevolent ac- add that this viceroy was, on the detion may unchain this frightful force_ mand of the British minister, degraded A new missionary went on to the street for his share in organizing the attack leading a small boy by the hand. Jn a on the missions. few minutes a mob gathered, and he was beaten nearly to death. Another All experience shows that to deal missionary stooped to pick up a child with such cases with promptness and that had stumbled and fallen. He was vigor is the best way to prevent their set upon, and but for the timely arrival recurrence. Had not the French minof a magistrate (a rare occurrence that ister been hindered from doing so in deserves to be noted) his church would 1870 by the fall of Napoleon III., he have been torn down over his head. certainly would have inflicted condign In both cases the missionary was sup- punishment on the guilty city, and we posed to have bewitched the child, or should bave had no more such riot$. to be about to pick its eyes out to make photograpbic medicines. In Canton, To the credit of the Chinese Govern- ment be it said, the emperor has issued two very fair edicts, and many manda- the weekly as well as the daily press rins have put out favorable proclamations with a view to the prevention of has given IJ,mplc space to the occurriots. These documrnts are, at least, useful for missionaries to quote as tes· renee, we deem it well to put within timouy in their favor, but thc time has not come for Western nations to entrust reach of our readers, in this more perthe protection of their ciiizcns, morchant or missionary, entirely to the manent record for future reference, the good will of the Chinese Government. If the hostile. party in China desires to address of the officers of the conjoined have foreign powers withdraw their gunboats, their tactics are as lllucll at missionary societies to the "Prime fault as were those of the North Wind when he undertouk to compel a travel· Minister" cf the Chinese Empire, and er to take off his cloak by blowing GUO of his fiercest blasts. his response, without comment on Through all this period and in spite either. The address of the Boards was of all this opposition the expansion of the missionary work has been very re- prepared by Dr. Ellinwood.-[J. T. G.] markable. In place of the threescore Protestant missionaries whom I found ADDRESS 0]<' THE MISSIONARY REPREin China at my arrival, there are now in the field over two thousand. In lieu SEN'l'ATIVES. of the one hundred native Christians in 1850, there are now not far from a hun- To His l!,xceUency, Li Hung Ohang, dred thousand. Grand Secreta'l'y and Special Amba8- sarloI' of His .il1ajesty, the Emperor of The services rendered by mis2iona· Ohina: ries in the preparation of books of sci· ence and the education of youth, as Among the thousands of our countrywell as in healing the diseases of the men who are seeking opportunHy to do people and introdncing a better system honor to you and your august sover· of medical practioe, are highly appreci· eign. we. the representatives of various ated by the more enlightened officials. hoards and societies engaged in Chris- That illuminated circle is daily widen·, tian missions in China, beg leave to pre:' jng, and with God's blessing, a;} which sent to you our most hearty greetings, everything depends. we may count, Itt and to assure you of the profound reo no distant date, on the whole body of spect which we cherish toward that mandarins changing their policy and great and illustrious empire which you encouraging the work of missions as so worthily represent. For the last the best hope for the uplifting of their fifty years the missionaries of thEse people. boards have been favored with the pro- tection of your government, and we are Li Hung Ohang and the Missionary frank to say that in no nation of the Representatives. world have American missi()naries re- ceived more jnst and even generous The presence in our midst of thc ac· treatment thnn that accorded to our knowledged foremost statesman of missionaries hy the imperial govern- Eastern Asia was made the ocoasion of ment :>f China. a formal exchange of courtesies between him and representatives of the It is remarkable how very few of our several foreign missionary societies in missionaries, out of the muny hundreds New York City, September 1st. Tho who have lived in China, have lost their lives throllgh violence, and we re- call no instance in which such casual· ties have occurred with the sanclion or cven connivance of your government. On the contrary. there have been many instances in Which local officials, who have been remiss in affording proper protection, have suffered punishment for their neglect. We take special pleasure in paying thi~ tribute to the justice and humanity shown by that august power whiGh you have the honor to represent.
We remember with lively gratitude the various edicts and proclamations whioh have lwen issued by the imperial government direct, or by the various subordinatc officials, not only enjoining projection to our missionaries, but as- suring thc people of their peaceable in- tenUous and the disinterested character of their work. A very remarkable edict of this kind Was issued in the Mencius, and others. It was a mission- ary who translated the Confucian clasyear 1891, in the name of his august sics into our language, and others have set forth their just merits in many a majesty, the emperor, and within the publication for American readers. We have not hesitated to exprGss our adlast year proclamations issued in the miration for the stability of your gov- ernment and institutions, the principles same spirit have been made by the pre- of filial reverence and domestic order on which your institutions rest, the adfects of Paotingfu. of Ichowfu, of the mirable rogul:1tion which bases politi· cal preferment not upon the snccess of Nanking district, and by the Taoutai partisan power or "kill, bnt upon COlIl- petiti ve merit, of Kiurigchow, in Hainan. It is ex- We believe that in many of these tremel y gratifying to observe that at things we may well profit by your ex- ample, and, on the other hand, our the prese:it time the disinterested spirit only motive in offering to your people our medical and cducational systems and labor of our missiouaries seem to and the great and salutary tcachmgs of our Christian faith is our d(~ep com'icbe better understood and more thor- tion that they will prove 11 blessing.
oughly appreciated than ever before. 'Vhile wo send missionaries to China, we are not nnmindful of our duty to We recall mauy kindly expressions those of your people who havo come to our own shores. They have in many uttered by yourself and others of the instances been rudely treated by cer- tain classes among us, mostly immiappreciation with which you regard grants from other lands, but OUI' Chris- tian people have uniformly shown them our educational work, the services of kindness. They ha ve boen gathered in- to Sunday-schools and evening schools; missional"ies, both men aud womeu, in their rights have been defended in the courts, and many times have depthe hospitals and dispensaries, and the utations from the missionary boards and other benev;:,lent societies petiself-denying efforts put forth by mis- tioned 0111' Government in the interest of just legislation for the Chinese. sionaries in the distribution of relief in Wore you to visit our Pacific coast time of famine. . you would observe with interest the homes and refuges which, with the co- On 0;11' part we have been conscious operation of the Chinese consul general, the Christir.n women of that coast have from the fi,zt of only the most disinter- provided for unfortunate Chinese girls who have been sold into the most deested motives. Our missionaries have basing slavery. We believe that all these best impillses of philanthropy not sought for pecuuiary gains at the which lead our people to forget aU di- visions of nationality and of race, and hands of your people; they have not to stretch out their arms in true brot.h- erhood to your people, whether here or been secret emissaries of diplomatic in China, are the direct fruit of the teachings of the Dii"irre Fcunder of schemes; their labors have had no po- Christianity_ Having through the in- fiuence of Christbn faith received so litical significance; they have only de- rich an inheritauce of blessing, we feel constrained, ill gmtitnde to God, to resired to communicate good. We are gard o:ll'sel7es as debtors to all men.
frank to say that while our work has For this reason we stri ve to proclaim in all lands the knowledge of our Di, aimed to relieve suffering and to im- vine Teaclwl' find only Savior, Jesus prove th'1 minds of the yonng by edu- Christ.
cation, we have been moveu by still In closing_ permit ns to express anew the satisfadion which we have felt in higher considerations.. We do not be- being permitted to nieet your excellieve that religion is a thing of ethnic lency, and to thank you for your're- peated kindnesses to our missionaries, limitati!)!ls, but that whatever of truth the great Author of our being has made known (0 men of any nation is the rightful heritage of mankind; and that as matter of natural and imperative obligation thOS8 who believe that they have received the truth arc bound to make it known to others. If it is of advantage to mankind that the com- merce of material interests amI of ideas in science or philosophy shall be pro- moted, we deem it still more important that free intercommuniclltiOll shall be accorded to those greatest of all truths which concern the immortal destinies of men. And it is with great satisfac- tion that we have learned of the assur- ance which you gave some months since to an American bishop, that the medical and educational work of our missionaries would continue to be wel- comed and protected in ChilUl. Indeed, you have for many y~ars given abundant proofs of your generous spirit in this regard.
We have endeavored toO prosecute our work in a comteous and appreciative spirit. Our most intelligeut missiona- ries have always shown great respect for those illustrious sages, Confucius, We thank the great Father of mankind As for intellect, you have started that He has so long spared your life in numerous educational establishments the midst of many perils; that He has which have served as the best means permitted you to be of such eminent to enable our countrymen to acquire a service to your country in many trying fair knowledge of the modern arts and emergencies, which few men of any sciences of the West. As for the mate- nation could have met with such great rial part of our constitution, your soci- ability and success. eties have started hospitals and dispen- And we commend you to His care as saries to save not only the souls.. but you return to your distant home, where also the bodies of our countrymen. I you will enjoy the consciousness that have also to add that in the time of not only your countrymen, but all famine in some of the provinces you mankind unite in honoring your name. have done your best to the greatest THE VICEROY'S REPLY. number of the sufferers to keep their bodies and souls together_ Gentlemen: It affords me great pleas- Before I bring my reply to a concluure to acknowledge the grateful wel- sion, I have only two things to mention.
come to this country offered to me by The first, that opium smoking, being you as the representatives of various a great curse to the Chinese population, boards and societies who have engaged your societies have done their best, not in China in exchanging ideas of the only as anti-opium societies, but to greatest of all truths which concern the afford the best means to stop the crav- immortal destinies of man. In the ing for the opium; and also you re- name of my august master, the Em- ceive none as your converts who are peror of China, I beg to tender to you opium smokers. his best thanks for your approval and I have to tender, in my own name, appreciation for the protection afforded my best thanks for your most effective to the American missionaries in China. prayers to God to spare my life when it What we have done and the little we was imperiled by the assassin's bullet, have done on our part is nothing but and for your most kind wishes, which the duty of our government; while you have just now so ably expressed in the missionaries, as you have so ably the interests of my sovereign, my counexpressed, have not sought for pecu- try, and people.
niary gains at the hands of our people; they have not been secret emissaries of DR. S. L. BALDWIN'S ADDRESS TO LI diplomatic suhames; their labors have HUNG CHANG.
no political significance; and last, not The ex-United States ministers to least, if I might be permitted to add, they have not interfered with or China gave a dinner to Li Hung Chang usurped the rights of the territorial au- at the Waldorf Hotel, New York City, thorities. In a philosophical point of view, as August 29th. Among the speakers was Rev. Dr. S. L. Baldwin, of the far as I have been enabled to appreciate, Ohristianity does not differ much Methodist Episcopal Board, who spoke from Confucianism, as the Golden Rule in behalf of the missionary body. His is expressed in a positive form in one, while it is expressed in the negative address was as follows: form in the other. Logically speaking Illustrious Sir: I am sure that all whether these two forms of expressing this company of former residents of the same truth cover exactly the same Ohina count this a red-letter day in our ground or not, I leave it to the investi- lives, because we are permitted to wel- gations of those who have more philo- come as a guest the leading statesman sophical tastes. It is at the present and one of the highest officials of the enough to conclude that there exists Middle Kingdom-one whom our own'
not much difference between the wise honored and beloved Grant placed sayings of the two greatest teachers, on among the first three statesmen of the the foundations of which the whole world.
structure of the two systems of moral- Personally, I feel it to be a great ity is built. As man is composed of privilege to represent the missionary soul, intellect, and body, I highly ap- body in your honored presence. 'fwen- preciate that your eminent boards, in ty-oue years oC my life were spent in your ardu'lus and much·esteemed work your countrv, but Dr_ Martin has spent in the ~eld of Ohina, have neglected forty-six years there, and Dr. Blodget none of the three. I need not say much over forty years; and here is Dr. Speer, about the filst, being an unknowable who went out to Canton fifty years mystery of which our great Confucius ago, and Dr. White, who went to Foo- choW !Ol;ty-nine :rear~ ago. Veterans, had only a partial knowledge.. indeed, every way worthy of the honors numbered by hundreds, show their your country is accustomed to bestow fidelity in this department of useful ser- vice, while Dr. Legge's monumental upon venerable men. We found one of the favorite proverbs work in the translation of your ancient among your people, "All within the classics into the English tongue is only four seas are brethren," and we are one great example among many minor glad to testify that we have experienced ones of the work gladly done in giving much kind and brotherly treatment the best thoughts of your great men to from the Chinese, showing their hearts the nations of the West. to be in accordance with their proverb. The work of Protestant missions has We gladly entered on the study of increased until there are over 400 male the writings of your great teachers, and missionaries, nearly that number of thtl could not do otherwise than to pro- wives of missionaries, and about 500 foundly revere the great sage, Con- unmarried lady missionaries. And in fucius, who twenty-five hundred years the Protestant churches there are over ago said: .. What you do not wish 60,000 communicants. In the day done to yourselves, do not do to others" schools, boarding-schools, and colleges (Analects, book 15, chapter 23). Our there are over 40,000 pupils, perhaps cordial assent was given to the words equally divided between the two sexes. of Mencius: " The superior man does There are 100 male and 50 female phynot set his mind either for or against sicians, 150 male native medical stu- anything; what is right he will fol- dents and 30 fema.Ie students, 71 hospilow" (book 4, chapter 11). tals treating many thousandtl of patients, We were glad to find very many of and the physicians attending yet other the teachings of your great sages in ex· thousands at their homes, and 111 dis- act accord with thuse of Jesus of Naza- pensaries, in which over 223,000 pa- reth, whose words recorded in the New tients are treated. About $70,000 was Testament were received with such spent in this medical work last year. gracious satisfaction by your great em- We desire to express to your excelpress dowager, when presented to her lencyour grateful appreciation of your by the Christian women of China on action on frequent occasions in insisting that the rights guaranteed to Ohrisher sixtieth birthday. I think I may truthfully claim for tians by the treaty should be secured to my brother missionaries four things: them, and in enforcing the law against 1. That they have always been the those who violate it in this respect. sincere friends of the Chinese people. Your government in the treaty of 1858 They have sought to benefit and bless said: "The principles of the Christian them, to help them to true and unselfish religion are recognized as teaching men lives. and to promote in every way to do good and to do to others as they their physical, mental, and moral well- would have others do to them; here- after those who quietly profess and being. 2. That they have been stedfast foes teach these doctrines shall not be har- of the opium traffic. They have thrown assed or persecuted on account of their the whole weight of their influence faith." You have stedfastly stood by against it, and have urged their govern- this article of the treaty, giving Vhris- ments to leave China entirely free to tians the protection promised, seeking abolish it. Could they have their way, to deal justly with them as with all there never would be another ounce of other classes of EUbjects.
it imported. We remember with gratitude your 3. They have been teachers of loyaltr earnest and burning words against the to the government. They teach that It opium traffic, and your declaration to is the duty of all Christians to be sub- the Anglo-Oriental society for the supject to the supreme authority of the pression of the opium trade: .. If it be country, to use all laudable means to thought that China countenances the enj:)in obedience to the powers that be, import for the revenue it brings, it and to behave themselves as peaceable should be known that my government and loyal subjects. will /!ladly give over all such revenue 4. They have done efficient work in in order to stop the import of opium. the diffusion of knowledge and in pro- My sovereign has never desired his emmotin~ general education. The works pire to thrive on the lives or infirmities on anLhmetic, geometry, mechanics, of his subjects ;" and we are only too algebra, astronomy, and other sciences, sorry for the truth of your olher words, such as those translated by Alexander that on this opium question" England Wylie, the medical works of Dr. Hob- and China can never meet on common son and those who followed him, Dr. ground; China viewS' the whole ques- Martin's translation of Wheaton's" In- tion from a moral standpoint, Eniland ternational J..IlW," and other works now from Il fiscal, " We hope you will continue to teach PROGRESS IN INDIA.-Rev. H. F.
Christianity to Christendom by viewing Laflamme, of the CaD8.da Baptist Mis- this and other great questions from a sion in India, sends us the following moral standpoint. memoraudum of some of the changes We rejoice that a treaty between which have taken place in India: your government and ours prohibits " In India the special saving work our citizens from carrying on any of God is indicated in the dired addi· traffic in opium in your empire, and tions to the Christian Church. In 1891 pray that the day may soon come when the communicants numbered one quar- other nations will join in like treaties ter of a million. The Christia.n com- and help to lift this curse from your munity, which includes the adherents fair land. as well, had leaped forward in ten years We remember your grateful expres· by an increase of 32 per cent. and now sions to Dr. Leonora Howard after her number about eight hundred thousand faithful and successful treatment of in all Iudia.
your beloved wife, your establishment "The general saving work of the of a hospital at Tientsin, and your Gospel indicated its power mnch more hearty and contiuued interest in the widely than these comparatively small medical work of the missions. direct resn11 s, in the great reforms We recognize with ~ratitude your wrought in India by government inter- kind interest in the educational work and vention in respouse to the peroistent agi- ~Tour friendship for aU enlighten"d and tation and petition of the Christian mis- judicious efforts in behalf of progress. sionary. I might quote Dr. John Wil- And we do not forget that When you son's list, drawn up twenty years ago, were lying on a bed of pain, your liCe of the horrors and iniquhies removed imperiled by an assassin's bullet, and by government, and add that list might the Christians of Nagoya sent you a be greatly enlarged if the Indian mis- message of sympathy, you commis- sionaries should care to do so, from sioned your son, his excellency Li Ching their knowledge of reforms effected Fong, to say to them for yourself: within the last score of years.
" He is deeply moved by the sentiments " The list includes the abolition of: of kindly solicitude for his welfare ex- 1. The murder of parents: (a) By sut- pressed in your address. and feels that tee; (b) by exposure on river banks; the prayers you have offered for his re- (c) by burial alive. II. Murder of chil- covery cannot be- unheard by the Power dren : (a) By dedication tu the Ganges, who controls human destinies. He be- there to be devoured by crocodiles; lieves that his life has been spared for (b) by Rajput infanticide. III. Human some wise purpose beyond the capacity sacrifices: (a) Temple sacrifices; (b) by of m~n to fathom; but he will veuture wild hill tribes. IV. Suicides: (a) to interpret his good fortune as an indi- Crnshing by idol cars; (b) devotees cation that his life's work is not yet drowning themselves in rivers; (c) dev- complete, that he may yet do some otees casting themselves from preci- good iu the world, and perhaps render pices ; (d) leaping into wells-widows; service to his country by endeavoring (e) by 'fraga. V. Voluntary torment: to restore peace and good will where (a) By hook swinging; (b) by thigh strife now prevails." piercing; (e) by tongue extraction; We joined in those prayers ; we be- (d) by falling on knives; (e) by aus- lieve you have rightly interpreted the terities. VI. Involuntary torment: Divine purpose in sparing your life. (a) Barbarous executions; (b) mutilation We hope that your visit to this coun- of criminals; (e) extraction of evidence try; is to be a factor of importance in by torture; (d) bloody and injurious or- rounding out your complete life of deals; (e) cutting off noses of women.
faithful service to your country, to the VII. Slavery: (a) Hereditary predial world, and to God. And I am sure slavery; (b) domestic slavery; (e) Afri- that everyone here present will join iu cau slavery. VIII. Extortions: (a) By'
the prayer that When your suu shall Dharaml ; (b) by Traga. IX. Religious sink behind the western hills- far dis- intoler:mce' (a) Prevention of propaga- tant be the day I-it may illuminate the tion of Christiauity; (b) calling on sky with the brilliant reflection of a Christian soldiers to fire salutes at well-spent life, full of deeds that have heathen festivals; (c) saluting gods on blessed mankind. When that time official papers; (d) managing affairs of comes tears of regret will fall in all the idol t2mples. X. Support of caste by nations of the earth, and your name law: (a) Exclnsion of low castes from will be permanently enshrined as offices; (b) exemption of high castes .. One of the few,'the immortal names from appearing to give evidence; (c) That were not born to die." disparagement of low caste."
FIELD OF MONTHLY SUHVEY
III.-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
South Amerioa,* Frontier Missions,t Mormonism.t SOUTH AMERICAN MISSIONS. man Catholic priests. English and The Venezuelan boundary dispute Dutch Guiana are the only countries has brought South America into unusual prominence of late in the politi- on this Continent in which the light of cal world, but the Continent as a whole is still to most of the residents of Eng- the Gospel shines freely and brightly. land and America an unknown as well as a neglected continent. The charac- The great majority of the people are ter of the country, the condition of the people, and even the number and size under the control of an ignorant and of its republics, -are as yet unfamiliar subjects to the majority of even cul- licentious priesthood, while many of tured Christian people. It is the duty of every Chrbtian to become acquaint- the educated classes have turned from ed at least with the religious state of the people in all q11arters of the globe, Romanism to skepticism. and to consider whether or not they are included among the" nations" to The Romish priests show something whom Christ would have the Gospel preached. of their character in the statements The Spanish-American republics have with which they regale their flocks in one by oue proclaimed liberty of consciencc, until now throughout the Con- regard to Protestants and Protestantism. tinent governmental opposition is nominally, at least, at an end_ Ecuador, the The following is a translation of an arlast to proclaim this freedom, has just been entered by three Protestant mis· ticle by a priest printed in a Roman sionaTies, so that there is now no country in which there is not some Protestant Catholic paper in Peru. It may give worker. But together with Bolivia and Peru, Ecuador still denies freedom some idea of the need which exists for of worship, and in none of these republics is a Protestant free from the the introduction of the pure Gospel opposition and persecution of the Ro- into these lands which are now domi- * See also pp. 518 (.July) ; 829 (present issue). nated by a papal paganism.* Recent Articles: "Caracas," Harper' 8 (December); "Peru," Westmin8ter Review (Decem- " For some time there has been sown ber); "The Venezuelan Question," Review qf in our unfortnnate soil, without let or Reviews (December); .. Guiana and its People," hindrance, the evil seeds of rotten, Fortnightly Review (February). New Book: worm-eaten Protestantism, cursed in "Venezuela," W. E. Curtis. all parts and almost ostracized in its own cradle. t See p. 729 (October). The article on this subject which was promised for this issue of " We did not believe that the fatal the REVIEW has not come to hand. Recent Ar- seed of the heretic Luther would flour- ish in the country of Santa Rosa., waticles: Ohurch at Hmne and Abroad (montbly) ; tered by the sweat of the apostles of Toribio, Francisco Solano, and many The Home Missionary (monthly). New Book: other men of eminent holiness, hut be- "The Minute-Man on the Frontier," W. G. hold, not only has it germinated, but, as the thorns of the Gospel, it intends *Puddefoot. to choke the seed of the true religion See allio p. 807 (present iSlilue). (Roman Catholie) sown by the Divine husbadtn'ln Jesus Christ.
"Protestantism has already estab- lished three temples in Lima and two in Callao, with seven mixed schools in the last-named city, in which, as in all other synagogues of Satan, there is taught a Protestantism dressed in all the colors that it has acquired during the time, and in the various places of its three centuries of anarchical career, to present itself always as a hungry wolf in the guise of an inoffensive lamb.
"Until now little good lIas been ef- fected by the means used against it. Let the result of these trifles be what * From The Land of the Incas, Lima, Peru. they may. it is certain that something tants are, speaking generally, given up must be done by the authorities; not to dissolu.t~.ness, to thieving, to murder, the civil, for they do not care, altho the and to slllclde, as may be seen by their devil has his own way, but the ecclesi· statistics. . . .
astical, of whom the Supreme Judge "Altho they try to hide their perwill ask a strict account of each soul verse maxims, from their lips escape caught in the nets of Protestantism." sufficient blasphemies to identify.them The majority of Christians speak -they are always blaspheming God, leniently of Romanism and its adher- Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin, and the ents. They may like to know the kind saints. • . . of Church history that is being taught "It is the most convenient religion in the world, because the Protestants have no fixed belief, no commandments, in Peru and other papal countries. nor sacraments, nor abstinences, nor The following is translated from a fasts. Protestantism has been invented to the taste of the passions and the corbook written by a Jesuit priest, which is ruption of the heart." circulated in Italian and Spanish.speak- ing countries to guard their people Such statements reveal clearly the against Bible agents, missionaries, and character of the priests and the ideas evangelists.* It is called a "Cate- which many Romanists have of Protes- chism of Protestantism, for the Use of tantism. By defaming another church, the People" : they seek to overlook their own cor- "The words Protestant and Protes- ruption. tantism are used to signify . • . the re- The population of South America is bellion of certain proud men against about 37,000,000, distributed as fol· Jesus Christ, the founder of the lows:* Venezuela, more than nine times as large as England and Wales, two Church. . . . and a half times larger than Germany " The worst of it is, their doctrinc is (area, 566,059 square miles), with a absurd in theory and immoral in practice-a doctrine that highly offends the Divine honor, degrades man, is highly dangerous to society. and contrary to population of 2,234,385, has only seven right feeling and shame. missionaries.
" As these [doctrines] flatter the pas- Oolombia, larger than the total area sions of man, especially pride, the lust of Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Greece, of the flesh, and the 1011e of money, Roumania, the Orange Free State, Bulthey immediately had for disciples all garia, Servia, Switzerland, and Belgium those who wished to gratify their lusts; (area, 504,773 square miles), more than and even those who become Protestants three times as large as all Japan, has now and abandon Catholicism are far from being anything good. 4,000,000 people, and only three mis- " 'rhe majority of them were lovers of women, of rapine, and anxious for sionary stationE of the American Presemployments in the new sect. Nearly byterian Church.
all had a bad end, as did their masters: Ecuador has until the last few months some of remorse, others of desperation, had no missionary. and at present has and others committed suicide, after a only three men who may even now have life more or less miserable. been expelled from· the country. Quito, its capital, the highest city in the world, "Luther's end was the most disas· trous of the enemies of God and the Church. After having passed the last with 30,000 souls; Guayaquil, its prinday of his life in the midst of a splendid orgie, between buffoonery and cipal commercial center, and all its laughter, was attacked at night by 1,220,000 inhabitants scattered over an apoplexy and died impenitent. area twice as large as Great Britain and " Calvin died in despair. of a shame- Ireland, are wholly unevangelized as ful disease, eaten up by worms, blaspheming God and calling on the yet, unless ceremonial can save, and devil. . • • the wafer-god be Divine.
"As regards morality, the Protes- Peru, with i~ 3,000,000 people, its * From Peru, an occasional record of Gospel * Revised from the South American. Messen- work. ger.
A GROUP OF AYMARA IXDIANS, LAKE TITICACA
ISM.l FIELD oF' MONTHLY SURVEY
650 schools, its magnificent railways, native workers in Brazil, Bolivia, Chili, well-equipped army and navy, and Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argen- world·famed products of bark, silver, tina; the Methodist Episcopal Church and guano, has but twel ve missionaries (South), the Protestant Episcopal within its borders. India has one mis- Church, Southern Baptist Convention, sionary to every 165,000 souls; Peru, and Southern Presbyterian Church twelve missionaries to 3,000,000. have missions in Brazil; the Presbyte- Boli'Dia, an enormous inland State, rian Church (North) has missions in with a government modeled, like all Brazil, Chili, and Colombia; the South the South American republics, on the American Evangelical Mission is send· Constitution of the United States, ~ith ing missionaries to Venezuela, Bolivia, nearly 2,300,000 souls, has received and Argentina, and the Kansas Gospel only passing visits from colporteurs of Union has just sent three men to Ecu- the noble American Bible Society, but ador. From Great Britain, the Mora- has as yet no resident missionary. vians, Society for the Propagation of Brazil, which is larger than the whole the Gospel, the Wesleyans, Plymouth of the United States (area over 3,000,000 Brethren, and the London Missionary square miles), has over 14,000,000 peo- Society have missionaries in Guiana; ple, not more than 2,000,000 of whom the Salvation Army in Argentina and can possibly hear the Gospel from Prot· Uruguay; the South A.merican Mis- estant missionaries there working; thus sionary Society in Chili, Argentina, leaving over 12',000,000 in Brazil alone Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. The wholly unevallgelized. American Bible Society has had agents OMU is foremost of all the republics at work in every republic, while the In intelligence and enterprise. She British and Foreign Bible Society has possesses nearly 13,000 miles of tele- been at work in Brazil, Argentina, graphic lines, and nearly 1000 element- Chili, Peru, and Guiana. The Scotch ary schools. Its popUlation is 3,300,- Presbyterians are laboring iu Argen- 000, including 500,000 Indians, scat- tina. There are also some independent tered through a beautiful country, workers in Chili, Argentina, Peru, and whose climate is one of the finest in the Brazil. There are reported altogether world. The entire staff of workers in 98 men and 120 women from the United Chili number about 61. States, and 114 men and 94 women Argentine Republic has a population from Great Britain: a total of 426 mis· of more than 4,000,000. Thousands of sionaries increased by 10 missionaries Europeans have settled on its prairie from the West Indies at work in ranches. but the bulk of thE) popUlation Guiana. Of these 226 are in Guiana is Indian and half-caste, 3,000,000 of and Brazil. The Protestant converts the 4,000,000 being non-European. To number about 100,000, of whom over reach 'this host there are about 65 mis· 70,000 are in Guiana.
sionaries. Mr. A. R. Stark, of the Peruvian Paraguay, about the size of Great lfission, sends us the following com· Britain, has a population of only about munication in regard to the spread of 400,000, having been greatly reduced the Gospel i1~ Peru: by internal wars. There is one mis- "During the past twelve months sionary to 80,000 people. Peru has been traversed by missionaries Uruguay, the smallest of the South and colporteurs, north, east, and south American States, with a population of from its center, Lima, and we find that 750,000, has but two mission stations. the people are docile, and not only gJad· ly listen to the Gospel, but many will As to societies engaged in the work spend their last cent in purchasing a of the evangelization of South America, Bible. It is soul-stirring to see many from the United States the Methodist Episcnnlll Ghurc.-,h has missionaries and of these poor people living in miserable bamboo-cane huts, searching every cor- ner of their rude dwellings to tind a. few cents with which they may obtain from Sicuani, and, lastly, the burning at least a portion of the Scriptures. of Bibles and expUlsion of colporteUls There are, however, discouragements from San Miguel. One by one these and difficulties to meet. Through the steps are destined to brtak the power influence of pnestcraft four men have of religious tyranny, hasten the downbeen expelled from different towns, and fall of corrupted priestcraft, and are another has had his Bibles burnt. Yet preparing the way for the spread of the we are convinced that the time is op- glorious Gospel.
portune for evangelizing. The great " Perplexing as the outlook may be, difficulties we encounter in the evan- a foundation for the Gospel, deep and gelization of Peru lie in the opposition solid, is being laid, with such a strength from dominant priestcraft; these re- that no power shall be able to over- cent events show that priestcraft is pre- throw. The living, transforming Word pared to make a desperate struggle to of God is being scattered in this idola- maintain its dominancy. trous land. In many homes it is being "Perhaps few full, understand the read, and may we not believe that it position of the missIOnary in Peru. will make many wise unto salvation?
The national constitution in its Article The more we comprehend the situation IV. declares that' the nation professes the more profoundly are we convinced the Roman Catholic religion, the State that Peru's deepest need is not more protects it, and does not permit the education or civilization, but living public exercise of any other.' There witnesses who will carry the living is, however, a clause under Article IV. Word of God into the homes and hearts which defines public worship and opens of the people. Nothing can take its a way for the private exercise of it. place in uprooting the super8tition, the True, it is ambiguous, but that there is cold indifference, and the widespread no law against propaganda or private infidelity, and in introducing rigllteous- worship was made evident in the case of ness and peace and justice. If Paul's Rev. F. Penzotti, of the American Bible heart was stirred by seeing the idolatry Society, who was tried for the supposed of Athens, should not ours be stirred illegality of worship and propaganda. by the fact that the whole country, The trial was carried through all the yea, the whole Continent, is • wholly grades of tribunals, including the Su- given to idolatry' ? "
preme Court of the nation, no law being found under which he could be con- Rev. lf. E. Caldwell writes from demned. This took place in 1890-91. Colombia that the people are practi- That case settled the fact that there was no law against propaganda or pri- cally without the Gospel, without God, vate worship, and now that the Su- and without hope either for this life or preme Government of Peru has offered the world to come. He says: to indemnify us for the outrage we suf- fered in Cuzco, it is made more evident. " We never find anyone here who has " It has been interesting to notice the any clear conception of salvation effect of the ejection of the missionaries through faith in Christ unless he has from the ancient capital of the Incas. first come in contact with some Chris- It has stirred up the public mind on re- tian teacher. The Gospel is not ligious subjects more than anl other preached by the priests to their people.
event since the imprisonment 0 Senor .. These poor people either expect to Penzotti; it has opened the eyes of save themselves or to be saved by the many, as never before, to the abuses of priests. With the devout people of the Romanism, and it has led some repre- Romish Church here, the priest, how- sentatives of the Lower House to con- ever immoral he may be, stands in the sider the advisability of reforming the place of Christ to His people, and is constitution in favor of liberty of wor- lord of their conscience and the hope ship. . . , If the fires of Smithfield of their eternal salvation.
led to the emancipation of England "The fruits of Romanism in this from papal sway, what shall we say of country are simply terriLle. Accord- the eight months' imprisonment of iilg to the latle Spanish paper (conserva- Senor Penzotti in Casa Mata, Callao; tive), El Heraldo, of Bogota, the births the riots in Cocacha6ra, when two col- which occurred during one month in porteurs were on the eve of being Bogota were as follows: stonell to death; the burning of the Bibles, and narrow escape of the men Boys, legitimate children .•.. " 52 from Ayachcho; the ejection of the Girls, legitimate children.•…. 57 first two Protestant missionaries from Boys, illegitimate children. . . .. 42 Ouzeo i the banishment of a. colporteur Girls, illegitimate children. . . .• 41 "In the country and smaller towns ders of priests have found this a very the case is far worse. Undoubtedly far more than one half, perhaps three hotbed, and have preyed upon the poor Iourths. of all the native population in Colombia are of illegitimate birth." people until the whole land has, in a The sordid, selfish, money-getting measure. been made desolate before cbaracter of the papal priests in their dealings with their poverty-stricken man and God. It is now hoped, howparishioners is shown by the fact that the Archbishop of Santiago, Chili, re- ever, that liberty of conscience and of cently inserted an advertisement in the papers stating that because of the bad worship will soon be proclaimed. state of public finance it would be needful to raise the whole scale of church Ecuador lies directly under the equarates. Prices for masses and for funer- tor, and extends north and south from als and for baptisms, and for the whole Colombia to Peru about 400 miles, and list of stock in trade, would be ad- east and west f!'Om the Pacific to the vanced 50 per cent. Iudulgences cost western lands of Brazil 700 miles. It double now. "Bulas" or "Bulls" contains eleven provinces, and 118,630 granting permission to eat meals cost square miles. The coast land is low, double. Masses have gone up. It costs and probably quite unhealthy, but eastmore now to get through tickets to ward the surface soon rises until the heaven than before. Indeed, the valley of Quito is reached, 9·500 feet through tickets have not been issued; high, and then quickly jumps upward only half way and stop-overs can be to the snow-clad peak of Chimborazo, obtained. Like immigrants in America which gleams under the tropical sun who send for their friends and bring 21,220 feet high. The country conthem over with the first money earned tains ninety-one rivers and four lakes. in the new land, so, reversing the proc- '1'he roads are generally very poor, tho ess, those who go on before with half- there are a few miles of railroad, some way stop-over tickets patiently wait for 200 miles of cart road, and about 250 the investments of their friends on this miles of mule paths. The telegraphic side. which will secure from the church service is very limited. orders to have the spiritual freight daly forwarded. All this, however, costs The two most important cities are double now, becanse of the depression Guayaquil, the principal commercial in the money market. The appearance port, lying on the dver 60 miles from the of this unique advertisement caused a sea, with 30,000 people and many modgood deal of comment, and the liberal ern improvements, and Quito, the capipress took occasion to say several hard tal, situated in the interior, 10,233 feet things about such traffic in spiritual high and containing about 65,000 inhabthings. itants. Here is located the Central University with 31 professors and prob- Ecuador is the only country in all ably about 200 students. The city is South America where no missionary of fairly healthy, the death-rale being but the cross has yet been allowed to labor. 36 to the 1000. The mean temperature Only recently, under the liberal gov- at Guayaquil is 83°, while it is only 58· ernment, have three men ventured to at Quito; the rainy season is from Deenter tbis forbidden territory, but as cember to May, and at the capital the yet it is uncertain whether they will be rainfall is about 70 inches. allowed to remain. While its independence from Spain was established many '1'he low western lands produce all years ago, yet the Romish Church has kinds of tropical fruits, also considerhad full sway, and all the different OT- able rice, while in the uplands wheat, barley, rye, corn, potatoes, and grapes do fairly well. The highlands are also well supplied with cattle and sheep, horses and mules.
The inhabitants comprise some 1,200,- 000 people; of these possibly 300,000 or 400,000 are Indians and 100,000 white natives, the rest being mixed races. Only about 100,000 can read and write. The country has a repUblican form of government, but only those males over twenty-one and married, and who can read and write, are entitled to vote.
The religion is Roman Catholic, there being- in the country about 415.priests and 391 nuns. The late revolutIOn has unsettled political affairs very much, and it is probable that greater liberty in religious mattei's very BOOn will be trine of God that is antagonistic to the granted. Scriptures, dishonoring to the Divine Being. and debasing to man. It teaches MORMONS AND CHRISTIAN FELLOW- that God is an exalted man who was once as we are now, and who is forever SHIP. changing, ever advancing, becoming more and more perfect, but never reach- At a recent session of the Utah Pres- ing the condition of absolute perfection.
bytery a committee report was adopt- 6. The Mormon Church teaches that Adam is God, the creator of this ed, setting forth the reasons why Chris- world. and our God, and the only God with whom we have anything to do. tians cannot fellowship with members 7. The Mormons are polytheists. of the Mormon Church. . They believe in a plurality of gods. They thus place themselves on a par It is not because Christians entertain with the heathenism of old Greece and Rome. ill will to them as nelghbors, nor are S. The Mormon Church teaches a they ad verse to cooperating with them mongrei and unscriptural doctrine of salvation. It uses the atonement of in the work of moral and social reform Christ to cover orginal sin, the sin of Adam, and teaches its adherents to deand the promotion of temperance. pend on their own righteousness or good works as the basis of pardon for There is, however, a line of demarca- actual personal sin.
tion that Christians cannot overlook, 9. The Mormon Church believes in polygamy. The uoctriQe is both sacred that they cannot disregard, that fidelity to them and fundamental. The mani· festo was not, and did not pretend to to truth and duty demands should be be a repudiation of the doctrine of celes- tial marriage. It was, as all honest emphasized. The question goes to the Mormons freely confess, only" a sus- pension of the practice" for the time very root of Christian belief and duty. being. They hold the principle to be as eternal as God Himself. It concerns all men alike who profess 10. The Mormon Church teaches that the Christian religion, and desire to God is a polygamist, the natural father of all intelligent beings in heaven, promote the glory and honor of the earth, and hell; that angels, men, and devils are His offspring by procreation name of Christ. or natural generation, and that Adam is the father of Christ's buman nature, Ten reasons are given why fellow· as Brigham Young was the father of his children. ship is refused : With such a system of doctrine as 1. The Mormon Church un churches this Christians have nothing in com· all Christians. It recugnizes itself mono There can be no fellowship bealone as the Church. It teaches that tween Jight and darkness, bence tbere Christians of every name and nation can be no fellowship between Chrisand century, since the Apostolic Church, tianity and Mormonism. God bas solare in a state of apostasy, without au· emnly warned His people against sucb thority to teach, preach, or administer peril, saying: "Be ye Dot unequally the sacraments, and that salvation and yoked together with unbelievers, for "exaltation" are to be found alone in what fellowship hath righteousness the church organized by Joseph Smith. with unrighteousness? And What com- They thus not only unchurch, but dis- munion hath light with darkness? fellowship all Christians, and demand And what concord hath Christ with that we must yield to the authority of Belial? Or What part hath he that bethe M~rmon priesthood or perish. lieveth with an infidel? . .. Where- fore come out from among them and 2. The Mormon Church placts the be ye separate, saith the Lord" (2 Cor. Book of Mormon and doctrine and 6: 14, 15, 17). covenants on a par with the Bible, and requires subscription to the inspiration All of these statements are duly veriand authority of theBe books as a con· dition of acceptance with God and fel- fied by quotations from Mormon leaders lowship with His people. and offset by passages from the Holy 3. The Mormon Church makes faith in the person and mission of Joseph Scriptures. Smith an essential article of faith, so much so that the man who rejects the claims of the "modern prophet" is a rank heretic and a .. son of perdition."
4. The Mormon Church makes faith in the doctrine of the Mormon priesthood and submission to the same essen· tial to man's future blessedness, and unbelief in this priesthood a damning sin.
5. The Mormon Church teaches a doc-
EDITORIAL DEl'ARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
Signs of the Times. The uprising of the natives of the Philippine Islands against their Spanish The horizon of history should be rulers is another signal event of the watched by every true disciple, and year, and especially significant as it oc- both the indications of fair and of foul curs at the time when Spain is suffi- weather noted. ciently occupied with the insurgents in That there are fearful signs and it Cuba. It is reported from Madrid that may be portents visible to the observer the leaders in the Philippines are Ger- is not open to denial. All the centuries mans, and represent a secret ~iety, may be challenged to surpass for cruel- and this report gets apparent basis ty and a certain fatality of evil, for from the fact that a hostile pamvhlet, which no human help seemed available, circulated on the islands, was printed the atrocities in Armenia. Six months in Germany, the censorship over the and more ago a persecution swept over press in Manilla compelling the printing that country, whose weapons were pil- of such a document elsewhere.
lage and outrage, torture and massacre, The only religion tolerated in the and what was most humiliating, great Philippines is Catholicism. Monasteries nations, the foremost of the world, and convents abound, and monks are in stood idly by and allowed all this to go the ascendant, controlling education forward without any interposition and and politics alike. The royal and pon- scarce any remonstrance. What an in- tifical University of St. Thomas, with stance of the irony of history-in this 500 stUdents, is in the hands of Domini- case almost the irony of cruelty-that can friars, as well as other institutions Clara Barton, going to Armenia as Flor- under Jesuitical control. Of a popUla- ence Nightingale did to the Crimea, to tion numbering about 8,000,000, not one alleviate human suffering, should be thirtieth part have more than the rudest, decorated by Abdul Hamid! The crudest education. Cock-fighting and Turks commit outrages under the tacit lotteries, drunkenness and licentious- if not active support of the Sultan, and ness rule the day. It is reported that he bestows the imperial honors upon the insurrection is due to the oppressive the woman that comes to relieve the rule of the religious orders, which seek tortures and torments his minions have to keep down the people, in chains of inflicted! ignorance and superstition, and pre- The committee representing the Mer- venting all reform measures; and it is chants' and Bankers' Fund for the Re- said that even when more intelligent lief and Rescue of Armenia issue an ap- and humane policy would be favored, peal for help to 1,000,000 suffering and as by a late archbishop, the secret starving people who will be left home- weapons of the assassin are in readiness less and helpless during the coming to stop all progress in the right direc- winter if aid is not promptly furnished. tion.
It is sufficient to say, after the promi- How far these rumors are true it is nence already given to the facts in these difficult to state while the smoke of the pages that the committee is composed conflict has not yet cleared away ; but of such men as J. Bleecker Miller, Da- we fear that this is but one of the many vid J. Burrell, D. D., and Herant M. uprisings which Romanist oppression Kirelchjian, a sufficient guarantee to and tyranny have provoked, and that the public for wise and honest adminis- the only hope for the Philippines is the tration. All gifts of money should be hope of man-liberty of conscience, sent to Charles H. Stout, Esq., No.2 and the education which is both the Wall Street, New York City, precursor and the defender of freedom. The singular and repeated earthquakes Nothing but a decided impulse from in Japan, for instance, fill us with a the Spirit of God, quiekening the na· certain 8trange awe. Mr. Shue W. tive churches and pastors, can, in our Kuroda writes of the late earthquake judgment, save Japanese Christianity and tidal wave that so desoll1ted and from disaster.
devastated the northeast as an event surpassing for its terrors any known to London despatches state tllat the Japanese history. On June 15th the Japanese are fast exter~:njn:ltjng thc sea began to swell and inuudated 125 Chinese in Formosa. Over sixty vilmiles of coast·line, 2 miles broad, and lages have been burned and thousands to an average depth of 100 feet I Thou- killed. One day twenty-one Chinese sands of inhabitants in a hundred towns caught at random were brutally malwere in five minutes swept away. In treated while their graves were being one town of 6000 only four survive; dug before their eyes, and were then 40,000 corpses were found on the shore stabbed to death, The Chinese at a in a few days; dismembered bodies village were preparing food to welcome found among the floatiug deb1'is of the Japane,e, when the latter attacked houses, and in places thousands more them and killed fifty. Ou June 22d found, after the subsidence, piled up the magistrate of Hunnim issued a procin heaps. The tot3110ss of life is reck- lamation inviting villagers who had oned at 60,000. A war such as was fled to the mountains to return. They waged with China could have been did so, and were butchered. Terrible carried on for half a century and not stories of murder, outrage, and desecrasacrifice more lives: and even this is tion of graves are told. The Japanese but a fraction of the misery wrought, Government should institute a strict infor thousands who survive are wound- quiry into the reports, and if they are ed, crippled, penniless, and homeless. true punish the guilty.
There is a religions declension in Japan, which to some of us is more melancholy than the earthquakes. For And now as to en'lonmgements: instance, the Doshisha University, Of course the event of the year 1896 founded by Joseph Neesima with the will be to many the visit of the well- aid of the American Board of Foreign knowu Cllinese ambassauJr, Li Hung Missions, ends the dispute between it Chang. It seemell a strange incon- and the Board by declaring itself inde- gruity to see the ChiilCl;e flag, with its pendent, the nati'Vc trustee8 assuming huge dragon, swung in air above the oomplete cont1'ol of the institution This entrances to the Waluorf ia New York, they legally justify by the fact that, the symbol of heathenism paraded in by Japanese law, natives alone can hold the metropolis of American Christen- real estate, and the foreign missionaries dom.
were therefore obliged to select such to Li Hung Chang may be one of the represent them. Some such claim of great men of the world, and may rank real control was certain to arise sooner with Gladstone and Gambetta, Bis- or later, but it is melancholy that it marck and Beaconsfield; but he is, should have taken place with so much after all, only a man, and a Confucian· friction, and still worse that it should ist beside. It is barely possible to bow have resulted from and exhibit a de- too low and take too obsequious a pDS- cided reaction in this institution against ture even before a great man, and with evangelical Christianity. The trustees much of this" lionizing" spirit we feel profess their intention to maintain -its little sympathy.
Christian character, but whether there But there is one aspect of his visit is sincerity, or, if sincerity, ability to which we may emphasize-its possible carry out such intention is doubtful. bearing on mi8aion8. Tbe American
IIlDITOIUAL
missionary societies presented to him Japanese disciples sent him a vote of an address, representatives of all the sympathy after. the attempt on his life leading denominations being united and at Tokio, his response was: "Say to speaking in behalf of nearly 8,000,000 the American nation from me to send church·memberfl, and of societies hav- more missionaries for the schools and ing 733 missionaries in the Celestial hospitals, and I hope to be in a position Empire, of whom nearly 100 are medi- both to aid them and protect them."
cal missionaries, and sustaining over 400 schools with 12,000 pupils; and Rev. George F. Pentecost, D.D., passustaining 60 hospitals and dispensaries, tor of the Marylebone Presbyterian with 493,000 patients treated in the last Church in London, England, whose anyear. nual preaching visit to Dr. John Hall's church in New York makes so many The address we havc thought best to people wish he were settled in the reproduce in the REVIEW; and it here American instead of the British metropsuffices to put on permanent record that olis, is again solicited to visit India, it was very conciliatory in tone, expreEs- on a mission to the English.speaking ing great respect for the Chinese peo- native population. For this work few ple, and gratitude for the fifty years of men are so qualified. Clear, incisive, protection and generous treatment ex· biblical, spiritual, profoundly contended by the Chinese Government and vinced of the truth and mighty in its by Li Hung Chaug, as its high official, advocacy, God seems to us to have toward American missionaries. The raised up this man for such a time as references in the address to the ambas· this; and his congregation. than which sador himself are courteous and com- there is none more intelligent and acplimentary, perhaps to an extreme. tive in London, is ready to cooperate with him in this mission. A friend But the response of the famous Chi- offers, it is said, £1000 to provide for nese ambassador must not be passed preaching during his absence, and the over in silence; it is too important a question is now under consideration document in its" historical" and " pro- who shall be the man to stay by the phetical" aspects, for it bears cloquent stuff while this eloquent missionary witness to the past work of missions, preacher goes to the battlefield? vVe and may imply increased support and devoutly pray fOI God's blessing on the success for future operations. We proposed tour, and that some fit man therefore put in these pages, among the may be raised up to relieve Dr. Pentethings to be remembered, the important cost's mind of all solicitude While he words of the response which Li Hung leaves his great flock to find lost sheep Chang made to Dr. Ellinwood's ad- in the wilderness of India. dress, with profound gratitude to God for His goodness in leading this distinguished Confucianist to leave on record such a tribute to our holy faith, and to those who advocate and propagate it. Referring to India, at a meeting of The great statesman of the Middle natives in Calcutta recently, a very Kingdom is said, by the Hon.•J. W. striking exhibition was given of the ])'oster, who knows him well, to be the wide prevalence of the English lan- most distinguished general China has guage. Out of a thoucland representa- produced during this century, and to tives of the various families of the hu- be himself a man of pacific temper. man race there present, many tongues But his attitude toward Christianity is were represented, such as Hindi, Hiu- the vital question. Since the war con- dustani, Punjabi, Tamil, etc.; but the cluded he has expunged from the Chi- one and only tongue which was the nese code all restrictions on the propl.' common vehiele of communication, and gation of the Christian religion. liVhen in which they could make themselves
EDITORIAL DEpARTMENT
intelligible, was the English tongue, the fact by entering their names upon the language inseparably connected with ~he English Bible, the language of the list of those who are missionaries of the world's predominant missions. association. The late three days' conference at Lahore for deepening of spiritual life, Mr. George Miiller, of Bristol, sends held at Forman Christian College Hall, out another annual report of the Lord's was largely attended to the very close, dealings with him in his great work. and, in fact, was crowded at every ses- This records the sixty·third year of the sion. Delegates from over twenty dif· orphan houses. The principles that ferent stations, reaching from Saharan· have so long been the baseblocks of pur to Peshawar, were present, repre- this grand enterprise are also the law senting nine societies. The Indian pervadin~ the whole structure: faith Standard estimates that there were in In the liVIng God and prayer for daily attendance 60 missionaries, nearly as supplies without solicitation of aid many Christian workers, and over 100 from man. And the results are the students and teachers from 16 educa- same. During the whole year all needtional institutions, beside over 100 vis- ed supplies of money, food, clothing, itors. etc., the Lord has faithfully given. And as faith has passed through the There are encouraging signs in many preliminary discipline, the trials of quarters which call for much rejoicing. faith have been lessened. The story of these varied and multitudinous gifts is The tide of piety and missionary zeal, as usual pathetically interesting. For which in the university circles of Ger- example, a farmer sends forty-three many has been at a lamentably low pounds sterling, the highest price reebb, has for some time been manifestly alized from the sale of one of his sheep, and steadily rising. For example, the the best in the flock, which he habit· StUdent Association for Mission Work, ually devotes to the Lord's purposes. now having its branches in all the universities, is virtually twin brother to Mr. Miiller estimates that since the the Inter-Seminary Alliance in America, school work began at least 10,000 chilwhose influence for good is already in- dren have been brought to the knowlcalculable. This association, lately edge of the Lord, and he expects conformed at Halle, puts forth a statement fidently to meet more than two or even of its object and aim: 1. An alliance three times that number in glory. of prayer and work for the mission cause. 2. Every student is entitled to Mr. L. B. Butcher, one of the secremembership in the association, who, standing on the basis of the Holy Scrip- taries of the Student Volunteer Mistures, is willing, in faith in Christ Jesus as his God and Lord, to cooperate in sionary Union, writes from London, carrying out the mission commission of the. Lord. 3. The realization of tWs May 5th, as follows: project is to be attained by self-examinaHon as to whether he himself is will- " Since the Conference at Liverpool ing to enter upon missionary work, and in January last, for about three months by trying to win others for the cause students were joining the Union at the of the evangelization of the world. rate of one a day. and of course more 4. Those of the members who have be- since, including fourteen men at Oxcome convinced that they have been ford, who were kept waiting for two called to this Gospel work and have de- months by the local secretary of the Student Volunteer Missionary Union, termined to engage in it, signify tWa so as to be sure they were not making a hasty decision. Another result was a ladies' college thrilled through and through by the return of the two dele- gates sent, and the starting of a Chris- tian union in it with two daily prayer- meetings, one for each hall into which the college is divided.
" On the Continent, as a result of the Liverpool Conference and Mr. Fraser's tour, there are now Student Volunteer movements in Scandinavia, where there are not enough colleges to warrant the appointment of a traveling secretary; hence they are to adopt a system of inter-visitation. Germany had a student conference at Halle, where six uni- tion'sacknowledged duty and privilege vereitles were represented, and where they started their movement. to appoint, send forth, and sustain a " Prance and French Switze1'land have miSSionary in some field abroad as to combined and appointed an executive of two Frencn and two Swiss members. select and maintain a pastor at home. Couve, a tneological student of Montauban, who was at Liverpool, is the Dr. M'Dougall, of Florence, writes a first traveling secretary. and the membership is now over 40 Student Volun- bit of news from Italy which will interteers. est our readers. "In Holland they have started a Christian uniou, and are praying over "The Rev. Lodovia Conti, pastor in the question of foreign missions. Rome of the Evangelical Church of Italy,' in addition to his prosperous lo- " The details to hand of the Indian cal work, in three places of worship in Conferences held by Mr. Mott are: the Eternal City, has, these two and a CDnferences held at Jaffna (Ceylon), half years, carried on a temarkable mis- Bombay, Lahore, Lucknow, Calcutta, sion in 345 of the various kinds of pris- Madras; 1500 delegates in all, 87 con- ons in Italy, from the penitentiary up 'Versions, of which 20 were Moham- to the penal settlement. medan students at Lucknow ; over 700 joioed the" Morning Watch;" 137 be- "He has letters from prefects, subcame Student Volunteers, the Student prefects, mayors, and governors of Volunteer movement for India and Cey- prisons, expressing surprise and gratilon being started at Madras, where tude for the results of this beneficent there were over 300 delegates, and an effort. executive of three being appointedviz., Wilder, Campbell White, and "He has free aCCess with books to Croyden Edmunds, our late secretary. places where no one is allowed to enter, These native Student Volunteers 'Vol- and to persons separated from their felunteer, of course, to be home mission- lows in a perpetual silence; and he aries to their countrymen." writes to me of the balsamic effect of the reading of the Scriptures to those The Church Missionary Society In- unhappy creatures, comforting their hearts and converting their souls. telligencer states that "the plan of a " , Believe me, ' he says in his enthuparticular parish, or missionary union, siasm, , that just as hearts are clo8ed in the world, where all is pleasure and or family, or individual supporting an greed and passion, so are they open in these places of tears and remorse, amid < own missionary' in addition to the suffering, abandonment, and isolation.'
general contributions to the evangeliza- " And the work is growing on his hands from month to month. tion of the world, is extending beyond " In all he has given away, these two anticipation. Out of a total of 730 mis- and a half years, in .these Bad and hith- erto unvisited regions, 160,000 religious sionaries on the books (not including tracts and books, and 20,000 Testa- ments and portioI?-s of the Scriptures." wives) no less than 249 now do not draw their personal allowance from the general fund. Of these 67 are honor- The editor acknowledges receipt of ary, 23 are supported by the colonial $10 from citizens of Larrabee. Ia.• for associations, 40 by parishes or local as- Rev. J. F. Slagle.
sociations, 28 by the Gleaners' Union and its branches, 31 by other bodies, The income of the National Bible Soand 60 by private individuals." ciety of Scotland is £28,976, not £25,976, for the last reported year, as was in- This is a striking confirmation of the advertently printed in the REVIEW wisdom of the policy long and strenu- June issue, p_ 474. ously advocated in these pages, of having every church establish a living link between the home and foreign fields by having its own missionary abroad. Martyr saints have fallen under Mos- The time will come, if ever the Church lem hatred in Turkey in the past two is to do its full duty, when it will be years_ Here is the brief record of one as much iii part of a local congrega- at Marash; "One YOUDS man was given the alternative of death or be- not compete with other and more frecoming a lI-ioslem. He chose death, quently issued periodicals, and by the and they struck his head off. His poor time these articles could appear in an body was taken to his mother, who, electrotyped monthly they would be taking his hand and kissing it, said: stale and uninteresting to the public. • Rather so, my son, than living to deny our Lord and Savior.' " Rev. George R. Ferguson died June 19th. He was of Wellington, South Here I am, Lord, send me-send me to Atrica, and brother of Miss Abby P. the ends of the earth; send me to the Ferguson, so well known ill connection rough and savage pagans of the wilder- with the female semiuary there. :Mr. ness; send me from all that is called Ferguson lost three boys by drowning comfort in the earth ; send me even to nearly a year before his death, and then death itself, if it be but in Thy service .. began to die." Insomnia followed, and to promote Thy kingdom.-David strength gradually failed, but he kept Brainerd. teaching his class of mission students till the brain would work. no longer. In the ten years between 1881 and He had planned a visit to America, but 1891 the Christians in the Northwest God had another and fairer country Provinces of India increased from ready for his resting-place. lIe was 13,000 to 22,000, and in Bengal from born at Attlebury, Mass., March 19, 112,000 to 189,000. Sir Charles Elliott, 1829, and was therefore in his sixty- Governor of Bengal, says: "The mis- eighth year. He came to Africa with sionaries are filling up what is deficient Rev. Andrew Murray in 1877, and dein the efforts of the government." A voted these last twenty years to trainlarge number of the physicians of Bom- ing the sons of the Dark Continent for bay Presidency have petitioned the mission work. British Parliament to restrict the opium traffic, and certify that the use of the Rev. Albert Robert Fenn, a beloved drug ruins the whole man, physically, servant of God, late missionary in Madintellectually, and morally. A native rid, died at 'l'orquay, August 3d, 1896, paper of Bombay asserts that the books in his sixty-fourth year. A lovely and of the Hindu religion nowhere indicate devoted servant of Christ and the that God has any des re that man Church, laid aside not long since by a should be saved from sin and become paralytic shock, this brother, well pure and holy. The popUlation of known to the editor, leaves a gap be- India increased 29,000,000 during the hind him not easily filled. He was last ten years, and is now 286,000,000. very singularly gracious and unselfish, The province of Bengal alone has a and won friends everywhere. population greater than the United ~tates and British North America, and About the same time we hear of the the Madras Presidency contains as death of Rev. A. T. Rose, so well many people as Italy and Belgium to- known in connection with Burmese gether. missions; and Rev. W. H. Belden, for- merly of Turkey, but of late so usefully The editors are frequently receiving active in the secretaryship of the Interfor publication articles which have ob- national Missionary Union, died at Clifviously been produced by some" mani- ton Springs July 3ht. The ranks are fold" typewriter, with a view to simul- thinning, but the Leader is the same taneous publication in several papers or Jesus. periodicals. We feel compelled generally to decline using them, as we can- The Rev. George F. Pentecost writes: "One needs only- to look at the abominable carvings upon the tem· without intermission, and eometimes in pIes both of llindus and Buddhists, the circumstances of much cnelty, to the hideous symbols of the ancient phallic present time."
systems, which are the most popular Mr. Robert E. Speer with his wife objects worshiped in India, to be im· sailed for a tour of various fields of presaed with the corruption of the reo missions recently, and promises to give ligion. Bear in mind, these are not a series of illustrated articles on the only tolerated, but instituted, directed, fields which he has gone to visit-Per· and controlled by the priests of relig. sia, India, Siam, China, Korea, and ion." Japan-to the readers of the REVIEW.
The fact that 750,000 men pass They will be awaited with great interthrough the doors of our penal institu- est.
tions every year has impelled Mr. Our correspondent from Turkey Moody to supply religious literature to writes fully of the recent massacres, these men, to whom, by reason of their but we have space only for brief exsolitude, the printed page is a great tracts. He says: boon. The Bible Institute Colportage aS3()ciation has been formed, and Mr. "We realize now more than ever Uoody is raising funds to carryon the before on what a volcano we are living. This last explosion has carried off its work. E <rery sheriff of the twenty· thousands, and the next may take us off seven hundred jails in the United States too, so far as we know. This only we was written to for permission to place do know-the Lord will keep us safely books in each cell, and only one re- here until His work through us is end- ed. Our only confidence is in Him: fused to grant the request. There can the Turk and the . Christian Powers'
be no doubt that there is a large and are alike untrustworthy. . .. Even crying need for just such work, and no the German ambassador and lfinister man is better qualified for it than he. Terrell are now con vinced that the mas· sacre (following the capture of the Ot- toman Bank) was by order of the Sultan, Canon Wilberforce related the fol· and controlled by him. . .. Is this lowing interesting fact in the course of to stop only when no Armenians remain a sermon in Westminster Abbey: to be butchered ? " Trusting in God, the various schools " The circumstances of the late mono and colleges here and elsewhere plan to arch's coronation at Moscow afford a open on time, or nearly so, and the stu- striking example of the social and civil dents will come, tho we cannot tell any- value of religious liberty. It was es- thing of how the numbers will compare sential that on that occasion he should with former years. May God Himself appear to be moving freely among his watch over them with tender care and people, and yet that he should be pro· keep them from destruction.
tected from the cruel, murderous fa- "The work of the missionaries here naticism that had assassinated his fa- will be largely relief work this winter, tb.er; and his safety was intrusted by as it now appears; and, in fact, such the police to a &trvng body-guard of work has already begun. The surviv· peasants, brought for the purp0se from ing members of the families will be the provinces behnging to the perse- many who are incapable of earning their cuted Nonconformist sect of the Stun· owu support because of the almost com· dists. Despisad, deprived of some of plete stagnation of business which has their civil rights for conscience' sake, come upon the city and country, and still they were trusted before all other the wrecks of houses to be repaired and men to guard their emperor, because refurnished, and the hundreds, per· they were kn~wn 13 be consecrated to haps thollsands, to be clothed and fed- • another King, one Jesus!' Thus is all this points to a time of very hard the true citizen of heaven. whatever his work if relief is to be efficient before creed, al WIl.VS the best citizen of earth. winter sets in.. " Would that all It wa9 not given to the Czar to perceive God's people everywhere would unite the moral of this incident -perhaps he their prayers with their efforts to save never knew it-for the persecution of a heartbroken ppople from absolute dethese same Stundists has continued spair and death."
GENEltAL MISSIONAltY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY BEV. D. L. LEONABD, Extracts and Translations from Foreign .. The men of God who founded the South African missions saw and judged, Periodicals. as was usual in the first half of this BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, century, after the manner of Jean MASS. Jacques Rousseau. They professed, AFRICA. without knowing it, an idealism which showed them all things under a favor- -" Paul Kruger, the renowned Presi. able light, and of which their writings dent of the Boer (pronounce as if spelt present very characteristic examples.
Boor) Republic in South Africa, is a You look in vain in them for the horror sincere, pious Christian, who cannot of paganism, its crudity, its corruption, only utter a prayer coming from the its exhibitions of tGfpitllde, and the very depths of his heart, but who also rest. occasionally delivers a vigorous and "To-day we are realists! We have edifying discourse which bears witness to guard against being too much so.
to his great Bible knowledge. As elder We see things as they are. Paganism he, according to the usage of his appears to us hideous, impure, brutal, church, also preaches sometimes before and brutaliZing, very often absolutely the assembled congregation. Being bestial. We choose to set it forth, such last year at Delagoa Bay with several as it is.
hundred Boers, to celebrate the open. "The more we are impressed with ing of the railway to Pretoria, he re- the horror of paganism, the more beau- solved to hold a Sunday service for his tiful appears the redeeming Gospel, the countrymen. There were plenty of more imperious also appears the duty Hollanders in the place, but he could of Christians to detest the monster and not find a Dutch Bible among them. to combat it to the uttermost."-Jour- At last, however, he secured one from naZ de8 Mi88ions.
a Dutch ship, and began the service.
He portrayed with such penetrating -" The condition of Bechuanaland power the gracious providences of God, is very serious, and is likely to be so securing the independence and prosper- for many months to come. The' people ous development of their country, that, can manage to survive loss of crops by as an eye-witness attests, there was not drought or by the ravages of locusts a dry eye in the house. This is the so long as they have their cattle.
hidden power of the man, who has so Their cattle are their wealth. They often beaten the English, his living . live on the milk, they barter or sell Christian faith. The Boers would as- oxen for food or clothing, they require suredly have yet greater blessing to ex- them for plowing. they have been prac- pect from God, if they did not deal so tically the only means of drawing wagunrighteously with the natives. God ons over the long distances and through amend this !"-.,.Missions-Flreund. the heavy sands of that country. Now a new and most fatal form of cattle dis- -" Let no one talk to us about that ease has visited the country, and has poetical, childlike, innocent paganism, swept away the cattle. Of the vast a genuine idyll of nature, a more or less herds possessed by Khama's people and successful adaptation of the patriarchal by other tribes, scarcely an ,animal re- manners of the Israelites to the nature mains alive. Consequently starvation and tastes of the African negroes. stares them in the face, unless help of
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
a substantial kind is sent to them. An Scripture, which had been previously appeal was made by the society at the chosen and learnt by heart by each end of May, and upward of £450 was division, all the members of that section received in response to it. But it soon standing up and repeating the passage appeared that the area of the distress together.. " M. Langa then gave a was too wide, and its character too lengthy address on the subject of the severe, for any such fund adequately " Divine Calls to Men,' which was trans- to cope with it. The directors, there- lated by Mr. H. F. Standing; and fore, transmitted the money they had M. Kriiger also gave a shorter address, received to the missionaries at Phalapye, based on an interesting tradition about Molepolole, and Kanye, and closed James, the Lord's brother, which was their fund.-The Oh1·onicle. translated by Mr. J. T. Radley. The – " It may not possibly be known to success of this meeting and the general many friends of our mission in England interest shown in it leads us to hope that the' Christian Endeavor' move- that there will in future be an annual ment has taken jhin root in Madagas- convention similar to that just held. car, at least in Antananarivo and its It may be noted, in conclusion, that neighborhood, and that several hun- our Malagasy Christian Endeavor soci· eties are known by the name of Jilikam- dreds of our young people are now bunan ny Kri8tiana Tanora – i.e., banded together in societies for mutual 'Union of Young Christians.' "-The help and encouragement in serving Ohronicle.
Christ. Almost all the city churches have such a society, and so also have MISCELLANEOUS.
many of the stronger village congrega- -" The decision of the House of tions near the capital. The presence Commons to open museums and picture among us of MM. Langa lind Kriiger, galleries on the Lord's Day is not to its from France, suggested the propriJty honor or to the honor of the country of a great united meeting, which was which it represents. 'Ve are privileged accordingly held at the spacious chapel and blessed of God above all lands, and at Amparibe. Long before ten o'clock where His honor and authority were in the building was crowded in every part question, it might have been expected by the young men and women, the that a grateful country would have replaces to be occupied by those from sisted such a claim. We deplore the the different churches being pointed decision. And when we compare the out by large printed labels. The vast hot haste of our rulers to carry out this assembly, probably from 1300 to 1400 in decision with their determination, in number, was an imposing sight, wheth- 1891, to resist to the uttermost the deer from the platform or from either of cision of the same House to put down the two great galleries. The order of the opium traffic and its abominations, service followed much the line of sim- we get an ugly glimpse of the forces ilar gatherings in England or America. that are shaping the futnre of our coun- Mr. J. C. Thorne presided and led the try." -Medical Mi88ion8. assembly in the united offering of the Lord's Prayer and the simultaneous -In fifteen years the number of reading of Scripture. Five hymns Christians under care of the Rhenish were sung, four of which had been spe- Missionary SOCiety has almost trebled.
cially printed, together with the Sol fa -" No church is living as a church notation; and these were interspersed which is not fulfilling the command of by short prayers, in which one member commands. The first duty of a Chris- of each of the great divisions of the so- tian is to make other people Christians, cieties present led the devotions of the and the first duty of a church is to make assembly, and also by short passages of otherChristian churches, until the whole
86G GENEBAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENOE
world is covered with them. "-A.RCH- pire of the world shrink into insignifi- BISHOP BENSON, in Ohurch Mi88i0na,ry cance; and English thought and speech Gleaner. and institutions will undoubtedly have before them the inheritance of the fu· -" Only consider the spread of Eng- ture world."-Ohurch MisBion(Jll'lI In- lish power. Who could have dreamed telligencer.
that the colonies of Venice, of France, -The Ohurch MiaBionary Gleaner of Spain, of Portugal would become by quotes a letter from Bishop Ridley, in comparison as nothing; and that, al- the Northwest. "After describing the most in this single century. this little comfort and cleanliness and industry of island in the Northern Seas-which the the Ohristian Indian villages, he writes: Romans regarded as the farthest limit , It is impossible to heighten the con· of civilization-would become the trast between the Chrislless and the mother of empires greater than were Ohristian people of the same tribes. ever known by Rome itself? Our Great is our present reward in seeing Queen came to the throne in the year the elevating as well as saving effects 1837. She then ruled over only 130,000,- of a pure Gospel. The things endured OOOof the human race. She now, in a in the process are forgotten in the joy single lifetime, is the Queen apd Em- that abideth.' This, he adds, is the press of 320,000,000 of ~he human race. civilization that springs from the Res- When our Queen came to the throne urrection, apart from which in our day the extent of the British Empire was solemn progress is impossible. Let only 2,000,000 of square miles; it is those who deny it disprove it I Then now 6,000,000 of square miles. We he gives a touching account of the now possess one sixth of the whole land Kucheng massacre reaching his Indian surface of the globe in the Empire of converts. They fell to prayer, and one England; and yet only three centuries prayed thus: 'Say again, dear Jesus, ago the only spot of earth which we ,. Father, forgive them, for they know could call our own, outside our own not what they do." 0 gracious Spirisland, was the single town of Calais" it, Thou art not quenched by blood ; -which, moreover, had been lost nearly let it make thy garden soil strong to grO'll) forty rears earlier. The dean seems to Ohinese believers in! ' " forget Ireland. .. You see, then, how stupendous has been our advance. -" In each direction the lessons of General Sabine, the late President of foreign missions correspond with our the Royal Society, only died-and I present trial. They bring back to us a myself have met him and knew him- true sense of our inheritance in the na- only died in the year 1883, and General tions as 'heirs of God and joint heirs Sabine was born on the very day that with Ohrist,' and move us each to seek the first settler landed in Australia, and some share in gathering the fruits of already Australasia is an empire with His victory. They constrain us to look enormous power. Such, then, have beyond the noblest results of man's been the immense changes, and the thought and feeling in the past to a liv· mighty ad vance of England, and surely ing Lord who is the Truth, and who it is given to us for some purpose. still discloses fresh treasures to IIis dis· Two hundred millions of Englishmen" ciples as they have power to guard and -in prophetic anticipation, certainly to administer them. They raise us not in present fact-" fill the valley of above ourselves and inspire us with the Mississippi; 50,000.000 of English· sure trust in the infinite resources of a men are to be found in A.ustralasia; and Divine fellowship. They bind earth should this increase continue, and those and heaven together in one great work powers remain federated with us. they or love, and reveal the awful calling of will, in course of time, make every em- believers as God's ministers for the 8&1-
ENGLISH NOTES
vation of men. "-Eishop WESTCOTT, an instructed Christian. There are in Church Missionary Society Report. four fresh cases, one that of a literary graduate lately come from a city about -" An infidel preacher in one of the a thousand miles distant and quite out London parks was asked, 'Why are of the way of the missionaries. He you always attacking the Bible, and there received a tract from a friend, not any other book? Why can't you and subsequently the Old and New let it alone? ' • I will tell you,' he re- Testaments, the attentive perusal of plied, 'I won't let the Bible alone be- which impressed him with a sense of cause it won't let me alone.' "-BornlJay his condition as a sinner, and led him Guardian. to believe in Jesus as the Savior. For years he has been accustomed to pray, – We can understand the peculiar whil,3 his quiet and humble disposition kindness that is shown in the Old Tes- shows that he has read Christian books tament toward the Persians in sending to purpose. Later intelligence from this brief prayer from the Zendave,ta : Shanghai tells of the baptism of three " Give us knowledge, sagacity; quick- women on a profession of faith and of ness of tongue; holiness of soul; a increased interest, as shown by the nagood memory; and then the under- tive church as well as by not a few in standing that goeth on growing, and the general congregations. that under8tanding which cometh not through learning. "-Ragozin. New Guinea.-The Rev. J. H. Holmes, of Jokea, has been much en- English Notes. couraged in his work. Many have been baptized and admitted into church-fel- BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. lowship, and the congregations which at the beginning of the year did not ex- London Missionary Society-The news ceed 3D-and these all men-have so from M!l.dagascar is of a serious char- increased that regularly now the church acter. With the exception of the cen- is crowded with men, women, and chiltral portion of the capital and a few dren. towns containing French garrisons, power is in the hands of lawless raiders Church Mi8sionary Society.–This sodominated by an anti·foreign and anti- ciety has issued a list of urgent needs Christian spirit. Village chapels, which concern a large portion of the schools, evangelists' houses, and even mission field; for example, Africa, dispensaries have been ruthlessly de- West and East, Palestine and Egypt, stroyed; heathenism is again domi- Persia and Baghdad, Bengal, the Punnant; congregations have been scat- jab and Northwest ProvinceR, Western tered, so that scarce a tenth of their India and South India, Ceylon, South number remain, While not a few Chris- and Mid-China, Japan, etc. In this tians have been murdered in cold blood. statement special importance attaches to the appeal made in behalf of the Hunan, China.-Dr. John reports Northwest Provinces of India, for the return of his colporteurs from Hu- whose evangelization, it is said, the sonan looking well and happy. At Heng ciety is alone responsible. The Yoruba Chou there are some seven or eight Mission, too, has a peculiar claim, tak- Christians who meet regularly for wor- ing into account the recent depletion ship. Their desire is to be baptized and also the fact that in the Soudan and formed into a church. Dr. John especially there is an opening for a is thinking seriously of visiting Heng suitable party, and Mr. Nott is waiting Chou before the close of the year. for companions.
Sltanghai. – Dr. Muirhead writes: mHausaland.-Great interest centers One woman has been baptized who had tqe accounts to hand ot explorations been a devote4 Buddhist, but is now
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
by Bishop Tugwell and Mr. L. H. W. 6 elders; and in 5 places small chapels Nott in this region. Both concur in have been specially built by the people.
the conviction that at Koeffe an open In connection with these stations there door is given of the Lord, and that the are 55 village schools with as many summons to enter it is clear and em- schoolmasters with 495 scholars. Be- phatic. Mr. Nott writes: "We praise sides the foreigners there are 20 native Him who has called us and led us to evangelists giving all their time, and undertake this journey. He has, we 10 aided preachers giving time during are sure, guided us aright, and once the winter months; 1 medical evangel· more to His Church comes a call for ist trained in medicine by Dr. Watson, laborers to enter the harvest·field. I besides 3 dispensers at work in the am pledged to return to Koeffe, God dispensary of the city.
willing, next dry season, and a com- panion is needed to go there with me- THE KINGDOM. a doctor if possible.. " The work undertaken will be on quite new ground, -Upon the walls of every church in no fear of building on another's work. large letters should be inscribed these To some this may be the much-needed words of our risen Lord: " Ye shall be call to service. May those who read witnesses unto Me, both in Jerusalem, this be led to realize their own responsi- and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and bility with respect to the unevangelized unto the uttermost part of the earth. "
parts of the world, and ma.y some offer -We have heard it before, but let us themselves willingly for this important read it again and recall it often: When work." Lord Macaulay returned from India, . Bapti8tMis8ioruJ/ry Society.-The Rev. he said that he had lived too long H. J. Thomas, of Delhi, pleads in be- among people who worshiped cows to half of Beraut, India, where recently think much of the differences which on the bank of the canal that flows past part Christians from Christians.
the place a little company gathered, -It is stated that the number of and in its waters 5 confessed their faith metropolitan police in London is 15,047, and were baptized. The design is to of whom 1749 are employed on special build there an evangelist's house and work, and that the pay which they reo plant a station. Mr. Thomas writes: ceive amounts to £1,280,130. This ",Now that God has opened so effectual sum is only £8000 less than the total a door, has inclined the hearts of hun- British contributions for foreign mis- dreds toward Christianity, and has al- sions in 1893, and £95,000 less than t~e ready given us souls from 4 of the vil- similar total for 1894. Or, put it this lages, and is sending us inquirers from way. London needs as many men to 3 or 4 more, we surely must see His insure her safety from thieves as the desire that, whatever other field is left Christian world sends for missionary weak, this one must be strongly work, and that London pays nearly as manned." much for her police as the British Isles Ohina.-In the Ching-chow-fu dis- give for the evangelization of the trict:of Shantung there is now a church- world.
membership of over 1500 and a large -Dr. H. K. Carroll says in a Forum and growing work. In the Chou-ping article that it requires $10,355,000 an- district there are now 180 stations, scat· nually to pay the billR of the Protestant tered over 15 counties, with a member- Episcopal Church, $23,863,000 to pay ship of 1524. Last year 329 were added those of the Methodist Episcopal by baptism, and there is every reason Church, nearly $14,000,000 for the ex- to believe that this year's additions will penses and contributions of the North- not be less. The native church supports ern Presbyterian Church, ,11,673,000 for those of the regular Baptists, and commission: "Go ye to all the world $10,355,000 for those of the Congrega- and preach the Gospel to every crea- tional denomination, making an aggre- ture. "-Regions Beyond.
gate of $88,000,000 every yesr contrib- -When John Bowen was chosen uted by 10,768,000 members, an aver- Bishop of Sierra Leone his friends age of $8.16 per member. urged him to decline, the climate was so deadly. His answer was: ., If I -A plain case this of righteous in- served in the Queen's army, and on dignation: The rector of an Episcopal being appointed to a post of danger, church has had his heart stirred by wit- were on that account to refuse to go, nessing the amount expended in the or- it would be an act of cowardice, and I namentation of church edifices, while should be disgraced in the eyes of men. gifts for the proclamation of the Gospel Being a soldier of the Uross, I cannot are diminishing, and he writes to the refuse what is now offered me because editor of the Quarterly Mes8age an in- it exposes me to danger. I know it dignant protest against such lavish ex- does, and therefore I must go. Were I penditure: "While the living stones, offered a bishopric in England, I might missionaries after Christ's own exam- feel at liberty to decline it; one in ple, already half starved, are being cut Sierra Leone I must accept." down, shut out, despised, and rejected of their brethren, Pharisees and Sad- ducees, Greeks and Herodians, throng -The bicycle has reached missionary the temple, saying: 'Behold these lands. The wheel dashes through the great stones I What manner of marble country districts of Japan and along and oak and gold paint are here! See the atrocious roads of China. The en- our jeweled cross and fine glass; , and terprising missionary now saves time Lazarus, full of sores of doubt, care, and labor in travel by using the ma- Borrow, and shame, lies at the door, chine where formerly he was obliged to and the mission work for his salvation trudge, and in many districts it has be- is in a bankrupt condition." come a wonderful aid. Wherever:it -" We are not stingy, but we don't goes it attracts attention and draws enknow how to give." This very sug- thusiastic and admiring crowds. The gestive sentence is from a pastor in mere sight of the marvel in the door- Michigan, whose heart was stirred by way of a chapel will fill that building some missionary literature that recently with sightseers.
fell into his hands by chance. And -Many industries are suffering serioutside of Michigan there is a host of ous loss by the extraordinary expansion saints in the same evil case. of the bicycle demand, according to 'a -The greatest need of missionary writer in the Forum. Nearly 1,000,000 work to-day is not at the foreign, but have purchased wheels during the cur- the home end. If the people of Great rent year, and much of the money thus Britain and America were one quarter invested has be~n diverted from estab- as true to the evangelization of the lished channels. Thus, the piano trade world as the workers on the field are, has fallen off nearly one half, and the the work would be accomplished in a sale of watches and jewerly; stable- generation. It is one thing to stay at keepers complain that they can no home because we do not go; it is an- longer let horses, and saddle and harness other thing to stay for the sake of makers find their work in light de- heathendom. No minister can do the mand ; booksellers, tailors, and hatters highest work at home till he is conse- have their indictment of the prevailing crated to the evangelization of the " fad," etc., and even tobacconists and world. No Christian can do his best saloon-keepers grumble at diminished here tnl he has ill spirit obeyed the custom, -Behold this glimpse of the good senator's position. It is shown conday that is drawing nigh. Dr. Smith, clusively that for fifty years or more of the Rangoon theological seminary, Turkey was not ., bitterly opposed" to writes: "Our larger Christian commu- the missionaries, but even looked on nities in Burma are entering upon their "their movements" with favor, and fourth generation, and signs are not also that no "act of war" is called for wanting, healthful, hope.inspiring signs, in the least, but only a demand for deof approaching maturity. It is to this cent treatment accompanied by an evistage of maturity that all foreign mis- dent determination to have treaty rights sion enterprises look forward to their respected. joy and crown; but the heathen world is ever crowding and pressing upon the -The AUgemeine Mi8Bions-Zeit8chrift Christian communities, and to be self- publishes the following testimony to directing, self·supporting, and self- the work of missions in South Africa, propagating, wise and competent lead- from a German officer, Lieutenant Von ership is essential. Missionaries are Francois, who thus writes in his recent looking forward to the time when they work on "The Nama and Damara in must leave the native churches to their German Southwest Africa": "What own resources, but it is believed that merchants, artisans, and men of science to leave them before they have leaders have done for the opening up and civof their own, to whom the treasures of ilizing of this country is as nothing in English are fully open, able to draw the balance compared with the positive from our standard authors the weapons results of missionary work. And this to serve them in any emergency, would work means so much the more, because be unwise. The thorough education of all self.regarding motives, such as al· native preachers is a work of pressing ways inspire the trader or the discovimportance. " erer, and are to be found even in the soldier, are absent in the missionary. -In an evil hour-for himaelf-Sen- It must be an exalted impulse which ator John Sherman not long since gave leads the missionary to give up comutterance to these words: "If our citi· fort, opportunities of advancement, zens go to a far-distant country, semi- honor, and fame for the sake of realizcivilized, and bitterly opposed to their ing the idea of bringing humanity into movements, we cannot follow them the kingdom of God, into sonship to there and protect them. Any act of God, and to instil into the soul of a red war by us would be accompanied not or black man the mystery of the love only by the murder of the missionaries, of God. Self·interest is put aside, and but of their converts or sympathizers." the missionary becomes a Nama or.a In due season" A Missionary" protest- Herere. He gives continually not ed in the Independent in an article en- only from the inner treasure of his spirtitled" American Citizens or Outlaws itual life and knowledge; in order to -Which 1" claiming that heralds of be able to do that, he must unweariedly the cross deserved at least as well of play now the artisan, now the farmer, the Government as "mercantile men, now the architect; he must always give speculators, sightseers, adventurers, presents, teaching improvements, never profligate sailors, peddlers of patent take; he must not even expect that his medicines," and the like. But even self·sacrifice will be understood. And worse (that is, better) followed when in to do this for years, decades even, that the FOl'um for September Rev. Cyrus truly requires more than human pow- Hamlin, under the title "America's er; and the average mind of the Euro· Treatment of Americans in Turkey," pean adventurer, hardened in self-valubrought in such a bill of particulars in ation and self-seeking, cannot under· the shape of historical facts that abso· stand it," lutely nothing was left of the honorable WOMAN'S WORK. week. We are approaching the end of another year. What shall its record -Marriage was once woman's only be? Let us each ask ourselves this resource ; then came domestic service, questioD on our knees, in the presence sewing and school teaching. In of Him who so loved the world that America the field has of late greatly en- He gave His only Son to die for its relarged. Edward Cary points out the demption." rapid increase of new employments in which women are engaged. According -We spent a Sabbath on the way at to the census of 1880, the number of Cho-Chow with Miss Russell, who is saleswomen was 7744; ten years later, doing a large touring work in the vicinthe number had risen to 58,440. The ity, going to 22 villages from 2 to 15 female book· keepers in 1880 were 2365'; miles away. She has spent nearly all in 1890, 27,772. In 1880 there wer~ the last year in touring, with a servant only 1647 women clerks and copyists; and her Manchu Bible woman for comin 1890 there were 64,048. In 1880 no pany, not seeing a white face for record was made of stenographers and months. She lives in a Chinese house, type-writers; the number in 1890 was sleeps in a kang, eats native food. and 21,185, while only 12,148 men were en- wears the dress 01 the people. I longed gaged in the employment. The census for the brush of an artist as I saw her of 1880 gives 2061 women as artists and on Sunday morning, standing, like an teachers of art; that of 1890 gives angel of light, with her arms around 10,810. The female authors in 1880 an old Chinese woman, her lips almost were 320; in 1890 the number had touching the deaf old ears as she told risen to 2735. her who we were and why we had come. The woman herself was an in- -Perhaps not everybody is aware teresting part of the picture, with her that Mary Lyon made a great" failure" small pointed feet, blue cotton dress, in the early part of her career. But her thin, gray hair combed over back years ago was found in Derry, N. H., and into a queer long black poke bethe record book of the school that she hind. and decorated with artificial flowand Miss Grant started there, and of ers and bright hairpins, flourishing her its failure. There was a board of trus- long pipe toward us, beamiDg all over, tees who called the teachers to account and nodding her head like the puppet for the time spent in personal religious toys we see in shop windows at home. instruction, and wished them to teach -.t1Obie B. (Jhild. dancing and other things for which they had no liking, and the teachers -Surely, that religion .. must go" felt obliged to give up. The result which cannot give an account of itself was two schools which have made their to modem science, discovery, invenmark in the Christian world, Miss tion, etc. The latest weapon forged Grant's at Ipswich and :Miss Lyon's at against caste and the seclusion of wom- South Badley. Well, blessed be failure en is found in the (to Hinduism) peswhen of that sort. tiferous, because so attractive, zenana car. Let the mothers, wives, and -Says Life and Light: "For nearly daughters of India move about swiftly thirty years the Woman's Board, by steam, and see the world for a few through its branches and auxiliaries, years, and they will raise successfnl reo has been trying to persuade the Chris- bellion in behalf of their rights. tian women in our churches to come up to this high (l) ideal of two cents a week YOUNG PEOPLE. for this cause. What success have we had? In the year 1895, our last full -According to the latest Y. M. C, A. year of twelve months, the contribu- Year Book, more than 100,000 miles of tions amounted to less than one cent a railway are controlled by those com. panies which contribute to the support among the various interests of his kingof these associations. Among them dom, and to pay it systematically." are the Pennsylvania, New York Central, Lake Shore and Michigan South- -Rev. F. E. Clark gives excellent ern, Michigan Central, Baltimore and advice to Endeavorers in regard to rais- Ohio, Chesapeake and Ohio, Boston and ing money and using it. He advises Maine, Boston and Albany and Fitch· the envelope plan; so much each month burg, as well as many other smaller systematically: Don't spend it upon lines. There are 109 organizations, 32 yourselves; don't use it up for ice of them being in New York State, 16 cream sociables and turkey suppers; in Pennsylvania, and 11 in the Vir- don't spend it for anniversary or local ginias. union speakers; don't fritter away your money on everyone that can gain the -" In labors manifold" might well ear of your society; do give through be the motto of the Order of the King's your own church to your own denomi- Daughters and Sons. In Washington, national missionary boards. Let both D. C., they paid for the digging of a the home and foreign treasurers know parsonage well; in Joliet, Ill., Martins- that they can depend upon your society burg. W. Va., Staunton, Va., Frank- for a contribution every year. fort, Ky., and many other places, they have been the prime movers in building -Regarding studies in missions, The and maintaining hospitals; a free dis- Home Missionary says: "Educating pensary in Plainfield, N. J., and rooms, young people along missionary lines is wards, or cots in hospitals in Lansing, like printing chromos. The first time Mich., Ithaca. N. Y., Brooklyn, N. Y., the paper is put under the press, only a Richmond, Va., etc., are supported by few shapeless blots appear; the next the order; Gordon Rest (Hanson, time a few more, until finally the pic- Mass.), the Vacation Home in Evanston, ture begins to assume shape, and at last Ill., a camp in Plainfield, N. J., flower the finished picture is before us… missions and fresh air parties, are typi· cal of its summer ministries. -One of the greatest difficulties in connection with the reduction in the -The Light in the East Circle of the income of the American Board has been King's Daughters, in Smyrna, Turkey, the necessity of dismissing native supports an At'menian boy in the preachers and teachers. To meet this American high school in Smyrna, pays District·Secretary Hitchcock proposed the tuition of an orphan girl in another that the Endeavor societies and Sunschool, and is a constant giver of help day-schools should take up the question in the way of food and other necessa- and raise at once a relief fund. A corries of life. It provided 32 families dial response was made from every with food last Easter. state and territory in the Interior ex- cept one. Quite a sum of money-over -The United Br<Jthren Young Peo- $3000-has come in and more is expectple's Union propose to get more relig- ed, so that at least 30 native preachers ion into that church. The coming gen- will be kept at work for the full year. eration have adopted the following pledge for each member to take-viz.: -The Friends have appointed a " Recognizing my relation to God as a Christian Endeavor superintendent of Christian steward, I promise to seek to foreign missions to circulate missionary administer my financial affairs that I literature and to promote giving. may lay aside a liberal proportion (at least one tenth) of my income for the -Some one asked the Rev. W. I. use of the Lord. I further promise to Chamberlain, of the Arcot Mission, seek to distribute wisely this amount " What is the most striking character- istic of Christian Endeavor in India ?" His reply, as given in The Mi8sion Jilield, is suggestive: "The most strik- the poor and unfortunate. This makes ing feature-may be said to be their wit- no account of the beneficences in indine88.bearing. Small companies, or vidual cases, which would considerably bands, are formed, under the leadership swell the total amount. of one of the older members as captain: and these, provided with musical instru- – A summer school for poor children ments and large colored Scripture pic- recently closed its session in Chicago. tures, go forth to the surrounding vil- At the opening of the term 35 boys and lages on Sabbath afternoons and bear girls who applied for admission were their testimony_ This work is, as a asked to tell whether they had ever rule, carried on under the direction of been in the woods; whether they had the lookout committee, and usually on ever seen Lake Michigan (all of them Sundays. But as other opportunities lived within a mile or two of it); offer, in day schools among non·Chris- whether they had ever picked a :flower; tian schoolmates, or in railway trains whether they had ever been in the among fellow-passengers, the more ac- parks, and several other questions. tive members carryon their work and The answers brought out in a striking report it to the society at its meetings. " manner the narrow boundaries within which the chiluren of the poor pass UNITED STATES. their years, for 30 out of 35 had never been in the woods, 19 had never seen -The Golden Rule states that it takes the lake, and 8 had never picked a 7862 American church-members to sup- :flower. port 1 foreign missionary, the Christians of America giving on an average -As many as 46,253 women and cbilonly 40 cents a year for the support of dren were carried on the Floating Hosmissions. If that be so, then, for pital of the St. John's Guild, New shame I Why, in many a community York, during the season of 1896, and one twentieth of that number" easily" over 700 children severely ill were treatsupport a saloon, aud tho not possessed ed in the wards without a death taking of one tenth of the average amount of place on board. worldly goods. -The Doston Missionary Training -Bishop Thoburn recently provoked School was born seven years ago criticism by saying that there are prob- through the divinely inspired faith and ably 1,500,000 members in the Meth- labor of Rev. A. J. Gordon, who was odist Episcopal Church that give noth- its president until his death, since which ing to the cause of missions. And it is time his name has been given to the by no means certain that Methodist school that it might thus stand as a saints are sinners above all men that living memorial of him, and Rev. A. T. dwell in Jerusalem. Pierson has been elected to the presi- dency. -One person in every 10 in Chicago is more or less dependent on charity for -Miss Laura W. Pierson, daughter a living. Thirty-five per cent of the of the EDITOR of this REVIEW, writes annual tax levy in Cook County, or from Tucson, Ariz.: "Tho our Indians $780,000 last year, was expended for have no words for 'thank you,' outdoor relief and for the support of 'please,' or 'good-by,' and the word charitable institutions. In addition to for' love' and' like' is just the same, this about $1,200,000, ac~ording to a re- yet, cold as they sometimes appear, the cent estimate made by Professor C. R. family tie is very strong among them Henderson, of Chicago University, is and they are capable of deep affection. contributed every year through 200 I have seen a stalwart, long.baired Indcharitable organizations to the relief of ian come to the school wrapped in his' blanket, and wait patiently for a sight of his little daughter. When she ap- worth more, all being free of debt, and peared, he opened his arms and she ran has 5 members preparing for Christian into them, and was held close as he work-2 in the Gordon Trainiug School, looked into her bright face, stroked Boston, 2 in the Union Missionary her hair, and talked lovingly to her in Training Institute, Brooklyn, and 1 in the Indian tongue. Many times the the Marion Collegiate Institute. It boys will earn a little money, purchase also supports 2 missionaries in Africa.
apples or oranges, and slip them into A striking illustration of their devotion the hands of a small brother or sister." is seen in the fact that more than 100 -The American Hebrew makes use of members are systematically contributthe statistics of the New York Journal ing for the spread of the Gospel in to allay any alarm that may be felt heathen lands.
touching the rapid increase of Jewish -The American Board for the tirst wealth and power in our chief cities, time since August 31st, 1892, has been and especially in New York: "Speak- able to close its business year without ing of the wealth of the Jews, it pub- debt. The total receipts have been lishes a list of multi·millionaires, in $743,104, and the total expenditures, which the tirst Jew is thirty-third, the $627,969. leaving a balance of $115,- aggregate wealth of those above him 135. Deducting from this the debt of being $1,315,000,000. Of real estate a year ago, $114,632, a balance is left holdings, valued by the Tax Bureau at of $502. Last year the regular dona- $1,646,028,655, only about $200,000,000 tions were $423,373; this year, $426,- are in the hands of Jews. There were 730. Last year the donations for special counted 1344 signs on Broadway from objects were $45,559 ; this year, $43,- Bowling Green to Fourteenth Street, of 989. Legacies last year amounted to which only 766 hore Jewish names, and $150,435; this year to $116,988. The this in the stronghold of Jewish trades- total receipts from regular donations, men. The Journal goes on to show donations for special objects and lega- that the Jewish popUlation of the world cies last year were $619,367 ; this year, is 7,000,000 in a total of 1,480.000.000, $587,708. The receipts for the debt, and of these more than two thirds are interest on permanent funds, etc., in Russia, while in New York there are amount to $155.395, making the total 350,000 of them in a population of five receipts from all sources $743,104. In times that number. It thus appears addition to the above and aside from that the preponderating influence of the all receipts for the work of the Board, Jew is simply a bubaboo, unworthy of $130,035 has been forwarded for Ar· serious attention." menian relief, and also more than $80,- . -The fashion is most excellent. A 000 for Armenians in Turkey from Aryear or two since Dr. A. B. SimpSGll menian friends and relatives in this made a world tour to visit the stations country. of the M.issionary Alliance. Dr. A. McLean has recently returned from a -In the early part of the year it was similar errand for the work of the Dis- widely reported that 6 missionaries in ciples abroad, while Mr. R. E. Speer India would be obliged to leave their has taken his departure to the ends of work on account of the reduction of the earth to serve the Presbyterian appropriations. We are glad to learn Church in the same way. that the Missionary Board has taken effective action to relieve this and other cases by giving a special grant of $10,- -Grace Baptist Church, Brooklyn, 000, to be divided among the confer- W. J. Mosier, pastor, is composed of ences in India and Malaysia. Dr. T. J.
poor people, who in three yeare pur- Scott and Rev. N. E. Rockey will re- chased lots worth $6000 and a building turn to India soon, Dr. Waugh's fur. lough has been extended,' and other crease of 1500 over last year. Its in- brethren are perfecting their arrange- come was £154,500, which was less by ments for tho future.-Nortltwe8tern £1200 than the expenditure.
Ohristian Advocate. The Continent.-Baroness Hirsch EUROPE. has added $20,000,000 to the munificent gifts of her late husband, for the emi· Great Britain. – The Year Book of gration of indigent Jews from Russia Philanthropy states that in 1894 in the and the Argentine Republic.
United Kingdom more than $37,000,000 -The Netherlands Government has were contributed for charitable and mis- declared that, in view of the high im· sionary purposes at home and abroad. portance which attaches to the benefi- -The Archbishop of Dublin preach- cial results of missions for the advanceed to a very large congregation in the ment of civilization in the Dutch East mission church of the Irish Church Indies, it shall hold itself bound to see Mission in Dublin on a recent Sunday, that the forces of missions are not the occasion being the public reception weakened by the competition of variof 33 con verts from Romanism. ous societies in one place. The Dutch are a sensible race, if there is no other -During the more than ninety years way to put an end to sectarian divisions. of its history the British and Foreign -Belfast Wz·tnes8. Bible Society has expended over $60,- 000,000. The Scriptures or parts of -The Danish Missionary Society them issued from the society's presses comprises 600 branch societies, with an number more than 131,000,000. At active membership of about 20,000.
present about 1000 colporteurs and The receipts for the past year amount- Biblewomen are employed, and almost ed to 100,000 crowns. The first mission an equal nnmber are engaged on trans· field of the society was in Southern lation and revision work. India; since 1892, however, it has -It is announced that the Church taken up mission work in China. Four Missionary Society will require, for the missionaries are ready to be sent out. carrying on of all its operations during The society employs 16 missionaries. the current year, no less a sum than The question is discussed whether a £308,000. Last year it expended £291,- third mission, in Middle India, shall be 000. Its missionary staff is constantly undertaken. increasing. During last year it grew from 903 to 9~ 5, and some 70 new mis- -A recently published list of the sionaries are hoping to sail in the au- German missionary societies enumertumn. ates 16, of which 5 are very small, hav- ing less than 10 missionaries each. The -Since the London Missionary So- largest is the Moravian mission, which, ciety was organized a century ago about however, is not exclusively German. £5,620,000 has been expended for for- Its returns of 174 missionaries and eign mission work, to which amount £24,789 income no doubt relate to its may be added nearly £100,000 which German resources. Next comes the has been contributed by native churches. Basel Society, with 170 missionaries, During this time more than 1000 Euro- 30,200 converts, and an income of £43,- pean missionaries have been sent to for- 561. The Barmen Society has 105 miseign fields exclusive of the Christian sionaries, an income of £24,548, and women who have accompanied their claims 56,944 converts. Next after husbands. these come the Berlin, Hermannsburg, Leipsic, Pastor Gossner's, Bremen, -The Wesleyan Missionary Society Neukirchen. Breklum, German South reports 42,677 converts, being an in- Africa (Berlin), and Neuendettelsau SQeieties. The sum total given is 705 ity of native Christians are the results missionaries and an income of £172,- of the university medical examinations 410. The expenditure is put down at in India last summer. Out of 38 can· a much larger figure, £245,906, which didates who passed the examinations is explained as being due to the Mora- successfully 9 were native Christian vian mission, which draws large sums young men. The native Christians from England and America. also are stilI a small minority of the -Some 70,000 workmen, exclusive 300,000,000 of people in Hindustan, yet of engineers and officers, are at work about one fourth of the successful men upon the great Transsiberian Railway. at these impartial examinations were The proposed length of this great car- Christians. Besides, 2 of the young rier' is 4547 miles, of which over one Christians carried off 2 of the medalsthird has been completed. During the one for the best work in clinical surseason of 1895, 918t miles were built, gery and one for the best all around thus giving a direct route from St. graduating student of the medical col- Petersburg to the Yenisei River, a dis- lege. tance of 3056 miles. Up to June, 1892, the amount expended was $32,488,000. -A writer in an Indian paper,him- The engineers have been forced to aban- self a Christian, declares to be false the don the original plan of building across common impression that missionary and through the mountains and canons successes in India are almost entirely on the south of Lake Baikal, and trains among the lower classes. It has been will be ferried 20 miles across the lake estimated by no less an authority than by means of transfer steamers. Professor Christlieb that lout of ever'y 6 converts in India is from the upper castes. Much emphasis, moreover, is ASIA. to be laid upon the fact that the Chris- tian education and training given the India.-The Kaukao i Hind says of converts render them able, even tho a certain Methodist school: "As an il- from the lowest castes, to compete suclustration of what a mission school may cessfully with men from the highest ~and may do, we note that from its ranks of Hindu society, and even to last year's classes the Lal Bagh Girl's win many victories over them.
School, Lucknow, under Miss Thoburn, -Not long since a lad of 18, named sent out from its pupils workers as fol- Norendra N. Chatterji, was baptized at lows: One to the Cawnpore High the Lall Bazar Chapel, Barrackpore, by School, 1 to the Moradabad IIigh Rev. J. Duthie.. The young man has School, 1 to the Budaon Girl's School, been inquiring for some years, and has all as teachers of the higher grade been in frequent communication with classes; 2 as teachers to Gonda, 1 to Kalada Babu and others. His father join Miss Rowe's evangelistic band, 1 sued in the district judge's court for as a teacher to the S. P. G. orphanage the recovery of his son on the ground at Cawnpore, 1 as an army school mis- that he was a minor; and produced a tress, 1 to the government educational horoscope which showed that the boy department, and 2 others join the nor- to whom it referred was only 14t. Exmal school for further preparation for amination by the civil surgeon showed, mission work. Viewing mission schools however, that Norendra Nath had cut not simply as agencies to enlighten the all his. wisdom teeth, and was therefore intellect, but as an effectual means of oVllr 18, and judgment was given ac- propagating the Christian faith, more cordingly.
successful work could hardly be asked." -Interesting news was recently re- -Among the encouraging facts now ceived about the First Church of Bang· and then occurring }adicating the qual. kok, Siam, which has extended to Kroo Yooan a unanimous call to be- attempt to make them pay as a breach come its pastor. The support of the of trust. Some one will probably ask, pastor has all been pledged by subscrip- • Why did not the missionaries, when tions of native members, aside from lending the money, make the people the regular Sabbath offering. The understand they would have to repay Siam Presbytery agreed to ordain and it ?' The missionaries no doubt told install him, which was recently done. the people plainly that they were only This affair is of peculiar interest, as lending the money : and as they were Kroo Yooan is the first native pastor able to enforce their claim in the court, ever installed over a church in lower it is pretty certain they took legal ac- Siam, and the first native ever ordained knowledgments from their debtors. to the ministry by the Siam Presby Yet all this failed to convince the peo tery. – Observer. pIe that the missionaries were not giv- ing them the money. And bere is the -A missionary writes that, as in core of the difficulty. It is next to im- Tibet, the social order is somewhat re- possible to make Christian converts versed in Laos land. The man leaves comprehend that they will ever be his home and family at marriage, to go called to repay funds received from the to his wife's, giving up all his property. mission, or to pay a money equivalent The wife holds the home and lands in her for help received." own name. The husband cannot lend an ate (a Siamese coin worth one cent) China.-Li Hung Chang says that without the wife's sanction. Even the he received his first clear knowledge of king of Siam cannot lend money, only Western affairs from Dr. Martin, forhis wives can do this. The women and merly a missionary in China and for girls smoke cigars, and. betel chewing forty years president of the Imperial to make red lips is universal. The University at Pekin. Earl Li is greatly teeth are blackened for ornament, and attached to Dr. Martin. the common proverb is: .. Any dog can have white teeth !" -Rev. J. E. Walker gives some rea· sons why the Chinese greatly need the -The Indian Witness gives the fol. Gospel. He says: .. The Chinese c<,"· lowing disappointing narrative of the ception of bliss Is unlimited pomp, ease, ill success of an attempt to combine and sensual indulgence. The despised evangelization with philanthropy: .. A estate, hard toil, and scant rations of number of native Christian farmers in the masses react toward arrogance, a mass abandoned their village and reo sloth, and gluttony in those who rise moved to a locality forty miles distant. above the common level. Hence we When asked why they left their vil· have incompetence, corruption, and oplage, they said the missionaries had taken pression on the part of the officials. the land away from them. The facts The scholar seeks office for the sake of are these: In a time of need the mis- wealth and show. He wants to make sionaries lent these people certain sums money fast, and easily, too. Once of money. Afterward they refused to when I was seeking redress from a Chi· repay the loan; and when the missiona- nese official I was told that what I ries tried to collect their debts by proc- needed to do was not to reason with ess of law, the debtors left the place. him, but simply to make it easier for If a Hindu or Mohammedan banker had him to decide in my favor than against lent them money they would have ex- me. Alike in lawsuits and in politics, pected to pay, and would not have re- influence and money dominate all other sented steps taken to compel payment. considerations… When they borrowed money from the missionaries they did not expect to be -The Chinaman is becoming every Jelluired to pay, and so regarded the day more and more distinctively a fae· tor in Asiatic history. Many years ago -The ReT. J. F. Peat writes from there was a coalin~ station at Singa- Chung.king , .. You will probably be pore for the convenience of British interested in a brief account of our ships. On came the Chinamen, and in Sunday school out here in the west of a little while they made this desolate China All the officers are natives ex- port one 0': the great marts of the world cept the superintendent. There are 12 Penang, too. is another English colony, regular classes, and we sometimes form with English officials and English banks another to accommodate a surplus of and English steamship lines: yet the visitors. Our average attendance is business is mainly done by Chinamen. about 150, and our regular collections There is not a large money transaction amount to abont 400 cash (100 cash is in any of the banks of Singapore or equal to about five and a half cents).
Penang in which Chinamen do not have Tliis buys our lesson leaves, and a little a hand. In Burma, too, the diffusive remains, with which we hope to start a Chinaman has made his appearance. In Sunday-school library. Many good Rangoon he is already a power. He is books are translated into Chinese, and getting business into his hands. He is we hope to place some of these within the contractor; he is the merchant; he reach of our Sunday.school scholars.
is the drive wheel of the whole business -The Rev. E. C. Smyth, medical train. When those railroads are com- missionary from Chou·ping, North Chipleted to China from Siam and from na, said at the annual meeting of the Burma, the Chinamen will come down Baptist Missionary Society, in London: in swarms. In business matters they " Among our members is a woman who bid fair' to possess the kingdom. Let was formerly very bad. She had a SOD, the significance and suggestiveness of a Christian, with whom she lived alone. these things be noted. Chinese char- She was blind and somewhat infirm, acter is hard and granitic; it imprints but when she got her temper up able itself with enduring fixedness on the and strong enough for anythtng. The peoples around her, so far as they are son often prayed to God that He would capable of being affected. China is to convert his mother One night he rebe a factor not only in Asiatic history, moved from the room the idol gods, but in the world's history.-Re1J. W. that she might not worship them. She Ashmore. found it out, picked up an ax and banged him on the head with it, mak- -In New Zealand, as in California, ing a nasty wound. What was he to the Chinaman abounds, and there, toO, do? We told him he must forgive her, he has to resort to strategy to make and still pray for her ; and so things good his position. In Otago, where went on, until one day she gave her Scotchmen are in the majority, 1 con- heart to Christ. She came to us, and tract for mending a road was to be let, after eighteen. months' probation she and the most acceptable bid was signed was received, and at that time, altho .. McPherson." Notice was sent to seventy years of age, she was able to the said McPherson to complete the repeat twenty hymns and nearly the contract. and 10 I he appeared in all the whole of the Gospel of St. John. She glory .of yellow hue and pigtail. had never been out of her own village, " But," gasped the president of the and had very small feet, yet she travboard, .. your name can't be McPher- eled fifteen miles to the place of bapson." "All lightee," cheerfully an- tism." swered John Chinaman; .. nobody catchee contlact in Otago unless he AFRICA. named Mac." The contract was signed, and the Mongolian McPherson did his -The English Baptists have planted work as well as if he had hailed from a station within 10 miles of Stanley Glasgow. ll'alls, on the Upper Oongo. This Js more than half-way acroSil the conti- The nominal capital was $217,000,000, nent from the West Ooast, and it is with an issued capital of $200,000,000 only twenty-two years since Stanley and a working capital of $60,000,000.
completed his wonderful trip across The dividends for the year were $12,- Africa. 500,000. Of this income the State re- -The Sisters of Notre Dame are rep- ceived directly $8,000,000. The chance resented on the Kongo by 12 members, at such splendid fortunes the English who help the Jesuits in the education adventurers and bankers are not likely of the girls and in the building up of to yield.
Catholic towns. At Kuango Mission -The great annual inundation of the they have about 100 children under Zambesi, which changes the plain in- their care, Another female order, the habited by the Barotsl into a vast lake, Sisters of Charity of Ghent, works in has been a severe testing time, Dur· connection with the Fathers of Ghent. ing the flood the women are absorbed They direct 4 establishments in the in attending to their fields, which are Kongo State, at Moanda, Berghe Bte. converted into islands, and the men Marie, Luluaburg, and Boma. At Mo· think only of hunting or fishing. At- anda they have 120 boarding pupils, tendance at school and church conse- and a Oatholic Ohristian town is being quently falls off considerably. When fprmed which is expected to contain the time of distraction was over, it was Boon over 100 families. At Berghe 8te. found to have been fatal to the spiritual Marie they have 84 girls and a number life of many. On the other hand, their of Catholic families. At Luluaburg loss was partially compensated by fresh they have over 300 pupils. Eight conversions of adults, Among these Franciscan sisters from Gooreind, near may be cited one of the king's wives, Antwerp, are about to proceed to Ban- Nolianga. She obtained her affran- gala. There will then be 40 Catholic chisement, and thus was able to quit sisters on the Kongo.-HeU Ohatelain. the harem. This was the signal for re- -The Berlin Mission has in South doubled opposition on the part of the Africa 5 stations, 76 white missionaries adversaries of the Gospel, and Nolianga (wives not included), 131 paid native was treated as a lunatic; but she stood evangelists, and 421 unpaid native as- firm, and renounced the honors of a sistants. Nearly 5000 children receive queen to follow her Savior.-Journal daily instruction. The native congre- des Missions FJoangeliques. gations number 21,119 baptized persons, who contribute nearly $35,000 a year -A letter from Bishop Tucker shows for religious purposes, or $6 per fam- the expanding work and opening doors ily. The largest field of this mission is not only in Uganda, but in the surin the Transvaal, where the Christian rounding country. He has visited as well as the heathen natives are, by Toro, a populous district 200 miles the Draconic laws of the Boers, reduced west of Mengo, on the slopes of the to a state more humiliating than that of mighty mountain mass, Ruwenzori, disnative slavery. covered by Mr. Stanley on his last jour- ney. No English missionary has been -The Zulus gave over $4000 last there, but the Gospel has been carried year to sustain their native churches. thither by the evangelists of the Uganda Church. The king of TollO has been -The Transvaal mines are now baptized; there is a church at his capi- among the richest in the world. The yield tal; and the people are eager learners.
of gold in 1895 was 2,494,487 ounces, There seems no limit to the possibilities valued at about $43,000,000, and 60,· of speedy evangelization in these new 000 persons, mostly negroes, were en- fields, if only the men are forthcoming, gaged in mining and reducing the ore. and the m.ea,ns to IJlalntain them. " Up , for this is the day in which the belling against the French in several Lord hath delivered the oppressor into places and murdering many Europeans. thine hand: is not the Lord gone out It is not only a rebellion against the before thee 1"-Gleaner, French authorities, but also a rising against Christianity. The old idols are ISLANDS OF THE SEA. restored, the churches burned, and mis- sionaries, as well as their faithful -The Anglo·Chinese school of Singa· adherents, persecuted and killed. pore had last year an average attend- Churches and school-houses are burned, ance of 507, and is the largest school Bibles and other books destroyed. Our in the Straits Settlements. It is self- mission in the North Betsileo has had a supporting. very severe loss. One of our best sta·· tions has been altogether destroyed, and -" A prominent Dutch gentleman, at another many valuable houses have who traveled for years in the Dutch been ruined. All the churches belong- East Indies, speaks thus of his approach ing to these stations with three or four to the villllge bordering on Toba Lake, exceptions (altogether 75) have been where the missionaries had established burned. At Antsirabe we had a hoschurches: • To be welcomed in the pital, a sanatorium, and a leper home, land of cannibals by children singing with 300 lepers in about 60 houses. In hymns, this, indeed, shows the regen. the leper village there was also a church erating power of the Gospel. ' " and a litile hospital. All these build- ings, as well as the doctor's dwelling- -Rev. J. G. Paton writes from the house, have been destroyed." New Hebrides: "The following facts and figures may be interesting: There -During the past year the islanders were 18 missionaries and 271 teachers of Kusaie, Micronesia. have built 3 new at work last year, and 9587 people at- churches of the native coral rock to tending school, and there are now 296 take the place of those destroyed by a candidates for baptism; 492 adult bap- hurricane five years ago. It required tisms and 148 marriages were solem- the labor of all the natives on the island nized during this year. The sum of for several weeks, and at the dedication $156 in cash was raised and 5210 pounds service the people attended in a body. of arrowroot, amounting to about $1300, was made for mission purposes. This -Writing from Madagascar to his item does not include the large amount son in Edinburgh, under date June 8th, paid for books in cash or by contribu- a missionary states that only 5 out of 25 tion of arrowroot. Sixteen couples churches in that part of the island were volunteered for work on heathen isl- left standing. The rest had been set ands, and 1120 natives renounced their on fire and burnt by the natives. He heathenism and joined the Christian says: "There are French troops up party, while the number of church- north constantly on the move against members stands at 2082." the enemy, but they find no enemy to fight. Where they go the enemy leave, -The converts of Aneityum, New and when they leave, return. Only Hebrides, having been taught how to towns where there are garrisons are make arrowroot, last year sent $500 as now safe. Anarchy reigns all north of a missionary contribution to the Free us for miles and miles. It is partly a Church of Scotland. They also keep patriotic rising, but chiefly heathen. up 28 village school·houses on the The people up north who have never island. All their money comes from forsaken their heathenism, tho they the sale of arrowroot. built themselves churches and met· in them, have gone back to their pagan -And a Norwegian mISSIOnary practices with a rush. The quiet days writes: "At present we have a very of missionary work are gone." troublesome time. The people are re-
The Missionary Review of the World — October 1896
WILLIAM E. DODGE, ONE OF THE PROMOTERS OF MISSIONS
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIX. No. lO.-Old &ritls.-OOTOBER.-VOL. IX. No. 1O.-New Series.
WILLIAM E. DODGE, ONE OF THE PROMOTERS OF MISSIONS. * BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
When David fought with the Amalekites and recovered all that they had carned away after the burning of Ziklag,he made emphatic a memorable rule which manifestly has a typical bearing, as it is more than once referred to, both before and afterward:t ".As his part that goeth down to the battle, so his part that tarrieth by tlte stuff: they shall part alike."
This is known as " Hannington's.l~l;xt," from the prominence which the martyr bishop of Uganda gave to it in his missionary addresses and correspondence; and the principle it enunciates is really fundamental. Nothing is more necessary to an army, engaged in a campaign in an enemy's country, than to keep open the line of communication with the base of supplies. Somebody must stay by the stuff, while others go to the front, and see that ammunition and provision of all sorts are furnished in abundance, for the connection between the troops on the field and their supporters in the rear must be kept open, as manifestly one of the conditions of successful warfare-a condition as indispensable as to have soldiers to face the foe.
The merchant prince to whose career we now advert was a very conspicuous example of the friends and promoters of missions, showing how a man, without directly engaging in missionary work himself, is vitally related to the whole cause of missions, and inseparable alike from its successes and its rewards.
Mr. Dodge had a heredity which was consistent with his own career. The first of the American family of Dodge, traceable back to 1629, was a promoter of schools and churches, and bore also the name of William; and the family history, all the way through, shows mingled piety and patriotism, intelligent service of both Church and State, in war and peace.
• American !reformers. Edited by Carlos Martyn. Funk & WagnaJlB. Memorials of Willlam E. Dodge, by D. Stuart Dodge.
t Compare Numbers 81 : Zi; Joshua 22 : 8 ; Psalm 68 : 12. Punctuality, hospitality, love of books, love of man, fidelity to promise, conscientiousness, benevolence, large-minded and large-hearted service to humanity, have for centuries been family traits. Who shall dare to say that there is nothing in " blood" ?
William Earl Dodge was a native of Hartford, Conn., and born in 1805, so that at the time of his death, in 1883, he was nearly seventyeight years of age. It is always important to know what are the early influences which shape a man's future; for we are all of us molded largely by our environment, even tho it be principally by the heroic resistance which it compels to unfavorable and hindering influences. In Mr. Dodge's case the surroundings were helpful. He was brought up in an atmosphere which was at once full of the oxygen of business training and the perfume of Christian faith. He was marked by a mind that was alert and a body that was active; he craved knowledge, he yearned for occupation, and he loved animals, and so he was disposed to intelligence, industry, and affection.
At his queenly mother's knee he learned his first lessons of faith and prayer, and both alphabets, the literal and the spiritual. Her mental equipoise, her emotional tenderness, her Christian devotion, her sanctified common sense, left lasting impress on the plastic clay of his child-character. His father helped to form studious habits, to direct his courses of reading, and to inculcate ideas of unselfishness and service to humanity in the lad, whose future neither parent had forecast enough to predict; and his uncle by marriage, the remarkable man whose brain was thought by Professor Bush to be the only adequate explanation of the brilliant meteoric display of 1837-Dr. Samuel H. Cox-had somewhat to do in inspiring the boy's better nature, for he resided at Dr. Cox's home for a time while at school in Mendham, N. J.
Before William was fully thirteen he was summoned by his father to the great metropolis, henceforth to be so closely linked with his name and fame, and school life was exchanged abruptly for a clerkship in a drygoods house. He so commended himself to his employers that at the end of his first year's work he received a watch as a token of their regarda significant token, for William E. Dodge was always a man who was up to time. For a while financial straits, which drove the family to Connecticut, changed William's home and occupation; and at Bozrahville he was permitted for the first time to " start in business" for himself, stocking a showcase in his father's country store, and, tho not yet fifteen, buying and selling on his own account, and learning how to adapt himself to his customers. A year or two pass, and this same boy William has shown enough capacity and sagacity to be truRted to go to New York regularly as the purchasing agent of the business. Meanwhile the boy's Christian character and activity were finding in the humble New England village a congenial clime, for a revival turned the cotton-mill, of which his father also bad charge, int.o a place of prayer, and the business of the factory was conducted on Christian principles. The latent lessons of his earliest boyhood now changed into patent conduct and character, and one night, in 1821, he asked for prayers in his own behalf at the village prayer service, in which his sister Mary and a dozen others joined him in the new step of confession. From the time when, in 1822, he publicly united with God's people, not yet seventeen years old, he never for a day flagged in his devotion to Christ or his activities for the welfare and salvation of the race. What a privilege to have had an uninterrupted career of sixty years, in which to lay up treasures in heaven by faithful and prayerful service to God and man!
In the year 1825 William E. Dodge again came 1;0 New York, where, in 1827, he hung out his sign at 213 Pearl Street, beginning business in a small way, in partnership with a son of a former customer. One of his earliest acts in business was characteristically courteous and sagacious ; he invited two young Connecticut peddlers to avail themselves of the empty room in his store, as a depot of supplies and purchases, and he made of them, as he made of so many more by like treatment, attached friends and permanent patrons.
Enough has been written perhaps to hint the preparations Mr. Dodge had for his life of successful service, and we may now turn to the forms of service themselves whereby he became such an eminent promoter of missions in the supreme sense.
For example, he saw from the dawn of his manhood that the Sundayschool is the nursery of the Church, and one of the most efficient methods of evangelizing society. and he was for twoscore years personally and actively identified with it. In his day Sunday-schools had two sessions a Sabbath, and he was found at both; and while yet a mere lad he had brought in his own class from the street. After being for years a teacher, he was for thirty-five years a superintendent; and in this, as all other work, he was willing to lay fonndations, actually clothing boys who could not otherwise come to the school, and in one case having the boy change his clothes every Sunday at his own house to prevent a drunken father selling them at a drinkshop. More than this, he visited scholars at their homes, even when a superintendent, holding himself responsible for them all, and not leaving the work even to individual teachers. Of course the man that thus emphasized Sunday-schools was found in the front rank of every movement that looked toward their multiplication and greater efficiency. The American Sunday-School Union and New York Sunday-School Teachers' Association, etc., found in him a man, whose ti.me and strength, whose voice and purse, they might at all times count on and command.
He felt also that association is one of the most important factors in both forming and feeding virtuous and pious manhood. His heart especially yearned over young men, whose social and religious character he desired to mold in the matrix of Christian morality. Hence we find him one of the founders of the Mercantile Library of New York, and for years its truslee or treasurer-an institution inlended to prevent young men from being drawn into vicious associations and pleasures, by supplying to them a reading-room and helpful companionships; also among the founders of the New York Young Men's Bible Society, the members of which acted as lay missionaries, in colportage, and other benevolent visitation. The social links he thus formed for others proved a life-long blessing to himself, for life friendships were here initiated. In his life-war against drink we find him giving aid in forming juvenile societies, Bands of Hope, cold-water armies, and surrounding young and old alike with the safeguards of association. In fact, there is scarce a philanthropic or benevolent organization with which in some form he was not linked. The New York City Mission, the American Tract Society, the American Bible Society-of these he was director or manager, and never refused either money or time when needful, for he held that no man has a right to do by proxy what he can do in persen, and hence he never satisfied his conscience by purchasing a substitute.
Mr. Dodge owed to his marriage, more than to anyone other event of his eventful life, his power for God and good, for his wife proved both his counterpart and his cooperator in every noblest form of activity. Marriage makes or mars a man more than any other one fact of his history ; next, perl:!aps, to personal self-dedication to God, personal commitment of the man and woman to each other is the critical act and fact of a lifetime. Hence, the shame of careless, not to say unworthy, marriage bonds, and the imperalive need of not only care, but prayer, that one may trust to no guidance this side of Him, who alone reads character and knows the eternal fitness of parties to become " one flesh" and one spirit. To have a worldly, frivolous, vain, fashionable, extravagant, and unsympathetic wife is as near a wreckage as any human ship can ever encounter ; whereas many a man will never know in this world how much of capacity to do good and sagacity in doing good he owes to her whose kingdom comes not with observation, but who, like her Master, irradiates all his home life and heart life with her serene and holy light.
Mr. Dodge married for love, but with sound sense and Christian prudence. He sought and found the sterling virtues which grow more lustrous as the romantic attraction wears away. Melissa Phelps had from the age of twelve been a professing disciple of Christ, and had chosen to lose her life that she might find in service the harvest of a buried and sacrificed selfishness. What a blessing from God, when a young man with such character and aims enters into indissoluble partnership with a maiden who has already learned that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and who has found already that every Christian is to live by dying, keep by losing, gather by scattering! Henceforth the life of William E. Dodge is a twin life; nay, rather shall we not say that in the mathematics of such a marriagQ, one and one make-oNE ~ In 1828 this young man of twenty-three now starts on what is virtually a new career: he has another half to make him complete as a promoter of missions. Mr. Martyn well quotes Congreve : " Thy wife's a constellation of virtues . She's the moon; And thou art the man i' the moon I"
It would not comport with our present purpose to follow the roads whereby Mr. Dodge reached the goal of his large wealth, by the sagacious purchase of lumber districts, and. the development of the coal and iron mines of Pennsylvania, and the copper mines of Lake Superior, by his courageous and energetic pressing of railroad-building, which made all this vegetable and mineral wealth accessible j but it is quite essential to note in passing lhat he carefully read and studied all matters pertaining to his business schemes, and knew what he was doing j and it is as important to observe that, when the panic of 1837, for instance, like an earthquake, involved multitudes of adventurous traders in ruin, the house of which Mr. Dodge was a partner safely bore the shock. Their business integrity and economy and sagacity both held their customers and prevented careless burdens of debt which they could not carry in the crisis.
This biography is so fascinating that we are in danger of unduly elongating this sketch, giving too much prominence, perhaps, to the incidental features of a career which our object is mainly to present in its great outlines as furthering all missionary enterprise at home and abroad. Still, as we are contemplating a merchant prince, we must note the steps by which he mounted to his throne of influence in the commercial world.
A so-called accident, which was really a divine incident, and which both exhibited and developed William's calmness of judgment and readiness of resource, made Mr. Phelps and his son-in-law partners in the great metal importing house with which their joint names are even yet connected j and in 1833 Phelps, Dodge & Co. hung out their sign on Cliff Street. Mr. Phelps fitly succeeded those who had previously molded Mr. Dodge's early manhood, for in body and mind he was a large man, a Christian from his youth, with a model wife and family, a man of great business foresight and daring, yet of gracious temper and benevolent habits. In him young Dodge found a sage, with far-reaching vision and mature experience. with courage to inspire and calmness to restrain j and from the first this partnership was a prophecy of success, which events never disappointed. Here was a firm in which there were three persons, Phelps, Dodge, and Daniel James, another son·in-law j but there were three other partners not so often mentioned by name-" capital, capacity, and experience. ') But all this had availed nothing for true and Christian service to humanity, had there not been three other silent partners in that firm-conscience, benevolence; and consecration. This man, William E. Dodge, abode in his calling with God. His counting-house was sacred and not secular, a place for coworking with God, where he practised the presence of God. Legitimate business and not gambling, stewardship unto God and not practical atheism in money-making, habitual and systematic beneficence and not the monstrous selfishness of hoarding or indulgent spendingthese were the principles of that business house. And the results are apparent: First, in the Christian character impressed on trade j and, secondly, in the naturalness and perpetual courtesy with which appeals for help were considered, weiglled, and either dismissed as unworthy or cheerfully responded to, as a matter both of duty and privilege.
If we were asked to analyze Mr. Dodge'S character as a man of affairs, we should say that five things strike us most, namely: information, adaptation, organization, concentration, and administration. He kept himself in the current of affairs, thus not only familiar with them, but borne along by them. He sought to adjust himself to his place, work, and sphere, so as to be able readily and rapidly without friction to move about in his calling j he did everything by system, so that every duty had its time and pivot in life's machinery j and he trained himself for administering his trusts by cultivating and directing his native faculty for executive action, and concentrating his attention on his life work.
Few of us study to assimilate ourselves to others who are not on our level or in our line. Chalmers could sit on the box of a stage-coach and make the driver think for the time that he was supremely interested in horses, and so drew the driver to hear him preach the Gospel. Mr. Dodge's geniality and congeniality drew to him the driver on a coach, the stoker on a steamship, the bootblack on the corner, as naturally as the merchant on change, 01' the neighbor on the avenue. 'When he fell asleep, what man had a wider circle of loving friends?
He did not find in business, on the one hand, and benevolence, on the other, a division of his attention, for these two were not different life aims pulling in opposite directions, but, like a splendidly matched team of horses, pulling together, they drew to one and the same great goal. Business was the yoke-fellow of benevolence, and benevolence was the spur and stjmulus to business. While we are confident that llis main purpose was not set on wealth, he, no doubt, aimed to be rich j but money meant with him power to accomplish vast good, multiplication of himself by proxy, the presence of his gifts where he himself never went, and the survival of his influence indefinitely after his own death. Absolutely honest in all his dealings, and, believing with Chesterfield that" despatch is the soul of business," he united to integrity and punctuality the supreme grace of an intelligent personal generosity and philanthropy.
He was a punctilious Sabbath-keeper, and to some in these lax days would be thought extreme, but he was consistent and conscientious. He held to 1he need of a rest-day for man as man, and did not forget that even in a sinless Eden the day of rest was instituted. His religious life was all-pervasive, however, and not limited to Sabbath hours. Even in his speeches at the Union League Club there was a seriousness of tone and a reverent recognition of Divine sovereignty which was in strange con- trast with his surroundings, but eminently consistent with his uniform hab- its of life.
His personal activities were marvelous, in number, scope, variety, and versatility.
His pockets were " a tract repository"-a way of exercising influence that has no written history; and the whole man was at God's service. When President Grant undertook to conciliate the Red Indian by just dealing, Mr. Dodge became one of the commiRsioners, and he gave time, which was more valuable than money and could far less easily be given. But in settling this question it was time and thought that outweighed any amount of money: gold could not heal the open sore of our republic. In 1869 he personally went on a tour of inspection thirty days beyond the post-office frontiers, and laid the basis of friendly rela- tions with our Indian wards. For five years this merchant prince gave his help to this board, saving no one knows how many dollars and lives. Likewise, when Russian Christians felt the red right hand of persecution in the Baltic provinces, Mr. Dodge was one of the Evangelical Alliance· delegates who petitioned the Czar for their relief. Again, he acted with the Committee of Seventy to purge New York of the Tweed" ring," was chairman of the New York Branch of the Christian Commission, and a cooperator with the Sanitary Commission, etc.
To a very early period likewise we trace his identity with the cause of abolishing the traffic and use of strong drink. In the temperance reform he was a pioneer, daring to champion it when it cost something to antagonize universal customs and popular prejudices. He cousented to be sneered at as a fanatic, to be threatened by those who traded in human sobriety and grew rich on men's ruin, and ·to risk mercantile loss for the sake of the truth. When, in 1844, he visited Britain, on his arrival at Cork he called with his wife on Father Mathew, drove out with him to the Ursuline Convent, and, confident in his piety as well as philanthropy, urged him to visit America, which he did in 1849. Even amid the temptations of Washington, when as a Representative he exercised abounding hospitality, he banished all intoxicants from his banquet board, tho even total abstainers often yield to the universal custom of furnishing wines to the capital's distinguished guests.
We are prepared to find such a man promoting revivals, and himself, head and heart, engaged in them. Wheu Charles G. Finney came to New York, now nearly seventy years ago, Mr. Dodge was ready to further the work whereby all the city was moved; and to the day of his death any effort that was put forth to reach the unsaved, from the rising to the setting sun, could reckon on this man to be closely identified with it. From boyhood he had been deeply interested in a world's evangelization. His charity began at home, but did not stay there. No estimate of William E. Dodge can be complete which leaves out ?f view his double service by tongue and pen. As to the tongue, what was there of all the various forms of effort which looks to man's best good for which he had not a willing contribution of voice ~ Were municipal affairs corrupt? Hear him thunder out his remonstrance, and exhort fellow-merchants to guard the ballot-box and attend the primary meetings that determine for whom ballots are to be cast. Was a poor church in Baltimore in need of help ~ He delivers a lecture for its benefit. His voice was clear and his enunciation good, and his manner simple, sensible, and effective. His speeches in Congress are a model of patriotism and prudence, charity and courtesy, and the number and variety and utility of his various occasional speeches is surprising for a man who had never a college education and never made oratory a study. He had something to say and said it, with a single aim, to promote trnth and virtue and piety.
His pen was that of a ready writer j and as anyone can see by his signature, his writing had the supreme excellence of being readable. He formed an easy, legible, flowing hand, and he always used letter-writing as one of the foremost agencies in service to men. What volumes those letters, if they conld now be gathered, would present, and what varieties of topics they treated! What was there that was needed in the way of caution and counsel, of consolation and comfort that his pen did not convey! He valued an opportunity of putting a prop under a tempted young man more than a chance of securing a bargain in goods j and he never gave up the imperial scepter of the pen to the cold mechanism of stenographic clerks and typewriters. The sacredness of the confessional was not more inviolable than some of his correspondence. He reminded us of Charles H. Spurgeon, whose letters and postcards were seeds of the kingdom sown over the wide world. His pen exhibited its usefulness in many unobtrusive ways, as when, to the fly-leaf of " Wayland's Letters to the Ministry," which he distributed among expectant ministers of the Word, he attached a personal letter of counsel, at once paternal and fraternal, full of wisdom and graciousness.
When the awful trumpet of war sounded in 1861 Mr. Dodge was, with his partners, among the earliest and largest subscribers to the expenses of the struggle to preserve the republic, and whenever a new need arose a new subscription followed. He who gave a son to the army, and would have gone himself to the front had he been conscious of a call to that duty, kept up the open line of communication at heavy cost. When the great distress in the Lancashire cotton mills resulted from the blockade of the Southern ports, Mr. Dodge started the movement to forward Rupplies of money and food and clothing to the suffering operatives, himself acting as chairman of the Committee of Relief.
GOSPEL WORK IN PERSIA
GOSPEL WORK IN PERSIA.
BY REV. SAMUEL G. WILSON, TABRIZ, PERSIA.
In considering the condition of Gospel work in Persia, the state of religious Jiberty and the prospects concerning it come foremost to the mind. Would that there was a more favorable outlook for toleration! Islam is inherently intolerant, and the leaders of Islam in Persia-the mollahs-are gaining a higher position and increased power. The people are willingly submissive to them as interpreters of the law and religious guides. They are an educated and. wealthy class. Many of them have large landed property, are the recipients of government grauts and large legacies from the people. The settlement of estates and of civil suits is in their hands, aud fees and fines, together with the khums, or fifth of each inheritance, go to the mollahs. The real allegiance of the people is to their Mujtihids, and not to the Shah. Many events have shown this of late years. It was strikingly illustrated lately in the mourning for the death of the Chief Mujtihid of Tabriz and for Shah Nasr-i-Din. For the former the bazaars were closed three days, and services of mourning, continuing through several weeks, were held in many mosques and houses. Feasts were given in the mosques in his honor. Government officials, through fear of the people and the mollahs, joined in the mourning, and even the Armenians thought it discreet to close their schools and to send a sum of money to one of the mosques for a tozia or mourning service. A public crier went through the bazaars and proclaimed that the Armenians were holding service for the rest of the Mujtihid's soul. Whether in sincerity or dissimilation, the whole city joined in revering the dead Mujtihid. When the Shah was assassinated, no signs of mourning were visible, and no memorial services were held in Tabriz. Many Persians expressed their satisfaction. Rejoicings for the accession of the new Shah occupied the attention of all. The city was illuminated in an unprecedented manner. One official, who had invited some guests to celebrate the jubilee of Nasr-i-Din Shah, held the feast on the appointed day, telling his guests to rejoice instead on account of the accession of Muzaffir-i-Din. The Mujtihid was mourned for more than the Shah. It is likely that the power of the mollahs will increase during the present reign, as Muzaffir-i- Din is inclined to consult them and lean upon them for guidance.
Mollahs maintain their influence over the people by instructing them in the schools and mosques, and impressing them with the truth of the Shi~h faith. At Friday prayers, in the Fast of Ramazan and the mourning of Muharram the inculcation of religious doctrine is pursued, until the people are well informed regarding the precepts and traditions of Islam and are inspired with its intolerant spirit.
Gospel work among Mohammedans shows little change. The law of death to the apostate is at all times liable to be enforced. The martyrdom of Mirza Ibrahim, contrary to expectations, has had a depressing effect on the work among Mohammedans in Azerbijan. Inquirers have drawn back, shrinking from drinking the same cup. Some of them say that to forego wealth, position, and even life is a greater cross than they can take up. The workers, too, have felt the need of exercising greater caution than before. The baptism of a Persian woman in Ispahan, in 1894, was the occasion of riotous demonstrations. A/atva or decree was given by a Mujtihid to kill the missionary who was the means of her conversion. The woman was seized, but her life was spared, and she is coofined in the harem of the prince-governor, where she was lately seen by the ladies of the mission. It is a cause for thanksgiving that she has been permitted to live.
In view of the situation missionaries are in a quandary as to their duty. Some believe in aggressive work for Mohammedans in spite of government prohibitions, while others advocate continuing to give special attention to non-Mohammedan races until Providence opens up the door more effectually. The Church Mission at Ispahan seems lately to be working aggressively. Of its work Rev. W. St. Clair Tisdall writes in the Ohurch Missionary Intelligencer (June, 1896) : "Six persons have recently been baptized in J ulfa alone, after very careful and long-continued instruction, and these are working quietly among their friends and relatives. These converts estimate the number of secret believers in that neighborhood alone at many thousands. The same is more or less the case throughout the couutry. Belief in Christ as the one Savior of the world is spreading rapidly. Considerable numbers attend the Sunday services and Bible classes, held in connection with the various missions, and all over the country there are candidates for baptism. The writer of the present article has had some experience of religious work in India and other countries, but nowhere has he witnessed anything approaching the interest in the Gospel now shown in many parts of Persia." I do not think anyone would write of the population of Northwest Persia with the same degree of sanguineness, but everywhere there is freedom for discussion. The Persians are remarkably free in the use of their tongues on every subject (except their harems). They speak evil of dignitaries without let or hindrance. Tirades against the mollahs and sentiments disloyal to the Shah are uttered even in public without fear. In like manner religious discussion is indulged in with little restraint. There is opportunity for the presentation of the Gospel to indIvidual Mohammedans, and slight objection is raised until Rome one accepts the truth.
What the influence of the Babis will be toward solving the problem of religious liberty is not yet evident. Their position is complicated by their political aspirations, and by their former attempt (1852) to assassinate the Shah Nasr-i-Din. Rumor persistently connects them with his final taking off on May 1st, 1896. Altho their severe persecutions have been largely caused by political reasons, their steadfastness and martyr- doms have sprung from their religious beliefs. Notwithstanding the death, or, as they phrase it, ascension, of their Divine incarnation, Mirza Husain Ali, Baha'uUah (the light of God), on May 16th, 1892, in exile at Accho. they continue to hold together and in some places to increase. Information is most contradictory as to their character and numbcrs. I am assured that their inner circle practice a community of wives, and approve of assassination as a means of freeing themselves from enemies. Their numbers are often stated at from 500,000 to 1,000,000. If so, the New Dispensation is already firmly established, and can claim a tenth or twelfth of the Mohammedans of Persia. 'fhey are struggling for religious liberty, and the inflnence of so large a body must weaken the resisting power of Shiahism. Tho bent on achieving their own trinmph, they profess great friendship for Christians, and are earnest students of the Bible to find proofs for their own revelation. Their belief in the divinity of Jesus and of Baha is a strong doctrinal link with Christianity. Some of the best converts to Christianity have been from this new religion. One of these lately said to me: "There are many who are convinced that the best and only true religion is Protestantism. They admire the con- duct of the Protestants, and refer to it as an example in contrast with their own actions. "
The work of the Bible societies continues to be one of the best agencies for the diffusion of the truth in Persia. The sales of Scriptures are not as large as in many countries. The total number circulated during the past ten years is estimated at 60,000. The report of the British and Foreign Bible Society says: "What have these 60,000 copies done for Persia ~ Have they in any way helped to bring one sinner to Christ ~ Yes, not only one, but a very large number. 1. There are many of whom we have heard, and some whom we have met and know personally, who are real and true Christians. 2. There are hundreds of men who, while accepting the truth as it is in Jesus, and believmg in the doctrines of the Christian religion, are afraid openly to confess their faith. 3. There are thousands who have got a glimpse of the truth and become anxious in- quirers, and who are' not far from the kingdom of God.' 4. Thousands there are who at one time were bitter enemies of the Gospel, trying to hinder the work in every possible way, but whose hearts have been softo ened. People who knew nothing of the Bible or Christianity will be seen now discussing these topics in order to find out the truth." Another report of the same society says: "Some, and I think the majority, of the most interesting cases are the result of the study of the Word of God alone, without comment or word from any man. For instance, a sheikh of an Arab village paid us a visit at the beginning of 1889. He told me that about ten years before he had received an Arabic Bible. He studied it, and after a while, being the mollah of the village, he began to read it to his people. I asked him if he had read the whole of it, and he said, 'Praise God, I have !' By this means he had been brought to some knowledge of the Word of God and of the way of salvation. He asked me to visit him in his village, but not being able to do so, I S'ent two of the native brethren. They found that the sheikh had read the Bible to the people assembled in his house. 'rhey preached the Gospel to large gatherings of Moslem villagers. The sheikh seemed, like many others, to believe in Christ with the heart, but not to be ready to confess Him before men. "
The story of the conversion of the colporteur in charge of the Bible depot at Tabfiz illustrates the illuminating power of the printed page. Aga Mateos was a rich merchant and a devout Gregorian Armenian, much given to reading the Prayer-book and the Fathers, faithful in his attendance on the church services and the donor of a picture which still hangs in the church at Tabriz. He met with financial losses, and went to the Bible for consolation. He was surprised at its contents. One day he had the Bible open before him when a friend entered and said, "Put up that book and corne to walk with me. If you read the Bible you will become a Protestant." Aga Mateos replied, " There is no danger of that," and went on reading. He began with Genesis. Day by day he read. By the time he had reached Isaiah his eyes were opened. He saw how Christ was magnified above all, how the prophets and saints were sinners and unworthy to be mediators. When he reached the Gospels, so great was his eager interest, that he read each Gospel through in a single night. When he had finished the epistles he was a firmly convinced Protestant, and he has never since wavered. God thus magnifies His Word.
The agent of the American Bible Society for North Persia, the Rev. W. L. Whipple, after sixteen years in the superintendence of this work, has just withdrawn from it for the education of his children. He leaves a memorial behind him by the gift of his residence in Tabriz to the mission for a woman's hospital and dispensary.
Gospel work among the Oriental churches in Persia shows little change. Among the Armenians the past year has been one of increasing friendship and enlarged opportunity. The sympathy of America for the suffering Armenians in Turkey, and the devotion of the missionaries there to their relief have taken from the hearts of many the old roots of bitterness. There does not appear any quickening of spiritual aspirations and longings, such as we so much desire to see. Religious feelings are callous, and but a cold response is given to appeals to the conscience. The thoughts of the people are engrossed in the pursuit of gain, and in the discussion of the wrongs and prospects of their race in Turkey and Russia. Personal religion is rarely a matter of personal concern. The conviction prevails in the minds of the Armenians that they are safe through the rites of the Church, and the doctrines of regeneration and conversion are neither taught nor understood among them. Missionaries sometimes have a feeling of disappointment that so few are converted as the result of so much labor, and that Protestant churches are not built up more rapidly. There are, indeed, other results which are encouraging. The gradual progress of enlightenment, the popular approval of evangelical truth, the apologetic attitude of the mass of the Armenians with reference to their doctrines and ceremonies, the expressions of desire for the educa- tion and improvement of the clergy for the translation of the Church books into the modern tongue and for a reformed church show that the leaven of evangelical truth has wrought among them. Many cling to the Gregorian Church as the representative of their national life, and hope for reforms from within. Yet the patriotic laymen and priests tell us that not a rite or a doctrine must now be touched or changed in the old organi- zation Jest the national unity be disturbed, not until the aspirations of the race are attained. With hope of religious reformation so indefinitely deferred, we cannot do else than continue to invite and urge the members of the Gregorian Church to come out and enter into the light of evangeli- cal faith and worship.
The work most effective in the past, among the Armenians, has been education, especially in boarding-schools. During the year advance has been made in the occupation of some villages lying between Ramadan and Ispahan. A change of method has been inaugurated in the Salmas field, which for eleven years has had an organized station. The rising of water in the subsoil of Raftdewan occasioned the fall of some houses, and endangered others. This led to the consideration of the future of the station, as to whether houses should be rented or built in some other village of the plain or the station remove to some other center or disbanded. It was finally decided to withdraw the missionaries to Tabriz and Urumia, and to work the field with well. qualified native agents.
Among the Nestorians in Urumia evangelical truth has taken deep root, but it is also encountering many difficulties. Among this people is presented a curiolls spectacle of missions contending with each other. To the older missions-Catholic and American Presbyterian-have been added the mission of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a Lutheran, and several efforts intermittently supported from Sweden, Norway, and England. The latest scheme is one in cooperation with our Presbyterian mission. It is inaugurated by the Industrial Missions Aid Society, composed of a number of Christian capitalists of England, who will find capital for industries connected with evangelical missions. It proposes to " take the business management off the hands of the missionaries, leaving them free for spiritual work, and to provide work and the means of livelihood for converts whose coming out for Christ entails the loss of their means of living." First, they send back to Persia two young men (Nestorians) who ha'e learned trades. They are sending an outfit for a carpenter's shop, an engineer's shop, with portable engines and all tools and machinery requisite to train apprentices.
This society proposes also to place on Lake U rumia one or more steamers and develop the trade all around the lake. The plan also includes the erection of an electric railway around the lake and to different cities in its neighborhood. A Christian capitalist has intimated a desire to give the steamer. The industrial part of this scheme is feasible, but unfortunately the plan for steamers and railways will meet with insuperable difficulties. Industrial work is very profitable for the Nestorians. Many of their youth are now going to Russia and America for lack of profitable means of livelihood. Those who have been educated and have a spirit of progress have no outlet for their activity. It is better that they should become good artisans than educated and unemployed scholars. This new scheme will be in cooperation with the industrial school connected with the Urumia College. Mr. E. T. Allen, who has had cbarge of it, is now in Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, perfecting himself for this work.
The work among the evangelical churches in Urumia shows advance during the year, especially in self-support. The debt of the Presbyterian Board rendered a reduction of the appropriations necessary. Many of the congregations have responded to the call for larger gifts, and raised their contributions 50, and in some cases 100 per cent.
The Swedish Mission which was for a few years established at Tabriz with evangelists at Urumia, Ramadan, and other points has heen transferred to Chinese Turkestan. Their mission in Persia was begun primarily with the idea of preparing young men from Russia and the Caucasus to return to their own country as evangelists. This was found impracticable, and as it was not necessary for two evangelical missions to occupy the same territory, a friendly arrangement was made in accordance with the principles of missionary comity, wher.eby they withdraw their missionaries and our mission took over such of their native agents as they desired. Others accompanied them to their new field. Among the latter were a Nestorian and three or more Mohammedan converts. One of them has been stationed at Bokhara, and another at Samarcand, in Russian territory, while others have gone with the Swedish Mission into Chinese territory. One of these converted Mohammedans was from Turkey, and was at one timtJ a pupil in the Tabriz Memorial Training School. Re is pictured by Mr. Morrison (agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who has made a tour to that province) as sitting in the Hindi Serai of Kashgar, on the edge of the great Kobi desert, a case of Scriptures behind him, in front of him a desk, and on it a manuscript of the Gospels, which he is translating into the language of the people. The Gospel of Matthew has already been finished. It is very interesting to note the beginning of the introdnction of Christianity again into China from its western border, and especially the going there of Nestorians and other Christians from Persia, as in olden times.
The region occupied by the Swedish Mission includes the fertile oases of Kashgar, Yarkand, and Kohtar. It lies across the Thian Shan Mountains from Russia, and tho subject to China is occupied chiefly by Tartar
THE STAR·WORSHIPERS OF MESOPOTAMIA
Mohammedans. The principles of religious liberty, which prevail in the Chinese Empire, will be a shield for their work. The language of the people is very similar to the Tartar or Turki used by us in Persia. Mr. Hogberg, formerly of Tabriz, is the pioneer of the mission. The plan of the mission is evangelistic, and in close contact with the natives. Indeed, two of the ladies of the mission have, I believe, married Asiatic converts. It will be interest.ing to see 1he development of this experiment. The British and Foreign Bible Society is also trying to open up a work for Bible distribution in those provinces. Thus the Trans-Siberian Railway is already being made a highway for the advance of Christ's kingdom.
By the autumn of 1897 it is expected that a branch of the Transcaucasian Hailway will be extended to Erivan, thus bringing Persia two days nearer to America.
THE STAR-WORSHIPERS OF MESOPOTAMIA.* BY REV. S. M. ZWEMER, F.R.G.S., BUSRAH, ARABIA.
In the towns along the lower Euphrates and Tigris, especially itt Amara, Sook es Shiookh, Busrah, and Mohammerah, there dwell an interesting people variously known as Sabeans, Nasoreans, or St. John Christians. They call themselves Mandaee (Mandalans), and altho only numbering four or five thousand, they yet have always been and remain entirely distinct from the Jews, Moslems, and Christians among whom they have dwelt for centuries. Their origin is lost in obscurity, altho it is traced 'ill! a measure 1hrough the maze of their religion to ancient Chaldea.
Certain it iF! 1hat at the time when Islam arose the Sabeans were a strong sect. The Koran recognizes them as distinct from idola1ers, and places them with Jews and Christians as "people of the book" (Surahs 22 : 17 j 2 : 59; 5 : 73) : "Verily, those who believe and those who are Jews, and the Sabeans and the Christians, whosoever believes in God and the last day, and does what is right, there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve." In the English Bible the name Sabeans is perplexing, and, altho applied to three different tribes or peoples, none of these are any way related to the present sect in Mesopotamia. Sabeans, according to Gesenius, should be T8a~ian8, from tsa.both, the host of heaven-i.e., the supposed objects of their worship. Noldeke and others say it comes from a root, 8ubba, to wash, baptize, and refers to the manner of their worship. Gibbon is perhaps correct when he states the origin of their other name thus: "A slight infusion of the Gospel had transformed the .. Bibljography: NOldeke's "Mandaische Grammatik," HaIle, 1875; Captain Prideaux's .. Sketch of a SaOOan Grammar," TraUB. Bib. Arch. Soc., vol. v. ; Ain.worth's "Enphrates Expedition," 2 vols., 1888; Encyciopredia Britannica, vol. xv., pp. 470; Dr. W. Brandt's" Mandaische Schriften," 1895; "A Prayer.Meeting of the Star-Worshipers" (London Standard, Oc- Wber 11lth, 1894) ; V. Cuinet'… La Turqnie d'Asle," 1894. last remnant of the Chaldean polytheists into the Christians of St. John at Bussora." And yet the present Sabeans, although giving peculiar honor to John the Baptist, can in no sense be called Christians. Nor are they related, except indirectly, to any of the Judreo-Christian h&resies of the early Church, such as, e.g., the Remero-baptists.
Isolated by creed, cult, and a language of their own, they love their isolation, and do not intermarry with strangers. Nearly all of them follow one of three trades: they raise the finest dairy produce of Mesopotamia; they build a peculiar kind of light canoes called Mashhoof; and for the rest are silversmiths. No traveler visits their villages without carrying away specimens of their beautiful inlaid work, black metal on silver and 46.NO ~< ~~~O gold; rings, thimbles, bracelets, ~~~..s.~ armlets, and ornaments of all kinds. A peaceful people are they; indus- ~~ ~t.!L D<J0 o,Jo trious, tho mostly poor, and living in harmony with their neighbors, they seldom afford trouble to their ~~~ -'10 d4.S-~ Turkish rulers. Both men and women have a remarkably fine phy- ""~~ J~~ <)(1J sique; tall, of dark complexion, good features, and with long black: . <.A-1e <.~~ ~O beards, some of them are typical patriarchs-even as we imagine <.~ ~cf.v4f. <vo Abraham appeared when he left their present country for Haran. On ordinary days their dress does not distinguish them from Moslems or Jews, but on feast days they wear only white. Their women go about unveiled, and have a more masculine A PASSAGlI FBOM THlI SACRlID BOOK OF THlI cast of features than Moslem women; MANDlEANB. they are also rather taller.
The two great things, however, that distinguish the Sabeans are their language and their religion. Naturally the bazaar-talk of all the river country is Arabic; aU Sabeans speak it, and a goodly proportion read and wrile it; but beside this they have a household language of their own, the langnage of their sacred books, which is called Mandaitic. So closely related to Syriac that it might be called a dialect, it yet has its own peculiar alphabet characters, resembling the older Palmyrene, and is not fully intelligible to the Syriac·speaking Christians from Mosul. Wright says it resembles most Nabathean and the langnage of the Babylonian Talmud. The oldest manuscripts in this dialect date from the sixteenth century, and are in European libraries. At present only the priests can read and write Mandaitic, but they refuse to teach those outside of their faith even the first lesson. The illustration given was copied for me by one of the priests at Busrah. A recently publilihed translation of th6ir sacred writings into German contains only one fourth of the" great book"
of the Mandreans. What is this great book 1 What does it teach? And what do these St. John Christians, falsely so called, really believe?
Altho meeting Sabeans for the past four years, and being their guest on frequent journeys up and down the rivers, I found no satisfactory answer to these questions from their own lips. They turn to the North Star whcn they pray, and "baptize" every Sunday-these were the sole articles of faith that one could learn. Books gave fragmentary and conflicting statements, all hinging around these two plain facts. According to one account they were gross idolaters j another classed them with Christians.
Light dawned from an unexpected quarter. An anonymous article ap- peared in the London Standard, entitled" A Prayer-Meeting of the Star- Worshipers." Whoever wrote it must be perfectly acquainted with their religious mysteries, or be one of themselves! -When I translated it to a company of Sabeans at Amara,. they were dumbfounded. Who had dared to expose all their secret ceremonies and beliefs to public "iew? Let me quote one paragraph only of this account, every minute particular of which the Sabeans assure me is true : " Toward midnight the Star-worshipers, men and women, come slowly down to the Miahkna by the river-side. Each enters the tiny wattled hnt by the southern wall, disrobes and bathes in the circular reservoir.
On emerging from the water each one robes him or herself in the rasta- that is, the ceremonial white garment, crosses to the open space in front of the door of the tabernacle, and seats himself upon the ground, saluting those present with the customary' Sood Havilakh' (' blessing be upon thee '), and receiving the usual reply, ' .Asaootah de hai havilakh'
(' blessing of the Living One be upon thee '). The sacred book, Sidra Rabba, is laid upon the altar folded back where the liturgy of the living is divided from the ritual of the dead. The high-priest takes one of the two live pigeons handed to him, extends his hands toward the Polar Star, upon which he fixes his eyes, and lets the bird fiy, calling aloud: 'Bahmo d'hai rabba mshabba zivo kadmayah Elaha. Edmen Nafshi Eprah' (' In the name of the Living One, blessed be the primitive light, the ancient light, the Divinity self-created '). [Then] the reading being in progress, they prepare the Peto Elayat or high mystery, as they term their communion. One kindles a charcoal-fire in the earthen- ware stove by the side of the altar, and the other grinds small some of the barley brought by the deacon. He then expresses some oil from the sesame seed, and mixing the barley meal and oil, prepares a mass of dough which he kneads and separates into small cakes the size of a two- shilling piece. These are quickly thrust into the oven and baked. The fourtn deacon now takes the pigeon left in the cage, cuts its throat quickly with a very sharp knife, taking care that no blood is lost. The little cakes are then brought to him by his colleagues, and still holding the dying pigeon, he strains its neck over them in such a way that four small drops fall on each to form a cross. Amid the continued reading of the liturgy the cakes are carried around to the worshipers by the priests, who themselves pop them directly into the mouths of the members with the words, , Marked be thou with the mark of the Living One.' The four deacons inside the Mishkna walk ronnd to the rear of the altar and dig a little hole in which the body of the dead pigeon is then buried."
What a mosaic of ceremonies ! No wonder that Professor Kessler calls Mandreism a most striking example of religious syncretism. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity engrafted on one old Chaldean trunk. Gnosticism, star-worship, baptisms, love-feast, sacrifice, and Ornithomancy in one confusion. And yet there is a method in it, and a system of dogma lies behind the mysteries of their cult. Sabeanism is a book-religion.
Among the large collection of their sacred writings the Sidra Rabba, or Great Book, holds the first place. It contains over five hundred large quarto pages of text, divided into two parts, a " right" and a " left.hand" testament. From this mass of diffuse and obRcure material one can dig out the elements of a system of cosmogony, and on this is based all their ritual and ceremony.
First of all things was Pera RaMa, the great abyss. With him " Shining Ether" and the" Spirit of Glory" (Mana RaMa) form a primal triad. From the last named, who is the king of light, emanates Yardena RaMa, the great Jordan. Mana RaMa called into being the first of the reons, Primal Life, Hayye kadema. He is really the chief god of the Sabeans, and everyone of their prayers begins by invoking him. From him proceed secondary emanations, Yushamim, "Jehovah of heaven," and Manda Hayye, " messenger of life" (the mediator of their system and whence their name). Yushamim was punished for attempting to raise himself above Primal Light, and now rules the world of inferior light. Manda still rests in the bosom of Primal Light, and had a series of incarnations, beginning with Abel (Hibil) and Seth, and ending with John the Baptist! Beside all these there is yet a third life, called 'Atika, the demiurge, who created the bodies of Adam and Eve, but could not make them stand upright.
The underworld has its score of rlliers-Zarfay, Za1·tanay, Hag, Mag, Gaf, Gafan, Anatan, and Kin, with hells and vestibules in plenteous confusion. Hibil descends here and obtains victories for Manda, and compels them to divulge the hidden name of darkness. From the fourth vestibule he carries away the female devil Ruha, daughter of Kin. This Ruha, Kessler affirms, is really an anti.Christian parody of the Holy Spirit. By her own son, Ur, Ruka becomes mother of the planets and signs of the zodiac. These are the source of all evil in the world, and control the sins of mankind. But the sky itself is an ocean of water, pure and clear, -the abode of Light. The central sun is the Polar Star, with jeweled crown standing before the door of Abathur. The Mandroans consider all the Old Testament saints. except Abel and Seth, false prophets. True religion was professed by the ancient Egyp- tians, who were their ancestors. Another false prophet was Yishu Mashiha (Jesus Christ), who was, in fact, an incarnation of the planet Mercury. John the Baptist, an incarnation of Hibil, appeared forty-two years before Christ, and by mistake baptized Him also. More than two hun- dred years after this time there came into the world sixty thousand saints from Pharaoh's host, and took the place of the Mandroans who had been extirpated. Their high-priest then had his residence at Damascus. The last false prophet was Mohammed, but he was kept from harming them, and during the reign of the Abbasides they had four hundred places of worship in Babylonia.
The Mandroan priesthood has three grades-Shkanda, or deacons, Farmida, or disciples, and a Ganzivra, or high-priest. The late Ganzivra of the Sabeans was Sheikh Yahya, at Soak es Shiookh j their present head is called Sheikh Sahn, and is now imprisoned at Busrah on charge of fomenting the late rebellion of the Arab tribes near Kurna.
The Sabeans observe six great feasts besides the weekly Sabbath (Sunday). One of the feasts celebrates the victory of Abel in the world of darkness, another the drowning of Pharaoh's army, but the chief feast is that of baptism. On it, called Pantsha, all Sabeans are baptized by sprinlcling three times a day for five days; and this is compulsory. The Sunday baptisms of immersion in running water are, however, largely voluntary, and therefore meritorious; these latter closely correspond to the Moslem ritual of purifications, and take place after touching a dead body, etc. The moral code of the Sabeans is that of the Old Testament in nearly every particular. Polygamy is allowed, but not often indulged in. They do not circumcise, and have no holy places or churches, except those built for a feast night at the river-side. They are friendly to Christians of all sectR, and love to give the impression that because they honor the Baptist they are more closely related to us than to the Jews or Moslems. Some time ago their small community at Nasariyeh asked for a school, but the project fell through. They occasionally purchase Arabic Scriptures from our colporteurs, and are most interested in Genesis and John's Gospel. But we have not yet met with anyone among them who seriously inquired the way of life through Jesus Christ. Some years ago their community at Busrah and Mohammerah was aided financially (by the queen, they say) through the kind offices of the British Consul, and ever since they have not ceased to think themselves worthy of a repetition of this high favor.
Their numbers have even during the past decade steadily decreased, and yet so closely do they cling to their ancient faith, that i1; seems the Mandalan system will only die when the last star-worshiper is carried to his grave in the palm orchards of the river country.
THE RUSSIAN STUNDIST!I
THE RUSSIAN STUNDISTS.-I.* THEIR ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND PERSECUTION.
BY PROFESSOR G. GODET-TRANSLATED BY MRS. D. L. PIERSON.
The era of religious persecution is not passed. Not only iu Armenia and China do Christians suffer for their beliefs, but under a government that calls itself Christian-in holy Russia, and in the holy atmosphere of the "Holy Synod" of the Russian Church. The world at large has but an imperfect knowledge of these persecutions. If they were known more widely and more in detail, we are persuaded that the public would be so stirred that the Russian Government could no longer ignore or permit what now goes on in that empire. It is evident that the Stundists are misrepresented to the Emperor to be a political and social organization dangerous to the State, and not, as they really are, an inoffensive religious sect. It is also evident that the most horrible deeds of persecution are carefully hidden from him, and that he has but a remote idea of the sufferings which some of his most faithful subjects have undergone. The petitions that the persecuted ones have tried to send to him, thanks to the Russian police, have never been allowed to reach their destination. It is useless to think of making any external attempt in their favor. What was gained by the interventions of the Evangelical Alliance in behalf of the Baltic provinces during the reigns of the two preceding emperors ~ Nothing-even worse than nothing-an aggravation of the evil!t Anything that looks like an interference from an outsider in the national affairs of Russia only irritates the government, and threatens to injure rather than aid the cause of the oppressed.
The Origin and Oharacter of Stundism.-The Stundists, about 250,000 in number, ara scattered throughout the south of Russia.! About 1868 the newspapers spoke for the first time of the Stundists, and of the activity of Pastor Charles Bonekemper, who was settled for a year at Rohrbach, near Odessa. It was he who gave the first decided impulse to the movement; but its beginning was still earlier. In 1823 John Bonekemper, of Wupperthal (the father of Charles Bonekemper), having been sent by the * This article is a translation of a little pamphlet by ProfeBBor G. Godet, of Neuchiltel, Switzer'
land. The French pamphlet is itself in part a compilation of facts from English and other public&'- tions. Among other books on the Stundists are "The Stundlsts ;" •• A Short History of the Stnndist.;"" A Highway of Souow," by Hesba Stretton; and "Nadya, a Tale of the Steppes," by Norris.
t Recently, however (by order of the Emperor no doubt), the Minister of the Interior was informed that he might discontinue the "exceptional methods taken for protecting the Orthodox Church" in the Baltic provinces. This means, probably, the end of persecutions for the Lutherans in these + provinces-but what of the Stundists ? They are found largely in the provinces of Bessarabla, Kherson, Kursk, Poltava, Kharkov, Taurida, Don Cossacks, Astrakhan, and in Caucasla. A line drawn from Warsaw through Orel to Astrakhan would nearly mark the northern limit of Stundism. church at Basle to the south of Russia, settled in 1824 at Rohrbach, as pastor of one of the German settlements there in the reign of Catherine II. In these colonies the residents preserved the custom of the" Stunden," or " hour" meetings for prayer and Bible study long practised in Wllrtem- berg. Bonekemper took part freely in these exercises, in which the Rus- sians, not understanding German, were unable to join. In 1858 a peasant named Onishenko, from the village of Osnowa, near the port of Nikolayev, began to attend these meetings, and was led to Christ. He immediately set about telling others, and formed similar little prayer-meetings in the neighboring villages. Thus was Stundism born, and it made rapid prog- ress, especially after the liberation of the serfs (1861). This emancipation caused the peasants to travel about in search of work, and thus those who had heard the Gospel spread it abroad from town to town. Freedom also inspired these peasants with a desire for an education. This was a powerful stimulus to a movement which was really but a return to the study of the Bible-the book which had been closed to the masses of the people. Itinerant preachers traveied through the villages gathering together groups of listeners eager for the truth. ·In 1864 appeared for the first time a pocket edition of the New Testament in Russian, and the new converts bought it with joy.
From its start the characteristic traits of the adherents of Stundism were absolute abstinence from intoxicants, assiduous study of the Scriptures, and the cultivation of a fraternal ChristIan spirit. They had no idea at first of withdrawing from the Orthodox Church. They even went to the priests asking counsel and light. The priests, too ignorant to give this, but not too blind to see that the movement as it gained strength and knowledge would be sure to attack the abuses and superstitions of the Church, quickly assumed a hostile attitude toward the new tendencies, and appealed to secular force to suppress the heresy. It was about 1870, when the Stundists numbered about 70,000, that the first oppressive measures were taken. As they increased the time came when this systematic implacable persecution no longer aimed at repressing them, but at exterminating them altogether.
Before recounting the leading phases of this persecution, it will not be out of the way to trace rapidly the principles of this movement, which many have thought held more to the letter than to the spirit of the Gospel. Few people have a really clear idea of the fundamental beliefs and organization of the Stundists. They are often represented to be a fanatical sect of ignorant iconoclasts, advocating a social reform which is but the embodiment of the principles of communism, and consequently a sect dangerous not only to the Church, whose errors and superstitions they attack, but also to the State which they seek to undermine. Therefore some say that Russia has a right to suppress them. It is in this light, no doubt, that the Emperor and many people both in Russia and elsewhere regard the matter. No idea is more foreign to the truth. We do not say that error has not crept ~nto their precepts, or that they have always had that wisdom and moderation becoming to Christians. But remember that a few years ago they were ignorant peasants, for the most part unable to read or write. Hunted by the police, they have not been able to enjoy the benefits of regular organized instruction. It is rather then a source of wonder that these simple people, living by themselves, should have kept so closely to the truth of the Gospels, and that great errors should not have gained footing among them. One is compelled to admire their faith and their heroism, and no less the healthy character of their moral and religious life, which forcibly recalls that of the early Christians.
" They live," writes Dalton, " very peaceably with each other. The religious sentiment, so strong in the Russian peasant, finds in the Word of God the guidance it seeks. They strengthen themselves' and direct their lives according to the teachings of the Scripture, often interpreting them in the strictest manner; for these noble men lack instructors, but they themselves are generally a striking proof that the Bible enlightens even the most ignorant, provided only that they search in earnest for Jesus in the GospeL"
One cannot find a Stundist who does not faithfully read the New Testament and consider it a revelation from God; this is the first article of his creed. Often he carries it with him to his work, and in his recreation hour, instead of passing the time in drinking as before, he devotes himself to reading. He holds that all who sincerely believe may understand without the aid of the Church or of priests.
The faith of the Stundists is, in a general way, that of all evangeIica1 Protestants, but they have no recognized confession of faith. Altho one in essentials, they differ somewhat in doctrine and practice-e.g., regarding the sacraments. The majority hold to adult baptism, and consider the Lord's Supper simply a memorial feast. A small number reject these ordinances altogether-a reaction from the materialistic religion of the Orthodox Church, which they condemn with one accord. The worship of " icons" or images of Christ, the Virgin, and the saints, which has so large a place in the religious life of the Russian people, is their especial horror, and herein lies one of the greatest reasons for the persecutions to which they are subjected. Perhaps their zeal sometimes has lacked discretion; if so, they have paid dearly for it. The Russian penal code inflicts from eight months'to three years'imprisonment for any word spoken against the " icons," and banishment to Siberia for the crime of destroying them. But the Stundists have acted according to their consciences, and who of us is ready to cast the first stone ~ Moreover, they detest the sacerdotal power which ignorant, avaricious, and often intemperate priests have abused so much. Universal priesthood is one of their dearest doctrines. Reconciled to God by the sacrifice on the cross, they have no longer need of any earthly mediator, and each father is priest in his own household. Nevertheless, however much despised, the orthodox priest never suffers the loss of his immense power, and when anyone refuses him the fees which it is his custom to charge, the retaliations are'terrible.
The Russian calendar has no less than a hundred and three holy uays, which frequently are times of debauch and disoruer; but the Stundists, steady workingmen, only observe a few of them. They have absolutely parted company with laziness and drunkenness, of which the Russian peasant is an habitual slave. Their villages and their homes have an appearance of neatness, order, and prosperity, which is in striking contrast with the orthodox villages and communities. Their farms and those of the German colonists are the best cultivated in Southern Ru~sia, and by their labor and industry many have reached comfortable circumstances and almost become rich. Their family life is pure, a strict moral discipline holding sway among them. Mothers and children no longer tremble at the brutal authority of the father of the family. The young are instructed as well as their circumstances permit, and in each home by the side of the New Testament may be found books and pamphlets which bear testimony to a higher degree of culture than is possessed by their neighbors. It is the Scriptures alone that the Stundists search for truth; there, too, they find rules for every-day life, and they faithfully put them into practice. Thus they strive to realize among themselves the fraternity which marked the primitive Church. They have been called communists and anarchists, but this is base calumny. * They are peaceable citizens, very loyal to their sovereign, whom they pray for with great fervor. t It is true that they seem to believe that the present social system is not in accordance with God's idQas; that the soil belongs to all, not to a few, and ought to be equally divided; that each should cultivate his land with intelligence, and be ready to embrace the ideas of modern progress, but that they should not regard the revenue as belonging solely to themselves, but as given in trust, for them to provide for the needs of their poorer neighbors. Interpreting certain precepts of the Bible literally, they especially condemn usury, which is a very common evil in Russia, and war. These principles are very different from those of anarchy or even of communism.
Lastly, the Stundists are quiet, honest, industrious people, who do not refuse to fulfil any of their duties as citizens. It is the opposition of the priests which has forced them to break away altogether from the Church, in which, until they had the "'.ord of God, they always found sufficient • People carelessly use the term StundistB for all those who have gone out from the established church, and thus they confouud the Stundists with other sects which exiBt in Russia, and attribute to them their extravagant and immoral practices.
t It is pretended that the Stnndist movement had a political origin. The Stnndists are represent- ed as rebels, lacking patriotism, and in sympathy with Germany. "There is positively no anti. Rnssian tendency," writes a well-informed Russian, "among the Stundists. They neither refuse to go Into the army nor to pay their taxes. It is just a slander of the clergy without foundation,"
All those who have the most intimate knowledge are of one accord on the subject of the loyalty ot the Stundists. satisfaction for their religious needs. They have thus been led into forming for themselves as much of an organization as the many legal shackles have permitted them to form.
Organization and Form of WOTship.-The highest office of this very elementary organization is that of elders or presbyters, who are chosen by the communities, and are, as far as possible, men of age and experience. Their principal duty is to lead the public services, and to preside at marriages and funerals. They need not have oratorical talent or decp theological learning, but they must be well versed in the Scriptures and be able to explain them. Each elder has supervision over one or two communities, often over a whole district. They visit the villages of their district where their brethren are scattered, and take charge of the funds which are given them for the sick and needy. One important duty is to confer frequently with the presbyters of other districts, and also to act as intermediaries between the brethren who are imprisoned or exiled and their families. We can see how much tact and prudence it requires on their part not to excite the suspicions of the police.
Next in importance to the elders are the deacons, who are generaIIy younger men full of zeal, but at the same time men of discretion. The deacons have charge of the Sabbath..schools, and preside at the regular services in the abs~nce of the presbyter. They keep the records of births, marriages, and deaths, and attend to the meting out of assistance to the aged and sick.
The elders and deacons do not form a clergy distinct from the people. * They work for their living just as their brethren do, usually tilling the soil. They receive 110 salaries, simply their traveling expenses when they make trips in behalf of their congregations. In the beginning the Stundists thought to have more of an organization, with lists of the members regularly recorded and periodical meetings of the elders and deacons, a common treasury, etc.; but all these features, which give unity and cohesion to a movement, were broken up by persecution. Eve~y movement of their leaders was watched, and as soon as their plans were known by the priests or the police, measures were taken to thwart them. If they attemptJd to appoint an elder or deacon, he was immediately ordered by the civil authorities to another district, and not even permitted to remain there any length of time. Often the lists containing the names of the members were seized by the police, aud being thus in their power, we know the treatment which, at a moment's notice, they could be forced to undergo.
But despite these difficulties, the movement has preserved a remarkable unity. Some inevitable divisions have occurred, which nothing but the existence of one recognized head would have been able to prevent. The different congregations keep in communication as well as possible with each other. The head men exchange visits as often as they can, and keep .. The elders uSUlIlly receive the laying on of hands, but not alway. ; for the persecutions of late bave been so bitter, that I10Ile of these fIlnctions could be regularly administered. up frequent and regular correspondence. Just as at the time of the first persecutions of the Church, so now these letters are passed from hand to band, from village to village, and from province to province- until they become worn and almost illegible. One of these letters, addressed to the Church at T–, a little village of the province of Kiev, begins thus: "To the well-beloved in Christ, brothers and sisters of the church at T–, salutation.•, Then follows the exhortation : " Take care, brethren, that your church, which for ten years has made its voice heard like a trumpet, be not silenced now." In another letter, addressed to the church at P–, the brethren are exhorted: "Gird up your loins in view of the great conflict, for the enemy rejoices over your feebleness. Take care that your elders are men of good repute, and do not forget the poor and the oppressed when you assemble about the Lord's table."
Let us penetrate into the interior of one of these communities. They have no special building for their services. " Poverty, simplicity, and austerity distinguish the meeting-places of the Stundists." They meet in the house of some peasant, in a room scrupulously neat, which on Sabbath morning is cleared in haste of its beds, furniture, and provisions. On the whitewashed walls hang two or three Scripture texts, on the earthen floor rude benches and chairs are placed. At the end of the room stands a little table, covered with a white cloth, and a chair for the preacher. On the table rest a Bible and a collection of hymns, many of which are from the English.
Reading and explanation of some New Testament passage occupies the principal place in the service, but singing also plays a large part. The " little Russians" have a highly developed musical sense. All strangers who attend the meetings of the Stundists are struck with the beauty of their songs. Many of their original hymns are very remarkable. The Stundists kneel in prayer and pray much. They pray often for the Emperor ; their prayers are long, and frequently accompanied by tears, and are characterized, above all, by great humility, while they use their hymns to express their joy in Christ.
Here is a description given by an eye-witness of one of their assemblies: "They salute each other with hand-shakes and embraces, the men kissing the men and the women the women. Then they sit down, the men on one side, the women on the other. The elder takes his place at the table and gives out a chant. He then reads and explains a chapter in the Bible, and gives an opportunity for anyone else to add a word of explanation. Women are not permitted to teacb, but following 1 Cor. 11 : 5, they 1U'e permitted to pray in meeting. After several hymns and prayers, the elder closes the service with a sermon. "
Tbey celebrate the Lord's Supper as do the -Protestant churches of the West. It is customary for the Stundists to linger after service and exchange news itnd read letters from their friends in prison or exile.
A Stuudist marriage is celebrated in the following manner: On the
BIBLE MOTIVES IN MISSIONS
date selected the friends gather at the house of the groom, w,here the parents of the young couple present them to the elder, telling him of their desire to be joined in marriage. The elder calls the young people before him, and thus addresses the bride-elect : , , Young woman, is it your own free will and desire that you be united by marriage to this young man, or are your parents or anyone else forcing the union upon you f' The young woman responds: "It is my own free choice."
" And do you love this young man ~" " I do." " And do you wish to love and take care of him when he is old and ill ~" "I do." The elder asks the same questions of the fiance, then the assembly sing a canticle, which is only a simple and appropriate prayer for the wedded pair. The elder tells them to embrace and to join hands; this ends the ceremony. It is hardly necessary to say that marriages thus solemnized are legally null. The only legal marriages are those performed by the orthodox priests in the Orthodox Church. About the end of 1865 the German Baptists in the south of Russia were joined by some men of prominence, like Kapustinski, of Kiev, and by Trophime Khlistoun,* a man whose saintly life preached as loudly as his words. This strengthening of their ranks and increase of their zeal and their attitude toward the Orthodox Church have had a great influence on the Russian Stundists. To-day almost all the Stundists hold the beliefs of the Baptists, and in the sonth of Russia Baptist and Stundist are practically synonymous terms.
(To be concluded.) BIBLE MOTIVES IN MISSIONS.
BY REV. T. T. EATON, D.D., LL.D., LOUISVILLE, KY.
Many of us believe that a good sbare of the loss of interest in foreign missions is due to the World's Parliament of Religions. No one who read the reports of this parliament and the editorial comments thereon can doubt that the impression made by the press was unfriendly to missions. For example, a leading editorial in one of our largest dailies laid emphasis on the" erroneous impression" that mission boards and preachers had made on the minds of the people. These Hindus were really fine gentlemen, well dressed and educated, and thus the claim of the preachers that non-Christian people were all savages was unfounded. The idea of sending the Gospel to such fine gentlemen was ridiculed. In 80 far as men had the idea that all heathen are savages, to whom the Gospel should .. Khlistonn was ba.nished in 1893 to" desolate region in Caneasis, where he has suffered mneh misery. Kapustinski, banished likewise, seven or eight yesrs ago, perished in exile. be sent to civilize them, in so far did such reports and editorials chill their missionary zeal, and make them think that, after all, the well.dressed Orientals already possessed all the Gospel offered them, and led them to cease their mission contributions. I have myself had personal arguments with several business men, who, because of the reports of the Parliament of Religions, declared that they" would never give another cent to foreign missions." In so far, howel-er, as men had the idea that the Gospel is to save people from sin, rather than to civilize them from savagery, in so far they were not affected by such newspaper utterances. '
That it was possible for the Parliament of Religions thus to injure the cause of missions shows that it had not been made to rest on the right basis in the minds of large numbers of people. Too much emphasis has been laid on the temporal advantages of missions, too little on the spir- itual. A civilized heathen needs the Gospel DO less than a savage heathen.
Bunyan's immortal allegory owes its greatness to its truth, which does not pass away, since it is faithful to human nature, which is not changed by the passing years. The path to the celestial city was narrow and difficult, and the pilgrims could make but slow progress therein. There was a path, just over the stile, running through a green and pleasant meadow, a smoother path along which progress could be made more rapidly j and it ran so nearly parallel to the king's highway, they had no doubt it would lead them to the celestial city. If they found it deviated too much from the right direction, it would be easy to cut across to the way in which they were commanded to go. The result of their trying the smoother path is well known.
In every good work men get impatient of God's methods, and the greater their zeal the greater the temptation to try the meadow path.
Sometimes they get impatient with their brethren, who, refusing to cross the stile, go on along the appointed path. Therefore we have need to look carefully into the roll the king has given the pilgrims for their guid- ance. This is true in all good works, especially in the work of saving souls. The reason for the decline in interest in foreign missions is that we have been trying the meadow path, and some have been locked up in the Castle of Despair. The narrow way leads over the Hill Difficulty, but it does not lead to the Castle of Despair. Only when we walk in God's way can we look for God's blessing.
There can be no improvement on the methods of infinite wisdom, and progress can be made more rapidly along the narrow way than in the beautiful and easy meadow path. Let us remember also that the motives for giving money and the effect the methods of giving have upon Chris- tians are far more important than the aIDount of money to be raised. It is hard for those who have to raise money for missions to realize this fundamental truth.
What then are the proper motives for giving to missions ~ I men- tioned, first, love to God, which desires His glory. "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God," is thod command of the Holy Spirit. Love to God is the highest of all motives, the first and greatest commandment. The Westminster Catechism is right on this point, man's chief end is " to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." The glory of God is the purpose of our lives. Jesus says: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The second motive is like unto the first, gratitude to Christ for dying to save us. Were there no command on the subject, this motive should lead every renewed soul to do his utmost to win souls to the Savior. This motive animated Paul and the apostles as they rejoiced in being counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake. In view of what He has done for us, it were base ingratitude not to strive to bring the world to Him to crown Him" Lord of aU," who wore a crown of thorns for us ; to live for Him who died for us.
The third motive is love to man. This rests on love to God. "We love Him becanse He first loved us," and we love our fellows because He first loved them. 'Ve are to love men not because they are lovely, but because God loves them. I had an only brother who died when a boy and far from home. One of the last things he said was, " Tell the folks at home to be good to my dog." It was a miserable cur and always in the way; but the love of the dead sanctified the dog in onr eyes. No more was he regarded as in the way; no place was too good for him to lie, nothing was too good for him to have that he could enjoy, and no service human beings could render to a dog was not rendered to that miserable cur, for the sake of the dead. However base and unworthy men may be, we are to love them because God loves them, and we are to see in every man material for a star in the Redeemer's crown, and a means whereby God may be glorified. And we will care no less for a man without God, because his body is well clad and his mind well trained. Our love to Christ should hallow in our eyes all for whom He died.
The fourth motive is obedience to Christ. The command is clear and plain: "Go disciple all nations, baptizing them, ,. etc. And" Go" includes sending; for "How can they preach except they be sent ?" We must obey our marching orders, as the Iron Duke well said. When the Pharisees stopped the healed man carrying home his bed on the Sabbath from the pool of Bethesda, and demanded why he thus violated the Sabbath, his one reply was, " He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed and walk." Whatever He that made us whole commands, let us do.
These four motives, then, and those that are corollaries to them, but no more. Whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil, and doeth evil. But it may be said that people will not give from these motives, and we must use others-is that true g No Christian will admit that such motives do not influence him more than any others. The Master said, " If ye love Me, ye will keep My words." In dealing with those who are not influenced by these motives, what is needed is, not to take a collection for missions, but to preach "repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." But Christians are not influenced by these motives as they should be. So often have they been appealed to by other motives that their consciences have been dulled.
The physical hardships of the heathen should never be made prominent as a reason for sending them the Gospel. There are hardships amonll Christians. What would be a great hardship to one of us would be none at all to a Chinaman, for exampie. Dr. Hayes exhibited a picture of a native "belle" who, he said, had thirty years' dirt caked on her never washed face. That would have been torture to a cleanly person, while she was not in the least disturbed by it. We should consider the sin of the heathen, and remember that only by the blood of Christ can they be cleansed. They are helpless of themselves, a hopeless eternity lies just before them, only one Savior has been provided in whom they must believe or perish, and "how can they believe on Him of whom they have not heard ~"
Neither should people be urged to give to missions because of the value of missionary labor to commerce. At a recent professedly missionary meeting the great stress was laid on the material resources of Mexicowhat crops could be raised by a proper system of irrigation and cultivation, what mineral wealth could be developed, etc. The Bible never appeals to any such motive. Paul did not go into Macedonia in order to dev~lop the resources of that country or to increase its commerce with Palestine, but in answer to the cry of need-" Come over and help us." To hear some mission talk, one would be led to think we worshiped mam. mono How often and with what complacency has it been told that before the missionaries went to the Fiji Islands their trade with other lands was nothing, while now it has run up into millions yearly ~ Oh, mammon ! mammon!! Such motives injure us, lower our characters, dim our vision of God, so that money takes the place in our thoughts which God's glory ought to occupy. Here is one of the worst evils in this materialistic age.
Deep conviction for sin is necessary before one can feel that love to God and to man which will make him delight in working to save his fellows. Whatever minimizes sin miaimizes God's mercy to guilty men. If sin be a little thing, an imperfection, a wrong development, then it is a matter of small consequence that the heathen are sinners. With shallow views of sin always go low views of God. He is no longer the aU-holy One who will by no means clear the guilty, but He is a weak and indulgent parent. There is no longer a throne in the universe, but only a rocking-chair, from which a doting Father sings lullabies to all. Hence we are led to think that God will be pleased if we please ourselves, and spend un ourselves aU that has been entrusted to our stewardship. If we decide to have a good time according to our pleasure, without troubling
THE MALABAR SYRIANS
ourselves with disagreeable things, no douht God will make up to us and to the heathen for our failure. To be sure, this contradicts the Bible, but we must not be " Bibliolaters," we must modify our views of the inspiration and authority of the Bible so as to fit our flabby theology, and to suit the " new conditions" about us. This rocking-chair Father will not deal strictIy with us, aud His holiness, justice, and truth must not be allowed to stand in the way of the pleasure of His creatures. Such are the views that follow minimizing sin, and those who hold such views can be persuaded to give to missions only by harrowing stories of suffering, or by appeals to their vanity, their covetousness, or their palates.
Back to the Bible, therefore, back to the Bible! Along this one line lie all the promises of God. Along this line all the triumphs of the faith have been won. When we obey God we are guided by in%nite wisdom, when we go our own way, foHowing our "Christian consciousness," we are guided by our own folly. Infinite wisdom has made no mistake anq no omission. The Bible is the one infallible and all-sufficient rule of faith practice. Its one purpose is to turn men to righteousness, and it will not do to say its teachings are inadequate for this purpose, and other motives and methods must be used.
THE MALABAR SYRIANS-A FORGOTTEN CHAPTER IN INDIAN MISSIONS.
:BY REV. JOHN RUTHBRFURD, LEWES, ENGLAND.
We find traces of the working of God's hand where we little expect it. In Central China the Nestorians had their missions, which for a time were largely successful; and the Malabar coast has to this day its settlements of natives belonging to the Syrian Church, or, as they often call themselves, the Christians of St. Thomas. God's providence has watched over them, or they would certainly have succumbed to their difficulties; for they have been hemmed in by heathenism and under subjection in civil affairs to none but pagan rulers. Had there been no guiding Divine hand, the Syrian Church in India could never have beeu preserved throughout so many centuries.
The earliest Christian settlements in South India are probably the seven churches which are traditionally said to have been founded by the apostle Thomas.
When they first came in contact with European voyagers they were Nestorian in doctrine, and had been so for a thousand years or more. It was only in 1665, when the Romanists prevented their communicating with the Nestorian patriarch, that they became subject to the patriarch of Antioch, who is monophYRite in doctrine.
In 1502 Vasco de Gama, the discoverer of the sea route to India, was a second time sent out by the King of Portugal. On his arrival a deputation of native Christians from Cranganore went to meet him with gifts. They informed him that they numbered thirty thousand, and that they kept themselves apart from their heathen neighbors as a special community. The following year, 1503, the Rajah of Cochin gave the Portuguese a piece of ground on which to build a fort, and this place soon afterward became a stronghold of the Romish religious orders in India.
Certain relics of St. Thomas are said to be in existence, imd the miracles attributed to these relics are worthy of the most flourishing age of medieval superstition. One of these was to the effect that when the Indian bishops annually approached the apostle's shrine to present their offerings, he opened his hand and graciously received these, provided they were presented by orthodox believers, while he sternly withdrew his closed palm from all heretics! When many other absurd and degrading stories abounded, no wonder that the Christian community which delighted in such things gradually wasted away, till its influence on surrounding heathenism became a vanishing quantity.
There are historical notices carrying back the antiquity of the Malabar Christians to a very ancient date ; but they possess two documents of the highest antiquity, which prove how very far back we must go to the time of their arrival in India. These documents are engraved plates of copper, supposed to be a thousand years old. One of these, written in Tamil, conveys a grant of land to a merchant who is supposed to have belonged to the Manichean sect. The other is written in Tamil-Malayalim, and also conveys a piece of land to a community connected with a church called Tarisa-paIIi, or Tarisa Church. These ancient documents show that in those remote times the Syrian Christians were a recognized community, to whom certain rights were accorded.
Unfortunately the intercourse of the Roman Catholic Church with the Syrian Christians is a long story of cruel persecution, in which the secular arm was invoked for the purpose of forcibly compelling submission to Rome, with the alternative of much suffering and sometimes even of death. Mar ~·talla, one of the Syrian bishops, was first imprisoned at Goa, and then burned as a heretic in, 1654. In 1700 another of their metrans or bishops, Mar Simon, fell into their hands, and was detained at Pondicherry in irons till his death. When the Portuguese had been ousted from Cochin by the Dutch there came relief from persecution in that locality ; but the Syrians continued greatly destitute of books, of pastors, and of instruction, and their moral and spiritual tone was lowered through their intercourse with the Jesuits. The native rulers, too, were despotic and merciless, and things were altogether at a low ebb when, in 1795, Cochin surrendered to the British.
Without going further into the question of antiquity, suffice it to say that at the Council of Nice, 325 A.D., a bishop named John signed the decrees then passed as " Metropolitan of Persia and of Great India ;" and about the year 200 A.D. Pantrenus, who then presided over a college in Alexandria, is said to have himself gone to India and labored there; this he did in response to a message from certain Christians in India who de- sired further i1lstruction. The detail of what he may have done is un- known, as his writings are lost.
What a strange conflict is that of the Christian Church-internal strife, outward persecution! We have it all in miniature in the Syrian Church in India. Though it was from the beginning a Nestorian Church, yet for the last two centuries it has been under Jacobite rule. About the year 1663 the Jacobite patriarch sent Mar Gregory to India, and he being accepted by these Malabar Christians, they were quietly incorporated with the Jacobites, a party dogmatically antagonistic to the Nestorians. Mar Greg- ory openly proclaimed that both the Pope and Nestorius were heretics.
The members of the Syrian Church in Malabar are now all connected with the Jacobite party.
Very strangely, there still survive Christian Manichees among th8 Syrian Christians of India. Their traditions allege that in the third cen- tury a certain sorcerer called Manikavachakar arrived on the east coast of India and deceived and perverted many Christians by his wiles, after which he came round to Travancore, where he continued his labors and succeed- ed in perverting eight families to !fanicheism. The descendants of those families were formed into a settlement and were called Manigramakar- that is, the people of the village of Manes-and the remnant of those peo- ple are still known by the same name.
The Mohammedans, too, since the time of their appearing in India, have sadly vexed and oppressed the Syrian Christians. .
Very little is known of the Syrian Church in India during the Middle Ages. It is said that the English King Alfred the Great sent messengers to visit the shrine of the Apostle Thomas in India. A Dominican friar named J ordanus, who went on a mission from Persia, visited QuiIon, in South India, about the year 1324, and .lohn de MarignoIli, or John of Florence, returning from a mission to China, visited South India on his way-this was in 1346 or 1347 ; he resided in Quilon upward of a year.
He says: "After some harvest of souls-for there are a few Christians there-I proceeded to Ceylon." Cadamustus, the Venetian, set out for a voyage to the East in 1493, and visited Calicut. He says that city was in- habited by Indian Christians, and that he there saw churches with bells.
He further says: "The Christians ride on elephants, believe Christ w~s born of the Virgin Mary, and never sinned; that He was crucified by the Jews, died, and was buried at Jerusalem. They know, indeed, that the Pope lives in Rome, but have no other knowledge of the Holy Roman Church; are somewhat educated, and can wrpte their own tongue. "
When the Portuguese arrived in India for the purposes of trade alid conquest, two of the native Christians of Cranganore waited upon Peter Cabral, asking him to convey them to Europe. They said that they used no images, but only the simple cross in their churches; and that they possessed many copies of the Sacred Scriptures, and commentaries on them, from which their priests taught the people. 'This was in 1500.
One of these two Hindus was " Joseph the Indian," aud in a small book of his travels these details. are given regarding the Syrian Church. Inside their churches, he said, there were no images ; they had priests, deacons, and sub-deacons; they used unleavened bread in the communion; the people received the Lord's Supper three times a year; they knew nothing of extreme unction, and buried their dead with religious rites.
In 1504 four Nestorian ecclesiastics wrote to their patriarch: ",There are here nearly thirty thousand families of Christians of the same faith as ourselves, and they pray to the Lord that He may preserve you in safety. And now they have begun to erect other churches. They live in the midst of plenty, and are gentle and peaceable in their dispositions. Blessed be God !"
Gouvea, an Augustinian friar, has recorded in detail the visitation of a Portuguese ecclesiastic, Archbishop Menezes, in 1599. Gouvea, speaking of the Syrians, condemns their adherence to Nestorianism and their refusal to call Mary the mother of God. He says that they did not allow image worship, and only acknowledged three sacraments-baptism, the eucharist, and holy orders; that they knew nothing of confirmation and extreme unction, and detested the sacrament of penance.
Archbishop Menezes was a most energetic agent in bringing many of . the Syrian congregations to submit to Rome. He brought about this result, both by visitation of the congregations and by holding a synod which afterward became famous, the Synod of U diamparur. It was held in June, 1599, and was a " packed" synod, most subservient to his wishes. This he brought about by holding more than one ordination of priests, who were present as members of the synod, and of course did exactly as he ordered. Without doubt certain good decrees were enacted, but the evil outweighed the good. Among other changes effected by the synod's decrees, there were these : The Syrian Christians were commanded to adore the images of Christ ; they were now taught that it was " pious to believe that Mary was conceived without original sin ;" all Syriac books were to be delivered up to the Jesuits within two months; and the whole diocese was made" to submit itself to the Holy, Upright, Just, and Necessary Court of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in these parts established." The synod condemned a book of homilies used in the Syrian Church, because therein it was stated" that the holy eucharist is only the image of Christ, and is distinguished from Him as an image is from a true man ; and that the body of our Lord Jesus Christ is not there nor anywhere else but in heaven." The doctrine of transubstantiation was introduced, and the cup was to be taken entirely from the laity. The Malabar Christians had known nothing of masses for the dead, but the synod introduced this a,lso. Compulsory auricular confession and extreme unction were also unknown in the native. churches, but both of these Romish practices were forcibly enjoined " on pain of mortal sin." Celibacy was enjoined, and to make this doubly sure the synod suspended all married priests.
The Jesuit missionaries continued to hold sway in this part of India for more than fifty years, until there occurred the great rupture with Rome, which took place in 1653 under Bishop Garcia.
The Syrians did not feel comfortable under the new regime. The enforced celibacy of the clergy, the introduction of images, and the attempt to supersede the Syriac language by the Latin in the services of the Church were very offensive to them, as also were the pride and intolerance which the Jesuits showed to all who would not conform to their orders.
In 1653 Mar Ignatius, a Syrian bishop, arrived from Antioch. The Portuguese seized him at Mylapur, where he had landed j then, after a term of imprisonment, they delivered him to the Inquisition at Goa, where he was condemned as a heretic and committed to the flames in 1654. In order to avoid the odium of this deed, the Jesuits asserted that the bishop had been drowned at sea! The Syrian communities were now so alienated in sympathy from their Jesuit rulers that they formally threw off allegiance to the Roman bishop Garcia, and declared Archdeacon Thomas, a native Syrian Christian, to be now their bishop. Afterward, when the Dutch had destroyed the power of Portugal in Malabar, the Syrian Church obtained from Syria the usual episcopal ordination.
Seeing how the sympathies of the native Syrian Chnrch were alienated from the Jesuits, it was thought at Rome that it would be advisable to send a new mission, consisting of certain Carmelite priests j and this accordingly was done. After the arrival of the Carmelite bishop and monks there were many quarrels between these missionaries and the Jesuits, whom they partly superseded. The Dutch, who had now ousted the Portuguese, looked with much disfavor upon the Syrians; and while forbidding European ecclesiastics to reside in the Dutch territories in India, they confirmed the Carmelites in their position, as these monks now had a bishop who was a native Indian. Bishop Joseph, of the Carmelites, before leaving Cochin, consecrated this native bishop. 'rhe Dutch chaplain was assured by Bishop Joseph in a personal interview that the Syrians were" persuaded that the very essence of Christianity consists in three particulars diametrically opposed to the articles of Lnther and Calvin-namely, the adoration of images and the crucifix, fasting and prayers, and masses for the souls in purgatory." We see how successful the Romish missionaries had been; their steady work, continued now through several generations, had leavened the Syrian Church with the essentials of Romanism.
There was much confusion occasioned by the struggles of the Jesuits and Carmelites on the one hand, and part of the Syrian Church on the other. The testimony of the native Christians themselves is as follows: " The above-mentioned two orders trouble our Church and bring dishonor upon her; they seize our priests, and, by confining them closely, cause their death ; their servants also maim them in their bodies. If our Metran deposes a priest from his office, then their Metran immediately reinstates him; if our Metran pronounces the Maharon" (curse of excommunication), "then theirs absoTves. Certain of their priests, when visiting some of our churches, openly and privately transgressed the seventh commandment, and committed sundry other crimes. On this account the heathen look upon us with scorn and contempt. "
About 1727 some of the early Danish missionaries to Southeastern India were brought into contact with the Syrian Church in Malabar. Messrs. Kolhoff and Horst, missionaries at Tanjore, made inquiries, and, as the result of their inquiry, came to the finding that the Syrian clergy were divided into two sects directly opposite to each other-Nestorians and Eutychians ; that they had been Romanized in many particulars; that they were very ignorant, and at the same time dogmatic in their own opinions about ritual; that they knew only enough of the Syriac language to go through their liturgical service; and that through caste pride they had hardly any intercourse with those of an inferior caste, whereby they incapacitated themselves for the propagation of the Gospel. For these reasons the Tanjore missionaries concluded that they could not then hope for any union between themselves and the Syrian Christians.
Paoli, one of the Roman ecclesiastics, gives us much information. Of the natives, he says that they dragged the Christians by force to take part in the lewd dances held in honor of the idol Sheva ; and also that the law against the killing of cows was no dead letter. He had often known men condemned to death on this charge; and that on one occasion five men were executed for the killing of a single cow near Callurcada.
Regarding the state of the Romish congregations, he admits that many of the so-called converts from heathenism had no higher motives than to gain a lawsuit or to gain some other temporal advantage. In 1780 and 1781 he claims to have" confirmed" no fewer than twenty thousand persons. The Bible, either in whole or part, he says, he did not distribute -and this of set purpose. Of church discipline, he says that if the offender is too poor to be fined, "a large wooden cross is placed on his shoulders while he is kneeling at the church door; a human skull is put into his hand, and in that manner he is made to creep round the church; or he is sent to Malleatur, where he must do penance at the foot of the holy cross which is said to have been erected there by St. Thomas himself. Women must bear a death's head or a wax candle. When the penance is over, the bishop, missionary, or priest gives the offender absolution in the presence of the whole congregation by means of a whip or rod, that the scandal which he brought on his Christian brethren may thereby be removed."
Of his own clergy, Paoli says: "Had these native priests sufficient learning, were they in any degree acquainted with their duty, and did they know how to procure from the pagans the least respect, they might certainly be fit to be entrusted with the care of Christian congregations j bllt, unfortunately, they are strangers to these qualities, live like the irrational animals, and by these means are the cause that their parishes are converted into dens of thieves."
In 1790 a terrible event occurred to these Syrian and Romo-Syrian churches. Tippoo Saib invaded parts of Travancore and Cochin, devastating the territory and inflicting vast cruelties on the people; both heathen and Christian. Some ten thousand Malabar Christians are estimated to have lost their lives in these invasions. Twenty-six of the Roman churches and three or four of the ancient Syrian were destroyed by Tippoo. It is thought to be the recollection of the atrocities of that time that kept Southern India true to the British Government in the Mutiny of 1857.
Cochin having been captured by the British in 1795, the way was opened up for obtaining more accurate information regarding the Malabar Christians and for awakening sympathy on their behalf, and various methods were soon employed for their temporal and spiritual good. Attention was directed to the subject in the beginning of the century through the publication of Dr. C. Buchanan's "Christian Researches," and much sympathy was enlisted in behalf of those ancient Syrian churches. Since that time the Church of England has carried on mission work among them.
"After the almost unbroken heathenism and Mohammedanism of Bengal, one cannot be surprised that a man of Buchanan's enthusiastic temperament was at times carried away, when he came among these native Christians, who claimed nothing short of an apostolic origin for their church, which had survived the revolutions of well-nigh two thousand years and the violent persecutions of heathenism and Romanism. To have been in any way useful in helping to raise and revivify such an interesting Christian community was an honor that could fall to the lot of few men; and to be the first in so noble an undertaking might well tempt a flowing pen to run occasionally in a somewhat romantic strain."
In 1816 missionaries arrived in Travancore, sent by the Church Missionary Society, and were cordially received by the Syrians. Their work did much to purify and to consolidate this ancient Christian church.
The fair promises of reformation held out by the Syrian Church were unfortunately not realized. Superstition and venerated abuses carried the day. Very great gentleness and forbearance were shown on the part of the Church Missionary Society; and in 1835 Bishop Wilson, of Calcutta, paid a visit to Uottayam, and was most conciliatory in his endeavors to adjust any differences or difficulties; but notwithstanding all these efforts, the reactionary party among the Syrians succeeded in bringing about a complete rupture between the missionaries and the ecclesiastical authorities of the Syrian Church. The missionaries handed over their college buildings to the Syrians; and in 1838 a new college was erected in Cottayam under the direction of the Church Missionary Society. In this institution many young men of the native Syrian Church have been trained, and some of them have proved to be of much value in mission work in connection with the English Church. In 1842 a large new church was also opened at Cottayam by the missionaries.
The Church Missionary Society, repulsed in their patient efforts to work alongside the Syrian Church, could do nothing else-unless they were to withdraw altogether-than accept the alternative of continuing to do the best work it could for the Syrians by preaching the Gospel to all who would receive it. And this work, happily, has been successful.
A view of the internal working of one of these Malabar churches shows us how vexing is their refusal to accept the kindly help toward reformation offered them by the English missionaries. Take, for instance, the church at Puthupally, near Cottayam. The building presents an imposing appearance. The eight or ten priests used to be supporters of a lucrative but demoralizing feast held every year in honor of St. George. The heathen flocked to it with offerings of fowls, and the pilgrims were entertained with plays and other exhibitions. This feast maintained its evil character so lately as 1863. Miracles were said to be performed here in the shape of the curing of diseases; and those who supposed themselves benefited, or who hoped to be so, presented small silver models of the arm or leg or other part of the body which had been diseased. At the church at Palaiya there is a large community of priests, and in this neighborhood every respectable family who can afford it is accustomed to devote one of its members to the priesthood j and so the land is overstocked with ecclesiastics who have nothing to do, and who just vegetate like tlie plants of the earth on which they lounge about.
The work of the Church Missionary Society has gone quietly on, notwithstanding all difficulties and discouragements j and through the churches and schools which they planted converts have been gained whose growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ gives ns cause to hope that they will be a race better than their fathers, and that through their efforts very much will be done to win South India for Christ.
Already has the work of the missionaries been of a most beneficial character; it has been altogether friendly toward the Syrian Church j and since it began the Syrians have both increased numerically and have progressed in education, wealth, energy, and enterprise j and many of them have improved socially and morally, and have been provoked unto love and good works.
We cannot end this paper without commending the Syrian Church of Malabar to the interest and love and prayers of all who desire the growth of the spiritual kingdom of the Divine Redeemer, and who pray that the churches of the East may be revived by the Holy Ghost and aroused to trim their lamps and watch and wait for the coming of the Bridegroom.
MOHAMMEDAN WORSHIP
MOHAMMEDAN WORSHIP.* BY RICHARD DAVEY.
Mahomet, rightly dreading idolatry, so prevalent in Mecca in his day, wisely ordained that the interiors of lhe mosques or places of prayer should be destitute of all representations of human or animal life. The early mosques were plainly whitewashed, and were not even ornamented by verses from the Koran. In the course of time, certain pious califs expended vast sums on the construction of mosques, and many of them became monuments of architectural magnificence into which the richest materials were introduced. But their interiors, however splendidly adorned wilh marble columns, stained-glass windows and glorious carpets, are as nude as an English town hall when cleared of its proper complement of chairs and tables. The only furniture of a mosque is the mihrib, a sort of niche indicating the direction in which Mecca lies, the mimber or pulpit, and in some of the Imperial mosques a maafil-i-humayum or private pew for the Sultan, and a little gallery called a maafil for the chanters. Two gigantic wax candles in gold, in silver, or brass candlesticks, stand on either side of the mihrib, and are only lighted during Ramazan. Most of the mosques are embellished with elaborate inscriptions in Arabian or Turkish characters quoting verses from th~ Koran. In some of the mosques, notably those at Brussa, there is a large fountain under the central dome. This does not serve, however, for ablutions, but simply as an ornamenl;. It is a popular error to say that people are obliged, as a sign of respect, to take off their shoes before entering a mosque. This is done simply because the floors of the mosques are covered either with mats or carpets which must be kept scrupulously clean, because the faithfnl touch them with their foreheads constantly during their devotions. If you wear overshoes,you need only remove them, and boldly enter the mosque in your boots. Another popular error connected with the mosques is the idea that Christians must not be admitted into them. This is absolutely opposed to the teaching of the Koran, which declares that any man or woman may enter a mosque, be their religion what it may. Indeed, in the earlier period of the history of Islam it was considered an excellent method of converting unbelievers to invite them to attend the services. Since Turkey and the East generally have become the happy huntingground of tourists, the Imams have conceived the idea that, by charging the Giaour for permission to enter the mosques, they may turn an honest penny to their own advantage. There are, however, mosques held to be so sacred, on account of the relics they contain, that the mere presence of a Giaour would pollute them. Otherwise the exclusion of infidels from the mosque is contrary to the teaching of the Prophet.
The ceremonies of the " howling dervishes" are thus described: " The first person to begin the office is the sheik, who wears a vivid crimson robe and squats down in front of the mihrib, on either side of which burn two small braziers, occasionally fed with incense. Then the musicians assemble and sit in a circle; at the other end of the room, against the wall, a number of members of the congregation and dervishes .. An extract from an article in the Fortnightly Review, reprinted from the Literary Di(ll8t.i
MOHAMMEDAN DEGRADATION OF WOMAN
arrange themselves in a row. Then the ceremonies commence. The musicians bang away on the cymbals and tambourines, and begin to cry out as loud as they can' Allah Ekber, Allah Ekber !' The devotees who loll up against the wall also begin to roar in cadence and rhythm, keeping the measure with their feet, and swaying their bodies to and fro. Louder and louder they cry until their excitement rises to literal frenzy. Their eyes seem to start out of their heads, their mouths foam, and in about an hour after the exercises are begun, several of them tumble on to the floor rolling in epileptic fits. When the excitement is at its height, several mad men and women are brought in and laid gently before the sheik, who tramples on them very lightly with both his feet. On one occasion I saw a poor woman, who was evidently dangerously mad, catch hold of the sheik's legs and almost pull him down. She was removed immediately with great difficulty by no less than four men. :Meanwhile the howling continued more deafeJting than ever. Little children were brought in and laid down to receive the pressure of the holy foot. A spruce young officer prostrated himself and was similarly treated. By this time the dervishes at the upper end of the room had lost all control of themselves. '1'he cymbals twanged and crashed, the tambourines and drums were banged with tremendous force, and the whole frantic congregation was screaming as if possessed, 'Allah Ekber, Allah Ekber!' As a grand finale to this scene of wild ~xcitement, a little and very officious dervish made his appearance carrying a brass dish containing a sharp knife, a live snake, and a small red-hot poker, which he presented to the sheik, who, holding the dish in his hands, advanced to the upper part of the chamber, and actually stabbed one young epileptic with the knife from cheek to cheek; another frantically Reized upon the snake and began to bite it, but nobody seemed inclined to touch the red-hot poker, for that remained unused on the dish to the end."
MOHAMMEDAN DEGRADATION OF W OMAN.-When we think of the part played by women in the Christian religious world j when we remember how women have come to the front in every progressive movement; when we think of their place in art, in literature, and in society; when we note how in Christian nations women are honored and protected-then we begin to realize that some immense power must have entered the society where women were once secluded, degraded, and oppressed. Exactly the opposite of all this is witnessed in the whole Mohammedan world. This alone accounts for the decadent history of the faith which Mohammed planted. A religion which perpetuates the degradation of woman is doomed, and it is dying. This is one reason for the condition of Turkey and of Persia. Society in these lands is paralyzed by the absence of any sentiment in favor of the elevation of the female part of the community. The Koran, which contains so many noble inculcations, yet fatally brands woman with the stamp of complete inferiority. In doing this it sinks morality, purity, and society itself under a deadly weight. Some curious Englishmen and a few eccentric Americans some time ago tried to make themselves famous by importing Mohammedanism into England and the United States. The attempt at a new sensation was a complete failure. The world has no place for a new faith of that sort.-The Ohristian Oommonwealth, London.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
n.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND OONDUOTED BY BEV. J. T. GRAOEY, D.D.
The Power of the Gospel from Personal in Christ with an element of decay so Observation in India. un-Christlike as the caste system. Therefore, these largely passed away. BY REV. H. F. LAFLAMME, CANADA BAP- But the impression left by those early TIST MISSION, L"iDIA. tho nominal successes in the eighteenth A young Braman, 8. Bachelor of Arts century determined the whole bent ot of Madras University, once spoke of our missionary effort and ambition in India mission work as follows: "Sir, I per· for some time in the succeeding cen- ceive that in your successful mission tury, and decided the policy as that of work you devote your energy to the the educational method which strives outcastes rather than in striving to win to affect the mind of the subtle and the higher castes through establishing metaphysical Braman and other higher missions schools, and colleges. In this castes, rather than the evangelistic you imitate your Divine Master. When method which strives after all alike.
He founded His religion He did not be- But the great revival that swept over gin with the proud and haughty Phari· . the Ongole field in 1878 and the mag· see, filled with prejudices so deep seat· nificent successes in that mission chang- ed as to be impossible of eradication; ed the entire missionary policy of India.
but He chose the simple, unlettered fish· This prominently emphasized the Di- ermen of Galilee, and on their unsophis- vine order, which seems to be to reach ticated minds He stamped His message the rich and noble through the despised for aU mankind. He wrote on blanks, and rejected. Dr. Gordon very aptly ex· that the word might be clear and legi· pressed the reason for this order of work· ble to all. So in this land you have ing as follows: "The most virile and practically passed over Us Pharisaic uncorrupted manhood is often found Bramans, filled with our preconceived among the wild and outcaste tribes of notions of religion, our own systems of heathen. Once subdued by the Gospel, philosophy and conceits in learning, and they in turn become subduers, aggressive have delivered your message to the un· and irrepressible evangelists. Therefore learned and unprejudiced outcastes. the directest way for the Gospel to reach They will hand it on to others, without upward is for it to strike downward."
bias, and will be found much safer me· This truth is illustrated forcibly by diums for its preservation and transmis- Lakshmaya, the converted grass-cut- sion than any higher caste. You also ter, a poor, despised outcaste, sometimes illustrate the great natural law that, if asleep, sometimes awake, always drunk.
one wishes to lift all the books in a pile, His daily home·coming was generally one must lift the lowest. So, sir, if you followed by beating his wife, drivinl{ convert the outcastes, if you are sue· her and the terrified children from the cessful in elevating them, all other high- house, smashing the pots and simple er castes up to the Bramans must come furniture, and then falling on the mud up with them." floor of his little hut or into the tilth of The earliest Protestant missionaries the yard, and there sleeping like a hog.
to South India were successful among The Gospel message reached his dull caste people, gathering in large num- ear, and the energizing power of the bers, and with them the deep.set preju. love of Christ touched his drink·sodden dices and customs that a more or less heart. Lakshrnaya was converted. He superficial knowledge of the saving rose early, cut grass all morning- power of Christ scarcely altered, much as much as he could formerly cut in a less eradicated. lio church could exist whole day-sold it at 110011 to the viIlage landhohlers and high-caste men, "God from heaven put it in my then preached Christ in the afternoons heart." said the convert. "He has and evenings. He was most fearless in changed me, the poor drunkard, and his testimony. and showed Christ to has given me a new heart. He can high and low alike. His first experi· change you and can fill you with humilence in witnessing to the Bramans was ity instead of pride; with truth instead remarkable. lIe had put down his bun- of lies, and with love instead of hate." dle of grass in the spot indicated by the high-caste purchaser. He had possessed With that manful testimony he goes himself of the copper coins thrown his way. And from that time forward down from a distance in the dust for his changed life commands an undis· him, in the fear that any closer ap- turbed hearing among them. He fearproach much more, contact, might lessly exposed his life in testimony bring ceremonial defilement, and was for Christ. In a short time he had about to retire in obedience to the arro- won thirteen of his fellows to a savgant order to begone, when the happy ing knowledge of Christ. It might thought came to him in the fulness of be said of him and of many other his new joy in Christ to tell these Bra- similar humble followers of the Lord mans. At first they were amazed at his as was said of Peter and John by impertinent presumption; but when the rulers and elders and scribes at Jeruthey realized that this filthy outcaste, salem: "When they saw the boldness this blatant, drunken fool, was attempt- of Peter and John and perceived that ing to teach the twice-born sons of the they were unlearned and ignorant men, great Brahm the way of holiness, their they marveled; and they took knowlanger passes even the bounds of caste edge of them, that they' had been with prejudice and ceremonial prudence. Jesus" (Acts 4 : 18). They rush at him with uplifted sticks to beat respect and sense into a fellow However marked the change in the seemingly devoid of both. But, to their life of the individual convert, nothing astonishment, instead of fieeing terror- so strikingly impresses one with the struck at the mere possibility of invok- transforming power of the Gospel as ing the Bramans' curse, as well as their renewed communities engaged in the blows, the man stands his ground, turns exercise of some public function conhis naked shoulders to them, and in- nected with their new-found religious vites their violence with neither an ap- hope. An additional emphasis is laid proach to fear or defiance. Overcome upon this by contrasting these newly with wonder at his courage, they pause made Christians with what they formerfor a solution of this strange metamor- ly were, or with their fellows still phosis. The converted drunkard con- wrapped in their old superstitions and tinues his broken message, and closes engaged in some rite or festival of a rewith those fearless words of Stephen: ligious nature. Many such contrasts " Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not are constantly repeated before the eyes in houses made with hands; as saith the of the missionary in heathen lands. To prophet, The heaven is My throne, convey some faint conception of the reand the earth the footstool of My feet : ligious antithesis thus presented considwhat manner of house will ye build er the following pictures: first, of a me? saith the Lord; or what is the Hindu low-caste festival, and then of place of My rest? Did not My hand one of the simple annual gatherings of make all these things P Ye stilI-necked the Christians, most of them converts in heart and ears, ye do always resist from the outcaste classes in India. the Holy Ghost." In addition to the principal and gen- "Where did you learn such wis- erally popular deities of the Hindu Pandom 2" asked one of the Bmmans. theon there are innumerable local gods worshiped throughout all India. Scarce- ly a village, and, indeed, scarcely a household in India is without its own of the transition from light to darkness tutelary divinity which is peculiar to -an unusual commotion rises above thQ that community. Such a goddess-for ordinary noises of the village. When the most popular are females, and re- all preparations are completed, the pro- ceive the general appellation of " moth- cession breaks through the main en- er"-is adopted as the village deity be- trance to the village and is ushered into cause more active, watchful, and force· . the open plain in a flood of light from ful than the plt,asure-Ioving male. She many torches. Its approach is herald- is believed to be the protectress of chil- ed and headed by a troop of almost dren, the preventer of small-pox and naked drummers, their dark and .oily cholera, and the patron of all enterprises bodies glistening in the torchlight as consigned to her care by a special vow they spring about in mad eftorts at invoking her aid. The village to which a contortionist's accompaniment with reference is to be made is an abandoned every limb and member of the body to seaport, now composed mainly of fish- the wild and rapid music of the drums ermen's hnts, with some few houses of and the discordant blare of half a dozen Ii better stamp belonging to men who trumpets and long horns. One more are the faded remnants of better and supple than the others accompanies his bygone days of commercial prosperity drumming with somersaults forward and prominence. Our missionary party and back, never for a moment, not even occupied a disused warehouse near the when in mid:air, interrupting his noisy surf line of the seacoast, presented to contribution by drum and voice to the our mission by a well-disposed merchant general uproar. Men leading goats and in a distant town. A sand plain lies be- sheep, boys and women carrying hens tween the old warehouse and the vil- and cocks, little girls and .old women lage. In the center of this plain is the with brass platters loaded with flour, temple of the village goddess. This is grain, fruits, and paints, poised upon no larger than a small bake-oven in this their heads, make up the motley follow- land might be, and, like it, is built of ing. Every living thing with vocal masonry even to the roof. The image capabilities contributes a not insignifi- of the goddess consists of a simple cant offering to the volume of noise- stick, not two feet in length, and rough- by no means to be despised as a recog- hewn to some remote resemblance nized essential in the worship of their of the female form. She lies upon the gods. The long procession three times summit of an ant-hill, and has recently encircles the temple, then masses in received fresh daubs of yellow ochre, front to celebrate the sacrifices and pay red lead, and oil. The hot season is the accumulated vows of the past well advanced, for it is late in April. twelvemonth. The goats and sheep are The sun shines down through cloudless led to the altar. Before it they are skies upon the burning sands of the sea- placed with necks outstretched by the shore. The season is not propitious for leading cord. Then a brawny fellow fishing. wielding a sickle-shaped ax with one Taking advantage of the forced idle- stroke severs the bleating head from ness, the fishermen, at the instigation the trembling trunk. In rapid succes- of the village priest, have detel·mined sion scores are thus slaughtered. All the date of the annual festival of the about, the cocks and hens are being be- goddess. On this day all vows made headed. Incense is burned at the foot to win her favor, propitiate her anger, of the goddess in the shrine, where all or invoke her blessing must be paid on the offerings are displayed, a little of pain of fearsome and calamitous visita- each being left in the temple, the rest tions. Soon after nightfall-for no twi- being retained to provide the night's light intervenes to break the abruptness feast. The mingled smells from smoking torches; from human breaths fetid appear, wending their way from all with tobacco, garlic and toddy-the points of the compa.,s in little bands, intoxicating drink of the country; from which. as they draw nearer the common hundreds of unwashed bodies steaming center, unite and swell the larger with perspiration in the suffocating choruses. On they come across the heat and from the blood of the victims, naked rice .fields, through the empty now clotting ankle deep at the altar's watercourses, over the tank bund, and foot, make breathing difficult and spread into full view from the church. All a sickening faintness over us. The ap- are well dressed, neat, and tidy. Men pearance of many of the people, now and women, with the children, are all excited by strong drink and religious on their way to the house of God, sing- fervor, is wild in the extreme. The ing as they come the sweet songs of drummers and leaders seem like demons Zion, the psalms of ascent of the Telu- let loose in fantastic frolic. The noise, gu Christians. They sing as with one the blood, the nauseous smells, the un- voice, much as Israel must have sung canny sights, suggest the gaping mouth in their journeyings to and from the of the great abyss. Overcome with an great annual festivals-for these Telugu intense and weakening disgust we re- Christians, like them, are coming in to treat to our homes, and in the privacy one of their annual meetings of the of our bedrooms pray-for sleep is im- Colais Association, from the neighbor- possible after such a vision-that the ing Christian Villages. There are fifteen Sun of Righteousness may arise with churches with a membership scattered healing in His wings and shine upon over one hundred villages. The Gunam- these sin-sick Bouls. All through that apudi church, in which they meet, is night of prayer thete comes from the their banner church. The church build- village near by the sounds of drunken ing rises in bold prominence above all revelry, of fearful blasphemies, and of surrounding buildings, the high ma- gross and debasing idol worship. For son-work walls and substantial tile roof in as many houses as there were sacri- presenting a bold contrast to the thatch fices made that night is being held an roofs and mud walls of the villagers'
orgy of lustful and filthy indulgence, homes. This place of worship is a con- known only in lands where confidence crete expression of the people's love for and faith are" in the shedding of the Christ. The building represents their blood of bulls and of goats" to take sacrifice in liberal gifts. Three broth- away sin, and where He is unknown ers led the list with a SUbscription of who, "when He had offered one sacri- $400. That would be a generous offer- fice for sins, forever sat down on the ing even in this land of plenty, but right hand of God." magnificent in a land where day labor Now consider this other picture. commands only six cents in the man A bell rings gladly. It is a church and three cents in the woman. The bell in a land of heathen darkness. The general liberality in poverty of the rank bell is tolling for morning worship. It and file of Christians is indicated by the is a Sabbath morning in a land where fact that the several hundreds remain- the groan of labor never ceases, where ing members have been enabled to give the toil of living finds no respite in a $100 additional. The balance of the day of quiet. As the bell rings forth total $1500 is made up by missionary across the fields a far-off echo seems to donations and a small debt, the prospec- come back. And yet there is no echo, tive contribution of posterity.
for tho the music of the bell has long Within the church walls are repre- since died away, this note grows strong- sented all the activities of a complete er and louder, till the full melody of church organization-the public preach- song breaks upon the ear. The singers ing of the Word, the celebration of the ordinances, the meetings for prayer, preach Christ where Christ was not the Sunday.school, the regular meetings known. for the transaction of church business, and the conference or experience meet- Mark God's blessing on a church with ing-by some termed the love feast. that spirit. Enter with the worshipers The pastor renders unremunerated ser- as they gather in this peculiar meeting vice, being one of the three brothers of the churches. See the five hundred mentioned above as liberal givers. In worshipers bowed in reverent silence order that the oversight of the church as the man of God leads in prayer. may not Buffer during his frequent Hear them as they rise to sing with the absences on extended missionary tours heart and with the understanding. Mark among the surrounding heathen vil· their intelligent interest and the kindly lages, an assistant pastor has been en- joy of response to the thought unfolded gaged by the church. In addition to by the preacher. Note their offerings these, a day-school is in operation with- in coin and kind during the collection. in the building-the teachers' salaries When the service concludes see the litand other incidental expenses being met tle knots of earnest converts gathered in part by the church-members and in here and there in the spacious building. part by the State. The church satisfies They are examining the candidates for all three of the cardinal tenets of a per- baptism. Then the pastor leads down fect New Testament organization in a score or more into the waters of the being self-supporting, and, therefore, little lake and baptizes them in the likeself-governing. They administer their ness of the death and resurrection of own discipline, elect their own mem- the Lord Jesus Christ. That churchbers, and govern their own movements. membership now numbers close on 580. Some time since they refused seventy Twenty-five years ago they were idolaapplicants for membership who were ters engaged in the gross and degrad. recalcitrants from another mission, on ing orgies indicated above. Now they the ground that they did not pay their are changed men; they worship God, debts and were therefore unfit for ad- the Spirit, in spirit and in truth. They mission. The third essential of the hallow the Sabbath Day. They revere New Testament church found in the the name of Christ. They are decided Gunamapudi organization, a most un- temperance advocates. They are incommon distinguishing feature, is the tensely foreign missionary in their fact that they are self-propagating. spirit. even to the point of great self- They have not only a membership dis- sacrifice. However, in the place of that tributed in many different villages, in man sent forth God sends another as each of which an independent church capable for their school. They are thus will one day develop, but they support amply blessed at home. In response to a missionary of their own. the earnest appeals for Christ in that great heathen town, in a few months' The call came to send a representa- time some twenty-five are gathered into tive up to a neighboring town of fifteen their church-membership. God blesses or twenty thousand souls, of whom them abroad. none know Christ. The Gunamapudi people selected their best man, the prin- Marvel of marvels I Omnipotence of cipal of their day-school, an intelligent, might I God's blessed transforming and highly educated, capable, and fervent renewing Gospel is manifested in these young man, and setting him apart, sent believers in apostolic power. We are him forth, and now contribute to his constrained to cry out as we regard this support. He was the one man besides band of believers and remember the pit their pastor they could least afford to from which they have been digged, lose; he was the one man chosen by ~'The Gospel is the power of God unto them all to go out from among tbem to salvation to everyone that believeth." Amen. Adva.nce in Korea. in Korell had doublcd its membership in one year. The annual meeting, when BY REV. GEORGE HEBER JONES, SEOUL, returns for the last year (1895–96) will be KOREA. in, is still to be held; but from news to A general impression seems to pre- hand there is every indication of a gain vail in the Church that the great war of 50 or 60 per cent., and a possibility between Japan and China over Korea, that again we may double our mem- the very disturbed condition of the bers.
country itself, and the recent interven- Little has been heard in the home tion by Russia have seriously interfered church of Wansan,.the northeast port, with our work in Korea, and that little where Dr. McGill has been laboring can be done there along missionary lines most successfully for four years. In a until the present undetermined political letter dated June 20th, 1896, to the writ- status is finally settled. er, Dr. McGill says of the infant church Such is far from being the case. at Wansan: Since July 23d, 1894, when a new order " Dr. Scranton was here and baptized of things was inaugurated for Korea by 19 persons and admitted 4 to full mem- the capture of the royal palace by the bership. We have had over 60 in our Japanese at the point of :the bayonet, Sunday meeting, but about 40 or 50 is the attitude of each successive ministry the rule. We have a number of whole has been one of official non-interference, families attending, and a dozen of wom- while the "officious" or personal atti- en or more. One of the members got.
tude of thebigh ministers in notable indi- into prison for debt, an1 the members vidual cases, and on some occasions even raised over 8 yen to get him out-a re- as a body, has been that of extending markable sign of brotherly love for a recognition to the missionaries and their Korean. We have over one hundred work as an important bctor in the ref- probationers. I am very busy building, ormation of the country. When chol- and also visiting the sick, having treat- era was raging in Seoul the Government ed 2500 patients this year, and my re- placed a large appropriation from the ceipts for the three months now ending public funds at the disposal of a com- will amount to 225 yen. "
mission of missionary physicians and Dr. Scranton, as superintendent, finds committed to them the Government himself at the head of an exceedingly measures for the suppression of the busy and overworked body of men, and scourge. When the Government school cries loudly for a reinforcement of six was crowded with pupils the Ministry new men. Brothers Appenzeller and of Education made a contract with our Bunker have more than 130 young men mission school at Seoul for the educa- and boys under their charge in the col- tion of such students as the king might lege. Brother Hulbert, in charge of appoint, to the number of 200, these our press at Seoul, is working day and students to be subject to the Christian night, turning out thousands of Chris- regimen in force in the school. When tian books and tracts, which are already the ministers of State, on behalf of the being felt as a regenerating force intel- king, gave a great banquet last October lectuallyand morally. Dr. Busteed is to celebrate the Declaration of Inde- redeeming the bright promise of the be- pendence from China, all the missiona- ginning of his missionary career as a ries at Seoul and Chemulpo were in- successful physician of the bodies and vited. souls of men. Dr. Folwell has in- At the present time the returns :in trenched himself in Pyang Yang, the immortal souls saved are cheering the strategic center of North Korea, taking hearts of the workers. Only three or over the work which the sainted Hall four years ago the church at home was bequeathed to the mission as a sacred ~laqd~ned by the report that the Church and desirable heritage. And Mr. Noble is probably, at this writing, near- Writing only a few days previous to ing Korea to take up the work so dear this from Dr. Scranton, Mr. Appenzeller to his heart. says: Like his brethren, Dr. Scranton is " Russia at present is not doing any- doing the work of two men. He writes thing except to further the independence from Seoul under dateof June 29th, 1896: of the country. Her hand does not ap- " At Chang-chin Nai I baptized (re- pear. Our opportunities are now much cently) 9 adults and received 17 into full greater than they were before the war.
membership. At Yong-in (a new place, This morning we had 88 Koreans who and never before reported) I baptized 6 are students of English present at pray- adults and 4 children. Wehaveagood ers, besides OVer 50 boys who are tak- work begun there. Next winter it will ing Chinese in the school. Every Sun- show up well. I suspect that from 100 day morning our chapel is so full at to 200 will come out for the Lord. Sev- divine service that we have to utilize eral years ago I baptized a man whom the hall. This afternoon we received we know as Pak No-in (Old Man Pak). 50 volumes of history and other books I did so, as Bishop Thoburn does, on as a grant to the library from the Min- one full presentation of the Gospel. It istry of Education. Bunker and I have is the only case in which I have attempt- had a year of unparalleled success. The ed this. He has been a most sincere Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and devoted Christian ever since. while Acting Minister of Education vis- Through his preaching-and he never ited us one morning, occupied a seat on rests-a doctor in Yong-in was reached the platform during prayers, and after- who has used all his immense influence ward addressed the school. He is not with the people for Christ. With books a Christian, but, having spent several and preaching this doctor has reached a years at Washington, he knows what thousand or more people, and a great Christianity teaches and has his boy in harvest lies before us. To-day I was our school.
to have gone south ten miles to a place "We never had the opportunities for where your man Chung, from Kang- work we are having at this moment. I wha, has started a small work, but was have put up a new book-store at Chong- prevented by the rain. " no, and on June 8th invited foreigners Then follows an account of how, at and native~ to be present at the open- three different points, our Korean breth- ing. Both classes came. After I told ren are inaugurating plans to build the object of the store, Mr. Choi chapels. Returning to the work in the (one of the local preachers and an offi- capital, Dr. Scranton thus speaks of cial of the Government) felt moved to the work under his personal care aR a speak to the crowd gathered in the pastor: street. He made a good address. Street .. At Sang-dong, since I came back preaching! Of his own accord I More from Wonsan, I baptized 29 adults and than this: last Sunday evening, after 9 chlldren, received 38 into full connec- the communion, the brethren volun- tion, and have taken 22 new names on teered their help to hold these street- probation. In fact, all this has oc- preaching services at the book-store for curred within the last two :and a half one week. Five P.M. is the hour. This, months. Work and opportunities for to my mind, is the right kind of an work were never better. It is exactly opening of the book-store. The fact in Korea as Bishop Thoburn represents that these schoolmen, who, as you know, the matter for India. Our trouble is were somewhat averse to this kind of not to gather the people, but to train work, volunteered, is in itself a signifi- them after reaching them. I have more cant thing. God is at work in our work than I can well attend to. It is midst. The people have begun to glorious work. " think, and it is impossible fQr them to go back to ante-bellum somnolence and 7279. The number of houses swept death. away and damaged by the wave, 1367.
" At the end of the war our college The population of the region was 48,- was the only missionary institution 990 ; the number of killed, 3366, and ready to enter the magnificent field thus the number of wounded, 726. The opened. Weare now recognized as a officials at the capital furnished each center for coining ideas. During the one of the committee with a map of the audience to which the king graciously devastated region and an official letter invited me, His lIajesty of his own ac- addressed to the Government, directing cord took special pains to thank me them to aid us in every way in our work for the work done, and bade me go on. of investigation and distribution of reo 'We are here to stay, and in this forma- lief. They also sent a telegram to the tive period of the nation's history it railroad station nearest the first town would be wrong for us to hesitate to that we were to visit, ordering jinrik- move right ahead. We believe in Ko- shas to be at the station.
rea. We believe she must have the When we reached there we did not Gospel. The truth we preach alone find the jinrikshas that had been: or- can save her. We are doing our full dered for us, so .we engaged four men duty, and we look to the Church to sus- to take us from the railroad station to tain llS in doing it. Shizukawa, a town on the seacoast that "In conclusion, let me say that at had been partially destroyed by the Chong.no, the site of our book-store wave. We had not rode more than a and the scene of this crucifixion of the mile before we met the jinrikshas OI- pride of schoolmen, there stood within dered for us by the officials in Sendai.
the memory of the living tablets in- We changed jinrikshas and rode on to scribed with insults to foreigners and a a small village, where we stopped for bloodthirsty threat against Christian- lunch. After we had lunched, the jin- ity. " riksha men came for their pay, and we were surprised to learn that they would not go on any farther. They said that The Tidal Wave in Japan. they had been instructed to bring us from the railroad station to that village, B~ REV. WHITING S. WORDEN, M.D., and they would not go on to Shizuka- YOKOHAMA, JAPAN. wa. Here was a difficulty. It was afternoon and it began to rain, and we The foreigners of Yokohama wished must reach Shizukawa by evening.
to aid the sufferers from the tidal wave After consultation together we decided of June 15th, which devastated the to start off on foot and leave our bag· northeast coast of the island of Hondo. gage at the house where we had lunch- Funds were raised, and a committee of ed. It was a bold expedient. but it three was appointed to visit the devas- • worked well. We had not gone more tated region and distribute:relief among than a mile before we were overtaken the sufferers. Rev. A. A. Bennett, by a policeman, and after he fully un- Rev. J. G. Cleveland, and myself were derstood the case he promised to send chosen as the committee. We left the baggage and jinrikshas on after us.
Yokohama on June 25th and fflached These overtook us after we had gone Sendai on the 26th. Sendai is the capi- five or six miles. We then came to a tal of Miyagi Province. We went to deep river, which we crossed by ferry- the capital, and received the foJ1owing boat. and then we began to climb the statistics of the calamity for the prov- mountain that lay between us and the ince of Miyagi only: seacoast.
Before the tidal wave the number of We reached the top of the mountain hOllses in the devastated re~~Q~ was ~QS~ !.?~fore dark, passed through the tunnel, and stopped at a tea·house for great earthquake of 1891, especially the refreshments on the other side. The roofs of the houses lying on the earth, descent from the top of the mountain their supports having been washed from to Shizukawa was quickly made; the under them. The next village we came road was excellent. It reflects great to was Hosoura. This village extend- credit on the Japanese Government to ed from the seashore up two valleys be- have constructed such a good road over tween high mountains in the form of a this mountain, with a tunnel to save the Y. All the houses were destroyed and steepest climb at the summit. When washed away by the wave. On one we arrived at Shizukawa the rain was branch of the Y the water had been falling fast, the hotel was full, and we forced up fully a quarter of a mile from found entertainment in a private house. the seaslxore, destroying acres of rice The sensations I felt were peculiar in- fields. Rere we heard a sad and touch- deed as I listened to the acconnt of the ing story. A man who had' gone up great wave coming into the land and the side of the mountain overlooking washing away so many homes. The the village on the nigbt of the calamity dogs barked and yelped all night, so saw the people come out of their houses that it was difficult to sleep, and we and go on top of the roofs with their were glad when the morning sun shone lanterns at the first intimation of dan- upon us. After breakfast we walked ger. From hiE position on the moun- out to see what damage had been done tain he could see the people and hear to the town. All the houses near the their voices, and in another moment the seashore had been washed away. Some wave burst in, all the lights were ex- houses had been floated inland. The tinguished, and the sound of the destruction at the place had been com· voices was hushed forever.
paratively slight, owing, perhaps, to The next place we came to was lsa- the fact that an island which lies just tomai. Here 60 houses had been de- olf the coast protected this place from stroyed, 52 were killed, 20 wounded, the fury of the wave. We visited the and 9 horses lost. There were a large hospital here which is under the direc· number of soldiers and coolies at work tion of the Red Cross. There have clearing away the debris, and fires were been 92 patients, 8 of whom died. The burning here and there to get rid of the cases include bruises, simple and com· rubbish, and the air was full of smoke.
pound fractures and dislocation, pneu- The smell emanating from these de- monia, pleurisy and catarrhs from ex- stroyed villages was not sanitary. and posure. The hospital is well equipped, now and then we could detect the odor having 7 physicians and 4 nurses in at- of burning flesh. The houses here tendance. were of much more substantial appear- We lunched, and having secured a ance than any we had before seen in pack·horse for our baggage, pushed on that region. Temporary houses and our journey on foot. We soon came to huts had been built to shelter the sur- the place where the village of Shimizu- vivors. The scenes all along reminded hama had been. This was a village of me so much of the sights all over the 60 houses lying near the water on the earthquake region, except that here coast, with mountains around on all water was the destructive agent, while sides except toward the sea. All the in the other case fire and shaking of the houses except one were destroyed. One earth did the damage.
hundred and eighty persons were killed. We learned that many bodies are Here and there were the thatched roofs being dug out of the sand on the shore, of the houses straddling the earth like and that many are washed up from the huge saddles, and under some of them sea daily. We reached a pretty village were numbers of the survivors. The called Tsuya, far away from the sea, scenes here resemble those after the at nightfall, where we secured a good room at the hotel and enjoyed a. quiet measured value to the International rest. Missionary Union, the program of We left our comfortable quarters at whose last three annual meetings he Tsuya the morning of June 29th. The prepared, taxing the remnant of his first place we came to was Osawa. vigor to the uttermost. We will hope Here had been a little hamlet in a rocky to present a much fuller sketch of his gorge on either side of a stream that life and missionary work In the near flowed into the sea a few rods from the future. l'rlrs. Belden needs not to be road. The bridge had been washed assured of our personal sympathy at away and all the houses destroyed. A this hour.
temple standing a hundred yards from the sea was carried away. The waves here reached fully thirty feet in height. Rev. J. E. Scott, of Mutra, India, Here and there we observed the smoke says: of burning thatch and rubbish. Many bodies were consumed in these fires. "Eight years ago there were only The conformation of the seashore had about 11,ODO Christians connected with much to do with the destructiveness of the whole of the Methodist Mission in the wave. The next town visited was India. Now there are more than 100,- Oya, the whole of which, except a few 000. ..lnd many more could be baptizhouses on high ground, was destroyed. ed were it not for the fact that there are At Kisenmuma we met Miss Mead, mis- not pastors and teachers enough to take sionary of the Baptist Board, helping care of them. These people, it is true, in the hospital, from the lower castes, and many of them are very poor, so poor that the average pay of workmen is only about six cents per day. Yet the people show Death of Rev, William H. Belden, their earnestness by giving out of their poverty toward the support of pastors The death of Rev. William H. Bel- and teachers who have been appointed den, at Clifton Springs, N. Y., on July over them. I have seen some of their 31st, will be the occasion of sorrow to giving, when the people brought vari- a very wide circle of friends in the for- ous kinds of grain, and even eggs and eign missionary field. His association sucking pigs to be sold for the support with the International Missionary of the work. And the converts have Union, of which for some years he suffered persecution. A few have been was secretary, made him well known killed, some have been beaten, many in almost all the missionary fields of all have been turned outol home and hare American churches. His zeal for mis- suffered worldly loss, yet not one has sionaryadvance was unexcelled and is gone back. Many good workers have rarely equaled. His labors for the Si- been raised up from among these peo- multaneous missionary meetings of his ple. I sent out a converted cook, who own church in New Jersey were emi- has been the means of leading many to nently successful. He represented the Christ. And even a poor ignorant man, Presbyterian Board in the great MIs- who could only playa broken fiddle, has sionary Conference in London, the In- brought many to Christ. So the work ternational Missionary Union also charg- is going on. God is blessing it. The ing him and ]Irs. Belden with being greatest need is more preachers and their delegates to the same body. His teachers. But $30 will support a preach- pure literary taste, his critical scholar- er for a year ; $12 will keep a boy in ship, his profound spirituality, his ur- school and feed and clothe him for a uanity and frankness, and his executive year. I have 4() such boys at school temper and judgment made him of un- and need scholarships.
FmLD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
lII.-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
Turkish Empiro,* Persia..t .Ara.bia,+ North Afrioa.§ RUBSia,i Oriental Ohristian- ity,'IT Mohammedanism.** MISSIONS IN TURKEY. Presbyterians, Church of England mis- sionaries, and various independent so- Modern missions in Turkey were be- cieties and individuals. The most fruitgun about 1805 by the colporteurs of ful field for labor was found to be that the British and Foreign Bible Society. among the Oriental churches-Chris- These were followed in 1819 by repre- tian sects that had long since lost their sentatives of the American Board. The vitality and often their morality, by inhabitants of Asiatic Turkey adhere constant contact with the Moslems chiefly to Islam, Judaism, or one of the around them, and by their failure to Oriental sects of Christianity. Work make a practical use of the Word of among the Moslems, openly at least, God. These sects include the Armewas soon found to be impracticable, nians, Greek, Bulgarian, Nestorian, Jacand still proves to be so. Jewish mis- obite, Maronite, and Caldean sectssions are chiefly carried on by Scotch all of them having become more or less removed from apostolic life and doc- * See also pp. 50 (January); 119, 129 (Febru- trine. The first id3a of the missionaries was to reform the churches among ary) ; 161, 198, 204 (March) ; 282,285 (April) ; 38-3 which they labored, but while many (May); 431, 451 (June); 501 (July); 601, 613 welcomed the new light and life, the (Augnst) ; 685 (September) ; 776 (present i"sue). opposition of the ecclesiastical leaders New Boola: .. Constantinople," E. A. Grosve- and their persecution of converts soon nor; "The Rule of the Turk," F. D. Greene; necessitated the formation of an inde- .. Turkey and the Armeniau Atrocities," E. A. pendent evangelical church. The work :Bliss. Recent Articles: "The Sultan of Tnr- in Asiatic Turkey has been carried on key," Review of Review8 (January and Feb- chiefly among the Armenians and ruary); Armenian Massacre," Christian Lt!- Greeks, and has now grown to be large emture Magazine (February); Missionary and flourishing. The recent persecu- Herald (monthly). 'tions have almost put a stop to all prog- ress, and have rendered the outlook t See also p. 729 (present issue). NtWl Boola : dark, if not discouraging. The effect .. Persia and the Persians," S. G. Wilson. Recent of the massacres has been, on the one Articlel: "On Things Persian," Fortnightly Re- hand, to put a stop to the active educavitWJ (June); •• The Li'nd of the Shah," Gode1j'S tional and evangelistic work, and to (July); Church at Home and A/J'I'oad (October). bring to most extreme poverty and dis- tress all Christian sects; on the other :I: See also p.735(present Issue). RecentArticles: hand, these times of trouble have shown to the people among whom they labor, "Egypt and its Frontier," Fortnightly Review and to the whole world, the heroic (April); Mission Field (monthly). character of the missionaries, and has thus opened the hearts of natives on § See also pp. 436,542 (July). Recent Articles : the field for furthe; instruction, and "Female Life in Morocco," Church at Home has loosed the purse-strings of Chrisand Abroad (January); "Morocco," Ohambers' tians at home to help carry on the work. JouNWl (June); "AfricaNorthofthe Equator," Contemporary Review (July); North Africa The American Board is the most im- (monthly). portant agency in the field. Their work covers the whole of Asia Minor I See alsopp.l42 (February); 740 (present issue). New Boob.' "The Empire of tbe Tsars and the Russians," Anatole Leroy-Beaulieu. Recent Articles.' "Russia, Persia and England," Nineteentl~ Century (July); "The Apotheosio of Russia," Blaclcwood'8 (July).
,. Seepp.193(March); 436 (June); 750 (present issue.) ** See also p. 71i8 (present issue). Recent arti- cles: .. Mohammedanism In Paris," Connopolitan (March); "Some Fallacies about Islam," Fortnightly Review (April).
ed Eastern Turkey, toi_ther with of ChristilUl heroism and martyrdom Macedonia and part of Bulgaria. They for the faith which is in Christ Jesus employ 176 American missionaries (116 which the ,world, Christian and non- ordained) and 869 native laborers (100 Christian, will never forget. The time ordained). They occupy 19 stations has not yet come for Christians at home and 306 out-stations. Places where to close their pocket-books and let the stated preaching is carried on number survivors of the Armenian outrages suf- 327; organized churches, 125 ; church- fer alone and unaided; another winter is members, 12,787; and adherents, 33,- fast approaching, and it will be many 787. The educational schools are one a long day before the destitute Chris- of the most important features of the tians will be out of want. As long as work-including all departments, theo- there is a need to be met, whether ma- logical, collegiate, and preparatory, terialor spiritual, let Christians at home there are nearly 20,000 students under cease not to give their prayers and their instruction. Bibles and other books, substance for the furtherance of the papers and leaflets are published and Lord's work.
distributed in large numbers in the PERSIA AND THE PERSIANS. Greek and Turkish languages, and have had almost as wide a usefulness as the In Persia, as in Turkey, work among missionaries themselves. the Moslems is practically prohibited Other American societies at work in by the government, and in consequence the empire are the Bible Society, which attention is chiefly given to the Nesto- publishes Bibles in the Turkish lan- rians and Armenians. The name Nes- guage in Arabic, Armenian, and Greek torian was given to them by their ene- characters; also in the Armenian, Bul- mies as a term of reproach. They garian, Kurdish, and Arabic languages. speak of themselves as Beni-Israel.
The Society of Friends labor in Pales- The Jews residing among them ac- tine, the Presbyterian Church (North) knowledge them as the descendants of occupies Syria and Mesopotamia, the the Ten Tribes, converted (the Jews United Presbyterian Church laboring say apostatized) to Christ, as a nation, in Egypt, the Reformed Presbyterians in the time of Christ and His apostles.
in Syria, Reformed Dutch in Arabia, Their history and descent is unbroken and the Disciples of Christ in Constan- from that time to this. The way they tinople and vicinity. Britiih societies have been preserved in their mountain are the Church Missionary Society in fastnesses, in the prbSence of and sur- Syria and Palestine, Church of Scot- rounded by their enemies, and kept a land in Syria, and the Free Church in separate people, is one of the most mar- Arabia. The British and Foreign Bi- velous and romantic chapters of his- ble Society confines its work chiefly to tory. The first permanent. work was the coast lands. started in Persia in 1871 by the Church Such are the interests of Christianity Missionary Society_ The only other involved in the Turkish problem so far society here is that of the American as statistics will show them. Shall we Presbyterians in the North. The Re- withdraw? With one voice missiona- formed (Dutch) Church has a station at ries on the field, secretaries at home, Busrah, on the border of Persia, for .
and faithful Christians the world over work among the Arabs.
reply, "No I not until the Lord beats The Babi faith is an important ele- a retreat." Unhappily the times of ment in the work of evangelization.
trial and distress do not yet seem to be The Babis are a Mohammedan sect, but passed; the horrors of the past two friendly to Christianity, haTing bor- years can never be described, but they rowed many doctrines from it. Islam have served to exhibit many instances seemS to be losing its hold on Persia. The increase in the saJe of the Scrip. into the Greek Church, and no perse.
tures indicates a growing interest in cution is too severe for those who be· the Gospel. Medical work plays a very come apostate. Active proselyting is important part in the work of evangeli. carried on in the Baltic provinces and zation. People flock to the mission elsewhere, and between bribes and hospitals in large numbers, but often threats many of the people have joined their eagerness for spiritual instruction the Russian Church. Proselyting for is greater than for medical aid. Belief Protestants is not forbidden among in Christ as the only Savior is spreading Jews and others who are not adherents cven among the Moslems, tho oftcn of the Greek faith, but converts are secretly. often sorely persecuted, as has been so The condition of women, as in other abundantly seen in the case of the Moslem lands, is pitiable in the extreme. Stundists. The Baptists in Russia also There is no home lite. Polygamy has continue to suffer deep persecution, to destroyed the Persian morality, if there which has now been added the confisca.
ever was any, and the children grow tion of all religious literature. In spite up accustomed to the language and of the great difficulties under which scenes of a brothel. they labor the work goes on, and they It is still too early to predict the now report a membership of more than effect upon the mission work of the 17,000, with 90 ministers, and the bap- coming of the new Shah to the throne. tisms last year were more than 1200.
He is said to be less enlightened, but The religion of the great majority of more indifferent than his predecessor. the European inhabitants of Russia is, ARABIAN MISSIONS. of course, the Orthodox or Greek Church. The absence of a celibate The work in" the neglected penin- clergy gives it an advantage over the sula" consists chiefly in medical treat- Romish Church, and, until now,little, ment at the mission stations, and in the if any, obstacle has been placed in the sale of the Arabic Scriptures to Jews way of the free circulation of the Holy and Moslems by native helpers. An Scriptures. The monks and the higher interesting example of the way in which clergy are, however, forbidden to mar· the Lord turns apparent misfortune ry, and any advantage which the Greek into blessing is seen in a recent riot in Church possesses over its great rival in Muscat. In a fight between two Arab the matter of doctrine is almost out- chiefs the mission premises were looted weighed by the superstition and idola- and a large supply of Bibles were try which press alike on priest and peo· stolen. These were put up at auction pIe. Strong pressure is now being and sold as foreign books to one of the brought to bear to drive outsiders into Arabs. He, in order not to lose money the bosom of the Orthodox Church, but on his purchase, sent his slaves all over secession is making far greater progress the district, and they sold the copies of than forced conversions. God is, in· the Scriptures to hundreds of lHoslems deed, working mightily in Russia among who could otherwise never have been Jews and Gentiles, in the midst of so reached directly by the missionaries. much sin and wrong. In the case of The work is progressing in the face of the Jewish popUlation the old prejudice many difficulties, climatic, financial, is found to be slowly but surely giving and Satanic. way before the spirit of inquiry, and THE GOSPEL IN RUSSIA. the seed sown in the past is beginning to bear fruit. The outlook for Christian The land of the Tsars is almost as missions is more than hopeful. and. altho much a closed land to the Gospel as are theoretically absolutely forbidden by the Tibet and Afghanistan. N() stone is government, up to the present time left unturned to bring every inhabitant there has been little di1J:l.culty in carry· ing on the work of the British Bible Soci· tach the adherence and cohesion of ety, though tbeworkers have been com· their orthodox neighbors. Their bitpelled to exercise milch tact, patience, terest opponents in the State Church and forbearance. The spiritual harvest cannot deny these many virtues of the is indeed plentiful. Denied the liber- "heretics," nor can they, if they bear ties enjoyed by all civilized people, the truthful evidence, decline to acknowl- Russians thirst for the better liberty of edge the reclaimed lives and material the sons of God. prosperity of the many thousands of ignorant, intemperate, and degraded A clergyman of the Russian Ortho- peasants who have voluntarily adopted dox Church recently wrote to a Mos- the Stundist teaching and copied the cow paper, saying that the rigorously manners and morals of the sectarians. suppressive laws lately promulgated There are no more conscientiously lawagainst the Stundist sectarians are not abiding subjects in the Tsar's dominonly unsuccessful, but would actually ions. appear to have given a renewed impetus both to the open and to the clan- With the exception of part of Turkesdestine spread of the schism; while the best efforts 01. the special missiona- tan, Siberia, * or Asiatic Russia, comries appointed to counteract the teaching of Stundism, and to reattach the prises the whole of Asia lying north of Orthodox apostates to that creed, have the Chinese Empire, Afghanistan, and been absolutely fruitless. The most Persia (area 4,833,496 square milest lamentable feature of this propaganda, larger than Europe). says the clerical writer, is its evident progress among the intelligent class of The greater part of this" land of ex- Russians who have practically aban- ile" consists of monotonous lowlands doned the State Church, or who attend stretching away to the horizon" like a the Church service once or twice a year limitless ocean plain." But toward as a mere habit. It is also to this the east rises a vast tableland, the growing public inclination toward "Great Divide" (i.e., between the Arc- Stundism that the writer attributes the tic and Pacific oceans), connected with difficulty of getting the majority of the which are the Yablonovoi, or" Apple ordinary magistracy to ,convict the Mountains," and other ranges. In the Stundist propagandists, and for the southwest is the famous mining district same reason large employers ignore the of the Little Altai Mountains. legal injunctions laid upon them with regard to the exclusion of Stundist To the north are the extensive Tun· workpeople of both sexes. dra swamps, covered with snow eight months of the year under dull, leaden This writer makes a significant ad- skies, the long nights now and then remission when he candidly avows that a lieved by magnificent Northern Lights. large number of intelligent and edu- The nomadic tribes dwelling here decated people who are gradually adopt- pend on the reindeer for their existence. ing the Stundillt creed would otherwise become freethinkers. Unlike South of the Tundra is a forest zone, many other Russian sectarians, the or Taiga, reaching almost uninterrupt- Stundists, whose religious tenets very edly across the continent. The noted closely resemble those of the Baptists, Siberian pine is conspicuons, and berrydo not proselytize, and hence the police producing bushes are abundant, supauthorities find it difficult to convict plying food for man and beast, quantithem. It is by the force of example ties of berries being preserved for winonly, by their exemplary lives, their ter use. high-toned morality, sobriety, industry, thrift. and honest dealings that they at The water system of Siberia is the most extensive, but least serviceable of * These notes on Siberia are taken from the Reilions B'1/Md. t All Asiatic Russia comprises 6,500,000 square miles. any in the Old World. The Obi, addicted to drink and tobacco; even Yenesei, and Lena, running north with young children may often be seen the Amoor and lesser rivers, cover the smoking Chinese pipes.
country with a network of about 30,000 In Western Siberia the aborigines are miles of navigable waterway. But un- of Finnish race-80yots, Ostiaks, Samo- fortunately all are ice-bound most of yec1cs, and Voguls. The Cassocks hold the year, and only serve as sledge-roads. villages on military tenure, supplying The people are chiefly of Mongol (or man, horse, and uniform, in lieu of rent.
Tartar) descent; but many of the na- The principal races in Russian Tur- tive tribes seem to be dying out or be- kestan are the Uzbeks and the Tadjiks; coming absorbed in the advancing Rus- the former an agricultural, and the lat- sian element. (Population, 8,000,000.) ter a commercial people. High walls Eastern Siberia is largely occupied of sunburnt brick surround the towns, by the Tunguses, of whom it is said: and gardens and vineyards are inter- " Tra,velers are never wearied of extol- spersed among the houses, which are ling their many admirable qualities; of m'ld thatched with reeds.
and there can be no doubt that they Over the steppes northeast of the are one of the very noblest types of Caspian and Aral seas roam the Klrghiz mankind. They are cheerful under hordes. Their square graves, made of the most depressing circumstances, per- the trunks of trees, look at a distance severing, open-hearted, trustworthy, like log-huts. On the borders of Persia modest yet self-reliant, a fearless race and Afghanistan dwell the Turcomans, of hunters, born amid the gloom of shepherds and farmers.
their dense pine-forests, exposed from Siberian towns, which are not popu- the cradle to e~ery danger from wild lous tho covering large spaces of beasts, cold, and hunger. Want and ground, form both trading and military hardships of every kind they endure posts, the mass of their inhabitants with surprising fortitude, and nothing being Russian. Irkutsk is the capital can induce them to take service under of Eastern Siberia, Omsk of Western; the Russians, or quit their solitary Tobolsk, the chief commercial depot, woodlands, where they cheerfully face exchanges the produce of Siberian the long and harsh winters, when the mines, fisheries, and hunting-grounds snow-storm often rages for days to- for manufactured goods. Tomsk is gether." the sole Siberian university; Yakutsk, The Yakuts. of Turkish origin, on the Lena, probably the coldest town dwelling on the banks of the Lena, are on the face of the earth.
the mos~ enerp:etic and versatile of all The religion is nominally that of the Siberian people. This tribe, unlike the Greek Church, but throughout South others, is increasing in numbers. They Siberia, or Russian Central Asia, Mo- are described as "men of iron," and hammedanism prevails, and toward the more inured to cold than perhaps any Chinese frontier Buddhism. The old other people in the world. religion of Siberia was Shamanism, a The Koriaks, belonging to the" Hy- kind of nature-worship, based entirely perborean" group, treat their women on oral tradition. Many of the people, and children very tenderly, but put an tho outwardly Buddhists or Greek end to their weak or aged kindred, Christians, are still at heart Shamanists thinldng it an act of mercy to save -e.g., the Tunguses and Yakuts, who them from linge!·ing death. The Kam- -tho under Russian compUlsion most schadales (aborigines of Kamschatka) of them have been baptized-despise keep their houses scrupulously clean, the rites of the Greek Church as mere but the doors are so low that they have formalities, and are true nature-wor- to be entered on all fours. shipers.
The Buriats on Lake Baikal are much They believe that two principles of good and evil took part in the creation, from which he has lmt recently rethe former making the earth level, and the latter tearing it up in a rage, whence turned, he speaks of" the joyful serthe hills and valleys. It is held that a Supreme Being reigns above all, but vice in having new congregations of too far off to hear prayer, too good to reaZ sinners in every place, and even need supplication; and the circumstances of life are controlled by good in every ward; sometimes also hunand evil spirits, the latter requiring to be propitiated, but not the former. dreds together in the corridor or in the The Samoyedes are idol.worshipers. yard eagerly catching the sound of the Political prisoners are chiefly found in the Transbaikal District, but" whole Gospel, which they have never heard regions of Siberia Ilre simply huge prison regions." Many of the exiles before." All prisoners Who could read are Jews and Stundists. "The Stun- were supplied, grati8, with copies of dists, for sobriety, industry, and godli- the Scriptures_ ness, are the cream of the Tsar's subjects. They send them off to Siberia; To resolute hearts the door into Sibebut they cannot abstract from the Stundist his religious belief, his love of ria stands open. Whole-heartednees God's Word or his love of proclaiming that Word. So pure and undefiled re- invariably wins the day. But" the ligion penetrates into the prisons." There i8 not a 8ingle resident Protes- half-hearted measure in which we evantant missionary in the whole country. But in this, as in other lands where lit- gelize the age deserves and brings failtle personal effort has been made, that ure_ Steam and electricity in religion silent yet most eloquent missionary, the Bible, has found its way and will win; old-fashioned, easy-going brought light iuto many a dark home. The colporteurs of the British and For- methods mean defeat. We have not eign Bible Society during the last year distributed nearly 50,000 copies, and heretofore won the age; let us not put met with universal kindness from the authorities and others. One colporteur all the blame upon the age." had an interview with the State Inspector of Prisons, who greeted him warm- A correspondent from Constantinople ly, thanked the Society, and" fervently writes under date of August 19th: wished that the blessing of God might " Affairs here continue to be most inrest on it and its work in Siberia." He teresting. The Armenian patriarch, said it gave him much pleasure to grant Mgr. MatHios Izmirlian, has at length the colporteur a permit to visit the been forced to resign, and a rascal prisons. named Bartholomew of Broussa has Dr. Baedeker, well known in Sibe- been chosen as locum tenen8 until a new rian prisons as the " good old man, the patriarch can be legally elected. The Anglichanin with the fine gray beard," whole thing was cooked up long ago at has within the last few years preached the palace. and was no snrprise to us. the Gospel to multitudes in these dreary Izmirlian is a true hero and a devoted abodes, journeying across the whole patriot as well as a true Christian, and continent. Describinji his last visit, the nation monrns his loss. A few days after his resignation the local pa- pers stated that he had applied for per- mission to visit Jerusalem, and that the Sultan had graciously granted the re- quest, which means that Izmirlian has been banished to Jerusalem, and the official world is again hoodwinked by the wily Turk. _ • _ "lleports from Asia Minor are en- couraging in almost every case. The government is actually distributing food and clothing to the poor, and is protecting life and property. The de- plorable affair in Van was due to the folly of the Huntchagists. who succeed in getting Armenians killed while they run away themselves. . . .
"The work: of the Red Cross has been excellent, but would have been impossible without the aid of the mis- sionaries,"
EDITORIAl, DEPART!dENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
Rev. A. Benollel a.nd the Jerusalem than of any of the other resiuents here, Mission. they have been so very kind to me.
In May last the editor of this REVIEW Mr. Benolle! impresses me as being a felt himself constrained to set guards very religions man, a thorough student about any direct or indirect endorse· of the Bible. and thoroughly in earnest ment of this brother and his work, in in his work. .He has asked me to drop view of certain published nSf/auIts made in when he expects his Jews to be there upon him by Rev. Selah Merrill and a for religious conversation, and I intend certain Mr. Alley, together with private to do so.' letters from parties whose names we are not quite free now to disclose, but who "As the writer is an Episcopalian. appeared to be responsible parties. and one who would not have written thus had he not satisfied himself that All that was intended was to simply he could do so with perfect truth, his suspend judgment until proper inquiry testimony is the more valuable. could be made. It is now time to say that, after a year spent in diligent in- " Mr. BenoUel writes to me of four vestigation, nothing has been found young J ews-Sephardim-who are now worthy of credence or sustained by any openly attending his Bible class, as dilireliable proof, of all that we have heard gent students of the New Testament, or read against Mr. BenoUe!. He may after having been students of it in not always have been prudent, and his scores for some weeks. He gives the self-vindication under attack was not names of the fathers of two of them. perhaps the wisest course. but nothing and I find that I knew them both well assailing his piety, integrity, or loyalty as men of the highest social standing to Christ has ever been supported by among the Jews; one of them, indeed, any evidence entitled to consideration. is perhaps the most learned rabbi in Jerusalem.
It seems indeed to be a case of personal persecution, prompted by misunder· Turkey, in Oonneotion with the End of "The Times of the Gentiles." standing 01' private dislike. Among other testimonies favorable to Mr. The attention that Turkey awakens BenoUel is a letter too long to be pub- at the present time will give interest to lished, from R. Scott Moncrieff, Esq., the following statement of prophetical the concluding portion of which we dates, gathered chiefly from Mr. J. B.
gladly append: Dimbleby's "New Era at Hand." We " Only last week I received a letter ma.y not agree with: everything con- from a friend who has gone out to Jeru- tained in it, but the subject is deeply salem on behalf of Mrs. Finn's society, interesting.
a man of high Christian character, who " 'l'he times of the Gentiles" are gen- has seen much. of the world on both erally admitted by prophetic students sides of the Atlantic. I had given him to consist of 2520 years, according to letters of introduction to several of my the year.day theory, " a day for a year,"
friends in Jerusalem, and after having as in Ezek. 4 : 6 and Num. 14 : 34. A been there for some weeks, he has writ- prophetic year of 360 days (taking" a ten to me at some length of his impres- day for a year") is 360 years, which, sions of the city. and refers to the Beno- multiplied by seven, makes seven Iiela (to whom I had given him a letter) times-i.e., 2520 years. "Seven times"
as follows: aTe mentioned four times over in Lev.
" , I have seen more of the BenoUels 26 : 18, 21, 24, 28, as the period for which God would punish His rebellious peo- and continued 304 years till 3970, A.M. ple Israel, and the Jews have been suf- Then the Romans conquered the Grefering from the time of the 70 years' cians in 3970, A.M., and continued for captivity, which commenced in 3406, 666 years till 4636, A.M. Thus the four A.M., and will continue for 2520 years kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar's dream from that date, until 5926, A.M., our (Dan. 2) fulfilled exactly 1260 years, the 1928t A.D., the probable commencement half of the 2520 years of " the times of of the millennium. the Gentiles." The Saracens (Turks) then, in 4636 A.M. (our 638 A.D.), took The Gentile times commenced 30 Jerusalem, and have been dominant years before 8406! A.M.-i.e., in 3376! there for more than 1257 years, leaving A.M., when the ruling power was giveu nearly two and three quarter years from to the Gentiles. Nebo-polassar, Nebu- this date (August, 1895) to fill up the chadnezzar's father, became the first second 1260 years. Thus the whole of Babylonian king comprised in the" head the 2520 years, counting from 3376, of gold" (Dan. 2 : 38), and began his A.M., will be completed, so that we may empire, which lasted 90 years, from expect the reign of the Turks in Jeru- 3376i- A.M. to 8466! A.M. The Medo- salem to be overthrown in, or before, Persian kingdom succeeded it in 3466 5896, A.M.-our 1898t A.D. A.M., and lasted 200 years till 3666; A.M., when the Grecian kingdom suc- "The times of the Gentiles" may ceeded the Medo-Persian in 3666, A.M., therefore be tabulated thus: The Babylonian Kingdom (gold) …•……….•.•..• Iasted for 90 years, from 3.'l76J.jl to 3466J.jl A.M. The Medo-Perslan Kingdom (silver)…. …………." " 200 years, from 3466J.jl to 3666'$ A.M. The Grecian, or 3d Kingdom (brass)…….. . . . . • . . . " "304 years, from 3666J1i to 3970J.il A.M. The Roman, or 4th Kingdom (iron) ……………." .. 666 years, from 3970J.jl to 4636J.jl A.M.
5896" .. A Time, Times, and a half" thus fnlfilled…. …." .. 1260 years, from 3376J.jl to 4636}6 A.M. The Saracens (Tnrks) forasimilarperic,d (Rev. 11: 2)." "1260 years, from 4636J.jl to A.M.
The two 1260 years make" the Gentile Times" …••…•…•••. 2520 years, from 3376J1i to 5896Ys A.M. which, added to their commencing date in …………….•..•3376, make the year 5896 A.M.-unr 1898 A.D ….. _…………………….5896 Anno Mundi.
If Mr. Dimbleby is correct, this date peror of Austria, the King of Italy, will usher in tremendously important the Queen Regent of Spaiu, the King changes in this world, both religious of Portugal, the King of Belgium, and and political. The words of the Lord the President of the French Republic Jesus are sure to be fulfilled: "Jerusa- are Roman Catholics; the Emperor of lem shall be trodden down of the Gen- Germany belongs to the Evangelical tiles, until' the times of the Gentiles' Protestant Church; the Queen of Engbe fulfilled" (Luke 21: 24). Turkey land is an Episcopalian; the King of must fall sooner or later, but not later, Denmark and the King of Sweden are it would seem, than about 1898 A.D. Lutherans; the royal family of the As these things are at hand, let Chris- Netherlands belong to the Reformed tians be looking for the fulfilment of Church; the Mikado of Japan is very 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17. We know not now liberal in his respect for both Shintoism "what a day may bring forth !"-Se- and Buddhism; the Emperor of China lected. is a follower of Confucius; the Shah of Persia is a Mohammedan; the Queen The Czar of Russia belongs to the of l'Iadagascar professes the Christian Greek Catholic Church; the Sultan of fait.h of the London Missionary Society; Turkey is a Mohammedan; the Em· the President of the Mexican Republic is a liberal Roman Catholic, as are each found. Not only were these .killed, but of the Presidents of the Spanish·Ameri- terribly mutilated as well. Noses, lips, ears were cut off, not to speak of other can Republics and the President of indignities. Even the Kurdish mule· Brazil; most of the lesser rulers in teer who was with the party was killed, Africa and Asia are Mohammedans; so that no survivor should tell the tale. The horses were found grazing near the King of Siam is a Buddhist; the Presidents of the United States have aU· the spot, and the bodies were brought down on them to the different homes been Protestants. that have been made desolate.
" The remains of the bishop and his The following letter from Re'i'. F. G. nephew were brought to Oroomiah, Coan, of Oroomiah, Persia, already where they will be buried with great ceremony on the Sabbath. 'l'housands printed in the Presbyterian Banner, have been coming all day to look on should be widely read. It refers to the the ghastly remains, and the whole Nesturian nation is greatly and rightly outrageous murder of Bishop Gorial and his suite on Turkish soil, Persian stirred at this most terrible insult and indignity ever offered them on this side. subjects who had gone to Turkey to " When it is considered that the out- visit the bishop'S superior. He writes rage was committed, not against armed men or warriors, not against anyone from Oroomiah, June 28th, as follows: with whom the Kurds might have a " One of the most shocking tragedies, feud, but against an ecclesiastical par- that for parallel in the history of the tv, that even in Turkey and among the Nestorians of Oroomiah has no equal, Kurds would command, ordinarily, re- was enacted last week just across the spect, the crime seems the more atroborder from us, fifteen miles above the cious and uncalled-for. None of those college. A party of fourteen Nesto- killed were even poor, despised Arme- rians, consisting of the Nestorian Bish- nians. All were Nestorians but the op, Mar Gorial, of Oroomiah, and his one Kurd. nephew, three kashas or priests from " The crime had evidently been com- Tergawer, two deacons, Aserfant of mitted on Turkish soil, as the bodies the Partriarch. and attendants, left had been dragged and thrown on to about two weeks ago to make a visit to Persian soil, which at the scene was not the Metropolitan, who lives in Nochee, over a mile away. about two days' journey from here. " The question is, who did it? Could Near the Metropolitan also lives Sheikh the sheikh have ordered it done? Sadick, the 80n of Sheikh ObeiduIla, There are well·founded rumors that a famed for his invasion and attack on terrible massacre, one that will throw Oroomiah fourteen years ago. all preceding ones into the shade, has " Ten days had elapsed from the time taken place in Van and vicinity. As the party left Tergawer, four hours proof of this, early in the week the above us,without any word as to the fate Kurds, who are Persian subjects, were of the party, when an ugly mmor got summoned to the aid of those at Van, abroad of foul play, and searching par- and sent to the Governor of KllOl ask- ties went up to find them. Just over ing permission to join the Kurds of Van t.he border, near the Persian village ot in wiping out the Armenians, as' Jahat '
Rashikan, an awful scene was encoun- or religious war had been proclaimed.
tered. On the grouud lay the bodies The governor referred the matter to of twelve of the fourteen, with thllir the governor here, who referred it to throats cut from ear to ear, stripped of Tabriz. Refugees are already coming all clothing and horribly mutilated. into Van, and much booty is being sold There were signs of a terrible struggle, at that place very cheap. as shown by the trampled snow, mud, .. There is no doubt something ba8 at and number of dagger wounds, also the last happened in Van. It is even re- fact that some had been bound with ported that the English consul has been ropes before they could be overcome. killed and the Russian consul badly Two poor wretches had evidently es· wounded. All th!s the sheikh would capEd and run a short distance, only to ,hear; could he have committed this be shot down, as seen by the bullet fell deed in revenge? It is certainIy in marks in their backs. The rest, de· some way connected with the Van re- fenseless and without arms, had been ports. To-morrow the government cut to pieces with daggers. here is to be seen and urged to take all "Two bodies are missing, as the necessary precautions for the safety of searching party did not dare go far the Christians here.
from the place where the twelve were .. So far all is quiet, but it may be the lull before the storm. Certainly if the year. Now is the season of the awthe Kurds over the border are on the ful 'traffic in girls.' God help us. war-path, disturbances may be looked 'We have failed to secure some we have for near us soon. We rejoice in the earnestly prayed over. One poor creafact that God reigns, and that while ture we hoped to save took her own life earthly powers may be indifferent. not in an hour of awful deapai'. We knelt a hair falls to the ground withot.t His by that dead body and prayed for' help knowledge. " to save others before it is forever too late.
At the Northfield Conference in Au- H Twin babies, a boy and a girl, were gust, it is not too much to say that no born in our Home on Washington's address made a deeper or more spiritual birthday. Fourteen little waifs have impression than those of Rev_ Edger- been born in the Home since two years ton R. Young, whose books, "By ago. Who will send HELP FOR THESE Canoe and Dog Train," "·Wigwams INNOCENT BABIES, or help to SAVE the and Northern Camp-fires," etc., have HARDENED men and women. found so many absorbed readers. After hearing Mr. Young frequently, the im- "Gnd will hold liS responsible for pression grows upon us that he is one what we can do. If you cannot draw of the few really fascinating speakers a hundred-dollar check. can you not on mis.gions, and especially missions make a five-cent sacrifice to buy a little among the Indian tribes. He has re- Testament for the camp work or collect pennies enough for a quart of milk for cently returned from a prolonged tour our baby-waifs? We plead in Christ's in Britain, where he spoke to thou- name for all this great work, whether sands_ His lectures on his" Journey- it be a camp missionary or a cup of ings by Canoe and Dog Train," " The milk. "
Indian Woman as She Was and Is," .. The Indians, their Haunts, their II Ohristmas for Ohrist," Sports, their Homes," etc., would instruct and charm any audience. He is A correspondent from Evanston, Ill., graphic, vivacious, earnest, humorous, suggests that "a movement to secure pathetic, loves the Gospel and loves the adoption by Christian people of the soul of the Indian, and has a rare such an observance of Christmas Day, story to tell, which he tells with great the day when God gave His Son to the simplicity and power_ He may be ad- world, as will not only be more apdressed at Ingleside, Deer Pa:.k, P.O., propriate to that event, but, while be- ing this, will also result in giving im- Toronto, Canada. mediately to the world yet lying in Emma C_ Nason, of Sault Ste. Marie, darkness the glad news o! the salva- tion which Christ came on that day to Mich., who has in charge the work bring.
among the lumbermen there, writes; .. It is proposed that the following form of observance of Christ's natal " In need and in haste we send this day be adopted by the convention, to letter, urging prompt help. We have be advocated by the Volunteers in their thus far held on to the work at every own churches and communities-viz_: point of our mission. The overworked .. That the Christian people of the missionaries have reached almost the world be solicited, as far as possible, to limit of strength, yet we must not gi ve transfer their giving from their relaup. God has shielded us in times of tives and friends to their Lord-i.e., danger, and the winter has been laden that they set aside the money they with blessed results. The crowded would expend for pleasure gifts to their camps will soon break up, dens of sin friends and earthly loved ones under of every kind-brothels, drinking and the ordinary regime of Christmas Day gambling hells-are now preparing at- observance, and make of the monev tractions, and laying every trap to grasp thus set aside a gift unto the Lord in the hard-earned wages of lumbermen_ token of love and devotion and of ap- What shall we do for the souls of these preciation of the matchless gift of God men? Must missionaries sorrowfully to men on that memorable day, the withdraw from the work now while same to be devoted to the carrying out the ambassadors of hell go forth with of Christ's last great commission as yet smilp.s to meet their prey? Help is so grievously neglected. needed now to do the best in our lodg- .. One Christmss season's givings de- ing-rooms, cofl'ee-rooms, and for the voted to this end would mean the im- Gospel ser·vices. The rescue work is mediate provision in hand of all the needed more than at any other time of funds necessary to accomplish the world's evangelization, and that, too, providence of God shall guide our misif none but the Church of Christ alone sionaries on the frontier. Political cau· adopted this form of Christmas o.b- tion on the part of the British authoriservance. ties, and religious bigotry on the part of independent native rulers are the .. What would be a more appropriate chief obstacles with which we have to commemoration of God's great gilt to deal at present. But we earnestly trust the world than for those who have that the medical mission work and the availed themselves of this wonderful circulation of the Bible by efficient colgift and tasted of its blessedness, to portage may en!1ble us ere very long to make this natal day a day of return make some beginning in reaching these giving to Him? unevangelized peoples.
.. Cdn this not be taken up by the " We shall be very thankful for the Student Volunteer Movement under remembrance in prayer of friends in the watch cry, 'Christmas for Christ,' America in this great and difficult underbe by them carried into their own com- taking. munities, and so advocated and proclaimed by them throughout Christen- " P. IRELAND JONES, Secretary." dom as a Christian festival, as that by Christmas of 18116 there will be forth- 1flrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe ought to coming into the Lord's treasury the be reckoned among the foremost prorequisite funds for such a missionary moters of missions, for the grand work crusade as will sweep the world with she did in helping to bring about the the Gospel before the close of the cen- abolition of slavery by the publication tury?" of " Uncle Tom's Cabin." The daugh- ter of Dr. Lyman Beecher and wife of In regard to the appeal for more Professor Stowe, she settled apparently workers to supply the unoccupied fields into a quiet life; but she heard the cry of Central Asia, voiced by Dr. Neve in of the slave, and a message came which she must tell out, as she did in her inour last issue, the Church Missionary imitable story. In four years 313,000 were printed in the States alone, while Society writes: translations were made in many lan- " Our committee recommended that guages. In" The Life-work of the Author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,''' by Dr. A. Neve be granted three months' Florine Thayer McCray, the following leave i~ order to make inquiries as to account is given of the circumstances possible openings for itinerating mis- in which the story of ., Uncle Tom" sionary work from the base of Kashmir was written: "In perusing The Naor Peshawur. Dr. Neve has made an tional ./l}ra, Mrs. Stowe noticed the inci- dent of a slave woman escaping with expedition into Baltistan, and iii propos- her child across the lioating ice of the Ing in September or October to go up river, from Kentucky into Ohio, and it to Hunza Nagyr and other districts. became the first salient point of her We have also been in communication great work, and is seen in the history of Eliza. She began to meditate and with the authorities here and in India dream over a possible story that should as to the possibility of missionary work graphically set forth the bare ugliness and repulsive features of the system of in the neighborhood of Chitral, or in negro slavery. The black husband Kaffiristan or Afghanistan. In both who remained in Kentucky, going back the latter cases we are informed there is and forth on parole, and remaining in no prospect whatever of missionary bondage rather than forfeit his word of honor to his master, suggested the charwork being allowed by the Amir. But acter of Uncle Tom. Once suggested, we have hope that ere very long mis- the scenes of the story began rapidly to sionary work may be possible in the form in her mind, and, as they are neighborhood of Chitral. We are also prone to do in the practical forces of energetiC character, emotions and impurposing to establish a strong medical presSions instantly crystallized into mission a.t Peshawur with a view to reaching the frontier and trans-frontier tribes, and plans are now being arranged with this purpose before us. But for the most part our duty for some time to come seems likely to be pioneering work, looking for opportunities as the ideas and opinions. The whole wonder- and fame as long as Uncle Tom him- ful scheme was defined before the au- self. It was told me, as such things thor of • Uncle Tom's Cabin' put her go, from lip to lip of personal friends pen to paper. She has related that the who take pride in cherishing the sweet- closing scene, the death oC Uncle Tom, est thoughts and facts about those came to her as a material vision while whom they love and revere. During sitting at the Communion one Sunday the latter part of her life l'Irs. Stowe in the little church at Brunswick.· She has been one of those devout Christian was perfectly overcome by it, and believers whose consecration takes high could scarcely restrain the violent emo- forms. She has placed faith in prayer, tion that sprang into tears and shook and given herself to the kind of dedi- her frame. She was carried out of her- cation which exercises and cultivates . self. It was the fire of outraged feel- it. There came a time in her history ing which inspired this memorable When one who was very dear to her work. She hastened home and wrote, seemed about to sink away from the and, her husband being away, she read faith in which she trusted, and to which it aloud to her older children. Her life and sorrow hall taught her to cling burning sentences so tonched their as only those who have Buffered and young hearts that they wept with her, dOUbted and accepted can. This pros- and cried out that slavery was the most pect was a crushing grief to her, and accursed thing in the world. Some she set herself resolutely to avert the days afterward, Professor Stowe, hav- calamity if and while she could. Let- ing returned, was passing through her ter after letter-some of them thirty room, and notiCing many sheets of pages long-found its way from her closely-written paper upon his wife's pen to the foreign town in which Ger- table, he took them up and began to man rationalism was doing its worst read. His casual curiosity soon merged for the soul she loved. She set the full nto interest and deepened into astonish- force of her intellect intelligently to ment. He sought his wife with words work upon this conflict. She read, she of enthusiastic praise, and said, • You reasoned, she wrote, she argued, she can make something out of this.' 'I pleaded. Months passed in a struggle mean to,' was the quiet reply of his whose usefulness seemed a pitiable wife. From this time on, Harriet hope, to be frustrated in the effort. Beecher Stowe was possessed by the Then she laid aside her strong pen, and theme; it dominated all other concerns, turned to her great faith. As the sea- and held her a willing captive until it son of the sacred holiday approached, was done. She said to the writer a she shut herself into her room, seclud· year or two before her death, • I did ing herself from all but God, and not think of doing a great thing, I did prayed as only such a believer-as only not want to be famous. It came upon such a woman-may. As she had set me, and I did as I must, pel'force, wrote the full force of her intellect, so now it out; but I was only as a pen in the she set the full power of her faith, to hands of God. What there is good and work upon her soul's desire. One may powerful in it came from Him. I was not dwell in words upon that sacred merely the instrument. It is strange battle. But the beautiful part of the that He should have chosen me, ham- story, as I have been told it, is, that a pered and bound down as I was with few weeks after this a letter reached feeble health and family cares. But I her, saying: 'At Christmas-time a had to do it.' .. light came to me. I see things differ- ently now. I see my way to accept A beautiful example of the power of the faith of my fathers; and the belief in Christianity, which is everything to prayer is furnished in a recent incident you, has become reasonable and possi- ble to me at last.' .. which Elizabeth Stuart Phelps tells of The Chicago Evangelistic Institute, Mrs. Stowe, whose recent death thus re- closely associated with Mr. Moody, moves one of the striking and heroic lOBeS a grand man and a teacher dearly women of our day from among us : beloved in the departure of Professor " The most beautiful story which I ever heard about Mrs. Stowe I have W. W. White, formerly of Xenia Theo- asked no permission to share with the readers of these papers, and yet I feel logical Seminary, who soon leaves for sure that no one who loves and honors her could refuse it; for I believe that India to give lectures and addresses on if the whole of it were told, it might live to enhance the nobility of her name the Bible to the ten thousand candi- dates for matriculation at the Universltyof Calcutta. Calcutta is one of the turn to the city one man came in from great educational centres. It conta.ins one of the outlying villages, and said about twenty colleges, and about double that he had prayed to God to carl:! for tha.t number of high schools. In these him, and that altho the cholera was in colleges there are about three thousand the houses next to him, there was none students, and in the senior class of the in his dwelling. Another man testified high schools about two thousand more later to the similar preservation in an. who have an acquaintance with Eng. swer to prayer. Another told of how lish. The actual student constituency a few Christians in his village had in Calcutta at anyone time numbers prayed to God, and altho the cholera about five thousand. Of this number visited villages all about them none three thousand are strangers in the came there. 'l'his testimony was retown, not living with parents or duplicated a. dozen times from a dozen friends, but in lodgings. In addition different parts of the province. Who, to the men actually in college, there then, can doubt that what the Koreans are at least fifty thousand English- believed was true-that it was through speaking and non-Christian natives in their faith and prayers that they had Calcutta. Tbe International Commit· been protected from the scourge? tee of the Y. M. C. A. had its attention " Such testimonies made, we ask our· called to this magnificent opening for selves. have we such a simple, child· foreign missionary work by J. Camp- like faith lind sllch perfect assurance bell White, Secretary of the Association as these Koreans ? .
in that city, and by Mr. Mott, who is " About two weeks ago it was my now making a tour of the world in be· privilege to baptize a man who had half of the movement among students taken the cholera in Pyeng Yang, and in colleges and universities. A build- had been carried outside the city wall ing in the heart or the college quarter and there left to die or get well, as the has been secured for $50,000 through case might be. One of our Christians the generosity of Lord Overtoun and -no other would have thOllght of such others in England and America. An a thing-carried the man into a vacant auditorium is being prepared to hold a house next to his own. There he thousand persons. The students of nureed him back to life. He has since Calcutta have already shown a deep become an earnest believer. iuterest in the proj ect. " Our work is most encouraging-in fact it has grown far beyond our ability to look after it properly. Our province Over }Ir. Gladstone's bedstead is hung is some 300 miles long and averages sbout 100 miles wide. Scattered over the motto, " Christian, remcmber what this territory there are sixteen places thou hast to do." where Koreans meet every Sabbath to Contrast with this the public declara· worship God. Everyone of these six- tion of Senator Ingalls, that the Golden teen places is imploring us to come snd teach them more. Besides these Rule and the Ten Commandments had sixteen places where regular worship no place in politics, and that no man is held, there are about thirty villages could succeed in public life along such 'where the people have given us most lines. urgent invitations to visit them.
" We are sadly in Deed of more help. We have asked our Board (Presbyte- Korean Ohristians. rian) for another worker, but we sadly We are in receipt of an interesting Deed two. Do not these forty·six villetter from Rev. Graham Lee, of Pyeng lages plead eloquently to the Church at home?" Yang, Korea, in which he gives some encouraging illustrations of the child· like faith of the native Christians. lIrs. Arthur H. Smith writes: "The Mr. Lee says in part : Holy Spirit seems to be moving on our "During the cholera, wnich raged Shantung Church (North China) as here la.qt summer, these Pyeng Yang never before in a quiet, powerful way, quickening into new life cold and dead Christians grasped the idea that God members and putting a great longing was able and willing to care for them hunger into the hearts of our Chinese if they would pray to Him and trust preachers for more spiritual power. Him implicitly. The testimony which At a little conference three of them had they gave us of God's care over them Was remarkable. Shortly after our rewith Mr. Smith about the baptism of ment that the Emperor of China is now the Holy Spirit, they were full of joy to systematically studying the New Testa- hear there waa a way to gt!t power, and ment, and is at present reading the wished they could build tabernacles Gospel of St. Luke.
and stay there, as one of them said, Among the agents of the China In- where they had learned this good land Mission 32 are laboring at their news." own expense, 87 are supported entirely by friends, and 16 are supported by Dr. D'Erf Wheeler, medical mission- friends in part. One friend supports ary at Jerusalem, says that fifty years 5 missionaries, 3 support 2 each, and ago Jerusalem was simply a large vil· 39 support 1 each. In two cases 2 lage. Tbere were no roads, and there friends support 1 missionary between were no houses decently built. There them.
were then only about 6000 Jews there, who were very poor and downtrodden, The great Indian Rajah M.ontja, it is while now Jerusalem outside the walls said, had but one son, to whose educawaa almost larger than Jerusalem inside tion he gave much time and thought, in the walls, and there were now over order that the boy might be fitted for 88,000 Jews there, and they were still his high place. Among his devices for coming. . the wise training of his son was the Orders came from Constantinople to placing near him an old man whose the Beirut Customs House in Septem- duty was to say to the prince, whenever ber last to allow no books to be shipped, he was enjoying any pleasure keenly, even tho they have the imperial permit, "The day hath but twelve hOUl·S." unless each separate volume is stamped When the lad, on the other hand, was by the Director of Education. As we sick or in trouble, he changed the warnhave 12,000 volumes ready for ship- ing to," The night is but twelve hours ment, our work is virtually and practi- long. "
cally stopped. The Director of Educa- tion has written to the Collector of the "In British India the annual death- Port that these books all have the im- rate among Europeans in the early part perial permit, but he says his new or- of this century was eighty-four to the ders are peremptory. and not a book thousand; but in 1890 it was reduced can go without the disfiguring stamp to sixteen to the thousand. So in the on it. Dutch East Indies, the European death- Mr. Freyer, manager of the Press, rate has been reduced from one hundred prepared at once a telegram on the sub- and seventy to the thousand in 1828 to ject to the United States Minister in sixteen-much less than the native Constantinople, but the Director of death· rate, which in 1892 was twenty- Telegraph refused to send it. three to the thousand. In the basin of The United States Consulate then the Congo the death-rate among white prepared a telegram on the subject, men in 1893 was seventy to the thou- which they thought it unwise to re- sand, but this embIaced many mere ad- fuse. But it is evident that there is a venturers and campaigners. deprived of persistent policy at the Porte to thwart the comforts and conveniences of life.
and cripple all Bible work in the em- In Leopoldville and Boma, white settle- pire as far as possible. ments, where good homes are available H. H. JESSUP, D.D. and fair sanitary conditions, the death- BEIRUT. rate is but thirty-two to the thousand."
If science and Christianity go hand in Professor Headland, of the Peking hand, men may yet be as healthful in University, is authority for the state- Africa as in America.
71:14 G1l:NEBAL MISSIONARY DI'l'ELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDl'rED BY REV. D. L. LEONA.RD.
Extracts and Translations from Foreign alleled by our efforts for the evangeli- zation of African and Polynesian races, Periodicals. And, corresponding with the conversion of the Roman Empire, the bishop places BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, our task in evangelizing India and the MASS.
INDIA. other Asiatic countries in which exists – " Bishop Barry," formerly Primate an ancient civilization needing to have of Australia, .. considers that the Church new life infused into it. Here the bish- of England has a threefold mission to op wisely urges that extension in these the world; and he finds an analogy to countries has a different ideal from that this in three phases of the spread of Chris· which suits the growth of the colonial tianity as seen in the history of Chris· Church. 'It cannot and must not aim tendom. The Church, he says, had first at reproduction of the English Church to undertake the task of the conversion itself, with local variation but substan- of the Roman Empire, and this task tial identity. If ever these Eastern was 'not to create, but to regenerate races are to be won to Christ, it will human society,' and' to create a new surely be by the service of men and and diviner unity in the Church Catho- churches of their own blood, and lie.' When this was accomplished, a thought, and character. • .. Our real second task presented itself-the con- work is, not to transplant the full-grown version of the barbarian nations-which English tree, but simply to sow the liv- involved civilization as well as evan- ing seed of Christianity and leave it to gelizatio~. And then a third task was grow.' This is an admirable statement the fostering of Christian national life of a principle enunciated again and in contradistinction to the universal again by the Church Missionary Soci- dominion claimed by the papacy, and ety. The difficulty is, that whenever the accomplishment of this task is best there is a suggestion to put the princi- seen, observes the bishop, in England ple into action, there is sure to be a loud itself. With these three phases of the outcry. The present Archbishop of development of Christendom the bishop Canterbury once said that it was a pity compares the threefold sphere of church that white should be the color of a expansion now. clergyman's dress in officiating in a " Alongside the last of these three he country where it is the color of mourn· puts the growth of our rising and fed- ing; but supposing a C. M. S. mission- erated colonial churches. 'This ex- ary in China took the Archbishop at pansion has not been on the principle his word and discarded the surplice, of absolution on the one side and de- convocation itself would probably put pendence on the other. The ideal of on record its extreme displeasure.
the Roman Church may be spiritual " Altho, however, the bishop distin- empire; ours is free spiritual federa- guishes these three phases of ' ecclesias- tion. It is the desire of th'l Church of tical expansion,' he nevertheless urges England, true to her ancient spirit and that they cannot be separated. 'They traditions, to sit, not as a queen over not only coexist, but ultimately they spiritual dependencies, but as a mother are really one.' The same solidarity is among her daughter churches.' The shown in the healthy influence of Chris- second of the Church's three tasks in tian extension abroad upon Christian past ages, namely. the conversion of the life at home; and again, in the signifi- barbarian races, is, of course, now par- cant fact, upon which the bishop pro-
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
ceeds to enlarge, that the present cen- the way which is marked out in the tury has been simultaneously an era of Savior's words ~ • I thank Thee, 0 Fa- missionary expansion and of develop· ther, Lord of heaven and earth, that ment in the home church. Here he de- Thou hast hid these things from the scribes in eloquent paragraphs the Evan- wise and prudent, and hast revealed gelical Revival, the Oxford Movement, them to babes.' When once the masscs and that third religious influence whose are won for Christianity the leaders motto, says the bishop, is, • The har- soon follow after, as missionary history mony of the natural and the supernatu- confirms by numerous examples."
ral,' and which is commonly called, -" It is probable that there will be with more or less accuracy, • Broad developed in Japan, as in all Christian Church.' The first of these movements countries, two churches, the one evanproduced widespread evangelization; gelical or orthodox, the other liberal; the second, the expansion of church or- the first, moreover, will be very probganization; and the third, the bishop ably divided into several denominathinks, has corrected the crudeness of tions, altho assuredly it would be highly earlier missionary ideas, altho he admits desirable that this evil, inherent, it that it has sometimes tended, • if not to should seem, in Protestantism, might kill, at least to throw over, "the native be spared to the future Evangelic&l hue of resolution," something of " the Church of Japan. The destinies of pale cast of thought.'" "-Ohurch these two churches will be, without Mi8sionary Intelligencer. doubt, identical with what they are in JAPAN. the United States, the only country where the religious sentiment can de- -Pastor SCHILLER, quoted in the velop itself in full liberty. The one Zeitscltrift for Missionskunde, remarks: will be living, prosperous, conquering, " It is beyond all doubt that, sooner or which is the character of all the denomlater, the stream of Japanese national inations which maintain the doctrines development will issue into Christianity. professed from the beginning by the The Japanese feel this themselves, altho universal Church; the other will' painthis does not imply that the individual fully drag on a precarious existence, as who makes this conce~sion acknowl- is done by the Unitarian Church and edges himself bound in conscience to others of the same rationalistic characbecome a Christian. Yet we must not ter. In a word, in Japan also will manbe oversanguine as to speedy results. ifest itself the truth of the word of the The religious interest in the Japan of apostle: "He that hath the Son hath to-day is frightfnlly low-lower among life; he that hath not the Son hath not the cultivated classes than among the' life."-Revue des J'Jil>8ions Oontempomass of the people, who at least show raines.
sign of a religious instinct by adhering -AU8 dem Lanc:e der aufgehenden to the old religious customs. The edu- Sonne (From the Land of the Rising cated, indeed. are, as a rule, more de- Sun). B~l'lin; Druck und Verlag, von A.
pendent on the prevailing current O'f Haack. This is a pamphlet or 31 pages, opinion and its changes than the people. by Pfarrer CARL MUNZINGER, mission- The time when Christianity was the ary of the Protestantischer Verein in vogue, and regarded as an indispensable Japan. It describes in a clear, well- finishing-olI of European culture, is disposed manner, minute witllOut being gone by in Japan; the educated throngs tedious, Japan as to land, people. lan- that used once to fill the Christian guage, customs, religion, State, family, houses of worship have dwindled away, schools, churches. Anyone who reads the theological journals now scarcely it will have Japan, materially and spir- find readers. The missionaries will do itually, clearly set before him. It is well to enter with full consciousness on well worth translating.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
MISCELLANEOUS. .. We plead for an increase of confi- dence right through our missionary -" Altho the heathen, who become work. No Illen ever realize their high. Catholic Christians, commonly rise only est possibilities until they are trusted." from a religion of form to another re- -Ibid. ligion of form, whose contents, however, are infinitely better, yet they for -" Are means lacking for t'1e work the most part experience so much of it of missions? Sound the bell of prayer that cannibalism, infanticide, concu- rather than the bell of the mendicant. " binage, etc., can no longer remain the -Pastor GOSSNER. prevailing rule; morally, therefore, they are extricated from the coarsest of -We notice not unfrequently the their former excesses, and every phil· statement that the Persian Shah, as sucanthropist and Christian must desire cessor of the prophet, is the spiritual that where the Evangelical Church can- and temporal chief of his subjects. not win them they should rather be- This, however, appears to be an error. come Catholic Christians than remain heathen. "-Herr PETRI, in Allegemeine n arises from transferring to the Per- Missiona-Zeitschrift· sian monarch the attributes of the Turk- – " Are the missionaries the agents or ish monarch. The latter, however, is servants (1) of the societies, or are they Caliph Mohammedan Pope, not as king the messengers of the churches? Is of the Turks. but as having, in his anthere a sufficiently close connection be- cestors, obtained from the heirs of the tween the churches at home and their Bagdad caliphs a cession of their claims brethren abroad, for whom they are in his favor. His Turkish and his Mosasked to pray and gi ve? Do not socie- lem, his temporal and his religious, digties sometimes act as a barrier to sepa- nity are distinct and separable. Thus, rate rather than as a link to unite? A when it was determined, in 1876, to great step in advance would be taken depose Abdul·Aziz, it was held necesif the societies not only allowed but en- sary that he should first abdicate the couraged churches to support missiona- caliphate, under the form (tho certainly ries of their own, with whom they might not the reality) of a voluntary act. This be in direct communicatiou."-The left him still sovereign of Turkey; but as he had now lost the sacredness of his akristian, quoted in The Bomhay Guard- person, he was then dethroned outright. The Persians, it is known, are regarded ian. by the Mohammedan world at large as schismatics and heretics. They deny -" Is it true, as some have affirmed, the succession acknowledged by the that missionaries meet for conference Sunnites, and have one of their own, and prayer in India or China, decide whose incumbent, however, is not the upon certain modes of procedure in con- Shah, but resides within the Turkish nection wit.h their work, but are power- territory, and whose religious authority less to act until their proposals have is said to be sometimes as embarrassing been sent to the home committee and to the Persian Government as the papal considered by them? Is it also a fact authority has often been, sometimes for that not unfrequently the home commit- good and sometimes for evil, to the civil tee rejects the proposals of the missiona- governments of Europe. ries, and dictates an entirely different course? .•. The Persians, however heretical, are intense Moslems. Mr. Benjamin de- "If so, we venture to suggest the clares, what l~ certainly not true of the need of a change. . .• The churches Bunnites, at least in most countries, generally would trust the decisions of that no Christian, however exalted his the men doing the work rather than rank, would dare to enter a mosque in those of brethren at home, however Persia if he valued his life. wise and experienced.
ENGLISH NOTES
-" Fear of death," says Dr. KROPF, arms, reaching down to cover the feet: .. encompasses the Caifres their whole they hold them up as they walk. The life long. They cannot endure to hear bishop preached, the archdeacon inter- a word about dying, and run away if preting for him.
anyone speaks of it, or else hide their " Another day we paid a visit to the faces and tremble; even the sight of Namasole, or queen·mother. She is a gray hair inspires them with the fear regular heathen princess, with a grim, of death. This explains Cetewayo's hard face, that made one quite believe embassy to Queen Victoria, to solicit a her capable of all the many acts of remedy against the hair's turning cruelty which they say she has com- gray. "-ZeitBchrijt f'lllr Mi88io1Ulkunde. mitted. She sat in state on an em- broidered Indian rug spread on the -Miss Fineley, writing in the Ohurch ground. holding a large knife in her Missionary Gleaner from Ugands, says: hand, made of copper and brass mixecl, " On Sunday. October 6th, we went to and was most autocratic in the way in our first service in the big church at which she ordered us to stand up and Mengo. What a wonderful church it sit down, that she might get every pos- is I Its size is immense, and all built sible view of us. One could not help of reeds in the same way as our house. contrasting her with the Christian wom- There are over 200 trees in it as pillars en here; the v.ifference is most marked."
to support the roof. When you think that each of those trees took 100 men to drag it up the hill, you get some English Notes. idea of the labor expended on it. It reminds one of the old pictures of the BY JAMES DOUGLAS.
building of Nineveh. Then look at Presbyterian Mi86io1Ul.-So far as can the rows and rows of beams in the roof, be judged at present, the election by which are not beams at all, but bundles the Free Church of Scotland of Dr. Mil- of reeds and grass bound round and ler, of Madras, to be its moderator for round closely together, making a firm the present year has tended to the clear- support, not so heavy as a beam, which ing away of misunderstanding and the the walls could not bear the weight of. increase of the missionary sentiment.
This church is always full. but this It has been felt that uniformity of meth- Sunday it was packed. I shall never od need not be striven for, and that as forget the impression when we went in. there is .. a diversity of administration, It brought tears into one's eyes, the but the same Lord," so there may be a immense sea of black faces and the concurrency of method without same- quiet, reverent behavior. The men sat ness. Such, in effect, seems to be the on one side, the women on the other. summing up of the able editor of the They say there were quite 7000 present Ohurch Missionary Intelligencer. He in the church and in the veranda of the observes: "With Dr. Miller's chief church, where they hear as well as in guiding principle, that educational the church itself. We sat on the work in India is part of God's prepara- women's side. How nice they all tion, long and slow preparation, we looked in their bark cloths; no odd, have no quarrel at all. It embodies a gay colors, as you see at the coast, but grand and indisputable truth. Only wherever the eye turned this universal there is another truth alongside it which terra-cotta color. There is a great va- ought never to be forgotten, but upon riety in the shades of them, the darker which Dr. Miller" (tho we are sure ones being the best and most expensive, he holds it) " has not always laid equal and the cloth itself is always darker on stress; and this is that a Christian edu- one side than the other. They were cationist is also to seek the immediate worn very elegantly, round under the conversion of individual souls."
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Exeter Nall.-The annual missionary band and his relations determined to meeting of the two London presbyteries break her of her Christianity, even if was one of the best ever held. Lord they should kill her. For four years Overtoun presided. Mr. Maclagan, of she never saw a Christian's face, and Swatow, in the course of a speech of for twelve years that poor woman held great interest, observed that" of all the on. During all that time she never for- work carried on under foreign super- got to pray that some day God would vision there was none more fruitful in send a preacher of the Gospel to that the number of converts than the work place. These heathen relations did of the medical missionaries." Mr. Mac- everything in their power to break her lagan spoke hopefully of the native spirit, but she held fast. or, rather, Christians and of the way .he native Jesus Christ stood by her and held her Church was maturing. The congrega- up. One day she felt unusually sore at tion of Yam-tsau was instanced as a heart, and began to wonder how long good example of the methods of work she could hold up. She knelt down in of the native church. There the Gos- her room with her Testament before pel was first preached by a good mis- her, and in her own words she said: sionary of the London Missionary So- , Lord Jesus, my heart is so sore, and I ciety-Mr. Stronach-who, after sowing am all alone, and there is nobody to say the seed and gaining a few natives, was one word of comfort to me. Won't obliged to leave the district. Years you speak one word out of this book to after Mr. Stronach revisited Yam-tsau, comfort my sad heart?' She opened and on seeing what had been done, the book, and the words she read were said, "I had to run away and leave -what? • Peace I leave with you.
you, but God didn't leave you." There My peace I give unto you. Let not was now at that place a congregation your heart be troubled, neither let it be of 100 members, with elders and dea- afraid. ' Her face shone as she told me cons, all of whom were sons of men that it seemed as if the Lord Jesus baptized by the first missionary. Christ was standing beside her, and she Miss Graham, of Chin-chew, next could see His face and hear His voice, spoke. Her address, which was full of saying these words straight into her incident, closed with the following heart. After that she didn't mind what touclling recital: "There was one they did to her. The Son of God came woman who came to the hospital very and stood beside her, as He did in weak and in great suffering, and yet the Nebuchadnezzar's furnace long ago.
peace of God was so stamped on her And the eame miracle was being re- face that she (Miss Graham) knew that peated in many a Chinese village to- she was a Christian before even she day."
spoke to her. Her story was a most touching one. Her blOther, years be- Ohurch _¥:issionary Society.-An ad- fore, had heard the Gospel and came mirable review of the C. M. S. in Hok- home to tell her of the love of Jesus, kaido, Japan, during the past twenty and he and she agreed together that years is supplied by the Rev. W. An- they would be His disciples. They had drews. There are now in that province, a copy of the New Testament and read church buildings, 11 ; schools, 4; hos.
it whenever they could. She was mar- pital, 1 ; native workers, 30; and con- ried not long after, at the age of sixteen, verts, Japanese and Ainu, 1100. Mr.
to a man whom she had never seen, and Andrews sets forth the lessons to be was taken away to a village where the learned from the past thus: 1. Do not people were utter strangers to her, and despise the day of small things. A she was the only Christian in the whole Christian here and another there, tho countrydde. She refused to take any their faith and light seem dull, is a cause part in heathen worship, and her hus- for thanksgiving. 2. Remember that everything must have a beginning; we marked by much fervor of spirit. Sevcannot leap to perfection at once; 3. eral new brethren and sisters have been Then, too, when we think of the pres- designated for the foreign field. The ent outlook here we must bear in mind work in Orissa. India, is especially that we are laboring for the future. being strengthened, the Rev. George Howells, of Regent's Park College, and Kuc7umg.-Dr. J. Rigg, writing con- the Rev. F. W. Jarry, of the Pastor's cerning this district in connection with College, being both appointed to that the recent massacre, says: "It is more sphere. The following are the terms and more impressed upon my mind that of the resolution passed, and which it was expedient that our sisters and claims sympathetic adoption: "That Mr. Stewart should die for the people this meeting calls upon the churches of and the whole nation be saved from the the denomination for more fervent horrors of a rebellion. . . . I can con- prayer, so that reinforcements may be ceive that our people, by their deaths, speedily sent forth in response to the may have saved China, and if so, THEY numerous and pathetic appeals recently KNOW IT. The heathen sentiment in received from the mission field; and that the Kucheng district is, ' You say Jesus such a personal spirit of consecration died for us, but we never saw Him, but to the great missionary enterprise may we have seen Mr. Stewart, and he died thereby be evoked as shall result in the for us; for certainly if he and the requisite resources." others had not been killed we need not have sown any seed this year, for Ohina Inland Misnon.-During 1895 the Vegetarians would not have allowed the number of converts baptized :was us to reap it." 844, which was an increase of 98 on the previous year. There has been also a Wesleyan Missionary Society.-The still larger number of candidates on notes published from the Lagos District probation for baptism as compared with oj Africa are of special interest. In Porto that year, as well as an increase in the Novo tbe work is hard enough to make number of new missionaries. the boldest quail. Still, tho the battle is an uphill one, Goel is giving the vic- THE KINGDOM. tory, for the flock has increased by 56 full members. In Klein Popo the fight -God be merciful unto us and bless seems to be still more accentuated ; and us, And cause His face to shine upon among the foes enumerated are dense us. That Thy way may be known heathenism, cunning Roman Catholi- upon earth, Thy saving health among cism, and sore trials from within. Not- all nations. Let the peoples praise withstanding all, there are new openings Thee, 0 God; Let all the peoples anel an extension of the work. In the praise Thee. Yoruba Interior there is only as yet a preparation tor the sowing. But the -Christ gives life to men, and then ljehn Remo mission is growing apace. says: " As the Father hath sent lIe, In the capital city the young men have even so serid I you." Every Christian erected a temporary house of worship is a missionary. He may have been themselves. Further at Ipern the nursed in the lap of Christendom and church's influence is making itself felt trained in a luxurious religious home, in the town; while in Ago, despite op- or he may have been born a pagan, and position, 60 names have been enrolled "suckled on a creed outworn." It as those who are desirous to know the matters not. If he has been born again, words of Eternal Life. and feels the throb of the Christ-life, he is a missionary sent by the living Christ Baptist Missionary Society. – The to touch dead souls to the newness of meetings held at Portsmouth were Ufe.-G. L. Mackay. -Consider the absolute and unques- 35,000,000: Turkey, 40,000,000; Japan, tioned religious liberty of the time in 40,000,000; and Spain, 27,000,000.
which we live, and in those countries -It has been calculated that missiongoverned by the English-speaking races, aries on the foreign field bring in three and then go back three hundred years, times as many converts as ministers at and endeavor to realize here in England home aided by Christian influence, the condition of John Robinson and his workers, and literature, while the offerlittle flock of religionists asking only to ings of native Christians in mission be allowed to worship God as their churches now amount to upward of needs of conscience and the hunger of $550,000. heart instructed them to pray; for con- science and reason were the underlying -The late Governor Russell was on moral factors then, as now, and from one occasion called to give an address them is slowly evolving all social and on " Practical Success" to a high-school political progress. at the root of which class, and what he had to say was lies the recognition of individual free- summed up in this weighty suggestion: dom and the" equal right of everyman •• Remember that there is one thing bet- to be unhindered by men in the fulfil- ter than making a living-making a ment of his duty to God."-Ex-&cre- life."
tarll Ballard. -Of the Rev. William C. Burns, the -At the annual meeting of the Con- first English Presbyterian missionary to ference of Missionary Associations, held China, it has been said that his life was in London, the Rev. C. E. Brooke ex- far more powerful as an influence than pressed a wish that the word" foreign" as an agency. He was distinctly a should be abolished in connection with sower of the seed which others have missIonary work, and that the whole reaped.
work of the Church, whether at home -A wealthy banker in Hangchow or abroad, should be regarded as mis- offered to give all the money needed for sionary. a good work. The people would not let -Christian England laughed when him. "If lIou give all the 'I1Wneg, lIou Sydney Smith sneered at the" consecrated cobbler" going out on a fool's will have all the blessing." they said. errand to convert the heathen. But Carey was visited on his death-bed by -A missionary at home on furlough the Bishop of India, the head of the Church of England in that land, who writes in the Methodist Review of Mubowed his head and invoked the blessing of the dying missionary. The Brit· llions: .. I have been sorry to find some ish authorities had denied to Carey a preachers who have no missionary books landing-place on his first arrival in Ben- later than the Acts of the Apostles in gal; but when he died, the Government their libraries. But we need to read as dropped all its flags to half-mast, in well the new Acts of the Apostles. We honor of a man who had done more for need to know how God has been, through India than any of her generals. His Holy Spirit and through His ser- vants, working miracles in later days as wonderful as any that are recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. We need to know of the open doors that lead to Christless nations; of the highways -Two thirds of the population of the which He has made for His messengers ; globe is under the sway of five rUlers, of the strength which He has given to and this fact greatly simplifies the prob- them in times of need; of the souls that lem of missions. The Emperor of Chi- have been called out of darkness into na governs 400,000,000; Queen Vic- the light and liberty of children of God ; toria, 380,000,000; the Czar, 115,000,- and we need to know and hear of the 000; France, 70,000,000; Germany, ten hundred millions of people who are yet in darkness-that is, the shadow of -Miss Willard said in a recent addeath-and waiting for Christ to come dress: "Twenty-th,ree years ago the in the person of His own with a mes- strains sounded by the temperance sage of light and of love." movement were liS the soft tones of the violin, while the soprano notes of the -Information gathered from the lead- women voiced their heartfelt sympaing officials of 45 railroads, employing thies; but the grand orchestra has been 200,000 men, shows that without excep- augmented by the cornet of science, the tion the companies regard habitual trombones of legislation, and the drum drinking as hurtful to the efficiency of of politics, while the great chorus of the service, and that they forbid the use mighty voices is one of the inspirations of intoxicants to employees while on and aspirations, and to-day the wave of duty. Fourteen of the roads require public sentiment is created with reforms total abstinence from intoxicants for all along the lines of temperance and mumen connected with train service. nicipal betterment."
-" I have a great sorrow," said an -The Ladies' Association of the Engintelligent preacher. "I know the lish Baptist Missionary Society for Ze- Lord Jesus Christ was a white man; nana Work reports" that SUbscriptions yet I could not pray to Him and love and donations reached a higher figure Him as I do if I did not picture him as than in any previous year." The total black and with wool like myself."- amount at the disposal of the society Olive Schreiner. during 1895 was $60,000.
WOMAN'S WORK. -The fifty. eighth annual report of the Church of Scotland Women's Asso- -The World's Women's Christian ciation for Foreign Missions has been Temperance Union is sending forth its issued, and the record is one of steady seventh round-the-world missionary in progress. An opening has been made the person of Miss Clara Parrish. The in Chamba, India, new work has been six who have already gone from this started at Kurseong, a town about thirty country into foreign lands carrying the miles from Darjeeling, and the boardwhite ribbon are well known. The ing-school for Christian Nepali girls at first was Mary C. Leavitt, who spent Darjeeling is proving an interesting eight years in introducing the work into addition to the mission work there. At Europe, Asia, Afr,ica, and Australia. Calcutta and Poona the work among )'[iss Jessie Ackerman followed her, and the girls has been blessed, and interestremained about two years in Australia ing details of baptisms at both these as president of the Union. Her last stations are given. The number of chilvisit as world's missionary was to Ice- dren in the schools in India is about land. Dr. Kate Bushnell and Mrs. 3000, and to these are to be added the Elizabeth W. Andrew went together, children at Blantyre and Domasi in Britand their work in suppressing impu- ish Central Africa, and at Ichang, Chirity in the cantonments of India has al- na. The total income at home and ready been sounded around the globe. abroad was £10,114, and the accounts Next, Alice Freeman Palmer went to balanced on the right side. Africa and spent the greater part of three years in building up the work. -The North Indian Medical School Then Mary Allen West went to Japan, for Christian Women, opened in Octoand was greeted by the homage of well- ber, 1894, for the purpose of training nigh the whole nation. Tho she laid Christian women as medical missionadown her life, the white ribbon work in ries and assistants, shows signs of rapid Japan remains as her last and, in one development. Beginning with only 6 sense, highest memoriaL students in 1894 the number now is 21. This is the only Christian medical school hut $12,500 annually for this work, for womell in North India, and perhaps which equips some 70 students, and it in the whole of India, and some of the is really foreign missionary work on students come from far distances, as far home missionary ground. The college as Calcutta, Central India, and the has a property worth about $35,000 and northwest frontier. All have medical a weekly organ, Le Oitoyen Franco- zenana work in view. Plans and esti- Allwricain, printed in French and Eng- mates have been prepared for a suitable lish, the type for which is set by the stu· building as a wing to the medical dents.
school. The buildings are designed so -The Norwegians are to build a that they may at present be used as a portable church, 40 X 60 feet, in Minhospital to supply the 80 beds reqllired, neapolis and ship it to Madagascar, and eventually. as the school grows, where they are conducting a mission. may give additional dormitories and '1'he old Vikings sent their ships into all lecture-rooms for the students. seas for plunder, but these go for phi- lanthropy.
UNITED STATES. -No one of our missionary societies has suffered more from the hard times -Mr. John D. Rockefeller has given than the Baptist Missionary Union, 276 acres of land, valued at $600,000, which never until lately has had a debt to the city of Cleveland for park pur- of $70,000. Yet a debt of $208,000 was poses. It will be named for him.
-According to the Independent. the incurred two years ago; then the ex- gifts to the starving Armenians are penditures were cut down by the amount some $400,000 from America and $800,- of $109,000, and still further the next 000 from Great Britain. year; and yet the debt has been reo -A report of the Tuskegee Institute, duced only to $16!J,000, and a further Ala., for colored boys and girls, says: reduction of $30,000 is proposed. Mis- .. There are 875 boys and 375 girls in sionaries cannot be sent out, and those the school at an average of eighteen on furlough in this country cannot be and one-half years, none under four. returned.
teen. A boy in the cotton field earns -A new missionary has been sent out 40 cents a day. He graduates from under the auspices of the Americau the school and earns at his trade, or as a Board. '1 his would not be a startling school teacher, $1.50 a day, a gain of announcement in ordinary years, when $1.10 a day, or for a year, say 300 work- from 30 to 50 recruits are sent annually ing days, $330. A girl in the cotton to the front. But, in view of the fact field earns 25 cents a day. When she that it is ten months since one has gone, graduates from the school she can earn the news becomes extraordinary inat sewing $1 a day, a gain of 75 cents a deed. It gives a more vivid idea, too, day over the cotton field, or for one year of how the hard times are affecting our of 300 working days. $225. A gain for beloved foreign missionary society.
the 750 boys and girls in one year of Nor would this modest reenforcement $208,125, or in twenty years more than have been possible unless special provi· $4,000,000. sian had been made.':" Oongregationali8t.
-There are 1,500,000 of French- -In the midst of such general finanspeaking people in the United Stat,es, a cial distress the Alllerican Board is able third of them French Canadians in New to sound one note of joy and thanksgiv- England, and the French·American ing over the receipt of a legacy of $55,- college at Springfield, Mass., aims to 000 from the estate of Mrs. C. L. A. evangelize, enlighten, and Americanize Tank, of Fort Howard, Wis. Of this this New England contingent. It costs sum, $35,000 are for the present needs and endowment of North China Col- can Board missionaries employ about lege, one of t,he most important and 25, and Methodist missions (North) most needy institutions; $5000 are for about the same. the Tank Chapel and Bridgman School at Peking ; $5000 for the Williams Hos- -The Cumberland Presbyterian pital at Pang-chuang; $2500 for the Church is planning to open a mission International Institute for Girls, and in China, having received the pledge of $500 for Euphrates College. The re- $1000 to take a medical student through maining $4500 are to be devoted to gen- a post·graduate course, and enough eral work in papal lands, Mexico and more to pay his first year's salary. the city of Prague being particularly mentioned. -The Salvation Army is about to in· troduce a novel plan in New York. It -At the annual convention of the will send out ambulances at night in Christian Alliance, held at Old Orchard certain districts of the city to pick up Beach, Me., the total offering is report- men who have imbibed too freely. ed as $101,500, of which about one third They will be taken to an army shelter to was in cash, the remainder being jewels sober up. The work is to be conductand every conceivable gift. ed by a branch of the Army called the League of Love.
-The Southern Baptist' Convention EUROPE. sustains missions in Africa, China, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and Brazil, and Great Britain.-A "heathen" vilreports, missionaries, 86; native help· lage has been found in England, with· ers, 110 ; churches, 98 ; members, 3801 ; in a hundred miles of London. It baptisms, 735; contributions from the has about 200 inhabitants. There is field, $5553. a fine old Episcopal church, but the vicar is away for his health; there is -The Missionary Society of the Meth- also a Congregat,ional chapel, but it is odist Episcopal Church is heavily in ar- closed. There is not a Sunday-school rears. While the American Board in the place, and, according to an old started its financial year with a debt of woman, " We're like a lot 0' heathens $115,000, and the Presbyterian Board of here; an' if a boy like that" (pointing Foreign Missions with one of $154,000, to one about ten years of age) .. goo to the debt of the Methodist Board was church, he git a cuff 0' th' hid and sent $220,000. The American Board, by a awaay. He hev' a been. "–Independent. special effort, has cleared off its debt, and the Presbyterian Board has reduced -The youngest son of the Bishop of its debt to about $46,000. The Meth- Durham is giving himself, it is saili, to odist Society feIt that something special the mission field. Three others are almust be d()lle to relieve their financial ready Indian missionaries, and the stress, and appointed Sunday, July fourth will go to Delhi. 26th, as a special debt·paying day, when each church in the denomina- -The annual report of the English tion was to take up a collection. There Baptist Foreign Missionary Society is are more than 12,000 churches in the unusually encouraging. The debt of Methodist Episcopal body. Of these $113,000 with which the year comup to August 9th, 2488, about one fifth, menced is extinguished. The total reported an aggregate sum of $2R,OOO. gross receipts have been $375,000- The others apparently took no notice of "the largest income the society had the day.-Independent. ever received, excluding the Centenary Fund." In addition, a debt of $1800 -Thirty-three different languages and on the Widows' and Orphans' Fund dialects are learned by missionaries of has been turned into a balance in hand the Presbyterian Church; the Ameriof $1200. Sixteen new missionaries of £2500. The Society's Board of Exhave been sent ont during the year. aminers have accepted 15 clergymen Mr. Baynes, the general secretary, re- and 19 laymen for work abroad. The cently presented to Ki~g Leopold, of number of ordained missionaries on the Belgium, a copy of Mr. Holman Bent- society's list includes 11 bishops and ley's" Appendix to the Kongo Gram- 550 clergymen lauoring in Asia, Africa, mar and Vocabulary," which that mis- Australasia, and Amedca ; including 40 sionary had just completed. His Majes- holding chaplaincies in Europe, and 179 ty subsequently expressed his apprecia- natives of Asia and Africa. Thel'e are tion of the valuable services rendered also some 2900 lay teachers and 3200 by Mr. Bentley to the Kongo Free State. students in the colleges. The work of The secretary also received from the the S. P. G. covers 55 dioceses, and is king for the Rev. George Grenfell, an- carried on in 54 languages and dialects. other missionary, the patent of his appointment as a chevalier knight of the -The total number of Irish Pres- Order of the Golden Lion, and the in- byterian missionaries serving in Insignia of the Order set in brilliants, in dia and China were 21 in 1885; in recognition of the valuable services ren- 1896 they are 42, and it is expected dered by Mr. Grenfell in connection that before the year closes they will with the delimitation of the sputhern have increased to 50. The Female Assofrontier of the Kongo kingdom. ciation has been making great efforts to keep as many laborers in the field in -The InteZUgencer (Church Mission- India as the foreign mission of the ary Society) states that" the plan of a Church. They have almost succeeded. particular parish, or missionary union, Their agents have doubled in the ten or family, or individual, supporting an years, and now stand at 14. 'own missionary' in addition to the general contributions to the evangeliza· -The death, in the beginning of tion of the world, is extending beyond June, of the Rev. Daniel Edward reanticipation. Out of a total of 730 mis- moved from his earthly labors one of sionaries on the books (not including the first missionary band sent to the wives) no less than 249 now do not draw Jews by the Church of Scotland-the their personal allowance from the gen- undivided Church in 1841. From 1841eral fund. Of these, 67 are honorary, 95 he labored. first at Jassy, then at 23 are supported by the colonial asso- Lemberg, and finally for forty.four ciations, 40 by parishes or local associa- years at Breslau, having cast in his lot tions, 28 by the Gleaners' Union and its with the Free Church in 1843. He was branches, 31 by other bodies, and 60 by the means of bringing many Jews to private individuals. Out of 80 new the knowledge of Christ. Among his missionaries who are, God willing, sail- first converts was Israel Pick, whose ing for the mission field this year, no meteor-like career attracted so much at· less than 55 up to July 14th had been tention till he disappeared in 1859. His specially provided for, including 5 from latest notable convert was Hermann Australia. Adding 6 who are honorary, Warszawiak, now carrying on work this leaves only 25 not yet taken up on among the Jews of New York. that date." -The Established Church of Scot- -The report of the S. P. G. for 1895 land reports that the European mission announces that its receipts amounted to staff consisted at the close of 1895 of 20 £118,258, of which £81,333 came from ordained missionaries (1 of whom was subscriptions. £11,609 from legacies, also medical), 4 medical missionaries, 7 and £15,648 was contributed to special lay teachers and evangelists (including funds. Compared with last year, the 2 Jady missionaries), 2 engineers, and 1 voluntary offerings show an increase industrial missionary-in all 34, and 21 wives of missionaries, making together – Eva.ngelical Gliiristendom supplies 55 Europeans_ There are upward of some notes of the annual meetings of 300 Christian nati ves in the service of the Protestant societies of France.
the mission, of whom 6 are ministers, 2 The Societe Gentrale d'Evangelisation licentiates, and the rest evangelists, supports 140 agents, has 300 places of teachers, doctors, and assistants in worship, and visits 195 localities. It humbler capacities. The baptisms num- records the conversion of 387 Catholics, bered 968 last year, of which 538 were and the opening of four new stations in the Panjab, 262 in the Eastern Hima· during the year. The Mission Interieure layas, 54 in Calcutta, Madras, and Ar- bas been at work for a quarter of a cen- conam, 84 in Africa, and 30 in China. tury. It conducts evangelistic meet- The Income from all sources was £28,- ings in different districts, leaving to the 328. Deducting £6700 received for care of the nearest churches those gath- school fees and government grants in ered in.
India, and spent there, and £6037 con- -The organization of a German tflbuted to special purposes and so ap- league against the rum traffic in theplied, there remained a net revenue to German colonies is now practically an meet the ordinary needs of the mission accomplished fact. At the annual meetof £15,590. The gross expenditure was ing of the Evangelical African League, £25,732. in Berlin, which the Governor of Kam- -The Scottish Free Church entered erun and the chief of the Colonial De- on the year 1896-97 with 157 missiona- partment bonored with their presence, ries (besides 21 industrial masters, mak- an organizing committee was elected.
ing 178 in all), sent out to 49 central It includes Dr. Christ, of Basel: In- stations in India. South Arabia, Africa, spector Dr. Merensky, of Berlin; Pas- New Hebrides, Syria, Constantinople, tor G. Muller, amI Dr. Zahn. botb of and Budapest. The statistical sum- Bremen. Four experienced deacons mary of results in 1895 showed: Adults and deaconnesses and the material des- baptized. 892, and admitted on profes- tined for the settlement of liberated sion, 267-1159; children baptized, slaves just founded by the league are 1114; candidates for baptism or full on the way to their destination in Usam- communion. 3964 ; students, 2045 ; and bara. A medical missionary will fol- scholars in 6 colleges and 418 schools at low them as soon as his preparations are close of year, 27,922; native Christian completed.
contributions, £2476 : native fees, £20,- ASIA. 927; native communicants, 9017. Rev- enue in Scotland, £66,533 ; and abroad, Islam.-The annual catalog of Rob- £41,638; Women's Society'S income, ert College, Constantinople, bears all £14,102. An anonymous donor has re- the more interesting. because unintencently given £1000 each to the home and tional witness to the benefit reaped the foreign work, and £500 each to the by the Turkish Government from a Jewish mission and the deaconess hos- missionary institution of this character, pital. and hence the value of missions in gen- The Continent.-The Paris Mission- eral. A list is given of all graduates, ary Society, regarding a missionary with their various avocations since ship as absolutely necessary for its graduating, so far as could be ascer- missions in, Tahiti, has opened a sub- tained. Omitting those of the last eight scription to obtain one. The collection years, as too recently graduated for for the ship, however, is to be kept en- their careers to be significant, we find tirely separate from the general funds that of 232 graduates between 1868 !lond of the society, which are not to suffer 1888. 84. or more than one third, have any decrease for that purpose. served the State in cabinet, diplomatic, civil. military, or judicial departments; -The report of the Persia and Bag- 59 (including several of the former dad Mission of the Ohurch Missionary class) are or have been teachers; 16 are Society shows cause for thankfulness physicians, some of them having studied that, amid the disheartening influences medicine in this country.-Evangelist. of the past year, they have been able to -Baron Rothschild is establishing an- carryon their work with encourageother Jewish colony in Palestine-in ment, and but little interruption, The Galilee, not far from Damascus. The headquarters of the mission, which bedistrict selected covers 3000 acres, and gan in the labors of Dr. Bruce in the is watered by numerous springs, which great famine of 1871-72, are at Julfa, practically form one of the sources of the old Armenian suburb of Ispahan. the Jordan. It appears that the Jewish The relief which Dr. Bruce was able to colonists already in Palestine are prose- give to the destitute, and the su,pport cuting agriculture with gratifying sue· and education of the orphan children cess. The red and white wines they thrown on his care, resulted in the forare now bringing into the market are mation of an Armenian Christian consaid to be quite equal to the wines of gregation in Julfa, with a band of well· Europe. instructed workers helping greatly in the evangelization of the Mohammedan -Dr. Sarkis M. Hagopian, an exiled population.
Armenian, has received good news from India.-In 1881 there were about his home in Aintab. All the Protestant 180,000 lIohammednn pupils in the and Gregorian Christians there who schools and colleges of India; in 1895 have been in prison since last Novem- there were 490,000. Yet this rate does ber have been released, as the Turkish not begin to compare with the progress Government could find no charges of the Hindus in education. against them after severe and rigorous examinations. Among the prisoners -A missionary writes : "Every Bud- was the native pastor of the Second dhist school is itself a pleasure to me.
Congregational Church in Aintab, phy- • Let them go on,' said Bishop Cople- sicians of wealthy families, who were ston to me one day; • either they must educated in America, and other promi- teach that the world is round, and then nent citizens. they are bad Buddhists, or that the world is fiat, and then they lose their -A recent writer in an English re- Government grant I' And every Gov· view says that Persia will remain under ernment school is in a sense a centre of Mozaffer-ed-din, as it was under the gov- _light. In one, a Christian teacher has ernment of the late Shah, a nation of allowed my catechist to speak to the highly civilized barbarians, ruled by a schoolboys after school hours, and disbenignant despot. The late Shah was tribute tracts." no idle or vicious despot; he did not smoke, and his diet was of the simplest, -A work of considerable interest to and he was a merciful king. It was he Indian Christians will shortly be brought who did away with the hateful custom out by the Christian Literature Society.
of the Shah presiding in person at exe- It will consist of sketches of the lives cutions. The long struggle that took of more than 40 Indian Ohristians be- place between the late king and an arro- longing to the different provinces. The gant priesthood lasted for many years, following are some of the persons and the Shah succeeded in shaking him- sketehed: Bombay-Rev. Hari Ram- self free of the mollahs, and in reducing chandra Khisti, Rev. Vishnu Bhasker their claims upon the public purse. Karmarkar, Rev. Dr. Seshadri, Mr.
Persia is no longer a priest· ridden Baba Padmanji, Pundita Ramabai.
country.-Church at Home and Abroad. Northern India-Dr. Imam·ud-din, Rev. Jani Ali, Rev. Nehemiah Goreh, suIts of his mission work in China.
Professor Ramchandra. Mad1·as-Rev. During his missionary life he baptized N. Devadasen, Rev. P. Rajahgopllul, 940 adult persons, 46 of whom were be- Mrs. Tabitha Bauboo, Rev. W. T. Sat- tween the ages of fifty and sixty ; 38 thianadhan, Mrs. Anna Satthianadhan, between the ages of sixty and seventy; Krupabari Satthianadhan, Rev. lIf. Rat- 25 between the ages of seventy and namgaru, Rev. Jacob Rama Varma, eighty, and 2 were over eighty years of Rev. Hermann Anandarao Kanudinya. age. Intelligent advocacy of mission Ben.qal-Rev. Dr. Krishna Mohan Ban- schools does not depreciate the impor- erjee, Mr. Ramchandra Bose, M.A., tance of direct preaching of the Gospel, Rev. Mathura Nath Bose, B.A., ,B.L. but cooperates with it just as Sabbath· Portraits of some are also given. This schools do at home.-Ohurch at Home is the first attempt to bring together in and Abroad.
a permanent form the lives of some of -Notwithstanding the troubles in the prominent Indian Christians.- Fuh-kien, over 500 converts were bap- Christian Patriot. tized by the C. M. S. in that province last year. -All girls in India are very fond of pretty and bright-colored dresses. The -" I am persuaded," writes Archdress is simply live yards of muslin. deacon Wolle, "that missionaries and When only three of four years old a lit- foreigners generally can live with greattle girl begins to learn how to wind it er safety than eVer before in the integracefully around the body and over rior of this country. • .• Foo-chow is the shoulder. When she goes into the being moved as it has never been bestreet she slips one end over the head as fore. Our churches und preaching-halls It veil. 11 little short-sleeved jacket is are filled with eager listeners and inthe only other garment she wears. This quirers… , It is the same in many is a very cool and comfortable costume parts of the country. . .. In places for the hot climate. Every family has where for years everything seemed dead a jewel-box full of little" cubby.hoies" and hopeless, hundreds are coming to for each ornament. This is often buried the churches. People are throwing in the mud floor of the woman's inner away their idols, and hundreds of copies apartment. If you want to Bee their of the whole Bible have been purchased jewelry you must make an appointment by the gentry and literary classes… beforehand, so that they can dig it up.
Once in eight days the girls and women _H Never was our work soencouragwash and comb and oil their hair, and lng and so pressing as now," writes have it nicely braided. They also take Mr. Hartwell, of the American Board, off and brighten the jewelry at this in the same district. "The openings time. They would rather starve than in many parts of our .field are such as give up their jewclry, they are so fond we have never seen before." From of it. The poorest people make theirs Shao-wu reports come of a great moveof tin, brass, lead and glass, sealing- ment, and that a number of villages wax and shells.-Over Sea and Land. have professed Christianity.
China.-The argument in behalf of -A conference was recently held in schools, which depreciates the import- Shansi,in which native Christians shared ance of direct preaching of the Gospel, who represented churches gathered by and contends that the only hope of mis- several missionary societies. It was a sions lies in the edncation of children time of peculiar privilege, but one of and not in the vain attempt to secure the missionaries made note as follows: the conversion of adults, finds a strong "One of our greatest difficulties was refutation in the memoranda which the well illustrated. Unless they came from quite the same district, hardly late J. A. Leyenbergel' made of the reany two of the Chinese spoke the same in Japan, and no one knows what dialect. Consonants were interchanged changes the next year or decade may promiscuously, vowels differently pro· bring. Perhaps there will be a revolu- nounced, different sets of phrases used, tion of a non-political character. Per- while nearly every speaker had a broad haps we shall live to see that, in the and thick utterance that made you sus· midst of wars and rumors of wars, the pect that his mouth had been made on Prince of Peace will establish His king- a wrong plan, and that tongue and dom in Japan.-Evangelisches Missions teeth were loose and had got hopelessly Magazin.
jumbled together. I do not think any -There are said to be 11 Japanese one missionary understood all the evangelists laboring among 10,000 of speakers. " their countrymen who are engaged on the sugar plantations of the Hawaiian -The Rev. E. B. Inslee was the Islands. pioneer of the Southern Presbyterian Ohurch in China, and began to preach -A Japanese gentleman, who was in Hangchow, the southern terminus of converted to Christianity in Japan the Grand Canal. There are now 9 mis- through the efforts of an enthusiastic sion stations. Hangchow and Tsing. missionary, has had his religious con- King-pu, at the north end of the line on victions sadly shattered since coming to the canal, are 360 miles apart. this country. Because the missionary -The German Mission of the Roman who accomplished his conversion wore Catholic Church was started some six a silk hat, the Oriental supposed that II years ago in southwestern Shantung, silk hat was always an adjunct to Chris· in the midst of the Presbyterian sta- tianity. When the steamer which tions. The German Bishop Anser man- brought him to America reached San aged to carry his point of putting him- Francisco, it was boarded by a man in self and his work under the protection a silk hat who swore continuously in a of the German Government rather than shocking style. Such language from a continue, as the other missions are, man who was certainly a Christian (for under the French protectorate. When he wore a silk hat) upset the convert's this was decided, the German Govern- belief, and he shortly lapsed into agnos- ment, for the sake of prestige, zealous- ticism.
ly pushed forward all the schemes of -Rev. H. Loomis writes in The Obller Catholic representative. Bishop server that " one of the most unfortu- Anser was nrst received as a consul, nate things for Buddhism that could and later on, through the recommenda- have happened in Japan has been the tion of the German Minister, he was conduct of Viscount Miura, who is a given mandarin rank of the fourth special ,representative of that form of grade, and has succeeded in raising religious belief. His appointment as funds and securing assistants, until now minister to Korea was evidently made there are some 30 German priests. only as a temporary affair, and to satis- ]apan.-Christian influence in Japan fy the great multitude of the Japanese is increasing, and one proof of it is that who are still firm adherents to that sys- a comparatively large number of Chris- tem of faith. Owing to their numerical tians belong to the upper classes. One strength, the government felt obliged to minister, two deputy-ministers, the make some concession to their clamor chief judge of the Supreme Court of for official position and patronage.
Justice, the president, and many mem- That Viscount Miura should plot to bers of the House of Deputies are Chris- murder the Korean queen, and then be tians, and many other men of conse· so unconscious of the heinousness of quence are favorable to Christianity. his crime as to think that it was possi.
There is a great deal of unrest just now ble to condone it, was something that the men who had given him the office came the news of the outbreak of the had not dreamed of." plague in the lake region and on the plateau of the great Masai tribe, and AFRICA. among the herds of Somaliland further.
-A writer from Africa, alluding to north; and for the past few months the the African's fondness for music, says: scourge has been advancing toward the " Nothing is done here without a song. borders of South Africa, The ravages Your boatman sings all day long, keep- have now extended from the upper ing time with his paddles, the woman Niger to the Indian Ocean, and from beating rice beats in time to her voice; the desert of Sahara on the north to your carriers sing to their tread, and the 11atabeleland on the south. The late farmer to his hoe. Joy, grief, pain·-all revolt of the Matabeles is attributed in are shown in spontaneous song. Their part to the loss of their cattle, on which songs are always extempore, and adapt- they depended for subsistence.
ed to present circumstances. The ordi- -Bangala is the finest station of the nary method is for one person to sing a Kongo State on the Upper River. All bar and the whole company to join in a the buildings, even those reserved for responsive chorus, consisting generally the blacks, are made of brick. They of a single syllable, suited in sound and have a wide veranda and are separated meaning to the sentiment. Current by flower gardens, where even the neWevents are described often with great ly imported lilac greets the eye of the accuracy, and they frequently ridicule European traveler. The plantations inthe manners of some king or praise the clude 30 hectares of rice fields, and over virtue of another, acting out the char- 30,000 coffee and cocoa trees. The acter to perfection. " military and missionary colony has al- -North Ajriea says, with reference ready 8 brick houses and 3 brick kilns, to the serious epidemic of cholera pre- each of which contained over 15,000 vailing in Egypt: "Thanks to the en- bricks of snperior quality. The pupils ergy of the sanitary officials, Alexandria number 600, all from the Ubanghi and and Cairo are now comparatively free; Welle River. Some can read and write.
but in the country towns aqd villages -The late Father De Deken gives the more than 6000 persons died in three following account of the arrival at Leoweeks." poldville of 100 pupils from the Bangala colony: "Lieutenant Freitag brings -The Basel Mission on the Gold me about 100 young men formed as our Coast has lost no less than 13 of its mis- colony of Nouvelle-Anvers (New Antsionaries-l0 men and 3 women-dur- werp), and who are going to Boma, ing the past year.
-In consequence of the rapidly in- there to complete their military and re- creasing traffic in spirits in the Yoruba ligious education. As they are passed country, a petition on the subject hus in review by the State Inspector they been drawn up and signed by over 8000 sing' Brabansconne ' with enthusiasm; natives of Abeokuta, while another sim- their obedience is punctual, their piety ilar petition bears 3800 more signatures touching. More than one European from Lagos and the neighborhood. felt the tears come to his eyes when -A fearful epidemic among cattle is they sang their hymns and recited their sweeping over tropical Africa. It was prayers with uplifted arms."-Ibid.
first discovered several years ago by -The German imports into the Trans- the French explorer, Mantei!, who wrote vaal have steadily increased since 1891.
from Kano, in the Sudan, that not one In 1891 aud 1892 they amounted to head of cattle in a thousand had escaped 1,300,000 marks; in 1893, to 3,200,000 jor 500 miles ~lon<g l.J.j~ Ioute. Soon mar~!l i i~ t&94, to nearly 6,000,000 marks; in 1895, to about 7,000,000 twenty years old, and in its earlier years marks. passed through hottest fires of persecu- tion. Last year the number of converts -Mr. Goodenough writes most hope- received was 2921. fully of the present condition of the new church at Johannesburg. It will -The African Tidings publishes a be remembered that a chapel was built letter from a missionary describing a over two years since, and that during mission school at Likoma, which says: the first year a debt of $500 was paid, " The African does not take kindly to besides meeting the current expenses. figures, but our little girls can do fairly On April 1st, 1895, there was a balance long addition and simple multiplication in the treamry of $85. For the year sums. as well as the exercise we digending April 1st, 1896, the receipts of nify by the name of 'mental arithmethe church were a little less than $1200, tic. ' In this latter fingers are brought and came within about $70 of meeting into play, anu, what will amuse you all expenditures. The latter included more-toes I Quite unencumbered by the salary of the nati ve preacher and a shoes, they prove most convenient, and house for him, together with the cost of when a pupil's own set gives out, she a class-room and some furniture for the may be spied eagerly borrowing the chapel. This is a remarkable showing toes of her immediate neighbors to finfor a church composed of Zulus, gath- ish the calculation with! We treat ered so recently in a new place. Mr_ Class 1. to nice copy-books, sent out Goodenough writes of a plan for estab- from England, and they all learn to lishing another station eight miles from write remarkably fast, and in many Johannesburg, at an important railway cases exceedingly well-faster far than and mining center, where already a lit- many English children. So far 'J tle chapel has been secured.-Mi8sion- pens' are not fashionable, but each (],1'y Herald. child has a pen-wiper of her own, which is in constant use; at first, it -The British House of Commons must be owned, somewhat to her teach- er's horror. Tbe pen-wiper is her own voted £3,000,000, by 255 votes against woolly little head, into which the pen is plunged every few minutes, and f75r~tmowthaerdpothrte construction of a railway rubbed vigorously. I now look upon of Mombasa, in the Ind- it as a kind provision of nature, and offer no expostulations. If ink gets ian Ocean near Zanzibar, to the Victoria spilt on the table it is wiped off with their own hands, no one being a penny Nyanza, passing through the protec- the wiser; another advantage of a shiny black skin, which, by the way, torate of Zanzibar, British East Africa, I am getting to admire more than a white one. The little ones and newand Uganda. It is expected that 100 comers write on slates, which they use cuddled UD in their arms, quite disdainmiles will be laid before next April, tho ing the use of a table. . .. Their edu- cation does not go far beyond the' three the railway is to follow the substantial R's,' for they seldom stay at school be- yond the age of thirteen or fourteen, pattern of existing lines in India and when we suddenly look round and find that our little girls of last year have Egypt. It is estimated that the car- shot up into marriageable young wom- en, and off they go to keep house for riage of 3500 tons of freight in three themsel ves."
trains each way per week will pay the working expenses. At present the gov- ernment pays £37,000 per annum for porterage of stores alone from the coast to the Uganda, an item which the rail- way will reduce to £6500. The politi- cal advantage in tending to promote still further the consolidation of British power In Africa is too obvious to need comment.-Montreal Star.
The Uganda mission is less than
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1896
HUT NEAR CORDOVA, VERA-CRUZ
GIRLS' SCHOOL, PRESBYTERIAN llISSION, SALTILLO, MEXICO. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIX. No. S.-Ola Series.-MARCH.-VoL. IX. No. S.-New Serle,.
THE MISSIONARY STATUS IN TURKEY.
BY REV. JUDSON SMITH, D.D., BOSTON, MASS.
The political aspects of the grave internal commotions which have prevailed in the Asiatic portion of the Turkish Empire for a year and a half are easily recalled and have commanded wide attention. The fearful massacre and outrage of August and September, 1895, have been far outdone and almost forgotten in the wild, swift march of robbery, arson, and massacre throughout the six eastern provinces, from the Black Sea down through the Valley of the Euphrates and westward to the Mediterranean, during the last three months. Constantinople has been the scene of active and varied diplomatic discussion j the Sultan has made sudden and frequent changes in his Cabinet, has greatly increased the armed force of the empire, and has well-nigh exhausted his credIt at home and abroad. The whole area of Asiatic Turkey, and especially its eastern portion, has heaved and fermented, as if a radical revolution were in swift execution. The Armenian question held a notable place in the Queen's speech at the recent opening of Parliament j it was equally conspicuous in the President's message at the opening of Congress. No topic has been more prominent in the news of the day or in elaborate magazine articles, in England and in America, than the new phases of this Eastern question.
All this agitation has an indirect but important bearing upon the missionary work established in Turkey, and gives a special interest to the present consideration of this work. The fields swept by massacre and pillage ar.e among the most important occupied by our missionary enterprise. The people especially attacked and crushed by these repeated disasters are of that very nation, the Armenians, in whose behalf this missionary effort has especially been made. In the ruin that has overtaken scores of cities [,!ld hundreds of villages, schools and churches connected with our mission, and a vital part of the enterprise, have gone down along with the homes of the people around them. If it had been the intention of those who directed these attacks to break up the missionary work in
THE MISSIONARY STATUS IN TURKEY
Turkey and to make its further prosecution difficult or impossible, the blow could scarcely have been aimed with greater effect. The dimensions of this work, the length of time during which it has been carried on, the eminence of the men and women engaged in it, and the results already attained would of themselves, at any time, command general attention. Set against the backgrouud of massacre and cruel suffering which fill the land, the dark and wayward course of diplomacy in the capItal, and the concentrated attention of Europe and the civilized world, they assume a new character and attract an almost world-wide Interest.
But we hasten, in the first place, to say that this mIssionary work has no direct and Intended relation to the polttIcal affairs of Turkey. The missionaries of the American Board in Turkey have always been sent out under explicit instructions to abstain from all political activity, from all connection with political movements j and they have faithfully observed those instructions from the first to this day. They act in loyalty to the existing government, they inculcate loyalty thereto upon all who come under their influence in church or school j and the TurkIsh Government has had no truer friends in all its dominions these seventy years than the missionaries of the American Board. They are to a man enthusiastIc lovers of their native land, and intelligent admirers of its government; they have doubtless seen many thIngs in Turkish life and institutions which, in their judgment, were susceptible of improvement. But they have not felt themselves called upon to undertake or advocate a change of government or the introduction of free institutions j but have devoted themselves with all their hearts to the religious and educational work for which they were sent out. The natural effect of their labors and influence is to foster piety and conscientiousness in the individual life, the spirit of brotherly love in all social relations, industry and thrift in business, public spirit and patriotism, and a nobler type of manhood and womanhood. And this has been the real effect to some degree in every city and town, in every hamlet and home, where they have lived and labored. There is no risk in saying that the sum total of human virtue and happiness has been notably increased wherever their influence has been felt, and has varied in close proportion to the effectiveness of that influence. The Porte, in its efforts to promote the welfare of its subjects and the prosperity and greatness of the empire, must have felt itself upheld at every point, and seconded in a noble way, by the missionaries of the Board In their personal influence and in their proper religious labors.
The missionaries have not always been fully credited with such careful limitations of labors or with the loyal attitude they have in fact maintained. More than once they have been accused of fostering a seditious spirit in their pupils, of favoring revolutionary projects among their fol. lowers, and of disturbing the peace of the empire. Sometimes these charges have been made by persons who did not know the missionaries, or were misinformed in regard to them j more often they have sprung from suspicion and enmity. But never in a single instance have these charges been proved; there has never been sufficient real force in them to induce the Porte to give them a thorough official investigation. And to-day, when these accusations reappear in diplomatic conferences, and are widely circulated in official newspapers and documents, and are telegraphed to the press in foreign countries, they are met by the same absolute denial and a fearless challenge of investigation. The few scattered voices, in America and in Europe, that in this hour of cruel wrong and bloody outrage which the Porte has not once disowued or publicly rebuked, still speak in praise of those who are responsible for these deeds and in detraction of the missionaries who repeat in our day the deeds of a Polycarp and a Cyprian aud add a new luster to the Christian name, gain no credence and win no applause. Through all these dreadful weeks and months of regulated and unrepressed murder and robbery, the missionaries have sought peace and not tumult, have counselled submission and n….t rebellion, have maintained their loyalty to the government, and stand to-day without fault and without just accusation. In truth there has been no rebellion to be suppressed, no rising of the Armenians against lawful authority to be put down. The testimony of eye-witnesses proves beyond a question that in everyone of the principal outbreaks murder and pillage broke upon the unarmed and unsul:lpecting victims like a thunderbolt from the clear sky, that there was little resistance, and that Kurds and soldiers shared in the murder and plunder, that the soldiers offered no protection while the havoc went on, aud that when the time for license was ended the authorities were able to put an end to all disorder at once. It was not a wild mob that broke from restraint and worked its mad will; it was regulated murder and robbery, with fixed bounds of time and object. Usually the deadly work began with a signal at noon, and ended at sunset. None but Armenians were attacked or robbed. The missionaries were not directly attacked save at Harpoot. Mission property was guarded save at Harpoot and Marash, where mission buildings were looted and burned and property to the value of above $100,000 destroyed, in Marash by the active efforts of the soldiers who were nominally set to guard that very property. The Sultan again and again has promised protection to the missionaries at every point, and has never once declared them guilty of any wrong, or undeserving of his favor.
The missionary operations in Asiatic Turkey have been no inconsiderable part of the entire volume of work carried on by the American Board. The missionary force and the annual expenditures in this field have been nearly one third of the total amount reported each year. Up to the present time the total expenditures on this field exceed $6,000,000, and the mission plant has a value of at least $1,500,000. The missionary staff from the first days, when Fiske and Parsons and King were the pioneers, through the middle period, made illustrious by such names as Jessup and Van Dyke, Goodell, Dwight, Hamlin, and Bliss, down to the noble company of men and women at the present time, has been a roll of honor, of able and trusted men and women, household names in the churches from which they went forth, and widely known in all missionary circles. To- day the list contains 152 men and women, dIstributed through some twenty chief cities and towns from the Bosphorus to the Russian frontier, from the Euxine to the Mediterranean, among them Constantinople, Brousa, Smyrna, Sivas, Erzeroum, and Aintab. This work has been con- fined to the Armenians, Greeks, and other nominally Christian people in the empire. The Armenians are distributed throughout the empire, mingled with Turks in the same citip.s and towns, being more numerous relatively in Eastern Turkey, but confined to no one section. The Greeks are less widely scattered, being found chiefly in the regIOns bordering on the lEgean Sea and OIl the Black Sea, and in the capital. The aim of missionary effort has been to give to these people the Bible in a language intelligible to all, to awaken a true faith in Jesus Christ, and to develop a genuine Christian life. The reform of the old churches has been sought, and the separate Protestant organization, the result of persecution and not of missionary influence, has always been deemed a temporary adjustment.
The Turkish Government has never cordially welcomed this effort in behalf of its Christian subjects, has looked with more or less disfavor upon the methods employed in making the Bible accessible to all, opening schools for the youth of both sexes, and cUltivating the self-respect and manhood of all who came under their influence. Sometimes this disfavor has been expressed in words, sometimes in a greater or less interference with the work. Of necessity a modus vivendi has been gradually worked out, expressed in treaties and diplomatic correspondence, mutually recog- nized by the Porte and the government at Washington. It is one of the anxious features of the present situation that for some time there has appeared a growing disposition on the part of the Porte to ignore thIS sanction, and to question the validity of the rights so long enjoyed and so fully secured by general and parl.icuJar treaties. American missionaries are now in Turkey, and have been there for seventy years, on the same ,grounds as European missionaries have been there for one hundred and sixty years, on the same grounds as Christian people of various races have been in the Ottoman Empire since the conquest of Constantinople by Mo· hammed II. No diplomatic pressure has opened the way, no specific con- cession of the Sultan on their account has been made j they have come as the citizens of other friendly nations come, and have remaiued in the en- joyment of the common rights belonging to the citizens of friendly powers. In the course of their long residence in the empire, and of the gradual ex- tension of their enterprise to nearly all the most important cities and towns in Asia Minor, many occasions have arisen for defining the rights of these American missionaries, and the action of the Turkish Government in these cases is a further and explicit recognition of their legal standing and the legitimate character of their work. Specific treaties have also been made, guaranteeing to Americans all the rights and privileges yielded to the citizeni'! of the" most favored nation." The occupation of the missionaries has never been made a ground for exceptional treatment, and does not differ from the recognized occupation of the citizens of other friendly nations who reside in Turkey. The missionaries in large numbers are teaehers, in charge of schools of all grades, in which tuition is charged and from which revenue is derived. Several of their number are engaged in the manufacture and sale of books, a business yielding a profit, and as legitimate as any other commercial enterprise. Th:!lt their personal influence ' and efforts are also directed to the encouragement of virtue and piety, honesty of life and conscientiousness of purpose, neither destroys those other aspects of their occupation nor exposes them to the just displeasure of a sovereign who desires the improvement of his people. In a word, the American missionary in Turkey is there by the same right as the American merchant, pursues an occupation as legitimate, and is entitled to the same protection.
The material interest involved in the missionary enterprise in Turkey is by no means inconsiderable. At least $6,000,000 have been expended by American citizens in developing the plant and maintaining its operations for the last seventy years. The annual expenditure of American funds upon this field is now above $160,000, and the annual receipts from various sources on the ground, which are also spent upon the development of the work, amount to at least $70,000 more, making the total annual expenditure $230,000. The greatness of the enterprise itself and the significance of the interest at stake is suggested, but by no means fully expressed, by this annual investment of nearly a quarter of a million dollars. When we consider in what forms this expenditure is expressed, how many churches and schools of various grades, what a volume of literature and text-books, and what a weight of personal and social influence are represented by this sum, the value of the American interest in Turkey, and the validity of it15 claim to immunity, and the importance of its ample and efficient protection, must be clear and convincing to every mind.
It is a grand success which missionary labors in Turkey have attained. It needs but a few statements to make this plain.
The territory of Asiatic Turkey is substantially covered by the labors of the missionaries. Twenty cities and towns are occupied as places of missionary residence, and about three hundred other towns and villages are centers of evangelical teaching and preaching. There are but few considerable places in the whole empire that are not thus reached and blessed by missionary influence. This is a significant fact, and full of promise.
The first evangelical church was organized at Constantinople in 1847, a necessary step after t.he evangelicals were formally excommunicated by the Armenian Patriarch. The last reports from these fields show 111. churches, with 10,935 members, 90 of them having native pastors of their own. The average congregations in all these fields number 32,092, and 24,132 pupils are in regular attendance on the Sunday-schools of the missions. Widely distributed as these communicants and students of the Bible are, it is a very effective leaven which is thus cast into the religious and social life of the nation. In close relation to all this, and still further revealing the happy results of evangelical teaching, is a widespread movement within the bosom of the old AJ'lllenian churches toward a pure gospel, cvangelical preaching, a righteous life, and better education, a movement which the missionaries rejoice in and foster as far as they can. This advance toward the evangelical position is marked at many points in Eastern and Southern Turkey, and is noticeable in every part of the empire.
The schools of the missions are among their most striking and hopeful features. The people are of quick minds, capable of high culture, and ready to welcome it. Education is used by the missions as an indispensable auxiliary to the great end of missionary effort. A native ministry must be raised up capable of sustaining itself and of leading the churches, or there can be no great or permanent result. Christian schools alone can train the men and womcn who are necessary to the self-supporting, self-directing, and self-propagating church, which is the consummate fruit of missionary effort. In Turkey schools undcr the care of the mission have beeu found to be the best centers for evangelistic effort, and the evangelical communities are constantly reinforced therefrom. These schools range from the kindergarten up through day schools, high schools for boys, boarding-schools for girls, to the college and the theological seminary, where the preachers and teachers are trained. It is well-nigh impossible to overestimate the significance of these schools to the vigor and fruitfulness of the missionary movement as a whole. The mind is sharpened and enlarged, manners are softened and refined, character is built up according to the Christian ideal, manhood and womanhood are developed, and the whole life braced and inspired by the, sentiments of duty and loyalty to God. In no respect is the success of the evangelical movement in Turkey more evident than in the place these schools enjoy and in the influence which they wield. In Asiatic Turkey there are four theological schools, with 20 students, 28 high Rchools for boys, including three colleges, with 1213 students; 20 boarding-schools for girls, including three colleges, with 1206 students; 350 common schools,. with 15,555 pupils. Adding to these 1793 pupils. in other schools, we have a grand total of those under instruction amounting t.o 19,812.
The Bible has been translated into all the principal languages that are spoken in the empire, and is widely distributed and read in every part of the land. Text-books for the schools and a Christian literature of no mean volume are also available everywhere in the vernacular of those who desire them. A weekly religious newspaper is published in Reveral languages, and widely circulated in the evangelical communities. In a word, the missionary enterprise in Asiatic Turkey has attained a great suceess. It has gathered a great plant and establish",d itself at strategic points all over the land j it has organized a select and influential evangelical com:- munity, represented by numerous churches and flourishing schools, and is continually enriching its character and widening its influence by the example and instructions of the missionaries, by its own Christian activities, and through the circulation of the Scriptures and a Christian literature. And it stood thus in strength, working only good and peace to the empire and to all its people, when the dire deed at Sassoun was wrought, when the more direful scourge of massacre and robbery swept over the whole eastern section of the land in October, November, and December just past.
We will now briefly mark the salient features of these disasters, and the condition in which for the present they have left the missionary work around them.
There has been serious disturbance of the regular order of things in. every place j in some places only a part of the usual work is now in progress, and in a few instances everything is at a standstill. The massacres, which have fallen on eleven places occupied as stations or places of missionary residence, and upon scores of towns and villages where mission schools and chapels were located, have not only destroyed great numbers of the people among whom our work was carried on, and left those who survived homeless and destitute, and thus have struck at the very heart of the work, they have also destroyed for the time being that confidence in one another which is the necessary basis of social life and industry and trade, and temporarily have thrown many places into anarchy. In these places public worship is suspended, schools are closed, free movement from place to place, and even from one part of a city to another part, is unsafe, and the conditions of effective and continuous missionary work are wanting for the time. In Marsovan and Aintab the colleges and girls' schools are in operation, but the excitement and disorder that surround them seriously interfere with the effectiveness of the work. In Sivas some forms of evangelistic effort are still carried on, though under embarrassing restrictions. In Harpoot and among its villages all ordinary labor is at, an end for the time being j the disaster was too widespread, too destructive, to permit the resumption of work in college or seminary or field for some time to come. In Bitlis and Marash the missionaries are safely guarded, it is true, but are practically cut off from all opportunities of labor. In Trebizond, Erzeroum and Van the entire energies of the missionary force are directed to the administration of relief to the suffering and perishing thousands around them, and the usual missionary labors for this time must take a secondary place.
In a few places there has been serious loss of mission plant. Eight out of twelve buildings belonging to the missionaries in Harpoot were burned, and all the buildings were plundered. At !vIarash the building devoted to the theological seminary was burned, and other school buildings were plundered. And in village after village around Sivas and Cesarea, Trebizond and Erzeroum, Harpoot and Bitlis, Van and Mardin, Marash and Aintab, Oorfa and Hadjin, from the Black Sea southward through the Euphrates Valley and westward to the Mediterranean, chapels and schools in great numbers have been plundered or burned to the ground.
But in the midst of this dire destrnction and thronging danger there are relieving features, heroic deeds, stedfast faith, and in many a case the martyr's glorious crown. When offered the choice of Islam or the sword, Christian men and women not a few, young and old, pastors and people, have chosen death rather than the denial of their Lord. The native pastor in Sivas was caught in the market when the havoc began, and was shut up with several of his people for some hours. He knew thal; death was imminent, and he prayed with hiR people and preached to them, and comforted them as he could. At length the soldiers found him, and at once demanded that he abjure his faith. He refused, and they smote him. Again they called on him to accept Islam, and upon his refusal they struck him again. When the third time they asked him to recant, he answered, like Polycarp, "Not only am I a believer in the religion of Christ, but for years I have been a preacher of it. I cannot give il up. If you' wish to kill me for this, I am ready." And with that he fell, twice pierced by Martini rifle balls.
The true grace of martyrdom has shone out in all this lurid picture as fair as the star in the front of the raging storm, and the glories of the early church have reappeared in our own day and have lifted an oppressed people into the admiring sympathy of lhe civilized world. Christian faith has been put to the last and sternest test, and has not been found wanting.
The missionary ranks also have shared the experiences of those among whom they dwell; they have looked on danger in many a form, and have refused to flee from the post of duty ; some of them have faced death again and again, and in spirit have triumphed over their impotent assailants. Offered safe escort to the sea or to the capital, to a man they have chosen to remain where they are, thrice clad in innocence, and cheered by the all-repaying smile of Duty and of God. They have done no wrong, they have kept faith with the government, they have abstained from every unlawful act, they have sought the good of the whole empire and tb,e peace of its sovereign; and they will not acknowledge a fault of which they are guiltless, nor will they leave a post that is rightly their own. They choose to identify themselves with the stricken people around them, who look to them for example, for help, for comfort, for protection from despair and dealh. They love the cause to which their lives are given, and personal safety with the loss of this seems to them no boon.
No thoughtful person can observe the situation of these missionaries, and mark their course, and note how they choose duty with danger and count not their lives dear unto them if they may testify the grace of God and maintain His cause, without exulting in their manly courage and un-
GREAT CONVENTION OF STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AT LIVERPOOL
daunted faith. Manhood and womanhood with this definition and exercise mean more than heretofore ; the term missionary comes to be almost synonymous with hero and saint; and the movement which can command such devotion and exhibit such sublime virtues is placed beyond successful assault in the honor and respectful veneration of mankind.
There are not wanting signs that these days of strife and blood are to be the prelude to a new expansion of Christian work. In the height of the Arian controversy, when Julian was striving to restore heathenism and displace the Christian faith, Athanasius uttered this brave and foreseeing word: "Nubecula est, transibit j" it is a little cloud, it will pass away. In like assured faith we believe that this night of storm and death will soon give way to the gracious dawn and a glorious day. The mission churches are being sifted, their Christian faith tested, their love confirmed. The missionaries are binding the hearts of the people to them with hooks of steel, by sharing their f~rtunes, by giving them the protection of their preseuce, and by thc ministry of relief. In the coming days their words will have unwonted authority, 1heir persuasions and counsel will be wellnigh resistless. And the Christian life, thus deepened and sublimed, will overflow on every side, will fill the land and make the empire a kingdom of righteousness and peace.
THE GREAT CONVENTION OF STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AT LIVERPOOL.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
One of the most significant gatherings of this century, if not of all the centuries, held its opening sessions in the Young Men's Christian Association hall on the evening of January 1st, with the Lord Bishop of Liverpool (Dr. J. C. Ryle) in the chair.
A more representative gathering of young men and women, having in view the foreign missionary field, has doubtless never before convened. This alone sets on this convention the special mark of a unique distinction. A thousand delegates were present, representing at least thirteen different nationalities, and all branches of the Protestant Church and the whole wide world. It stirred one's deepest emotions to see them filing in, one by one, Chinese and Japanese, Hindus and Armenians, Africans and Americans, Swedes, Norwegians, Danes, Germans, Swiss-all shades of complexion, all varieties of race, all peculiarities of feature, all languages of earth, finding representation in one great assemblage, and all forgetful of minor differences and diversities in the great unity of the Spirit, acknowledging one Lord and essentially one faith. One could only think of the words of our Lord, "They shall come from the East and the West, from the North and South, and sit down in the kingdom of heaven."
It was an awe-inspiring gathering. It seems to mark a new era and epoch in modern church history, and no human forecast can calculate the future outgrowth of this movement. Its momentum is already tremendou8, and well-nigh irresistible. As the eye glanced over this vast assembly, mostly composed of young men and women, and saw only here and thcre a gray head, the possibilities of the next thirty years loomed up grandly and awfully; for who can foresee or foretell the diverse spheres, forms of eervice and suffering, varieties of ministry to human ignorance and want, heroic self-denials and valian1; examples of faith, unselfishness, and holy living which are destined to frame themselves into the structure of the ages out of the raw material here brought together for the Master's shaping hand?
Great were the expectations that centered about this opening meeting, and they were not disappointed. The Lord Bishop who presided is known to many of Christ's dear people as the author of that tract which has shaped so many lives for God, "Come to Jesus," and his pen has done more than one distinguished service to the cause of Christ. Having reached his fourscore years, his eye seems undimmed and his natural force little abated. His opening address was brief, but full of evaQgelical tone and hearty sympathy. He referred incidentally to a simple-minded negro who was daily wont to pray that there might be " a full heaven and an empty hell," and encouraged his younger brethren to go forth seeking to realize this prayer.
One memorable sentiment of the Lord Bishop will find echo in many a true heart outside of that Liverpool gathering. He earnestly deprecated any conflict or dissension between these two great countrie8, Britain and America, as well he might. Certainly such alienation and antagonism could create a jubilee only in hell. These two nations have a history and a destiny that are singularly interwoven. In the woof and warp mingle the same threads of language and literature, of manners and customs, of character and culture, of moral principles and religious faith. The very names inseparable from British territory are embedded in American soil- Cambridge, York, Oxford, Birmingham, Worcester, Leicester, etc. The great men and women of Britain belong to America, and the family life of these two nations is so interlinked that they are inseparable. War between England and the United States ought to be-and we believe is-impossible; it should be inconceivable, It was said of Michael Angelo and Raphael that, altho their preeminence in the fine arts and the entire tendencies of their times were toward mutual distrust, jealousy and rivalry, each of these great men rose so high above the common level of the men of his day that, like twin mountains rising from a level plain, they could not but look each other in the face and feel themselves necessary companions to each other. And so these two great nations, rising on opposite sides of the sea to such superior heights, are necessary to each other, and should not forget that both stand for the same Protestant Christianity. From their summits flashes the light from the same cross; and let us believe and hope that, instead of war between them, they will unite in war against common foes of God and man, and all the powers of darkness. To rend such nations asunder is to rend the cross itself, inwoven with their common fabric Qf histQry Qut Qf crimsQu tlneads dyed by the blood of martyrs which belong alike to both countries.
To follow a five days' meeting or series of meetings and gi'e a detailed account of them is of course impracticable in these pages. All we aim to do is to sketch the main features of the gathering as a whole, reproducing wholly or in part some of the main addresses or papers, and especially giving the solid nuggets of suggestion and information which constitute the richest contribution to the general cause of missions. The Philharmonic Hall, where these monster meetings were held, was found singularly adapted to the purpose. It has a capacity for about three thousand, and was filled at each service. Mr. Donald Fraser, himself the main organizer of the convention, and a student, presided at the general meetings, and very simply and sensibly, without self-intrusion or needless ceremony. This relieved the meetings of the useless form, so often a weariness, of having some distinguished man in the chair, who is expected to make a speech and to whom some vote of thanks, with one or more speeches in support of the motion, must afterward be made.
The exercises, promptly begun and carried on without delay, in few cases outlasted one hour and three quarters at anyone session, averaging three half-hour addresses at each meeting.
Every day opened with an hour of prayer, and uniformly these meetings proved fully attended and of deep interest. This was one of the most hopeful signs of the whole conference. Wherever a spirit of grace and of supplication is not first poured out, no other blessing of a permanent sort evel· follows. The Church is slow to learn this; but it is one of God's primary lessons. He will be inquired of, and recognized as the source of all blessing. If our dependence is on human planning and organizing, on eloquent speaking and literary attraction, on elaborate entertainments and artistic music, on human patronage and secular methods, there may be apparent succesS and a demonstrative enthusiasm, but iti is all like a flash from powder in the pan, and carries no lasting propulsive force.
In no convention to our remembrance hag every step seemed more manifestly a step !orwa.l·d, and it must needs he so where the spirit of prayerful dependence on God is first of all cultivated. Noisy applause, which so frequently begets uproar and confusion, and both interrupts and sometimes confuses a speaker, became more and more distasteful as tho presence of the Spirit of Gou grew more vividly real, and both speakers and hearers seemed to feel His invisible control. There was also singular freedom from all attempts at ambitious intellectualism-the display of rhetorical fireworks, set speeches, learned essays, grandiloquent orations-none of these have had any place in these assemblies. Simplicity, solidity, spirituality, the practical truth fitted for young men and women ernerging into actual life of duty and sacrifice-these were the controlling features of all the addresses to an almost unprecedented degree.
Of course sectional meetings had to be resorted to, as the time would not suffice for large public and general assemblies in the interest of specific phases of mission work. India, South America, China and Japan, Africa, the Jews, etc., had each a separate meeting on Thursday, January 2d. On Friday morning the conference broke up on phases of work, as, on the day before, on fields; and in as mauy sectional meetings, evangelistic, medical, educational, and" Bombay Settlement" forms of service received separate treatment from most competent hands. Then on Saturday afternoon the societies were the basis of the cleavage, and nine separate assemblies convened to consider the work of the Church Missionary, London Missionary, Presbyterian, Calvinistic Methodist, Baptist, Wesleyan, China Inlaud, and Zenana societies.
Whoever doubts that beneath all the diversity and variety of denominations there is real unity among true evangelical believers should have been present at these great meetings. Here Anglicans anti Wesleyans, Baptists and Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Methodists, Lutherans and Moravians were all found sitting together in loving fraternal counsel. Not a discordant note was struck. And, as one of the speakers at the opening meeting remarked, unity in diversity is the Lord's mode of operation everywhere. God forms man in families with vast variety even among individuals, not in regiments, where there is little to distinguish one from the other. Uniformity is monotony. The mother who hugs her babe to her breast and declares" there never was such a child" is right; there never was and never will be ; and one reason for seeking to save every child is, that every child unsaved represents a type of character unique and solitary; to let any child perish is to permit to be lost by neglect one child like whom there was never to be any other.
Never have we felt the substantial and vital unity of the true body of believers more than during these five days that opened this new year. Not a speech was made or a prayer offered or a hymn sung that could not have been equally well made in all that constituted its real core and heart by any other of the speakers or almost any other of the audience that represented the evangelical body of believers.
Another impression that grew with the progress of the meetings was the entire capacity and competency of the Ohurch to carry out our Lord's last command, and to do it promptly and within the lifetime of our own generation.
Mr. C. T. Studd, so well known as one of the famous Cambridge band that ten years ago, in connection with Stanley Smith and others, went to China, gave some startling figures to his audience as he contrasted the nearly 400,000,000 of Chinese with 2000 missionaries, half of whom are women, and the 40,000,000 inhabitants of Britain, with 30,000 ordamed clergymen in the Church of England alone, and in all denominations an aggregate of 50,000'; and this besides all the numerous so-called lay workers, who far outnumber the total of ordained preachers. He had undert~ken, he said, to estimate the total number of Christians engaged in various forms of evangelistic and soul-saving work in Great Britain alone, and before he had got two fifths of the way through the Wesleyan body alone the estimate reached seventy thousand, and he found it impracticable to ascertain the real aggregate, because so many were engaged in work that has no definite classification or reported form.
It is well to linger, perhaps, on this contrast for the sake of the lesson it teaches. Here is a great Oriental nation with a population numbering nearly one third of the world's population-certainly one fourth. It has not more than one regularly qualified missionary for every 30,000 people. Great Britain, with 40,000,000 people, has one ordained minister to every eight hundred souls; and if we count in all competent Christian workers engaged in evangelistic effort, there is one to every two hundred, if not more than one. When it comes to average wealth, what shall we say ~ Another speaker told us that from a careful estimate of the aggregate wealth of Protestant disciples the world over, it was calculated that not more than one quarter of a farthing to the pound-i.e., or about one cent out of every nine dollars and a half-goes to the mission cause. We can only recall the emphatic testimony of Caleb and Joshua to the children of Israel: " Let us go up and possess the land, for we be well able to overcome it."
How many times must it be reaffirmed ~ There is nothing in numbers or wealth to prevent the Protestant churches of the world from at once taking possession of the world for Christ. As to numbers, we have only to send to the field one out of every hundred church-members to put a working force of 400,000 men and women into the work; and we have only to give one tenth of the wealth in the hands of Protestant disciples to the support of those workers to have at disposal an income of £75,000,000, or $375,000,000 annually to apply to the world's evangelization.. Of course facts and figures, however marshaled before disciples who are asleep, apathetic, indifferent, will not alone ever suffice to awake, arouse, and transform them into active workers and liberal givers. But these possibilities must be submitted for the consideration of God's people, even tho, like all other rejected, neglected truths, it ends only in deeper condemnation.
No more awe-inspiring conception ever occurs to my own mind than that of the judgment-seat of Christ, as already erected just within the veil where He has entered, and as a tribunal to which may at every instant be now referred every perplexing question or ensnaring allurement, for a clear, decisive, conclusive judgment. To hold up every motive, word, thought, habit, indulgence, or purpose of life before that invisible tribunal, survey it in the light of its searching inquiry, and test it and weigh it as in the scales of eternity-that is to learn to look upon every matter which now engages attention as it will be looked upon in the solemn review of the last day. The melancholy fact is that very few of us, and in very few of our affairs, subject our c~lUrse to such divine arbitration and decision. We consult the tribunal of public opinion or the still more corrupt court of prevailing custom. Weare content to do as others do and be as others are. We measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves among ourselves, which is far from wise. To take an imperfect standard is both to justify and perpetuate imperfection j and as all imperfection on our standards tends to degeneracy in the product, even our standard itself gets lower and lower. Ve must erect anew the standard of God, and measure and weigh by that. Thl3n we shall begin to see that a revol'ution is necessary before we shall bring our preaching and praying, our living and giving back toward the divine idea and ideal. Let everyone of us dare, in secret, to hold up his own daily conduct and hidden promptings to the bright light of the omniscient eye and the holy touch of God, and as He judges may we judge, for no other decision is safe.
Now that this great gathering has dispersed, one naturally looks back, in review of its proceedings, to get one last general glimpse of it as a whole j and it does not suffer in comparison with any missionary convention held within our recollection.
One impression, quite emphatic, is that the whole ordering of this five days' conference was singularly faultless. One scarcely expects to find younger shoulders surmounted by wise heads. vVhen a thousand young men and women meet in such assembly, and the whole conduct of the meetings is in comparatively inexperienced hands, it would not be surprising if serious blunders were made. We often see enthusiasm rampant, overriding better judgment; more "action" than "counsel," more impulse than self-control, more excitement than moderation, displayed in large gatherings of young people; but throughout this colossal convention's sessions there was a calmness, self-repression, freedom from intrusive and ambitious declamation, a wise forethought, discreet management, that we have never -seen surpassed.
For example, at all the great central gatherings, one man, himself a Student Volunteer, just on the eve of departure for Nyassaland, presided. With simplicity, dignity, modesty he took the chair, made no speeches, quietly kept track of time, and without offensive mannerisms held speakers to their limits, and so kept the meetings from becoming burdensome by tediousness. Mr. Donald Fraser, by common consent, uniformly presided, and it was certainly a model of presiding, eliciting universal approbation. He made no flattering introductions of speakers, in not a single case indulging in that common vice of great assemblies; he quietly discouraged all noisy, demonstrative applause, counseling all to "listen as in the silence of God;" he emphasized prayer and praise, and had no session open without a brief and singularly pertinent reading from the Scripture, generally only a few verses, read by himself, but with much care in selection and tenderness of manner; he counseled his brethren to do all things quietly, in order, avoiding haste and confusion, and bade them remember that their own calmness and peace and prayerfulness would have much to do with the general tone of the gathering; and, in a word, we all felt that, behind this visible leader was Another, far greater than himself, who was actually and invisibly condncting the great assembly.
One or two instances may be mentioned of the singular felicity with which Mr. Donald Fraser guided the convention. When, on Saturday night, it seemed necessary to take a large offering to meet the expenses of the great conference, at least nine hundred pounds were announced to be needed to cover outlay, and help in the work of the year to come. Many foreign delegates needed aid in meeting the heavy cost of their own travel, and in establishing on the Continent branches of the Student V01unteer Movement Union. Mr. Mott, now going around the world to kindle new missionary fires, had appealed for help in visiting Australia to encourage the Volunteer movement there; the cost of securing speakers from afar ought, of course, to be paid; and so a large amount was needful. How to raise it, without undue urgency, or repeated appeal, or dependence upon unscriptural and unwholesome methods, was a matter of much prayerful thought. Mr. Fraser, before the meeting began, quietly instructed his corps of helpers how to conduct the whole business as before God, without any hurry or worry, and with a contagious spirit of consecration. Theu, with blank forms of subscription, these young men to@k their stations, scattered at regular intervals through the audience; at a given signal, after announcement, from the chair of the intended gathering of offerings, a clear statement by the financial secretary of the exact sum needed and for what, and a simple earnest prayer for Divine prompting in all hearts, these young men with military precision moved about among the audience, until everyone present had a subscription paper. Then there was a pause for prayer, and all were requested to give as God might lead j then the papers were partially collected, and the amounts read from the platform without announcing any names ; then another pause, another season of prayer, and the work of subscribing aud gathering offerings was completed, and the whole mass of uncounted subscriptions passed into the hands of collectors, the result to be subsequently announced ; then another prayer, with praise to God for the accomplishment of the desire previously presented at His throne of grace, while as yet the result was known only to Him, and the Doxology was sung and the meeting quietly dispersed. Anyone present could have had little doubt that God would honor such expectant faith ; and it proved that, instead of the nine hundred, pounds desired, some seventeen hundred were realized-enough, beside the necessary sum required for actual outlay, to distribute eight hundred pounds to the continental contingent for a forward movement among the European universities. Mr. Fraser had remarked, before the gifts were collected, that, in this act of offering consecrated substance to the Lord, the very " climax of such a meeting might and should be reached ;" and it was. There was not a session wherein, notwithstanding the feature of the" collection," which is often so unpleasant if not offensive, spiritual joy and power were more regnant. And the great Giver of all good showed how, when He moves on His own dear people, they bring the tithes in, so that there is abundance of meat in His house, and abundance of blessing outpoured on givers.
Another striking feature of Mr. Fraser's conduct of these great assemblies was seen in the closing session of Sunday evening, January 5th. He naturally made the address in which the last words were spoken. He was very brief, occupying not over fifteen minutes, and spoke as quietly as he had done all else. The seed thought of his address was that key to the Acts of the Apostles, " It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us" (Acts 15 : 28). He referred to the great fact of the presidency of the Spirit in the primitive Church, to His indwelling and inworking in disciples, so tha.t when Peter spake at Pentecost, it was the Holy Ghost and Peter, and when disciples at the first Church council at Jerusalem drew up their deliverance it was the joint verdict of the Holy Ghost and tb,em. Then he besought the brethren present to remember that, as they went forth, they were to go in partnership with God; back to the college, as Spirit-filled men, into fields at home aud abroad, to do and suffer for God and with Christ. We hope yet to produce this simple, cha.rming address in full, but meanwhile we leave this on record, that it was a fit close to a great gathering in which the one prevailing impression was that God was there.
The hidden history of that convention some of us happen to know. It was conceived in prayer and nurtured in prayer. Every step has been taken in waiting dependence on God, and if wisdom was not given the step was delayed until it was manifest what God's will was. The reward was great, for from the opening hymn to the closing benediction we can now look back on no wasted time, no vain speeches, no note of discord, no unhappy blunders. There were many wheels within the greater wheel of the convention, but they all moved in one direction, and we felt the Spirit of the living God to be in the wheels. Mr. Fraser succeeded in his presiding because God was in him and with him, and hence we are not complimenting the man, but honoring his Master in commending the conduct of the meeting.
Most noticeable is it also that in this gathering there was no attempt to spread before ns a great array of distinguished names. Hundreds of men and women in the kingdom, whose reputation is world-wide, might have been asked to speak; but there was no announcement of speakers beforehand, no sensational subjects, no substitution of fame for spirituality. The one thought seemed to be unity of impression and the power of God. The speakers were not orators, but men and women who were known for sanctified common sense, true devotion to missions, and soundness of faith. Such men as Eugene Stock and Dr. George Smith, C. T. Studd, Rev. Edgerton Young, Rev. H. P. Beach, Sherwood Eddy, Bishop
MEXICO, HER NEEDS AND OUR DUTY
Ryle, Rev. Charles Garrett, and Rev. F. B. Meyer, and such women as Mrs. Duncan McLaren and Miss Gollock and Miss Selincourt are a sufficient proof of the sort of speaking sought for; and the result proves that the whole effort to supply flashy and brilliant orators for such occasions is a mistake. We heard nothing approaching a "star speech." Dr. Smith's grand historical review of the century, condensing the studies of thirty years into half an hour, was a magnificent marshaling of facts, rhetorically complete, yet there was no finish about it, but the unconscious completeness of truth put in crystalline clearness and beauty before us. Eugene Stock's discourse on "character tested and trained" was a mine of jewels, but there was no artificial lustre about it ; and so all along the one grand impression was that we were hearing God speak through divers mouths but one harmonious message. We thought of those words: " The Lord gave the Word ; Great was the company of those that published it."
We turned away from Philharmonic Hall Sunday night, marveling what new and greater surprises God may have for us in the coming career of that thousand select and elect young men and women.
Let unceasing prayer go up to Him in their behalf !
MEXICO, HER NEEDS AND OUR DUTY.
BY ROBERT E. SPEER, NEW YORK CITY.
While the world is the field for all Christians and Christian nations, there are special fields for each. In a peculiar degree Great Britain is responsible for the evangelization of India, France for the evangelization of the Niger Valley, while we have confessed ,our responsibility for the nations to the south of us by the famous declaration of President Monroe in his annual message to the Eighteenth Congress on December 2d, 1823 : " With the governments (on this hemisphere) which have declared their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have on great consideration and just principles acknowledged, we could not view an interposition for oppressing them or controlling in any other manner their destiny by any European power in any other light than as a manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States." This assumption of political responsibility, as the tutelary power of this hemisphere, 'we have at no small pains maintained. But by it we have made ourselves responsible for much more than the independence of the American republics from European aggression. We have charged ourselves publicly with the obligation of giving to these neighbors the only secret of stability and strength for a free nation. This at least the Christian man dare not refrain from reading into the Monroe doctrine, as in its highest sense, a mission~ ary declaration. By the traditions of the past and the necessities of the present we are more closely bound to Mexioo than to any other American nation, and we owe to her on many counts a pure faith and a Bible for all.
A pure faith for a corrupt-this is Mexico's need. Christ's Christianity was not brought here when the pious soldiers of Cortez subdued the Jand in " the holy war" of 1521, and his priests baptized four million people in a few years, one man baptizing about five thousand in one day, and not desisting until he was unable longer to lift his hands. The effect was inevitable. "The introduction of the Roman religion," declared Humboldt, "had no other effect upon the Mexicans than to substitute new ceremonies and symbols for the rites of a sanguinary worship. Dogma has not succeeded dogma, but only ceremony to ceremony." On such a church feasted a corrupt and crafty priesthood, the support and product of the tyrannical political system which lasted from Cortez's conquest for three centuries. In the struggle for freedom from the ecclesiastical bondage which lasted even after the yoke of Spanish authority had been thrown off, Sefior Lerdo compiled, in 1850, as Minister of Public Works, a statement of the wealth of the Mexican hierarchy, showing that it owned 861 estates of the value of $71,000,000, and 22,000 city lots valued at $113,000,000. This was but a partial revelation. The yearly income of the priests was estimated at $25,000,000, while the whole banking business, loans and mortgages, was in their hands, and a bankrupt government was helpless before them. Of nearly half the property in the City of Mexico the archbishop was the virtual owner. The Church possessed wealth in other forms. Three bejewelled petticoats of the Virgin of Remedios, a figure of the Virgin Mary, in the Cathedral of Puebla, were believed to be worth $3,000,000. The profligacy and corruption consequent upon this wealth were fearful. Twelve bishops in 1793 had an income of $539,000.
In this luxury and wealth Mexicans had but little share. The priesthood was a Spanish incubus, working ever' toward the subjection of the native peoples and the maintenance of European control. From the beginning the Aztec had no part in it, and at the end of its supremacy it was alien to the people whom it had oppressed. It was a heavy oppression. There were at one time more than fifty monasteries and convents in Mexico City alone. Robertson says: "In the year 1644 the City of Mexico presented a petition to the King of Spain, praying that no new monastery be founded, and that the revenue of those already established might be circumscribed, otherwise the religious houses woul': soon acquire the ,property of the whole country." In Mexico City the monastery of San Francisco covered four large blocks, while at San Luis Potosi was another nearly as ~arge, many of its walls still standing, six or eight feet thick. On one corner of the property is now a Presbyterian church, while in Mexico City the Methodist church and printing establishment occupy a part of the great monastery-the greatest in the New World, and peopled at the time of its confiscation by fourteen monks! The heavy walls of many of these old monasteries furnished safe and secret sepulcher for the victims of the Inquisition. Corruption was the fruit of this evil supremacy. Butler, in " Mexico in Transition, " one of the best books on Mexico, quotes the testimony of the Abbe Emanuel Domenech, chaplain of the French expedition- ary force, who published in Paris in 1867 a report of a tour of observa- tion he was required to make before leaving Mexico, to investigate the rumors of the low moral and religious condition of the clergy and Church of Rome in Mexico. The report is entitled " Mexico as it is, the Truth Respecting its Climate, its Inhabitants, and its Government." The abbe was a prominent clergyman of the Romish Church of France. His report is one of the most damaging revelations to be found anywhere of the life nourished by the Church of Rome in lands completely under her control.
" Mexican faith is a dead faith. The abuse of external ceremonies, the facility of reconciling the devil with God, the absence of internal exercises of piety, have killed the faith in Mexico. It is in vain to seek good fruit from the worthless tree, which makes Mexican religion a singular assemblage of heartless devotion, shameful ignorance, insane superstition. and hideous vice. . " The idolatrous character of Mexican Catholicism is a fact well known to all trave~rs. The worship of saints and madonnas so absorbs the devotion of the people that little time is left to think about God. Religious ceremonies are performed with a most lamentable indifference and want of decorum. • .• One day I was present at an Indian dance, celebrated in honor of the patron saint of the village. Twenty- . four boys and girls were dancing in the church, in the presence of the priest. An Indian, with his face concealed under a mask of an imaginary divinity resem· bling the devil, with horns and claws, was dil'ecting the figures of the dance, which reminded me of that of the Redskins! I remarked to the Driest. who for all that was an excellent priest, that it was very incongruous to permit such a frolic in a church.
" , The old customs,' he replied, • are respectable ; it is well to preserve them, only taking care that they do not degenerate into orgies.' . . .
" During holy week I ha ve seen processiolli! of three thonsand persons stripped and covered only with sackcloth, so coarse as to show that the individual had not even a shirt. The different phases of the passion of Christ were represented by groups of painted statues large as life, and by men and women placed upon stages, borne on the shoulders of hundreds of Indians. The bearers, bending under the weight of their burden, would go, from time to time, to refresh them· selves at the liquor shops, leaving in the middle of the streets the groups representing the Passion. Jews and R'Omans, decked with helmets of tin plate, breast· plates of pasteboard, and breeches embroidered with silver, made a part of the procession. ,.
The Church c01ltrolled marriage, and fixed the fee so high as to force the mass of the people into concubinage. Formal marriage was beyond their means. She controlled education, and was happy to ensure the per- manent ignorance of the people. She controlled baptism and burial j held the keys of life and of death, and by all the curses of the life that now is and of the world to come drove into darkness those whom she should have led into light. At the outset she substituted for the living Christ an image of the Virgin, a wooden figure, "Virgin de los Remedios," brought over from Spain by the army of Cortez. On the Nacke Triste the imagedisap_ peared, but was miraculously preserved and became increasingly the deity of the Spanish party. The enmity between the conquering Spaniards and the conquered natives made it desirable to have a Virgin who would com- mand the loyalty of the people. Most opportunely just such a Virgin was miraculously provided. With some modification and apparent seriousness Archbishop Corrigan told the story of the revelation of this Virgin of Guadaloupe in a sermon in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City, on December 1st, 1895 : " It was on December 9th, 1531, that Juan Diego, a Catholic Indian of little education, while passing among the hills on the outskirts of the Mexican city of Tlaltlolco, waR suddenly accosted by a beautiful woman who seemed to descend from the sky. She addressed him in friendly terms, and told him that it was her desire that he should tell the bishop of the diocese that it was the will of Heaven that a temple should be erected on the spot in honor of the Madonna. She then disappeared. Juan went to the bishop and related what had occurred, but his story was listened to with incredulity. He was told to go away and obtain more convincing proofs of his statements. He visited the same spot the next day, and was again confronted by the apparition. The same request was made of him, and he again told the bishop of it. The latter was circumspect. He nevertheless told Juan to pass the place of visitation once more, and if he saw the woman to ask her for some substantial evidence that she was commissioned from heaven.
" On account of the sickness of his uncle, Juan, on the succeeding day, was hurrying past the place, when he was for the third time stopped. On this occasion the woman was more beautiful and resplendent than before. When Juan told her, in humble terms, what the bishop had said, she told him to go to a spot where nothing but weeds were known to grow, and that he would find there bushes of roses in full bloom. She told him to take them to the prelate. She then vanished.
"While proceeding to the spot indicated, Juan was surprised to find that the rough cape he wore was imprinted with an exact likeness of the person who had visited him. To his great astonishment, he found the roses in bloom and took them with the cape to the bishop Both were convincing proof that something of a very extraordinary nature had happened. The news spread far and wide, and t.he place was thronged with wondering persons from all over Mexico. The cape with the wonderful imprint was the object of much veneration. It contained various colors, and appeared on both sides as if inwoven. There were the stars that Juan had seen around the wonderful woman's head, and the halo of light which surrounded her. It was hung in the church and afterward in the temple erected on the spot where the miracle occurred. As early as 1666 the matter was brought to the attention of Rome, and an investigation was made. Since then other investigations have been made by the Sacred Congregation of Rights at Rome. All of these investigations strengthened the belief in the miracle. The final one was approved by the Holy See on March 6th, 1894."
For all this Archbishop Corrigan is willing to vouch! Three and a half centuries have not brought emancipation.
These two virgins are the deities of Mexico to-day, with the Christs, white for the light skinned, and black for the dark skinned, that each may have a suitable image, a new idol to take the price of the teocalli and the stone idolll of old j for the priests had no thought of conversion of char- acter. They aimed only at a degree of external conformity. The old habits, modes of thought, religious ideas were not interfered with. New idols for the oli, new priests, new ceremonies, new incantations-that was all. The effect of the mixture is picturesque, but it is not Christianity_ It is doubtful if it is religion. Whatever it is, however, it has many fea- tures wholly superstitious, half pathetic, half grotesque. I cannot describe one of them as il~ustration better than by a quotation from my own diary : .. ZACATECAS, MEXICO, January 17, 1894. .. Perfect afternoon. Every afternoon perfect in this land. The bluest of skies, and earth matching heaven in the richness of its coloring. Took a picture of the finely carved brown-stone front of the cathedral from a roof opposite. The criminals from the penitentiary, who were working merrily on the street, looked up interestedly. At four went to the baptism of the animals at the picturesque little Church of Jesus. This church was built by voluntary work from voluntary offerings. After his day's labor a man would bring a stone from the quarry and leave it at the church. So the material was gathered. It is built on the side of a hill overlooking a deep. dry valley, beyond which the sun. goes down in a perfect wealth of glory. This is the day of San Antonio the Abbot. He was the animals' friend. They understood his sermons. On his day the animals go to church and are baptized and blessed. " On the way to the church we saw people with bird cages gayly decorated with colored papers and tinsel streamers. Almost no one at the church when we arrived, altho there was much expectation in the air. I had scarcely taken a seat in a corner, with the sun properly placed for picture-taking, when the crowds began to come, the poor people bringing their own animals, and servants the animals of the rich. Chic'kens, pigeons, all kinds of birds, doves, cats, dogs, 11 little brown pig who trotted in and out with pink paper pennons flying all over him; a dog with a gilt crown with feathers in it, and a long, lace paper dress; a big black dog with green and pink papers; roosters with pasteboard stove·pipe hats; a cat with a bonnet and a finely worked velvet short coat; rabbits in arms and in cages; a guinea pig dressed in gold ; two dogs with each quarter painted a different color; a sheep and three rams (one black, one white, and a small, rambunctious one painted pink, who stood up frequently to view the proceedings when tormented by some small boys); a green parrot with a yellow head; wee girls holding pigeons-all these animals were led into the church and arranged in two long rows in the body of the church. The Mexican churches in the main have no seats. As soon as the church was full the people who had charge of the animals knelt down, and a young priest, clad in a long black robe, went up and down the space between the kneeling lines, reading Latin-to which some of the animals made intelligible responses-and sprinkling water with a long tin sprinkler, which he filled from a bucket carried by a small boy in a long red gown. A large horse came to the door of the church, together with several donkeys, decorated with bronze frontlets and tin pieces on their hips. When the baptism within was completed, the priest came out into the church-yard, where he held a special service over the burros, but his speech was unintelligible. One fine horse stood in the street just outside the gate, and the priest stood in the gate and sprinkled it, lIexican law not allowing any religious service outside of church grounds. On our way home met scores of people carrying or leading all sorts of animals grotesquely decorated. Some of them seemed to see the ludicrousn~ss of it. Small boys respond at once to a wink. On the whole, the animals seemed to object to the ceremony. The big black dog was drenched with water, his fine green and pink papers soaked. The roosters could not refrain from crowing with exultation, and the other animals also had evidently not been to church frequently enough to be properly quiet. The small brown pig nar· rowlyescaped destruction at the mouth of the large dog. It was evidently a gala day. Everyone was dressed up. This did not involve in most cases, however, any excess of garments. What a diabolically ludicrous scene it all was! If only it meant larger love for the dumb brutes one could understand it and sympathize with it; but the poor burros and horses are treated outrageously. Their religion is meaningless, whether regarded in its bearings upon animals or upon the souls of men.
" At Santa Clara animals when sick are taken to church, and for a compensation the priest exercises them in the church or the church-yard, and praying for them, exorcises them too.
"The meaning of the baptism is this: people think the animals have evil spirits, and try to have the evil spirits driven out by this ceremony. San Antonio is painted accompanied by a pig. They call the pig' Cochina de San Antonio.'
" Three soldiers guard one or two convicts working on the street. Employment must be found for the standing army, or President Diaz-a Dios. The convicts look up and beg as we pass by."
Mary and the saints constitute the Mexican pantheon. The living God is not known, and the Christ is afar off. If there was a true faith ill the past, only its corpse or its ashes remain. If we lift the covering to-day, as Hopkinson Smith says, the dead body can be seen. Liberalism is the religion of the men who rule Mexico, while the Indians worship their Christian idols and the women tIle Virgin's form. The roulette wheel spins at the church fair, and tawdry bull and cock fights afford Sunday delight. Apparitions of the Virgin are still discovered on the leaves of the maguey plant and worshiped. Idolatry is not forbidden by the Ten Commandments as given to the people by the Church. In the Mexican decalogue the second commandment is, "Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain ;" the third, "Thou shalt keep the feasts;" and the tenth commandment is divided into two to make out the number, the second command as given to Moses being wholly omitted, and the fourth distorted into the injunction to observe the feasts.
These generalizations can be abundantly verified in any community in Mexico. At Parras, an old town, three centuries old, with some of the original bnildings still standing, in the State of Coahuila, twenty miles by diligence from the railroad, there is a little white chapel perched on a high rock overlooking a rough plain studded with maguey and mesquite. The " Capilla del Madero" is visible from a far distance, and is a shrine of great sanctity. The local belief, held unshakably, is that upon this rock a cross miraculously appeared one night years ago, when two prieE'ts were visiting the village, and that the priests at once ordered the chapel to be erected over the cross. This was done, but immediately several great fissures appeared in the rock, through which the conquered devil escaped. Pilgrimages have since been made annually to the cross, which grows an inch or so yearly. This growth is cut off and sold as precious relics. On the pilgrimages people have measured this length wearily, slowly, over the plain and up the hill, bleeding and worn, to seek blessing at the cross, and the walls of the chapel are covered with votive tablets, rudely drawn, testifying to miraculous assistance and cures. In the chapel of the Virgin of Guadeloupe, near Mexico City, where Juan Diego's blauket with its miraculous picture is preserved, there are many similar tablets. One of these represents a man falling by accident from a housetop, suddenly checked and suspended in midair by a happy thought of the saint of the chapel. Another was the offering of a man spared from death by robbers because gazing raptly at a picture of the Virgin, while his innocent children were murdered in bed, the tablet gorgeously presenting the whole scene. There are thousands of such tablets in Mexican churches, aud their storage rooms are littered with crucifixes, and virgins, and Christs, graven images, the work of men's hands.
The marvel is that after three hundred years of this, the oppression of the Spanish tyrants and the deadening paralysis of the Church of Rome, unchecked by the atmosphere of freedom, any manliness, or strength, or spirit was left in the Mexican nation. The conquest had been most cruel and repressive. Even Clavigero, the Jesuit historian of Mexico, confessed that the Spaniards "in one year of merciless massacre sacrificed more human victims to avarice and ambition than the Indians, during the existence of their empire, devoted in chaste worship to their gods." The soldiers of Cortez destroyed the records of the Aztecs-records of untold value. A system of peonage was introduced that was slavery. One good priest, Las Casas, is remembered now, almost a solitary exception to the great mass, as the protector of the Indians. From Cortez until 1821 sixty-one viceroys in succession governed Mexico, enforcing legislation devised in Spain, destroying all industries which might compete in Spanish markets or shut Spanish goods out of home markets, ruining the land under forms of law, or robbing it without law, pillaging its mines of silver and the hearts of its people of the joys of life and the peace of death. It is a testimony to the strength and worth of the nation that all this did not destroy the spirit of liberty, did not crush from them that passion after right which makes true children of a living God everywhere readier to fight and die for truth and justice than to live in the tame bondage of a lying peace. Mexico won her freedom against odds, and in a contest compared with which our struggle for independence was child's play. Hidalgo, Morelos, and Nicolas Bravo are names to be set beside any of ours. They show that there were some, at least, even among the priesthood, who loved liberty, and counted the far-off vision of it sweet.er even than the breath of life. If they failed, yet over their dead bodies the cause of Mexican independence moved steadily on, and at the last they failed not.
.. They never fail who die in a great cause."
Benito Juarez, a pure Indian, in 1855-57 established free institutions, a free constitution, religious liberty, free speech, free schools, the secularization of the ill-gotten wealth of the Church, and, in advance' of the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom and protection to all slaves who entered the national territory. The Maximilian fiasco was only a sad episode. Mexico had a better destiny.
Before his death, Juarez, whom Mexicans reverently and rightly regard as their Washington, declared: ' , Upon the development of Protestantism largely depends the future happiness of our country." Protestantism had entered Mexico in 1847 between the covers of the Bibles carried in the knapsacks of American soldiers. It entered to remain and to increase. Melinda Rankin, from her seminary at Brownsville, Tex., sent Bibles and Christian pupils into Mexico, and in 1864, after ten years' work, crossed over herself to Monterey. In 1865, in Mexico City, Francisco Aguilas, who had withdrawn from the Roman priesthood, gathered those who were seeking to follow a pure religion, and on the coming of the Rev. Henry C. Riley, in 1869, sent by the American and Foreign Christian Union, this company formed the first Protestant church in Mexico City, which was soon mightly reinforced by the conversion of Manuel Aguas, a Dominican friar, who had been chosen as the antagonist of Mr. Riley. This church jn Mexico City was not the first Protestant church in the country. In 1867, as the result of Miss Rankin's colporteurs' work, an independent evangelical congregation was formed in the house of Juan Amador, at Villa de Cos, a village fifty miles northeast of Zacatecas. The field was ripe to the harvest, and in 1872 the Presbyterian missionaries entered, the Methodists in 1873, the Congregationalists in 1880, and the Baptists the next year. The spirit of God had gone before the missionaries. Independent congregations had sprung up in many places, the fruit of scattered Bibles. In 1871 a Mexican opened a bookstore in Zitacauro, and offered for sale four hundred Bibles and tracts. The .state of Michoacan, in which Zitacauro is situated, has always been peopled with bold and independent men. The liberators were born there. Its people were most stubborn in their resistance to Spanish oppression, and most fearless of Romish superstition. In the war for independence they took the images out of the churches and piled them up for bonfires, saying, "If these are gods they won't burn, and if they are not gods they might better burn." The Bibles spoke the needed message to them, and congregations sprung up in a score of places. Sr. Rodriguez, au aged and blind preacher, able and refined, living at Zitacauro, said he could remember the early days, when the Bible was wrapped up with the lunch to be taken to the day's work, the noonday prayer-meetings, when laborers gathered for their meals, and the moving lights nightly on the hill-sides, marking the course of the people
CHURCH OF THE VIRGIN OF GUADALODPE
2. FRONT OF THE ZACATECAS CATHEDRAL.
3. CAPILLA DEL MADERO, PARRAS.
MEXICO, HUR NEEDS AND OUR DUTY
gathering for worship and praise. These were days of apostolic fervor, when those who had learned of Christ went everywhere preaching Him.
The fervor and devotion of these early days, yet to be revived, were met by fierce hostilities and persecution. In the excitement aronsed by the preaching of Manuel Aguas, forty Protestants were killed. In 1873 the Rev. J. A. Stephens, a Congregational missionary, was shot at Ahualulco by soldiers while appealing to them for protection, and his body was barbarously abused. Preachers or members of Presbyterian churches suffered martyrdom at Acapulco, where six were killed; at Almoloya, at AhuacualtitIan, where Abraham Gomez, the newly ordained preacher, was beaten to death with his own large Bible, which was then put under his head in mockery for a pillow, and at El Carro, a hacienda near Zacatecas, where Gregoria Monreal was stoned to death and then decapitated. One of the missionaries declared five years ago that the martyr-roll of the Protestant Church in Mexico included sixty-five names.
The days of martyrdom have perhaps also passed away, but it requires courage still to be a Christian in Mexico. The entrances to some little meeting-places in the slums of Mexico City, where the elders of the Church of Divina Salvador go of their own accord to conduct services on Sundays, are so arranged as to make the attendants secure from the stones and dirt thrown in from the street. A poor little girl, Amalia Fuentes, was offered by the wife of ex-Governor Modera, of Coahuila, a trip to the World's Fair two years ago if she would give up going to the mission school for girls at Saltillo. The wealthy woman offered to take her in her carriage if she would go with her to mass. But the child preferred usefulness to pleasure, and said she would rather walk to the humble Protestant service than ride to mass.
There are discouragements and difficulties, many and serious, but neither more nor more serious than the encouragements and the boundless opportunities. The evangelical churches of Mexico are meeting the three tests which every church must meet; and some may think they are not meeting them less faithfully than the evangelical churches of our own land. They are reaching the poor. They are reaching the sinner. They have a place for the child. If they lack much that we possess, it must be remembered that they are emerging from a night which has lasted for three and a half centuries. They are moving ahead toward larger light. A native preacher showed us a picture of his little daughter taken with the great family Bible in her lap. It was not fetishism. He loved the book. He wanted the picture to tell of the family attitude. The Bible lies in a conspicuous place in most Christian homes, and tho these homes are humble, so was the manger where the Lord of life was born. Christ Himself has been planted in Mexican life. One poor man, weak and erring, but earnest, declared to us at Venado, speaking a more general truth than he knew, "The kingdom of God is in my heart. Tell the Christians of America that the kingdom of God is in my heart."
THE INDIANS OF CENTRAL AMERICA
It is said, to Mexico's shame, that it is the country of delay, of postponement, the land of " manana." The larger charity turns the reproach into praise, and anticipates for our Southern neighbors the nobler " manana," the to-morrow of purer faith, of larger life, of closer loyalty, the better day that comes.
'THE INDIANS OF CEN'TRAL AMERICA.
BY REV. C. I. SCOFIELD, D.D., SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL AMERICAN MISSION.
In the inception of the work of the Central American Mitlsion an effort was first made to gain a clear idea of the poptilations of the five republics which were to constitute the field of operations-their distribution, habits of life, religious state, numbers, means of a(".cess to them, and, generally, of whatever facts might enter into the intelligent direction of missionary effort for their evangelization. We had not long prosecuted inquiries in this direction when we became aware that an indeterminate number of aborigines were scattered throughout the entire region in question, and it soon became evident that anything like complete information concerning them was, by ordinary means, unattainable.
For the most part occupying either the higher and more inaccessible mountains, or else the low-lying hot lands along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, they entered so little into the political and economic life of the countries that even the respective governments felt but a languid interest in them, and possessed bnt the vagnest information upon all the points of greatest interest to us. Such facts as were within governmental knowledge were cheerfully placed at our disposal, but these were too few and too indefinite for the basis of rightly directed missionary effort.
In short, it became clear that only by means of laborious and expensive explorations could the data for such effort be obtained.
Mcantime, work was begun at San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, among the intelligent inl1abitants of that beautiful city, and soon after another station was opened at Naranjo de Alajuela, westward from San Jose.
The missionaries at these points were from the first instructed to gather by every means information looking toward the evangelization of the aborigines. 'The motive for this can scarcely require statement. It was deeply felt that the descendants of the interesting and lovable peoples who had received with guileless hospitality the discoverers whose advent was to bring to them centuries of unspeakable outrage, should be in a very especial manner the objects of solicitude to Christians laboring in those regions.
Accordingly, soon after the establishment of the mission at San Jose, Mr. W. W. McConnell, the first missionary, undertook a toilsome journey, fraught, too, with no inconsiderable danger, to visit the Talamanca Indians, inhabiting thc low, swampy region of Southeastern Costa Rica, bor- dering on the Caribbean Sea, and the Republic of Columbia. Much in- teresting information was gathered, and some opportunity was found for Gospel teaching. The results of this journey, published in the Central American B1tlletin, were graciously used of God to draw attention to the condition of the Indians of Central America, and we felt encouraged to go forward in 'the work as rapidly as means and men might be raised up.
At this juncture the attention of that well-known friend of missions, Robert Arthington, Esq., of Leeds, England, was drawn to this great opportunity to carry the Gospel to a people as absolutely heathen as any in Africa; and, after some preliminary correspondence, Mr. Arthington proposed to bear the entire expense of a thorough exploration of the five republics for the gathering of exhaustive information concerning them.
The Lord's blessings ne,er come singly. Simultaneously with this provision for the expense of the undertaking, Rev. C. H. Dillon, one of the most capable and devoted of our missionaries, and a man in every way fitted to carry forward a work requiring courage, persistency, and the tact to deal with uncivilized tribes, became available for the work. He was at once put in charge of it, and, with the fellowship and invaluable assistance of Senor Quesada, one of the converts of ~fr. McConnell's work at San Jose, has now so nearly completed it that I am enabled to lay before the readers of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE "VORLD the greater outlines of the resuI1;. The details will be published when the explorations are finished. It may be said, however, that Mr. Dillon has done his work so effectively that the mission is prepared to send missionaries direct from this country or England to any tribe, and to inform such missionary as to their numbers, habits, language, degree of civilIzation, religion, and disposition toward white men. And not this only, but also the best route of travel, all things considered; the prevalent characteristic diseases of the region; what clothing and, supplies should be carried; and the expense both of the journey and of support on the field.
This result has been achieved by the intelligent and patient execution of plans carefully elaborated before the actual explorations began. In all the preliminary w.ork, and from time to time during its progress, the suggestions of Mr. Arthington have been of great value.
In the present article it is proposed to do no more than generalize the results achieved.
It may be well to remind the reader that the entire population of the five republics approximates 3,250,000, distributed as follows: Costa Rica, 243,205; Guatemala, 1,471,025; Honduras, 431,917 ; Nicaragua, 312,- 845 ; Salvador, 777,895. Speaking broadly, this population is composed of pure whites, inconsiderable in number, but of great influence; pure Indians, of whom hereafter; and mestizos, or people of mixed white and Indian blood, and thesc are in numerical majority over both the other classes. In religion, the whites and mestizos are Roman Catholic, but with this qualification: that the better educated of both classes are deeply tinctured with modern forms of scepticism, open infidelity, and spiritism. Alienated from the traditional faith by the shameless lives of many of the priests, and by the childish superstitions which they impose upon the people, and knowing little or nothing of the simplicity that is in Christ, they follow the unfaith of the German, Swiss, and French instructors in the state colleges. The number of those of this class who have already been converted affords proof of the readiness with which they will hear the pure Gospel.
Turning nO"W to the Indians, and premising that this article deals only with that part of the popUlation which is of pure or greatly predominant Indian blood, the facts may be broadly stated as follows : In some parts, notably in Nicaragua, the Indians have practically lost their tribal organizations, and have not only merged with, but actually compose the mass of, the population. Of this class the Masaya, Mata- ga1pa, and Ometepe Indians of Nicaragua are examples. In every politi- cal and religious sense they are indistinguishable from the mass of the Central American peoples. From them come many of the priests, of whom their towns are full, and they are the soldiers and minor officials of the republic. As objects of missionary solicitude they afford indeed a most interesting and promising field, but this they share with the other inhabitants of the republics. In Nicaragua the only distinctively Indian tribe is the Mosquito, among whom the Moravians have long conducted a heroic and fruitful work.
Beginning with the southernmost of the republics, Costa Rica, the expedition visited the Chiripo, Talamanca, Tucurique, and Coj tribes. I wish it were possible within the limits of a magazine article to reproduce Mr. Dillon's vivid account of these journeys. They were often perilous and always arduous.
1. The Ghil'ipo Indians.-This interesting tribe, which has furnished the firstfruits unto God from the aborigines of Costa Rica, inhabits a high mountainous region in East-central Costa Rica, and is accessible only by narrow paths through the dense tropical jungle, and across rivers which are deep, swift, and destitute of bridges. The expedition was so fortu- nate as to find at Turrialba, the point of departure for the Chiripo coun- try, a competent guide who was of that tribe, and who spoke Spanish as well as the Chiripo language. It is gratifying to record that before the exploration was finished, this man, Rafael, had received baptism, having given most gratifying evidence of conversion.
The Chiripo were found to be about five hundred and twenty in num- ber; to have a well-defined tribal organization, with first and second chiefs, whose authority within traditional lines is absolute; to live in scattered . habitations simply built, with roofs of grass thatch; and to subsist by small cultivatious in part, but mainly by hunting, fishing, and by the natu- raj growths of edible fruits and vegetables. In character they were found to be suspicious of whites j but, their confidence once gained, open, cheerful, and hospitable. They seem to be almost destitute of religion, having turned from their immemorial idolatry without having been as yet indoctrinated with the corrupt form of Romanism prevalent in Central America.
Mr. Jamison, who had gained among the Talamancas some experience in Indian mission work, accompanied the expedition, and, finding an extraordinary openness of mind among these simple Indians, elected to remain among them. One may easily imagine the feelings of these brethren, Dillon, Quesada, and Jamison, as they clasped hands in parting-the two former to retrace their steps to civilization, the latter to remain alone among these remote and little-known people.
A most remarkable work ensued. Through an interpreter who knew some Spanish, Mr. Jamison began at once to speak of the true God and of the manifestation of His love in the gift of His son to die for the sins of all men, and in a very few days the power of the Spirit was revealed in a wonderful way. Runners were sent out to bring in outlying members of the tribe, a comfortable grass house was built for Mr. Jamison, and in a few weeks twenty-five of these children of nature received Christian baptism after giving clear evidences of conversion.
Mr. Dillon's account of this interesting people recalls the stories of the kindliness, courtesy, and hospitality of their ancestors at the time of the discovery. Mr. Dillon says: "During our visit the Indians brought us more than an abundance of such food as they had, and in every way that they could show kindness tht,y did so. For example, they never use tables j but, learning that we had been accustomed to such extravagances, the second chief came, on the morning after our arrival, with two young men, and spent a half day making one for us. They are strictly honest j anything under any circumstances is perfectly safe. "
It would almost seem that this primitive tribe had been preserved in their mountain fastuess to afford an impressive object lesson by contrast with such Indians as the Guatosos on the one hand, and of the Coj on the other of the evil inflicted upon the aboriginal peoples of Central America by whites who have either shamelessly degraded them or turned them into sullen fanatics.
2. The Talamanca Indians.-This numerous and degraded tribe, living in the low-lying lands and foothills of Southeastern Costa Rica and Northeastern Colombia, present in most respects a striking contrast tt> the Chiripo. There is some affinity in the languages of these two tribes, but they are otherwise most dissimilar. The Talamancas are about two thousand in number, live in clusters of huts, which are little more than thatched roofs, avoid contact with the whites, from whom, in the persons of runaway sailors, rubber hunters, and cattle thieves, they have suffered unspeakable outrages. They have a tribal organization j but a representative of the government lives among them and is the real ruler. Some slight attempts at the most primitive agriculture are made; but the Indians subsist principally on fish, wild animals, and wild fruit.
Very few of them speak Spanish. To the vices of heathenism have been added nameless degradations, brought in by the bestial whites who have been among them. Fortunately the rubber trees have mostly disappeared, and they are now spared the incursions of the rubber hunters, who are to the Indians of Central America what rum traders are to the native African.
The climate is trying and dangerous. Fevers prevail, even the Indians having no immunity, and poisonous serpents are numerous. Yet these conditions have not prevented the residence in Talamanca of white persons, impelled by greed or lust, and it cannot be conceded that the trader can go where the missionary canl).ot. Mr. Jamison lived and labored among these Indians until withdrawn by the mission, because it was felt that such isolation was inexpedient. Into such regions missionaries should go two and two.
Access is had by open boat along the Caribbean coast from Port Limon, Costa Rica, to Cahuita ; and from thence over an execrable trail forty miles to the first of the villages. Another route is by Old Harbor, but is the more difficult of the two. There are to-day no missionaries among these Indians. Who will go q 3. The Tucuriqui Indians.-These Indians, numbering some five hun~ dred, live in a river valley in Eastern Costa Rica, and may be reached on horseback by a ride of seven miles from the railroad station of Tucuriqui on the railroad connecting San Jose with Port Limon. They are settled in one village, have some slight admixture of Spanish blood, and are mostly nominal Romanists, and are visited at intervals by priests from Cartago.
The climate is good, if care is taken about exposure to night air, the elevation above the sea being about twenty-five hundred feet. No missionary has ever resided among them. Who will go ~ 4. The Goj Indians.-This tribe, inhabiting the very high lands of Central Costa Rica, have a considerable mixture of Spanish blood, live by agriculture, are nominal Romanists, and inclined to be fanatically so, and have almost lost the native language, speaking Spanish instead.
They are reached with comparative ease except for the last few miles of the journey, which is a mere trail through the jungle. They number about twenty-five hundred. They have no distinctively tribal organization, and have a resident governor. No missionary has gone to this tribe. Who will go ~ 5. The (}uatoso8 Indians.-This tribe. numbering perhaps twelve hundred, and living for the most part along the Frio River, in Northwestern Costa Rica, is reported by Mr. Dillon to be the most pitifully in need of the Gospel-the dirtiest and lowest of all the Indians whom he visited.
Very few of them speak Spanish; they have had no chief for thirty years, and are so remote, degraded, and useless that the government has been able to accomplish but little in their behalf. For two hundred years they were able to resist the incursions of the whites, killing even priests in their efforts to penetrate their country. But the rubber hunters-those pitiless scourges of all tropical America-overran and subdued them and taught them th~ unspeakable vices of the degraded white man. Now their spirit is thoroughly broken, and the country is defended only by its inaccessibility. Perhaps no natives in all America have suffered more from the whites than these Indians j but once assured that the expedition meant good and not evil toward them, they were found to be friendly and hospitable. Their religion is a rudimentary belief in a future state, and they are wholly uncorrupted by debased forms of Christianity.
Of the many routes by which this tribe may be reached, the best, all things considered, is up the river Frio from Lake Nicaragua by canoe. Under favorable circumst,ances, the trip can be made in five days from the mouth of the river.
This tribe was visited in March, 1895, by Mr. William A. Arthur, of Philadelphia, who has since founded the Central American Industrial Mission.
The purpose of this mission is to plant colonies with the view to self· supporting mission work in that needy region. The Guatosos are eRpecially the object of the immediate solicitude of this infant mission, which is "represented in this country by the Philadelphia Missionary Council, Fifty.fourth Street and Lansdowne Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa., and by the Central American Mission, of which the writer is secretary. The former has exclusive charge of industrial or self.supporting work j the latter of the missionary work in Central America which is supported from abroad.
6. The Indians of Salvador.-What has been said above of the Indians of Nicaragua will, in the main, apply also to the Indians of Salvador. Indians of pure blood form the bulk of the population, have no tribal organization, are, in fact, the people, tho neither so well educated nor so influential as the whites of pure blood among them. They are the laborers, soldiers, petty officials, and agriculturists of the country.
In religion they are fanatical Romanists. To the lasting disgrace of this great Protestant land be it said, there has never been a resident mis. sionary in this republic. The population is dense, eight hundred thousand living in a territory of twenty thousand square miles extent. In the capital and larger towns a liberal element is found which earnestly desires that missionaries be sent. Who will go !
'I. The Indians of Guatemala and Honduras.-As the final reports upon the Indian peoples of these two republics are not completed, and as by far the greater number of the pagan Indians in the five republics are found in theRe two, an account of them is, by consent of the editor of the REVIEW, postponed to a subsequent paper.
It may be here said, however, that the explorations just approaching a conclusion have disclosed a mission field among the aborigines of these two republics, which is of great extent and surpassing interest. The reports of the expedition, tho not ready for publication even in this brief, summary way, are so definite and comprehensive that the Central American Mission is now fully prepared to induct at least twenty missi()naries into fields as absolutely untouched by the Gospel of Christ as any on the whole earth. That the reader may have some more definite conception of the greatness of the field thus opened in Guatemala and Honduras one tribe may be mentioned.
The Xicaque Indians of Honduras, for example, whose country lies northward from Tegucigalpa, the capital, among the high mountains in which the rivers Guayape, Aguan, and Sulaco take their rise, number between twelve thousand and sixteen thousand, of whom three fourths are in some sense Romanized, but who number at least four thousand of absolute pagans. These are neither inhospitable nor revengeful, but their distrust of the whites is so deep that it was a matter of the greatest surprise to the tribe when their chief gave his hand to Mr. Dillon at parting.
It will be seen that there are many contrasts between the Indians of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Salvador, and those of Guatemala and Honduras. Tl,te tribes of the last-named republics are strong in numbers and are spread over fast spaces of mountain and forest. In the former the tribes are small, and many languages must be learned before they can be thoroughly evangelized. In the latter, one language will often give access to from ten thousand to seventy-five thousand souls.
While the churches of America have been sending missionaries into the remotest parts of the world, they have strangely neglected this tempting and destitute field at their very doors. And this in plain disregard of the spirit of the Divine plan of campaign of missions given by the Lord Himself in Acts 1 : 8, which contemplates the moving out by concentric circles from strategic centers, and-by implication at least-forbids the overpassing of unevangelized regions.
With the opening, through the Arthington Explorations of the Central American Mission, of this vast Indian field, within four days' sail of New Orleans, it is hoped that the response in men and means will be commensurate with the need.
At least in the beginning it will be inexpedient for lady missionaries to attempt work among these tribes. Not alone nor chiefly because of the difficulties of travel, but because they can at first be more effectively reached by men. With the gathering of a few converts, however, this objection will disappear, and a great door and effectual will be opened to women missionaries among these peoples, so near, so needy.
THE ARMENIAN CHURCH
THE ARMENIAN CHURCH. * BY REV. FIDLlPP VOLLMER, FH.D., PHIL A-D ELPHIA, FA..
Armenia of old and that part of the Turkish Empire where the majority of the Armenian race still lives is situated in the western part of Asia, not far from Palestine, between the Black, the Mediterranean, and the Caspian seas, remote, inaccessible, and isolated. The fact that in the northwest, Turkish Armenia is bordering on Russia is at present the cause of much uneasiness and concern in English diplomatic circles.
In extent Armenia is a country as large as New England, constituting a plateau of 7000 feet high, which is for the greatest part barren and rough, but not without many fertile spots in the numerous valleys. The highest point is Mount, Ararat, on which Noah's ark is said to have descended after the flood. Many theologians and not a few archroologists also strongly assert that in Armenia the cradle of the human race must have stood; and with a great array of learning they have proved to their own and many others' satisfaction that the very spot is to be found in the region where the fonr great rivers, Euphrates, Tigris, Araxes, and Kur, take their rise, these being in their opinion identical with the four rivers, Pison, Gihon, Hidekel, and Euphrates, which, according to Gen. 2 : 10, " went out of Eden. "
The name of the country, Armenia, is derived from the name of one of their ancient kings, Aram, who was a contemporary of Abraham. The Armenians themselves call their country Haichia, from Haichun, the name of their ancestor, who was a great-grandson of Japhet, one of the three sons of Noah. In outward appearance, however, the people show great resemblance to the Semitic type, having a brown complexion and eyes of a yellowish brown.
The Armenian people are not confined to the territory of old Armenia, but are to be found almost everywhere, preserving, however, with great tenacity, their national unity and individuality, wherever they are found, almost equal to the Jews. With this people they have, moreover, in common, their dispersion, their pohtical dependence, the oppression endured in all ages, and their occupation as tradesmen. The Armenians number, according to the last census, 4,000,000, over three fourths of whom st,ill occupy the same territory as their forefathers did, ~,500, 000 of them being Turkish, 1,100,000 Russian, and 100,000 Persian subjects, while the rest are scattered all over the entire globe, our own country not excepted. But wherever they live, they enjoy the reputation of being a quiet, int.elligent, very polite, temperate, and extremely frugal people. The majority of them are engaged in trade-almost the entire commerce of the * As the Armenians are just now in the public thoughts of the civilized world, owing to cruel massacres of thousands of their nnmber, a brief statement as to their conntry, their character, and their religion seems timely. Turkish Empire being in their hands. This occupation accounts mainly for theIr almost universal dispersion. The Armenians under Turkish sovereignty are, of course, everywhere surrounded by fanatical Mohammedans, ruled by 1hem, hatp.d by them, constantly annoyed by them, and from time to time massacred by them. These outrages are no mere ebullition of violence, temporary and transient in its nature. They show, on the contrary, a settled purpose on the part of the hordes of Eastern barbarism to suppress a civilization that is based on the Christian religion. Positive proof of this are the four bloody persecutions of the present century-in 1822, when 23,000 were slain and 17,000 sold into slavery; also in 1860, 1876, and the one at the present time.
The ancient history of the Armenians is, like that of most old nations, shrouded in obscurity. First they were a constituent part of the Assyrian Empire; then they were ruled m succession by eight mdependent kings; later Cyrus made them part of his Persian Empire, and afterward the Seleucides subjected them unto Syria. For more than seven bundred years Armenia was the bone of contention between the Romans, the Persians, the Parthians, and native rulers, till the Arabs subjugated one part in 650 and the other in 950 ; in 1574 the whole became a part of the Turkish Empire. Part of the ancient Armenian territory has belonged to Russia since 1829.
Circumstantial evidence proves that Oh1'istianity must have been introduced into Armenia at a very early date. The first church historIan, Eusebius (died 340) found in the library at Edessa a manuscript in the Syrian language containing a very remarkable correspondence between Jesus Christ and Abgarus, an Armenian prince. These are the words of the letter f)f Abgarus to Jesus : " From Thy miraculous healings and raising of the dead, I conclude that one of two things must be true: either Thou art God HImself, descended from heaven to do such deeds, or Thou art the Son of God because Thou performest such acts. )ome, therefore, to me and heal me from a severe sickness. ' , Christ answered this letter in the following words : " Abgarus, blessed art thou because thou didst beheve in Me without , seeing Me. For it is written that those who see, Me shall not believe in Me, in order that those who do not see Me might believe and lIve. In reference to thy request that I should come to thee, I say that I have here among My own people to fulfill all for whIch I am sent. After having ful- filled it, I will be taken to Him who had sent Me. But when I shall have been taken np, then WIll I send to thee one of My disciples that he might release thee from thy sickness and give life to thee and to those with thee."
Eusebius goes on to say that in the year 30 A.D. Thaddeus, one of the seventy disciples, did actually come to Abgarus, did heal him of leprosy and convert him and his subjects to ChrIstlanity. Legend has it that Christ even sent him His picture through Thaddeus, and thlS pieture is still shown in one of the churches in Rome. Another historian, Moses Chorensis (died 470A.D.), communicates also a correspondence between the same Abgarus and the Roman Emperor Tiberius. In this, Abgarus brought charges against; Pontius Pilde for condemning Christ to death. Tiberius, in his answer to Abgarus, says lhat Pilate had written to him about the miracles and innocence of Christ, and it was only the Senate's fault that divine honors were not rendered unto Christ.
The genuineness of these letters may well be doubted. Their existence at so early a period goes far to prove, however, that Christianity must have been very early introduced into Armenia. This was actually done during the first and second centuries of the Christian era ; and in the third century, the people accepted Christianity generally, thus becoming the first in the world's history to accept Christianity as a nation. Tertullian in the second century already speaks of flourishing churches in Armenia; and in the middle of the third century a bloody persecution under Tiridates III. is reported.
The real apostle of the Armenians, however, and the actual founder of that ancient church is Gregor, calJed the Illuminator, because through his activity the night of heathenism vanished and the light of the Gospel began to rise brilliantly over Armenia. He was the son of a prince, and was born in 257. In the afore-mentioned persecution his whole family suffered a martyr's d()ath, notwithstanding their high position, Gregor, then two years of age, b()ing the only member who was almost miraculously rescued by an old nurse, who fled with him to the neighboring province of Cappadocia. Here Gregor received a Christian education, and after returning to his native land, he labored so successfully, in spite of persecutions, that at last his work was crowned by the conversion of the persecuting king himself and by the general acceptance of Christianity by the great majority of the people. In planting the Armenian Church, Gregor proceeded with much prudence, circumspection, and wisdom. In admitting young men to the schools which he opened aJ] over the country, he gave preference to the sons of the heathen priests and their relatives, his intention being to make them well disposed toward the new doctrine. In the year 302 A. D. Gregor was consecrated bishop of all Armenia, and in 325, he received a cordial and very pressing invitation to the famous first ecumenical council at Nice, where the doctrine of the eternal Godhead of Christ was promulgated. However, he did not go personally, apprehending that too much honor might be bestowed upon him for having been a confessor during the persecution. As his representative he sent his son, to whom he also, toward the end of his life, entrusted the supervision of his diocese. At his death he left the church which he planted in a very flourishing condition, in which it remained for a long period after his death, notwithstanding political upheavals. Gregor was also a very able writer, of whom sermons and prayers are still extant. Thus by his own example, he kindled a profound interest in education and learning, so that after the invention of the Armenian alphabet, the golden era of Armenian literature was ushered in by translations of almost the entire Greek and Syrian literatlIre, as well as by original works.
One great hindrance in spreading Christianity was the lack of a transla- tion of the BibLe into the vernacu1ar of the country. The preachers were compelled first to read the text in a foreign language, and then translate and expound it. There was not even an alphabet of the Armenian language. To overcome both difficulties, Mesrob worked incessantly day and night 1.0 invent first an alphabet for the Armenian tongue, which would then enable him to translate the Bible. For a long time all his exertions remained fruitless. Seeing that human ingenuity and wisdom alone is not sufficient, he took refuge in prayer. One day, when he was again engaged in earnest prayer, he beheld a rock and a right hand engraving upon it several signs. These imprinted themselves so clearly upon his memory that afterward he could recall and imitate all of them; and thus, Mesrob's disciples tell us, the origin of the Armenian alphabet was found. Immediately he began work, and in the year 410 A.D. the translation of the Bible was completed.
Soon after Mesrob's death, the then ruling Persians instigated a bloody persecution with the intention of converting the Armenians to the Persian fire-worship. In a hotly contested battle, in 451, on the river Dechmnd they were ~tterly defeated. But in spite of oppression following this defeat, the Armenians remained steadfast till their oppressors, the dynasty of the Sassanides, were overthrown.
Up to this time, the Armenian Church constituted an integral part of the Church universal. In 451, however, they adopted in open synod the doctrinal errors of the Monophysites, who deny that in Christ two natures were inseparably united-a truly divine and a veritable human nature. Since that time they constitute an independent church and are affiliated with none of the three great bodies into which the Church is divided. They know nothing of Protestantism, not having been in the least influenced by that great movement; but both the Roman Catholic and the Greek churches have been trying to secure their adhesion. A disruption came in 1439, and one part joined the Roman Catholic Church, acknowledging the Pope as their spiritual head and adopting the distinctive Roman doctrines, yet retaining in their services their native tongue. This portion of the Armenian Christians is called the United Armenians, while the old monophysitic paM; goes under the name of the Orthodox Armenians. This schism revived the old persecutions, and about the middle of the eighteenth century the Armenian patriarch sought and obtained the intervention of Peter the Great of Russia. Since then the orthodox part of the Armenian Church has found shelter under the protection of Russia.
The doctrines of the Armenians are almost identical with those of the Greek Church. They have the seven sacraments; in baptism the child is immersed three times, it is then anointed with holy oil, confirmed, and partakes of the Lord's Supper in both elements. Prayers are said for the dead; but the Church does not believe in purgatory nor admit of indulgences. There is a threefold order of the clergy-bishops, priests, and deacons; and there are three degrees of episcopal rank-the archbishops (chief among whom is the patriarch), the bishop, and the teacher of theology. The clergy are further divided into the black and white, the black being the monk.s and the white the parish priests. This la1ter class is permitted to marry before ordination, but not after.
The Armenian Church teaching then, as we have seen, the same errors of the two medieval churches, has justly been regarded by the Protestants as a proper mission field for the dissemination of a purer gospel. Consequently missionaries of the American Board of Boston began work among them in 1831. For many years it was hoped that they might quietly and without formal church organization exert an influence that would reform and spiritualize the ancient church from within. Persecution reluctantly compelled the missionaries to seek protection by forming a separate -Protestant Church in 1850. At about the same time, the Missionary Society of Basel, Switzerland, also established a mission among them. There are now three missions in Armenia, comprising 281 stations, 944 foreign and native laborers, 112 churches with a membership of 11,481, 264 Sundayschools, with 46,864 adherents, and a number of colleges and theological, high and boarding-schools with a total of 19,886 persons under instruction. It is hoped that these native Protestants may be instrumental in arousing this ancient but fossilized church and raise it to a more spiritual type of Christianity; and a beginning of this uplifting work has alreadybeen made.
How necessary this missionary work is in Armenia, may be gathered from the very unfavorable reports that reach us touching the religious and moral condition of clergy and people. Very recently one of the Protestant missionaries, trying to impress an Armenian bishop with the duty of the Armenians to work for the conversion of the Mohammedans, was startled with the reply : "What are we to preach to the Mohammedans? They believe in God like we and have good prayers. We could only preach to them about the Trinity and the divinity of Christ." "But," said the missionary, "the difference between Christianity and Islam is truly very great. The heaven-e.g., which the Bible teaches-is a far superior conception and a much purer ideal than that of the Mohammedans." To which the bishop replied: "If I were certain that the paradise of the Mohammedans really existed, I would wish to be there." This proves better than many words the low condition of the Armenian Church, and the urgent necessity of working among them.
The first evangelical Armenian Church was organized July 1st, 1846, after those who had accepted the Protestant form of Christian belief had been excommunicated from the Armenian Church by the anathema of the patriarch. It was the original desire of the missionaries to bring about a reform in the Armenian Church, but the attitude of the patriarch made this impossible. At the beginning of 1895 the evangelical Protestants numbered nearly fifty thousand.
A NEW MISSIONARY UPRISING
A NEW MISSIONARY UPRISING.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS, ASSOCI.A.TE EDITOR OF "THE GOLDEN RULE."
One whose ears are open to "the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees" must have heard the premonitions of a new and mighty movement among the young people's societies of our churches. I think that I speak well within the truth when I say that this revival, or " advance," is of greater importance to the cause of Christ than anything that has concerned the youthful members of the Church since the discovery of the Christian Endeavor Society fifteen years ago. Yet this new movement has spread so imperceptibly that only he whose ears are quickened by the Spirit may have noticed it.
I speak of the marvelous awakening in practical evangelIstic effort and deeper spiritual life that has possessed the Christian endeavor movement within the past year. Already this spirit has resulted in thousands of conversions outside of the usual line of the Society's work, and it has spread itself abroad throughout the length and breadth.of the land as a sweet savor. of the pure Gospel. Vithout comment upon it, let us briefly follow the history of this" new endeavor."
Two years ago, in the city of Reading, Pa., the State Christian Endeavor convention was held, and Rev. Charles Adamson, a pastor zealous for the salvation of souls, conceived the idea of having the delegates share their blessings with the work people of the city who could not get to the meetings, even if they so desired, and most of whom knew practically nothing about the joys that filled the hearts of the Endeavorers. There had been little preparation for such a campaign, yet permission was secured from a number of employers to hold meetings during the noon hour in their shops and factories. Companies of willing workers were soon formed, and at the close of the morning sessions of the convention the delegates would march, with songs on their lips, to these places of employment, where the Gospel story was simply told by the earnest young people. The result was most marked. The Endeavorers themselves were thrilled with something of the joy of the missionary, and the cordial attention and intense interest of the work people surprised even the most ardent advocates of the plan.
One year later, at the wonderful convention of Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor societies, held in York, this evangelistic movement was made the predominant feature of the convention. Rev. Charles A. Oliver, a Presbyterian pastor of the city, whose chief ambition is the salvation of men, took charge of the work, arranging for evangelistic meetings each day in mills, factories, shops, the jail, the almshouse, in the public square, etc. Vhen the convention met, the delegates were formed into companies with experienced leaders, and each was assigned a p1ace of duty. More than a score of meetings were held each day of the convention, many souls found the light, and a general religious awakening of marvelous character was the result. This determined the place of practical missionary work in the Christian Endeavor conventions. .
With the experience of York (1894) in mind, the United Society arranged for a similar Gospel campaign in Boston during the convention there last summer. So, when the Endeavorers came up from all parts of the land, they not only reported direct missionary gifts of $340,603.54, and the glad news that 202,185 of the associate members had been led to Christ during the year, but they also showed the practical nature of their religion by entering heart and soul into this movement for practical evan- gelism. Rev. James L. Hill, D.D., of Salem, Mass., a trustee of the United Society; Rev. Charles Roads, of Philadelphia, Pa., ex·President of the Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor Union and a leader in this work, and Rev. Charles A. Oliver, of York, Pa., were appointed a committee to arrange for evangelistic meetings during the Boston convention. It was felt that if this sort of work could be carried on with any degree of success in Boston, with its abnormally difficult conditions, it would surely succeed . in any other city in the land. Therefore, altho hindered in many ways, the committee arranged for evangelistic companies of Endeavorers from many States, organized and instructed them before they left their homes for Boston, and had them ready to begin their splendid campaign of wit- ness-bearing on the very first day of the convention.
Fifty-five different places were secured in the city. These were of almost every sort-wharves, shops, missions, stores, institutions of various kinds, and favorable points in the open air. Notice was given through the press and by direct communication to the working men of the time, and place, and character of the services. Since most of the evangelistic com- panies were from distant States, the very novelty drew together large audi- ences.
Perhaps I can in a word describe the character of one of these Chris- tian Endeavor evangelistic meetings. It was held in a mill. The Endeav- orers gathered at the noon hour. After the work people had eaten their lunches they assembled in the weaving-room, among the looms, and as near to the visitors as possible. The leader (Mr. William Shaw, one of the three executive officers of the United Society of Christian Endeavor) stood on a bench for an improvised pulpit, and after telling in a few words who the Endeavorers were and what they represented, the company began to sing the bright Christian Endeavor songs. There was much praying, and a few practical words from the leader proclaiming " the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world," and one after another, the dele- gates testified what this Jesus is to them. Then, the engine having been set in motion some minutes earlier than was expected, the leader gave the Gospel invitation to the music of whirring pulleys, belts, and shafting, and ten persons accepted the offer of salvation.
More or less similar were the 120 evangelistic meetings held by the Endeavorers during the Boston convention. The audiences were interested to a remarkable degree, many of the toilers putting themselves to great incon- venienceto be present. When the opportunity was given each day for all to share in the services, 284 attendants, most of them Christian employees, testified or took part in some other way. Twenty thousand persons were reached by the Gospel message, and 585 delegates, from more than a score . of States, participated in these services during the days of the Boston meeting.
Of conversions it is impossible to speak. It is not always well to eount on visible manifestations. Certainly the number of those professing to accept Christ reached more than two hundred. As many as twenty per- sons in a single meeting took the decisive step. This magnificent show- ing, marvelous as it is, does not reveal on its surface the greatest good of the meetings, for from this taste of the joys of preaching the Gospel, hun- dreds of Christian young people went home to their churches and societies in all parts of the land to partake more fully of the feast of consecrated work for souls.
Such an influence permeating the societies of the land could not be without tremendous effect; and now, as I write, I have before me the reports from some of the last of the Fall State conventions of Christian Endeavor societies. These tell the glad story of Boston, 1895, over again. The majority of the State unions made practical evangelistic work by the delegates a chief feature of their great annual meetings. Pennsylvania surpassed its noble record of the previous year; California witnessed pentecostal times; Maine held thronged Gospel services; Wisconsin, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Delaware, all report in the same jubilant strain glorious Christian Endeavor meetings for the unreached masses. Massachusetts, the conservative Bay State, went into the work at her State convention with a zeal and enthusiasm that resulted in an untold harvest of redeemed ones, and now her societies have gone forth to practically fulfill the year's motto, " Saved to serve." Each of these great meetings has increased the influence of the evangelistic spirit, and has sent the Endeavorers home to their individual societies to carry out in their own churches and neighborhoods this practical effort for those who do not come within the scope of the usual methods of preaching the truth.
One single society in Glenholden, Pa., upon the return of its delegates from Boston, appointed an evangelistic committee; services were held weekly, and the first seven meetings resulted in 50 conversions! York, Pa., the place where this movement received its first great impetus, is at this writing carrying on a Christian Endeavor evangelistic campaign. The Methodists of Philadelphia, in their great revival in Armory Hall, adopted the same method of using organized companies of their young people. In like manner, in many parts of the land, these convention efforts have been but the starting-points of mighty radii of evangelistic influence.
There is not space to comment on the striking lessons that these bare facts so eloquently tell. Above all else, they show the power of a living Gospel. The plain, blood-stained cross of Jesus Christ has not ceased to be the greatest magnetic force of all the ages. The Lamb of God has lost none of his beauty and power. No topic is of such vital interest to man everywhere as that of Christ and salvation. I could repeat instance sfter instance to show how this simple Gospel story has been sough~ with utmost eagerness. Listen to this! During the Boston convention a company of delegates from a distant State were lost in the labyrinth of streets and failed to reach their appointment on time. The workmen were so eager for their presence and their story that they hired a carriage and sent one of their number to the Convention Hall to see if some Endeavorers might not come down and hold a meeting with them. Who of us thought that such a story could be told of a great Christian city?
One other truth that I desire to merely indicate is that the young people of the Christian Endeavor Society and of the Church in general have no greater enthusiasm than that for practical missionary work. There is nothing in all Christian Endeavor that has met with the response that has been accorded this" advance." Invariably the delegates report these evangelistic meetings as the very best sessions of the convention ; and if you could see them, as I have seen them, trudging for miles to a remote factory, beneath a burning sun, simply for the privilege, not of making speeches or of winning applause, but simply of bearing humble witness before a company of untutored men of the power of God unto salvation, you would with me praise the Lord for this new crusade:; Coincident with this evangelistic enlargement has been the outreaching after spiritual power manifest in Christian Endeavor circles. Thc Society has always stood for spirituality, but in an unprecedented degree there is being witnessed at the present time a seeking after those things of Christ that lie deepest in the spiritual life ; an outreaching for a fuller consecration, for a richer abiding of the truth. In line with this Dr. Clark has proposed to Christian Endeavorers a " World's Christian Endeavor Prayer Chain," to be joined by all those who feel the need of a better spiritual life, and who are willing to pray daily for spiritual blessings upon the cause of Christ everywhere, upon the Christian Endeavor Society, and upon the members of this prayer chain. Within one week after the covenant had been proposed Dr. Clark received more than two hundred letters from Christian Endeavorers asking that they be enrolled as members of this World's Prayer Chain. Thousands of persons, in many lands, have already become" links," and each day witnesses further enrolments. Here is the covenant to which all Christians, whether Endeavorers or not, are asked to affix their signature : " Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, and realizing the untold blessing of fervent, united prayer, we, the individual links in the World's Christian Endeavor Prayer Chain, covenant and agree to make it our practice to offer a petition for one another and for the cause of Christian Endeavor
ELSIE; OR, THE GRACE OF GOD
every day. We also promise to endeavor to bear in mind, at the usual time of our daily devotions, the particular cause which is brought to the attention of the Prayer Chain each month as the object of our united petition."
There is no form of organization. The memberR are asked, but not required, to send their names to Dr. Clark, that they may be enrolled on a private list in order that the members may be known and the faith of the members increased. Dr. Clark's address is 646 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.
Who shall say that these two new and twin endeavors-the enlargement of spiritual life and the practical evangelistic crusade-shall not have a great part in ushering in that glorious day when all the kingdoms of this world shall be the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ ~ ELSIE j OR, THE GRACE OF GOD.
BY MRS. E. M. WHITTEMORE, NEW YORK CITY.
Mission work in the slums and in the upper part of New York City is very similar in many respects. Lives of sin, hidden behind brown-stone fronts, are, if anything, more difficult to correct, and following the Master to fine-appearing haunts of sin is beset with more difficulties than amid the poverty and coarseness of the slums. Sin is the same whether it is enconntered on the top rung of the ladder, where the devil temporarily blinds the senses of his victims behind a whirl of tinseled finery, or when, descending lower and lower, the lowest step is reached, and the weary, reckless tread of vice and crime is heard in the slums. It is worth while, however, to follow sinners through their various stages, amid repeated discouragements, if finally one may rescue them by the grace of God.
From a beautiful home of comfort and refinement there stepped forth one day a poor, silly, foolish, but exceedingly pretty young girl of fOllrteen. By her side was a noted villain, who, through lying and deceit, had passed himself off as a person of title. By the time that SuspiCIOn was aroused in the minds of those who entertained him he had in subtle ways gained the love of this mere child, and he managed so to control her every thought that it was comparatively easy to gain her consent to elope with him. Once married, he thought that the parents would speedily relent, and thus he would be reinstated in the household, and later would have at his disposal whatever wealth the family might possess.
Contrary to all expectations, the dishonored family most emphatically resented all efforts at reconciliation, and with breaking hearts closed their doors even to their own child. Through gambling aud other evil pursuits the newly married husband kept up appearances for a few short years, during which time no attempts succeeded III turning poor Elsie to the Savior, tho many regrets and much shame and sincere remorse filled her heart.
The wild excitement of the life she led gradually produced and strengthened in her the taste for wine, until at last it gained such a mastery over her that, tho dressed in silks, she was powerless in the hands of companions who led her still lower into the sinful ways of the corrupt world.
The once apparently fond husband, under whose influence this formerly pure girl had become so changed, became not only a tyrant, but with great brutality -too awful to record-caused her to submit to his diabolical whims, until she no longer sent for liquor to give her a pleasurable gratification, but that it might, if possible, render her oblivious to his cruelty. In desperation she made six attempts 1.0 leave him, but each time she was captured again before the night passed. Finally one day, more than ever crazed with grief, she succeeded in carrying out her purpose, and be- came a wanderer upon the streets of New York. Agam she was found, and was urged to accept of the love and salvation of Jesus; but through false reasoning she again rejected the way of escape from the life which quickly followed.
Disheartened by ill health and repeated failures to secure light occupa- tion, she yielded more than ever to her craving for drink, and for weeks at a time was comparatively unconscious of her surroundings or companions. One -night, after a dreadful debauch, she was arrested with others; she was tried and senteuced to prison, and was placed on a par with the very low- est characters from the slums. She was made to realize very forcibly that the devil is no respecter of persons. The refinement of former days only intensified her misery, and the recollections of the past at times almost bereft her of her reason. Incensed beyond measure at all this additional disgrace, her parents, at the time of her release, had her again committed to avoid future publicity.
A few days after her second sentence the Door of Hope was opened at 102 East Sixty-first Street j and after the opening exercises were over and friends had left I knelt before God and reminded Him that all was in readi· ness, that even the beds were prepared, but that no inmates had come to find shelter there. I asked that He would graciously send those whom He saw were in need of such a home. The following morning a note came from Elsie, in which she asked that we would for God's sake give her a chance. With some difficulty, consent was obtained to have that second committal withdrawn. Those who knew her best sadly shook their heads, aud said that the experiment was certain only to meet with failure, and that it might materially reflect upon the work just being started. Nevertheless, by God's guidance, provision was soon made for her reception, and it was not long before she was introduced to the Head of the home-our blessed Lord. She gladly availed herself of the oft-spurned love, and it proved sufficient not only to convince her of sin, but through its purity the sin . was washed away, and in the strength of that love she has daily proved His effi0acy to save and to keep.
Not many months later the death of her husband was reported, and some two years ago one of God's ~servants was prompted to give her his hand. Under cover of his name she has now a dear little home of her own. Not only has this happiness been bestowed, but her family (so greatly injured) have relented and have welcomed her back.
Feeling in her heart a strong desire to work for God, she, with a few others, have opened a place of worship in the town where she lives, and there they gather regularly, with heartfelt gratitude 10 God that He is no respecter of persons, and that He wills to save even unto the uttermost.
Surely this instance will suffice to prove to the most skeptical the advisability of persistency in service for Christ. Never be in such haste to further God's cause as to pass by even one who has ca~ed discourage- ments and disappointments without number. Opportunities are granted to us to sow seed for which we will not later be held responsible. To be effective workers in the slums or in less conspicuous places of vice, we must keep in such close touch with God as to catch His divine thought, to act upon it, and to give Him the glory for all that may be accomplished. Never be influenced even by blessed results, but trust in God, work by God's strength and guidance, and definite fruit will then be gathered for God.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Attitude of the Turkish Empire When the American missionaries first toward Ohristians. entered Turkey seventy-five years ago, they did so under cover of these" capito BY J. T. GRACEY. ulations," which had thus been in usage for more than three hundred 1. UniJer the ., OapituZations."-The years. Rights of worship and educa· Roman Empire recognized" extra ter- tion, according to their own convictions ritoriality" in the government of for- and pleasure, were recognized as be· eigners settled within its bounds, and longing to all Christians entering, or extended the privileges under it by a resident in the Turkish Empire. Unsort of fiction according to which these der this general concession Christian communities, smaller or greater, were missionaries prosecuted successfully treated, within limits, as if non-resi- their distinctly professional business In dents. various parts of the Turkish Empire. They established schools and colleges, Five hundred years ago, when the set up printing establishments, and ex- Turk. entered Europe, he adoptcd this ercised themselves in all religious func- Roman fiction toward non-.Moslems tions incident to their vocation, not as a within the territory of the empire. privileged class, but in common with Theoretically, as a good Moslem, every merchants and others, cach within their Muhammadan ruler is obliged to put to own sphere. the sword all who refnse to accept the Quran and the Prophet. As a matter 2. Under the Berlin Treaty. – The of fact, no Moslem conqueror or ruler Christian Powers sought from time to has found it within the range of practi- time to incorporate the privileges rec· cal politics to thus far" unify" the in- ognized in the "capitulations" into habitants of the geographical section rights, secured by treaty with the Ottohe claimed to govern. There never man Empire. The object of the Berlin has been an instance where all the sub- Treaty of 1878 was to perpetually bind jects of a Muhammadan ruler were the Turkish Empire by compact to an Moslems. The preservation of these unalterable observance of these privnon-Moslems has been essential to the ileges, save as they might be modified commerce or other fixed necessity of the from time to time, with the consent of country. Hence, under restrictions, the Christian nations. The representa· they have always been suffered to re- tive of the Sultan at Berlin declared it main, the right of the realm to compel to be the full intent of the Ottoman all subjects to accept Islam, as a the- Empire to maiutain the principle of the ory. never being vacated. The fiction "capitUlations" in force. It had, unof " extra territoriality" in the Turkish der the law of internal necessity, for Empire adopted from the Roman Em- centuries made such concessions, alpire was an invention to a~·oid the con- ways, however, as an act of clemency, cession that any subjects of the empire subject to modification or suspension at were not Moslems. It was thus simply the pleasure of the sovereign. The in accordance with ancient usage, al- Berlin Treaty stripped the S.ultan of ready recognized in the territory, that this privilege, as we have said, save non-Mussulmans continued, possessed with the concurrence of the other naof liberty under slight personal restric- tions of Europe. The Sublime Porte tions, tho not exempt from taxation or became only a vizier governing these tribute, and some other obligations to races, subject to a consensus of Christhe government. tian sentiment. That this was the plain while reserved till the Treaty of Ber- understanding is shown by the fact lin.
that very many reasonable modifications The Treaty of Berlin took away from have been from time to time agreed the Sultan this fiction of sovereign clem- upon, till they have become quite a ency. Henceforth forever these were department of international and Otto· to be rights which not even the Sublime man jurisprudence. It was a humilia· Porte might deny. Under the galling tion to the Sultan to have thus thrust humiliation of that treaty the Turk did upon him a limited monarchy, subject not rest. He signed the treaty as a war to an outside congress of nations. Ac- necessity. It was his duty to violate it cording to Moslem law the Sultan is as soon as possible, and Abdul Hamid Pope as well as king. This struck II. chose to set himself to the task.
from him all his powers as Pope over This he has done by administrative all except his Moslem subjects, and at acts and by interpreting in a new way one blow blotted out his right as a good sundry laws and treaties. The authori- Moslem to put to the sword all who zation of presses and their publications would not accept the Quran and the by the Turkish authorities was a req- Prophet-a right never conceded till uisite accepted by the United States in then, the exercise of it, we reiterate, the treaty of 1870, but administration being a matter of expediency. The under it had been reasonable. Now it Berlin Treaty became the magna charta was extended to minutest cavil. and the of Christians in the Turkish Empire. work was obstructed by the most trivial Great Britain became security that the detail. Permission to print a work Turk would carry out the compact, and was annulled an hour after its publica- received the island of Cyprus in lieu of tion, and all the outlay was a loss.
the guaranty. Even Gospels long in circulation were 3. How has the TU7'k kept the compact 1 prohibited because they contained the -1. American missionaries, under the word "liberty" or the words "king- axioms of the" capitulations," had con- dom of God," the Sultan not wanting ducted enterprises of publication and any other .. kingdom" but his own; education, also charitable work of medi- and the ridiculous incident is vouched cal treatment, free instruction of the for of the suppression of Paul's letter poor, and maintained religious exercises to Galatians, as being addressed to the in their houses, in hundreds of cities, people of Galata, a suburb of Constan- towns, and villages in various parts of tinople, where they have been resident Turkey during the sixty years from from the time of the Roman Empire 1824 to 1884. All these privileges were under its "capitulations." When the exercised under ancient principles of censor was assured that the author of political administration of 'l'urkish law the letter had been dead many years, and usage, gradually extended from he demanded the certificate of Paul's the Edict of Toleration of 1453. '.rho burial! One would not quote such an Moslem law prohibits peaceful relations absurd instance but that it is matched with non-Moslems, nevertheless it was in hundreds of similar cases of obstruc- the right of the Sovereign Khalif to spare tions of recent date. The" Christian whom he pleased. By various decrees, Endeavor" constitution was not suf- enactments, and usages the Sublime fered to be printed, because the people Porte confirmed the privileges of non- would be thereby trained in organized Moslems in the empire under this gen- action, and "Onward Christian, Sol- eral policy of suspension. The right to dier " was interpreted as a seditious break treaties, cancel the edicts, and re- document. Similar repressive meas- verse the usages, whenever good policy ures were imposed on schools. History permits the resumption of war measures and general litbrature were eliminated for the extension of Islam, was all the from curricula. Graduates of Christian schools were debarred from gov· caused a lack of Moslem unity in the ernment service for the sole reason that civil service, and the Sultan set himself they were such graduates. A Christian to <:hange-not the treaty, but-the ex- teacher en route from Marash to Tarsus isting Christian majorities. The Chris- in September, 1895, with four pupils tian increment must be removed from was arrested on the road, and conveyed the civil service within the impositions with great indignity to Adana, where of the Berlin Treaty. It could be read- they lay in prison six weeks, no charges ily accomplished by a revival of the of any kind being made against them, ever-present principle of the Moslem after all their belongings had been right and duty to put to the sword all searched in vain for any objectionable non-Moslems, a principle, as we have matter; and after this they were sent seen, never abrogated, only suspended back to Marash and forbidden to leave first by the "capitulations" inherited the city for a year. Another preacher in Europe and then at the cannon's was thrown into the Adana prison for mouth at Berlin. four and a half months, with no charges of any kind against him. He was re- How could he superinduce this de- leased and again seized and condemned struction of Christian majorities? The to a year's imprisonment for having a tale is already thrice told. Nineteen copy of Shelley'S Poems in his posses- months ago, in the early summer of sion. His aged father after thirty 1894, the robber hordes on the northeast years' ministry was condemned to pris- border of the empire, the Kurds, were on for a year for having in his library incited to raid Armenians, with renewed an old hymn book which contained vigor, carrying off their cattle, their the hymn•. , Soldiers of Christ arise !" crops, and their women. The Arme- nians lived in seventy-five villages on These are not rumors; they are vouch- this plateau. They naturally went to ed for in Dr. Christie's report of St. the rescue of their women and their Paul College at Tarsus. property. Some shooting wall done; some Kurds were kill(;ld. The Knrds For half a century the proclamation did not bury their dead, but carried of religious liberty of worship was in· them and threw them down before the terpreted to include the exercise of this governor and said, "Is this the way function in any property of which the we are to be treated 1" The massacre perso!). was possessed, special sanction of Sassoun ensued. Ten thousand only being required if the property was Turkish troops were sent to " put down to be exclusively used for this purpose. the rebellion," with orders that the Shortly after the edict of 1892 was is- " dogs" were to be slaughtered-man, sued, it was interpreted to require that woman, and child. whenever a Christian purchased or ac· quired property, he must sign a bond The troops were dressed like Kurds, that whether house or lands, the same and the Kurds led the attack, thus de- should never be used for the education ceiving the Armenians into resistance of children or for purposes of religious which they hoped might be successful; meetings. This has been rigidly en· but presently they discerned from the forced against Christians, and against way the troops handled their weapons, no others. It was not made retroactive from the weapons themselves, and the in general, but an old law was inter- way the forces were manceuvered, that preted at will to apply against exist- they were not Kurds at all, and panic- ing institutions, as having been begun stricken at facing 10,000 regular troops, , .. without permission." they precipitately fled. Four hundred . Under the Hatti Humayoun,the com- women took shelter in a church, where they supposed they would find protec- . munity in which the school or worship tion from the sacredness of the place. was to be established was made the sole They were all murdered, and the blood judge of the need thereof. Under the ran over the floor of the church into the edict of 1892 the absolute authority was streets. A few of the more beautiful transferred to the government official, women were offered Islam as the alter- and an imperial firman was required to native of death, but they promptly said, authorize it, which of course could only " Kill us I" and then When men were be obtained by those having "influ- defiled to dig the trench to bury them, ence" (?) at court. they were all thrust, the living with One of the "reforms" promised by the Turkish Government was the ap· the dead, into the trench and kerosene pointment of local governors from the poured over them, and all were burned. class which were in the majority in any One mother with two children was given district. This would secure threatened that her children should be Armenians the civil rule when Arme- destroyed if she would not accept nians were in the majority; but this Islam, She refused; they tore one child to pieces before her eyes, and the British consul in thrt rity, "The asked her again, only to be repulsed Turkish Government can only maintain again. They killed the other child, its supremacy by cutting down its and again asked for her decision. She Christian sects," and the Grand Vizier's again said she could not" deny Christ." assertion is quoted, " To get rid of the and then they murdered her, and dying Armenian question is to get rid of the she said, "I cannot give up Christ." Armenian people." The Sultan is not, The soldiers boasted that they had as some affect, playing a new role; wit. slaughtered 15,000 in Sassoun. The ness the massacre of 50,000 Greeks in telegraph wires were cut, and it was Scio lIes in 1822, of 10.000 Armenians in two months before the news reached Mosul in 1856, of 11,000 Syrians in Europe. When an English commission 1860, of 14,000 Bulgarians in 1876, of was appointed to investigate these mas- the slaughter of other Armenians in sacres it was hindered for two months 1877 and 1879. Hamid II. is the Pope more. It never got to Sassoun at all. of a religious fraternity and king of a Witnesses were threatened with death political empire based on the forty-sevif they gave testimony against the enth chapter of the Quran, " When yo Turks, and for a year and a half the encounter the unbefievers strike off Sultan played one European power their heads, until you have made a great against another. Persecution was no slaughter of them." He will teach longer confined to remote districts. Europe that the theory of all survival The fall of 1895 saw a thousand Chris- of Christians is stilI an act of clemency tians murdered about Constantinople, of the Sublime Porte, and that the right and a hundred-nobody knows how to compel all to become Moslems was many-driven into the Bosphoros, their never yielded, not even in form. till bodies in many cases washing ashOl'e. the Berlin Treaty, and this principle Trebizond came next. Erzroom, Har- of the Moslem faith the Sultan now re- poot Aintab, Marash, Diarbekr, and affirms, Berlin Treaty or no Berlin others followed. The killing was au- Treaty. That the principle is a perma- thorized.all day some days, and for nent one he emphasizes by the slaughter four hours on other days. Then the of 2000 Yezedies at Mosul in 1892, and troops were to be called out and go by all the fierce fury of the Armenian through the farce of suppressing the massacres of 1894-96.
riots. No Turks were sbot. The offi- European navies were massed in the cer assured Dr. Barnum that the mis- DardaneIles to ask after the Berlin sionaries and premises at Harpoot were Treaty, and the Sultan's answer was in all safe, and tbat no Kurd should enter the appointing a Kurd to tbe office of the city. When the assault began Dr. Vizier of the empire I It is not likely Barnum appealed to him, only to re- they were obtuse enough not to under- ceive the reply, " What can I do against stand what that meant. The gauntlet 15,000 Kurds ?" At no time were there was thrown down, and an uncontrolla- more than 300 Kurds. A sheIl burst ble Moslem fanaticism was threatened in Dr. Barnum's study. Nine hundred if it was accepted. The violation of Christians were killed that day. treaty rights, and the suppression of The missionaries fied to the college Protestant interests, systematically and buildings. They were ordered to come openly on the increase for several years, out. Their reply was, "No, we will was deliberately inaugurated by the not. Kill us here." There were 17 Ottoman Government, because they adult missionaries on the staff. Their saw the success of Christian missionary eight houses were piIIaged and burned influences, especially of Protestants.
to the ground. Diarbekr was eighteen was steadily nndermining, and ulti- hours from Harpoot; 900 people were mately destined to overthrow the power killed there. In Southern Armenia of Muhammadanism in the empire.
three pastors were kiJIed, the wife of They recognized the struggle as not one carried off with his three children ; merely for ascendency, but for exist- two of these were killed, one rescued. ence. Selfishness impeIled them to reo The girls of the school were canied off sist all efforts, to interfere with their to Kurdish Villages. One pastor had his methods, and expose their corruptions.
hands cut off, and he was shot. Thus All missionary work has been seriously the unifying of the Turkish Empire has menaced, and much of it prooably degone on till a conservative estimate stroved, unless defended by force from makes 50,000 Armenian lives to be lost, witliout. and half a million reduced to starvation Russia has no sympathy with Prot- estantism, and Ahe is inevitably behind in midwinter. Nejib, Pasha of Damascus, is credited every scheme of the Turk to oppose rewith saying to a confidential agent of ligious liberty or education or reform. During all these eighteen years not a and have ceased to exert an influence blow has been struck because the Turk upon the communities where they are disregarded the Berlin Treaty. Prop· located. Sometimes the fault has been erty of American citizens has been de- with the inexperiencc or lack of zeal stroyed. and indemnity, tho it may be of the teacher. Generally the mission- promptly promised, will scarcely be ary has been unable to visit these paid, unless in the presence of force of schools often enough or to stay long threatening magnitude, probably of enough to advise the teachers how to greater force than the United States improve in their methods, or to enable without England can bring to bear them to gain that cooperation in its upon the Porte. An astute statesman- patronage and support from the local like friend of the writer said to him, community which assures it a standing.
after the Berlin Treaty, "They have Primary schools, in the nature of the sowed dragon's teeth." Mr. Salisbury case, are so comparatively inexpensive is quoted as affirming that Abdul Ha- that this has often led to their being mid has fixed the fate of the Turkish established where there was not a suffi- Empire, because Divine Providence cient demand. While one of the dis- will certainly avenge its cruelty and tincti ve features of Protestantism is the crimes. But what about that same fostering of the education of the masses, Divine Providence in its dealings with the masses, beyond the mere rudiments a body of Christian nations, who in or- of reading and writing, have very little der to perpetuate a buffer State between understanding of what an education is.
themselves, have perpetuated the exist· Without the stimulus of desire to read ence since 1878 of the most monstrous the Bible or the newspaper, or opportutravesty on all government and justice nity to apply their learning in definite and humanity of modern history? It ways which yield a money return, they is a case not merely of sustaining a buf- are apt to sink back to the verge of il- fer State, but one whose merit as a buf- literacy. At first a primary school may fer State is, that it is not Roman Catho- attract many pupils whose parents are lic nor Greek Catholic nor Protestant, possessed WIth a more or less sentimen- but that it has a religious complexion tal desire to have their children edu- which will not assimilate with either of cated ; this is the opportunity for the these to the political advantage of any mission to begin work and put in a one as against the other. Christians teacher, one who has the capacity to perpetuate Islam becau8e it is I8lam! make a primary school an evangelizing center, and who, at least, can prepare the way for public preaching services. The Outlook for Protestant Schools in As a general rule, after the first or Mexico. second year, unless the school has an BYW. HENRY GRANT, NEW YORK. unusual amount of attention or a spe- cially qualified teacher. there will be a In estimating the value of education decrease in the number of scholars enas a method of propagating and estab- rolled and a falling off and an irregulishing a pure Christian faith among larity in the attendance. If before this the Mexicans, it is necessary to discrim- occurs the school has not been utilized inate very particularly between the sev- to the full extent as an evangelistic cen- eral grades of schools and the condi- ter, resembling somewhat a mission tions under which each is operated. Sunday-school held six days in the For instance, some would do away en- week, its opportunity will have gone, tirely with primary schools, and confine perhaps never to return. In this view their attention wholly to providing the primary school is used somewhat higher Christian education for students to break down prejudice and to gain who are aiming to become teachers or access to the homes of the pupils.
preachers; some devote themselves ex- The later and more general demand clusively to combinations of boarding for education will be marked by the and day-schools, teaching the primary desire on the part of the Christian par- and higher branches to those Roman ents to have their children well taught, Catholics and .Liberals who prefer the and fitted for the part in life they are American schools, and are willing to to fill. It is quite safe to establish pay the school fees, M well as to such schools under this demand, providing pupils as it is expedient to take free. that the people benefited bear a full halt Perhaps the reason why many mis- of their support and are primarily re- sionaries consider the primary school sponsible for the salaries of the teach- as needless or wasteful of mission funds, ers. The conducting of such schools is that they have inherited a good many will, however. be very largely gov- of these schools which have run down. erned by whether or not there are already public or private schools estab· first of all it provides only for a favored lished of the proper character, without few. selected by fallible men, and not any adverse religious teachings. In by the Holy Ghost, and that it often Mexico, where there are good primary fits these few to be stumbling-blocks to schools already established in any 10· those who might come to the light. cality, it would be folly to start others Many missionaries who have made perunder Protestant management, unless sonal sacrifice to go to' foreign fields fully supported by the local Protestant have felt that practically they were im- community. proving merely the mental faculties of Higher education proceeds or should the heathen, and effecting little toward proceed with a somewhat different aim. the conversion of the world. It proposes not only to give the scholar High schools in Mexico to some ex- the mechanical vehicle for receiving tent have already come into active comand communicating thought, but seeks petition with State normal schools.
as well to guide him in his inquiries, These well-organized, well-equipped, and to develop his thinking faculties, and steadily improving State instituinducting him into a study of the order tions, with all the backing of the State and laws of nature and human society. government and all the favor of institu- Goethe says, " It is good to knowevery· tions belonging to the people, must be thing ;" and on this principle that edu- reckoned with in the long run. It is cation is a good thing in itself, it has safe to say of Mexico, ae of Japan, that often been accepted as incumbent upon the cases are few where the well-to-do missionary societies to provide for a class will choose the mission school in scheme of liberal education for their preference to the State school, the Prot· converts. The question of maintaining estant in preference to the Mexican and a hi~h school, however, cannot be de- non-religious, so that the mission must termmed merely upon its merits as hazard considerable, with a good pros· being" a good thing," but must rest pect of ultimately withdrawing.
upon the foundation of being essential As an essential to the progress and to the permanency of the Church, or a permanency of the native church, high practical aid in opening the minds of schools must be adapted to meet the the scholars and their relatives to re- needs of the local community from ceive the Gospel. which the students are drawn, and so Before considering the high school as must qualify those who take the full an essential to the permanency of the course of study for the work they have Church, we shall consider the high to do after their school-days are over.
school as an aid to evangelization and And this must be more carefully guard- the peculiar dangers of its failing of its ed in the case of those who are aided object. High schools may unfit the by being exempted from paying the poor for the part in life which they fees, or whose parents are making con- have to perform (uI).less carried suffi- siderable sacrifices that their children ciently far to practically provide them may be better qualified than they were with a profession). To be profitable in for getting on in the world. The prep- the sense of providing the education aration of teachers for mission schools demanded by those whose parents can or for entrance to the theological class pay the fees, high schools must gener· has often resulted in throwing almost ally adopt such a curriculum as to be the whole burden of education upon the utterly unsuited to the needs of the mission, and subsequently the support great mass of those who go from the of both the schools and pastorate upon schools back to manual labor, or who the same sources.
are to become teachers or preachers. It would not seem wise at presen t to Without the element of personal con- discontinue the conducting of high tact of an experienced missionary, whose schools already well established which influence over the scholars is great- have a strong Christian basis of work and this is rarely secured in large in the number of active Christian pu- schools-the factor which counts for pils, and which are successfully prepar- most in leading the students to faith in ing teachers to occupy positions in the Christ Is the life of the Christian schol- government and mission schools. It ars. No mission school should be al- would, however, appear wise to have lowed to grow out of proportion to the an outlook upon the future, and seri- number of active, earnest young disci- ously study what is likely to be the de- ples it contains. We do not say it will mand for the next ten years. Two do harm, but that under such conditions plans suggest themselves as modifica- It does not justify the expenditure of tions of those already in operation: mission funds. The expensiveness of First, that instead of providing ad- this method of evangelization is that ditional institutions for the preparation of teachers, or continuing those not Oonference of Foreign Missionary Boards fully established, good Christian homes of the United States and Oanada.
migbt be opened in cities wilere there are first-class State normal schools, under the supervision of the missionaries One of the most helpful and potent wilo are qualified to develop the spiritual means of forming and enforcing mis. life and Bible study of those residing in the home. As the government pro- sionary policy, for bringing about comvides in many cases for the board of ity and cooperation in the foreign field, pupils, it is not unlikely that the Prot- and for awakening interest at home is estant young men and women might the yearly conference of the representaavail themselves of Christian homes set up for their benefit; 01' where the mis· tives of American missionary societies, sion provides for such scholarships, it which held its fourth session this year, would be vastly less expensive, and in January 15th and 16th. in the rooms of some respects more broadening. to the Reformed Church of America. The subjects discussed included the conduct educational work on this problems of finance, methods of work, plan. The second, and probably the scheme that would be most readily accepted at relations of missionaries to governments, present, wouLi be to have such a curric- and the means of increasing interest ulum in the high schools as would make and efficiency at home and abroad. them effective training agencies for There were present 63 delegates, includ- Christian workers; thus those who did not study the full term or were support- ing 51 representatives of 23 mission ed by the mission would be able in their boards, 10 mi.sionaries from India, own c:>mmunities to superintend the China, Japan, Persia, Arabia. and Mex· Sunday-schools and do such educatiDnal ico, and editors of the T11e Independent work as their people could afford to pay for. Such is now the effort mak- and lIIssIONARY llEVIEW OF THE ing in several of the missions. At Zitacuaro the Presbyterian mission de· WORLD.
signs to have a training institute in We give the substance of the REPORT which it is designed that those who OF THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE as C(lUcannot pay the fees shall devote the taining some of the most importaut larger part of their time in industrial work. It. however, seems probable features of the discussions.-D. L. P.
that after this school is fully organized, it will inclu–le a course of preparation The first subject on which recomfor theolugical study, as the native mendations were presented was the church seoms to demand a more highly Study of lliissi:JJt8 in Tlleologica,l Semi- na1·ies.-a theme on which Dr. H. C. educated ministry.
The conclusion is that the school best Mabie, of tIle Baptist Missionary Union, suited to Mexico has not yet been read an able paper. evolved; that a few schools like the The following resolutions were ree- Presbyterian girls' schools at Saltillo ommended for adoption: and Mexico City and the lIethodist 1. That in our larger seminaries the Episcopal schools at Mexico City and time has come for the establishment of Pueblo are measurably meeting the a full missionary professorship. . . • needs of the Mexican Protestant com- It might be suggested as the function munity ; that most of the other high of this chair to unfold the nature of the schools are in a more or less transitory Christian religion as fundamentally and stage, not fully definable, and doing essentially missionary-missions are not unquestionable good, tho perhaps not incidental, but are constitutional to in the most profitable way; and that Christianity; they are incumbent on the American Protestant school as a pri- Christians at home, priVate or official, mary, preparatory, or high school quite as really as upon the missionary should be thorough, both in training who goes abroad-to exhibit the his- the intellect and in culti vating the spir- tory of specific missionary movements ituallife; that tho~e who pass through of the past, and having special reference these schools shonld be living witnesses to the missions of the denomination con- to the fact that Christianity is the very cerned ; to wisely treat the subject of foundation of a well-regulated manhood comparative religion and cognate phi- and womanhood. profitable for the life losophies; to present the geographical, that now is and for that which is to physical, climatic, political, and social come. features of the countries occupied by the denomination concerned; to lead in pentecostal devotion will ever avert the the study of methods; of moral ap- vital evil. proach to the peoples studied; how to build them up when won, iu s~If-re Something may be done by students specting, self-supporting, and self-gov- among themselves in the way of carry· erning Ohristian churches and commu- ing out a prescribed course of reading nities ; charged with the further duty recommended by the Student Volunof extending the Gospel received into teer 1'Ilovement. the regions beyond. Where such a pro· fessorship is impracticable, . . . each Regarding the Ejftcieney ~f Missionaseminary should at least have a mission- ries. upon which subject Rev. R. P. ary department in connection with some other chair. Sm'vice thus rendered, McKay, of the Oanadian Presbyterian however, should never be a perfunctf)r.v Board, read a paper, the report conservice. It should be assigned b some tinued : man of contagious spiritual vitality, who will perform the service as a real While expressing the most cordial aplabor of love with as much abandon preciation of the great ability, high and devotion as should characterize a character, and deep devotion of the mismissionary to Africa or the South Seas. sionary body, this conference would ex- press its conviction of the obligation 2. That in a few of our older and resting upon the missionary boards and stronger seminaries a special course of societies, to strive in every way to ingraduate or elective undergraduate in- crease the efficiency of the mission struction be provided, for which the ordinary curriculum does not afford op· force. To this end it would suggest yet portunity. This course might have greater care in the selection of new mis· particular reference to the detailed study of comparative religion and the philoso- sionaries ; firmness in discouraging the phies underlying; to methods of deal- return after the first ret urn to America ing with the adherents of various sys- of missionaries who have proved un· terns; to the subject of the relation of adapted to the work; greater prayer on education to evangelistic movements in the respective countries; and to the the part of boards and the home chUl'ch subject of languages and literatures in in behalf of the workers; a bringing to which the great ethnic systems have ex- the attention of the missionaries as may pressed themselves. be possible or practicable the results of 3. That in some cases in which the the experience of missionaries in other financial resources are more limited, fields; and also helpful books both eduseveral seminaries might combine to cational and practical-e.g., Dr. Nevius' support one professor or lecturer who should visit the several institutions in " Methods of Mission Work ;" high recourse, and in such a way thllt each quirements in the acquisition of the lanoutgoing class would secure the benefit guage b.v new missionaries; and a of the lectureship at some period in its greater effort to instruct appointees becourse. Where the seminaries are of fore leaving for the field in the main the same denomination, a joint endow- principles of missionary policy. . . . ment fund might provide for this at a The conference would suggest to the minimum cost to any single institution until such time as each could afford to missions that the work, however urgent, have its own. be so kept under control as to leave the workers time and opportunity for that 4. No seminary should be content Bible study, prayer, Ohristian conferwith less than securing occasional lec- ence and communion with God without tures from returned missionaries, secretaries of boards, and pastors apostolic which activity will be without power in tOlle on the great theme of missions. and earnestness withl'llt the conscious and sustaining presence of the Spirit 5. We think that all will agree that of God in His fulness. . . . the very' spirit of missions might be fairly required in the characteristic As to Self-SuPP01·t in Mission ChU1'elW8, influence of every professor in the theo- a subject di,cussed in a paper by Dr. logical institution, in whatever depart- Judson Smith. of the American Board, it was recommended: . . . ment he lubors. . .. The thing always to be feared is the human ambition to 3. That . . . in the judgment of the maintain a relatively higher intellectual conference the true ends of missionary than spiritual stanllard. Nothing but work are the preaching of the Gospel to a holding to New Testament ideals and every creature for the salvation of souls and the establishment among each peo- ple of an independent, self.sustaining, self-pr"pagating church.
4. That these ends are frnstrated or their attainment postponed by a system of prolonged, excessive, and debilitat- ing support of native pastors and eva.n- geIist~ from mission funds. Such sup- port attracts needy men and stimulate::; insincerity, cultivates a mercenary spirit, of its proper congregational and school and increases the number of mercenary expenses, and report what it has done Christians; it tends to stop the volun- to the mission or missionary in charge tary work of unpaid agents; it encour- each year before a further grant is recages the habit of dependence on for- ommended. eigners, and discourages the spirit of Discriminating Use of Mission Funds self-reliance; it makes it difficult to was discussed in a paper by Dr. S. H. judge between true and paIse preachers Chester, of the Presbyterian Board and church-members; it makes it proba- (South). The committee recommended ble that we will establish wrong stand- (1) that gifts for special objects outside ards of remuneration, causing distorted the regularly. . . authorized appro- ideas as to pay, and projecting the na- priations for the mission work are to tive church on a scale beyond the ability be strongly discouraged. Such gifts of the native Christians to maintain it ; involve unjust discriminations, subordi- it tends to lower the character and les- nate the judgment of the missions to sen the influence of the missionary en- private judgment, aqd interfere with terprise in the eyes of both foreigners the regularincome of the boards. Such and natives. It limits the work by diilcriminations, if right for one are right making it depend upon the neces- for all ; they militate against the pursarily restricted supply of funds from pose of the establishment of the boards, abroad. and are demoralizing to the work; . • .
5. That the time has come for definite (S) that it is desirable that some form of and united action in the direction of a statement showing the relative expendi- larger measure of self-support. This ture for each branch of mission work can be reached by establishing new should be published in the annual rework on II. self-supporting basis from ports of all the societies.
the outset. or upon a basis of partial The question of Ma'l'1'iage oj Mis- but diminishing assistance, which COll- sionaries was given a full discussion in templates distant self-sustentation. Both a paper by Dr. F. F. Ellinwood, of in the establishment of new work and the Presbyterian Board (North), and by in the reconstruction of old much can the conference as a whole, during which be done (1) by our general recognition the advantages and disadvantages of that self-support is both desirable and marriage were fully and fairly presentpossible, and by persistently instilling ed. It was finally resolved: into the minds of the converts the 1. That the Protestant position in reo thought that they must extend the Gos- gard to the marriage of missionaries pel, and that no money will be given should be maintained; that the effi- them for doing what they ought to do ciency of the missionary force as a themsel vas; (2) by such an adjustment of whole will thus be increased.
our ecclesiastical ideals as will form a 2. That there may and should be ex- system suited to the condition of the ceptions; that it is desirable in many country, and to wide, rapid, and volun- cases, especially in pioneer work, that taryeffort ; . . . (4) by recognizing that the missionary should remain for a lim- the result we aim at does not depend on ited period unmarried, and that mission- complex machinery and complex teach· ary boards and societies may wisely call ing. but on a few simple, deep truths for a greater or less proportion of volun- well enforced, and on sincerity rather teers who shall be sent to their fields than exactness and definiteness; (5) by with the understanding that they re- recognizing the slowness of growth, by main unmarried for from three to five avoiding precipitancy, or the ambitious years, or until the language is learned desire to make things as they are in the and the foundation of a prosperous American churches; (6) by trusting to mission is laid.
the real power of religion, its inherent S. That it may in some instances be vitality and ability to endure and to sup- wise for those who are so led by the port whatever is necessary for it; (7) Spirit of God to follow literally the high by spending time especially on the im- example of the Apostle Paul in devot- portant men and centers; (8) by re- ing an entire missionary life to the wor k membering that too little aid is better of a single missionary for the Master's than too much. It is always easier to sake.
recede in the direction of more aid than How to increase the EjJicierwy of Offi- of less. The dangers of less aid are cers of Foreign Mission Boards was the blessings in comparison with the evils subject of a very able paper by Dr. W.
of more…. S. Lambeth, of the Southern Methodist 7. That each board be requested to Episcopal Board. The committee re- adopt a rule whereby each Christian ported: community shall bear a definite share " Painfully conscious of our insufficiency for the wisest administration of that generous gifts be promptly-sent to this vast work, it is our conviction that the relief of that suffering.
we should seek in all the ways suggest· Resolved, That we authorize an ap· ed-by more frequent visitation of the peal in the name of the foreign mission- mission field, and by constant study, ary boards of the United States to the watchfulness. self-discipline, and prayer Government lit Washington to exert its -to meet more nearly if we may the hIgh full influence in all legitimate ways to demands of our office." bring the massacres to a speedy end, and On the Relations oj Missiona1'Y Work to guard the missionary interests imto GO'Ve1'nments, the conference listened perilled thereby.* with great interest to a paper by Dr. The conference heartily approved of S. L. Baldwin, of the Methodist Epis- the plan of a simultaneous missionary copal Board (North). and heartily en- campaign proposed by Dr. J. R. Davies, dorsed the principle that Christian mis- and it was recommended that a commit- sionaries are entitled to the same pro- tee be appointed with full authority to tection that is accorded to citizens of carry out this campaign. The conferthe United 8tates and Canada in China ence closed with an evening session in who are engaged in trade or other the assembly hall of the new Presby- seenlar pursuits, and this both with terian building, when Dr. G. W. Alexrespect to personal safety a!ld as to mis- ander (Presbyterian) and Dr. Crawford sionary property. It approved also the (Methodist Episcopal) delivered ad- wise discrimination between extreme dresses on "How to Increase the Effi- views which have been advanced in ciency of Members of Missionary reference to the claims which may Boards." wisely be used by missionaries or the consular agents who represent them in A Mission Oruise in the Pacific.
cases where mob violence or other causes have led to the destruction of property We have often queried why someor injury to life or health. body did not organize a tour for the special study of missions in foreign With respect to the complaint that parts, and 10, here we have it projected by the Evangelist, of New York, which missionaries have sometimes trenched is guarantee enough that it will be wiseupon the function of the local authori- ly conceived and faithfully conducted. ties in their efforts to protect native It is a boldly projected plan to provide for the conduct of a small party on a converts, it was resolved: tour of missions bordering on and lying 1. That the conference would urge in the Pacific Ocean. The starting- point is New York, April 8th, thence upon all missions in China which it rep- across the continent, leaving San Franresents to respect the powers that be, cisco for Japan, Yokobama, Tokyo, and to avoid all appearance of forcible Nagoya, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagasa. measures taken in the interest of those ki, and other points; thence to China, who are lawful subjects of the Chinese Shanghai, Foochow, Hong-kong, Can- Government. ton, etc. ; thence to Singapore. Bata- 2. That while thus refraining from via, New Guinea, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, etc. The details all resort to force, the conference would of the tour and expenses are published approye of the use of all persuasive and in a prospectus, which may be obtained intercessory means to secure from the from the Evangelist, 156 Fifth Avenne, New York. We do not see how fifteen authorities fuJI justice and protection to to thirty intelligent persons can make native converts. this tour without its resulting in a fresh impetus to the missionary cause. They The following resolutions also were will not" know it all," and may fecI passed regarding Armenian sufferers .- afterward that they are only just pre- pared to begin the study of tbose mis- Whereas, The sulfering in Turkey re- sions ; but-well, we envy those who sulting from massacre and robbery, in- shall take this tour. Alaska can be in- cluded in the itinerary if desired.- volving hundreds of thousands of home- J. T. G. less and destitute women and children, is vast in amount. and is daily increas.- ing as the winter deepens. . . .
Resolved, That, in the judgment of this conference, the appeal for relief is most urgent. and lays a sacred obligation not only on every Christian, but also on every citizen of the civili.zed world.
Resolved, That we recommend to the pastors and churches of the several de- * Gifts may be sent to Frank H. Wiggin, Esq.• nominations which we represent that earnest prayer to Almighty God in be- treasurer of the American Board, 1 Somerset St. Boston, Mass., or to Messrs. Brown Brothers & half of that suffering land be made, and Company. Boston, New York or Philadelphia,
FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
I1I.-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY, BY D. L. PIERSON.
Mexico,* Central America,t West Indies,+ City Missions.S MEXICO. can press; (2) the disposition to imitate many of the good points of Protestants; In spite of the many difficulties en- (3) the increase of brotherly kindness countered in the evangelization of the and charity; (4) the increasing demand Republic of Mexico, Protestant Chris- for Bibles, and (5) the entrance or Gos- tianity is growing in extent and influ- pel truth into government schools.
ence. Twelve evangelical denomina- The g,)vernment college of Guanajualo tions have established congregations in has fo~ its motto our Saviour's …..ods, various parts of the country, and these, t< The truth shall make you free."
numbering over six hundred in all, are Thirty years ago there was no orgau- centers of light and fruitfulness; over ized evangelical church or school hOllse eight hundr-eJ pupils are in Christian in Mexico; the statistical result of day· schools, some of them of higher twenty-five years' systematic work is grade, and about twelve thousand as follows: scholars are gathered in Protestant Sab- Centers of operation, 90; c(lngrega- bath-schools; medical missions are em- tions, 615; ordained missionaries, 60; ployed to some extent, and religious assistant missionaries and wives of or- literature is circulated everywhere on dained and assistant missionaries, 60; an average of nearly twenty-seven thou- lady teachers, 67; native preachers, sand pages daily; the American Bible onlailled, 111; natil'e preachers, Ull- Saciety reports over twenty-nine thou- ordained, 164; native teachers, 177; sand copics of the Bible in whole or other native helpers, 94; grand total part sold during the year, besides thou- of foreign and native workers, 782; sands of copies given away. TlJis churches organized, 444; communi- shows that multitudes of Mexicans will cants, 17,000; probable adherents, not only read the Gospel, but will pay 50,000.
for the opportunity. But success always arouses opposition, .. The wlwle country seems to be in as was manifested in the" burning of expoetancy, waiting for the Gospel," heretics" at Taxacapo not long since.
says Dr. Sibberts, of Queretaro. The Ten Protestants were dragged from indirect influence of the work of evan- their houses, shut up in a small room, gelization is manifested (1) in the toler- and burned to death, the torch being ant and conciliatory tone of the Mexi- applied by the local constable. The reason given was that tl18 missionaries * See al.,o pp. 1,'7,208 (present issue). BooTes: had denounced the worship of .. Our U About !ttexico: Past and Present," Hannah Lady of Guadaloupe." Even many of lfI'Jre Johnson; "A Mexican Ranch," Mrs. J. ,the Romish priests are brought under the power of the Gospel, and this great- P. Dugan; H Sketches of :Mexico, '1 J. 'V. But- ly arouses the enmity of the papal ler, D.D.; "Story of Mexico," Hale. Articles: bishops and their adherents. •. 'rl.le Republic of Mexico," The Ohanfauquan (October and November, 1895). The needs of this field are many and t See also p. 186 (present issue). Books: urgent; among them llre especiaJly (be- B The Gospel in Central America." F. Crowe. sides more lIlen and money) increased Articles: .~ The ~loskito Coa~t." MOl'avian facilities for the pUblication and dis- + Periodical Accounts (December, lh95.) tribution of Christian books and papers. See H Cuha's Struggle for Freedom, " C08- and increased efforts along educational mopolitan (Oct:)bcr, 1895); H Cuba Libre," In- lines.
dependel<t (December 5). is,svu.e)f.r. Banks: § See aL;o 202 (present Elsing, H rrhe Poor in p. Great Cities," Our Jacob O. Riis, and others; "Handbook of 80- ciologicrJ lteferences for New York," V. II.
'folman. Articles:" One Way Out," CentuJ'Y, (December). CENTRAL AMERICA. The missionaries are extending their work in the face of all difficulties, and The Mo.~qlU:to Ooast is now under the the blessing of God is still manifest. control of the Nicaraguan Government. so that the Moravians carryon their THE WEST INDIES_ work under the jurisdiction of a Catholic State, fruitful in revolutions. Thus The result of the revolution in Ouba far, however, the work has not !Jeen is still uncertain. There can be no iuterrupted, since the liberal party is in doubt that the people had many causes power. The hard times are not over, to complain of Spanish oppression and and the prosperous condition of two misrule; whether or not the natives years ago has not yet been restored. are capable of self-government may be ~Iostof the Moravian stations appear to a question in the minds of many, but have suffered little by the change of they could not make matters much government, but the effects of the worse than they have been under Spanish change were soon felt. These have ad- l·ule. There is always a temptatil)n for vantages as well as disadvantages. On a country to make use of a colony " for the one hand, the new government has revenue only"-a temptation which the power to enforce as well as to enact Spain has by no means withstood. The laws-a power which the Moskito Gov- Church in Cuba is at a standstill. but ernment had not. Many Indians cared the truth is still ali ve, aud will conquer neither for la ws nor for threats of punish- in the end, benefited in thc longrun. we ment for tbeir infringement, but they doubt not, by the results of the present cannot disregard the decrees of Nica- war. The Home :Mission Board of the ragua. When the Nicaraguan official Southern Baptist Convention has concame to Ephrata for the first time, the nected with its work in Cuba 24 misfirst words he spoke were, " This place sionaries and 2698 church mcmberE. is dirty; within one week every cne must cut down the bush on his ground. Christianity in Jamaica has progress- Whoever fails to do so will be fined 1" ed steadily through the workers of the The" head man" of 1he village had told Church of Scotland, the English Bapthe Indians that many times, and had tists, the English Presbyterians, Lonthreatened them with punishment, yet don Missionary Society, Wesleyans, nobody moved a finger. Three days Free Methodists, Moravians, and after the Nicaraguan uttered the em- others. 'fhe contrast between the nephatic word" dirty," almost every man groes of this island and those in the Reand woman in the place came out, public of Hayti is a striking testimony hatchet in hand, and began to clear to the value 1)£ missions. A century away the bush. On the other hand, ago tbe two islands were equal in social the heavy duties imposed by Nicaragua and intellectual degradation, and elIorts press very severely upon the Iudians. at evangelization awakened only ricli· The import duties have doubled the price cule. In Hayti, where papal and pagan of most goods, and especially clothing, superstition have prevailed, we still and the export duties have crippled some find commercial bankruptcy, physical of the industries by which they were sq!lalor, moral rottenness, inl,eIlectual wont to earn a livelihood; but the people stagnation, and spiritual deadness. In seldom complain. We believe that God, Jamaica, on the other hand, tho thcre who loves the Indians, means this trou- are still many thousands in neeu of lhe ble for their good. Formcrly many Gospel, even a casual visitor will notice spent their time in idleness, they did not the signs of prosperity, education, and need to bestir themselves; everything reJigious life. The progress of Chriswail cheap, and consequently they would tianity in Jamai~a answers, once for all, nell work. N uw they ha va tu work hard the query. "Can the African be Christ.:J cal'll sc;.i.L!;mt to c1oi,hc themselves. tianized 2"
Brazil is at present seeking to recover TTinidad from Great DJitain. The result is not yet certain, but will not, daily devoting themselves to a life of in any great degree, effect the progress of missions in that island. The inhab- self-denial and self-sacrifice for the sake itants number abont two hundred thousand, about sixty-five thousand of of their Lord and their unsaved brothwhom are Indian coolies employed in the plantations ; there are also a small ers and sisters. But the Church should number of Chinese; all others besides the Europeans are negroes. The Mora- do still more to send out godly men and vians, Canadian Presbyterians, and others are laboring here with increasing women into the shIms, who will tear success. The Moravians also 'carryon work in Jamaica, Tobago, 'St. ,Kitts, down those vile tenements (not main- St_ Croix, :St. Thomas, St. Jan, and Antigua. tain them and grow rich by them), and * CITY MISSIONS. who will put up something better in Various people look at the city from their place. It is ten 'thousand times different standpoints. To some it is a mart of commerce; to others it is the better for the little babes to die at their seat of learning; to others it is a combination of brick and mortar, a vast mothers' breasts in many ,conditions anetwork of streets. But the city is also under which they are born, than to vast battle-field crowded with the dead and the dying; it is a storm-swept grow up to have their lives blasted by sea, throwing multitudes of immortal souls into the breakers of the life be· the flames of lust and passion, and be yond the grave; it is a vortex in which human hopes and peace and joy, and damned for time and for eternity. everything else that men love and hold dear, are being swallowed and swept The Church needs to have a larger away_ The modern city, multiplying itself so rapidly, and with its congested knowledge of existing conditions. damnable conditions, is to-day, in some respects, one of the greatest foes of the Many of God's people find their city Christian home and civilization, and unless we master the problems which life limited to the avenues of fine resiit offers, and regulate it according to the principles of the Gospel, it will dences and magnificent business estabsooner or later overwhelm us with a ruin darker and deeper than ever came lishments; they know nothing of the to the Roman Empire. vast districts where sin and shame and But in the midst of our modern city we have something which the ancient sorrow are a thousand times more comcities of the forgotten empires never had, and that is the Church of the Lord mon than righteousness and joy and Jesus. The Church of Christ stands to-day in the midst of the city, and peace. Unless we come face to face pours out a consecrated stream of godly men and of devout women, who are with the existing conditions, sooner or * The substance of an address by Rev. Dr. later the unchurched masses will rise John R. Davies. up ; God alone can foretell the result.
The Church of Christ needs better organization for city mission work_ Our evangelical churches are for this reason overlapping each other in their efforts to reach the ma.sses. One mis- sion works for years a few doors from where another magnificent mission plant is being built, tho there are other crowded districts where no one is work- ing. There is much to be done, and we need to exercise wise discrimination. This need would be met if all those who believe in the simplest essentials of Christianity should form a vast confed- eracy and portion out the entire city, placing men, women, and money where they are most needed, as they are guid- ed by Divine grace and wisdom.
The Church also needs a larger ap- preciation of and enjoyment of the pres- ence of the Holy Ghost. Look at the Church's machinery for this work- wealth, intelligence, numbers, experi- ence, and power. But we need the fill- ing of the Holy Ghost, so that all this vast machinery may move with one purpose and with almighty power.
The city contains the possibilities for almost unlimited evil, and also for boundless good.
EDITORIAl. DEPARTMENT. 21'7
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
MarQh of Events. has so long derived a revenue. Italy carries on a desultory warfare in Abys- The great student missionary conven· sinia, and Russia is said to be massing tion at Liverpool (January 1st-5th) has troops on the Korean frontier, and to now passed into history. but the influ- have entered into an offensive and deence exerted upon those privileged to fensive alliance with Turkey-in fact, be present snd upon the whole world there is scarcely a nation of the earth cannot but be deep and lasting. On which is not either threatened with war another page of this issue of the REVIEW or which has not recently been engaged will be found a careful "bird's-eye in one. What blessed results might not view" of this notable gathering, to be be expected if earth's rulers were only followed in a subsequent issue by as zealous to care for the interests of the " choice nuggets" from the addresses kingdom of heaven as tbeyare to main· by the world-renowned speakers who tain their own honor and extend their were there present.-D. L. P. own possessions I-D. L. P.
Another convention of great interest Armenia's cry still goes up to God, and importance-that of the Representa- the Turk still carries on his bloody tives of the Mission Boards of the United work, the rulers of Europe still delay States and Canada-was held in New to force the Sultan to terms, and Chris- York, January 15th and 16th. A par- tians are very, very tardy in contributtial report of its proceedings will be ing the necessary funds to relieve the found on page 210 of this issue. suffering brothers. Miss Barton has started for Armenia to institute the reo While the Student Volunteers of the lief work under the direction of the world and the Mission Boards of Amer- Red Cross Society, tho the Sultan reica have been in session to confer as to fuses to recognize that Order as such. the best means of extending the spir- Every day's delay meanS untold sufferitual kingdom of Christ on earth, the ing to 350,000 destitute Armenians in nations of the world have seemed on the dead of winter. "Inasmuch as yo the verge of becoming embroiled in did it not unto one of the least of these bloody strife to maintain or extend My brethren, ye did it not to Me." their own selfish temporal interests. England, in addition to the trouble Resolutions have recently been passed with the United States and Venezuela in the United States Senate urging the over the Venezuelan boundary, has been Powers to stop the outrages, and promthreatened with war with Germany on ising to support President Cleveland in account of Jamieson's raid in the Trans- the most vigorous action he may take. vaal, and has sent an expedition to bring the King of Ashantee to terms-an ex- Rev. Thomas L. Gulick writes that pedition not involving a battIe, but cost- Senor Ximenes, whom F. Hopkinson ing the life of Queen Victoria's son-in- Smith, one of the few Americans who law, Prince Henry of Battenberg. Bra- seek to excuse the Sultan and his zil and the Argentine Republlc also wish butchers, gives as his authority for the to settle accounts with Great Britain by statement that missionaries" sow seeds demanding the restitution of Trinidad of rebellion," is "a man without charand the Falldand Islands. Spain still acter and utterly untrustworthy, and spends men and money in seeking to lived by swindling." Mr. Gulick says: suppress the Cubans, from whom she " I am credibly informed that Senor Ximenes obtained photographs of the frightful effects of the Sassoun massacres, but wag induced by the Turks bad and partly destroyed other villages. by potent considerations to suppress Three hundred persons perisbed in the the photographs, and to become the several villages. On the following Sunadvocate of the Turks against their day there was another and severe shock, which destroyed the small town of Goi, victims." and did great damage in many of the villages in the district affected. Eight How are we to view the following hundred persons are said to have been "Official Declaration of the Sublime killed in Goi alone. Large numbers of Porte [publisbed in the REVIEW for cattle and sheep perished. September, 1894], relinquishing the practice of Executions for Apostasy," Intelligence reaches us from Lima, in the light of tIle recent massacres? Peru, that the mayor of San Miguel a few w('eks since seizerl and burned in (TRANSLATION.) the public square of that city all the Bibles and stock of the local agent of .. It is the Apccial and constant inten- the American Bible Society. There is tion of His Highness the Sultan that bitler opposition in Peru t:J the distribu his cordial relations with the High lion of Protestant Bibles. They have Powers be preserved, and that a perfect been burned there before, and only two reciprocal friendship be maintained and years ago the Bible Society'S agent was increased. imprisoned several months for no other offense than distributing Bibles. It " • THE SUBLIME PORTE ENGAGES TO only shows what fanaticism is capable TAKE EFFECTUAL MEASURES 'ro PRE- of in a country dominated by the Ro- VENT THENCEFORWARD THE EXECU- man hierarchy, and that the spirit of TION AND PUTTING TO DEATH OF THE the papacy is the same that was mani- ()HRISTIAN WHO IS AN APOSTATE . fested in the days of the Inquisition. The cause of Rome is weakened rather .. • March 21, 1844.' than strengthened by making fuel of God's Holy Word. .. To this must be added the following declaration of His Highness the Sultan to Sir Stratford Canning, at his audience on March 22d, 1844 : " • Henceforward neither shall Christianity be insulted in my dominions nor shall Christians be in any way persecuted for their religion.' "
We acknowledge the sum of $10 re- Gtah was proclaimed a State on Janceived from J_ H. Beck, of Waynes- uary 4th. Christians are anxiously burg, and forward to the relief of the watching the result. The laws pro- Armenian sufferers. What is to be hibit polygamy, the Mormon Church done to feed and clotbe these starving has for the time suspended the ordiand destitute fellow-Christians must be nance for plural marriages. Will the done immediately / every day's delay laws of the State, which are against the means untold suffering to thousands of laws of~the Church, be enforced? men, women, and children; before the winter is passed thousands will have Commander Ballington Booth and perished unless immediately relieved. hie wife have been recalled to London Contriblltions !lent to the editors of the from tl.e command of the Salvation REVIEW will be immediately forwarded A.rmy in the Uniteu States. No official to the relief committee.-D. L. P. reasons have yet been given. Com- mander Booth has had charge of the News comes from Persia of two Stl- Army here for nine years, and has built vere earthquakes, causing the loss of it up from a struggling, fanatical band 1100 lives in the Khalkhal district. of people to the great body of religious 'rIle first shuck, which was experienced workers that now commands respecton January 2.1, was severe. It com- ful consideration all over the United pletely destroyed the village of Zanza- States. Mrs. Booth is a ,refined and intplligCllt lady, whose influence iu the At present the laws of Japan l'rol,ibit greu.t work achieved in this country has the 'owning or leasing of real estate by not been surpassed even by hei' hus- foreignprs except in the treaty ports band. They have come in personal (the revised treaty becomes operative in touch with the members of the Army, 1900)_ In consequence of tbis, all sllch property purchased by the different and with many persons not identified boards has been held in the name of with the organization. They 1Iave so Japanese_ With two exceptions no loss endeared themselves to all that uni ver- has been suffered through mi.placed confidence. This arrangement WH,S satsal regret will be expressed over their isfactory to all parties until the political departure. campaign of 1893, when one of the party issues related to a more atrict €Ilforct)· Report of the Deputation to Jrtpan.* ment of the treaties. Tbe holders of mission property were denounced as After an absence from home of about lacking in patriotism, thus being caused four months (August-December, 18ilG), cOIlfiiderable )neasine~s. The introducth2 Deputation sent out to Japun by the tion in the Imperial Diet of a bill im- po,ing severe penalties npon Japanese Prudential Committee of the American holding real estate for foreigners so ex- Board has snbmitted its report as to the cited those who held the property for conditions of the missions to that em- the Board, that they appealed to the mis- sionaries to be relieved of it. The mispire. and the policy to be pursueu in sion authorized the transfer of tne propthe future relations between foreign erty outside the treaty ports (except and native workers. The Deputation that in Kyoto, MatsllYllma, Osaka, and consisted of Rev. James L. Barton, Kumamoto) to the trustees of the D.D., of the American Board; :Hon. Doshisha for the endoViment of a theo- William P. Ellison, of the Prudential logical department. CaDc€l'ning this Committee; Rev. James G. Johnson, property there is no misunderstanding. D.D.. of Chicago; and Rey. A. H. The Board also has purehused at vari· Bradford, D.D., of Montclair. We ous times lots of land in Kyoto upon hope to givc further consideration to which it has built nine hOIlSES for the the report in a subsequent issue of the use of its missionaries. Afler the Doshi- REVIEW, but at present can notice only sha Company was organized. all of this a few of its salient features. D. L. P. property was transferred to the trustees. Concerning this property there is a seri- The points of investigation pertained OilS misunderstanding. the Board beespecially to the tenure of property. the lieving that it was given for the use of condition and managemf'llt of Doshisha missionaries, and the trustees claiming University, and other institutions in that it was for the" foreign teachers." which the Board is interested, and the Altho there were many conferences, no best methods for the further prosecu- result was reached, and the deputation tion of evangelistic and educational left the Whole matter to the honor of work, together with plans for coopera- the truRtees_ tion with the Japimese. The report is, in part, as follows: Becllllse of the peculiar conditions in Kyoto making medical 'Wol'k DO longu Interviews were accorded by the Sec- essential, the Deputntion was not a,hle to retary of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary advise the return of Dr. Berry to Japan, of Education, and by various eminent altho it fully recognized the unique S('reditors, edueators, professors, and mis- vice which he had rendered in the pa~t. sionaries of different boards; prolonged conferences were also held with 154 Jap- There was marked concurrence in tbe anese. The Deputation visited nearly opinion that a change had talu'n place all the missif)t1 stations of the American in the theological attitude oj the ])osltisha, Board in Japan and of many other b'larus_ The subject of missions in and that in its Christian character and Japan was never before studied so thor- spiritual tone it was far less posHi ve oughly ; in ·making its report the Depu- than formerly. The Deputatbn was tation was unanimous. especially impressed with the unusual way in which the trustees used the word * The full text of this report may be seen in " Christianity," which in the Constitu· tion of the Doshisha defines the char' the Independent for January 30, 1896. acter of the institulion. The clause reo ferred to is: "Christianity is the foun- dation of the moral edncation promoted by this company_" It was asked if they would affirm as among the beliefs for which the Doshisha stood in Japan. 1896 is paid, the sum given by the the personality of God, the divinity of Board be reduced annually. so as to Christ, and the future life. They de· cease at the end of the year 1898.
clared that as individuals they could Mission work in Japan, to be efficient affirm their acceptance of those beliefs; must be adjusted to the changes whicl; as trustees they could not, since differ- are there taking place. In a land where ences existed among Christians, and schools are provided for all; where dis- they must not ally themselves with any pensaries, hospitals, and trained nurses party_ 'fhey declined to accept the are provided, either by the State or by creed of the Kumi-ai churches in defini- individual enterprise; where even Chris- tion of the word "Christian," saying tians are only a quarter of a century that they would thus identify them- from the Buddhism, Shintoi~m, and selves with a single denomination. Confucianism of their ancestors, the When urged t:> make some statement, missionary problem is serious and com- however brief, of what they meant by plicated; the wonder is that divergence " Christianity," they said that, having from the traditions of Christendom is declared their purpose to maintain a not greater. The question forccd upon Christian institution, they should be us by our investigations is not, How trusted so to do_ They said that theo- may the American Board withdraw its logical opinion in Japan was in a forma- missionaries from Japan? but, How tive state, and beliefs were unsettled; may it help them to work more wisely that it would be disastrous to them to and efficiently? That can be best ac- act now under appearance of compul- complished not by an increase of the sion, therefore they could make no state- resident missionary force, but by certain ment except that they should maintain changes in methods. Therefore we a Christian university. They said that recommend that the number of mis- tho some professors in the university sionaries in the service of the American were not Christians, effort would be Board in Japan be not increased at pres- maLie as changes occurred to secure such ent. The time has come for a slight professors only as would be in harmony change in the method of conducting the with the Christian spirit of the institu- work. The opportunity before Chris- tion. Careful inquiry showed but a tians and preachers who are not only small number of pastors in the Kumi-ai consecrated, but also learned and wise, churches who held agnostic position in was never more inviting, and we believe regard to the fundamental truths of that the people were never more willing Christianity, concerning which the to recei ve them. Evangelistic work can Doshi.~ha trustees were unwilling to be better done by the Japanese, but the speak. The Doshisha is a Japanese in- training can better be gi ven by profes- stitution, and its trustees must be, under sors and pastors from abroad. What is the laws of the empire, citizens of now most required is instruction in Japan. While most of the money for apologetics and the philosophy of Chris- its erection and maintenance has come tianity. and direct aid in evangelistic from America, it has not failed to h9ve work by those whose position in the support from the Japanese. In the ris- Church and among scholars will secure ing of the national spirit there has come for them the respectful cousideration of sensitiveness on the part of many in the men who must be the Christian close relations to the university lest it leaders in Japan during the next gen- should seem too much controlled by eration. We therefore recommend that foreign influence. The Bible has place the Prudential Committee send annu- in the curricul um ; professors amI stu· ally to Japan men of established ability dents are required to attend daily ser- and reputation to speak on various sub- vice; the president preaches evangelical jects in furtherance of missionary work, and fervent discourses; the trustees and that in this plan they endeavor to pledge themselves that, should the secure the cooperation of other mission· Doshisba cease to be a Christian insti- ary societies.
tution, the property shall be sold and Your Deputation has found a desire the proceeds returned to the donors. for a more scholarly Christian literat1lre The Deputation recommend: (1) That than is now within the reach of those· the teachers supplied by the Board be who read only the vernacular. Other continued, if desired by the trustees; religious bodies, Budahists, etc., are (2) that while the men sent by the Board flooding the empire with cheap books are connected with the theological de- in favor of their religions. As one way partment, our cooperation with the of meeting this demand, the mission has Doshisha in the training of pastors and already taken steps for starting a Reevangelists be continued; (3) that, after view in the vernacular, which shall aim the reduced appropriation for the year to provide the best results of modern Christian scholarship. We approve this been done since 1871. The non:Chrisaction, and recommend that the project tian leaders in Japan now recognize the be financially aided by the Board. worth and power of the Christian char" (Jooperation between the mission and acter, and honor the true Christian life. the Kumi-ai churches, your deputation The missionary is now free to go at will is of the opinion, is desirable. Pastors into all parts of the empire. The Bible whose radical views in theology make and Christian literatulc have free cir- fellowship ditlicdt are exceptions, and culation. The prisons are open for the they should not be allowed to disturb Christian evangelist. Christian teach.
the fraternal relations between the mis- ers are in many of the Government sion and the churches. Churches schools. Persecution is a thing of the should still be organized according to past except as it occasionally appears in the usage of the Kumi-ai body. If the disguise. Christianity has already put church becomes self-supporting, the mis- its stamp upon the laws of society, of sionary will have no l'elation to it ex- the army, and of the State, and is mak- cept that of love and fellowship; but ing itself felt in literature and forms of if the church expects :hom the Board thought. Nevertheless, we must bear financial assistance, then the missiona- in mind the fact that, compared with the ries must take measures to satisfy the entire population, the number of Chris· Board that the money given by it is not tians is small. Including those con- used to aid or to support those who are nected with the Greek and Catholic not evangelical. On self-8upport, the churches, the highest number claiming Deputation recommend that the mission the Christian name is less than one plan to reduce its expenditures for evan- fourth of one per cent. of the Japanese gelistic work as rapidly as is consistent people. Even the best of these have with the success of the missionary cause. only a few years of Christian experience We suggest that those regions where and training. Under these circum- there are strong Kumi-ai churches be stances the marvel is that Christianity left as far as possible to the care of those has been able not only to maintain itself churches, and that the mission devote during these Jater years which mark the its attention to the more remote and less rise of the new national and intellectual spirit, but also to make signal progress. developed localities. It is now a generally accepted princi- The time has not yet come, and for ple that the evangelization of any land many years may not come, to leave the should. so far as possible. be committed evangelization of the empire to the Japto the hands of native Christians. 'fhis anese churches. Of the ninety-nine is peculiarly true in Japan. In so. far Kumi-ai churches and provisional as practicable, we urge conference with churches, only thirty-nine are self-supthe Home Missionary Society of the porting. All are young; some have a Kumi-ai churches (which is entirely in- small membership.
dependent of the Board) as to the best The members of the Deputation feel that such visits as they have made to places for beginning new work. The condition of the Kumi-ai churches Japan ought often to be made to the and of the missionary service in Japan various mission fields, both for the sake on the whole is very encouraging. The of the missionaries and still more for the abnormal movement of multitudes tow- sake of those cbarged with the duty of ard Christianity has given place to a carrying on the work. The problems slow and healthy growth. The churches of missionary policy in almost all lands are not so well attended as formerly, are so complicated that study on the but those who do attend are more faith- ground alone can give promise of satisful and are developing a stronger faith factory solution. Therefore we unite in suggesting that occasional visits be and doing better work. Concerning education, it advised that made to the various missions of the the attention of missionaries should Board by the secretary and members of rather be directed toward evangelistic the Prudential Committee, and by such than educational effort. The educational pastors and laymen as may be selected, system of Japan is excellent, and reaches in order that the Board may better understand their responsibilities, and into nearly all parts of the empire. While Japan is a smail country in that the churches may better appreciate area, yet when we regard its popUlation the difficulty of the service committed of more than forty_one millions, with to their representatives in foreign lands.
its political, social, and religious impor- tance in relation to the problems of the Far East, it is of the utmost moment Rev. Nathaniel G. Clark, D.D., that we give to this nation careful consideration. Christianity entered in 1859. LL.D., who until the fall of 1894 was but the most of the work in Japan bas Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Society for the Suppression of Vice, died at his home in West Rox bury, reports as a token of the efficiency of Mass., on January 3d. Dr. Clark was the society for 1895, 2044 arrests, 19 born in 1825, and for twenty·nine years tons of gambling paraphernalia seized, worthily filled the office of Correspond- and 47 tons of obscene matter destroyed.
ing Secretary of America's oldest for- It is well·nigh appalling to discover eign missionary society. He was re- how much of this moral filth is cap- markable for the beauty and symmetry tured ; it might be still more appalling of his character, for his rare executive to know how much is now in circula- ability, and for the breadth of view and tion or on the market.
the foresight which he displayed. His entire consecration, strong faith, and Mr. S. H. Hadley has been the Super- great practical wisdom rendered him intendent of the Jerry llcAuley Water an invalnable counsellor in anyemer- Street Mission for nearly ten years.
gency ; the impulse which he gave to This good old mission was the first dis- the cause of missions will long survive tinctive rescue mission in the world, him,:and make his memory precious for and from it have sprung hundreds of generations to come. other soul-saving works which are now established in many parts of Amer- As a result of the report of the com- ica and in foreign lands. Its op- mission of investigation of the Kucheng portunity for usefulness was never ma~sacres, 26 were executed for murder, greater than now, and yet it is in sore 17 banished for life, 5 imprisoned for need of funds to carryon its noble work life, 27 banished for ten years, 5 impris. of saving men's souls, redeeming their oned for five years, 5 chained to a stone bodies from the curse of rum and for three years, and 5 for six months, 2 vicious habits, and helpiug them to lead placed in a canguc for two months. In a noble and useful life. The miracles all, 92 persons were punished; only of grace which have been witnesed in those actually proved gnilty were sen- that old Water Street Mission have set tenced. Mr. Banister (C. M. S.) says that God's stamp of approval on the work, we may learn the following lessons from and should call forth unceasing funds the experiences of the commission in for the work. Mr. Hadley is ready to Kucheng: respond to invitations of pastors and 1. That any future commission which others to hold evangelistic and rescue may be appointeflshould have full pow- meetings in any of the larger cities and ers and explicit instructions. 2. That the towns, where he will relate his own Chinese authoril.ies should appoint a wonderful experience, and will tell of special commissioner with full powers, the transformations wrought in that without reference to the local officials. dark quarter of New York. No sub- 3. That there should be some tangible ject is of greater interest or more imevidence of the serious local results fol- portance than this work of rescuing lowing refusal of immediate justice, or moral outcasts. The work calls for of duplicity on the part of the local offi- your prayers and your gifts. Mr. Hadcials. 4. That it is possible for the ley may be addressed at 316 Water Chin{)se authorities to discover and Street, New York City. D. L. P. promptly apprehend the real offenders iu any outrage on foreigners in whatever part of China it may take place.
" Please remember this great Honan Rev. D. M. Stearns haa shown an inplain in prayer, with its 8,000,000 and terest in foreign missions as well as in 62 chief cities, all unreached by the Bible study which might well be imi- Gospel"-so writes Howard Taylor, tated by all the Ohristian pastors of the from China. world. His report of the collections made and distributed through him tl) Anthony Comstock, of the New York missionary fields shows a total of $19,- 094.18 for the past year, and a grand The American Tract Society issues total of $55.868 for the past seven years. " The Islands of the Pacific," by Rev.
The contributions have come for the James M. Alexander. It claims to be- most part from his own church in Ger- what it is-a compendious sketch of mantown, and from the members of his missions in the Pacific. It traces the Bible classes in various cities. history and development of these mis- The Student Volunteer Fund has reo sions from their origin on, and ends ceived contributions from Rev. J. 1. Seder, of .Tapan ($5), Mrs. McEwen, of It- with the "glance at the future of the Paaly ($50), and Mr. Charles T. Riggs, of Constantinople-himself a student vol- cific Ocean_ Its maps and illustrations unteer-($10). If friends in foreign lands recognize the call to enable needy are of a high order, and of themselves student volunteers to ;keep pace with the problems and progress of mission- constitute a marked attraction. It is ary enterprise. should there not be more response from Christians at home? The worth while to have in one comprehen- Volunteer Fund is very much in arrears, and the publishers of the REVIEW are sive but not too bulky volume such a in danger of being compelled to limit their offer of the REVIEW at a nominal story of a triumphal march of missions_ price to volunteers, owing to the growing debit to the account of the Volun· He who reads this book will feel as teer Fund. never before that the Isles have waited Rev. Henry Stout, D.O., has returned to his native State, New Jersey, for God's law. A. T. P. after twenty-seven years' absence as missionary in Japan, under the aus· Few books on the subject of missionpices of the (Dutch) Reformed Church. ary policy show greater imight into the present-day problems in the mission field, or more consecrated wisdom as 10 how they are to be dealt with, than Dr. John L. Nevius' " Methods of Mis- sion Work," * the first edition of which was printed from the Ohinese Recorder ten years ago. Dr. Nevius was a man with a genius for missions, and possessed the rare combination of good judgment, firm convictions, anu courteous defer- Publications Noticed. ence to the opinions of others. The Among recent issues of the press, METHODS set forth in this little book are F. H. Revell Company have added to their already comprehensive list, " Nad- " flexible, and so wise and discriminatya, a Tale of the Steppes," by Oliver lI:I:. Norris, which will be very interest- ing," as the PresbyterianBoard says in its ing to those who wish a glimpse of Hussian life, and especially of the Stundists, introductory note, ., that the spirit of tho who are to Russia what the Moravians have been to Bohemia and Saxony. method is clearly evidenced as the meth- The same publishers have issued" Parsian Life and Customs," by Rev. S. G. od itself. It removes one wholly from "Wilson, M.A., whose fifteen years' service in the land of Esther fits him to the spirit of dealing with hirelings to one write with intelligence and appreciation of this country and its people, of which of blessed privilege of working with so little comparatively is known. The book is a valuable addition to our mis- brethren in the Lord for the glory of sionary literature. It contains a condensed account of modern missions, God as supreme." The book discusses, briefly epitomized within some twenty- among olher things, how to deal with new convcrts, begiuning wOlk, and the founding and governing of out-sta- tions, illustrated by his own work in Central Shantung. The appreciation of the :Methodist and Presbyterian boards (North and South) is evidenced by the fact that they have sellt copies of the book to all their missionaries in the field.' D. L. P.
three pages, which will be especially • Published by the Presbyterian Board, 156 helpful to students of missions. Fifth Avenue, N. Y.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY BEV. D. L. LEONARD.
Extracts and Translations from Foreign thew's, Melbourne, Victoria, has re- Periodicals. signed his charge in order to go to Per- BY REV. O. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, sia, as Bishop Stuart, of New Zealand MASS. lately resigned his diocese for thc sam; purpose. "Naturally enough many UNITAS FRATRUM. doubts and questionings prevailed in -The Moravian missionaries in Lab- Melbourne at first regarding such a rador gave no encouragement to the project. Mr. Blackett's own congre- scheme of transporting Eskimos to the g~tion were aghast; but after hearing Chicago World's Fair. They have hIS assurances that God's call had come been sadly justified by the result. The to him, they rallied round him in warm returning wanderers brought back with sympathy, and Ii remarkable farewell them a contagious sickness, apparently gathering took place in the spacious typhus, which has already carried off Sunday-school buildings of the parish, at Nain, the mother station, 88 persons. when 900 persons were present, and To tthhiastisthaeddmedisaerfyaiilsuraepipnatlhlienfgis,hearlitehs~ Archdeacon Henry Langley, his predso ecessor in the incumbency, presided.
the brethren are doing their best to Subsequently a still more imposing mitigate it by large distributions of meeting, attended by two or three thou- food. sand people, was held in the splendid " And how does our congregation re- town hall of Melbourne. The new ceive this visitation? It humbles itself dean, Dr. Vance, presided, and spoke under God's hand, and thankfully ac" out vigorously. • Some,' heconsdauicd~ • might call Mr. Blackett's cepts the chastening. At no one death- quixotic, and say that he was sacrificbed have I heard a word of murmur- ing service to sentiment, and a higher ing against the Divine leading. They duty to a lower; but the whole history are resigned to God's will; indeed, of the Church and the evangelization many thank God for the sufferings He of heathen nations gave a refutation to has laid upon them. "-Rev. ALBERT that idea. The men who had shown MARTIN. in Mission8-Blatt. the fervor and the faith to make im- Mr. Martin's own little boy llernard pressions upon the heathen and Mohamwas also called away. "He was so medan populations were bound to be patient in his suffering, so thankful for men of special ability and mark-the every little loving attention, which, very men who, if they had remained at alas! how glad we were to show him home, would have probably won for and he exhibited even to the last mo: themselves front places in the Church ment in a touching manner his love and and in the world; of such men Mr. attachment to us. During the Christ- Blackett was one."-Ohurch Mi8sionmas festivities he was still particularly a1'Y Gleaner. joyous, as If, as it now appears to us in the retrospect, already a foregleam of MISCELLANEOUS.
the heavenly glory illuminated his -" There is at present a great temp- tation to an extension of the missionary whole being. 0 Lord, Thou hadst commission, confusing it either with a • purely external ecclesiasticizing of the given him to us, Thou hast taken him masses or with a mere civilizing of them. While the Roman Catholic misfrom us, Thy name be blessed !" sions stand inextricably under the ban PERSIA.
-The Rev. A. B. BLACKETT, rector of the important parish of St. Mat-
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
of the drst of these dangers, the latter the early Jesuits. And we have no to-day threatens the Christian missions reason to doubt that their first purpose of all confessions. If the diffusion of in secluding themselves with their Ind- • Christian culture' is stamped with ian converts in Paraguay was that of the dignity of the missionary commis- protecting these against the cruelties sion, missions come into danger of their and the corrupting influence of the very life, for their religious end is adul- whites; but once established in Para· terated thereby, and a foreigu element guay, and endowed by Spain with regal substituted. Doubtless Christian cul- prerogatives over the natives, the essenture is a self-evident result of the Chris- tial vices of the Jesuit institution could tian work of cbnversion; but if this re- not fail to unfold themselves. It is sult of missions were substituted for true, the accusation that the Jesuit con· their proper end, this would signify the stitutions authorize a superior to comsubstitution of a secular purpose for a mand an inferior to sin is a gross calpurpose of the kingdom of God. Such umny, originating in an ignorant misan impulse to the secularization of mis- interpretation of a phrase which is sions is rife in the present, and has re- shown by that learned enemy of the ceived new nourishment, especially Jesuits, Dr. Steitz, to have throughout through the economical interests and all ages of Catholic theology one uni· national jealousies of the most recent form sense-namely, " to bind to obedicolonial policy, and it has recalled into ence under penalty of sin." The Jesuit life a medireval misuse of missions for rule expressly reserves to every memo the ends of the temporal powers. In ber the right" to refuse to sin." Nevview of this danger, which threatens ertheless, the whole effect of the Instithe innermost life of Christian missions, tute is to develop most portentously the the present time above all stands in the instinct of domination, of the highest most pressing need of a clear exposition over the higher, of the higher over the of the religious character and ends of lower, of the lower over the lowest. A missions."-Dr. WARNECK, in Evan- necessary result of this is the instinct gelische Missionslehre. of suppressing intelligence in inferiors, and of reducing Christianity itself as -" Missions have not the primary nearly to a mechanism as is possible. purpose of civilizing the barbarous It is no wonder, then, that Dr. PFOTENpeoples. Whatever goou is implied in HAUER, quoted in the Zeitschrift fur culture, missions may very well make Missionskunde, is able to show, by the serviceable to themselves, but they will amplest documentary evidence, how never confuse their proper end with a well justified was the unfavorable judgsimple result of their labor. . .. All ment finally formed by Spain and also the splendor of culture is too weak to by Rome concerning the Paraguay Misblind their eyes."-P. E. STEIN, quoted sions. Spain and Rome were little in Zeitschrift fur Mis8ionskunde. likely to be scandalized by an excess of ceremonialism, but they were scandal- -" Missions, above everything, are ized by Jesuit rebelliousness, and by appointed to follow God's ways, which the extreme harshness of the Fathers are very often indeed ways of long ex- toward the Indians. Benedict XIV. pectation. "-ibid. tried reform, but as this proved ineffect- ual, Spain tried abolition of the mis- -It would be unreasonable aud un- sion, and finally Clement XIV. tried just to judge all Jesuits by one stand- abolition of the order. There was ard, or all Jesuit missions, or the much gained and nothing lost. .. Un- Jesuit missions of all ages. The En- der all the speciousness of outward' cyclopllJdia Britannica says that the guise there was concealed in Paraguay Brazilian nationality owes its very ex- an abysmal emptiness. Not a trace of istence to the awakening influence of
G1l:NERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
inward apprehension of Christianity, of really so, it becomes us to bow in deep the worship of God in spirit and in humility, and to exclaim, 'Not unto truth, everything only a performance us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy of eeremonil'l externalities, not a trace Name be the glory.' If in the guidof instruction aiming at the winning of ance of our society we are firmly persouls, nothing but crossings, chattering suaded of one tlting, it is of this, that of catechisms, genuliexions, repetition such a blessing of God is a wholly unof rosaries, not a trace of labor aiming merited one; but we will therefore be at moral de-velopment, or at the awak· all the mOle thankful,"-Bericltte der ening of self·confidence and personal Rlteinisc7.en MisBions-Gesellscltajt. activity, nothing but idle imitation: the inferiority of the natives-relig- -" Before there were German coloiously, morally, economically -most nies it was a matter of course with every rigidly maintained, so that the absolute German missionary that in taking leave authority of the Jesuit Fathers might of his home he must also, in a certain remain uninfringed. The whole work measure, take leave of his own Germanof the Fathers not imbued with the ism, of his national habits of feeling, of pure spirit of ministering love, but la- all manner of inherited and dashing boring unweariedly and in the falness views and customs, in order to become . of holy earnestness on the souls and all things to all men. Moreover, it was hearts of other men. What a harsh- universally accepted, as a peculiar adness of temper, when the Fathers speak vantage, that the German missionary In of the natives as • wild beasts, for all English, Dutch, or Danish colonies was the world like monkeys,' , mere stupid free from all suspicion of coming with cattle, forest demons,' 'a horde of political ulterior views. Now this bedirty, mast·fed swine rather than a rout gins to be treated as an antiquated poof reasonable men'! What a frivo· sition, and men begin to insist emphati. lous, indeed criminal apprehension of cally that missions must bear a national the missionary work enjoined by the character. German missions in German Lord, when the natives were heaped colonies, that is the only sound state of with presents and provisions, with the things, they will have it, We fear that remark that' the way to the heart only there is a great danger involved in this. goes through the mouth,' and when This easily brings the missionary into a accommodation to heathen religions hybrid position, prejudicial to hisactlvwas carried so far that a Jesuit says a ity as a herald of the kingdom of God Christian mass in the morning, and in and as a witness of Jesus Christ. Things the afternoon a mass for the old gods secular and spiritual, national and Chrisof the land." The Jesuit accommoda- tian, are thus confused, and finally Gertions to heatbenism in China, for which manism comes in the place of Christian- Rome inexorably broke up their mis- ity. It is our duty to testify against sions, were nothing to this. this tendency, and to emphasize the in- ternational character of all evangelical -The Papuans of New Guinea, it is mission work. We rejoice that, for insaid in the Berieltte de1' Rlteinioelten stance, the Bremen missionary inspector, Miaaiom·Gesellacltajt, are distinguished ZAHN, has done this again and again. by a peculiar depth of feeling, and a This alone would have merited his late relatively high morality. This renders honor .of Doctor of Theology, for it is a the work among them much more hope- fundamental character oftrue theology to ful. distinguish, with Luther and with Paul, between too kingdom of the world and -" It hM been occasionally said to the kingdom of God, and to take Christ's us of late, that our Rhenish missions word in earnest: 'Render to Cresar the are at this present the most richly bless- things that are Cresar's, and to God the ed among those of GerlP..:1uy. If this is
ENGLISH NOTES
things that are God's.' "-Calwer ~lfi8· not what it ought to be. Even if some aionsblatt. Christians had theological doubts, this should not prevent them working We observe that this excellent sheet heartily for the benefit of humanity. does not flare up and accuse those of Then some said of the heathen: • These hating German missions and of being are in the hands of a merciful God.' no Christians who venture, after German So were passengers and sailors on a sources, to represent that in Germany, sinking ship; so were the sick; so as well as elsewhere, there are those who were our children; but this did not wish to make missions a servile hand- prevent us from taking such steps as maid to ambition and commerce. In our natural feelings called for. Some, Germany, a1l elsewhere. the true friends again, objected to missions because they of missions set themsel ves against this had (so it was said) inculcated the dread elIect, and there, as elsewhere, they of eternal torment. He did not think have abundant occasion to do so. this was so. He did not find it in the early records; and the founders of this -" Rev. E. P. RICE, B.A., Chik society were not narrow, but broad· Ballapur, South India, said his only minded men. Contending, in answer reason for being a missionary was that to recent criticisms, that it was no more he was a Christian. The two things unreasonable to correct the erroneous lay very close together ; and he could beliefs of the heathen than their crude not understand a consistent Christian views of geography and other things, who was not a missionary at heart. If Mr. Rice closed by saying: 'In our it could be proved that Jesus Christ preaching place at Chik Ballapur, we never spoke the words, ' Go ye into all have inscribed on the wall, " One God the world,' the injunction would still for all mankind; one Savior for every remain both in the Commandments and sinner; one brotherhood to all races; the Lord's Prayer. We could not do one law of duty for every man." This our duty to God and our neighbor if we continually asseverate. What we we neglected missionary work, and we preach is not only a white man's re- could not consistently pray. ' Thy king- ligion ; it is a universal truth, and it is dom come,' if we failed to put forth adapted to all ages and all time.'''- our utmost elIort to promote its advent. The Chronicle. We were called upon to give to the world our best, and our best was our -Dr. Glover (in The Chronicle) hopes knowledge of Jesus Christ. This was that Great Britain will not go to war to the best thing in our li ves. We could avenge the death of any missionary. part with our wealth, our health, our Fill up the gaps. friends, and our reputation; but so . long as we had God for our loving English Notes. Father, guiding our lives, we had the secret of eternal peace; and we should BY JAMES DOUGLAS. no more be able to keep silent about this than we could stifle a sweet per- Baptist Missiona'I"JI Soeiety. MU8soorie, fume by placing the hand over it. We India.-The Rev. Thomas Evans, in re- should manifest the love abroad as well porting the baptism of several soldiers, as at home, because the brotherhood to tells also of the baptism of one named which Christ calls us is a world·wide Sobha Sing. who is a native of Tibet, brotherhood. Britain had a world·wide and who has a great desire to be the empire, and had now to show itself first to open up that dark land so long worthy of it. If they considered the barred against the heralds of the cr05S. relative population and needs at home He is described as a man full of energy, and among the heathen, they would and as having no fear of man or the see that the proportion of workers was want of means. At present he is a
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
zemindar in Tizhoot, but is going to palling. Kuti, a native catechist, says; devote himself entirely to the Lord's " Gin has invaded the country, and is work. He has great hopes of being al- determined to ruin and desolate it, if not lowed to enter Tibet, and there shed put a stop to. There is no distinction abroad the light of the grace of God. -men, women, and children drink; and, what is worse, infants and suck- :North Italy.-Interesting particulars lings have the gin-glass held to their are furnished by the Rev. W. K. Lan- mouths by their parentl!." Later on he dels, of Turin, concerning the forma- says: .. Drink is a great impediment tion of an evangelical church in Haena. to the progress of the Gospel, and a The circumstances which resulted in great barrier to a betterment of the this were peculiar_ The people of this condition of the people. It renders futown having quarrelled with the priest, tile and abortive all the civilizing agenand unable in consequence to procure cies sent forth to make us YOMaa rise his services, determined to ask an evan- and improve our condition." gelical minister to hold a religious service, and communicated their wish to Ranaghat MedicaZ Mi8sion, Bengal.,- Mr. Landels. On arriving at the sta- From the report of this mission it trantion of Haena "we were met," says spires that 28,000 people have heard the Mr_ Landels, "by a band of music, and Word of the Lord within a few months. escorted to the place of meeting." On Many attribute the cure of their bodily that occasion some 1500 people heard ailments to the Lord Jesus. May the the Gospel, and the wish was unani- time soon come when they will acmous that the preacher should again knowledge His power and His grace as come. This led to the opening of a hall the Savior of their souls! and the holding of services every Sunday. There is now an evangelical South India.-The Rev. F. W. N_ church in Haena consisting of 12 mem- Alexander, who has labored long in bers and some 50 declared ndherents. India, has had a fresh reaping time in Including the immediate district, the Po7.aanipaUi, where he was the first to number of the baptized is 25. plant the Gospel 33 years ago_ On that occasion-his first missionary tour Shensi, Ohina.-Mrs. Moir Duncan where never missionary foot had trod sends an account of a gracious revival before-a boy heard aDd believed, and in her girls' school. As the result of others were converted. "Now," he addresses and earnest appeals, a spirit says, " we have had a movement among of intense prayer was developed. the heathen remnant, and 16 adult men "Night after night," says this lady, have joined us after long holding out, .. they prayed, sometimes till midnight, and are now in the fold of the Good for themselves and each other, with Shepherd. " the result that most if not everyone of the 40 odd professed conversion. The Presbyterian Ohurch oj England. That many of these have truly been -Four new missionaries have recently born again we have no reason to doubt, been inducted at Highbury to their rebut that many may grow cold we must spective positions in the foreign field. fear. Still there has been an outpour- Their career thus far is bright with ingof God's Spirit on the whole school." promise. Mr. Campbell Moody, M.A., The whole atmosphere of the school has done yeoman missionary work in seems Changed, and the villagers re- the Gallowgate, Glasgow, after a dismark on the difference. tinguished university curriculum. He was also, during his last year in the Ohurch Hi8sionary Society. – The Glasgow Free Church College, Presinews this month as to the havoc dent of the Students' Theological Sowrought by drink in Weat Africa is ap- ciety. Associated with him is Dr. Lands-
ENGLrSH NOTES
borough, another youth of· great prom- and others, bearing the Christian name, ise. These brethren will settle in the have had to fiee. For the time being, Chiangoa country, Formosa. Mr. An- at Kagi and some other stations, the drew B. Neilson. M.A., is appointed to regular services have been suspend· take the place of the late lamented Mr. ed.
Thow, in Taiwanfoo. !fr. Neilson's London Mi88ionary Society.-Anxiety purpose to devote himself to the mis· in respect of Madagascar is intensified sionarylife became definite at Northfield by the news of the murder of Mr. and in 1889, when he attended Mr. Moody's Mrs. Johnson, of the Friends' Mission Summer School for Students as a dele- which occurred on the last day of No: gate from the Glasgow University Chris· vember. The sympathy of a very large tian Association, of which he was after- circle has boon deeply stirred, for these ward the secretary. The fourth name missionaries were greatly beloved, and is that of Dr. John M. Dalziel, who is were known as most devoted to the ~a to be associated witl1 Dr. Lyall, at Swa· cred cause of the Gospel. Probably tow. and who is well reported of alike for months to come there will be much as it regards professional qualifications unrest in country districts. Still the and missionary spirit. ultimate outlook is not so unpromising Japan and Formoaa.-It is interesting as was at first threatened. For one to find that Japanese Christians have tiling. the French Chambers have retheir thoughts already turned to mission solved to sustain the treaty made with work in Formosa, the new possession the Queen of Madagascar; and further, of their country. The Presbyterian the appointment of a Protestant, who Church has taken the initiative. At is known to be in sympathy with Protits recent General Assembly in Japan estant worship and missionary work, as it was resolved to take steps toward the the first Resident-General in Madagasfounding of a mission in that island. car, is another and clearer indication of Pessibly the East Coast work will be the same pacific purpose.
handed over to the Japanese Church. Woman'8 Work.-With the new year 'fhe likelihood is that among the a special niche is to be reserved in The aboriginal tribes of that part a happy Ohronicle for the latest intelligence conand fruitful sphere would be found. cerning woman's work on the mission field. This is designated .. Our New Recent commotions in Formo8a have Departure," and it is confidently hoped involved the Church of Christ in no that the ladies will be able to give a small tribulation, attempts having been good account of themselves in their made, not without some melancholy own department. The advance in success, to direct ill-feeling against the woman's work during the past 30 years Christians as in league with the Jap· has been wonderful, but when it is conanese. Mr. Ede, Presbyterian mission- sidered that out of a female popUlation ary, had this accusation fiung at him in in India of over 128,000,000 there are the streets of Taiwarifoo; while in Kagi only, according to the last census 197and elsewhere the Christians have had 000 girls under instruction, a giimp;e much more than hard words to bear. is given of the reigning d!,stitution, One of the members of the Kagi church educational and religious. was beheaded on a trumped·up charge of having assisted the enemy. His poor wife died immediately of shock and THE KINGDOM. fear, and the home was plundered. As several of the hearers of the Gospel in -A missionary writes: "The Chi· Kagi are missing, it is feared that one· nese have been known to raise an ob- or more of them have been made away jection to going to • mansions in the with. Not a few have lost their all; skies' after death. On being asked
GEl"ERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
their reason, they an~wer that we try in its place a Dew religious heart which to get everybody to go there, and they does not lust for anything." know the place will be crowded !" -It appears from the last Bibliotlteca -On his recent journey home from Sacra that some missionaries, who are Persia, Mr. E. T. Allen traveled 500 also sons of missionaries, afe of considmiles OD his bicycle, arousing conflict· erable account, and even in realms ining emotions along the road-admira- tellectual and scientific; for we find tion, resentment, and terror. A case Professor Romanes, of Oxford, who of the latter was a man ghastly pale, had been" :;,hattered" by rationalism, who stood by the roadside and drew pronouncing Rev. J. T. Gulick, of Ja· his dagger as the wheel came up. Dis- pan, "the most profound of living mounting and proffering a few human thinkers upon Darwinian topics," and inquiries. Mr. Allen discovered that he writing to him in this fashion: "How had been taken for the angel of death. is it that you have retained your Chris- – Woman's 'Workfor Woman. tian belief in the midst of your scien- tific researches? Looking at your life, -Once when Bishop Taylor passed I feel that you have done 80 conscienthrough Pungo Andongo, a king from tiously; and looking at your logic, I the interior came to open up trade; so know that you have not done so withhe arranged a cot in his own room for out consideration." Later the learned the repose of his majesty. Next day professor abandoned rationalism, and the king said to Mr. Shields, the mis- found peace and hope in the Gospel. sionary: "I heard in my own country of the bishop with the long beard. lIe -The foreign field contains Christian is not a man at all; he is a god come heroes by the hundred, and of both down to men. Last night when he sexes. Take these two as specimens. came into the bedroom I saw him take Rev. Dr. Barnum, of Harpoot, in a prioff his head (wig)" and lay it down by vate letter written before the massacre, his bed, and yet he had a head same as said: "We are glad to be here, what· beforo. I was scared nearly to death, ever may happen. If the Lord permits and trembled all over. If he had us to be cut off in an uprising of fanatitouched me then I would have died. cism, it will be because we can bless He is the god that piled up these great the country more in that way than in Pungo Mountains. If I could have any other. Perhaps something of the got out of the room I would have run kind is necessary. If so, for my part, for my life, but the god was between I am ready. '1'he people are excited, me and the door, and I couldn't get but we are not, for we are sure that out. When I go home to my people I God's hand is in all this movement, and will tell them that I saw a god, and that whatever may happen He will see came near to the end of my life." He that no grave mistakes are made." could not be induced to risk his life in And Mrs. Montgomery, without the that room again. presence of any male missionary, held her post at Adana, tho urged to come -When one of the Uganda natives away, and wrote: "While we hear of was to baptize certain candidates, a dire massacres in many directions, and crowd gathered to witness the cere- know not to what ollr own people may mony, and departed saying: .. It is all yet be liable, still faith says it is but a lie they told us about eating snake's part of the coming forward of the kingtails and human flesh." He found also dom for which you and we have prayed it was reported that baptism consisted and worked so long; and to be on the. in " making an incision in the head and ground now, I count the crowning privrubbing in a powerful medicine which ilege and joy of my life, partly because kills the old heart, and then there comes our presence here means so much to the people in their fears and distres84ls, 000 in three great cemmlmions of ChrIsand partly because the occasion reveals, tendom who bear His name. PraiJle as nothing else could do, the quality of God for such failures." the Lord's material in them. Surely the faith, love, and genuine spiritual -Tho not all Germans are reliable grasp that many of them evince is noth- witnesses in things which relate to the ing less than Divine." Gospel, it is yet pleasant to hear that when Major Leutwein, the new gov- -Among the antiquities of modern ernor of the German Protectorate in missions this incident may be set down. Namaqualand, had been a short time As far back as 1717 we find Ziegenbalg, in office, he said to the missionary at the first Protestant missionary in India, Keetmannshoop : "I am perfectly addressing a letter to "Cotton Mather, amazed at what I have seen since I Boston, Weat Indiea(!)," and asking came into this country. I thought I bow work was carried on in America was coming into a heathen land, but among the pagan natives. In due season instead of that I find a fully Christiana reply was sent, with the accompani- ized land." This remark, which is rement of a money contribution. This p;)rted in the ..Allgemeine Mi8siom·Zeitmissive was 14 months on the journey, seMift, is of special interest to English and Ziegenbalg died before it reached readers, because Namaqualand was Tranquebar; but Grundler, his succes- the scene of one of the early missions sor, returned hearty thanks, as well as of the London Missionary Society. several books just printed in Tamil. The correspondence was held in Latin, -Not since the Sepoy outbreak in and is to be found in a volume which India in 1857 have Christian missions Mather published, entitled India Ohris- experienced such severe reverses as were tiana. witnessed in 1895. The expulsion from Szchuan Province, West China, of -During a few months of last year nearly all the missionaries, to the num- 6 societies sent out no less than 250 ber of more than 100; the massacre missionaries to the foreign field, three near Ku-cheng; the conquest of Madafifths of them going out for the first gascar; the war between China and time. Japan, and the destruction of mission property and massacre of native Chris- -A writer in the Okri8tian Observer tians in Turkey, with the large debts muses and figures in this fashion: resting on nearly all missionary soci- "There are but 5994 missionaries in eties, form a series of events which the world all told. This is about one profoundly affect the progress of the missionary to every 6000 communicants. kingdom of Christ throughout the At this rate the Federal armies to sup- world. press the rebellion could never have exceeded 8000 men of all arms; while the -The saints cannot but rejoice and Confederate soldiers from Richmond be glad over the recent furious war to the Rio Grande could never have talk in relation to the Venezuela-Guiana numbered more than 1265. A country boundary question, and if for no other thus defended would be laughed to reason, because of the hearty expresscorn. sions of affection which by the ten thou- sand ha ve crossed the sea between Great -North and Weat exclaims: "The Britain and the United States. "The failure of missions! At the first Easter pulpits of the English.speaking world, there were 120 Christians. N ow there east and west of the Atlantic, have are 120,000,000 Protestants, who rule spoken with clear and unfaltering note. most of the area of the world. There Bishops and divines, leading merchants, were 500 brethren who saw the risen authors, editors, and statesmen have Lord at first. Now there are 500,000,- joined in a chorus, claiming commu- -To the same ancient city where nity of race and interest as a ground Florence Nightingale won immortal for deprecating war, and calling for fame, and ona kindred errand of merthe continuance of peace." Bloody cy, an American woman has bent her strife between these two foremost of steps. God bless and prosper Clara Christian nations, to which the world's Barton in carrying food to the starving redemption has been committed, would Armenians. The request to act in the constitute a crime and disgrace far more case was sent to the Red Cross Society colossal and damnable than any to be from the American Board and the Presfound upon the pages of history. byterian Board, endorsed by the State Department at Washington. Tho the WOMAN'S WORK. Sultan declares that her heavenly mis- sion will not be tolerated on Turkish -I never yet saw a missionary's wife soil, yet even he has been known sudwhose companionship did not double denly and utterly to change his mind. her husband's usefulness. I have known more than one whose face as the years of life increased took on that -Yes, and Japan also has her Florcharm, that wondrous beauty, that ence Nightingale. For" a Chinese youthful features never wear – the naval officer, captured by the Japanese, beauty of character disciplined by suf· has recently given to a newspaper corfering, of a life unselfishly devoted to respondent high testimony to the gentle, the highest ends. One of the choicest unostentatious labor among the Chinese things of missionary work is the unwrit- prisoners in Japan of an American misten heroism of missionary homes. It is sionary, Miss Talcott. She had a mys- the missionary's wife who by years of terious happiness, whose fountain they endurance and acquired experience in could not understand; and her sunny the foreign field has made it possible face, aglow with an inward delight, in these later years for unmarried wom- soothed and blessed the sorrowful and en to go abroad and live and work broken-hearted. The conservatism of among the people of Eastern lands.- these men was proverbial, yet the most Dr. Herrick. stubborn hearts yielded to Miss Tal- -Archdeacon Wolfe gives this em- cott's simple·hearted love. Tho relucphatic testimony to the value of wom- tant to acknowledge the superiority of an's part in the world's evangelization: anything foreign, their prejudice was .. A mission without a large staff of de- disarmed and their wrong impressions voted lady missionaries, 1 have no hesi- dispelled." – Ohurch at Home and tation in saying after 34 years of ex- Abroad.
perience, is destitute of one of the most -The Helping Hand, organ of the potent agencies for the conversion of Woman's Baptist Missionary Society, China to Christianity. The vast masses in the January issue celebrates the quarof Chinese women can be reached only ter 'centennial of that organization by by lady missionaries. Even our Chris- various appropriate articles, and be- tian congregations, on account of the sides, a " dress" all radiant with silver ignorance of the wives and daughters, and most attractive to the eye.
are sadly lacking too often in devoted- YOUNG PEOPLE. ness and zeal. The presence of lady missionaries is the only remedy for this -The King's Daughters began with state of things, and I can bear testi- 10 women in New York less than ten mony, with deep thankfulness to God, years ago, and now have a membership to the improvement seen everywhere in of over 400,000. They aim to work our Christian congregations which have quietly, to take up new work quickly.
had the privilege of their presence and and mcite others to royal deeds of love teaching." for the King. A society bearing this euphonious name in Burlington, Vt., resented is 570. The largest has 39 achas a .. Sunshine Circle" in a hospital. tive members, 19 associate, and 12 hon- orary, the Chinese names for these -The young people of the United classes being" real members," "learn- Brethren Church volunteered to raise ers," and " guests." One of the soci- $5000 to build a church in Los Angeles. eties sends 2 members every Sunday Success is about to crown their efforts. afternoon to speak in adjoining villages.
-The Christian Endeavorers of Clar- endon Street Baptist Church, Boston, AMERICA.
gave $1900 to missions last year. United States.-The Chicago 'J'ri- -Among the Friends the Endeavor- bune'8 record of gifts to benevolent in- ers number about one fifth of the entire stitutions in this country in sums of membership of the denomination. Dur- $10,000, or over, for the year 1895, ing the past year those in California shows a total of $28,943,549, an in- and Ohio gave for missions $1 each, on crease of over $9,000,000 from the gifts the average, and those in Canada $1.50, for 1894. The gifts of less than $10,- while 15 who are now engaged in for- 000 were correspondingly larger, and eign work are partly or wholly sup- may be estimated at $15,000,000 more.
ported by those remaining at home. It is safe to place the voluntary benevo- -The New York City Endeavor lences, not counting the support of local Union numbers 135 societies, with a churches, at a total of over $40,000,000 membership of 6500, and the Chicago for the year.-The Interior.
Union has now increased to 410 soci- -January 4th. by proclamation of eties, with a membership of about 18,- President Cleveland, Utah, after nearly 000. German, Dutch, Norwegian, 50 years of waiting and knocking, has Swedish, Welsh, Bohemian, and Chi- been admitted to the Union. The first nese are languages in which meetings application for statehood was made in are regularly held in societies belong- 1849, the second in 1855, the third in ing to the Chicago Union. New York 1862, the fourth in 1867, the fifth in also has Bohemian, Italian, French, 1872, the sixth in 1887, and the seventh and German societies, besides several -the successful one-in 1894. Until among the sailors. The German work 1887 all petitions had been made in the in Chicago has been made a distinct de- name of the " State of Deseret," lind in partment of activity, with a special su- 1849 the State was to comprise all the perintendent in charge. country now covered by Western Colo- -The annual convention of the Foo- rado, Western. Wyoming, Southern chow district, China, was to have been Idaho, all of Utah, Nevada. and Ariheld in a church, but it was seen that zona, and California as far west as LOB the building would not accommodate Angeles. The new commonwealth nearly all that would attend, so the En- comes with a population of about 250.- deavorers secured cotton cloth and put 000, and an assessed valuation of propup a tent on the lawn of the Ponasang erty amounting to $97,900,000. The compound belonging to the American governor is a Mormon, and was born Board. The first native Endeavorer, in Salt Lake in 1859.
Mr. Ling Muk Gek, presided; 700were -Mrs. Phineas M. Barber, of Phila- present, and 300 of these had little or delphia, widow of the late Phineas M.
no knowledge of Christ. The tent was Barber, has devoted $40,000 for the fastened on one side to an idol temple, building and equipment of a seminary and a short distance away men were for girls, to be located at Anniston, making objects connected with idol Ala. It was given to the Presbyterian ,worship. The total membership rep- Board of Missions for Freedmen, will be completed by October of this year, more than for the 12 years preceding , and be known as the •• Barber Memo- 1884.
rial Seminary." Mr. Barber, who died Canada.-This is a specimen part of two years ago, made a bequest of $113,- the story which Bishop Newnham has 000, which will probably be increased to tell of travel through his hyperborean by another $100,000 for the benefit of diocese of Moosonee: •• For a large the churches and ministers of the Freed· part of the way I only had two Indian men. lads, which means that I paddled myself for many hours in the day. besides -Cornelius Vanderbilt and his wife helping to carry over the portages, to have transferred as a gift the property haul at the' tracking-line,' or tow-rope, on the north side of Forty-second Street, and to make camp at night. I have 155 feet east of Third Avenue, to the been traveling in canoe and open boat St. Bartholomew's Protestant Episco- for over three months, sleeping in a tent, pal church, this city. The property or in open boat without even that shelwas purchased by Mr. Vanderbilt for ter, for the whole of that time, except $60,000, and will be used as an insti- for three weeks altogether at the diftution for missionary, religious, char- ferent Hudson's Bay Company's posts, itable, benevolent, and educational in almost tropical heat of midsummer work.
-Behold how an Indian church can and the frosty nights of the autumn, grow. The Standing Rock Congrega- sometimes plagued with myriads of tional Church was organized December mosquitoes and other venomous flies; 8th, 1889. January 1st, 1890, it had 12 at other times, on the Bay, surrounded members; in 1891, it had only 16 mem- by vast ice-floes from arctic regions, bers; in 1892, it had 24 members; in much of the time wet through from in- 1893, 116; in 1894, 170; and January cessant rain or from wading in rivers ,1st, this year, there were 2 churches, and through swamps; exposed somewith 78 members in one and 152 in the times to the risks of swift rapids, at other, making a total membership of others to gales and tides; rising daily at 230. 4 or 4.30 A.M., and retiring to my bed on the ground at 10 P.M."
:- -If all the Methodist home mission -And the Intelligencer (Church }<Iisconverts could be brought together in sionary Society) for December last has a conference we should hear them speak long and intensely interesting quotain Welsh, German, Swedish, Danish, tions from the diary of Rev. E. J. Peck, French, Portuguese. Italian, Bohemian, who is gladly self-exiled for the king- Hungarian, Chinese, .Japanese, Span- dom's sake among the Eskimo of Cumish, and various Indian tongues. berland Sound far to the north of Hud- -Remembering that he includes all son Bay. What he narrates of adven- who have joined on probation, and all ture and endurance from the climate (!onver~s gathered in Protestant Europe and the natives certainly leaves nothing from the Lutherans, etc., these figures to be desired (1).
of Rev. C. C. McCabe are deeply inter- ., People busy cutting up whale.
esting : In 1883 we had in all our for- The total length of this huge creature eign missions 43,100 communicants. is about 50 feet, height fully 15, and In 1894 we had 135,833. Estimating breadth of tail 12. Both dogs and peo- the gain in 1895 at only half what it ple are now feasting away to their was in 1894, we add 8000, giving us a hearts' content, and they seem quite total of 143,833, making a gain in 12 elated at the prospect of having many yellrs of 100,733, more than two thirds a hearty meal. Busy during day speak- of the whole number. The missionary ing to the people, and teaching them in income for 12 years has been $5,000,000 our little church. .. We were startled this morning at joicing and wonder: Does everyone about 3 A.M. by a pack of hungry dogs. know that there are 350,000,000 of peo- These crcatures had managed to climb ple who are not Christians in British up on the roof of our skin church, and territories or under British dominion?
to our dismay were tearing the edifice – During the first week of the year a to pieces. Hastily slipping on our fur conference convened at Liverpool uncoats, Mr. Parker and myself rushed der the auspices of the Student Volunout in the bitter cold. Here, in the teer Missionary Union, which was the dim light, we could make out our po· largest and most representative gathersition. We were literally besieged by ing of Christian students ever held in dogs, and they must in all have num- Britain. Some 620 British students, bered over 100. Most of these were on men and women, representing about the roof, some had fallen through the 65 colleges of various denominations, same, others were devouring pieces of gathered, with representatives of the volseal-skin, and altogether such a con- unteer movement in America, France, fused mass of dogs-young, old, bruised, and South Africa, as well as students and wounded-it would be hard to find from the Continent, belonging to inanywhere else. After a sharp battle stitutions in Germany, Switzerland, we managed to put these unwelcome Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, visitors to flight, and we then man- and Denmark. aged, by the help of our Eskimo friends, to patch up with some old canvas the -Our missionary societies are extri- holes in our little church." cating themselves from their burdens But for some time services were held of debt. The London Missionary So- in a structure which could not be de- ciety has already raised a centenary voured: to wit, in "a large circular fund of more than £90,000, and hopes wall of snow about 6 feet high. The to make it at least £100,000. The Wes- seats were made of blocks of snow leyan Society has cleared its debt, and placed close to the wall." At his call is aiming at an addition of £20,000 a "quite a number came to hear the year to its income. Besides which, in Word of God," and sat" with nothing this society there is a revival of the mis- between us and the blue heavens." sionary spirit among the students in .. We had a grand time together." the colleges, many of whom are offer- ing for work abroad. We shall pres- EUROPE. ently learn also to economize our -England has a great many citizens strength at home, that we may have all of wealth and handsome incomes. The the more for foreign service.-London income tax reports recently published Ohristian. show that 66 Englishmen enj oy incomes above $300,000, and that 2000 more -The latter half of the year which have incomes ranging downward from has just closed will be memorable in that to $50,000. Those who have missionary annals for the number of the $25,000 to $50,000 a year exceed Lord's servants in the mission field who 3000 in number, 5000 are taxed on in- have fallen victims to the violence of comes of $10,000 to $15,000, and nearly lawless and wicked men, for whose 15,000 are reported as enjoying an- spiritual welfare they were laboring. nuities of from $5000 to $10,000. Our own party and that of the C. E. Z. M. S. in China; Mr. Atlay, of the Uni· versities' Mission, in the region of Lake -In a recent address the Bishop of Nyassa, East Africa; and now Mr. and St. Albans put this tremendous inter- Mrs. Johnson and their daughter, of rogatory, which every Christian in the the Society of Friends, in Madagascar- United Kingdom may well ponder with 15 in all. The S. P. G. missionary at fear and trembling, as well as with re- Ramainandro in Madagascar, with his family, appears to have very narrowly in the vicinity of the Vatican. "As escaped a similar fate in November, late as 1861, when Minister Marsh en. leaving the mission premises only a tered the papal dominions, his Bible few hours before they were attacked was taken from him by papal officials. and destroyed by an anti-European And now the walls of Rome contain 11 mob. It is a feature common to all the Protestant churches." -Jolfiah Strong. outbursts, that they were prompted by anti-foreign rather than anti-Christian -The Florence correspondent of feeling.-Intelligencer. Evangelical Ohristendom affirms that there is no book so widely spread in -Next to that of women's work, no Italy at the present moment as the department of the missionary service Bible; that of all books, none finds so has witnessed so marked a development many buyers. This is owing to the in recent years as medical missions. persevering and successful work pur- The first qualified medical man sent out sued in this country, for now nearly 40 as such by the society was Dr. Elmslie, years, by the British and Foreign Bible who sailed for the Punjab to open the Society and the National Bible Society medical mission in Kashmir in 1864. of Scotland. These societies have Since that year 45 have gone out under now spread throughout the length and the Church Missionary Society, and 29 breadth of the land about 3,000,000 European medical missionaries (besides copies of the Word of God, in whole or 3 qualified native doctors) are now on in part. The figures of last year's cirthe active list. During the 12 years culation are: Bibles, 7662; Testaments, from 1864 to 1875,5 were sent out; dur- 16,926; portions, 165,085; total, 189,- ing the 10 years from 1876 to 1885 the 633. The total for 1893 was 169,937 number was 15; and during the last copies; the increase, therefore, is about 10 years it was 25.-Idem. 20,000 copies.
-The Free Church of Scotland has -In Rome the Catholic Professor sent forth 28 medical missionaries, of and Doctor of Theology, Filippo De whom 5 are women, and supports 2 na- Lorenzi, has become a Protestant. He tive missionaries, at Madras and Tana, has addressed a letter to the committee making 20 medical missionaries in all. of the Free Church, in which he has Besides these, at Blythswood and other given the reasons for this step. After stations, chiefly in Africa, simple medi- stating that he was born in 1863, and cal cases are attended to by the mis- had been a priest and a professor of sionaries and their wives. About 120,- dogmatics in various colleges in Rome, 000 cases, surgical and medical, were among them also that of the Propatreated by 17 of the missionaries who ganda, he applies for admission to the have reported, besides the large num- Free Church. He acknowledges that ber of women dealt with by the physi- for years his heart has been filled with cians and surgeons of their own sex at unrest, and states that he has found Madras and Nagpoor, and the many're- peace in the Evangelical Church, lieved unprofessionally. At least 150,- .. whose faith is based solely and alone 000 men, women, and children, suffer- upon the Word of God, and which ers, of all Asiatic and African races and lives in accordance with this Word." creeds, annually receive healing and sympathy, and have the love of Jesus ASIA. Christ preached and read to them in our Church's dispensaries and hospitals, Ialam.-Sublime Porte means literin zenanas, and in the tented camp.- ally lofty gate, referring to the gate of Free Church Monthly. the palace at which justice was admin- istered, and so easily came to designate -Verily, "the sun do move," even the chief office of the Ottoman Govern- ment. -The mission to Syria was begun' in ly. They seldom or never visit them.
1828 by the occupation of Beirut. They know hardly anything about Twenty-five years ago, in 1870, it was them. They often speak unkindly of transferred from the American Board them in the mass, because of some ex- to the Presbyterian Board, and within perience of an untoward kind in con- this last quarter of a century there has nection with a few individuals. They been encouraging progress. In place pray little for them. They do not wor- of 18 American missionaries there are ship with them, and almost in no way now 40; in place of 63 native helpers, do they show sympathy with or for there are 219. In 1870 there were less them.-Indian Witnes8.
than 800 communicants; now there are -Miss Annie Taylor has entered 8048. The pupils in the schools have increased from 167 to 7352. The mis- Tibet as a bona, fo1e trader; she deals In sion press at Beirut issued over 22,000,- 000 pages in 1894, of which nearly one medicine, for which there is great dehalf were portions of the Bible. mand, and meantime loses no opportu- nity for missionary work. The Com- -Some months ago we published an missioner of Customs at Yatong is Mr. appeal from the Rev. George A. :F'ord, Taylor, and the missionary at Yatong of Sidon, Syria, for a well-boring ap- is Miss Taylor. The Tibetans naturally paratus for the Sidon Academy. We conclude that both Taylors belong to are gratified to learn from Dr. Ford the same firm, and the poor commisthat in response a friend, who insists sioner is afraid lest he should be held upon remaining unnamed, has sent in responsible for the deeds of the other a check for $3400, in full payment of Taylor. the apparatus I Dr. Ford writes: .. This is a magnificent gift, and I doubt -The last engineering feat performed not that it will also prove such to the by Britons for the benefit of Hindus is work at large. Our first concern in known as the " Peryar Project," and this connection now must be the task, consists in turning the course of a large by no means light, of finding a com- river, which ran worthlessly down the petent, experienced, and Christian man, Western Ghauts of Southern India to select the necessary apparatus, and into the sea, by a tunnel down the eastthen come out and manage it until he ern side instead to irrigate large barren has trained some native mechanic to wastes, and to feed hosts of the huntake his place."-New York Evangelist. gry. The dam is exceeded in height only by the new Croton dam in New York.
India.-It is by no means a palatable -The latest weapon forged against piece of information that the Indian caste and the seclusion of women is Christians suffer considerably from un- found in the (to Hinduism) pestiferous, happy influences, negative and positive, because so attractive, zenana car. Let which their European neighbors bring the mothers, wives, and daughters of to bear upon them. Negatively, the India move about swiftly by steam and growth of spiritual life in Indian Chris- see the world for a few years, and they tians is harmed by the isolated and will raise a successful rebellion in beunique position which is accidental to half of their rights. the profession of their faith in Christ.
The Hindu casts them off. The Mo- -This is how the Salvation Army is hammedan regards them with horror making assault: "Our methods are as deserters from Islam. The Parsee getting more and more wholesale-we closes the doors of his home to them. pioneer and prepare a given district for The Europeans, generally speaking a few weeks; experienced • sappers (missionaries excepted), pay but little and miners' deal with the villagers heed. to them. They regard them cold- treat with the group of headmen who rule the community (called the panch) work of the Ku·cheng Commission apand make them willing to accept our pointed to investigate the Hwa·Sang teaching. Then a large party is organ· massacre sat 74 days, and its labors reized, of from 40 to 100 officers and ca- sulted in the execution of 26 criminals, dets, living in rough huts, etc., and including the 5 leaders; 15 are to be camping in the open. With drums banished; 27 to be imprisoned for 10 beating and colors flying, they attack years; 5 to be imprisoned for 5 years, village after village, summoning them 5 more for 6 months, and 4 others to to surrender in the name of King be chained to a stone weighing 133 Jesus. Often the inhabitants come pounds, for 3 years. In addition to over en maS88 praying for pardon."- this it may be said that Vegetarianism The Oonqueror. for the time has been crushed.
China.-Of the 1500 missionaries, -A dispatch to the New York World men and women, now in this empire from Chun King says: "The Cheng the Church of England has about 210. Tu Commission, it is generally admit- -One of the significant signs of prog- ted, has achieved a complete success.
ress in China is a new university and The results have met with the approval preparatory school in Tientsin, under of the Cheng Tu missionaries, who are control of Chinese officials, with Mr. now recognized by the Chinese officials, C. D. Tenney as its first president. from the viceroy down. The mission· The English language will be taught aries were publicly banqueted wilh the and the new institution developed along commissioners. Everything possible is American lines, but Mr. Tenney is to now being done to obliterate remem- be assisted by competent foreign pro- brance of the late viceroy's misdeeds.
fessors. It is proposed to open prepara- The claims of the Methodists have been tory schools in other localities in North settled…
China under the management of the' -An interesting communication university to a certain extent. In the comes from Minister Denby, at Peking, course of time the university will pro· to the effect that a reform club has vide besides a general scientific conrse lately been started in that capital. The special courses in civil engineering, plan includes a daily paper, a readingmining, mechanical engineering, and room to be supplied with papers and law. books bearing on science, politics, and progress, a library, lecture courses, -Bishop R. E. Hendrix, of the Meth· etc. Rev. Gilbert Reid has been asked odist Church, South, who has just re- and has consented to assist the club in turned from China, brings this message carrying this scheme into execution. from Li Hung Chang: "Say to the American people for me to send over more men for the schools and hospitals, Ja-pan.-A. Japanese church at Kyoto and I hope to be in a position both to has adopted individual communion aid and protect them." He had asked cups, Il,nd all the members consider it how many American missionaries there an improvement. A deacon and a were in China. "There are about 600," deaconess served the cups, and another replied the bishop. "More are need- deacon and deaconess followed and ed," said Li, and in a moment he re- gathered them on trays.
peated the same words, "more are -As a result of 25 years of labor in needed." He then expressed the great Japan there are now in that country obligation of China to American mis· 400 Protestant churches, 50 Young sionaries and the spirit which has sent Men's Christian A.ssociations, 57 Christhem, and ended by asking the bishop tian Endeavor Societies, 18 circles of to convey the message. King's Daughters, and 6 home mis- -Rev. P. W. Pitcher writes that the sionary societies. -The progress of Japan in cIviliza- Christianity in the total he placed at tion may be illustrated by the following 5,550,000.
recently published statistics: In 1870 -Tropical Africa has its Hying frog, there was not a mile of railway; to- whose legs terminate in a sort of fan, day there are 1750 miles in operation, and with these'the little reptile paddles and 850 miles more about to be con- the air like a locust, or like a partially structed. These railways carried, in fledged bird testing its pinions for the 1894,36,000,000 passengers. There was first time. Altho somewhat awkward no post·office in 1870, but in 1893 the in its flock, the winged frog can dart Japanese post handled 277,000,000 let· through the air at a speed of about 10 ters and newspapers. In 1890 there yards per second, and can keep itself were no Japanese steamships; to-day going forward at that rate for from 10 there are 700. The ultimate secret of to 15 seconds. The average distance this progress is to be found in the work covered by these spurts of grasshopperof 470 evangelical missionaries, backed like Hight is from 75 to 125 yards; but by 111,000 native Christians and the Bishoff mentions instances where the schools they support. flying frog cleared sandy stretches 200 -According to intelligence from yards in width. And then, as if this Formosa, the capitulation oCTai-wan- were not enough for one continent, a fu, the ca.pital of the island, and the flying mouse is to be found in the Cam- pea.ceful entry of the Japanese, which eroons, which is a link between the bat brought the long campaign to a con- and the true mouse, has a tail like a clusion, were due to the gallant con- mouse and heavy gray fur, while its duct of two Scotch missionaries, Messrs. wings are not so well developed as Ferguson and Barclay, who at the criti- those of the bat.
cal moment, when the excited popula- -When Bishop Taylor first went to tion were expecting the worst, ap- Liberia the only small currency in use proached the Japanese and led them in in portions of the Kroo Coast was leaf peace into the city. tobacco. Two Methodist missions used it in the purchase of rice for absolute -If these statements are true, there needs and for tbe landing of supplies is trouble ahead: "Watches which sent from New York. The bishop incost $20 to manufacture here are made troduced laundry soap as small curin Japan for $3; 10 boxes of excellent rency, and his son, Ross Taylor, has parlor matches sold here for 5 cents can sent from a firm in New York from be bought there for 1 ; a piece of silk 3 to 5 tons at a single shipment, fair tapestry for which French artists de- quality and full weight, 8 and 16 ounces manded $10,000 has been duplicated in to the bar, to serve the purpose of cur- Japan at a cost of only $700, etc. An rency. No tobacco has been used in American firm has recently purchased 9 carloads of buttons made in Japan. trade since the stations were opened.
Business men on the Pacific Coast are -Speaking of Lutheran (General becoming seriously alarmed at this Synod) Muhlenberg Mission, West Afrimenace to almost every line of produc· ca, Dr. Scholl states that" as a result tive industry." of Christian learning and training, the AFRICA. native boys have built a steamboat of -In a recent paper on the Dark Con- their own, and 35 years ago those peotinent Fred Perry Noble brought down ple had never seen an ax. They have the number of Mohammedans to 40,000,- sent to America 25,000 pounds of 000. He made the native Protestant coffee."
communicants 255,000 and the native -A French missionary journal gives Roman Catholic 250,000. The force of an account of the progress 01 misslonary work in the Congo Free State in expected way. Eight missionaries are 4 great felds-namely, the Lower Con· laboring there, and since 1891 4 sta~ go, the Upper Congo, the Basin of the tions have been founded. A small Kassai River, and in the Katanga steamer, the Paulu8, has been sent out, country. There are now 1500 native and is doing good service, carrying the Christians in all these various regions. missionaries from shore to shore, en· In the Lower Congo there are 15 sta- abling them to preach the Gospel in tions, and 34 missionaries, and about the villages lying there. The mission- 1300 converts, of whom 225 were bap- aries have gained the confidence of the tized the past year. In this region the native population in a very remarkable International Missionary Alliance has degree.
the largest number of workers. On the Upper Congo, above Stanley Pool, there -Letters from Bishop Tucker an- are 12 stations, with 45 missionaries and nouncing the arrival of his party in about 100 converts. In the Kassai Val- Mengo on October 4th are received.
ley there is one station connected with Three weeks before they reached their the Presbyterian Church, South. The destination greetings began to arrive last of these mission fields is under the from Uganda chiefs, and from that care of Mr_ Arnot, at Lake Moero, in time forward proofs of the interest the southeastern part of the Congo re- with which their arrival was awaited gion. multiplied day by day. At Ngogwe -Dr. Thompson, who is one of them, in Kyagwe, the station from which the a.nd 80 ought to know, writes thus of Rev. G. K. Baskerville has just come how luxuriously the pampered mission- home, the joy of the women was unaries live at Mt. Silinda, East Africa: bounded. "They ran along by the "The work we are obliged to do on sides of the ladies' chairs," the bishop these temporary 'wattle and daub' writes, " grasping their hands and uthouses is highly unsatisfactory, because tering all manner of exclamations of it requires to be done over again so fre- joyful and loving greeting." A thanksquently, and because it does not result giving service was held in the church, in comfortable quarters for civilized at which 600 were present. When at man. I have been obliged to spend len5th Mengo was approached, the 6 weeks in repairing, rethatching, and scenes baffled even the bishop'S powers altering our house, building chimneys, of description. "As we drew near to etc., to make it at all comfortable for the Chagwe market we found every another rainy season. This ti,me I very place of vantage from which a good much needed for work on the perma. view of us coulQ. be got occupied by nent house, which the mission have re- interested spectators – Mohammedan quested me to build. And now that and heathen, as well as Christians, both the work of repair is done, it is not Protestant and Roman Catholic. The done, for the mud is constantly falling mass of people was now so great that from the mud walls, thus opening it was difficult to get along." On Suncracks which have to be filled again, day, October 6th, a congregation of at the sun-dried-brick chimneys are wash- least 6000 people assembled in the ing away, and will soon have to be re- church aud in the barazzas outside. paired again," etc. Nearly 300 afterward partook of the Lord's Supper. The bishop's letter -Rev. A. Merensky, director of the states that 2000 people were baptized Berlin Missionary Society, reports that during the first 9 months of 1895 in its mission in German territory at the Mengo and its suburbs alone, that liDO north end of Lake Nyassa, at the foot candidates in Mengo alone were await· of the Livingstone Mountains, in the ing coufirmation, and 300 others at Konde country, has prospered in an un- Ngogwe. – Intelligencer.